10 things I’ve learned about biking and I dusted off the Wii Fit

29. May 2014 · 1 comment · Categories: cross training · Tags: , , , ,

So I closed on my mortgage refinance this morning and then, to celebrate finally completing that “task” that’s been on my to-do list since 2012, I took the pretty bike for another spin, this time around my hood.

ready to take a ride through the neighborhood

ready to take a ride through the neighborhood

I completed 8 miles in just about an hour.

streetrun

It was much hillier than my last ride at the beach. And there were lots of traffic lights that I had to stop at. But I really enjoyed feeling the muscles in my body working and I actually was giddy to feel myself huffing and puffing up hills. I know I’ve lost a good amount of fitness this past month and I am getting excited to gain some of it back. It’ll make things easier when I’m finally cleared to run again.

In the meantime, I’ve made some realizations when it comes to biking:

1. I cannot believe how weak my core is. 

2. I find that I carry tension in my neck and shoulders while riding. Not sure if I’m leaning forward too much or if it’s just that my body is not used to holding on to handlebars for so long.

3. I don’t need to wear a sports bra which means they’ll get worn less and ultimately last longer meaning I save money. Cha Ching!

4. Ditto for my running sneakers! Double Cha Ching!

5. I found a new “cheeky” place to apply anti chafe balm =)

6. My neighborhood isn’t the best place to ride lately. Street resurfacing is in full effect!

roughroad

7. I sweat a lot less

8. The breeze feels AWESOME

9. My eyes tear and that’s even with sunglasses

10. Hills that seemed SO steep and long when running are actually not bad when biking. I actually kind of look forward to the uphills!

After feeling the exercise endorphins kick in I decided to dust off my Wii Fit! I was curious how long it had been since I last used it.

wiimii

Hello! 1570 day? That’s like 4 1/2 YEARS! Oops, my bad! Apparently I weighed about 137 pounds and had a “normal” BMI in 2010. And actually I was right about that in March of this year but today I weighed in around 145 and it said i am “overweight” :(. I take that with a grain of salt but regardless I decided to set a goal to lose 9 pounds in 6 months. I did some strength and balance moves and even some yoga poses. Just 10 minutes! I’m going to commit to doing 10-20 minutes 3x a week.

The doodle went to the groomer for his summer cut.

summercut

And now I’m sitting on the sofa thinking I actually want to go for another bike ride! It’s the most perfect weather here today and I want to maximize my day off to the fullest. But reality is telling me I better head to the grocery store. Alright! Alright! =)

So what’s the weather like where you live? It was 60s and sunny all day here. AHHHH! My favorite.

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Busy holiday weekends are the best

27. May 2014 · 7 comments · Categories: cross training, labradoodle, recreational fun, vacation · Tags: , , , , , ,

I remember in my 20s and even early 30s when a holiday weekend would come I’d look forward to sleeping late and sitting on the couch. That doesn’t happen anymore.

After getting up before 5 a.m. on Saturday to see my friends run the Spring Lake 5 and then spending the afternoon walking in the rain with the doodle I thought about sleeping in yesterday. But then I remembered I had my new bike and the rest is history.

lifeisgood

I got up at 6:30 a.m. and after a quick breakfast and a walk with the dog I put the bike in the car and drove down to the beach to really test out my new wheels (and my bike riding confidence). More »

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Cross training begins in the parking lot

22. May 2014 · 2 comments · Categories: cross training, desserts, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Happy Thursday! My favorite weekday because I’m off =)

I got up early, showered and got dressed.

i run like a girl

reminding myself i am still a runner

Yup, foam roller and heating pad in the background. #injuredrunner

Then headed out with a friend to buy my very first adult bike.

Schwinn Riverside

Pretty hot pink accents =)

new bike

My first time riding a bike since I was 15!

