It's what I like...

I'm on a blogging roll! Twice in one week.

Is Chrissie wearing the Lulu Speed Short?
I think she is!

I guess this is what can happen when I have a 'takin' it easy week' -- which I earned myself after the excessiveness that was last week. My poor ol' body is happy to take a little break this week.

And how nice it is, I must admit, to take it down a notch for a little bit. I've still managed dinners out  / outings every night this week except tonight. But no over doin' it and I've been in bed at a decent time every night. Even getting in a little reading before going to sleep.

You will want to strap rubber
to your feet and eat chia after
reading this one.

I'm reading Chrissie Wellington's book right now - A Life Without Limits. I don't really know why, seeing as I don't usually read nonfiction and would never be into triathlons (just thinking about getting elbowed and kicked in the face while trying to swim - much less swim at a decent pace - gives me an ulcer, no thanks! I am more of the doggy-paddle-around-without-getting-my-hair-wet kind of swimmer).

But I just finished Born to Run (good, read it, although I felt the story jumped around a little..) and was talking about it with someone I run with and he recommended A Life Without Limits. I think with this (as well Born to Run) I'm mainly intrigued because I'm in pure awe of people who can go from basically nothing to winning like ultra marathons (one HUNDRED miles?!)  / iron mans -- or people who can even do such things in the first place. SERIOUSLY, who are these people?? And how much of this is nature vs. training. Genes vs. discipline? Crazy vs. sane?

I would like to say reading such things has helped my motivation to run my measly 10 mile "Long Runs" (ha!) at a sub 8 min/mile average pace - but yeah, not so much... It motivates me greatly when I'm lying in bed reading the book and THINKING about my next run, but so far I have yet to tap into that motivation while ON an actual run.

Instead, on a run, I find myself thinking of way deeper stuff like "hmm, which shoes should I wear out tonight," or "aww that is a cute dog" or having imaginary conversations with myself and the boy I have a crush on during which I say very witty things while looking effortlessly beautiful.

Then, when I hit a wall, instead of getting motivational my thoughts turn to "ughhhh, this sucks." Mother F*cker, it's freaking hot out." "Where is the next water fountain, for the love of god?!" "WTF, am I running in quicksand, my legs are like lead." My thoughts at these times are not for sensitive ears..

ANYway...

I meant for this post to start out differently. What I really meant to do is to share what I wear. I always like seeing what other people like to wear while running / working out to get ideas - so here are some of my best things.

Let me start by saying I have been running regularly (albeit 5 mile runs) for nearly 15 years and exercising just as long and I have never really been the type to get into all the gear.. I used to run / exercise in basically a cotton wife beater (bright cute colors though!) and shorts. I survived. But I do see the value in wicking, especially for those longer distances, it's worth it.

I should also say that I am petite. 5 ft 2 inches (well technically 5 feet 2 1/2 inches, yes that 1/2 inch counts!) and hover around 104-5 lbs. I'm proportional for my size - a small 34 B.

I only mention all this because I do think first -- it's hard to find good clothes that fit small frames and second, my recs might not work for every body type.

So here goes from basic & cheap to shmancy fancy---

1.  Old Navy sports bras

Love them. I think Old Navy makes the best cheap (but sufficient) sports bras. Again, I'm a B cup- so I don't need heavy duty coverage - but I do have enough there to bounce without proper coverage - and I don't like any bouncing at all. Nothing worse than small AND droopy tatas... 

I have found however with size XS of the below bras, I'm in good shape for running.

The adjustable strap sports bra is not lined or padded so it does give me issues with 'hi-lights' -- I reserve it for warm weather or layering days, (or when I just don't give a damn who sees me nipping out).. I like the thin straps too for running because (I'm going to get a little cheesy now..) confession - I use self tanner / spray tan  -- and after a couple days of it doing its thing, it comes off some around the bra strap line on a sweaty run - so this gives me minimal self tanner lines.

Adjustable Strap Sports Bra
I have this in multiple color combos.

Although they have thicker straps, the Women's Padded Sports Bra is cute and flattering and even gives me a little cleave. Ok I know I shouldn't be looking for cleave in a sports bra, but bear with me here, I'm single! :) And I'm not talking about a lot of cleave, just a little. Tasteful. And sporty looking at the same time.

Women's Padded Sports Bra
Padding is not a bad thing when
you're a B... !

I haven't had super luck with the rest of Old Navy active wear, but I'm a huge devotee to these bras!

2.  Gap Body -- Gap Fit 

This is my hands down all time current favorite running top. The XS fits me perfectly, comes down the perfect flattering amount in front and is the perfect length for capris (long enough to hide the dreaded potential camel toe!) as well as shorts.

It also is fitted but not too tight - perfection! I have it in basically all the colors offered (much more available in the store than online) and some colors I have twice - I feel like I live in these, wear one on practically every run, and layer on top of it in the winter. I even wear it on bike rides, check out my blog profile pic!

Gap Fit Racerback Tank
The fit comes down much longer on me than
pictured here....
Below the crotch to hide potential CT

I also have some Gap Fit capris. For whatever reason I don't run in them - I just wear them for gym classes. No idea why that is? I am a strange one. I do like them though for gym class.


They fit well, are flattering and a good bang for the buck! I have a couple pairs - and one does not have a pocket for my locker room key, which is annoying, but the other one does.. weird. so if you care about that, check as perhaps there are different versions...

Gap Fit capris
Good bang for your buck at
about $45 each. Hold up well after lots of
washing..

3. Lululuxury 


In my world of donating all my money to charity like a good person should spending all my money boozing and stuffing my face, buying new handbags I don't need and stalking JCrew and shopbop websites regularly, I try to be a little frugal with my running / exercise clothes. Hence most of my stuff comes from Old Navy and Gap. However, I do splurge if it's worth it (or if anyone wants to get me a gift card) and I do love the following splurges from Lululemon:

I absolutely adore the No Limits Tank. It is super flattering but not fitted so it's great on a day when you're feeling bloated and not in the mood to have something hugging your stomach. The back peek through bra is a cute style. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable running in it - but it's great for a gym class. My all time favorite gym class shirt! I am searching for another color combo I like and saving up my pretty pennies to get another one to add to my collection.

