Love at first Bite: Baking from "Run Fast. Eat Slow."

Alright now, don't get too excited. I'm not sharing any recipes from the New York Times best selling book, you'll have to buy it yourself. Or borrow it from a friend or the library.

When a Oiselle teammate gifted me Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kkopecky's cookbook, Run Fast. Eat Slow., in our holiday gift exchange, I was thrilled. I'd been hearing rave reviews from many runners over the past several months and two of our teammates brought baked goods from the book to our team holiday party that were both delicious. After one bite of the sweet potato breakfast cookie, I knew it would be one of the first recipes I'd make.

While I won't be able to try all the recipes, there are a good number that are vegan or can be altered slightly to be so. I do love that the book focuses on whole foods that naturally provide the nutrients we need as runners and athletes through tasty dishes. It proves once again that healthy food and delicious food are not mutually exclusive!

Before they get into the recipes, there's a section that provides information on foods we should all have in our pantries and eat often - with explanations of why the food is good for us and tips on how to select and/or store it, which is really important. Another section called "Runner's Remedies" is devoted to looking at different issues runners face and how food can help us deal with them. As someone who believes strongly in the idea that "we are what we eat" I believe that how we eat has a direct impact on how we feel and that many ailments can be addressed - at least in part - by focusing on our diet.

Okay, back to the sweet potato breakfast cookies...

I've been known to eat cold sweet potatoes with nut butter on early morning flights, so the idea of sweet potato in a cookie recipe sounds genius to me. They're packed with vitamins and fiber and, in my opinion, are simply delicious. Here they naturally add a sweetness to the cookies.

The recipe is pretty easy but you do have to plan ahead since baking the sweet potato and giving it some time to cool is important. It always take me longer the first time or two that I make a recipe because I read the instructions and measurements about a million times to make sure I don't mess anything up (I've done it before). Thankfully it still didn't take too long because I'd not a big fan of overly complicated recipes that take a long time to prep.

Mine turned out a bit different from the ones I tasted at our holiday party, but both versions were delicious. The recipe calls for 11 ingredients, most of which are probably in your pantry and there are no refined sugars. With the benefits of sweet potato and ginger, these are delicious and healthy.

While not highlighted in the name, these cookies are vegan. A major benefit of vegan cookies is that it's perfectly fine to eat the raw cookie dough left on the spoon!

I hope you give the book a try - if you haven't already. If for no other reason than it's always good to switch things up and try new recipes once in a while.

If you have the Run Fast. Eat Slow. cookbook, what's your favorite recipe? * Do you prefer to bake or cook?

Review: “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns)”

I finished reading this book a bit ago but am just now getting around to writing about it. This is not because I didn’t like the book – the exact opposite is true – or that I don’t recommend it – again, the exact opposite – but just because it seems I’ve been lazy.

Truth be told I debated between this book and Tina Fey’s book early last year. I went with Tina’s book but for some reason I just couldn’t get into it like I thought I would (I do love Tina and was thrilled when she was announced as co-host of the Golden Globes) and it’s sitting unfinished in my Kindle library.

This book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns) kept me entertained through countless subway rides to and from work. It could easily be read in full during a lazy weekend but given I only had about 10-15 minutes here and there it took me a bit longer. Mindy Kaling delves into her childhood years growing up near Boston as the only daughter (she has an older brother) of immigrant parents who put great value on education but supported her non-traditional career choice. We go with her to college, Brooklyn and eventually to LA where she became a writer for, and actor on, The Office.

Mindy is hilarious, quirky, tells-it-like-it-is, and half way through you just want to be her friend. She seems like a cool girl you want to hang out with. She’s normal. And she’s not afraid to write about really odd things in a book that’s out there for the entire world to read!

Plus, there’s a whole chapter titled “Revenge Fantasies While Jogging” which I think just about any runner can relate to. Maybe not the revenge part, but definitely the fantasies part. I mean, who among us hasn’t spent a solo long run dreaming about some situation in life?

Bottom line: this is a great book and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, laugh inducing, sometimes cringe-worthy, and insightful read. And I should mention, I’m probably one of the few people in this country who has not been a devoted fan of The Office since it debuted, but you don’t have to be a fan of that show, or The Mindy Project to be a fan of this book.

For more info click HERE

• If you’ve read this book, tell me, do you agree with my recommendation?
• What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
• What’s your favorite genre?

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Today’s Workout  -

• 50min elliptical
• 3x10 lateral arm raise
• 3x10 weighted side bends
• 3x10 front arm raise
• 3x12 bridges
• ab exercises
• stretching 

Book Review: A Life Without Limits

A few months ago I read Chrissie Wellington’s autobiography, “A Life Without Limits.” Truth be told, I didn’t know anything about Chrissie before I came upon the description of her book when I was browsing through the endless digital piles of Kindle books on Amazon.com. I am a runner, but I won’t pretend to know the names of all the elite runners and especially tri-athletes. None the less, the description sounded intriguing and the reviews were all good so I clicked the ‘buy now with 1 click’ button and moments later I was reading chapter 1.

I’ve always thought that elite athletes grew up as athletes. That they excelled in their sport from an early age. While Chrissie was a swimmer growing up, and apparently a very good one, she didn’t get into running and biking until later. And it was a while before she had a proper road bike for racing.

One thing is for sure, Chrissie leads a pretty interesting life. The places she’s visited and lived, the adventures she’s been on, the struggles she’s gone through to get where she is today. Sure, she’s definitely been pretty lucky to be able to pursue her dream, but I think it also takes a lot of guts to leave a safe, comfortable life for one that’s unfamiliar and both physically and mentally grueling. The life of a tri-athlete – amateur or elite – is completely unfamiliar to me. I was thrilled to learn that even as she wins an Ironman Championship, she is so inspired by the amateur athletes that she goes back out to the finish line after taking care of her ‘duties’ to cheer them across the finish line. She seems to really understand the intense commitment to the support that is required of the athletes who have full time jobs and can only train in their spare time. Likely because she spent years training in her spare time while working in the civil service.

