NYCM 2013 and a run-posal

In case you haven't heard yet:

I'll be running the New York City marathon this year.

I already had my automatic entry for this year anyway, thanks to marathon training last year. If you're a NYC runner, it's really not that hard to run 9 of NYRR's races and volunteer for one (that's how you get the automatic entry). It's actually quite easy when you're already training for a marathon; they have races pretty much every weekend in season. For example, by the time summer is over, I'll already have 7 races under my belt. After last year's debacle, the PIC chose to defer her registration to this year, since she raised money through TNT and did not want that to go to waste, which I completely understand and would've done the same thing. 

When I didn't tell people I registered right away, I knew I wanted to do something fun to tell my PIC. So, when I heard about The Spirit of the Marathon II screening, I checked to see if she was in town and decided that's when I'd tell her. The movie was a great setup and it was far enough after the NYCM lottery, for her to believe I really wasn't running it again (I know. It's so mean. I'm terrible).

Normally, her schedule doesn't really permit me to see her often, so it was perfect. I wouldn't be tempted to tell her (I can't keep a secret to save my life!). She had asked me a few times over text or a quick visit to run the marathon with her, but it was easy to change the subject quickly. As my luck would have it, I saw her a LOT before the movie. But I prevailed!

Apparently, "proposing" to your bridesmaids is a thing nowadays (thank you, Pintrest!). I researched a bit and decided I was going to borrow the idea. I decorated a plain pen box in ING-esque colors and put a purple Under Armour headband in the box (since she's raising money with TNT. Appropriate, no?).

So, for those that actually propose, let me just say, I can totally feel you on this. It's super nerve racking! Trying to figure out the perfect moment can be tricky. Luckily, she set me up for a perfect lead in . . . something about how it's ok that I'm not running it because we'll be training together anyway. . . that's when I told her Funny, she should say that, because I had something that might help her train, and I gave her the box.

It was a great moment and I'm glad I decided to make the moment special. I mean, how many times do you get to run your first marathon? :) Even though we ran 26.2 miles anyway, I'm really glad we're going to be able to finish the journey together we started last year.

Wish us luck; I might need it! 

Spirit of the Marathon II: Thoughts

From the producers of the award-winning documentary Spirit of the Marathon (2008), this highly-anticipated sequel follows seven runners from around the world as they journey to the starting line of the 2012 Rome Marathon. Spirit of the Marathon II weaves the compelling stories of each runner - the trials and the triumphs - that paved their road to Rome. 

I loved that they revisited the runner's story through the eyes of different people and a different race. This time, internationally! Rome is such a perfect destination race. It was fun getting to see what it would be like to run it. 

(SPOILER ALERT BUT NOT REALLY- if you know history) My favorite part was probably when they gave you a deeper look into the marathon and the influence Italy had on it. If Mount Vesuvius would've never erupted leaving the country in no shape to host the Olympics, then they never would've moved to them to London, where they added the extra 1.2 miles (the queen wanted it to finish in front of the palace is the rumor I heard), and the marathon would still be 25 miles. Crazy to think about. 

They also showcased the NYC Marathon as the pioneer race of big city races. It's funny to think not that long ago, the idea of shutting down the streets of NYC for people to run through all 5 boroughs was crazy! Who'd a thought it would turn into what it is today?! The original course of the marathon was IN Central Park (4 loops), one of the runners said at the time, the amount of runners were so small, people didn't even know a marathon was going on! That is definitely NOT the case today. This part reminded me a lot of Run for your Life (the Fred Lebow documentary) which goes into even more details about how NYCM came to be.

If you didn't get a chance to see it on Wednesday, I highly suggest renting/ buying it when it comes out. It was definitely a keeper to add to the running movies library.

What's your favorite running movie? 

Disclaimer: I received passes to see this movie, but was planning on seeing it anyway. 
As always, all opinions are my own.

Dumbo Training week 7

MON: Rest

TUES: Broadway Bodies

WED: Rest 

THURS: Revolution in Motion: Slip-n-slide

FRI: Rest

SAT: Aerial Yoga

SUN: The Portugal 5M

Holy wow, there is not a lot of running in there. As previously mentioned, this week was crazy life busy on top of already committing to mixing my workouts up! I wanted to get in a couple of more classes off my Classtivity passport before it expires this upcoming week, so I had to sacrifice my weekday runs. I'm very interested to see how the Portugal 5M goes (stay tuned!)