No Limits Tank
I'm not a huge fan of the colors currently in-store /online but I found
this combo brand new w/ tags on Ebay.  Score!

I'm also very partial to my speed shorts from Lulu. I have them in size 2. Let's not sugar coat this, these shorts are damn SHORT. I mean thank god for the inner wear or you might be able to see my gotcha when I bend over. I mean hot pants short.

But, I gotta say, I think as far as shorts go, the shorter the better for my short little legs. Running shorts that are a little longer length look super frumpy and unflattering on me.. And these aren't lycra fitted or anything, so still just enough modesty that hopefully people don't throw up. However, I only venture to wear these things when I have some color on the old legs (to help hide the cellulite... we all have it, no avoiding it). Nothing will make my pale thighs blind someone quicker than short shorts like this. But perfect for summer runs when I have a little color!

Speed Short
Do you see a color trend here??
I like my grey and violet/pink apparently!

And finally.... For those hot days when your thighs are feeling too pale or too cellulite-y or you just don't feel like shaving your legs above the knee,  the Run in the Sun capri is a great option. The woman in the store told me all about the special venting and technology that helps make these 'just like running in shorts'. I forgot all that good info., in one ear and out the other..

But I will say these are pretty 'cool' capris. My ass definitely isn't as swampy when I'm done with a run as with my other capris.  Don't be scared if you see them in the store - when off the body they have this ruffle looking thing down the thighs that looks like it would be super unflattering -- but when you pull them on your legs, they're so snug that the ruffles flatten out. Plus the ruffley things are part of the genius technology venting system. or something like that.

Run in the Sun capri
See the slight ruffle on the side
it is a fancy venting system that cools you off!

Sorry for not including the direct links to all these faves -- you'll have to google or search the sites. But seriously just finding and stealing copying all the pictures and posting and writing the blog was enough to tucker me out.  I don't know how you real bloggers do it, I'm still a novice. Maybe it's much like running - you have to build up the miles and distance gradually...

OK.... time now to crawl in bed and read more about Chrissie Wellington crushing it. I wonder what kind of clothes REAL runners / athletes REALLY like to wear (when they're not being paid by a sponsor...) 


If I were a famous runner, I'd wear whatever (cute stuff) they gave me for free...

There will always be another day and another run..

I'm behind again with my blogging. It's just so hard for me to be disciplined when it's so nice out!

My Lunchtime Workouts are in full swing so I can take advantage of the nice weather and do lots of fun stuff after work.

Last week and this weekend were a perfect example of that and I even maybe pushed it a little too far. Double booked Thurs and Friday nights, staying out wayy later than necessary in both instances, seeing a play (the Tony winner for best play, by the way.. Clybourne Park go see it!) then out for drinks with a new friend at a new bar w/ a fun juke box and a friendly bartender.

Friday night -- early drinks with ANOTHER new friend then out to a very fun piano bar where I sang along and belted out the words (or what I thought the words were) to all the great old piano bar standbys in my lovely voice, and laughed and drank and didn't want to leave until it was finally 4 am. So Much Fun. 

Grabbed a slice of pizza to keep all the beer in my stomach company (fun to see all the awesome cast of characters typically having a slice at 4 AM, it's been a while!) then home and to bed.

Then, BBQ all day Saturday - eating lots of delicious food, drinking lots of white wine and laughing and catching up in the sun on my new friends' amazing outdoor terrace (complete with outdoor sectional and fancy grill) uptown. I was in such a great mood when I left I opted to walk a very LONG leisurely walk home (110 blocks!) in the summery evening.

 Really good times. I am loving the summer so far.

Only thing that didn't love all these shenanigans was my Long Run this weekend.... First I had to make Long Run Saturday a Long Run Sunday because I stayed out so super late Friday plus had to trek it wayy uptown for the BBQ all day Saturday.

But -- I made myself stick to  do doing the run on Sunday.. AND, I thought I was going to die. For the first time I can ever remember, I set out to do a specific distance and quit before I was done.

Dammit.

I set out to do 10 miles - which has been my weekend long run distance for several weeks now. I ate breakfast and thought I hydrated properly (keeping in mind just how dehydrated all the Thurs - Sat. shenanigans had probably caused me to be). And set out at around noon.


Well it was freaking hot out. But, that really should not have impacted me the way it did. I have run in the heat and humidity before.

The first 3 miles felt great and I thought it was going to be a good run. Usually I can tell by mile 3 if it's going to be a constant struggle. This time, I could tell around mile 4 and it hit me.  Hard. I was really really thirsty, sweating a ton. I made it through until mile 6 - ate a couple honey stingers and continued until 7.5 miles - stopping at every. water. fountain.

Then at 7.5 miles I just stopped to rest. I just didn't care anymore. I walked a little in the shade, drank more water. Then felt ok and started up again at a slower pace until I hit 9 miles. And then quit altogether. walked home, picked up a bottle of Smart Water on the way, took a shower and passed out on my couch.

Such a bummer, this is the first time I just didn't care enough to push myself through it.


BUT.....................

I am not dwelling on it - I beat up my body for the 3 days prior - drinking too much, not getting enough sleep, then I go out running in high heat and humidity. What Did I Expect?

Plus, it was all worth it..

I love Tia Pol. We sat right there
at the bar, with a summery breeze
coming through the front.  It was
a pretty perfect evening.

It really was. I had such fun Thurs - Saturday. Doing new things with new friends and loving it all. Taking advantage of living in the best city in the world. I have always said I don't want running to get in the way of living life. There will be plenty of other runs, and easier and longer runs at that to be had another day!

And, instead of just crashing out all Sunday evening, I even managed to make it out to dinner at Tia Pol last night w/ my dear friend who just got back from a few weeks in Europe. The restaurant had its whole front open, we sat at the bar, shared an awesome bottle of muscadet cava (refreshing!) and stuffed our face with delicious food.

Afterall, I may not have run my full 10 miles but I still put in a good effort on the 9 - or at least the 7.5 of the 9... That deserves a little face stuffing.

Me on a better running day... 

