I want to like you, but.....

Have you ever really wanted to like something, but there is just something that keeps you from really loving it?

I've been feeling that way this week about 2 different running products. Like my CW-X tights. I love how they look and I feel like the compression really does help my legs not get as fatigued on long runs. BUT, my second pair in 3 years now has completely split open along the seam on the inner thigh.

Granted, there is no thigh gap on this girl, so that seam is subject to a lot of friction. BUT, they are running tights! CW-X out to expect that, and make the seams extra durable. I've been continuing to wear them by wearing a pair of compression shorts on top of the tights to cover up the hole. But, then I spend half my run pulling the shorts back down because they have slid up. Super annoying.

Because I like how the tights feel so much, I am tempted to go get a new pair. I just can't bring myself to do it though. CW-X stuff is super pricey so it ought to last longer than a year! My $10 Old Navy tights have held up for 5 years!

I also need a new pair of sneakers. I actually have a new pair of New Balance waiting in my closet, but I am just not excited to open them up and start using them. 

I love the idea of New Balance. I like that they still manufacture in the US (right here in Maine in fact!) and I have been very impressed with their customer service. So my brain likes them, but my feet do not. They just don't feel right. 

At the Tokyo Expo I actually got try several pairs of their new shoes with the fresh foam. I loved how they looked, but again I just didn't feel like they fit my feet correctly. 

Do you have things that you feel like you should like a lot but just don't? Or a product that you do love but you've been disappointed by the quality or customer service?

Why is this so hard?

This Boston decision is driving me crazy. I was so ready to go along with the tide of people that told me I should just go for it. And then I tried to go for a long run.

I headed out Sunday intending to do somewhere between 12 and 18 miles. I did 12.27 miles and it felt like climbing Mt. Everest.

My legs felt heavy, I felt like I had absolutely no lung capacity, and time just seemed to crawl. I was irrationality angry at the wind, which just seemed to keep changing direction so I never had a tailwind.

And I just can't seem to recover. Monday morning I tried to go to kickboxing and I could barely lift my legs up at all. My "kicks" were pathetic. My hamstrings are so tight and achy. Just trying to walk the dog around the neighborhood was a struggle. I was whining and shuffling up the little tiny hill. All I wanted to do was sleep. I ended up cancelling my plans for the evening and crawling into bed at 6:45. I watched some Netflix on my ipad and was asleep by 8:30. This morning I went out for my usual 6 miler and it too was a struggle.

So yes, I want to do Boston. I really want to do Boston, especially since this is such a rare opportunity. I will probably never qualify, and I hate fundraising, so I probably won't ever get a charity spot. BUT, I also don't want Boston to be a suffer fest.

The struggle of Tokyo and how amazingly awful I felt during and after the race has not had enough time to fade. I don't want to end up like this again.

Be Careful What You Wish For

You know how they say be careful what you wish for? It's true.

Since Tokyo, I've been saying that I feel amazingly good. That I'm in love with running again could totally run another marathon, if given the opportunity. It was so easy to say, because I didn't think I would have that option. And then, yesterday I was offered a last minute spot in Boston.

The BOSTON MARATHON. Me.

image source: http://www.baa.org/

Now I have no idea what to do. I've changed my mind at least 20 times in the last 24 hours. I'm going to run! No, I'm not ready! But it's Boston, just run! But I don't want to get hurt!

Basically, it boils down to this. I have always wanted to run Boston and I think that this year, especially, is going to be absolutely amazing. 

On the other hand, I don't know if I am ready. Tokyo was a month ago and I haven't run longer than 9 miles since. I don't want to get hurt, or mentally burn out, on running. I've never done 2 marathons in a season. 

GIVE ME ADVICE PEOPLE!

That time I realized I was totally wrong about Zumba

This morning I accidentally found myself in a Zumba class I usually take a step class on Friday morning, but it was cancelled this week because the instructor was sick. As soon as I heard it was Zumba instead, I was tempted to head for the door.

I have always purposely avoided Zumba classes because in my mind they were kind of silly and not a real work-out. I just didn't think I was a Zumba person.

But, I was already in the room and I really wasn't in the mood to head out to the cardio area of the gym and hit up the treadmill instead (because I did that yesterday.) So Zumba it was.

Oh my gosh I had a total blast and I was a sweaty mess by the end. It brought out the old gymnast in me- I loved the choreography and getting to add a flair to all my movements. The class absolutely flew by. The energy in the room was totally contagious, everyone was laughing and whooping.

I will now publicly admit that I was wrong and Zumba is both fun and a good exercise.

Have you ever tried Zumba? What did you think? Have you ever been totally and pleasantly surprised by something?