So I’m so short that I had to bring the seat down all the way! I practiced quick in the parking lot and was surprised I didn’t fall. I’m shaky for sure but it’ll come back to me right?! =)

The bike was a bargain at $129! I can always upgrade to a fancier bike if I stick to it.

Next up was grabbing lunch at Harold’s Deli. They’re famous for their World’s Largest Pickle Bar

Harold's Deli

Pickles, corned beef and turkey on rye and cole slaw!

They’re also famous for their oversized desserts. We were pressed for time so I got this oversized black and white cookie to go…

black and white cookie

Now that’s a cookie!

Once I got home I set out for my first official bike ride. I’m still nervous so I rode around my development and to a church parking lot near my house just to get used to it.

 

route-bike

 

I hope I get a little faster! I run faster than that lol! But I did go up a big hill and that felt good.

So here I go! I’ve taken the mental training wheels off and I’m ready to embrace the next 3 weeks of not running.

Have you ever been nervous to do something but once you tried it you loved it?

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It isn’t rocket science

02. April 2014 · 1 comment · Categories: cross training, labradoodle, running · Tags: , , , ,

First let me say I’m not the only one who is so happy the rain is gone and the sun has returned

photo 1-1

Do you want to know what made me happy after a very nasty day at the office? It isn’t rocket science…Well ordinarily I would say a run. I didn’t run today, but it was a running related field-trip that did the trick.

OK let me back up. My company is working on updating our website and with that comes new headshots of the team. We were all tasked with choosing a location somewhere in NYC that meant something to us. So me being the NYC Marathon nerd that I am, chose Engineer’s Gate, the entrance into Central Park where the Fred Lebow statue is. (For those who don’t know, Fred Lebow was the founder of the NYC Marathon and Engineer’s Gate is a very big milestone along the course. It’s at about Mile 23 and it’s where you re-enter the park for the final few miles where the spectatorship is out of this world! It’s also where I gave this mugshot to the camera this past November =).

i was falling apart and cramping up everywhere and just couldn't smile

i was falling apart and cramping up everywhere and just couldn’t smile.

The shots that will be used for our company website are still under wraps but i had a coworker snap this shot for me since I shlepped my medals into the office and wore my 2013 NYC Marathon finisher’s shirt, I figured I might as well!

1897895_10203457590382116_1693546469_n

just me and Fred.

Back in December I was having a bad day and ended up visiting Fred’s statue after picking up my bib # for a race I was running that weekend. And then this past January I ran the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half Marathon. It’s a special spot.

After the shoot it was 5pm but I still had to go back to the office to tie up a few loose ends. Everyone planned on hopping in a cab, but I knew I needed to decompress. Had I been in running gear, I would have run the 3 miles back to the office. But since I was in jeans and carrying 2 heavy medals around my neck, I decided I’d walk.

3milewalk

I walked along the edge of Central Park…cpark and passed Radio City…radiocity

I walked 3 miles in 52 minutes and by the time I was back at the office I was feeling much better!

So I mentioned back in this post about buying my first pair of Brooks Ghost running sneakers after being an Asics Cumulus girl for so long. I loved the Asics Cumulus 13s, but hated the 14s and 15s….well…..I just saw that the Cumulus 16s have been released.

cumulus16

Not gonna lie…I’m tempted!! =)

Meanwhile, on Sunday, since I knew it was going to be pouring rain, I wore an older pair of Cumulus 13s that had a few hundred miles on them because I didn’t want to ruin the Ghosts that I’m planning on wearing come 4/27 for the NJ Marathon. Today, those sneakers were STILL WET!!!! That’s over 48 hours and they’re still not dry even with the newspaper stuffing trick!.

BkIzxw8IIAAPTvLIt’s April Fools and I totally fell for Monica’s Tattoo post. Bummer, I was really excited to see it.

Questions:

• Are you a prankster? Did you trick anyone today?

• Running a marathon this Spring?

• What sneakers do you run in?

• If you were having your pic taken in Manhattan what location would you pick?

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