Category Archives: Random

Healthy Living On the Road and With Busy Days!

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Life has been busy lately to say the least. But it’s a good kind of busy.  Now that the Nike Women’s Half has come and gone it’s a new season at work to recruit for and prepare for which has us all working late and working hard.  Life at home is just a busy thanks to the arrival of spring and this weekend was all sorts of productive.

I’ve hardly sat still since I left for DC and true workouts have been hard to fit in.  I’m not stressing though.  Workouts are coming in new and different forms.  Walking and standing for hours while in DC…that’s a workout.  Ripping out an entire garden, transplanting flowers, trimming tree branches…that’s a workout.

Walking from Site to Site Can Keep You Healthy While Traveling!

Walking from Site to Site Can Keep You Healthy While Traveling!

When life gets busy or I head out on vacation I don’t stress about my workouts.  Usually when I’m going on vacation it’s an opportunity to rest and relax…enjoy a slower pace if you will.  I usually skip my run or yoga and opt for some extra walking from site to site or take in the scenery through bike rides, hikes or other fun excursions!  I figure I’m in a new place so it’s a chance to try new workouts too.  When life is busy and I’m running from one place to the next I adjust my workouts as necessary.  Sometimes I’ll skip my morning run to get some extra sleep and will run at lunch time.  Other times if I’m going to be running from one place to the next I won’t worry about fitting a workout in.  And sometimes I will hit the mat for a shorter, easier yoga session to help me relax and stretch my extra tight muscles.  It’s awesome to be able to make time for an hour workout everyday but that isn’t always feasible.  In the absence of my usual routine I look for ways and avenues to keep my self moving and get some extra exercise…be it in the garden or walking from site to site.

While I skip the workout stress I don’t skip the healthy meals.  In fact, if I know I’m missing out on my normal runs and mat time I put more of a focus on my meals.  I try to reach for more fruit, salads and healthy meals that keep me energized when I’m traveling or extra busy.  Heavy, unhealthy foods leave me feeling sluggish and bloated and unlike myself.  Of course I let myself indulge here or there but I keep an eye on my portions and try to make breakfast and lunch as healthy as possible.

 

When I was in DC I didn’t go for one run or hit the mat once but I did walk everywhere, spend hours on my feet and kept myself moving for days.  In fact I was sore and tired when I got home! I kept my meals as healthy as possible…lots of fruit, eggs, salads and more.  This past week I stuck to our healthy meals at home and skipped the take out even though it seemed like it would be easier. I found my way to the mat for a restorative yoga session, spent hours in the garden with Michael and got extra rest at night so I could make the most of my busy days.

Healthy living doesn’t always have to be hours at the gym, yoga and runs.  It can be organic and untraditional workouts too.  Healthy eating should always be part of the equation and should be even more of a priority when life gets busy, it will help keep you feeling energized and good through those busy days.

It’s been about a week and a half since I left for DC and got back…I’m finally getting out for a run today and back on to my normal schedule but I don’t feel heavy or out of shape.  I feel great and can’t wait to hit the pavement!

Tell me, how do you stay active and healthy when traveling or extra busy?

Washington DC Recap!

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I absolutely loved DC! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, it’s so easy to get around and the sites are incredible! I definitely want to go back again soon with Michael.  It’d be nice to be there for vacation so we could spend more time sight-seeing and check out Georgetown!

Friday.

It was noon time by the time I was ready to head out and explore so I made my way to the National Mall.  On my agenda was the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Washington Monument, The White House and I even squeezed in Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the guards!

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Inside the Lincoln Memorial

Inside the Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument

Washington Monument

In Front of the White House

In Front of the White House

Etchings at the Vietnam Memorial

Etchings at the Vietnam Memorial

Tomb of the Unknown Solider

Tomb of the Unknown Solider

Saturday night I met up with friends for dinner at this amazing farm to table restaurant.  The food was incredible and tasted so good after a full day of sight-seeing!

Saturday.

Early Saturday morning I had meetings for work and a reception to attend but as soon as they were over I headed out to take in more sights.  My first stop was to see Congress which when you get up close and personal is pretty breath-taking!  Then I went to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights.  The Rotunda where they are housed is gorgeous and it was amazing to see those documents in real life.  After that I had lunch of the National Sculpture Garden since it was so beautiful out and then headed to the Natural History Museum.  I only had about an hour to spend there so I took the dinosaurs, the minerals and gems and made a quick pass through everything else.  I really want to go back there and take my time going through it!

My first look at Congress!

My first look at Congress!

Congress

Congress

Sunday.

