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Archive of ‘Personal’ category

My list: Revlon Run/Walk, New Workout Gear, Test Results, Food News, Something Cute

Hi friends, blogosphere frequentors, family members, Facebook community and miscellaneous internet searchers:

Lots of news today. I believe a numbered list would be best.

1. Revlon Run/Walk: FitnessNYC mentioned the NYC Revlon Run/Walk for Women on Saturday, May 2. My friend Missy and I want to create a team — and we want you to join! We can raise a lot more money this way. Please let me know if you’d like to join the team, along with a team name suggestion, and I can set it up!

2. Big workout gear purchases: I went to The Running Company and after a gait analysis revealed that my feet are pronated, I was told I could pick any shoe from the top 2 rows of sneakers, which are the rows best for pronated feet. I selected two pairs to try on. I really wanted to like a pair of grey and hot pink Nike’s because I love pink, but alas, I went with the Asics that felt AMAZING on me. I can’t wait to start running with them!

The salesperson I worked with was extremely knowledgable. I had never been to a running store before and was surprised when he brought over one of those shoe size measurers that I haven’t seen since I was a kid! I forgot they even existed. It brought back some nostalgic memories. Of getting my feet measured.

Shoe size measure

I was also surprised that they put the shoes on my feet for me using a shoe horn and laced them up for me. What service! I know they just didn’t want me to bend the sneakers and they wanted to ensure they were laced properly, but it was still nice!

The store also does women’s runs a few times a week (all paces) in Central Park and are organizing a women’s half marathon. Perhaps in the warmer temperatures I will join one of the women’s runs and see how I like it! Right now it is way too cold for me to be outside for any extended period of time.

Asics 2140

Next I went to Lululemon and got 2 Ta Ta Tamer sports bras. After an unfortunate incident on the elliptical a few weeks ago, I decided it is worth it to get the best, especially after reading the great things Tina at Carrots ‘N’ Cake had to say about it last month.

Ta Ta tamer

Tonight I hope to try my new spin shoes in the class with my favorite teacher!

3. Test results: I will find out my SmartPill test results today. I might post more about this when I get them, but I’m not 100% sure since I have no idea what this will reveal and if I want to share. Either way, I am feeling anxious. I was on the subway when the doctor called last night and I really hope he returns my call soon today.

4. Food news: I ordered 12 jars of Pumpkin Butter from the Bauman Family. I went through my jars so quickly that I thought it would be best to stock up. I ordered smaller jars than the ones I get in the store so they will be easier to transport. They also make lots of other fruit butters – check them out!

Tonight I am introducing the boy to Pizza Park where they make whole wheat pizza with low fat cheese. I will have to pick off the cheese and toppings and eat them by themselves, but I am still excited!

5. Something cute: I will leave you all with something really cute! My brother is busy working and his puppy Santana (not a lap dog) is sitting on his lap at his desk (where she clearly doesn’t fit) and looking directly into the camera! You can see how serious my brother is about his work, but he doesn’t seem to mind the puppy plopped in his lap! I am so excited to go to Seattle in a few weeks to play and cuddle with Santana. And with my brother.

mattpuppy1

The 3-day challenge: 3 spin classes in 3 days

This weekend I decided to challenge myself by planning to take 3 spin classes in 3 days. As you might know  from reading this, I have mixed feelings toward spin, especially at my fancy gym where everyone has their fancy spin shoes. The  decision to take 3 days of spin was made based on a number of reasons:

1. wanting to do something different on this long holiday weekend
2. the boy missing having access to spin classes due to free gym in his apartment building
3. 5-day guest pass my gym provided me with to give to a guest in January
4. wanting to get into better shape and track my results on my Polar F7, and
5. having someone to take class WITH for the first time

We weren’t sure if we would be able to actually make it all 3 days. Every time I would say how excietd I was, the boy would say, “I don’t know if we will actually go all 3” etc, etc. And due to my SmartPill test, I knew my short-term health would be deteriorating during this time. So we decided to play it by ear and do our best.

Saturday: 11:00 Spin Class – SUCCESS! My max heart rate reached 197, and I burned a whopping 448 calories! It was HARD, but I felt great! However, I realized I pushed myself too hard and didn’t pace myself well. Now I knew to work on that. After Spin I did elliptical for 40 minutes – definitely an intense workout session. But there was a huge reward at the end – spa treatments! I got an 80 minute hot stone massage. It was my second time having this type of massage, but my first time using the spa at my gym. I LOVED it. I am always amazed at how fast time goes during a massage. It was the perfect ending to my intense workout session. I felt amazing after — so relaxed, so happy, so refreshed. Then we had a nice nap followed by a delicious dinner at Eighty One.

Sunday: 11:15 Spin Class – another success, but not as much as Saturday. I was feeling VERY tired and lethargic that morning, probably due in part to the restrictions placed on me during the SmartPill test. On top of that, I didn’t eat enough for breakfast. I purposely didn’t work as hard during the class, although it was a pretty good class except for the music which sucked. The music makes such a big difference in spin — it can really make or break the class. I had a max heart rate of 187 and burned 408 calories, but I just wasn’t feeling as great. I showered,rested in the sauna and felt like crap after. I looked drained and colorless, but my favorite meal helped cheer me up – Banana Hazelnut Stuffed French Toast from Comfort Diner! Mmmmmm. Then back to bed for a much needed nap! We had plans to go to the movies to see Milk that night, but I just wasn’t up for it.

Monday: 12:30 Spin Class – SUCCESS! The class was great, the music was not great but not the worst and I finally got better at pacing myself! During the 6-minute climbs, I didn’t let my heart rate get to the high 180s/low 190s until minutes 5 and 6. The class went much quicker this way and I definitely made the most of my workout! I burned 415 calories with a max heart rate of 192. I felt great! Monday was another great day in the long 3-day weekend.

This morning (Tuesday – Inauguration Day!!) I woke up to find that my SmartPill monitor was off – the test is over! Later I will bring the machine to the doctor. I don’t know if he will have a chance to read my results today or if I will have to wait. I am very excited to learn what the test proves. I know it will show something for reasons I will not discuss here. But it will give at least a bit of insight into where my problem is. I can’t wait.

I am thrilled that I took 3 spin classes in 3 days – I hate Spin a little less, know how to better navigate my way through the session, know how to adjust my bike. I still have to choose a bike beforehand that already has the foot saddles installed, but I made a decision: If I take Spin regularly for the next month, I will invest in my own pair of Spin shoes. Big committment, I know, but we will see how I am doing a month from now! I like that for just 45 minutes I get such an intense workout. I also like that I can control how hard I work. The boy has his own spin shoes and says they make a big difference, so we’ll see.

More updates to come when I get the results from my SmartPill test – I hope!

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