TAGGED

Keelie from Sweat = Success tagged me!  And now you are stuck learning all kinds of useless information about me.

 I have to post them per Rule #1, so ummm, here's the rules.

1) You must post the rules.

2) Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3) Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.

4) Tag 12 (or so) people and link them in your post.

5) Let them know you've tagged them!

My Random 12 Facts

1. I do not eat any kind of seafood.  (No, not even shrimp)  I am not allergic.  I just didn’t grow up eating it and now I can’t seem to do it.
2. My first race ever was the Chase Corporate Challenge.  I had never run before that and I ran it on a whim with a friend.  I cursed her the whole 3.5 miles.
3. I have been to at least 10 New Kids on The Block concerts in the last 4 years.
4. I don’t like cats AT ALL.
5. I have no coordination and never played any sports as a kid.  I even failed gym in HS several times.
6. I didn't learn how to drive until I was 27 and I still suck at it.
7. I've known my best friend since we were five.  She knows everything about me.
8. I still get sad when I walk down 14^th Street in the city and pass what was once the Palladium nightclub.
9. I've known my husband since I was 15 but we didn’t date until I was 27.
10. I could happily live in a world where every meal was breakfast.
11. I am a major sour candy addiction.
12. I love when my hair is down but I hate straightening it myself.

Keelie's Questions

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

South Beach Miami!  I just love the warm weather, the Cuban food and the beach.  Plus I’d HAVE TO stay in shape.

2. What do you want to be when you grow up? 

A personal trainer

3. What's your least favorite food/ beverage? 

I can’t stomach yogurt or cottage cheese

4. If you could only do one physical activity for the rest of your life, what would it be?

RUN!!!

5. If you were reincarnated as a dinosaur, what kind would you be?

T-Rex, I want to rule!

6. What is your favorite dish/ meal to make? 

Fresh Toast

7. Name your favorite childhood memory involving food!

When my parents were still together, we used to go to Roll N Roaster on Friday nights for dinner.  That was the first place I ever had a mozzarella stick.

8. Who inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who know what they want and they go after it without fear.

9. Who is your favorite artist (musician, painter, actor, poet, and sculptor... any medium)?

Madonna/Natalie Merchant, Frida Kahlo

10. If you had $10,000,000 to give to charity, which charity(ies) would you give it to?

Any and all that are fighting cancer.

11. What is your idea of a perfect day?

Any random day in the Summer in the pool with the family having a BBQ.

12. What's your favorite inspirational quote? 

Pain is fear leaving the body.  (It’s on my USMC water bottle.)

My Questions

1. What's the first thing you do when you come home at the end of the day?
2. What's your favorite season and could you live without the other three?
3. Who inspires you?
4. Last killer workout you had?
5. Are you where you thought you'd be at this point in your life?
6. Are you a Yankee fan or a Yankee hater?
7. Only one food for the rest of your life... what is it?
8. Long hair or short hair?
9. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
10. Do you pedicure in the winter?
11. Do you like to work out alone or with friends?
12. Favorite cartoon?

I tag:

Heather at Heathers Mean

Ali Mc @ Running with Spatulas

Theodora @ Losing weight in the City

Janae @ Hungry Runner Girl

Sara @ Once Upon a Lime

Michelle @ NYC Running Mama

Bobbi @ NHerShoes

Anyone else want it????? :)

Feeling Better

I'm still alive!  The (non) smoker's cough is lingering but I am definitely feeling a million times better.  We went to the park on Saturday with the kids and then out for pizza.  The little one was late for a nap and was not having any of the lunch nonsense.  She just wanted to go to sleep.  Unfortunately, her stomach wasn't having the chocolate milk and on the way home, while half asleep, my poor little princess gave back the chocolate milk.  All over the seat, her clothes, the door.  Good times.  My weak stomach has definitely gotten better over the years thanks to my kids and their ailments. :)

Fun at the park

Resting after our best Exorcist performance

Yesterday I went for a 3 mile run.  It was far from great, but it was a run.  And I need to get back to basics. It definitely gave me some time to work through some things in my head.  Ah, how I unconditionally love running.  I cannot imagine how anyone does not enjoy it.

