Four Topics to Discuss

Can you believe it's July!? 

My sincere apologies for the little hiatus I have gone on the past few weeks. Between work being busy and social life being full (obviously....so popular), my blog-writing time has had to be cut short.

But now I am home in Plymouth for a week and I am ready to type away!

Where to begin? I've decided my "official" Marathon training will begin next Monday after I return to New York from my mini-vacation at home. So, July 8th. Mark it in your calendars as the date It All Began. [Again.] 

But frankly it's not like much will change for me. 

Ideally...

     Three days a week running (Mon, Wed and Saturday long run)

     Two days a week strength training (Tues and Thur)

     One day a week yoga (Fri or Sun)

     And one day a week rest (Fri or Sun)

I should note that this "ideal" week happens about once every 5-6 months. But it's always the goal and it's what I have been striving for since Miami and will be what will I continue to do into November. The difference really becomes the long runs on the weekends as they slowly, but steadily, creepy into crazy town territory. So that's that.

So then what's new with MeriG? Well, I have a few topics to cover. In no particular order:

1) Exhale Core Fusion

I've started going to Core Fusion classes at Exhale Spa using a Rue La La groupon-type thing that I bought a while back. I had gone to a couple of classes in the past, but have now been about 5 times in 4 weeks. And I actually see results.

This is a ballet-barre type class (a la Bar Method or Figure 4) and Exhale has -- in my opinion -- a great class schedule at their locations. I go to the Upper East Side location, and they have a great locker room so it's not a problem to go right to work or out after the classes.

I've taken Core Fusion with multiple different teachers and have no complaints yet. While each teacher may have a slightly different style and do different exercises, the flow of the class remains the same as does their amazing positive and motivating attitude.

Let me preface by saying it's hard. And a little girly (not really recommending this for the dudes). But if you want to strengthen and tone your muscles as opposed to building them big and manly? This is the place for you.

Exercises focus on isolating movements. You'll do things such as many reps with light weights for arms, plank movements for abs, lots of squats and leg lifts at the barre for butt and thighs, and some excellent core work at the end that will have even the most in-shape person struggling. 

It's okay if you can't do every movement or if you have to stop. The teachers are great about that. I personally have an extreme lack of flexibility as well as core weakness as a whole, so I often and really really struggling. The teachers quite frequently have to come and re-position me because I'm a disaster. But they are respectful and encouraging and I do honestly find myself improving as I take more. So that's the idea I suppose, and it's why I will continue to go back.

Warning: it's pricey, so consider waiting for a GiltCity offer or Rue La La (they come up every few months or so).

2) Divergent!!!

I'm so pumped for this movie, currently slated March 2014. It's like the Hunger Games except so so so so so so much better. Divergent is part I in a trilogy of books. The first two (Divergent and Insurgent) are already out and the third is coming out in October.

I may or may not have already purchased the advanced order copy for my Kindle.

And by that I mean, of course I purchased. Because it's so dang awesome.

All you need to know:

1) Also Distopian future

2) Also female lead character, but she makes Katniss seem like a pansy

3) Have I ever steered you wrong???

3) Sleep No More

I went to see this experiential theater on Saturday night with some friends and all I have so say is.....Oh. My. God. It was crazy. I literally can not stop thinking about it, talking about it or reading about it.

I hadn't read too much before I went in and had heard minimal things from friends. And I think what I did know was the perfect amount. I really think my experience was so amazing because I was so in the dark and blissfully ignorant.

It's based off of Macbeth but also has Hitchcock stuff in there. You can't carry anything with you. You will interact with characters and you will wear a mask (think that episode of Gossip Girl)

There will be nudity. 

You should experience it alone and separate from your friends. And it's not as bad as that sounds. In fact, I think you will get more out of the show for sure. And this is coming from someone who refuses to watch scary movies.

And the braver you are and more open-minded, the better the experience. I had some....interesting and unusual and amazing interactions...that I would be happy to tell you about separately if you would like. And these happened because I was honestly just interested and -- absolutely -- was willing to take some risks. I just don't want to ruin things for any newbies.

Anyways, if you've already seen the show, please reach out so we can dissect every moment. If you haven't, definitely consider going. It's pricey, but truly worth every penny. One of the most unique and unreal and awe-inspiring and disturbing and amazing theater experiences I have ever had. Let me know when you want to go, because a second time going may not be such a bad idea....

