I Want to be an Eco-Chic Triathlete

Bike to Work Day!

2009-05-13T09:43:00.003-04:00

Firday May 15th is Bike to Work Day! The name really says it all...bike to work this week to boost your health, and to ensure a totally eco-friendly commute!

Picture...RUN!

2009-05-01T21:15:00.004-04:00

Not the best, but here's a race day pic from last weekend...

I look pretty slow here...This just makes me want to run faster!

MORE & Fitness Magazine Half Marathon

2009-04-26T15:14:00.008-04:00

Today was the More and Fitness Magazine Marathon and Half Marathon in Central Park. I registered with a few girls from my work (Organic Works) earlier this semester, and was so excited to run!

This run was a lot different than my last because I actually got an amazing night's sleep last night. I went to bed at about 10:45, and slept soundly until my alarm work me up at 5am. I was so rested and ready! My friend Kristen (who lives in my building) had a friend in town, Lisa, running too. We met in the lobby and headed out around 7. I mention the time of day because it's quite remarkable how hot it was already. When we got to the starting area to check bags, I was already sweating.

We were enjoying the usual pre-race excitement when they made a rather shocking announcement...Due to the heat, the full marathon had been cancelled! What? And furthermore, the half marathon was no longer going to be officially timed! WHAT?

Apparently the race directors had a rather difficult decision to make. They wanted to avoid a potentially unsafe situation, remnant of the Chicago Marathon heat wave last year. Luckily I wasn't running the full, so it didn't matter much to me, but I can imagine a few people were pretty disappointed.

7, 700 women lined up at the starting line. It was possibly the most crowded race start I've ever been in. Because the full marathon (which had a separate starting line) was cancelled, everyone ran the half, and everyone lined up in the half starting area.

After picking my way through throngs of enthusiastic runners, all dressed in either pink or some other type of girl power gear, I settled into a comfortable pace with my new running buddy, Lisa. We ran 8:50 minute miles for the first two, and then I said good-bye and picked up the pace. I actually found one of my friends from Organic Works, Megan, while running. We hugged quickly mid-jog and I was off again.

I picked up my pace to around 8:40 - 8:35 minute miles. Despite the heat I was feeling really great. The first 10 miles were awesome. I was actually surprising myself! I was on a roll! 8:40, 8:35, 8:30...really comfortable and fun.

Needless to say Central Park is beautiful, and it was a lovely run. But right after mile 10, the heat really hit me. My body was done. 10 miles! Time to stop before you pass out from the 90 degree weather!

I kept pushing and finished a few minutes slower than I had planned, but still PR'd and had a true runner's high when I was done.

After a bagel, banana and chocolate soy milk, we stretched out under a cherry tree. Way to beautiful. We sun-bathed, got a quick tan, treated myself to a mimosa and some frozen yogurt.

At the awards (which were based on clock times, no chip times) I saw USA Olympic marathon runner, Magdalena Lewy Boulet, which was pretty cool. She won with 1:08:10. (Jeez! In this heat?!)

It was an all-around beautiful day and a fairly successful race. Hopefully the actual professional running pictures will be in this week!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T10:02:00.005-04:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderfully eco-chic Earth Day!

Here are a few of my ideas to celebrate all year round...

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Run:

From Atayne's line of eco-chic clothing

Replace old running clothing with eco-friendly performance clothing from my new favorite company Atayne. The running tops are moisture wicking, UV protecting, odor controlling, and temperature regulating, as any good athletic top should be. However, they are made from recycled polyester (from plastic bottles) and activated carbon (from coconut shells) instead of from virgin polyester and harsh chemicals. Visit Atayne to lear more and buy a super-cool, eco-friendly running top.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Bike:

This isn't my picture, but I thought it illustrated the point well!

for transportation instead of just for fun! I just bought a basket for the back of my road bike, and now I find myself riding it to the grocery store, on errands, to work, and to school. Granted I live in a city, and my other means of transportation are usually walking (very eco-friendly) or public transportation (more eco-friendly, but busses still do emit harmful gasses that contribute to global warming). Replace just one trip you'd take in a car with a bike...to a nearby friend or relative's house, to the store for a small purchase, or to the gym for a warm up! Here's the bike basket I bought.

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Swim:

Picture from Manhattan Island Foundation

Swimming in a pool is normal, but not very eco-friendly. If more people took advantage of the various natural bodies of water for swimming, maybe we'd be more inclined to take care of them, stop pollution, help the earth, and stay healthy ourselves. Visit NYC Swim to learn more about swimming around New York City, and the efforts to clean the waters for us and the earth.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?

Beach Run

2009-04-09T22:48:00.003-04:00

I spend the weekend in Florida (awesome) and took several day off of training (not so awesome). But I did get an absolutely beautiful beach run on my last day. I'm back in NYC, where it's spring-ish still, but for one wonderful run it was definitely summer...enjoy the pic ;)

Keep Running and Triathlon Healthy: How Yoga Practice can Prevent Injury

2009-03-30T22:30:00.005-04:00

Sunday night I attended a little mini discussion and workshop on how great yoga is for keeping triathletes and runners healthy and injury free. The talk (and following Power Vinyassa practice) was held at NYC's Upper East Side Lululemon store. Dr. Jordan Metzl, from the Hospital for Special Surgery and Erica Goss from Pure Yoga came and talked to a packed room of triathletes, yogis and novices alike.

Dr. Metzl, who has completed 25 Marathons and 4 Iron Mans (what?!) spoke about common sports injuries, symptoms, prevention, and treatments. He made the distinction between acute injuries (like a freak accident: think Lance Armstrong's bike crash last week that resulted in a broken collar bone) and overuse injuries, which are much more common.

He helped us better understand common injuries like runner's knee, shin splints, hamstring pulls, and Achilles tendinitis and what these injuries may really reveal. (He writes a regular column in Triathlete called "Doctor's Orders" which you may want to check out for way more detail). Both runner's knee and shin splints, for example, can manifest in two different ways and each means something different. Shin splints can be in the muscle or the bone, the bone being more serious because it can indicate a possible stress fracture.

He also mentioned two common mistakes he sees again and again. The first is people going too fast too soon with training. The normal athletic process is something like "athletic darwinism," where you start off running a mile, do a 5k, then a 10k or half marathon, and then one day train for a marathon. Today, he says, many people want to jump right into the marathon! Without the evolution! Next he says people commonly ignore injuries until they are at their worst and can't do their sport anymore. Early detection of symptoms can help prevent more complicated problems form forming.

Then Erica Goss led a fantastic Power Vinyassa series and we talked about the obvious ways yoga can build flexibility for triathletes and how it can also be an excellent part of strength training. Strength training, both Goss and Dr. Metzl stressed, is essential for triathletes and especially runners. Without it, the bones and muscles may not be able to support intense training necessary for competition.

The discussion was very interesting and informative, and both Goss and Dr. Metzl were excellent! Thanks Lululemon, for hosting such great community events like this!

City Running Tours

2009-03-22T15:41:00.003-04:00

So I have kinda of an exciting new gig. Today I shadowed a run for the tour company, City Running Tours...I'm going to be a running tour guide! The company is 4 years old and gives tours of difference distances and paces around six cities in the USA: New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, San Diego, Austin and Charlotte.

The President and CEO, Michael, started the company after a tourist stopped by the gym where his chiropractic office was located. He asked if any of the trainers would give him a running tour of the city. Since none of the trainers at the gym were really runners, Michael offered the tour the businessman. After the run he knew they were onto something and the company was born!

Today they run as many as 150 tours in New York City ever year. They're usually one-on-one or small group tours that can follow one of several different routes or a custom made route to see any of the city's specific sights.

This morning we headed west from Time Square to the Hudson River, past the High Line, through the Meat Packing District, the West Village, NYU, up 5th Ave through Union Square, Madison Square and finally back to Times Square. It was a chilly 32 degrees, but clear and crisp. The guide, the tour-ee and I talked about life in New York, the historical sights and legends of the areas we saw and of course about running.

So now that I've shadowed my first run I'll get to start leading tours sometime soon. It's a really great way to see the city: running allows you to pass lots of sights and sections of the city in a short time...and it also lets you, as a tourist, to keep up with your regular runs or training. Also, not to mention, it's very eco-chic! No carbon-emitting tour busses!

If you're traveling to any of the cities we run in, sign up for a tour! And if you come to NYC, I expect to see you!!!

One More Photo from Nationals

2009-03-11T17:56:00.002-04:00

I thought this looked cool, all blurred and stuff...one of the girls on our team took it (she's a photo major). It's me diving in during one of the Freestyle Relays...Action Shot!

Eco-Chic Dolls: For the Aspiring Environmental Activist

2009-03-10T22:51:00.004-04:00

Ok so no, I'm not a 6-year-old and technically I shouldn't care about this, but If I were, I would want one of these dolls!

