I Hate Working Out at Home!

It's January in New York City, and it's getting frickin' cold! I have no gym membership at the moment, and have been contemplating a few different workout situations, but none of them perfect. Izzy and I decided that our beloved Quick Fitness gym was too far for us, especially when it's cold and we can't drive there on the Vespa. A popular gym franchise has opened up closer, but it is not close enough to make up for what this soul-less franchise lacks. I refuse to commit ever again to something that I don't love.

I was considering Class Pass, which for $99 a month, one can take classes at top studios all over town. But you are limited to 3 visits to each studio per month, and again there really aren't options super close to me. I really need to come home right after work most nights so I can take care of the doggies. Especially now that Izzy is going to barback some nights. I am lacking consistency.

Izzy has been thinking of ways to work out at home. I usually hate working out at home because I really need the energy and motivation of the instructor and the competitiveness of the class. Izzy showed me an interactive exercise bike online last night, suggesting that we could buy it: https://www.pelotoncycle.com This beautifully perfect bike allows you to take spinning classes either live or on-demand. The live classes are filmed in a NYC studio, and you can virtually "compete" against other users. But the price tag is hefty! $2000 for the bike, plus $40 a month subscription to the online classes. Plus clip less shoes and other accessories plus tax, I estimate the total for us would be $2800! But I couldn't stop thinking about this bike, and I convinced Izzy to take a class with me at the studio today.

When I created an online account through the Peloton website, I realized that they set you up with a free class credit. Score! because classes are $30 a pop. And that includes free clipless shoe rental (they clean after every use), super clean locker room with upscale toiletries, free bottled water, and even disposable flip flops for use in the shower. We signed up for a 45 minute class, which was about half full. The instructor was great, and even though the workout was intense, time really flew. After, I had an amazing "Morning Glory" smoothie at the coffee shop/lounge. Both of us felt amazing, but argh that price tag is steep.

There is a Peloton app, and for a limited time, all on-demand and live classes are free. So I got thinking, and started doing some Amazon research. And we figured out that we could get a really nice, sturdy belt-driven (and therefore extremely quiet) spinning bike that would not make our neighbors hate us, since we are apartment dwellers. I was inspired by a user review by someone who switched out the pedals for Shimano clipless pedals, added an iPad holder, a water bottle holder and a simple bicycle computer. We both got clipless shoes, and the total price with all of the extras that we want is about $700. Compare this to the cost of a gym membership for 2 and this is a very sound investment.

I really did not want to settle for something that wouldn't completely fit my need or leave me unmotivated, but I don't really feel like we are compromising much. I really hate buying cheap stuff, then not using it or replacing it with a more expensive item later. The only thing completely missing is the ability to compete on the leaderboard. And when they start charging for the classes through the app, if the cost is prohibitive,  I plan to check out other apps or websites like www.studiosweatondemand.com.

The class we took at Peloton utilized some very lightweight hand weights at the end. It was only a few minutes, but because we never rested our arms between sets, I really felt the burn. I looked on Amazon for some type of holder for the weights, but didn't see anything like it. The Peloton has a wire holder under the seat, possibly I can craft my own version possibly with Izzy's help.

Besides that, I have been doing more of the cooking. And I'm on a roll, Izzy loved some of the meals that I surprised him with. Today I made breakfast sandwiches. I made scrambled eggs with a little cheese and Trader Joe's soy chorizo crumbles, on a whole wheat hamburger bun with sesame seeds. That was a winner, I really have to remember that one! I am also going to step up my packed lunches. I ordered 6 32 oz glass jars on Amazon for about $15 so I can make salad in a jar. There are millions of recipes and ideas, I really like the blog www.organizeyourselfskinny.com, which is also helpful for my organizational aspirations. 

Also did some more purging of old things yesterday, I must keep going. I got an iRobot for Christmas, which is amazing! It sweeps or mops (GPS-driven) with almost no effort, and you would not believe how much gross stuff and dog hair it picks up. I prefer the wet mop option with a microfiber scrubby rag. All part of my plan to work smarter not harder. Seriously if you have a pet this is a must-have.

Marathon Hangover

On November 2, 2014 I ran the NYC Marathon in 6 hours, 24 min and 15 seconds. Wind was very strong that day, and my knee started to hurt about 5 or 6 miles in. I never hit a stride that felt really good, it was mostly pain the entire run. But I did it, and I can cross it off the list. Will I do it again? Well I don't want to say never, but I'm not making any plans at the moment. I did thoroughly enjoy wearing my medal for the entire day when I returned to work.

I think I peaked too early with my training because I never was right after the 18 mile training run, which was my longest training run. Izzy said that I didn't even look like I had ran 18 miles by the time I crossed the finish line. But I must have pushed just a little too hard because my knee did not fully recover by the marathon.

I believe that a half marathon is the best distance for me. I have signed up for the NYC Half, plan to run the Brooklyn Half again, and I will be looking for more half marathons to sign up for next year. Maybe, I mean MAYBE after I get many many more half marathons under my belt, then I will be in the position to attempt another marathon. The difference between a half marathon and a full marathon, in terms of wear and tear on my body, the financial commitment, and the time commitment are HUGE.

