Post-Christmas

How was everyone's holiday? We had a great time in Ohio and spent Christmas Eve with my extended family and then Christmas Day with my Mom, Dad and sister. 
After hitting the gym hard last week before leaving, I did take more rest days than I had anticipated once in Ohio. I managed to squeeze in a 4-mile run and lifted some hand weights at my parents house. Not too bad considering how crazy busy we were!


My sister had scheduled a few appointments to try on wedding dresses with my family and I ended up finding THE one! It was very exciting and surprisingly emotional.


In midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle, family schedules, traveling, sinful eating and drinking, just remember to

My new job has given me the week off as a Wellness Week (l.o.v.e.) so I am headed to a strength training class and then hot yoga today!


Next on my list: http://www.shape.com/bride/bridal-fitness/how-get-toned-arms-best-exercises-arms


Happy Thursday!

Ready for it?

4:45am wake-up and made it in time for a 5:05 spin class, followed by weights focusing on arms, abs and shoulders. 

This is true for me as of now. What are some goals you set this time of year? What enables you to finish them?


Make it a great Tuesday!

(Chilly) Monday Morning

This morning started out with a nice, invigorating run with Mike around Dilworth. We got to check out some Christmas lights along the way, which made the run somewhat tolerable. I was having difficulty breathing for the first 35 minutes....ok, the entire time. But was determined to finish and excited to be running so early in the morning again, just like old times.

265 cal egg sandwich for b-fast. 100-cal whole grain english muffin, 1 egg + 1 tbsp egg beaters w/s&p, laughing cow french onion wedge, turkey sausage patty.....so tasty!!

Hope you all are doing well! Countdown is on, 4 days until we leave for OH.


*Tip for running in the colder weather*: Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. And for those anatomy lovers: The nasal turbinates in your nose, help to warm the air as you inhale, making breathing more efficient and comfortable. 

Happy Running!

Sunday Funday!

It has been FOR-EVER!! And my apologies for that.
I have bee contemplating becoming a yoga instructor through Arrichion. It would be 5 weekends of intense training and then attending classes to receive my 200-hour Yoga Certification Training. Sounds just up my alley! I have attended over 70 classes and think this would give me mental and physical strength that I will be forever craving.


Wedding planning is going well-picked a venue and set a date! Not too bad for only 2 months into it.

Here is the reception venue--love, love the inside as well!


Am still running, although no where near what I was while training. Have switched gears and am doing a lot of spinning classes as well as strength training and hot yoga. I tend to become, for lack of better words,  almost a little discouraged after any race I do. I am not certain why this happens. But it does! However, I do believe it has to do w/1.) b/c I am burned out of training and running 5 days a week and 2.) I almost always want to do better and sometimes just finishing isn't quite up to standards.


On to a Diamond Hot Yoga class! Happy Sunday

Arrichion Topaz Series with Limited Instruction

Class duration: 60 minutes

Room temperature: 97 F

Beginner to advanced students

The word diamond stems from the Greek word adamos which means invincible. Diamonds promote clarity of thought and align one to thoughts associated with a higher self. The diamond stimulates unity and the love of self and others. The Arrichion Hot Yoga Diamond series practiced to music in a candlelit room with limited instruction will help you increase strength, flexibility, balance, and especially focus.

Good Morning Sunshine!
I wanted to share the sun salutation workout that is practiced in our Bloodstone & Black Opal hot yoga class, an energizing way to begin or end your day. I have included some benefits of hot yoga below for those curious.
The more you do yoga, the quieter and calmer you become.

Hot Yoga Benefits

Weight Loss

Many people in the hunt to shed extra pounds consider the benefits of hot yoga due to claims that it addresses quite a few aspects of weight loss, as well as improved exercise and stress reduction. For the simple reason that hot yoga increases the pulse rate, your body then works to keep thermo-regulation, escalating calorie expenditure without the force on joints of further calisthenic work out regimens like jumping jacks or jogging. Hot yoga is also alleged to amplify oxidation of fat cells. Be sure to wear the proper hot yoga clothes because you will be sweating a lot.

