Category Archives: Fitness

Running Through Heat + Humidity

I’m proud to say that I ran three out of the four mornings I was in Florida.

Naples Florida

The sweat was REAL, y’all. Each morning, I tried to run by 8am, knowing that would probably still not be early enough, but that it was as early as I was ready to concede on vacation.

Thursday and Friday went great — I had a speed workout on my plan for Thursday, and while my paces were all over the map, I got the miles in. Friday, I just had 4 miles on deck, and it was fine. I found this pretty park (Delnor-Wiggins, if you’re in the Naples area) and zoned out listening to Jillian Michaels’ podcast.

Saturday…Saturday. I’d had a call on Friday with Regan, our NYJL fundraising director (of awesomeness) about fundraising strategies for the marathon, and I was so psyched for my first long run.

I got out there around 7:45…and it was hell from the first few steps. 85 degrees, 85 percent humidity, no cover from the sun. I fought and I fought and I fought for 3 miles, and I couldn’t get my pace (which should have been around a 9:30ish or faster) below an 11:00 mile.

Every single marathon training season, I’ve started out shaky and picked up steam when I realized it was do or die time. This time, I’d resolved not to do that and start out strong. I tried to pull out all my mantras and tricks and convince myself running through this would make me physically and mentally tougher, but I just wasn’t having it. I ended up walking back to the hotel another 2 miles, semi-defeated.

I wasn’t going to let it ruin my day, so I emailed Jess and told her what had happened, and that I would try again on Tuesday morning. Thankfully, it’s “only” 8 miles, so I know I can realistically do that before work.

It was frustrating, and I was frustrated with myself, but I’m going to choose to look at it as a revision, instead of a setback, and move onwards and upwards (and earlier, and earlier.) I just checked out the weather for Shelter Island this weekend, and it’ll only be a high of 80. WHEW.

Newfound respect for Florida runners!

Healthy Vacation in Florida

Hello from Florida!

I’ll admit, the past two years or so that I’ve traveled, I really haven’t cared about what I’ve done as far as nutrition or fitness. And it’s showed. Now that I’ve made a concerted effort in the past month or so to be really cognizant of my health habits again, I knew I needed to be on top of my game while traveling.

Especially since I won’t be spending a weekend at home until July 18. Which, don’t get me wrong, is awesome, but requires some extra attention to health habits.

Rum Runner

So while I’ve had a rum runner or two…

Saucony 26 Strong

I’ve also been a runner myself. I even did my first speed workout of marathon training here.

And yes, apparently extreme humidity really scares me.

IMG_3105

There is really no breakfast I love more than scrambled eggs and toast, so it’s easy to stay on track with breakfast. I’ve swapped the potatoes for fruit, because I honestly don’t even really love breakfast potatoes, I just eat them because they’re there.

While it certainly takes more discipline to run than sleep in, it is so well worth it to:

1. Feel good in a bathing suit.

2. Know I am sticking to my marathon training schedule.

3. Burn some calories before I do anything else.

4. Explore the area in a way I wouldn’t get to see otherwise.

How do you stay healthy on vacay?