Revolution in Motion was another first for new workouts. It was just me and the instructor so it was a quasi-personal training session. Yes, slip-n-slide sounds like lots of fun (which it is!) but it's HARD. I seriously sucked at it. I already have terrible coordination skills, as in none. But the instructor was super encouraging and I felt really good about myself even though I know I was terrible. I really need to work on my core strength. There were a lot of moments of me looking at her like she was insane. I tried everything she showed me but they looked nothing like when she did them. I followed the class by going on our adventure to Jersey to see NKOTB, Boyz II Men and 98 degrees. Who knew throwing a jacket and a scarf on and you can look suburban housewife chic?! 

Saturday's Aerial Yoga really wiped me out! I'm glad I got to experience it, but I wish I wasn't so prone to motion sickness. I got through it, including my fear of ripping the silk from the ceiling with my body weight and breaking a bone. Seriously. That took pretty much the majority of the class. The instructor was amazing and helped me with a lot of it. She could see the sheer terror in my face and assured me everything was ok, many many times. I did ended up swinging upside down and even doing a flip! But when it came time for hammock work (Mermaid pose looked so cool!), sadly, I got super dizzy and had to rock child's pose. After class, I was supposed to swing by B's work so I could bring home her suit for her sister's wedding this weekend. Let me just tell you how not fun it is navigating the streets of NYC with a bad case of nausea holding precious cargo. I do recommend this class, but definitely be aware you might need to chill for awhile after if you're not used to being in the air or upside down for long periods of time.

As much as I like mixing it up, I definitely feel like I get more out of working out from my regular gym days, where I can take a class AND run. I also like the anonymity of the classes at my gym- at least until I can built more core strength and not embarrass myself- all. the. time. Or maybe I'm just set in my ways and miss my old schedule :) This upcoming week is going to be a little different again- I want to get in another class or two and I need to prepare to go out of town- but I can't wait to get back to "normal". 

What's a workout you want to try?

(3 Things) Broadway Bodies, Oakley sunglasses and The Package Tour

So, apparently, I go one week without doing my usual 3 things Thursday series or make my WoW post special edition and my loyal readers (coughBcough) start a riot! So, today, you get 2 posts. What?! I know. It's exciting. So much is going on; so much to talk about! 
 

I took another class through Classtivity on Tuesday at Broadway Bodies. It was a super cute class that each week teaches you a different routine from a Broadway musical or from something in pop culture (i.e.- I saw on the website, the routine from Smash when they do Rumor has it). The class I went to was a routine from Bring It On, the musical. I met a couple of girls right away, who were really sweet and helped calm my nerves. It was fun and relaxing and a good way to sneak in a good cardio workout. If you're into Broadway musicals, like to dance (no experience necessary) and having a non-pressure workout environment, it's definitely a good option.

Top: Obsessed Middle: Commit Bottom: Urgency

I won a pair of Oakleys thanks to the Oakley Mini10k instagram contest! What?! You have no idea how happy I was. I had been talking about them so much, I'm pretty sure B was just going to buy them to shut me up. I'm hoping I can pick the ones I want, because as much of a fan of the Commits, The Obsessed would be better for my go-to multi-purpose sunglasses. Yet, the Urgencys were the instagram favorites. What's your vote?

Yes, This week has been a doozie. . . and it's not over! Yesterday, on top of all the excitement of the Spirit of the Marathon screening (which will get it's own post later) and the Oakley contest, PIC won tickets to The Package Tour: NKOTB, 98 degrees and Boys II Men! For tonight. At the Izod Center. In Jersey. And guess who's going with her? The things this woman talks me into! I have another classtivity class tonight (I refuse to pay the $20 cancellation fee)- so I will be going straight to Port Authority. Attending a boy band concert in spandex. . . how appropriate. Never a dull moment with the PIC, I tell you. Wish us luck! If BIIM doesn't play Motown Philly (Full house anyone?!)- I'm going to be pissed!

Are you a fan of schedules or spur of the moment plans?

Wanderlust: Yoga in the city, NYC edition

One day, I'm going to go to an actual full out 4 day Wanderlust Festival. Until then, there was a Yoga in the City event at Pier 63 in NYC this weekend so I signed the A team up for it. We decided to take the 3pm class- late enough that we could enjoy a lazy morning but early enough so we could enjoy the festival afterwards. Even though there was a few frustrating moments trying to get there (i.e. The Puerto Rican Day Parade holding midtown transportation hostage, Google Maps telling me Pier 63 was by Christopher St., etc, etc, etc.), once we did, it almost made me excited for summer events and even the idea of moving to the West coast (I hear stuff like this is pretty much every weekend all year there- can anyone confirm? I'd totally consider it if so!).

