Thank You, MizFit and BornFit!

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Coco

If you follow any fitness bloggers, you probably follow MizFitOnline. When I first found her site, I was drawn in by her motto:

because fitness isn’t about fitting in.

That sums up why I chose “@CocosFight2BFit” as my Twitter account name. I feel like being fit–making those healthy choices day and day out–is an uphill battle against the pressures and norms of society. But, finding people like MizFit and all the other great people in the fitness blogging and Twitter communities makes it much easier and much more fun!

A few weeks ago, MizFit had a BornFit Windom Top review and giveaway on her blog. I don’t usually enter giveaways, but this one was something that I would really like and really use. To enter, I had to post a comment answering the question:

What would you don your Windom for?

My answer was easy:

 I NEED a shirt like that for my o’dark-thirty, below-freezing runs.

Fast-forward to Monday, and MizFit had a post on her blog announcing me as the winner!!!!

I was so excited, and the timing was perfect. This was a grueling week work-wise, and winning this “prize” was a real bright spot. I ordered the shirt in black. Shortly after I placed my order with my MizFit coupon code, someone from BornFit contacted me by email to congratulate me and assure me that my order would be processed quickly–how cool was that!

Yesterday was my “big day” at work this week, and I was exhausted when I got home. As I walked in the door, my husband told me that he thought my shirt had come! Really?! So quickly! I tried it on right away and LOVE it!

Here it is with the turtleneck zipped up (and yes, the tag is still on!):

Here it is with the turtleneck unzipped (and tag removed!):

The fabric is so soft and cozy it will be nice for lounging, but it will be awesome for my outdoor runs!

Thanks again, MizFit and BornFit!

 

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Wicked Windchill

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Coco

Last night as I was contemplating my morning workout, I realized that I really wanted to run outside, cold weather be d@mned. I gathered up my running gear, including my new Land’s End running pants, L.L. Bean Polartech jacket, windbreaker, Nike iPod hat and gloves–and I added a scarf for good measure.

Then I checked the weather forecast and saw that it would be in the low 20s. Then I heard the weather report talking about the brutal winds. Still, I did not give up on my plan, but decided to see how I felt in the morning.

This morning when my alarm went off I checked the weather and saw that it was 22F with a windchill of 14F. Hmm.  Really? Well, maybe it won’t be so bad on my route.  Maybe the houses in my neighborhood and trees along the rest of my route will shield me from the worst of the wind. Maybe the wind will be at my back for that one exposed stretch. I still wanted to run outside, so I got dressed quickly before my husband had a chance to ask me if I was crazy.

I was cold during my warm-up, but that just made me walk faster. And, I was cold while my Garmin was “locating satellites,” but I did more dynamic stretches while I waited. When I started running, the only thing that was cold was my midsection. Maybe next time I will try tucking my shirt into my pants, but with three layers on top I don’t know how the cold air could penetrate!

After the first 1/2 mile, I didn’t really notice the cold until that exposed stretch. I realized that my face was smarting, and wondered if it was possible to get frostbite in a 45 minute run in 20-degree weather.  I tried pulling my scarf up around my cheeks, but I didn’t want to breathe through it, so I opted for cold cheeks so I could breathe fresh air.

I hit 4.5 miles in 44 minutes, and decided to make it a full 45 minute run, which cut my usual cool-down walk by about 1/3. When I did start walking, I felt really warm, and when I got inside and peeled off the layers, I was surprised to see that they were sweaty (ew!).

I decided that I would listen to the Morning Prayer podcast while I did my stretches. That way I got my morning inspiration in and ensured that I took plenty of time to stretch and roll.

I have a busy, stressful, important work day ahead, and am really glad I bundled up and got out for some fresh air and endorphins!

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Multitasking

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Coco

I am a big multitasker. I trace it back to my high school days, when I did homework in front of the television. In college, I did the crossword puzzle in my lecture classes, and got very fidgety if I finished it or got stuck before the professor let us out. I perfected this skill it in law school, when I toggled the screens on my lap top between taking notes and playing solitaire. (That was 10 years ago, before schools had wireless internet connections!). And, yes, I am that person who plays games on her iPhone during meetings.

Honestly, I think it helps me pay attention. In law school, my friends were amused because I could answer a question when called on without skipping a beat, even as I kept my game going. Sitting in meetings, my mind wanders. But if I keep it focused on a game, I seem to have an easier time listening. The games I play are relatively simple–Bejeweled, Fuzzle, Gyrotate–and must occupy just enough of my brain to keep it from drifting away.

Since I wrote last week about bedtime prayers, I haven’t been very faithful with my praying. But, I did discover and start listening to podcasts of the Morning Prayer service from the New Zealand Prayer Book (Anglican). The podcasts run about 15 minutes, and include scripture readings (Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament) and prayers (including the Lord’s Prayer). I really like the voice of the priest who does the readings (David Guthrie) and his New Zealand accent makes it that much more special.