My goal for next year is to improve my speed, and run close to a 2 hour half marathon. I've only attempted 2 short runs since the marathon, but after Christmas it will be time to get back into it. I needed to recharge physically and mentally. I did some bikram yoga, and did vinyasa yoga for the first time in about a year and had a very rude awakening. I am fully committing myself to a well-rounded and varied workout routine. I even went swimming with Chester the other week, and I would like to do more of that.

I am also planning to do a 3 day juice fast after Christmas, to jump start healthy habits again. I've been making juice with my Breville juicer here and there, which only sort of makes up for all of the sugar I've been eating at work. At least Izzy and I have been taking a break from drinking at the moment. I've lost track but I think it's been almost 2 months for him and a little less than that for me. All part of the plan to get really focused...

Some goals for next year that have been brewing in my head: waking up earlier and working out, taking more classes that are in the spirit of my career goals, practicing Spanish and becoming more fluent, and getting my apartment organized and de-cluttered. Stacy tuned for that list...

Planning for the marathon

I am in taper mode, so only running enough to keep loose and maintain fitness.  If you've been following along, I missed some training due to a knee injury.  The week before the marathon for me is actually being used to get back into running.  This year I had ann ankle injury that prevented me from running for the last 2 weeks before the Brooklyn Half and I PR'ed big time.  So there is an advantage to being rested and building up your glycogen.  At this point, I've put in my time and I'm not going to turn it around just by working really hard in the last week.  Even worse, I could injury myself which would make for a miserable marathon day.  (Or no marathon day.)

I've been planning and ordering my final items on Amazon, and testing items out.  I ran with my first ever arm warmers tonight.  They were not as life changing as I thought that they would be. 

I ran 2.55 miles tonight with Landon, my chiweenie.  He is an amazing runner.  He has great posture and form.  His muscles are really defined.  I'm so proud of him.  Plus tonight I could tell he really enjoyed it.  After all that running, couldn't believe that he was in the mood tonight with Irene.  :P

Tomorrow night I'm supposed to run 3 miles, and then 5 miles on Thursday.  I think that I will go to the expo at the Javitz on Friday after work.  Or I might go Saturday, but I want to avoid coming to the city and also that should be a day of rest.

Friday/Saturday I will make sure that I will do laundry if needed and start charging devices and gathering supplies.  I mom getting some really great tips, and I keep ordering additional items on Amazon.

Feeling tired but making multiple trips to Organic Avenue.

Note to self: drink more water

Rest & Recovery: 6 days until the NY marathon

Ok, this looks worse than it really is.  I am practicing taping my legs with kinseology tape (I use Mummy Tape), plus I am covered in compression shin sleeves, a knee brace with ceramic particles (to bring heat and blood flow to my knee), and plantar fasciitis boots.  This was last night as I lay in bed.  Poor Izzy, he is a sport to put up with all of this.

This was preventative.  I don't currently have a PF issue, just trying to keep my Achilles healthy and long.  My knees were ok for a very conservative 5 mile run last night.

Today, I feel exhausted.  I didn't sleep well last night, plus a loud noise woke me up at 2:30 am.  If I can remember, I will take my resting heart rate in the morning.  If it is elevated, this is an indication that I may be overtrained or about to get sick.  

I said I was going to foam roll every morning and every night.  But I didn't wake up early enough this morning, and I was too exhausted all day.  The most important thing that I can do right now is rest and don't get sick.

I am supposed to run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday is an optional flex or short running day.  At this point, I am just going to do what feels good.  Friday will be carbo-loading/pasta.  Saturday is for resting and preparing.  At some point I will visit the Marathon Expo to pick up my number.

OMG.

Still don't know what I will wear, but piecing it together in my head.  

I downloaded the app today.  Follow me, I'm bib #65690.

OMG just 7 days left until the marathon!

Yesterday, I ran a 5k obstacle zombie run with Izzy at night.  We ran as humans, trying to stray away from the zombies who were out to eat our brains and steal our flags.  There was a lot of fast running from zombies, and a lot of running on uneven dirt and gravel in the dark.  I kept thinking about how this was a very risky move just a week away from the marathon.  But actually, it was just the kick in the ass that I needed, since I have missed so much training due to a knee injury.

Since the knee injury, I have had a couple failed attempts at running without pain.  And as time was running out, I felt paralyzed with fear and anxiety, which made it hard to start again.  But I did it, and the fast sprints felt good.  I remember stopping for water and thinking we were almost finished until someone informed me that we were actually at the 1 mile point.  Ha!  

I was worried about the obstacle part, but actually there was always the option to skip it.  The only obstacle that I didn't do was the rope climb up the wall.  I did try it for a second but it just wasn't happening, I'm too weak.

Izzy and I bought headlamps as suggested so that we could see in the dark.  Izzy's was bigger and stronger than mine, and it had a strobe mode, which we used at times to disorient the zombies.  I came up with a strategy: we would jog real slow and mellow, then when we got close we would suddenly burst out in a sprint.  This actually worked better than trying to fake them out.  We were laughing and having so much fun.  And guess what...

Izzy won his first medal!  And we were survivors!  So proud of him.  Seriously, he can do anything.

Speaking of medals, I added mine to my collection.  But soon there will be an 8th.  Seriously, just 7 more days...

I ran 5 miles tonight, even though my training plan called for 7.  I felt great, but that's probably because I was so liberal with the kinseology tape.  But I didn't want to push it.  Tomorrow will be a day off, and then I will run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday will be carbo loading.  And Saturday will definitely be a day off.  I am going to foam roll every morning and every night before bed.

