Fun Little Saturday

I was a fantastic girlfriend on Saturday morning and woke up early to follow the boyfriend to Nissan so he didn't have to sadly sit in the waiting room all day while his car got serviced. After I creepily sneaked up behind him to give him a kiss, we went to Walmart and bought everything. I am now the proud owner of leopard print flipflops and a new 8 inch skillet. And I found a replacement for the Fitbit Flex band I really liked to wear last summer. Target sells it in a pack of 3 with 2 other not so great bands, so I never bothered to buy a new set, but Walmart has it as a single item. Hopefully I don't develop an allergy to this brand too.

We made our way to Brookhaven for brunch at J. Christopher's, and then walked over to a farmers market for fresh strawberries and kombucha because we are turning into the people I hate. The strawberries were fantastic. I ate them all on Sunday when I was hungover.

The best part of the trip was a visit to Big Peach Running Co. I've been telling the boyfriend he should get himself some new running shoes for a while. Old running shoes make running feel like crap, and I know I'm always more excited to run when I like my sneakers. He got gait-tested and picked out two sweet pair of kicks - some Nikes with a palm tree print and a pair of Asics. I treated us both to a new pair of Balega Hidden Comfort socks because those things are like running on clouds.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July y'all! Independence Day is my FAVORITE holiday and I'm psyched to be heading up to Westchester to celebrate. The beach, grilling, fireworks - all in celebration of the greatest country on Earth - the United States of America!

I couldn't contain my excitement this morning and was awake at 5:33 AM. I hung out in bed until just before 7 and was running by 7:15.

Oyster Bay

Teddy Roosevelt

I obviously had to dress in red, white, and blue for my run. The shorts are Nikes and a real pain to run in because they have spandex shorts built in and those shorts refuse to stay put. The shoes are white and blue Brooks Ghost 4s. The t-shirt is Hanes, boys' size extra-large. It's super old and has shrunken into a crop top. The sunglasses are Knockaround because they are my favorite kind to wear.

Side note, does anyone know how I can get a pair of Knockarounds with the American flag on the sides????

Channeling Donna Martin's wardrobe from the college years.
No bellybutton is safe!

Thank God I entertain myself so much while taking selfies. Someone recently asked me how many selfies I take of myself each day - the answer is selfies any time and all the time. Just imagine how many never make it to this blog.

Stay safe everyone and celebrate the land of the free!

Run on Day 6

I'm on a roll with my workouts and needed to fit one in today to continue my streak. My original plan to attend 7 AM yoga fell through and I needed to make the 7:54 PM train out to LI. I decided a run along the Westside Highway was better than no workout at all or having to take a later train.

view overlooking the NJ Transit train yard

My legs felt a little stiff but overall the run wasn't too bad. I wore my Nike Frees without socks (I used to do this all the time) and gave myself horrible arch blisters just like during the AHA run. Reminded me of how that night and how I got dumped the next day.

Just the Statue of Liberty helping out a homeless lady.

Super Mario Brothers comes to Chelsea Piers

So tired, hot, and sweaty but thank God the sun finally came out.

Epic fail on the Garmin tonight. I didn't have time to wait for it to find its satellites and it didn't pick up the first .75 mile and then I forgot to turn it off when I got back to the office and added at least 5 minutes to my time. Oops.

I ran closer to 6 miles.

I couldn't shower after my run but I did change back into my work clothes. Sorry fellow train passengers - I know I smell.

My colleague almost caught me taking this awkward photo.

Rest, Running, & Relaxation

I didn't get home until 3:15 this morning and I wasn't even drinking. Sober September has been a success thus far. I made myself get up at 9:30, but there were no yoga classes being offered today at the Long Island Equinoxes. My body is too sore for another full body workout class.

After lounging and napping today, I went for a quick run around the block at about 6 PM. I realized I had forgotten all of my Brooks road sneakers in Manhattan so I was forced to wear a pair of Nikes that I don't care for much. The LunarGlides 2 are just too heavy and clunky. I feel like I'm wearing platforms.

I'm fully capable of sucking it up for a few miles. I listened to a mix I found on my iPhone called "I Respect You" filled with some songs that don't really show respect for anyone. Ohh, drunken playlist making. I'm sure I was pissed at someone when I made it.