A few of my favorite quotes from the book:

“Hard work and an open mind – it’s the only way to realize the potential that’s inside every one of us.”

“Just seize every opportunity you have, embrace every experience. Make a mark, for all the right reasons.” (This is attributed to her father)

“The brain is constantly trying to impose limits on what it thinks we can achieve. We should constantly question it, fight it. … The key is not to be afraid of failing.”

“Lastly, I would stress the need for an off-season.”

Whether you’re a tri-athlete or not, I think Chrissie’s story is an interesting and inspiring one. After reading this book I definitely had a strong desire to go out for a run, take chances and book a year long trip around the world.

For more information, check out Chrissie’s website HERE

• Have you read Chrissie’s book? What did you think of it?
• If you’re a tri-athlete, what are the hardest and best things about being a tri-athlete?
• Do you find biographies intriguing?

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Today’s workout -

• 40min elliptical
• 3x10 cable-pull side twists
• 3x10 seated row
• 3x10 single leg lifts
• 3x10 bridges
• ab exercises
• 1x50sec plank
• stretching

Book Review: Mile Markers

You’ve been looking at the cover art for this book on my blog for quite some time now. I know. I actually finished it a few weekends ago but I haven’t gotten around to posting about it until now. And, truthfully, it took me a while to get through. After coming off the amazingly beautiful The Help, this one didn’t keep my attention like that one did.

I was excited to read this book because I know Kristin Armstrong writes a blog for RunnersWorld.com, is an author several times over and a runner herself. I also knew this book was to be stories about the ups and downs of running. I had been warned that the book could get a little “church-y” so I went cautiously into this one. I’m not big on Church, I’m sure to the disappointment of many of my family members, and I do not make it a habit to read religious themed books. But, this book is about running. But it is not a running “how-to” book.

I found many of the stories to be relatable and was often in awe of her training schedule, running adventures, and close knit group of running friends. There were points in the book when I got a little tired of her talking about what a great mom and friend she is, but at the same time I realized that if I were be a mom, I would want to be a mom like her. I love seeing families being active together, so this passage spoke to me right away “When we run we are showing our children, teaching without words, that we value ourselves, our hearts, our fitness, our health, our friendships, our clarity, and our balance.”

I tend to gravitate and appreciate books, movies, stories that follow a clear timeline. Unless it’s fully explained that there are going to be huge time shifts, moving from winter to summer and one state to another as quickly as a paragraph break, I have this problem with getting confused about what’s going on and putting the puzzle together. It took me a while to figure out what was going on in this book when one minute Armstrong was talking about Mother’s Day and then the next thing I knew it was the start of a school year. Or she’d be running in a cold winter rain of Austin and then enjoying the ocean with her kids. I finally figured out she spends the school year in Austin and summers in California (granted, I would have known this if I had read the “About the Author” section before I read the book, but I was reading on my kindle). I also found it somewhat laughable that she refers to herself as a slow runner. I would be elated to have her speed. However, that’s a personal issue and compared to some runners, including apparently, her training partners, she is slower.

Now, I don’t want to be a downer on this book. It was definitely interesting to read about her life as a runner, mother, author and speaker. (This may be connected to my love for people watching and wondering what the lives are like of other people). Sometimes we forget that people who seem to be totally pulled together and confident, also have insecurities like us. A few quotes have stuck with me that might also resonate with you -

We want to be able to endure. When life throws us some difficult miles, we want to know that we can suck it up and prevail.

It doesn’t always feel good in the moment, but ultimately you are a better person for it.

No, I don’t have to. I want to. I get to. I get to charge up this hill. I get to wake up early and run. I get to hit the gym after work.

I train because I want to be someone better than I would be if I didn’t train.

Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong

• Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?
• How do you feel about books that don’t follow a clear timeline?
• What is one of the best lessons you’ve learned from being a runner?

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Today’s workout -

• 45min elliptical
• 100 ab exercises
• 2x20 seated row
• 2x15 squats
• 2x20 back extensions
• stretching

Book Review: The Help

Okay, so I'm a little behind on posting this review. Before the Memorial Day Holiday weekend even started, I finished reading The Help. I gushed on this site a few times about how much I was in love with the book, as I was so I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that my review would be a positive one. I was actually sad when I got to the last page because I wanted to continue on the journey with Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. Such courageous women.

While The Help is a novel, the women portrayed represent the real women who grew up and lived through the tumultuous times in the South when racism and segregation was common place. It’s almost hard for me to believe that my mother was alive during this era. It seems so far away from where we are today. Of course, I don’t live under a rock, and I know things aren’t perfect, but it’s difficult for me to think of a society where fellow citizens are treated so inhumanely. 

Kathryn Stockett is an incredible storyteller. She weaved smoothly between stories and characters, connecting all the dots and making me love (or loathe) each woman. I felt as though I could feel the pain, joy, sorrow, fear and relief that these women felt. It was like I was there, watching the stories play out as the fly on the wall. I may have been on a bus on my way to work, but I felt like I was in Jackson, Mississippi.

I simply can not say enough wonderful things about this book. The only thing I'm sorry about is that it took me so long to get around to reading it! I can not wait until the movie comes out this Summer, I hope it's as good as the book! If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it!

By Kathryn Stocket
Click HERE for more information

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Today's workout -
~4.25mile run
50 crunches
stretching

Book Review: "The Long Run"

If you get nothing else out of this post, know this: it is in your best interest to buy, rent, borrow, or download this book as soon as possible. And read it cover to cover.