I saw these Planet Pixies on Tree Hugger and absolutely couldn't resist! They're soft dolls for children 3 and up (which should have been a clue that I'm not the target audience...) made with certified organic cotton, water-based, all-natural dyes. They're each named for a different part of our planet in peril: Anyu the Ice Pixie from the Artic, Kayla the Marsh Pixie from the Everglades, and Maya the Tree Pixie from the Amazon.

They also come complete with information about the region they represent and what the tiny tots can do to help protect the planet from an early age.

OMG so cute.

I may be ordering one...(Now back to relevant 21-year-old girl blogging...)

2009 National Swimming Championships

2009-03-08T12:06:00.014-04:00

The team after the last day of competition

We finally made it back to Manhattan after what felt like a week of nonstop swimming in Buffalo. I'm absolutely exhausted, and I'm also one of the only people on the team not fighting off some kind of cold, flu or other ailment.

But what an amazing week it's been!

Erie College's Natatorium

We started every day with warm-ups around 9 am. Preliminaries began at 10 am and went through until about 12:30. Then we'd grab lunch and some days we'd rush back to the pool for diving at 1 pm. After diving came nap time, and then back to the pools at 4:45 for another warm up. Finals began at 6 pm and went until about 9 or so. I really haven't done that much consecutive swimming...ever...and my body now feels a little like overworked taffy.

Captain Kristen, Coach Mike, me and Gwen at the banquet on the first night.

In between our races and workouts, it was so exciting to watch the rest of the meet. There were some absolutely amazing swimmers and we saw quite a few record breaking times (a 19 second 50 free and a 54 second 100 breast....INSANE). It really inspired all of us to work even harder for next season and to make sure to stay in top shape. One of my favorite parts of meets of this size is the finals when the top 8 swimmers are paraded out to the blocks to music. It's so much fun to watch!

I swam four events, three relays and one individual. The 100 backstroke, the 200 Medley Relay, the 200 Freestyle Relay and the 400 Freestyle relay.

To be honest, I didn't really have a chance to place in the 100 back. I'm so happy to have qualified (I qualified for the 200 back as well...but decided not to swim), but right now I really don't compare to some of the girls on the other teams. I held my own though and had a really strong preliminary swim. Then, to my surprise I was moved on to the consolation finals! (The top 16 from the prelims go on to finals: top 8 to the real finals, and the rest to the "consolation" finals...this is cool but also meant I had to swim it again in a few hours!) I ended up dropping a second off my time in the finals which is great.

The 200 medley relay had some pretty fierce competition as well. I swam backstroke and had a pretty good split of 35 seconds. We didn't place but were happy with the results until we found out our team and two others had been disqualified! (Apparently someone left the blocks a millisecond too early...sucks, but oh well!)

The freestyle relays were another story. We had pretty good competition, but knew we could pull off some solid times. The 200 came first and to my surprise I swam a 29.5 second split! That's the fastest I've ever gone (in case you don't know swimming numbers: the guys that win do their split in 19 seconds or faster and the girls do it in 23 seconds or faster...so my 29.5 is relative, but pretty fast for me!) The other girls on our relay swam even faster and we won 6th place medals!

6th Place in the 200 Free Relay!

Then, the last night of competition, came the 400 freestyle relay. I think they save it to the very last second because it's pretty exciting and pretty competitive. We just wanted to place in the top 8 to get medals and more points, which meant winning our heat. Going into it we weren't sure it was possible because one of the girls from our rival team had posted a super fast time earlier in the 100 free individual event...faster than any of us swim. But the race came together well and we ended up winning our heat by a few seconds and securing 8th place medals! I swam a solid split even with water in my goggles!

My 8th place and 6th place medals from the 400 and 200 Free Relays

Overall FIT won 9th place in the meet (out of like 15? 17? something like that...) That may not sound super exciting, but we're a really small team and a first year team. I think we definitely proved ourselves and earned the respect of the other more established teams! We left the meet on a definite high and to be honest I'm really sad the season is over. I can always keep swimming on my own or with friends, but there really is nothing like competing with a team!

The essentials: cap, nose plug, goggles, and athlete credentials.

National Swimming Championships

2009-03-05T14:11:00.003-05:00

So, our little first year team from FIT is way up in Buffalo, NY this week for the NJCAA National Swimming and Diving Championships. We've been here since early Tuesday morning (I was up at 3:40 that morning to catch a plane...) and leave on Sunday.

There are at least 17 (maybe 19, I'll check and confirm) teams in the competition and all of them are amazing. The team that dominates is actually from near my hometown in Florida, and they are insane! I witnessed a guy swim a 19 second 50 free style this morning....!!!!! (That's actually why I wrote this post. I wanted to share the insanity of what we saw...he broke like three records!)

So, I swim this evening in the 200 free style relay, tomorrow in the 100 backstroke (yes, I qualified for this AND the 200 backstroke! How in the world did I miss that?!) and Saturday in the 200 Medley relay. I won't be breaking any national, state, regional or pool records, but I'm hoping to at least break some personal records now that I have all my season's times down on paper.

More posts and lots of pictures to come!

Birthday!

2009-02-28T18:39:00.004-05:00

This post really doesn't have anything to do with training, racing or the environment, but read on if you're interested!

I'm 21!

My best girlfriends from back home in Florida came to surprise me this weekend for my 21st birthday in NYC! What a treat! I've lived here for three years and they've never been to visit before this weekend. We had a blast visiting museums, shopping and mostly eating.

Wednesday night I had early birthday dinner plans with my friend and former roommate Lindsey at Cafe Spice, one of our favorite Indian places. She greeted me outside the restaurant and we sat down at a table for two. I noticed three people at a table near us wearing huge sun hats that covered their faces and suddenly it all clicked! Those silly hats could only belong to my friends (Anna, Tayler and Jordan)! I was so surprised I couldn't even talk...or eat, really!

At midnight I ate a Billy's Bakery Cupcake (Cupcake # 1 of the weekend) in their hotel room and opened a few presents from my mom.

Thursday (my actual birthday) I had to work, so they met me for lunch in Union Square. The girls at my internship were so sweet and surprised me with beautiful cupcakes from Cupcake Cafe (cupcake #2, #3, #4 of the weekend).

That night I took Anna to my favorite yoga studio, Yoga to the People for a Birthday yoga session. After that we all went out for a late dinner at Veselka, the best Ukrainian restaurant ever.

Friday we toured The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have a contest going on now called "Have we Met" where visitors take pictures in and around the Met of their experience. Here are some of our brilliant entries:

That evening I gathered all of my friends from NYU, FIT and Florida for dinner at Cafetasia, a fantastic, chic, cheap Thai Restaurant. They lost my reservations and gave us horrible service, but the food was amazing as always and we had a wonderful time.

We ended the night with a little bar-hopping and celebrating at Crumbs Cupcakes (cupcake # 5 of the weekend...in case you're counting or wondering, that's too many cupcakes!) The next day, tired and out of it, I took the girls shopping in SoHo.

What a wonderful Birthday weekend! I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends!

This week is Nationals for Swimming in Buffalo, NY - More posts to come!

Ocean College Swim Meet II

2009-02-22T08:55:00.005-05:00

Yesterday the FIT swim team got up early to head out to the Jersey Shore for the second match with Ocean College's fantastic swim team. None of us were feeling particularly motivated that morning...it was cold outside and even a bit chilly on the pool deck. But I was excited to be swimming the first meet in our new swimsuits and caps (check it out above)!

I swam four events:

The 200 Medley Relay: Backstroke

The 50 Freestyle

The 100 Backstroke

The 200 Freestyle Relay

Since our team is only about 10 swimmers and Ocean's has, oh, at least 40 or so, we had no chance of "winning." But we did well and by the end I was feeling great in the pool.

I actually cut about 5 seconds off my 100 Backstroke time, but was still 4 seconds too slow to qualify for Nationals. I figured I'd make it next year when my coach told me I had actually qualified for nationals in my 200 backstroke! What? When did this happen!? (Actually, I know when it happened since I've only competed in that event once...) Hmm, that should be interesting!

We finished the day with a trip to Panera Bread (a suburban treat for us Manhattanites). Now we're looking forward to Nationals in upstate NY in two weeks!

Before, During, After

2009-02-20T08:53:00.006-05:00

These are some of the greener, more natural things I'm trying to fuel and compliment my workouts.

Before a hard workout:
Organic Dried Dates

A running buddy told me she's been eating dried dates to fuel her before workouts, and so I looked into the nutrition information. She's right: the fruit has a lot of great carbs to help you get a pre-workout kick, plus they're delicious.

