Wednesday Ramblings

Random thoughts and updates for y'all on this hump day. Speaking of humps, have you seen that Geico commercial with the camel? I think it's basically the funniest thing ever.


1. I woke up at 6:30 this morning to study, despite it being a rest day where I could have slept in, after feeling crazy inspired by dinner with Ashley last night at Hu Kitchen (yes, I love that place a lot). A lot of our conversation was me asking her for tips on how she balances her demanding corporate job with marathon training, healthy eating, and her husband and friends. Getting used to early mornings, both for workouts and for getting extra work done, was one of her biggest tips, and I'm determined to get into that habit before I start work in September!

2. Related: waking up early is hard when your lazy dog doesn't get out of bed until 11:30, and only then because you yell "treats!" from the other room.

3. Dinner at Hu Kitchen confirmed to me what I had suspected: I am unable to go to Hu Kitchen without getting something from the mash bar. This time it was berries with vanilla chia pudding and cashew cream, which I inhaled between 14th Street and 34th Street on the express train.

4. I returned to Uplift Studios last night for a Strength class, after far too long away, and completely got my ass kicked by Liz Barnet. Girlfriend is TOUGH. I took the class with Ashley before our dinner and also saw Angela and Allison there (that's a lot of A's, in retrospect). They all confirmed that it was a killer class, in the best possible way. I think my legs are still jelly-filled this morning!

5. Regardless of your views on her political stance, seeing a woman in politics who stands up for what she believes in is awesome. Especially when she's literally standing for 11 hours in hot pink running shoes! And in case you were wondering, they were Mizunos! (Here's the picture I linked to). Only a runner would care about her brand of shoes!

6. I need new support shoes for long runs since my Brooks Adrenaline 11's I got last November are on their last legs. I'm going to be hitting up a run store today and this makes me kind of giddy. New (running) shoes!!! Thinking I'll go with the Brooks Adrenaline 13's, but I'll obviously have to try on every shoe in the store, right?

7. Speaking of running gear, I ordered a Tiger Tail from Amazon to aid in recovery. I have a hard time getting into my calves with my foam roller and my calves tend to get really tight, so this seemed necessary. Anyone have this? Any tips?

8. At least someone likes my bar review books! She's certainly cuddled up with that thing...


What's on your mind today? Any Tiger Tail tips? Supportive running shoes suggestions? Fat cat pictures?

Spring Favorites

Tuesday was gloriously sunny. Although it's been spring for a while according to the calendar, it finally felt like we'd hit weather that didn't make me die a bit inside when I step outside my building. Hallelujah. 

I was literally skipping as I left my internship, and I had to restrain myself to avoid looking like a crazy person and dancing along the streets. Why don't people break into song and dance in real life? It'd be so much fun.

Anyway, there are several things that I am loving right now. So, in honor of the fantastic weather (that left us for thunderstorms and rain because NYC is trying to make everyone move away), here are my current favorite things.

1. Oiselle Winona Tank

OMG you guys this top feels so good. The material is incredibly soft. I want to buy a blanket made out of this. It's also high performance fabric and the shirt looks super cute, but the biggest thing is it just feels so good. I'm in love. 

(source)

I haven't been wearing it to work out that much just because I want to wear it constantly around the apartment and not put it into the black hole that is my laundry basket, from which it won't return for at least a week two weeks, if not more.

2. Water fountains

So in the winter in New York, the public water fountains are turned off so that the water doesn't freeze. This is depressing and annoying because you have to carry a water bottle with you wherever you run. However, the water fountains are now back on!!! The joy that seeing water gurgling out of a public fountain gives me is a bit scary.

And yes, I took a picture. Of a water fountain. I really was that excited, guys.

3. My new laptop

While having to get a new laptop was not a cause for joy, having a brand new laptop with a back to it, no missing keys, and a total weight of approximately 2.5 lbs is fantastic. 

I can stash it in my purse and don't have to break my shoulders with the weight of books, papers, and a laptop. Look how small it is in comparison to Mason!!

4. Mizunos

After the NYC Half, I ordered a pair of Mizunos so that I could switch between lighter shoes for shorter runs and my Brooks for longer runs. I am really loving my new Wave Inspires! They're a support shoe so I haven't had any nasty plantar fasciitis symptoms, but they also feel really light which is terrific for shorter runs. 

I used them for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and wasn't super happy because my feet started hurting in the last couple of miles, but that was my fault -- I hadn't bought them for long runs and was only wearing them because I just love how light they are. Lesson learned: shorter distances only! 

5. Quest Bars

These bars are a pretty fantastic protein bar option. I'm eating them after hard workouts and occasionally as a snack on days when I'm not getting enough protein. I ordered them from Amazon and they come to just about $2.20 each. Not a steal, but equivalent to buying bars from most stores.

(source)

I ordered the chocolate brownie flavor and, especially if warmed up in the microwave for 20 seconds, they taste really good! The ingredient list is nice and short and got a nod of approval from Kim when I showed it to her in DC. Best of all, it has 20g of protein for 170 calories, so it's not a bomb of a protein bar like some are.

6. THE WEATHER

I mean, obviously, right? Sunny, warm days are so fantastic they make me giddy. I was actually dizzy with excitement in yoga on Monday when it was sunny and nearly 70. Actually I was probably dizzy from having wine during Mad Men on Sunday night, but I'm attributing it to the weather. 

No coat necessary on my commute and eating lunch outside by the water made Tuesday a phenomenal day. Can the weather just always be like that? Please?

7. Girlfriends

After a fantastic weekend with running girlfriends in DC, obviously I am in love with the fantastic women in my life. But then the following happened when I texted my friend Katie yesterday.

Yes, this is why we are friends. Also, rompers.... why? Just, why?? 

What are you loving right now? Is there something awesome I don't know about?