Yes, it's really that good.

I don't know why I hadn't read it until now, but whatever the reason, I'm glad I finally did.

The Long Run is the emotional true story about Matt Long's life: his upbringing in Brooklyn as one of the 9 Long kids, his perseverence and readiness to take on any challenge, his move to Manhattan, how he opened a bar (and more) with one of his brothers, joined the FDNY, looked for love, and became a tri-athlete. It's also a story about a regular day that quickly became anything but regular and how his life changed forever.

The day was in 2005 and while I won't go into the details of what happened to him, I'll say that I faintly remember that day. It was Woody's first winter in NYC, he was working downtown in the World Financial Center and we were living on the Upper East Side. Thankfully (for me) I was used to walking to work in mid-town but he, like many other New Yorkers, and to walk miles and miles to get to and from work each day when the MTA workers illegally went on strike. Reading this story, I am once again furious at the MTA and their union leader Roger Toussaint, for the upheaval they caused during that week before Christmas and how his vibrant, strong, heroic fireman's life was changed forever. All he was hoping to do that morning was meet up with his training buddies for an early morning run. Only the month before he had finished his quickest marathon, running NYC in 3:13.

Like most books I read, I often read this one while commuting on the subway to and from work. For several days in a row, I had to put it away because I started to tear. His story is heartbreaking, endearing, inspirational, motivational loving, and terrifying, all in just under 300 pages. I love that throughout the book, he is a real guy. I mean, if nothing else, that's who he is. Never does he pretend to be perfect, although sometimes it does seem as though he is, but that's just because of the type of guy he is. His family is incredible, his outlook on life is incredible. It's sad that this is how his story had to be told because even without this tragedy in his life, he's incredibly inspiring.

I don't want to give away too much, but I'll leave you with a little background on how this book happened. If you're a Runner's World reader, you may remember, as I did, reading Matt's story in 2009 as a feature story titled "A Second Life" written by Charles Butler. Because of this great story and Matt's determination to run again, David Willey, EIC of Runner's World, gave the green light on book. Charles did incredible research, speaking with Matt's family, friends, teammates, fellow firemen, doctors, nurses, physical therapists and more, to get the story right. It's a beautiful story and I hope that many people, runners and non-runners alike, take the time to read it because it reminded me how precious life is, how wasteful it is to take a day for granted and how we should set our minds to achieving great things and go after them.

Now go get this book!


The Long Run
By Matt Long with Charles Butler
Click HERE for more information

If you're in the NYC area and able to get out of work early, Matt Long is scheduled to speak at the NYC Running Show on April 22nd at 5:00pm.

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Today's Workout -
45 min elliptical
3x12 leg press
3x10 versa-loop front, side and back kicks
4x10 versa-loop side squats
100 crunches
1x40sec plank
2x30 sec side plank
stretching
foam roller

Book Review: "Come To Win"

The bad thing about checking a book out from the library is that eventually (and sometimes sooner rather than later) the book has to be returned. I checked out "Come To Win" by Venus Williams, on a whim last month. I was returning another book and saw this one. It's a collection of accounts by business leaders, visionaries, doctors, and artists on how sports has helped them achieve all they have. The book is already overdue and I really have to get it back tomorrow. Unfortunately I didn't get all the chapters read that I had hoped too.

I skipped around, going for the chapters that most interested me - including Vera Wang, Donny Deutsch, Denzel Washington, Soledad O'Brien, Marcus Samuelsson and a few others. The book is rather large, which makes it virtually impossible to take on the subway with me to read on the commute. One day, when I finally break down and buy a Kindle, I'll probably get this book and read it in full.

The personal accounts are very interesting. Some played professional sports, others received scholarships to play in college, and still others just participated in casual (yet competitive), pick-up games in their neighborhoods. The sports ranged from crew to football and track. But there is a common theme that runs through them: sports taught them discipline, self respect, how to win, and how to loose, to take risks, how to be part of a team, and how to handle pressure. All of these traits have helped them in their chosen profession.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"..sports can enhance your life by making you a better person. It teaches you how to self critique. It teaches you how to treat people. It teaches you how to push yourself to get better."  - Soledad O'Brien

"'Your brain only has room for one conscious thought in your head at a time, so you have to make sure it's positive.'"   - Julie Foudy (as quoted by Lucy Danziger)

"The true failure in losing is when you don't take anything away from it. If you just go through the pain of losing and don't, in any way, advance yourself further for any next game, life moment, or situation, then it's a loss with no caveat or no asterisk whatsoever."  - Donny Deutsch

"I'm convinced sports help people learn how to live their dreams, beginning with lesson one - never quit."  - Bill Clinton

These are just a few of the great quotes found in this book and I encourage you to read them all (unlike I did). There are great lessons in this book. While the people showcased in this book have accomplished great things and have made a name for themselves, we all share these same experiences as athletes.

For more information about the book, click HERE

My run this morning was really good. Just five miles at an easy pace. I like progressive runs, so that's what I did today rather than keeping a steady pace the entire time. I start out at a slow pace to warm up and slightly increase the pace every mile or so. The last .15miles I was going at 7.2mph. I like doing my runs this way so I have the strength and endurance to push my pace hard and sprint to the finish line!

Big news in our household! As of today, Woody and I are no longer subleasing and are the names on the lease of our apartment!!

• What's your finish line strategy?
• How have sports helped you in the rest of your life?

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Today's workout -

5mile run

2x40 sec planks

50 crunches

lots of stretching

Book Review: "How Did I Get Here?"

