Category Archives: eat

“Lately I’ve been stuck imagining…”

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“Lately I’ve been stuck imagining
What I wanna do and what I really think
Time to blow out…”
— “I Wanna Go” by Britney Spears

It looks like I’m starting my blog posts with song lyrics from my “Favorites” playlist in iTunes. Not sure how they relate to what I write but typically listening to my playlist inspires me while writing or running.

It’s been quite an adventurous week (caution: it’s all relative!) with the holiday. Last weekend, I discovered something really cool at Crumb’s; Cupcake Push Pops – genius! If I wasn’t already purchasing mini cupcakes to bring to a friend’s and just eaten lunch, I would have really considered buying one to try for myself. Josh actually asked me if I wanted one, he never humors me like that, but with enough self-control I didn’t end up buying one but did get to take a picture of how cool it is.

We were traveling over Christmas and with my latest addiction to the foam roller, I was concerned how I would do without it. Enter my Moji 360 Mini Massager that I had purchased months ago. It is perfect and even fits in my small purse. However, of course as soon as I returned from my travels, I purchased a travel sized foam roller and the marathon stick. The amount of toys I’ve accumulated from running is nuts. There is a separate basket in our living room just to store all these various items.

Fortunately, I was able to sneak in a few runs while away as well. It’s hard while traveling; I want to run but I don’t want to hold up anyone else’s plans and somehow when I think I can get a head start on the day, I never actually do. Christmas morning, I ran a sub-4 mile loop in Acworth, Georgia, about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta and man, was it hilly. After brainstorming with the locals, this was the best loop without any driving required. I was told if I ran down one of the streets, there would be a lake about 1.2 miles down, which at first excited me because I figured I could run around the lake. Nah, the Allatoona Lake is meant for boats and fishing, not running, but what a sight; such a nice, quiet, gorgeous, but difficult run.

The next running adventure on our trip took me to Piedmont Park in Atlanta. I was really excited about this run because we didn’t get to visit the park the last time we were in town, so to be able to run through the park is an even better treat. When we were looking at a map of the park, I was worried the park would be too big; I was imagining Central Park. However, it was the perfect distance. After all, I ate way too much over the last couple of days and a big breakfast just two hours before, so a 1.5 mile loop a couple times was perfect and I even ran on the track in the park. I don’t remember the last time I ran on a track – college, maybe? Almost a decade ago, geez… and there is a reason I don’t do that anymore, it’s pretty boring running in circles.

Due to the storm up north, our flight back was cancelled. With one extra day in Atlanta, what is one supposed to do but eat. After checking in to the Intercontinental Buckhead, we splurged on a pretty great meal (thank you, American Express Fine Hotels) at Southern Art, an Art Smith restaurant. I should have taken a picture of the dessert we had, Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Pie, because it was probably best the dessert I have ever eaten. And oh, did I mention that there was a ham bar in the restaurant as well (see picture)? And, there’s also a bourbon bar as well. Since I ran out of clean running clothes, I couldn’t even go for a run the next day. No problem, just eat a huge brunch – omelette, oatmeal, coffee, fruit, potatoes and then lunch a couple hours later.

Needless to say with all the eating, I needed to do more running and I managed to do just that. For the first time in a month and a half, I ran four times this week for a total of 20+ miles. Still not as much as I’d like, but at least I’m finally starting to feel like the old me again… and I think I may even try to sneak in a barre class tomorrow. For all those wondering about these barre classes that I talk about, I realized that I never gave a proper shout out to Local Barre. Barre classes are a fusion of ballet fundamentals, core conditioning, yoga, stretching, and you leave feeling like your entire body has been worked to its max! I’ve been actively going for over a year and I have to say that the instructors are amazing. I am not usually a fan of exercise classes since I feel like I cannot keep up, but at Local Barre, they do a really good job explaining the exercises to the beginners. For the people who have going for a while, there are many different levels that you can challenge yourself with. I highly recommend!

Well I’m off for now, must prepare myself for a family gathering and more food tonight!

“Tonight, we are young…”

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“Tonight, we are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun”
–FUN.

Lots have been happening in the land of running this week. It’s first time I’ve run more than once in a week since over a month ago. My doctors and coach thinks I should be okay to run something in Miami (half or full, still up for debate). And NYRR has really been busy this week.

On Thursday, we (2012 NYC Marathon runners) found out what the resolution is to the cancelled race. There are basically three options:

  • Full refund (minus an $11 processing fee)
  • Guarantee entry to either the 2013, 2014, or 2015 NYC Marathon (plus the associated entry fees at the 2012 rates)
  • Guarantee entry to the 2013 NYC Half Marathon
We will have a couple of weeks to decide in January what we’d like to do and at that point you will be “locked” in, so to speak. Two weeks ago, I also entered the lottery for the NYC Half on March 17, 2013 and found out last night that I am in! With that entry done, I think I’ll likely lean towards getting guarantee entry to the 2013 NYC Marathon. However, I’m not really liking the idea that I have to pay twice to run one race when some people can opt to receive a full refund.
Regardless, there are still a number of open questions – how will the charities handle the 2012 runners who will run the 2013 race? Namely, I’m more concerned with how the Alzheimer’s Association will handle it. I can’t imagine not training with my team, but I also can’t imagine asking all of my friends and family to donate again, not that it’s not a good cause, but it’s a lot of money and I’m under the belief that people should donate when they want as much they want to whoever they want. I’d prefer to not be the reason why people donate but that they actually want to donate to Alzheimer’s. 
Second open question is how NYRR will be handling the cancelled races from marathon week – i.e. the “Dash to the Finish”. With five entries (myself and my family) into that race and not even the tech tee to commemorate the cancelled the event, I’d like a little more than just potential entry into a future NYRR race. In my case, three of the five entrants live outside of the NYC-area, what are the chances that they will be able to run a NYRR race?
So… as I am writing this blog, I just also received an email from NYRR about the dash. It sounds like we can transfer entry to one of five future races or receive the 9+1 credit for 2012. Okay, even worst than I thought. Again, what happens to the out of town runners? And people have to decide by Monday, January 21st? Really? So people who are out of town, will need to commit to a trip back to NYC at some point next year if they want to transfer their race entry? Guess, I’ll just have to tweet about it…
Anyway, off to have a cup of coffee and head over to the chiropractor. Ran my 6-miles with the Elysianettes and enjoying my runner’s high for the day! Happy weekend before the holidays!