Will Run for Ears

2 Weeks in Training Recap (and maybe someday I’ll get to cooking again)

I’ve (unfortunately) definitely been slacking in my running. I would be more worried in my upcoming races if I was slacking in my activeness in general, but I’m still going to the gym and working out (not as much as I want) but, I’m not in panic mode yet. Yet being the key word. It will probably hit me soon. So, without further ado, her is my training recap for the past 2 weeks!

Monday (6/3) – Rest/work on Wedding stuff day

Tuesday (6/4) – BOXING!

Wednesday (6/5) – [200m @ 8.5-9mph; Squats Thrusters w/ 18# (20 reps); Heel Touch Crunches (20 reps) ] x 5

Thursday (6/6) – Rest/Wedding prep day

Friday (6/7) – 400m x 12 w/ 90 second Recovery Intervals. Approx. 4 miles (I want to try this one again)

Saturday – [250m Row; Sit-up Crunches (15 reps); Sit-up Crunches with 10# (10 reps) ] x 3. [Chest Press w/ 12.5# hand weights (12 reps); Butteflys w/ 10# hand weights (12 reps); 30 sec rest; Should Press with 10# hand weights (12 reps); Back Rows w/ 10# (12 reps each arm); 30 sec rest; Bicep Curls w/ 10# hand weights (12 reps); Skull Crushers w/ 5# hand weights (12 reps) ] x 2

Sunday (6/9) – WEDDING DAY!!!! Dance my butt off!

Monday (6/10) Rest/Recoup Day (kinda)

Tuesday (6/11) – [Sumo Squats w/ 20# (12 reps); Jump Squats (12 reps); Step-up/Knee-ups w/ 7.5# hand weights (12 reps each leg); Lunges with Body Weight (12 reps each leg) ] x 3. [21s w/ 25# bar; Skull Crushers w/ 15# bar (12 reps); Bicep Curls w/ "rope" (7 each arm, 7 both arms); Tricep Extensions w/ 5# hand weights (10 each arm) ] x 3

Wednesday (6/12) – [100m @8.5-9.5mph; Burpees (20 reps); Woodchops w/ 7.5# (20 reps) ] x 3. 30 secs work/10 sec rest of [Heel Touch Crunches; Right Side Plank; Left Side Plank; Suitcase Crunches] x 3

Thursday (6/13) – Rest Day

Friday (6/14) – BOXING

Saturday (6/15) – Trip to Greenport! Does visiting wineries, a brewery and playing mini-golf count as a workout?

Sunday (6/16) – Happy Father’s Day! We also visited the hospital to visit our Goddaughter who was born on Saturday…YAY!

Phew! I’m exhausted just recapping all that! I will try and be more on top of things, my training and my blog, now that the insanity of the wedding is over! …hopefully.

Doug and our Goddaughter Zoe. One day old and beautiful!

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Categories Misc., Running, Training

I’m Baaaaaaaack…and with a 2fer Post!

13 Jun

So, I’m back…sort of. My mind still isn’t really focusing and I’m almost in denial about the weekend, but I gotta get back to business. I’ll save my training recap from last week for when I do the training recap for this week. That’s right, it’ll be another 2fer post! And there was much rejoicing.

First up, let’s start with the fact that I am registered for the Glass Slipper Challenge! Yay! After the Dumbo registration fiasco, I knew not to mess with this one and made sure that I was in front of my computer at 12:00pm ready to register and it, thankfully, went off without a hitch.

I really wanted to do the Princess again for several reasons. Obviously, the addition of this new challenge (and therefore more/new bling) made it extra tempting. Also, as you may (or may not) recall, the Disney Princess Half Marathon was my first race. It’s what got me hooked and started the addiction that is RunDisney (as well as running in general). But most importantly, and probably my favorite part is the timing of the race. It’s in February and overlaps with February vacation for the schools, which means that Doug can come with me and we can spend more that just a quick few days there. We can actually make it more of a vacation and actually spend more than 1 day in a park, and not have to do 3 in one day. Doug has yet to go to the Magic Kingdom (just wasn’t enough time to squeeze it in) and as my husband, that is unacceptable!

