Being a Big Girl

So this morning I woke up in a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off and I have to say, I looked fucking awesome. Then I found a video of me ugly crying on my phone. If I sent that to you, I am so so sorry.

I woke up this morning feeling awesome because I went home alone last night at a reasonable hour like a big girl. And by reasonable hour, I believe it was 3 AM but at least I didn't shut down the bar. Anyway...

Sniffles and a Shake Out Run

My allergies flared up like crazy after yesterday's WOD. Feeling like garbage, I struggled to fall asleep and I had a 6:20 AM run scheduled with the Professor.

2 AM. Wide awake. Don't I look sexy?

First Feelings of Fall

This morning I stayed in bed until a normal person hour because I was tired and probably concussed. My black eye looks much better, so I think this decision was for the best. I got a head start on my inbox before heading out for a brisk run. 

Emphasis on the word brisk - it was chilly out this morning. Long sleeves are back! I also wanted to get some use out of my racing flats and see if I can handle more than quick jaunts around the CrossFit parking lot in them.

Night Run

Some photos from last night's run.

5 miles on the East River running path

My first Slurpee since December 2012. I still haven't gone back to Coke or Diet Coke yet.

I walked home from an appointment in Columbus Circle and had some time to kill before my doctor's appointment in the East 80s so I hit up Jack Rabbit. They didn't have anything that I wanted in my size. Blessing in disguise.

Boobypack Test Run

This morning I got up to run in my Boobypack. I have been obsessed with the idea of a fanny pack for your boobs since I first learned about the Boobypack in December. I gave money on Kickstarter and received my very own first generation Boobyback in January. I was a bit of a chunky monkey for the first half of 2013, so my Boobypack lived in my sports bra drawer waiting to be seen in the light of day. Today is this day.

Don't mind my bloated stomach. I was eating carbs last night. Eek.

This is what I look like at 5:45 AM.

The original Boobypack has single straps and they are not adjustable. The 2.0, which I am getting for my birthday and I am so effing excited that I bought it for my sister for her birthday so I can see it a month early, has double straps and they are adjustable.

I had to yank the top down to get the cups where they belong. Since we all know my cups don't runneth over, this is a perfectly suitable top for a casual run. If you've got the kind of chest guys notice, you will likely need more support.

The zippers are underneath the armpits.

The straps cross in the back.

I wasn't feeling skinny mini enough today to forgo the shirt so I threw on a white tank. I liked how you could see the Boobypack through it.

I stashed a Chapstick on one side and my apartment keys in the other. I thought I'd be able to feel them and that they would bother me, especially that Chapstick, but I honestly didn't notice them. I guess I keep my elbows a little turned out when I run.

The Chapstick in my armpit.

I had a nice 5 mile run up the East River running path and back. My best mile was 8:12 and my worst was 10:51. I was pretty achy. I started getting some looks on my way back and I thought it might be people's interest in my super cool sports bra alternative.

They were interested alright - because it had tie-dyed my freaking tank top!

My shirt was covered in pink because the dye used on the straps doesn't like sweat. Strangely the Boobypack was fine. I rinsed the Boobypack in cold water and squeezed out the excess water. Hopefully it won't run anymore. Don't worry about the tank top - a bath in detergent and bleach has left it looking better than it did when I put it on this morning.

The pouch turned inside out.

PROS:

• Looks awesome
• Cuter than the average sports bra
• Convenient place to stash your keys, credit cards, cash, Chapstick

CONS:

• Nearly impossible to fish out your keys when your tired, hot, sweaty and trying to get into your apartment
• Might lack the support necessary for more intense runs
• Dyes clothing

The Boobypack website says the product they are now selling has:

• Micro mesh lining that wicks away sweat
• Removable padding for added shape
• Double, adjustable, racerback straps for added support
• Reinforced, water-resistant, zipper-enclosed pockets on either side that can fit your cash, ID, smartphone and even your passport
• Elastic sewn into the hems for durability and stretch retention
• Unique dying method for color that will last jog after jog, concert after concert

I think all of my issues with the Kickstarter backer version have been addressed, except maybe for the pouch not staying put.

Overall, I recommend the Boobypack as a sports bra.

Running Out the Happy Hour

Today my team had day 1 of a two day stepback. I believe "stepback" is newspeak for "time when team gathers to reflect on wins, losses, and lessons learned to inform future actions" or what everyone else calls a "meeting." Stepback apparently also means celebration so the company paid for us to eat Chinese food for lunch and then we collectively decided to enjoy margaritas after work (on our own dime because non-profits don't pay for alcohol - I am in the wrong industry.)

some of the best young chow fried rice I've ever had
Chef Yu

I've been on a roll with exercise, weight loss, and generally being awesome, so even though I hit up happy hour after work, I made myself leave after two margaritas and then go running when I got home as I had previously planned.

