July 4th long weekend

It was a great long weekend with full of fresh air! It's definitely a lot fresher than NYC :)

We had a lot of yummy food! We dined mostly at the resort restaurants (which are famous in the town) that specializes in New English cuisine with local VT flavors and ingredients - starch, nuts, herbs, berries, cream, butter and syrups in almost all dishes.  They emphasize a lot on homemade fresh ingredients, and to bring out the most of the natural juice and flavors from the fish/seafood/poultry. Most of our plates were heavily integrated with VT cheddar cheese, homemade butter, jam, maple syrups, and potatoes.  I guess for a hilly place with chilly winter, these are very hearty food.

In terms of activities, it was a bit lacking with a toddler; but I guess that's the expectation for a resort that is more catered to adults (skiers and business travelers) and older children. We weren't able to hike, canoe, fish, observe glass making...

So back to my workout, with a pool in the resort, I was able to add some swimming to my daily exercises!

Saturday - Bike 7 miles; High Intensity exercises 30 mins
Sunday - Swim 0.5 miles (800m); run 1 mile
Monday - Swim 1.1 miles (1.78K)
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Run 1.5 miles; Bike 2 miles; Elliptical 3 miles; High Intensity exercises 15 mins

Delicious bread plate for the table

Homemade fettucine (with lots of shaved VT cheese)

View of Equinox Mountain

Resort properties

Workout + Training + Weekend Getaway

I guess the original diet + staying healthy plan has evolved into something a little (really, just a little) more serious.

Ever since I started running again this year, I have been taking some more challenges with the advice from others who also workout. They have suggested me to add strength training, build stronger core, run longer courses, beat my own personal record, exercise more frequently, and choose alternative workout methods to help running pace etc. I have done all. During the workouts I had set goals and challenged myself as well, but there's one thing I haven't followed - search and join a race. The last time I did this was the 3.5mi JP Morgan corporate challenge a few years ago in Chicago.  Other than that I really haven't done any other races or competitions.  I know my pace is only around average in runners my age, and I planned to exercise to stay healthy for myself - not a competition with anyone.  However, after a few persistent persuasions from others, I was convinced to join a 10K race.  The location is close by, and it's a route I have done before, I told myself that I'll just try to set an easy goals, something I've achieved before. 

But a few weeks before the actual race day I have gotten more serious about really achieving this goal, especially after seeing my record deteriorated during days with semi heat wave.  I was almost 1 min slower for each split during the sunny and humid evenings, on a route that has minimal elevations.  I was not happy, this means that if the temperature happens to be warm on the race day, at this pace, I would be few minutes slower than my target goal time.  Not good. 

Again, I know I am not competing with anyone and just trying to do the best I can with a result I had in mind, but deep down inside, I know I will get a bit competitive on the race day when all runners are motivated and strive to challenge themselves. So from semi-lazy self that works out few times a week, I turned on this "hate to lose" attitude and pushed myself to work out almost everyday. (Well, except during the mini getaway.  More to follow)

I started eating healthier breakfasts, leaner lunches, and stricter dinners; reducing indulgences during hunger or after a great workout; and following tips on training to endure high temperature, and trying fartlek program to help with strength and endurance (performance). Here are my workouts for the past 2 weeks.

Week 1 
Mon: Gym - Biked 6 miles; ran 1 mile
Tue: Gym - Ran 3.11 miles (5K)
Wed: Gym - Biked 10 miles (Fartlek)
Thur: Trail - Ran 3.2 miles 
Fri: Trail - Ran 3.1 miles

Sat-Sun: Mini Getaway for the long weekend.  Probably 50 lunges on Saturday. 

Mon: Trail - Ran 6.23 miles (10K)
Tue: Trail - Ran 2 miles; 4x 100m Sprint
Wed: Gym - Biked 20 miles! (Fartlek)
Thur: Gym - 200m walking lunges; biked 7 miles
Fri: Gym - Biked 10 miles
Sat update: Trail - Ran 3.23 miles
Sun update: Trail - Biked 6 miles @ NJ. Then got drenched with torrential rain 1 mile before getting back!!

Before the race, I probably did some high intensity exercises 2-3 days a week, along with 1-2 5K or 10K weekly.  But these days I almost feel lazy for missing my daily workout.  I guess I understand the benefits of joining a race - it's really not for competition, but to motivate myself to do better, eat right, stay healthy, and exercise more regularly and effectively.  After 2 weeks I did see a bit more results in the original diet plan.  While keeping up with the preparation for the race, I do feel more energetic and positive throughout the say.  I'll see how this will turn out - but so far I am open to join future races in order to push myself further!

Mini Getaway: It was a pretty fun event. Really short drive, no traffic at all. We visited a Children's museum on the first day and an aquarium on the second day.  The hotel service (an international chain) was quite poor which was forgettable, but the second hotel was much better. Not to mention I was very conscious of my food choices which was super helpful. For the little one's first ever getaway, it was a success. There are certainly things that we could've been more prepared for (bring more/less xyz items, plan more time for this or that) and even as an experienced traveler myself, I am still new to traveling with a young child. I believe that we'll learn a thing or two during each trip and then move to do better the next time around.  I really look forward to the next getaway!