Then we went to visit family and hubby cooked a delicioso Italian Sunday dinner.  I got to see my nephew and my Grandma who have both been off limits since the kids got sick two weeks ago.  Since I was still not 100% though, I couldn't smother him with love like I wanted to.  Watch out Oliver!  Aunt Jen is coming for you soon! :)

How can you not want to eat him?!

This morning I woke up with Jillian Michaels.  She kicked my butt and I just tried to keep up.  Ah, Jillian you never disappoint me. Keeping with the momentum I am looking for a fully productive day at work.  And I expect to be back on track this week.

My little man doing some homework.  :)  He's more focused than his Mom. 

What did you do this weekend?

Where Am I?

I'm here at work trying to make it through the day.  My kids are mostly over being sick and now I am so sick.  Why am I at work?  Well, I took a bunch of days when they were sick. :(  So, here I am, trying to stay awake at my desk.  On that note, I am completely unable to multi-task.  So, I will be back soon... and healthy.


Any tips on how to get these damn germs out of me and out of my house??  Please share.

Blood, Sweat and Tears... all in one day

For a four day work week, I am really tired. Its been a busy few days but I'm definitely feeling good about it.

After two days of Nurse Mommy, the little one was definitely feeling better. I bundled them both up and headed to NYSC. While they watched SpongeBob with a babysitter (I usually do not let my kids watch Spongebob. It's like the kid version of Jersey Shore sucking out brain cells.), I ran 5 miles on an incline of 2. To top it off, I did it in just over 51 minutes.  Go me!

The proof is in the pic

On Monday I celebrated MLK day with a spin class. When my friend and I walked in, it was chaos. They had lost the waiting list and with only 23 bikes on a holiday, they wanted to make sure everyone who registered got a bike. Guess what though, at 5 minutes before the class starts if you aren't there, your seat is up for grabs. It's like the college rule about if the teacher is 15 minutes late you can leave. (is that even a policy?). Regardless I got a bike and I spun! :) I'm definitely hooked on spinning. I want to get a seat cover but there are so many options. Can anyone suggest a good one?

Yesterday was a odd day.  I literally gave my blood, sweat and tears... but not in that order.  I started with an 7 a.m. TRX class with Ray at Pedal NYC.  I was supposed to be training with Toni and the Hot Mamas, but I was the only mama who made it.  Extra attention yesterday means more ouchie today.  But as always well worth it!  So sweat was given before 8 a.m.  Buckets full!  (Yep, I'm sexy like that.)

Killer TRX workout!

I also gave blood at work at 10 a.m.  I given blood at least 4 times a year.  Everyone who can, should.  It's an hour of your life to help someone else.  Easy, done!

Unfortunately, the tears came due to a tragedy in the family of a co-worker.  It really makes to realize that every day is a gift.  After a work function at 230 Fifth (great spot), I went home and kissed my already sleeping kids.

230 Fifth

Delicious food!  The sliders are amazing as is the very pink  meat!  YUM!

My son also gave a tooth yesterday!  His first tooth fell out!

What is the going rate for the tooth fairy nowadays?

Going the Distance

Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic for a post title about  4 miles, but it is my longest distance since the 18 Mile Tune Up disaster in September.  I apologize if you are sick of hearing about that, but it was an experience that has been difficult to get past.  So, when Ray said that I should run 4 miles this morning at a 1-2 incline, I was a bit hesitant.  And then, at 3:30 a.m. when the fire trucks and the ambulance woke me up while assisting people who live around the corner from me, my 5 a.m. start was not looking good.

However, I woke up.  And I was in a great mood.

Before run

I did my push ups and ran my mileage, slow (5.8-6.0) and steady (1.5 incline.)

And then I was done.

After - Sweatier and happier (despite the sarcastic smile)

More push ups and off to start my day.

Side notes:

Even my Phoebe didn't want to go to the gym.  

See the resemblance :)

And the best news of the day...

Don't worry about the rest of the article. ;)

With that, have a good day. Xoxox

The Ultimate Goal

Dear Sciatica,

You will not keep me from Fort Wadsworth this year! You did it once and now you need to go away. I WILL run through the 5 boroughs of New York City on the first Sunday in November!!!

