Oh yeah, getting creative

Here is some running inspired "art" I'm presenting to my sculpture class tomorrow. The first piece is a collage of routes from 14 different runs, and the video is a 3d fly over of at 5.5 mile run.

(The piece is hung by shoelaces from a pair of old running sneakers)

And here is a close up 

Step 12: Zumba!

When I got the bad news on my back, the doctor told me I should lay off the workouts until I got the brace. But the gym has become such a vital part of my routine, I knew I would go crazy if I didn’t get in some exercise So I've been taking it easy for the most part, but there is just one workout I couldn't give up: Zumba!

Now let me be the first to say, that I usually HATE (hate, hate, hate) workout classes, but at the beginning of the semester my friend Sarah convinced me to put my assets to good use and try out Zumba. Though I'm ashamed to admit it, I am absolutely hooked! Every week my friends and I go to our spots in the back, and throw in our own club moves and look absolutely ridiculous. As silly as we look, and as much as we embarrass ourselves, I always feel like I got a solid workout and I am usually sore the next day.

 

Then last week, something AWESOME happened.

For some reason the Zumba gods put in extra pep in my step and I was able (and encouraged!) to shimmy on over to the FRONT ROW. Of course this meant I had to abandon my usual pop-lock-and drop back row ways and actually follow the instructor, but I found that I was way more motivate up at the front.

For Christmas, Alex and I decided to do things a little different and get a gift we could share. While we were running errands a few days ago, we impulsively bought a refurbished Wii! We had been thinking about getting one for a while, but I had ulterior motives... Newsflash! They make a sweet Zumba game for the Wii! Needless to say, I've been dancing up a storm In the apartment, and I burn an average of 500 calories an hour!

I was even able to get Alex to try it (Smurf PJ's and all)

As an added bonus, here's a a rare video of Alex and I in action. Enjoy!

It's probably pretty clear by now, that I have a lot of fun with this workout and if you haven't already, I would recommend trying it out :) But just as a caution...

Fall backs include:

1. Thinking I can speak Spanish
2. Thinking I can dance
3. Having Zumba songs stuck in my head for days
4. A sudden obsession with Pitbull.       
   
   
   But you know, I think if I could just drop out of college and become a Zumba or fitness instructor, I would be beyond happy :) 
   
   
   
   
   . 

Step 11: See A Doctor!

A LOT has happened since my last post. It all started about five seconds after I crossed the finish line of my 10k; I felt a sharp pain in my lower back that I had not had while running and suddenly walking was a challenge. After having a quick photo shoot at the finish line, I waddled back to my car and told myself the pain would pass. But quel supris, it did not. I was convinced to see a chiropractor who adjusted my back, but failed to address the constant pain in my lower back and the feeling remained consistent even though he told me I would be able to run again in two days. When I returned to school I was again convinced (I am very weary and VERY scared of doctors) to see a different chiropractor. By this time I was feeling lousy and missing running terribly. I was even having dreams about racing and ugh... IT WAS AWFUL.

This chiropractor was a little different. For one, he may or may not have been a witch doctor/ medicine man. We did a bizarre series of test to see which muscles were connected to which ankle and which knee provoked which arm... It was all very strange. As the appointment was coming to an end, I was feeling like I would never get better. When I was about to leave, the doctor asked how I was feeling and I responded, very honestly, that I was not feeling any better. The witch doctor put aside his voodoo magic and tried some tests with a back brace. And after a few stretches...

AHA! Finally a legitimate diagnosis! I had pulled a muscle in my lower back.

The bad news: I've been waiting to get a back brace that was fitted to me for almost a week now.

The worst news: I haven't run in almost two weeks.

So PLEASE if anyone knows of any stretches or suggestions, send them my way! I am desperate to be up and running again!  

Step 10: 10k

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so thankful I was able to celebrate this day with an awesome run through the Adirondacks, and to have the support of my amazing family and friends. Though running is a recent passion, I am so greatfull for those who have stuck by and supported me on this wonderful journey. I decided last night that I wouldn't set any goals, and I would just have fun today and I think that it was that mind set that helped me set another PR! I completed my 10k in 53 minutes and 14 seconds and couldn't be happier! I was even able to sneak in a sub 8 minute mile! It was so nice to feel apart of the community and enjoy the beautiful weather with people that I love.

