March 21, 2010

Sweet Sixteen!

Wow, wow, wow. I am tired after a long day of walking around downtown and then screaming for Cornell with hundreds of other local fans in a packed bar, but it was worth it. Cornell made it to the Sweet Sixteen and the game will be played just an hour outside of Ithaca in the Carrier Dome. That doesn't mean it will be any easier to beat Kentucky, the team that many predict will be the overall tournament winner, but it just makes it all the more fun. The Big Red machine rolls on, much to the disbelief of everyone who thought these guys didn't belong.

I started out the day with another run-and-bike combo, and I was a little nervous because I assumed my legs would be tired after yesterday's hilly run. I definitely didn't feel as peppy as I did yesterday, and my knees were pretty achy toward the end. But the good news is that I didn't really have much soreness afterward. I took a couple of Advil to make sure it stayed that way, too, and so far, so good. It was just about as warm out this morning as it was yesterday--luckily I found a working water fountain on the Capital Crescent Trail this time.

I biked pretty easily while watching "Grey's" when I got back. Nothing too exciting to say about that. Matt and I ate our breakfast/brunch outside in the sun, which was very pleasant. We can't spend too much time outside in the summer months because we have a major mosquito problem in this neighborhood, but it's early enough so that the bugs aren't out yet.

This weekend actually felt long--I guess we made the most of it. Now on to another week!

Posted by becky at 6:51 PM | Comments (0)

March 20, 2010

Spring is here, and it feels like it

I'm not usually one to keep track of these things, but I think today is the first official day of spring--our local garden store had a sale to celebrate. It certainly felt like it, even in the morning. I thought I might need gloves when I first stepped outside to leave for my run but thought better of it. Definitely didn't. For once, my biggest complaint about today's run wasn't related to my lower body--I was dying of thirst. I passed a school field when I was almost home and was so excited to see a water fountain...but alas, it was still turned off for the season. What a disappointment.

My route today was rather hilly--kind of hard to avoid around here. My quads felt like they were bearing the brunt of the downhills, though, which thrilled me to no end. I haven't had sore quads in ages and this is exactly what we've been working toward in PT. I won't get too excited as things like this tend to go in cycles, but I was happy for today. As for the uphills, I felt like I had a weight on my back slowing me down, but that's just my aerobic capacity right now.

I actually saw more bikers than runners out this morning, which surprised me until I remembered that the National Marathon was today. When I got home, my next-door neighbor told me that his brother-in-law, a very good local runner, had won it (for the third or fourth time). Wow!

I biked for a bit when I got home--until hunger got the best of me--and then a little bit this evening while Matt was out with a friend. We both spent a few hours outside today, along with everyone else in our neighborhood. Hard to believe that our huge storm was just a little more than a month ago...

Posted by becky at 6:55 PM | Comments (0)

March 19, 2010

Big Red kind of day

What a day! I can't say I got to watch the Cornell game today, but I followed along on my phone and computer. It was really exciting to see Cornell make history, but those of us who have been following their season were not really surprised. Who knows what will happen next, but at least we have another game to watch.

This morning, I did a short run--just over 30 minutes--and then biked for the rest of the workout. It was really nice out even in the morning and it was in the low 70s later. I felt strong today, but I got passed by a woman (a very fast one, at least judging by her uphill pace) and we all know I hate that. I tried not to think about it and just enjoy a short, easy run.

I watched the ESPN broadcast of the NCAA track championships when I was on the bike. I fast-forwarded through some of it and was generally annoyed by the commentary as usual. The only part I really liked was seeing Robby Andrews' genuine delight when he beat Andrew Wheating in the 800. That was awesome.

Unfortunately I did not get to go to physical therapy today because something came up at work. I hope I can get in next week. Tonight I am doing the opposite of physical therapy and sitting on the couch, not even doing my hip exercises. But the end of the week has caught up with me and I am not even motivated to foam roll.

Happy weekend to all!

Posted by becky at 9:07 PM | Comments (0)

March 18, 2010

Inching toward the end of the week

I was inside for my workout this morning, but glad to be outside later in the day--walking to the library mid-day and then the gym later. It's always astonishing for the first few weeks of spring to see people ambling around and not rushing off around so that they can get back inside and out of the cold. I'll be the first one to admit that in just a couple of months, when it is in the 80s and humid, I will be longing for the cooler weather. But right now, it's a nice change.

So back to the workout. Not much to tell; it was pretty run-of-the-mill. I watched the season finale of "Big Love" and was pretty bored. This season did not do it for me at all--Matt made the right choice when he gave up on it after one episode. You live and learn. My bike seemed loud to me today--I might need to oil the brake pad again--but my legs were feeling good.

The post-St. Patrick's Day crowd was making up for bad behavior at the gym tonight, it seemed. I found myself a little unmotivated but I pushed through knowing that I don't plan to be there tomorrow. I actually have a PT appointment tomorrow written in my calendar, but they never called to confirm. I always enjoy PT so hopefully it will still happen.

My NCAA bracket is horrible after all the upsets today. I can only hope that Cornell joins Murray State and Ohio as underdog winners tomorrow. And I hope that I have a chance to catch some of the game while I'm at work, but it's not looking good. Go Big Red!

Posted by becky at 9:06 PM | Comments (0)

March 17, 2010

Is it Thursday yet?

