What I Wore {post 37}

Anyone ready for Spring?  I am! I am!  So we set those clocks forward last weekend and I am still struggling.  This time change always takes me a good week to get used to. 

I am cracking up at my outfits because wow - they are all so ... completely devoid of color.  I need to add a little more color to my wardrobe in these next few weeks.  

* Black Sweater-Dress *

I found this black sweater-dress at the Ann Taylor outlet.  It was on clearance with an additional 50 (or maybe 60?) percent off and was $20.  I loved the fit and style. I wore it with black pantyhose (control top - must be control top in this dress) and black boots.  The dress is very fitted and I thought less was more, so I kept the accessories very minimal.  You cannot really see in this picture but the knit has a bunch of patterns in it.  You can really see in this picture that I desperately need a hair cut and highlight.  This Friday.  It will happen.  (I have had to cancel thrice).

* Ivory Top w/ Lace Detail & Black Pants & Leopard Belt *

This top is courtesy of Talbots.  I was killing some time in Talbots before meeting a friend and wandered over to the clearance rack (of course).  All their clearance was an additional percent off - I think 50 or 60.  I really loved the detail on this top.  I even took a side view so you can see it.  I wore it with my black pants and a brand new leopard print belt I got on sale at Ann Taylor for $7.  

* Cream Tweed Jacket, Cream & Black Polka-Dot Shell, Tan Pants *

I realized that so far this year, I had not worn my cream tweed jacket that I got last year, so on another very cold day, I decided to wear it. I wore it with my polka dot shell (Loft) and tan pants.  The necklace is an oldie from Stella & Dot.   

I am inspired to be a little more colorful in these coming weeks. It would help if the weather cooperates and stays above freezing and doesn't snow again.  Please?  Pretty please?

See you swoon,

IMLP Training Recap: Week 16

Monday Monday ... so good to me.   How about we start our new week with a little Mamas & the Papas?  This song will be added to my next magnificent running playlist.  And I bet you'll be singing it for a while today.  Not sorry!

So week 16 was ok.  There was a mix of rest (!!!!), great workouts and pretty crappy workouts.  Everything is getting longer in duration, which I suppose is the point.

This past week was also a rough ride for me work-wise.  I was extremely busy with a hard deadline and a mountain of information and documents to organize, analyze and tie up in a neat little accurate precise bow.  I managed to get my workouts in and they truly were what kept me sane.  Even if it meant waking up at the rather insane hour of 4 am to get them in.  This is why I go mental when people ask how I "find the time" to do my training.  I don't find it.  I would never find it.  I make it, and sometimes it's really hard to make it.

Week 16:

Swam: 0:58 hours (2,800 yards)

Biked:  3:50 hours (all on trainer)

Ran:  2:49 hours (18.95 miles)

Workouts:

Monday - Rest Day!  Rest Day!  Rest Day! <-- rest day

Tuesday - bike: 20 minute Time Trial (take two)

Wednesday - long swim

Thursday - long run

Friday - bike with intervals and "shake out" run

Saturday - easy run

Sunday - long bike

So you saw Monday right? You saw that I got an official rest day?  I didn't know what to do with myself.  I enjoyed every second of it.

Tuesday was my second time trial with the power meter.  I mentioned in my Week 15 recap that while I did the time trial that week, I had to do it again in Week 16.  Here's what happened: I somehow miscalibrated the power meter in my first time trial, which made all the data (all the hard-earned data) not show up accurately on my watch.  So when I finished the workout and uploaded it, I noticed my average power was 7 watts.  I don't know much about power or watts, but 7 seemed kind of low.  Like crazy low.  Sure enough - it was wrong.  So my coach had me do the time trial again in Week 16 so I could set my power thresholds for training.  It was really hard - I pushed myself harder than I did the week before and made a lot of very loud grunts and groans.  But it worked! Power thresholds are set and the time trial is behind me.