There were two starting lines for this race, one for the 5ker's and one for the 10k'ers. It was sort of disorganized and everyone was a little unsure of where to go or how to line up. When the gun went off we all looked at each other wondering if that was for us or the 5k people. It took 5 seconds and one person to yell "I THINK THAT WAS FOR US" for everyone to erupt into laughter and get a move on. Even with the delayed start, I couldn't help but smile the whole time as families and passing cars yelled and cheered for the runners . I even caught a couple runners slow down their pace to thank and wish the traffic control people a happy holiday. There were a few people I was trying to pace myself with, two of whom were friends that talked and laughed the whole time. The whole event had a light hearted and positive feel to it and I was loving the vibes!

At my last race, I had forbidden anyone come and watch. But I must admit it was awesome to see my family cheer me on and greet me at the finish line.

                                                          My brother and I, post finish :)

All in all it was a beautiful day and a beautiful finish. I am so proud to be a part of this community and feel so blessed to have been able to experience this day with them.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Turkey Trot's as much as I did! I would love to hear some stories! :)

Step 9: Get In Tip Top Turkey Trot Shape

Every year my hometown has a turkey trot on Thanksgiving. In a sudden burst of confidence and excitement after my first 5k, I impulsively decided to register for the 10k event. This will be my second (and longest) event, so I've been a little nervous about it. Though I have completed 10 mile long treks, there's something about this event that's got me a little worked up even though it is just a fun run. In order to feel my best and most confident for this event, I've pieced together a "week before" training schedule which is heavily influenced by the schedules compiled on active.com (An awesome website if you haven't checked it out already!)

Thursday: Cross Training
Friday: 3 mile speed work out
Saturday: 8 mile hard run (NEW PR: 1:16)
Sunday: 3 mile easy run
Monday: Zumba
Tuesday: 5 mile run
Wednesday: Light mat workout
Thursday: RACE DAY

Usually my workouts are based on my mood and I have never committed to schedule like this so I would love some suggestions!

Where will you be running come Thanksgiving?

Step 8: Eat Avocados!

I'm obsessed with avocado's almost as much as I am with my juicer. Alex has dubbed them “the butter of fruits” and have rightfully become a vital staple in out diet... and thankfully they're good for you (or so they tell me). This week I thought I would jot down some of my favorite avocado recipes :)

How to tell if an avocado is ripe:

Gently squeeze the top of the avocado and check for softness. The fruit should be a dark green and a little soft. Do not squeeze or press any other part to avoid bruising.

                                                                     Look's good to me!

The Perfect Guacamole recipe:

2 avocado’s

1 lime

Lot's of cilantro

red onion

tomatoes

*If you are having trouble mashing the 'cado's try putting in the TINIEST splash of olive oil.

*Don't be afraid to include slightly browned bits, as the blend and become unnoticeable

*If leaving guacamole out, or saving it over night, keep the pits in the dip to prolong freshness

My favorite salad:

Mixed baby greens

1/2 Avocado

crumbled goat cheese

grape tomatoes OR craisins

A touch of finely chopped red onion

I prefer this salad with a light balsamic, but another good dressing recipe to try that go's great with avocado’s is...

Lime Juice

Olive Oil

2 tablespoons of honey

Finely chopped cilantro

Minced garlic (optional)

What are some of your favorite ways to eat avocado’s? I would love to try some new recipes!  

Step Seven: Suit up and eat well!

Hey all! Hope everyone made it through the storm safely! I spent the hurricane tucked away in the Bronx and am very thankful to say I was able to escape with little turmoil. But driving back to my college in Westchester, I realized that I was VERY lucky to return with only a dent in my car. There have been a lot of trees and power lines falling around school and I haven’t felt very comfortable about running outside. I think I as well as most of the area am experiencing some post-hurricane blues. So since I'm cooped up, I thought I would just talk about some of my favorite products and apparel. 

