NJ Marathon Expo

Yesterday I attended the NJ Marathon Expo, to pick up my bib for the Long Branch half portion of the race! I met my good friend, and fellow Half Fanatic, Eileen there at 1:00, when the Expo opened.
Upon walking in, the Expo looked bigger than last year. We were excited to look around, but wanted to get our bibs first.
We walked through the Expo to the back of Monmouth Racetrack, to the packet pick up. Well, it wasn't really a packet. They had a virtual packet this year, so it was a clear plastic gear bag and a bib, lol. The bib is very pretty and you could personalize it, so long as you registered by a certain date. Since I registered the day after last year's race, I definitely qualified! I asked the hubs what he thought I should have printed on my bib, and he suggested I use his pet name for me.

We toured the expo, which was bigger than last year, but not huge. We both got new gear belts, by a new company. They have 2 separate sipper pockets, GU loops, and bib loops. Once I use it, I will review it! I also got Bondi Bands! The pink one is for a future Barking mad giveaway, and the other is my Boston Proud Bondi!
We also stopped by the Trenton Half Marathon table! If you take your pic there this weekend and post it on Social Media, you can get prizes! woot! Of course, we took a pic!

LOVE their Boston tee! It says Half Marathon in Training on the front! I came right home and ordered one!
After that, we left. Traffic was horrid! It took twice as long to get home! Today my daughter and I will be working the Expo to benefit a local charity, the Cancer Concern Center. You can donate to them as well, using this link. If you put Kim Prytherch in the box that says "in honor of", I will get credit for your donation! I have raised $753 as part of their team, but my goal is $1000!

A few more pics from yesterday and then I am out of here, to go back to the expo. Have a great weekend!
What are your weekend plans?

Blue Claws date night last night

Nugget got groomed before the expo

meetup spot for MRTT and Half Fanatics tomorrow before the race!

New Year New Gear, April!

April is a good month for me! It's my birthday month, races really start getting better weather, Spring arrives. New Year New Gear continues..... see? Great month!
But what is New Year New Gear? It was started by Nicole at  apples and arteries! each month she pairs you up with another blogger or reader. You find out what your match likes and you spend $15 on them, buying new gear. Include a little note, ship, and wait for your own gear to arrive. It's like Christmas every month!

For April, I was assigned to Dan at DTM Fitness. This guy knows his stuff! And he knows how to shop! woot! He even stalked my Amazon wish list for clues! Smart man!

So you might be thinking, okay, it's a workout top, so? OMG this is a ViewSport tank! Have you heard of them? Well, after you get all hot and sweaty from a kickass workout, this is what happens:

How cool is that?
I have always wanted one of these shirts, but had yet to go and buy one! Thanks so much Dan!

I was assigned to send gear to Darlene at My first 5K and More. You can read all about what I sent to her at the link above!

What is your favorite new gear?

5 by the 5th Run

Today was an amazing day, my first day as a Stay at Home Mom once again! For the last 5 years I have been working as an aide in Kindergarten and/or Special Ed classes, but I came to a point where I needed to step back and just be "Mom" again!
My last day of work was bittersweet! My co-workers threw me surprise party! I expected a card maybe, but there were cupcakes, and cards, and gifts! So sweet! They got me a gift certificate to my favorite running store (where there will be sale this weekend!) and this pretty plant!

Perfect weather for such a day, let me tell you! After getting some laundry and dishes done, I headed out for a 5 mile run for Mommy Run Fast's 5 by the 5th Virtual series. Every month from January until June, you run a 5K or 5 miler by the 5th of that month. SO simple, right?
I have been keeping track of my times, and my best to date was 52:45. I was not expecting to beat that time today, because I have been doing my Revolt Fitness workouts and they are kicking  my butt! My legs are so sore, I was sure the run would be a disaster!
I set out, almost immediately sorry about my choice of running wear! I had on my LuLuLemon capris (which one could *never* regret, let's be real) and a long sleeved purple running shirt. I looked fabulous, of course, but it was warm and I was sweaty pretty quick! I almost turned back, but I intended to run along the ocean (or, at least, on the streets that run along the ocean) and I thought it might get chilly, the closer I got.
When I hit the one mile mark, I was amazed to hear my British Runtastic guy tell me that I had only been running for 10:15! Holy heck! I kept plugging along, catching just about every traffic light, and hit the ocean at mile 1.5

I did pause the app while I took the pics, but that was the only time during my run. After I took the pics I ran the next mile along the road that runs parallel to the beach. The weather was perfect, not too windy, not too cold. I hit the boardwalk just as the Rocky Theme came on. Seriously. It was awesome. My pace picked back up and I cruised along the boards. I passed two guys and they made some comment about my butt. I agree, my LuLuLemons make my butt look awesome. I thought it was pretty funny, and it gave me another boost as I left the boardwalk and headed back home. I don't do an out and back when I run the beach, I do a big loop through Point Boro and Point Beach. I knew I went too far and would hit 5 miles way before I got home, but it was so amazing out that I didn't care. I passed another guy who made a butt comment. I probably should have been creeped out, but I think that they thought I was plugged in and couldn't hear, but my YurBuds make it very easy to hear my music and the noises around me.
It definitely made this squishy mom very happy to hear them make silly comments like that. Sad, but true.
Between miles 4 and 5 I got about 9 cheers. No lie. They came one after another and I was just grinning like a dope. People who see me run must think I have nothing but space between my ears! When I hit the 5 mile mark, I was absolutely floored to hear my time. All those boosts really helped, because my time was 50:17. It actually took me a few extra seconds to pause the app, I was in such shock! I literally laughed out loud. Like I said, grinning like a dope!

I reset the app to measure my walk home, and practically skipped along for that last 1.5 miles. I texted, Facebooked, and tweeted as well, lol. It was not a very fast walk, about a 17 minute mile pace, but I was just basking in my new PR. Until the muscle soreness from those Revolt workouts set back in! Boy oh boy did my butt hurt!
I did enjoy the text from my friend Cheryl though! I was really going back and forth about quitting my job, even though the hubs and my parents all said it was the right thing to do for me. Cheryl is a teacher though, and I wasn't sure she would get it!

I guess she got it :)
Perfect end to a perfect day!

When was your last totally perfect run?

Versatile Blogger Award

I was honored a few weeks ago to be nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by a fellow SPA! (Sweat Pink Ambassador! check out Fit Approach for more details!)
Jennifer from The Final Forty, a fellow Jersey Girl, nominated me! Thanks again, so very much, Jennifer!! What is a the Versatile Blogger Award?

If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger award.

•  Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
•  Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
•  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
•  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
•  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

SO, let's get down to business! I would like to nominate the following awesome ladies:

1. Lindsey at Run.Stretch.Repeat.
2. Melissa at 13 going on crazy
3. Gigi at Running on Candy...
4. Jill at Fitness, Health, and Happiness
5. Lisa at Run Fast Mama
6. the Bride and Groom at Running Happily Ever After
7. Mindy at Road Runner Girl
8. Jen at Marathon Mom
9. Laura at Mommy Run Fast
10. Kat at Sneakers and Fingerpaints
11. Pam and Christine at we Run Disney
12. Joanna at Sports Bras and Sippy Cups
13. Darlena at Run Find Your Happy Pace
14. Mindy at Mindy's Fitness Journey
15. Melissa at Melissa Running It

There are so many others, and I will get to them.....next week! Hmmmmm I wonder what that could mean?

Anyway, my duties call upon me to tell you all 7 things about myself! Soooooooo, here we go!

1. I LOVE to read! I will read just about anything, I am very easily amused! My favorites, though, are Nora Roberts, JD Robb, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Dan Brown, and JK Rowling. Favorite book ever? The Stand by Stephen King.
2. I also LOVE movies. I could watch them all day long and die happy.  I like scary movies, romantic comedies, dramas, well, just about any! Faves are Pride and Prejudice, Emma, the Stand, 50 First Dates, and the SCREAM movies. Sad, but true.
3. I LOVE reality TV. and Cop shows. And dramas. My faves right now are Survivor, Duck Dynasty. Amazing Race, CSI and CSI NY, Blue Bloods, Revenge, and Once Upon a Time. Like I said, sad but true.
4. I am studying to be NASM certified.
5. I plan to run 13 Halfs this year. I have finished 5, and #6 will be this Sunday: The Long Branch Half Marathon.
6. Not surprisingly, after #5, I am Half Fanatic #3034
7. I have an amazing hubby and 2 amazing (most of the time) teenagers. We all get along most of the time, and only want to kill each other about 25% of the time!!!

