I approached a start line on a misty 50 degree morning and I loved it.

The last month or two, I’ve been running but its been different. I’ve been running because I should, for the workout, not because I want to or because I love it.   So I walked into this race as Saturday’s workout, no plans, no expectations.  I ran comfortably and didn’t check my pace once.    I would’ve been disappointed if I didn’t PR, being that the last 5K ran was my first race, but I wasn’t really concerned.  Whatever happens, happens.

Official results:

27:23 – a PR by over a minute and only 23 seconds shy of my stretch goal.  Had I paid attention, I could’ve hit that sub-27.  Next time.

How was the race itself?  Not too big, but big enough. Water stations were well stocked and in the right  places. The only mile marker I noticed was mile 1. They allow strollers which I didn’t love but they weren’t really an issue.  The course was flat and on the water for the most part. I’d say its definitely the best 5K course I’ve run.  I’d absolutely do it again.

Am I all amped up about racing again?  Not really. But I am looking forward to the next one.  Plus, it brought back the love for running at least for a bit, enough so that I ran the 3.5 miles home after the race.

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the best way to celebrate a good race & a 7 mile day..

margs!

with some of my fave people

JT & I met Adam & Christina for mexican and margaritas. Cinco de Mayo or not thats always a good plan.  great night.

hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

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]]> http://allilearnslife.com/2012/05/06/marine-corps-honor-run-5k/feed/ 1 allilearnslife IMG_1011 Screen shot 2012-05-06 at 8.36.26 PM IMG_1012 IMG_1017 IMG_1014 http://allilearnslife.com/2012/04/15/marathon-weekend/ http://allilearnslife.com/2012/04/15/marathon-weekend/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:21:57 +0000 Alli @ alli learns life http://allilearnslife.com/?p=3464 ]]> A few months back, I registered for the BAA 5K. I was excited about the marathon, running, everything..

My plan was run the 5K on Sunday, take the day off Monday and watch the marathon. Its my second Marathon Monday in Boston, but its the first year I really had any interest.

Friday afternoon, I left work at 2:00 and headed over to the Expo to pick up my 5K bib.  The city was abuzz with runners and the expo was packed.  No questions asked – its the best expo I’ve been to. Everything was so fancy and EVERY vendor you can think of was there.

The 5K pickup was little room off the back. It took me a few laps to find it.  It was really cool, though, to see all the marathoners getting their numbers and lining up to meet the Elites.  I was excited to be there & feel like a teeny part of the festivities.

Yesterday, I got back to the city after a full day & I was exhausted.  All I wanted was to relax and be fun with my friends.  I almost scratched the race &  joined them on karaoke adventures, with plenty of beverages, I’m sure. Yet, I talked myself (with JT’s help) into going home and making sure I was ready for my 6am wake-up this morning.

And I was ready.  In bed by 10:15, after having all of two beers, I felt great this morning. I got up, had coffee, checked the weather, and really wished I wasn’t running this race.  I checked the website and found no mention of gear-check, but at 57 degrees, I wanted to run in short sleeves and I needed long sleeves for before & after.  Annoying. Dealing with the crowds sounded AWFUL.  I wanted nothing to do with it.

Do I want to run today? Absolutely. Its gorgeous outside.  But thinking about lining up at 8am with 6000 people to run through the city, when I could run anytime on a far prettier route, no gear check needed or crowds to deal with, there was no contest. I spent almost an hour trying to motivate, reading blogs, race recaps, and no use. If its not going to be fun, why do it?

I went back to bed.

Where did my race fever go?  I lost it.  Maybe because it’s a 5K, in my head, it’s not a challenge? Maybe because I didn’t know anyone else racing? or have anyone coming?  Does that make it less fun?

I would’ve PR-ed today without question & I didn’t bother to try.  I can’t wrap my head around it.  That said, I don’t regret it either. I would’ve been miserable.

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This weekend turned out slightly different than planned. I’m not taking tomorrow off to watch the marathon. In fact, I’m starting a new job. But I do wish I could be watching. I still think I’d like to run a full at some point, so I’m excited for everyone who crossed the starting line tomorrow.  Now, lets hope I get my racing love back.

anyone ever experience anything similar? 

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I feel like I’m in a weird place with the blog.

I’m not sure I have anything interesting to say anymore.

There are a few changes coming in my life.

Will I even have time for it?  I have no idea.

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I’m thinking I should take a break and see how I feel.

Advice welcome.

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celebrating the new job

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So I went out and ran 2 more. Did it change how I felt about the week? No, but it made me feel like at least today I wasn’t a slacker.  No idea where I’m going with this except that I realized I was being crazy and kind of hard on myself.  I’ll stop that.

