5 For Friday

1. Wednesday night Grace and I went to the holiday event for Step Up Women’s Network, a group I’ve been a member of for several years now. It’s a networking event to recruit new members, socialize, have a few drinks and hear from an inspirational businesswoman. This year’s keynote speaker was Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Ten years ago she started her company with just $5,000 in savings and has proved all the men who thought she was crazy wrong; Spanx is now an international multi-million dollar company. She said something that stuck out to me: “Let what you don’t know empower you.” She didn’t know how the apparel industry worked and she didn’t always do things the way they were ‘supposed’ to be done, but she has seen huge success. Sometimes it is a very good thing not to be restrained by not knowing.

We also got some cute pics at the Patron photo booth!

2. There are a few great ways to give back to the community as we get into the holiday season that I'd love to share! Girls on the Run chapters around the country are looking for running buddies and volunteers for their season finale 5k race in December. GOTR Manhattan is one of those chapters with opportunities still available. If you're interested in helping, you can register on their SITE. Also, the New York Road Runners Youth Programs hold a sneaker drive each winter to provide sneakers to kids in need who are part of the program in NYC. They gather shoe donations, wrap the shoes and then present them to the kids at a big party! These are for kids who can't afford sneakers and these may be their very first pair. Just think about how happy you are when you break open the box to new pair of shoes and then imagine how happy a little kid would be who has never had a pair of Nike's or New Balance. You can make a donation via www.nyrrf.org or email youthprograms@nyrr.org for more information. They're happy to take gift card donations to sporting good stores in NYC as well. Just be sure to contact them first since they have specific shoe sizes for the individual children. Please think about donating, even if you don't live in the NYC area. Anyone can help!

3. This Sunday, the New Amsterdam Market (where Woody and I go each week) is hosting a pancake breakfast! It sounds delicious: buckwheat, spelt, white and whole wheat pancakes, along with sides of local cornmeal grits, sausage and maple syrup. Tickets are $20 and need to be purchased in advance. Seems a little steep, but all proceeds benefit New Amsterdam Market, the Organic Growers' Research and Information-sharing Network, and The Heritage Wheat Conservancy. We would partake but we’re planning a run in Central Park and breakfast at the Boathouse! We’ll stop by the market on our way home. For more info about the market vendors on Sunday and a link to purchase tickets for the pancake feast, go HERE.

4. The reason why we’re running in CP this Sunday is to get ready for the Turkey Trot we’re running in Prospect Park (Brooklyn) on Thanksgiving! I have to say, I’m really excited for this race. I've never run a Turkey Trot before, but have wanted to for a while. Plus, April says this is her favorite race of the year, so it should be great! I’ve also never run in Prospect Park and I hear there are hills, so we need some practice before the big day, hence the trip to CP on Sunday!

5.Two fun videos to to enjoy on this Friday!
Check out this flash mob of dancers performing to "Do Re Mi" from the Sound of Music in a train station in Antwerp Belgium. It's great to watch the look on the faces of those who just happen to be there when it all breaks loose!

Here, the Philadelphia Opera Company surprised shoppers at Macy’s with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” this gives me goosebumps, but this song always does when sung during Easter service. It's such a gorgeous piece.



What's on tap for your weekend plans! I hope you make time to have fun!

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today's workout -

none. Rest day!

A Friday PSA for Runners

You all know I'm involved with two non-profit running organizations here in the city: New York Road Runners Young Professionals Committee (benefiting the NYRR Youth Programs) and Girls on the Run Manhattan. There are two events coming up you may be interested in, and there's even a bit for those of you not in NYC.

is June 2nd

There are events happening all over the country, and everyone is encouraged to organize their own event if one isn't scheduled for their area already. If you know of an event not listed on the site, go ahead and add it for others! From the website: It's all about that first step! Running is an incredibly healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. Whether it’s five minutes, 15 minutes, or 45 minutes, every little bit of time spent running makes a difference in the goal to live healthy, happy, and heart strong.

Of course, the NYRR YPC isn't going to sit and let this great day pass us by... join us for a

Details:

Fun Run - 6:30pm

meet at 81st and CPW, just inside the park

 (there will be someone to watch bags)

Happy Hour - 7:30 till 9:30

The Gin Mill

442 Amsterdam Ave.

Ticket price: $20

includes fun run, appetizers, cash bar feat. drink specials, 2 raffle tickets

Raffle Prizes donated by: New York Health & Racquet Club, Siggi’s Yogurt, Runningskirts.com, Peanut Butter & Co., Foodtrainers, Soul Cycle, French Connection, USTA, and NYSC Wall Street. 