Wednesday's swim was very long: 2,800 yards long.  I mentioned in last week's recap that my long swim that week was 4x400, and that it wasn't that bad, which I told my coach.  My workout this week was a 400 yard warm up and then 6x400.  Ba boom.  But I did it and afterwards felt like a swimming rock star.  And also very hungry.  It is a cruel joke that I am hungriest after my swims and burn the least amount of calories doing them.

Thursday was my long run, and it was 30 minutes at endurance pace, 30 at tempo and 10 at endurance. It ended up being just shy of 8 miles. It was so nice to be outside.  Even if it was really cold.

Friday wasn't bad (55 minute bike and 2 mile run). Saturday wasn't bad (50 minute run).

Sunday was kinda bad.  It was a 1:55 bike: 30 minutes endurance, 30 tempo, 10 endurance, 30 tempo, 15 endurance.  I struggled to hit and maintain my numbers.  I ultimately did it, but wow what a battle.   See this sweaty beast?

Big took that picture.  This was about an hour and a half in and he stopped in his tracks and said, "Mom -- your back.  It's ... completely soaked."  Soaked with sweat.  Yeah.  I look so happy and yay bikes are fun! in that picture.  He then took this close-up, which honestly captures how I felt the entire workout:

Add to that, I tried out a new pair of tri shorts and while they felt amazing in the beginning, they did not work for me - at all- as I got into the workout.  It's a shame because I love aspects of these shorts, but I cannot wear them.  I'll do a review of some tri shorts soon.  I am still searching for the holy grail of tri shorts.

It looks like we are getting more distance added to our runs in future workouts, which I think means our coach is prepping us for the half marathon at the end of March.  Amy, Bill and I are also planning a trip next month up to Lake Placid.  We're going for an intense training camp in June (run by our coach), but we really wanted to do at least one more trip up there to bike the course. So that will be fun.  Training is fun.

Have a delightful week, everyone!

See you swoon,

IMLP Training Recap: Week 15

Week 15.  Week. Fif. Teen.

Sorry this is late.  I mentioned on Wednesday that work has been crazy and that is true.  I've managed to get my training in each day.  It's essential to my sanity at this point.

So things are moving along.  I'm noticing an increase in distances.  Bring it.

Week 15:

Swam: 1:23 hours (4400 yards)

Biked:  3:48 hours (all on trainer)

Ran:  2:55 hours (19.4 miles)

Workouts:

Monday - swim

Tuesday - 20 minute time trial bike & easy run at endurance velocity

Wednesday - swim

Thursday - easy long run at endurance velocity

Friday - bike & "shake out" run

Saturday -easy run 

Sunday - loooooooooooooooong bike

So now for the details.

My Monday swim felt really good.  It had been awhile since I was in the pool and this just felt good.  I realized after this swim that I needed the forearm paddles that my swim coach recommended.  So I ordered them. And some replacement cables for my other paddles.  And about 15 pairs of black tri shorts that I need to try on and widdle down and choose.

box o' goodies from swimoutlet.com
(i paid for it. they don't sponsor me.  but that would be awesome)

Tuesday.  OK.  I mentioned that we got our power meters on the bikes.  So part of that requires another time trial so our coach can set our power thresholds.  I did the 3 minute time trial last week and this week it was time for the 20 minute job.  It was hard. And I'm throwing out a spoiler and will fill in more detail next week: I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN IN WEEK 16 -  I HAD TO REDO THE 20 MINUTE TIME TRIAL - THE TIME TRIAL WHERE YOU GO ALL OUT ON THE BIKE FOR 20 MINUTES.  That's right.  Only an ALL CAPS assault on your eyes can convey how devastating this was.  More info next week because I am still too fragile to discuss.

After my time trial, I did a 50 minute endurance run outside.  Outside!!!!  It was a perfect, amazing run.  Just wonderful.  I've been cooped up on the gruther munking treadmill for way too long.  So to be outside and to have everything feel so great was a nice little shot of happiness in the arm.