PS- it was super awesome. Even though I'm a newbie at yoga outside of my apt, I never felt intimidated (and there was some SERIOUS yoging going on! WoW! So much awe) or out of place. It was a really good atmosphere of people enjoying the gorgeous weather and their practice. I will admit, some of the moves the teacher gave us, I had never heard of. When I couldn't rock a pose, I moved back to what I could do. Downward facing dog and I became even closer friends. I looked around a couple of times and noticed a bunch of people were doing their own thing, too, so I didn't feel so bad.  

Even though classes were going on throughout the day, you could totally have made a day of it. People were chilling on the outer sides of the stage in the grass. There was enough space if you were waiting for your class or had already taken one, you could hang out and enjoy the festival.

After the class, we walked by the sponsor booths, enjoyed yummy (and some not so yummy) samples. The area got really crowded in between yoga classes, but we hung out until the next class started and it thinned out enough so we could check out the brands. My favorite had to be Planter's energizing trail mix (soo addicting!). 

We're famous! Thanks to Health Magazine's cute setup.

I really enjoyed the event and I look forward doing more fun things as the summer progresses. Who knows, maybe I'll actually enjoy the summer if I'm doing things that I'm supposed to be sweating for. 

What's your favorite summer outdoor festival? 

WoW.

I think this is the only time I'd be ok being associated with a cat (I'm a dog person) 

but it depends on my mood, really. I think it's healthy to have a mix of both.

You?

Oakley Mini 10K

This race has pretty much turned into one of my favorite NYRRs (not that I'm bias to the branding this year- even though it's amazing! Whatever you're doing with branding, NYRR, please for the love of all things holy, keep it up!). 

The course starts on Central Park West- when else can you run up CPW on the street?!, it goes up the easier side of Harlem Hill and you get sweet medal with a carnation at the end?! Done. Sign me up every year until I can't go anymore. 

The theme of the day for me was grateful:

For Central Park. This race reminded me how cool it is that my base camp for training is THE Central Park. It's easy to forget when literally every local race you run is NYRR and it's always some variation of the different loops. For many runners, it's a specific dream/goal to run through this beautiful, famously huge, park. Every year, I've known at least one person who comes from out of town to run this specific race. We also met a lady on the course from Sweden- Sweden! It's funny how to universe sends you little messages not to take things for granted. I totally understood that, especially as the weather turned out to be gorgeous.

For remembering what it felt like to be a new runner. It was also one of my co-worker's first race. She had just started building up her miles when I told her about this race, months ago (what a perfect race for your first one, right?). She decided to sign up and got another one of her friends to, also. It was lots of fun talking her through all of the pre-race stuff all week. Another  coworker (and veteran runner) and I tried very hard to tell her all the rules- no cotton, no racing in the race tshirt, vaseline/body glide is going to be your best friend, running belts are for your stuff, not your bra, etc. I could see it was overwhelming and I just hoped the important things stuck. She ended up having a great race and telling us she understood why we told her about the vaseline and now knows how exciting it is to get a medal. We definitely see a half marathon in her future, even if she doesn't. It was nice to see the race from a fresh pair of running eyes. Sometimes it's easy to forget someone else's marathon, might be your 10k. 

For A-mazing friends. Since this was another A-team adventure, of course there is a story! On Friday, I got a text from Ms. Banana asking what was going on with the weather because her flight had been delayed. When we made plans to run the race, I didn't even realize she'd be flying in (or out of the country for that matter!) so close to the race! About 10 minutes before our set meet up time, I realized I should've sent her a text earlier to make sure she was awake. So, I called. And called. And freaked out a little bit. Then she finally answered. She had literally been in a cab from the airport at the time, threw her bags to her doorman and ran across the park to meet me. Working off of a couple of hours of sleep, my running partner rocked the entire 6.2! I totally have to give her a HUGE shout out for that, because I'll be honest, I would've stayed in bed! There were a couple of rough spots, but what's the point of a running partner if not to help each other out? We had never been so happy to finish a 10k. 

We hung around the post party for the raffle before brunch. There was an Oakley tent where you could get your picture taken with the official tape the winner went through, instagram photos of yourself in the Oakley sunglass line to win a pair (fingers crossed!) and ladies on podiums modeling Oakley's newest active wear. There was also another tent (the sponsor escapes me now, but I know it was a hospital) with yoga mats and foam rollers- how genius! I wish every race had this! 

It turned out to be a serious beautiful day celebrating women and running in New York City.

Whats your favorite race?