Then to bed early and woke up this morning feeling dumb and lazy. Normal Monday morning stuff, but wow, I did not want to get out of bed. Or go to work. Or do anything once I got to work. I FORCED myself to the gym for lunch - but only because I have dinner plans w/ girlfriends who I miss and haven't seen in ages tonight. It was such a struggle to do my Lunchtime Workout.

BUT...... I can say, it's true. You never regret a workout, once you're done. Even if you half-ass it, maybe you regret half-assing it, but you don't regret GOING in the first place. Nor do you ever regret a run, even if you regret not going as far or as fast as you would have liked. It's so true.

I can get a little competitive on a good day. Just a little.
Sometimes...

So on that note I leave you with these few above truisms for my better running days. To inspire the return of such days in the near future. When I don't want to stop until I've met my distance goal of the day, don't feel like I'm running in quicksand and parched like a camel and do feel a little ready to race someone.

There will be more days like those. I'm not worried.

'Til then, I'm heading out to meet my girlfriends to catch up over another bottle of wine, stuff my face a little more and have a few laughs! 

Are you a cheater....?

I am. 

This is what googling "cheater"will get you. Pretty
awesome picture. But, no... I'm not this kind of cheater. 

I just realized it recently. Or rather, I just came to terms with it.

But no, I'm not a home-wrecking, other woman, relationship cheater. I promise. I have very strong views about such things. Not good, not nice. Don't do it, please.

But I am a cheater of another sort. A Garmin cheater. A speed, timing, pace cheater. A cheater to myself.

You see, I have been pretty happy with my long run times lately - as reflected by my beloved Garmin (the Forerunner 610) which I got from my parents for Christmas this year. Some sub 8 minute miles. Overall average pace - 8:15 ish.

Then, I started doing the math.

Well, if I can run 10 miles at an 8:15 pace on an average Long Run Saturday -- couldn't my race pace be, like an 8 minute mile? And hence couldn't I maybe run a 1:45 half marathon?? Why not?? Especially if I picked up my miles a little. "Trained" a little - whatever exactly that would mean. Plus add a little boost to my pace to account for race day adrenaline.

I've even been known to say out loud to another person --"yeah, my 10 mile pace is about 8 mins /mile. I didn't even think I was exaggerating, I really believed it. When really, my average pace for 10 miles has never been below 8:10.

I have to say -- and, not that this is an excuse, but -- I have very little experience with longer distance runs. I have only ever raced short distances - as a "sprinter" in high school (I say "sprinter" in quotes because while I wasn't bad, I also wasn't that good  and sprinter sounds - well official and fast and elite - which I certainly was not) and at the 5K turkey trot in November, where I remembered that race day adrenaline definitely can give you a boost in a short race (but not sure if that holds so true for longer distances...?)

Anyway - yeah... then this past 10 mile Long Run Saturday - I had to stop briefly to pee at mile 3 (not unusual for me) and had to stop a few times for water (albeit quick stops - but still can't exactly maneuver a water fountain while still running, and am I the only one who ALWAYS gets a runny nose while on a run and using a water fountain, even if it isn't cold.. What is up with that?)

These stops were no brainers because they are not atypical for me and they are very quick -- I use the least amount of time possible to pee, hydrate  ... I don't even think of the fact that I've technically stopped briefly to take care of pee and hydrate business.

But when I was done this Saturday, I thought there was something wrong with my Garmin. Huhh? How is my overall time a couple minutes higher than it should be..?

And then I realized.............  I have been stopping my Garmin when I take quick stops on previous runs.

I forgot to this time, hence the longer time. The REAL time. The non-cheating time.

AND.... that means I have been cheating on my overall time. 1:22 for 10 miles. Yeah... not exactly. Because I stopped my Garmin when I had to pee or needed water. So add a couple minutes to that overall time. All of a sudden my assumption that I can run a half in 1:45 is shot. 

Oh well. I will say there have actually been a couple 10 milers were I didn't have to pee and was hydrated enough that I didn't even stop for water. But that is not the norm. I usually have to pee and I usually get water fountain water at least 2 times on a 10 mile run.

Anyway - probably the funniest part about the way my mind works is that not only was I increasing my pace - but I just assumed that my time for a half would be adding up the average moving mile pace of my (false) 10 mile pace for 3 more miles. When in fact, not only have I been a Garmin cheater, but I've never even run more than 10 miles! Ha! Not to mention at the end of 10, I'm shot. I currently could not run another 3 at my average moving pace, much less another ONE.

So yeah, I guess I got a little big for my britches here with my cheating and assuming I can keep faster pace at distances I've never even run!!

All the more reason to make some new goals however: (a) No more Garmin cheating for me, no siree. And...... (b) try to increase mileage above 10 while keeping my "average moving pace" where it is - let's say 8:15 for now (which I promise is true - albeit a currently challenging pace for me to average for 10 miles). And maybe ONE DAY, I'll actually run a half and can make 1:45 my ultimate goal.

Okay, okay, that is a little ambitious, but it's a goal after all, I'll have to work up to it.....

ANYWAY, in non-running news.....

 I've taken some pretty awesomely funky yoga classes lately. Lots of unusual chanting. I couldn't help trying not to crack up in one such class, it all just got so loopy and yogi crunchified. I love that stuff sometimes, but sometimes you gotta laugh. Tonight during chanting (some really unusual stuff -- and I've been doing yoga for years!) I wanted to open my eyes to see if this instructor was trying to play a joke on us. For real??

Surely it would be easier to take chanting more
seriously and get a little spiritual w/ scenery like this.
I will try to imagine myself like this in my next NYSC
class if I can ignore the spin music long enough.

I mean, it's a New York Sports Club yoga class complete with the spin class techno music booming through the wall from the class next door and the walls occasionally shaking as the subway goes by! Easy with the crazy chanting and mantras (that really make no sense, after all, let's be honest) and let's all laugh at ourselves a little.

I do feel quite stretched out and zen though - plus got a bit of a laugh out of it all (I managed to contain my laughter until after class thankfully!) bonus!

It's been nice doing a little more yoga again - I'm thinking of picking up more yoga in my schedule instead of total body conditioning for a while.