Pro Bar

My work used to represent Pro Bar, so we have a few samples in the back room. My superviser encouraged me to help myself and I'm totally hooked now. The bars come in tons of natural flavors and are totally unprocessed and organic (I love every flavor I've tried so far!) They have a good deal of calories, so I make sure to eat them before a workout. They're also chock-full of protein, omega 3's, carbs and potassium.

During a hard workout:

Liv Organic Sports Drink

I've mentioned this product before, but the more I drink I the more I love it! This is obviously formulated to be a sports drink, so it has a good ratio of carbs and sodium to re-hydrate.

Coconut Water

It's definitely an acquired taste, but coconut water is a wonderful natural re- hydrant. It too has the perfect mix of sodium and carbs to replenish the body. I've been squeezing hot yoga and swim workouts into the same evenings and I usually down one of these in between to make sure I'm hydrated. So far I've only tried the flavored variety (which are all tasty), but I have a plain coconut one in my bag for this evening.

After a hard workout:

Kiss My Face Active Athletic Body Wash

I think hard workouts should be rewarded and this is the way to do it. It's made with Birtch, which is an anit-inflamatory, arnica which soothes sore muscles, and ceder, which is supposed to be calming.

Back in the Game

2009-02-09T22:27:00.005-05:00

I've been so busy since arriving back in New York: school, new internship, working out, and on and on and on! But this past weekend, I got back in the game.

Friday night I spent time on the runway for my designer friend Kate Goldwater, at a fashion show for an animal charity...which meant there were dogs...in costumes... It was pretty adorable, I'm not going to lie...

Saturday morning I headed up to Central Park to meet two girls from my new internship at Organic Works Marketing for a nice 5 mile (plus 2 extra for me) run in preparation for the More and Fitness Magazine's Women's Half Marathon in April! (Somehow, between me and another runner in the office, we've gotten several girls signed up! How exciting! Watch out for Team Organic Works come April 26.)

The day was a welcome break from our recently frigid weather. At 10 am, it was about 34 degrees, perfect for running if you ask me, and it warmed up wonderfully throughout the day. I dressed comfortably and brought some Pina Colada flavored Cliff Bar Shot Blocks to chew on in my great new running belt.

We chatted about family, friends, and mostly working out, (but not about work...that's not allowed.) The run was nice and easy for me, and I added a mile warm up and a little over a mile cool down after I parted way with my new found running buddies. It's so nice to have someone to keep you company on a chilly morning!

Sunday I dragged myself onto my bike for the first time (since being back in the city) in the cold (no, it didn't stay warm for long) night air to get to swim team practice (also a first since being back). The ride was short, but I was surprised how difficult it was! I'm was worried that I wasn't in cycling shape AT ALL! My riding buddy Jack is great conversation and, as always, I was completely enamored. All of a sudden I realized the ride was so hard because my back tire wasn't inflated properly! How stupid and unacceptable of me not to check before running out the door! (But at least it wasn't me...;)

The two hour swim practice was the cherry to top the sundae of my weekend. In short: it kicked my ass. We incorporated a lot of stretching into the practice, which felt great. The actual swimming was difficult and exhilarating, and I remember why I love swimming. It's really not like any other sport. I've been really active since being out of the pool, but swimming works my body in a completely different way.

I've also managed to make it to yoga a few times (as per my goals for the year) Hot Yoga and a regular vinyassa flow session.

It's nice to settle into a routine again!

Check back later this week...I've been working on a new Athlete's Green Product Guide that's not to be missed.

Adventures in Advertising: PETA/Super Bowl Edition...

2009-01-28T16:57:00.010-05:00

The only thing that intrigues me about the strange American tradition that is the Super Bowl, is this recently banned PETA advertisement.

Although I'm a vegetarian and have been for several years, I sometimes don't agree with PETA's tactics (graffiti, paint-throwing, etc).

This ad, however, is exactly why I love them - It showcases what they do best. They really know how to be cutting edge and get an audience's attention.

Enjoy! (But just as a warning, it's a bit steamy!)

What do you think? Should the ad have been banned from the Super Bowl Broadcast? Is it too racy? Or is it clever and sexy?

Not enough to convince you to go Veg?

Here are some interesting facts about vegetarianism and saving the environment:

1. Meat production contributes greatly to deforestation. Over 40% of the rain forests in Central and South America have been destroyed to create pastures for cattle being raised for beef.

2.A U.N. report found that a full 18% of global warming emissions come from raising chickens, turkeys, pigs, and other animals for food. That's about 40 percent more than all the cars, trucks, airplanes, and all other forms of transport combined (13 percent). It's also more than all the homes and offices in the world put together (8 percent).

Still not convinced that a vegetarian diet can get you through triathlon training?

Well, six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott was a longtime vegetarian through the 80's and 90's!

New Year, New Me

2009-01-22T18:11:00.005-05:00

Technically the New Year began about 24 days ago, but since I've been on vacation in Florida, I decided to make my resolutions begin Monday January 26th, the day I go back to school (i.e. when the new year really begins for me. This may seem like a cop-out, but I assure you, it's not;) I'm sitting here in the Orlando International Airport, waiting to board my plane back to the cold, snowy north...So here they are, my goals and resolutions for 2009.

Environmental

1. Re-use more instead of buying new things

2. Have a positive impact on my community

3. Recycle, recycle, recycle and encourage others to do so

4. Make a conscious effort to buy sustainable, organic and low impact goods

Fitness

1. PR in the 5 and 10k running distances this year

2. Make it to yoga at least once a week (maybe more?)

3. Qualify for nationals in the 100 Backstroke (I have, like, one month to do this)

4. Complete my personal trainer certification and get a job at a gym

General

1. Keep my desk and dresser drawers organized

2. Don't play favorites with my clothes: wear all of them!

3. Save money

4. Make the best of my exciting spring internship and of my classes

I'll keep you all posted on my progress...We'll see how it goes!

Inauguration Celebration!

2009-01-19T16:28:00.005-05:00

Disney Half Marathon!

2009-01-13T20:26:00.009-05:00

It took me a few days, but here's the low-down on the Walt Disney World Half Marathon!

I've never really been a Disney fan - thankfully my parents didn't raise me on the movies or at the parks (although I grew up just 45 minutes away), but I have to admit, the Disney folks sure know how to organize an awesome race!

My Mom, Grandma (who is a Disney fan) and I left home at noon on Friday to drive to Orlando for Marathon Weekend. We picked up my race number and some goodies at the Expo and then checked into our hotel, The Pop Century.

The Expo had a few things of note. I finally bought a good running storage belt - I've tried the one you velcro to your shoe and I've tried tucking things into my shorts, but I'm pretty picky about comfort, so none of those seemed an ample solution. This belt is a perfect small size, and doesn't bounce! I love it.

Also - I found the premiere issue of Women's Running Magazine! This is particularly interesting to me because in my magazine journalism class two semesters ago, I did my final project on a mock issue of a women's running magazine - because there wasn't one on the market! I haven't read the entire issue, but it's pretty exciting:)

After a pre-race dinner of brown rice, veggies and tofu, I set out my gear for the next day and we found ourselves in bed by 9pm. I needed to be awake race morning by 3am, so I wanted plenty of sleep...

I guess it was excitement or anticipation, but I didn't sleep AT ALL. I mean, ZERO hours of actual sleep...AWESOME.

Nevertheless, I was up and eating at 3 am, on a shuttle to the starting area at 3:45 and at the starting line by 5:30!

The weather was PERFECT. The announcers even called it "No Excuses Weather," which I love, because it really describes it to a T. Florida gave us about 46 degrees at start time (5:50) and up to around 55-60 degrees at the finish.

I was in wave one (of three), corral B (of A-F).

My plan was to run 9 minute miles the whole way, to finish right under 2 hours. The first 10k went perfectly. I felt great. I stuck to my comfortable 9 minute miles and even felt good enough to speed up a little, to 8:45 miles. Miles 5 and 6 run through the Magic Kingdom theme park, which was super cool because it was still dark and the park was all lit up and, well, magical looking. (And since I've really only been there once, it was even more interesting.) All the characters are out in costume, and runners even stop to take pictures with them! Seriously! In a race! (I would never!) But it's all so much fun! (Note: the only time I was tempted to stop, if I'd had my camera, was for Mary Poppins and Bert in front of the Grand Floridian resort. I love Mary Poppins:)

I stopped to use the bathroom right before mile 7, and after that, I couldn't really get back on pace. I started to feel tired and hungry, so I ate two Organic CLIFF shots and felt a bit better. I figured I should just relax and not worry about pace any more, since it seemed to be giving me trouble, so I slowed down to 10, and a few 11 minute miles (yikes!)

The sun came up around mile 10. Mile 12 lead us through EPCOT (which I actually have been to several times. I like the countries;) and then finally I saw the 13 mile marker! To tell you the truth I was feeling pretty spent by the time I crossed the finish line, but was really happy with the race overall!