I ran 4 miles. Feel pretty good about myself and this commitment to fitness. Just have to keep going for the rest of the month.*

*For the sake of full disclosure, Sober September Health Month might be ending on the 28th. The annual Cape Cod bender is that weekend and I'd like to participate.

Neon Yellow

Today is the first day of September and I promised myself I'd start it right by going to the gym. METCON3 kicked my ass today. There was whimpering and a lot of swearing.

The coolest thing we did today was row with our weights and our bench. We placed our heavy weights (mine were 8 lbs and I was embarrassed by my wimpy choice) on our bench, squatted over the bench, picked up the bench and performed rows with flat backs. I'm going to try to remember to work this into more workouts.

You don't need a play by play of how I begged for mercy and couldn't keep up, so I am going to focus on something I noticed - almost everyone in the room was wearing at least one piece of neon yellow apparel. I was wearing my neon yellow C9 Champion for Target shorts (actually I am still wearing them because I was too tired to shower at the gym), but others had on tank tops, shorts, and sneakers. There were a lot of neon yellow Nike shoes - Nike calls this color volt, and I blame the Olympics for this sudden neon yellow shoe craze. I prefer white sneakers with neon accents, but maybe that's just me.

I picked out some pieces that I think are cute so that you too can be stylish at the gym.

Nike Free Advantage

The Nike Free Advantage is a trainer. I really believe that trainers are for the gym and running shoes are for running. You might find it annoying to have to keep track of multiple pairs of sneakers, but I think it's worth it. In a pinch, I will workout in my running shoes though.

I'm not that big of a fan of Nike shoes anymore, but they carry a colorful selection. I hate my Nike Free running shoes, and I don't like how flexible the toe box is because it hurts my toes during boot camp classes, but some people love them. Just because I don't like something, doesn't mean I won't let you know it's available.

lululemon turbo run short

I love the turbo run short but I am poor so I only own one pair. And those were a gift. If you want to buy me a gift, please buy me more turbo run shorts. I love how they don't ride up my butt on long runs and they're pretty short, so they show off your legs.

C9 by Champion for Target compression shorts

These are so effing badass, I need a pair immediately. I'd wear them alone, but you could also wear a pair of black shorts over them so that they peak out. Depending on your fitness level, a grey or black sports bra would look sick with these, or you could wear one of those fancy flowy tanks lululemon is always hawking. I think I'd get my arms trapped, but they certainly look good. The other option is my favorite, buy men's extra small undershirts and cut the arms off. Make sure you cut to the outside of the seam. Now I'm thinking about driving over to Target to get this outfit.

Crescent Kicks and Camel Toe

I'm not even going to lie and pretend that I've been making it to the gym lately (I do have a few posts from last month that I will eventually publish, I promise). Today, in celebration of my new job offer and because I fucking felt like it, I went for a lunch time workout at 50th and Broadway.

Powerstrike is offered at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Omar Sandoval is the instructor. I love Omar. I love Omar's tight pants. And I absolutely loved that Omar remembered me and told me it was good to know that I was alive. I don't think I've seen him since March of 2011. Oops.

source

The Powerstrike website says, "When you hear OMAR, students know they are going to get a workout. "The Titan" holds all five Powerstrike certifications is a Senior Instructor/Trainer for Powerstrike and has represented the company at ECA and Nike conventions, along with starring in all the recent DVDs. Omar's unique energy, Latin sense of rhythm and flamboyant personality contrast dynamically with his large, often intimidating, figure to create a dynamic class environment unlike any. As Omar says, 'Simple. Easy.'"

So I've been to Powerstrike before and it was never easy. Today I was pretty much able to follow the choreography. Probably because I had no muscle memory and was actually paying attention. Powerstrike kickboxing mixes martial arts and aerobics (so basically it's just better cardio kickboxing, with the exception of Yves' classes because those are pure magic!) so you're getting toned and sweating your ass off. I didn't really sweat that much today, but I think it's because my body is doing weird things and not because the workout wasn't hard. (Or maybe I didn't take enough Ritalin today? I hate when I forget if I've taken it or not.)

I have these grey Nike spandex shorts that are no joke ten years old. Bought them when I was 15 at Choate running cross country, so they are actually closer to eleven years old. Super comfortable, but today they kept riding up with every crescent kick. Hello camel toe. If anyone wants to buy me (or even recommend) spandex shorts, I'm always open to presents (and suggestions.)