Did you enjoy those $5 margaritas?
You'll like them even more the second time you taste them. fml

Because this was kind of a punishment run, I threw on what might be my least cute running outfit and decided to pound out 5 miles as quickly as I could. The heat plus the booze plus the wind were all obstacles that I forced myself to overcome. Forty-three minutes (and nine seconds) and 5 miles later, I was disgustingly sweaty and dead sober. I should copyright this as an official diet and exercise plan.

Oh look! The route I always run!

The negative split is an elusive concept to me.

I paused that shit at exactly five miles and started to swagger strut home. Honestly, that is the only way I can describe the way that I walk. To add to the sheer audacity of my natural method of movement, I put on Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and started shrieking singing along. When one runs the tipsy out, the subsequent feeling of delirium tends to mimic drunken behavior.

On a related note, I've realized that when I've been drinking my mannerisms begin to closely resemble the velociraptors in Jurassic Park.

Post run photos were mildly painful but the shower was magnificent.

Knee Pain

There's a 72% chance that I hurt my knee worse than I thought. Last night's 4 mile run hurt and my knee is swollen.

The pain started flaring up at work and got worse as I walked to and from appointments near the office. Maybe liberally lathering myself up with Tiger Balm provided me with a false sense of security.

East River Runs

Lately I've been returning to my old familiar running route, the East River Esplanade. I leave the apartment, run towards the river, and then run up towards 125th and back. I like to make the run a solid 5 miles so sometimes this requires me stopping the Garmin and walking home or actually running a little extra. It really depends on what kind of creepers are lurking at 125th near the fence and how early I decide to turn around to avoid them.

Wednesday's run was a get outside and clear my mind run. Wednesday was less than stellar and I needed to get out of my head. Look at that first mile - 6:48 minutes. Booyah.

Last Thursday I did pretty much the same run, but I was focused on increasing my turnover. I found that I was able to run more quickly without feeling like I was running any harder. These years of long distances have changed what I consider fast or moderate, so it was nice to know I could still move reasonably well. I am a moron and hit lap instead of pause, which is why the fifth mile is only 0.97 miles and the 6th lap is 0.03 miles.

I've been wearing shorts and a pullover for my evening runs. No undershirt required.

This is in the shop next to my office.

You're welcome.

Envy

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I firmly believe that some people are better than others. It's not based on gender, race, or ethnicity - but come on, 8 minutes on the NYC subway proves that we're not all created equal. I'm okay with people being better than others. I'm not okay with people being better than I am.

My new running partner/neighbor who replaced the last one who moved back to California bailed on me this morning. He had a date last night and the only excuse for this cancellation is he got laid. I expect a status report when you read this sir. Anyway, I was up, so I texted that guy I've been seeing to see if he wanted to go for a run. He lives on my street, he likes to run, he has a nice ass - all things that made him seem like an ideal last-minute fill-in running partner.

He schooled me. Over the course of a 2.5 mile run, from 82nd Street to the 59th Street Bridge and back along the river, I was probably a half a mile behind him the entire time. What does it matter if your running partner has a nice ass if you can't even see it?!

At first I tried to keep up but then my leg hurt and I started wheezing. Then I grumbled in my head about how I am a distance runner now and it takes me at least 5 miles to really get going. Then I started getting annoyed. He is so much faster than I am and he's in much better shape. Freaking CrossFit.

I don't think I was very nice as I said goodbye and on my walk home (all 150 yards from his place - this is going to end so badly), I thought about the things that make him superior to me.

• He is in better shape
• He can run faster
• He has visible abs
• His arm muscles are more defined (mine are not visible)
• He cooks better than I do
• He is almost as good-looking as I am
• He might be better than I am in bed

The last two bullet points are almost too much to bear.

In the shower (alone), I made a mental list of why I am better.

• I am older (this I moved into the other column as "He is younger than I am")
• I am a better drinker (false - at brunch he out-drank me immediately and didn't have to squint one eye to walk in a straight line)
• I have more tattoos

I resent him and therefore, will punish myself by ignoring him.

