NYC Marathon Training: Week 3 ( July 18th -24th)

I successfully completed my third week of training. This is my weekly summary:

Mon:	REST
Tue:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:30pm + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Wed:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Thu:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:30pm + 4 lunch-run (hills)
Fri:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am
Sat:	REST
Sun:	5-mile run
Total:	15 miles + four 90-min BY classes

The weekly mileage still feels rather low. However, I have plenty of challenges to work on. The first one is to wake up at 5:00 am to go to Bikram Yoga. It must be done, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays since my kids have taek-wondo and swimming in the afternoons. The second is to keep everything organized and clean around the house. Since I started training, I feel I have a case of CHAOS or "Can Have Anyone Over Syndrome". Maybe it's time to recruit the FlyLady again.

At least, my training schedule and diet are in order :)

Victoria's delicious raw vegan zucchini pasta with sweet marinara sauce:

2 zucchinis
2 heirloom tomatoes
1/4 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
juice of 2 oranges
fresh basil and rosemary
cayenne pepper (pinch)

Directions:
Julienne or thickly grate 2 zucchinis
Combined the rest of the ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Pour the sauce over the zucchini pasta

NYC Marathon Training: Week 2 ( July 11th -17th)

My goal for this week was to run 16 miles and go to Bikram Yoga four times. Again, it was rather easy except for waking up at 5:00 am to go to class. I am finding Hal Higdon's Novice I plan too low in mileage. I am tempted to bump it up a little bit.

This was my weekly summary:

Mon:	REST
Tue:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00pm + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Wed:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Thu:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00pm + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Fri:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am
Sat:	Walk for 3 hours
Sun:	7-mile run
Total:	16 miles + four 90-min BY classes

On Saturdays, we usually go to the beach and/or the pool with the kids. This Saturday, we went to the Safari Park (formerly known as Wild Animal Park) and walked for 3 hours. We enjoyed the Summer African Extravaganza and the Amazing Kenyan Acrobats performance.



On Sunday, after the 7 mile run, we went to the beach. Life is good !!

It's okay to go both ways !!

Dear Lululemon,
We should work together. We both like to ROGA (run + yoga)

Angie Stewart featured in a lululemon ad for Runner's World Magazine. Beautiful !!

I love this quote too:

"There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be" - George Sheehan

NYC Marathon Training: Week 1 ( July 4th -10th)

I successfully completed my first week of marathon training, including:

Mon:	REST
Tue:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Wed:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Thu:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am + 3 lunch-run (hills)
Fri:	90-min Bikram Yoga at 6:00am
Sat:	Easy cross (swam 5 laps)
Sun:	6-mile run
Total:	15 miles + four 90-min BY classes

To be honest, it wasn't hard except for waking up every morning at 5:00am to go to yoga class. I know if I were to cross train less, my current total weekly mileage would be around 35-miles. It's been done before.

However, it's one of my goals is to keep up with my yoga practice throughout this journey. Bikram Yoga is known for increasing respiratory efficiency and improving lung capacity. It really allows me to get that deep stretch and recover faster from the long runs. Most important, it helps to curve my appetite and consequently eat cleaner. I truly believe it is the perfect complement to running.

Talking about "clean eating", last weekend I tried a delicious homemade brick oven vegan arugula pizza at my friend's house. It looked just like this one. Since my camera was not ready, I borrowed the picture from this site: http://www.quarrygirl.com.

I need to learn how to prepare this. It was almost as good as my green kale monster smoothie.

Let the FUN begin !!

My official 18-week marathon training started today. Needless to say, I am "über" excited to run this race. Click HERE to view my full schedule

Today, I kicked it off with a toasty Bikram Yoga class at 6:00 am and a short 3-mile (hill) run at lunch time. The weather was beautiful, hot & dry. At work, I listened to U2's New York song. Chills !!

My training program

After reviewing several programs, I have decided to use  Hal Higdon's Novice I Training Plan with a few adjustments. I am switching workouts on Wednesdays &Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays. I am also including two half marathons and more cross training as I want to keep up with my Bikram Yoga practice. My schedule looks like this.



I am also planning on doing at least one 30-day dinner salad challenge