I’m still in fun weekend/concert mode, so let me take a moment to go back to Monday and retrieve my running and yoga workouts from my brain phone to find out what exactly happened. I’m going to cram a lot into this post – workouts and weekend happenings – just a warning!
This past week was a cutback week, since I’ll be officially beginning marathon training for the NYCM, um, today (I’m writing this Sunday so that was almost a bit of a surprise to remember that!) By the time you read this, my first 6 mile easy-pace run will be completed. Exciting stuff, that first day of training 😉
These were my workouts from Mon 7/6 – Sun 7/12
Monday – No running, 45 minute vinyasa flow with Tim Senesi.
Tuesday – This was the start of the insanely humid weather, and I had hopes of this being a tempo-ish run. What I wound up with was 6 miles of negative split with an average pace of 8:37, so not a tempo but I did put in a tougher effort that “easy.” It amazes me how much heat and humidity slows me down even though I go through this every single summer. I don’t learn.
At 11:30am I did yoga body workout 2 (27 mins) with Lesley Fightmaster.
Wednesday – Maybe Tuesday’s run really was tempo-ish, because all I could manage Wednesday was 6 miles at a 9:30 average pace. This run involved a few uphills but nothing too major, I was just finding it difficult to muster up pep in my step, you know?
Late morning I did yoga total body workout 3 with Lesley Fightmaster, a 45 minute all levels vinyasa flow.
Thursday – 5.5 miles at an “easy” pace again, which just over 9 min/mile average. I am definitely feeling the pressure to work on my speed for marathon training! It’s always tough for me to tell in the summer where my fitness really is, and I am going to try to be patient and trust my training.
Late morning I did 20 minutes of yoga on my own, including a few sun salutations plus stretching and inversions. On days when time is limited this still helps me feel the effects of practice.
Friday – 8 miles, hills, in the early morning. This was the kickoff for my jam packed fun (and tiring!) weekend and was my last run for the week. I had great energy for this run and felt good all the way through, even on the tough uphills. Running is so darn mental!
Saturday – No physical exercise at all. This only happens when I drink alcohol and stay up really late the night before. I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.
Sunday – I got to sleep until 7:30 after the Taylor Swift concert, more on that soon. When I woke up I did a 55 minute vinyasa flow with Lesley Fightmaster. My girls were up about halfway through and I wound up sacrificing savasana to make them challah french toast!
Savasana is important, I know, yet also impossible with two children literally staring over you asking what’s for breakfast 😉
Okay, now the fun stuff!
I know I already told you guys that we got amazing last minute tickets to see Taylor Swift on Saturday from a good friend. Because the plans were last minute, we had to rearrange other plans which made for a really busy weekend for all 5 of us.
Adam and I had planned to spend the weekend at his friend’s lake house in CT where all his good friends from college would be visiting at the same time. Definitely not something he would want to miss! My parents were all set to babysit Saturday night when we got the concert news.
So, after considering a few options, this is what worked: my parents came over Friday to babysit and Adam and I drove to CT and hung out Friday night into Saturday. Then, Adam drove home with me Saturday and then back to CT, this time with Drew, to stay into Sunday while I took the girls to the concert.
This wound up working out perfectly, and, as I sit here writing Drew and Adam are on their boys excursion while the girls and I have majorly appreciated chill time after our late night out.
Some highlights from the weekend:
Incredibly gorgeous view from the lake house with my ugly feel ruining it.
Took the boat to an extremely crowded bar and had weird college flashbacks being surrounded by lots of young people. Take note that I’m drinking white wine from a granny glass.
To me, they looked 15, not sure how old they actually were! In fact, between Friday and Saturday night I was around so many kids in the high school/college years that I started really understanding how much time has passed in my life since that period. I also now understand how those crop tops are worn in real life. Culture shock, I guess you could call it.
We ate dinner and played while tailgating before the concert! We also made a few sort of dramatic porto potty trips for the girls. I was starting to feel that pre-marathon feeling, nerves and all, and I think they were too. It was super hot and we were all sweating marathon style too.
Walking up to the stadium!
Hello to fabulously sick seats! I still can’t get over how good our seats were. Just amazing.
Lots of patient waiting.
Standing on seats to see Taylor!
Couldn’t believe how close she was!