Wednesday swim - not much to say about this one.  Actually, this was a bit of foreshadowing.  My coach had me do 4x400 on the 9:00 (which means 400 yards done in a 9 minute time period four times).  For whatever reason I just hate the 400 yard distance.  So when I saw this on my training plan I was like omgno.  But I did it and it wasn't bad and I blithely told my coach that.  And ... wait til you see what he made me do the following week.  :/

Thursday was a long run - 75 minutes but all at endurance pace.  It was approximately -15 degrees that day.  As much as I wanted to avoid the treadmill, I wanted to avoid lung issues more.  So I did it on the treadmill.  Here is proof.

Here is how I felt after that long run on the treadmill (with a shout-out to my awesome friend Patti who sent me the Wonder Womanesque Sweaty Band that I regretted not buying at the Philly Rock & Roll Expo last year):

all treadmill and no outside makes shanna a dull girl.
all treadmill and no outside makes shanna a dull girl.
all treadmill and no outside makes shanna a dull girl.

The rest of the workouts were fine - nothing really of note. I just got them done, logged them and went along my merry way.

And to close it out, here is a picture of me in my tri kit as of this past week.  I thought it might be fun to see how I change (or don't change as the case may be) over these next few months of training.  I will tell you: I have never been hungrier in my life and I eat quite a lot. Those who know me well just clutched their pearls and grabbed their smelling salts because that is really saying something and we are only in March.  I am literally eating to train.  OK and because I really love food.  But I'm not restricting food and I'm also not getting on the scale.  My clothes still fit, but I feel like I've probably put on a few pounds, which could be due to the whole "winter insulating my loins" phenomenon that my friend Ava mentioned or maybe it's just because I am eating like a wild animal who is also rabid and ravenous.

In any event: here I am 15 weeks in.  I feel like I look exactly like I always do with may be a bit more definition in my legs and arms.  I'll post these pics in the same tri kit every month going forward.  The headband, however, will likely get changed up.  

Happy Weekend!  Set those clocks forward and get an extra hour of sunlight.  I'm going full on Pollyanna on the internet right now: Spring is almost here!!!!!!!! 

See you swoon,

What I Wore {post 36}

Hi!  I still have to post my recap of last week's IMLP training.  I meant to have it go up on Monday but work has been crazy with a capital CRAZY OMG WHOA and I barely had time to train ... let alone write about training.  But I should be able to post the recap on Friday.

In the meantime, it's March and you know what that means? It's almost time to set the clocks forward (this weekend! I cannot wait!) and it's almost Spring.  I know ... I know ... it can still snow in March and blah blah blah but I am so ready to turn the corner to nicer weather and longer days.

It's been a lot more difficult to take photos of my outfits lately because I'm getting ready at the gym a few mornings per week.  And I don't think the other women in the locker room would appreciate or understand my taking a selfie in the mirror.  On to the outfits! 

* Bright Pink Sweater & Cami, Skinny Jeans, Red & Gold Necklace *

This was a Tuesday at work when we had more snow (LOL of course we did) so we were allowed to wear jeans to work (which is usually reserved for Fridays).  I had the skinny jeans and my favorite tall brown riding boots, and I also had the bright pink sweater, which was a bargain buy from the NY & Co. outlet back in the Fall.  It's very soft.  I bought the bright pink cami at the NY & Co. outlet over Presidents Day weekend on a shopping trip to the outlets with my friend Heather.  I knew it would be a perfect, or at least close, match to my sweater and it was on sale for $2.00.  Literally two dollars.  The necklace was a find from Talbot's - again, not my usual place to shop, but I stumbled in one day and they were having a massive clearance sale: everything on sale was an additional 60% off.  The necklace ended up costing me $8.  I couldn't pass it up.

* Floral Silk Blouse & Coral Pencil Skirt *

I loved this blouse the moment I saw it at the Ann Taylor outlet.  I found it on the same Presidents Day weekend shopping trip to the outlets that I mentioned above.  Ann Taylor was also having a 60% off all clearance sale.  So this blouse ended up costing $20.  I knew it would match my coral pencil skirt perfectly and I loved the print and the fit.  The coral pencil skirt is from the j.crew Factory from last year.