I finished in 2:10, 13 minutes slower than I planned, but very comfortably. In my next Half, with ample sleep and without a terrible cold the week before, I will definitely be able to finish under 2 hours, like I planned.

After the race, I went back to the hotel and slept for a few hours, and rewarded myself with a huge ice cream sundae that night! If anyone is looking for a super fun race, I would seriously recommend the Disney races. They are so festive!

The Overall Results:

Time: 2:10:15

Total Runners 12,434

Overall Finish 3,1086

AG Finish 95 out of 515 (Women, 18-24)

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't do my best on my first Half - now I have something to beat!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-08T13:49:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! (Caitlyn, me, and Jordan)

I've been taking full advantage of my extra long vacation (my school has most of January off) relaxing here in Florida with the family and friends. The weather has been so beautiful, I forget it's January!

Tayler's 21st Birthday! (She's the one with the crown...

with her sister Ashley on the left and boyfriend Garrett on the right:)

I've been sunbathing at the beach, studying to become a personal trainer, working a little, celebrating birthdays and holidays with friends...and getting ready for the Disney Half Marathon this weekend! I was feeling a little under the weather this week (from too much relaxing, I'm sure;). I had a cough, but got some medication, so hopefully I'll be good to go for race day.

I'll be back with a full report and pictures of the weekend and the race on Sunday!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Merry Fitness to All and to All a Good Bike!

2008-12-27T11:37:00.011-05:00

I didn't get a "good bike" for Christmas, but it is a lovely sentiment!

It's such a treat to spend the Holidays with my family in the 80 degree weather Florida is so famous for. We started Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's party on the south end of the island and worked our way up to the north end at my other Aunt and Uncle's party.

Grandma Tilly and I at Aunt Maureen and Uncle Kevin's Christmas Eve Party

We drank and ate too much and finally found our way back home.

Christmas morning my brother woke me up early to open presents around the tree with Mom, Dad and the dogs. My brother Jake got a surf board and a skateboard (from me), Dad got a ton of new golf gear, Mom got some jewelry she'd been eyeing and I got a few fun odds and ends. Even the dogs got new collars and some holiday treats.

Top: Mom with the Mermaid Painting I gave her, Bottom: Dad with his new Iron Man Watch

Then we got in the car and drove up to the north end of the island to visit my Dad's parents for breakfast and gifts.

Jake riding the Bustin Board Skateboard I gave him and Dad

After a well-deserved nap and some cooking we piled in the car again to go south to my Mom's Mom's house for dinner and gifts. My Dad made the family seafood gumbo (and me a vegetarian version, thanks Dad!) I'm always so impressed by what delicious food our family can produce! Mom made some amazing potatoes and Grandma cooked up a variety of scrumptious side dishes.

My cousins Cara and Diana made it into town from Tampa and Athens, GA where they are in school, and it was wonderful to visit with them.

From Left to Right: Diana (cousin from Tampa. FL), Krista (friend from Tallahassee, FL), Jacob (brother), Me, and Cara (cousin from Athens, GA )

Delirious from food and sweets, I met up with my girlfriends to eat some more and exchange gifts late into the night.

Some Christmas highlights include a pretty purple Iron man watch, swimming goggles, bike gloves, a variety of gift cards, an adorable pair of gold ballet flats and even a super-cute, wonderfully practical lunch box:)

I hope everyone reading this had as wonderful of a Holiday as my family did. Merry Fitness to All!

Running in Paradise

2008-12-21T14:58:00.007-05:00

My last post was written at JFK Ariport in NYC....I got out of the north right before the crazy snow started, phew! I'm now enjoying the sunny and 78 degree weather in Florida.

This morning I headed out to do a nice 7 mile run along the river in Rockledge. Riveside Drive is an absolutely beautiful place to run (It's actually the route of the Space Coast Marathon). It's lined with ton of beautiful historic houses, lush oak trees heavy with spanish moss, and tropical palm trees to remind me why I love Florida. The only problem is the heat and humidity...but, I can't really complain. At least I'm not stuck in a blizzard!

Running....runnning....running...

After the run, back in Cocoa Village.

The Athlete's Green Gift Guide (part 3)

2008-12-18T18:52:00.004-05:00

7 Days until Christmas, 3 days until Hanukkah!

If you read my post about the super cool, affordable yoga studio, Yoga To The People, you may already have guessed that I'm somewhat addicted to yoga:)

I think it's a great way for any kind of athlete to increase strength and flexibility and bring an element of relaxation to training.

But unfortunately most yoga mats are made of icky, unsustainable plastic materials like phthlates which are harmful to the planet and not so good for people. So, I suggest investing in a sustainable hemp, bamboo, or other eco-chic yoga mat option for the yogi on your holiday shopping list. My mom got me the Prana sticky mat for Christmas last year and I absolutely love it!

Here are some of my other favorites:

Prana (this is the one I have), eKO, and Golden Earth

The Athlete's Green Gift Guide (part 2)

2008-12-17T11:12:00.004-05:00

8 Days until Christmas, 4 days until Hanukkah!

Looking for an eco-chic holiday stocking stuffer?

Kiss My Face Holiday Gift Packs

I'm a really huge fan of Kiss My Face organic bath, skin and hair products. I use their shampoo, conditioner and body wash religiously. Since I'm in the pool a lot, it's important for me to have products that protect my hair from the chlorine damage, and Kiss My Face really does the job. Also, the scents are all organic, so they're really, truly fresh. The gift packs are made with organic ingredients like chamomile to calm your tired, overworked self, Shea butter to heal your skin, and sunflower oil to moisturize.

These Holiday Gift Packs feature lip balm, body scrub and moisturizer in cute holiday scents like cranberry spice and vanilla sugar.

The Athlete's Green Gift Guide (part 1)

2008-12-16T13:44:00.004-05:00

9 Days until Christmas, 5 days until Hanukkah...

Still shopping for Holiday gifts? Here's my eco-chic athlete's gift guide.

Klean Kanteen with Sports Top

The Klean Kanteen is one of my favorite practical things. It's a sturdy, simple re-usable water bottle made from stainless steel, which means it is completely BPA free. It also keeps water cold and crisp, and doesn't spill or sweat easily. The sport's top is perfect if you're on the go, and they also sell a bike cages for cyclists who want to ride green.

It comes in steel, pink, black, green, blue, orange and brown.

More eco-chic gifts coming tomorrow!

Exam Week (Stress) + Bad Economy (Stress) + Yoga (relaxation) = Less Stress

2008-12-15T11:22:00.005-05:00

While holding a particularly strenuous chair pose in my yoga class last week, I got to thinking about what yoga can do for us in these troubling economic times. No doubt, it is an excellent form of exercise; but even more than that, it focuses our minds and helps relieve stress.

Yoga is the ancient Indian discipline that seeks to unite the mind and body. As America’s waistband expands and our wallet contracts, more people are looking for affordable exercise options. A survey conducted by CNN in 2004 found that 73% of Americans find money to be their number one stress factor. Imagine what that number must be in the midst of our current financial meltdown.

Using yoga to relive some of this money-related stress and to vary your exercise routine is a wonderful option, but the problem for students like me, is that yoga studios in New York City often charge over $20 a class. That certainly is not an anxiety reliever! Fortunately, there is an option for those who want to Zen-out without worrying about burning a hole in their pocketbooks.

Yoga to the People is a fantastic studio in Manhattan’s East Village that is a completely donation based. (I absolutely love this studio and encourage everyone in NYC or visiting NYC to try a class.) This means that they ask participants to only give what they can – from $1 to as much as $20 or more if you’re in the position to do so. Located on the historic St. Marks Place, the studio teaches an upbeat form of Viyassa Flow Yoga. The instructors are all young and enthusiastic, and the classes are packed full of students and young adults.

“Can you find inner peace while someone’s toes are in your face?” asked my instructor, Emily, during my Sunday afternoon class. “If you can relax here, you can do it anywhere!”

The hour-long session that features an upbeat mix of modern music, ends with an inspiring quote and the Tibetan Singing Bowl, which add an eerie calm to the room. I encourage anyone in New York City even slightly interested to try a class. But make sure to arrive a few minutes early, the room fills up!

Yoga to the People
St. Marks Place near 3rd Ave
www.yttp.com

(illustration by Christina Coradin  for w27 Newspaper)

Epic Swim Weekend

2008-12-08T21:22:00.013-05:00

I am lucky to be alive (joking, sort of) after a full weekend of swim meets.

Saturday the team was up bright and early to head upstate 3 1/2 hours to the SUNY Delhi Invitational. It's really a great opportunity for a first year team to be invited. Nine teams from all over NY State were there, making it quite a long day!

We started warm-ups at 12 pm, but quickly found that warm was not really in the cards for us that day. It was freezing outside, and that cold air made the pool area and pool water absolutely frigid!