Anyone know of any good yoga classes in the Union Square area (or - even better at NYSC)?? I prefer Vinyasa but also open to Ashtanga.


And I also prefer a class with less chanting and more poses that make me use my muscles rather than just stretch them.. 

Then again, maybe I should be looking for a yoga class with more meditation so I can try to come to terms with how easily I became a cheater without even realizing it..........

Central Park running & gluttony

Once again another hiatus, it's been a very busy month. I actually wrote this post weeks ago but have had some problems copying / pasting my Garmin splits - so finally just going to send and hopefully update later!

Anyway, I've been meaning to write about this... Central Park running on my mind today.

Ok - YES, Central Park is amazing. That such beautiful natural space exists right in the middle of crazy, hectic, overcrowded living-on-top-of-each-other Manhattan is truly probably the best example of foresight, smart city planning - or whatever. It's also a Manhattanite runner's dream. We don't have many options for running non-stop without dodging pedestrians, stopping at traffic lights etc. Plus, the trees and grass make you at least feel like you're inhaling fresh air, which is always nice when you are doing something that makes you conscious of your breathing - like, for me, gasping for air while on a run.

I get it. Many runners love Central Park. It's great.

However.... I am one runner who doesn't particularly  love running in Central Park. And wondering if some of you regular Central Park runners can tune me into some tips on where to go in the Park or maybe something else I'm missing..

First - it's not geographically convenient for me (I live downtown) - so getting to it requires either Subway or running up to it - which, fine - I can run the Westside highway to 55th Street - but then cutting over is a mix of dodging pedestrians and stopping at traffic lights. I prefer my 'long runs' to be as non-stop as possible. The dodging and traffic light stopping gets me in a bad mood.

Nonetheless, having gotten very used to My Loop, I decided to try out a new trail about a month ago and ran up and into Central Park. I was excited, expecting that I was going to love it as much as runners who regularly run there do. And I didn't.

This was the Saturday of gorgeous nearly 80 degree weather about a month ago. At like 11:30 AM. So, yeah, I was not the only one with the idea to 'go on a run in Central Park'. I think anyone who owned a pair of running shoes was out there that day. And others - families, kids, skate boarders, horse carriage riders were also out in full force.

This is what it felt like on my Central Park run - traffic jam!

So first, I entered the park with an excited smile to a blasting stench of horse shit and nearly stepped in a HUGE pile of it, while trying to dodge a horse carriage, a skate boarder and small child at the same time. I got a little less excited about Central Park just then. It was not relaxing, it was not nice smelling, it was super crowded.

Once on the CP loop, at least the horse shit and wild children were no longer an issue - but skate boarders, roller skaters, bikes and sooooo many runners were. It felt claustrophobic.

And the hills. I know that should be a good thing as hills = good practice and good training. Yeah, fine. The hills were  hard and made me kind of grumpy.

And worst of all, I was banking on the fact that the water fountains were supposed to be turned on - first I BARELY could find a freaking fountain and when I finally did it was not on?! I was dying.

The whole thing just wasn't great. I ran up to the reservoir, which I think I'd like to run around because I DO like running near water,  but I didn't bother running around it because it looked PACKED. Is it claustrophobic up there??

HOWEVER.... I will say I subsequently did another Jack Rabbit free group run and we ran up there at night, on a cool night, and it was pretty awesome. More or less empty.  I wouldn't feel comfortable running at night there alone though - so the group run was key. I did enjoy the park on that run though. Maybe I just picked a bad day the Saturday a month ago - too crowded, hot and I wasn't well hydrated etc.

Since then I have had two successful 10 milers on my Loop. The first was 2 weeks ago. Here are my splits.

[Hmmm... I have tried and tried to copy and paste them in here, with no success!! how do people do that? Will try to update shortly but the overall time was 1:22:something for the 10 miles]


My stomach did protest a tiny bit afterwards but nothing like when I learned my lesson. However the last mile was HARD. I had to really push myself. I could not have done another mile. How do people increase mileage by a few miles a week when marathon training?? I've done 10 miles now 4 times - the first was disastrous to my stomach the other three were fine - but I couldn't go any further. I guess I need to slow my pace or stick to 10 for a while and eventually will get used to it.

The other one was this past Saturday. I was going to only do 9 miles (for some reason the 10th mile seems to put me over the edge and I usually get really tired in the afternoon, and as I had a big day / night ahead of me this Sat I thought it wise to stick to just 9) but I felt good at the end of 9 miles so I jogged one more mile home. I was shocked to see my splits on this run, I felt like I was going fast in mile 5-6 and slow at mile 8-9. Hmph.

[Will try to post these splits too! But essentially same overall time as above although I jogged the last mile]

Anyway - I guess for now I'll stick to my Loop - at some point I'll try the Park again, but maybe need to look into doing a different trail once I'm in there.

Any thoughts from the Central Park runner experts??

This is a picture I stole from the internet about
how to pour Txakoli - you are supposed to
pour it way up high with a special nozzle to
increase the fizziness. Isn't it a pretty pink??

At any rate, I'm glad I got a 10 miler in this weekend as I spent the rest of the weekend in pure glottony. It was fabulous but naughty. Fried chicken and waffles washed down by a few bourbon drinks at a Derby pary Saturday. Delicious tapas, sangria and wine at Boqueria Saturday night, followed by more beverages afterwards until 3 AM.

Then, the icing on the cake of the weekend - Txikifest - http://www.timeout.com/newyork/food-drink/txikifest-txikito-may-6-2012 - on Sunday. Six  hrs of eating delicious morsels and drinking lots of sparkly crisp Txakoli in the sun. I highly recommend checking out this fest next year if you like to eat (and drink). It was really good and I had a blast with my friends. As my friend explained to me, Txakoli is 'shitty sparkling wine' produced in the Basque region. But we love it. The rose is a beautiful pale pink color - which I'm partial to in a rose. No dark magenta hues for me, thank you. Plus it's low alcohol content (great for day drinking in the sun) and cheap!

And the FOOD at this festival - deviled eggs with a fried oyster on top, chorizo corn dog in amazing mustard sauce. Tacos with homemade orange hot sauce. Co. pizza. I had a dream about Co. pizza last night.

