Ice Baths

I'm wearing Turquoise and Caicos by Essie on my toes.

So I'm taking my first ice bath - yup, I'm blogging from the bathtub - and it's not as bad as I had feared. Ice baths help your legs recover after races, as well as long or difficult workouts. I also learned tonight that they can be helpful prior to races (thanks Miami!) and I plan on taking some before my marathons.

Making an ice bath is rather simple. Buy a bag of ice, dump it in your bathtub, and add enough cold water to cover your legs. Then get in for twenty minutes. I'm wearing a bikini bottom to protect my lady bits from frostbite, but that's up to you.

Helpful tip: If you have a faucet with a cold only handle, one bag of ice should suffice. However, if you have a temperature control handle, get two because the slightly warmer water is going to melt the ice.

Fountain Fun

I've been run crushing on my coworker since I met him at the end of June. He's run Boston (twice) and Miami. My Facebook stalking of him tells me he ran a 6:50 pace, for a marathon. Um hi, yeah, can we be friends? And don't even get me started on the time I showed up for work just as he was taking off for a run, and I stared enviously at his long, lithe runner's legs as they pranced down the asphalt. He reads this by the way. I wonder if he feels awkward yet?

We'll call him Miami since that is where he teaches. After seven weeks of bringing up running every time I saw him, I finally coerced him into running with me. This is actually a lie - he came willingly, but I'd like to think that my powers of persuasion and my insistence on wearing day-glo running gear to work helped out. After a long day at the office (where I got to drive a cargo van by the way), we hopped in Petunia and drove over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I am obsessed with this park now.

Miami and I had a nice leisurely 8 mile run around the park, as I tried to remember where everything was located. It's much easier to see the sights when there are orange cones guiding the way, but eventually everything worked out. We saw many soccer games, ran through the zoo, and enjoyed long stretches of path along the water. It's a lot of fun to run with someone new because you get to learn all sorts of nifty things about them. They get to learn that you're probably a sociopath with a sneaker fetish. Win-win situation.

I apologize to Miami who had to put up with my insanely slow hobble, but as he said, I did just run a half marathon. To complete our extremely fun evening, we ran through the fountains under the Unisphere.

Fitness Fanny Pack

It's hard being an active girl on the go. You need your apartment keys, your iPhone, headphones, Chapstick, not to mention your license and a credit card for post-run beers at Dylan Murphy's. You can't shove all of this stuff in your sports bra, even when you've got extra room in it like I do. Although I have managed a four mile trail run with a Chapstick and a set of car keys in mine.

I'm looking surly because it was f'ing hot out.

You need a fitness fanny pack. I recently switched from the SPIBELT to iFitness Inc.'s Ultimate Running Belt. This neoprene belt has a pouch that lies flat and stays in place. There's an inner pocket for your ID, money, and credit cards. Loops are located along the belt to store your goos, and, this is the kicker, you can attach your race bib to the belt without annoying safety pins! Just removed the spring-loaded toggles, slip the strings through the bib holes, and reattach the toggles.

I love this thing, so much so that I bought it as a birthday gift for my running pal and college bestie Rifle. Hers is pink. Mine is black. Both are supercute. However, I saw the Ultimate Race Belt II, which has an additional pocket, on iFitness Inc.'s website and now I wish I had it. Perhaps iFitness Inc. would like to send me an Ultimate Running Belt II, and I would happily write a review of it.

NYRR Queens Half Marathon

Mile 13.

You should really read those emails you receive from New York Road Runners very carefully. I don't, which is why I'm always freaking out race day morning. Somehow I got myself convinced that half marathon started at 7:30 AM instead of 7 AM (maybe it was the date July 30th or 7/30?) and I realized this at 6:46 AM stuck behind the slowest moving station wagon of all time. I started having a conniption. I actually rummaged around in my glove compartment until I found an ancient pack of cigarettes and lit one up. Yeah, not so proud of that one.

I need to lay off the beer.

