Friday Favorites: Running Edition

 

It’s Friday night and I’m sitting at home enjoying a glass of wine and a bowl of cereal. You can’t get much classier than that, can you?

Unfortunately, while Bo and I have lots to toast to tonight, he is unfortunately still at the office. Luckily for me, that means I have time to spend sharing with you guys the things I’m loving right now!

Today’s Friday Favorites will revolve around all the wonderful running things I’m enjoying these days!

Running Tank

I’ve had a hard time historically, finding a workout tank that will move with me from running to yoga without leaving my belly exposed or falling around my head during downward dog. Luckily, Lululemon has come to the rescue with a wonderful tank that not only breathes, but also stays in place. I am absolutely loving my inner strength tank which I have in 2 different colors!

Best Place for Running or Workout Playlists

I love finding new workout songs as I believe the make even the most boring of treadmill runs fly! While Caitlin and Jes normally feaure some great playlists on their blog, I just discovered another great website which features songs and playlists to match your workouts! Running Playlist uploads a new playlist at least once a week which also lets you know the average BPM it matches. They have playlists featuring The Doors, Glee, and even a direct from Texas country playlist! I love that they feature a sidebar showing all the different playlist categories offered. I found a few new songs on the site this week alone, including a few country favorites.  In addition, since many people have asked, below is my most recent playlist!

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Best Post Run Stretch Session

Unfortunately for my muscles, I rarely spend enough time stretching before or after my runs, whether long or short. I’ve tried to focus on yoga more during this training cycle, in hopes that my legs and body will thank me. Thus far, it is working wonderfully! I’ve found these online yoga programs very helpful since they are short, focused, and accessible almost anywhere! Make it your goal to fit at least one quality yoga session into your week and at least a 10 minute stretching and rolling session into your post long run routine.

 

What are your favorite running

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Pre-Marathon Whirlwind

 

The last 18 hours have been a pre-marathon whirlwind with one of my favorite friends, Leslie!

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This morning, we woke up at bright and early for a relaxing pre-marathon yoga class at Lululemon Union Square. The class was small due to it’s early time but this meant we each received plenty of 1:1 from Sarah, this morning’s instructor. The class was the most relaxing yoga class ever filled with lots of hip openers, bends, and block assists.

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We had one thing on our mind after yoga- the expo! We wanted to beat the crowds and have plenty of time to explore the expo. This was my first ING NYC Marathon expo experience and I didn’t know what to expect regarding crowds and attendance.

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The expo opened up five minutes after we arrived the line moved very quickly. The volunteers and NYRR did a wonderful job managing the crowds and moving people through the stations quickly.

Due to the size of the marathon, runners have to go through 3 different stations: registration card verification, bib pickup, and DTag scanning.

 IMG_6783There was a bump along the way due to my driver’s license having a different last name than my marathon entry. Darn wedding! I DEFINITELY need to get my name change done IMMEDIATELY!  

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It’s official! Within a few minutes, we were checked in and ready to check out all the booths. My favorite part of expos is trying and tasting new products.

IMG_6792After a few minutes experiencing The Stick, Leslie convinced me that the stroke is a necessity for any distance. I love that it is easy to use and more portable than a foam roller. IMG_6790IMG_6791

We practiced our balancing with the Power Balance team. IMG_0188

WHAT IS POWER BALANCE?

Power Balance is Performance Technology designed to work with your body’s natural energy field. Founded by athletes, Power Balance is a favorite among elite athletes for whom balance, strength and flexibility are important.

•HOW DOES THE HOLOGRAM WORK?

Power Balance is based on the idea of optimizing the body’s natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies. The hologram in Power Balance is designed to resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body.

We may, or may not have invested in a bracelet for tomorrow. 😉 Leslie has seen them at every expo and at this point in the game the marathon is 100% mental. One piece of jewelry, placebo or not, can’t do any harm. Have you ever tried this or something like this?

There were some water and fuel stops along our Expo course, just like tomorrow’s marathon!

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The Odwalla Pumpkin Protein was absolutely delicious. While I don’t normally drink Odwalla it was exactly what we were craving. We forgot to eat breakfast this morning between the yoga and marathon excitement so these samples were definitely enjoyed!

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The new oatmeal raisin Powerbar protein bites were delicious! Can I please have a bag of these tomorrow after the race? 🙂

IMG_6794We both enjoyed a cup of the new grape Gatorade product and some sparkling water. The strawberry kiwi reminded us of summer!IMG_6788

In between fuel stops, we stopped for some fun poses and pictures. Expos are so much fun when you experience them with a friend!

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We also gained some inspiration through the posters, t-shirts, and signs!

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What’s your inspiration? Tomorrow I’m going to focus on all the inspiration I’ve gained from readers comments, friends and family, other runners, and especially my mom and dad’s daily cards. They can’t be in NYC for the race but they mailed daily cards with different inspirational comments and thoughts. Most of all, I know that I’m running tomorrow’s marathon for myself and no one else. My goal, as many people have asked, is to finish and thoroughly enjoy myself and the experience!