Which brings me to the second part of the post…I’M MARRIED! So, Sunday, June 9, was my big fat Greek wedding. FYI, the church was just like it was in the movie with my side packed and Doug’s side just a few rows lol.

Since I’ve tortured you all with my ranting/raving/venting about this event that has dominated me for the past few weeks (year). hopefully you’ll bare with me a little longer and enjoy some pictures. I mean, come on, all posts are better with pictures, right?

Keeping cool on the way to the ceremony

The “crowns” are a big part of the ceremony

TOUCHDOWN! …I mean, we did it!

Our huge(ly fabulous) bridal party…minus one ring bearer, she was napping.

Let’s get this party started! Opa!

Our cake and cake “topper.”

Not a dry eye in the house for my dad’s speech/our dance…including mine.

Yup, not a dry eye!

Doug and his mom…awwwwwww

Yes, I had to smash the cake in his face, but at least I nicely gave him a bite after

Yeah, I guess we were pretty happy that day

Alright, that’s enough torture for you guys…until the next post!

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Glass Slipper Challenge, Half Marathon, Misc., Princess Half Marathon, RunDisney, Travel, Walt Disney World

Officially NYRR

4 Jun

So, I’ve officially joined the New York Road Runners (NYRR). I was always hesitant to do it because, well, I’m not a “runner” so why would I join them? Seemed silly to me. But then, as I continued to sign up for more and more races, most of them through NYRR it dawned on my that maybe JUST maybe NYRR was for me. Plus, if I ever get over my fear of bridges and decide to do the NYC Marathon, the membership would help guarantee me a spot (in addition to running multiple other races).

This year’s NYRR events that I’m partaking in?

Women’s Fitness Half Marathon (been there PR’d that)
New York Giants 5K (I get to run into the endzone, woohoo!)
Queens 10K (my first official 10K race)

Plus, I want to do the MLB All-Star 5K Benefiting Sandy Relief. And that’s just till the summer. I haven’t even begun looking at/registering for fall and winter races! Hello Jingle Bell Jog!

I also have a Glow in the Dark 5K I’m doing with Doug in July, the Dumbo Double Dare and the Wine and Dine Half, but since those are not NYRR, they don’t go on the list!

I really need to start running more routinely again. At least, for not the weather is cooperating. Holy humidity, last week was unbearable! This week we have highs in the low 70s which is such a relief. We may actually have a whole week of Spring! Fingers crossed this cooperative weather lasts until at least Sunday.

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Categories Disneyland, Dumbo, Football, Half Marathon, RunDisney, Running, Training

I am Michael Bluth

29 May

I don’t know how many of you have watched Arrested Development, but after this weekend, it became evident that, at least in one aspect, I am Michael Bluth. Not because my family is insane like his…although my mother could fit in. But two events occurred to help me reach this revelation. One, in anticipation of the new season (8 years in the making) there was an Arrested Development marathon on TV. One of the episodes involved Michael Bluth being hospitalized with extreme pain in his right side. It was determined (finally by the end of the episode) and this was a side effect of him being a control freak. He had to control everything and as a result was beyond stressed out. The episode was much funnier than I am obviously describing it (if you have Netflix, watch the show!). Point? Your mind can mess with your body.

Michael Bluth…different episode, but he still looks the part

Anyway, that Saturday, I woke up at 5:30am. On a Saturday. Seriously. Doug btw slept till noon and that was only when the doorbell woke him up. Anyway, since that time, I had been trying to figure out a LOT of things. Planning, finances, cleaning, the 1000 things to do list. My right side actually started to hurt. I often have stomach issues, so I thought maybe it was something I ate. Something I pulled. By the end of the day I had to cancel my plans for that evening and was sitting wearing a heating pad on my stomach. When I first woke up the next morning, I thought I felt better, but the pain quickly returned. Monday morning was no better. I tried to run through it, but my run just failed. It’s now Wednesday and I still have that nagging pain in my right side. It’s not as severe, but it’s definitely still there. And it just hit me…I am Michael Bluth. I am getting so stressed out over work and this wedding and our apartment and our future and our finances and trying to figure it all out, to control it all, that I have developed the same symptom as Michael Bluth. I mean, even working out wasn’t doable, only stressing me out more given upcoming races. Perhaps this symptom is psychosymatic. Point is, I need to figure out a way to destress and to do it fast.