What’d I do this weekend?

looks like spring!

bringing back the smoothies

I took Friday off, slept in, went for a run, got a massage (so painful and soo wonderful), ran into friends on the way home, had beverages, dinner, more beverages, it was fantastic. the end.

fri night lights

Yesterday, there was a birthday celebration at F1. More racing!  This time I drove though so I have no pictures. I was slow. I was okay with it.  so fun!

JT & I had dinner at Amrheins in Southie. Again, no pictures but I got the grilled turkey tips special that came on risotto with cashews, cranberries, and baby spinach. holy deliciousness. I loved it.  The turkey was fine, but the risotto..  I NEED TO RECREATE. soooo good.

I’m never ready for the weekend to end, but at least this one was long.  It was a good one

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how was the weekend?! tell me a story.

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An excuse to have a 3 course dinner (or lunch)

A reason to go to restaurants I would probably never make it to otherwise.

A way to do it without breaking the bank.

Today, Christina & I went to Parker’s at the Omni Parker House.

Its “old Boston”, classic, elegant, lots of dark wood, etc, etc.  The lunch crowd today came in two groups: senior citizen or uber corporate. Not exactly my scene.

I started with the New England Clam Chowder, which I have to say was excellent. I loved it. I have no basis for comparison though. Yeah, I grew up in New England and somehow, I never tried it until today. I was feeling adventurous. It paid off. Delic.

For my entree, I had the sirloin tips with sweet potato fries and arugula salad.  Disappointing was an understatement. The steak had no flavor at all. Sweet potato fries, you can’t really mess up. They tasted exactly like the ones I get frozen at Trader Joe’s.

Boston Creme Pie. This is what they’re known for!! They created it! It’s why we picked this restaurant – had to try it sometime, right?!

It was okay.  Maybe I’m not a huge fan of boston creme pie? No idea.

The meal started strong. I was optimistic, but it wasn’t awesome. I’ll probably never go back.

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anyone else partaking in restaurant week? recommendations?

is it going on everywhere now or just Boston? 

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I’m in a phenomenal mood and all I want to do it is be outside. (I even broke out the flipflops this morning)

Work? no thanks.

I got up yesterday and decided I was bored with breakfast, so I’ll just whip up some baked oatmeal. like its no big deal.

I used this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie. so so good. Now, I want to try them all.

After work, I got my workout in. Progression speed intervals on the treadmill. surprisingly awesome. sweaty mess. loved it. My legs are hurtin’ today though. Monday’s leg circuits + that run = seriously sore

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Then this happened…

Kale chips – the blog world loves them.  I really wanted to attempt some kind of kale so I went for it, using this recipe.

green leafy vegetable. unclear how this becomes chip-like

parmesan doesn't look so pretty anymore

so yeah.. They were decent. Crispy but not burnt, salty with parm.  I don’t really know what I was expecting. They were thin and almost dissolved in my mouth.  I lost interest after a few.

Would I make them again? Probably. But let’s be serious – they are not snack food and not as chip-like as I wanted, but a solid way to work in green veggies.

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The biggest factor in my awesome mood – the weather. Its March and its in the 70′s. When I moved to Boston last year, I swear we got a foot of snow like every week til April..
My favorite part of my apartment is that I have a balcony and can open the slider. It makes me soo happy to have it open. This morning I woke up to this.

whether you can tell or not, its open. LOTS of fresh air

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping & the air was just awesome. It sounded cheesy just typing that. I should’ve taken a video so you can hear it.

I prepped dinner in the crock-pot and have fun lunch plans with Christina.

Just fabulous.

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who’s having a great morning? thoughts on kale? better recipes I should be trying?

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I’m completely uncomfortable on the “weight” side of the gym. Yet somehow watching a video of an exercise & heading over there with my lil printout, I can handle it. I’m sure I still look like a lost fool but I’m okay with that. I think having a plan makes me feel better.

My week 2 goals were:

1. take a multivitamin – its surprised me how tough it was for me to work this in. I have to be very careful to take it with food though. Otherwise, I get sick. So if my eating is off, the multivitamin doesn’t happen.

2. no drinking during the week/no headaches for the weekend – I really should’ve thought this through before I put it out there. If you tell me I can’t have something, I want it. I’m terrible at cutting things out so this wasn’t as successful as I’d like. I will say that I was headache and hangover free the entire time though. So I was reasonable.

Week 3 begins! Goals:

1. take a multivitamin – still want to work this in.

2. stretch and/or foam roll after every workout – First, this will help me avoid getting crazy sore like Week 1. I’m currently pain-free and feeling like I could’ve pushed a lil harder last week. Second, the last time I got a massage, the woman told me my back, shoulders, hips are tight. What a surprise right!? So stretching.. another thing I should be doing more of.

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Last night’s workout was killer and fantastic. I was bouncing off the walls til bedtime, all sorts of energy came out of nowhere?!