Nick Jonas made a surprise appearance, which admittedly I was a little too excited about. But, only because Emily randomly really likes him and his song “Jealous” and this pepped her up, big time! Yes, I’m conflicted over the appropriateness of this too, but, kind of like candy, sometimes it just works.
Diana sang every lyric of every song and cheered through the whole show. We all danced and sang the entire time. Emily loved her glowy bracelet and also sang nearly every lyric.
The show ended just after 11:30 and we were home by 12:30 since we bolted out right at the end of Shake it Off. No traffic, no crowds, it was the perfect ending to an incredible night!
I know I’m gushing, it was just so awesome. Of course as my dad pointed out, it’s all downhill from here for them in the concert department. I mean, how can you beat that?
Now it’s back to reality, and the beginning of my marathon training! I’ll be posting my “official” training plan later this week, as well as discussing plans and goals. There’s so much excitement around this marathon for me, and a lot swimming around in my head!
Who else is running the NYCM? Have you started training?
Weekend highlight?
As I have gotten older, I have become all about beating the traffic leaving the stadiums lol. Glad you guys had such a nice weekend and great time at the concert 🙂
Yes, that’s first priority for me too, especially with the kids, since traffic late at night can turn a perfectly good night very sour!
What a weekend! That sounds like so much fun! I never used to be a taylor fan, but I would love a concert now, I am glad you shared it with us too! Yes to the humidity this week, we had quite a few of those days. Isn’t it amazing, just how much harder it makes running? Phew!
My body just refuses to adjust to it, but then I’m really happy in the beginning of fall. Summer is all about dealing with the heat!
Concerts are exhausting. Like baseball games and other things with massive crowds. You just hope that your adrenaline will last until you get home! But I’m glad that you all had an amazing time–she is quite the showman!
And I like that you switched savasana for Challah French toast. All of the ethnicities right there!
After Friday night I was sure I’d die at the concert, but kind of like a marathon I guess adrenaline pulled me through because I wasn’t tired at all. Until today of course, today I’m struggling!
Wow you guys really were close! Glad the girls had a fun weekend. My highlight was not having anything crazy happen to me this weekend. Ha!
At this point that’s a highlight for you! Just some peace and quiet with no explosive toilets 😉
Wow! Awesome! I am glowing just from your recap. Just an aside, my daughter and I walked into an upper east side restaurant and Nick Jonas was standing right next to us. He put his arm around my daughter and told me to snap a picture. In about one minute all her friends were responding after she posted it on Instagram. He is a really nice guy. Glad the girls and you shared such a magical time together. Also, remember through your training what you wrote above, “I am going to be patient and trust my training.”
That’s so funny about Nick Jonas! Very cool. It was such a great experience overall, but now I’m glad to switch gears back to real life 🙂 And marathon training, of course!
Such a fun weekend! I remember that feeling (and still get it) being so blissfully happy singing and dancing at concerts. I figured she would have some surprise guests being that the concert was near NYC. Looking forward to hearing about your training plan!
I was very surprised by Nick Jonas, I’m not sure why but I guess I got caught up in the excitement! The girls were amused 🙂
What an experience for them!! That sounds like a fun (but tiring!) weekend! Cant believe you start marathon trainingg today….good luck! Im looking forward to reading more about your plan.
Definitely tiring but would not trade it! I’m still feeling it today, waking up early to run wasn’t easy at all!
Woohoo for NYCM!!! I got to spend the majority of my weekend outside at the beach which was AMAZING! So glad you guys had a fabulous time at Taylor Swift! Those seats were incredible!!!!
Jealous of the beach! We’re going in August for a week though, so I should shut up 😉 And thanks, still can’t believe we got to be there!
Yay for an awesome weekend! Mine was more on the productive side – Scott and I are moving so we were looking at places. But I did go to a concert already this summer and hope to get some rays by the pool next Saturday so I can’t complain too much. Good luck with starting your training!
Definitely can’t complain about hanging by the pool 🙂 So exciting that you’re moving!
What an awesome experience for your girls! One of my running friends was taking his daughters Saturday night, too! My girls are still way too young but we did hang out at Maplewoodstock this weekend- lots of free (good) music and fun!