Speaking of tape, I have confirmed that Mummy Tape is much stickier than KT Tape, and I'm switching over.  I ordered more tape, arm warmers, and knee compression sleeves.  Forgot to order more gu gels.  What would I ever do without Amazon Prime?  

I still don't know what I will wear.  I might keep changing my mind til the last minute.

Pre-marathon jitters

11 days til the marathon and I'm freaking out.  I'm not doing what I know that I should do.  I ran 2.6 miles on Sunday and I stopped the second I felt a tiny bit of pain, even with both knees taped up.  I am not icing or foam rolling like I should.  Add an extra layer of anxiety: my 39th birthday is Friday.  Like in 2 days Friday.

I said a week ago I think that I would blog every day up until the marathon.  I thought this would keep me focused.  But I am absolutely freaking out!  Freaking out about the training that I've missed, beating myself for running too hard at the 18 mile Marathon Tune Up, and obsessing over everything I could have done differently leading up til now.  What's done is done, and my attitude does not help.  I know this in my rational mind, yet I can't stop.  And having a pity party about feeling old doesn't help either.

I've ran 18 miles as my longest run.  I've built up my base.  Now just try really hard not to be injured 11 days from now.

I'm also quietly freaking out on the inside about a couple other things that I don't really want to share on the internet.  

Maybe I need more yoga in my life.  I went to hot yoga the past 2 weekends and felt great.  If someone would open a gym and a hot yoga studio within 2 blocks of my house, this would really help combat the winter blues.

I did find a great website with tons of information and advise about running your first marathon, and all about the NY Marathon: http://www.runarweb.com/index_e.php. 

I still don't know what I am going to wear.  The weather looks like it will be low of mid 40s and high of mid 50s.

I have been thinking about the various devices that I need to charge. Will I wear earphones?  The crowds and bands along the route are supposed to be amazing and motivational.  I really need new music and playlists, I'm open to suggestions.

I can't see putting myself through this again.  Especially next year, so close to my 40th birthday.  Why the hell do I put myself through this?  All this time, effort, money, pain, and anxiety!  (I did take the time to look up the chances of gaining entry by lottery which is 8-10% and I did check out the half marathon times for qualifying which I am nowhere near close.)

I promised myself and my fiancé that after this, I will chill out.  No more new projects, classes, sporting events, for at least a little while.  Which is not a specific unit of time, and is subjective.  I have to admit, I am already secretly planning to conquer conversational spanish and my great return to knitting so I can make wardrobes for my doggies.  I keep pushing myself and pushing myself and pushing myself. 

Am I any different or better than a workaholic?

What is my point?

Really need to reasses some goals after this.

Rest & Recovery: 19 more days of blogging 'til the marathon

Today was a scheduled day off from running for my training program.  My knee is a little hurty, but feeling much better overall.  It did start to bother me while sitting down for a long meeting, and then again while sitting in Spanish class.  Unfortunately, this is a repeat injury for me and the symptoms are way too familiar.

I have been taking a medication that a specialist prescribed for me last time I had the same knee injury: diclofenac.  For some reason Aleve doesn't really work for me, even the prescription strenghth.  But this medication really helped with pain very quickly.  I remember last time that I felt great by the end of my 1st 30 day supply.  After I went off of it, and the pain returned in 2 days.  By the end of the 2nd 30 day supply I was healed.  I'm about 2 weeks in so far, so the meds should having me feel great by race day.

I hate Physical Therapy.  I've done it twice before, different injuries and PT's.  I've learned a lot about my injuries and my body.  But I still hate it because I feel like all the exercises and poking around in my trouble areas just makes it worse.  Sometimes you need to just heal and rest.  My Chinatown acupressure guy is so much better, I seriously might go to him soon.

Izzy must have pulled something in his back because he burst out squealing in pain tonight for no reason.  Actually, as he was eating cookies and milk he suddenly keeled over in pain.  I laughed, because all I could think of is that the milk was bad and he had stomache cramps and explosive diarrhea was eminent.  I know, I am such a lovely girlfriend!  So I took my muscle roller stick to his back and backs of his entire legs.  I could tell that he enjoyed it, I think he was even able to block out the lecture I gave about how foam rolling.  And then I made him do it to me and it was magical and so much better than doing it to yourself.  They sell much more expensive ones, or I've heard people take a rolling pin to their sore muscles.  I got this one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTLOUDM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seriously, they have a stick roller massager for pets: http://www.amazon.com/The-Stick-GW-740-Pet/dp/B001HTX80C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413255517&sr=8-1&keywords=The+pet+stick

I put some icy hot on my knee, popped a pill before bed, and put on my knee brace from Back On Track, which has ceramic powder within the fibres which creates infrared thermal warmth which is supposed to increase blood flow to the injured area and reduce inflammation: http://www.backontrackproducts.com/People-Products/Knee-Calf-Braces/Knee-Brace-w-Strap-p306.html

I did not foam roll and I did not wear my night splints for plantar fasciitis.  Still feeling a lot of tension in my hips, going to see if Izzy will hang me upside down tomorrow night in the gravity boots.

What else can I do???

