213 days and counting…

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I almost started crying when I received this last night. I was actually laying sideways on the floor foam rolling the knots out of my legs. If you follow me on twitter you may have seen my comment about last nights Lululemon Run Club workout. This was our second week and I couldn’t be happier that we have made the commitment to stick with it weekly. Every Wednesday it forces me to leave the office at a decent time, 6pm, and spend an hour pushing my legs in ways that I have never done before. Last night’s workout was the first TRUE speed workout I think i’ve ever done. After meeting at the Lululemon on East 66th and 3rd Avenue we jogged over to the 72nd transverse in Central Park (~1 mile). Then we met the Lincoln Center Lululemon group and reviewed the workout. The coach last night told us she wanted us to push ourselves but respect our bodies since it was a steamy 86 degrees outside! The workout was a mile warm up jog up to the reservoir loop, then a speed workout which consisted of two loops around the reservoir (1.68 miles each loop). The goal was to do a time trial to see how fast we could do the first loop and then hopefully do the second even faster. The reservoir path is perfect for time trials as it is packed dirt, perfectly flat, and has gorgeous views.

I decided that I was going to focus on keeping my body loose, my arms and abs engaged, and run the first loop as quickly as my legs would allow. I got in the zone by plugging into an old favorite, ACDC and taking off. I could immediately tell I was running faster than normal as my heart rate sky rocketed. Before I was at the half way point my heart rate was pushing 175! I finished the loop in 13:04 which meant i’d kept an 8:06 mile pace! Holy cow! I’d done it! I’d pushed my legs and lungs harder than ever. The second loop was slower but still completed. After completing the two loops we stretched as a group and did some squats and jumpies. The workout ended with a mile run back to Lululemon to retrieve our gear. What a great Wednesday night!

So, here is to the official start of NYC ING Marathon training and excitement! Leslie and I were gchatting back and forth yesterday since we both are in the 2010 marathon. She was lucky and ended up being one of the few “chosen” ones in the lottery while Bo and I both qualified through the NYRR last year by completing 9 races in 2009 and volunteering for one. 

Last but not least, please support my fellow NYC Marathon gal, Leslie, in her quest to win the National Flaunt Your Rock contest!

http://keridoolittlephotography.com/blog/2010/04/denver-wedding-photographer-flaunt-your-rock-national-contest-vote/
Couple #2
All the way baby!

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Monday, Monday…

This morning started bright and early with a 5:20 wakeup call. Bo and I decided not to spin today since we went to spin yesterday morning before church at the 19th and Broadway Equinox. Instead, this morning I did a circuit/weights workout that looked a bit like this:
1 mile sprint on treadmill- 8:58
3 sets each of leg press, leg extension, leg curl with jumping jacks between each set
3 sets of tricep dips (25 reps), lat pull down, and curls with mountain climbers between each set
3 sets of assisted pullup, assisted dip, and row with jumping jacks between each set
25 pushups
100 situps on bosu ball to each side with 6 lb ball
2 minutes of planks
5 minutes of foam rolling
All in all this was a great sweaty workout and it felt nice to lift. Sometimes I forget how great it feels to get my muscles moving early. I was starving by the time I reached work and dug into breakfast quick. I’m still enjoying my “messy bowls” filled with Grape Nuts, Special K Protein cereal, strawberries, ground flax, and some skim milk!

Some people have asked how our Easter was in NYC. The day was absolutely gorgeous with blue skies and temperatures reaching 70. We enjoyed church with friends at ForeFront Church then had brunch at Pete’s Tavern. The afternoon was spent walking park to park enjoying the dogs and people watching. I don’t think a Spring Sunday could get any better. Here are a few pictures from our family to yours!

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Trampolines Aren’t Just for Kids: Urban Rebounding w/J.B. Berns

Last month, I became a member of the women’s organization Step Up. This Thursday night they had a wonderful Passport to Health event revolving around they keys to a balanced lifestyle. The event featured two main portions, the first half focused on meditation and inspiration lead by Gabrielle Bernestein while the second half focused on physical balance as presented by JB Berns. 

JB Berns was absolutely hilarious as he explained how he started Urban Rebounding. Urban Rebounding, for those of you who are not aware, is a high energy and high intensity trampoline workout that gets your heart pumping without putting stress on your joints. JB Berns developed the hour long low-impact workout over 20 years ago while recovering from a martial arts injury.Now this very successful and popular workout is in over 5,000 gyms worldwide including Crunch and Equinox. There are over 30 benefits to Urban Rebounding many of which are anti-aging. These include the following just to name a few:
-boosts red blood cells
-improves coordination
-improves balance
-improves circulation
-enhances digestion and elimination process

In addition to the great benefits of bouncing for an hour, the class also makes you smile! JB’s class, which is held each Tuesday evening at his “home” Equinox location in NYC, 63rd and Lexington, is filled with energy and fun. Each class revolves around an amazing playlist featuring hip hop, rap, and club mixes that keep the beat and bounce going strong. He leads each class with support, guidance, and a coach mentality. After a brief warm-up of gentle bouncing and stretching, the next 45 minutes are spent making your heart rate climb by jumping on your trampoline while holding light sandbags performing 10 interval workout sets. JB does a great job leading the class and ensuring everyone understands the concept, basic movement, and isn’t embarrassed about looking a bit silly. The basic jump is hands on hips with a slight bend in the knee while PUSHING DOWN with your feet so you perform a very short jump. The point is NOT to jump as high as you can. Throughout the class this one jump is adjusted to turn into jumping jacks, turns, include arm motions, and even squats. After the 45 minutes of intervals, the class ends with a quick ab and tricep workout followed by a cool-down.

I really enjoyed this class and was happy to have the opportunity to enjoy it for the second time this week. In fact, Lauren and I have discussed making it a weekly habit. There is something about jumping on your own personal trampoline for an hour surrounded by 50 other smiling women that just helps release the work week stress and leave you wanting more!Click here for an amusing video of JB Berns and Urban Rebounding on the Martha Stewart show! HAHA

Be sure to check out the Urban Rebounding site to find your closest available class. If you’re in NYC and interested in trying his class on Tuesday nights at 63rd and Lex please let me know as I have 2 free Equinox passes i’d love someone to use!


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