Seeing Stars + Dinner with a Bestie

Good evening! First and foremost, Bailey would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas Eve eve.



He NEVER sits for me like that when I take his picture. I always have to bribe him with a treat and even then he looks away at the last minute. He must really like the new treats I got him from Sloppy Kisses. They are the cutest, teeniest little *bacon* flavored gingerbread men.



Anyway- today's training day called for a two mile run plus strength training. The run was great. There weren't very many people on the track and I spent most of the first mile laughing to myself thinking of an earlier conversation with one of my co-workers. I love it when funny things happen that still have you laughing later in the day. Needless to say, the run went by quickly and smoothly. Speaking of quick, I swear every person on the track laps me like none other. Granted, running is only a sport against yourself, but are ten minute miles really that slow?



For strength training, I took my weekly Body Sculpt class. I LOVE THIS CLASS. Well, except for tonight. The instructor is really great- she changes up the class every three weeks and we are always utilizing different equipment while getting a total body workout. Basically it's like the shred on crack, kind of.



Today the instructor wanted to "kick it up a notch" and bring out the crazy stuff since she will have to tone the class down once the New Year's Resolutioners (totes just made up a word) start pouring in. At one point during the workout, she had us doing these arm workouts that started at a bicep curl, up to a shoulder raise, extend the arms upwards fully, back down to shoulder raise, forearms meet in the middle, back to start (sorry if that sounds confusing, just imagine an intense shoulder workout). I had the brilliant idea of grabbing ten pound weights which hey, seems pretty light. Yeah, with all of the reps, not so much. I literally started seeing spots/stars during the workout and thought I might faint. I had to actually stop and go grab a drink of water in order to not pass out. It was kind of disconcerting because I've eaten a ton today. It's not like my blood sugar was low. I have to admit, I felt a little down afterwards. That is, if I can't even get through a 2 mile run and then a body sculpt class without feeling super exerted, how am I supposed to get through a 14k? Oh well... I didn't quit, and that's what counts right?



After that lovely class (I still love it!), I met one of my besties, Kristin, at Panera. Kristin recently moved to PA so I don't get to see her nearly as often as I'd like. Sad face. It was fun to catch up in front of the fireplace.
I do feel bad that I wasn't more normal energetic self- the class seriously wiped me out.

Kristin and I closed the place out at 9:30 PM. Crazy party animals! A little different from when we used to close out the bars in Geneseo ;)

Tomorrow I'll be back with the rest of my favorites from 2009! Have a great evening!

Have you ever doubted yourself during training?

My Favorites of 2009, Part I

Good evening! Tomorrow is my last day of work until January 4th- after Christmas Bri and I are heading down to Virginia Beach and we get to spend the week together! So excited. We haven't spent more than four days together consecutively since he left for boot camp last September ('08).

Yoga was excellent tonight. I know it isn't hot yoga (it's a vinyasa flow class) but damn, the studio gets super hot. I dig! For whatever reason I was having a harder time doing the balancing poses on my right side. Kelle said that it was probably one of the best classes she has ever attended! I'm so happy to have found this place.

So I was thinking about the past year. On New Year's day 2009 I resolved to finally run a 5k. I had made this resolution for oh, the past five or six years. I had never been a runner, so the 5k seemed like the epitome of healthiness to me. However, I never took any steps to implement my goal; it was just something I thought and then subsequently forgot about. I am so happy to say that this year was different.

Bri and I got engaged in February 2009, and I think a lot of people attribute my newfound working out/eating well habits to "wanting to look good for the wedding". Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to look good on my wedding day, but that is not the driving factor behind my new lifestyle. Bri was and is a huge source of inspiration (but again, that's a story that deserves its own post) but, quite frankly, I was tired of being skinny fat. I was tired of not being able to do one "girly" pushup with proper form. I was tired of not being able to run around the track at the Y without feeling winded. I was tired of people's looks of shock when they found out I had high cholesterol, because how could I be thin but have such an unhealthy condition? I was tired of inaction; I wanted to change for me. I wanted to live a long, happy, healthy life with my future husband. Sitting around eating cheez-its was not going to help me achieve that goal.