Sometimes I just want someone (nicely) tell me what to do

I went to a yoga class at the studio for the first time in more than month last night. Between Japan and then travelling for my new job, I just hadn't been able to get to a class, although I did do at least 15 minutes of yoga a day on my own.

It was one of those things where I didn't know how much I needed it until I got there. A yoga class in a yoga studio is an entirely different thing than doing some sun salutations on my own in my living room.



I realized that sometimes I just need someone else to tell me what to do. For me, that's what makes it worth paying for a yoga class. It is one of the few times in my over-planned, over-analyzed life that I can just turn my brain off and go with the flow.

I am almost done with my yoga teacher training. I know the poses. I know how to put a class together. But taking myself through a sequence is just not the same as letting someone else lead me.

Earlier in the day, I'd read a blog from this amazing Maine woman who does Ironman Triathalons and she was talking about how she had started the year trying to coach herself and then finally realized that she needed to hire a coach. It wasn't that she didn't have the knowledge to coach herself, it was that she didn't have the objectivity. Bingo.

I need that outside voice to make me push a little harder some days or to reassure me that it is okay to take it easy on others.

Sometimes we all need just need someone else to tell us what to do.

Do have times where you allow someone else to be in charge?

What's Next?

I purposely didn't plan any races for after the Tokyo Marathon. I know that usually I need some downtime after a marathon to recover. Plus I'd know I'd have a lot of other things going on in my life- like a new client at work and planning a wedding.

This giant stack of invitations for example, all need to be assembled (why on earth did I pick invitations that involve ribbon which needs to be tied into a pretty knot??) and addressed.

And yet, just 3 weeks after the marathon I am feeling like I need some races on my schedule. I've done longish runs 2 Sundays in a row that just felt effortless. Plus, I think in the absence of a race to train for, that I am going a little crazy. For example I decided that now would be a good time to pick up basket weaving.

My cousin helped me start this and now it has turned into a giant mess that is frustrating me. 

The next, and only race, I have on my calendar is the Tri for the Cure in July. While I do need to start fundraising for that now (wouldn't you love to pledge me???? Visit my Fundraising Page Here!!) 

it is too early to start training.

Since I have the distance training under my belt, I am thinking a spring half would be perfect. Anyone know of any good New England races in the next couple months??

I'd also like to do a few shorter races just to work on my speed and for something different.

I've also been toying with the idea of jumping up to an Olympic or Half-Iron distance Tri. I've really loved doing triathlons the past couple years and think I am ready. On the other hand, I don't know if this is the year. In Maine most of them tend to be later in the season, so they will conflict with the wedding. Plus, now that I am travelling again for work I'm not sure how much swim training I'll be able to do. 

What are your racing the plans for the spring?

What I Learned About Eating in Japan

When I got home from Japan, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd actually lost a couple pounds. Granted, I did run a marathon while I was there, but I have run a marathon on several vacations now and I did not come home weighing less. Unsurprising, since eating is typically as much a part of my vacation as running (um. hello Antarctica where for days there was nothing to do on the boat but sit around and eat.... or Italy where I tried to cram as much gelato as possible into 5 days).

Japan reminded me that losing weight is really quite simple. I didn't make any effort to restrict my eating while I was there, I just ate the way the Japanese ate. We overcomplicate it here, and are always looking for the quick fix, but when it all comes down to it, it is all about eating quality food in reasonable portions.

1. Eat Real Food
I rarely ate anything processed or packaged when I was there. Even "fast", or cheap, food in Japan is real food- a bento box with fish, rice, and salad; or soba noodles in a rich broth.

2. Eat Produce at Every Meal

There was a huge salad bar at every meal and people used it! Starting every meal with a huge salad helped me feel satisfied earlier so I didn't over-eat.

3. Carbs are Not the Enemy
I ate rice and noodles up the wazoo while I was there. But, I ate reasonable portions along with protein, fruit, and vegetables.

So many noodles

4. Lay Off the Sugar
Sweets were not common, and those sweets that there were were not nearly as sweet at anything at home. We had fruit for dessert after dinner most nights. I have a total sugar addiction at home, but this trip totally got rid of the constant sugar cravings I have at home.

5. Consume Meat in Moderation
There was tons of protein at every meal, but very little of it was meat. It was mostly tofu, eggs, and tons and tons of seafood. Even R, who is the meat king at home, found himself eating very little meat. Instead, he gorged himself on seafood.

6. Drink Green Tea
Green tea was served at every meal and we had a little tea-pot and thermos of hot water in our hotel room. This encouraged me to drink a lot more tea. It gave me a little pick-me-up, without the same jittery feeling, that too much coffee can give me.

