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ashleyd / June 29, 2010

One of Those Days and Marathon Help Needed…

This morning started off wonderfully! After almost nine hours of sleep I popped up bright and alert. Equinox was calling my name as was a make shift interval workout!

The ADD Workout

10 mins on elliptical: 5 elevation, 5 resistance, goal to keep it above 180 steps per minute

10 mins on stairclimber: level 9 focusing on not holding the rails and engaging my core

15 mins incline walking: 3.8 mph, incline 10

5 mins running at 6.2 FINALLY! It felt a bit awkward and I was scared the entire time but it was a great sign!

60 pushups I did 20 pushups and then one minute of plank 3 times

3 minutes planks

5 minutes stretching

By the end of this workout I was a hot sweaty mess! It felt AMAZING to run on the treadmill after 17 days of not running thanks to the ATV accident and my back injury.

Over the past week, I have been receiving treatment at Westside Spine and Sports Medicine.

Westside Spine and Sports Medicine is a comprehensive rehabilitation center specializing in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, located on 3rd floor, 244 west 54th Street, West Side of Manhattan, New York .

During my three treatments I have received massage, heat and cold therapy, and electrical stimulation. Based on my daily pain, it seems like they have been working quite well. When we started my pain throughout the day during common activities was around a 7 on a scale of 1-10. Now, the pain is around a 3-4 and that is only after a long period of walking or running.

Unfortunately, I waited a week after my injury to see a doctor as I thought I had only bruised my back. If I had gone earlier my treatment could have started immediately. Lesson learned: upon injury, try and see a medical professional within 24 hours.

After my running success, I was sad that the rest of my Monday would be spent doing consumer research in New Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, I love consumer research but not on a Monday. Oh well. My day was spent on the other side of a two way mirror listening and watching people discuss their relationship with fragrances. It was very interesting and I’m already looking forward to Wednesday’s shop alongs.

Breakfast was eaten en route but consisted of my standard oats, fruit, and tea.

I was pleasantly surprised by the research facility’s healthy lunch options. They ordered Panera and included soup, salad, and sandwiches in the order. I went with a huge salad and a bowl of the garden vegetable soup with pesto. This was filling and kept me warm since our room was freezing all day!

We didn’t get back into the city until after 7:30pm! It was definitely one of those days. I walked five blocks to a salad place for dinner only to realize I forgot my wallet at home. *sigh* After that fiasco, I decided to spend the evening watching Royal Pains and munching on All Bran and blueberries instead.

I’m really not sure why but I am loving this show.

Now, for some serious help needed. I am running the ING NYC Marathon in 131 days. It’s time to make a training schedule and get down to business. However, since this is my first marathon, I could use some help. Here are my goals:

1. Finish under 5 hours

2. Start training on July 5th

3. Complete at least 2 20 milers

4. Strictly adhere to my training schedule, at least from a weekly mileage stand point.

5. Use yoga, swimming, and spin as cross training while also maintaining my focus on core and muscle strength.

Anyone out there have any suggestions? This is a little overwhelming for a novice.

Have a great rest of your Monday and happy Tuesday! I’m already looking forward to the long weekend. Until then, here is a glance at this week’s workout schedule:

Tuesday: Run 1 mile at 6.2 pace, Body Conditioning class, PM yoga

Wednesday: AM spin PM yoga

Thursday: Run 1.5 miles at 6.2 pace, Cardio Sculpt PM yoga

Friday: noon spin and swim session

This is a tough schedule but we’ll see if I can do it!

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ashleyd / June 27, 2010

Bethenny Frankel, Operation Beautiful, and lots of Pride

Living in New York City is all about taking advantage of experiences for two Southerners like me and Bo. Therefore, this afternoon Bo and I ventured two avenues away to take in the Gay Pride Week 2010 NYC Pride March. We knew this would be a site to be seen as it was the parade’s 40th anniversary.

The parade began at noon and ran from 36th and 5th and ended in Greenwich Village at the location of the 1969 Stonewall riots.

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when people in the homosexual community fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The parade featured three Grand Marshalls this year:

Dan Choi

Dan Choi :

Lt. Choi’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks the first time in U.S. history that an openly gay male on active service with the U.S. Armed Forces will be an LGBT pride march Grand Marshal.

Judy Shepard

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory.

Constance McMillen

Constance McMillen is a Mississippi high school honors student who fought back when her school told her she couldn’t take her girlfriend to the prom.

Talk about Operation Beautiful. These are certainly people who have stood up for their beliefs in peaceful yet powerful ways.

Today’s parade was filled with colorful characters, cheers, and plenty of dancing! I was surprised that the parade wasn’t more dense as I have heard a great deal about this parade historically and expected it to be constant music and dance. Instead there was normally a minute or two before each group of marchers.

There were lots of faces but only one that I recognized!

Bethenny from Real Housewives of NYC was throwing out beads and showing pride in a Skinnygirl Smart Car.

Enjoy the pictures!

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ashleyd / June 25, 2010

Eggland’s Best Foodie Night in NYC

Last night I had the great opportunity to participate in Eggland’s Best Seasonal Foodie Event at the Institute of Culinary Education. The evening was filled with delicious seasonal food, cooking lessons from chef Erica Wides, and lots of pictures.

The Eggland’s Best staff was so welcoming and sweet! In addition, they all know how to throw a party. Just from the smiles, bubbly conversation, and laughter you could hear how much fun we were all having throughout the night.

While we all mingled, there were three different passed appetizers.

This was by far the most amazing appetizer! It was “egg sushi” or Japanese egg “tamago yaki” maki rolls with shrimp and edamame puree.

Mini baked truffle egg custards. I found these akward to eat and way too fishy.

The final appetizer was a rostini with Serrano ham, smoked pimenton-deviled egg and roasted red pepper. I didn’t try this one but I saw many others try it and go back for seconds. Therefore, it must have been a winner.

After the cocktail hour, chef Erica Wide spoke to us about the evenings menu, importance of fresh vegetables, and next steps. Our menu for the evening was as follows:

Eggland’s Best Event Menu

First Course

 Warm salad of asparagus, radishes, morels, baby carrots and sugar snap peas, with slivers of duck prosciutto, toasted walnuts, and a white wine-poached egg, with champagne vinaigrette

Entrée

 Crab and lobster ravioli, with fresh peas, fennel, leeks, golden beets, saffron and chives in a lobster broth with prosecco sabayon (like a hollandaise, but lighter and foamier)

Dessert

 Individual lemon pudding soufflés with mixed berries and rhubarb coulis

 Assorted meringue cookies petit fours

The most exciting part was that we were going to prepare each of these courses.

All smiles with Missy! I agree with Missy’s comment about the picture below. Why is she holding the sharp knife? 🙂 I had a blast with Megan, Amie, and Missy last night!

Healthy Happier Bear

After at least an hour of socializing and cooking, it was time for a few great Q&A session, dining, and more socializing.

Our first course was the warm salad which was also my favorite dish of the evening. I would love to recreate this at home for Bo. He’d love it!

Our main course was crab and lobster ravioli. I actually only ate one of these as they were a bit heavy for my taste. However, most people finished their serving and raved about them.