I picked this book up on a whim when I was at the library a couple weeks ago. It was on the 'new books' rack and didn't know what to expect but thought it sounded interesting and like it would be an easy read while in Florida. Turns out, I was pretty right.

"How Did I Get Here?: The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO" by Tony Hawk is not an autobiography. It's really a collection of tips, stories and anecdotes written by Hawk with the help of his sister, Pat. While you've probably never thought about it, I'm guessing you wouldn't think of me as a skateboarder. And you'd be right. I don't skateboard, I've never even been on one. Truthfully, I didn't even know all that much about Hawk other than he's one of the most well-known skateboarders. What drew me to this book is the combination of marketing, business, and sport.

I learned a few interesting things about Hawk, like the fact that he turned pro while in high school, he's an early adopter of technology, and he gives back to communities around the country through his non-profit organization, the Tony Hawk Foundation. His parents, Frank and Nancy, founded the California Amateur Skateboard League, and a great deal of his family is involved in one or more of his businesses. Since he (along with Per Welinder) started the first business, Birdhouse Skateboards (still running today), Hawk has expanded Tony Hawk, Inc to include a film studio, a Sirius/XM radio show, clothing lines, numerous skate tours, websites and much more. Through the years, he has developed a strong brand and oversees that brands use in numerous licensing deals. He has over 2.2million (yes, you read that right) followers on Twitter and holds an annual Easter Hunt via Twitter clues that send kids and adults alike on treasure hunts around the world. While not all his ventures have gotten off the ground, he has built a pretty incredible empire.

While his success is impressive (especially since it's all because he can ride a skateboard) and I did learn few things, the book itself isn't that great. It jumps around a lot and I also found it to be a bit repetitive. There were some sections that didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the book, but perhaps they were intended to appeal to skateboarders.

Overall, I'm glad I read it because it did teach me about an industry I knew nothing about. It was a quick read and humorous at times, so I don't feel like it was a waste of time. If you're interested in marketing and sports, you may like this book. If you're a fan of Tony Hawk's and interested in marketing and sports, you should definitely pick this up. If nothing else, I now have a new, and improved, opinion of skateboarders!

Click HERE for more info

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My workout this morning was not that great. While I did manage to pull out a 4.5 mile run on the Woodway and some strength training and stretching, the combination of it being the 7th workout in a row, tight hamstrings, and a lack of sleep was not a good one. I went to an incredibly productive NYRR Young Professionals Committee meeting last night and was so energized by all the great events we're planning for ths Spring (I can't wait to share them with you!) that I had to start working on my to-do lists when I got home. Unfortunately, that wasn't so good for my sleep. Tonight  I'm going to sleep earlier and we're taking tomorrow morning off from the gym, which is conveniently planned to coincide with the overnight snow storm we're going to get!

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Today's workout -
4.5mile run
3x12 hammer curls
3x10 overhead tricep extensions
3x10 lateral arm raise

Book Review: "Run to Overcome"

I recently finished reading Meb Keflezighi's autobiography and was overcome by his inspirational story. Admittedly, when I opened the book I didn't know much about Meb beyond the fact that in 2009 he was the first American to win the ING New York City Marathon since 1982. While I love to run, I haven't actively sought out a lot of information on elite runners until recently and I was curious to learn about this great runner.

Meb's story is pretty incredible. He and his family really embody the 'American Dream' we've all grown up hearing about. He was born in Eritrea, a country in north east Africa that fought for independence for generations. After years trying, Meb and his family finally made it to America and settled in San Diego when he was 12 years old. His father was the only one in the family who could speak English.

Running came into Meb's life when he was in junior high and had to run a mile in PE. He's competitive by nature and his parents had instilled in him and his siblings from an early age that they were to do everything to their best ability. Needless to say, his life was never the same after that day. His love of running has taken him far and brought great things to him, his family and the Eritrean-American community. He began winning championships in junior high and high school, moving on to UCLA and then USATF, the Olympics and of course, the ING NYC Marathon. His faith and family connections have helped him through the tough times and given him strength to succeed.

The book is in Meb's voice, but was co-written with Dick Patrick. It was a pretty quick read and gives a great look into the life of an elite runner; I learned quite a bit about the industry and found it really interesting. Meb's faith is incredibly important to him and is a large focus throughout the book. Perhaps that also had something to do with the publisher of his book being Tyndale (a publishing house focused on Christian works). All in all, it was a really good book and I highly recommend it for any runner (hint, hint: still looking for a holiday for that runner in your life?).

Click HERE for more information

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today's workout -
(short workout today; the gym opened late this morning so I had to cut my workout by a few minutes and opted to maintain my cardio time)
50min/5.75mi elliptical
foam roller
stretching

Book Review: "Marathon Woman"

Kathrine Switzer started running before running was something that women did. With support from her military father and mother, who was well respected in her field, Kathrine started by running laps around the family property till she hit a mile. Her athletic career began with field hockey where she quickly became a standout and running was her 'secret weapon.' She played hockey at Lynchburg College but was less than impressed by the level of athleticism among the women who seemed more interested in having tea than playing the game. It was when she transferred to Syracuse University that she started running more seriously.

Soon, Switzer was running through sleet, snow, and heat with one goal in mind: to run the Boston Marathon. She was determined. She did everything she could to reach that goal.

Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially register and run the Boston Marathon in 1967. The story is legendary and truthfully, was all I knew about her when I started reading her biography, Marathon Woman. What I learned though, is that she is much, much more than just that one marathon. If not for Kathrine Switzer, who knows when the Olympic Committee would have introduced the women's marathon event. Switzer has done incredible things for women's running. Who knows if any of us women would be running today if not for her and her peers who were pioneers and ground breakers. 

