Planning for Dumbo Training!

In case you were wondering: I survived Zumba :) In fact, I loved it so much, I stayed for the 2nd class! What?! I know. I can't remember the last time I laughed or even smiled during a workout. It was SO much fun. Originally, the size of the class was intimidating but once in it, I realized I like being surrounded, it helped make me feel more comfortable. The second class wasn't as crowded and it was a little harder. So, I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow (Thank god it's Saturday!), I'm just exhausted today. I really hope it's a good form of cross training, because I can totally see it being a new favorite. And double win, it's a part of my gym membership. Score!

Dumbo training "officially" kicked off this week, according to the rD Jeff Galloway plan. Now, I'm having a bit of a dilemma with training plans.

A few months ago, this plan was posted online and it seemed to work out perfectly. I put it on my calendar and even worked in local races to work with it. It seemed to fit the previous training plans I've worked with, all being for beginner runners. Then, this Dumbo plan was leaked (currently, it's up the runDisney site, if you need it, too).

Oh, hello, possible Dumbo medal design? You're pretty :)

I was hoping they would have 2 plans (one just to finish, the other for speed), but it looks like the one for finishing in the upright position is it. This plan specifically says it's for "experienced runners" who have been running for more than 6 months- I'm assuming that means me, right? At this point, I think I can move from the beginner plans to the experienced- it's been 2 years, 2 full marathons and 13 half marathons. I think it's time I think of myself like that. Thanks, Jeff and rD for helping me realize that!

At first glance, it looks like it's a little light on the back-to-back long runs and alternates increased mile weeks. In the past, I've usually just continue to increase miles each week until taper. Since this time around I would really like to work on speed, I think the lower miles might help that- quality over quantity. A bit of doctoring might have to happen, too; add cross training (hello, my new love for Zumba!), speed work, and hills.

I also think I'm just weirded out because I'm starting fresh for this one. Previously, I had been piggy backing on my original base, which I'm sure wasn't doing me any favors towards the end. Hence, the much needed break. So, I'm anxious to see what happens this time around.

Anyone else following / have followed a Jeff Galloway plan? What do you think?

How are you training for your next race?

3 Things

While I was at the gym Tuesday, I had the "I dread this" moment while I was on the treadmill. I realized I was repeating the run Tues/Thurs/ Sat routine with a PiYo class or Yoga video here and there during marathon training. While it worked for that, I need to shake things up- but I'm scared! I want to start cross training and take fun classes, but I don't even know where to start. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and take the Zumba class at my gym that I'm always running during. That's got to be good for my core, right? We'll see. I'll let yall know how that goes or if I chicken out ;)  

(source)

I've gotten in the British habit of having afternoon tea- blame it on finding some Harry & Sons Hot Cinnamon on sale and it's delish! Smell like big red gum, but sweeter. It really helps with the 3pm snack attack and warming my hands since the office is freezing. 

Expedition Everest is this weekend and all the official stuff you need to know is on the runDisney website. Including, what looks like a new course map for the 5k! Last year, the scavenger hunt and the 5k overlapped each other a ton causing a lot of unnecessary congestion. It looks like they are looping the end of the 5k in a different direction, so that doesn't happen again. RunDisney seems to be listening to their guests when it comes to their events, which is awesome. Now, let's talk about that pushed back time from 9 to 10pm :) I'm so excited to hear about this year's race. If you're running it, please send me the link to your blog, I'd love to read about it. Like I said, this race has potential and it would be nice to go back for it one day, but we decided TOT would make more sense this year.

What do you do to shake up your exercise routine/ ward off afternoon snack attacks?

WoW!

This is such good advice for me and my old lady knees :) and an office job does nothing for your hip flexors, trust me.

Influenster Vox Box: Sugar and Spice Review

A few weeks ago, I got my first InfluensterVoxBox (Go here to learn more about Influenster or click the badge on the right). I was chosen to try out their Sugar and Spice Vox Box. When it arrived at my door, I was super excited to see so many different products I wanted to try! 

 

BelVita 

• Nutritious sustained energy all morning? • 18-20 grams of whole grains per 50 gram serving • A good source of both energy-releasing B-vitamins + fiber • No high fructose corn syrup • No artificial flavors or sweeteners

I wish I would have known about BelVita sooner! I've added them into my morning routine, replacing my usual sugar- filled granola bar. Bonus it's more nutritious. They are really good crushed up in some yogurt; that's how I've been eating them. Once training season rolls around, I can definitely see myself adding this to my breakfast before a long run. It's very mild. I don't see myself having to choke it down like I normally do with my breakfast that early in the morning. My favorite is the Cinnamon Brown Sugar but it comes in Blueberry, Golden Oat, Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate, I'm sure you can find a flavor you'd like.