Muscle and Joint Pain

Several joints, particularly the vertebrae, discontinue lubricating as effectively when a person enters into their thirties. Yoga promotes joint lubrication that may alleviate common feelings of stiffness and soreness, both reactively and proactively.

Mobility

Cold muscles tend to be more likely to tear while stretched. Bikram hot yoga advocates propose that stretching warm muscles is more effective and lets the practitioner progress deeper into poses. Since stretching is an efficient way to increase flexibility, hot yoga may help increase ones range of motion, thwart accidental injuries in exercise, and help someone heal from prior accidental injuries.

Tension Relief

Exercise, deep breathing, and reflection have been revealed to cut back anxiety levels, and hot yoga combines all three. The psyche’s fight to concentrate on poses in a sweltering atmosphere distracts and distances from stressors. Lower stress levels allow for superior and easier sleep, which improves the immune system and reduces probability of injuries on the body. Lower anxiety levels on the whole reduce weight gain, cut possibility of illness and injury, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improves mood.

Immune System

Raising your core temperature simulates a fever-like environment in your body, elevating white blood cell production and fighting viruses and bacteria. Your body also makes additional interferon, which raises the production of antibodies. Stress weakens the immune system, as a result activities that lessen stress also reduce vulnerability to health issues.

Increased Performance

Many athletes take up hot yoga to improve their levels of accomplishment in additional activities. Well-stretched muscle tissue have improved range of motion and are less at risk of tearing. Joints in good alignment are less pain-prone in high impact physical activities. The breath control of yoga improves execution in cardio and anaerobic activities.

But these massive physical benefits are just a “side effect” of this mighty exercise. Hot yoga benefits your body by harmonizing the psyche with the body and ends in authentic quantum benefits. It has become an open secret that the determination in the mind has enabled individuals to attain extraordinary physical feats, which proves definitely the psyche and body relationship.

What is hot yoga? The truth is hot yoga equals meditation, for the reason that both work mutually in accomplishing the common objective of unity of psyche, body and spirit that may result in an experience of eternal bliss that one could only feel through yoga. The meditative practices via yoga assist in attaining an emotional stability through detachment. This consequently makes a remarkable tranquility as well as a positive outlook, which also has great benefits over the physical health of the body. 

Source-HotYogaBenefits.com

Enjoy your Tuesday!

It has been for-ever since the last post, my apologies! I feel like I have been in a little bit of a whirlwind between running a marathon, getting engaged and getting a new job all within 10 days of each other! Mike & I are very excited! We went to a weekend get-away at a Bed & Breakfast in Asheville last weekend and he surprised me on our hike up the Black Balsam Mountains, it was truly a-mazing.  I feel so blessed and thankful right now in my life. I honestly couldn't ask for anything else. I feel like everything I have been working so hard for just came together in less than 2 weeks and there is definitely something to be said about that. One of my best friends email me this quote and I love it.
"good things take time, but the best things in life happen all at once."


So naturally I am going to continue to post about running but thought I would incorporate some bridal workout/diet plans into my blog as well.  Let me know what you think!

Happy Monday~enjoy your day!!