Being a vegetarian, I need to get creative about how to get protein in my diet. One of my favorite things to eat for breakfast is Kashi Go Lean cereal. It has only 140 calories per cup and has 13 grams of protein per serving. It's a little bland, so I usually load it with fruit. Another protein fave, is Cabot's low fat vanilla Greek Yogurt. Mix with some low-fat granola and lot's of fruit, and you have a perfect post work-out meal! I've been recently turned on to Gu products by my uncle who has participated in multiple marathons. They make a couple of different products, but I've been really into the Gu gel. I only use these on runs longer than six miles. The timing with them can be a little tricky, you’re supposed to eat them 15 minutes into your workout (or something like that) but I normally take it after two or three miles, to help me power through the rest of my run. Gu also makes these dissolving tablets that help you retain water and hydrate after a serious workout. 

I think it's important to have some reflective gear for evening and late night runs which is why I'm obsessed with my neon pink zip up Hoodie. With the weather cooling down, I've also been piling on the under armor. Under armor can get a little pricey, but I've had good luck finding some of their stuff at TJ MAXXX (my favorite place in the world) and Marhsalls. I'm also really into these wireless headphones made by BlueJay. I have knocked my iPod off my treadmill countless of times, but these take away the fuss of wires and have pretty decent sound quality. but my All Time favorite-can't-live-without thing are my nike eclipse sneakers. They are the only sneakers I have ever owned that don't give me shin splints, and I have been buying them for years. They have tons of support, and it doesn't hurt that they come in really fun colors. 

Being in college, and always being out of time, I've definitely learned to take a few short cuts. One of my favorite's is "all whites" which is just a carton of egg whites. I use it to make a quick spinach omelet, or a protein packed whole wheat wrap. I've also have found a number of surprising uses for salsa. My favorite salsa is from Trader Joes which has a smoky, spicy flavor that works with just about everything! And of course, there's peanut butter. I strongly believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the kind of peanut butter they buy. My favorite is smuckers all natural (chunky, of course). One of my favorite snacks is rice cakes and peanut butter, mmmmmm....

What are some of your favorite products? Leave comments with some of your own reviews! And if you haven't yet already, follow my twitter, LouOnTheRun for more ideas :)

Step Six: 5K

Well, I completed my first 5K today! Though I didn't get the time I wanted, I had a blast and PR'ed :) This week was a little rocky: by Friday my workouts had lost their intensity and I was beginning to worry I would feel out of shape come race day. Then on Saturday night, in typical Lauren fashion, I fell off, or rather FLUNG myself off my bed in the midst of a bad dream and landed on my tailbone. Laying on my floor, crying and in pain, I was sure I would be unable to participate in the run on Sunday. I was finally able to hoist myself back on my bed where I hoped that I would feel better after I caught a little more sleep. Sunday morning I woke up and my lower back was still feeling pretty sore. I decided not to work out that day, which got me feeling anxious that I would be totally unprepared for the following day. On top of that I have made it a habit to work out or be active in some way every day, and my laziness had me feeling down. I used my day instead to run errands and do laundry and work on stretching out my back. By the evening I was feeling a little more confident and did a little experiment. I used to the short walk to the laundry room to jog a little, and I was unable to take two steps before sharp pains began to shoot up my back. I was absolutely crushed. I was sure I would be unable to participate, and I felt that all my hard work would amount to nothing. I continued to take it easy the rest of the night and put myself to bed a little earlier than usual, praying that I would wake up feeling better. My excitement and anxiety for the day woke me up before my alarm could. I slowly peeled myself out of the confines of my covers and took a few hesitant steps around my apartment. My back was still a little sore, but overall I felt MUCH better. Too make sure, I put on my sneakers and did a few laps around my parking lot to see if I was going to be able to push myself through the race. Though there was a little pain, I made the decision that I would run. I also knew I probably wouldn't reach my goal of 24 minutes, but it was still worth the effort.