While many male runners were happy to see these women among their ranks in races in Boston and New York, other men, and women, weren't as open to the change in cultural norms. For generations people believed that it was unsafe for women to run long distances, but Switzer, Sara Mae Berman, Nina Kuscsik, Miki Gorman and many other women proved them wrong.

With a degree in journalism and an MBA, a friendship with Fred Lebow and a drive to succeed and make a difference, Switzer was at the front of the pack when it came to corporate sponsorships for races and creating opportunities for women. She eventually landed a job with Avon and created the Avon International Marathon, which was the culmination of hundreds of local women's-only races on five continents. It was really incredible to learn about her non-stop life, creating huge, life changing events for women around the world. Hers is truly an inspirational story - both in terms of running and also sports promotions. What it would be like to work for her, or just to be in her company, I can't even imagine!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in running, women's sports, sports promotion, or inspirational stories. Hers truly is an incredible story.

For more information on Kathrine Switzer, click HERE

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today's workout -

45min elliptical

2x50sec planks

100 crunches

lots of stretching

Book Review: "The Runner's Rule Book"

I got this one from the library on a whim. I had read a few of the rules set out by the executive editor of RunnersWorld .com and other Runner's World editors, in the January issue. They were funny and relatable, so when I saw this was available, I thought "why not?"

It's a very quick, funny read that any runner will love. If for nothing else, then a couple entertaining hours of distraction while tapering or commuting (the small size was perfect for slipping in my purse and reading on the subway)!

There are four main sections: 'The Basics,' 'Racing, Track Workouts, and Other Forms of Discomfort,' 'Shoes, Apparel, and Gear,' and 'The Runner's Rules of Thumb.' And six resources that include 'The 14 Basic Types of Runners,' 'The Pee Matrix,' 'Running Brands: A Guide to Pronunciation,' '5 Topics/5 Times/5 Tunes,' 'Hand Signals,' and 'The Runner's Glossary.'

Remy and the editors provide helpful tips, suggestions and facts, but also cover common knowledge topics (but I'm sure they're not common knowledge to everyone). I enjoyed his 'Snappy Retorts to 5 Common Heckles,' and agree that runners should not 'dress like a ninja' but I don't agree that  'you can always take off clothing' (I hate running with a jacket tied around my waist and I think a 3/4length sleeve top would be the best idea ever for running gear). I also agree with the rule that you should always thank the volunteers. And don't skip the Runner's Glossary at the end; it is quite amusing. These writers have a great sense of humor.

If you have a little time on your hands, I definitely suggest picking up this book. It would also make a great gift for your favorite runner!

Click HERE for more information

What is one of your favorite rules of running?

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today's workout -
10 mile bike
3x10 leg press
3x10 hip abductor
3x10 hip adductor
stretching
ankle strengthening exercises



Book Review: "My Life On the Run"

This book, by the "Mayor of Running" Bart Yasso, is a collection of stories. Not just stories, but tales of running adventures that the majority of us will never have the opportunity to experience ourselves.

The Chief Running Officer of Runner's World has been working for the magazine since 1987 after a rocky start to adulthood. He's run over 1000 races, including marathons on Antarctica and in the Arctic. He battled his first bout of Lyme's disease on Mount Kilimanjaro and faced charging rhinos in India. But he's more than just a runner and he's done more than just ride his bike cross country, solo. Through his entertaining stories he shows that he loves the sport of running so much that he will do anything to promote it. He will do anything to get people running, to help them achieve their PRs. He has learned through his struggles that every run is precious and shouldn't be taken for granted. I can't imagine how he was able to pick just these stories out of the countless he must have stored away in his memory. What I can say though, is that I'm extremely grateful that he has shared them.

Before reading this book I admit, I didn't know much more about Bart Yasso than the fact that he worked for Runner's World and that the Yasso 800 (which I have yet to try) is his invention. But, I heard this was a good book and I am a loyal follower of RW so I wanted to check it out. Reading this on the subway was the best way to spend rush hour. I was literally disappointed when I finished the book because I wanted to read more.

If you love running and/or adventure stories, chances are pretty high that you're going to love this book. And as a bonus, after the stories are done Yasso lists his favorite races and lays out training plans for newbies, seasoned runners and hard-core runners for 5-K, 10-K, half and full marathons. And of course, he explains the background of the Yasso 800's and how to do them.

Bart Yasso is able to dictate what running is, what running means, and what running does to us better than anyone else I've known. he puts running into words more elegantly than I ever could, so I'll leave you with this:

"Running celebrates our commonality. Are we human because we can run on two feet, or does running make us human? I know I feel more like myself when I run, even if it's only a few miles, or at least I feel like the self I like best. Running inspires creativity, relieves stress, and gives us insight into ourselves and the world, making the human condition more tolerable."

Next time you lace up your sneakers for a run, get on your bike, or hike a mountain, relish in the possibilities and the adventure that awaits you!

Click HERE for more information on Bart Yasso

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workout stats -

10 mile bike

crunches

ankle strengthening exercises

stretching

Book Review: "Medium Raw"

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook is the latest book by the un-censored, tell it like it is, travel and food aficionado, Anthony Bourdain. You know, he actually lives somewhere up here on the UES with his wife and daughter, but in the 6 years I've lived in the neighborhood, I've never been lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Woody and I have however, seen him twice in conversation with Momofuku creator, David Chang. Let me just say that it is definitely an experience.

This book might be best read after reading one of his other books, Kitchen Confidential, but I didn't feel deprived of any key details having not read it, and I definitely do want to read it at some point. I love Bourdain's easy going way of writing. Woody and I watch his show on the Travel Channel often, and while reading this book I could absolutely hear his voice reading it to me. He writes as he talks.

