God, I had one of those awful days at work...but you have to have the bad ones to appreciate the good ones. Right? Who knows...

But it was so nice to leave work & focus on what is really important. Running was so fun tonight, the sky was beautiful & the group was very fun. We did 400's next to the tennis courts, I really tried to follow the Michael Phelps game plan...start off slow & kill the second half.

Distance: 2 miles warm up, 400'sx10, 1 mile warmdown + 4 miles of bikes
State of Mind: Life can seem so hard...

It was a very forgettable day, isn't that such a funny thing to say? But it's true. Run was nice, I never get used to how many people live in this city...it is truly insane. Running near them is a real inspiration.

Distance: 3+ miles plus core/arms
State of Mind: Feel good, feel normal....

Okay, so yesterdays posting was done after a few glasses of wine. I can't tell if it impacted my pretty-much-average writing skills, can you? Today's run chipped away at the hang over, but it is definitely still lingering. Did an easy loop at the park with the usual suspects. Didn't wear my contacts, so I barely could see anything through the drizzling rain. Saw Coach at the end, but he was too focused on running to even say hello. Why do I always fall for the wrong guy?

Distance: 5.2 miles
State of Mind: Foggy, inside & out

What a perfect day to run. A little misty & full of girls. We decided to run into Manhattan, which was disputed since we didn't have a clear leader (we miss you Brad). The run was really enjoyable, to the Promenade...avoided a major car crash...across the Brooklyn...through China town...onto the Manhattan...and back through Smith St. The Union St hill was so hellish, it never gets easier. But it was nice to have a new runner & together with H & S to run with...it was definitely entertaining. Nothing like a casual, fun run to start the weekend.

Distance: 11.5 miles (including almost a mile of walking with a cider (thanks h))
State of Mind: No need to comment, running is not effecting me as much as it did

After a long, boring day...yoga was a wonderful retreat. My mind has been going crazy lately, so many thoughts about what I am doing & what I really want. I convinced myself if I could forget about everything for 2 hours, I would walk away a happier person.

Ali was out today, but we were granted with Sherri's presence once again. She really killed us, I was completely soaked - both mentally & physically - within a half an hour. We started & finished the practice by creating a bowl with our hands to collect the rain in, it was actually quite powerful to channel that feeling.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: Continuing to turn that corner

Ahhh, I have been feeling good this week. Just stronger & more stable. Ran a loop of the park with the group & a little extra heading to therapy. Nothing like a good run to tire you out before an emotional & draining session.

After the sun went down, the sky has been so beautiful. A really nice way to end the day.

Distance: 8.3 miles
State of Mind: Man oh man, I hope this means I am back

The speed session started up again today. Nice to see Tony as well as all the runners who came back after the long winter. Tony had us do hills, which is never fun.

Distance: 2 miles on bike, 2 miles warm up/down, 14x100 hills
State of Mind: Feel strong

I literally forced myself out the door today, did an easy & quick loop around Ft. Greene park. Definitely felt good on my legs. And today, I started a biweekly (is that twice a week?) core/arms routine. Started small today, with three sets of push ups & some abs...hopefully I will find my inner-trainer & get back to the basics I learned in SB.

Distance: 3+ miles plus core/arms
State of Mind: Nothing like a run to calm my mind

I knew I needed to start training smarter, so I took an opportunity to dust off my road bike & hit the park. I felt so great running yesterday, I just didn't want to jinx it with another run today. So Krishna & I met up early this morning & did 3 loops around the park. It was freezing cold out, especially on my poor little fingers, but it was really fun to ride fast & take a beating on the hills.

Distance: 12 miles
State of Mind: Hills are no friend of mine, it makes no difference what way you try to get up them

Felt really great on my run today, hopefully this is due to my "safe" training the last few weeks. Even though the weather hasn't warmed up, it was a really beautiful day...clear skies & a cooling breeze.

Just like last Saturday, it was a smaller group of runners looking to go long, but I am sure that we will see more & more people eager to get out of the park as the weather warms up. About 8 of us made our way across the Brooklyn bridge while Troy, Ami, Krishna & Jason & I all decided to do the Battery Park City loop.

