Nothing says refreshing after a long run like a bloody mary

But, I also run to clear my head. There are so many days that I find myself craving a run not because I want to be active, but because lacing up my shoes allows me a few minutes (or hours) to just go on autopilot. When I have a major project due or something going on in my personal life that I need to workout, running helps me balance. 

Beautifully photo bombed MCM photo

Running helps me accept good day and bad days. Not every run can be perfect and that has helped me accept imperfection in the rest of my life.

Of course, I am sidelined right now because of a back injury and it is killing me. Yesterday we went for a walk after dinner and I was supremely jealous of all the runners taking advantage of the gorgeous evening weather. My body is aching for a run and it has only been four days. I know if I want to continue running I have to take it easy, but it is so hard to do that!

So if you are taking to the streets (or treadmill) today, enjoy your run for me!

The post Happy National Running Day appeared first on Running On Veggies.

Back when I signed up for the ZoomaRun Annapolis Half I was all about it. The weather was perfect for training runs, I was looking forward to some nice long runs. Then I traveled every. single. week in May. My longest run was last weekend and it was 6 miles. I was screwed and I knew it. 

On Thursday I couldn’t properly bend over, and despite a serious amount of yoga on Friday I wasn’t any better. Saturday morning I woke up with energy, but anxious. At the race I inquired about dropping down to the 10K, but KB and Shannon were encouraging about the half so I stayed. By mile two, I regretted that decision.

I just wasn’t ready for this. The heat was unbearable, and there weren’t enough water stations for a June 1st race. And the rolling hills? No way. My legs felt like lead and by mile 4 I was contemplating the turn around for the 10K. My pace itself was pretty good, hanging around a 9-minute mile, but I just didn’t have it in me to complete the full race.

When we hit the bridge I saw the turnaround and took it. I had the energy to keep going, but my body really just didn’t think it was possible. So I finished a 10K in just over a hour, which wasn’t terrible, but had I gone out for a 10K my pace would have been different.

I was supremely jealous when Shannon crossed the finish line for the half with a PR. I hated myself for giving up, but this is not 4 years ago when I could just run a half with no problem.

That being said, I loved traveling for a race again. It has been way too long since I road tripped for a race and I miss the excitement. KB, Shannon & I got our snark on majorly and giggled a lot (a nice girls overnight, if I do say so myself).

Kristin, Shannon and me at the start while I was still optimistic

The swag we received from ZoomaRun was fantastic–new yoga mat? Yes, please! The lack of spectators and water stations a misstep.

I’ve got another 10K next weekend so I have a goal to beat yesterday’s time.  And now I am on the hunt for a half do-over. Maybe I will run the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half in October since I haven’t done that yet. It is pricey for a local race though. Or maybe I will head to NYC and run with my friends up there. All I know is that I need a do-over badly.

Has anyone done that one?

The post Dropping Down In Races appeared first on Running On Veggies.

So this week I am in Paris, and although I am doing a lot of walking both from being a tourist and hunting down media at a medical conference I am starting to feel the effects of not working out. I am lethargic and completely moody (ok that might just be the time change). I planned to go for a tourist run, but the rain is keeping me from doing that.

So Plan B was to do a hotel workout. We are staying in an adorable boutique hotel that unfortunately doesn’t have a gym, so I had to find space in my super tiny-European-standard sized room to workout.

This is the space we are dealing with

Literally standing sideways is a slight challenge

Because of that, I decided to do a short little HIIT workout. Each move was done for 30 seconds at a time, and I did it three times through. It was a good workout and made me feel so much better about eating a real croissant.

• Jumping Jacks
• Wall Sit
• Stepups
• Crunches
• Pushups
• Tricep Dips
• Plank
• High Knees
• Lunges
• Side Plank
• Pushup Rotation

So that’s how I am keeping my WhatsBeautiful commitment while on the road.

*FTC Disclosure: I am part of the Under Armour/FitFluential What’s Beautiful campaign. All opinions are my own.

The post Small Space, Rain Workout Solution appeared first on Running On Veggies.

Last year when Under Armour Women launched their “What’s Beautiful” campaign I immediately jumped at the chance to sign up. I started knocking off challenges, even taping myself after seriously sweaty work out sessions. 

Now I am back on the What’s Beautiful horse in partnership with Fitfluential.  What I love most about this competition/community is seeing all the bad ass things other women around the country are doing. There are challenges I can’t even DREAM of completing and others are blowing them out of the water.

Under Armour states, “This is for women who want to push past where they have been before. To put a goal out to the
world and go after it in a big way. But we’re also opening up our site to teams of women who want to complete goals together.”