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel

Gentle spun lace cloth helps extract trapped dirt & oils, tones and protects skin-Original witch hazel is perfect for sensitive skin-Non-drying like many other oil removing products-Simple efficacious ingredients-The small size is convenient to travel with and bring anywhere – the home, office, beach, sporting events and gym-Cleans and conditions on the go.

My favorite time to use these is at the end of the day. They're super convenient, so keeping them with you and using them whenever is also an option. I like that it refreshes my face. During the Influenster twitter chat, someone mentioned they used them after their triathlon. How genius! I would definitely swap out the random wet naps (yes, I collect them from restaurants. Don't judge) I use after races/ long runs for these any day! 

If you're interested, I have a couple of extra coupons for $2.00 off any of Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Products. Email me at abby.arta at gmail.com with your address and I'll mail one to you (Continental US only, please. While supplies last).

NECTRESSE 

New NECTRESSE™ Sweetener tastes like sugar and is naturally zero calories per serving. How? We started with the deliciously sweet extract of monk fruit and combined it with the perfect blend of other natural sweeteners. It's 100% natural with nothing artificial. You're going to love the way it tastes.

The only time I add sugar/ substitute to anything is tea and coffee. When I used Nectresse, it sweetened without the aftertaste of a sugar substitute. To be honest, I didn't notice a big difference besides that and I guess that's the point. I think because they say it comes from the Monk "fruit", I was expecting a distinct flavor difference. Instead, it just enhanced the other flavors and made everything taste better. Isn't that what sugar is supposed to do in the first place? 

Colgate Optic White

The collection of Colgate® Optic White® products whitens more than 3 shades* and results start in one week. With Colgate® Optic White®, the only accessory you need to look fabulous is your smile.
Every time I try the whitening strips, they usually make my super sensitive teeth even worse. I always buy them with the intention of using, but I never do. This was my first time trying the toothpaste/ brush/ mouthwash combo and I have to say I was impressed. I was expecting it to taste disgusting (like the strips) but it was surprisingly nice! The toothpaste and mouthwash are definitely products I could use more often, although I really like my electronic toothbrush, I might be able to make an exception for The Optic White one. There are so many different sized bristles that it's hard not to feel like your mouth is clean. I didn't use it when I was sick, but since then, I have noticed a gradual whitening of my teeth.

Vaseline Spray & Go

• A convenient 360° continuous spray lotion that moisturizes deeply and absorbs in seconds (less than 10) • Skin feels instantly soft – not sticky or greasy • Contains multi-layer moisture complex and infuses moisture across all layers of skin* – at the top, the core and deep down • Fast to apply, quick to absorb, so women can put their clothes right on after moisturizing • Targeted spray (width of woman’s wrist) dispenses lotion quickly and evenly • To apply simply spray up one side of your body, switch hands, spray down the other side, and then rub in with a few quick rubs (“Up, Switch, Down, Rub”) • All over body coverage • Also comes in Total Moisture®, which contains pure oat extract and leaves skin feeling healthy and soft, Aloe Fresh which contains pure aloe and leaves skin feeling healthy and fresh and Cocoa Radiant™ which contains pure cocoa butter and leaves skin feeling healthy and glowing**Stratum corneum (multi-layer surface skin)

I love how the product makes my skin feel and it does dry super fast. I'm not a fan of the aerosol can, though. I run into the same problem with the sunscreen that comes this way. When I spray it onto my legs, etc. the product gets everywhere- specifically the hardwood floor and it makes a slippery mess. So I usually just spray it into my hand. I don't know if this defeats the purpose, but I don't have a terrible mess to clean up after. A tip I heard is to spray it while you're on the bathmat or in the bath tub to avoid this. 

Which product sounds most appealing to you?

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Everything in italics is from the products' websites. Everything else is 100% my opinion.

Run as One 4M: Volunteering Recap

This morning I woke up earlier than I have in months and headed to Central Park to volunteer again. When I found out this week was National Volunteer Week, I decided it would be nice to give back and signed up for the NYRR Run as One 4M. I was hoping to get inspired to train. 

I was also interested to see how the new security measures work out. In the official email to volunteers, they asked that you don't bring a bag, and if you did- you would have to check it at the volunteer area. Upon arriving, if you had anything with you, a security guard asked to see it before you could get into the barricaded off volunteer area. NYRR provided a secure area for bags and also a clear plastic bag for anything you needed to take with you on the course. The Head of Volunteer Operations took a moment before we all headed out to talk about the new security measures and working with the NYPD to implement them. So, it seems like no garage cans and clear bags are becoming a permanent thing. I'm interested to see how it will affect me as a runner and next winter. I understand why they're doing it. Is it annoying? Absolutely. 