Sunday was an early day! I was up at 4:15AM to see my team off for the race.  Then I met up with other TNT staff to head to our cheer zone.  I spent most of the race at mile 10 which was really close to the Jefferson Monument.  We were there so early and were able to see the sunrise over both the capital and the Jefferson Monument! It was amazing.

Sunrise over Congress

Sunrise over Congress

Sunrise over Jefferson Memorial

Sunrise over Jefferson Memorial

Race day was long and busy but in the end my team had an incredible time.  In all there was 2,300 runners with Team In Training and they raised over 6 million dollars.  I’m so proud of them and they should be so proud of themselves!  It was really cool to be working the event as a staff.  Friday I worked at the expo helping to deal with registration issues and issues with bibs.  It was neat to see the back-end of things.  Race day was very similar in terms of being able to see the back side of the event.  So much work, effort and coordination goes into putting on a race for 16,000 runners!

Monday.

I was exhausted when I woke up and my feet were killing me.  I was on my feet pretty much the entire time I was in DC and it was really catching up to me! I took it easy in the morning, had brunch and coffee and then headed to the Newseum.  It was rainy and cold so it was the perfect day to spend time in the museum.  The Newseum covers the history of the News and was awesome! They have pieces of the Berlin Wall there, lots of 9/11 information and remains and so much more.  The highlight was the wall of over 200 front pages from the day after 9/11.  It is incredible to see how the world reacted.

9/11 Front Pages

9/11 Front Pages

If you have never been there I highly recommend it! I loved every exhibit!  After spending hours in the museum I headed to the hotel and then made my way to the airport!

I was exhausted last night and slept so good!  Today I’m playing catch up and getting my yoga on…my body desperately needs some twists and stretching and my feet need some rest!

Did you run the Nike Women’s Half?  Did you like it?  Have you been to the Newseum before?

Races, Running and Buddhas

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Can you believe it’s Thursday already?  This week has flow by!  Tomorrow morning I leave for Washington D.C. to support my team who is running the Nike Women’s Marathon Half.  I’m a little bit nervous but also kind of excited since I’ve never been there before.  I’m planning to fit in a little bit of sight-seeing in my down time. You all need to recommend some good things to check out!  On my list is the mall, the Smithsonian and possibly the Holocaust Museum. 

It’s a bit strange to be heading to another race so quickly after Boston.  I’m definitely nervous but this will be a good step to take in terms of moving on.  I’m just hoping everything goes smoothly, my team has a ton of fun and it’s an easy weekend.  Fingers crossed.

Speaking of races let’s talk running for a minute shall we?  My running has never felt better! I’ve been pushing my pace and increasing my mileage slowly over the past couple weeks. I’m starting to see my pace drop even on my easy runs and I’m wanting to run farther and push harder. It feels good.  The weather has been helping too, there is just something about running in shorts and short-sleeve shirt that feels so good after a long weekend!  Next week I plan to add in some speed work again and some hill workouts.  Hills seem to be where I can really increase my cardio and build my strength.  I’m looking forward to some more variety in my runs!

I’m starting to think about my fall racing plan.  I was considering doing a marathon but I realized I was looking forward to traveling this summer and not having to fit in my log runs.  Last summer I missed a couple of weekend trips because of teacher training and the summer before that Michael and I were training for Chicago.  I just really want to be able to go away, enjoy sleeping in, savoring my coffee and the cool summer mornings we get here.  I am excited to run a couple of half marathons.  Last year I ran the BAA Half Marathon and I plan to run that one again but I’m looking to add in one more.  I’m considering the Maine Half Marathon.  I’ve heard good things about the race and after our summer vacation there last year I’m pretty much in love with Maine.  It’d be fun to spend a weekend in Portland too.  Michael might even run the half too which would be awesome!  I still have plenty of time to make up my mind.  Any suggestions for other good half marathons to consider for the fall?

This is completely random but it made my day and I wanted to share! The other day Michael told me there was a package waiting for me when I got home.  He said it was a long overdue present.  I was pretty curious as to what it could be but I had a few ideas.  I was so excited to get home and see that he had so carefully picked out a Buddha for me!

My New Buddha!

My New Buddha!

I’ve been wanting a buddha since the fall when I was immersed in yoga teacher training.  I always thought it would be a good reminder of all the yoga means to me.  Think about it, your rushing in the morning to get out the door and head to work on time but you see the Buddha and it’s reminder to breathe and be more peaceful in the situation. It also just makes me feel like a real yoga teacher! It was exciting and I love the one he picked it out, it’s very me.

I’ll be back on Tuesday to share my experiences in Washington, D.C. and at the inaugural Nike Women’s Marathon Half! 

What are your suggestions for sights to see and visit in Washington D.C.? What fall half marathons do you love? Do you have a buddha?

