My healthy happier life

Wow! I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! Where did this week go? Oh yeah, Monday was a mix of Miami and Fourth of July while I’ve spent the rest of the week immersed in my new job.

Even though the week has flown by thus far, it’s been a great week for two reasons: workouts and food!

Workouts

Due to our vacation schedule and Fourth of July plans, Monday was my rest day this week. I spent the day traveling back from our Miami vacation. Tuesday morning, bright and early, I was kicked back into reality with an hour training session. This session left me more sore than any other session to date. We spent time engaging multiple different muscle groups by using the TRX, VIPR, weights, and body weight.

Of all the exercises, the single leg sit down was the hardest and left me quivering!

I’ve also enjoyed two outdoor runs this week, one 3 mile long and the other 5 miles. The 3 mile run was a refreshing evening run which allowed me to release stress before walking through the door. I also enjoyed a new route during this run along the East River and the United Nations!

Yeah, I'm bringing sexy back for sure.

This morning’s five mile run wasn’t quite as refreshing but it was the perfect kick in the butt. For some reason, I’ve had a hard time finding motivation to do longer runs during the week. I can wrap my head around and get excited about a 5k or even a 4 miler but 5 and 6 mile runs are harder. However, Bo got me out of bed this morning for a five mile run through the city and along the Hudson. Even though we listened to music the entire time and I stopped to stretch out my sore legs a few times, we finished the run keeping a 10 minute pace and enjoyed some amazing views!

Bo running along the HudsonWashington Square Park was gorgeous in the morning sun!

My workouts for the rest of the week include another personal training session tomorrow, a long run with Theodora on Saturday followed by Well+Good’s Yoga for Runner’s class, and then finally a spin class or yoga on Sunday.

Food

Today's skirt doubles as a fun backdrop!

Yogurt+Berries+Oats= refreshing Summer breakfastThis is quickly becoming one of my favorite salads!

Can you see a trend? My breakfast and lunches have been super clean and healthy this week. I’m doing my best to keep my energy high in my new job that matches the amazing new view and sunny window I have by way of a new desk. Therefore, I’m starting every morning off with a huge bottle of lemon water, oats, and a multivitamin and fish oil supplement.

Overall, it’s been a great week and the perfect way to kick off July! If you’re looking for more great ways to kick off your July, check out some of the news on The Go Healthy NY sites. There are a lot of great programs taking place this month including free fruit days, free cancer screenings, and the launch of Great American Health Challenge!

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Hey Healthy Happier Bear readers! I’m Leslie from And Her Little Dog Too – my little corner of the blog world is about healthy living, eating, running and everything in between, with lots of appearances by my dog, Jackson! I also just got married a month ago so lots of the wedding planning as well as my honeymoon recaps have appeared on the blog too!

Last Fall, I lost my marathon virginity and ran 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon on 10-10-10. It was a beautiful day for a race and I was so proud of myself for crossing the line from a runner and becoming a marathoner! I learned so much from my first marathon, and as soon as I crossed the finish line and got that medal around my neck I was hooked!

A very short 3 weeks after completing my first marathon in Chicago, I found myself in a New York State of Mind on the start line for possibly the most popular marathon in the world – the New York Marathon! It was very much A Race Like No Other and I am so grateful that I was able to run two marathons that are on my marathon bucket list in the same season! I have long term goals to join the 50 State Marathon Club as well as run all the World Marathon Majors – Chicago, NYC, London, Berlin & Boston!

Running Back to Back marathons is no easy feat! Moderation during my marathon training was KEY for me because I did not want to burn myself out from over training or injure myself as I am prone to shin splints! My main mantra during training was: Less is More.

I spent the few months before both marathons focusing on quality, not quantity runs. I made sure I hit my long run every weekend, but during the week I put more energy into cross-training – through yoga, biking and swimming. The summer before I ran my first marathon I spent a good amount of time training for my first triathlon so the swimming and bike training were a good distraction from the build up in mileage.

I also made sure to sign up for lots of races during marathon training – I did the majority of my training and long runs on my own, all by myself, so whenever I was able run a race to go along with a longer run, I did! I ran the ING Rock & Roll Half in Philly as part of my attempt at 22 miles – I ran down to the start of the race and home! It was a tad painful and mentally very difficult, but running 13 miles in a race with tons of other people made the extra miles on the way home much easier – plus it’s always fun to get another medal for my wall! (I may or may not have signed up for races in the past JUST to get a medal – I heart them!)

So there you have it – just a few tips from my marathon training experience! This year I am repeating my running plan from last Fall as I am signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October, followed by the Philadelphia Marathon 3 short weeks later. What can I say? I have a running addiction! Come stop by my little corner of the blog world to check out how I run back to back marathons in 2011!

Happy Running!

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Happy Tuesday! For most of us, today is back to reality and work. After a wonderful weekend in Miami, Bo and I had one more weekend adventure in store for us before returning to our normal routine- The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks!

Due to my new role, I received two tickets to the party at Hudson River Park. We were lucky enough to spend the evening with my new manager and his son enjoying delicious food, amazing weather, and the best fireworks show we’ve ever seen!

Once we passed through the gates at 7pm, we saw some of the cities famous food trucks selling their delicious treats and BR Guest food company providing free samples.

I was elated to find Luke’s Lobster Shack there and answer my lobster roll craving I’d had all weekend!

We decided to try a free sample of Dos Caminos chips and guacamole since it is our favorite guac in the city and it had a shorter line!

We discovered the beer garden and sampled Checker Cab Blonde Ale for the first time which was AMAZING! A light wheat ale it hit the spot and cooled us off!

Between the food and drinking, we found time to enjoy a few celebrity sightings (Nic Leche, a few Yankees players, and Anthony Rap from Dazed and Confused) and fun with the games and sights.

There were even a few flyovers including the New York City Air Patrol.

By 8:55 everyone took their seats on the lawn and enjoyed the last few minutes of sunset before the fireworks began.

Sitting on our blankets only 200 feet from the speakers and music was a big difference from watching the fireworks on the streets of New York around 26th street and 9th avenue, where we enjoyed them with our friends Lauren and Casey last year. You could barely see the fireworks and you couldn’t hear the music!

Then, the music started and the 25 minute show began!

The sights, sounds, and music were amazing and the energy of the 2,000 person crowd was fabulous!