With the weather creeping into the 80s, it is time for me to pick up the pace a bit. You know shorts and tanks are calling my name and this is the swift kick in the butt I need. The best part is that your goals can be ANYTHING. Want to run a fast 5K? Do it. Just want to make it to the gym three days a week? Write it up. The encouragement you will receive is going to keep you going. 

That encouragement can come in the form of teams, as this go round gives you the opportunity to join together. I haven’t figured out if I am going to make my own team, or just join others, but you should seriously check it out.

Join up here: http://bit.ly/ffiwill

The post Sweaty is Pretty appeared first on Running On Veggies.

When you see that, you have to run

I am still getting used to running in my Kinvara 4 from Saucony and because the weather was super perfect I ran a bit longer in them than I had before.  My first run this week had me out for almost six miles and I swear I was running faster than I have in years, despite the tightness in my legs.

These shoes are miracle workers. Even today when I went out for my four miler that I was only doing because it was too pretty to be inside, I was cruising.

This week also marked the first time I tasted Chobani’s new key lime flip. I don’t know how I survived without these delightful little snacks for so long. (Side Note: Even though I have been a yogurt eater for a long time I never knew that those types of yogurt containers were made so that you can flip the topping…stop I know.) Key lime is my ultimate summer flavor, and these glorious little 170 calorie fun pack is going to help me keep my summer sweet tooth in check.

mmm key lime, white chocolate and graham cracker (can’t resist)

I am a fruit lover. And lately I have been craving fruit in my salads. It can be pretty much anything, but mostly I have been dropping apples in there. The combination of apples and chicken has become my absolute favorite, but now that strawberries and blueberries are on sale I am buying them in spades to add to salads.

Some of my favorite spring salads are:

• Shrimp, green apple, avocado with lemon juice (easiest thing you’ll ever make)
• Berry Delicious Summer Salad (blueberries & walnuts, amazing)
• Watermelon, feta and basil with lemon juice
• Strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese and spinach (balsamic vinegar)

Watermelon and feta = amazing combo

Basically lemon and balsamic vinegar become staples in my house during the spring and summer.

Finally, our current go-to treat comes courtesy of Skinny Cow. It is their limited edition ice cream sandwich in Snickerdoodle flavor. If you haven’t had them, run now to your grocery store.  I don’t feel guilty indulging in these at all since they are only 140 calories. We are talking low-fat cinnamon ice cream between two oatmeal cookies. You can’t go wrong.

Deliciousness

The post Can’t Resist: Spring Runs, Chobani and More appeared first on Running On Veggies.

Fries are my weakness

So if this doesn’t deter people like everyone hoped, what’s next? Displaying how much exercise would be required to burn it off. A new study tested this idea and found that when restaurant menus listed the amount of brisk walking required to work off each dish diners we less likely to overeat.

Personally, I don’t like to think about what is required to burn it off after I eat. I think that just makes eating less enjoyable and more guilt ridden. Yes, there are times when I over indulge and think “I am so going to need to run an extra mile tomorrow,” or I might switch a yoga day for something more intense, but I don’t like to think about it until after I am completely satisfied with myself.

It is important to me to overindulge from time to time

I know I am a rare breed who enjoys exercising for the endorphins I feel during and after, but come on no one is going to learn to enjoy a healthy lifestyle if we keep making it a chore or a punishment.

You have to separate the guilt from eating. That is the only way you overcome food demons or avoid creating new ones.

The post Exercise As A Threat? appeared first on Running On Veggies.

Of course, the second Melissa asked if I wanted her extra ticket for last night’s show I practically jumped through the computer screen to hug her.  The crowd itself was intriguing–mostly women of varying shapes and sizes. What really struck me was the purchasing of alcoholic beverages and snacks to listen to someone dubbed “the world’s toughest trainer” talk about nutrition and weight loss..that just seemed off. I know I am being a bit judgey…but really?

Apparently there is a grilled cheese bar here; also ppl are buying them & drinks to listen to @JillianMichaels talk abt controlling weight

April 24, 2013 8:04 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@lanes0220

Laney

After a pretty disturbing video, the kind I think they show in spy movies to wipe your memory and implant new ones, Jillian took the stage. She was herself–a bit foul mouthed, funny and energetic. She was actually really entertaining to listen to.

Her talk was broken into three parts: (1) science; (2) sweat and (3) self — basically nutrition, exercise and self worth.

