Wednesday Reflections

I am super excited to run my six miles tonight. Weird. I kinda wanna soak up the feeling of humidity and summer as it makes me nostalgic for Boston summers. (Remind me of this at mile three) Typically, I do not enjoy evening runs because I have to be super cautious with what I eat all day as my sensitive stomach rejects most things that aren't bagels or oatmeal before a run. Hopefully my egg burrito with avocado and a whole wheat tortilla will be OK and digested by 5:30.

I bought a two-week pass to a new yoga studio on Monday. It was an odd vinyassa power flow class with a little less mindfulness than my usual studio. I definitely prefer my home studio better but it's fun to try new places. I didn't feel like I got as much of a good stretch but I definitely did feel a burn.

Other notes: I have been wanting a beer after all my longer runs lately. So odd as I have never been a huge beer drinking even though I do enjoy a beer every so often.

Trying to incorporate protein powder into my morning routine. Meh. Bleh.

Hawaii two weeks from tomorrow!

Tentative Fourth of July plans made with two BBQ's and a Napa visit.

Twelve miles Saturday followed by dinner in Sausalito and a visit from an old roommate Sunday!

Oh, and I found this gem today. Someday I will take a good race photo. I look like a gleeful idiot in this one. 

Sundays

Sunday nights that happen to fall on slightly gloomy days are made for cooking French suppers (coq au vin), reading books on the couch and lavender baths followed by dark chocolate. 

Onto marathon training week five: 24 miles on the schedule. Also: desperately in need of a yoga class. Maybe tomorrow morning. Happy Sunday, friends. 

After four weekends of not being in San Francisco I am SO happy to be home. Ten miles of perfection along the water, a gorgeous day of celebrating summer, dinner at our place drinking some of our favorite wine while eating pulled pork (I bought this BBQ sauce and it's too delicious), arugula watermelon and feta salad, corn on the cob and angel food cake with berries. I love you, California.

Miles this week: 19

Wednesdays

6 miles

Free avocados

Need desk nap time

Lately.

My grandmother passed away May 31 early in the morning. I flew back home to Boston last week and spent some great time with my family and celebrated her life with lots of friends and relatives in a fashion she most certainly would approve of. (Especially the Merlot toast.)

Gorgeous sunset that greeted me on my ferry ride from Boston to Hull. 

I somehow managed to stick to my marathon training schedule and only miss one run out of the nine I have had scheduled so far. Pretty happy I managed to do that, despite flying around the country and back, trying to work, spending time with loved ones and even going out of town last weekend for some much needed quality time with J. (We haven't seen each other and spent time just the two of us in three weeks.)

Gorgeous Lake Tahoe where we kayaked.

We went up to Lake Tahoe (it was my first time and now I am obsessed) and had a wonderful weekend of kayaking, pool lounging and eating at our amazing hotel the Ritz Carlton. (Best hotel I have ever stayed at.) It was lovely.

Our cozy room that looked out to the mountains

This week I am back in SF until Thursday night. Then I fly to Arizona. I haven't visited since I moved over a year ago. I am looking forward to seeing friends, celebrating Emily and Jeremy's wedding, trail racing and drinking a GIANT Macy's Special in my little mountain town.

Workouts this week include:

Monday: 3 miles (9:45 pace)
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: 5 miles (9:11 pace)
Thursday: 3 miles (pace tbd)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6 miles (pace tbd) - 5k trail race followed by 3 more miles (assuming they let me buy a bib)
Sunday: Rest

I am looking forward to my longer runs coming up, oddly. I can't wait to get up to the 14 mile, 15 milers. I must say though adding an extra mid-milage run to my week is a challenge. Thankfully we have so much sunlight now, otherwise I'd be on the dreadmill which I can only handle for about 30 minutes.

And on a cheesy note: My favorite person and myself from last weekend in Tahoe on a gondola from our hotel to the village. I like him.

My Grandmother

Many of my favorite summer memories are punctuated with moments spent at my grandparent's house: Hood ice cream in the living room after dinner while my Grammy yelled (lovingly always) at her Red Sox on TV, late nights where I was left to believe it's definitely OK to use Egyptian words in games of Scrabble and countless viewings of Pride and Prejudice (the A&E boxed set) after days spent at the beach.

My grandmother was a woman who really cared for everyone she ever met. She always could see the good in people and was always willing to give her time and energy to help anyone in need. I am thankful for her teaching me to always be generous, that small gestures can make big impacts and to never cook on Friday nights. Miss you already, Grammy.