Benvenido a la Casa Blanca, Sr. Presidente

Although it's been some time since I've updated you, don't fear: I have been training and what is more, cross training. Having just returned from a glorious week in Tulum, Mexico for a Yoga retreat, I feel renewed, refreshed and ready for intense training. At the Maya Tulum retreat spot, approx 2 hours from Cancun-- relatively secluded and magical--we practiced twice a day for 1.5 hours in the morning and 2 in the evenings. The food- oh the food was so fresh and it was unlimited. I have NEVER EVER EVER in my many moons digested so much goodness! I did manage to add a run to my luxurious week in paradise between massages, yoga and the digesting of delectable course after course.

And today, I am all jazzed for the inauguration. I wanted to make sure I was able to maintain the stunning physique I sculpted while doing yoga on the beach and so I got up and did a quick run around the block, easing my way in to running in the snow and ice. And I have a witness, because despite all the nasty drivers pushing me off the road (you must run in the road for best traction because people don't shovel their sidewalks well), a friend who we'll call, 'G' saw me go by near Powder House Square. Yes, part of this training includes celebrity sitings.

Even so, if you failed to see me this morning, you might be able to stream some inaugural footage via the Internet, the BBC News or what have you.

Buon Capodanno!

And a Happy 2009 to all of you who don't read Italian!

The end of December as you may have noticed from my lack of entries was a busy time with traveling, running in a few different states, joining a gym to avoid the ice and brutal wind advisory and taking a day off now and then. I know I shouldn't admit it, but I'm just an honest girl. I can't help it.

Yesterday, I challenged myself to a hilly course on Cape Cod. I ran from the 1700m mark of the Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth, right into Woods Hole. The hills my friends, were no joke. It makes me think about what Heartbreak hill will not only do to my heart but to my poor calf muscles and roaring hamstrings.

(courtesy of this cool new watch one of my biggest fans got me...)
STATS:
4.2 miles of rOOOlling Hills
34:48 min

"Meet Me 'Round the Corner, in a 1/2 Hour"

Each year during holiday season, as a family, we normally see a show. From Phantom to Ain't Misbehavin', we have a lovely tradition. Very secular. This year we're going to see A Chorus Line. I think I saw the production for the first time when I was 8 or 9. I'd obviously seen Annie before that so I knew what those Rockettes looked like. Hello, haven't you been to Radio City Music Hall to see the LIVE Nativity with camels and such- right in Manhattan?? Sweet baby jesus, indeed! But whoa, who knew that the showcase of salacious leg kicks and body suits Jane Fonda style could apply to running.

This morning was one of those mornings in River City where I made myself run to the fire hydrant, that USPS post box, that corner about 5 times. Some mornings are like that though, Sam I am.

STATS
wind, sleet and rain
5.88mi
52 minutes
6.8 mph/8.7mpm

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock

Today's recovery run took place with approx. 4,000 other runners around Davis Square as part of the 2008 Somerville Jingle Bell Run. Santa and a million and a half of his clones were there as were elves- who must have been union to get a day off so close to the holidays, reindeer and many fools in Santa hats. The best costumes were the red and green stripped onesies and the grown up footies that featured dinosaurs and the planets. I hope that final trick didn't include Pluto, for accuracy's sake.

STATS
5K-3.1 miles
26:08
And a partridge in a pear tree

Donate to BMC for my 26.2 mi ultimate run!

The Extra Mile

TODAY was my first long run with Team BMC. I ran from Boston, through Brookline to Newton. Mass Ave-Kenmore Square-Coolidge Corner-Washington Square- Cleveland Circle-Chestnut Hill Reservoir- Boston College. I ran almost 10 miles. My legs felt like led but it was fun and I ran with a team member to just shy of mile 6! The last time I ran this far, was when I ran the half with M.Bond last January...

The run was cold, and WINDY! as New England weather normally allows but heck if I can run in this, I can run in anything!

STATS:
9.68 mi
approx. 1:38 hours/10.1 mpm/5.6mph

The GREEN

STATS
30 min (8.7mpm/6.8mph)
3.41 mi
--------------
4x180m hills & recovery

On my way

Moderation is key. I haven't reached my goal yet. I'm feeling almost right on schedule and I'm not pushing it too hard. Yoga certainly has helped me listen, slow down, and then stop without undermining my personal capacity to deliver. I believe that this will be my first marathon and not my last and so maintaining yoga practice has been key. Getting enough sleep and training minimally will get me through this injury.

My yoga teacher's teacher has a method that was adopted by the NY Runner's Club. Beryl Bender Birch (my teacher's teacher), founded the Hard and Soft Yoga Institute. A key axiom to all hatha yoga (the physical practice) is that it is 99% practice. Additionally, in that practice, is the recognition of balancing strength and flexibility-- an effortlessness in the effort. My teacher's, style then is an accumulation of BBB and her own unique interpretation. My practice is all that came before me and my own. The foundation is part of a journey, a direction and an aim without forcing the outcome or pre-defining the results.

Before beginning the Astanga practice, there's a chant where you say, in sanskrit, "Thank you, thank you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Thank you: for the time to practice; the health to practice; the patient to practice. It's just practice. So, I hit the pavement (brick and frozen ground) again today, thankful to still be at it.

STATS
4.75 miles
42 minutes (8.8mpm/6.7mph)
2 advil pre run/minimal-no pain!!
no ice bath!
weighted lunges