After all of these big races I have done over the past month, I have to admit I am in a bit of a running burnout stage. With this new marathon sign up, I know that I better use this hiatus to my advantage before my life is given over to the sport of running come July. At first, I felt guilty for not wanting to run…how have I just done all of these events and the sport no longer excites me? But then I realized that it is a natural thing that most athletes go through it when they are at their sport for a long time. Therefore, I am going to start celebrating this hiatus rather than ignoring it!

I think taking a break from running (not entirely but just not as religiously as before) will allow my legs a little rest and my cross training to really kick up a notch. I still have that list of classes and gyms I want to try and now I have the gift of 0 obligations which means I can jump into them at any time! The good thing about taking a rest period is that I will be itching to run by July. It won’t feel like a mundane routine but rather a gift as I start training again!

In the meantime…there is also something I will stay focused on for this race: raising money for Team In Training. As I mentioned yesterday, I will be running with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for the ING NYC Marathon 2013. What drew me to this charity was how much they have done already for cancer research. They have allocated billions of dollars to researchers to help find a cure and they have welcomed cancer survivors to their teams to help them train for their first races back in action. They host discussions where you hear testimonials from survivors and have the ability to understand their struggle and be inspired by it. They join together people from all walks of life to work as a team and train for one big dream.

I am so honored to run alongside some of the toughest people in New York City and to be pushed beyond my perceived limits as well. If you feel compelled to help donate to this cause and to my Race for the Cure then please CLICK HERE and give whatever you can manage. Every little bit helps!! The world (and I) appreciate it. THANK YOU <3 

LIFE GOAL = INITIATED

Welp…piggy-backing off yesterday’s post…I made a move on a goal I have had for a few years now: To Run 26 miles when I am 26. I knew that the only way I would actually follow through with a marathon was to give myself an ultimatum and I knew the only one I would do for my first one would be the ING NYC 2013 Marathon.

There were many other things that lead me to this decision:

• My older brother ran his first one two years ago in NYC and I had the chance to jump into the race with him for a few miles and feel the vibe and the excitement of the race.
• Close friends of mine have run marathons over the past few years and have all come out of it with fantastic accomplishments. They have all inspired me to take the plunge.
• Team In Training (in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) reached out to our running club - Push The Limit Run Club - to get a team together to run with the charity!
• The charity includes coaches, a workout calendar from June to November, group mentors, fundraising materials, bootcamps, testimonials, happy hours, pre and post race parties, guaranteed race entry and cheerleaders all along the course to support you!
• Completing 31 miles in the Ultra Ragnar Adirondacks and seeing how far I can push my body in one event. Coming out of it with the best runner’s high of my life and believing I could do anything!
• Going through emotional events this past year and leaning on the therapy of running. Having something this huge to focus on definitely puts your life in perspective!

A year ago, I was not convinced I could ever run a marathon. I have always been a mental athlete and the idea of motivating myself through a 4 hour race was daunting (and still is). I worry about my muscles, sticking to a training regimen, and pushing myself way past the point of comfort. Giving up part of my social life, going out for massively long runs and learning to approach the next few months with excitement and positivity. It will be the hardest thing I will ever have to do but I believe in myself and my abilities. I hope you will all help push me through the biggest training regimen I have ever taken on and the hardest race I will probably ever do. I am excited and nervous but most of all, I feel empowered. It is amazing to see where life takes you!!

Someone asked me the other day where I see myself in 5 years and I almost stopped dead in my tracks. What an amazing question! It is truly remarkable how you can trick yourself into believing that you have a clear plan but when you think about it…you really haven’t thought about it completely.

Even when you think about where you have come from 5 years ago…its almost hard to believe you could change so much in such a short period of time. 5 years ago today I was 21 years old…finished with my junior year of college. I had just studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain for the second semester and come back to the States the heaviest I had ever been and with the tolerance of a champ. I was getting ready to start lifeguarding again at Sandy Hook National Park with my best friends and prepare for my first internship at a music PR company in New York City. It was my first summer of being 21 so I was most excited to frequent the bars with my friends and tell everyone about my adventures abroad.