20 days blogging to the NY Marathon

20 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes and 30 seconds until the marathon on November 2nd.  I have been preparing for this since January 2013.  I became a member of New York Road Runners, ran in 9 qualifying races in 2013, and volunteered at the 2013 NYC Half Marathon.  This year I've run almost 500 miles so far, spent hundreds and hundreds on entry fees, membership fees, virtual training programs, and energy gels.  There is no other option but running on November 2nd, I will walk or crawl if needed.

My knee is STILL hurting, and my training has suffered a lot.  For the last 4 weeks, I have done very little running.  Today was supposed to be a 19 mile run, the longest in the training program and would have been my longest run ever.  So I'm getting nervous.  I have got to get better.  

I can feel my hips, lower back, legs, and IT band are still really tight, so I went to hot yoga tonight.  And I feel great.  The key to relieving my knee pain is going to be loosening up all of these areas.  Tomorrow is a day off from all fitness, and I'm hoping to do an easy, pain-free run on Tuesday.  My strategy is yoga, stretching, foam rolling and gentle running for the next 20 days.  And Epson salt and ice.  I will be taping everything on race day.

Ideally, I would love to do 10 miles next Sunday and then taper for the remaining 2 weeks.  Wish me luck!  I am going to blog every day until the race.

Marathon Training Blues

4 weeks now until the NY Marathon.  As it gets closer and closer, my goal finish time increases.  Before I started training, I had a goal of 4 hours 30 min in mind (beat Oprah!).  Now my goal is to finish under 6 hours (beat Pam Anderson!).  Check out some other celebrity marathon finish times here: http://running.about.com/od/famousrunners/tp/celebritymarathonrunners.01.htm

Training was going pretty good, I felt really fit, strong, and injury-free until the 18 mile Marathon Tune-Up on September 14th, which I finished in 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 28 seconds.  This is a 11:55 min per mile pace, which is significantly slower than the pace that my training program estimates (11:04-11:24).  Izzy commented that I looked completely fine as I crossed the finish line, not like someone who ran 18 miles.  But as the day went on the serious pain sunk in.  Previous to this, my longest run was 17 miles, after which I was tired but my body was injury-free. 

I got almost no running in before my next running event, which was the Bronx 10 mile run on September 28th.  My right knee was killing me, so I taped it up with KT tape.  For anyone who has ever wondered how much this helps, I can attest that this is pretty amazing stuff because my right knee didn't bother me at all.  But my left knee started hurting immediately!  And my right ankle was sore too.  This was one of the worst runs I have ever had, my finishing time was 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 40 seconds.  (Actually, I am making a commitment to myself right now to finish a half marathon in less time than this next year.)  But I finished and I earned another medal.  And I completed 4 our of 6 of the Five Burroughs series which earned me guaranteed entry to the NY Half next year.  Clearly, I am going to tape all of my legs for the marathon.  I did a little research, and decided to order "Mummy Tape", which isn't as pretty as pre-cut, colorful KT Tape but is supposed to stick better.  And I bought a spray that also helps the tape to adhere better and stay put.

This past week I ran less than a mile and a half with my doggies, and today 2 miles on the treadmill.  A whole week wasted when the marathon is so close!  My plan at this point is to take it easy and slowly ease back in to running this week.  If I have to go to the gym and ride the exercise bike just to keep up my fitness then I'll do it.  Because time is running out and I don't know what else I can do.

I'm sure that this is totally related: I have been feeling fatigued and depressed for the past several weeks.  I sort of crashed the other week, all of the extra training and also extra work hours seemed to catch up to me at once.  As much as I would love to be able to do everything that I set out to do (which is a lot) I do actually have a physical and emotional limit.  I think the changing of the seasons has a lot to do with it, and cumulative effects of hard training.  I had my first facial ever yesterday, and the facialist suggested that the pattern of my new acne breakouts on my skin suggest stress or adrenal dysfunction, and hormonal issues.  All of which were theories of mine based off of internet research.  Another theory is that my pH level is too acidic, I plan to eat more whole foods this week and drink lots of Smart Water.

Also notable news is that my birthday is this month. And Izzy's birthday too, he is exactly 10 days older.  We'll both be 39.  We're keeping it mellow this year, just having one combined celebratory dinner.  Izzy won't even tell me what he wants for a present.  Training is definitely keeping me in line.  Usually, October is always such a busy month for us.

Besides that, I have been taking spanish again.  This time just a 6 week class, which is perfect.  Better teacher this time.  My spanish is still not that conversational, but it's getting better.

3 months until NY Marathon 2014 and Izzy's first boxing match

Just 3 months until the NY Marathon!  I ran 8 miles yesterday, as prescribed by my online virtual trainer.  It's been humid and hot, and running has become so much harder.  Last Sunday, I ran 16 miles for NYRR long marathon training run, longest run to date.  I found out that it is actually much harder to run at a slower pace, and the last 2 miles were excruciating.  But I did it and I'm a better person for it.  I'm starting to plan my post-marathon party.

So I quit 30 Day Abs.  I will do it again.  Some day.  I mean, I invested $20 in that ab mat, so...

Izzy had his boxing match, it was so exciting!  I had no idea that I would enjoy it that much.  He lost, but he gave a good fight.  And not many people actually get up there and do that, so there's that.  Everyone got a trophy, and our friends from the local dive bar made him a champion belt made out of six pack holders, beer coasters, and tin foil.  So much love and support!  I think about 30 friends came out to to see him, plus he raised over $1000 for charity.

