Re-Start: Spin and Core

Spin and core classes started back up last night. I'm not going to lie...it was tough. I know it will come back relatively quickly but not having done these drills in a few weeks (ok, maybe a couple of months) did not make a pretty sight last night. It is a good thing I like to sweat...cause sweat I did. Core class was really good as well. I am only going to do this once per week and do spin twice a week. My goal is to do core on Fridays after my run at the gym. I will be posting if I did it to keep myself accountable - never lie to the blog.
Our coach took it a bit easy on us since it was our first core class back so a few more rest breaks and only 40 minutes total. I thought my core was fine.
Then I sneezed.
Oh. my. abs....

New Challenge and New Clinic

The wicked Amy is running a 15 week challenge over at her site which I have signed up for: 15 week Challenge

Bring

It

On

Donkey Kong

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Our clinic started up last night. It was nice to see friends I haven't seen since Ottawa and a bunch of new faces as well. My running buddy from the winter is back as well so I will have someone to run with/push me through the summer. The overall program is similar to what we did through the winter though overall a shorter session. One change will be the hill training as we are going to be running Chedoke hill instead of Valley Inn. Nice for a change of scenery and this will be good prep for the Boxing Day 10 miler as this is part of the course.

Last night was an easy 45 min run. It was hot and we ran on part of the bike path near the clinic. I don't like the path as I actually find it harder to run on than just the pavement but I got it done none the less. It is a good thing I drink as much water as I do as I still plowed through almost a liter by the end of run (on top of the 3.5 l I drank through the day) and I still felt like I could take more on.

I may have to find more routes with pit stops if this keeps up.

Mojo slowly coming back...

So I am slowly getting back into a regular routine that isn't just running but also stretching, nutrition etc. It is not fun right now as I know our clinic starts up next week so it is easy right now to say: "Forget it, I will just wait" but I am really trying to not be such an all or nothing person like I usually am. So I have been plugging away with some short (5-7km) runs and weights. I am enjoying the free-form training but cannot wait for our next clinic to start. Spin (bike drills) once again on Mondays and Thursday..Yeah!!
My lack of yoga/stretching is coming back at me in a big way. I played in a golf tournament on Saturday - first time I have played in a few weeks - and on Sunday I felt like I had been run over by a truck. Not good....When will I learn?
I have been playing around with some different recipes/meal plans as life is going to be nuts once the next clinic starts. I have some really good salads to play with that I will post and plan to have the husband do some extra BBQ'ing through the week to make life easier.
Tonight is a salad with ground soy, salad, greens, peppers and cheese. MMMmmmmm.

Plans - What to do next?

I have been doing a lot of thinking about what to do next - I am ready to move into Marathon territory? I've decided I am but not just yet. A lot of factors when into deciding to not move up just yet:
-work is crazy busy
-since summer is also golf season, I cannot imagine trying to fit in that many extra miles and still try to play twice a week
-the husband still has at least two more surgeries so that is going to take some time away from training as well
-physically, I am not quite marathon ready yet. My weight is at my lowest in years but I still have a bit to go
So, I am going to continue with the next clinic which starts mid June and target a Fall half marathon. I need to go out to the blogsphere and figure out which one to do:
Toronto International
Scotiabank Waterfront
Niagara Falls
If you have opinions or other suggestions, let me know. I am leaning towards Scotiabank at this point...
My target will be to run Ottawa in May 2010 as my first marathon. It is in writing so no going back now......

Yesterday was my first workout since the Ottawa half. I hurt but I really enjoyed it. The weeks before the half marathon, I wasn't doing a lot of what I should have been doing - yoga, weights etc as I was worried about injuries so I am throwing it all back in. I did a 5km run and a Tommy Europe workout which kicked my ass. The run was actually pretty good though it was a speedy 5km...it just seemed far. How the hell did I run 21.1?? It seems so long ago.
Time flies I guess