5 For Friday

I can't believe it's Friday already! Last night I was thinking about my post for today when I realized it was time for a 5 for Friday post. This week has flown by. It makes me think - do I like it when a week goes so quickly or is that a bad thing? I mean, it does mean that time is going by quickly and that's another day that we're not going to get back.

1. Woody was away for the last few days on a business trip and got back last night! I was glad to see an email from him when I got home from work saying he caught an earlier, and faster, train and would arrive before I went to bed afterall! I have enjoyed control of the remote for a few nights, but I'd rather have him here!

2. My parents are coming for Christmas, which I'm really excited about. It will be our first time hosting guests for Christmas, so I'm feeling a little pressure, but really excited as well. I'm already trying to decide what to cook for meals and everything else even though we're still a few weeks away. Plus, I can't wait to show them around our new neighborhood!

3. For generations, we've been told that weight training for children (in any form) will stunt their growth and harm them in multiple ways permanently. However, several studies, including one large study recently released, prove the opposite and actually suggest that weight training is actually good for kids and teens. As one scientist puts it in THIS article, "We are urban dwellers stuck in hunter-gatherer bodies." As our society has changed through generations, we don't develop our muscles in the same ways that older generations did and younger generations can benefit from strength training. It's a very interesting article.

4. With the holiday season comes a few great ways to give back while we're cherishing all the things we have to be thankful for. One day last week as I walked out of Grand Central Station on my way to work I was greeted by a man, ringing a bell and standing next to a red kettle. I promptly dug into my pocket and threw a few coins through the slot as I walked by and wished him a good day. Yesterday an email arrived in my inbox from our apartment building management announcing that a box was being placed in our lobby for us to place donations in for Toys for Tots. I love that our building is doing this. It's such a simple thing to do and so convenient for hundreds of people. You can make a secure donation to the Salvation Army by clicking on the banner ad in the right sidebar or going HERE. By clicking HERE you can find a Toys for Tots drop off point near your home. Spread the joy of the holidays!

5. The last few weeks I've been posting at least one video on Friday and today is going to be no different! I haven't watched Conan's new show but while watching the early news this morning at the gym I saw this clip and literally laughed so hard I almost stopped on the elliptical cause I thought I would fall off! It's all pretty funny, but THIS clip is a little long, so if you need to fast forward go to about 4:10. (Blogger won't let me embed this video since it's not from youtube or my computer. Sorry!)

TBS.com

How do you give back around the holidays?
I hope you have a great weekend! Let us know if you're running a race, big event or celebration!
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today's workout -
45min/5.25 miles elliptical
3x10 front arm raise
3X40sec ea planks
stretching

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 Different Role For Runners

By the time you get to the start of a race, you've trained countless hours, registered, paid your fee, picked up your race number and chip, gotten a cup of water, used the port-a-pottie, and filed into a marked off starting corral, checked your watch, anxiously chatted up your neighbors, retied your shoes, stretched, listened to the 'official race instructions,' heard the National Anthem, and then heard the starting gun shot and made your way through the gate checking the official time as you started your watch. As you weave your way through the crowd you 'stay in the lane,' check your time on the official clock at each mile marker, head to the side and grab a cup of water, weave your way past a few more runners, pick up a few more cups of water, speed past the line of runners waiting at the port-a-potties along the route (silently smiling inside that you're not one of them), and kick your way across the finish line with every last bit of energy you have. Your shaky legs carry you through the crowd of sweaty boddies over to a chip clipper you cuts your chip off your shoe and throws it in a bucket as you thank them. Then after locating the fuel tables, volunteers hand you cups of water and apple and a bagel. Maybe your stomach can handle it, maybe the food is saved for later when you're famished. You find an open space to stretch your legs so they don't freeze up, then pick up your bag from the baggage area, showing your bag number and bib number match. Then, it's off to find your family and friends and grab brunch. You've run your race, given it your all, and now you're going to celebrate!

Sound familiar? It takes a lot of work, not just on our parts as runners, but also on the part of race directors, race staff, volunteers, and sponsors. My parents raised me to say 'please' and 'thank you,' so I tend to say thank you to as many volunteers as I can because they are taking time out of their day so that I can run. I've been known to thank the course marshalls as I'm running through a busy part of Central Park. They don't have to do it. They're volunteering.