The funniest thing looking back is that my internship that summer was the first time I had the bug to move to New York City. I loved the excitement of commuting in on the train, walking to the office and shopping around on my lunch breaks. It is cool to see that now I was finally able to make that dream a reality and I actually don’t live too far from that office! This year I was also reunited with many of my friends from my time in Sevilla since one of them is getting married this summer! It is hard to believe that it has been 5 years since we all lived in the same place because it feels like yesterday.

Also this year my best friend from lifeguarding at Sandy Hook will be getting married as well as my roommate and best friend from my junior year at Sacred Heart! Crazy how looking back is bringing that time full circle. (I also distinctly remember bitching my 21st summer about running at lifeguarding and saying I would never run again multiple times…ahh how that has drastically changed haha) It is hard to imagine how many things could change and evolve in the next 5 years when I am 31 years old (AHHHHH)!!!! 

After being asked that question I realized two things: It is important to think about the future and have an outline for where you want to go and what you want to do. In fact, I ended up writing my goals down on a piece of paper and hiding it from myself in order to look back in 5 years and see what I have accomplished. I also, however, don’t think it should be a hard plan with no exceptions. If you focus too hard on the goals and plan, you might lose sight of life’s curveballs. For example, I wanted to move to NYC since my junior year of college but then life gave me a job in Connecticut and a 3-year experience there that I will always cherish - you just can’t plan for everything!

So do yourself a favor tonight. Write down where you see yourself in 5 years and what your goals are then tuck it away somewhere it won’t be thrown out but you will remember to check. Even just thinking about a 5-year plan is overwhelming but it does help to put your life into perspective. You are in complete control of your destiny and you have done a pretty good job with it the past 5 years…Cheers to 5 more!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Mother’s Day Weekend! I headed home to spend time with my mother and stumbled upon this caricature a friend of the family had drawn for my Mom years ago..

My Mom used to play a lot of tennis, theres my Dad to the right giving his coaching instructions, Patrick playing basketball, Sean dressed up as a Power Ranger, Kevin on his bike and me hanging all over her in my cheerleading uniform. She pretty much hit the nail on the head!

Before the holiday, I had some great workouts in the gym and on the pavement. Friday morning and Friday night I taught my 30/30 class (30 minutes SPIN / 30 minutes TRX) with a “Jock Jams” theme. I don’t know about you but I still love the Jock Jams music and wish they would bring back those CDs!! Everyone wore football jerseys and we jammed out to some great songs on a tempo/hill workout. Check out the playlist:

It is a great workout playlist too if you are just looking to jazz up your fitness! After both classes it was time to rest up for an early morning wakeup on Saturday morning. My friend Ashley asked me to come into Jersey City and run some miles with her on the marathon course (she is running the Jersey City Marathon on Memorial Day weekend). She then found out there was a super popular 10K in the area as well so we signed up for the race and planned to run some miles before the race then complete the race itself.

In the meantime, a few guys from the Push The Limit Run Club expressed interest in doing a Saturday morning run so I invited them along!! Thanks to some delays in the Path train service we didn’t end up squeezing in more than 2 miles before the race and it was pouring rain at the start but it still ended up being pretty enjoyable! The sun came out about halfway through and the last mile and a half was along the water with a beautiful view of the Freedom Tower and the NYC Skyline so it ended up being a great decision to make the trip! Can’t wait to go back to Jersey City in two weeks to run some of the race with Ashley and help push her through!!

But after a delicious brunch over the holiday, it is back on the grind today that already began by teaching a 6:30 AM Spin class…no better way to start the week! Do you have your workout plan setup? Checkout MINE here!! And Checkout my TEACHING schedule HERE. LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLEE!!!

Happy Friday kids!! Bringing it back to my Five Things Friday because I know you have missed them terribly..but this week I have a theme! I have realized lately (thanks to some people calling me out on my weirdness) that I have a few race traditions that are very unique. As I have made more running friends and gotten more comfortable sharing them…I am noticing that everyone has their own things when it comes to racing! I guess now is the time to share them with the world!!

1. Bib Placement is Key

The best thing about having to wear that paper number over your carefully planned and super cute race outfit? Stomach cover-up of course! I actually realized that I look forward to slapping those digits over my stomach pouch before races so if I get the ol’ kangaroo going while running…no one can see it! My brother, on the other hand, puts his number on his shorts knowing full-well he plans to take his shirt off mid-race to cross the finish line with his abs out hahaha strategic indeed!

