Volleyball is Dangerous

Alright, maybe it's the competitive drinking after volleyball that is dangerous. Last night I broke my nose. Again. For the third time.

I broke my nose the first time on an unnecessarily large wooden headboard. Five months later I fell off a bar. I think. Can anyone confirm this? All I really remember is waking up and finding my pillows covered in blood.

Last night I was dominating flip cup when I went to use the ladies room and promptly ran my face into the toilet paper dispenser. Yup. True story.

When I came out, my teammate Matt told me I was bleeding and it was time for me to go home. Why don't I have more people like him in my life? Do you think Matt would be my personal good decision coach?

Since I'm always thinking about this blog, even when I'm drunk and in pain, I found this gem from last night on my phone this morning.

In other news, I wasn't too bad at volleyball last night. Most of my serves went over the net and I made an effort to go after the ball. I was one of two girls playing and two girls need to be on the court at all times so I played all of the three games. This was good since it took me two games to warm up.

Wednesday Morning Spin

I have an early volleyball game this evening and felt it would be slightly inappropriate to spin during lunch and peace out of work at 5:30, so instead a I signed up for a 6:30 AM spin class at Equinox on 85th & 3rd. It was no Darryl, but I enjoyed the workout.

Amanda Shapin was covering the class for the normal instructor. She had a pretty solid playlist, although a little heavy on the Taylor Swift, and just the right amount of energy for 6:30 AM. I don't like too much forced energy at that hour, but I also don't want my instructor silent either. Amanda had us alternate between fast songs and slower songs for hill climbs. One of those hill climbs was 6 minutes long. My legs are dying.

I read an article on Running Times about junk miles and recovery runs and my takeaway was that it is important to train your muscles to perform when they are fatigued. The stress of spin on my legs after cardio sculpt or 30/60/90 will push me to work through pain preparing me for the 50 mile trail race.

I was eyeing Amanda's cycling shoes. I spent some time this morning trying to find them but I don't think I was able to. I am a huge fan of my Shimanos, but here's a rundown on some other cycling shoes I think are attractive.

The Shimano WM62 in black and white are similar to the light blue pair that I wear. I like that Shimanos have a little bulk to them and I find they are more flattering than the similar models SIDI makes.

http://www.zappos.com/shimano-sh-wm62-white-black

 But SIDI makes some damn fine looking cycling shoes. The T3 and T3.6 are so effing hot and they're lightweight because they are intended for triathlons. The

http://www.sidiamerica.com/sidi/tri/t3_women.html

http://www.sidiamerica.com/sidi/tri/t36.html

Some people prefer cycling shoes that look like running shoes. I'm not the biggest fan but I do love the colors of the Pearl Izumi pair below. They remind me of my crosstrainers. Is SCUBA blue now a real color?

http://www.zappos.com/pearl-izumi-w-x-alp-impact-black-scuba-blue

Winter Running is Making Me Ugly

Winter running is making me ugly. I've included an extra-large photo of my face so you can see the mega-zit that is colonizing the side of my nose.

My face felt so dry after my runs this past weekend and some of skin started flaking. Then these whiteheads appeared on my chin, next to my nose, and in my eyebrow. I know you are totally enthralled learning where my breakouts have occurred. I tend to have really nice skin and I'm not used to this so I am going to inform the entire internet.

I use Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser to wash my face each day unless I shower in my shower at my apartment and then I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I usually shower at the gym or wash my face outside of the shower so I primarily use the Neutrogena. I normally feel like my skin is dry so I use Pond's Dry Skin Cream all over my face and often on my body.

Photos from each link above.

Now it seems that I am going to have to break out the Proactiv.

I've read that a layer of Vaseline can protect your face from elements while running in the cold, but does anyone know what that will do to my face otherwise? I'm not sure what I would do if I got late 20s acne. Probably work from home for the rest of my life and wear a ski mask while running.

Just Relax and Recover

I think it's pretty apparent to both my casual and regular readers that I'm a little neurotic. I am anxious, prone to attacks of acute panic, and can be downright paranoid. I cannot sit still (which is why I stand up at work), put the hyper into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and my mind races like a lab rat on meth without my Ritalin. I grind my teeth, continuously struggle to "give up" smoking, and compulsively google things while watching tv. I relax when I'm pounding miles outside or jumping 3 feet in the air in kickboxing. It's the only time my mind goes blank.

So today was an interesting afternoon at the shrink followed by an awesome medical massage. I spent a 45 minute hour talking about how my calendar is being destroyed by my gym's inability to stick to a given group fitness schedule. After getting my white girl problems all out in the open, I headed down the street to Manhattan Total Health.

