Weekly Workout Wind Up (5/30-6/5/13)
/With my trip to NYC this past week, I definitely added variety to my workout ... and enjoyed some GLORIOUS runs through Central Park, Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn!! AMAZING! :) I made a pact on Facebook to finish the last 12 days of Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred consecutively. Yes, I had some back setbacks - but I am feeling better now.
I also need to get back outside on the bike and figure out where I can swim outside here in the Boston area.
Thursday, May 30: Walk Between Weight Watcher Meetings Around Boston
Friday, May 31: Day 17 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Saturday, June 1: #WWFitParty (hip hop, West Africa Dance & workout) and 5-Mile Run With Friends Around NYC
Photo Courtesy Of BitchCakesNY
Sunday, June 2: 10-Mile Run With Friends Through Central Park To Queens
Monday, June 3: Rest Day
Tuesday, June 4: 3-Mile Run with Sarah
Wednesday, June 5: Day 18 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 4-Mile Run
Until next week ... where there should be some more variety!!
Weekly Workout Wind Up (5/23-29/13)
/This was a tough week. The back started acting up on Tuesday so I had to take some downtime near the end of this wrap up... Better to listen to the body than push through and hurt yourself more! I had to take a couple days off from Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred, but I will be sure to do all 30 days in the end!
Thursday, May 23: Day 13 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 5k Run
Friday, May 24: Day 14 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 2-Mile Run
Saturday, May 25: 3-Mile Run and Day 15 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Sunday, May 26: Boston's Run To Remember Half Marathon and Cambridge 5k Freedom Run
Monday, May 27: 4-Mile Walk and 35-Minute Elliptical Session with Linds
Tuesday, May 28: Day 16 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Wednesday, May 29: Rest Day
I'm an X-1 Audio Team Member!
/I owe this amazing opportunity to being a member of Team REFUEL with Got Chocolate Milk!! In March, I received an offer to test out a pair of X-1 Audio headphones.
Of course, I couldn't pass that up! :)
So I worked with Dana from X-1 Audio to get a free pair of the women's sweatproof headphones ... hello check out all the colors here!
I opted for the blue pair (of course) and patiently waited to receive them in the mail.
So what makes X-1 so special? I didn't know so to the website I went and found:
Inspired by the Bell X-1, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier, the team at X-1 set out to perfect a line of products that break down the barriers of sound, allowing athletes to harness the power of music regardless of sport or climate. Whether you’re a triathlete, swimmer, runner, kayaker, snowboarder, climber, weightlifter, or a gym goer, X-1 offers audio solutions that can withstand everything from trekking through the mud to running in the rain to diving 12 feet underwater.
Well that all seems pretty cool.
I have tested out a LOT of headphones so I was ready to give these a try.
Especially since these were designed ESPECIALLY for women.
You don't train in the same clothes or shoes as male athletes - why should you settle for headphones made for men? X-1 For Women headphones were built specifically for female athletes. They were designed to fit smaller ears and are integrated with features that keep you safe, without sacrificing the performance you demand. The X-1 For Women line is the result of female athletes designing features and functions for the needs of female athletes, from smaller, ultra-light earbuds to ambient noise allowance that keeps you aware of your surroundings. You are strong and powerful - and now you can have a sports audio system that works as hard as you do.
After the first run, I was hooked. I love that the X-1 Audio headphones:
*offer multiple 5 different ear tip sizes to get just the right fit
*are reflective for safety - the tangle free cord illuminates with light for extra visibility and safety while working out or running in low light
*designed to withstand heavy perspiration, they can be used in all types of weather and they can be rinsed after use
*have a clip that attaches to the top of your jacket, shirt or tank to lower the annoyance factor (one of my pet peeves is flappy headphone cords)
At the beginning of May, I was approached by Dana to apply to be a member of the X-1 Audio Team. I love their brand, product and message so I went for it ...
... and I was accepted!
WOO! :)
Thanks Dana for the amazing opportunity.
So what was my first purchase after being accepted?
A set of headphones for swimming of course!
Headphones for swimming?
I KNOW! I was shocked at first, but had to give it a try.
There were so many options, but I opted for these ...
Interval 4G w/ Blue Apple iPod Shuffle
I gave them a whirl on Tuesday (May 21) for the first time in a quick 30-min swim.
It was wicked cool to be listening to music, while in the pool. It is so easy to get bored during a swim workout, but I don't think I will from here on out.
The iPod goes inside the plastic case which secures to your goggles. So it looks like this:
I thought the whole thing would be too bulky on the back of my head, but I didn't notice it at all. It didn't impact my stroke or my breathing in the least.
As you can see, I need some new goggles, but that is my own thing and nothing to do with the device. :P
The headphones fit nicely under my swim cap.
I do need a silicone swim cap so that the water doesn't seep in which again happened with my swim cap that is about 6 years old.
Yes I need to do some upgrading. ;)
I cannot wait to hit the pool - for longer next time - and rock out to the Wicked Soundtrack again. (Yup, definitely listend to Wicked/Adele/Pink combo the other day!)
***
Have you tried X-1 Audio headphones? Do you like listening to music while swimming?
