Monday, January 17, 2011

10k, Veggie Burgers & Question 4 Runners

My Sunday in a nutshell (or not...):

10k - I decided to run my 10k "race" along the West Side Highway instead of going all the way to the Park.  The WSH is a mere 10-15 min walk from my apartment, and I thought it'd be the perfect place to to get in 6.2 miles as easily as possible.  After a very large everything bagel and a Bones episode, I got dressed, filled my camelbak for the first time ever, and headed out.  It was beautiful, sunny and a frigid 35 degrees with a windchill of who-knows-what-but-it-was-friggin-cold.  My run was so-so.  Not particularly good, not particularly bad (no bra strap-snapping - hooray!).  I was pretty much frozen by the time I was done, and when I spotted the new New York Burger Co. at 10th Ave, I knew I had to stop in.  After defrosting, I ordered a black bean burger and fries (best fries EVER) and headed home.  Which brings me to my next topic...

Veggie Burgers - Why can't anyone in NYC make a decent veggie burger?  I've ordered several, and they are all the same - MUSHY, blah, and incapable of staying together.  SO annoying.  Austin, on the other hand, makes EXCELLENT veggie burgers.  Hut's, P. Terry's, East Side Cafe... I miss you.  NY Burger Co's was, of course, a massive disappointment.  Never.  Again.

Question 4 Runners - My runs this week were all less than stellar.  More than anything, I just felt tired and unable to master the distances each required.  I want to blame the fact that this is the first week I've actually done all the other workouts I'm supposed to for my training, and because of that, my body is tired, sore and flipping out at the thought of having to run on top of yoga, pilates, 30 Day Shred, pushups and then some.  Runners, please tell me that's what it is and that my body will catch up and realize all this other stuff is supposed to make me a better runner instead of a runner who wants to die at the thought of running more than 1 mile at a time??  

Weekend - The rest of my weekend has been productive, relaxing and shop-y.  I scored some nice spin shoes at Sid's Bike Shop for 40% off (plan to go to Spin on Wednesday and can't wait!!), and I bought a waterproof/wind-shielding and incredibly cute and surprisingly flattering running jacket at Lululemon for a kind of outrageous price.  BUT, in my defense, these are two things that have been on my list, AND they completely fit into my budget.  So THERE.

EXCITED to have Monday off!!!  I plan to meet my friends in TriBeCa to WRITE and then to go to a hot yoga class at my gym.  Do you have Monday off?  Any fun plans??

7 comments:

A'n'G Johnson said...

When I used to be a runner - I had to pick different routes to keep it interesting. That way I didn't get stuck doing the same loop over and over. Same thing goes for the music - make sure they are great songs for you in your current mood!

Helen said...

i agree with you carolyn, when you do the cross training your runs always feel worse because you are still hurting and or healing. i guess you could weigh up the benefits of doing so much extra cross trg...personally i love yoga but it makes my hamstrings so sore for my run the next day! and sometimes make me not want to do yoga - but it makes me feel so good mentally...

i always try and have a cold shower straight after a run to help with recovery, and i have also been known to wear compression pants to bed! hehehe. cold showers might not be so good for you trying to warm up. When i finish my runs its about 35deg(c) and about 80% humidity...aka HOT! keep it up though you are doing really well!!

Helen said...

oh and i forgot to mention if you are ever in Australia there is an amazing organic cafe (in a small seaside town called Milton in NSW) called Pilgrims, BEST veggie burgers i have EVER tasted!!

Eunice K. said...

Working as a fitness instructor, it is tough no doubt. But I feel like if you get your runs over first THEN focus on the secondary cross-training later in the day then you should be good (if you have a double). I think yes, your body is probably still readjusting to the workout overload so it may take a while to adjust. I would have recommended keeping your run plan as is and gradually increasing the different cross-training workouts every week. We wouldn't want you to burn out completely!!

I am not a fast runner but if you want some company I'd be happy to accompany you on those outdoor training runs — maybe it can serve as a welcome distraction rather than thinking about your destination/route/mileage!

congrats thought - least you made it through the week :)

Sef (of sef and sariah)

LikeyLou said...

HI, It's Malaika from Tues Night Happy Hour. I'm loving your blog! Very motivating. I have a question about your spinning shoes. How are they? I've been trying to find a good pair. Even though I've been doing spinning on and off for 3 years, I've never committed to actually buying spinning shoes. See you next Tuesday.

Reese's Runner said...

My body does the same thing!!! Some weeks I feel so dead, then magically one day I run and I feel awesome. No idea why, I guess it just takes time to adjust to new workouts. So frustrating!

Unknown said...

Don't fret about the distances- they will get easier! I've been distance running for 3years now. Building your base is the hardest part (especially in the awful east coast snow we've been having!) ick! Cross training also helps :) Keep up the good work and it'll get easier!