Cross off Another One.

Ummmm.

No.

Color Run, you were supposed to be in Central Park on August 25th.  Crazily, I also expected registration fees for this 5K to be < $50.

All the way out in Brooklyn?

$50 to run for around 30 minutes (and no assigned charity/no MEDAL!?).

I'll pass.

I need to find my newly running cousin a new first 5K.  And if anyone ever read this blog, I'd ask for suggestions!

Let's talk about a good race. 

The American Cancer Society George Washington Bridge Challenge is SUNDAY.  OHMYGOD!  And I will be crippled by then.  Today we took the kiddos on a field trip to the Bronx Zoo.  You would've thought I was leading them to their deaths.  Thirty high school students, 80 degrees, walking...yeah...bad idea.  And as much as I teased them, it felt so good to sit on the bus on the way back to the school.  My feet/ankles/calves are so sore! I'm totally sunburnt! Just from walking around the zoo! And walking to the zoo...our school is only 1.5 miles away.  Turns out our students crap out at about .25, oops. 

What was awesome today?  My Metrocard didn't work and the bus driver let me on anyway! Booyah!

And, I don't have to go into work tomorrow, I get to go downtown to a meeting!  I love it!

Today's National Running Day, folks.  I didn't run today.  I feel like a sham runner. I'm still trying to keep all my body parts in working order til Sunday. 

Call me a Wah-mbulance.

My slow jog was painful today.  Knee hurt, calves cramped, stomach cramps...wtf?

Really?  I have my biggest race yet Sunday!!  Suck it up body parts!

So, I called it quits after 2 miles.  I figured I'd better be safe, and I doubt I'm going to revert to pre-run stats by Sunday. 

I am pretty sad though...I thought for sure I'd be moving up this week to the 4 miles as my easy runs.

Anyway, let's talk about a couple of things.

1. 50% of tonight's dinner was awesome.

Guess.

2. These.

::cringe::

 What do these two things have in common?  My favorite food store, Trader Joe's!  What else do these two things have in common?  Two of the worst tasting Trader Joe's items EVER.  The salad in the top picture was awesome, grilled plums, grilled red onion over a wilted spinach salad with goat cheese.  I decided to pair it with chicken marinated in TJ's peanut satay sauce...BLECH.  Seriously, awful.  The next winner of worst tasting is, obviously, "GREAT TASTING SEA GUMMIES."  It doesn't even sound appetizing now that I'm re-reading it.  At the time, I figured, I hate taking vitamins, let's get some Sour Patch Kids.

WRONG.

I wish we had smell-o-internet so I can open the cap and give you a whiff of straight up sea death.  Smells like a NYC sewer boiling up on a hot day. 

So, my omega-3's will be lacking for a bit.

All that said, this is only the third time ever that I've been disappointed by my TJ's.  The other time was a frozen slop of eggplant curry from the frozen aisle that I tossed in the office trash and everyone at work thought I barfed. 


Lastly, weight loss is stalled.  I gotta clean up my act a little bit more, peanut butter on half an english muffin ain't working for me as a pre-run snack and neither is the complete aversion to water.

Exciting week.  I know!

Am I to Motivate Myself??

There's a trend lately among, surprisingly, all of the blogs I follow, and I know where they're at right now. I've been there around this time of year every year for the past seven. Spring time means margaritas, barbecues, eating at restaurants that have waterfront views. Cutting back on working out. Wine and beer tours. Vacations.

A lot of posts about being okay with not being perfectly on track. Which I totally respect. I mean, my 40 mile monthly running sum is nowhere near what they are probably considering a break right now.

But, ladies, you are my anonymous support group!! I'm almost halfway to my goal weight, preparing for a late summer half marathon, and I need you!

So, if you are reading my blog, get back to kicking ass.

Achievements.

Did I step on the scale this weekend? Nope.  But even if I step on it tomorrow with a couple pound gain, I know I've achieved great things this weekend.

I pushed work out of my mind on Friday and was able to enjoy some quality time with my friends.  Quality time definitely means dinner(s) and drink(s).  It's hard to eat out when you're trying to lose weight, so I tried to stick to a steak salad.  And sangria....and chips....oops. 

Good news? I didn't die.  Despite all the warnings on the Metformin bottle. 

Woke up with the best intentions of leaving my friend on the couch and going for a run, but once I got out of the bed I knew things weren't quite right.  So we had some huevos rancheros, went shopping and then began an all day food and beer adventure...starting with my favorite local brewery, Captain Lawrence.

2 ounces of delicious.  I believe this was Ginger Man.  Yum!