These were the thoughts that were swimming around my head when I made the decision to start training for my first 5k. Taking those first steps in May were painful but inspiring. The training acted as a gateway to fun, new, active activities and healthier eating.

So, what helped me along the way? I have come across so great, new (to me!) things that have assisted me in my, for lack of a better term, journey.

1). Jillian Michaels
Oh Jillian (or Jilly as Kristin likes to call her), you have kicked my assets many a time. Because of you, I was able to do my first real pushup! When I first did the shred, I thought I was going to pass out. Then I moved on to No More Trouble Zones- now that is no joke! I have to admit, I am slightly put off by your recent "selling out"... supplements? Come on now. It's okay though; you'll always have a place in my fitness heart.

2. My iTouch

I absolutely LOVE my iTouch. I especially learned this after I took it running in the rain and found that technology and the rain do not mix. I felt lost without my couch to 5k podcasts! So much so that I had to purchase another one. Expensive lesson to learn.

3. My coldgear running hood:

This is a recent addition to my running aresenal, but a definite necessity. The hood enables me to continue running outside in the winter without freezing to death, which is awesome. In all actuality, I really enjoy the fresh air while running and I would be less inclined to go running in the sub-freezing temps without the hood.

4. Cold gear shirts Once mid to late fall hits, it gets a bit nippy in upstate New York. The coldgear shirts are fantastic at keeping me warm without making me feel constricted.

5. Dark Chocolate

I don't really have a sweet tooth but I love me some dark chocolate. A square of dark chocolate and a glass of red wine while relaxing before bed is the perfect indulgence for me. Because it's all about moderation, right? ;)

What inspired you to live a healthy lifestyle? What products have assisted you along the way?

Stay tuned for Part II of my 2009 favorites!

A 2.5 Mile Run and a Pumped Up Playlist

Good morning! Can you believe that there are only three days until Christmas? Where does the time go?! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating last Christmas and making resolutions for 2009.

Yesterday's training run called for a quick 2.5 miles. Since I'm not a morning runner and it gets dark at oh, 4:15 PM, this meant running around the track at the local Y. I suppose I could have gone on the treadmill but I try to avoid them unless there is no other option. 2.5 miles on the track is approximately 23 laps, as 9.1 laps around = 1 mile. Although it gets somewhat repetitive, the track loops around the aerobics studio. Yesterday I was entertained by the kickboxing class. Instead of the normal two blocks on their steps, the instructor apparently amped it up a notch, since the attendees were stepping onto platforms that were about 8 blocks high. It looked intense and made me happy that I was running.

The run was uneventful aside from the beginning: when my right foot first struck down, I felt a searing pain on the top of my right foot. This has happened only once before, and it kind of freaks me out. It goes away after a few steps, but it's something that I'm going to keep an eye on.

Yesterday's workout totals:

2.5 mi run at ~ 25 minutes
4 sets of 10 pushups
4 boat pose holds

A crucial element of getting through indoor (read: boring) runs is a great playlist. I have a fairly eclectic taste in music inasmuch as I like pretty much anything. Well, except for classic rock (sorry dad). I could never get into it. Anyway, I look for songs to keep me motivated and entertained during the run. Sometimes I think my fellow gymgoers thing I'm a crazy person, since I love some of the songs so much that I can't help but mouth along (silently- no one needs to hear my frightening singing voice- let's just say I was cut from chorus in grade school when they didn't make cuts) when my favorites come on.

