TRAINING FOR WHAT? TRAINING FOR LIFE. First, I hope all of you are hanging in there and doing okay post hurricane. Huge numbers of New Yorkers are without power, some have lost their homes, the subways are shut down indefinitely and all up and down the East Coast there are towns that have been literally washed away. While “working out” or “getting to the gym” is most likely the last thing on everyone’s mind, I wanted to share a few thoughts I had during the storm in downtown Manhattan. Last Sunday before the hurricane closed in on New York City, I ran 8 miles around the bottom tip of the island. I did it for two reasons: 1) Because I have a half marathon in a few weeks (eek) and 2) I knew I better run off some energy before sequestering myself inside my (small) 1-bedroom apartment I recently moved into with my boyfriend. (That’s certainly one way to test a relationship.) Wind had already picked up, people were already snapping pictures of choppy waters and sandbags were being stacked. Later on Monday night, we lost power. While Lower Manhattan has been in complete darkness with no power or subways (though there are rumors the lights just turned back on downtown), we’re not dealing with half of what many in Queens, Coney Island, down the Jersey Shore and along the East Coast are dealing with.  But even just to keep up with jobs, make it where we needed to go and feed ourselves, my so-called “workouts” immediately turned into necessary activities. Pre-storm I had to get to the grocery store quickly so I hopped my bike and lugged back groceries on my back. Post storm, we found ourselves scaling the steps back and forth in the dark to our 4th floor apartment. We lugged our bikes down the fire escape to ride 12 miles round trip to work and back. We walked across bridges that subways normally would have carried us across. I haven’t “worked out” since Sunday and yet I’ve been more physical than ever. Now imagine what’s going on in places with seriously extreme damage? When you set fitness goals and push yourself to stay physically fit and able-bodied, you’re not just doing it on a vanity level. You’re not just training for a race that might come and go. You’re not just working out for no reason. **You’re training for life.** You’re training to survive no matter what comes your way. You’re training to be your best self no matter where life takes you—not just for yourself but also for everyone else who surrounds you. When people ask why you’d ride a stationary bike that takes you nowhere or run from one place in a circle right back, you tell them: **you’re training for life.** Whether it’s a physical hurricane or not, everything you do to keep yourself fit, healthy and active is training you to survive both mentally and physically on the most basic of levels.  So keep at it, MYBers!! Keep sweating. Keep surviving. And please take care. xoxo, Emily @ Move Your Booty High-res

TRAINING FOR WHAT? TRAINING FOR LIFE.

First, I hope all of you are hanging in there and doing okay post hurricane. Huge numbers of New Yorkers are without power, some have lost their homes, the subways are shut down indefinitely and all up and down the East Coast there are towns that have been literally washed away. While “working out” or “getting to the gym” is most likely the last thing on everyone’s mind, I wanted to share a few thoughts I had during the storm in downtown Manhattan.

Last Sunday before the hurricane closed in on New York City, I ran 8 miles around the bottom tip of the island. I did it for two reasons: 1) Because I have a half marathon in a few weeks (eek) and 2) I knew I better run off some energy before sequestering myself inside my (small) 1-bedroom apartment I recently moved into with my boyfriend. (That’s certainly one way to test a relationship.) Wind had already picked up, people were already snapping pictures of choppy waters and sandbags were being stacked. Later on Monday night, we lost power. While Lower Manhattan has been in complete darkness with no power or subways (though there are rumors the lights just turned back on downtown), we’re not dealing with half of what many in Queens, Coney Island, down the Jersey Shore and along the East Coast are dealing with. 

But even just to keep up with jobs, make it where we needed to go and feed ourselves, my so-called “workouts” immediately turned into necessary activities. Pre-storm I had to get to the grocery store quickly so I hopped my bike and lugged back groceries on my back. Post storm, we found ourselves scaling the steps back and forth in the dark to our 4th floor apartment. We lugged our bikes down the fire escape to ride 12 miles round trip to work and back. We walked across bridges that subways normally would have carried us across. I haven’t “worked out” since Sunday and yet I’ve been more physical than ever. Now imagine what’s going on in places with seriously extreme damage?

When you set fitness goals and push yourself to stay physically fit and able-bodied, you’re not just doing it on a vanity level. You’re not just training for a race that might come and go. You’re not just working out for no reason. **You’re training for life.** You’re training to survive no matter what comes your way. You’re training to be your best self no matter where life takes you—not just for yourself but also for everyone else who surrounds you. When people ask why you’d ride a stationary bike that takes you nowhere or run from one place in a circle right back, you tell them: **you’re training for life.** Whether it’s a physical hurricane or not, everything you do to keep yourself fit, healthy and active is training you to survive both mentally and physically on the most basic of levels. 