Their Imperial IPA is the only IPA I not only can tolerate, but like.  The new brewery location in Elmsford is fantastic and I probably could spend a whole afternoon there.  But we knew when it was time to get a t-shirt and get out.

I bought an XL...I'm not an XL at all...damnit.

If you are ever in Westchester County...or anywhere near it, do yourself a big hoptastic favor and come here.  The owner studied brewing in California, and worked at Sierra Nevada...so the beers have a west coast flavor, but better, because it's freshly made right here on the east coast.  Booyah. 

Then we decided to check out Defiant Brewing Company...in Pearl River.  This place has good beers, it's very low key, my only issue was that I wished the beers were a tad cooler.  Maybe they were going for optimal tasting temperature...but it was like 80 degrees and no AC...I would've loved a cold one. 

Not only was the beer good....but they have barbecue.  Tasty, tasty, smoked meats. 

Awesome Menu.

"Ample Sampler"...wasn't a joke.  Mmmm.

After this spot, we decided to hit another place we've planned on going for months...Sunset Cove.

It's right on the water along the Tappan Zee Bridge.  Would be perfect on a summer night.  Yesterday?  It was freezing.  We stayed about a half hour and kept it moving.

The next place I wish I had a photo of, because it's my favorite Bronx restaurant...except we went to the new Portchester location, Coals.  They make (EXTREMELY) thin crust, coal oven pizzas that are divine.  And they're so thin, I doubt they could be that bad for you, that is what I tell myself.  The other great thing about both Coals...AWESOME BEER SELECTION and good music playing.

Were we done yet with this adventure? Heck no.  My dear friend had never had a paleta before.  This was ridiculous.  So we hopped next door to Paleteria Fernandez and got some rice pudding paletas.  If you haven't had a paleta experience....I'll let the Yelp community with their fancy vocabulary skills tell you about it: Paletas?

Finally, it was pajama time back at the house.  I'm so thankful that I have the best husband ever that carted my friend and I around all day (he got a growler of Imperial IPA out of it).  I knew I'd have to get up early today so right to bed I went, with a horrible night's sleep probably from putting my body into shock with all this stuff. 

Usually, I'd say forget running after a day like yesterday.  I woke up this morning feeling like someone hit me with truck.  I let it settle for a couple of hours and then got to it. 

And I ran FOUR miles.

Straight.

No walks. 

Decent time. 

And? I ran 40 miles in May.  A new record! 

I'm one week from the American Cancer Society George Washington Bridge Challenge 10K. 


And I'm ready.  Let's keep this week positive!

Short Weeks....How It Should Be!

After Monday's run, I've been kicking ass.  I ran my fastest three miles yet yesterday, and made it to the gym to cross train a little today.

Some of that training, though not much because it's ridiculous, was done on this thing...

LifeFitness Integrity Series Summit Trainer (pic from LifeFitness)

Think Stairclimber + Elliptical + Sweatfest.  I wish I took a pic of it at my gym...because even though it's an intense workout...it puts you at about 7-8 feet tall while you use it.  So, above everyone else working out at the gym.  So, you're like on a pedestal.  Climbing.  Sweaty.  Red.  Hot.  Mess. 

You know what's awesome?  Old pants fitting.

And while we're on clothing, I must share something with all one of you strangely redirected people that end up here.

I live in Moving Comfort bras. 

Not me. 

This sucker...the Maia...is the most amazing thing to ever strap boobs down.  Especially if you are pushing the later letters of the alphabet.  First, I was wearing it strictly to run. Perfection.  Then, I realized if I wore it under work clothes, I could actually wear button down shirts again.  Life. Changing. I just received the Juno bra today...we'll give that a shot this weekend.

Finally, I ordered a Headsweats running hat so I can retire the ZOOM hat.  I can't wait!

Good stuff this week. I think my sister-in-law is gonna be joining my little cult soon, VERY EXCITED!

Heat + NYC. Finish the Thought.

As much as I love this time of year...there's probably a fairly large portion of me that doesn't like it at all.

You see, New York City can't just get HOT, or HUMID, or DRY, or BREEZY.  You get this combination of every type of summery weather imaginable, called "Hazy, Hot and Humid" where you can simultaneously feel like your skin is on fire, while you're in a steam room. 

I still can't figure out how to dress to run in this weather.  Case in point...

I probably scare children.

Isn't that so hot?  Let's start from the bottom up.  We have my Brooks Pureconnects still going strong and I'm tempted to get another pair of.  Orange socks.  My anti-chub rub bike shorts.  My truly obnoxious running shorts from Target.  My favorite summer running top from Old Navy.  And last, but not least...my "ZOOM" hat.