The meet started just after 1 pm. It was our first long format meet, which was an interesting and fun challenge.

I swam several events...maybe even more than this but I'm blanking on the details right now.

400 Medley Relay (Backstroke)

200 Back

200 Free

100 Free

The 400 relay was kind of surprising, because until I went up to the blocks, I thought it was a 200 relay. The water was really cold and even though I'd warmed up for a good half hour, my muscles kind of freaked out. We ended up finishing with a good time though.

I won my 200 back, and I think I won my 200 free and got 3rd or so in the 100 free.

The day was really long, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to test some new organic sports products I wanted to try.

The Liv Organic Sports Drink (Berry flavor) is sweetened with Agave Nectar and is actually surprisingly delicious. It has just enough carbs, sodium and electrolytes to keep my energy up all day.

I also tested Shakies Organic Energy Sports Chews, which are packed with electrolytes and are absolutely fantastic. A few of the girls on the team tried them and agreed that we're total Sharkie fans. Very eco-chic;)

When the meet was finally over at 9:30 pm, we packed up and headed out for a 3 1/2 hour drive in the snow! We got to bed at about 2 am, and set our alarms for 7 am the next morning.

I barley woke up in time to make it to the Sunday meet in Ocean New Jersey, but somehow I found myself in the van again.

Mike told us that we'd placed 3rd out of 9 teams the day before, which is very exciting!

Despite the good news we were all exhausted, so the meet was sort of a cool down from the previous day (although several of my team mates swam amazing times!)

I managed to get through several events:

200 Medley Relay (Backstroke)

200 Free

100 Back

200 Free Relay

This meet was significantly shorter and we were heading back to the city by 2 pm. After several pit-stops for food and our coach's work errands, we made it home. Now we have to face exam week!

I'm going to miss my lovely swim team over break, I can't wait to come back in the New Year and start swimming again!

Thanksgiving: Turkey Trot and Tofurkey

2008-11-28T10:59:00.008-05:00

UPDATE: 15th female finisher. 1st in my age group!

Thanksgiving is all about tradition. I love the old ones like mom's pumpkin rolls and grandma's potatoes. But I love creating new ones even more!

Last year I started running a 5K Turkey Trot in Cocoa Beach, and this year I continued the tradition and ran it with my little brother.

The morning started early, at about 5:30. I had a little bit of a headache, but was feeling good otherwise. My family and I headed over to the race course about 6:15. As we were crossing the bridge from Merritt Island to the beach side, the sun rise was stunning. What a wonderful way to start the morning!

This was Jake's first 5k, so he wanted to run with me, even though he's much faster than I am. We ran the first two miles together and then he sprinted ahead to a great finish. Our first two splits were 7:44, then 7:59.

He finished in 22:40 and I finished exactly a minute behind him at 23:40 (7:54 miles..I wanted closer to 7:30, but there's always next time!)

We headed home and I took a well deserved nap in front of the fireplace. Later that day Dad, Jake and I went to see my grandparents (Dad's side) and aunts and uncles for a quick visit. Then we rounded Mom up and went to my Grandma's house (Mom's side) for Thanksgiving dinner. I made some delicious vegan Tofurkey and then we ate, talked with family and watched the beautiful sunset.

(Dad, Mom, Me, Jake on Grandma's dock)

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

I Heart Swimming

2008-11-24T22:11:00.006-05:00

That's right ladies and gents - another victory for my beloved FIT Swim Team!

On Friday (right before I jetted home to Florida for Thanksgiving...more on that later) we travelled under the tunnel to Queens to swim against Queensbourough College and Borough of Manhattan College. This meet was a lot more official - two judges were there to monitor the times and procedure, and because of that we were eligible to qualify for Nationals.

Our team did fantastic as usual, and swam qualifying times in several events.

I swam two individual events and two relays:

The 50 Freestyle - 2nd place (almost first! Soooo close!)

The 100 Back - 1st place (this is my favorite event, but I still have to cut several seconds off to qualify for nationals, which is my new goal...The picture above is me swimming the back)

The 200 Medley Relay - 1st place and we qualified!

The 200 Freestyle Relay - 1st place and we qualified!

Here is Gwen KICKING ASS in the 500 Free. She won. They combined the men's and women's heats. She beat the guys. She rocks:)

And here's Jack, priceless picture. He was counting laps for Gwen's 500.

Congrats again to my wonderful team!

Fall Runs are the Best Runs

2008-11-18T14:11:00.006-05:00

Just a quick post today! I reached a "mile"stone by completing one of the longest runs I've done yet. Yesterday I did a very enjoyable 10 mile run in Central Park. Ahh, I absolutely love fall. The weather was perfect, about 40 degrees and partly cloudy. I'm pretty spoiled when it comes to running conditions: I 'd prefer not to run in the heat, the cold, the rain, too early, or too late. (I do it anyway, because that's what runners do!) But I love when conditions are perfect like yesterday!

I kept my pace around 9 minute miles, which felt great. I think if I keep this up, I'll be able to run around 8:30 minute miles for my first Half Marathon in a few months. I don't have a running watch (hint, hint mom;) so I use the CNN Building's huge clock to estimate my time! A bit archaic, but I actually like to round the corner of the bottom of the park and see the screen through the trees telling me I came in under my goal!

(No, that's not my picture, but it basically looked like that. Glorious, right?:)

Victory in the Pool!

2008-11-15T15:52:00.009-05:00

FIT's swim team had our second official meet this afternoon and guess what? We won again!

The meet was a little, um, ghetto (?)...Only one judge, a computer that stopped recording scores half way through the 200IM, and more last minute lane swaps than I can keep straight. But despite the disorganization, our team really pulled off some great times and personal victories.

I swam 2 Individual events and 2 Relay events:

The 100 Back

The 100 Free

The 200 Medley Relay (Back)

The 200 Free Relay

Here I am finishing my leg of the 200 Free Relay

Our relay team kicked ass - we won both the Free and Medley.

I won the 100 Back, and placed 3rd in the 100 Free.

Swimming in a meet is a lot different than practice. We do really intense workouts, but I still wasn't prepared for the intensity of competition. After my first event, my legs were full of lactic acid! I had to get in and tread water to stretch them out. I really enjoy the back stroke, and decided I want to work on it in training a lot more.

Here we are discussing strategy with the coach.

Congrats to the FIT Swim Team!

Recycle your Electronics!

2008-11-10T08:47:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, as I was walking through Union Square Park, I saw a massive electronics recycling collection site. It got me thinking about just how much of what we use we never think to recycle. Something like a piece of paper may make it into the recycle bin, but e-waste, electronics that are at the end of their use, is a growing segment of our landfills.

E-waste, which can include computers, tv's, phones, stereos or ipods, made up 2 million tons of waste in 2005, only 15% of which was recycled. What makes electronics an especially important category to recycle is that they are often filled with toxic chemicals which can leak into landfills...scary stuff.

So next time you're finished with a computer or cell phone, research ways to recycle, refurbish, or reuse it instead of tossing it into the dumpster.

Here are some ideas:

Apple , Dell , HP and Gateway all have recycling programs

Visit http://www.greenerchoices.org/electronicsrecycling/el_computers.cfm?Page=Recycle#Computer

for more recycling info.

A Very Fashionable Swim Team

2008-11-07T23:08:00.004-05:00

Swimming isn't the first thing that may come to mind when you think of a fashion college. But this year, after the hard work of a few students and a willing athletic director, a team was born! The response was overwhelming: over 60 students initially signed up for try-outs. The number has since whittled down to around 20 swimmers. After securing a dedicated and super-cool coach, the team was complete.

At the first meet last weekend, the team walked in with miss-matched swimsuits and generic Athletics XXL t-shirts. But, our rag-tag team took first place, blowing the competition out of the, well, water.

Our second meet was cancelled today (we suspect the other teams are scared;) but we're looking forward to our next chance to dominate, on November 15th.

Triathletes for Obama

2008-11-04T16:36:00.003-05:00

I saw this on http://meyrickjones.blogspot.com/ and couldn't resist!

AuH2Obama

2008-11-03T07:27:00.010-05:00

UPDATE:
Here's a last minute picture from the most recent show. Enjoy! And don't forget to vote!

I thought I would wait until election week to bring you all a recap of my campaigning efforts. A friend of mine, Kate Goldwater, is an environmentally conscious fashion designer with an adorable store in the East Village called AuH2O. She has been selling her line of Barack Obama merchandise for a few months now, and I've been lucky enough to model in several fundraising fashion shows for the campaign.

Kate's clothes are all one of a kind pieces, made from recycled materials like second hand shirts and dresses. The Obama line includes shirts, skirts, shorts, and tops, all with the obama screen printed logo; plus jewelry from Kate and a few other designers. Her Obama Fashion shows were also the subject of a CNN iReport documentary which was a finalist in the iReport Film Fesitval. You can watch the video here: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-112855

If you haven't already voted absentee or early as some states allow, get out and vote tomorrow!

