Monthly Archives

August 2015

Road To The NYC Marathon: Struggle City – Week 6 + 7 Recap

by Nellie August 28, 2015

Because I love y’all and I value the fact that you take precious time out of your day to read this blog I am going to be 100% honest about where I am and how I’m feeling about marathon training.
It sucks. Bad.
I mentioned last week about the various groups that I’m (obsessed with) on FB and most of the posts are like “had a great training run today!” Or “easy 10 miles for breakfast this morning!!” Meanwhile I am living, sleeping, and vacationing in Struggle City.
I have literally asked myself why in the entire H-E- double hockey sticks am I doing this again? I mean. This is not fun. The joy has been zapped and all I want to do is curl up on my favorite pillow and nap for 7 straight days…is that too much to ask??
I know I’m not the best runner and I’m certainly not the most natural runner but finding the motivation to go out and do it anyway was never an issue…until now. My pace is way slower than last year, everything hurts most days and marathon training is not allowing me to do things that I love like spinning and Zumba.

The Long Run To End Long Runs

Things took a bit of a turn for the worse during my long run last weekend. I started off with a fun 5k–the Percy Sutton 5k in beautiful Harlem where we got to run a very rare road race with New York Road Runners. The course was super hilly but I made it through. Early on my calves started cramping like crazy. I try didn’t know what was happening as I had super hydrated the days before (100oz+), had a proper breakfast and got decent sleep. It was super painful but worked itself out a little bit after I finished the race.

Central Park is just so beautiful!

The training plan called for 14 miles so I had to run down to Central Park to hopefully finish strong. Unfortunately it all went downhill (see what I did there?) after Mile 8, it got hot–82 degrees, and although I had fuel on me I was so done. With my husband’s encouragement I pushed through and I was so tired by mile 12 I was simply delirious.

I completely walked the last two miles, it was hot and I was borderline delirious–

— Nellie ✊?✊?✊???? (@BklynActiveMama) August 22, 2015

for example panicking because I thought I lost my phone…that I was listening to. 😐

— Nellie ✊?✊?✊???? (@BklynActiveMama) August 22, 2015

I finished. It was UGLY but I finished. Needless to say I am not looking forward to 15 tomorrow. I have another fun race that will take up 5 miles but the final 10 are all me. Send me good vibes because I need it!!

Although it’s hard and I am struggling, I know I will finish. I won’t be at work the next day after the marathon so I will be finishing for sure. Even if it takes me all night. Kidding! (Sorta)

What was the last major challenge that you dealt with and overcame? Any tips on staying motivated? Any tips at all? How was your fitness and food week?

17 comments

Weekly Wednesday Workout

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Fire Hydrant Leg Exercise

by Nellie August 26, 2015

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Fire Hydrant Leg Exercise

Time to work out those legs!

Okay, so this one is a doosie. There are all kinds of balance, coordination and leg burn involved with this move! I tried it and omg, it is not easy! However, you can feel the work (read: hot fire burn) pretty quickly! The lovely lady in the video makes it look quite easy but there is a lot involved from staying balanced to getting your leg all the way around to simply just keeping it upright. 🙂 This is a great leg toner for anywhere!

Have you ever tried the Fire Hydrant Leg Exercise?

7 comments

fitness fun Friday Fitness Check-in

20 Brutally Honest Confessions About Marathon Training

by Nellie August 21, 2015

20 Brutally Honest Confessions About Marathon Training

1) I can’t stop talking about it

I swore that I would not be one of those people that didn’t bring up marathon training every 6 minutes. I have LITERALLY BECOME THAT PERSON.

“hey Girl, how are you?” “Girl, this marathon training is kicking my butt.”

“Hey Nellie, can you pass me the salt?” “Yeah, omg, I lose SO MUCH SALT on my long runs”

Help.

2) It’s taken over my life

I plan every single thing around marathon training. Sleep, work, meals, conferences, birthday parties. ALL OF IT.