I ran my first race in 2006 but didn't really get into it until the next year and didn't volunteer for one until 2008, when NYRR changed the marathon qualifying requirements to include one volunteer credit in addition to finishing 9 races. I have to admit, I'm so glad they did this because if they hadn't, I don't know if I would have volunteered. I've only volunteered for two races (I run as many as I can!) and the one last year was particularly cold and dreary, but I'm glad I've done it. When I decided not to try for the NYC Half Marathon this year I did decide to volunteer for it. Yesterday I delighted to see that there were positions available to work at the expo! Yes, it's a cushy indoor job, but it's still volunteering when I'll be able to help runners and their families and see the excitement the day before the big race! I ran the NYC Half in 2008. That morning, instead of waking up to my alarm clock, I woke up to thunder and lightening. Immediately I was concerned for Gracela, who I knew was on her way at that dark hour to the race course to help set up the fluid station where she was going to be working for the next 4 or so hours. Countless volunteers wake up before the sun is out and work through rain, heat, sleet, snow, any and every weather condition so that we can run and strive for a PR.

As runners, I think it's important for us to give back and help other runners when we can. Yeah, we pay race fees, sometimes very high ones, but a lot of work goes into the events and they can't happen without volunteers. So, today I'm urging you to find a race near you, take a day off from running, and volunteer your time and support. Cheer on the runners who are pushing their way through a tough hill, hand them water when they put out their hand, and congratulate them on a great accomlishment and all the hard work they've done to get there. I've really enjoyed my experiences and can't wait to do it again! We're all lucky to be part of a great running community and part of being in a community is supporting it, not just benefiting from it.

If you're in NYC, head over to the NYRR site and check out the volunteer opportunities. They're still looking for volunteers for Run for Haiti this Saturday. (Inside tip: I've heard Paula Radcliffe, Ryan Hall, Grete Waitz, Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi and other pros are running!) I would be there in a flash, but my Mom is coming into town for the weekend. Perhaps we'll stop by and see the excitement! If you're not in New York, check with local running stores and races you've done in the past to see how to get involved. Take a little time to give back!

It takes a lot of work and a lot of people to keep all these runners moving!

Today's questions: Have you volunteered for a race? Any good/funny stories? What did you like best about volunteering?


Before I sign off today, I have to say THANK YOU! I logged on this morning to see that I now have 53 followers! I really can hardly believe it and am so thankful for all of you who read my blog regularly, who are reading it for the first time today, and who comment on the various topics I ramble on about each day! I really had no idea what to expect back in August when I started this journey, but I am constantly surprised and amazed by all I learn from the blogging community and the friendships I have started. This little blog was started so I could share my experiences and the little bits of knowledge I pick up while trying to live a healthier and full life. Not surprisingly, I have learned and continue to learn from all of you, and I appreciate that more than you know! I hope you continue to enjoy this blog, learn a thing or two along the way and keep commenting!

Friday Finds

I thought it would be nice to 'end' the week by telling you of a few people doing good things and a few ways you can help others. Let's start the weekend on a good note!

NYRR and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation are co-sponsoring the 4 mile run/walk in Central Park on February 24th! "All entry fees collected by NYRR will go to New York City’s Haiti Relief Fund, administered by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which is directing 100% of donations to reputable organizations providing relief in Haiti." The very cool thing about this race is that you don't have to be in New York to run it! They have set up a virtual race so anyone around the world can participate! Entry fees are $40 for those running/walking in Central Park and $30 for those doing the virtual race. For those of you who care, it is both a scored and NYC Marathon qualifying race. Go here for more info and to register. Is your community holding a charity race or other event? Feel free to comment and let us know!

On another running note, there are a lot of groups across the country that raise money for charities through running in specific events. Team in Training and Live Strong are probably two of the largest. Another one is Team for Kids. It is the charity running group associated with the New York Road Runners Youth Programs, raising money for, you guessed it, youth running programs around the country and in South Africa. The two races each year for Team for Kids are the NYC Half Marathon and the ING NYC Marathon. I'm a member of the NYRR Young Professionals Committee, which also raises money for the youth programs. If you're interested in information about the running programs and how to get them into schools in you area, you can read about it here.