There were definitely a couple of times today that I mistakenly though it was Thursday. I went to bed on the late side last night and that made it harder than usual to drag my butt out of bed. I eventually did, but I didn't leave myself very much time to run, shower and get to an appointment on time. (I was a few minutes late in the end, but it was okay.)

It was a really nice day today--in the high 60s--but chillier than I anticipated this morning. I grabbed my hat at the last minute and was glad I thought to. I was thinking about going out and back on the Capital Crescent Trail but it was still a little bit dark when I headed out so I decided to stick to the main (well-lit) roads. Every time I do this particular route I forget just how many hills there are. I felt a bit peppier today as compared to yesterday, though, and my knees complained only a little. I didn't have a lot of extra time to stretch and foam roll when I got back and I worried about the post-run discomfort I might experience, but I actually didn't have much to speak of.

The gym tonight was dead, as everyone must have been out for St. Patrick's Day! It was great. I even tried a couple of new things since there was so much unused equipment.

I hear that President Obama picked Cornell over Temple in the first round of the NCAA tourney. He knows what's up! Off to make my own picks for our office pool...

Posted by becky at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)

March 16, 2010

Draggin'

I was really moving slowly this morning, from the very moment I got out of bed to the time I finally got out the door. I had a bit of a headache and my nose was running (while I was running) so I wondered if I was getting a cold. I think it was just one of those days, though. My knees actually held up pretty well this morning, underscoring the point that it's always something. I added an extra hill to my route during a stretch when I was feeling more energetic, so maybe that sapped the life out of me. I valiantly tried to pick up my pace while passing the American U. distance runners out for their morning run (let me clarify: passing in opposite directions) so I hope I fooled them into thinking I was a real runner.

I did a bit of foam rolling when I got back from my run and perhaps it helped, because I really didn't have any post-run soreness to speak of. Thumbs up for that small victory.

Things were quiet enough at work that I actually went way back on my to-do list and crossed some things off. I was still feeling pretty tired most of the day but a walk during lunch in the sun (finally the sun returned!) helped. So did a Cherry Coke Zero. I'm usually good about only drinking one can of Coke Zero a day (with dinner) but today I gave into temptation.

As crowded as the gym was yesterday, hardly anyone was around today. Unfortunately the one person I kept seeing was the scarily anorexic trainer. I heard her last week talking about her "gluten allergy." Perhaps she does have a gluten allergy, but no one I know who does has shoulder blades so sharp I am scared to go near them. I tried not to pay attention and just get through my routine. On the bike at least, I was distracted by this totally trashy autobiography of Mackenzie Phillips that I'm reading. It's embarrassingly engrossing!

Posted by becky at 9:03 PM | Comments (0)

March 15, 2010

Creature of habit

I kind of forgot that "spring ahead" means pitch-dark early mornings. I am spoiled by the fact that I don't usually have to get up super early, but right now I don't think it's getting light out until after 7. And today it was overcast, so it was even worse. Both Matt and I commented on the darkness as our various alarms tried to wake up up and we ignored them. I eventually got up and wasn't too upset that I just had to roll downstairs to get on the bike.

I had lots of good shows waiting for me on the DVR--that's one reason I enjoy biking on Mondays. I watched "Brothers & Sisters" from last night and then most of the season finale of my new favorite reality show, "Giuliana & Bill." The latest season of "Celebrity Apprentice" premiered last night, too! I'll eventually get to them all.

My legs felt good today, but I gave them a good workout. They were a little shaky afterwards.

Everyone at work was complaining about being tired and having the Mondays. There is also a weird flu/cold thing going around so I am washing my hands even more than normal and trying to stay healthy.

The gym was amazingly crowded tonight. When I was on the stationary bike, I realized that every single piece of equipment--except for one recumbent bike--was in use! I was able to do what I needed to, though.

Once again, I'm not sure how it got to be so late. Better go and do the things I need to do to get ready for tomorrow.

Posted by becky at 9:04 PM | Comments (0)

March 14, 2010

Relaxing Sunday

Today was another drizzly day. Thankfully, we did not experience the destructive weather that the rest of my family in New York did last night--they are still without power and a man was killed by a falling tree in my sister's neighborhood. She sent pictures of trees totally uprooted. It's unreal. Hopefully the clean-up will be swift.

It actually wasn't really raining when I went running this morning. The changing of the clocks had me getting up later than I usually do, but it didn't really matter since I did not have any plans the rest of the day. Overall, today's run was better than yesterday's, but it took a few miles to get my legs moving. The fact that I was going uphill for most of that time didn't help, either. But I actually felt pretty good during the last couple of miles, and didn't have much soreness to speak of post-run.

I biked for a little bit when I got home, but was too hungry to do much. We had a relaxing breakfast/brunch, then took a walk to Whole Foods, and then did a little bit of cleaning up in our yard. The snow shovel and ice melt are going back into the shed and I am pretty sure we won't need them for many months.

Both Matt and I did a little biking this afternoon during the NCAA basketball selection show. Cornell got a #12 seed, which is decent, but they will have a tough game against Temple. And they haven't played in a couple of weeks while most of the other teams are coming off conference tournaments. Fingers crossed.

Posted by becky at 7:36 PM | Comments (0)