Luckily my mom was with me and she was able to save the day. I was pulling off at the exit for Flushing Meadows Corona Park when I realized it was blocked off by a police cruiser. This nice elderly man from NYRR (I really should learn his name since I see him all the time) was there and explained that this entrance was closed but that I had time to get to the starting line. I whipped off my shirt (it was way too hot to run in anything but shorts and a sports bra) and ran up the exit ramp into the park, leaving my mom to find parking for Petunia. As luck would have it, many cars were still roaming the park so the race was delayed by ten minutes while volunteers cleared the roadways.

My hair is SOAKED with sweat.

The race began a little after schedule, but the energy was high as we circled the Unisphere. A DJ had been hired to provide music for the event, which was pretty awesome if you ask me. I don't like to race with headphones because I think people who do are menaces to the running community, but I definitely value a pump up song or two. Speaking of headphone wearing menaces, while plodding along near mile 6, this guy, oblivious to his surroundings because of his earbuds, shuffled into the course of another (much faster) runner. They had a minor collision which I somehow got into when I was accidentally kicked in the leg as they flailed about. Don't worry about my thunder thighs - they can withstand almost anything, but I would've found myself in a much worse predicament if I hadn't been alert and ready to jump away from them. Please, take off the damn headphones!

Thankfully some parts of the race had shade.

At one point while running by the Van Wyck, I swore I saw Lady Gaga sitting on a guardrail watching the race. Obviously everyone around me had never heard of Lady Gaga, so I, alone, was the witness. I tried to tell my mother that I saw her but she accused me of mistaking a realistic trannie for the real thing. (UPDATE: Lady Gaga was on The View and said she went to watch a running race in Queens! So hah! I was right!)

Both feet off the ground means you are running.

The duration of the race was hot but doable. I was very sweaty and very thirsty. Luckily NYRR volunteers had hoses to mist us with. The Unisphere also gave off some spray as we circled it again.

This was my first half-marathon since the one I ran in high-school at the Island School. While I knew I was fully capable of running the thing, I wasn't exactly sure what my pacing would look like. I definitely felt myself fading by mile 10, but I just focused on my turnover, shortening my stride and keeping my feet moving.

Just keep moving.

After I reached mile 13 (see rainbow, Unisphere photo above), I just through myself into the last tenth of a mile. I started hollering and encouraging the crowd to cheer for me. Everyone loves my sunglasses, so it's really not that hard. I would like to call special attention to my muscular calves as I power my way towards to finish line. Anything to call your attention away from my way-to-tight running shorts...

Look at How That Hip Bone is Connected to Those Thighs

It's no secret that I absolutely love Miles Fisher. I'm shameless in my pursuit of this guy, as can be seen by my social media accounts. The day I received a Facebook message from him, I nearly choked on my coffee and needed to be revived by a 9 year old. We had an extra 11 minutes of recess in celebration (I was actually trying to get the inappropriate thoughts out of my head before the day's read aloud. Awkward.)

I've been killing my iPhone battery playing Fisher's "This Must Be the Place" youtube video, so I sent him a tweet asking how to get an mp3 file of it. 

I am aware that this makes me look like a stalker.

I downloaded "New Romance" and "This Must Be the Place" and took off for my 5 mile training run. I had such a good time singing along to "New Romance" that I ran an extra 2 miles. To enjoy your own Miles Fisher running soundtrack click here.

Or listen:

New Romance

This Must Be the Place

NYRR Sprint Triathlon

I volunteered at Saturday's NYRR Spring Triathlon in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. I woke up at 4 (yes, 4 AM) and got myself ready to go. I had to bring the things I would need for my trip up to New Rochelle, and thinking logically that early in the morning is pretty difficult for me. I managed to get myself organized and into the car. I made it to Flushing with time to spare, only to get lost outside of the park. I drove around in circles, getting increasingly more frantic for close to forty minutes. It was miserable. I angrily shouted, "They should have effing volunteers directing traffic!" only to realize that I was said volunteer. Oops.