3) I can’t stop eating

All the things. Not that I’m using the extra miles to eat what I want but I find myself hungry at ALL the random times.

4) I just want to nap

No, really. Since I have To wake up at 4:30am to train, my body is in a constant state of tired. My long runs are usually followed by a day of activity with the kids so yeah.

5) I am unable to commit to anything without checking my training schedule.

“Oh, what time is the birthday party?” “2pm? yeah, I can make it, I should be done with my long run by then.”

6) every training week feels like 6 weeks in one

Now that the miles are rising to around 30 a week, I’m just always running. This used to be my monthly total.

7) I’ve got plenty of social media ammunition

ALL the runfies!

8) It sucks during but then when I take a look at my mileage…?

If you told me last year (WHEN I STARTED RUNNING) that I’d be running 30+ miles a week I would have cackled a long cackle.

9) every week I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to do it, then, I do it.

Every Sunday I look at my training plan like: NOPE.

10) I’m jealous of my friends training for half marathons

oh so your long rung is 5 miles this week? I’m so SO jealous.

11) I want my weekends back!

I miss Saturday morning freedom.

12) I still have to be a mommy/wife/employee when the miles are over

My boys don’t get how exhausted I am to.my.core when I finish my long runs on the weekend. I am still expected to run and walk around like normal Mommy.

13) training dominates my thoughts like no other.

How can I get better? What is the weather like for my run tomorrow? Should I start planning my long run route? Constantly. Every day.

14) when someone asks me how marathon training is going I feel relieved because I have got a LOT to say.

See also #1. A special kind of news broadcast happens when someone asks me about it on purpose. If you ask….be prepared to stay a while.

15) Marathon training has become my ultimate excuse for pretty much everything.

Job lunch? Yes, please pass the food because: marathon training!!

16) I question why I committed to this, every damn day.

EVERY. DAY.

17) I live in my marathon groups on fb because they are the only ones that get it.

98.26% of the posts in my timeline are running related. If I haven’t liked my friends posts in a while, that is why. I kinda need to be submerged in daily training updates to know that I am not alone in this madness.

18) I’ve looked at upcoming weeks in my training plan and either a) considered switching plans or b) muttered this can’t be life over and over.

I have looked at literally a million training plans.

19) I’ve registered for pretty much a race every weekend because long runs have just become long torture.

Now that summer streets are over, I am actually responsible for finding somewhere to run 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 miles on respective weeks. WHAT?! So I’ve registered for races. At some point I have 2 half marathons in a row in back to back weeks.

20) I really, really can’t wait until November 2nd. I’ll be sore, tired but I will be a marathoner.

I’ll do it. I will.

What is your biggest marathon training challenge right now?

For more marathon related posts check out:

5 Inspiring Moments From Des Linden Winning The 2018 Boston Marathon

TCS NYC Marathon 2016 Recap: Second Time Around

6 Amazing Half Marathon & Full Marathon Training Workouts

21 comments

Weekly Wednesday Workout

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Rolling Pin Abs Exercise

by Nellie August 19, 2015

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Rolling Pin Abs Exercise

This one is definitely for my more advanced fit chicks!! This one has one leg on the exercise ball and it requires a ton of concentration, balance and strength! I am not sure that I am personally ready for this one but I have been known to keep both shins on the ball and roll in and out for a great abs exercise! If you do try this one, let me know! It’s not the easiest but it looks pretty effective!

p.s. I have a great fitness themed giveaway happening on my Instagram Page for a FitBit Charge HR + $300 Amazon Gift Card! So make sure you head over to enter!

Have you ever tried the Rolling Pin Abs Exercise?

5 comments

eating clean family

6 Healthy Snack Ideas For Road Trips

by Nellie August 17, 2015

Hey guys!

Although the summer is almost over, I am happy to say that I have become way more comfortable traveling with my kids. In the past it was always a stressful situation which made me want to avoid travel altogether! Now that the boys are 3 and 6, things are a bit better and I have learned that the best way to having a great trip? Preparation!