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After a few more purchases and pictures, we headed back towards Eataly to meet Bo and his mother, who is in town this weekend for a friend’s birthday. Paragon Sports was kind enough to provide free transportation back to their Union Square store which was right where we were heading.

Within minutes of leaving the expo, we finally had the fresh juice we’d been craving all morning, compliments of Equinox.

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Unfortunately, we weren’t able to enjoy lunch at Eataly with Bo and his mom due to the crowds and lack of table space. After a busy morning, we were hungry and ready to get some R&R!

We decided to walk back towards home and find a simple sandwich shop instead. We’re both hesitant to introduce any new foods or heavy meals before tomorrow’s marathon. Press was a perfect alternative!

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After choosing your dough, they press it into a warm flat bread and fill it with your choice of fresh vegetables, proteins, and sauces.

I filled my whole wheat wrap to the brim with fresh, crunchy vegetables, barbeque chicken, and barbeque sauce!

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IMG_6816We enjoyed this delicious lunch with our feet propped up back at home before diving through our marathon bags and finishing up some last minute chores like ironing my name on my Lululemon shirt.

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Ironing letters on a shirt, especially a Lululemon shirt, is harder than it sounds. This process took FOUR attempts to get right!

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Now that this bib is in my hand, I feel like the dream is finally coming true! IMG_6820

I am in Green Wave 3 – Corral 60  – Number 153 – all that together means my bib is #60153 if you are planning on tracking me. If you want to track runners ahead of time, it costs $2.99 unfortunately, but you can track up to 3!

In addition, there is free tracking starting tomorrow at 7am at www.ingnycmarathon.org.

If you’re out cheering tomorrow and see a gal run by in this outfit, please say hello!

IMG_6833This is my first marathon so I have no idea what to expect of my body. But, I know that any happy screams or cheers along the way will be very WELCOME! 🙂 In addition, if you’re running tomorrow and hanging out on Staten Island feel free to say hi. We can stay warm together. 🙂

Here goes nothing….

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Happy Hump Day! Celebrating National Running Day with Lululemon

Holy hump day humidity! After tonight’s 5 mile run I am absolutely exhausted and still dripping even though I just finished a cold shower. I’m with Jess, cold running is so much better!

Today’s eats were very similar to yesterday’s and equally as enjoyable. My goal for tomorrow is to increase the water consumption EVEN more and enjoy at least one cup of tea during the afternoon slumps.

Breakfast was basic but delicious.

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It’s been one month since I unintentionally gave up coffee and I haven’t looked back once! I’ve been enjoying a Venti Iced Unsweetened Green Tea from Starbucks every morning and love the refreshing flavor and energy it gives me.

Lunch was another scrumptious salad though I was a bit disappointed with their romaine today. I prefer green lettuce versus faded white green lettuce. *fail* I think I’m going to go with a healthier salad tomorrow by adding spinach to the mix. Today included sprouts, tomatoes, red onion, shrimp, salt & pepper, carrots, celery, and FF lemon pepper dressing.

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Blog Pictures 2010 207  I saw these crispy treats at Toasties today and thought they may be a good replacement for my normal PopChips. I tried the traditional cheddar flavor as I hoped they’d be the most flavorful. Fail. These tasted like Styrofoam rubbed in artificial cheddar. I don’t think i’ll be buying the Gourmet Basics Smart Fries again.Blog Pictures 2010 209

 Blog Pictures 2010 211 After a long day at work, I couldn’t wait to meet Rebecca at the East 66th Lululemon for a great Wednesday night run. We’d planned to join Jessie and others for the NYRR National Running day event but we realized we had no interest in the drinking/bar or Upper West Side location. Therefore, we stuck with my normal Wednesday routine instead. I was excited to introduce Rebecca to Claire and the rest of the group. We had a blast! Tonight’s workout was as follows: warm up jog from the store to the Central Park transverse, stretching, warm up to the Tavern, 10 minutes out on the bridle path, 1 minutes of squats, 10 minutes back on the bridle path, 1 minute squats, 8 minutes out on bridle path, 1 minute pushups, 8 minutes back on bridle path, 1 minute pushups, cool down jog back to the store for…..NATIONAL RUNNING DAY CELEBRATION!

Blog Pictures 2010 212You know you’re at a Lululemon party due to all the ridiculously bright colors!! 🙂 Girls enjoying some of the healthy treats including grapes, strawberry, hummus and veggies, and Vita Coco!  Blog Pictures 2010 213  Below are two hot and sweaty messes! Rebecca and I were drenched by the end of the run due to the humidity. I can’t imagine summer running with out my luon tee and tanks!

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. When I got home I was clearly dehydrated because all I wanted was fruit. I knew I needed some protein for staying power so I enjoyed a Chobani 0%, blueberries, and some Galaxy Granola. It was delicious, cool, refreshing, and health

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