Ways to Lead a Better Life

Saw this in a post by the Blue-eyed Runner and thought it was nice way to reflect on how you are living and what you can do better. 

NYRR's Join the Voices 5M

Fantastic run this morning! I truly enjoyed every step of nyrr's five mile Join the Voices race. I don't know if it was challenging my friends to the Gridiron Classic in Feb or the inspiration I've taken from Kristin Armstrong's Mile Markers. This book has completely changed my attitude towards running and made me appreciate the time I'm able to dedicate to something I love so much. I'll write my review of the book soon but don't wait for it. Just know I think everyone should go pick up a copy!

Back to the race. I left my apartment 5 minutes late and walked down to the start at 67th and West Drive. I arrived and walked into the corrals just as they were giving the race instruction and moving people forward. I didn't have time to get a signal on my garmin before we started so my watch didn't pick up the full distance but that's not the biggest deal.

I picked up two different groups of people I wanted to stay with. I used to pick one but usually fell behind them so now I pick two and try to stay in between them or at least near the slower group. My groups were both wearing neon pink so I had no problem spotting them each mile to check in and see how I was doing. I tried to stay aware of how my body was feeling and my effort level instead of worrying about the numbers on the timing clocks or on my watch. I am so proud of myself for not looking at my watch even once during the race!

I like to set mini goals for myself even during these shorter races. My first goal was to make it "up and over" (as Kristin Armstrong's running coach Cassie reminds their running group) Cat Hill. It came about a mile and a half into the race and I was quiet feeling loose yet but I wanted it so bad today. Up, up, up and suddenly I was over! I think Coach Cassie would be proud that I didn't just run up the hill then take a walk break but instead kept running right on over.

As we made our way up the East side the course was flat and easy until we hit 96th st. Then came a slow and steady incline up to the 102nd St Transverse. I love this hill and feel so strong every time I get to the top. Round the corner at the top and we were already 3 miles into the race. More than halfway and my body was feeling controlled and ready for more. Good thing too because up next were the hills of West Drive.

The first hill right around 100th st is always a killer. For what ever reason this hill beats me mentally every time I run it! About a quarter of the way up I was already feeling its wrath and fighting for it when a gentleman changed the entire race for me.

"Enjoy this hill!" cheered a volunteer with his British accent, "It's a lovely hill!" He said this at the exact moment I needed a little push and it instantly became my mantra for the rest of the race. Each remaining hill I approached I looked up to the top thinking, "it's a lovely hill" and as I climbed I repeated, "enjoy this hill, enjoy this hill." Not only did I climbed every hill without needing my usual walk breaks but it kept a smile on my face for each hill!

Suddenly we'd finished all the hills and were running along the lake between 79th and 72nd. The finish line was just around the corner and my legs were strong. I had enough left for a quick sprint to the finish and "through" the finish line I went. Another Coach Cassie saying it to run through your end point instead of to it.

They're so fast!

A 5 mile PR and a run that I truly loved. I couldn't ask for a better Sunday morning!

Love This

How Far Do You Need To Run?

Have you ever wondered how far you'd need to run in order to burn of that Thanksgiving feast? This great article from Shine lays it out for you.

How Far You'd Have to Run to Burn Off…

Apple cider: 1 c Treetop brand = 120 cal = 11 min = 1.1 miles

Glazed Donut: 1 Krispy Kreme = 200 cal = 18 min = 1.8 miles

Pumpkin Pie: 1 piece = 316 cal = 29 min = 2.9 miles (or try this healthier version for only a 1.1 mile run!)

Turkey Leg: 1 leg and thigh with skin = 192 cal = 17.5 min = 1.8 miles

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Boston Market 4.4 oz = 190 cal = 17 min = 1.7 miles

Mulled Wine: 3.4 oz = 118 cal = 11 min = 1.1 miles

Sweet Potato Casserole: Boston Market 7 oz = 460 cal = 42 min = 4.2 miles

Pecan Pie: 1 slice from recipe = 503 cal = 46 min = 4.6 miles

You better lace up those shoes and hit the pavement!