So yeah - I'm glad I got in a good run and will need to have a couple more to burn off the damage and detox myself some after this weekend! But it was worth it.

More to come soon, I promise...

Things that make me go hmmm..

I've been on an unintended blogging hiatus - thanks to a few things going on at work and a little travel (to a warm and sunny destination - it was paradise, bring on summer!)

So first - a little update.

I've had some good runs lately - including my first SUCCESSFUL 10 miler - without any stomach issues - yay! I didn't eat garbage or drink a lot the night before, and went a little slower than my last 10 miler (where my stomach protested for 12 hours afterwards) and also - at 1 hour in (a little over 7 miles) I ate a couple Honey Stingers - which were great and seemed to help on the energy front. I finished at 1:24:48.

Since my last post, I also tried out a Jack Rabbit Free Group Run -- my first ever group run - it was fun! I recommend checking out the runs if you're thinking of doing something social or having a hard time motivating. You can sign up to receive emails in the store - they have a number of group runs throughout the week - varying distances and start locations (Union Sq, Uptown and Bklyn). I did one of the shorter runs - about 4 miles, through Manhattan - which meant a lot of stopping for traffic lights and obstacle course style dodging - which made it really fly by. The people were fun and nice and the pace was very comfortable - with a couple groups forming after we started out based on everyone's comfort level. The end point of the run was at a bar with beer (and water) waiting for us - fun!

I've also been out to eat several times of course. At the bar of good ol' Joseph Leonard (Thanks Daniel, for too many Magdelanas!), to an old favorite standby - Lupa (delicious Bucatini Ameritcana and Tartufo) and to the oyster-bar-cocktail-place in Williamsburg that is always crowded and has lots of absinthe drinks. Blanking on the name, but if you've been there or walked by, you know what I'm talking about! Delicious oysters -- my favorites were the Powder Points from MA.

And, I had a nice Easter in a warm summery destination where I ran every day, went to the beach and pool, consumed lots of seafood and tropical frozen drinks and caught up on a few good books. It was wonderful.

That's about it as far as an update. I had planned to do a post in time for Easter / Passover on how to make cute French Macarons - as I have posted very little about baking to date. And, I just recently succeeded in making them from scratch, thanks to a couple different recipe trys and some 'troubleshooting' reseach on a few great websites. They are the perfect Easter / Passover treat. But now that I missed the holidays... I will save that post for another day.

What's really on my mind today is the answer to questions that have been perplexing me lately like ---

Notice I had to take Garmin
off my wrist in order to take a
picture of it. And it's still a bad
picture! This was after my stomach
wrenching 10 miler, btw. I needed
photo proof of my mileage to
ease my pain.

1.  How do people take a pictures of their Garmin while it is still on their arm???

I see this in many running blogs and my runner friends do it sometimes. Baffling. I have tried and I guess I am just not coordinated enough. I cannot take an iPhone picture with one hand. Impossible. How do you all do this?? Is someone else taking the picture for you?

2.  How do girls keep head bands from slipping off head while running or in gym class??? 

I like the idea of keeping my long bangs / fly aways out of my face but I have tried all kinds of head bands (including Lululemon)  and just cannot find a kind that stays sufficiently put while running or even doing yoga. Seriously. Is my head just too big or am I too rambunctious with it while exercising? Please advise.

How do you girls get these things
to stay put on your head while
running or exercising??

3. How do people run long distances without music??? Or run w/ others and chat during the run??

This is something that has baffled me for years. Run without music?? No way. That is part of what I love about running. Turn up the tunes, zone out. It helps motivate me. I have heard the argument that listening to music is discouraged because it means (a) you are not paying attention to or 'listening to' your body and breathing; or (b) you may speed up your pace too much when a good song comes on.

I say to both of those points a big So What? Seriously. What is wrong with those things? I PREFER not to pay attention to my body and breathing when I'm running - it isn't always pleasant and usually doesn't help motivate me to keep going. I love running, but there are times when I don't particularly like exactly how my body and breathing feels while I'm doing it, especially when I'm pushing myself. If I were to listen to my body at such times it would be saying - "what are you doing to me, please stop."

 And as for speeding up my pace - great! I'll take my speed and a hop in my gait when I can get it. If it means I go a little slower later on, so be it. Nothing like a little kick jump of a good song to put a smile on my face and forget that my legs feel like lead, I'm gasping for breath and I hope I can make it through the run without a pit stop. I do recognize that people who are really training for something are all concerned about pacing and negative splits etc. Not me. I like to run whatever pace feels good at the time.

The only compelling argument I've heard for trying to cool it with the music is that over time you can become desensitized to music. In other words, save it for when it counts - when you're having a challenging run, or at the end of the race. If you listen to it all the time, you'll get too used to it and it won't give you the bump you need when you really need it. While I can see the point here, I don't find it to be true for me  -- at least not so far. When I am desensitized to certain music, I just download new songs. I've been running to music now since high school (and, trust me that was a long time ago) AND I have my iPod in my ears nearly every time I leave my apartment, walking around the city on my way to and from work, running errands etc. I have yet to feel desensitized or that the little kick a good song can give me has worn off. So - maybe this last point happens to some people, but I have yet to be afraid.

All this said - I DID have my first sans music run recently -- on the Jack Rabbit free group run I mentioned above. I felt like headphones might be seen as a little antisocial in the group setting. Although I did note that a few people had them in. I have to admit - the run was a breeze. I chatted a few times but basically ran near others without talking. It was fine, not bad at all. Maybe just having others around or the fact that this felt like an easy run for me helped. I will probably continue to try for sans music in group settings just because of the trying to be social thing - and may even try to chat w/ people a little more next time -- but for now, on solo runs it is full on music for me. Favorite playlist of the moment -- Girl Talk's free downloads. Check them out. All Day is the best, Feed the Animals and Night Ripper are also good. Perfect for running!

4. Where did they go to the bathroom in the Hunger Games arena??? 

Finally, and most importanlty, the one thing that has me really scratching my head these days is where Katniss and Peeta and the others went to the bathroom during the Hunger Games. Presumably behind some bushes  a la camping style -- but did the Capitol's cameras capture that as well?? And how did the cameras film Katniss and Peeta in their little cave?? The book made the cave seem so super hidden and tiny - surely the Capitols didn't think to plant a camera in there ahead of time?? Maybe these mysteries are resolved in the movie, which I have yet to see, but I think these are important points left out of the book, no?