2. Never Run Without Something NEON

If you are not already on the neon bandwagon..this summer will probably change your mind. Every store I go into these days has neon tops and bottoms lining the shelves…and it all started with workout clothes! What began as a fabric to alert cars to your sidewalk running has turned into a phenomenon and if you are an avid racer than I highly suggest you pick yourself up a few things! Not only does wearing it make me happy but it also helps my parents and friends on the sidelines to spot me from a mile away! Win, Win!!

3. The Chafe Stick Challenge

Now I know this isn’t super lady-like of me to discuss but I am not going to hide the fact that I get the occasional chub rub between my legs with my shorts or the underarm chafe from rubbing against my running top. A few years ago a friend introduced me to the chafe stick (looks like a fancy deodorant) and I now keep one in my bag at all times. I rub it everywhere before a race to prevent any type of irritation and it works like a charm! Highly recommend if you are susceptible to it as well!

4. Headbands Are Universal

I may or may not have a tiny addiction to headbands…I just love them I can’t help it! My favorite things about them are that they keep all of the flyaways out of your face, can take a regular outfit from a 5 to a 10 in 2 seconds and they can also keep your sunglasses in place if you choose to wear them! If you like to wear your regular workout outfits but want something cute to spice it up, headbands are definitely the way to go! They can also be transitioned into happy hour wear so you can go from the gym to the bar and still look good! In my opinion, they are a must-have for any race or fitness class!

5. Smiling is the Best Accessory

Finally…I know the title of this one sounds like a corny Oprah special but I am not lying to you when I say that I remind myself to smile often during runs..whether I am training or racing. Not only does it help my race pictures (I have such a good eye spotting those camera guys!) but it also helps to remind me why I am out there in the first place. It is very easy to get into your head about all of the pain or how much longer you have left..but as soon as you smile, your body relaxes and gets a virtual shot of OH YEA BABY, HERE I AM!! And you pick up the pace just a bit more as you run. Isn’t that what its all about anyway?

Hope everyone pockets these tips and also enjoys this beautiful day!

With all of these boutique fitness studios popping up in New York City, it can get difficult to tell them apart. Each one, however, has a little niche that makes it a different experience than the next. I had a chance to try out Uplift Fitness in the Flatiron District last week and this women-only facility may not have offered classes that you couldn’t find anywhere else…but their experience packages definitely caught my attention.

I took the Uplifting-Cardio class which was a 55 minute class with an awesome rhythm..it actually reminded me a lot of the Ultimate Conditioning class I teach at Crunch! It had total body strength exercises using small weights, a body band and a weight ball that were broken up by 4- 4 minute sets of various cardio exercises. It was a great way to push your body in both cardio and strength and it was a lot of fun!! The class was only about 4 people but the music was awesome and the instructors energy was perfect for that kind of class. I really enjoyed it :)

The studio itself is quite small but at the same time has a nice homey feeling. The women working were extremely nice and friendly and there were tons of free amenities like little snacks, hair ties and coffee. You can tell that it is a gym for women and by women! During class, there were a few personal training clients working in the main area and after browsing their site, I realized that they offer many packages for both personal training and group classes. (The classes are about $22 a session and the unique classes are a little more expensive).

What I liked most about the gym, however, were their unique class experience offerings. Check out these upcoming events!!

• Bootcamp, Bloody’s and Brunch with Chelsea
  Join us at the studio for a deliciously intense UPLIFTING: STRENGTH class and then enjoy some bloodies and “brunch” and mingling. Women only. Shoes required.
• SINGLES Workout & Wine
  Celebrate being Single in the Summer!
  Single? Celebrate that! Forget the engagement parties and baby showers for a night - how about an “I am single and I am celebrating!” party? We think so. Uplift will be hosting a single ladies Workout & Wine night - a night of a kick-ass 55-minute workout followed by wine and snacks. 

I actually heard about the gym initially because I had been invited to a Wine & Workout event but had to cancel last minute. I am dying to go back with my girlfriends and try one of these out! It is a great concept for a girls day/night, bachelorette party or even just a random day to do something fun with a friend! They provide the wine and the breakfast and the workout..all you need to do is sign up or buy a package! So if you are in the city for the day with some ladies and looking for something fun to do..then try a morning or evening class at Uplift and earn your drinks :)

Here is some Wednesday Motivation for you :) Don’t let the rain ruin your goals!! 19 days until Memorial day everyone!!!