And if you'll excuse me I'm going to go obsess over this show some more. Good day.

4) My cat is the greatest. 

Here is a series of photos of Archie helping me stretch after my 8-mile long run last weekend:

Sniffing and licking the sweat. Stop judging me, CAT!

 

And one...

And two...
 

And three...

And I'm spent!

Running, Strength and Yoga (oh my!)

I had a really good workout week. A really good one. So good, in fact, that I feel the need to recap it here.

Everything just kind of grooved this week. My workouts left me energized and even a little uplifted. My body felt strong and healthy. And it was really great.

The week:

• Sunday I jump-started the week by getting my butt kicked at Barry's Bootcamp. Ouch-a-roo. In the best of ways.
• Monday was an "easy" run (which didn't feel so easy after my Sunday!)
• Tuesday morning I got up bright and early to go to the New York Sports Club Total Body Conditioning class I've been attending for going on two years now. Normally I don't gush about NYSC classes (most leave something to be desired...) but this particular one -- Tuesdays at 6:30 am at the 76th Street gym -- is really great. It's taught by Serena, the woman who founded the Masala Bhangra workout and she is great. Very tough and always mixes things up. It's also a nice feeling to be a "regular" in a class and feel like one of the cool kids.
• Wednesday was another morning run on a gorgeous, picture-perfect day. Although that was a gorgeous day from sun up to sun down, the morning run on the river can just be so fantastic. Low(ish) humidity even in the summer, not a lot of people around, the sun low in the sky...I feel like I need to write a Disney song about it. 

Waking up in my UES apartment ready to face the day! Sun shining! Birds singing!

• Thursday I met a couple of friends at a morning Core Fusion class at Exhale. It's a ballet barre inspired class and is very similar type class to one I reviewed a couple of months back. The instructor was great and I think -- thanks to a great Rue La La deal I have at Exhale -- I might try to go to this more often!
• Friday I got back into hashtag #OnceAWeekYoga, also at Exhale! Having summer half day Fridays has opened up this world of afternoon classes for me, so I'm trying to take advantage.
• Saturday I did a lazy loop around the park for a long run (and even ran into Miriam while I was at it!) On the way home I saw Ethan Hawke and was very impressed by my celebrity sighting.

Today, I rested. And blogged.

I felt good about my week for a few reasons. First, as much as while it's happening it can often feel hellish, the weeks I do morning workouts just seem to be .... a bit better. It kick starts the day and I think I actually feel stronger in the morning before I've worked and ate big meals. It can make me a bit zombie-esque after 9pm, but you know what? I'm 30. Deal with it.

I also really liked how different my workouts were this week. Any health magazine will tell you to vary your workout, but it's really true! You can get into a rut so easily, and I think that rut can happen even more so for a runner (particularly one in training mode). I did a few strength workouts this week that worked my body in very different ways.  

Finally, I think I might be finding my groove a little bit with this whole "yoga" thing. And by that I mean I've weeded out a lot of the classes that I absolutely do not want to go to again, allowing me to focus a little more on my practice and a little less of getting used to the studio, teacher, method, etc.

Over the past year or so I have tried several different studios and class-types, and ultimately I have focused in on Exhale as my preferred studio. Here's why:

What you see above you is a [crazy person's] diagram of my criteria for yoga classes. Each of the six studios have locations on the Upper East Side (which was crucial to even make the list). Where you see the orange bar either means I didn't have enough information or that I was on the fence. For example: Yes, NYSC gives you a mat....but when do you think they cleaned those mats last? 1975? C'mon now.

Exhale gets a bar for cost. The yoga classes there are $26 a piece (a little pricey...) but I honestly don't remember the last time I paid full price. Exhale is always on Gilt and Rue La La, and I always make sure to buy packages when they're offered. When I run out, I am definitely willing to spend $26 a class to have check marks everywhere else.

You're totally scared of me right now because I made that chart. I can tell. Sorry I'm not sorry, because that chart is a totally great reference guide for anyone also interested in #OnceAWeekYoga on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. So really it's more of a community service effort. I'm doing good for society!