Post-Marathon

Well it is day 4 after the marathon on Sunday and I can honestly say I feel like I have been hit by a truck, repeatedly. It is improving with each new day and I could even go to hot yoga this evening (thankfully).
But it was soooo worth it! I had such a wonderful trip and Mike and I got to do some nice sight-seeing and dining while we were there.
The race itself was a little intense but so well put together, it was unbelievable. There were women from 35 different countries competing and 3 Olympians, including my fav Kara Goucher. The race started off well and Mike even joined me twice, once to run miles 4-8 with me and then again from miles 12-16. So that was a very nice treat! And he could even sneak off and take pictures of the gorgeous scenery. I mean running near the coastline and the Golden Gate Bridge was unlike anything I have ever experienced. At mile 8 my left ankle was hurting with each step down as well as my left knee. But I had to keep going. I ran up all of the hills, which was one of my goals throughout the marathon. At mile 14, I felt like I could be finished with the run, the hills were very intense, however, the day was overcast which made the remaining part of the race tolerable. Miles 15-18 I was running along the Great Hwy, there was loud music, cheerleaders, orange slices given, gatorade and water galore! We got to see the surfers out catching some waves and also wiping out :) However, miles 18-23 were along Lake Merced, which I had read many reviews about and it was treacherous. I mean, the ONLY upside was the Chocolate Mile at mile 22 which they gave quite a few milk chocolate truffle squares from Ghiradelli that I kept for Mike and I to eat later in the evening. Yum!
It was an unbelievable race and I am wondering what will be in store for me next.
The night before the race I woke up at 3am, just an hour prior to my alarm and my pump had stopped working. Frustrated and exhausted I decided to go back to sleep and put on a new pod prior to going on a 4+ hour run. That is risky business considering it takes my body 3-4 hours to balance itself out after putting one on. But it was a risk I had to take since I didn't want to use Lantus and give injections. At 14 miles my blood sugar was at 94 and finished the race at 119....not too shabby.

For all of those who have been on this journey with me, you may know how much I sacraficed to get to this point, heck it may have even been a few happy hours or glasses of wines with you to do so. It may have meant not traveling so I could get all my miles in. But it was a bucket-list check off for me and honestly, while I didn't make the time I was expecting, I am grateful to have had this opportunity. I am still on a little runner's high and find myself replaying how the day went, mile by mile :) 
I loved all of the texts, cards, FB posts and emails wishing me luck, it made a huge impact on helping me get through the race. Muah!!
Until next time....


I hope you all are well!

Carb-Loading, Packing and Norah Jones

Such a b-u-s-y day, sometimes I feel like I live 2 different lives. But I am now packing, eating some breakfast for dinner and listening to Norah to chillax.

The Nike Expo began today! Only 22k people in the race, no biggie. An appearance from Kara Goucher and other Olympians.  A Tiffany's Finisher's necklace delivered by firemen on a silver platter.  Lots of sweat. Maybe a tear or two.

One thing is for certain, Nike can really stack an event, here are some deets that arrived in my email yesterday:

It's here. We'd say it's the day you've been waiting for… but "waiting" hardly describes the effort you've put in over the past few months. No. It's the day you've laced up and headed out the door literally hundreds of times for. It's the day you envisioned in every painful moment where you questioned why. It's the day that never let you press snooze. It's the day you have trained for. We've pulled out all the stops to make sure it's a day you'll never forget. Crossing the finish line (because you WILL cross it, you know) is going to seal the deal on making 10/16 a memorable day, but you've got an awful lot to look forward to in the meantime. This weekend is a celebration of all the STRONG.SEXY.FIERCE women out there, so make plans to enjoy it to the fullest. You deserve it! Here's what we've got in store:

The NWM Expotique & Packet Pick-up THURS, Oct 13: 12pm – 8pm FRI, Oct 14: 10am – 9pm SAT, Oct 15: 8am – 6pm You have to come to pick up your bib, but you'll want to stay to check out all of the awesomeness, including Nike+ Race Day Benefits, a chance to see what shoe works best for your stride at our interactive gait analysis experience, and every woman's dream  – fittings by the experts at our personalized Nike Women's Bra Bar. You'll also have a chance to test out Nike's most cutting-edge product innovations, including a photo-op with the most reflective jacket you've ever seen – just wait! Last, get ready to hear insider  tips and stories from some of the world's finest runners – we're pleased to host Olympians Joan Benoit Samuelson, Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan and Shannon Rowbury. And from our partners, here are just a few of the great, totally free experiences to make any girls' weekend complete!