And CONGRATULATIONS to our Pipernilli Giveaway Winner:

JACKIE!!!!

• −

Whenever I get my haircut I always say the same thing…”I wish I could get my hair styled like this every weekend!!” While I know some people who are patient and skilled with their hair and make it look amazing when they go out…most of us do the same things everyday and wish we had a stylist travelling with us at all times. Enter DRYBAR.

Drybar is the place girls have been waiting for: stop in for a hair wash, cocktail and a blowout before heading out on the town for a special night. They have locations in California, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Washington DC and New York City. Although the price is a little steep..

after getting a free trial last week…I have to say that the money was well spent (although next time I won’t come right after the gym with no makeup on…on a Tuesday).

My friend Laura and I just happened to be offered a free trial last week and were escorted into the beautiful shop. Immediately,we were offered a mimosa by the “bartenders” that work there as The Notebook played on every TV in sight. We were then handed a book of the various hair styles they could do (which were all named after cocktails). I went for the Mai Tai and Laura got the Southern Comfort.

After asking about our normal washing and styling regimens, the stylist explained the styles we would be getting and told us to make some plans afterwards because we were going to look fabulous! Then we went to get our hair washed..

After an awesome wash (I love that part) we were taken to the blowout area (and again, we continued sipping our cocktails and watching girly movies as they began)

Please keep in mind that we were told about the free trial opportunity after we had gone for a workout so neither one of us has “our face on” haha BUTwe did ultimately decide that we will be planning either a girls trip or a bachelorette party here in the very near future (Laura is getting married in December!) Additionally, next time we will plan a really fun event for afterwards or get it done on a weekend so we can really put it to use!

Here is my Mai Tai:

And Laura’s Southern Comfort!

There are tons of these places popping up all over so do some research on your area and go check it out! For a special occasion or just a fun girls day..I definitely recommend taking the plunge :)

AND DON’T FORGET…Today is the LAST DAY to enter the Pipernilli Mother’s Day Giveaway!! Click HERE to ENTER!!!

The Journey Is The Reward: NJ Half Marathon

So many times, especially with running, we can’t stop thinking about the finish line. The end of the race becomes this amazing symbol of accomplishment that we rush our minds through the whole experience. Thanks to some quotes scattered throughout the race course of the 2013 Long Branch Half Marathon/NJ Marathon…I was reminded that the race itself, the training, and the full experience is all to be cherished just as much as the medal received at the end.

I was fortunate enough to share this race with a number of people in different capacities and there were tons of accomplishments across the board.

• Michelle & Melissa ran their first half marathons ever and both finished with huge smiles on their faces!
• Lauren and Kaitlin ran their first relay half marathon and enjoyed working together as a team!
• Jackie and I ran together just like we had at our first half marathon ever and remarked on how our friendship has only grown since our college swimming days.
• My dad and I enjoyed our 3rd half marathon together and he celebrate almost 40 years of racing (his first race ever was the Boston Marathon!)
• Ashley helped her sister achieve a PR in her half marathon and their matching neon outfits were epic.
• Serena received an award in her age group and locked in an awesome trophy for her record PR of 1:33!!!
• My mom, Justine and some amazing NYC runners and bloggers were the best cheering squad I have ever seen and had the support of at the race!! Thanks to you all!!

Sharing these accomplishments with my close friends and family made the entire experience so rewarding! Jackie and I ran to enjoy ourselves and although she had a bit of a tough race, I am glad we ran together for the experience and not for time! I was even happier that I felt good the entire race despite my sore legs from Ragnar. It made me super confident that I will be able to attack and succeed in the NYC Marathon this November!!

The biggest thing I want to note from this race is that you can do anything you put your mind to. About 6 months ago, both Melissa & Michelle never saw themselves running a half marathon. They had run while playing sports throughout their lives but had rarely just “gone out for a run.” Slowly but surely, they chipped away at low mileage as they built up their confidence and endurance. They both began running more and more and then started to finally believe that they might be able to do it! They signed up for this race with both excitement and nervousness and they both crossed the finish line..as I said before..with huge smiles on their faces and some energy to spare! It just goes to show you that the only person defeating you — is YOU! Set a goal for yourself this year and you will achieve it…I CHALLENGE YOU!!!