Looking forward, I know that I won't even have two weeks in a row of this type of workout perfection. Between early morning meetings, weekend trips, and just simple fatigue, I think it's unreasonable to expect that this could even be a regular situation.

That said, I'm going to definitely try to take the lessons from this week (morning, variety, yoga) and move them forward when all possible. Without guilt-tripping myself when things -- inevitably -- don't pan out.

Now it's time for The Tony's, Game of Thrones and Mad Men. Huge, huge, huge TV night. [Sidebar: And by the way, anyone else still reeling from last Sunday's GoT episode? Holy CRAP!] 

I'm already sad that tonight is the Season Finale of my new obsession. My heart feels like this:

So sad. Because I know nothing.

:::Sigh::: My day of rest is always best when I reward myself by laying out the couch for four straight hours of TV. While Archie judges me.

The Calm Before...

Happy June, oh faithful readers!

It seems like only last week we were wearing jackets and shivering on the cold hard streets. Oh, wait. That actually was last week.

But now? Now it is fully SUMMER. My Super installed my AC and Archie and I are in good shape, staying cool in our little apartment.

For a runner, heat is a mixed thing. On one hand, no more jackets and layers and gloves and headbands! Oh the other hand...the sweat.

I'm still feeling the post-race PR high after the amazingness that was The 2013 Brooklyn Half. I've still been running and cross-training (I did a Barry's Bootcamp just this morning, in fact!) And I've even been trying (unsuccessfully) to keep up with my hashtag #OnceAWeekYoga.

You're supposed to say hashtag before you write the # right? No? Internets...

I haven't had a gap between race training for almost a year. Just boom, boom, boom one right after another. And now, I have a lil' space to relax and reflect and re...DRINK!

NYC Marathon Training Take 3 begins officially July 1st. For the moment, I'm going to do my best to run a few times a week, but to run however long I please. One mile...six miles...whatever feels good and right and appropriate at that time for that day. I'm also not going to plan my life around working out the way I tend to do when in training mode. I'm supposed to run, but someone wants to do happy hour? Happy hour it is. I want to really enjoy this time and give my body and myself the break it really deserves.

And then, it's starts. Again.

Because there is a GLARING omission from my medals

You guys. Honestly, this is getting a little ridiculous. I now have three YEARS of back posts of me starting to run the NYC Marathon. There was this post that started it all and then this little upbeat diddy when I made my triumphant return from injury last spring.

But now I have hashtag #actually run a marathon and I'm just not gonna play anymore. NYC, you and I have a long awaited appointment. I'm not even kidding this time.

My Dad asked me if when I run NYC in November I was going to bring darkness or plague or the slaying of the firstborn. Not cool, Dad.

...Because maybe it's true...

Let my Marathon Go!!!!

But I feel good about 2013. For one thing, this is my fourth time training for a marathon so...not to sound pompous...but I'm pretty good about talking about running marathons.

This year I also know a lot of people running, which will be great not only for the moral support, but also to coordinate training runs since you KNOW I ain't doing 20 miles on my own.

Team For Kids is not able to accommodate us sad 2012-ers for the 2013 training season (since they have new fundraising hopefuls to take care of!) But they are being nice enough to include us on emails and give us access to the coaches. We also had the option to pay a small fee to take part of the great race day perks that we rudely were denied last November.

So I'll wear my lil' jersey from Miami again with my lil' name on it.

The first year when I trained, it was all about pushing myself to do something I wasn't sure was possible. The second year it was coming back from utter, complete devastation. This year? I'm doing this thing for me. Because I now know I can run a damn marathon. So this is about running this marathon in my city. After Sandy in NY in 2012 and then Boston this past April, this is going to be a special one. And I'm not doing it for any other reason other than that I am incredibly stubborn I want to.

So what to write about? I've covered the newbie starting out topics...and injury recovery....and then getting back into it as a more "experienced runner"....and improving times with smaller races....now what?

We'll see. I think I still have a lot more to say. And if nothing else, I can just continue to bring you Favorite Things. Such as Henry Cavill, best known as Superman in the upcoming Man of Steel movie. Lesser known as the most gorgeous thing ever in the Showtime program The Tudors.

Enjoy:

Race Recap: Killin' It for Half #9

This past weekend I ran my ninth (!!) official Half. It was my fourth time running Brooklyn and -- as you can tell -- I always like this race and keep comin' back for more.

