A Sweaty Date with Central Park

This morning I had a sweaty date with Central Park.

IMG_2511 (640x478) Due to today’s extreme heat, the roads were not as crowded as my last morning run but I was still surprised that so many people were braving the heat. I’m blessed to be from Savannah, Georgia which means this heat wave is child’s play compared to the heat and humidity I dealt with for at least 5 months every year!

I left my gear at Equinox before heading out for a 4 mile run through the park’s lower section and doing 2 hill repeats of Cat Hill.

IMG_2513 (640x478) I was impressed to see water stations throughout the park during my run, though I didn’t need them. Nice job New York Parks and Rec staff! I saw many runners, walkers, and cyclists taking advantage of the fountains this morning!

IMG_2512 (640x478) I, on the other hand, was a happy camper with my CamelBak. It was hiding from the below picture since I had to take it off my back to access my iPhone for the impromptu photo session.

IMG_2517 (480x480) My route took me past once of my favorite views in Central Park, the pond. I hit the fountain just as the sun was coming over the trees. Is there a better way to start your day?

IMG_2518 (640x485)The 3.98 mile run (including the hill repeat) took 39:40 since I was taking it easy on my pace due to tired legs. Yesterday’s personal training session was pretty leg and weight intensive which left my legs more tired than usual. They enjoyed the relaxed pace though I think my butt and hamstrings were ready to kill me after the hill repeats this morning.

Much to the disappointment of the Equinox morning crowd, I didn’t head straight to the shower when I finished my run. Instead, I hit the foam roller and mat for 20 minutes for some deep stretching, foam rolling, and leg work.

Breakfast

After my sweaty morning, I was craving a cool and refreshing breakfast. I switched up my normal bowl of hot banana oats for a cold alternative: refrigerated oats. I prepared the oats as normal then mixed the banana and cinnamon in before putting it in the office refrigerator for 15 minutes. Once chilled, I removed and topped with a 1/4 cup of Fage yogurt. It was DELICIOUS!

Lunch

Once a week, I reward myself with a salad from the little deli in the CitiGroup Center at 54th and 3rd Avenue. I use the word reward because they give out the most delicious and doughy rolls with each salad.

IMG_2516 (640x478) The roll is made from their leftover pizza dough! Be still my heart!

On the side, I enjoyed a spinach salad complete with beets, celery, red onions, grilled chicken, cucumber, and chopped tomatoes.

IMG_2519 (640x485) Yoga Promise

I’ve mentioned on Twitter a few times this week that I need more yoga in my life. For at least the next month, work is going to be quite stressful as I manage two roles. On Monday, just after vacation, I found myself giving into this stress and reverting to bad habits like wanting to skip workouts and unhealthy snack choices.

Today, I vowed on Twitter that I’d make time for yoga. Unfortunately, I missed one of my favorite yoga classes at Equinox by 5 minutes. Instead of giving up, I headed home and enjoyed my first Yoga Download in my personal yoga studio.

IMG_2521 (478x640)I did the free 20 minute Yoga for Runners podcast two times through. I know I could have paid for the 40 minute version but what can I say; sometimes I’m cheap.

IMG_2523 (640x480)

Yoga success!

Question: Do you have any free yoga podcasts or online workouts you can recommend?

Share Button
Follow:

A Sweet Surprise

Happy Tuesday!

I hope y’all have had a wonderful day! Work was a bit crazier than normal but also filled with a fun, sweet surprise to celebrate my five year anniversary. Our office used to celebrate events with Crumbs cupcakes but lately Pinkberry has replaced that tradition which is fine with me!

IMG_2500 (640x478)

My team knows me well and I think my face lit up when I saw the box of mini Pinkberry cups. I enjoyed mine with chocolate crunchies and strawberries!

The rest of the day’s food wasn’t quite as interesting.

After a great 4.5 mile run and stretching session, my stomach was growling like ferocious bear. Maybe my body forgot how much energy a run takes since I hadn’t run in a week.  I added a 1/2 scoop of protein powder this morning and it worked wonderfully. I do however suggest adding some Splenda or sweetener as well. Without it the taste is a little, weird.

