I love travel just as much as the next person. I feel blessed that my family, friends, and husband love it just as much as I do and even more thankful that my career and this job in particular allow me to travel globally.

But, there is something to be said for a weekend ritual.

God bless this weekend.

After putting in one too many late nights at the office this week I left at 4:45, allowing myself just enough time to get down to Laughing Lotus Yoga for their Lotus Hour class. The class, which is just 60 minutes, promises to leave you feeling stretched, nourished and revitalized in just 60 minutes. Chachi took the 6 class attendees through lots of deep flow poses that could easily be adapted based on level. My favorite aspect of the class was that it started with floor work before moving into sun salutations and lots of twists. These 60 minutes were exactly what I needed to transition from the work week to weekend mode. If you want to read more about my thoughts check out my Yelp review here.

The rest of the evening was spent getting a shellac manicure in bright red and relaxing with Bo. We have fallen in love with a small Italian restaurant near our apartment, Bocca, that happens to deliver. It’s the perfect thing to enjoy every now and then when we just want to curl up on the couch with a movie, glass of wine, and dinner but want something quality delivered versus something that is more like fast food. I didn’t take a picture of dinner but it was delicious and included an arugula salad which we shared and their cod entrée.

This morning, I had a running date with Liz and Marcial! We met at 9am near the 59th and Fifth Entrance to Central Park. I’m so thankful for the winter running months as it allows me to stay up later and still get 8 hours of sleep before running whereas the summer heat has me out the door by 6am! Marcial and I haven’t been able to run much together since work has kept me from run club. I loved taking them through the park on a route I developed ahead of time, which included plenty of hills and allowed Liz to get to know the park more as she hasn’t spent much time running up here since she lives down in Tribeca.

She brought out the animal for the hills on today’s run which included a full loop of the park, a second run up Cat Hill, a loop and a half of the Resevoir and then down Cat Hill to finish. We talked the entire time which helped me take my mind off the hills. The park was so alive this morning that there was no way to not be in a good mood, especially since I felt like we were waving to familiar faces every few minutes! Getting into the Park today was great for training as it confirmed that I can hold the 9:35-9:45 pace, even through the hills, but still gave me enough of a challenge to want to stay in the park next week and the following to get more practice before the half.

Since all I was craving during the run was a smoothie, I made one as soon as walked through the door. Today’s mix was banana, strawberries, protein powder, chia seeds, almond milk, and Chobani 0% plain. I topped it with a 1/8 c of Uncle Sam’s cereal for some extra crunch- delicious!

After my smoothie I headed back to Laughing Lotus for another hour of yoga, this time with Lauren M, one of their more popular teachers. The class was packed but there was still room for all the movements. This class was definitely harder than yesterday’s but the flow and positive mood was the same. I walked out feeling lighter, limber, and in the best mood possible. It was the perfect compliment for my body after the long run, especially due to the toll the hills took on my hamstrings and hips today.

Now it’s time to rest before my favorite event of the year, New York Junior League’s Winter Ball! I can’t wait to dance the night away with Bo, Theodora, and Laura!

Your Turn!When was the last time you found a yoga, fitness, or workout studio that you fell in love with immediately?