And congratulations to all finishers of both the half and the marathon…it was a beautiful way to support the shore after Sandy! Til next year my friends :)

AND DONT”T FORGET there are 2 Days Left to enter the Pipernilli Giveaway for Mother’s Day!! Click HERE to ENTER!!

May is a weird month because it is not quite summer yet but we are all a little anxious for Memorial Day to hit so it seems to drag on in anticipation. I am excited for summer to begin but also for the little holidays and celebrations that this month has to offer like graduations, bridal showers and of course, Mother’s Day!

Whether your Mom is an easy one to buy for or not, if she loves a little sweetness in her life but also lives a healthy life, then today’s giveaway will be the perfect gift for her! In fact, The giveaway starts today, ends on Wednesday and the gift will be shipped out on Thursday to your home just in time for Sunday!! Now that you are pumped up about the awesome gift..let’s find out what it is!

Two months ago I met the owner of Pipernilli, “The Couture Cooke Company” and got the chance to sample some of her famous cookies. I was blown away when I learned what ingredients she used in her cookies because it was unlike anything I had ever heard before…or tasted! See for yourself:

Pipernilli cookies are made with fresh organic fruit and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, bananas, carrots, apples and strawberries. They are all soft baked and gourmet. Each recipe is Vegan - using the finest non-dairy chocolate, vegan sugar and non-dairy butter.

My favorite one was the sweet potato cookies and I FELL IN LOVE with their taste! They were so soft and delicious and tasted like sugar cookies but with a little extra cake and flavoring. It felt like a whole new cookie experience and really pumped me up that they managed to squeeze vegetables into such a delicious dessert…what a concept! I also love how they appeal to both people like myself who eat everything as well as people who have dietary restrictions or beliefs.

I don’t usually turn to healthy desserts when a craving hits but these cookies are definitely an exception! They shocked me by how amazingly normal and delicious they tasted despite all of the healthy ingredients. Take a look for your self on their website: pipernilli.com

This box above is the Mother’s Day Sampler that is a $16.00 value and chock full with samples of all of Pipernilli’s famous cookies..gift wrapped and ready to present to the woman who taught you how to live a healthy lifestyle! The box includes:

• Chocolate Jewels
• Cashmere Drops
• Banana Chiffon
• Mocha Diva Rounds
• 14-Karat Cake
• Dainty Dots
• Apple Luxe

As I mentioned the gift will be shipped to your house in time for Mother’s Day this weekend so check back in after entering to find out if you won on Wednesday!!

HOW TO ENTER:

• FACEBOOK: comment on this post with how your mother has inspired/inspires you!
• TWEET: Check out the Mother’s Day Giveaway @OneMoreCupcake of @Pipernilli gourmet vegan cookies! onemorecupcakeplease.tumblr.com 
• COMMENT: write below this post with how your mother has inspired/inspires you and let us know if you Facebooked & Tweeted too!

The more ways you enter..the better chance you have of winning! Giveaway ends Wednesday so check back in to see if you won then send us your email address and your gift will be sent!! Good luck to everyone entering!!

Stay tuned for the NJ Half Marathon recap tomorrow and don’t forget to follow along with my Weekend Warrior workout plan this week and my NYC Fitness Class schedule for teaching :) #BackOnTheGrind

Ever since I really started running, I have had a running buddy. Depending on where I was living or working, there was always at least one person who shared my intensity level for working out but also loved to chat while doing it. You would think that this would be a once-in-awhile thing but it turns out that my weekly workouts were centered around this person and our ability to push eachother but make it feel like we were going for a walk in the park. Additionally, each partner has also brought me to a race or a level that I never expected.

In high school, my running buddy Megan and I mostly swam together on our club team but soon she talked me into trying out for the Sandy Hook Lifeguards. I had heard about their intense military-style workouts everyday before work, their lifeguard tournaments, and timed swims, runs and paddle races so I never expected that i would be at that level as an athlete. Needless to say, as Megan and I began running together, she slowly convinced me to do it. While sometimes we would skip our runs and sit in the car and pig out on chocolate…we mostly got out there for solid mileage and even ran our first half marathon together!! Now we are still best friends and I will be her Maid of Honor in September :)

In college, my running buddies were built-into my lifestyle. On the swim team, we pretty much spent every waking moment together therefore we always squeezed in some off-season runs and workouts with eachother. Molly & Kelly (first photo, center and far right) and Jackie (2nd photo) and Laura (below) were interchangeable as running partners as we were all around the same fitness level, pace, and usually mindset - in fact, we still are today! We would push eachother in the pool and on the road and even sign up for races together! Kelly and I would hit up mile swims in the summer, Jackie and I ran our first half together AND are running the NJ Half together and I will get back to Laura.