Bourdain delves into his sorted, dark past, of which he is not apologetic, but rather illustrates how all the dire events have led him on the path to where he is now. He isn't a very optimistic or overly 'happy' person, but he does show a level of enthusiasm about things like his wife and daughter, travel, experiencing new and unique flavors, and the simple joy that can be found in the ordinary. On the other hand, he doesn't seem to have any problems sharing his disdain for certain people and things.

I don't want to try and analyze Bourdain or this book. It's a futile exercise and not one for me to undertake. I don't think anyone can quite understand him or his views. Reading his books definitely provides a new perspective on who he is, from watching "No Reservations." He definitely provides references to his past on his show, but I really had no clue about his history until I heard a bit about his books and then read this one for myself. It definitely gave me a new perspective on who he is, although I still won't pretend to really know who he is. You can't unless you actually know him. Really know him.

I like his suggestion that every kid, boy and girl, should learn basic cooking skills in school so that they are able to feed themselves and others. That we, as a society, should make the ability to cook a fundamental skill. While he readily admits that he does not like vegetarians and vegans because they will refuse the offers of others to share in traditional foods around the world, he does take issue with our food system and unsafe meat that inevitably ends up in our food supply and the companies that knowingly put it there.

After reading this book I also have a new perspective on fine dining, dining in general and the hard work that goes on in the kitchens of the restaurants where we enjoy meals. I'm not a food aficionado, I don't have a discerning palate, and I will probably never indulge in a chef's tasting menu in my lifetime, but even though I already appreciated chefs and line cooks, I have a much deeper appreciation for what they go through each day to put food on our plates.

If you enjoy reading stories about what goes on behind the scenes, enjoy food writing and have an interest in the fine dining industry, definitely take a little time to read this book.

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workout stats -
19mile bike
100 crunches
3x25second planks w/ stability ball
3x10 straight front arm raise
3x10 overhead extension
3x10 cable pull push-down
3x10 tricep dip
foam roller and stretching

Book Review: "Eat Pray Love"

Yes, okay, I know I'm late to the game on this one (just like Skinny Bitch) but with this one, unlike the last, it was definitely better late than never. I had picked up the book and thumbed through at more bookstores than I'd like to remember, but for one reason or another I never purchased it. Then, the commercials for the film, starring Julia Roberts, started airing on TV and I knew I had to read it. Yes, consumerism at work people! I was a bit let down when I logged onto the NYPL website and became #346 on the wait list for this book. So I broke down and went to the bookstore. And I'm glad I did!

If you don't know much about Eat Pray Love, it is the true story of a tumultuous time in the life of author Elizabeth Gilbert. In her early thirties, she came to the frightening realization that the life she was leading was not the life she really wanted. The story takes the reader through a graphic and deeply personal retelling of Gilbert's separation, post-separation relationship, divorce, and journey to take control of her life.

At times the story was so fantastic that I really wondered how true to life it really was. I often wondered "do people really live like this?" Throughout the book I felt pangs of sympathy and sadness for her, knowing that her struggles really are similar to those of countless others, and then I'd be fascinated and envious of her travels and ability to turn her life on its head, taking such incredible leaps of faith. 

I've never read a book written in this way - sometimes it is as if she is writing the chapter as it is happening, when other times she is looking back. She writes about the event of her publisher providing her with the advance on the very book I am reading so that she can afford to take off for a year to explore and find her way, and come up with the material for the book. I enjoyed learning about Italian culture, Ashrams in India and Balinese culture and history (they obviously have a very effective tourism industry). I didn't particularly enjoy all of the intimate details about her divorce, relationship woes and mental instability. Obviously, they are important to the story, because without that chapter of her life, she would have never set out on this journey of self-realization. But, personally, I still would have understood the extent of her troubles without quite so many details.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, enlightening and inspirational. If I take one thing away from this book, it is that it's never too late to take the time and seek out what really makes us happy. That we must take care of ourselves and make ourselves happy and in extension, it will help our relationships with others.

There is so much more I could say about this book, but I'll spare you now and just encourage you to read this book if you haven't done so already. You can be sure I'll be finding my way to a theater to see this movie, perhaps after a yoga class!

Click HERE for more information about the book.

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workout stats -

13.5mile bike

27minute StairMaster

3x10 cable pull twists

3x10 lateral bent arm raise

3x10 seated row

3x10 hammer curls

3x10 front arm raise

stretching

Book Review: "Skinny B**ch"

Yes, I'm about 3 years late on this one, but I've finally read Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. This was/is a pretty popular book, landing itself on the New York Times Bestseller list. I have mixed feelings about this book, so here we go:

The Good:
1. Very quick and easy read. I read most of it while on the stationary bike at the gym.
2. (This is a big one) Offers enlightening facts about certain sugar substitutes and other food additives, highlighting some corrupt ways of Federal agencies that most Americans naively think are meant to protect them.
3. Provides a lot of background on the meatpacking industry and other sectors of the food industry that has been written about by leading experts such as Michael Pollan and Marion Nestle. I see this as a good thing because chances are a great majority of the people reading this book would not read the other books.
4. They point out our absurd ways as a society - that we'll spend thousands of dollars on clothes, cars, etc, but we don't want to spend a few more dollars on nutritious, whole foods that will nourish our bodies and keep us healthy.
5. Provide good detail on specific vitamins that are essential for good health and how we can get them from food sources.
6. There is a list of ingredients and details about what they actually are and how they are or can be harmful.