NYC Marathon!

2008-11-02T14:03:00.009-05:00

I was up early this morning to watch the New York City Marathon run through the streets of Manhattan. The day was fantastic for a marathon, a little cool and windy, but clear skies and sun greeted runners later in the day. I headed uptown to watch the race from first avenue. A friend and I had brunch outside along the course which offered us a great view of the runners. It is always so inspiring to see a race like this. I can't wait to run my first marathon (one day...)

Congratulations to everyone who completed the race!

Winners:
Marilson Gomes Dos Santos 2:08:43
Paula Radcliffe 2:23:55

Read my blog about the marathon's recycling efforts here:
http://www.ecorazzi.com/2008/10/25/nyc-marathon-greener-than-ever-and-star-studded

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T12:24:00.001-04:00

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. But it really does represent one of America's worst habits: eating a lot of things we know are bad for us.

So this year, I was delighted to find that CLIF Bar, a fantastic earth-friendly energy bar company, is selling limited time Spooky S'Mores flavored Z Bars for kids.

CLIF Bars are my absolute favorite energy bars. They are low-fat, organic and contain no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup and give me a great boost before or after my workouts. The kid's Z Bars are just as earth and body friendly, great for active kids (or even the young at heart active adult!) I am going to be chewing on these all weekend to celebrate Halloween in a healthy, green way.

What are you doing to Green your Halloween?

Marathon Kickoff 5 Mile Race

2008-10-26T10:16:00.008-04:00

What a beautiful morning for a race! Rain, thunderstorms and howling wind rolled through the city last night, but by dawn skies were clear and the air was still. I always make a point to eat breakfast at least 3 hours before race time, so that means I was up around 5:15 making oatmeal and stretching sleepily.

Once in Central Park I was amazed at how many runners were at the starting area. Seriously, thousands of runners were all gathered around the Poland Springs tents, listening to live music and warming up for the run. I was happy to find that there were several recycling bins in which to dispose of the discarded Poland Springs bottles. And the race's little souvenir was a pair of green shoe laces, made from recycled Poland Springs bottles that say "Please Recycle." At least they're making an effort!

We gathered in our corrals as star of Broadway's Spamalot and NBC's Lipstick Jungle (his name escapes me, and google has failed me. Does anyone know his name?!) sang the national anthem. He not only ran this race, but will also be running in the NYC Marathon next weekend.

Central Park was absolutely beautiful, it is always such a pleasure to run there. But the thousands of other participants made it quite crowded...at the beginning I really had to navigate. I accidentally bumped into al least five people and several returned the favor.

When I don't listen to music, I like to have a little mantra going in my head for each mile. I don't let myself think about the next mile at all. I focus on the one I'm running!
My Mantra for each mile:

0-1: Let's go! This is easy! You ARE a morning person. (This is a lie. I am not really a morning person.)
1-2: Wow! Loving those downhills!
2-3: Welcome to the East Side, hello sun. Aren't you glad you're wearing sunglasses?
3-4: You are prepared for this race!
4-5: One more mile, why not make it a fast one?

I finished well within my goal (between 40:00 and 45:00 minutes) at 41:11. I was 1,906 overall (out of 6,472 finishers) 48th in my age group (out of 256 female 20-24 finishers). My average pace was an 8:14 mile. Post-race I was rewarded with a delicious New York apple and a chocolate chip bagel.

Though a bit crowded, the race was wonderfully fun. I can't wait to watch the Marathon next weekend!

UPDATE:
Here are some pictures of race day!

Adventures in Advertising

2008-10-23T18:56:00.001-04:00

It's time for another adventure in advertising! This series of Puma ads, located in the West 4th Street A,C,E subway station, harnesses the undeniable power of Ussain Bolt, olympic gold medalist and record breaker.

If any of you watched the olympics, I'm sure you saw Bolt's record breaking sprints and casual attitude. I must admit, I thought he seemed a bit pompous; I mean, he jogged to the finish line! But these ads really take a different look at him, which I found kind of charming.

"He reminds us that being the best should be fun!"

A Bottled Water Dilemma

2008-10-20T15:39:00.007-04:00

While on my quest be become a greener person, I have given up buying bottled water all-together. I carry water in a reusable Klean Kanteen bottle made from stainless steel. 90% of empty plastic water bottles end up in landfills as trash, even though they are perfectly recyclable. Also, studies show that bottled water is no cleaner that tap water. In some cases the plastic has actually been shown to contaminate water even more. On top of all of that, bottled water is 19,000 times the cost of tap water! How can we justify spending that?!

My system works perfectly well: I re-fill my Klean Kanteen and sweetly encourage others to do the same. The dilemma came when I revisited the New York Road Runners website to confirm my registration for the 5 Mile NYC Marathon Kickoff race in Central Park next weekend. The event is sponsored by one of the largest bottled water manufacturers in the USA, Poland Springs. The partnership makes sense for NYRR: Poland Springs will supply thousands of bottles of water to hydrate thirsty runners after the race.

But how can I strive to be green and still take place in this race? Should I drop out in protest? Run the race and risk feeling like a hypocrite?

I finally resolved to run the race. After all, I am also trying to become a better athlete and this experience will only help my training. I decided though, to contact the NYRR and make sure that there will be recycling bins at the finish area for the discarded plastic bottles. It is one little thing I can do to ensure the recycling of perhaps thousands of plastic bottles.

Here is an excerpt form the email I sent NYRR:

..... I am signed up to run in the October 26 Poland Springs Marathon Kickoff and could not be more excited to take part. However, I wanted to contact you to make sure that there will be adequate recycling receptacles at the race's finish. Since the event is sponsored by a bottled water company, I am sure there will be a great deal of discarded plastic bottles. We all know that disposing of plastic bottles in the trash is extremely wasteful. Current statistics suggest that as much as 90% of plastic bottles end up in landfills as trash. I hope that you have already anticipated this issue and that the runners will find a place to recycle our bottles after the race. Thank you and I look forward to running this weekend!..........

Is there more I can do? Did I make the right choice?

Eco-Chic Cycling Underwear!

2008-10-18T15:19:00.005-04:00

How cute are these?! If you bike often, you know it can really help to have some padding between your tush and the seat. These are the cutest biking underwear you’ll find, and they are really eco-friendly. Made from 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton, they come in men’s boxer style and the women’s style shown above. Bamboo is great for sports because it is naturally soft and breathable. (In case you can't see well in the photo, the back says "Cycle More.")

Visit www.greenknickers.com for these and more eco-chic underwear!

Be a Greener Biker

2008-10-18T14:52:00.004-04:00

If you’re a biker you already know that it’s a fantastically green alternative to carbon-emitting automobiles. But there are still ways to make your hobby even better for the environment.

Recycle your tires and tubes! Bikes can go through tires remarkably quickly. You may not even think of it, but recycling tubes can save a lot of landfill space. If you get your spares fixed at a bike shop, make sure they recycle. If they don’t encourage them to do so, and ask to have your old tubes so you can recycle them.

Fun Fact: If 1 in 14 Americans recycled their old tubes and tires every year, it could pave the route of the Tour de France!

If you are in the market for a new bike (lucky you!) choose a steel frame over an aluminum frame. Though steel tends to be heavier, it is much more eco-friendly because it can be produced using some recycled materials while aluminum frames must be made new, requiring much more energy. And, even when steel frames aren't made from recycled materials, it's production still uses less energy.

Buy a Cycloc Bike Rack. They’re a little pricy, but they’re made from 100% recycled plastic. They’re also a very chic design, and a great space saver.

Pick a bike helmet made of materials that can be recycled. Then, when you’re done with it, recycle the helmet!

Bike during the morning, especially if you live in an urban area like I do. This is when pollution levels are lowest. It’s just good for you!

(Some of these tips can be found in The Green Book, by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostogen.)

Adventures in Advertising

2008-10-16T00:17:00.009-04:00

As you may or may not know, I'm an advertising major and am always scoping out the billboards and busses around the city for great, creative ads to fuel my imagination. I love ads that really speak to the consumer, ones that relate on a truly personal, "I know you" type of level.

The NYC Marathon is fast approaching, and Asics, one of the sponsors, has been running a great campaign all over New York.

I love these ads because they speak specifically to the New York City runner. I'm not running the marathon, but I relate to and appreciate the messages behind the ads. They get me excited about the event and about relating to a larger community of runners, and of New Yorkers. It's an Ah, Yes kind of moment when I see the ad and secretly smile to myself, knowing they're talking to me.

