Category Archives: races

My New Exercise Routine & Reebok Spartan Race

Sooo I took a brief test jog today, just down one block to see what would happen with my hip. It didn’t go too well. So my next steps are: 1) see a doctor and figure out whats going on, 2) keep strength training, and 3) figure out cardio I can do without hurting myself while my hip heals. Oh and I’ve also been sick all week so I havent’ done any exercise since Monday (not a great week for me, eh? I may be cursed).

get-over-it

Okay I’ll cut the pity party and think positively because being a Debbie Downer doesn’t help anyone! While I’m waiting on numbers 1 and 3, I’ll return to number 2 as soon as I’m better. One main reason is that I am in the process of prepping for the Reebok Spartan Race I’m going to be running with Karl in June, courtesy of Fitfluential and Reebok.

spartan

My plan for the race if I can’t run is to walk briskly between obstacles and just focus on doing them as safely as possible for this hip. I am going to be smart about this one though and do as much as my body can handle, although I’m pretty determined to rock most of the obstacles.

The Reebok Spartan Race is a huge obstacle race with courses all over the country and even internationally, and they range in how many miles they are (up to 13 miles.. whattt?!). I’m signed up for the 4 mile race, which is much more reasonable, with tons of crazy obstacles mixed.

Obstacles from the Spartan Times Square race in the fall

Obstacles from the Spartan Times Square race in the fall

So I’m really really hoping most of the obstacles at this race involve upper body strength/core because thats all I’ve been doing lately. Oh and I sort of really want to roll through mud and water and I’m sure they’ll have tons of that :) I’m just praying for no fire because I may punk out with that.

Most of my training for this, as I said has involved upper body. I’ve been lifting a bunch lately in my cool Reebok gear (which just makes me feel stronger) with various machines, but especially the Olympic bar. I love using the bar because I’m sure some guys don’t think I can curl it and I love proving them wrong.

Lifting the bar. Heck yes.

Lifting the bar. Heck yes.

And then Karl goes and lifts all this..

And then Karl goes and lifts all this..

I also am loving the way lifting makes my body look and feel, even if I do still have work to do. If you do it right, you can also get your heart rate up a little bit while you are toning up your body. One thing is for sure, once my hip heals I am keeping lifting a huge part of my routine. I just love feeling strong and powerful!

Love working out the back. Ignore the hyperextended elbow on my left arm.. I'm working on that :)

Love working out the back. Ignore the hyperextended elbow on my left arm.. I’m working on that :)

What I’m wearing in my photos from Reebok/Fitfluential:

PWR Wide Strap Long Bra Top: This racerback top is long and I think flatters most body shapes (slim-fit). Plus its moisture-wicking and super comfortable.

PWR Fitted Capri: I am OBSESSED with these (check my instagram, you’ll see). They are a great length and super comfortable moisture wicking capris you can wear anywhere. Love.

Sublite Duo Run: I’ve mentioned these before but they are so comfy and lightweight. I love them for walking and lifting in (haven’t run in them for obvious hip issue reasons). These are winners.

Reebok!

Reebok!

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Don’t forget to enter my ZeeBee Threads Giveaway!

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Have you/would you ever do an obstacle race?
What is your favorite upper body strength exercise?
-Bicep curls and any back exercise

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Filed under clothing, crosstraining, FitFluential, product review, races, Reebok Spartan Race

Look What I Registered For + Vega One Bar Giveaway

So I sat at my computer for a while today and it took me a while to press the submit button, but I did this…

NYCM

Now its official and I’m committed. I am registered for and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be running the 2013 NYC Marathon! I am both incredibly nervous and incredibly excited. Stay tuned during the summer to see how my training goes. Marathoners – any tips are welcome :)

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As you probably have heard before from me, I am a huge fan of the free Vega Thrive Forward Sport Edition program. I love all the information for eating clean while fueling and recovering from physical activities. This weekend I  was skimming through the program and came across a list of foods with anti-inflammatory properties (yes, Advil users like me, we can eat food instead to get a similar effect).

