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Healthy Travel: Balancing Workouts + Food

I am so happy it’s finally Friday!! The sun is shining here in Cincinnati today and the weather forecast for New York City is beautiful for the weekend!

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We don’t have many plans other than to celebrate a friends birthday and while Bo is scuba diving on Saturday I’m going to spend the day running and enjoying the gorgeous weather with Katie while also finally checking Balthazar off my brunch bucket list!

It’s easy to say that I want to stay healthy during business travel but it isn’t always easy to practice what we preach. Luckily, this week it was easier than I expected! 

I think the trick to staying healthy this week was balance and having the time. The training that I was in all week finished each day by 5pm which allowed plenty of time to catch up on work. This meant that each evening I was able to enjoy a relaxed dinner with co-workers or friends while still getting to bed in time to wake up for a morning workout. Here’s a glimpse at my workouts for the week along with some of the restaurants that I was able to try!

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Notice a trend here? I ate out each night but I balanced it with very healthy meals during the day and a daily workout that pushed me whether that meant lifting heavy or running fast.

Overall, it was a great week of travel though I’m looking forward to being home. Too bad I don’t fly out until late tonight! For those of you who get to Cincinnati, like Emily, I will be doing another post on the Cincinnati food scene as I was amazed by all the new restaurants this week! So delicious!

To those folks running and racing Flying Pig, New Jersey, or any other race this weekend GOOD LUCK!

Your turn: Do you have any plans this weekend?

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Reflections on 4.15.13

It is Tuesday which now means that yesterday was Marathon Monday. Today I expected to spend time with my cappuccino reading, in awe, the stories from friends and acquaintances who ran 26.2 Boston Marathon miles. While I only personally knew 3 people running the marathon yesterday I knew many more through Twitter, Facebook, running, and social media relationships. Instead, today I wore waterproof mascara as I know what the day holds. As I sit here, in an empty office during the first few minutes of my day, I am taking time to reflect and share some ways that you can help those who need it most right now.

I am still in a bit of shock after yesterday’s tragedy but am thankful to have my health this morning. Both Bo and I were at work yesterday in NYC when the tragedy occurred as unfortunately neither of us have the speed necessary, at this point in our lives, to qualify for Boston. However, we both know people who were affected yesterday in Boston and our hearts are heavy today. While they were not injured yesterday due to the tragedy, there lives were forever changed by being there. There are people who work for years to run Boston whose dreams were crushed yesterday as this wonderful and sacred event for runners suddenly turned into a tragedy which will always be remembered for a different reason.

In honor of those affected by yesterday’s tragic events, take time to focus today on doing something positive. Call someone and tell them you love them. Hug your loved ones a bit tighter. Lace up your shoes and go outside to enjoy running for the reason you started initially. Help someone in need. Donate blood. Donate money. Listen to someone who needs to talk. Be thankful. Read this so that you can remember the good things in the world.

In an email to my father, my aunt articulated my feelings about yesterday in just a short sentence.

“I had been thinking that i needed to make 100% sure that Ash was not in Boston. So, then I began to think, even if its not our Ashley, it could be another family’s “Ashley.”

This has been a sad few months for running but we must all move forward – together – and never run in fear but instead run for the sport and the pure love of being active. 

(source)

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An Early Morning Run with Fleet Feet Savannah

Good morning from Savannah!

Just like I expected, last night’s flight landed later than I wanted which meant that I didn’t crawl into bed until past midnight. It was hard to go to bed when my parents and I just wanted to sit downstairs and talk. While we talk on the phone multiple times per week it’s just nice to chat in person. So much more personal and intimate- especially since most of the time when we talk I’m walking somewhere which means there are sirens and traffic in the background!

But, a promise is a promise! When my alarm went off at 5am I saw that Victoria had already texted me letting me know that run club at Fleet Feet Savannah was still happening. I looked outside and saw that the rain had stopped but based on my window temperature it was still a bit chilly. Luckily when I packed my suitcase I threw my favorite New Balance running top (similar one)and my Nike crops. They were the perfect gear for this mornings run especially since I knew there was a chance we’d get caught in the rain. I grabbed a water bottle and my dad’s UGA hat before dashing out the door, ready for a great run.

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(Above picture is clearly not from this morning’s run as it was pitch dark this morning, but at least it gives you an idea of what the store looks like! source)

At 5:45 I met Victoria and 8 other runners in front of the Fleet Feet store.  This morning’s run was a 5.5 mile “easy run” which would lead us through the Ardsley Park neighborhoods towards Forsyth Park and then culminate in a loop of the Park before heading back to the store. As this was my first opportunity to meet Victoria I stuck with she and her running coach for the entire run. Victoria does a 4-1 method of run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute which was new to me. For the first few miles I would run ahead and turn back while she was walking which helped me shake my legs out. The run itself was a great, relaxing chance to get to know a new friend, learn more about the Savannah running scene, and welcome the morning. During the run portion we were keeping around a 9:50 pace which is perfect for an easy run.

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If you’re in the Savannah area or near another Fleet Feet store be sure to check out their run club. The local club’s training mantra is CREW (Collaborative Relationships, Empowering Workouts) and you can feel this from each member.

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Though they are all different speeds during their 3 weekly workouts they support and coach each other to new, small victories and they ensure that each person is never alone on the run!

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After the run I stopped at Starbucks for a cappuccino.  There is nothing like knowing that a frothy, warm cup of java is waiting for me after a workout! I picked up a skinny vanilla latte for my mom as a fun surprise since I know this is her favorite. By 7:30 I was back home ready for a great day!

My aunts and uncles don’t arrive until later today so I’m not sure what my parents and I are going to do today especially since it’s supposed to pour all day. Regardless, it’s nice to be back at home with them and relaxing for a few days! I’m forcing myself not to check my work email even though I’m still the only person awake right now!

Last but not least, if you have a minute, head over Robin Hoods. This Kick Starter campaign is an amazing cause which one of my fellow UGA Alumni and NYC ladies, Tracey, has started to support women such as her mother who are facing hair hardships. It’s such an amazing cause and she’d love any support and awareness as she gets up and running! 

When you go back home to you run or workout with a local group or go solo?

 

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