Monthly Archives: June 2010

I’m not going to lie, it’s been another long week, but the holiday weekend is approaching!

With the hot, long days of summer, here are a few ways I’m staying cool and keeping it real:
- Workout confusion. For almost as far back as I can remember, I aimed to get in one long run on the weekend. Since I started swimming and biking, I don’t beat myself up for adding things like a 40 mile bike ride and skipping my run. I’ve been working on my swimming in the evening, Andrew’s kept it lively in the pool by challenging me with relays. Point is, when you are doing exercises that don’t feel like a regimen you may find yourself looking forward to doing a load of different activities.

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink

- Stocking up on fresh fruit. With all the love from local farmer’s, including my Nanny, our fridge has been packed with seasonal indulgences. I have so many peaches I was afraid they would spoil. I put some in the freezer and those things have been the cat’s pajamas. I mix a frozen peach with my morning yogurt or oats, keeps me fueled up.

- Sleeping on it. I have a new rule that has been a major plus in regulating my ZZZs: no caffeine (my yum tea) post 3PM. Go ahead and call me ancient, it works. I am also sure I put this body to bed by 10PM. Tired or not, I hop in bed for reading or TV.

- It’s OK to whine wine about things. I’ve been cheating on my favorite red wines this summer with the lighter grape version, mmm white wine. If you’re like me and can’t take the tart, try a Riesling or a Sauvignon Blanc. Total Wine is my premiere destination for adult beverage shopping. They have an amazing selection. Go ahead, try to beat it. It’s like the Target for wine, they have everything you don’t even know you need, including a host of world-renowned beers. They also carry my current white wine obsession, Kitchen Sink.

There ya go – fast moves, tooty fruity, sleep and booze. I’m doing alright. That’s what’s rocking my socks these days, but least we forget, Mikey.

Mikey Likey - Looking for some new plays to add to your list? Mikey recommends you head over to your local record store, or like the majority of the population go to iTunes, and grab the new Scissor Sisters album “Night Work.“ Since they haven’t felt like dancing, they are back with a new album. This band dominates the charts in Europe and their dance vibes are a cult favorite in the states. Warning, “the cover art leaves something to be desired though.”

A whole new meaning to the term "flash dance."

Any new summer tunes you’ve been rocking out to? And what’s your favorite summer beverage?!

Stepping it up a notch?

June 29, 2010

Just for Run

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Shape it on up!

The Reebok Pump. The Thighmaster. Electric Shock Treatment for abs. We all remember the performance enhancing workout boosters. These days, if someone isn’t barking at me about P90x (no offense), it’s all about these new kicks. I’ve heard a lot of noise around the new “tone and shape” shoes from companies like Reebok, Skechers and New Balance. What’s all this ~~height~~ hype about? I refuse to totally knock it until I try it, but Skechers front-man Joe Montana, don’t you still have your pride?! I’ve got “49″ other career options you should have thought about first. Was Sky Mall not hiring?

For what it’s worth the cobbler’s making these shoes claim:
“Reebok uses unique balance pods with moving air built into the shoe that provide natural instability with every step, which forces your muscles to adapt and work harder.”

Step by step, ooh baby. Gonna get to your girl.

I would lean towards Reebok’s EasyTone FTW (for the win). They were the first to step up on the scene and we all know the lady in their ads. You can do side-bends and sit-ups, but please don’t lose that butt. I swear I think my grandpa had the same shoes but they were blue and have velcro. I don’t even know where I’d wear them. It’s bad enough that when I walk Indy with my ankle weights people probably think I am on house arrest.

Jimmy's Vertical Lift Shoes

If these sneakers aren’t meant to replace a workout, then it’s really no harm. But I think Jimmy would be pretty angry that he’s not getting any royalties in this deal. We all owe Seinfeld the real credit, since he invented these dream machines years ago. Don’t you remember Jimmy’s vertical lift shoes?! Jimmy DOWN!

Are you rocking these new sneakers? Or have your tried something ludacris that turned out to be the best thing ever?

Weekend Trails

June 28, 2010

Just for Run, Trainer Tips

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Happy trails....toooo yoooouu.

When people say they need a weekend from their weekend, they mean it. This weekend we tackled biking, swimming, sports and family, packing in as much as we could in a few days. We kicked off Saturday morning with cycling. I have been on a road bike roughly 5 times, ever. Did I mention five times was a collective total?! Andrew aggressively decided to plan a 40 mile bike ride at the Silver Comet, one of the largest paths in Georgia. I accepted the challenge, knowing it was what I needed to become comfortable with riding clipless. The first 20 miles were blurry, but with each pedal I honestly felt my comfort level growing. A solid, fairly even trail helped me learn to relax and move with my bike. There were enough stop and starts that I figured out how easy it was to clip in and out, thank jeebus! Trust me, the first miles were sloooow and ugly, but I sucked it up and figured it out, which made the latter half of the ride even more enjoyable. In the early miles I was plenty frustrated and the heat didn’t help my rising blood pressure. I finally took some breaths and put my “gym legs” to work. It was a daunting ride, but such an accomplishment. Looking forward to more rides, because each pedal makes me better.
Somewhere admist the 2 hour plus ride I passed a runner and I must have smiled at this person ear to ear. Seeing everyone on the path in the morning when it was disgustingly hot was awesome. It’s rewarding and motivating to see others out there getting in a good workout.

