Friendsgiving 2015!

2 weekends ago I hosted my second annual Friendsgiving! It started out last year as a housewarming party/Friendsgiving and I decided to continue the tradition (mainly because all of my friends took the other holidays).

This year, we switched it up and did a potluck. Last year I cooked everything but dessert. Since everyone was bringing a dish, I decided to go the healthy route.

If you're still puzzled as to what to bring to Thanksgiving tomorrow, here are a few yummy suggestions:

• Garlic Roasted Carrots - http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/17/garlic-roasted-carrots/
• Parmesan Garlic Roasted Mushrooms - http://www.mykitchenescapades.com/2013/11/parmesan-garlic-roasted-mushrooms.html
• Quinoa Salad with Pecans and Dried Cranberries - http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2012/11/26/quinoa-salad-with-pecans-and-cranberries-recipe-from-our-wedding/
• Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes - https://unsupersizemebyzenfitness.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/by-request-thanksgiving-recipes/ (*Please note I did not use an entire cup of maple syrup)

Have a happy and safe holiday. I'm going to try a little digital detox. I'll be back next week!

Xo,
Lynette

Wine, Running and Travel

[Credit: Anna Uncorked]

Can you believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner? Me neither. That also means I've been planning well into 2016 for running. Aside from the marathon, the other race I'm most excited for is the Wine Country Half Marathon in Loudoun County, Virginia.

The first weekend in June I'll be headed down for a little R&R in wine country. Does it get any better than that? The team reached out to me last year and unfortunately schedules didn't allow for us to coordinate.

[Credit: Merlot Mommy]

I'll be experiencing the full VIP package and can't wait to tell you about it!

According to a press release, "Destination Races, based in Sonoma, California, is the pioneer producer of the Wine Country Half Marathon Series. Founded in 2004, the Wine Country Half Marathon Series consists of seven races across prestigious wine regions in North America. Offering unforgettable experiences on and off the course, including the popular post-race wine and music festival, runners travel far and wide for these boutique destination races. The race series attracts elite runners as well as food and wine enthusiasts who share their common bond of running and celebration. The Wine Country Half Marathon Series has limited fields in each event to ensure the participants and their guests can enjoy all the race weekends have to offer, including exclusive winery tours, plus receptions and dinners featuring the local bounty at esteemed wineries and other unique venues."

[Credit: The Sassy Swan]

 Registration is now open for the June 4, 2016 race. $95 includes:

• Access to scenic 13.1 mile course

• Our Award-winning Finisher’s Medal

• Moisture-wicking event running shirt

• Personalized runner’s bib

• Transportation to/from race start and finish from designated hotels and parking areas

• Virtual Race Bag

• Chip timing system and results

• Support from law enforcement, volunteers and staff

• Opportunity to win cash, wine, and other age group awards

• $10 per entry fee contribution to partnering charities

For this race, your wine glass and wine pouring for the Post Race Wine & Music Festival must be purchased as an added option through Race Extras.

Will you be joining me?

Xo,
Lynette

Row House Chelsea

Hey all! It's been awhile. After Staten Island, I hosted a Nutrition By Lynette event, hung out with some friends, ran the Poland Spring Marathon Kick Off, and took my first rowing class.

I've rowed a bit during classes before, when I tried out Crossfit and at Exceed, but never went to an entire classes dedicated towards it. I was invited to check out Row House's new Chelsea studio and thought, why not?

I chose an early morning class because they had showers. The staff greeted me when I walked in and showed me where everything was and had me sign a waiver. The entire place itself is tinier than I thought it would be.

There are lockers outside the locker room and inside (similar to Mile High Run Club). I put my stuff inside since I was going to shower.

A class was wrapping up so we waited in the lobby area until it was time to go in. The instructor called us in and we were able to choose our own machine which I liked. I chose one in the back right. My class had a lot of people who had never been there before so it was nice to have others in the same boat as me.

[Credit: Tyler Bradley Indyck]

The class itself went by really fast (maybe I wasn't working hard enough). The instructor spent time going over technique and came around to make corrections. After about 15 minutes we got off the rower and took it to the floor. We did a series of squats and leg exercises and then abs.

Afterwards we got back on and did some speed work. The goal was to row a certain distance in a specific time frame.