• Foot Massages from Cole Haan • Hair Styling Salon from Paul Mitchell • Neutrogena Skincare Consultations • Safeway Bike Blended Smoothies • Gatorade Interactive Course Video Game • Lite POM Photo Booth Kaiser Permanente Music + Massage Lounge Congratulations on completing the hardest part of running a marathon: getting yourself to the starting line. Now, welcome to the celebration. We'll see you soon. I could go for a little bit of all of that right now! On my list for tomorrow morning before our flight: 1. Hy-drate! 2. Hot Yoga-Topaz 102 degree class, so invigorating in the morning 3. Make homemade low-sugar, low-fat pun'kin spice latte  ;) 3. Put on a new pod so I don't have to deal while flying 4. Upload some jams for our travels! Well here goes a great trip to San Francisco!  Over the past 22 weeks I  have ran over 565 miles and can excitedly say that as of Sunday will have completed the last 26.2.  All while repeatedly checking my blood sugars, planning my meals/times based on my running accordingly and let's be honest---having such a-mazing support.

A Nice Suprise!

I came home from work last night and found this on my dining room table :D

Such a sweet & thoughtful gift from Brian & Sarah!

        With quite a nice card about inspiration and dedication....


I think as it is getting closer to the race date I am actually relaxing a little more (whhhaaat?) I mean if you know me, that is pure craziness. 
Perhaps it is due to the fact Mike actually accompanied me to a hot yoga class last night. I know, I know, can you believe it?! His first ever, Black Opal. And I must say he did pretty amazing and I think he enjoyed it, especially the frozen ice pops they were giving out at the end.
Or it could be that I ran my last 3 miles before the 26.2 on Sunday this morning, in the drizzling rain while visualizing crossing the finish line. 


Hope you all have a great day!

Some pics

 The Map for the Race-note the Elevation & Hills (who knows why those             
 white dots are there...)        

Mike's awesome support drawing. Hey, if he gets bored w/medicine, 
looks like he's got another option.

Some goodies!

Made by my sis, pretty a-mazing! Love

The Week Of....

Hard to imagine the last 21 weeks of training are coming to an end this Sunday as I will be in San Francisco. And exciting as well! Plenty of hot yoga on my horizon this week so I can chill out a bit :) Although I have already mentally packed, I am still second guessing pretty much all of my choices but I am sure as the week goes on that will subside, hopefully (crosses fingers!).

I have received soooo much support from loved ones, as well as some pretty awesome care packages preparing me for both before and after the race. It is truly amazing.

Mike & I have some fun plans to explore the scenery in SF including Fisherman's Wharf, the Expo Nike will be hosting all weekend as well as riding a trolley car throughout the streets. We are looking forward to our trip together.

*Pics to come later of goodies in my care packages, training pics and the course map!*

Happy Wednesday!

This week has been a little laxed if you will, at least as far as my training is concerned. It is always more pleasant to hear my alarm go off at 4am instead of the usual 3:15am for a long run Wednesday morning. I enjoy that time of day because everything is how it should be; the air is usually very still and the only thing I can hear is the sound of my footsteps on the pavement and my deep breaths. That is why I prefer early morning runs vs. afternoon when the air feels different, cars are plentiful and who knows how long it has been since I have eaten my lunch.
This morning was fastest I have ever finished a 10k, 8:19/mile pace. Eeekkk! I try to not put so much pressure on myself as far as time is concerned for the marathon, as my focus should be on completing it. However, that can be difficult since when I started running a 10-minute mile was pretty good for me. But I truly believe it is all relevant to how much training you put into it.

Am icing my ankle since last week it was pretty swollen, seems to be improving though. I am not really giving it an option since there is only eleven days to go! 
I have been trying to monitor what I eat since a good portion of my run is contingent upon my diet. That said, I am glad my mileage is tapering off this week so I can store my energy :) My sugars have been fluctuating a little this week, could be stress, could be my pump or I suppose it could just be.