I signed up for Amenities not really knowing what it was. I just knew it wasn't course marshaling or baggage and I was interested in seeing a different part of the race. It happens to be passing out the water, bagels and apple at the finish line. We set up the area and then our team leaders gathered us and we went around the circle telling our name and occupations. It was nice getting to know what your fellow volunteers did. Then it was time to start handing out the amenities! 

Guys? If you're a runner and you know the rule is one bagel per person, please follow this rule. It makes it super awkward as a volunteer when I have to tell you no, you can't have another bagel (seriously, you just ran 4 miles what do you need with 2 bagels?! You barely burned off one). As a back of the packer, it really irritates me because thanks to you, I might not get to have a bagel. Luckily, that didn't happen- but they did run out of apples quickly. Seeing people fill plastic bags full of food (that they carried with them during the race for that specific purpose. I can't make this stuff up) or watching someone put a bagel in their pocket then grab for another one from another volunteer, really disgusted me. Please don't do those things. It hurts my heart. 

Next time, I think I'd rather do anything else. But it was a beautiful day and it was really nice when people thanked you- I noticed that happened less at this location. Note to self: Thank the volunteers who handle your food!  

top: front, bottom: back

For the month of April, NYRR rewarded their volunteers with a free entry and this awesome tech tee. If that wasn't incentive enough to sign up, I don't know what is! I'm torn between the Queens 10k ($34 in Queens- there is a medal involved, I believe) or The Giants Run of Champions 5k ($50 finish line is in the Giants Stadium- in Jersey). Double the miles or double the price- which would you chose? 

The Glass Slipper Challenge

RunDisney broke my bank account again the news about officially expanding Princess weekend. They added a 10k to the weekend and topped it off with The Glass Slipper Challenge- which will consist of completing both the 10k and Half. I think we all knew this was inevitable with the popularity of their races and the added events to this year's the Disneyland Half and 2014's Marathon weekend. I like that one of my new favorite Half Marathon weekends is getting love with this runDisney update. I'm also a fan of the 10k distance. Followed by a half marathon? We shall see for Dumbo! 

As I informed one of my co-workers about this announcement (Bless her heart for patronizing me every time a new announcement comes out), she replied with "The Glass Slipper Challenge? Because after running all that your feet turn to glass, shatter and fall off?" Clearly, the runDisney fan is it's own niche :) 

On top of that, they also released an exclusive Coast to Coast Medal specifically for completing the Princess Half and the Tink Half. That, my friends, is a whole lot of Blush and Bashful (Anyone else immediately think of the Steel Magnolias quote after seeing the medal?). Again, I really like that these races are getting more attention. After all, women are the majority of the running community nowadays (thank you again for the women's cut option for all of your races, rD!). If I could just quit marathon weekend, I'd love to partake in this challenge one day.

Back when the 10k rumors started, I thought I might just do that instead of the half and legacy, but now that it's an official challenge, I'm pretty sure it's a no brainer. Or I have no brain for wanting to do this? But, who wouldn't want a glass slipper medal? Since it looks like we will most likely be back in Florida for this race weekend anyway, might as well tack a 10k on to it, right? All this hype is making me very excited for Dumbo Training! 

No word on pricing yet, but registration is set to open on June 11. Start saving your pennies, Princesses! 

What are your thoughts on the announcement? 

3 Things.

This is the 1st official week of getting back to the gym and let me tell you, I am tu-ckered. My abs are still very aware of my PiYo class from Tuesday. Tonight, I ran a 5k at my PR, which is pretty cool. It's nice to know, even after taking 2 months off, I can do that. When I start training (2 weeks!), I will be focusing on getting faster. Until then, I feel a lot of early bedtimes coming on.

I finally got a chance to test out my locklaces! After one run, I can tell I'm probably a fan. They were awesome for my 5k tonight on the treadmill. I'm interested to see how they will hold up for long runs. I like that since they're elastic the tension redistributes as you run, so it won't dig into your foot like regular laces would depending on how tight you tie them. Will definitely keep you posted. 

I have a serious problem with my new yogurt obsession. Remember when I didn't know if I was a fan?Turns out, it all depends on the brand. Oikos (Banana or Orange Cream) is my absolute favorite. Adding granola is a must and I also just discovered honey is the cherry on top! Amazing, I tell you. It doesn't help much that The Yogurt Culture Company (imagined by Dannon) is right down the street from my work. Tonight, they had a Happy Hour hosting with local company, Oats Granola. The Pistachio Froyo with chocolate Oats Granola totally hit the spot before I headed to the gym. The A Team was excited to see one of their favorite TNT Coaches, too. 

What's your latest food obsession?