And Izzy has already signed up for his next athletic challenge.  We signed up with a bunch of friends to do a Zombie Run (5k obstacle) on October 25th.  We all decided to be runners (or humans) and not zombies.  My initial thought was that a 5k would be a piece of cake, but then reality sunk in about the obstacle part...  The marathon is the following weekend.  I should probably train for this event, but this is definitely outside of my comfort zone.  Taking suggestions and advice from anyone who has trained for this type of event, particularly if you lack upper body strenghth like I do!

Which reminds me, yesterday was the NY triathalon.  Some day I will do this...  So little time!

30 Day Abs: Shit is gettin' REAL.

I noticed a few of my friends publicly committing on Facebook to do 30 Day Abs, and I thought that this challenge could help me established a new healthy fitness habit and would benefit my marathon training.  There are several free and paid iphone apps, I settled on "30 Day Ab" free version by Jozic Productions (www.jozicproductions.com).  There are 4 exercises: sit-ups, crunches, leg raises, and plank.  Day 1 is 15 sit-ups, 5 crunches, 5 leg raise, and 25 second plank.  Pretty easy!  And didn't take so long.  But for some reason it took me a week to mentally prepare for Day 2.

The program is 3 days of exercises, followed by a rest day.  Each day is a little harder than the previous.  By Day 11, I could barely finish.  So after a day of rest on Day 12, I decided that I would repeat Day 9, 10, and 11.  I did Day 9 on Friday, and yesterday I justified skipping a day since I had to run 9 miles for marathon training.  Now I find myself at the crossroads of procrastination.  I am telling myself right now that as soon as I finish and publish this blog that I will go to my bedroom at complete Day 10.

I starting running in 2009 using the Couch to 5k program.  I read somewhere that if a week was really hard that it was best to repeat a week rather than move on.  I repeated many weeks and took extra rest days between run days.  But I finished it.  And I've run 3 half marathons to date.  So I thought the same method could be applied to 30 Day Abs.  My journey, at my own pace.

If anyone else is considering doing this challenge, I highly recommend buying an ab mat.  I bought one for $20 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Workouts-Machines-Equipment-Trainer-Exerciser/product-reviews/B00BBLDN56?pageNumber=2. It's basically a little curved mat that supports the small of your back.  It also helps you get a better range of motion and do the exercises more effectively.

Here's a similar 30 Day Abs program, the one I saw circulating on Facebook:

Solstice means it's officially summer!

It is absolutely gorgeous today in Brooklyn, we were out of the house this morning by 9 am to enjoy the longest day of the year.  We did our usual long doggy walk down Franklin St. and Kent Ave. to Williamsburg.  We always stop at Sweetleaf Coffee on N. 6th, which serves the best coffee and pastries on the planet.  Then we go to Bushwick Inlet Park along the waterfront to enjoy our tasty treats while we watch soccer.  Of course, we always take the doggies to the dog park at McCarren Park.  Oh, did I mention that we got another doggy?

Landon was showing signs of boredom, so we adopted a sister for him.  Irene is a chihuahua pug, she has a mean looking grin, one ear that is always curled forward, and she snorts like a pig.  And she is an alpha female. We love her so much, but these two are a hand full!

According to my new Misfit Shine activity tracker, I have walked 4.8 miles before noon today.  (Shine is "the world's most elegant physical activity tracker": http://www.misfitwearables.com). I still need to run 55 minutes today (about 5 miles), according to my Gipis app marathon training program.  

Izzy and I have had sinus infections that are interfering with our training.  Izzy is still set to box in the ring for the charity at Gleason's on July 19th.  I'm running the Queens 10k tomorrow and marathon training is gearing up.  I am registered for long training runs through NYRR in July, August, and September.  And I'm thrilled that the Queens 10k is a month earlier this year (and probably 20 degrees cooler), and that I will earn a medal.  Last year I finished in 1:08:02, and hoping to finish under an hour. Check out this photo of me last year, apparently I looked like I just bought a Toyota.

If anyone wants to track me, NYRR offers live tracking here: http://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NYRR-QUEENS-2014#b=na&v=ptrack  My bib # is 9058.

I started Day 1 of 30 day abs, but I never got to Day 2.  I am using a free app called 30 Day Ab by Jozic Productions.  I am recommitting to this, starting today.

I PR'ed BIG TIME!!!

Spring is finally here in NYC and Greenpoint, Brooklyn is my favorite place to be.  Many weekends have been dedicated to wearing out our energetic chiweenie Landon.  We like to walk him to McCarren Park in Williamsburg, which is a 2 mile walk each way.  Then we let him run like crazy in the small dog park.  I started putting on my running shoes to walk him, but now I am taking Landon on my runs up to 3 miles.  And Izzy started riding his bike with Landon running beside him.  Two really energetic people are having a hard time keeping up with the exercise needs of one little doggy.  I am wondering what we will do next winter.

I am super proud of Izzy, he has committed to 10 weeks of intense boxing training and to be part of a amateur boxing event at Gleason's for charity.  He is training 5 times a week for 2 hours a day.  You can check out his profile on the website here: https://www.crowdrise.com/romelnava/fundraiser/gleasonsgiveakidadream. The event will take place at Gleason's on July 19th, and he will be selling tickets for $25. 