The entire experience -- all-in-all -- was wonderful. My parents came in on Friday afternoon, and we went to a really cute Italian restaurant in the neighborhood Friday night to get me carbo-loaded up and ready to rock n' roll. 

They inadvertently coordinated outfits because they're just so damn cute.

We had an early bedtime to prep for the 4:45am wake-up call. I like to have a full hour in the apartment before I leave for races to ensure I have everything I need, can sit and eat, use the potty, and just have time to relax and try not to stress. 

As I was explaining to my Dad on the train, it doesn't matter if it's your first half or your ninth. Or your 30th like my awesome friend Sam who just completed 30 Halfs before 30 (Crazy lady! Congrats!) I personally find that I'm still incredibly nervous -- although certainly more prepared -- each time. There's this butterflies feeling in your stomach and this nervous energy all around you. But I think that's the beauty of the thing. It's what separates this day from all the other training days. It's what makes you want to pay the money and put on the bib and do this thing. Could you do it on your own for free? Absolutely. But it's the butterflies and the fans and the finish line that makes it special.

Before leaving the apartment we did a little pre-race photo shoot. My Dad has an "interesting" sense of humor. "Lean to the left," he said. "A little more...a little more..." Until he got me to take this incredibly awkward picture. 

Leaning unnecessarily. While my Dad makes fun of me. And Archie is creepin'.

Funny, Dad. Real funny.

Here's a real one:

Purple shirt? Check!
Watch? Check!
Hat? Check!
Bib? Check!
CREEPIN' CAT? CHECK.
We're ready to roll.

And my fan club and I were on the subway by just past 6 am to get down to Brooklyn.

My mom is carrying all my wordly possessions on her person.  

Once in Brooklyn, my parents transferred to another train to situate themselves at mile 3 -- the first viewing spot I had prescribed for them. I went to the starting corral and arrived in plenty of time to meet up with Joss and Erica (remember them from Miami??) and to use the glorious port-o-potties.

Starting corral

There were two Waves this year because the Brooklyn Half has gotten so big. I remember back in 2008 when I ran my first one and there were just a few thousand runners. This year? I think about 25,000. Insane.

Wave 1 was off at around 7:00am and then Wave 2 begin at 7:30.

We were off.

The course is great for this race. You start at the Brooklyn Museum and spend the first four miles on streets near the Museum and Prospect Park -- one of my favorite places in the city. You then enter the park and do its lovely 3-mile loop before exiting and running straight down a closed-down major roadway to Coney Island. Baller.

Photo of runners on Ocean Parkway courtesy of Ken Glansberg

It wasn't a secret that I was seeking out a PR over my last year's record -- also set in Brooklyn -- of 1:58:48. It was a tough goal, because that pace from last year was a 9:04. I had challenged myself to run at or below at 9:00 mile. For 13.1 miles.

I had changed my training schedule to incorporate Yoga and more "Quality" runs (i.e. hills and speed). And I had really pushed myself with the mileage, getting up to 13 miles during my longest run (whereas normally for Half training I just go to 10 or 11 prior to the Big Day).

All week I ate really well -- not a morsel of lactose hit these lips. Sigh.

I stretched plenty, and I took several rest days. I got a great night sleep for two nights in a row leading up to Saturday. My tummy felt great on Saturday am (although the preventative Imodium can never hurt!) All-in-all, I was ready.

Miles 1-7 were great. With Erica and Joss by my side, I held just over a 9:00 average pace. It's a flat course with one [horrible] hill around mile 5. With that behind me, leaving the Park and heading down Ocean Parkway, I felt like I could rule the world.

Miles 8-9 were okay. I was starting to fatigue a bit from holding that pace, which absolutely is pushing it for me. But I still felt strong.

I saw my parents at Mile 9 and that gave me another little boost, but shortly after I started feeling the pain. My joints and my muscles and my lungs were okay, but I was just TIRED. And I think dehydrated. 

Not gonna lie to you right now, Miles 10 - 13 were just totally grotesque. I really didn't enjoy them. But my own ass-like stubbornness made me push through at a sub-9:00 pace. I was at about 1:30 and knew that I was technically physically capable to do three miles in under 27 minutes. So I was determined to do so. 

