holy humidity. anyone else having a humidity spike in their cities this week?? i actually chose to take the subway rather than bike to work the past two days because it was so gross out. not loving that!
before i get into this week’s workout line-up, let’s talk a bit of marathon training progress:
i’m not sure if i’m going to run the Mohawk Hudson marathon this October after all. i’d sort of half-heartedly committed myself to doing it, but to be honest, my legs are just tired alllll the time. i struggled through my (ridiculously humid) run this morning and fought for every single step, and none were pain free. i haven’t done any runs over 13.1 miles this summer, and the thought of running a marathon just doesn’t appeal to me at the moment…so i’m not sure where i’m at, but i’m absolutely not upset about it at all. i might drop down and run the half (probably have to bandit run it, as i doubt they’ll let me change), but i’ll be sure to keep you guys updated on that.
*my week in workouts*
Sun, 8/16: an hour of total body workout, including kettlebells, free weights, a lot of jump squats & walking lunges & the like, followed by planks & a stretch sesh — great way to start my Sunday morning before heading to church at Hillsong NYC
Mon, 8/17: evening gym workout: warmed up with 15 minutes on the Arc trainer before doing 45 minutes of upper body (back machines, kettlebells & push-ups) and finished with planks
Tues, 8/18: morning run – 5 miles on the treadmill, for the first time in months, b/c it was 90% humidity at 6am. WOOF.
Wed, 8/19 (today): 6 mile run outdoors — basically like running underwater. i was drenched by mile 1. gross.
Thurs, 8/20: i might have to take a rest day tomorrow, as i think i’ll be too busy to squeeze in a workout… sometimes all the plans come first. 🙂
Fri, 8/21: hoping for a morning Arc trainer & strength sesh, depending upon how late Thurs night’s plans go!
Sat, 8/22: long, hilly run upstate by the lake! always my fave workout of the week, so long as my legs aren’t all sorts of crazy sore and allow me to enjoy the run.
i’ve been trying to be more mindful of what i put into my body after a workout lately, as part of my whole “be as healthy as possible and take care of yourself” summer goal. i want to stay strong and fueled and feel good about my food choices rather than mindlessly snacking or eating something just because it’s convenient or tastes good.
allllll the fruit. i can’t get enough.
i’ve teamed up with Nuts.com for this post to discuss some healthy post-workout/run food options. (i’m not being paid in any way for this, but have chosen to promote them because i personally like to partner with and help support organizations devoted to healthy living.) Nuts.com is a family-owned organization dedicated to healthy snacking, offering over 2,000 items delivered right to your door! i’ve spent some time perusing their website lately and reading through their healthy snacks page, and they offer some great suggestions and yummy snacks for your post-workout noshing.
here are some of my personal fave post-workout snacks to grab on the go (because let’s face it, i’m basically always on the go in this city):
- bananas. pretty much my go-to food. i eat one almost every day (okay i had 2 small ones already today)
- hard-boiled eggs. i’ve been pretty consistent about keeping these on hand the past couple of months, and they’ve totally changed my snack habits. i eat them by themselves, on salads, with avocado…
- juice. i’ve been on a big fresh-pressed juice kick this summer. it can be a bit pricey as they add up quickly, but they’re so good and a perfect summer snack. anything with beets & ginger is right up my alley.
- Medifast bars or shakes. i really like both the taste & nutritional value of this company’s products, and they’re an easy choice after a good workout.
- almonds. i don’t buy these enough but i really enjoy them! my fave nut.
two healthy snack options that looks really good to me on Nuts.com:
- Freeze Dried Fruit Cocktail: 100% fruit with no extra added sugar. i really like dried fruit but i’m not into the mixes that add a sweetener, so this one appeals to me. i think it’d be great to put over oatmeal or mix with nuts!
- Organic Trail Mix. so much goodness. just yum.
hope your running, workouts & healthy snacking are all on track this week, friends!
