Early Bird, Morning Run

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Yesterday morning, Saturday, September 29th, I woke up to a text from my running buddy, Lina. The text said, “On my way.”

Oh damn, I rolled over in bed and looked at the clock, it was 6:30 am. I was late. We were suppose to be at our meeting spot at 6:30, and I was just waking up. I hurried and put on my running clothes, grabbed water, my garmin, my iPod and rushed to my car. It was still dark.

In my mind, I was thinking of how early it was, but I knew that after my run I would feel really good about doing it, I always do.

I got to our meeting spot around 6:45. The morning sky was just starting to brighten a little. Lina and I both parked and then started a slow warm up jog down Lee Highway toward the trail. Once we hit the trail we picked up the pace. With in minutes we went from running under a dark morning sky and through quiet streets to the sun rising over the Lincoln Memorial and a crowded running trail.

I must admit I really loved the morning energy. The sun rising was absolutely gorgeous. It turned the sky orange. The temperature outside was cool and crisp, it defiantly felt like fall. As for the crowded running trail, it was actually quite refreshing. I run this trail a couple days a week, and every time of day it has a different vibe. Even the different parts of the trail have a different vibe too.
Normally, the earliest I get on the trail is 8:30 am, when most people are heading into work. I come across a lot of cyclists or commuters, but this time it was all runners. Some days when I don’t make it out there early enough, the trail I totally empty. It can be quite lonely running by yourself on and empty quiet trail.

I never thought I would enjoy a crowded running trail, but I did. Normally, I run alone, or with Lina, but this time I was surrounded by a ton of runners. Some in running groups, others by themselves. Some fast, some slow. I loved the vibe, seeing all of these other runners made me totally energized. While concentrating on my form I was running stronger, faster. It was an amazing feeling, very motivating.

After we were done running. I hit up Starbucks and CVS. I just felt like refueling. I headed home, and took a shower. I felt energized and relaxed. I had the whole day ahead of me.

I have been contemplating changing my sleeping habits for a couple years now. I will admit that I have been waking up earlier then I use to. There was a time when I would sleep in until 9:00 or 10:00 am. I just have never been an early bird, but the weird thing is that I have never considered myself a night owl either. I am normally in bed by 11:00 pm. But I would like to have more time in the morning before I head into work around noon. I also would like to regularly run in the early mornings, instead of trying to squeeze it in whenever I can. I really enjoyed running early in the morning with all the other morning runners. I have to wake up early for most races so why not practice running at these early morning times everyday.

So the plan is to wake up early morning wether I run early or not. During the week, the earliest I will run is 6:30 am the latest I will run is 8:30 am. Unfortunately, the colder darker months will be here soon, so it will also depend on that. But I am excited about this new goal, and I think blogging about it will help me get on this new routine.

Questions for You

When do you run? Are you and early bird or night owl? Do you have any tips to share about waking up early? Please share, I need all the tips I can get.

Why do you run?

Image

I saw this and immediately thought of my sister. She always looks like this when she crosses the finish line of her races. Actually, I belive the finishing photo for her first half marathon (taken 5 years ago) looks just like this.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself that I am not an elite runner that runs a 2 hour marathon, but instead I am a runner that runs a 2 hour HALF marathon. Sometimes, I need to remind myself why I run in the first place.

I run to be healthy and stay fit.

I run in the morning because it keeps me energized for the rest of the day.

I run at night, to reduce stress and wind down.

I run in the hot months of spring and summer because the heat leaves me drenched with sweat and the sun gives me Vitamin D.

I run in the fall and winter months because the cold is refreshing.

I run in the rain, because it is my favorite time to run.

I run in the snow because it is pretty.

I run in the woods…

in the city…

on the beach…

over bridges…

I run races…

to train…

set goals…

make new PRs.

In the end, running is about me. ME running my personal best and having fun, while staying healthy and happy-mentally, emotionally, and physically. And, although I will never be an elite runner, over the years I  have become quite good at it.

Why do you run? What motivates you to run?

© 2012

Gisele Bundchen and Yoga

I don’t know why, but randomly I started searching google images for Gisele Bundchen’s yoga pose that was published in a 2010 Vogue issue. I actually came across this wordpress blog post about the beautiful super model’s ugly yoga pose. This post is super funny and sums up how I feel.

From Vogue 2010

The image above is the one found in Vogue, and this is what I have to say about that…

When I first saw this vogue issue 2 years ago, I actually got really annoyed. I thought Vogue had a lot of brilliant people working for them, but I guess I was wrong. It is clear that they don’t really know their shit, because if they did.. they would tell gisele to LOCK her KNEE!

always remember lock your knee, kick back and up, reach forward.

me doing yoga in yellowstone

me doing yoga in my mom’s living room

© 2012

Monday’s Motivation

Last week was a really busy overwhelming week for me, and my new couch/sectional finally arrived after three months of waiting for it to be custom made. So instead of blogging I spent most of my extra time laying around on my new couch/sectional relaxing and knitting.

Me. My dog. My new sectional. Living room is coming together.

In the mornings, I did fit in some running including a long 10 mile run in my newton shoes which I will later write a post about. I also spent some time in my kitchen cooking some really amazing food including beets that I roasted in olive oil for two hours. Anyway it is monday night and I wanted to leave you all with this quote that I found extremely inspiring. I’m hoping that it will help motivate you to eat healthy for the rest of the week.

Truth

Happy Monday Night!

© 2012

Sunsets and Food in Martha’s Vineyard

This is my last post about my wonderful time in Martha’s Vineyard. I know it seems like I have been obsessing over my 5 days on the Island, but I just can’t help it, my runs were awesome and so were my photos.