Weekly Workout Wind Up (5/16-22/13)
/I have had one amazing week workout wise. I am loving adding variety to my workout and starting to really add strength training into the regime. I know that I am starting on the ground floor, but at least I am starting! I was in a car accident in 2006 that left my left shoulder pretty weak. BUT I am done allowing that to hold me back. I am also done letting my fear of the weights floor at the gym stop me from starting to lift. Thank you Jillian Michaels DVD for allowing me to break out of my comfort zone in the safety of my own home gym. :)
Thursday, May 16: Day 6 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 4-Mile Run
Friday, May 17: Day 7 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and Walking Around Boston
Saturday, May 18: Walking Along The Beach/Ogunquit Beach and Day 8 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Sunday, May 19: 12-Mile Run, 45-Minute Walk With Friends and Day 9 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Monday, May 20: Day 10 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 5-Mile Run
Tuesday, May 21: 3.15-Mile Run, Day 11 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred (Day 1 of Level 2) and 30-Minute Swim
Wednesday, May 22: Day 12 of Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred and 5k Run
I can’t wait to add more swimming to the mix next week… 
Have You Met Roxie?
/Soooo remember that time I signed up for a triathlon? Oh you don't because I haven't mentioned it on here... ;)
Well, in case you need to jog your memory you can check out the fateful day here.
Don't worry I will wait here until you are all caught up.
Done?
Really?
Already?
Well you are a fast reader.
Anywho...
... after completing the Boston Marathon on April 15 and taking some time off (okay not really as much as I should have, but there was some time off) it was time to come up with a triathlon training plan.
And that's where we hit the snag of ... oh you need a bike to complete a triathlon!
Say whaa??
So before coming up with an actual training plan, step one became: buy a bike. :)
Thankfully I have amazing friends and social media folk to steer me in the right direction. I had a long list of shops to check out.
Since I never shop alone (and my parents were kicking in some money as a belated christmas present), my dad and I headed out to a local bike shop - Ace Wheelworks - on Friday May 3 to start this whole process.
It brought back flashbacks of when he and I went to buy me a car as my college graduation present. <<shiver>>
I walked into the store like a blank slate! I was definitely going with the suggestions from the guy at the store. I trust the experts.
He steered me towards the Specialized Women's Road Bikes. They looked great. :P
Well he wanted me to try a Specialized Dolce Compact, but they didn't have one ready for me to ride.
My dad had to get to a dinner thing so we set up an appointment to go back to Ace Wheelworks the following day after 3pm to road test the bike.
We went back on Saturday, May 4 and had a different person helping us. But she quickly won be over with her knowledge of the bikes and especially how a woman would feel on the bikes.
It was weird to be back on a bike. I don't think I had ridden a bike since maybe high school? But, just like they say it, it was like riding a bike. The mechanics came back to me as soon as I got on there. Yes, I was still a little nervous, but it was great to feel the wind in my face.
I love that bike shops have you take the bike for a ride to find the right fit ... just like I do with running sneakers!
I test road 3 different styles ranging in three different price ranges and even tried a Trek Bike as well...
... but felt most comfortable on the Specialized Dolce Sport Compact. They only had the red option in stock and I was hoping for the charcoal and teal. The woman made a call to Wheelworks other location and they had one in stock! SCORE!
Isn't it pretty?
I wasn't ready to pull the plug on the sale yet, so we set up another appointment the next day to test ride the charcoal/teal Dolce Sport Compact. Woo!
After the bike shop, the wife and I headed to KMart for some shopping and I found THE bike I would use for my triathlon.
HA!
NOT! :P
On Sunday morning (May 5), we headed to Quincy so I could run the Half of Quincy then it was time to get back to the task at hand.
My dad, wife and I headed over to Farina's in Watertown to see what they had to offer. Their featured brands are Cannondale and Giant. The guy had me try a Giant. I took it around the blocks a couple times, but it was over my price point (cheapest option they had in stock) and just didn't feel right.
We finished up right on time to head back to Ace Wheelworks to see if it was in fact the bike of my dreams.
How could it not be?
I took the bike for a test ride and as soon as I pushed off I knew it was right. :) We were a match made in Heaven.
Boy are bikes expensive!! I know I could have taken more time to look at used models, but friends kept stressing to get the right feel and I am such a bike novice I wanted to trust the experts.
My crew and I pow-wowed and it was a consensus that this bike and I were made for each other ... and it was under the price point. I had been hoping to spend less than $1k on this bike since it is my first bike.
The Happy Couple
I went with the basics for Day One by just adding a water bottle holder. I can go back within the first month of purchase to pick up other essentials - like a bike lock, pedals with clips, another water bottle holder, etc.
I signed on the dotted line and the bike was mine.
There was just one little issue...
We rolled up in my Jetta. Yeah no real room for a bike in there with the three people.
So I had to make a date to pick the bike up on Tuesday (May 7).
Once the bike was selected, it felt like ages before I could pick her up.
With work schedules and weather, I've gotten out on the bike twice so far:
A quick 8 mile ride with my dad (May 10)
A solo trip around the Mystic River before a downpour (May 15)
It was crazy for me to see how much farther you get on a bike in the same amount of time I run. Yes, I know that should be obvious, but still. My first ride was a 2-to-1 ratio of bike miles to run miles. I hear the correct ratio should be 4-bike miles to 1-run mile. Eek! I have to work on my pace.
This week I am heading back to Ace Wheelworks to pick up a lock and an odometer to record my mileage/pace so I can start riding this baby around the city. :)
Oh and how could I forget!
Remember to call her Roxie ... she likes to be referred to by name! ;)
*** Do you have a bike? Did you name it? Are you hooked?
