Category Archives: Fitness

Do You Work Out While Sick?

Happy Holidays! How was your Christmas, if you celebrate it?

Mine was lovely. Christmas Eve, we spent at my cousin’s house, so that the little muffin could be in bed early so Santa could come.

fam_christmas

Ugly sweater party, population: 1.

Actual Christmas Day was just me and my parents, opening presents, eating steak and watching Elf. I have seen this movie approximately one gazillion times, yet it was only last night that I discovered the Infinifilm, behind-the-scenes features. I’d been wondering how they’d filmed a lot of the scenes, especially the NYC ones, and LOVED the commentary. For example, in the scene where Buddy takes Jovie ice-skating, the camera crew is also on ice skates in Rockefeller Center. I can barely make it around with nothing in my hands, so mad props to them.

But back to the workouts. I’ve had a crappy lingering cold since early last week and haven’t had a ton of energy and have felt really congested so have been laying low on the workout front. Since trying Black Fire last Monday? Tuesday? I hadn’t done anything, and I was totally okay with that. I was saving the energy I did have for the holiday celebrations I couldn’t miss — my own cookie swap and our work Christmas party.

By Wednesday morning, I’d decided I was feeling okay enough to work out and knew if I didn’t get it in before my mom picked me up for the holidays, I wouldn’t once I got home and we got to doing Christmas-y stuff, so I booked a class at Peloton through ClassPass with Robin. I generally dislike spin classes that show your metrics on the screen (because I suck at spinning/biking), and I was still feeling a little blah, so I resigned myself to taking it kind of easy, but I ended up pushing harder than I expected and sweat some of the sick out and left with that endorphin high that had gone missing. Robin has an electrical energy, and I was so happy to be working out after feeling sick for a week. That she ended with All I Want for Christmas is You…on Christmas Eve was a serious bonus.

After pancakes and bacon for breakfast yesterday, I fell back asleep for another two hours. Still sick? Carb and fat overload? Unclear, but either way, I felt like I needed to get some movement in, so I tried another Black Fire workout — Weighted Tabata. Take this with a grain of salt because I also really like burpees, but I LOVE tabatas. Yes, they’re a little hellish, but 20 seconds of hell is really easy to push through mentally. (Even if you do it eight times.) The one thing I don’t like about our DailyBurn workouts is the countdown clock (I just stare at it, no matter how much I like the workout), but I was working too hard to notice it during this workout, so A+++, Bob.

I woke up feeling kind of crappy again this morning, so maybe I pushed myself too hard. There’s all these rules and guides to when you should work out while sick, but I think you gotta do you. Work out if you feel up to it, rest if you need to. Or maybe do something lower-intensity. (As in, maybe I should have just gone for a long walk instead of pushing through a CrossFit-style workout.)

Y tu? How was your Christmas? Do you work out when sick?

 

My Year in Running: 2014

Hi guys! I’m currently having a wild Friday night in NYC on my couch eating some hot and sour soup and trying to get my voice back and get over a cold. Apparently drinking champagne at the work Christmas party last night was not actually a great antidote for this cold, which is really weird. So, I thought I’d do Miss Zippy’s Year of Running. This year was very different than the other years that I’ve been running. I wasn’t chasing down any PRs or new distances…and that’s ok! It was kind of a reset year for running for me, but I’m really excited to chase some big goals next year.

Year in Running 2013

Year in Running 2012

Brooklyn Half

Best race experience?

Hands-down, the Brooklyn Half. I ran it with Jordan and Alex, my coworkers and two of my favorite people in the world. It was their first half, and I was so, so proud of them. They ran a killer 2:01, and Jordan recently ran her second half and SMASHED it with a 1:54. I really enjoyed assuring them that they could do this, and seeing how happy they were at the end. It also made me realize I should start actually using my RRCA coaching certification. So, if you want to run your first half or 5K (or any distance in between) or chase a PR, drop me an email if you’d like to work together! (theodora at preppy runner dot com)

Amagansett Running

Best run?

I really enjoyed my slightly hungover runs through Amagansett with Heather this summer. We didn’t worry about pace, we didn’t worry about distance, we just ran by the beach and looked at all the gorgeous houses and recapped the night before’s shenanigans.

New Balance Hi-Viz Jacket

Best new piece of gear?

New Balance printed up these awesome Glow Beacon jackets for us with our team name on them for Reach the Beach. I love the obnoxiously bright color, but moreso, I love that this jacket is a tangible reminder of the fun weekend I had.

Shalane Flanagan Heartbreak Hill Half

Best piece of running advice you received?

So there was that time I met Shalane Flanagan? We asked if she had any mantras or what her race strategy was, and she said she just thinks: “Execute.” She takes the emotion out of it, and just goes for it. We’re all capable of so, so much more when we let go of all the doubt that holds us back.

Most inspirational runner?

Emily. She has always inspired me for her speed, and now I’m in serious awe of her commitment to ultra running, and how she’s growing and becoming so much smarter as a runner. I want to maybe one day run a 50K, but no more than that. Not only does Emily accomplish these amazing distances, she usually wins or places, too. I really admire her dedication and talent.

Who inspires you as a runner? How was your year in running?

And thanks to everyone who entered the Alii tri gear giveaway. Sorry about the Rafflecopter issues – I’ll definitely look into it before my next giveaway. I’ve notified the winner, who’s on her way to getting a lovely vest.