Thanks!
Jen

(Now go away (Scaitica)!!!)

On a (slow) Roll...

 I'm a bit behind but I wanted to give you the weekend update...

Friday I had a nice healthy dinner with my neighbor. She makes "pulled chicken" in the crockpot. It is delicioso and well, I don't really cook! Me and the kids headed back early though because I knew Saturday I would need all my energy.

I headed to Mom's to drop off the kiddies early and hopped on the subway to Pedal NYC. I had made plans with Tiffanie (one of the Mamas) for a short run before bootcamp. I had anxiety from the night before since I hadn't run outside since September.

Well we headed out on the West Side Highway and these well rested legs went for 3.19 miles! It felt amazing to be running. But my sense of accomplishment was cut short. It was time to start bootcamp with Ray. I was extra excited though because one of my partners in crime was joining me for bootcamp and the only thing better than a killer workout is watching a friend suffer benefit next to you.  It was a 30/30 class and the first 30 was spin. Let me tell you now, a run and then a spin class is as close as I'll ever get to a triathlon. I can do alot of things after running, but spinning is definitely not my first or hundredth choice to follow running. After 30 minutes of lead legs, we headed outside and started running up 61st Street. We ran forward, sideways, and backwards. We stopped for squat, lunges and push ups. At the turn around point, we did steps, tri dips and v-crunches. Oh, and then we sprinted back to Pedal.

That's me and my girl Nurys having a fun Saturday afternoon.

Needless to say, solid workout! I spent the rest of the day hanging with my mom, my sister, my nephew and my kiddies. We even hit one of my favorite local spots for lunch. My sister thinks its just the smell of bar (nostalgic) that I love at Salty Dog. I think it's the yummy salad. So simple and yet perfect! And I opted for a veggie wrap and didn't have a single piece of friend goodness from Mom's appetizer sampler.  Go me!

No pics of the salad, but my boy and my nephew are too cute, aren't they? :)

Sunday my neighbor and I made a workout happen by taking turns watching the kids while the other went to the gym. By 3 p.m., we both had a great workout. Mental note: Let's do that again, Kel! Win-win!  But who's going to fold all this laundry?!

Oh yea, me... I'm the mom!  Lucky me! :)

Today I woke up sore but my head was begging for endorphins. I'm officially addicted! That said, I headed to the gym at work and challenged the BFS.  I swear I was in a good mood all day and that included busy work, a broken truck and going to Babies R Us with both kids (always stressful).

I am in such a good place that I just want to keep it up.  I do know that I need to sip the wine not chug it though.  I want to start running every morning and looking at races.  But I know I need to take it slow.  So I will train strong, consistent and smart!

Thoughts, comments, opinions?  Anyone?  Bueller?

1 Week Down, 51 to Go... And my Butt's TV Debut

So we are a week into this new year and I am feeling good about it.  I am being productive at work and in life.  I definitely need to pay more attention to home (read: cleaning/laundry) but hey, baby steps.

The other morning before work I trooped into the city in the freezing cold and trained with Ray at PedalNYC.  He put quite a beating on me in one hour's time.  Now, that is a talent that should be shared with some Special Ops trying to get info from the enemy.  The could invest in Ray and a TRX and we'd have all the international secrets.  Until they do, if you are in the city, you should definitely try out a class at Pedal.  The spin class is awesome and I am looking forward to checking out some of the other classes.  It's pretty cool because they do a "30/30" so you can get spin and do yoga in one class.

Yes, I am in pain.

Even harder than it looks!

This is what you look like after a workout with Ray.

For the rest of the week, I have been trying to juggle my time so that I can get a workout in each day.  Hubby has been very helpful in taking the kids to school some mornings so I can use the early hours of the day for sweating.  Hoping he will not bore of this new, early morning quality time with the kids, so I can keep it up.  (Thanks honey!)