The Bad:
1. The book is extremely crass and definitely not be appropriate for everyone.
2. They profess that we must eat all organic when this has been proven to be untrue.
3. The authors rail against additives in the food supply (which is undoubtedly dangerous and should be avoided) but then promote fake meat products that are full of additives and chemicals like Gardenburger Chik'n. Turns out Gardenburger treats their soy with hexane. Not cool. I used to eat their burgers, not anymore!
4. They often talk about dropping fat and lazy ways and becoming skinny and beautiful by becoming a vegan. I don't believe that all vegans are skinny and I also think there are more important things than just being skinny. They do discuss general health, but the underlying message is that the goal is to be skinny.
5. They actively promote that fasting, which I believe can be extremely dangerous and harmful.

While the good technically outnumber the bad, I can't get over the harsh tone of this book, fact that the authors are determined the only way to live is to be a vegan, and such a huge emphasis on the need to be skinny. I have absolutely nothing against veganism, I've even toyed with the idea of trying it for a week or two, to see what it's like, but I think it's a bit extreme for most people. At the very end of the book, Freedman and Barnouin wrap it up by trying to refocus on health rather than appearance, but it's too late and almost feels like an afterthought or an edit their editor demanded so it might sit better with a wider audience. However, I am grateful that they talked about the problems with our food system in this book because, as I said earlier, hopefully it will enlighten many people who typically get their food and nutrition tips from US Weekly and People Magazine!

I did learn a few things, but I'm definitely not in agreement with them on everything in this book. It's a fast read, so if you are interested (like I was) go ahead and check it out from your library or borrow from a friend who bought it in the mad rush a few years ago, but I suggest that you don't take every word to heart. Listen to your own instincts and use their information in combination with everything else you know about healthy eating and living.

http://www.skinnybitch.net/

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workout stats -

13miles bike

25minutes StairMaster

3x10 cable pull push downs

3x10 cable pull twists

3x10 tricep extension

3x10 tricep kickback

3x12 weighted side bends

3x10 tricep dips

stretching & foam roller

Book Review: The United States of Arugula

I picked up this book at the library, sort of on a whim when I was returning "Born To Run." I had seen it at the bookstore a few times and thought it sounded interesting and decided to give it a go.

The National Bestseller written by David Kamp (a writer and editor who has had pieces in Vanity Fair and GQ), is all about the history of food, specifically chefs, restaurants and cookbooks, in America. Kamp begins his story back in the 1700's with the first known cookbooks in America and a vivid description of American eating habits. Turns out, the history of our restuarant culture and the rise of 'celebrity chefs' is quite interesting! The book is filled with fascinating tidbits of insider knowledge and background on chefs and restaurants. I never realized that fine dining in this country originated with French restaurants in New York, and really got its start during the Worlds Fair! And did you know the first Sushi restaurant in the US, Kawafuka, opened in 1960 in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles?

The book covers so many topics and people that at times it is a bit difficult to keep it all straight, but the stories are still quite intriguing and informational. I do think it's a good book for anyone interested in this area of the food industry. It did educate me on a lot of the chefs we know today and where our dining habits (outside of the home, mostly) originated. There is quite a bit of time spent on local and organic foods, but Kamp doesn't ignore the other view of food sourcing for restaurants either. I think my interpretation, or ideas, of some of these stories is most likely quite different than those of a chef or someone in the restaurant industry. Looking in from the outside, some of it seems a bit ridiculous, but it is serious business and art at the same time, so I do suppose even the wackiest situations make sense in a way.

For more info on David Kamp and this book, visit http://www.davidkamp.com/

Now I'm heading to Central Park for NYC Adventure and then to the bookstore to pick up my next read (I tried getting it through the library but was number 450-something in line for it! I'm not waiting that long!).

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workout stats -

2mi elliptical

13mi bike

3x12 cable pull twists

3x10 single leg cable pull standing crunch (made up that name!)

3x10 tricep extension

3x10 tricep kickback

3x10 glute kickback

stretching (although not enough!)

Book Review: "Born To Run"

I wish I hadn't waited so long to read this book by Christopher McDougall. It was fantastic and I would read it again if it wasn't due back to the library! This may be a book about runners and running, but it is also about life, finding a purpose, finding happiness, and trusting yourself.

No doubt a lot of you have read this book already, but if you haven't, I highly suggest you add it to your 'must read' list. McDougall, a journalist, former war correspondent and recreational runner plagued by running injuries, set out on a quest to find a way to overcome his injuries and keep running. Especially while I'm recovering from a foot injury which hit me just after I started running again after getting through a stress fracture, I found this book incredibly interesting, thought provoking and encouraging.

Throughout the book we follow McDougall on his quest as he travels into the depths of the Mexico's Copper Canyons in search of the Tarahumara tribe of running people. Between stories of him dodging drug cartels, scaling cliffs and looking for people who invented the art of being invisible, he tells accounts about endurance runners and races that I could hardly wrap my mind around and proves through the support of various doctors, anthropologists, and researchers why humans are, in fact, built for running long distances. As someone who hasn't paid a lot of attention to the theory of barefoot running, I found the background and research on it very interesting.

The book ended leaving me wanting more but feeling completely satisfied at the same time. McDougall's writing style is smooth and engaging, pulling the reader into the stories. All I can say is that you need to read this book if you haven't already!

For more information on Christopher McDougall and pictures, read his blog.

Now that I've finished "Born to Run" I need something else to read! Have any suggestions? I'd prefer something related to running, health and/or nutrition.

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Workout Stats -
13.2 mi bike
2 mi elliptical
3x12 cable pull twists
250 various crunches (w/ and w/o stability ball)
2x cobra pose
2x full locust pose
2x plank
stretching

Book Review: Food Matters - A Guide to Conscious Eating

Continuing with my trend of reading books about food and eating (beginning with Michael Pollan’s most recent trilogy of books), I dove into Mark Bittman’s latest book, Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating. If you’re not familiar with Mark Bittman, he is best known as a cookbook author, food columnist for the New York Times, regular on The Today Show, and public television show host.