Some tips that “spoke” to me while riding:
- Invest is proper biking shorts and a cycling top. Shorts will literally save your a** from serious soreness and a good shirt will provide relief in the heat.
- Learns your gears. We’ve talked about this before, but I mean know what you should be doing. Take a class, Google, anything to show you what gears you should be in during climbs, strides and descents. Makes everything much easier on your yams.
- Be nice to fellow trail members. You’re going to run into all kinds of joggers, walkers, strollers and bikers that will make you maneuver like a bull through a china shop. Practice patience and be alert. Everyone is out there to enjoy the same space.

Saturday evening was filled with family and a nom nom low country boil. Low country boils are a right of passage in the south and ours was loaded with humungo crab, shrimp, corn and sausage. Mmmhmm! I probably had enough wine to drain a vineyard, but I was coming off a long road bike high.

Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool.

I refuse to be sad about the World Cup blow to the USA. We did amazingly well and put up a solid, notable fight. Best of luck to the remaining teams.

Room for two?

Sunday was another scorcher. We surprised our baby with a new pool! Best $3 ever! We picked up this dreamboat and it only took a little coaxing before Indy settled into his new digs. Bless his hot little heart. The makers of this plastic castle, I salute you. I got in a long swim, feeling with each stroke improvement. Hey, it’s better than panic.

This weekend was a busy, fabulous mess. Looking forward to some fireworks later this week kids!

Did you all get out and enjoy the weather this weekend? Does your hometown have any amazing places to run, bike, jog, etc?

What Am I Running To? Weekly Playlist Must-Haves

June 27, 2010

Musica

11 Comments

It’s time to get the weekend party started. Turn it up and tear it out:

My weekly rotation:
- Eminem & Rhianna: Love the Way You Lie (Rhi Rhi and Em put it out there)
- Sublime: Doin Time (it was this or 40 oz to Freedom)
- Lupe Fiasco: Superstar (because we all, deep down, want to be rock stars)
- Michael Jackson: Smooth Criminal (RIP)
- Tom Petty: Free Fallin (who doesn’t want to sing in their car to this)

What are you rocking out to?!

iTune it up.

And if you are still in need of a World Cup Fix, here ya go kids. Courtesy of our friends in Springfield.

Endurance – Makes Us Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

June 25, 2010

Just for Run, Trainer Tips

18 Comments

I don’t know if today’s title quote goes to Kayne or Daft Punk?

I want to sincerely thank everyone for commenting on yesterday’s post discussing the World Cup and athlete’s composure. Truly fantastic feedback. Y’all made enough noise to rival a vuvuzela, well maybe.

Now, on with the show.

You know the slogans, you’ve heard the taglines: “Have what it takes?” “Is it in you?”

Sic' Em John!

Yesterday on the stage at Wimbledon, a fellow University of Georgia alumni John Isner showed the proud Bulldog nation, along with the globe, he had what it took during the WORLD’S longest tennis match against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. There were like 10 other records shattered as well.

According to the Washington Post: “In terms of other sports, we’re talking about a 60-inning baseball game or a 10-quarter NFL playoff game. In other words, unreal.”

Endurance. It’s a word I associate with everything from running marathons to listening to my husband talk about history. It’s an ability to somewhat make your body push on, when all the signals in your brain are saying, “For the love of all that is holy, how about we toss in the towel here.”

Of course, after a martini Andrew thinks Mahut should have continued play. “Isner’s a professional athlete. Have fun out there. He looked like a shot brontosaurus. No need to exasperate the point, we know he’s exhausted. Mahut was still chasing down balls at the end.” Easssy there tiger. Isner is like 6’9, he has to work a bit harder regardless.

I have come to the realization that it is the ability to endure the good days and bad days of training, the little and big moments of tolerance that build character. It’s the training days when you feel you cannot do anymore that you learn endurance. Training isn’t just about the moment, it’s about the lesson. So hang in there.

Hot, hot mess.

Outside of a half marathon, I have endured long personal runs, days of hiking, near swimming disasters, more stair climbing than I care to count and personal injury.

I’ve also learned to stick with things. Pushing through the awkward and the uncomfortable phases of learning, because I believe that at the end I can swim out on top.