My current quick run list includes:

• Little of Your Time, Maroon 5


• B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad), Outkast


• Let's Get It Started, Black Eyed Peas


• 'Til I Collapse, Eminem
  
• Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You, Jay-Z & Linkin Park


• Pump It, Black Eyed Peas


• Know Your Enemy, Green Day


• Viva La Vida (Live Version), Coldplay


• Can't Stop, Maroon 5


• Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys

I compiled this list when I ran my first 5k back in September (aside from the new addition of Empire State of Mind- I don't think it was out yet) and I still am not sick of it. My absolute favorite on the list may be Viva la Vida (live). I am a huge coldplay fan after seeing them in concert this past fall (for free! but that's a story for another post) and the live version has the crowd cheering and really puts a kick in my step.

What songs are on your go-to playlist?

Today my training schedule calls for a vinyasa flow yoga class, which I am attending at my yoga studio with my friend Kelle. It's her first time checking it out. I've been going to the studio for about six weeks now and it has really grown on me.

Because no post is complete without pictures, here are a few of my favorite holiday pics:

Me, Kristin, Kelle and Jenn at the Roosevelt in NYC, Christmastime 2008 Bailey in front of the fireplace

Happy Tuesday!

What I'm Wearing- Monday

Happy Monday! My commute was joyous today (no traffic on 87, what!). I'm assuming it's because lots of lucky peeps took off the days leading up to Christmas. Whatever the reason, I'll take it.

Today is the first day of winter, aka the shortest day of the year and my dad's birthday! Happy Birthday dad :) From here on out the days get longer, which to me is fantastic. It is depressing to leave work at 5 pm to pitch blackness. More importantly, it means I can resume running outside during the week again! I applaud those of you that can wake up before work to run outside during the daylight hours. I wish I could be that hardcore! Alas, I'm not, so until the daylight extends its hours to 6:30 pm, it's the YMCA track for me. Which gets pretty boring but it gets the job done.

Anyway, what I'm wearing today... my office is business professional, which I've interpreted to mean that cardigans can count as jackets. I have a LOT of suits (at least 15 I think) but wearing them day in day out gets super boring. Today's 'fit:

Pinkish cardigan: J Crew Factory Store

Black tulip skirt (with pockets!): Banana

Black tights: Apt. 9 (Kohl's)

Berry colored patent leather Mary Jane heels: Aldo

I usually hate wearing skirts. Hate. I think it stems from the fact that I have fairly large birthmark on my leg that caused a lot of teasing when I was little. However, I love the birthmark now- I'm definitely unique! Anyway, this season I have discovered tights... I love them! They pull the outfit together and provide much needed warmth during the winters in upstate NY.

Do you wear skirts in the winter months? Or do you put it off until the weather is more forgiving?

Winter Running Survival Tips (or, look like a ninja while running)

Is it Sunday evening already? The weekends always fly by, even when there isn't much going on. Sadly, I was supposed to visit my friend Nicole in Long Island this weekend, but the alleged storm of the century brought those plans to a screeching halt.

Nicole and I on her wedding day, October 12, 2008

So, instead of a fun-filled weekend of pedicures, afternoon tea at the Garden City Hotel (to relive our afternoon tea we had in London) and other various activities, I ended up partaking in one of my new favorite things- running outside in the freezing cold. Okay that may be a tad sarcastic, but running outside in upstate New York (or any other frozen tundra) is surprisingly doable, so long as you have the right gear.

What do you need to run in the cold? I'm talking extreme cold (well, extreme to me) like 17 degrees but feels like 4 with the windchill cold. The most important thing that I've learned is the importance of layering. I start with a basic moisture wicking cold gear shirt from under armour.

As you want your core to remain warm, a puffy vest or other top layer will ensure that you don't freeze. I generally wear my lightweight northface jacket or a fleece. I like the northface jacket because if I get to hot on the run (which can happen), I can always adjust the zipper to get comfortable.

For my legs, I wear a pair of running tights, which I initially thought would do the job on their own. They certainly do in forty degree weather, but not so much when it's bone chilling cold out. To compensate, I layer on a pair of fleece lined running pants (under armour has a great pair that I just bought- expensive but super comfortable!)