Today I am happy to host Sally Kuzemchak of Real Mom Nutrition as she shares 6 Healthy Snack Ideas For Road Trips. I had the honor of meeting Sally at the Stonyfield event where she shared her tips for raising a picky eater. The event was so awesome and she was so great, I am so excited to have her expertise here today!

Be Prepared. I’ve learned the hard way that fresh food is often at a premium on road trips—so bringing your own is important. Fill a small cooler with lots of fresh fruit, plus cheese sticks, and yogurt cups (I like organic for my family – Stonyfield Organic YoKids and YoBaby come in snack-size serving cups and even Squeezers for on-the-go. You can even toss frozen Squeezers in the cooler, and they’ll slowly defrost but still stay cold). Include some single-serving nut butters and whole grain crackers and you’ll have wholesome snacks and even in-a-pinch meals you can eat at a rest stop. If you’re traveling with a baby, don’t forget to bring some pre-cut finger foods like cubes of tofu, very ripe fruit, and bites of whole wheat pasta.

Start off on the right foot. Before I load the family into the car, I make sure we start the day with a filling breakfast that includes protein to keep hunger at bay till lunch (you’ll avoid any pleas for drive-thru donuts that way!). My kids really like yogurt parfaits, and I use fancy glasses to make it more fun. We start with Stonyfield Organic Yogurt and layer on homemade granola for crunch and fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.

Make a game out of it. Make eating healthy snacks on the road a fun endeavor. Pack colorful snacks in advance like carrot sticks, blueberries, strawberries, green grapes, etc. For each vehicle or site you pass that matches the color of a snack, the “winner” gets a corresponding bite! It gets everyone involved and engaged with their surroundings—and young kids can work on their color recognition, too.

Let them dip. For the older kids, slide fruit pieces onto popsicle sticks or thread fruit onto skewers to make car-safe kebabs that they can dip into yogurt cups. Bonus: It also makes for easy cleanup since they avoid getting their hands too sticky!

Reuse! Once kids are done with their yogurt cups, rinse them out and fill them with trail mix or granola for the trip back. It’s a good lesson in recycling and keeps portions under control.

Be Safe. Be sure any perishable road trip food is packed safely in a cooler with ice or ice packs. Also, always monitor kids carefully whenever they’re eating in the car, in case of choking. And unless there’s an adult sitting next to baby to watch for choking, avoid letting baby eat while the car is in motion.

[Tweet “The amazing @RMNutrition shares 6 Healthy Snack Ideas for Road Trips! @Stonyfield”]

What are your favorite healthy snacks for kids? Any road trips planned?

7 comments

Load More Posts

August 2015

The Long Run To End Long Runs

More NYC Marathon Training Posts:

What was the last major challenge that you dealt with and overcame? Any tips on staying motivated? Any tips at all? How was your fitness and food week?

Have you ever tried the Fire Hydrant Leg Exercise?

20 Brutally Honest Confessions About Marathon Training

2) It’s taken over my life

3) I can’t stop eating

4) I just want to nap

6) every training week feels like 6 weeks in one

7) I’ve got plenty of social media ammunition

9) every week I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to do it, then, I do it.

10) I’m jealous of my friends training for half marathons

11) I want my weekends back!

12) I still have to be a mommy/wife/employee when the miles are over

13) training dominates my thoughts like no other.

14) when someone asks me how marathon training is going I feel relieved because I have got a LOT to say.

15) Marathon training has become my ultimate excuse for pretty much everything.

16) I question why I committed to this, every damn day.

18) I’ve looked at upcoming weeks in my training plan and either a) considered switching plans or b) muttered this can’t be life over and over.

20) I really, really can’t wait until November 2nd. I’ll be sore, tired but I will be a marathoner.

What is your biggest marathon training challenge right now?

Have you ever tried the Rolling Pin Abs Exercise?

What are your favorite healthy snacks for kids? Any road trips planned?