213 days and counting…

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I almost started crying when I received this last night. I was actually laying sideways on the floor foam rolling the knots out of my legs. If you follow me on twitter you may have seen my comment about last nights Lululemon Run Club workout. This was our second week and I couldn’t be happier that we have made the commitment to stick with it weekly. Every Wednesday it forces me to leave the office at a decent time, 6pm, and spend an hour pushing my legs in ways that I have never done before. Last night’s workout was the first TRUE speed workout I think i’ve ever done. After meeting at the Lululemon on East 66th and 3rd Avenue we jogged over to the 72nd transverse in Central Park (~1 mile). Then we met the Lincoln Center Lululemon group and reviewed the workout. The coach last night told us she wanted us to push ourselves but respect our bodies since it was a steamy 86 degrees outside! The workout was a mile warm up jog up to the reservoir loop, then a speed workout which consisted of two loops around the reservoir (1.68 miles each loop). The goal was to do a time trial to see how fast we could do the first loop and then hopefully do the second even faster. The reservoir path is perfect for time trials as it is packed dirt, perfectly flat, and has gorgeous views.

I decided that I was going to focus on keeping my body loose, my arms and abs engaged, and run the first loop as quickly as my legs would allow. I got in the zone by plugging into an old favorite, ACDC and taking off. I could immediately tell I was running faster than normal as my heart rate sky rocketed. Before I was at the half way point my heart rate was pushing 175! I finished the loop in 13:04 which meant i’d kept an 8:06 mile pace! Holy cow! I’d done it! I’d pushed my legs and lungs harder than ever. The second loop was slower but still completed. After completing the two loops we stretched as a group and did some squats and jumpies. The workout ended with a mile run back to Lululemon to retrieve our gear. What a great Wednesday night!

So, here is to the official start of NYC ING Marathon training and excitement! Leslie and I were gchatting back and forth yesterday since we both are in the 2010 marathon. She was lucky and ended up being one of the few “chosen” ones in the lottery while Bo and I both qualified through the NYRR last year by completing 9 races in 2009 and volunteering for one. 

Last but not least, please support my fellow NYC Marathon gal, Leslie, in her quest to win the National Flaunt Your Rock contest!

http://keridoolittlephotography.com/blog/2010/04/denver-wedding-photographer-flaunt-your-rock-national-contest-vote/
Couple #2
All the way baby!

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Monday, Monday…

This morning started bright and early with a 5:20 wakeup call. Bo and I decided not to spin today since we went to spin yesterday morning before church at the 19th and Broadway Equinox. Instead, this morning I did a circuit/weights workout that looked a bit like this:
1 mile sprint on treadmill- 8:58
3 sets each of leg press, leg extension, leg curl with jumping jacks between each set
3 sets of tricep dips (25 reps), lat pull down, and curls with mountain climbers between each set
3 sets of assisted pullup, assisted dip, and row with jumping jacks between each set
25 pushups
100 situps on bosu ball to each side with 6 lb ball
2 minutes of planks
5 minutes of foam rolling
All in all this was a great sweaty workout and it felt nice to lift. Sometimes I forget how great it feels to get my muscles moving early. I was starving by the time I reached work and dug into breakfast quick. I’m still enjoying my “messy bowls” filled with Grape Nuts, Special K Protein cereal, strawberries, ground flax, and some skim milk!

Some people have asked how our Easter was in NYC. The day was absolutely gorgeous with blue skies and temperatures reaching 70. We enjoyed church with friends at ForeFront Church then had brunch at Pete’s Tavern. The afternoon was spent walking park to park enjoying the dogs and people watching. I don’t think a Spring Sunday could get any better. Here are a few pictures from our family to yours!

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Rudi’s Winner and Meg’s Easy Vegetable Quiche Cups to Go

Last night, after a longer than normal flight down to Atlanta, Meg delighted my taste buds with an easy warm up dinner. Since it was already 9pm I knew I didn’t want anything too heavy but was in need of protein and something substantial. After brainstorming for a few minutes Meg pulled out a Tupperware filled with adorable muffins. My first reaction was that cupcakes would not be the perfect dinner. But,  I quickly realized that these little yellow cupcakes were in fact a mini, healthy quiche!

39014210.JPG.jpgMeg has been building some South Beach into her life in the months leading up to her May wedding. This recipe is based on the recipe in her Supercharged Eating on the South Beach Diet cookbook. She uses her regular 12 muffin pan to make these on Sunday nights. After they cook she stores them in the fridge or freezer. Combined with a piece of Rudi’s toast and warm cup of tea two to three of these make the perfect breakfast treat at home or at the office. Enjoy!
Meg’s Easy Vegetable Quiche Cups to Go
1 package frozen chopped spinach
3/4 c shreded reduced fat cheedar or pepper jack cheese
3/4 c egg subsitute or egg whites
1/2 medium onion finely diced
1/2 package pre sliced Baby bella mushrooms
6-8 drops Tabasco or to taste
4 Tbsp Benefiber non thickening powder 
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray. 
Place spinach in a microwaveable container and cook in the microwave on high power for 2 1/2 minutes. Drain excess liquid.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, cheese, egg substitute, onions, Benefiber,  mushrooms, and Tabasco. Mix well. Divide mixture evenly among the muffin cups.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until a tester insterted in the center comes out clean. Cook in pan for 5 minutes. Use an offset spatula or knife to loosen the edges before flipping upside down on a cooling rack. After fifteen minutes freeze individually or pop in the fridge. Enjoy!

RUDI’S WINNER:  Thank you for the awesome ideas regarding which products you want to try! I hope that Carolyn from www.lovinlosing.com will thoroughly enjoy the coupons!




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