Sounds like a great time! They had the time of their lives, it’s a lot to live up to now 🙂
I’m going to see Taylor when she comes to NC in October and I CANNOT WAIT!!! She’s my soul sister and I’m shamelessly obsessed with her… so glad you had a fun weekend 🙂
I don’t blame you at all, she’s awesome and I’m pretty sure I could sing all the lyrics to all her songs, no shame!
Yay for Training! That’s always so exciting. I’m not training for the NYCM, but I am doing a few halfs in the fall and have some 5ks in August.
I’m glad you girls had fun at the concert! Sounds like a blast:)
Thanks, it was great! And there’s something mentally refreshing about beginning a training plan, even if I’m basically doing the same thing I’d normally do for the first week or so 🙂
You do NOT have ugly feet. I have a missing toenail, and my big toes look like penises. True story. It’s the weirdest thing. And the callouses on the bottoms of my feet could seriously harm a person.
Totally laughed at penis toes, that is just too funny and I’ll never forget it now!
My brother and SIL were there Saturday too! I do like Taylor, but don’t know if I like her enough to go to a concert. I’ve been to many but haven’t gone to one in almost two years. I’m excited to see Foo Fighters this weekend!
My weekend highlight was spending time with my mom on a last minute visit!
I saw Foo Fighters I think 10 years ago and loved it 🙂 Mom-daughter time sounds great!
So jealous – I have friends who went as well and they had a blast! I love how Taylor Swift really does appeal to and inspire young women of all ages, from 6 to 86 🙂
Yes, she’s pretty amazing to be able to appeal to so many women and girls, definitely a talent!
Hi Michele! We all need an off day, right? As far as Taylor Swift is concerned, I saw her show back in Orlando a few years ago and she was amazing. She is so talented, and I was blown away by all the instruments that she plays. I’m quite the fan! Glad you were able to make all this fun stuff happen in one weekend. Mine was good too! Some nice dinners were probably the highlight. And cheers to white wine in a granny glass!
Completely agree, that girl has some crazy talent in many ways! Nice dinners are always a highlight, as is wine in a granny glass 🙂
Hahaha, good stuff 😉
Yay for the beginning of training!!! I hope the run went great to kick off today!!!
I felt semi-productive this weekend, which was a change, but the best part was the long walk I went on with my mom on Saturday 😉
After not running for a couple of days, my first “official” training run went well! A nice walk with your mom is priceless 🙂
OH MY GOSH this is so fabulous!!!!! what a perfect concert experience, that is brilliant!!! this reminds me of my very first concert, it was to see NKOTB… i was 10 and they were my favorite band and i knew all the songs. my bff’s mom had scored us girls tickets and they were 3rd row. OMG it was insane, it was like a dream come true. i’m still able to remember all the joy and excitement and happiness after all these years! memories like that are just simply perfect and priceless, how awesome for you and the girls and the whole family. sounds like a perfect, perfect weekend altogether 🙂
happy monday, michele!!!!
Oh wow I am jealous of your NKOTB experience since that would’ve been my dream at 8 years old! Really glad I shared this experience with them though, we got seriously lucky!
Wow what an experience, totally jealous of your amazing seats (and concert experience in general)! Yes crop tops are actually a thing… and everyone except me seems to be wearing them :P. I would have totally been excited if Nick Jonas showed up… the jonas brothers were so my jam 7 years ago!
Yes, seriously everyone is wearing them! And I feel SO lucky to have had this experience and share it with my girls, couldn’t have been better 🙂
What an amazing and fun weekend! I’m jealous of it all because it looks so packed with fun stuff. I saw a pic on IG of TSwift/Jonas and I think I would’ve jumped up and down and screamed if I was at that show. Actually, I probably would be jumping up & down with glee just from T Swift!! Lucky lady!! 🙂
It was such an exciting time! Yes, we got seriously lucky! Still can’t believe we got to be there and with such good seats.
How fun to take the girls to Taylor Swift. I have fond memories of my very first concert, New Kids on the Block. What was your first concert?
I WISHED to see NKOTB back in the day but never did, I’m kinda over it now though 😉 My first concert was Bob Dylan at Jones Beach with my parents, I think. Did that a couple of times with them 🙂
Hahah, yea, NKOTB was when I was 12. No desire to seem them now. Bob Dylan, cool first concert!
In retrospect, yes, cool 🙂 But I feel reminiscent hearing about everyone’s NKOTB experiences!