Do you follow any of my favorite bloggers?

Weekly Workouts

This week was a quiet week. I tweaked my knee in last Saturday's Half, and from Sunday through Friday, my arch/ankle hurt on and off all day.


Sunday: Bus Trip to NYC. We walked 8 blocks to have lunch, and then 8 blocks back. I also planked (but not in NYC, lol)

Monday: plank
Tuesday: P90X plyometrics and a quick plank

Wednesday: plank

Thursday: plank

Friday: plank

Saturday: 42 minute bike ride, dog walk, boardwalk stroll, and a plank

Sunday: so far, two bike rides, 47 minutes total, a 5K for Sara's monthly challenge, and the hubs and I are about to walk the dogs again!

The hubs rode his dirt bike today, his exercise for the week, lol

What did you do this weekend to keep your body moving?

Revolt Fitness!

I am so excited to share this with you all!
A couple of months ago, I was contacted by Tara, who works for Revolt Fitness, an amazing Exercise program invented by Nichole Huntsman! Nichole is a NASM CPT, and is sharing her knowledge through her new program! Tara has asked me, along with a group of other Bloggers, to test Nichole's program, and blog about the results! I am SO excited to be part of this Revolt Uprising Group! Starting on April 26, I will begin my 12 week Diet and Exercise program that Nichole has designed!
From the website:

Let me explain very quickly what the Revolt Uprising is.  It is your Revolt against your muffin top and the tyranny or mediocrity.  For less than .35 a day this is what you get.

• Full length workouts that are always changing.  You will never get bored.  Plan on enjoying your good looks and 6 pack abs.  Get ready to become lean and re-invent yourself.
• The workouts are intense, and so effective without putting you in a gym for hours at a time.  The Revolt Uprising doesn’t give you partial videos to do by yourself.  You have your trainer with you through each circuit.
• Meals that are awesome and paired with your workouts.  This is part of our “secret sauce”. As you’ve probably heard up to 70% of your results happened with an effective diet.  This happens outside your workouts.  The meal plan everyday to help you reach your goals.

Check out the website via the link above! There are pictures of the workouts, which you can do in your own living room, and testimonials from clients that love her program!

Also from the site:

Our program transforms bodies six-weeks at a time, combining the very best techniques from the world of fitness and weight loss.  Here are some more details:

1-THE REVOLT WORKOUT: is a fat-incinerating metabolic workout that trains your body to use more calories, even when at rest.   Daily and with minimal equipment you can follow along as our personal trainer, Nichole Huntsman NASM-CPT, does the workout on video.  She will lead you through strength training, plyometrics, core work, circuits, tabata and much more.  This type of training is on the cutting edge of exercise science and has been proven to shrink more of your stubborn fat in a 24 hr period than traditional steady state cardio.  You can do these workouts anywhere in 20-40 minutes, 4-5 days per week.  New every week, always changing and progressing.  All the guesswork has been eliminated.  Just show up and sweat!  Also, you have instant access to the handy take-anywhere Revolt Workout Guide, in pdf form.  Print out, or read on your mobile device while at the gym.

2-THE REVOLT DIET: is a nourishing, delicious meal plan with proven macronutrient and caloric levels to optimize fat loss and muscle recovery.  There are 6 daily meals eaten every 3-4 hours, which include a pre and post workout meal and a daily dessert.  You select your initial calorie level from our diet selector and then have the freedom to customize up or down through the 8 different calorie meal plans.  Also included are techniques to help with fat-loss plateaus, no-nonsense supplement advice, and a weekly FREE day.