Having stamina is the mother of all workouts.

So do you have what it takes? Have you ever endured something you didn’t think you could?

Try a Few Reps of Composure

June 24, 2010

Just for Run

67 Comments

For all you futbol fans, or perhaps those that love the USA, let’s talk about composure. I’m talking about the kind of composure that players keep when faced with adversity. Athletes that lose their pantalones when the calls don’t go their way, and the ones who don’t waiver at all. When team USA found themselves in a lose and leave situation after the wrong call heard round the world, they had two paths to take – get angry or get focused. Kudos Coach Bob Bradley for keeping a cool head and telling the players to move on. Ultimately, the team’s determinations to play harder resulted in a W and advancement to the next round. Whereas, team France, ah sac le bleu. They lost their berets after their coach tossed a player from the tournament. Staging a walk-off during a scheduled team practice in protest. The result, France lost. They’ve always been good at resisting.

Most athletes will say that frustration can lead to mental anguish during a competition. It’s how strong someone is at times in the mind that matters more. When you have a raging attitude as a teen, you’re a “hot shot.” Later in life they’ll call you an “asshole.”

Galarraga gracefully hands over the game card.

In life there are the Johnny Macs, notorious at shouting, and the Galarragas – the Detroit pitcher showed not one sign of anger after losing his perfect game in the 9th with two outs to a call where even the Ump admitted fault.

It’s in these tests of character when one has to reach inside for something more than physical strength, that true champions triumph.

When calls aren’t going your way or when your workout or training goes kaput, breathe. Proper athletes are going to go through more than time trials. Learn to control your emotion and harness your vulnerability. If you have a bad day on the bike, instead of hurling that light hunk of junk, walk it off and get back on the saddle.

This coming from a person that loses their crap sometimes for no good reason. Traffic and a copier paper jam can turn me into the Hulk. Typically in sports I can put mind over matter. Maybe I need some composure in my day to day, ha.

Are you the calm and collected type or do you dwell on bad juju? And be honest, I promise I don’t judge!

Magazines – How does your rack stack?

June 23, 2010

Just for Run

19 Comments

Oh summah summah summahtime. A proper thunderstorm kept these fins out of the pool. To think just yesterday I was talking about all the perks of a long summer evening:) I loved hearing about what you all enjoy doing during the long summer days!

I tri-ed not to look at this as another sign. (see Indy all tuckered out down there?)

I know we all get our news from various places. Online, TV, social media, etc., but there is one tried and true method that I still love opening the mailbox for monthly, my women’s magazines. Hey, Andrew has Car & Driver, I want something too. I subscribe to Women’s Health and Shape magazines. I recieved a fantastic deal online for Shape recently and signed up.

I love me some mail and to get my Shape magazine twas magical. I thoroughly enjoyed the June issue. Shape knows me too well, I opened almost right up to an article for tri training. Oy, gavolt.

While every article in a magazine isn’t for me, I did find some nuggets of goodness:
- The Editor in Chief of Shape, Valerie Latona, is training for a triathlon! You can follow her and stay updated as practices the three-month training plan to gear up for a race. I know I’m intrigued!
- Shape ranked D.C. as the top fittest city. Denver was 6th.
- Covergirl Kim K loves J Lo and her curves (thought I’d throw that in).
- Suntan lotion can expire. After a year you should probably toss it out.
- It will take you 110 min of swimming to burn off ONE Dairy Queen Blizzard! Cheezits, Mary and Joseph, that’s insane!
- Athlete Elaine Campbell’s rule is to think of eating like a bank account in reverse. Try to spend every calorie you deposit. I like her style.
- All nuts are not equal. Cashew butter has 2 fewer grams of fat than PB.

“And now you know.”

Mikey Likey: For this edition, we head to Mikey’s hometown to celebrate the opening of “The Wizarding World Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Orlando. I’ve been seriously geeked about this. He must have sent me a dozen pics as the construction was underway. I hear the land is wanderful! They have everything Harry could get at Ollivander’s wand shop or candy store. Even Butterbeer for you adults. I hear Broomsticks are going for some serio change, like $300. It will be some time before Mikey ventures to the park to check it out as the Muggle crowds are everywhere. The Los Angeles Times has a fantastic review.

What are some of your favorite mags to read? Where do you find useful tips and advice for fitness, beauty, health and overall lifestyle?

By Iron Man, you mean chef? Race Announcement!

June 22, 2010

Just for Run, Running

18 Comments

Show me your mailbox pose!