Do you feel that? That's me. Zoom.  Side note: I need to stop taking pics with my iPhone.

I got this ridiculous hat at a Family Dollar somewhere near Lake Bomoseen, Vermont.  My friends and I were spending most of our time on a boat and my scalp was paying the price.  Skin peeling off your scalp is definitely never in style, and makes you look like you have some kind of dandruff leprosy.  Anywho, this $2 wonder is actually some type of hunting hat I guess and is the only brimmed hat I own.

Why am I talking so much about my awesome running outfit?  Well, today's run wasn't as good as it could've been.  And I'm going to stop beating myself up over these days.  I'm going to have a ton of them, all that matters is that I still go out and give it a shot. I mean, I'm 20 pounds down, but look better than I did when I was almost 40 pounds down last year.   My crappiest runs are still faster, further, and stronger than they were when I was last running consistently.  Okay, self-fight over.

Scene: I woke up late, started running at around 10:30...it was already around 77 degrees, and HAZY, HOT AND HUMID.  Destined for lameness.

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

It was such a rewarding run.  I was aiming for 3 easy miles (like I run anything else...bahahaha) today, but started off too fast while listening to Gotye, of all things to run swiftly to.  So when I got to hill #2 of my run, I was fading quickly.  I saw a heavier woman running down the hill looking every much as done as I'm sure I was.  We caught each others eyes and smiled and waved...just preparing to smile, wave and make eye contact with her was enough to get me up that hill, and getting some reciprocity?  I was good for a bit more. 

I got to my halfway point and was convinced I could do it all, I turned around and at that point it was a traffic jam of cyclists going both ways on this very tiny bridge path...and silly me.  In my running costume, looking like a straight up psychopath.  I had to stop to prevent being a bicycle sandwich filling. 

After giving what I think is a mean glare, but really probably just looks apathetic, I continued my run, trying to slow my pace.  Here comes the other end of this hill, and I'm so sweaty that my hands are dripping.  This is something that is new to my runs, and I cannot DEAL with it.  Anyway, I see this little old man riding his bike up the hill...and he says "You got it, girl!"

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I LOVE YOU!  This isn't the first time I've seen him, in fact, I pretty much see him every run...whether it's a weekend morning (and my weekend morning runs vary so much!), an early afternoon or an evening run...I see him around my halfway point. Usually I can see him coming, and he kinda waves and says something to me.  Today my headphones were low and I heard him.  WHO KNEW HE WAS MY OWN PERSONAL RUNNING FAIRY GODFATHER!  I thanked him, probably way too loudly and crazily...and kept going!

And then I walked.

And ran.

And walked.

And saw a woman that was walking, running a while, walking and decided to run a pace behind her.  Right before I got to the end of my run, she started walking.  I caught up to her and told her I'm with her, I'm done if she's done.  We talked, she told me about the strength training she was doing, I told her about the half marathon I'm training for...and it turns out, she's a marathoner, a marine, and does the Special Olympics Torch Run.  She really got me pumped up after a crappy run that I CAN AND WILL do this half marathon and enjoy it.  What an awesome run. 

It's a day like this that fills me with the positivity that's lacking throughout most of my week.

We (my really awesome husband) also opened the pool today, and had all of our meals on the grill.  It's summer, bitches!

Soy Garlic Wine Steak. Chili Lime Cilantro Sweet Potato Fries!

Thank you, Pinterest.  I have rediscovered you and have been using you to find recipes to snazz up boring things like sweet potatoes and london broil.  I rarely eat red meat, but this was GOOD.  And such a crappy cut of meat.  The chili lime sweet potato fries were da bomb.

Finally, let's remember why we have off today...thank you to our servicemen/women, especially to my cousin Tom and to my new friend I hope to meet again!

Phew. Memorial Day Weekend!

We made it...it's the home stretch for this school year!

Only regret this weekend: NOT CAMPING.  It's going to be awesome all weekend!

Training has been going as well as it can for this humid, busy week.  Ran on Wednesday and it was like running through a never ending sauna.  Awful.  How 'bout that August Half Marathon? Yikes.

I'm trying to let go of the week and enjoy this time off....starting with SUSHI tonight.  I'm dying for it. 

Oh, and did you want to hear about my weight loss?

NINETEEN POUNDS.

N I N E T E E N  P O U N D S ! ! ! ! ! !

That's insane.  I wanted to wait til the big 2-0...but I can't control it, it's like actually happening...my scale numbers are on a steady decline!

Can't mess it up this weekend.  Gotta bring my Lite Boar's Head hot dogs with me to all the BBQ's...yum.

This is going to be a lame quick post because I need to get out in that sunshine!