When am I listening to these podcasts? It would be great if I could say that I am getting up earlier and listening before I start my day, but I’m not. (Except one day when I woke up too early and listened in bed, using the ear buds on my iPhone.) And it would be nice if I could say that I fix myself a cup of tea and listen as I ease into my morning, but I don’t do that either. What seems to work best for me–at least it did this week–is to listen while I am doing my warm-up on the elliptical. Yes, I am multitasking with Morning Prayer and exercise!

I usually watch T.V. while I’m exercising, and this podcast certainly is a better way to start the day than hearing about the latest crime reports or political scandals on the morning news. Since I am moving, I am not going to fall asleep (my fear if I tried listening in bed or while sitting quietly) and so far I’ve done really well with paying attention throughout the entire podcast (if my mind does wander, I can always go back a few minutes).

But, this week I’m switching up my exercise routine to try my new Bob Harper Pure Burn: Super Strength DVD, which is a 65 min program (what was I thinking?!) with its own warm-up. I could try to listen to the podcast first, but if I stay in bed I am afraid I will fall asleep and lose that motivation to get up. If I get up and listen first, I know I will get antsy about getting my workout started. I could try listening afterwards, as I am getting ready for work, but I don’t think I would listen as closely if I’m also trying to decide what to wear, fixing my hair, etc. I thought about listening in the car, but I know I would be distracted by traffic and might even spoil the mood with uncharitable thoughts if someone cuts me off! I guess I have 8 hours to figure something out.

What are your favorite game apps?

Do you have a set “quiet” time to pray or meditate? How did you make that part of your daily routine?

Posted in Fitness, Life, My Faith | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Running Into The Snow

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Coco

Today I went for a 9 mile run from my house (instead of on the bike path) and ended up running into the snow that I thought had passed. I plotted a route out on runningmap.com last night. It is much harder to figure out a 9 mile loop than an out-and-back route, but I figured one out that only required me to get through one busy intersection.

I had more new running gear to try out: a new Polartech jacket from L.L. Bean that my sister-in-law gave me and new running pants I got on sale from Land’s End. I wore a short-sleeved tech shirt under the jacket and added my Nike iPod hat and medium weight gloves. And my Garmin, of course.

I saw that there was a light dusting of snow on the cars, so I figured that the snow “they” called for had come and gone. I selected my new “Best of 2010” playlist on my iPod Nano and started walking to where I would start running.

The first 3.25 miles of my route were the same as my usual “neighborhood hilly route.” Still, the hills felt particularly challenging today–maybe my legs are tired from the lunges and squats I did yesterday. At the top of the third serious hill I turned right instead of left, and got to enjoy a downhill stretch and then a flat stretch. Then I noticed how the road rose up again, and realized that this long, flat segment wasn’t really flat! At about mile 5 there was another killer hill–long and steep–but I plodded along. When I was climbing yet another long, steep hill at mile 6, I cursed myself for planning a route that is “just too d@mn hilly!”

Just as I was getting whiny, it started to snow! It went from zero to heavy snow in just a few minutes and it was pretty. We don’t usually get a lot of snow in the D.C. area–except for last year’s snowmaggedon blizzards:

Today, the snow coated the road and sidewalk amazingly quickly, but didn’t amount to much.

I had to be extra careful through that dangerous intersection because cars were being stupid–driving without their headlights on–but I made it safely to the other side.  When I got to my last steep hill (number eight I think!), the sidewalk was slippery, so I ran on the grass.  The rest of my route was flat (thank goodness!) and I only had to cross one more busy road.

 I had to run almost all the back to my house to hit 9 miles, so I decided to walk on the treadmill for a few minutes to cool down more. After that, I stretched and used my foam roller.

After a shower, I was ready for breakfast:

Adding raisins and a spoonful of peanut butter to my oatmeal is my absolute favorite way to enjoy it these days. Yum!

Do you like to run in the snow?

What is your favorite way to fix oatmeal?

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Because My Daughter is Home

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Coco

Because my daugther is home, I need to keep the pantry stocked with her favorites.
(Ginger Ale, Multigrain Cheerios, Bagel Bites)
Because my daughter is home, I need to run the dishwasher every day.
(Don’t you already have a glass somewhere?)
Because my daughter is home, our laundry hamper is always overflowing.
(Do you think this is a fancy hotel with towel service?)

Because my daughter is home, we can bake our favorite recipes together.
(Snickerdoodles,  brownies, peanut butter kiss cookies)
Because my daughter is home, I have someone who’s always up for a Starbucks run.
(White Chocolate Mocha for her, Peppermint Mocha for me)
Because my daughter is home, her beautiful smile brightens my day.
(and I will miss her so much when she’s gone)

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments