Run commuting

Sometimes I like to get my miles in before work. I feel more energized and relaxed going into the day and have way more time to make dinner and eat before 8:30pm unlike days when I try to run after work. It also means I can try to get to yoga class, go lift or even grab a drink with a friend. Plus, who doesn't love running through downtown SF and along the Embarcadero in the morning? It's gorgeous and not crowded. I love it.

SO pretty!

Usually I just take the bus to the office, drop off my bag and head out for a run. This means I need to leave the house by 7:15 in order to get to work, go for a run and shower. (I am lucky enough to work at an office with a locker room.) Lately, when I do this I noticed a ton of run commuters. At first I thought it was a little lame to run to work with a backpack on you back, but I thought I would put my snowshoe day pack to the test and run to work to see how much more time I could save and how running with a pack was.

Tuesday I geared up and decided I wanted to get four miles in (I only work 2.5 miles from my apartment) so I mapped a route, packed my bag and hit the streets. The first two miles were fun and then by mile two and a half the pack started to get a tiny bit annoying but it was definitely manageable. I got to work so fast that I decided I was going to try it again today.

This time I packed a little lighter and had no problem at all with the backpack. I took the faster route (2.65 miles) and got to work/showered/made breakfast and was at my desk all in 40 minutes. Woohooo!

Now, obviously running 2.65 miles a day during the week for marathon training isn't going to cut it. But, this was definitely a fun, fast was to get to the office and get some miles in. I am going to make it part of my routine now that the sun is out earlier and the temps are warming.

Next on my list? Maybe find a better suited pack for run commuters. Mine is teeny and I can't fit my lunch in it too well with all my other stuff. Any recommendations?

Happy running, friends!

Off week

I took a big big vacation from my workout schedule and typical semi-healthy eating. (wow that sounds lame) In fact, I only ran two miles on the treadmill along with a small little weight training session then a one hour boxing class Saturday. Not to mention ate way too many sweets. But hey, you can do that every once and again. Time to get back on track today. Marathon training starts in three weeks. So I am doing a light cleanse this week of mostly vegan food, aside from dinner tonight and an already scheduled lunch date this week.

Evidence of too many treats...

In order to keep myself accountable here goes my week all typed out...

Monday: Breakfast: Oatmeal with chia seeds, almonds, berries and a tbl of honey, lunch: juice and fruit and cashews. dinner: turkey, kale and black bean tacos. Workout: three miles, strength session.

Tuesday: Breakfast: Almond milk smoothie and banana, lunch: leftover kale black bean tacos, dinner: green juice. AM Barre class, pm yoga

Wednesday: Breakfast: Green juice, Lunch: lunch with work friends at a tea house Dinner: brussel sprouts and sweet potato. Spin class.

Thursday: Breakfast: almond milk smoothie and banana Lunch: quinoa salad, Dinner: brussel sprouts and sweet potato. Run four miles + strength.

Friday: Breakfast: oatmeal same as monday, Lunch: kale salad from Darwin Cafe! (the best): dinner: homemade vegan pizza yummm!! Happy hour yoga.

Saturday: Run 6 miles and have a free eating day.

Sunday: yoga, brunch cheat meal out, try a new recipe for dinner.

I am trying these juices out this week. I picked up my first batch this morning. I'll write a review after I try a few more of them.