A few tidbits from the nutrition: 

• Counting calories sucks, but the truth is we are creatures of habit and basically only eat 20 different meals. Learn the calories once and there you go.
• Think of calories like money, you only have X amount to spend
• Turn on your bullshit meter when you are reading labels. (Jillian told us she called a certain butter spray company to understand how it could possibly be zero calories when they have things like butter cream in it)
• DON’T EAT SMALL MEALS THROUGHOUT THE DAY this doesn’t allow your body to go into the proper burning system
• Avoid starch and sugar at dinner

Exercise: good for Jillian’s salary, simple for you to do

• Calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate), if you don’t do ANYTHING at all, you will burn this much during the day. Then add on your active metabolic rate and if you don’t go over these calories you are golden. 
• It isn’t about specific exercises, it is about techniques — body weight training and free weights; works more than machines
• Don’t workout over 6 hours a week; and have one rest day

The goal setting stuff was good, and she got me geared up to make and reach my goals, but man it was a long talk.

Like I said she was incredibly entertaining and I can see why people attach themselves to her, but I still would have loved to have walked out of there drenched in sweat.

The post An Evening With Jillian appeared first on Running On Veggies.

I was go, go, going and then I had to come to a screeching halt that sidelined me for nearly a week. My god does it suck to not have the energy to go for a run when it is insanely gorgeous outside. Thankfully, my week off has me feeling much better (though not 100% just yet).

When you have a cold do you do “take it easy exercises” or just lay on the couch and sleep like I did?

Unfortunately, part of my being ridiculously strung out on stress meant I let some reviews slide. I completely and sincerely apologize to Kona Kase for this delayed review. (Disclosure: I received Kona Kase for free in exchange for this review)

Kona Kase is a nutrition delivery subscription box, similar to my lovely BirchBox and StichFix obsessions.  Each month you get a box of eight sports nutrition products. I’ve been running for a long, long time so I have my training and race day nutrition down, but am ALWAYS looking for some good filling snacks. 

Since I was traveling a lot this month, I threw basically half of the box’s contents into my travel bag and went from there. The BRUBAR saved me while I waited for the FDA to make a decision on my client’s product. Would I ever order the SunCups? Probably not. 

If you are a beginner runner looking for fueling options I think this is a great way to test out different products, for only $15/month. Or if you are just looking for ways to fuel your workouts I recommend it.

If you are interested in trying out Kona Kase you can get 50% off your first month by using the code “cohen.”

If you do try Kona Kase let me know how you like it.

The post Sidelined and Other Ramblings appeared first on Running On Veggies.

One they are brilliantly yellow and hot pink. I note this because I’ve been jealous of everyone’s pretty shoes for a long while. Two I didn’t feel like I was holding a single thing in my hand, which was intriguing. 

I am a devoted Saucony runner. I’ve done a few Ride versions and ran my first marathon in Guides. I almost had a freak out when I wasn’t able to get a new pair with enough time to break them in. Despite all of that, I was terrified of the minimalist.

Kinvara has made me want to try others. On my last few runs I had started feeling like my shoes were just plain heavy and weighing me down. Slipping into the Kinvara changed all that. I felt like I was running faster because my legs were lighter.

Yes, I have only done 3 miles and a few treadmill runs, but I can’t wait to take them out for longer runs. I think they will help me shave some time off my runs. We shall see as I have two races coming up in the next few months.

The post Once You Go Minimalist appeared first on Running On Veggies.

Thing is, that fitness community also makes me think I am doing something wrong sometimes, especially when I see people posting photos on Instagram of their workouts where they’re killing it. We are talking 600-800 calories with descriptions like “arms and back day” or “bootcamp.” Yet, when I am wearing my HRM I am lucky if I reach 400 calories. How is that possible?

Since I started using a HRM my goal has been to try to spend about 50% in fitness and fat burning mode during my workouts, especially when I am lifting weights. Even when I am with my trainer our workouts leave me in the high 300-range, and there are days when I see spots.

TRX; cardio bursts and only a few calories burned

When I see those 800 calorie images I just want to message them and say “how long are you working out,” “what are you doing differently,” “what can I do aside from running a half marathon to burn that many calories?” They HAVE to be working out for like two hours right?

This workout always leaves me gasping; yet only 400ish calories

Maybe I am just not pushing myself hard enough during my workouts, but I am breathless and my heart rate is up to 175 at times. Sure it comes down quickly, but isn’t that the indication that I am super fit?

Just a tiny total body workout with cardio bursts

So for those of you who are regularly knocking out 600-800 calorie workouts, what are you doing?

The post Everyone Is Burning More Calories appeared first on Running On Veggies.