Food Matters is one part food theory and one part cookbook. This is partly what drew me to the book in the first place, learning another way to approach food and eating and having a collection of recipes to try out that follow those guidelines. Being relatively new to cooking more than salads and sandwiches, I am always looking for new ideas and recipes that are easy enough for a novice to try without burning down the building or ruining perfectly good ingredients. Now, not all of the recipes in this book fall into that category, but I have already tried a few of them to good results and Bittman also provides basic techniques which I’ve found very helpful (how to prepare a variety of grains, vegetables in multiple ways, storage techniques, etc.).

Bittman’s theory for eating rests on the idea of conscious eating (as referred to in the book title). Not only does he advocate eating whole foods that are good for human health, but also foods that are good for our environment. His journey to create a healthy, sensible and conscious diet was spurred by four factors: a report by the UN that stated global livestock production was responsible for about 1/5th of all greenhouse gases, “some personal health issues, an overall gloomy global outlook, and an increasing concern with animal products in general.” Seeing a direct link between personal food consumption habits and global warming, Bittman realized that small dietary changes made by many people, could have quite an impact on our environment. I’ll skip a lot of the details, because I suggest you read the book (Part 1 is only 108 pages, so it’s a pretty fast read) but Bittman does dig deep into the effect food production has on the environment. He cites Michael Pollan a few times, building off a few of his ‘Food Rules.’ He also explores the wild entanglement between the US Government and food producers, food marketing and the misguided and ultra-confusing USDA Food Pyramid, which was actually designed by Porter Novelli, a global public relations firm. He explains how there is not enough space on Earth to keep up with the increasing demand for meat (most people in developing countries, including the US eat approximately a half pound of meat per day, when 3oz per day is a more appropriate amount for a healthy diet). And of course, he also discusses the rise in obesity rates across the country over the last 4 decades.

The idea behind eating like Food Matters is that people should take a look at how and what they eat, focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients, and minimizing animal products (meat and dairy) in order to eat healthier and lessen their impact on the environment. If you’re wondering, he does encourage consciously grown or raised local products over organic (how organic is an apple if it is flown 1,000 miles to the grocery store?). Bittman is encouraging people to follow a new diet, but not ‘diet’ as a four-letter word. Diet as in a way of eating. For life. A diet that can be sustained and works with your lifestyle. I think we all know by now, that if it doesn’t fit with someone’s lifestyle, it’s not going to work. Eating like food matters puts produce at the forefront and includes only a small bit of meat, if at any at all (your choice). If you like categorization, it’s a Flexitarian diet. From the slipcover of the book:

“Bittman, a food writer who loves to eat and eats out frequently, lost thirty-five pounds and saw marked improvement in his blood levels by simply cutting meat and processed foods out of two of his three daily meals. But the simple truth, as he points out, is that as long as you eat more vegetables and whole grains, the results will be better health for you and for the world in which we live.”

Food Matters is an interesting and quick read that I highly recommend. While Bittman’s argument is quite similar to Michael Pollan’s, he comes from a slightly different angle and brings a few new facts and ideas to the table. I do want to clarify one thing though, this isn’t a ‘diet book.’ It’s not meant to guide someone on their weight loss journey; rather it is meant to improve the health of both people and the earth. Bittman’s weight loss (as mentioned in the quote above) was a pleasant side-effect of the eating like food matters, but was not the solitary goal he set out to accomplish. It just so happens that the body has a tendency to lose a few pounds as one begins eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and fewer processed foods and animal products.

I checked this book out from the NY Public Library, but it is one I’d like to have in my permanent (and ever growing) collection.

One last quote to leave you with: “The aggregate of even the smallest changes equal big change.”

For more info on Mark Bittman and Food Matters, go here.

If you haven't heard yet, April is Earth Month. Why wait until April 22nd to celebrate the Earth and pay attention to the environment and what we can do to help preserve the Earth for generations to come? Celebrate all month long!

• If you're in NYC this weekend, you can recycle your e-waste at Tekserve (119 W23rd St) on Saturday from 10a-4p. They're taking computers, cell phonees, TV's and other electrical items to recycle in safe and appropriate ways. In return, Tekserve will give you $25 towards a Mac or iPod (excluding shuffles) thru May 10th.
• Instead of throwing away all those clothes and other textiles you don't want anymore while you're Spring cleaning, take them to an NYC Greenmarket for recycling! Check HERE for participating markets and times.
• Do you have old pairs of running shoes piling up in your closet like I did until last month? Take them to your nearest NIKE store to donate to their Reuse A Shoe program. Just drop them off in the bin and they'll be turned into materials for running tracks.
• We all know CFL lightbulbs are better than incandescent, but which one brand is best for additional front end investment? According to Consumer Reports, choose 'soft' or 'warm' white CFLs if you want something close to the incandescent and use a 13-15 watt CFL to replace a 60 watt incandescent. EcoSmart (423-599 EDXO-14) tops the spiral category (found at Home Depot), EcoSmart (BR40 Soft white) is best for indoor flood lights, and Philips Energy Saver EL/A rates #1 for outdoor flood lights. If you haven't switched yet, keep in mind that CFLs will save about $56 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Not bad!! That's a few race entries, and two will get you a new pair of running shoes!!

On another topic, I'm flying to Michigan quite early tomorrow morning for a quick trip to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration of my Great Aunt & Uncle! I'm incredibly excited that I'm able to go. They are two of the most wonderful people I know and their love and admiration for each other is evident after seeing them together for mere seconds. Needless to say, with my travels I'll be out of blogging range but back on Monday! Have a great weekend!

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Workout stats -
19mi bike
3x10ea front straight arm raises, overhead extension, tricep kickbacks
stretching