Streaking

No, not like that. Today is day 38 of my running streak. What originally started out as a 26 day streak in honor of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing has quickly turned into a way of life for me lately. Since beginning this streak, I have gotten an age group award and PR'd in the half marathon. The moral of the story is that consistency pays off!

We will be leaving next week for our trip to Colorado and Utah and I am planning to continue streaking (the plan is now to streak to my 30th birthday at the end of July) during the trip. Adjusting to the altitude seems like it will be the biggest obstacle but my goal half is on day 9 of our trip so I am hopeful that by then I will be accustomed to the altitude there. One way to find out!

The streak has me adding up miles quickly and on my run yesterday I hit 2000 miles since I started tracking my miles on the Runner's World website on 7/22/09!

I recently got my Yoga Teacher Training finals back and I am proud to say that I aced them! I am still teaching at the boxing gym where I started and have an opportunity to teach at my teacher training studio this summer. Trying to work out other places to teach but so far I am loving it! I feel great while I am teaching and it has been so wonderful to see beginners changing and growing along the way.

We went hiking over the weekend and had beautiful weather! The views were just spectacular. I'm hoping we can go this weekend also.

My dad and his girlfriend are visiting us over the 4th of July so I am really looking forward to it. But the best part is that Wendy, my dad and I signed up for a 5k on the 4th! My dad did a 5k a few years ago but I am thrilled that he's doing this one with us while he's here! How cool! I also got tickets to go to Michigan this summer for my mom's 50th birthday in August! I love seeing my family. As I've gotten older it has become more and more important to me.

Only 5 more work days until we leave for vacation!

Any Memorial Day plans? We've been invited to a barbecue, both teaching yoga and having some runs to do!

Mallory

 

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New half marathon PR! Race recap

Yesterday, I ran the Blackstone Valley Half Marathon, part of the Navigant Credit Union running festival. And let me tell you, my hopes weren't high. I heard this was a really hilly course and through four local towns, two of which I've never thought of as "pretty," but it was inexpensive and fit into our schedule. Boy was I WRONG!

Packet pickup - super easy

Parking - free and right at the start/finish

Water stations - 11 on the course

Fuel - twice on the course and ample food at the finish line

Scenery - beautiful course through the Blackstone Valley... Some views were breathtaking. A good portion of the run was on a local bike path I'd never been to and now I can't wait to go there for a long run soon. Just gorgeous.

Hills - well, there were a lot of them. Second only to San Francisco out of my half marathons (this was number 11 that I finished!)

The Utah Valley Half Marathon (June 8) is my goal half and I hope to get under 2 hours (PR before the half yesterday was 2:07:03 on a net downhill course) but I wanted to see what I could do on this half. My hopes weren't super high because of all the hills, but I hoped I would get close to my Wineglass Half Marathon time.

At mile 6 my average pace was 9:10mm which is what I need for under two hours. (Spoiler: I did not get under two hours in this race lol) I knew I couldn't sustain that pace but I told myself to just "hold on" and I could still PR. I walked through every water stop like I normally do (except for the last one because I had less than a mile to go) but didn't walk at any other points. My legs were burning from the hills and my mind kept saying "just walk," but I didn't. As I approached the finish line, I saw Wendy (who had already finished!) cheering for me and yelled "you're going to get a PR!!! I yelled back, "I know!!!" I had a huge smile on my face. I hope it shows in the pictures from the race.

Official time: 2:02:48

PR by 4:15

I WILL get under two hours in Utah.

Just got back from a short run...just over one mile. Day 22 in a row of running.

What is your goal race for the season/year?

Mallory

 

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Mom visited and an AG award!

This has been a difficult week for Bostonians, runners and Americans alike. I work in Copley Square, about a city block from where the bomb went off but luckily my company had us work from home on Monday because of the marathon. I watched in horror on CNN, just as many of you did, I'm sure, as the events unfolded. We were unable to return to our office until Thursday and the city felt eerie and somber. Friday morning I was leaving for work very early because my mom was flying into Logan Airport later that afternoon and I wanted to get out early to spend more time with her. But then I got texts from my boss saying not to come in because the MBTA was shut down. I quickly flipped on CNN and was shocked at all that I saw. Somehow, my mom's flight landed on time to the airport and I was able to get her safely and then come back home. There was hardly any traffic in Boston and that scared me as well. Tomorrow we will be working back in our office and I'm wondering if it will feel safer than it did when I was there last week? It will take a long time to heal but it is a strong city and will persevere.

Saturday morning, I taught yoga and both my mom and Wendy attended the class so I was quite nervous going in to it. Shortly after I started, I relaxed and felt comfortable with what I was doing. We had a really nice time. Then we took Wendy's girls to lunch with us so my mom could meet them as well. Everyone got along and I was pleased.

This morning, Wendy and I ran the "Run for your Mother" (as in Mother Earth) 4.5 miler (which actually measured 4.4 miles) in Myles Standish State Park in Plymouth, MA.

Here's mom and me before the race. Luckily it wasn't too chilly when the race started.

Wendy and I before the race, getting excited and nervous because it was hilly driving to the starting line so we knew it would be a hilly race.

Here's us with my friend Darrell, who I initially met on Runner's World but eventually met in person at a race three years ago. He and I used to do long runs together, including my first 7 mile run where I didn't walk at all. He was so encouraging and supportive even though I was making him run at a 11mm+ pace (his half PR is 1:35 and change!).

Here's a really cool shot that Darrell got of me coming into the finish. I was running with all my might and actually sprinting toward the end.

And I got 3rd in my Age Group! I've never won an age group award (and there were more than 3 of us in my age group lol) so I'm even more excited that my mom was there for it too. My official time for the race is 39:02! I was hoping to finish in under 42:xx so I really surprised myself, especially with how hilly the course was! It was definitely the toughest course I've ever run!