3-THE REVOLT BY-INVITATION COMMUNITY including Nichole and a wonderful group of current Revolt participants.  Here you will become part of our group, moving through the program, individually adjusting for personal goals, but united in the day by day diet and workout.  You’ll be eating the same meals and doing the same workout as everyone else, which gives an incredible opportunity for conversation in real time.  You’re not alone! On our private group page, you can engage in positive, fun conversation with friends in a safe environment.  Talk about the day’s workout, get advice about how to cook that spinach that you’ve been dreading or post your weekly progress pics for support, feedback and a little “woot woot”.  Also, join in our weekly Q&A sessions by conference call!

Combining secrets used by fitness competitors and celebrities to cut fat quickly, the Revolt program can help you transform that jiggly flab into an incredible summer-worthy physique.

New to Revolt Now Fitness? Join our community today by requesting an invite to the Revolt Private Progress Group and get a copy of our Revolt Start-Up Guide.

The Revolt Core Principles
We believe fitness and good nutrition should be accessible to all people, without the use of guilt, shame, fear, hype, BS, dishonesty or greedy sales tactics.

We recognize that all bodies are unique, and that finding a solution for transformation requires flexibility and adaptation.

We respect and cheer each other on, celebrating differences and uniting behind our common purpose to improve our lives.

We believe in becoming experts of our own bodies.  100% owning our current state and any transformations that take place.

I am so excited to be taking part in this program! Over the next 12 weeks, I will be posting weekly about my progress, the workouts, and the diet. At the end of the program, I will post my before and after pic, and my weight loss, as well as inches lost!

You can stalk Nichole, and Revolt Fitness here:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

****Revolt Fitness is allowing me the honor of trying this plan for free and in return I will blog once a week for 12 weeks. You might all be sorry! All of my opinions, death wishes, hatred of the powers that be, and attempts to try new foods are my own. 

Tuesday Ramblings: NYC, Dopey, and the Interstate Challenge

Hand Burger

After Saturday's painful Half, I was glad to go into NYC on a bus trip with my daughter's school. They run 3 fundraisers a year into the city to see a play, and she just loves her plays! On our way in, the bus got pulled over! Score points for the driver! Of course, the teenies had to get right on their phones and make a conference call. To a boy sitting 5 rows away. Yes, seriously!

My daughter is on the striped phone, the smiling teenie is her bestie.

While on the phone, they decided to done at the Crypt Cafe. It used to be a crematorium. Yes, again, seriously. I have to admit, it was truly awesome. The food was great, atmosphere slightly creepy. Win Win.

entry to restaurant and Haunted House

doorway to Haunted House

dining area, yes, those are crematorium doors. 

pretty girls, picking up a creepy guy

 The musical we went to see was called Peter and the Starcatcher, at the New World Stages. The theater was very nice, they had a wall for people to write on, so the girls wrote quotes from RENT and signed their names. Sorry, I forgot to take a pic! The play was amazing! I have never laughed so hard in my life! It is the story of how Peter Pan became, well, Peter Pan. It was a small cast on a small stage playing multiple roles. The star was so yummy, I wanted to eat him with a spoon! My favorite role, though, was the nanny, played by a man wearing a "hat" on a headband whenever he switched to that role. Hysterical! It really is a must see!

In other news, the training plans for WDW Marathon weekend are available here. These are not printable calendars, although I am guessing that those will be available soon These are links so you can download them into your calendar. They have links for Mac, iPhone, Google, Outlook, and Yahoo! I have alreaded added it to my iCal, and will be writing it into my training calendar later today! SO exciting!

Awhile back, I mentioned being the first to finish the Interstate Challenge! Yay me! Isn't the medal amazing? It is still going on here. To qualify you need to run a marathon or a half marathon in two different states. These races must take place during 2013. SO cool! I used the WDW Marathon as my Florida race and E Murray Todd Half as my NJ race. 

The brilliant minds at Digital Running Club came up with a new challenge for 2014! Two actually.

1. The Hat Trick. Run three of the following distances in 2014: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon. Log your races. Get the super cool medal to show of your greatness!
2. Grand Slam. Dopey Runners, this one is for you! Run all four of those distances in 2014. Log your races. Receive the Grand Slam Medal *and* the Hat Trick Medal to show off your awesomeness! 

Registration opens in July, and the sooner you register, the cheaper it is! I will be first in line for that Grand Slam! Will you take the challenge?

Get in on the excitement at their FaceBook page and on Twitter!

How has your week been so far?