[Credit: Tyler Bradley Indyck]

The impact of this class was low and I really enjoyed it. I felt it in my arms and upper back in the beginning of class but then it subsided. I'm sure if I worked a little harder I'd feel it more.

Overall, the class and the studio were great and I'm excited to see what Row House has in store for the future!

Row House Chelsea, 269 W 23rd St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10010.

Xo,
Lynette

The Staten Island Half Marathon

I've been talking about this race for months at this point. All I wanted was to redeem myself from the awful spring season I had. Fortunately the race went as good as it could go. The last 2 weeks of training were basically non-existent so that's all on me.

I woke up feeling pretty good and got myself ready. I used a new tape by Performance Health (I know, I know, don't try anything new on race day) and I ended up being really impressed with it. It stayed on for the entire race. My usual tape doesn't last past my front door. Now for more color and pattern options for us injured runners!

I tried to find Brock and Amanda before we got on the ferry and after we got off but it was a lost cause. I was so happy I booked it to the bathroom on the ferry and got to skip the porta potties. I was second on line! When we got to SI I got myself prepared and checked my bag. It was 10x warmer this year than last so I wasn't shivering to death in the corral and was able to feel my legs.

I wasn't running with my watch and after a successful Bronx 10-miler I decided to also forgo the music! The first mile was, as usual, short because of all of the people. During the second mile I put my headphones in for less than a minute to push me up a hill and drank Gatorade at the aid station. At mile 3 I got to eat (vanilla gu!). That was also when I told myself that all I had left was the exact race I ran 2 weeks prior. 

Miles 4-6 felt decent. I deff felt like I needed a little push. Before mile 6 the 2-hour pacer passed me and of course I tried to keep up. When I made my goals in Jan, I had 3 spring races to sub-2 in and this was a backup. Of course I can't help an injury but it still crushed my soul when I had to drop back. I kept telling myself the rest of the race to run my own race and kill it at the NYC Half in March.

After the 10K mark, we were up on the boardwalk! This was a new part of the course and it was nice to have a change of scenery. I thought about stopping at a real bathroom 479428 times then decided I was less than halfway to the finish line and that would be silly. Same as last year, I had trouble finding miles 8 & 9 but the difference was I didn't get into a fog. Maybe it was no headphones, maybe I was just prepared.

NYRR gave us a nice surprise before mile 10- an obnoxious set of hills! Judging by the splits on my NYRR account, that is where I slowed wayyy down. I really thought I was going faster. 

After that, it was basically downhill for the home stretch. We took a little detour by the water then ran into the ballpark.

Overall? I ran a good race. I never stopped, I listened to my body (knee, calf and hamstring pain- woo hoo!) and did my thing. The 2:07 was a little discouraging and I thought I was going to do better. It's nowhere near my PR and after last season, I thought I was stronger. Oh well!

After I got all iced up at the med tent, I got my bag and met up with Brock, Amanda and their friend Ash and we headed back to the city.

The ferry was super windy there and back, and cold, so I'm so happy Charles River Apparel reached out with one of their new jackets. The Latitude Jacket is wind proof and water proof and defiantly kept me nice and warm. It didn't stick to me when I was sweaty after the race and I have worn it to work and on the weekends as a light jacket. You can purchase on Amazon for $58.89.

Congrats to everyone who ran Staten Island and good luck to those taking on New York next week!

Xo,
Lynette

The Bronx 10-Miler Recap

Happy Thursday! We're so close to Friday which means it's almost Staten Island Half time!

2 weekends ago, after I saw the Pope, slept for 12 hours and ventured to Brooklyn for a housewarming party, I ran the Bronx 10-miler. This race fell at the perfect time as this weekend was my schedule 10 miles for half marathon training. This was supposed to be a training run and I accidentally started racing. Whoops.

I got there about 45 minutes before the start and was freezing (shocker) so I curled up on a bench for a little to get warm. By the time I got there Brock was already making his way to his 5K start line so I didn't get to see him beforehand. I lined up on my start line and after I passed all the bathrooms realized I had to pee. Tough luck for me.

When the gun went off my music decided to stop working so not only did I have a knee injury, I also had no headphones and still had to pee. The first few miles went by quickly. A lot of rolling hills and a little pack to stay with. I eventually stopped at mile 3 to use the bathroom. I'm not sure how much that slowed my time down but I hope not much. 