Thankfully the event took place on campus, so I was able to walk over to the registration tent. I signed in, picked up my number, and went back to my apartment to fuel up. When I returned, the mood had slightly changed. Suddenly, there were people sprinting in the parking lot, running in the grass, getting amped and definitely getting my nerves going. I had made the decision that I wanted to go to the event alone and I was suddenly wishing I had let Alex and friends come to keep me company before the race. Finally we were allowed to line up at the starting line. I've never participated in an event like this so I was a little unsure where to put myself. When I settled on a spot, I turned up the tunes and tried to relax. Only to have to endure 20 minutes of announcements and thanks. After the fifth announcer the runners began laughing... How much longer can this last! We want to GO! I danced to some Grace Potter at the starting line to keep me warmed up and laughed along with the people around me.

And then we were off!

I set a steady 8 minute pace and the adrenaline and excitement begin to melt the pain coming from my back. I learned a lot about pacing myself today and not freaking out when people pass me. I also crossed the paths of quite a few characters on my route. A girl I had been pacing myself with lost her sneaker, and kept on running! I felt so bad for her! Then I passed a father and daughter duo, and I swear she could not have been more than 8. She was so tiny and working so hard to keep up with her dad, I couldn’t help but smile as I passed them. I found my own niche amongst the masses and it wasn't until the last half mile that I was feeling the pressure from two older men I had been running with for awhile. The three of us played and awful game of I-pass-you, you-pass-me when finally I was able to take the lead. Or so I thought. The last .10 of a mile, the old guy passed my again! There was a cheerleading squad and photographers at the finish line who were able to witness this epic defeat and I have to admit I was feeling a little annoyed. But I had to hand it to him, he knew how to pace himself better than I did and I guess I would just have to give this one to him. I clocked in at 26 minutes and though I was pretty bummed I missed my goal, I'm happy to have a time to beat for my next race...

Which just happens to be Thanksgiving! I've upped the ante and registered for my first 10k last night :)

                                                             My new Lucky Number!

Dinner before the big event:

Spinach salad with                                                    Roasted Red Bliss potatoes with

Goat Cheese                                                            Olive Oil

Toasted Walnuts                                                      2 cloves of Garlic

Beets                                                                       Thyme

Red Onions                                                              Touch of paramasean cheese

Ken's light balsamic dressing                                     (Bake for 45 minutes)

Race Day Breakfast:

1/3 Cup of Almond Vanilla Granola from Nature's Path

1/2 Cup of Cabot Low-fat Vanilla Greek Yogurt

Lot's of Blueberries

Lot's of Water

Post Race snack:

1 scrambled egg

Zico's mango coconut water

Step Five: JUICE

Step Five: JUICE.

Welcome to my newest obsession: JUICING. A hobby so great, so awesome, I have been unable to take the caps lock off even when thinking about JUICE. I've been interested in the wonders and benefits of JUICING for quite some time, but it wasn't until my friend embarked on a JUICE cleanse that my interest reached it's maximum. Suddenly I thought this would be the answer to all my problems. If I was feeling sluggish, I could just drink a JUICE before my workout! If I wanted to run 15 miles, why only a JUICE could get me to that milestone! If I felt a cold coming on... All I would have to do is drink a JUICE! How great would that be?! My boyfriend Alex must have been getting tired of my ponderings and questions about JUICING because for our Year And A Half Anniversary (Yes, were that dorky) he gave me the greatest gift to date. Yep, you guessed it. A JUICER. How romantic <3

                            (I thought Alex deserved a place in this post for such an awesome gift)

Since receiving The Greatest Gift To Date, I have been replacing a meal a day with a medley of JUICED vegetables and fruits a couple of times a week, so I thought I would share two of my favorite recipes....

Green Machine

Kelp (which is the most difficult thing to JUICE. Ever.)

1/2 a Cucumber

1 green Apple

1 Kiwi

1 Celery stock (The taste, of JUICED celery might take a bit to get used to, but you'll grow to love it)

1/2 a lemon

Orange...You glad I didn't say Green?