In 2007, Jessamyn Waldman, a human rights and immigration policy expert who had worked for the UN and now was a Master Baker, founded Hot Bread Kitchen, a non-profit enterprise dedicated to helping immigrant women in the NYC community. With 66% of low wage workers in NYC being immigrants and most of the women finding jobs as domestic workers, Jessamyn had a vision to create a better life for them. Inspired by the diverse population in the city and the desire to both preserve tradition and help immigrant women, Hot Bread Kitchen meets this goal. The women who participate in the program are able to share their baking traditions as well as learn those of the other participants, advance their English language skills, and are provided with job placement assistance and join a network of strong and self-confident women who are encouraged to then begin their own businesses. While the bakery strives to use local and organic ingredients, the breads are sold in specialty stores around the city and region. It's a pretty fantastic and unique organization.

This picture was taken for the Food & Wine (Nov '09) feature taken by Zubin Schroff.

Last for today, you may have noticed in my 'links' box on the right, a link to an organization called Friends of Maddie. Maddie was a beautiful little girl who touched thousands of lives. She is the daughter of two amazing people who I am lucky to call my friends, Heather and Mike, and was brought into this world much too early on Nov 11, 2007. I've spoken about her before, but I believe you can't talk about her and her incredible parents enough. They have all shown super hero amounts of strength over the last 3 years and continue to inspire countless people. Maddie left us all too early last spring but is remembered every day. Heather and Mike were overwhelmed by the support they received from family, friends and the blogging community after Maddie's passing and were able to start a charity in her name. Because Maddie spent many of her first months in the NICU, they decided to start a charity to help families who were faced with the same ordeal. Through care packages and support, they are reaching families across the country. Please visit this site if you'd like to learn more or to donate. I also encourage you to check out Heather's blog. Heather and Mike are celebrating the arrival of Maddie's little sister, Annabel!! I will leave you today of two pictures of beautiful little girls.

The Famous Madeline

Amazing Annabel

Have a great day!

Start 'Em Early

I'm sure you all know that Woody and I do not have any kids. Still, I think about kids often and how they are growing up in the 2000's. Things are so different now from when I was young, and very different from when my parents were growing up.

One thing that still stops me in my tracks sometimes is when I see kids who look like they're barely into elementary school, texting away on their own cell phones! And let's face it, most of them are more comfortable on a computer than at a dinner table and know more than us about the digital world even though we're fluent!

Not only have kids social lives and home lives changed dramatically, but the school day has as well. When I was little, we had music class (which I always looked forward to) and gym several times a week. In high school we were still required to complete one full year of Phys Ed. Unfortunately, with the decreases in funding school districts have seen across the country, two of the first things to be cut have been music (the arts, in general) and gym. I think most of us would agree that this has been an unwelcomed change. Instead of providing children with an outlet to be creative and experience physical activities in which they may excel, they are forced to spend more time confined in classrooms preparing for standardized tests.

But I digress. The real problem with these changes, that of eliminating phys ed in particular, is that kids in the US are heavier than they've ever been before and it looks like it's only getting worse. Kids are at school to learn, and that shouldn't stop at english and science, but extend to learning how to eat healthfully and how live an active and healthy life. 

In March of 2009, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) reintroduced the “Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act” or FIT Kids Act. If signed into law, it would amend the No Child Left Behind Act to improve standards for physical education in elementary and secondary schools across the country.

Among many others, the American Heart Association is a supporter of this Act. According to their summary, the Act would:

• Require all schools, districts and states to report on quantity and quality of physical education;
• Amend existing school programs to integrate physical activity and wellness throughout the school day;
• Support professional development for health and physical education teachers and principals to boost students’ ability to learn and help promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity; and
• Fund study to examine the impact of health and physical activity on student achievement and find effective ways to increase physical activity during the school day.