If only I had the answers to these questions... my mind would be free and clear to ponder more intellectual thoughts, surely.

Perfecting the Lunchtime Workout

Yikes, it got chilly out today. What happened to our early summery Spring?


I'm not a wish-it-were-warm-all-the-time kind of person, I like different seasons. And I like things about colder weather seasons, too, like -- holiday lights and other festive things, really big snow flakes, curling up on my couch for hours with the newspaper, baking cookies, cashmere, not having to shave my legs for long periods of time.


However, I do also love when the season finally turns --  for good -- and it's Spring. Warm Spring - not rainy cool 50 degree crap Spring. Not 42 degrees and windy Spring. But Spring that is more Summer-like. Like last Thursday. Not like today.

Get to know your gym's Lunchtime class schedules -
NYSC is definitely a low budget gym, but who cares - it has 
the most locations and best variety of classes; makes it easy 
to maintain the Lunchtime Workout

The longer days and sunny weather of Warm Spring are definitely therapeutic. People are happier. More social. It is good to shed the black tights, go bare legged, short sleeved and open toed and see the sun still shining when you leave the office at the end of the day.


Many people say that they find it harder to exercise in the cold, dark winter months than Spring/ Summer. And of course, I understand why that is.

But, for me, when the weather gets better - I find it hard to do my workouts after work. I want to do fun things instead - and I often want to do fun things right after work instead of after a run or trip to the gym. Something about walking out of the office to a sunny warm evening, seeing people out and about, restaurants with terraces and doors and windows open. It makes me want to join the fun. STAT.

As much as I love to have fun, I also keep a pretty disciplined 6-7 day a week exercise routine. I do a mix of running and  gym classes - typically strength training - total body conditioning/ pilates type classes and maybe one day of yoga. I switch it up in terms of number of days of running vs. classes - with gym classes at least 2 times a week. And if I'm doing 7 days a week, I make sure to take it easy on the 7th day - Vinyasa yoga, for example.

 I am pretty disciplined about making the schedule work - it makes me feel better, I am a happier person when I do some exercise nearly every day. It keeps me more or less toned and fit. And, it allows me to more or less eat what I want to eat without feeling too guilty about it.

I have done this 6-7 days a week schedule long enough now that it feels wrong to skip more than one day a week. Although there are times that I'll do 5 times a week - it is pretty rare. (Vacations are the exception -- I just fit in a run here and there when / if i can while on vacation).

As much as I like being sure I exercise 6-7 days a week,  I never want to be that kind of person who lets exercise get in the way of living life. Yes, it takes discipline and having to compromise things sometimes to work out 6 days a week. But, I will not let it overtake my life. Life is too short. This is partly why I have no desire to run a marathon -- having running take over my life for even a short period of time is really not worth it to me, or has not yet ever seemed worth it to me at this point in my life. 

And it is important to point out that while I do exercise at least 6 days a week -- I don't do so for long periods of time. Aside from  Long Run Saturdays, my weekly runs are 3 1/2 - 5 miles, and the classes I go to are all an hour or less.

My friends often ask me how I manage to fit in a work out every day. A lot of it hinges on being prepared and flexible -- always having my gym bag with the right shoes / clothes so that I can go for a run or go to a class depending on timing and how I feel.

However- the change that I incorporated over a year ago, which has had the largest impact on my work out schedule is -- the Lunchtime Workout.

I'm telling you - it will change your life if you, like me, have a hard time fitting in work outs before work (hitting snooze is just too easy) and have a hard time wanting to go to the gym (or for a run) every day after work.

Now, it isn't rocket science, but if you have a full time job that is high paced or demanding and requires you to be more or less in the office working for 8 or more hours a day, it can seem like an unrealistic luxury to fit in the gym mid-day, when you're supposed to be at your desk hard at work. 

And, importantly, for us ladies, there is the the whole showering and hair thing. Showering, drying hair and getting ready not only takes up time, but it is draining to do more than once a day. Especially to just go back to the office, instead of out or on a fun date.

But trust me - it can be done, and it will change your whole outlook. I do the Lunchtime Workout at least twice and sometimes up to 4 times a week.

Again - it's not rocket science - but I have perfected it (at least for me!), if I do say so myself. And because so many of my girlfriends always question how it can possibly be done - here are some pointers.

1. Be disciplined but don't let it interfere with your performance at work.

Let me start by saying - I am a lawyer. And I really like my job. There aren't many of us from what I can tell, but happy lawyers in Manhattan do exist, I'm living proof!

I have a really great job now and have been working as a lawyer long enough that I do have some flexibility in my schedule. I do have a boss and many clients. But I work fairly independently. And, I take my job very seriously. I feel very lucky to be a happy lawyer and have a job that I like in this economy, that allows me some balance and pays enough to live comfortably in Manhattan. So my goal in incorporating the Lunchtime Workout was never a form of hookie or a way to avoid doing my job well.

I have always approached the Lunchtime Workout as something that I'll do if I can -- but that may mean that I'll need to stay later to finish the work I didn't get to while on the Lunchtime Workout. And, if there is really something big or urgent going on and my boss or clients really need something that cannot wait an hour and half, then I will forego the Lunchtime Workout.


I will not sacrifice a good performance at work for exercise - nor do I advise anyone to. But, it's all about finding a balance, which I think is easier to do than you may at first think!

2. Be disciplined and make best efforts to fit it in your schedule

Notwithstanding the above (and no, this is not meant to be inconsistent with the above) if you have a busy demanding job, you do have to be firm and disciplined about fitting the Lunchtime Workout in your schedule. Otherwise it will never happen. 

If you have a job, like me, there will always be work that should be done instead of leaving the office for 1.5 hours. And, colleagues or clients will want to schedule meetings or conference calls when you're hoping to be on your Lunchtime Workout. 