I finally figured out where I was supposed to park my car, and headed into the park. Since I was late, my friend T had already been assigned to a group, and I had to join the rest of the stragglers. I was put on Run Zone 1 duty. My partner Miguel and I took to our station and waited for the race to begin. We were lucky to be placed close to the bike route, and we soon realized that the bike volunteers needed our help. I directed the cyclists to turn left and stay to the right of the cones.

At about 7:45am, I headed back to my official post to direct the first runners. The run portion was 3 miles and I was stationed at about the half mile mark. I soon became bored with merely telling the runners to run this way and stay on their right, so I decided to cheer them on. It was brutally hot, and most of the athletes looked pretty tired after their half-mile swim and thirteen mile bike ride. I remembered the group of Boy Scouts who cheered for me during my ultramarathon. No matter how many times they saw me trekking along, they yelled out my bib number and told me I could do it. I decided to bring this enthusiasm to this race. And let's be honest, the fast triathloners didn't need much encouragement - they knew they could do it. It's the runners in the back, who are tired and thinking about giving up, who need to be cheered for. They know they're not going to win, and maybe they think their efforts don't matter, but they most certainly do. So I cheered, and I jumped, and I even ran about 100 feet with one guy. I complimented runners on their apparel - I especially liked the Tri Latino tri-suits - and their sneakers. I wanted them to know that finishing made them winners. They were so close to the finish line, I didn't want anyone to give up. Miguel and I stayed at our posts longer than required because we could see runners still coming towards us. We didn't want anyone to miss out even if they might not get an official time. I think our efforts paid off as a lot of competitors thanked us when we headed over to the finish to hand in our vests and lanyards.

I really enjoyed myself, almost more than when I'm competing. I definitely recommend volunteering because you get to help other athletes reach their goals.

Miguel and me after the NYRR Spring Triathlon

The Importance of Keeping a Food Log

It's no secret that I have put on some weight in the past year. Long story short, I stopped being accountable for what I ate. I was accountable when I kept track of what I ate. I should've stuck with the food log.

I'm back at it and I have already cut down my calorie intake significantly without starving myself. It's amazing how seeing what you've eaten affects your appetite. I know I shouldn't be hungry if I ate a 600 calorie dinner, and I am able to tell myself that I am full. It's easy to overeat thousands of calories each week if you're not aware of what you're consuming.

I use Tap&Track on my iPhone. The newest version is the most convenient iPhone food tracking app I have ever seen, and I highly recommend it. I'm a little creeped out by the new Social function (I mean I guess I could start tweeting my meals?) but I'm impressed by the new and improved food database.

However you choose to do it, you need to keep a record of what you are eating. You will get results.

Shut Up and Jump! - Family Skydiving Trip

We went skydiving in celebration of my sister's 21st birthday. Nothing says, "You can legally drink" like jumping from an airplane at 10,000 feet and freefalling with a man strapped to your back for sixty seconds. This is allegedly part of my birthday present as well, but no professional skydiver sang to me or wished me a happy birthday so let's see about that next month.

We scheduled our skydiving extravaganza with Long Island Skydiving Center in East Moriches, New York. East Moriches is located on the eastern end of Long Island. There are directions on the website. My sister, my mom, and I got in the car at 11:30am, as planned, and then realized that my father was no where to be found. We awkwardly remained in the car in the driveway for thirty-seven minutes while we waited for him to return. This is not the first time something of this nature has happened. Clearly something is the matter with him... and with us. Eventually we were on our way out east.

You don't just arrive at a skydiving place, sign your life away, and take off in a plane. There's a lot of waiting involved, but there is much entertainment to enjoy while you wait. First you have to watch a video of a man that looks like a white Osama bin Laden informing you of the joys and dangers of skydiving. Then you initial a bunch of forms. Then the staff videotapes you reading a statement that says you realize you are voluntarily risking your life and and no one is making you jump out of a plane, and that you might (probably?) die and you promise you won't sue them from the afterlife. Only then are you allowed out of the trailer (yup, the trailer) and permitted into the tented yard. The family gathered at one of the picnic tables where we proceeded to viciously make fun of all of the other people waiting to jump from the sky. We also ate hot dogs from the roadside stand.