* Emerald Green Top, Bootcut Jeans & Emerald/Navy Bracelet *

I am in looooooove with emerald green lately!  I found this fun top at the Banana Republic outlet with Jamie in January.  It was on clearance (note a trend? I hate to pay full price for clothing) and was $6.  Six dollars!  I loved the detail and thought it would be a good top for both work and going out, so I snatched it up.  I wore on a recent Friday and paired it with my bootcut jeans and a navy cardigan that I snagged at the Gap Outlet for $4.99.  I added this fun green and blue bracelet from the Banana outlet (bought at the same trip as the shirt).  I can't remember how much I paid for the bracelet, but I know it was 40% off. 

Spring is in the air.  If I say it, it will come, yes?

See you swoon,

Bedroom Finishing Touches

Who is making progress on her new years resolution to-do list?  This girl.  yeah!

One of the things on my list was to finish up my bedroom.  The bedroom is, overall, in great shape but it needed some finishing touches:  hang more pictures, organize the books and magazines, style the tops of the dresser and nightstands and hang (and first paint) a mirror.  And ... done!

I have to say: I love my bedroom.  It is painted a great shade of white and has a huge window that lets in a ton of light.  When I moved in, I took out the horrible paper shade that was covering the window and bought oversized blinds instead.  I'll just leave them when I move.  I hung a brushed nickel rod from Target and pretty white curtains from West Elm at the window and have hung some art around the space.  The bedroom is very me - lots of white and soothing colors.  

The first area that needed some help was this corner where my painted chest is.  The first thing I did to finish up the space was paint a mirror, which I blogged about recently.  I found the mirror at Michael's on clearance for $10.  I hated the finish on the frame, but I loved the size and the chunky weight of the frame.  I knew I could just paint over it and it would be perfect.  And it is!  Here it is in its new space.

I also brought in a triple frame from Pottery Barn for over the chest and put black and white pictures of the kids and me up there.  I ended up buying a 10-frame set from Pottery Barn for my stairwell gallery wall and used this frame from that set in my bedroom.  

That pretty cream/white/ivory mosaic frame hides my white noise machine.  I need my white noise machine to sleep and seriously you would have to pry it from my kung fu grip, but it's not the most attractive thing.  So a little framed picture hides it just fine.  I found the frame for $5 at the Christmas Tree Shops.

All that's left in this spot is to refinish the jewelry box, which now sticks out like a very sore dark-wooden thumb coated in dark wood that I do not enjoy.  I want to paint it white (shock!). I think I'll go with a chalk paint ... I am curious to try Home Depot's new brand of chalk paint.  I'm thinking of using it on my dining room table so I think the jewelry box is a good place to test it out.  

Then I moved on to the tops of my nightstands and dresser.  I started with the dresser.  I took everything except the TV off of it and then got to work.  The left side is where I keep a tray for the jewelry I wear all the time and the little necklace tree I use.  I also added a picture of the kids and me - the frame was a steal last year from The Christmas Tree Shops.  The right side has a card I found in Franklin, Tennessee that says "dream big darling" which I framed, a framed Susy Jack print and a really cool blue box I found at Home Goods.  Done! That big blank space over the TV needs something ... but I am not sure what.  

My nightstand:  I just cleaned this up a bit.  I added a framed picture of the kids and me and moved the stack of books to a basket on the floor.  I found this cute little mercury glass floral thing at Pottery Barn Outlet for $12.  I want a fancy, vintage looking glass for some water too.  I saw one at The Christmas Tree Shops when Jamie and I were there and did not pick it up.  Next time.

The other nightstand:  this one didn't need any real work.  I kept all the photos and just arranged them a little better.

Finally, I moved the basket that had been on my dresser and moved it next to my white chair.  I put magazines in it and put all of my books in the basket next to the nightstand.  

And that's it!  It didn't take very long to finish up the space and I am so glad I finally did -- all that's left is to paint the jewelry box (and to organize the contents - oh boy) and to hang something over my TV.

Have a great weekend!  Any good plans?  I will be training (of course) and I have a trip to IKEA and Home Depot planned.  Yes and yay.

See you swoon,