More Morning Miles

I was working from home again this morning and decided to get a run in before I headed into the office for the afternoon. I like this schedule because it allows me to get everything that demands my immediate attention done first thing in the morning and then I get some me time. I arrive at work to tackle projects or attend meetings and I am able to stay as late as necessary because I've already gotten my workout and shower in, which alleviates a lot of the anxiety I give myself about scheduling my day.

This has become my favorite running outfit lately. I got a pair of Matty M  leggings in grey (super cute) and I wear it with my Under Armour pullover. For a short run I wear Old Navy socks and I've been putting mileage on my Brooks Ghosts to mix it up a bit.

I knew it was colder today than yesterday, but I didn't realize how cold. I was giddily thinking how great it is when Spring begins to creep in because I no longer have to wear gloves. I even thought about writing a post about how great it is to run without gloves. Then I got out there without gloves and my fingertips froze and I was in pain and then I got mad at myself. Thankfully they started to warm up about a mile in.

I saw two NYC Parks Patrol Officers, a policeman, and a photographer staring out at the water. Who knows what was going on but apparently it was fascinating. I saw nothing and they ignored me when I casually asked what was up.

My stupid Garmin took forever to catch today so I actually ran about 1/2 a mile more than the thing claims.

Morning Mileage

After reading about Sarah from Once Upon a Lime try to become a morning runner, I remembered that I used to like to get up early and run before work. I hit snooze multiple times this morning but I was dressed and ready to run by 8 8:15. My Garmin was being an asshole but the walking I did trying to get the satellites to catch gave me a chance to wake up.

I decided that I didn't want to wear my running pouch but I needed a place to stash my keys. My running partner/neighbor (who moved back to San Francisco without telling me!) used to tie his keys into his laces. I am psychotic about things moving and bothering me while I am running so I've always been hesitant to do this, but I managed to get the keys secured in there. I took the lace out of the left loop, strung my keys onto it, wedged the keys under 3 other laces, restrung the lace, and then tied everything tightly over the keys. I also have a separate set of keys I use for running that only have the two keys I need to get into my building and nothing else.

Good morning New York!

I was moving pretty slowly - Garmin says an average of 9:11 minute miles. It was nice just to get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

Don't I look happy?

I didn't even run the whole way back. Once I hit 4 miles, I stopped the clock and walked the rest of the way home, which is probably about a quarter of a mile.

It's sunny out but it's not warm. I wore a pair of ADIDAS capris that I usually wear for spinning. Not ideal running pants because they kept sliding off my ass. Does anyone have any good recommendations that are not lululemon? Ideally, I am looking for bermuda length shorts.

Working From Home

One of the nicest things about my job is the ability to work from home. Since my desk was given away last week and I have been exiled to the third floor until the massive reorganization of the eighth floor, I have decided to work from home as much as possible. Mostly I am annoyed that I had to pack boxes at 5:30 PM instead of getting to happy hour on time, and I am now postponing unpacking these boxes for as long as possible. I have a home office (in my tiny ass studio!) and I like using it.

Yesterday I went for a nice run along the East River before heading into the other office for meetings. Today I fit a lunchtime yoga class in at 74th and 2nd. I've been to Adrian Molina's Warrior Flow Yoga before and I remembered liking it. Good class, but God am I out of shape. However, I was able to get some of my flexibility back by the end of class. I think I've been in a rut lately, really disinterested in working out or taking care of myself. Maybe yoga should be my new thing?

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I've been eyeing Atheta's Kickbooty™ Bermuda shorts. At $46, they're not incredibly expensive, but I can't really justify buying a bunch of pairs unless I take up yoga regularly. They come in black, asphalt, and heather black. I've heard some great things about Athleta, and there's a store right near my apartment, but unfortunately these shorts are not in stock. I'd like to try a pair on before I commit.

I know I've been MIA for a while, but I do have marathon tales and some gym class reviews I could be persuaded to write. If you send me your requests, I'll get out of this funk and post these thoughts that have been swirling in my head (and the photos clogging my iPhone.) Speaking of funk, I left the gym without showering because I figured I could do it later at home after I took some calls, only to find out that the hot water has been turned off.

#RWRunStreak Summer 2012

Runner's World Summer Running Streak 2012 is a challenge to run at least one mile every day between Memorial Day (Monday, May 28) and Independence Day (Wednesday, July 4). Obviously I see a challenge on the internet and I can't say no. Thirty-eight days of running? No sweat. Well, actually a lot of sweat. It's freaking hot out there. But I am confident that I will be able to do this because I don't accept failure.

