Category Archives: books

June 28, 2012

Three Things Thursday

Today’s Workout: 1 mile run, PT exercises

1. If you didn’t notice from looking at “today’s workout”… I RAN TODAY! Finally after almost 3 weeks off after the Lake Placid Half I am back in the game. It was a short 1 mile run, as per doctors orders, and I probably spent more time foam rolling before and after then I actually did on the treadmill, but I did it. I can’t tell you how much I missed running and how great it feels to be able to do what I love again! No pain today when running, but then again I only did one mile. I’m going to take it easy now.. middle of July starts training for my relay in October. Any good training plans anyone recommends?

2. Since I started running again today I think this is a good time to share with you the first running picture ever taken of me. When I was at my parents last weekend I was flipping through some old photo albums and came across this in one of the scrapbooks. I had totally forgotten all about this! The picture was taken when I was 7 years old and it was a race sponsored by the local newspaper. Take a look at my form and some serious heel strike going on. I think I have the competitive look about me though. Plus this photo helped me realize I was pretty tall as a kid!

I loved wearing my pigtails.

3. I know this last thing is totally unrelated to my first two, but then again this is the part where I talk about three random things about my day so I’m just going for it. There is something that really bugs me when I ride the subway. When there are empty seats, especially during rush hour, it bothers me when someone stands right near it but never sits. I understand if you are only going two stops or so, that I get. But when people ride stop after stop and never sit, for some reason it gets to me.

And I don’t know why I even care at all or whats so wrong about not sitting. I guess I have to consider that not everyone has jobs where they are on their feet all day like me. But still, wouldn’t your rather be sitting than standing so tightly together with people that you are basically in a sardine can?! Okay, enough about my subway peeves. Can’t you tell I just love commuting to work everyday :)

Here’s a great photo I found that they talks about some of my other peeves, especially the nail one. Can you say gross?!

***********

Last three magazines you read:
1. Self Magazine
2. Runner’s World
3. Fitness Magazine

Three top froyo toppings on original flavor:
1. Mango
2. Kiwi
3. Blackberries

Three websites I shouldn’t visit because I can’t control myself on them:
1. Athleta.com
2. Lululemon.com
3. Amazon.com – The world is my oyster on this site!

Tell me three random things about your day!
Answer any of the three things questions above.

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May 3, 2012

Three Things Thursday

Today’s Workout: glutes and lower body strengthening, 1.25 mile run

Welcome to the new and (maybe) improved Thursday blog posts at Run Like a Grl! Yesterday I instituted monthly goal writing and now, in the spirit of alliteration, this day of the week will be called Three Things Thursday. Everyone get excited! My goal is to start off each post with three random things and then answer a series of “3 things” questions. Read on and you’ll see!

Random things:

1. I finished reading all three Hunger Games books! I couldn’t put them down the other day and kept reading and reading. I’m one of those people who just has to know the ending! I’m happy with the way it ended overall but won’t hint at anything in case you aren’t done reading the books. In summary, I loved them. Now I can’t wait until the rest of the movies come out! I need my daily dose of Katniss…

Love her jacket.

2. In keeping with the Hunger Games theme, I found out recently that New York Sports Club had a Hunger Games-inspired workout class. It was called Train Like a Tribute. And yep, they had Katniss crunches and Peeta pushups. I’m not sure if they offer the class anymore (seems to have run until the end of April) but I’m hoping they bring it back. I want to do some archery!

3. I bought a 30 day unlimited membership to Crunch gym from Lifebooker today. It is a full-access pass, so it includes classes. I’m glad I wrote my May goals down yesterday because now I’m working on them… well, goal number 2 anyway. I’ve really haven’t taken many classes before but I need some motivation to workout. The gym and elliptical are getting super boring. And now that I’ve spent $40 on a membership, I’ll definitely be going. Anyone been to Crunch in NYC and have any good class suggestions?

Yay for fitness classes!

Now that I’ve listed 3 random things, I’m going to answer some “3 things” questions. Enjoy!

3 things I do with greek yogurt:
1. Eat it for breakfast with granola and honey
2. Put it into a smoothie
3. Add spices, make it into a tzatziki-type sauce and eat with pita and rice

Flaxseed smoothie with Fage greek yogurt!