1 Orange

1/2 Orange Bell Pepper

2 Carrots

1/2 a lemon

And just a touch of pineapple

A good piece of advice my JUICING comrade gave me is to juice by color. I've found this to be generally true, except for the couple of times I went over board and JUICED everything that was remotely green in my fridge once... Which was a lot of things. BLEH.  

Step Four: Go Hard And Go Home

This weekend I finally got the opportunity to go home for a few days. I am from a small town in the Adirondacks, and though I have always loved and appreciated my home town, living in the city for the summer and going to school in Westchester makes it very hard for me to visit. Despite the 6 hour drive here, I've been loving being home and especially the change in scenery. You can not beat fall in the Adirondacks. Here are some shots from my runs, since being home...

(New jacket, oh heyyy)

  And just to give you a taste of what real country life entails...

Coffee and PJ's: The Perfect combination. And totally acceptable if your my mom or anyone else this far North. 

It's been hard to keep up with my running since I've been home and since I've consumed all these apple cider donuts, but I was able to knock out 6.5 miles this morning. I could see me breathe and I was sure my fingers were going to snap off from the cold. By the end I felt like I was running in the Arctic circle (but with more cows and horses) but it was a nice break from the monotony of my usual route :)

Step Three: Create The Perfect Playlist

Step Three: Make The Perfect Playlist.

I’m a sucker for Pandora. Worst yet, the only Pandora station that works on my phone is Justin Bieber.  I know what you’re thinking… but seriously, the Biebs gets you going! My favorites include:

1.)    Beauty and the Beat

2.)    Somebody to love

3.)    All around the world

They’re  from his new album, so clearly he’s much more evolved and mature and tottally worth a try. But if that’s not doing it for you here are some of my other faves:

1.)    Off to the Races by Lana Del Rey

2.)    National Anthem by Lana Del Rey

3.)    Hot Summer Night by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

4.)    That Phone by Grace Potter

5.)    You Oughta know by Alanis Morisette

6.)    Carries on By Edward Sharpe and the Magic Zero’s

7.)    40 Day Dream by Edward Sharpe and the Magic Zero’s

8.)    Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes

9.)    Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes

10.)  Fatalist palmistry by Why?

11.) Gemini (birthday song) Why?

12.) Heads will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

13.)  Tick by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

14.)  Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend

15.)  Déjà vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

And when THAT fails and you need that push for your last mile, you just got to give into those Pop cravings…

1.)    Hair by Lady Gaga

2.)    Strip by Chris Brown

3.)    Pound the Alarm by Nicki Minaj

4.)    Countdown by Beyonce

5.)    End of Time by Beyonce

6.)    Sometimes by Britney Spears

7.)    Till the World ends by Britney Spears

8.)    Guilty Pleasure by Cobra Starship

9.)    Gettin Over you by David Guetta

10.)  Lost in the World by Kanye West

11.)  See Me Now by Kany West ft. Beyonce

12.) Your Love is My Drug by Ke$ha

13.) Blow by Ke$ha

14.) Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson

15.) Bulletproof by La Roux

Hope you found some gems to add to your workout playlist! What are some of your faves?

Step Two: Break Records

It was a cold and stormy day, when something great happened. Sitting in art history class, I made an important decision: Today is the day I will break my distance record. People sometimes will ask me what inspires me to run the miles I do, and I can't really explain it, but all it takes is for me to have a single moment of determination. For the rest of my class, I focused on how many miles I would run, what music I would listen to, what I would eat after, and what treadmill I hoped to snag at the gym. When we were finally dismissed, I was completely focused on getting to the gym so I could embark on my goal.

