Thinking Out Loud : Training Thoughts and Pilates Fest

Hi everyone and happy Friday Eve Thursday!  I'm joining Amanda, as usual, for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  Instead of having a structured theme like usual, I decided to fully embrace the idea of the link-up and just share what's going on in my life and mind lately!

1

I've been taking it very easy since my half marathon on Sunday.  I talked about the horrible pain I had in my leg, and it's getting a lot better.  I still have some stiffness when I wake up, but walking and foam rolling is really helping!  The (FREE!!) race photos came out, and you can see the pain here!  Not quite as cute as the picture my mom took towards the end of the race!

On Monday, I went to the Humane Society with my mom to walk some dogs, and I think that helped a ton.  The longer I walked, the better my leg felt! I also have been trying to walk more while I'm at work- getting up at lunch time and walking to the Point and back is so nice.  I love how small Pittsburgh's downtown is!

I also went to group Centergy at my gym on Tuesday.  Some of the moves and stretches really hurt and made me realize how tight my legs were, so I took it nice and easy.  All that stretching helped and I'm going to take another yoga class this weekend.

 2

Speaking of yoga, I wanted to share an awesome event happening this weekend in the Pittsburgh area.  On Sunday at the Keystone Health Club, there is a free Pilates Fest- picture tons of fun classes to try out as well as a pancake bar, massage therapist and vendors.  The event is completely free, but any donations benefit the Women's Shelter and Center of Greater Pittsburgh!

Source: http://www.pilatesfest.com/

The idea is for people who are intimidated about trying new workouts (umm...ME) to experience different classes for free, or just simply observe and ask questions.  There are so many options to try- from Bokwa to PiYo and Yoga- and I can't wait to try them all, especially because each class is only 30 minutes long!  Here is some more information if you're interested.

 3

I'm already getting excited for my next training cycle to begin.  I feel like I already have a solid(ish) base, and need to keep building on to that and improving my long runs.  I'm going to take it easy the rest of the month of June, but starting in July will hit training hard.  My "goal race" will either be at the end of September or the beginning of October (still deciding which race I want to do), as well as a few shorter races the rest of the summer.  

Can't wait for morning runs again!

I found an intense training schedule specifically targeted for a sub 2-hour half marathon.  I think this will really help me feel more confident and push myself a bit more!  Every race that I've done, I have used the Hal Higdon half marathon plan, and I never feel ready when it's race time.  I'm switching it up this time around and I hope it'll help out!

4

On a completely different topic, did anyone watch the French Open?  I'm really happy for Serena, who won despite having a fever and not being able to get out of bed the day before the finals.  I'm SO disappointed for Novak Djokovic though.  Not only did he beat the "King of the Clay" Nadal in quarter-finals, but had an emotional roller-coaster win against Murray in the semifinals which lasted two days!  The French Open is the only Grand Slam he hasn't won, so it must have been really tough to get so close and then lose in the finals.  On the bright side, Wimbledon starts in just a few weeks!

5

I mentioned last week that the Mizuno Wave Inspires didn't work for me, and I exchanged them for the new Brooks Pureflow 4's. I think I might love them even more than the 3! They feel so amazing, and after I wear them more I'll be sure to write a review! 

What are you thinking about today??