On May 4th, I rode in the Five Boro Bike Tour with Izzy and Chester (and 32,000 others).  The tour was 40 miles, and the longest ride for Chester and Izzy to date.  Those guys kicked ass, so proud and happy for them.  Izzy loves to wear my shirts from running events, I teased him that he actually earned this one. 

On May 10th, I ran in the Healthy Kidney 10K with my friend Maureen.  I raised $1185 for Team Kidney in honor of my brother— thank you to everyone who donated.  I had a running goal to finish in 1 hour, so I was thrilled to finish in 1 hour 38 seconds. I PR'ed!  (PR="personal record", not "Puerto Rico" LOL)  It was my fastest 10k time and also my fastest pace for any NYRR running event.  Maureen must have finished about 5 minutes before me, she's fast!  It was her first New York Road Runners event and she surprised herself. 

Last Saturday, May 17th, I PR'ed again.  My third half marathon was my fastest yet.  I didn't expect to do so well because I have not been training hard since the NYC Half in March.  I shaved about 17 minutes off of my last half marathon time and finished in 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 58 seconds!  Wowzers!  That's an average pace of 10:08.  Izzy brought Landon on the Vespa to come pick me up, I was so happy to have my two Mexican boys there to celebrate my victory.  But, as fun as it may sound to end a half marathon with over 25,000 runners in Coney Island, I have to say that I sort of agree with something I heard after I crossed the finish line.  I overheard a guy say "Why did we run all the way to this shithole?"  No cellphone reception and long lines for bathroom or beer make me quite the grumpy pants, especially after running 13.1 miles.  I was happy to get the hell out of there, but the traffic made that more excruciating than the 133 minute run to get there in the first place.  At least they had bagels at the finish line this year and not just stupid bags of pretzels (like last year!). The fact that there is now an Applebee's on Surf Ave. has kind of killed the whole vibe for me I guess.

Next on the horizon, I've got the Queens 10k in June, and I've committed to a training program for the NY Marathon in November using Gipis iphone app.  I'm going to run 4 times a week and my goal is to finish in about 4 hours and 20 minutes, which equals an average pace of 9:53 per mile.  (Or about 15 seconds per mile faster than the Brooklyn Half).  I've been waking up at 5:15 in the morning with Izzy, he goes to boxing training and I go to the gym or run with Landon.  We're going to be so buff!

Long overdue update

I have been extremely busy since my last post, and happy to report that I've made some serious progress towards some of my goals:

1. I am registered for the NY marathon this year on November 2nd.

2. I ran the NYC Half on March 16, and finished in 2:29:13, which is a better time than my first half marathon.  And of course I got a medal!

3. The next 3 weekends are very exciting: 5 Boro Bicycle Tour on May 4th, Healthy Kidney 10k on May 10th (I'm fundraising, please support me--> National Kidney Foundation), and the Brooklyn Half on May 17th.

4. I got laid off from my job at the end of January.  We adopted a rescue dog and I planned a vacation to Mexico where I met my future father-in-law.  Then I got some freelance work, followed by full-time job that was a big step up for me.  It was actually a miraculous turn around since I was unemployed for such a short time, and my freelance clients were very sad to see me go.

5.  I think Izzy and I decided on a wedding location.

I am going to try to blog more regularly, in an effort to become more focused for the next month.

Julie and I in Merida, Mexico with Ollie, my future father-in-law.

Izzy with Landon the chiweenie

As the Year Comes to an End...

At the time of my last blog I was on a bit of a yoga high.  For those of you not following all along, I had a shoulder injury that I was going to physical therapy for, that was painful and sucked all of the joy out of yoga.  My injury was a huge setback in upper body strength because I put off physical therapy and muscles started to compensate for others.  After recovering, I was just getting back into yoga after a long hiatus. I am happy to report that soon after my blog I did a substantial and proper crow pose and held it for a respectable amount of time.  Three times, actually.  It is a long-time goal of mine to be able to do real push-ups and real chatarungas one day, one which I have never been able to achieve because upper body strength has always been a challenge for me. 

Right around the same time Izzy started to get interested in boxing again, and we decided to shop for a new gym.  I always love to check out the very best and most expensive, just to see what is out there and we were able to get a trial day at Reebok Sports Club/NY, which is $217 a month per person for a no commitment membership.  We loved it, but the location and price weren't practical, plus I really don't need 6 floors of gym and supposed celebrity clientele.

I researched gyms in our neighborhood and we fell in love with Quick Fitness in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (right by McCarren Park/Williamsburg).  There is a boxing room for Izzy, and they have the same virtual reality Expresso exercise bikes that I got to try at Reebok.  They also have a Jacobs Ladder, a rope pull, a rock climbing wall, steam rooms, and EcoMill self-powered treadmills.  All of this for $85 a month with no commitment.  Izzy is actually excited now to go to the gym, worth every single penny!

I also reported a knee injury in my last blog.  Long story short, after two doctor visits and an MRI, I have a classic case of Patella Femoral Syndrome.  Could be age-related or a sports injury, and women are more prone to this injury because we have hips which more easily cause bio mechanical issues.  In a nutshell, my knee cap is a little out of whack and I need to strengthen the surrounding leg muscles to keep it in place.  Turns out riding a bicycle is great for strengthening quads, which is perfect because I've been doing lots of that lately!  I've also started to sit against the wall for 2 minutes at a time and the Hip Abductor Cybex machine.   A new prescription is helping to reduce inflammation better than the high dose prescription Aleve that I was previously on.