I'm planning to take running clothes to work tomorrow in case I can find a run nearby to participate in after work. Are you going to participate in a memorial run for Boston?

Mallory

 

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Dean Karnazes & Gait Analysis

Today, Wendy and I went into Boston and headed over to the Boston Marathon expo. I haven't been doing my best running lately so I wanted to get a boost of motivation and I've always wanted to attend the expo. I found out earlier today that Dean Karnazes was going to be there signing his book "Run!" so I brought my copy with me. Our first order of business upon arriving was finding Dean. After a few wrong turns inside the expo, we found him! We chatted with the gentleman in front of us who was actually there from Virginia Beach! What a coincidence!

Here's us with Dean. I was just talking like an idiot, telling him how much I love his books and how inspirational he is to me. I'm sure he gets that a lot, but honestly, I do love his books, especially Ultramarathon Man.

Today I had him sign "Run!" I love what he wrote. How inspirational!

At the Brooks booth, they were doing gait analysis for free so we decided to check it out. There were only two or three people ahead of us so it was perfect. I haven't had a gait analysis in almost 6 years, back when I first started running. My feet have stayed pretty much the same but it was awesome because they emailed us the information:

They recommended the Ravenna and Pure Cadence, both of which I like but have never purchased, so perhaps when I am in need of a new shoe, I will look into one of them.

Marathon Sports was having a huge sale and 50% off of all last years merchandise...

So I got this running jacket that I tried on at my local running store about two months ago but didn't purchase it because it was expensive. I'm glad that I waited and I can't wait to try out this jacket on a run, likely tomorrow morning! My old running jacket is black and I have felt worried to wear it at dusk and in the dark because it feels dangerous. I got this awesome jacket under $60 so I am thrilled.

After the expo, I showed Wendy where I work in the city and then we went to Legal Seafoods for dinner. I had salmon and she had swordfish. Both were delicious. Here's our view from our table:

We just got home and are preparing for the week ahead. I'm hoping to watch some of the marathon on tv tomorrow if it's playing on my stations or live stream.

How often do you see your family? Do they live nearby? My mom is coming this Friday and I can't wait to see her. My family lives in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri and I'm in Rhode Island so I see them a few times per year.

Mallory

 

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First yoga class

On Thursday evening, I taught my FIRST yoga class open to the public. A few months back, I taught to the women's hockey team but now I actually have an ongoing teaching gig. And guess what? I'm doing it there on Saturday mornings, too!

They have a great space to work with at the gym and it has all recently be redone. The floors are gorgeous, the acoustics are nice and everyone there was incredibly funny. My actual class only had one student in it but I was thankful for that one student. I think it helped calm my nerves. She had only done yoga once before, which was reassuring to me and took some pressure off.

My mom will be here next weekend so she will be attending my Saturday class! I am also trying to decide if I feel comfortable enough to have Wendy be there too. She says she would love to go but I'm worried I will be too nervous. I know she won't judge me and that she will be encouraging but she already IS a yoga teacher so it's intimidating :)

The woman who runs the gym gave me the "okay" to do a mini-class on a Monday night after their biggest conditioning class of the week so people can try it out, which I think will be a great way to get people to my classes. She's also letting me hang up a little sign to advertise it.

On Monday, we have to work from home because of this little thing called THE BOSTON MARATHON because we would have a heck of a time getting to our building. I can practically see the finish line from my office window, which would have been pretty cool, but I understand why they're having us stay home. However, because we are staying home, I have the opportunity to go talk to a guy I've been communicating with about a yoga class at his gym. I'm meeting him Monday at 10am and I hope to get some good news!

We went on a date last night and went to the Providence Festival Ballet. It was good and the dancers were so talented. I've only seen the Nutcracker before and this was much better. They did a bunch of mini-shows instead of one big performance. The coolest thing about this place is that it only seats about 65-80 people so you're practically on stage with them. Wendy planned this date and I am working on the next one. I've got some ideas up my sleeve :)

Well I had better finish getting ready because I get to go teach YOGA in just over an hour. If you live nearby, I'd love for you to check it out. Striking Beauties is located in North Attleboro, MA. After class, I am driving to see my BFF and have some quality laughing for the day!

Have you ever taught a class? Will you be watching the marathon?

Mallory

 

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Running and yoga

Hey, remember me? I'm that girl that runs sometimes. :)

All week we have worked from home because the computers and phones have been down. It was actually pretty nice but by the end of the third day, it's getting old. But it looks like we are going back into the office tomorrow. Today when I was done, I headed outside because it has finally warmed up a bit here. It was about 60* and overcast when I started and I was running INTO the wind the last 2 miles which was not fun since I was sweaty.

When I got home, I went back to my normal routine of using "the stick" to roll out my legs. It felt good to get back into an old habit.

Yoga Teacher Training has gone very well and we are onto the second part now. We've taken 3 of our 4 final exams. We've gotten grades back on two of them and I got A+s on both! Our anatomy final is all that's left and it's at the end of the month.

We took our class photo on Sunday! Before starting this course I recognized some of these people as people who I saw in classes but now I consider them my friends.

Last week, I reached out to my friend Sarah's friend who has a women's boxing gym nearby asking if she was interested in having a yoga teacher come in because we are now cleared to start teaching! I heard back from her on Monday and I will be teaching my first real yoga class TOMORROW night!

I've developed a sequence that requires a lot of strength and should increase flexibility. I'm excited to start teaching and I'm really thankful for this opportunity.

If you've ever taught a group class before, any words of wisdom?

Mallory

 

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