Yesterday was a good day. I had a solid run in the morning and topped off the evening by walking Dr Jones and getting in a swim lesson. Isn’t that what makes summer great? Long days, warm evenings, helps keeps me active. Andrew was by my side again in the pool, like a trainer to a killer whale. Easy there, I didn’t attack:) I hesitate to say, BUT it is getting a bit easier to breathe. Meghan’s tips kept ringing in my head. Slow down and breathe. I am working on taking a clean breath, getting air without water and concentrating on the angle of my head. This swim lesson flew by, whereas Sunday solo felt like an eternity. Have to keep at it. In other news, I need a safe swimming shampoo and conditioner or my stylist is going to hate me.

Without further ado, I share with you all my next race. WE have signed up for a Ironman 70.3 race in Augusta, GA this coming September. I say we because I’m not crazy enough to do the whole thing solo yet, but naturally our pal Meghan is. Myself, Andrew and our friend Brandon will relay the half Ironman. I’m stepping out on the running leg, Andrew regulating and mounting up on bike and Brandon will be a ~~shore~~ sure thing in swimming. It’s going to be SO beneficial to compete in a triathlon race, that way I can check out the different transitions.

I guess this is happening?!

->Ironman 70.3 Augusta will offer athletes the unique opportunity to race in two states, as the cycling portion of this event will take athletes into the great state of South Carolina.
- Swim a 1.2 mile point-to-point course in the Savannah River.
- Cycle a single-loop 56 mile bike course through the beautiful countryside of South Carolina before returning to the Georgia side of the Savannah River and the city of Augusta, Ga.
- Run a two-loop course consisting of 13.1 miles, through the downtown community of Augusta.

Great, the boys get scenic views, a new state and I get downtown, such is life. I am thrilled to have something to aim for again. One day it will be a tri though, but I have some lessons to learn before then. I am going to put myself on a training regime, stay tuned for what I decide. I am stubborn and I would like to find a plan I can stick to.

Our team name: Tri-ing is the first step to failure
Easy kids, it’s a Homer Simpson quote.

Is everyone else enjoying the long days of summer? Do you have an activity you love to do during the summer months? If you have upcoming race plans, let’s hear them (and they don’t have to be official)!

Getting Fresh & Staying Disciplined

June 21, 2010

Just for Run

12 Comments

Tilling around with Nanny in the garden.

The first official day of summer. The weekend certainly was a hot blur. I was single (ow ow) as the man was in Michigan visiting his dad for Father’s Day – I wanted to go see old friends in the Mitten state too but I’ll have to wait. I will tell you that I now know the true meaning of retail therapy! We had a great Father’s Day weekend, daddy-o and I hung out and had a pool day. Hope y’all did something special with your dads as well.

Time to hunker down for another week.

I did spend the weekend in my grandmother’s garden. There isn’t anything better than something fresh from the garden, nothing like it. OK, maybe the homemade blueberry pie a friend shared this weekend. If you have never had FRESH blueberry pie, stop what you are doing and figure out how to get one. It was divine.

I found my thrill, on blueberry pie hill.

Show them what they've won!!

If Barbie and Ken have Malibu, then these kids have Boulder. Air high-five to Brittney and Taylor. They have successfully completed their first official 10k race. Proud of the team, and I am pleased to share that they have more races in their future! Their backdrop out in Colorado is something worth running after.

Over the weekend I thought a bit about discipline. Webster defines,”training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.” When I think of athletes like Olympians, I think discipline. And athletes such as Lance Armstrong and Floyd Mayweather never stop training, year-round. There are smaller principles in which I try to adapt discipline into my day-to-day. Waking up daily at 5:00 is dedication to myself fo sho! If I am prepping for a race or other event I find having discipline in my training schedule and nutrition come much easier. As I start to take on different types of activities I realize I must be mindful about my body to ensure I stay out of the injury column, that being said – I am going to try to work towards having more discipline around my training schedule and lifestyle. Looking forward to having more focus.

If you need more inspiration, head over to Men’s Health magazine where they talk about Heroes of Health and Fitness: The qualities that defined this magazine’s first 20 years are embodied today by the 19 men (and one woman) you’re about to meet. From Barack Obama and Lance Armstrong to Tiger Woods and Ashley Judd, they are working to make the world healthier, through their actions and their inspiring stories.

No doubt discipline is tough but it also has great reward. How do you stay disciplined or find focus?

What Am I Running To? Weekly Playlist Must-Haves

June 19, 2010

Musica

6 Comments

After this week, I had many nights driving home with windows down singing like the rent was due.

My weekly rotation:
- Jason Aldean: Crazy Town Lyrics (I’ve been keeping country from you too long!)
- Sugarland: It Happens (pretty much my week)
- Taio Cruz Featuring Ludacris: Break Your Heart (FINE by me, mmhmm!)
- Justin Bieber: KIDDING, I mean he’s precious but if I wanted to hear him sing I’d pick up the Olsen Twins album (sorry!)
- Explosions in the Sky: Your Hand in Mine (for yoga/pilates)

Any new songs I should know about?

iTune it up.