I promise to actually start blogging again. Lately I've been in a super funk. It's not related to being dumped or even worried about not having a job. I definitely blame my inability to get out of bed on this stupid Depo Provera shot I got on May 31. My doctor said it might be the cause, but now I have to get my thyroid checked on Thursday to make sure that I am not a lethargic mess because my thyroid is out of whack.

And for everyone who was worried that I'd be homeless and unemployed, I was offered the job I desperately wanted yesterday. And by desperately, I mean I would have given my future unborn children and my left foot. Booyah - guess who's a manager now?

Oyster Festival 5K

Maryanne was my babysitter. Now she is a runner.

Today I ran the 28th Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor's 5K. This race kicks off Oyster Bay's annual Oyster Festival, which is our weird way of celebrating where we live. It's a good race and this is my second year competing in it.

Experience brings knowledge and knowledge is power. I learned my lesson last year and made sure I was much closer to the front. The Greater Long Island Running Club doesn't put a starting line mat down and the race officially begins when the gun goes off - if you're stuck behind the slow fatties you're time is affected.

I haven't raced a 5K since June and I was a little nervous today. Would I doing as well as last year? Has marathon training made me slow? I didn't have a good understanding of my pace until I got to the 1 mile sign in 7 minutes and 1 second. I knew the most brutal part of the race would be the run uphill between miles 1 and 2, and I think I handled it well. Another female runner told me to chuck my water bottle because we were running so fast but I told her I had to stay hydrated because I need to run twenty miles sometime today or tomorrow. I also like carrying a water bottle because I don't have to slow down at the aid station at the halfway mark. I ended up tossing it there though anyway.

I've realized that I'm pretty good at running downhill and this would be my strength for this course. The course is downhill from the halfway mark to mile 3. I pounded it out and passed a lot of people. This dick of a guy had been in front of me from the starting line. I noticed him because he was wearing a green racing outfit, blue socks, and red sneakers. Not color-coordinated. He started boxing out this woman named Mary during the run down Sandy Hill Road and that pissed me off. With so much space on this course, there is absolutely no reason to box out another runner. We are a fun bunch and jackass moves are not appreciated. I put him in his place by gently cutting him off, running five strides directly in front of him, and then taking off. He came up to me at the finish line to tell me I did a great job and knew how to handle to downhill portion of the course. Yeah, I do. I also know how to handle myself as a civilized human being, thanks.

This year's race felt a hundred times better than last year's. I turned left onto East Main Street and had a lot of energy left in my legs to power on towards the finish line. I decided to race in my Nike Frees without socks. Not my favorite shoes, but they are lighter than my Brooks Adrenaline's, and shoe weight affects time. I'm glad I went sans socks because my feet didn't rub. I think a lot of runners forgo socks when wearing racing flats, so this was kind of similar. As I got closer to the parking lot and the finish line, I decided to ignore the clock and my watch and just go as fast as I could. I finished in 21:41, fourteen seconds faster than last year!

6:59 minute miles!

Technically I came in 3rd place for my age group, but the overall winner of the race is 25 so I got bumped up to 2nd place. I won a plaque and had my picture taken. I will add the picture when I find it online.

I'm going to put it in my cube at work.

After I stopped hocking up flem and spitting it on myself the ground, I went to get some water and an apple. Then I got a leg message from the physical therapy volunteers. I used to never go over to the massage tables because I was a little embarrassed because I'm not an elite runner or anything, but now I'm obsessed. Why pass up the chance for a free massage when your legs are all tight?

I went back to the food station when I heard there were cupcakes!
Fat kid nation!

My mom and I watched the other runners come in and waited for the awards ceremony to start. Last year I came in second for my age group as well, but I left because I didn't know any better. This race gives awards to practically everybody. Had I identified myself as an Athena runner, I would have won my division by nearly two minutes. Maybe next year, but definitely if there is money involved.

There is a runner in Oyster Bay named Vince who everyone calls The Runner. He is always running in all types of weather. He is also rather cute. Vince placed (I think first) in the 20-24 male category. I think I was more excited for his win than he was. Perhaps he would like to celebrate with me later...

At some point this weekend I have to run those 20 additional miles. I want to go to the Oyster Festival this afternoon so I have a strong suspicion I will be running them tomorrow.