I manage this by thinking about what is important / time sensitive and what can wait a couple hours. On days when I plan to do a Lunchtime Workout - I block 2 hours in my schedule around the time I plan to be on my Lunchtime Workout. If people try to schedule a non-urgent meeting or call during that time- I say I'm not available and offer another time.  

Again - if it is urgent or time sensitive,  and I really feel it can't wait a couple hours, then I have to forego the Lunctime Workout. But I have found that such urgencies are fewer and farther between than I imagined they were before I adopted the Lunchtime Workout. Lots of stuff seems urgent - but when you stop to think about it - it really can wait. 

And best of all - after a quick Lunchtime Workout - your head is cleared, you've had a little break, and you will likely be a lot more efficient and focused when you get back to the office.

3. Keep it on the DL

Again - you need to be flexible, and be sure it doesn't interfere with your performance at work.  And, I do believe it makes me more efficient and focused afterwards. So really - what's wrong with telling your office about the Lunchtime Workout? Why not just tell people what you're doing? So long as you still get all your work done on time, seems no reason to hide it. 

Maybe that's all good and true, but my advice is to keep the Lunchtime Workout on the down low at work. Nobody needs to know that you are going to the gym a few days a week in the middle of the work day. Your work place or your boss might be OK with it - but I still don't advise advertising it. 

There will be days when you are really busy, but you opt to do the Lunchtime Workout in return for staying later a the end of the day to catch up -- but not everybody in your office will know that you are in fact staying later at the end of the day. They may think you are just taking a big mid-day break and not making up the time or not getting your work done. They may judge. They may think you're slacking off. It's not worth it to tell them. Keep it on the DL.

Or, there will be times when someone will prefer to schedule a meeting or call during the time you blocked rather than the alternate time that you offered. It is always best to just say, "I'm not available." Or "I have an appointment." And when you leave - don't tell your Admin or your boss or your receptionist, or anyone where you're going - just leave.

They will assume you're stepping out for lunch and/or a meeting or appointment.

I try to do low-sweat classes during Lunchtime Workout - like
total body conditioning, pilates or yoga.

4. Take the blackberry to the gym, but not into the gym class

The work blackberry/ e-mail device. It makes us more accessible in both a good way and a bad, can-never-escape way. 

If you are anxious about being away from the office for too long in the middle of the day, take it with you to the gym. You can check it on your walk to the gym and while changing. But please, leave it in the locker room. 

Don't be that person checking your blackberry/ phone in the middle of a class. If you can't go an hour without checking in on email then you shouldn't be away from the office at all and it isn't the right day for Lunchtime Workout. 

This took me a while to get used to as my blackberry is basically appended to me. It is the first thing I check when I wake up in the morning and the last before I go to bed. I'm crazy like that. But, I figured out that my boss and clients can actually survive without me for that hour. And my blackberry is always waiting for me in the locker room and the first thing I check when I'm back there after class changing into my work clothes. 

I have left it in the office on various Lunchtime Workouts - but having it with me to and from the gym puts me at ease that my true out of pocket time is minimized as much as possible and I have a sense of what is waiting for me when I get back to the office.

5. The shower / hair thing

I like to at least try to look pulled together at work. I'm not one of those natural types with perfect hair who can just hop out of the shower and go straight to work sans hair dry and at least a little make-up. And, in order to really sustain a regular Lunchtime Workout, you need to minimize the time you're out of the office. Particularly so when you know you may have to stay later at the office to catch up on whatever work you're not doing during the Lunchtime Workout. Out of the office midday for more than 2 hours - and the return on investment might not be worth it.

My favorite disposable body wipes
 - 'cucumber facial towelettes' actually -  but they work
well for wiping off gym class sweat!

Showering and blow drying hair and then dabbing on some quick make up- even if 'quick' takes TIME. And it also makes the Lunchtime Workout feel like a big commitment.

So... this is what I do. I try my best to do classes that do not produce a lot of sweat for my Lunchtime Workouts. This means strength training / total body conditioning type classes. Depending on the class some of these are more aerobic than others - I try to stick to those that are less aerobic for Lunchtime Workout. 

That said - I don't want it to be a wussy class - I need to feel like I'm getting something out of it - so it has to be enough weights and squats and sit ups to feel like I'm toning and building muscle - and not too much aerobic to make me sweat.

If it's a good class, even if not very aerobic, then I will still sweat a little. However, in these types of classes, I don't sweat like I do when I run (where I'm drenched and HAVE to take a shower afterwards before facing any person) 

So I don't actually feel the need for a shower after these classes. I know that may sound gross! but... you get used to it. What I DO do instead of a shower is use disposable body wipes. I wipe down quickly, put on some deodorant (maybe even some perfume --French shower!), run a brush through my hair, freshen my make-up and head out the door.

Every once in a while I'll fit in a run during a Lunchtime Workout - and will shower without washing hair and just blow dry the sweat out of my hair. It's lovely. I try not to do that on a day I'm going on a date after work.

But I prefer to keep my Lunchtime Workouts quick and low maintenance -- so I save my running for my after work workout days and try to stick to strength training / total body conditioning for the Lunchtime Workout.

6. Lunch -- pick up on your way back to the office

If you can pick up something and eat it quickly before returning to the office - that is the best solution - so that people will think you really were just at lunch while you were out of the office. However, there are days when I'm so busy I need to rush back to the office right afterwards, so I pick up lunch on the way back from the gym and eat at my desk.

7. Enjoy your evenings!!!!

There is nothing better than looking at the time at the end of a day and realizing you've already been to the gym and you have your evening free to do what you want. 

Of course all you morning people out there really have it down pat - but I am definitely not a morning person. There are times when I miraculously wake up early enough to fit in a morning work out (or when I'm still jetlagged after a trip abroad) but that is pretty uncommon. I wish that I could do it regularly. I'm just not good in the morning. PLUS for whatever reason, annoyingly, the classes I like to take at the gym are not offered early enough in the morning.

So for now - it's the Lunchtime Workout for me. It's even a great feeling to have the Lunchtime Workout done on a cold Monday evening, when you don't feel like doing anything after work except lie around on your couch, eat Dark Chocolate Dreams & pretzels and watch the Mad Men season premiere for the second time.