I'm kind of an idiot sometimes.

Wheezing, coughing, and muttering to myself like a crazy person, I carried on.

With my blessing, Erica sped away into the sunset to conquer her own personal PR (and school me in the process). She has been battling a knee injury since Miami, so I was really happy to see her so strong.

And I was jealous as hell as I sputtered along, cursing my own sweaty body, the misty air that was cooling -- yet somehow also was pissing me off -- and all the happy people around me who seemed oblivious to all the PAIN IN THE WORLD.

Around mile 12 I really thought I was going to pass out. But knowing that I had only one more mile to go, I just couldn't justify slowing down or stopping at this point.

If I pass out, I pass out, I said to myself.

Then a moment later, what is wrong with you. You used to not even run the mile during gym class and now you're proposing vomitting on yourself or passing out in the middle of a race just to beat your own best time WHICH STILL PUTS YOU IN LITERALLY 10,000th place! [Sidebar: This is a true story. I came in 10,004th place in this race. Sidebar over.]

What has become of you. I'm not sure if I approve of you anymore, I then said to myself. As the real me in my head shook her head in disappointment while eating a wheel of brie.

Around mile 12.5 you hit the end of Ocean Parkway and bang a right. In front of you is the iconic Coney Island ferris wheel and the spectators went from a few sparse individuals to a crowded, loud, exuberant crowd.

It was those cheering people that pushed me to finish.

So GO. I said to myself. That famous mantra from Miami came back again. Just Go.

With just that pesky 0.1 mile to go, I ran up a steep ramp (UGH) to the boardwalk and sprinted as fast as I possibly could to the finish. I have no idea how fast that last stretch was, but I truly felt like I was flying at that moment.

Just as I was about to cross the finish line, I looked at my watch. 1:57:25.

What.

WHAT.

WHAT!!!!!

Almost a minute and a half PR.

BOOYAH SUCKA! EAT IT! I WON THE RACE!!

(Again, for the record...10,000th place. Just sayin'.)

Erica was waiting for me at the finish. We embraced sweatily. All smiles.

A medal, step n' repeat, and hand on hip. OWNIN' it.

Me, Erica, our medals, and our PR smiles

Fan Club!!

At this point the adrenaline was starting to slow down and my own sweatiness was turning into just...wetness. A pool of my own filth and grossness. So sexy.

Before I even noticed I was cold, my father -- the former EMT -- had the good sense to see that things could deteriorate quickly. The forecast had called for low 70s and sunny at the finish, but instead it was high 50s to low 60s and misting. Yuck-a-roo.

So he literally gave me the shirt off of his back.

Love this glam shot. STYLIN'!

What a guy!!! 

Because I was cold [and beginning to smell myself], we made our way to the subway without stopping for beer and hot dogs. But we paused for photo ops.

We then headed to Cascabel on the Upper East Side for brunch and bottomless cocktails. Wherein my parents demonstrated that they are not only the cutest...but also the coolest. Best. Brunch. Ever.

2pm, drunk, and exhausted, we all passed out. We woke up, ordered in Chinese, watched bad TV, and then went back to bed. Honestly, I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect race-day.

In conclusion:

Hooray for amazing parents who couldn't be more supportive in every possible way with these running shenangians.

Hooray for unlimited cocktails!

Hooray for reaching a goal!

And HOORAY FOR ARCHIE!!

Archie + PR Race Medal = Best pictures ever. Fact.

MeriG's Favorite Things: Vol 2

It's about that time, folks. Time for me to share my second volume of my favorite things so that you, too, can rejoice in the gloriousness.

Favorite Thing #1: JON SNOW

I think we've pretty well established that I have a full-blown Game of Thrones problem. It's an addiction that I have come to terms with and for which I have zero regrets. 

We've also reviewed that Daenerys Targaryen is my favorite person -- both fictitious and real -- in the whole wide world. 

But the past few weeks have made my second-favorite character worthy of the #1 spot of favorite things.

Don't look at me like that. I still love you. You can't monopolize ALL my blog posts, Khaleesi.

'Cuz...hey gurl.

All you really need to know about Jon Snow is that he is handsome and wanders around in the actual snow. Brooding.

Cold and brooding.

