Friday Favorites #3

Happy Friday! I’m glad the week is over and that I have a relaxing weekend planned with a whole lot of nothing except a 20-miler and a massage.

Club Monaco – My current new favorite non-running/athletic attire store. Well, not store, online shopping venue, because I think I shop for clothes in stores less than 3 times a year now. My two recent favorite pieces are a hoody and a wrap. I sometimes wish it would stay colder out so I can wear the hoody around all the time (guess, I got my wish with the snow today, okay, sorry for ruining spring in the Northeast for everyone).

IMG_2656Popcorners – I have an addiction problem. If I like something, I feel the need to finish it immediately. Instant gratification right? Why deny myself? I opened a bag of White Cheddar Popcorners and finished the bag by myself in 3 sittings (at least it was over 3 days but serving size is 5). This is why I can’t go to the supermarket hungry or be allowed to go into a supermarket in general.

Dove Dark Chocolate – To keep with the theme of food, I don’t have an addiction to dark chocolates though it’s one of my favorite foods. I usually have enough self-control to eat one or two at a time. I always have a bag of the Dove PROMISES Silky Smooth Dark Chocolates in my drawer at work and/or at home. It’s a nice treat every so often and I love the PROMISES message in the wrapper. It’s like a fortune cookie except I don’t get to learn Chinese.

Prime Cycle – I’m finally back on the saddle after a hiatus due to scheduling. While I will not finish the class with the highest RPMs (I always schedule spin classes the day before a long run), it’s just fun to sweat like crazy with good music for 45 minutes straight.

IMG_2665New kitchen gadgets – I love Amazon especially Amazon Prime. I heard about zoodles this week and decided I wanted to make it this weekend. Thank you to free two-day shipping, I got my new spiralizer today. Also, since avocados are one of my favorite foods and I was already ordering a new kitchen gadget, I decided to finally invest in a 3-in-1 avocado slicer. Can’t wait to do some cooking on Sunday!

Favorite readsReasons why I should get a puppy (right now), How to read elevation maps (I’ve made this mistake many times before – see Chicago Marathon example), Christy Turlington Burns’s latest blog post about London Marathon training, and a career article about When doing what you love doesn’t pay (I’m a big of fan of professional development pieces).

Happy First Day of Spring! Here’s to hoping for warmer and sunnier weather for running (but maybe not too warm so I can continue wearing my hoody)! What are your weekend plans?

 

Friday Favorites #2

It’s that time of week again. At the rate I blog, you’ll only be reading Friday Favorites from me. I’m sorry and hopefully I will be over this busy hump soon.

Like the blanket and the yoga blocks on the lower shelf?

Like the blanket and the yoga blocks on the lower shelf?

My nook – that’s what I call it. It’s my little corner of the apartment (well, I have a lot of corners) but the one I designed to intentionally look intellectual. I’m supposed to sit there and read in my free time. Haha, what free time? Anyway, I don’t have a desk at home, so when my small piles of clutter started taking up room on the kitchen counter and Josh started nagging (it takes him a while to get to that point), I knew I had to find a way to organize. Enter this new rolling shelf from CB2 which will hopefully be versatile piece and cool new containers from The Container Store. I love my little corner even more now.

I really should have included a picture of me wearing them, huh?

I really should have included a picture of me wearing them, huh?

Cole Haan Oxford Shoes – I’m so excited that the weather warming up means I can wear these shoes more. I’m having one of those weeks and just wearing these shoes to work one day changed my attitude. They feel like I’m wearing running sneakers so I can’t help but feel peppy!

If you look here: https://cindyruns.com/2015/03/a-20-mile-photo-tour/, you'll see pictures of me wearing this!

If you look here: https://cindyruns.com/2015/03/a-20-mile-photo-tour/, you’ll see pictures of me wearing this!

CamelBak Circuit Hydration Vest – I survived my 20-miler on Sunday because of this vest. I really hate running with water in my hand and in the winter with all the layers, I’m not a fan of the belts either. This vest is perfect. It fits snug and I was able to carry more water than I would normally with a fuel belt. I barely feel the weight on my back as it is equally distributed. Also, I don’t need to stop to drink water. The only problem is what I will do during the actual race, but supposedly running with extra weight on your back for long runs = feeling lighter during the race and makes you go faster. Hey, whatever it takes for me to run faster right?

Apple and Christy Turlington Burns – Okay, so I’m in love with basically everything Apple announced on Monday but I guess that was to be expected, they just have that effect on me. But the biggest announcement that excited me was that Christy Turlington Burns was running the London Marathon with her Apple watch and her goal time is my goal time! I’m trying to convince Josh that in order for me to run sub-4 in London, I’ll need an Apple watch, though I’m not sure he’s convinced and rightfully so because I’m not convinced that the new watch is a better substitute for my Garmin. Regardless, I’m just excited the London Marathon was a part of the big announcement at the event.

"The lights will inspire you Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York"

“The lights will inspire you Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York”

Central Park – the weather has been warming up in the New York / New Jersey area. I haven’t run on a treadmill in over a week (well I lied, until last night when I was scared of the wind, the warmer weather really spoils you) and it’s helping me fall in love with Central Park all over again. After work is a perfect time in the park, there are no cars and lots of runners everywhere. When it gets dark, you can see all the bright lights. Also, I can run in just one layer. Man, I feel so free.

Cheering for friends during the NYC Half – I’m bummed that I won’t be able to cheer for everyone live from the race but excited to have the app ready to go for Sunday morning. This is one of the first years that the weather for the half won’t be freezing (crossing my fingers for everyone). I loved every minute of the race when I ran it and looking forward to hearing all about everyone’s experiences.

#TBT (though it's not Thursday) to the 2013 NYC Half

#TBT (though it’s not Thursday) to the 2013 NYC Half

Interesting reads from the weekNew models are challenging the traditional structure of a pyramid training plan and 12 Signs You’re Sick of Winter (I’m guilty of 10 of the 12)

Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend and good luck to everyone racing this weekend!