But even better to have it perfected for those summery Warm Spring and Summer evenings right around the corner.....!

Going out to eat on my mind

I have going out to eat on my mind today. Probably because I had to forego my Saturday night dinner out with friends  -- that I had been looking forward to all week -- after my stomach staged a protest following this week's Long Run Saturday. Still not happy about that.

People eating at the bar at  Gottino.
Doesn't it look lively?

Also I haven't really expanded yet on how I like to go out to eat.


I do,  I like to go out to eat. A lot. It is the main way that I catch up with friends. I go out to eat for dinner probably 5 times a week on average. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Always before or after whatever else I'm doing with a friend. Sometimes just a snack and a glass of wine, but I'm out and about at some sort of restaurant more often than I'm at home.


I'm not the only person who lives like this in this city, and that is one of the (many) things I absolutely love about NYC. People are always out and about, catching up with friends over food and beverages.


Often it is me and another friend catching up just the two of us, and when that's the case, I like to score a seat at the bar of a restaurant rather than sit at a table. It's more fun, more casual, livelier. 


Not all my friends share this feeling. Some think the bar stools are uncomfortable, or that it's claustrophobic at a crowded place with people standing around trying to get drinks. 


But, I like that (well not the bar stools being uncomfortable thing, but that never really bothers me). I like the chaos, the crowd, the people around. Some eating, some just drinking, coming, going. I like it. 


I also like to order lots of different things to eat and share everything. I like the variety. And wine. There is always wine. A glass, quartino, or a split bottle is always on the bar in front of us.

For location, I have lots of favorites. While I love trying new places, on a normal night, I tend not to venture too far from home. So you'll see a West Village slant here. A couple favorites on my current rotation -- 


Weeknight go-to: Gottino

I have been to Gottino soooo many times. It seems like I've been going there for years - but I can't even recall how long it's been open. I definitely started going there soon after it opened and haven't stopped since. It never disappoints. A pretty perfect weeknight place to catch up with a friend. 


The place is practically just bar seating (I now refuse to sit at a table here although I have done it). It can be crowded, and there is often a wait, but be patient, get a quartino and find a place to stand against the wall. I've never had to wait very long. 


And unlike many of my favorite places in the city it is a good place to go in all seasons. It is cozy and warm in the winter but isn't too dark and subterranean to enjoy when the weather is warm. Best of all is when they open the door in the summer and you get a breeze going through the whole place. Ahh. Just think, that kind of weather is right around the corner!

They have a good selection of wines available by the glass/quartino that are well kept and not sitting around opened for too long. I have never had a wine here I didn't like and I always agree with their selection. 


As for the food -- I have dreams sometimes about the walnut pesto crostini. I am addicted to it. The anchovy and butter crostini is also to die for (don't be afraid of anchovies - they are salty deliciousness!)  and I always order the shaved brussel sprouts salad. The bacala whipped w/ olive oil is also a good choice. 


The ambiance is my idea of perfection for a wine bar. Small but not too crowded once you're seated. Comfortable. Good lighting, good level of liveliness, not too loud. 


The only thing I'm not a fan of is the water glasses. Super cute but they are barely larger than a shot glass and, as I am a camel and I often sit down at Gottino after having gone on a sweaty run, (well I shower first) I tend to arrive thirsty and spend most of my dinner refilling my water glass, which can be distracting from conversation. Bigger water glasses, please. 


However, the wine glasses are very nice. I like good wine glass. Not fancy, just good. With a stem. I'm not a fan of stemless wine glasses or the trying-to-be-bistro-chic wine in a juice glass. In my mind drinking wine from a juice tumbler is only cool if you are at a bar in remote town in Sicily. And Michael Corleone is sharing a glass with you. Or on a picnic.  Gottino's wine glasses are good, graceful, sturdy glasses with stems. 


Aside from their teensy water glasses (which is a small price to pay) after hundreds of times at Gottino, it is still in my opinion a pretty close to perfect place to sit at the bar and catch up with a friend.

Weekend go-to: Joseph Leonard 

I am also loving Joseph Leonard at the moment  It is my favorite place for a late weekend dinner. I also like going there early and during the week, but on the weekend, it is crowded, a good crowd and fun. 


This is not where you go if you want a serious intimate conversation. This is where you go for a fun, good dinner and drinks.


The guys that work there are great. It stays open late (I have been there until wayy later than necessary on more than one occasion for post dinner drinks, ughhh still recovering from that one night months ago...). People are there eating and drinking late. It is fun, lively, bustling. They play Jay-Z and other unexpected & awesome music at a perfect volume. The crowd is good. People mingle a little; in a good way.

I usually go for wine when I'm out to eat, but the drinks here are delicious. And the Magdelana cocktail is a perfect mix of spicy /sweet / salty tequila deliciousness. It may be my favorite cocktail in the city.

All the food I've ever had on the menu (probably almost everything on the menu) is very good, I am never disappointed in my meal. Although, at the same time, nothing really stands out as memorable -- but maybe that is due to the number of cocktails usually consumed while waiting to sit. My only real complaint is that there isn't really a lot on the menu.... The menu is kinda small, and not a lot of small plate options. This makes it harder to order lots and share.


That said, a couple Magdelanas in, with Jay-Z playing in the background, a good livley atmosphere and delicious food on your plate -- 'more variety on the menu' seems an insiginficant request.


Oh, and unlike most restuarants, even if you don't score a seat at the bar (which I suggest of course you try to do) the place is so small and revolves around the bar so much that even seated at almost any table, you feel like you're at the bar. Especially the tables in the front.


Althought the wait can be looooong on a weekend night  (over an hour for sure) and if you are waiting during peak dinner hours (which can be as late as 10:30/11 on the weekend) there is little room to stand and you will be jostled around by the crowd and waiters.


If it's really busy, I put my name down and go around the corner to Bobo (Bobo also has a yummy tequila cocktail - although not as good as the Magdelana).


Or, like everyone else waiting for a seat at Joseph Leonard, try the bar at Jeffery's Grocery just across the seat (same owners). It's worth waiting.


And, if you've had dinner elsewhere, stop by Joseph Leondard after the dinner rush, late night for a  Magedelena or two. You won't regret it.