All proceeds go to support the NYRR Youth Programs, which impact nearly 100,000 under served children each week.

If you have questions, ask me, or email nyrrypc@nyrr.org

Next up is:

As the spring season comes to a close, GOTR chapters across the country are getting ready for the big season end 5K! This is what the girls have been working towards for months.

The 5K races take a lot of preparation and support, before the event and the day of, so each chapter recruits volunteers to help make the event a success.

Our local chapter is looking for help in the following ways:

Race Day Set-Up and Clean-Up Managers

Entertainment Manager

Head Cheerleader

Race-Day Volunteers

Running Buddies (this is a big one - 300 women are needed!)

The NYC 5K is on June 5th at Asphalt Green.

If you're interested in volunteering, visit this website.

If you're not in NYC but are interested in helping your local chapter, visit this site and search for your area!

I like to think that being a runner makes me part of an unbelievable community of healthy, determined and all around great people. And one of the best things about that is being able to give back and help others enjoy this great hobby.

Today is the last day to enter the PB & Co. giveaway. So if you haven't done so yet, click here and comment away! Giveaway ends at 8pm est. and I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Good luck!!

What are your weekend health and fitness plans?

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Workout Stats -

13mi bike

3mi elliptical

3x10 hamstring deadlift, bicep curl, shoulder press combo

3x12 forward straight arm raise

3x10 weighted side bends

3x10 cable twists

150 crunches

foam roller & stretching

Girls On The Run Manhattan

Last night I met with the communications committee for the Manhattan chapter of Girls on the Run for our first meeting for the Spring season. The season actually started last month, but there is still a lot to do to get the word out about the local chapter and the great things that GOTR is doing for girls, and women, all over the city! I'm so excited to get involved with the organization!

If you're not familiar with GOTR, here is some info from the website:
GOTR Manhattan is an interactive life-skills program that uses the power of running to change the way girls see themselves and their opportunities! Our innovative health education and wellness program uniquely combines training for a 3.1 mile run/walk event with life-changing, self esteem enhancing lessons that encourage healthy habits and an active lifestyle in 8-12 year old girls. Girls learn to stretch themselves - physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally - and in the process, are inspired to a lifetime of self respect and healthy living!

This program is just what young girls need, especially now as kids are dealing with more stress than ever before and childhood obesity is a huge problem. There are 41 sites in NYC this year, including public, charter, and private schools. The majority of funding for GOTR comes from donations raised through the SoleMates running program (runners who raise money for GOTR while training for races such as the NYC Half, ING NYC Marathon and others around the country) and grants. There is a fee for schools to participate, but many schools are also able to receive scholarships so their girls can participate and learn valuable skills through the program. 

From time to time, GOTRM also holds fundraisers. Next Wednesday will be the first one for the season and if you're in NYC, I encourage you to come! Here are the details:
When: April 28, 2010  6-8pm
Where: Lugo, 33rd St and 8th Ave (www.lugocaffe.com)
What: 15% of all sales between 6pm and 8pm will go to Girls on the Run Manhattan. Plus, there will be a raffle and auction featuring items including: Yank's LEGEND tickets, cool accessories from Bikini Thief and an authentic Ranger's jersey from Marion Gaborik!
Let me know if you have any questions or if you're going to stop by. I'd love to meet you! Also, please spread the word about this great event! The more people who stop by, the more money we'll raise to help provide running and learning opportunities for young girls!

Aside from the extremely valuable SoleMates, GOTR also relies on a large number of volunteers to keep running. Some volunteers work on committees (like the communications committee), others volunteer as coaches, and even more participate as one time volunteers as Running Buddies for the 5K race at the end of each season. If you're interested in being a Running Buddy, click HERE to sign up!

I can't wait to tell you more about the organization as I work with them. If you have experience with GOTR, please tell us about it! Also, if you don't know her already, head over to Running Diva Mom's blog. She's a huge supporter of GOTR in Wisconsin and her blog is really inspiring and fun!

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Workout Stats -
17mi bike
2mi post workout walk
3x10 lat pulldowns
On bosu ball:
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 hammer curls
balance work (my foot injury has screwed up my balance on my right leg!)
stretching & foam roller