I don't know about you, but my hands are always freezing. Gloves are essential. However, I'm learning that not just any glove will do. On my three mile run yesterday (temperature was a balmy 20 degrees plus windchill) I wore my under armour gloves (for the record, I have no affiliation with under armour, although I may as well buy some stock in their company) that have a sort of moisture wicking fabric and grabby material (technical term) on the fingers, which I like because it allows me to change the music on my iTouch. However, my hands were NUMB at the end of my run yesterday. As in, I tried to sit on them to warm them up and could not feel them numb. So, it looks like I may have to invest in a pair of fleece thinsulate gloves.

Of course, you can't forget your head. My saving grace for these cold weather runs has been my cold gear hood, which can be worn a variety of ways. For the true ninja look, you can go all out and wear the hood over your head and the mask portion over your mouth/nose. I start out wearing it kind of like a scarf (read: no hood) with the mask covering my nose, until I feel warm enough to take the mask over my face (usually about a half mile into the run). To keep my ears warm, I wear a fleece headband around my ears.

source

With the above mentioned gear, running outside in the cold weather is definitely manageable. It is actually quite invigorating to run out in the cold weather. Plus, the strange looks you get from people driving by in their warm cars is priceless. It makes me feel hardcore, even though I am far from it. I would still balk at the idea of running in a blizzard, which my fiance has been known to do ;) For those of you that are hardcore enough to actually run in/on the snow, I've heard that yaktraks are great for that.

Lastly, make sure that you stay hydrated while cold weather running. Even though it is cold, your body is still working hard and you still sweat!

--

In other news, today marks day one of my training for the Virginia is for Lovers 14k! My schedule called for crosstraining, so I did 35 minutes on the elliptical machine. I will close out the evening by doing yoga for runners. Have a great evening!

Cutest water bottle EVER

So... I'm still drinking out of my Sigg water bottle that apparently has BPA infested lining (any Sigg water bottles purchased prior to September 2008 are susceptible I believe... see info here). If you have a Sigg water bottle and are unsure as to whether or not it is affected, the non-BPA lining is a sort of creamy yellow color, whereas the old BPA lining is copper. Mine is copper so unfortunately, the Sigg got to go. Although I didn't want to purchase another Sigg (I was ready to go Kleen Kanteen... BPA free all along and NOT misrepresentative about it) I saw this adorable water bottle on the lululemon website. Behold:

source

I saw the water bottle in Fitness Magazine and fell in love. My dad told me to order it for Christmas so I'm getting the yellow I <3 running one! I can't wait! My co-workers will probably make fun of me for it but I don't care. It's so fun and happy!

So do you subscribe to the theory that water bottles with bpa are bad? Or are you more my grandmother used bpa products and is just fine, thankyouverymuch?

Back in Business

Well I definitely fell off of the blogging wagon for a while, not that anyone likely noticed, haha. Anyway, I spend a lot of time reading healthy living blogs and thinking about my new "lifestyle", so I'm going to give the blog the old college try and continue posting.

I'll have a lot to write about, since I am starting my training program for the Virginia is for Lovers 14K that is on February 14, 2010 (one day before our engagement anniversary!) I am super excited to run it and know that I can do it, as long as I don't run into any IT band issues!

I'm also spending New Year's in Virginia Beach with Brian and we are going to run the Hair of the Dog 5k on New Year's Day morning. We are crazy party animals I tell ya. Good times! I'm hoping that I can beat my previous 5k PR of 31:50.

I'll probably try to post some of my outfits of the day, since I have been trying to be more creative in my "business attire" wear.

And now, some miscellaneous pics of what I've been up to these past few months...

Crossings 5k Run, September 27 2009

Me, Shannon and Christina at Christina's 27th Birthday Celebration

Attended Bri's Promotion to Lieutenant

Christina (right) and I at Jingle Bell 5k... 10 degrees... brrr

Happy Friday everyone!