shopping | 2 Cups 'N Run

5 straight days of running made me realize that my body can really take a hit. I admire all of you running every day, doing streaks, or even doing double-run days.

some_text

I’m not built for that, or maybe I need to train into it gradually, although I’m satisfied with where I am running wise.

Last week was an exception, I had a couple of unscheduled rest days, and then my running sessions got all together.

Wednesday: Tempo – 11K/6.8M with last 4K/2.5M at 04:20 Min/KM (06:58 Min/Mile).

Thursday: Easy – 9KM/5.6M at average pace 05:09 Min/KM (08:17 Min/Mile).

Friday: Long – 25K/15.5M with last 8KM/5M at 04:40 Min/KM (07:31 Min/Mile).

Saturday: Easy – 9.5K/5.9M, at average pace 05:13 Min/KM (08:24 Min/Mile). I missed my morning run outside because my little boy was sick, so I managed to go to the gym in the afternoon and ran on the treadmill. Still an easy run pace wise, but it was crowded and hot, and it took a lot more effort out of me, so it didn’t feel easy.

Sunday: Tempo – 12K/7.5M with last 5K/3.1M at 04:26 Min/KM (07:07 Min/Mile).

Sunday’s tempo run was hard for me. I should have postponed it based on the fact that it was my 5th day in a row running, but my OCD self didn’t want to change my schedule. I have a 5K race this Friday so pushing a hard run to further in the week would mess my (kind of) taper.

I really don’t like to complain about my running or having a hard run, or being sore. Running is such a positive part of my life and I enjoy it so much, that I want to convey only the good things. I feel so grateful that I am still young and strong, and that I can wake up in the morning and go for a run, worry free, at least in the large scheme of things.

Keeping all the good in mind, I’ve been feeling like a I really need a vacation though, quality time with my family, doing fun things that we don’t get to do every day, and resting big time. As in lots of food, lots of sleep, and little physical activity. Heaven, right?
Our last vacation was last August, so it’s been some time, and it was a few days in Paris. We have amazing memories from that trip, but it certainly wasn’t restful. Now I dream about Thailand, or a Club Med, or a cruise, somewhere I can relax and rest.

In the meantime, a little beauty retail therapy did the trick, some new MAC makeup that I am totally loving, first time I buy their foundation and I am mad at myself I’ve waited this long! And I finally went to get my hair done, it was way too long and way too blond. Although I get a similar color than my natural color, which is dark blond / light brown, the strong Israeli sun and chlorine from the pool make my hair a million shades lighter in a matter of weeks.

some_text

When was your last vacation and where did you go? Any tough runs lately?

After a crazy long flight experience, which included a 7 hour delay due to weather, I made it to NYC.

Despite how crazy this may sound, I love to travel. I love airports: people watching, all the lights, all the energy. I like flying, and planes, and watching new movies I haven’t seen. Although I don’t like plane food or to sleep sitting down. There’s a down to every up, right?

Isn’t it funny how when you are a mom, a few lazy hours away from your children are so enjoyable? That sounds so bad! But we all need our alone time, even if it is with 400 other people in an enclosed space flying above the Atlantic ocean.
I hardly slept during the flight (had to take advantage of every awake minute free as a bird!), and watched 4 movies: Enough Said (very cute and entertaining), The Butler (great drama), In a World… (surprisingly good), and The Family (entertaining throughout but the end was just too stupid, which ruined the whole movie).

EL AL In Flight Magazine: Love my movies!

The big problem with travel is that it’s just so exhausting, I didn’t particularly feel it at the moment, but I was so tired after landing, and that heavy feeling didn’t go away after a good night’s sleep either. Which means I’m not up to working out. Now as much as I love running, and I am good at pushing myself and at keeping my scheduled training routine, when I am truly tired or not feeling well for any reason, I’m just not willing to suffer through it. Rather call it quits for the day and save my energy, and maybe my health, for another time.

So I didn’t work out the last couple days and this morning since I was up early I went for a quick half hour run on the hotel fitness center. Nothing too fancy but they had 3 treadmills and an elliptical so it was enough.
I did at 10 minute warm up between 6 and 7 MPH (kind of trying to figure out this MPH thing without Google Unit Converter (isn’t it an awesome tool?), and then run another 20 minutes at 7.5 MPH. That was it… and I was struggling… yes my body is still tired.

Took full advantage of that little coffee station

On another note, ate a bunch of cream cheese cinnamon raisin bagels, drank a bunch of Naked juices (yummy), about 5 coffees a day (I’m not kidding, they kept me warm), did some shopping, and pretty much froze to death.