Now if only I could move to Japan! This is how I feel the best- when healthy eat is just part of the life-style and I don't have to think about it!

If I had a Million Dollars

Clearly I was a Barenaked Ladies Fan back in the day because now I can't stop singing that song.....

Anyway, I feel like this would be the year to knock off 2 continents back to back.......... if I had more money and more vacation time and if I wasn't getting married this summer and if I hadn't just started a new client at work....

I just feel so darn good running. Usually after a marathon it takes me a solid month to get my legs back- they just feel heavy and slow for a good long time. It usually takes me longer than that to mentally recover and get my running mojo back.  I typically can't even think about running another marathon any time soon.

This time it is different, which is kind of ironic considering how terrible I felt the whole race. Yet, aside from the terrible cold I had, I've recovered both physically and mentally in record time.

We got home last weekend and the first thing I wanted to do was go for a run. I was in Connecticut for work all week and I was so annoyed with myself for not bringing warm enough clothes for running outside. But I pounded away on the treadmill. This morning, I woke up and couldn't wait to go for a long run.

Those May and June African Marathons are calling my name.

insert me here

A part of me wonders though if they seem so appealing because I know that I can't do them? Well unless work wants to give me some extra vacation time and some amazing person decides to step in and sponsor my trip.

If I really could go to Africa in the next couple months would I have the same enthusiasm? Is this newfound joy in running because the stress of marathon training is over and I can just run what I want to? Or, have I finally hit that magic threshold after 6 years of running marathons where they don't totally destroy me?

Sayonara Japan

I am typing this somewhere around half-way through my 12 hour flight home from Japan. The sting of heading home is somewhat eased by the fact that we are in business class. I cashed in all my frequent flier miles so we could travel in style on the way home. And style it is. We were served a 4 course dinner with champagne and sake. 

our amuse bouche course

Even better, and now we are enjoying our lay flat seats, down comforters, and private movie screens. 

The seats are even big enough for Rory to lay flat!

Yesterday too was a long day of travel. We checked out of the Hotel Khuls early in the morning. They were so incredibly sweet. The manager gave us each a beautiful fan with a picture of Mt. Fugi and then they walked us outside to wave good-bye. I wish Japan wasn't so far away- I'd go back there all the time! The first leg of the trek was the bus from Ichinose, in the mountains, to Nagano. Then we took the bullet train, or shinkansen, from Nagano to Tokyo. This time around we were pros at navigating the various forms of transport and even used the automatic ticket machine!

In Tokyo we checked our bags at Tokyo station so we could do some exploring at shopping. We tried to get lunch at a conveyer belt sushi place I'd found on-line, but yet again we found that locating a small restaurant in Tokyo is nearly impossible! The buildings are incredibly dense and all have many floors. There may or may not be a sign, and there are so many people on the streets that you can't stop to look for long. 

Oh well! We never had any bad food while we were there, so we just went with it and stopped at the first place that looked good. It was a tiny little stand with bento boxes and soup dumplings. I squirted my first soup dumpling all over myself and then burned my mouth on the second, but it was totally worth it. They were amazing! The Japanese put such care into food quality and presentation that even "fast food," looks and tastes wonderful. 

Like conveyer belt sushi, we also struck out at the Imperial Palace. They are closed on Monday and Friday. However, it was still pretty to walk around the outside of the moat.

 The grounds are quite impressive, with a moat and high old stone walls surrounding the entire perimeter. It is interesting to see the old traditional Japanese buildings contrasted with the huge modern skyscrapers. This is also apparently where Tokyo comes to run- I saw so many runners!!

We then meandered down through Ginza. Apparently it is the same stretch we covered during the marathon, but I must have been too out of it to pay attention to my surroundings. This strip in Ginza is the Japanese version of 5th Avenue or Rodeo drives. Designer stores for days! We walked right past those until we got back to the fish market where we'd gone earlier in the week. It was much more in our budget! We got some great presents and souvenirs and Rory got about 10 more samples of fried squid. 

We then hopped on the metro back to Tokyo station, retrieved our  bags, and got on the Narita express to the airport. 

Ginza station was not Rory sized.

At the airport we caught the shuttle to the Hilton where we stayed last night. We are both incredibly sad that our trip is over as we both fell in love with Japan. The people are so incredibly welcoming, kind, and polite. Tokyo is clean, safe, and we could have stayed a month and not seen it all. The public transportation was reliable and easy to navigate. We are so glad we also got to see some of the country-side and got to experience the amazing skiing in Shigakogen. I am totally going to go into noodle and rice withdrawal when I get home.