So keep at it, MYBers!! Keep sweating. Keep surviving. And please take care.

xoxo,

Emily @ Move Your Booty

7 months ago
MOTIVATION: contemplating a half or full marathon?? Do it!! But do it right. Below, 10 tips from  (via Sweat Style: Fit Fridays: 10 Tips For A First Time Half or Full Marathon) With fall arriving, so is marathon season. Thinking of trying that distance for the first time? If a marathon seems like a big leap in distance for you, try a half-marathon first. Either way, here are ten tips to help get you to the finish line: 1) Train right:Choose a workout schedule that will work for you. Be realistic about the time you have to commit to training and what your mileage and running experience has been up to this point so you can choose a schedule that will be attainable for you. There are many training plans online and I provide a beginner half marathon schedule here.2) Practice nutrition:Never experiment with new foods during a race. Practice during training to see what foods your stomach will tolerate and what your nutritional needs are during your runs. Eat the same foods (this includes breakfast) on race day that you are used to eating.3) Hydrate:Drinking during a marathon or half marathon can be tricky so it’s best to practice this during your long training runs. It is important, especially on a warm day, to stop at every aid-station and hydrate. If you need to, walk slowly or even stop so you can make sure to take in enough fluids. (More tips on hydrating and race fueling here) For Tips 4-10 click thru! High-res

MOTIVATION: contemplating a half or full marathon??

Do it!! But do it right. Below, 10 tips from 

(via Sweat Style: Fit Fridays: 10 Tips For A First Time Half or Full Marathon)

With fall arriving, so is marathon season. Thinking of trying that distance for the first time? If a marathon seems like a big leap in distance for you, try a half-marathon first. Either way, here are ten tips to help get you to the finish line:

1) Train right:
Choose a workout schedule that will work for you. Be realistic about the time you have to commit to training and what your mileage and running experience has been up to this point so you can choose a schedule that will be attainable for you. There are many training plans online and I provide a beginner half marathon schedule here.

2) Practice nutrition:
Never experiment with new foods during a race. Practice during training to see what foods your stomach will tolerate and what your nutritional needs are during your runs. Eat the same foods (this includes breakfast) on race day that you are used to eating.

3) Hydrate:
Drinking during a marathon or half marathon can be tricky so it’s best to practice this during your long training runs. It is important, especially on a warm day, to stop at every aid-station and hydrate. If you need to, walk slowly or even stop so you can make sure to take in enough fluids. (More tips on hydrating and race fueling here)

For Tips 4-10 click thru!

8 months ago
MOTIVATION: team Ragnar training in full swing!! We’re about one month out from Ragnar New York and the team is in full training mode. We’ve got people crushing huge races, training 2x a day, running the hills of Central Park, taking on the west side highway, crushing it with sports teams, and all around rocking. All this collective awesomeness will amount to 200 miles that this kickass team of 12 will take down come 9/28. Keep it up, team!!! We’re gonna crush it!! And have a blast along the way… #trainlikeyourmeanit **Photo via team resident doctor, Dr Kelly who’s got lucky spot #12! That means he’ll bring it across the finish line. Nice training, Doc!! High-res

MOTIVATION: team Ragnar training in full swing!!

We’re about one month out from Ragnar New York and the team is in full training mode. We’ve got people crushing huge races, training 2x a day, running the hills of Central Park, taking on the west side highway, crushing it with sports teams, and all around rocking. All this collective awesomeness will amount to 200 miles that this kickass team of 12 will take down come 9/28. Keep it up, team!!! We’re gonna crush it!! And have a blast along the way… #trainlikeyourmeanit