OK, I’m not quite to the point of switching over to the dark side, but if running has taught nothing else, it’s mind over matter. Your body can give up, but your mind will push you farther. So why the hell won’t my body listen to me! Probably because it takes after my mother.

So yeah, I’ll probably continue to be somewhat MIA for a while. When I resume, I hopefully will be able to go back to the focus of this blog.

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Categories Misc.

And the World Will Know!

20 May

OK, now in all fairness the title has absolutely NOTHING to with this post other than it adds to the randomness of this. So basically, these are just a bunch of random thoughts…take 2.

The first of which is I’m glad I’m a New Yorker. Only in NY could I ride the subway to work while singing (ok mouthing) along to Newsies (which I was watching on my ipad) without getting a second glance. I tried to not be one of those “weirdos” on the train. But go ahead, watch Newsies, I dare you to not sing along! It’s IMPOSSIBLE. Anyway, that’s where this post’s title came from…it’s a song title. As I type this, I’m trying to not randomly type “and the journal too” since that’s the next line of the song. Anyway, moving on…

Other random thoughts I’ve had is the people I’ve gotten to start running. OK, I really shouldn’t take the credit, but I can’t help but think I had a little something to do with it. The most obvious is my dad. I totally “made” him run the Wine & Dine half with me last year. He had always been active/running/walking, but he never thought he could do a distance like that, especially at his age. But he did, and I was never prouder.

Then there’s my friend/ex-roommate Morgan. I began my training for the Princess when we were roommates. I mean starting from scratch training. The 8-weeks to running a half hour straight program. Her mom is a runner, but Morgan never was. Her mother would try and get her too with little success. But, when I started, she joined and we starting training, together. I know I can’t take credit for her, but I wonder, had I not been training, would she have started running? This past weekend, she just did the Brooklyn Half Marathon which is her 2nd half marathon ever/this year. Her first was the WDW half in January. She’s also signed up for the W&D. So, although I may have had nothing to do with her starting, I get a little extra proud of her for getting started and doing it because I was there for the beginning.

I also have my other friend Adrienne. Adrienne, Lauren and I are the Giants crew. Basically, the 3 of us spend every Sunday in a sports bar and watch the Giants came (it was actually this sports bar that Doug proposed to me in, but that’s a story for another time). Anyway, Adrienne and I are out at a happy hour and I am insisting/forcing her to sign up for the W&D. Her reaction to that was very similar to mine when I was first asked to do one. Basically “yeah right.” But I wasn’t giving up, in fact I had told Lauren that Adrienne was doing it (Lauren would sign up for the W&D too…she was easy to talk into). Adrienne was still insisting she wasn’t doing it, but the thought was planted. Fast forward a couple of months and Adrienne has signed up for a Glow in the Dark 5K at Citifield (which Doug and I are going to do with her). The running bug is catching. She was still hesitant about a half, but she was thinking about it. Then, the W&D was at 99%. I immediately told Adrienne. So now, guess who’s all registered for the W&D? Yup, Adrienne! And just like my father, I will be so honored and proud to cross that finish line with her. We’re already figuring out costume ideas…and she’s already booked me for long runs when she gets to that point. But yeah, ok, I kinda had something to do with that.

Let me clarify, I don’t think I inspired them. I am no where near that good lol. I just think I planted the seed. Just mentioning it, just suggesting it, hell that’s what it took for me to start. Just the seed/idea.

More randomness, as I’m sitting here typing this on my lunch break, one of my co-workers just informed me he’ll actually be down in Disney during the W&D…small world!