Miles 4.5 and 6 were loopy and were over before I knew it. Although mile 6 was pretty rough for me. Once I was up the hill on onto the second part of the out and back I knew I could finish strong. My knee was bothering me, along with my hamstring now, but it subsided and I felt super strong.

There were definitely some moments where I wished I had my music, especially pushing through the end, but I managed to finish my reminding myself that I had 1 more eat, 2 more drinks then a mile to the end.

While I didn't get a fast time, 1:35 and change, I was surprised at the pace. I didn't have my watch so I was guessing the entire time. I feel like I could redeem myself this weekend however workouts haven't been going wonderful. I went to yoga yesterday at Clay and tomorrow is one last speed workout at Mile High Run Club.

Anyone else running this weekend?

Cheers to strong and speedy legs!

Xo
Lynette

RUN10FEED10 + Helipad Yoga

After a busy week I had an even busier weekend. On Saturday I went to Natural Products Expo East (will share my fav snacks in another post) and on Sunday I raced and yoga'd.

Originally the plan was to wake up Sunday morning and get to RUN10FEED10 by 6 am, run 3 miles, take a break and race the 10K. Guess what? That didn't happen. Between being exhausted and my legs extra heavy those extra miles weren't in the cards for me. So I got there at 6:30, hid my bag under a table in the tent I was assigned to, and went to line up.

 

I missed the pre-race stretch and was actually nervous about this race for the first time ever. When we started, I knew to run straight out and get on the left because the shoot is so narrow and crowded. I ran a nice first mile and then it all went downhill from there. Not literally because there were some uphills :p

Legs got heavier, breathing got weirder and I just wanted it to be over.

When we fit to the halfway point, I received a nice surprise- they changed the route!

I had to fight but I finished in under an hour. Afterwards I headed back to the VIP tent for a post-race snack and coffee.

A huge shout out to Lindsey Benoit for putting on another wonderful event.

After the race I went home to take a nap and watch the Giants game. Then I headed downtown to do Sound Off Yoga at the Pier 6 Helipad. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done!

We arrived when it was still light out and we checked in and got a few beverages from the sponsors. Then we grabbed our Sound Off headphones and picked out spot on the helipad. The instructors and organizers advised us to get close to stay warm. Elena Brower and Jennifer Pansa led the amazing class. As it got darker, the atmosphere got even prettier!

The bridge was lit up, everyone's headphones were blue and the Statue of Liberty was behind us.

While they mostly hold these classes in Florida, they are quickly expanding to other cities. If you ever get a chance to take a class I highly recommend it. I don't think I've ever been so zenned out during a yoga class!

Xo,
Lynette



 

5th Ave Mile + Training

Yes, this is about a week late but better late than never. I'm trying to catch up on posts for you but boy does life get in the way sometimes!

Up until last weekend training was going great. Tons of workouts and speed training and then mornings got cold and nights were filled with events.

The day of the 5th Ave Mile I set out to run 7 miles beforehand to make it a solid 8 for the day. Those 7 sucked terrible. I left late, had heavy legs, stopped to use a bathroom at the Astoria track during only mile 2 and stopped to answer a text. Needless to say, by the time I got to the race I was prepared to come in last.

I got there with just under 10 minutes to spare and jumped in my corral. Said hi to Brock who was standing nearby and got ready to run.

Fortunately adrenaline took over. I knew the splits to hit every quarter mile and I did it! My final time was 7:46 which I'm very content with. Although obviously I must beat that next year.

Brock's heat was next so I walked back up to get the water bottle (it was a Camelback not a Poland Spring from the drugstore) I tossed down at the start while he finished his race.

We met back up halfway and went to brunch. After 8 miles I need some fuel! Afterwards Brock headed to his office to change and get some work done while I watched the rest of the heats including the elites (who make a 4 minute mile look effortless).

Look out for a RUN10FEED10 recap to hear how training is going a week later (spoiler- there are no more sub-8 miles in my near future).