Since it is a rare occasion for Troy to show up, I did my best to stay with him. Which is no easy feet.

All in all, it was a fun, medium-paced run that made me feel refreshed & fortunate to be able to enjoy the outdoors in such a magnificent way.

Distance: 13.2 miles
State of Mind: I think I am can see the light at the end of the tunnel

It turns out that I am a much weaker person than I thought. But as my yoga teacher, Ali, told me today...we are all just seeds who will blossom over & over & over again.

Yoga was great tonight, sat next to my yoga crush. The most wonderful thing about yoga is that you are constantly constantly learning. The class flew by tonight & felt really refreshing.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: The greatest creation in life is life itself

Sad day for me. My not-so-secret work crush ended things with me today. I guess we all have choices. Cried on the train, which is so therapeutic. The strangers around you have no idea who you are or why you would be crazy enough to cry in front of them.

I ran with the group today, which was really nice...good group of friends plus our hot coach. Just did a loop, which was easy & manageable. Almost thought of doing a second, but no need to push it. Extra miles don't always equal improvement.

Distance: 5.3 miles
State of Mind: Distracted...to say the least

On my way home from work today, a hippie couple caught my eye at W 4 street. They were about my age, yet decided to take a completely different path than me. Instead of spending their day working, they were parked in front of a stairway singing Damien Rice covers.

Wanted to do a speed workout tonight, but decided to go to the gym instead of heading to the park. Did 4x1 mile repeats, going as fast as I could on the precor. Definitely felt my heart rate raging, but nothing beats hitting the ground.

Distance: 6.5 miles (4.75 on the precor)
State of Mind: No comment

It was definitely one of those days that I just couldn't get out of a funk, not even my not-so-secret work crush could unravel my mood. So I decided to treat myself & do a slow, easy run around Fort Greene park. I definitely took it easy & just enjoyed myself...for the first time all day.

Distance: 3.10 miles
State of Mind: Stuck, stuck, stuck...need to move on

Forcing myself to not run today was difficult, but in the end I know it will pay off. I headed to the gym after sleeping in, doing about 25 minutes on the precor. I have also been doing some hardcore stretching, which I think is really helping. At the end of the day, it is frustrating watching runners all around me improve & improve & improve, while I feel like I am barely keeping my head above the surface.

Distance: 5 miles (3 on precor & 2 running)
State of Mind: I think I need to start forcing myself to find my inner-hippie...since obviously nothing is in my control

Took in so many calories this week, I was really looking forward to doing a nice long run this morning. The cold has still not let up, but the sun definitely helped this morning. There was quite a large group out at the park, since Gil was hosting his first 'beginners workshop'. The regulars decided on a route that took us across the Brooklyn bridge into Manhattan for a few blocks & than back over the Williamsburg bridge. It is always fun, yet strange, to run through Williamsburg. That place is just not made for runners.

Since I have been increasing my miles, my legs just haven't felt the same. Yoga on Thursday definitely brought out a few issues that I have felt creeping in. Today, my legs (especially my right quad) never quite warmed up so I tried my hardest to get in the miles without pushing myself too hard. Please god, let me stay injury free...that is not a road I want to go down again.

Distance: 10.3 miles
State of Mind: Trying to figure out my limitations

Got to yoga a few minutes late & the place was packed. Barely a seat to be found. Ali was remarkable tonight, since the room was overflowing, she took a full advantage. We did so many creative & unique combinations, I was truly impressed.

Distance: n/a
State of Mind: Maybe I can sweat out my issues

Went for the usual group run tonight, but my legs were really tired. Probably due to the extra miles this last weekend & the hard run last night, either way, running with tired legs really bllo0owwws.

The girls decided to do another loop, which would have been nice since the weather was so warm but I decided to take it easy & give my legs a much needed rest.

I hate feeling so mortal.