Some more randomness…actually…I had more randomness but I completely forgot what I was going to say, so it clearly couldn’t have been that important. Well, not that anything I type is very important. Maybe I was going to mention how my training week SUCKED last week. Seriously, this whole wedding thing is becoming waaaay more time consuming than I was planning on. I need it to be over already so I get back to training properly. I have goals I need/want to meet dammit!

And to continue the randomness…

Counting down the days…

I can’t wait till my honeymoon at the the Aulani! I should probably get to booking the hotel…

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Football, Goals, Half Marathon, RunDisney, Running, Training, Walt Disney World, Wine and Dine

Week in Training (and Cooking) 5/6 – 5/12

14 May

Third week in a row of being a day late on my training posts. Sorry!

So we’ll just get right to it…

Monday – Run 5K. Doug was sick, so I did this on the treadmill in case he needed me. It’s a shame since we were having some beautiful weather. Dinner: Souvlaki (hey, I’m Greek and it was the day after Easter).

Tuesday – I has a session with my trainer. I was bad and forgot to write down what I did, so other than my “warm-up” of (200m @ 8+mph, Squat thrusts w/ 18# bar (30) and Back rows) x 3…I don’t remember what I did. Needless to say, my butt was kicked.

Wednesday – Rest Day (should’ve run, but had wedding appointments after work. Was pooped when I got home).

Thursday – Warm-up of Lunge Twists w/ 12.5# (20 reps), Drop Squats (30 seconds), Jumping Jacks w/ 5# (30 seconds). 45 minutes of Boxing. Dinner: BBQ Bacon Cheeseburgers w/ Jalapenos.

Friday – WARNING: this workout sucked! Although my arms weren’t sore, they were clearly exhausted from boxing the day before so I found myself having difficulty with things I knew I could do and with weights I had done previously. Anyway…30 secs work/10 seconds rest (Knee-ups, Swivel Planks, Jumping Jacks w/ 5#, Mountain Climbs) x 4, (Shoulder press w/ 7.5# -15 reps, Back rows w/ 18# bar – 12 reps, V-ups -30 seconds) x 3, (Front raises w/ 5# – 12 reps, Laterals w/ 5# – 12 reps, Side Planks – 30 seconds each side) x 3

Saturday – Hair/Make-up Trial, MY bridal shower (woo!) and dinner with my cousin, where she and her husband asked Doug and I to be Godparents to their child! Yaaaaaay! (SOOOOOOO excited!)

Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day!

This week wasn’t great. I didn’t get anywhere near as much running in as I had wanted to, but I unfortunately see that being the case for at least the next couple of weeks

So, I came up with the plan for the Dumbo. I would use FIRST again, and combine it, slightly with the Jeff Galloway plan. Essentially, Galloway’s plan includes a walk, starting with 1 mile, and adding a mile every other week, on the day prior to the long run. I will basically do that, only jog instead of walk at the same points in the FIRST program. We’ll see how it works. I can always modify it for the Glass Slipper! (I still have to post about that, don’t I?)

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Disneyland, Dumbo, Goals, Half Marathon, Running, Training

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

10 May

OK, the title of this post isn’t me being egocentric because, well, you know me, I don’t think ANYONE likes me or reads this. But, the reference is to Sally Fields’ famous acceptance speech and well, it seemed fitting considering I was nominated for a Liebster Award…YAY!

The wonderful sisters (Lori and Stacy) of Once Upon a Run nominated me so blame them for this post…JK! …well, jk about the blaming part, not the nominating part, they really did do it. (Btw, for some reason, your blogs weren’t showing up on my updates so be prepared for bombardments of comments!)

The Liebster Award is as follows (and I stole their friend’s description from their blog):

The Liebster Award is an “award” that bloggers give to up-and-coming bloggers or to someone they think deserves recognition for their blogging. Liebster is a German word meaning dearest. It’s also a great way to possibly discover a great new blog to read!

Rules for the Liebster Award

Write 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated you.
Create 11 new questions.
Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.
Thank the person that nominated you and tell the people you’ve nominated.

Random Facts (This one is a tough one).

1. I am getting married in less than one month…eek!

2. I have an older sister, who despite my attempts at convincing otherwise, will never join me in running, but at least I got my dad to!