I got a call last night to remind me that my amazing three-month gym membership Groupon is ending next week. The girl told me all the other membership options and none were in my budget.  So, I am heading over to New York Sports Club this week with my three-month membership certificate to cash that in for 90 more days at a gym.  This will change my routine around because the NYSC in my borough (yes, city people, I only have 1) is further away and I will not be able to get in a morning workout there.  However, I do have a friend from my kickboxing class who goes there and I'm hoping I can have her as a "gym buddy" for a while.  She lost a ton of weight and she is still at it.  Definitely an inspiration!  (Hi Michelle!)

This morning I hit the Stairmaster aka the BFS.  When Toni and the Mamas first called it that, I was confused.  Now I understand.  Let's just say that the first word is Big and the third word is Stairs.  :)

My view from the "BFS"

Looking forward to Bootcamp with Toni and the Mamas tomorrow!  Who's in???  It's a free workout and it's   a great workout and hey, I'll be there!  This will be my third time going.  The first time I went with my sister and they were filming for Toni On New York.  My butt even made a cameo appearance.  Here's the episode (the first half is Toni On ChinaTown and then it's all about the Mamas (and my butt.)

Whether you can or can't come, you should definitely check out the "Mamas'" Bootcamp Blogs.  These ladies have made the commitment and their hard work is definitely paying off. :)

How did your first week of 2012 go down?  

Freebie Day

Thanks to the calendar this year, I scored an extra day off... from work.  The kids are off as well and we just took a break from working on my boy's first grade project.  I swear we started it last weekend, but alas history repeats itself once again and I'm working on a school project the day before it is due.  At least it's not midnight.  Baby steps. :)

It's a timeline of a 6 year old's life. :)

Yesterday the kids and I headed to my sister's home to visit with my adorable nephew. 

It was a beautiful day out and I glad we got out of the house.  After a message from Ray @ Pedal inquiring about my workout for the day, I headed home and dragged out my mat.  Somehow I managed to complete a 50 minute Pilates workout with Mari Windsor, care of Gaiam TV (which I am absolutely loving these days.)  Of course, that wasn't enough, I was also instructed to do 20 push ups and 50 squats before AND AFTER the workout.  Truth be told, I only did 15 push ups, but I did try.

The question is, what can I squeeze in today.  It's too cold to go for a walk with the kids and I think I missed the gym's babysitting hours.  Worst case scenario, I will end my night with some Jillian.  Unless you have a better idea???  For now, I'll do the laundry and let the little one help with the cleaning. :)

I hope you are all having a great 2nd day of the year.  Who break their resolutions already??

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  It is 11 a.m. on the first day of 2012 and while that is late for me to be home in pajamas, it is not due to partying like a rock star.  More like sweating like an athelete.

Yesterday the kids and I were up and out early.  We headed into the city for a change of scenery.  First, we went to Pedal NYC.  I spent an hour there with Toni and the Mamas at a 30/30 class.  The kids played while I sweat buckets during 30 minutes of spin.  Can I just mention that I may have caught the spin bug!! 

Getting my spin on with Toni and the Bootcamp Mamas

That was followed by another 30 minutes of crazy core work. 

That's Alicia, one of the Mamas giving Ray a thank you for a great workout :)

About 600-700 calories burned later, I morphed back into mom mode. 

Since we were in the city and only had gotten to have fun at Pedal (read: sarcasm), I took the
kids for some NYC Christmas sightseeing.  We walked Fifth Avenue, Times Square and went to the see the tree at Rockefeller Center. 

Walking through NYC

The Tree @ Rockefeller Center

Time Square on New Years Eve... before all the craziness

The city was way too packed for my taste and I was already sore and exhausted so we then headed back home.

Being silly on the bus heading home.

After a nap (them not me) we had some quick dinner.  Then the night's festivities consisted of my neighbor, Rockin Eve and a bottle of Cabernet.  Hubby had to work and the kids only lasted until 9 p.m.  I surely do not blame them.  I am not even sure how I made it myself. 

That said, I plan to keep moving forward.  I have some goals that involve strengthening my body and mind in 2012 and beyond.  Now, to make a plan to how to achieve these goals.  I'm working that out in my head first.  No worries, I have 364 days to make it happen.

I wish for you a happy and healthy new year.  Now spill it!  Resolutions, goals, whatever.  Share them if you like.