 IMG_2480 (640x478) Every few days I try to switch up my romaine salads for something including a bit more nutritional value such as spinach. This morning’s spinach salad included mushrooms, beets, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, egg white, and spinach.

IMG_2499 (640x478)Unfortunately, my yoga dreams were ruined by my work schedule and Bo and I didn’t walk through the door until 8:45. We didn’t have enough ingredients leftover from last night’s salad to make fresh salads tonight. Therefore, we picked up salads from Toasties, our go to for fresh and delicious salads. It’s cheaper than Chop’t and has a better ingredient selection and friendlier staff.  IMG_2502 (640x478) I spent some time last night updating my Race Recap section. It was so fun to remember all the great races I’ve run over the past few years but I wish I had blog recaps of each and every one of them. At least, thanks to Athlinks, I have all my race information. If you haven’t discovered Athlinks yet I highly recommend paying the site a visit. You can register and it will track all of your race information for FREE!

In addition, I’ll be building my FAQ section over the next few days featuring answers to all your questions regarding my work-life balance, the story of me+Bo, and my favorite New York sites and restaurants. If you have any other questions, just leave me a comment.

Finally, last but not least,as you may or may not know, I am partnering with BeFitNYC to provide free fitness opportunities for New Yorkers in honor of the BeFitNYC launch. There are a few other bloggers working to provide free events like Missy and Dori who are hosting an awesome Intensati class! I’d love for you and your friends to come out to the event if you’re free. The details are below but please do comment or email me if you are going to attend! I love meeting readers and fellow bloggers!

 

If you’re in NYC Saturday and looking to break a sweat, join me, Leanne Shear , and the Rogue Female Fitness team for an awesome “30/30”  class! This great class is normally $25 per session! June 11’s class is a strength and sculpting class using 30 repetitions and 30-second intervals that borrows from Pilates with holds and pulses. It’s bookended at the beginning with some of our signature cardio and at the end with yoga-oriented stretching.

Time: 12-12:45

Location: Columbus Circle park entrance in Central Park

Find out more and register here or email me!

Share Button
Follow:

Going Gaga for Monday

 

Today was exactly what I expected, a Monday post vacation. In case you’re catching up, Bo and I returned from Bermuda last night. Some of my blogger buddies helped me enjoy my vacation more by contributing guest posts and Bo even helped out!

Elbow Beach Resort & Spa Review

Kath’s Shared Her Summer Staples

Biking Around Bermuda

Heather shared her tips for Planning a Wedding and Still Having Friends

Meg Shared Her Healthier Pocket Pies Recipe

Shayne shared her tips for Marathons+Moderation

Bermuda in Pictures 

My work day was long, the food was basic, healthy, and delicious.

IMG_2479 (640x478)                                     Bananas, oatmeal, chopped pecans, and lots of cinnamon

IMG_2482                        Romaine, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, garbanzo beans,                                          green beans, peppers, and low fat balsamic vinaigrette

My spin class smelled like vodka coladas, wine, and Corona Light as I sweat through a great 45 minute spin session.

But, my weekly trip to the grocery store was made a bit more eventful when I saw a crowd outside the Gramercy Park Hotel. For a few brief minutes I forgot how heavy my groceries were and enjoyed the life of the paparazzi. Let me tell you, it isn’t gorgeous. These camera folks were tired, annoyed with their long wait, and using shoulders and elbows to knock people around.

IMG_2485 (640x478)

IMG_2487 (640x478)

Luckily, I showed up just as the guards were giving the thumbs up.

Believe it or not, she couldn’t walk in her amazing foot high black shoes. Her two body guards were literally supporting her on each side. I guess her shoes are for posing only?

Last but not least, the winner of the giveaway is THEODORA!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6	

Timestamp: 2011-06-07 00:44:42 UTC

Congrats pretty lady! See, your luck is turning around!

Question: Have you ever seen a famous celebrity? Who?

Share Button
Follow: