WoW Wednesdays: Eat first, then shower.

I fully support this tip! I'm a big fan of a post-run brunch if I'm in the city.

I also like to map the end of my run close to a bodega/ convenient store to grab a chocolate milk for the subway ride home. The Duane Reade at Columbus Circle is usually my go-to if I'm running in Central Park- I wonder how crazy it's going to be on Sunday? :)

(3things) winter coats, pecan pie Clifbars and an #awesomelyactive sweepstakes!

It's getting cold!! So cold, I almost wore my winter coat today. But then again, who am I kidding, I will try to find any excuse to wear it. It's a wonder I haven't tried to bust it out sooner. I never knew you could be so warm in a coat before this one! It's amazing. Although, it might be nice to not have to wear it for a couple of weeks. I am a fan of hoodie weather too. But it also means it's time to switch out my closet. I'm being super lazy about it, but it'll be a perfect distraction from the 2nd week of tapering. 

That, and I'm on a mission to find my favorite Gu flavor for the marathon. Last weekend, I took a trip to REI for the new Clifbar flavors and they were out of pretty much all Gu. Really? 

Speaking of Clifbars, I am super excited that it's special flavor time of year! Pecan Pie?! What? That's amazing. I was already a fan of Iced Gingerbread and I'm not sure how I feel about Pumpkin Pie yet. I just need them to release the Peppermint flavor and all will be well in the world. 

The fabulous ladies at Tampax have informed me they are partnering with three-time gold medalist and professional volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings for “The Kerri Walsh Jennings Active Experience” sweepstakes for a chance to play volleyball with Kerri in Manhattan Beach, California. The awesomely active grand prize includes a private training session with Kerri, two-night trip to Manhattan Beach for the lucky winner and three friends, lunch with Kerri, $1,000 in spending money and a year supply of Tampax Pearl Active. To enter, you can visit www.awesomelyactive.com. The sweepstake is from October 19 until November 3, 2013. So, you should enter! Full Disclosure: I am not being compensated to tell you about it. I just really love the #awesomelyactive campaign and wanted to pass along the information.

What's your favorite Clifbar flavor?

My Dance Motivation Fitness (DMF) experience!

Guys. I got to learn choreography for Mrs. Turner's Rolling on the river, what else can I say?!

Wednesday night, I was invited to a Dance Motivation Fitness (DMF) class and I couldn't have been more excited. When I got the invitation, I double checked their website to see exactly what I was getting myself into. It looked like an upbeat cardio dance class that was going to be a ton of fun- and it was!

According to their website, Dance Motivation Fitness (DMF) is a dance-fitness experience. It blends equal parts motivation with dance-cardio and strength training in a positive, fun-loving and supportive atmosphere. Developed by Lindi Duesenberg, a leading NYC fitness instructor at Physique 57 and veteran dancer known for her motivation and mind/body approach to wellness, DMF has something for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

Lindi and Anna were our instructors for the class. Before it started, I made sure to ask about modifications (can't risk it too much with these old lady knees!) and Anna was the one to follow for that. There was never any pressure to do anything I couldn't do (except be coordinated! haha), but most of the moves were completely manageable. However, the music and the atmosphere were so upbeat, it made you want to do them full out, Beyonce-style! Sadly, I am not as coordinated as they are, so I spent a lot of time trying to just get the moves down without doing bodily harm to the people around me. 

 see? I was concentrating.

Throughout the class, Lindi was really great about motivating us. I was extremely impressed that she remembered all of our names and used them when she would call inspirations to us. She did a great job of making sure everyone was doing ok and having a great time, and how could you not? I did the running man to Ice Ice Baby with no shame. It was amazing! The time flew by and felt more like fun than working out (except that one song where I thought my thighs might burn off, but again, Lindi totally made me feel like I was the strongest person ever and I did it!). 

For attending the event, Lindi put together a great gift bag of a few of her favorite healthy living things to share with us. Lucky for me, we have similar (aka awesome!)taste. The bag included Vrou (a flavored mineral water geared for women's health), Kind bars, Sparkly Soul headbands, Runa Tea (locally brewed in Brooklyn!), Soy Joy bars, and Pop Chips! 

If you're in the NYC area and what to check them out (and you should!), just copy and paste this to your twitter and be entered to win a free class:

I want to experience the amazing cardio-dance fest, @dmfnyc! http://bit.ly/15k7JxL via @abby_arta

Thanks again, Lindi and the entire DMF family!

For more information: 

Cost and Locations:

Tuesdays: 6pm and 7pm at DANY Studios -305 West 38th St.

Wednesdays: 7pm at DANY Studios

Thursdays: 6pm DANY Studios

Saturdays: 2:30pm at Studio Maestro--48 West 68th St.

Single Class: $25 (new clients receive a 2-for-1 special)

Five Class Pack: $110

Ten Class Pack: $200

Student Rate: $19

The DMF Dance Motivation Fitness Team

www.dmfnyc.com

www.facebook.com/dmfnyc

www.twitter.com/dmfnyc

www.youtube.com/dmfnyclove

I was invited to attend this amazing event. I had such a great time, I wanted to share the love with yall- this post, of course, is my own opinion and written of my own accord. 

A Journey Bar Giveaway!

Here's the thing, I don't really have a sweet tooth. When I first discovered Journey Bar through the Crowdtap Store, I was immediately intrigued. They hooked me with the fact that they were savory nutrition bars, as opposed to every other sweet one on the market. Personally, nutrition bars are the best route to go for long run breakfast (especially because it's a routine I can take with me on race-cations) but trying to choke down chocolate flavored anything at 5am before a long run does not appeal to me. When I read the co-founder, Marguarette's quote "I believe bars should taste like real food, not candy" and that these bars are naturally lower in sugar (only 7g!) I knew this was something that would be perfect for me. I contacted the company and they agreed to send me some of their products to try.

From their website:

what is a savory nutrition bar, you might ask? well it's unlike any bar you've ever seen before! the most obvious difference is the savory, instead of sweet, flavors, which are inspired by cuisines from around the world.  journey bars are made from organic whole grains and other all-natural ingredients, which makes them a great-tasting, healthy alternative to the typical sweet bars.  our bars are also gluten-free, non-gmo, vegan, and soy-free.  

Sea Salt- a truly global flavor, our sea salt bar is about as simply savory as it gets.  just a hint of sea salt is used to bring out the natural flavors of the almonds and whole grains.

Rosemary- one of the most common spices used in delicious French cooking found its way into our bars. with rosemary’s warm and earthy aroma, we realized it's the only flavor we needed for this wholesome bar. sometimes less is more.

Seasame Ginger- inspired by the healthy cuisines of japan, toasted sesame is blended with whole grains to create a mild and warm flavor, while a hint of ginger is used to add freshness. you’ll find this flavor truly delightful!

Don't expect your taste buds to be accosted with which the powerful flavor names suggest. Just like they said in all their descriptions, the flavors are hinted and the taste is very mild (i.e. perfect for long run breakfast) which to me was a good thing. I also wasn't expecting the bars to be on the softer side. They were really good and very filling. The pizza marinara, cocunut curry and parmesan romano flavors sound really tasty, so I will have to go hunt those down and find them. I will definitely be incorporating them into my breakfast routine during training.

How many of you are ready to try them, too? Lucky for you the fabulous peeps at Journey Bar provided me with an extra set that I'll be giving away! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway What's your favorite pre-run meal?

Journey Bar was generous enough to provide me with their product to try and to host a giveaway. All opinions are always my own.