**Photo via team resident doctor, Dr Kelly who’s got lucky spot #12! That means he’ll bring it across the finish line. Nice training, Doc!!
10 months ago
MOTIVATION: the dreaded SIDE STITCH! Last night was a gorgeous night for a run. It was dusk, I was in Central Park and ready to take on the 5 mile loop. But in just the first mile I found myself sidelined by a SERIOUS STITCH. Sounds wimpy of me, but it was killer and I was in serious pain. Pushing on my stomach didn’t work, breathing wasn’t working (breathe?! when am I not breathing?!), I was pissed.  But then I remembered something my high school cross country coach taught me — push your stomach out and use your breath to extend your abdomen to push out a stitch. And it worked! Boom. I rocked those 5 miles and the stitch never came back. Below, some additional tips on avoiding stitches. Because when you’re hungry for a run NOTHING can get in your way… via FITsugar: How to Prevent a Side Stitch When Running Whether you’re a newbie or an accomplished marathoner, side stitches happen. With all of the research we have available, it sounds strange, but we’re still not exactly sure why this pain in the rib cage occurs. Some physiologists have theorized that the common side stitch comes from your stomach and other organs bumping into each other as your feet hit the ground. And others speculate it’s caused when the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm becomes overstretched. We can’t shift the science that occurs in our bodies, but there are some steps to prevent those pesky cramps. Don’t fill up: Running on a full stomach is never a good idea. And this doesn’t just refer to a big meal, it goes for water as well. Staying hydrated is absolutely necessary, but overloading on H2O or a sports drink right before you head off can lead to bad cramps. Stretch appropriately: Improper or lack of stretching may be linked to annoying side pains that cramp your style. While the verdict is still out on whether stretching before a run prevents injury, get in an active running warmup to cover all your bases. Breathe deeper: Learning to breathe with your diaphragm can be some of your best defense against cramps. If you’re not sure where to start, take our tips and learn to breathe correctly when you run. If you’re suffering from a side stitch in the middle of a run, slow down your pace and your breath. If that doesn’t help, stop completely and press your hand into the right side of your body and push up. Once the pain goes away, feel free to jump back on the running wagon.  High-res

MOTIVATION: the dreaded SIDE STITCH!

Last night was a gorgeous night for a run. It was dusk, I was in Central Park and ready to take on the 5 mile loop. But in just the first mile I found myself sidelined by a SERIOUS STITCH. Sounds wimpy of me, but it was killer and I was in serious pain. Pushing on my stomach didn’t work, breathing wasn’t working (breathe?! when am I not breathing?!), I was pissed. 

But then I remembered something my high school cross country coach taught me — push your stomach out and use your breath to extend your abdomen to push out a stitch. And it worked! Boom. I rocked those 5 miles and the stitch never came back.

Below, some additional tips on avoiding stitches. Because when you’re hungry for a run NOTHING can get in your way…

via FITsugar: How to Prevent a Side Stitch When Running

Whether you’re a newbie or an accomplished marathoner, side stitches happen. With all of the research we have available, it sounds strange, but we’re still not exactly sure why this pain in the rib cage occurs. Some physiologists have theorized that the common side stitch comes from your stomach and other organs bumping into each other as your feet hit the ground. And others speculate it’s caused when the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm becomes overstretched. We can’t shift the science that occurs in our bodies, but there are some steps to prevent those pesky cramps.

Don’t fill up: Running on a full stomach is never a good idea. And this doesn’t just refer to a big meal, it goes for water as well. Staying hydrated is absolutely necessary, but overloading on H2O or a sports drink right before you head off can lead to bad cramps.

Stretch appropriately: Improper or lack of stretching may be linked to annoying side pains that cramp your style. While the verdict is still out on whether stretching before a run prevents injury, get in an active running warmup to cover all your bases.

Breathe deeper: Learning to breathe with your diaphragm can be some of your best defense against cramps. If you’re not sure where to start, take our tips and learn to breathe correctly when you run.

If you’re suffering from a side stitch in the middle of a run, slow down your pace and your breath. If that doesn’t help, stop completely and press your hand into the right side of your body and push up. Once the pain goes away, feel free to jump back on the running wagon. 

10 months ago

MOTIVATION: life before the olympics.

For all the house and garage windows I broke with soccer balls. For that dent in the car I made with my softball. For the countless scratches I made on the kitchen floor with my tap shoes. This video about sums it up (even though it’s a commercial from Bounty). It’s pretty awesome. Pumped for the Olympics!