In Connecticut, my running buddy Natalya and I were soulmates from the moment we met. Our friends introduced us when they found out I taught group fitness because she was also a spin instructor. Then we found out we worked in the same building and then discovered we were both equally as dedicated to training for races and pushing ourselves in the gym. We soon developed a morning run routine along the beach and saved our long runs until we ran together. We would talk about everything that was on our minds and she was actually the first person to introduce me to the Ragnar Relay and slowly convince me to sign up with her team (and now, as you know, I am obsessed). I miss being able to run with her every week but we developed a long-lasting friendship!

In NYC, my running buddy Laura has made a permanent comeback from my swimming days and my new friend Ashley has become a running staple as well. I can run with either or both of them and almost forget how many miles we are doing because we are chatting so much. I can also have terrible running days with them where we stop every few miles to do a photo shoot in Central Park or hang by the water fountain. Additionally, both of them have pushed me to want to run my first marathon this fall. They both push themselves hard in their workouts and their goals which has motivated me to do the same. I am so happy I will have them to train with this summer and fall!!

My most consistent running buddy has been my Dad (on the left) who basically encouraged me since a very young age to get into running. First it was for soccer, then basketball, then softball, then cross training for swimming and now its just something we like to do together to catch up. He still wakes me up at an ungodly hour when I am home visiting to go for a run but I really enjoy still being able to spend that time with him that has become our “thing.” I also realize how lucky I am to have such an active role model! As we do every year..we will both be running the NJ Half this weekend that goes right by our house :)

If you are like me and you enjoy the social aspect of working out as much as the actual activity itself, don’t be afraid to go find yourself a good running buddy! Meetup.com is a great way to find running clubs in your area to make new running friends or you can just ask around in your group of friends to see if they know anyone on your fitness level. You are bound to find a few awesome people who share your love of fitness and fun…if I can find one at every point in my life so far…you can too!! Go for it!! And best of luck to all of my NJ Half Marathon & Marathon runners this weekend! Can’t wait to share it with so many great friends and family!!!

Boutique Fitness is taking over the city and the rest of us are struggling to keep up with the latest and greatest without simultaneously burning a hole in our wallets. Gone are the days when there was a neighborhood gym that everyone belonged to. In fact, “going to the gym” is now becoming as rare as using a VCR or making a mixtape. The funniest thing is that gyms were the ones who started this new craze…and now they are paying the price.

At first, gyms were stocked with treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters and a weight room. A few years later they added mats and Cybex machines and then hired personal trainers to help people learn how to use the new age equipment. Personal trainers worked with individuals to start, however, then they started putting small groups together to help their clients motivate each other — this was the beginning of group fitness. Before long, larger classes were being formed that centered around these personal training exercises and gyms saw an increase in membership renewal. All of a sudden people were feeling a sense of dedication to their favorite class instead of being left to their own devices. 

Fitness professionals noticed this trend right away and began developing their own unique classes to draw people in. The early classes like Step and Cardio Kickboxing were introduced as were beginner lifting classes. The combination of fun and hard work exploded. Since then, new workout classes and ideas began emerging like TurboKick, Zumba, TRX, Spinning, Barre and Pilates (just to name a few).

Over the past few years, however, it has evolved even more. Popular group fitness instructors and high-level personal trainers noticed a trend that many gym owners had overlooked: members rarely attend multiple classes. There were well-rounded athletes who liked to go from a Spin class to a Bootcamp Class and then hit the weight room but most people planned their schedule around that one class that they liked or following around their favorite instructors. They began wondering if it was possible to create a studio focused only on this one type of workout. Would people belong to a Spinning facility if that was all they offered? Do they love Spinning enough to dedicate themselves to the art? And the answer was YES. Soul Cycle is a perfect example. They have dedicated themselves to the Cult that is Spin and have profited generously. People live and die by their favorite instructors and plan their weeks around the class schedule while shelling out $35 a class. Why be just a number in a huge gym corporation when they can be Kelly who always comes to Jennifer’s Saturday morning class.