In the Kitchen

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One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is to spend time in the kitchen.  I love preparing meals for the week ahead and find the time very relaxing.  When I was taking yoga teacher training we learned a lot about meditation.  Prior to teacher training I’d never meditated.  I always felt that if I was going to a studio for a class I’d rather just take a yoga class.  But through our meditations in teacher training I learned that meditation comes in many forms.

Walking meditation is very popular.  In walking meditation you focus on the world surrounding you and your breath.  You tune into the movements in your body and the sounds around you.  In the process you tune out your internal thoughts.  I’ve always thought that running is similar.  And quite honestly I consider running my form of meditation.  It’s quiet time, time to focus on my breath and to observe my thoughts without judgement.

While I was in the kitchen on Sunday I felt myself relaxing completely.  There is something peaceful about the sound of the knife hitting the cutting board, the water running in the sink, the feeling of warm water on your hands as you wash the dishes.  I love just staring out the kitchen window to the back yard as I wash veggies or do the dishes.  My mind started to quiet and was able to completely focus on the recipes.

Banana Nut Muffins

Banana Nut Muffins

Cooking not only helps me relax but it’s a way to spend time taking care of myself. I always love heading into a busy week with healthy food already prepared.  On Sunday I prepared a salsa avocado chicken salad (recipe coming on Wednesday!) and then went on to make homemade banana nut muffins.  I love cooking when I have the entire day to get lost in it.  I have no reason to rush or hurry my way through and somehow that makes me enjoy the food more.  I know when I’m busy this week and grabbing my chicken salad for lunch I’ll be reminded of how peaceful it was to prepare the meal and undoubtedly it will make me slow down while I eat.

So next time you are in the kitchen with some free time, preparing your favorite meal I urge you to slow down and relax.  Focus on the process of chopping the veggies, preparing the meat or mixing the flour and sugar before combining the wet ingredients.  You may find that you like the time in the kitchen a bit more…

Have you ever experienced meditation in the kitchen?  Do you find cooking relaxing?

A Day of No Plans

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I love my job, I really do.  Even on the toughest days I still love it.  Part of my job involves working weekends which usually involves meeting and running with our participants at their practices or being on staff to make sure they have the best 20 miler possible in preparation for Boston Marathon and sometimes it means traveling with them to race weekend to help them cross the finish line.  Really I can’t complain because I love all of those things.  But then you add in the regular work days, teaching yoga, my own workouts, the blog, and everything else in this life and you end up with a lot of days starting at 5am.  I get tired. Really tired.  Which is why I love my comp days (you know extra days off for working those weekends).  Today just happens to be one of those days and it makes for a long weekend.  Bliss.

I have nothing planned this weekend nothing except Easter dinner with Michael’s family planned this weekend.  It’s awesome.  And it’s awesome because I planned for it.  Yeah, I now I’m crazy.  But let’s be honest, I could easily have booked up this weekend with yoga classes to teach and take, social engagements and so much more. And while it’s all fun and good it’s not the break I need. People, downtime and lack of plans is good for the body and mind.  Nobody should feel bad about it, seriously.

So it’s Friday and I literally have nothing planned.  It’s 10am and my day has consisted of sleeping in, reading in bed and snuggling with this love bug…

Love this love bug!

Playing with my new favorite app the Percolator (see picture above, pictures and coffee lingo need I say more?).  A breakfast of this and that and copious amounts of my new favorite coconut macaroon coffee.

Coconut Macaroon Coffee, Scrambled Eggs, Vegetarian Sausage, and a Waffle.

I’ve been watching the Today Show, surfing the web and reading blogs in my PJ’s and I couldn’t be more happy. I’ll probably wear my favorite Athleta capris, and finally bust out my Toms because I’ve decided it’s time and I can’t wait any longer and see where the day leads me.  I think I’ll end my day in Boston with Michael, friends, dinner, drinks and most of all lots and lots of laughter.

Part of me (you know the Type A part) feels like I should be cleaning the house or doing this and that.  But it’s important from time to time to give yourself a break.  Do something you love and relax.  I promise you’ll feel better and accomplish more when you feel like you’ve nourished your mind and body with some rest. It’s part of a healthy life and something in my opinion we’ve all forgotten how to do.  I fall into the busy trap myself, my Mom does, and everyone around me.  Just remember you are in control, and you can make sometime in your life to be less busy. And in case you’ve forgotten how to do nothing and relax, take a lesson from me…all you need is a furry friend, a warm blanket, a delicious breakfast and good book to start your day.

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When was the last time you gave yourself a break and time to relax?  What is your favorite thing to do on a day with no plans?