Runners: How’re you feeling lately? How’s training going? Any joys/woes to share?
What’re your favorite post-workout snacks?
runthisapple.wordpress.com 
THAT FRUIT PLATE! OMG yes. I think if you are dreading the marathon it’s not a good idea. There will be more opportunities and you’ll want your heart to be in it!!
thanks, girl — i’ll just see how the legs feel! i don’t want to get frustrated. also, i didn’t make that fruit plate — but now i want it. 🙂
Great post! Will be following. CHeck out my blog and follow if you could!
thanks, Ben! i’ll def check out your blog!
Oh my goodness. That fruit. I want it all now!!!!! Feel better about running- we all have our up and down weeks, days, etc
I totally feel you on the humidity/tired legs. I have been taking more rest days since I feel so drained from my runs. I was getting pretty frustrated with just slogging miles and not feeling like I was having a great workout. Hopefully the weather will cool in the next few weeks. Smoothies and acai bowls all day err day post long run 🙂
My running has been great lately and very therapeutic to my soul. I understand tired legs though! What helps me is massages/foam rolling, and definitely eating right and taking care of myself. Also SLEEP! I bought some black out curtains for my bedroom and they are freaking incredible. It’s amazing what little things make a huge difference. Lifestyle changes really do help with running and marathon training.
Good luck with what you decide to do! The half sounds like a great choice as well. I love all of your photos on IG lately!
thanks, my lovely friend! you’re such an encouragement. i definitely get a lot of sleep and eat well, but i KNOW i could do much more stretching and foam rolling — such a weakness. i’m so pressed for time after my morning runs that it just doesn’t happen, and i need to start carving out time at night to focus on this! and icing. thank you! xo
Anytime! That’s what I’m here for, you know. 😉
I could eat that entire fruit plate right now. OMG it looks amazing! As for marathon training, I am hearing this a lot lately. It honestly makes your legs exhausted at some points and you feel like it will never get better and you start to doubt if you could ever complete a full race. Definitely do what feels best for you but know that it is a totally normal feeling both mentally and physically.
thanks for normalizing this – it helped to read that.
Great job on your workouts and the healthy snacking! I want all of the fruit in that picture, it looks DELISH! Enjoy your hilly run upstate!
YOU”RE nuts 😀
I understand what you are feeling, and as a coach, I am going to ask how you are doing with the other aspects of your life: nutrition (as discussed here), sleep, cross training, etc. I would also has about your muscle recovery systems (as discussed in my post), and whether you are amped to run, but not feeling the muscle pep, or if you are not feeling any of it.
Humidity can be huge drain on us, too. But don’t take on the marathon if you think it is going to be detrimental to your happiness!
thanks for this well-thought-out comment, lady. i am sleeping a lot and cross training and i LOVE running and get so stoked for my runs — until my legs just cry the whole time, and not in that “it’ll get better way” lately, but like, just so painful. i need more stretching and icing, i’m sure.
Great running even with the humidity! It’s been so gross out. I can’t wait till fall when I can finally do more running OFF the treadmill and actually enjoy it. Have fun at the lake this weekend!
I don’t blame you for not wanting to do the marathon. Last year, I nearly dropped down to the half because I was feeling so overwhelmed, but I somehow pulled through. Marathon training is quite draining though and I really can’t wait to be done with it for awhile 🙂
you’re totally killing it with your races, though — i admire you and have no idea how you do all that without getting hurt or just feeling worn out! i need to buck myself up somehow. ya the humidity is just the wooooorst. thanks girl — hope you have a great wknd too, and this fall we will get together!
Please let’s! I’m thinking of going to Wine Riot in September. Are you going too and if so what day??
i AM going to Wine Riot! i have a ticket for opening night, Friday the 18th — get one!!
I will let you know! My sister was planning on going too so I’ll see if she can do that day.
Holy fruit plate! That’s the kind of stuff that makes healthy eating fun. Nice workouts! you’re so consistent!