I have the benefit of experiencing both environments through my teaching: the gym setting & the boutique fitness studio and there is a definite difference. While I love the fact that my Crunch classes have “the regulars” who are there every week, chat with me afterwards and always give feedback..they are just a handful of people among the revolving door of weekend warriors that try the classes out each week.

The boutique studio, however, quickly becomes a family. You get to know the owner of the facility, the instructor and really have your feedback attended to right away - even new class ideas! You feel a part of the studio as opposed to just a name in the computer. You find your strength and craft in what this gym offers and have a genuine gage of your ability and level of improvement. You are now a “regular” and that comes with notoriety, distinctive clothing and a sense of purpose in your fitness world.

Let’s be clear - I am in no way downgrading those who belong to larger gyms. As I have said, there are people who go there every week to the same classes and teachers and get that familiar experience. Instead, what I am realizing is that there is also a great benefit to exploring a new-age workout or niche market. As an example, we all have a Facebook friend or two that are dedicated to Cross Fit. We see their statuses about their “box” or pictures of them lifting huge barbels over their heads and we can’t help but recognize their extreme pride in belonging to something. They are part of a team and are working towards a goal which just doesn’t happen in a large gym setting unless you are 100% self-motivated (which most of us aren’t). We like to try something new, have fun, compete with others and feel like we found a workout home. Each boutique studio has a new unique twist on a common workout and you can honestly spend a month or two trying each one out for free which I definitely recommend!

So far, here are the ones I have tried (in order of favorite to least favorite..if you go to their website, free passes are available!):

1. PEDAL NYC: obviously huge advocate for this guy!
2. Barrys Bootcamp
3. Pilates ProWorks
4. Refine Method
5. Uplift Fitness
6. Flywheel
7. Exceed Fitness
8. Revolve
9. Core Fusion
10. Yo Yoga

If you visit their respective websites, you can sign up for a free class and give them ALL a try or find a few that work for you, grab a friend, and pick a day. There are a ton more that are on my list to try so I hope to report back soon with a new top 10 list! Here are a few others I hope to make it to ASAP (in no particular order):

• The Fhitting Room
• Physique 57
• Barre Method
• Circuit of Change
• Moksha Yoga
• Soul Cycle
• Play To Win
• CrossFit: Hells Kitchen

Icelandic yogurt - SKYR - is all the rage these days (in case you haven’t heard) similar to the way Chobani Greek yogurt took over our refrigerators a few years ago. At first, I didn’t really understand what the difference was and why people were jumping on the bandwagon but after giving it a try, I definitely understand the hype! 

• Consistency: this is the thickest yogurt I have ever had! It basically sticks to your spoon and takes you awhile to get through the above container. 
• Taste: I tried the flavor above so it had a bit of sweetness but it is still tart like Greek yogurt. The flavors are much less sugary than a Chobani flavor but you could still dress it up with some honey and granola!

• Ingredients: as you can see, there are no extra weird ingredients that you don’t know the name of..everything is also low in fat and high in protein! It is a great breakfast or snack food if you are training for a race or just trying to fill up on healthy protein to prevent you from hungrily eating crappy snacks later.
• Benefits: I love how power-packed the protein is! It really fills me up for hours if I put a little banana in it and enjoy with a coffee. You can buy them by the tub or the small containers but I highly recommend giving it a try!

• Calories: It is hard to believe this container is only 100 calories!! The thickness of the yogurt makes you feel like you are cheating on your diet but it is just not the case :) The sodium is low and the protein is high which is a great combo!
• Recommendation: I don’t think Greek yogurt will be replaced but I definitely see the benefits of this Icelandic yogurt and plan to add it a little more frequently into my breakfast rotation going forward! Additionally,SIGGI’S not only makes a spoonable yogurt but also a drinkable one too! Get out there and give it a try :)

SUPPLEMENTS & SUNSHINE

The gorgeous weather in the city this weekend put me in such a fantastic mood! Isn’t it crazy how just a little more sunshine can turn your attitude around? My weekend started on Saturday morning with a 10-mile run through Central Park with Laura. Both of us were committed to a long run since I have my half this weekend and she has one in a few weeks. Soonafter we got started, however, we both realized we felt like crap. Instead of quitting on ourselves, we came up with a system to keep running and feeling fresh. Every few miles, we stopped to get some water at the fountain, switch to some flat miles around the reservoir or even stop for a quick photo-op as you see above. We completed all the mileage but allowed ourselves to enjoy the run at the same time instead of miserably muscling through it. I hate having a bad run before a big race but hopefully the soreness from the Ragnar has worn off by now!