More great news!  The doctor gave me the go ahead to run, so I ran on the treadmill today for the first time in forever.  Half marathon training has officially begun!  I ran a little over 3 miles at a comfortable pace, and it felt good.  I am confident that I will be in good shape for the NYC Half in March.  And I plan to incorporate more cross training this time.

So just 2 more days til the end of the year.  Will try to get another blog in before that.  Izzy and I have not drank for 6 weeks (we have a $500 bet!) and I have been juicing with my new Breville juicer since I got back from Pennsylvania for Christmas.  And me and Izzy received many fitness-related presents this year, I am sure I will blog about our favorites.

Yoga Trials and Tribulations, and Renewed Joy

My yoga journey has had many false starts.   My practice finally stuck in 2008 because my employer at the time (until beginning of 2013) offered yoga class once a week in the studio. Sit at my computer for another hour vs. 1 hour of self-care/awareness/exploration proved to be enough incentive for me to get the habit going.

Prior to this, I had taken a yoga class at the Fashion Institute of New York for college credit.  It was ridiculously cheap (and tax deductible!) and I was already making the commute for a drawing class on the same night. It was a good foundation that included nutrition, chakras, and basic idealogies.  But even my downward dog was sad to be quite honest.  

Since the yoga sessions at work were with only a couple co-workers, I was able to freely ask questions and got lots of individual attention.  I started to get better and better.  I remember that my hamstring started to bother me, and I started riding my bicycle on Sunday nights to a candle light yoga class in the East village that got hot enough to sooth my pain.  Pretty soon, I was hooked, and adding more classes, instructors, and studios into my repertoire.

Since this new awareness/journey started, I've worked through several injuries.  I've had a slight case of scoliosis since I was young, my spine has about a 5% curvature that is enough to throw my shoulders and my hips off balance.  The effect of my offset hips is that my legs are like they are different lengths.  Prior to this, I've treated the resulting back pain with massage, a Chiropractor, a Physicsl Therapist, a Chinese Acupressurist, and an Acupuncturist.  But I did all of these things after I was already in pain, to fix the symptoms.  Yoga is a proactive long term solution.

As mentioned in another blog, over 2 years ago I got Plantar Fasciitis for the first time, which is a pain in the arch of your foot.  Most people have heel pain, but I did not.  I wasn't able to run for about a year.  But after a couple months of PT, and rest, I started running again a little over a year ago.  I switched to running in Vibram Five Fingers, which require some retraining because you use all of the muscles in your foot that you don't normally use when wearing conventional sneakers.  You actually have to change your stride and strike in the middle or front of your foot, as opposed to heel striking which is what most people do in conventional sneakers.  It took a lot of time and it was like starting over, but I was able to increase my mileage past the 5 mile wall that I kept hitting previous. After switching there was no more knee or IT band pain.  I felt so great that I became a New York Road Runners member in January, ran in the Brooklyn Half Marathon (my first half), and ran in enough races to qualify for guaranteed entry to the New York City Marathon for 2014.  2013 was the year that I fell in love with running, and it was also the year that I fell out of love with yoga.

How could this happen?  I still believe in all of the principles and goodness of yoga.  But about a year or so ago, pain started to develop in my left shoulder.  I thought it would go away, but it got worse over time, and my right shoulder started to bother me a bit as well.  I wanted to avoid chaturanga, and Aerial Vinyasa not only achieved that, but was also fresh, and helped stretch my hamstrings and decompress my spine while I was training for my first half marathon.  But eventually the pain worsened to the point that there was no joy left in yoga, and I finally decided it was time to go to physical therapy and deal with my injury.

By ignoring my injury for so long, I allowed my shoulder muscles to weaken a lot.  Eventually other muscles in my neck and back had to compensate for the weak muscles, which made physical therapy an even more difficult process.  Sometimes I would be in throbbing pain for days after PT.  We were able to improve my range of motion and I did gain strength, but the results came slow because I could not do my exercises at home often enough.  Something did not add up.

Towards the end of my physical therapy is when my doctor told me that I am hypothyroid, and I did reading and found that this was likely the cause of my Plantar Fasciitis and my shoulder pain.  I've been taking Synthroid and have figured out the best time to take my pill in the morning and when to have breakfast and take other pills.  (Synthroid has to be taken on an empty stomach without any other food or pills for at least 30-60 minutes after or absorption can be effected).  I am due for a blood test and follow up with my doctor to find out if my dosage needs to be increased.  And I'm plugging away on my reading list so I will be prepared to ask the right questions this time and manage my own health.  Unfortunately, 2 weeks ago my left knee started bothering me, and since I don't remember injuring it I can only assume that this is a result of the hypothyroidism too.  All I can do is wait for my synthetic hormones to build up in my system, and ask my doctor if a cortisone shot as a temporary fix for the pain is appropriate.

So the recent knee injury has put a damper on my running plans for the near future.  Which totally sucks because I am supposed to start training soon for the New York Half Marathon which is in March.  In the meantime, I've been easing back into yoga and really enjoying it.  I've indulged in a few restorative yoga classes lately, if that doesn't make me fall in love with yoga again then I don't know what will.  My current roster of yoga studios are all studios really close to my home or my work, and places that I really love.  I did take advantage of a free trial week at a studio today to help jump start my yoga comeback.  Sometimes I need variety, but right now it's cold so I just need convenience and warmth.