My friend Amanda sent me an AmazonLocal link last September for a one hour massage and chiropractor consultation at Manhattan Total Health for $30. Yes, $30. I bought the deal and told myself I could only go after I went to thirty Equinox classes. It took a while but by the end of December, I had hit thirty. Now I'm just on a roll. I finally scheduled my massage for today, which works out well because of my two weekend runs.

This was the best hour of my life, minus that Sunday morning a few weeks ago. Actually let me revise that - this was the best hour of my life where I didn't have to do anything besides roll over once and lift each arm. Julio, my very talented and licensed massage therapist, took my tired legs and got out knots I didn't even know I had in them. Like the muscles on either sides of my shins - sweet Jesus. He also massaged the tension out of my jaw. No wonder I frequently have a headache. The poor man had to keep telling me to "just relax" and I finally explained to him that relaxing for me is punishing exercise. Lying still and breathing deeply takes effort. Unfortunately I forgot to take my early afternoon Ritalin making the situation worse.

Manhattan Total Health takes insurance for certain cases and there's a possibility that you can get a massage for the cost of your copay. They're checking my insurance coverage for me and if I'm covered, you bet I'll be going back. I'm not getting any compensation for writing about them, but I thought I'd share the love (especially since I didn't go to the gym today and have nothing else to report.)

Trail Running with Friends

Peeing in the woods is less fun in 20 degree weather.

This morning I met up with some folks at the entrance to the Greenbelt Trail in Woodbury near the Stop and Shop. After I posted on Tripp's wall saying that I had signed up for the 50 mile race, Michael reached out to me to join the weekly trail run. It was so nice to be invited to make new friends. I'm not being facetious; I'm rarely invited to do something I really enjoy with people I don't know who also enjoy doing the same things. I tend to get invited to drink with people I already know and don't really like.

photo courtesy of Michael

The trail was beautiful today and the weather was great - sunny and in the 20s. Some of the group planned on doing a 5 mile loop. Michael was running to Cold Spring Harbor and Stacey said she wasn't sure if she'd run the whole thing. I told myself that I'd run as far as Stacey was going to run because my knee started to act up.

Everyone was really friendly and I really enjoyed running in the group before the 5 mile folks turned back. Stacey was much faster than me (and not stopping to take photos) so after she checked to make sure I knew the way, she went on ahead. She schooled me.

The trail was gorgeous with the snow. It was also slippery. I walked when it was particularly steep or icy. I managed to stay on my feet except for when I got a little lost and slipped on the ice. Every time I run the Greenbelt, I get confused at the same point. Today I also managed to run an extra part of the trail because I stopped looking for markers. In my defense, the trail markers for runners are white and snow is also white.

I ran 9.5 miles in 1:59:27 including my pit stops, photo ops, and walking up hills and over roots. Not too bad but I need to spend a lot more time on the trails to get ready for Rock The Ridge. My left big toe started to hurt around mile 6 and my knees feel a little old ladyish now. I wore my La Sportiva Wildcats (I have the orange pair) because I think they provide more cushioning than my Adrenaline ASRs.

When I got back to my car, Stacey was just returning with Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate. She is my absolute favorite person today.

Three Boroughs Run

Today the Professor and I ran a casual 10 miles over the Triboro, through Astoria, over the Pulanski, through Williamsburg, and over the Williamsburg Bridge to the Lower Eastside.

I've tumbled off the Paleo wagon so hard, I've got bruises - or maybe those are because I like to drink? I woke up in my own bed this morning, wearing sweats, and my phone was in a bag of rice. I have little recollection of my Irish Exit last evening, but when I wake up in a winning situation, I don't complain. I had more than enough time to chug seltzer water and eat a nutritious breakfast slash watch The Young and the Restless.

The Professor and I met outside of 7-Eleven at noon and took off towards the East River Esplanade.

The bridges in the distance.

We ran over the bridge to Ward Island. I really dislike that bridge because it makes me feel nauseous. I'm convinced that I am going to slip and fall right off of it.

Ward Island

We ran to the entrance of the pedestrian path on the Triboro Bridge. This lovely cage doesn't last for long. The concrete walls that you can see below are that height all along the bridge WITHOUT THE CAGE. Between the cars and the snow and the lack of protection from falling to our deaths, it was a little nerve-wracking. I handled it better than the Professor, but I don't blame him for being less than pleased by the situation. I am afraid of the Brooklyn Bridge so I'm not sure why the Triboro didn't get to me.

I appreciate that the Professor wears shorts over his tights.

We ran through Astoria, making a pit stop at the car wash so that I could use the restroom. My healthy breakfast of chicken and vegetables had come back to haunt me. Or maybe it was the pickleback shots from the evening before...