Schunemunk Mountain Hike

2008-10-13T14:50:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I joined fourteen other bona fide city dwellers for a challenging hike up and around Schunemunk Mountain. The mountain, which is located a little over an hour outside the city, offers absolutely stunning views of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The name Schunemunk means “excellent fireplace” in the Lennie Lenape Indian language. (This tribe lived in a village along the mountain before the Europeans arrived in the area).

Our group met up with Outdoor Bound guide, Kirk, at 8am on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Outdoor Bound is a wonderful company based in Manhattan that leads day (and some longer) trips to various hiking locations around the northeast. I’d recruited a friend, Bianca, to join me for the nine and a half-mile challenge. After fueling up with soy lattes from Starbucks we were headed out for a full day in a place not only lacking coffee shops, but also bathrooms, running water, and other modern conveniences who’s absences make so many urban oriented people cringe when they hear the word “hike.”

The day couldn't have been more beautiful. In the early fall morning, fog covered the hills and roads on our drive to the country. It was a crisp 55 degrees when we began our trek, but by mid-day had warmed to a blissful 73. Not a single cloud hung in the sky, which seemed to make the mountain look even more majestic.

The hike itself was fantastic in its challenge. Rocky paths and steep rock walls offered a rugged workout, and a welcome change from my normal training routine. The highlight for me was definitely climbing up a 25-foot almost-vertical wall of rock to reach the next peak. My legs are still sore! The group chatted easily, mostly about jobs and life, but also about the beauty of the nature we were experiencing. The fall leaves have just begun to change and some of the colors are simply stunning.

Hikers are some of the greenest people around, and we practiced the “leave nothing behind” philosophy (which includes taking even things like apple-cores that technically could disintegrate, just to make sure no mark is left). Keeping the trails clean and litter-free promotes not only the health of the earth, but also encourages hikers to come back and use the resources nature affords us.

Being out in the natural world reminds me even more of why the environment is a worthwhile investment. The though of losing even an acre more of our precious planet to human error and irresponsibility is unthinkable.

A Big Weekend!

2008-10-11T12:43:00.004-04:00

It's a big weekend for endurance sports!

Today, October 11, is the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Tomorrow, October 12, is the Chicago Marathon.

Good Luck to everyone competing!

I Run this City

2008-10-09T22:10:00.005-04:00

I had the day off today, but it didn’t start out very promising. It was rainy and blustery and I didn’t think I was going to get any out-door training in. Damn! But the skies cleared around mid-day and the evening was absolutely beautiful.

I did a 6.5 mile run along The Hudson River Path, one of my favorite routes in the city. I head down 10th Ave to 23rd street and cross over to the path in front of the Chelsea Piers Complex. My turnaround point is behind the World Financial Center (near the site of Ground Zero). It’s also right near a beautiful marina with lots of fabulous, uber-expensive yachts to ogle at. All in all, it is an inspiring run, especially at sunset.

My endurance during my runs has been getting better and better. I’m really relaxing and enjoying the workout instead of struggling through it. I’m not working on speed right now; I’m focusing instead on building endurance to complete my upcoming half marathon. Breathing is a very important part of endurance. I’ve found that if I breathe through my nose, I feel a lot more relaxed. Unfortunately my nose was runny tonight and I had to stop at a few bathrooms to blow it!

I run at about an 8:30 – 9:00 minute mile and try to spend the entire run working on making sure my body’s form is correct.

While focusing on form I make sure:
I keep my shoulders and fists relaxed.
I keep my head level and look at the horizon, not down. This keeps the spine straight.
I keep my arms moving front and back, not across my body.
I run tall, with my back straight. This helps ensure optimal lung capacity.
I keep my stride in check: not too large, and not too small.
I focus on not kicking my feet up behind me, but using my knees to move forward.

Spotted: Tim Gunn Riding Bike

2008-10-09T10:25:00.004-04:00

Tim Gunn riding tandem with designer, Leanne, on Project Runway's season finale part 1 last night. If that's not eco-chic, I don't know what is!

Running Shoes, Reincarnated

2008-10-08T15:13:00.003-04:00

“Running is hard. Giving is easy.” – recycledrunners.com

The deadline for a new pair of running shoes is fast approaching for me. My knees are starting to complain about the lack of support; my laces are looking less than lustrous, covered in a thin layer of who knows what; and the interior has been rubbed considerably down from mile after mile.

Running shoes are like friends. They’re with us during our best and worst times, from the PR races to the less than perfect “jogs.” They take a lot, and you have to hand it to them, they really do the job well. Rocky paths and perfectly paved asphalt are no match for our dear shoes, and so it should be important to find them a fitting home after they’ve worked so hard.

I need about two new pairs of running shoes per year, and could probably stand to up that to three (once again, I’m waiting for those huge paychecks to accommodate this!) I’m sure a lot of you runners out there go through even more than I do, and so the question is, what do we do with these perfectly fine shoes after they no longer suit our needs (and knees)?

Recycling your running shoes is a great option to allow them to keep giving. It not only puts a pair of shoes on someone else's feet, but keeps the landfills from piling up with used Nikes and Asics after every season. The past few pairs of trainers I’ve burned through have gone to the Good Will or Salvation Army with the rest of my toss outs, but after some research I found several great organizations that will do a lot more with your sneakers.

When I buy my new shoes at the beginning of November, I’ll update you on the charity I chose to take my shoes somewhere they’ll really be appreciated. Maybe I'll even start my own shoe donation program!

One World Running

http://oneworldrunning.blogspot.com/

Started in Colorado in 1986, this is an international organization that collects and distributes running shoes and athletic gear to those in need in the U.S. and third world countries.

Reuse-A-Shoe

http://letmeplay.com/reuseashoe/

Nike’s shoe recycling program takes a unique approach to the process. Since 1990, they have been collecting used athletic shoes of any brand and turning them into sports surfaces like basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, tracks and playgrounds for young people all around the world.

Sole Responsibility

http://soleresponsibility.org

Started by a group of runners in Ottawa, Canada, this group collects running shoes and donates them to a specific area of the world. This summer, they were advised by the UN to donate to Rwanda and will choose a new location in the spring of 2009.

Magazines: Survival of the Fittest

2008-10-06T23:12:00.003-04:00

I had the opportunity to attend one of New York’s Center for Communications’ fabulous seminars this past week titled Magazines: Survival of the Fittest. The panel included Trisha Calvo, Executive Editor of Shape, Carla Levy, Executive Editor of SELF, David Willey SVP and Editor in Chief of Runner’s World, and Bill Stump VP an Brand Editor of Men’s Health and was moderated by Jeff Bercovici a blogger on Portfolio.com.

The panel discussed the imminent issues fitness magazines face in the digital and green future. Each panel member was interesting and informative, and it was a treat to get to listen to the editors of some of my favorite magazines speak! They discussed how their lives and jobs mixed, what they look for in candidates entering the magazine industry, going green, and David Willey even gave some tips on how to treat shin splints! (Ice, of course.)

Here are some highlights, quotes from the panelists:

“People are getting busier, and are stressed out with their current economic situations” said Bill Stump of Men’s Health, “but what we try to advocate in all of our publications is the idea that working out can reduce stress.”

“It doesn’t work anymore to slap your September issue online,” said David Willey of Runner’s World. “You have to make it an interactive community with distinct features.”

"We look for candidates that are flexible and able to adapt to unique job requirements," said Trisha Calvo of Shape.

"Being interested in fitness is certainly not a requirement to write for our magazine," said Carla Levy of SELF. "We don't ask people to drop and give us 20 push-ups during the interview, but there is a self-selection, and our staff is really mostly interested in a healthy lifestyle."

"Look. Nobody on the Men's Health staff has a six-pack," said Stump. "But the important thing is that we are all trying!"

The most exciting part of the discussion was when it turned to talk of a green future for magazines. Runner's World's new issue is their first ever "Green Issue," so Willey was eager to discuss their attempts to go eco-friendly as a business and as athletes.

"The new issue is printed on partially recycled paper," he said. "We have also eliminated the practice of poly bagging magazines. This issue, last year, was due to have 20,000 wrapped in plastic. If we are going green, we have to eliminate this."

"Being eco-friendly is really another realm of a healthy lifestyle. Our magazines have a very big stake in going green, partly because we're so focused on healthy living," said Levy.

"Going green is not just a virtuous or trendy thing anymore," Willey continued, "It is a business thing, a reality."

I suggest everyone grab the November issue of Runner's World when it hits newsstands (make sure to recycle, or even read it online!) I got it at the seminar, and it really is a great look at how the average athlete can become greener.

Nice (Bike) Rack

2008-10-05T16:05:00.002-04:00

Art as activism is not a new idea, but the creative mind behind New York City’s newest public art installations has found the perfect mix of art and function all while communicating a message. David Byrne, lead singer of the Talking Heads and an avid bicycling enthusiast designed nine temporary bike racks to be displayed throughout the city for the next eleven months.