When I was in physical therapy, the therapists kept telling me how many patients came to them with injuries from yoga.  How is this even possible?  All of my time spent in physical therapy, I have never heard anyone say that they were there because of yoga.  I'm sure it happens, I'm just saying that I think that they are skewing the numbers a bit, and I blame that article in the New York Times about people getting injured in yoga. The worst part of that article was everyone who would never in a million years being all smug acting like, "See, this is why I don't do yoga!", when they never would because they don't do anything physical.

Ending on a good note, I finished my 10-week Beginner Spanish class and I got an A on my final exam.  I am going to study on my own for bit with my ipad.  And the next project up, Salsa dancing lessons.  Never a dull moment!

And Life Goes On After My Birthday

It's been 6 days since my 38th birthday, and life is getting back to normal.  I didn't have a party or do anything grandious, but Izzy and I did have a pretty epic special occasion dinner at 1 or 8, which is a very cool modern Japanese French restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  The food was impeccably presented, delicious, and actually very healthy.

FYI, the chopsticks or spoon in every photo is Izzy immediately diving in to every dish, even a second of hesitation on my part and I would have missed my photo op.  When the food looks and tastes this good I like to have a visual for later reference.

So now that party time is over, I am happy to report that not only has Izzy gone to the YMCA in Greenpoint with me 4 times (twice this week and twice last week), he is once again a member as of tonight.  And it was his idea!  We've been doing the elliptical and running on the treadmill.  At this point the important thing is just to get moving and to establish a habit.  So far so good.  And the YMCA recently acquired all new cardio equipment.  I've especially been enjoying the virtual courses on the LifeFitness cardio machines.  For instance, I ran through the mountains of Germany the other night, tonight I chose urban New Zealand.

Tomorrow night is not a gym night for me because I have Spanish class, but Izzy told me that he plans to go by himself.  I love his determination when he sets his mind on something.  I always say that if the metaphor is running, he is the sprinter, and I am the marathon runner...  We are both "doers", just different types of energy.  Just have to figure out how we can work together towards the same goal, because when we do it's magic...

Oh and how could I forget? Sunday night was couples haircut night with Chester at Lance Lappin salon in TriBeCa!  Izzy said he didn't realize how much he needed the haircut until after he got it--he said he felt brand new!  I got some old grown out highlights + summer sun brassiness removed, in favor of a more fall-appropriate hair color.  Damned, new hair feels good.

By the way, I have noticed many of you liking my blog posts on Facebook or have made comments to me in person.  I would love it if you would comment here.

How do I get my mojo back?

Two weeks ago I had an appointment with my doctor, who had called me in to talk about my annual bloodwork results.  Every year my lab results show a vitamin D deficiency, and she gives me a prescription that I take once a week for 6 weeks. This time she caught me off guard and told me that in addition to my usual vitamin D deficiency, that I am also hypothyroid.  I have had the classic symptoms for as long as I can remember (always cold, dry skin and hair, enlarged glands in throat) but just never tested positive so most likely subclinical all this time.

I don't completely reject traditional medicine, but I'm not so much a fan of lots of doctors appointments and prescribed medications.  And I accept the fact that my metabolism isn't the same as everyone else's and I will have to work harder.  I wouldn't say that I'm perfect by any means when it comes to nutrition and diet, but I know what I'm supposed to do and I'm definitely better than most.  I would say that I try to live by the 80/20 rule: be as good as you can 80% of the time and live a little the other 20% of the time.  Living by extremes doesnt work for me.

I've done some reading since my appointment, and in hindsight, I have noticed the following symptoms increasing unexplainable in the last few months:

-sore muscles and longer recovery times (even Plantar Fasciitus can be connected with hypothyroid, which started bothering me about 2 years ago)

-foggy brain

-trouble concentrating

-gradual weight gain (over the course of 1-2 years) despite a regular exercise routine and generally healthy lifestyle with no major changes

My doctor prescribed me a low dosage of generic Synthroid, which is synthetic hormone replacement.  In 2 months I will take another blood test so that she can see how my levels are at that point and adjust my medication if necessary.  I didn't think to ask for a copy of my latest blood test, but I plan on getting one. The generic Synthroid made me feel space and medicated, and I read that some people do not react well with the generic versions and that the dosages are not controlled well.  She switched me to brand name Synthroid and I could feel the difference immediately... meaning, I don't feel anything which is a good thing.

So between the fatique and the generic medication that I thought I would get used to but wiped me out, I am way off my exercise routine.  I ran 3 miles on Saturday and I could really feel it.  Gonna focus on getting in some exercise most days at this point and just get a habit going again.  Just gotta get out of this funk.  Oh yeah, and my birthday is in 3 days, can I just skip it this year?

Registration just opened for the NYC Half Marathon on March 16, 2014.  I have guaranteed entry because I was a volunteer last year, but I'm going to hold off registering for a bit because the discounted price for New York Road Runners is $117!  (I hope everyone appreciates the financial commitment that it takes to compete in these events, in addition to the physical commitment!). I was perusing Hal Higdon training programs and am planning on a 12 week training program, which means I need to start training mid-December.  Hopefully this will keep me on track and give me some structure.