It's interesting to watch the people and neighborhoods change throughout this run. At about mile 5 (still in Astoria), we saw our first hipster. Brooklyn was full of them. Hipsters make me itch.

BROOKLYN LOVE

The Williamsburg Bridge was probably the coolest of the four bridges we ran on today.

The Professor on the Williamsburg Bridge

a mural

Selfie on the Williamsburg Bridge

The ascent of the bridge is pretty challenging with the wind, but the descent is awesome. I just trucked it the last mile downhill.

Right after I took this picture.

My Garmin satellites didn't catch until about .4 of a mile into the run, so I think I ran closer to 10.5 miles.

We had brunch at a place we passed called Donnybrook on the Lower Eastside. Brunch is $14 for a meal and THREE alcoholic beverages. Amazing.

Boobypack!

So my Boobypack has finally arrived! I ended up getting the yellow one because I was overwhelmed by the choices and Audrey told me to choose yellow.

Did I tell y'all that I think I saw the brunette from the Boobypack photos in the elevator at the Equinox at Columbus Circle? I was really tempted to say something but I didn't.

This morning I excitedly tried on my Boobypack. I found it very difficult to zipper my phone into the pouch hungover. This is disappointing because if I can't zipper it hungover, how am I going to be able to get my phone and credit cards out when I'm drunk? I also wish the pouches were seen flat into the top because they bunch awkwardly.

Despite my constructive criticism, this thing is amazing and I love it.

Day 16 Whole 30 - Weight Loss Wednesday 1.23.13

Last night, after 30/60/90, I was at the 50th Street subway station and I saw a Chinese man holding a bag of Chinese takeout. And I seriously considered stealing it from him. Come up from behind, grab the bag, and take off running steal it from him. My name is Alessandra and I know I have a problem.

Their smiley faces taunt me.

I fell off the Whole 30 wagon this weekend. There was alcohol, cheese, French baguette, and taco shells. I'm not proud of myself but I am once more clean. No orders were placed to Hunan Delight, but I did eat sushi. I can't believe I now consider sushi a cheat meal. This is progress.

My progress was solid last week and I can definitely tell that I gained some weight this weekend.
This is proof that I can't play with bread, rice, or cheese at all.

I went to 30/60/90 in a wonderfully color-coordinated outfit. Take a look at that sweaty pile of awesome.

Since I pretty much stand all day, my legs are often swollen. Socks, jeans, and boots have been leaving me with some awkward looking marks that I'm a little embarrassed by when I show up to class.

Raising Money for Rock The Ridge

Yesterday I announced my races for 2013 and I signed up for the Caumsett 50K and Rock The Ridge 50 Mile Challenge. They are bought and paid for.

Rock The Ridge is a fifty mile endurance challenge in the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, New York. I have 24 hours to do it, but my goal is 15 hours or less. Yes, I just stated a goal for a 50 mile race.

In addition to the $150 registration fee I paid, I need to raise $250 for the Mohonk Preserve. Last night three very generous people donated a combined $90. I am beyond thrilled! I greatly appreciate their generosity and I'm really touched by their support.

Training has officially started and it's time to ramp up my miles. This race feels real now that people are donating their hard earned money for me to do it.

Please considering donating.

ISOOM Wins eCollege Finder's Top Health & Fitness Blogs Award

Someone nominated the blog for an eCollegeFinder's Top Health & Fitness Blogs Award and it won. Booyah! I'm not sure how selective this thing is but winning is awesome just the same. As the team at eCollegeFinder tells me, "Your blog stood out amongst stiff competition and is now featured on our site as a recommended health & fitness resource for our readers."

So here's a big thank you to whoever nominated me. Speak up and I'll shower you with praise and ask you a bunch of questions about yourself and ask if I can write a semi-awkward post about you.

Accredited Online Colleges

I also got this nifty badge to post on my sidebar. Woot woot.

When I found out I was nominated, I was asked to answer some questions to accept the nomination. I think my incredibly well-crafted response cinched the deal.

What’s the best way for busy college students to maintain a healthy lifestyle? 

As a former college party girl and straight-A student, I know the demands busy college students face while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are only so many hours in a day, and given the choice between epic theme party and treadmill after a long day of classes and work, epic theme party wins EVERY TIME. Treat your health like a college course. Plan to exercise the same way you plan to study, make sure to buy healthy snacks for the library, and sign up for a road race or intramural sport with your friends. Not only will you feel better, you'll look better in the shress (shirt-dress) you plan on wearing when you dress up as the pink zebra for next week's Jungle Party.

I made both of these dresses with a pair of scissors and my incredible knotting abilities.