“It was important to me that these new racks be the same thickness and material as the existing racks—to help identify them as practical bike racks and not just modern art,” Mr. Byrne said in a New York Times Article.

The current NYC transportation commissioner, Janette Sadki-Kahn, has been seeking to promote biking through initiatives like the wildly popular Summer Streets, The Cityracks Program, and a bike rack design competition, of which Byrne was a judge.

Byrne later decided to show off his own designs to promote city cycling. The racks are silver, black, and red, and are located throughout Manhattan and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Each rack is customized to represent a different part of the city and has a clever name to go along with it.

“By bringing attractive yet functional sculptures to our streets, we are elevating the profile of cycling, and we believe that more and more people will begin to think about cycling as a mode of transportation, and not just a mode of recreation,” Ms. Sadik-Khan said in a statement. “Regular bike riders have an eagle eye for our current bike racks but these nine installations will capture the attention of all New Yorkers.”

“The Jersey” is located near the Lincoln Tunnel on 9^th Ave and 39^th Street is a car.

“The Olde Times Square” depicts a lounging woman on 7^th Ave and 44^th Street.

“The Villager” is a dog located in on La Guardia Place between W3rd and Bleeker.

“The Chelsea” displayed in front of the PaceWildenstein Gallery, a sponsor of the project, is a man’s form.

“The MoMA” on 6^th Ave and 54^th Street is a piece of modern art in itself.

“The Ladies’ Mile” is a stiletto on 5^th Ave and 57^th Street near Manhattan’s best shopping.

“The Wall Street” is a dollar sign located in the financial district at Wall Street and Water Street.

“The Coffee Cup” is on the Upper West Side on Amsterdam between 110^th and 111^th Streets.

“The Hipster” is the only rack located in Brooklyn, and is a guitar on Bedford Ave and N 6^th Street.

The only problem I see with these creative, cool racks is that they are temporary. Because of the city’s policy on public art, they will have to be removed. To make the message truly effective, the city needs to make them permanent, and commission more artists to design similar racks!

What do you think?

To-Do: Work-Out, Celebrity-Sight, Help Save Planet

2008-10-04T21:23:00.008-04:00

A few days ago I got a membership to the Chelsea Recreation Center. One of the wonderful things about living in a metropolitation city like New York is all the resources avaliable for recreation. The membership to a beautiful lap pool, workout room, etc, is only $37.50 for six months. Joining a gym would be almost three times that for just ONE month! Crazy!

So the next day I got up at 7 to get a quick swim workout in. The pool, I was pleased to find, is not over crowded. I completed some stroke and kick work and then a relaxing and enjoyable 400m breast stroke exercise. I moved on to back, the stroke I may be competing in on my school’s swim team, for a little form work. I’m working on becoming a morning person, so after a measly 200 meters I was feeling winded. I really need to work on my endurance in the pool. As I paused for a breather at the end of the lane, the woman I was sharing it with turned to me.

“You have the straightest backstroke!” she said. “You stay perfectly on your side. I wish everyone were that precise. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been smacked in the head.”

Thanks for the compliment, lady! I wonder if that’ll win me points at a meet? “Last place, but wow can you swim a straight line!” After a few more laps I did decide that I was probably the youngest person there by a few decades. No matter! I swam on anyway.

Then I decided to bike around the corner to my local Whole Foods and Whole Body stores for a little eco-shopping. Zipping down the new (wonderful) bike lane on 9^th ave I passed what appeared to be none other than Phillip Seymour Hoffman, one of my favorite actors, on a bike! Helmet and all! Who knew he was an eco-friendly biker?

At whole Body I finally invested in a Klean Kanteen, a stainless steel, eco-friendly water bottle. I can finally stop being part of the problem! As we all know by now, plastic water bottles are not only extremely harmful to the environment, but aren't good for our bodies either! I love that there are so many lid and size options for these bottles. I chose the sport top, but you can also get a flat top or a loop cap. The petite 12 oz sippy cup is perfect for kids, the 27 oz is great for my needs, and a larger 40 oz bottle is great for serious hydration. Klean Kanteen also sells a nifty bike cage, in which I will be investing, a hiking strap, and insulators. But the best part? The Kanteen is very eco-chic. You can choose from classic steel, pink, olive green, blue, or black to match your ech-chic style.

After biking around the city a bit, I returned home and fueled up with a banana and half a Cliff Bar (Carrot Cake, yum!) before setting out on a nice 4 mile run. The forecast called for rain, but as of 11:30, it was still just pleasantly cloudy. I headed down the Hudson River Path and marveled at the other lunchtime exercisers. I prefer to run at night, and find that, other than races, when I do run in the morning or during the day I never enjoy it as much. As I was on my way back and hating mid-day, and cute old man on a bike passed me.

“You go girl!” he yelled.

HA! That’s what I love about running, biking, racing, etc. There is some sort of camaraderie we feel towards our fellow man when pushing ourselves to our limits. The smile from the only other runner on that cold morning. The compliment from a fellow swimmer. The cheers from volunteers along a race course. The knowing nod from a cyclist powering it past you in the other direction. I just love it!

My Bike, Chelsea Girl

2008-10-02T11:33:00.007-04:00

When I found her it was just like a movie. Destiny. Fate. I had been looking for a bike for weeks, torn between spending money I didn’t have and the joy of owning my own bike. I’d scoured craigslist, searched ebay, even toyed with the idea of ordering a bike offline and trying to assemble it myself (which is not really an option considering I am minus a boyfriend, don’t live with my father or brother, and am not Rosie the Riveter).

So a few Sundays ago, I was walking my defeated self to another expensive bike store to search for a suitable partner. I understand that a bike is an investment, and it is worth it to spend the money on a good product, but that’s not really an option for an impatient girl on a student’s budget (budget meaning I am always broke – hey, that’s life!) While walking downtown to make my rounds at the unaffordable, but beautiful bike stores, I passed the Chelsea Antique Market. On a whim I decided to rummage through the jewelry to perhaps lift my spritis. As I looked longingly at a very good Fendi knock-off and some great vintage Louis Vuittons, I saw her. Sitting unassumingly among the clothing racks was my sweet little red Panasonic Sport bike.

I looked around nervously. Was it for sale? Why wasn’t anyone else running to grab it?! I made my move, placing my hand on her seat to claim ownership. Finders Keepers!

“$120,” said a man manning the booth.

“I’ll take it,” I almost yelled. “Just hold it for me so I can go get cash.”

At the ATM, I called my mom. She did a little internet research and, judging from what she found, the bike was selling around the internet for between $60 and $200. Some claimed it wasn’t worth more than $10, but others said they thought it could go for much more. I’d negotiate the price down a bit, I decided.

I purchased my bike for $100 in the end, which was exactly what I was looking to spend. Panasonic made these bikes in the 1980’s in Japan, and let me tell you, mine is still perfectly wonderful (for me). Not a spot of rust! I replaced the tubes and bought a U-Lock and a helmet and was off!

I long for the day when the huge paychecks I’ll be earning (how do I know they’ll be huge? That’s why I’m going to college, duh) will easily be able to buy me a fantastic racing bike for a few thousand dollars. But for now, my pseudo-vintage flea market find and I are perfectly happy!

Me, A Blogger?

2008-10-01T18:58:00.000-04:00

Hello All!

This is the inaugural post on my eco-chic triathlete blog. I'm excited to enter the world of blogging, and interested to see how many of you share my triple-mix (how appropriate) of interests: the environment, style, and training to swim, bike, and run!

First of all, my name is Dana. I'm a student in New York City, although I grew up in Florida. Don't be fooled. I'm no expert in any of these areas (Sorry! Please keep reading!). But I am passionately interested in them, and through what I read, do, and experience I'm seeking to become an expert.

I've been active all my life, in theatre and dance, running and swimming, and working out. But last year my passion for running bloomed while watching the New York City Marathon and I've never looked back. Since that crisp day in November 2007, I've been training to run faster and longer. Running a marathon was originally my ultimate goal, and although I still want to achieve that I also became incredibly interested in the triathlon.

So I got on my bike and got into the pool, and now I'm on my way to becoming what I consider the ultimate athlete! And I want to do it all with a sense of eco-style!

As I mentioned, I go to school in New York, at the fashion-forward Fashion Institute of Technology. I'm working towards an advertising degree, and I am also co-editing the school's newspaper. I love the fashion world. I'm constantly inspired by designers, products and trends, and I love that the industry is trying to go green. I'm always searching for great work-out styles (hopefully with an eco-flair).

The environment is a cause that can fit into almost any passion. Trying to lead a greener life is better for me and the future of our lovely, beautiful, giving planet. I hope you'll check back often to follow my journey to the triathlon, and to become more stylishly eco-friendly. I'll post about my training, gear, shopping, nutrition, and all things green!

Always training in style!

-Dana, the wanna-be eco-chic triathlete