On Monday I dragged my hungover ass out of Alyssa's bed and set out to run this loop in beautiful New Rochelle. My phone was dead from drunk dialing the night before and I was forced to run without music. I usually don't care about running with music, but when I am struggling to even put shoes on, I find music essential. So there I am, running along Webster Avenue, hoping for death, and trying to run in a straight line. I remember forgoing the too salty crab cakes in favor of three more Bloody Mary's at dinner the night before. We ate before 4, so yes, it was still appropriate to drink Bloody Mary's.

I couldn't complete the whole loop so I turned early and managed 2.51 miles. I think I hallucinated a lake and someone was smoking marijuana in the children's park on North in case anyone wants to look into this corrupt behavior.

Proof of Day 1

On Tuesday I had plans to go to the gym for yoga. However, I was somehow convinced to see a musical (yes, a musical), so I had to switch up my plans. Fortunately my go-to Equinox is 50th and Broadway, conveniently located near the theaters where musicals are performed. I did 20 minutes on the crossramp, 15 minutes of lifting, and I ran a mile on the treadmill. I ran in my K-Swiss micro tubes. They're fine for running a short distance on a treadmill but I wouldn't run outside in them. They're crosstraining shoes and they pinched my toe after a while. Oh yeah, in case you were wondering, we saw Jersey Boys, which was actually pretty good. I love Frankie Valli and I listen to doo-wop regularly. I just ignored the plot and the fact that grown men were dancing on an oddly tiny stage.

Proof of Day 2
I don't think it took me 15 minutes to run this.
I think the 15 is actually the pace I used to cool down for 1/10 of a mile.

Yesterday I had to leave work early at the time normal people leave to pick up my race packet for the NYRR American Heart Association Wall Street Run. I realized I wouldn't be able to go to a gym class, shower, get my hair cut, and make it to dinner with this guy I'm seeing. Instead I rushed home from NYRR and ran 5 miles along the East River Esplanade.

One of my super cool action shots.

I had planned on making my run closer to 3 miles because I needed to get over to Supercuts. Yes, I cheated on my hairdresser Jorge, but I just couldn't take my hair any longer. It kept getting stuck to my back when I ran and I looked like I was attacked my a weed whacker in the morning.

Goodbye hair.

The last mile of the run was kind of killer. I didn't want to bust through it because I have this 3 mile race tonight, but I also didn't want to run 10 minute miles either. I averaged 8.27 minute miles.

Proof of Day 3

White Knee Socks

My new vision hasn't helped my running outfits. Today I got out of work at a reasonable hour, and made it out to run at a little after 6.

Yeah, there aren't any shin guards in there.

It was a lot colder today than I had believed (denial?) and I really dislike pants. I solved this little issue by wearing my sweet compression socks. These look really different on that Shalane Flanagan.

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My ensemble looks a lot like my old soccer uniform. Or at least what it looked like a few years after this photo was taken.

I eventually made the A team.

I ran a little over 4 miles. Obviously I paused my Garmin at 2.20 and forgot to restart it. Story of my life.

I hope I didn't break my eyes. The website said I could resume light exercise within two days of the procedure. I consider 4 miles at 8:01 average pace light exercise, but perhaps my doctor would disagree. I did wear the sunglasses they gave me to protect my eyes.

Puppy Love

The 34 year-old and I rushed back to NYC yesterday to officially adopt our puppy Cookie. We are over the moon! Cookie is a pit bull terrier mix and a very sweet little girl. We owe the ASPCA a special thank you for taking such good care of her and letting us adopt her.

Look at that face!

The paperwork was signed and filed by 3:30 PM and we took Cookie over to the East River Esplanade for a nice long walk. For about 2.5 hours we walked and played and met other dogs. Cookie handled it like a champ.

I can't even explain my outfit so I won't even try.

We made a visit to our local Petco and then brought Cookie to her new home. For a six month old puppy, she's incredibly well-behaved. She LOVES tennis balls and we played fetch until she the 34 year-old was tired.

Puppy kisses!

After a few more walks, it was time for me to go home. We brought Cookie over to see where I sleep. She thinks I live in a kennel because it's so small. Cooks did pretty well in the small space. I'm glad because sometimes I'll need to watch her over there.

We need to practice smiling for the camera.

This morning I went over to the 34 year-old's at 7 AM to wake them up as planned. Cookie was good about getting out of bed. The 34 year-old, not so much. We went for a nice walk by the river and met other dogs. Cookie was very polite to everyone she met and even shared her tennis ball. I hear that the 34 year-old and Cookie are now back in bed taking a nap.