3 jobs I’ve had:
1. Babysitter (still do this!)
2. Camp counselor for 3 summers with a crazy group of 5 year olds
3. Rehab tech at a PT/OT office

Trees at the summer camp. The kids thought the trees were alive. Seriously. And thats a Croc as a mustache.

3 favorite iPhone apps:
1. Viggle- I love getting points for watching TV!
2. Draw Something
3. Plants vs Zombies – I know, I’m like a little kid.

Screen shot. Plants shooting zombies.. what could be better?

Tell me three random things about your day!
Answer any of the “3 things” questions above.

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April 16, 2012

The Runner’s Rule Book

Today’s Workout: stretching, 25 minute elliptical, 12 minute bike

The foam roller was my best friend today. We have a really nice relationship with one another, even though it put me through hell at the beginning. Just like any normal relationship, right? Not.

 ”The Grid” foam roller. That’s not me on it, obviously. I look far less graceful that this girl.

I decided to take advantage of this beautiful Sunday by spending lots of time taking care of my IT Band Syndrome by stretching, strengthening, rolling, and working out. I even took a nice 15 minute ice bath tonight to decrease any inflammation after I spent some time at the gym (Thanks Claire@ Let’s Go on a Living Spree for the suggestion!). I feel like the bath ices the entire IT Band, which a typical ice pack can’t do. Plus you stay cold for a while…. I’m still defrosting from my ice bath.

So since I am still not running I decided to share some running wisdom from The Runner’s Rule Book by Mark Remy. Its a great little book that has little tid-bits of information for runners. Plus its super funny and always gives me a good laugh. I would definitely recommend reading it and adding it to your running book collection, especially since its pretty cheap on Amazon (~$12).

Here’s some funny and true excerpts from the book:

Rule 1.2. Expand your definition of fun
As a runner, your definition of fun–which previously might have included such activities as visiting water parks, watching screwball comedies on DVD, and scrapbooking–must be… well, let’s call it broadened. For runners, fun might include:
-Waking up at 5:30am to run 10 miles
-Running in blistering heat
-Running in the rain
-Running in 400 meter circles
-Feeling as if your lungs are about to explode
-Paying a race director good money for the privilege of turning your own toes black and blue
-Any combination of the above

Rule 1.11 Signing up for a race is instant motivation
A race–weeks or months away–is the proverbial carrot, dangled out there for you to pursue. Even if you don’t plan to really race your race (in the “run till you feel like puking” sense), registering for an event that is 6 or 10 or 26 weeks down the road remains the single most foolproof way to motivate yourself to get out there and run day after day.

Rule 1.26 Running plans must go on the fridge
…Nothing can replace the printed-out training plan stuck to the refrigerator… So put the plan on the fridge. Remove a child’s artwork to make room, if need be. We won’t judge.

Rule 2.32 Do whatever it takes to finish ahead of a costumed runner
Because being outkicked by Elmo is too much to bear.

Rule 3.5 Save the race shirt for post race
Wearing the official race shirt during the race is like wearing a U2 t shirt to a U2 concert. Not cool. Don’t do it.

The Runner’s Rule of Thumb (excerpts)
1. If you see a porta potty with no line, use it. Even if you don’t need to.
3. If you have to ask yourself, Are these shorts too short? The answer is yes.
17. Whenever possible, begin and out-and-back run into the wind.
31. A long-sleeve shirt and shorts will always look better than a short-sleeved shirt with tights.
37. No one sleeps well the night before the race; the night before the night before your race is the important one.
51. If you even care a little bit about being called a jogger versus a runner… you’re a runner.

Those are just a few examples of what’s in the book. I definitely recommend getting this one, its a fun and light read! Plus, if you are a new runner there’s some good running tips in there. Anyway, spring break is over for me and its back to the grind tomorrow!

Also, good luck to all the Boston Marathon runners this marathon weekend! Supposed to be a hot one, but just keep an eye out for this…

Have you read any good running books lately?

Got any good tips for fellow runners?

What were your workouts this weekend? 

Anyone running or watching Boston?!

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Filed under books, crosstraining, IT Band Syndrome, running tips