Holiday Travel

I, along with most of the country, will be traveling this weekend. Luckily my flight is first thing tomorrow morning. Most people would hate this but I'm a morning person and would rather be up and out tomorrow instead of dealing with the craziness of tonight! Anyway, a friend of mine posted a great list of holiday travel tips of facebook and I thought I'd share it.

5 Things To Think About:

1. ALWAYS have your confirmation code accessible. Maybe in an email on your phone, but a paper backup is best. 
2. Expect them to loose or delay your luggage's arrival. Pack with that assumption.
3. They can't bump you from a flight against your will if you have a seat assigned. Get one as soon as you can. But don't freak out if you are 5 rows away from your traveling companion. You're on a 2 hour flight, not moving to Brazil. Enjoy the time away from each other while you can.
4. Check in online and print your boarding pass at home. Yes, you can do that even if you are checking bags. Can save you 30min in line.
5. Be nicer than they deserve. You couldn't PAY ME ENOUGH to work at an airport any day this week. You might just get the extra help you need by being firm, but really nice. 

I believe number 5 is the most important. I know travelling is not always easy but remember the people around you are just doing their job. How would you like it if people were constantly yelling at you in your office?

Safe travel and enjoy the time you have with your family. 

Thanksgiving Facts

Here are some Thanksgiving facts I've come across

• Did you know that 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving Day?

• Did you know that, on average, we consume an extra 619 calories per day between Thanksgiving and New Years?

• Im sure you’ve heard the average Thanksgiving meal contains between 3000-7000 calories. Did you know, however, that Overeaters Anonymous has stated that this meal, even with its high caloric content, does not fall under the definition of binge? In their words: Thanksgiving dinner falls under the umbrella of careful eating & a binge is food consumption which is completely out of control and mindless. 
• According to the Today Show, the average American's Thanksgiving meal contains 4500 calories. This does not include breakfast, appetizers, or late night snacking. 

• Did you know, if you want more numbers, you can text meals to diet1 & they’ll text you back the calorie count?
• The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's.
• The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
• Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.
• The best time to see a turkey is on a warm clear day or in a light rain.
• Turkeys can drown if they look up when it is raining.
• This year marks the 85th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Snoopy is the character that has appeared most in the parade.
• 91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
• Swanson’s started creating T.V. dinners in 1953 to do something with all of the frozen leftover turkeys from Thanksgiving.
  

Thanks to Run To The Finish, WHSV, and WNCX. 

Good Morning

I'm happy to report a fantastic 7.5 mile run last night. I'm in the middle of serving jury duty so when we were let out yesterday my legs we dying to get moving. I guess I picked the right career because man, I can't sit still all day!

Since it gets dark so early, I headed to the gym after dinner to get my sweat on while watching Monday Night Football. The place was packed! I guess everyone's trying to get themselves ready for seeing family and eating enormous amounts of food on Thanksgiving. I had to wait in line for a treadmill which never happens! This makes me more than a little terrified of what January and all those New Years Resolutions will be like.

I had to start out on an incredibly old, out dated, and kind of rough treadmill. I jogged a 2.25 warm up all the while monitoring the other section of newer treadmills to see if I could snag one. Luckily just before the game started everyone else seemed to leave so I made the switch an figured I get in another 3 or so to round out my usual 5 mile treadmill run. I was so into the game that my first mile at a race pace turned into 3 at race pace then since I was still feeling good I slowed it down a touch and finished another 2.

It felt great to be moving for the first time all day and it seems my hydration and eating today was just right. This was the first run since before the marathon that I wasn't light headed or nauseous. I hope I can duplicate my success again tonight. Although I don't have my Patriots to keep me going!



Quick Update. I emailed Gatorade and asked about the Carb Energy Chews from the earlier post. Here's what they told me:

"The Carb Energy Chews are not available just yet. The product is expected to be available in specialty stores (triathlon/bike/running) in February of 2012. Initially they will not be sold online."



Also, I just joined a few blog sites. Check me out on BlogHer, BlogLovin, and Bloggers.