Where's the candy?

About an hour passed before it was our turn to get into the rapist van and drive to the hanger. An unfortunately-shaped woman named Martha and her boyfriend also got in the van. Martha was jumping to celebrate her 29th birthday. Martha is from Connecticut.

Once at the hanger, we met a bunch of cool people who jump out of planes for a living. We got strapped into our harnesses, waited around some more, and then met our skydiving instructors. My sister was going to jump with Jarred and I was going to jump with Joe. We maneuvered ourselves into a small plane, and then the pilot took off. We had an incredible view of West Hampton Beach and Fire Island. Joe gave us a nice guided tour as we circled around. The flight is eighteen minutes long, just enough time to forget what you're doing up there, and then it's time to jump!

My sister had requested (loudly demanded) that she go first. Jarred hooked himself onto her harness, opened the door, and then they were gone! I wasn't nervous about jumping (mostly because I refused to think about it), until I felt the rush of cold air and saw my sister disappear from an airplane. Joe has hooked himself onto me by this time, and he's telling me to move towards the front of the plane. I have to do this on my knees (keep the dirty jokes to yourself, thank you) and the cold air is rushing in my face, and I'm thinking that maybe this wasn't the best idea. Joe puts his leg out onto the ledge, I put my leg out onto the ledge, I cross my arms, Joe crosses his over mine, and then we jump!

Are we there yet?

I think I closed my eyes at first. We are plummeting towards the earth. It takes me a moment to realize what is going on, but then I remember and it is the coolest feeling ever. I can see the ocean, and the beach, and people's backyards, and their pools. It is awesome. My favorite part was the free fall, and I could have done without the long parachute landing. I was more concerned about landing in a tree than falling and dying. I've seen that tree impaling episode of Grey's Anatomy and it does not seem like a pleasant experience. After what seemed like forever, we got closer to the ground, and I lifted my legs, basically making my body into a right angle. We had a safe and simple landing, and I waited to put my feet down until Joe instructed me to. It's your instinct to put your feet down as you approach, but you can break your ankles this way. Since I have marathon training to do and races to run, Joe didn't have to tell me twice to keep my legs up until the very end. We had a great day. Best birthday celebration ever! Woo!

So I Think I Can Dance

It's taken me a few years, but I think I have finally developed some rhythm. Today Yves taught a 90 minute Dance Fusion class at Fusion Fitness in Great Neck. Dance Fusion has minimal choreography so its not overwhelming for us non-dancers, but it's still an intense workout. Yves breaks down the movements of each dance, providing ample time to practice each step. I am always amazed by the playlist - how does the same dance performed at different speeds fit so many different songs? How does Yves manage to do this for three different dances each time class? Is it a secret talent? Is there an app for that?

Somehow all the classes I have taken came together today and I managed to actually dance. I adopted my Dance Persona from the very beginning, and successfully executed moves I normally stumble my way through. Perhaps my dream of being a backup dancer in a rap video is closer to coming true than I thought...

Coconut Water

You've probably seen coconut water in your local grocery or specialty food store. This refreshing beverage is the liquid found inside of young coconuts. It is packed with electrolytes and contains more potassium than a banana. I can't think of a better drink to rehydrate you post-workout. Stay away from sugar-laden sports drinks. At just 60-80 calories per serving, you are much better off with coconut water. The most common brands are Vita Coco, Zico, and O.N.E, which stands for One Natural Experience. My favorites are Vita Coco and O.N.E because of their clean taste. Zico makes me nauseous to be quite honest.

Today my coworker and I went on a field trip to the Museum of American Finance, the Federal Building, and the Trinity Church Mausoleum. We ate a tasty (if not healthy) lunch at Dim Sum Go Go in Chinatown. On the way back to the subway we passed a fresh, young coconut stand. Real fresh, young coconuts (it's actually a brand) and a man has to use a machete to hack it open for you. As much as I like Vita Coco, this was better. The water was clear and crisp like Vita Coco, but had a much stronger nutty aftertaste. I sucked it down quickly, and my only regret was not buying another one.