I also loved everything I ate.

Before I get into that, let me take you back. For the last five years, I have read a lot of literature on nutrition. Some of my favorites including the books, Skinny Bitches, The Eat Clean Diet, The Crazy Sexy Diet, Healing Teas. I have also watched the documentaries, Super Bad, Crazy Sexy Cancer, and Forks over Knives. More than half of my research talks about the harmful effects meat and dairy has on the body, and how much more beneficial it is to just eat a plant based diet. All of my research has proved that processed and refined sugar is extremely  harmful for the body. I don’t want to label myself as vegetarian or vegan, but I have been limiting processed foods, refined sugar and artificial sugars, yeast, dairy, and most meat with the exception of fish.

I may get more into detail about nutrition in a later post, but for now I want to talk about how awesome the food is in Martha’s Vineyard. I had been struggling with eating less meat especially red meat in the past. When I run long, for marathon training, my body just craves steak. However when it comes to eating healthy I try to just take it one day at a time.

What I love about Martha’s Vineyard is the variety of seafood options. I did not eat any red meat not once, because all I ate was fish. The best part is how fresh the seafood is. Nothing shipped or frozen. Literally you purchase your lobster from the fisherman that caught it that day.

I ate this Lobster. My favorite!

Two years ago in Martha’s Vineyard I actually went clamming and crabbing. I got in the water and fetched my own dinner and then cooked it later, Clam Chowder, Clam Casino, a Crabs feast. This year I didn’t have the opportunity to do that because I went deep sea fishing instead, and caught and ate a sea bass. But when it came to clams, my bf’s step mom, went clamming. We ate her homemade clam chowder, and the clams were so fresh we ate them right on the half shell. We also had amazing steamers.

Food does not have to be complicated. It can stay simple, because it will be full of it’s own natural flavors if it is fresh and in season.  And that is how it is in Martha’s Vineyard, everything fresh, everything in season, everything simple.

© 2012

 

Sunsets at Menemsha

glowing beach chairs

Yellow

 

Fishing

Watching the Sun

Chairs

Audience

Menemsha is the beach spot in Martha’s Vineyard where everyone comes in the evening to watch the sunset. There are tons of cool lobster kitchens along the beach so you can have a casual lobster dinner while watching the sky turn orange.

© 2012

 

Beach BBQ in South Beach, Martha’s Vineyard

This summer was a pretty good summer, a very busy summer, but the one thing I wished that I could have had the opportunity to do is run barefoot on the beach. However, in Martha’s Vineyard, the only really long stretch of beach is South Beach and it was located 20 miles away from where I was staying. So instead, we went to South Beach to have a Beach BBQ.

A simple photo, but a beauty. Sky, water, sand.

Tons of amazing food!

In the photo above I ate Arugula salad with Beets and Watermelon topped with Grilled Scallops. We also had, corn on the cob, eggplant layered with tomato and basil.

Finishing up and reviewing Natural Running. I had a breakthrough guys.

Walking the beach.

My Boyfriend and I walking the beach.

You can drive your truck right on the beach.

The beach BBQ was really amazing. I have never had one before. I am a beach girl, but I am also a minimalist. So normally when I go to the beach, I just bring a towel or blanket and lay there on the beach all day, nothing else. My boyfriend’s family came prepared. They had everything and went all out. They pulled their truck on to the beach, opened the back, and started pulling out, tables, coolers of foods and drinks, a grill. It was quite fancy and the food was really good, gourmet.

Questions for You

  • Have you ever had a beach BBQ?
  • What is your favorite beach food?

© 2012

 

 

 

Running East Chop in Martha’s Vineyard

East Chop in Martha’s Vineyard is a 3 mile loop that has amazing million dollar beach homes, that sit ocean front. The area doesn’t have any sidewalks, so if you run here, keep in mind that you will be running in the street. However, besides the beautiful homes, and ocean front views, the loop is very quiet. Not very many other traffic or people. It is just you, the wind, and the sounds of waves crashing.

If you need to squeeze in some hill work, East Chop is the place to do it. The hills are big and long, but not too steep. I actually didn’t run the loop, but rather ran 2.5 miles and then turned around for a total of a 5 mile run. It was a peaceful place to run. I highly recommend it.

Ocean view on the East Chop loop.

Waves crashing.

 

East Chop

The road I ran in East Chop.

The light house in East Chop

Views from my run.

 

My Newton Shoes running East Chop.

Well that is East Chop on Martha’s Vineyard.

Questions for You?

  1. Have you ever run East Chop?
  2. Do you like running around nature or through cities?
  3. Where is your favorite place to run?

© 2012

Never Forget 9/11

Today is September, 11th. As an American it is impossible to go though out the day with out constant memories, of 9/11/01. I woke up remembering where I was that morning. I have mentally said several unconscious prayers to those who were victims, for those who lost their lives, that violent day. Our country could have fallen into Chaos, but we didn’t, we stayed strong. Under the horrible circumstances, we came together and found order. I feel thankful, thankful for all those that have served our country. And grateful, and proud, extremely proud to be an American.

What is happening in DC

Today, my home, DC is under high security watch. There is traffic everywhere. The exit to the Pentagon is closed. No one can access it. But I still ran. Here are some pictures from one of my favorite running routes.

Washington Monument on the left. Exit to the Pentagon in the middle. Capitol on the right.

Air Force Memorial

Air Force Memorial

Night Shot of the Capitol

© 2012

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