What's Beautiful

I'm so excited to tell yall that I'm working with Under Armour, thanks to Fitfluential, on their What's Beautiful campaign. Under Armour originally started this campaign to “redefine the female athlete by setting epic goals and pushing past where we’ve ever been and where we thought we could go.” I absolutely love everything that this stands for and I can't believe I get to be involved. 

Since the first 2 rounds were so successful, here is our chance! I've already signed up and picked a goal:

 PR at a 10k #iWill

There you have it folks. I put it out in the Universe. I think the timing is perfect, too- I already have a few on my calendar in preparation for Dumbo weekend. Seeing as focusing on getting faster has been a goal for me for awhile, I figured why not put it in writing and make it happen already?! I've been playing around on the site and I already feel empowered to kick some serious 10k butt.

Now, it's your turn- create a profile and accept the challenge. You don't have to be a runner or even consider yourself an athlete (although, you should!)- all you have to do is set a goal any goal and then kick butt at achieving it. Here's your chance to define what's beautiful!

Under Armour has set a bunch of fun challenges to keep you motivated along the way! I can honestly attest that it's a great community filled with lots of encouragement and makes me want to push myself to be the best version of myself; and that's definitely beautiful if anything ever was! Follow other beautiful people and cheer each other on. There is even an option to create or join a group for people who share the same goals or any goal you want to be a part of. With all these different ways to get involved, get motivated, be motivating and stay focused, I think it's an awesome way to redefine what's beautiful.

What goal do you have that you know you should just write it down and get over trying to achieve it?

** This post is sponsored by Under Armour & FitFluential. I am not being compensated for this post. All opinions are 100% my own** 

Dumbo Training: week 2

Happy Funday Sunday! Hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Mother's Day!

In an effort to keep myself more accountable for Dumbo Training, I've decided I am going to keep track of my weekly progress every Sunday (since all the cool kids are doing it ;) even if it means shaming myself into doing more. I feel like this is a good thing to help me focus and see what I'm actually doing vs what I think I am. This is the first time I'm switching up the old formula, so I'm excited! 

Since it's technically week 2 according to the runDisney Jeff Galloway plan, I will stick with that so as to not get us all confused. Sound like a good plan? 

Mon: Rest

Tue: 2 Miles/ 45 min PiYo class

Wed: Rest

Thu: 2.5 Miles/ 45 min Zumba class

Fri: Rest

Sat: Rest

Sun: Japan Day 4M

Yikes! There are a lot of "rest" days in there! Originally, I had this entire paragraph typed out with a ton of excuses but decided against it- because honestly, for me, that's a pretty awesome week if I do say so myself! Technically, that's 2 workouts on Tuesday and again on Thursday. What what?! It is week 1 of training for me, so I think I kicked it off quite well. 

How are you keeping yourself accountable during training for your next race?

KindRunner. Old shoes for new!

Don't know what to do with your old running shoes? Have I got the solution for you! 

Recently, I've gotten the opportunity to work with the soon to be launched site, Kindrunner and I'm excited to tell you all about it, because THIS is what you can do with your old running shoes!

Kindrunner.com is different from other running shoe sites for a few reasons. First, they have the Kindness Cash Rewards program. You send them your old running shoes (free, by the way. Their Free Three Way Shipping means you never pay for shipping- on new shoes, old shoes or returns!) they give you a credit to get new shoes. Credit for your old shoes- Sounds pretty amazing, right?

And those old shoes? They end up in the hands of shoe donation partners, including Soles 4 Souls, so that the shoes will get to those in need. This keeps old running shoes out of the trash and in turn, reducing the running community's impact on the environment. Did you know, average running shoe will not even begin to break down in a landfill for 90-100 years? Yikes! Me neither. Kindrunner also recycles all of their packaging material, and use UPS carbon neutral shipping just to make sure they're making their carbon footprint as small as possible.

On top of that, the founder and employees are experts in the running shoe world. They can help you decide what is the best option for you. Everyone at Kindrunner has experience running races, getting injured, coming back from injury, and they have all fit 1000s of runners with the perfect shoes for them. I'm totally taking them up on that now and will report back on how it goes! The site will also offer product review videos to help explain what each product is about.

