dogs bring joy

My husband and I met up with a friend at Prospect Park this weekend. We brought Busu, our Whippet/Italian Greyhound/Jack Russel Terrier dog with us.

Busu is like a child magnet.....I think kids can sense that Busu loves everyone who crosses her path and wants to play with/lick everyone. Numerous times babies/kids walked right up to her and starting petting her etc. The two kids in the picture wanted to play and run with her. So we let them. They played with Busu for 30 minutes while we watched. It was a very adorable moment.

Nuun: Electrolyte Hydration Tablets

Loving Nuun's hydration tablets.... it's cheaper and more environmental friendly then buying bottles of "sports drinks" plus the flavor is more subtle and taste purer.

It's hot in NYC now....and was even hotter this past week in Atlanta. Run safe (click to read NY Road Runner's summer safety tips)

"Nuun’s special formulation of electrolytes helps increase the amount of water that’s absorbed into the blood stream. That means more of the water you drink is actually used to hydrate you instead of being eliminated because the electrolyte balance wasn’t right"

• Tabs quickly dissolve in your own water bottle
• Easy to take with you
• Absorbs quickly
• Zero sugar
• Important electrolytes
• Under 8 calories

Honey Stinger: Natural Engery Chews and others

As I increase my mileage for marathon training it gets harder to just wake up and go running without consuming something. So I've been testing out some energy chews and jelly beans.

In order of best to worst......

1.) Honey Stinger Energy Chews. I've tried the pink lemonade and pomegranate passion fruit flavors and both taste great. More importantly they chew/dissolve well and leave me feeling ready to go. And they use all natural ingredients :)

2.) GU Chomps. Tried the Cranberry Apple flavor which was so-so. However, these chews don't go down so well. They are really sticky and my stomach needs an extra 30 minutes to adjust before I can go running.

3.) Honey Stinger Energy Gels. The flavor of the strawberry honey one was good. However, I am not a big fan of consuming tons of honey. It took me awhile to eat the syrupy mix.

4.) Sport Beans = never again. Maybe I am just not a true fan of jelly beans but it felt and tasted like I was consuming candy right before a run. I threw out the package after eating only 4 beans.

Mango Crumble (vegan)

Randomly wanted something sweet that was fast to cook. Then I realized I had the ingredients for mango crumble. 10 minutes later the dessert is in the oven cooking into delicious goodness.

Mango crumble (vegan)
serves 6

5 cup of peeled and sliced fruit (I used thawed frozen mango)
3/4 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance buttery sticks)
1/4 cup water (if using fresh fruit)

Pre-heat oven to 400*F. Grease a pot and spread the fruit on the bottom. Sprinkle the water on top (if needed). Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Rub in the butter to the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles crumbs. Spread the crumbles over the fruit. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is brown.

NYRR's Mini 10K

My second year running NYRR's women only Mini 10K race and it's quickly becoming my favorite race. Something about running in a sea of 5,000 fellow female runners in Central Park.... I can feel the power of the female spirit.

I did pretty well this year placed 394/4750 with 47:53 minutes (7:43 min/mile). I had set 48 minutes as my goal :)

This year's race was special for 2 reasons....1.) It's the 40th anniversary of the race. It was the first of its kind in America, a race for women. Interesting fact, the "mini" in the title is after the mini skirt.

2.) This year's race was dedicated to Grete Waitz, a five-time Mini 10K winner, who died April 19, 2011 at age 57 after a six-year battle with cancer.

Soul Cycle = overpriced fad that's not for me

After months of hearing my co-workers talk about the wonders of Soul Cycle I decided to try it out on Monday. I coughed up $20 for a 45-minute class doubtful that the cycling class would have the same effect on me since I run 4x a week. I was right, the class was not worth the money or time.

I've taken cycling classes as part of past NYSC or ClubFit gym memberships. I tend to enjoy them if the music is good. The bike provides a good workout and a break from running.

Soul Cycle is different mainly because they incorporate a "full body workout". At times during the class you lift weights, do crunches and modified push-ups all while still riding the bike. A cool idea.

However the whole experience from the minute I walked in the building was way too posh/fad driven. I can see why Soul Cycle has become so popular among celebs and the upper class. The instructor even ended class with some yoga inspired "Namaste" and breathing exercises. After sweating insanely due to the inadequate air conditioning I was greeted with a freezing cold shower and free organic lotions.

As I walked out of their union square location, $20 poorer, the first thought that came to my mind was "I can't wait for my 5-mile run in the morning".

June 1 - National Running Day!

June 1 is national running day. If you're not already a runner use this "holiday" as an excuse to start running now.

Running is awesome. If you need some motivation check out Running Day's website.

I run to .....

• stay in shape
  
• de-stress
• honor the power of my legs
  
• free my spirit
• clear my head
• enjoy the endorphin high afterwards