After my 8 mile run this weekend I have been having some hip flexor pain, so I really wanted to know what I could eat to reduce inflammation in a natural way. Here is a sample of some of the foods Thrive Forward suggests:

  • Bok choy, Cauliflower, Celery
  • Kale, Spinach
  • Berries, Pineapple, Tart Cherries
  • Cayenne, Garlic, Tumeric, Ginger

And that’s just a small sample, there’s so many more. Who knew?! I decided to have some bok choy with my dinner tonight and throw some tumeric in with the rice. Crossing my fingers these foods will help me!

One of the other things I came across this weekend was a bunch of natural electrolyte drink recipes. Now, I love my Nuun and Vega electrolyte hydrator, but its nice to make a drink of your own once in a while. Plus, the Thrive Forward recipes are super summery. This one is on my list to make next weekend (once I go buy a watermelon)…

Electryolyte Recipe

I can’t wait to try this before my next run, which will be determined by how my hip flexor is feeling. I also have so many more recipes from Thrive Forward Sport to try! If you want to, you can go sign up and check out more of them.

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While we are on the topic of Vega, I have a fun giveaway for you all! A little while back I wrote a review of Vega One Bars–the fun, delicious new nutrition-packed bars.

Yum!

Yum!

Each bar has 250 calories, 10g of fat, 15g of protein, 6g of fiber, and tons of healthy vitamins, Omega-3s, probiotics (1 billion), and lots of minerals. Plus, they are delicious and very filling. I am a HUGE fan of the unique texture and yummy flavor. Vega One Bars come in three flavors:

Double Chocolate
Chocolate Almond
Chocolate Cherry

Now, one of you has the chance to win a Vega Prize Pack! The winner will get a box of EACH of the three flavors.. that’s three boxes of Vega One Bars!

Win a box of each of these three bars!

Win a box of each of these three bars!

Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter.

***Vega One Bar Prize Pack Giveaway***

The giveaway will end Friday, May 10th and 11:59pm EST so be sure to enter ASAP!

Disclosure: I was sent Vega one bars to try and review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

50 Comments

Filed under food, giveaway, NYCM, races, Thrive Forward

My Next Half Marathon and Bestowed Box Winner

Now that the Nike Women’s Half has passed and I’ve run it healthy, its on to planning for my next race! So what’s next for me? The Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 18th. Now, just to preface, I’ve run this race before. Except the last time I was injured with IT Band Syndrome and ended up having to walk about 4-5 miles of the race. Let me tell you, that wasn’t my favorite moment of racing even though I loved the course. But I still finished that one in about 2:32 despite having to walk because of pain.

At the finishline of the Brooklyn Half last year (I ran the last .25 miles, in terrible pain).

At the finishline of the Brooklyn Half last year in 2012 (I ran the last .25 miles, in terrible pain).

So I’m out to get the Brooklyn Half. I am familiar with the terrain (hey, I’m a Brooklynite after all), have run it before, and I have been relatively healthy lately with no signs of ITBS. I not only want to beat my previous time, but also  my current half PR (2:03). On top of it, I’m aiming for sub-2. I won’t really be disappointed if I don’t reach that goal but it would nice. So that’s what I’ll be attempting. Fingers crossed!

I haven’t ran two half marathons this close together before, so I am currently deciding what to do for in between training. The tentative plan is to run once again this week for a longer run (6-7 miles). Then I will be back to my normal schedule next week with short runs and try for a long run of about 10-11 miles. The weekend following that is the race. I’m not sure if this is wrong or right to do, but its what I have in mind. Any tips?

This years race has got me super excited, too. Packet pickup is right near my house (finally I don’t have to trek to the UES) in DUMBO and looks like it will be a great time. Plus the race start is also a quick two subway stops (if that) from my house. I just love this race.. I get to sleep later on race day! I also think NYRR has lots of fun things in store for this race and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. You can always count on NYRR to put on a great, organized event!

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And now for the Bestowed Box Giveaway winner..

Theresa Janke

Congrats!! Please contact me at runlikeagrlmegan [at] gmail [dot] com within 48 hours so we can get your a Bestowed Box. But there is also a surprise for everyone… Use the code 5OFFBSTOWED01 to get $5 off any Bestowed box! I really suggest you check it out and give it a try.

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What races are you running soon?
Are you running Brooklyn?
Have you ever run two long races within a short period of time? How did you handle it?

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Filed under giveaway, races