Brooding and shirtless.

The second thing you should know about Jon Snow is that he knows nothing.

....or does he? You know what I'm talkin' about.

The third thing you should know is that the internet has so many things on it that make Jon Snow knowing nothing amazing. Such as:

Fantastic.

The last thing I'll share in regards to Mr. Snow is this amazing meme:

Hahaha, get it, GoT fans? Get it? Laughing Out Loud!

Favorite Thing #2: Radio Lab

Since this is -- in technical terms -- a running blog, I thought just one of my favorite things should be running related.

At least peripherally.

When I do lonesome long runs, I don't really like to listen to music the entire time. I weirdly get bored and distracted and find myself just thinking that the song is only 4 minutes approximately and then getting all "Perfect Mind" and trying to calculate how many more songs left in the run and it gets very much in my head very quickly. Very nerdy.

So instead, I turn to the least nerdy thing ever: Listening to NPR whilest running.

Tee-hee
(source)

I listen to a lil' news... a lil' culture...get all educated....some Wait, Wait Don't Tell me....it's all a great time overall and passes the time quite nicely. But my absolute favorite listening pleasure is Radio Lab. 

You can access this program online or through the NPR app on your smartphone devise. Radio Lab describes itself as: "...a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience."

Yes, true. But that doesn't even do it justice. Just listen to it. You'll thank me later. 

Favorite Thing #3: Temple Run

Add caption

Simply stated, I am full-out addicted to this free iPhone game. The original version, not any of these newer garbage versions.

The premise is simple. You start, you run, you collect coins, you try not to die. Use the coins to buy powers and stuff.

Repeat.

Over. And over. And over.

Suffice it to say that I spend a wee bit of time playing this game. During commercials....while I'm on the phone with you and you are on speaker...in bed....waiting for you to get out of the bathroom when we're getting a drink....on the bus....on the subway...

Basically if I'm not looking at you directly in the face, there is a 99% chance I'm playing this game. It's either incredibly enjoyable or a really basic and obvious cry for help. 

Either way.

Favorite Thing #4: The one-and-only Mr. Leonardo Dicaprio....still. And forever.

As you know, and have known, and will continue to know, there is a little film coming out this week staring the actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

This film is based on the American classic novel, The Great Gatsby, and has had much buzz for near a year. Reviews thus far are mixed, and I can not comment on the quality of the movie nor its potential Oscar-obtaining potential. But I can and will and must comment on the quality of its star actor. He is not only critically acclaimed...but look at him. Just LOOK.

He is turning 40 next year and -- frankly -- has made me consider a few key points and come to terms with one crucial thought:

Leo, I have had a raging crush on you for a non-exaggerated 17 years. There are children born that can can now watch rated-R movies and in the entirety of that time I have had a crush on an actor.

I was the 14-year old girl who saw Titanic four times in the theaters alone (can't even begin to count post movie theater viewings of the film. 

I recorded Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" with the imposed dialogue, thank you very much from the radio into my boom box multiple times so that I would not have to press rewind every time I wanted to be reminded to never let go.

The king of my world

But even before speculating that Jack probably could have survived if he had tried, like, a couple of more times to get on that wooden door-thing with Rose (show a little effort, dude!), Romeo had my heart.

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Ah, 1996. You brought me my Bat Mitzvah and Romeo + Juliet, the modern film adaptation of Shakespeare's little play. You brought us the Cardigan's hit song "Love Me, Love Me," and my first disc-man on which to play the Romeo plus Juliet soundtrack on repeat. 

It was a glorious time.

Just as in 1996, I only wish there were still Tiger Beat magazines appropriate for 30-year-old ladies to hang posters on their walls.

A timeless periodical
(source)

But you have aged well, Mr. DiCaprio, and I am not embarrassed that my crush rages on two years later.

Hand gesture shows pensive thought and elegance

Cheers to you and to the next 17 years.

THAT'S MY FAVORITE DRINK TOO!

As a final surprise to my readers, I have an important announcement:

MeriG's Favorite Things Volume 2? Not only are they magical and wonderous and amazing... but they're all FREE so you get all of them TOO! 

You're welcome, World!!!

AAAAAAAHHHHHH

Any [awkward] favorite things you'd like to add to the list?\

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