3. Usually immediately after a vacation, I try to convince Doug (and myself) to move to San Diego, Clearwater (Florida – hello WDW annual pass) or Spain.

4. Doug and I met because of a babysitting job I had/have had since I was 18.

5. Coming up with 11 random things about me is difficult lol

6. I am a Disneyholic…but I guess if you’ve ever read my blog, that one might have been kind of obvious.

7. My cars have all had names: 1st car, Ford Taurus – Death Trap; 2nd car, Ford Mustang – Steve McQueen (miss him!); 3rd car, Ford Focus – Mo (after the character in Wall-e…or the Yankee reliever, but mostly the Disney guy).

8. Every Christmas since I could speak, I have asked for a puppy…still waiting. I even ask Doug if we can hurry up and buy a house so I can get one.

9. This list isn’t getting any easier for me.

10. Running has become of my most expensive addictions ever, but come on, I totally need to go to Disney multiple times a year!

11. I have yet to run a full marathon (despite my plan on Goofy in 2015) but it’s on the to do list for 2014 (suggestions welcome!).

Questions from my nominators, Lori and Stacy (Once Upon a Run):

1. If cost, time, money, etc were not a factor, what race would you most want to run?

It wouldn’t be one race, I would want to do every RunDisney race in a year. I would probably also throw in Big Sur, something in Hawaii and something in Europe (preferably Spain).

2. When is your favorite time to workout: morning, afternoon, or evening?

Late morning/early afternoon

3. What’s your favorite tv show?

It’s a tie between Psych and Castle right now

4. What’s your favorite book?

Also a tie between the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Matilda by Roald Dahl (I can have a “children’s” book favorite, right?)

5. What’s your favorite drink? (recipes please if you have it!!!)

hmmm, give me a good mojito on a nice summer day over looking some water

6. Which is superior: cat or dog?

DOG!

7. Do you prefer appetizer or dessert?

That’s a toughie…umm, dessert

8. Do you have a teacher or mentor that made a big difference in your life?

There have been so many people that have made a big difference in my life, I honestly don’t know how to answer this question

9. Do you have a favorite local (non-chain) store or restaurant?

Cherry Valley. Open 24-7-365. It’s AWESOME!

10. What’s your favorite summer destination?

Disney, somewhere with a beautiful beach, or a cruise

11. If we came to your town/area, what’s the one thing that we would HAVE to do?

Well, if you came to my town, the only reason to be there would be to go to Cherry Valley. If you wanted to expand it to NYC (since technically Queens is part of it), I don’t know, there’s so many things to choose from! You’d HAVE to eat a slice of pizza…and a bagel! You could go to a baseball game (I’m a Yankee fan, but I actually think Citifield, where the Mets play, is nicer…and that actually is my town/area!) Or go to Central Park, you have everything covered there! Museums, restaurants, a zoo…seriously, you come here you need a week!

Now, for my nominees! I’m totally cheating at this, and stealing Emily’s idea and nominating anyone and everyone who reads my blog! You guys are awesome and for some strange reason you read what I have to say!

Here are the questions for our nominees:

1. If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

2. If you could do ANYTHING, what would be your dream job?

3. What is your favorite quotation?

4. What is one of your happiest memories/moments?

5. Where in the World in Carmen SanDiego? J/K…If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

6. If you could only eat one thing everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be?

7. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 things would you want to have with you?

8. How many times have you been to a Disney park? If never, why the hell not?

9. What is you favorite movie?

10. Why did you start blogging?

11. What are your goals, if any, for this year?

PLEASE answer! Just because I didn’t call you out specifically doesn’t mean you’re not nominated. Because you are! Don’t make me find you!

Thanks again to Lori and Stacy for the nomination!

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Misc.

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Will Run for Ears

2 Weeks in Training Recap (and maybe someday I’ll get to cooking again)

I’m Baaaaaaaack…and with a 2fer Post!

Officially NYRR

I am Michael Bluth

And the World Will Know!

Week in Training (and Cooking) 5/6 – 5/12

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

Kellie Who?

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