Bounty - Let The Spills Begin (London 2012 Olympic Games) (by BountyBrand)

11 months ago
MOTIVATION: taking on your very first half marathon. “I’m not a runner.” ”I could never run that far.” ”You couldn’t pay me enough to do that!” Ever say anything like this when someone brings up the idea of running a long distance race? You’re not alone. But people everywhere are taking on these kinds of mega-goals every weekend! This weekend in New Jersey, one Shailin proved that she was a runner—and not just a runner, but a half marathon finisher! She writes about her first running experience below and proves that accountability and setting a goal, like signing up for a race, pushes you through the tough training days all the way to race day! Congrats Shailin (pictured front row, left) and all her fellow runners!! HUGE accomplishment!! via Shailin:  “A few months ago while searching the web I decided that I was signing up for the New Jersey half Marathon. Immediately after I went through with this idea I contacted my 3 cousins and begged them to join me. Since we are all related and share the same amount of craziness they agreed. I began training in January and never thought I could actually do it. I always figured I would chicken out and not participate once race day came about. However, since my cousins were also training it made it easier. Seeing their accomplishments and hearing what they were able to do made me push myself. Take one mile at a time we told each other and that’s exactly what we did. I never ran before starting my training but each week I added another mile onto my long run and before I knew it I was running ten miles at a time. When race day came I was extremely nervous but we all got up extra early so we could go together. We read motivational quotes and listened to my dads words of wisdom from his past marathon days. The race was tough but I knew I could do it, I knew we all could do it. Needless to say I finished (a lot longer that I planned, but I FINISHED) I’ve never smiled bigger than I did crossing that finish line. I was pleasantly surprised in myself and I recommend the challenge to all.” High-res

MOTIVATION: taking on your very first half marathon.

“I’m not a runner.” ”I could never run that far.” ”You couldn’t pay me enough to do that!”

Ever say anything like this when someone brings up the idea of running a long distance race? You’re not alone. But people everywhere are taking on these kinds of mega-goals every weekend! This weekend in New Jersey, one Shailin proved that she was a runner—and not just a runner, but a half marathon finisher! She writes about her first running experience below and proves that accountability and setting a goal, like signing up for a race, pushes you through the tough training days all the way to race day! Congrats Shailin (pictured front row, left) and all her fellow runners!! HUGE accomplishment!!

via Shailin: 

“A few months ago while searching the web I decided that I was signing up for the New Jersey half Marathon. Immediately after I went through with this idea I contacted my 3 cousins and begged them to join me. Since we are all related and share the same amount of craziness they agreed. I began training in January and never thought I could actually do it. I always figured I would chicken out and not participate once race day came about. However, since my cousins were also training it made it easier. Seeing their accomplishments and hearing what they were able to do made me push myself. Take one mile at a time we told each other and that’s exactly what we did. I never ran before starting my training but each week I added another mile onto my long run and before I knew it I was running ten miles at a time.

When race day came I was extremely nervous but we all got up extra early so we could go together. We read motivational quotes and listened to my dads words of wisdom from his past marathon days. The race was tough but I knew I could do it, I knew we all could do it. Needless to say I finished (a lot longer that I planned, but I FINISHED) I’ve never smiled bigger than I did crossing that finish line. I was pleasantly surprised in myself and I recommend the challenge to all.”

1 year ago
HERE WE COME, DC! Jen sent me this pic from her gorgeous “gym” - the Washington Monument. Will be fantastic running a course where I don’t know what lies around the next corner. But mostly I’m psyched to rejoin my running buddy!  Whatcha got, DC?? Bring it on! Anyone else running DC this weekend? 

HERE WE COME, DC!


Jen sent me this pic from her gorgeous “gym” - the Washington Monument. Will be fantastic running a course where I don’t know what lies around the next corner. But mostly I’m psyched to rejoin my running buddy! 

Whatcha got, DC?? Bring it on!

Anyone else running DC this weekend? 

1 year ago
MOTIVATION: my MYB buddy! Thanks to Stuart for running  with me this morning to make my 12 miler feel like a 5 miler + 7 miler. A HUGE mental help to break down the run into smaller pieces. We braved the chilly windy New York Saturday morning, caught up on life, got to gossip away the miles and forget that our legs were even moving! Best way to start the day. Thanks Stu! Nice run! Next stop… the DC 13.1 (to ring in my 31st bday!) where another MYB buddy, Jen, awaits!! Bring it on, DC! High-res

MOTIVATION: my MYB buddy!

Thanks to Stuart for running  with me this morning to make my 12 miler feel like a 5 miler + 7 miler. A HUGE mental help to break down the run into smaller pieces. We braved the chilly windy New York Saturday morning, caught up on life, got to gossip away the miles and forget that our legs were even moving! Best way to start the day. Thanks Stu! Nice run!


Next stop… the DC 13.1 (to ring in my 31st bday!) where another MYB buddy, Jen, awaits!! Bring it on, DC!

1 year ago