Xo,

Lynette

NYFW 2015

Nothing like bringing in the fall with a little fashion. While most of this site is dedicated towards health and wellness, there's no harm in loving fashion week, NYC and trading the Asics for Louboutin's (ha JK, but one day) every once in a while. It's nice to get dressed up and be girly once in a while and as I get older I've realized it's OK to LOVE LOVE LOVE being a tomboy but also LOVE your heels and dresses. But just know I will still always pick yoga pants, a sweatshirt and hair in a messy bun. 

But this week was about the latest trends so what did I do?

First up this year was Lulu*s Style Lounge. Anna and I headed over to the West Side after work to join brands such as NYX Cosmetics, The Balm, LAQA & Co,  LVX, amika, WOODZEE, LaraBar and pop Beauty to name a few. After checking in we naturally gravitated towards the bar for some Prosecco. 

The gifting suite consisted dry shampoo, lotion, makeup brush cleaners, double sided dress tape, nail polish and more. Definitely all functional products that I could use everyday. 

The third floor was magical. Lulu's was generous enough to gift each attendee with an item of clothing. I chose the most fabulous dress and need to find someone to wear it. We also ventured over to the Black Swan booth where if you didn't win a pink gumball you could post an Instagram photo and also get a piece of clothing. I got a burgundy sweater dress 2 sizes too big because I clearly don't pay attention. 

Afterwards we hit up the photobooth and had some fun, I got my nails done and we headed to grab a quick bite to eat. Thank you to both Lulu*s and Anna for a fab evening!

I stopped at the AMCONYC pop up shop over the weekend on my way to pick up my bib for the Fifth Ave Mile. I practically had the entire place to myself which was nice so I could browse without anyone shoving me around. philosophy was there with a donation box to support mental health awareness, Ollari had some great piece and there was a super cute jewlery stand. 

My Fashion Week ended last night at TechStyle Lounge. I went to this event in the winter and was grateful to be able to attend again this fall. I met Janine through my friend Bianca at another event she through and it was lovely. I arrived a little late due to work but was still able to explore and have a few drinks. 

One of my favorites was Thync (if you ever need an extra publicist- call me!). It works kind of like how they do stim for your knee at PT but this device helps you either calm down or gain energy. You use it for about 10 minutes at a tine. Super cool!

Overall, my fashion week was great but I'm ready for some sleep!

Xo,
Lynette

RUN10FEED10 2015

Can you believe it's practically the middle of September already? With that being said, we are only 1 week away from my favorite race ever- Women's Health and The Feed Foundations RUN10FEED10. For the past 3 years I've boasted about it so I'm sure you're sick of hearing about it by now. 

This year, I'm incorporating it into my 9 mile run for that weekend. It is also the day after Expo East. So I will be one tired girl!

So what do I want from you? I want to run with you! Sign up now at www.RUN10FEED10.com and use the code R10F10PR for $5 off registration. 

The goal of the race is to help fight domestic hunger. 

After you race your 6.2 miles up and down the West Side Highway stick around for a fabulous post-race festival. Refuel, cool down with yoga, grab some goodies and dance to the live band. 

Here are the deets:

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2015
Time: 7 AM
Place: Pier 84 at Hudson River Park

So what do you say? Lace up and let's run the West Side Highway next Sunday and kick off the fall season. 

Xo,
Lynette

The Lole White Tour

Last night I had the honor of attending the Lole White Tour in NYC as a media guest. What an amazing evening! To kick of Sepember and National Yoga Month,  over 10,000 yogis showed up to do yoga led by Elena Brower, Colleen Saidman Yee and Rodney Yee in Central Park and listen to music by Ingrid Michaelson and special guest Donna De Lory.

According to the Lole White Tour website, "At Lolë, our mission is to encourage, motivate and bring together people to promote individual and collective wellbeing. This philosophy led to the creation of the Lolë White Tour, a truly inspiring event!" Everyone wears white as it is a symbol of peace and is encourage to connect with their mind, body and soul. 

This is the fourth year of the tour and it gets better and bigger each year. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many yogis, and even some children, all enjoying this beautiful experience. I arrived at around 6:30 in the shirt provided to me as a last minute client interview kept me at work a little later than anticipated (shout out to my team for letting me come in early and leave early) and snagged a pretty great spot up front. I joined just as they were switching teachers to perfect timing. 

If you ever have the opportunity to attend, I highly recommend it!

Xo,
Lynette