I am looking forward to hot yoga tonight and have even attempted to recruit Mike to join me, I feel like one more week and maybe he will! I am hoping he can make Black Opal his first class since it has a prefect blend of flow and vinyasa as well as beginners to advanced and there is music. Also, the temperature is "only" 92 degrees.

Hope your day is going well!

Miami and the end of summer

We just got back Sunday from visiting our dear friends, Jasmin & Brandon, in Miami, FL before they move to London and what a GREAT trip Mike & I had w/them! It will definitely take some time getting used to them not being here, but we are very happy for them.

                                                      South Beach & Mojitos!

10.16.11

Seventeen days until I will run my first Marathon and I can hardly believe it!!  Although it has been time consuming and energy draining, it has changed my life for the better and helped me truly understand what it is to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of.  My sugars have been up and down with me throughout my 23 week training program, but my intentions are to run with my pump on.  I believe Mike is going to be on the sidelines (if I can find him amongst the huuumuungo crowd, or so I hear) and will have my meter available so I am able to check at least once if not twice while I am running.


I could not be where I am today without the support and encouragement of my family and close friends. Between Mike's 5:00am texts cheering me on when I am on mile 8 and have 10 more to go, him waking up at 4:15am to come save me from my owl attack and most recently picking me up on the side of the road at 8:30am during rush hour because it was a terenchal downpour out and I was worried about my phone getting ruined.  My sister's constant support, telling me about recipes I may like to try while training and sending me new gear for raceday.  My parents giving me my Nike shoes that I have trained with for 15 weeks that I will use for the Marathon and sounding so proud eveytime I speak to them and they ask about the race. Mike's parents getting me gift card so I could further support Nike and purchase some sweet outfits for the race. And to all my dear friends who listen to me discuss my knee injury after I fell, the blisters and calluses that cover my wish-it-wasn't summer feet, failing to have appetite control since I was a bottomless pit for the majority of my training and congratulating me when I was both mentally and physically exhausted.


More updates & pics to come later today!

NWM 26.2

Week 8 of training for the Nike Women,s Marathon in San Francisco in October! Pretty amazing that I got chosen, at random, to run a full marathon. Although, I am not quite certain what I got myself into ;) I have been very dedicated and excited about the race. With that said, there are times when it can be a little overwhelming. I did trip and fall about 3 weeks ago and have been recovering since. Am doing well now, and in fact, will have run 26 miles in 4 days this week!

Eeekkk....only 10 more weeks of training!

Ok, I am going to Apply

So there's this race....


To be a Medtronic Global Hero would be an amazing honor and I am hoping I get chosen!!

Although, that is quite a long shot considering the race is global and only 25 applicants are selected, but with that said, I am super PUMPED!!

Here is some add'l info just in case you are curious about the details......

 

Happy Spring!

Current things I am lusting over.....

Michael Kors rose gold watch

Lauren's Hope.com trendy diabetes awareness bracelet

Nike LunarElite running shoes

Happy Spring Shopping!

Ran 3.5 miles yesterday morning before work, great run but my breathing was not 100% since I have been sick this past week. 

Am aiming for a 5-miler today, it is a little cooler out which may help my breathing.

Then off to get my massage!

I'm BaCk!!

Well it's been too long!! I just got back from Cozumel w/some of my best friends in the world. So amazing how after so many years we can all still come together and interact like not a day has gone by since our last conversation. I will say I miss that living down here now.

Will update more later, Mike is out of town and left me with some sweet gifts, one being a homemade CD from him with a compilation of songs and I am now attempting to decode the message. How kind is he?! And some beautiful pink roses, a bottle of pinot grigio (my fav!) and a massage for tomorrow! I am one lucky girl :D I have had a few medical things going on lately and he wanted me to relax when he was away this weekend. 

Let me count the ways......