We spent the rest of the day laying out on The Great Lawn in Central Park tossing the frisbee and reading magazines. Sunday began in a similar way with a 4.5 mile run along the East River with my best friend Justine before heading back to the park for a little more sun. Now that I have a base tan from California— I want to keep it going! I feel so much prettier when I have a little color :)

On another note, my brother Kevin (who is in great shape and on top of healthy nutrition) told me he takes L-Glutamine everyday after his workouts. He highlighted the post-workout benefits and the health benefits such as making your gums stronger (which is great for a person with soft teeth like mine!) I decided to do a little more reading on the supplement before purchasing and actually came across a great article by Livestrong on the benefits for women:

First off…what is L-Glutamine?

Glutamine is an amino acid that is essential for our intestinal health, according to Dr. Richard Firshein in his book, “The Vitamin Prescription (for Life).” Glutamine is a primary component in healing and maintaining the intestinal lining, and therefore plays a large role in efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients. Glutamine also helps to prevent infectious bacteria living in the intestines from leaking through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream, adds Firshein 

So what are the benefits?

Glutamine has been proposed as having several benefits. This includes aiding in recovery after workouts and building more muscle, which has been said to be helpful for both men and women. Increased energy and diminished cravings for sugar have also been linked to glutamine supplementation. Glutamine also seems to reduce side effects from chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, according to Dr. Keith Block in his book, “Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment,” as well as reducing joint and muscle pain. It is generally agreed upon that pregnant and nursing women should not take glutamine supplement.

After hearing all of this, I decided to give it a try! I bought the above bottle at GNC for $17.99 and was instructed to put a scoop into water after my workout to help aide muscle recovery and give my body the protein it needs while also repairing from the breakdown of a workout. Don’t worry ladies..I already triple checked that this WILL NOT beef you up or add any mass, it will just help to keep your body stronger. I am even more pumped that it will help my teeth and help with my sugar cravings! I plan to check back in after a few weeks to let you know if I feel a difference..Stay Tuned!

I know you are all sick of hearing about the Ragnar and I promise this is the last one but I just wanted to wrap up my thoughts on my third one. The best thing about this race is that it brings out the animal inside of you. I truly believe everyone has it in them to be a good athlete as long as you find something that excites you. So many people see the Ragnar as this crazy event where only the good runners can survive and the opposite is true.

NO matter how good of a runner you think you are or aren’t, working on high heat, no sleep or just 24/7 activity can make you struggle. The Ragnar Relay is a race for someone who wants to get out there and push themselves but feel 100% supported doing so. If you get too tired, someone will jump in with you. If you have a cramp and can’t continue, someone will switch with you. If you need motivation to keep going, you are surrounded by 11 other people who will inspire and push you. It is truly an event for all athletes and all levels of runners because it gives everyone the ability to work together and push their own individual boundaries. I hope you all get a chance to experience this at least once if not more than that!

So after we finished the race…we got our medals, cheap beer and free pizza before heading to the Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslight District of San Diego to rest up before attempting a night out on the town. The past two races I have ambitiously said I would go out after and never made it but everyone seemed pumped to suck it up and rage so I figured it was worth a shot! We actually did make it out for a few hours for cocktails, an Irish band and some fun times…I am so proud of us!

We even kept the celebrations going the following day for the Intervention Sunday pool party at the hotel…it was probably the craziest thing I have ever seen but it was fun nonetheless to party on our last night there together!! Despite being exhausted we still had an awesome time!

I am so happy I got to experience the beautiful Southern California and so proud of all of my teammates for an awesome job. It was truly a race I will never forget, in so many ways, and I am honored to be a lifetime member of team RACING IN THE STREET! Now it is time to get mentally prepared to run my next race…the Long Branch Half Marathon on Sunday!!

Click here to follow my training plan for the week.

Click here to come to an NY Fitness Class with me!!

And finally, here is some MONDAY MOTIVATION from Pedal NYC!