Fire noodles

There was an era in my young life in which I could do a pull-up.  Clearly, that era has passed.

You know you’re in a sad place, strength-training-wise, when your core and arms are the first thing to tire while running long or hard.  Last spring, as I upped the intensity and volume of my running, I basically let strength training fall off the agenda.  For a few months, I mitigated the damage by faithfully attending twice-weekly yoga class.  Then, when Chicago marathon training kicked in, that fell off the agenda, too.

Oops.

So I’m trying to get back in to it.  I know I’m not going to spend hours a week in the weight room, and I’m definitely okay with that – but I can definitely make an effort of some sort a couple of times a week.  At least BodyPower class or something.  And that yoga?  That’s back on the docket, too.

It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I’m feeling it.  And it feels good. The other day, it was slightly uncomfortable to shampoo my hair.  That’s a great feeling.

But…I have my work cut out for me.

Today, I went to yoga class (check!) and was hoping for an emphasis on stretching and lots of hip-openers.  Instead, the instructor decided it was Warrior Two Day!

The only thing that will make you feel less hard-core than debilitating arm fatigue while running is debilitating arm fatigue while Warrior-Two-ing with a bunch of middle-aged women during yoga class at your local YMCA.

Oof.

These guns are done for.  Noodles are overcooked.  Fire arms have been discharged.  I could keep going….

Tomorrow’s long run will be interesting.

Today’s EAT:  When I named this post I was actually thinking of edible noodles.

Not to be confused with burning biceps, these noodles are spicy and wonderful – and this dish or some variation on it is a staple around here.

Recipe: Fire Noodles

This comes together in fifteen minutes and uses ingredients that you probably have on hand if you cook Asian-type things.  (And if you don’t?  Well, you should!  Fish sauce is one of the most underrated ingredients out there!)  Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Today’s DRINK: I popped open this bottle of Renwood Zinfandel promptly at 5 PM on Friday.

It was okay!  Pretty light and fruity with lots of berries.  Definitely not the big flavor that I’d normally expect from a Zin, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.  I’ll finish the bottle but wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it again.

Today’s RUN: After a glorious rest day on Friday, I logged an easy 6.3 in the Saturday afternoon drizzle before heading to that yoga class that set my arms on fire.  Today was a disgusting day for just about everything except running – 45* and rainy is fine running weather if you ask me!

Today’s QUESTION: If you do yoga, is there a particular pose that kills your arms – or is it just me? Warrior 2 makes my guns burn, and I positively dread Extended Side-Angle….