Distance: 4.5 miles
State of Mind: Mind feels great, body feels so weak

After two difficult days at work, I was really excited to get to the park & forget about my reality. The park was really so beautiful tonight, the trees looked so peaceful in the moonlight. I jogged down to our meeting place, but did not feel 100% on my way down...most likely due to the miles I put in this past weekend.

We ended up doing mile repeats, Coach was really on me to stay with the group but with every repeat I just felt more & more out of control. But my splits indicated that I wasn't slacking, just not increasing my speed with each one.

Distance: 9 total, which included 3 mile repeats at 6:41, 6:41, 6:33
State of Mind: Just like the trees, very peaceful

Definitely woke up hating daylight savings time this morning, but I somehow managed to to make my way out of bed & to the park, running almost the whole way there with just one eye open. When I got to GAP, it was obvious that I was way too overdressed, somehow the changing of seasons is just way to much for me to understand.

We ended up running two loops instead of the usual one, which was fine with me because I felt ten times better than I did yesterday. Plus, it was nice to run with Helen, Sarah & Brad...we have a very unique group dynamic that just seems to work. It only gets better when we manipulate Brad into commenting on our looks, our style & any other girlie question we come up with.

But my run wasn't without it's challenges today, from overheating due to too many layers to veering into the bike lane to a bloody foot to getting slashed with gutter water, there is always an adventure stepping outside my home into the exciting (haha) world of Brooklyn running.

Distance: 9 miles
State of Mind: I love the park, there is no where else I would want to be in this weather

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today, doesn't get much better than this. Smaller group than I expected though, without a leader to tell us where to go, we decided to do an out & back down Ocean Parkway. I felt sluggish from the start, which was strange since I slept so well last night. Maybe the extra calories I am intaking is getting to me. Note to self, running & weight gain don't work.

After we hit Avenue R, a few of us (Katie, Mike? & I) decided to head back to the park, which was fine with me. I was just happy to get out there & enjoy a morning of sunshine. The park was crazy though, I would say 5 times the amount of runners than there were just 2 weeks ago. I guess everyone is thinking about bikini bodies right about now.

Distance: 12 miles
State of Mind: Should have felt better, the body is a puzzling thing

A crazy day can't end better than with a nice yoga session. Ali did some new moves tonight, coupled with new music, so I definitely didn't feel in my zone. But maybe that is a good thing. Any class that involves a three person scorpion is a good class.

We ended with this thought:

God is with us in the beginning, in the middle & in the end.

Distance: A struggling calmness

State of Mind: Without yoga, who knows where I would be

Oops. Got a little tipsy last night & forgot to post. It was a nice run last night, a bunch of girls showed up & we even were joined by Jason & his cute, foreign friend. Just did a mild, albeit quick, loop around the park. Afterwards, we met up at Bar Sepia to talk business. We are officially registered for the Reach the Beach relay & have a killer name too. Shh for now.

Distance: 5+
State of Mind: Nothing like combining a nice run with two glasses of wine, oh and some sweet girls

Man oh man, it is so cold out still. I can't believe I ventured out tonight for the speed workout, but thankfully it was well worth it. Helen & I ran down to practice together, which was nice since it was quite the adventure to even get there due to the icy sidewalks. They were filming a movie in the park, something with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin in it. I unsuccessfully tried to convince the group to "pretend" that we actually saw the stars, I guess they know better when dealing with me.

We ended up doing a quick loop around the park, really pushing it once we got to the hill. Helen & Troy disappeared, but it was nice trying to manage my effort alongside Katie & Jessica.

Distance: 7+
State of Mind: My body is definitely begging for warmer temps

It is hard enough to believe it's March, but come on, does it need to snow to hit us once more with a reminder of this long, hard winter. The group was pretty non-existent today, due to the snow & Coogans up in Washington Heights, but it is always nice to have a slow, easy run with Ami to relax my legs. Plus, the snow didn't effect us at all, just made the park all that much more quiet.

Distance: 5.3 miles
State of Mind: Worried that my foot & knee are a little tight, but happy that I kept the pace slow