Its going to be BEAUTIFUL this week. I’m going to have a hard time not going outside. Progression runs and intervals? made for the treadmill. outside could be tough.

treadmill or this.. I'll let you guess.

btw.. anyone else think the world ending!? its going to be 80 in Boston on Thursday. Its March!!

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who wants to give me advice on taking intervals outside?! are they wayyy easier on the treadmill? what else do you want to tell me about on a tuesday morning?

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Green beer, pub crawls, and festive get-ups?!

Apparently, I’m old.  Part of me says I should be partaking in these activities, like I’m missing out if I don’t.  The reality is as much as I love being festive, I had no interest in the holiday this year.

Friday night, I had dinner with the fam to celebrate the sister’s birthday. Crab cakes, homemade mac & cheese, wine, and cake. Fun night with the fam and I was home before 11. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Saturday, I was really low key:

I slept in like 11am for absolutely reason
went for an 8 mile run just because
cleaned my apt like a crazy person – vacuum, dusting, the works..
made a bunch of food just to have, like this:  Quinoa Crunch Casserole

have you ever seen broccoli here before? Nope.

good stuff & super filling

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Saturday night, JT & I went to the BC-Maine hockey game at the Garden

surprisingly fun given I'm not really a hockey fan. I'm learning..

game followed by beverages in a non-irish bar, typical Sat night style.

It was an awesome weekend. I’m not ready for it to be over, even if I did skip St. Patrick’s Day.

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how was everyone’s weekend? fun St. Patrick’s stories?
who was racing?! anyone still do long runs even though their not training? 

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view from the balcony

It was like 70 on Tuesday so I sat outside and read the book that I failed to finish before book club. I suck.

the difference in my electric bill

Remember when JT came & fixed the heat?! I saved LOTS this month.

steel cut oats

never been a huge fan of oatmeal. totally hooked.

<3 coffee

I almost never go to Starbucks anymore. This morning I did and when I arrived at work, coffee machine broken. perfect timing.

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happy friday friends!

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]]> http://allilearnslife.com/2012/03/16/friday-photos/feed/ 0 allilearnslife 20120316-170129.jpg 20120316-170141.jpg 20120316-170148.jpg 20120316-171003.jpg http://allilearnslife.com/2012/03/14/eleven-things/ http://allilearnslife.com/2012/03/14/eleven-things/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:17:53 +0000 Alli @ alli learns life http://allilearnslife.com/?p=3353 ]]> good morning friends!

Athena at Fitness & Feta tagged me in her 11 things post. Here goes:

The Rules

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Tag 11 people.  Then go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.  This isn’t meant to be a “do this if you’re reading this” kind of thing.

My 11 random things:

1. The first thing I do every single day is make my bed.

2. I hate pickles (and thats an understatement)

3. I was a cheerleader in high school.

proof

4. I had my bedroom painted my high school colors and then insisted it was just because I loved the colors red & white. Cleeearly, those are unrelated.

5. I don’t feel right without nail polish.  

6. I was a HUGE Hanson fan, even saw them live when I was 13(-ish).

7. My middle name is Joyce.  Allison Joyce so I could be AJ.  I was until I was six.  Then I met a boy named AJ that I didn’t like. That was the end of that. 

8.  Both my parents and my sister are all accountants. Definitely not an accountant.

9. I went through a phase in college where I spoke in letters. “dear roommates, what time are we going out? love, alli”   We’re all glad that ended.

10. I’ve been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Oktoberfest in Munich, St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, and Carnivale in Venice. All very fun.

11. Its been over five years since I owned a car. Sometimes I miss driving, but most of the time I don’t even notice.

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Athena’s 11 Questions: 

1. Why did you start blogging?   I needed an outlet. I was living one life & dreaming about another.

2. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. Does that count as a superpower?   The ability to be anywhere at a moment’s notice would be amazing!

3. What’s your unhealthiest habit?  I love wine.

4. What’s your favorite ab exercise?  planks!

5. Tell me about an awkward moment you’ve had recently.  Ready, go.  I’ll let my friend Liz cover that one..  oneawkwardyear 

6. Big sunglasses.  Yay or nay?  yay!

7. What’s your favorite group fitness class?  Do you even take group fitness classes?  In a past life – BodyPump, BodyStep, BodyCombat.  That I have access to now –  yoga.    Classes are pretty rare in my life lately

8. Do you think bacon really is delicious on/with anything?  YES.

9. What blog post from another blog is sticking out in your mind as memorable this week?
As if today were yesterday by Katie.  Love her blog. So many of her posts are fantastic and thought provoking.

10. What about maintaining a healthy lifestyle do you find the most challenging? balance.

11. Do you snort when you laugh?  Ha. No, but sometimes I cry.

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and that’s it.  I’m supposed to tag 11 people and ask questions, but really.. I can’t think of 11 bloggers that haven’t already done this. So I’ll just end it there.

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