Interested? You should check out the video on their site right now that also gives more insight to what it's going to be when it launches.

And they're already holding contests! Once their facebook page gets to 500 likes, they're giving away a pair of shoes to a follower and their running partner (both have to be followers) Also, from now until their launch, when you sign up for their email list, you'll automatically be entered in their "free shoes for a year" contest- what runner doesn't want free shoes for a year?!

Would you be interested trading in your old running shoes for new ones?

What do you do with your old running shoes?

Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for kindrunner.com and will be doing ongoing campaigns with the site. This will include reviews of products and giveaways provided by kindrunner. I will be providing my 100% honest opinion, per usual.

3 Things!

As requested, I'd like to share a really good NYC moment I had earlier this week. This happened on date night at New York Burger & Co. (ps- their sauces bar is amazing!). At some food locations (including this one), there are special drink machines that allow you to add flavor to your soda, like Raspberry Coke Zero or Peach Sprite (which I don't recommend, btw; but B loves it). Anyway, we had a nice little conversation with a lady who was so excited about the machine, she did a little dance. Like literally. It was brilliant! I don't blame her- when I drank soda, I would totally get excited about those special machines, too! And since I totally do happy dances in public all the time, it was only natural we would share a geeking out moment. It was a great NYC moment that reminded me of the human aspect of NYC. Sometimes its very easy to forget.

This weekend is my Dumbo Training kickoff race: The NYRR Japan Day 4M race! This will be the first time I've run in the park (or outside for that matter. eek!) in many months and that makes me super nervous! Now I know why I didn't take a break before this. Getting back into it is hard (que that violin, will ya?!)- I still can't believe how tired you get! Week 2 of me tuckered by Wednesday! Then I remind myself of my 2 favorites: "If it were easy, everyone would do it" and "It's not going to be easy, it's going to be worth it".

Speaking of Dumbo and being worth it, if you haven't seen these beauties yet, here they are:

(source)

I'm so excited about the Disneyland Half marathon medal, particularly because I've been lusting after it for the past 2 years and I can hardly believe it will be mine very soon! The color scheme and yellow ribbon were just an added bonus! Kudos on the branding, runDisney! The attention to detail on the Dumbo medal is such a Disney staple and I think it's beautiful- I forgive that the ribbon is blue for the awesome circus trim. I'm just a little sad those details fell short on the 10k medal. If it were in color, it might be different (maybe better for the 5k?) but I think there is too much going on. Hopefully it's just that it doesn't photograph well. Either way, I can't wait to find out!

What are your plans this weekend? Have you had an amazing moment happen lately?

WoW

I kinda love hills.

Great way to think about it.

Pre-registration for Solstice in Times Square

Happy Monday! Hope everyone's weekend went well. For someone who barely got out of the red on her NikeFuel Band (more on that later), I'm super tired. I did do a bunch of "spring cleaning" so my super neat other half doesn't leave me to make myself feel productive. I feel like next weekend, I'm going to have to switch out the closet, though. I'm a huge fan of winter, so it always makes me a little sad to put those clothes away. What can I say? Layers agree with me. 

In case you're in NYC and interested, the pre-registration for Solstice in Times Square is officially open. I just got the email and I'm super excited. I've been wanting to go since I heard about it 2 years ago. Last year, there was no way I was getting out there during a heatwave and the year before 7AM seemed way too early (and I think they only offered 2 times that year). This year it's going to be held on Friday, June 21st and there will be 5 different classes: 7:30AM, 10AM, 1PM, 5:30PM and 7:45PM.

I'm hoping my schedule will allow me to attend. I am supposed to be going out of town that weekend, so packing early and bringing it to the office early might have to happen. Getting up super early and toting a suitcase around midtown to do yoga with hundreds of my closest yogi friends just sounds like a terrible disaster. Maybe I should start doing that work out in the morning thing to get ready?

Have you every participated in a Summer Solstice/ Public yoga event?

How's your Monday?

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?