 If you're concerned about the fact that 18% of adolescents are overweight or that many children are not getting the 60 minutes of physical activity per day that is recommended by the CDC, I suggest you reach out to your Representative and let them know that you support this Bill. Also, let them know you want the gov to help pay for this. The local school districts can't be put on the hook for paying for it.

Here's a link to information about the FIT Kids Act from the AHA website.

Fitness Class Review: The Nalini Method

As a co-lead for the Women's Health Committee for Step Up Women's Network, I've had the opportunity to participate in or coordinate several health and fitness events or classes. A bootcamp class with InShape, gyrokenisis and pilates with Kinespirit, a jazzercise class, IntenSati, and several others. Yesterday, I got together with a great group of Step Up members to try a completely different type of class than any of us had tried before.

The Nalini Method
48 W 68th St, NYC (212) 787-5588 (also in East Hampton, NY)
$32 per class (new students, first two classes for price of 1) with packages available
Click HERE to make a reservation
Instructor (and founder) Rupa Mehta
Class is done barefoot. I recommend bringing plenty of water and a towel.

Expectation: From what I heard from a fellow Step Up member who had taken the class already and a clerk at a local Lululemon store who had just taken the class (Rupa is a Lululemon 'ambassador'), I knew it was going to be tough and I was going to hurt.

Studio: Rupa uses a studio located in a building with multiple studios that are rented by dance groups, fitness instructors and others. It is in the basement of the building but there is a large window that lets in a good amount of light. Rupa has an equipment closet that holds all of the mats, straps, bands, ankle weights, dumbbells and other necessary equipment for the class. There is a locker room and a reception area. The building is about half a block from Central Park.

Instructor: Rupa Mehta is tiny and spunky! Before class she learned the name of every student so she could call us out (a mix of corrections and praises) which was both impressive and pretty cool. With an MBA and extensive yoga training, the Nalini Method has allowed Rupa to combine her entreprenurial spirit with her passion for fitness. She has also been featured in publications such as Vogue, O! Magazine, Fitness and others.

Thoughts: The class was definitely challenging, in a way I'm not too familiar with. Not a true yoga or pilates class, or cardio class, it is a mix of all these things. While paying a lot of attention to posture, we focused on particular areas - arms, legs, glutes, abs - with stretching in between each segment and quick transitions. We used all sorts of equipment but I'll still be able to incorporate many of the moves into my regular routine. I was a bit clumsy with some of the moves, but I felt comforted by the fact that others in the class were too, and I assume that after a few classes they come a bit easier. I'm not sure how similar each class is, but there are easy ways to make the routine a bit tougher as you attend more classes - like using heavier weights or altering the move a bit to increase the resistence.

Overall Impression: My arms, pecs, and legs are quite sore and I can feel it in my core section too. I focused on cardio at the gym this morning wanting to give some muscles a little resting period after yesterday. This was definitely a great workout and I can see how it must burn a good amount of calories and build muscle. I liked the combination of strength training and stretching, plus the upbeat music and energetic instructor. This class is great for anyone who wants to mix up their routine a bit or runners and bikers who want to add a quick and fun strength session to their training. I just wish the cost was a little lower!

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After class, I headed home in the rain and had a great lunch to refuel after the intense workout! I enjoyed half my sandwich from dinner Saturday night (brie, ham, sliced apple and honey mustard on 7-grain bread), an apple and carrots. It was still delicious the next day and a pretty healthy meal that hit all the food groups!

If you have the day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I hope you're enjoying your day and doing something healthy to fill all the time!

I also urge you to help out with the recovery in Haiti however you can. We all know about the ways to donate to the Red Cross (text, web, or now at all Starbucks locations - you don't have to purchase anything), but did you know that Soles4Souls is collecting shoes to deliver to the quake victims? My cousin tipped me off to this one! Soles4Souls is always collecting shoes to deliver to those in need, and now they are focusing their attention on Haiti since countless people have lost all they have, including shoes. You can donate gently worn shoes (did you try a new model of running shoes only to find out after two runs that they weren't going to work?), new shoes, or money. My cousin mentioned the organization is collecting shoes at a Merrell store in the Indianapolis area, so your area may have donation locations as well. Click HERE to check out their site.