Ten minutes later, when I was suited up in my favorite leggings and Grace Potter band tee, I arrived at the fitness center to find that my favorite treadmill was taken. Why is this treadmill my favorite? Because, it faces the TV, duh! While I waited for the girl to get off I half heatedly did some abs and arm work until I was able to claim my spot in the cardie room. And then it was off to the races. I wasn't exactly sure how many miles I wanted to run, but I wanted to get somewhere above the seven miles. I was holding a pretty steady pace for the first three miles, but when I got after the five mile mark, I really started to feel drained. I started doing this crazy thing that I sometimes do to get me going again-- I dropped my arms and ran with them straight by my sides, and began taking huge leaps with my legs, kicking my behind in order to get a good stretch. I should also mention that I am known to sing or mouth the words of whatever I'm listening to under my breath. Yes, I am that crazy girl at the gym. But it's what get's me moving. Another talent I've aquired as a runner, is texting while running. A dangerous, but all together important skill when I am need of a burst of inspiration. My boyfriend is used to receiving these broken up sometimes illegible texts, telling him how many more miles I want to do, where I am, or what I want to DEVOUR after my workout. Around the 6 mile point on my trek I sent him a series of frantic text messages:

I should stop? Do what feels comfortable? Challenge accepted. Now I just wanted to show him I could do it and not drop dead. Ten minutes or so later... I DID IT! 8 MILES IN THE BANK! A NEW RECORD! I have never felt so proud of myself then I have today. Never would I have thought I would be able to accomplish something like this. And you know what? It only makes me want to run longer and further.

What should my next goal be? What is the farthest you've ever run? More importantly: What gets you going?  

Step One: Getting Off On The Right Foot

Hi, my name is Lauren! I am twenty years old, and a junior in college. Though fitness and health have always been interests of mine, they have not always been a positive aspect of my life. Early on in my childhood I was pushed to keep up with my older siblings legendary athletic careers that reigned in our small town. Both of my sisters were successful competitive swimmers that went on to maintain and push their careers through college. My brother possessed a few titles and medals of his own in football, hockey, and baseball, so it seemed only natural that I would be able to proudly display the family name on whichever jersey I chose.

I was a slightly obese, and over-aggressive eight year old when I was made to sign up for my first sport: soccer. I hated every second of it. My attitude about the game was as dark as the tacky black jersey I donned. I could not fathom why I was expected to run aimlessly around the field for the mere chance to maybe touch the ball with my huge clumsy feet. So I didn’t. I literally refused to run and spent most games lumbering about midfield as far away from the action as possible.

Then came basketball. I have three memories of being on a basketball team.

1.) On the day of my first practice, we were warming up by running the length of the gym as fast as we could. The second I noticed I how far I had fallen behind from the other kids, I ran straight out the door into my dad’s pickup truck where I, as the overemotional girl I am, began to cry until he felt bad enough to buy my an immense amount of candy.

2.) Once I got mad in a game and elbowed a boy in the gut and was called out.

3.) I quit.

When I was about 12, I was then pushed by my dad to sign up for the local softball league. This, I wasn’t so bad at. I secured and earned a spot as a decent pitcher, a position that allowed me to stay in one spot without the threat of much running or engaging in much movement at all. Softball stuck with me throughout my days in middle school and I truly did enjoy it for the most part.

Then came my first love: volleyball. Finally I had found something I was good at! I began my career in the 7^th grade on a modified team.  This was the year I began to shape up, and really throw myself into a sport. I have never worked harder at anything than I did at volleyball. Every summer I would go to as many camps in the area as possible. I spent a week in Vermont at an esteemed camp where I began to rack up trophies and awards for my passing and setting accuracy.  But something changed with my relationship to the sport in high school and it progressively grew more stressful than fun. 

In order to stay in shape, I did a few seasons of track where again, my nerves got the best of me and I spent most meets, scratching my heats and watching from the sidelines.

Now, I run. Not with a team, or a coach or at the request of my family, but for myself. It was something I never thought I would be able to do, and it hasn’t always been easy. When I first started running in college, I would drop from exhaustion after a mile. Now, I run everyday sometimes for stretches up to ten miles. I can’t explain what changed when I went to college and made me want to pursue something I spend most of the time hating or watching from the sidelines but it keeps me balanced and calmed and focused, and makes me happier than any other sport has. Not many people know about my early morning runs, or hours at the gym, where I push myself to run just one more mile. And I like it that way. There is no pressure from home or family—it’s just me.

This is a blog about my journey to complete my first marathon. I am giving myself a year to train, and come next fall I will be racing towards the finish line.