Dani Dishes 9-2-13

On this episode of Dani Dishes, I call out to women to support each other!! Why are we putting other women down for their exercise choices?  

Weekly Workout Wind Up (8/22-28/13)

Well this week I didn't find a way to incorporate my Jillian Michaels DVDs back into the mix, but I will.  

Thursday, August 22: 5k-Run

Friday, August 23: 10k-Run

Saturday, August 24: 12-Mile Run

Sunday, August 25: Spin Class

Monday, August 26: 3-Mile Run, 2-Mile Run and 53-Minute Spin

Tuesday, August 27: REST DAY

Wednesday, August 28: 5-mile Run with 3 hill repeats at the end

But now that I apparently have a Sprint Tri on 9/8 - hello free entry - I need to get back in the pool and on the bike this week... Oh yeah and tackle that little "hilly" half marathon in NH on Sunday!

Good problems, right?

KIND Snacks Giveaway

Annddddd the winner IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS!!!! Thank you to everyone that participated and big thanks to our Sponsor!!!

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There’s healthy. There’s tasty. Then there’s healthy and tasty. At KIND, we believe you deserve both—we call it our brAND philosophy. That’s why you’ll find all of our snacks are pretty much the nirvana of healthful tastiness. What began with just 8 bar varieties in 2004 has grown to over 22 bars and 6 Healthy Grains snackable clusters, and a multitude of new recipes being perfected and refined to our standards in the KIND kitchen.

Well KIND snacks pretty much sold me with that introduction to their company.

KIND snacks has been around since 2004, but didn't enter my radar until last summer. Yes I know I am behind the times. What else is new? ;)

I kept seeing their product at local races. Now, I am ALL about the free products at a race so I would pick one up and not really think anything about it until...

... I actually chatted with lovely ladies working the booth. I mean it took me long enough to say Hi to Lauren - I've seen her at pretty much every local run since moving back to Boston. It just took me time, okay? Okay.

Lauren was super sweet and told me a lot more about the message of KIND Snacks AND that it is more than just those yummy bars - there's granola too! Oh my!

KIND has started a movement on social media by using the hashtag #KINDAwesome. Have you seen it on Twitter or Instagram? They are encouraging folks to use it to capture the kind moments in life. It is really inspiring if you sort by that hashtag.

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. —Henry James

After seeing Lauren at yet another race - VERT Sasquatch in July - we finally decided it was time for a little KIND giveaway here on the old blog. I'm looking out for you all. :)

So one day in early August, I came home from a tough Spin session to find this awesome sight on my porch.

Amazing message right on the bag

Aahhhhh!!! Glorious right?

But, it got better.

OOhhh yeaah!

As you can see as soon as I emptied out the KIND Healthy Snacks Mixed Case (Value $107.50) with a surprise treat of granola in there as well, I put the Weight Watchers PointsPlus Values on the packages. The bars on the right were all 5 PP each, the boxes on the left were all 6 PP and the granola for a serving (1/3 cup) was either 3 or 4.

Now my Weight Watchers friends may think these are kinda high PPV for a granola bar, but let me tell you they are WORTH IT!

I have been finding all sorts of ways to fit KIND bars and the granola into my plan.

*KIND Bars have been good for pre OR post workout fuel (biking, running, weight-lifting, swimming, prancercizing, etc). Now that I have started "running" the Harvard Stadium stairs at 6:30am on Tuesdays I need a good source of fuel beforehand that will keep me satisfied, but not weigh me down. I am one of those people that will get sick if I eat too much before a workout. Plus, I don't want to wake up at like 4am just to have something to eat and not get sick for a 6:30am workout. Who is with me?

Sooo instead I will pop a KIND Snack bar in my bag and I'm off.

I couldn't wait to take a pic of the yummy PB & Strawberry Bar (5PP) after doing a hill workout Wednesday so you just get to see half of it. ;)

*KIND Granola is actually an AMAZING bang for your buck when it comes to Weight Watchers PointsPlus Values or calories or just taste! ;)

You can have 29g (1/3 cup) for 3 PP of the PB Granola.

I. AM. OBSESSED!

I seriously don't think I will ever eat yogurt without it again.

Yup - that good. :)

So do I have your mouth watering yet? Well, I am currently snacking on a Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate bar (6PP) that is heavenly.

Oh you want your own now? Getting excited that you can actually pronounce all of the ingredients on the KIND Bar label? Loving the #KINDAwesome mentality?

Well, alright alright. Let's bring on the giveaway. :) You all deserve it.

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So here’s how to enter to win your OWN KIND Master Mixed Case like mine:

The giveaway will run from Tuesday August 20 (10am ET) through Tuesday August 27 (9am ET)!

The winner will be selected and announced on Tuesday!

How To Get A Race Crowd On Your Side

I love a good screaming crowd. I mean who doesn't? In the right context. I have equated to running a road race to feeling like a rock star.

I mean there are people there that have NO IDEA who you are, but they are cheering you on and little kids want to high-five you.

Okay they want to high-five most people - yes I have been dissed by an 8-year-old before during a race. It kinda hurt my feelings.

But I digress...

When I normally race, I have one or maybe two people there to cheer me on (except Boston Marathon of course) and they cannot be all places along the course to offer moral support.

(Depending on the course, my dad kicked booty at Rock 'n' Roll Savannah Marathon so I could see him 4 times along the route)

So we need to rely on the other spectators to help push us through to the Finish.

But HOW do you stick out in a crowd of sometimes 20,000 runners?

Here are some of the tips I've picked up along the way that help me get the cheers I need!!

1) If you are on social media, share a pic of your outfit prior to race day. This - for me - results in a "flat Dani" type situation.

I can't tell you how many blog readers, Twitter followers or even my Weight Watchers members have told me they knew what to look for all because I posted a pic in advance.

2) Put your name in BIG letters on the front of your running singlet or t-shirt.

Also block lettering is much easier for fans to read. You need to make sure it is visible from 10-20 feet away. I mean you aren't running up to the crowd shoving your shirt in their face - hopefully. I don't see that working all that well.

3) Piggybacking off Number 2 - make your charity, twitter handle or blog name LARGE on the FRONT of your shirt.

Many people try to put cute sayings on the back of shirts - that's great, but people don't tend to follow through and watch you pass them. They won't see anything you put on the back of the shirt so put all important info on the front!

4) Write your name or bib number on your arm.

This can be a risky choice! Why? As you can see above, sunburns happen. Sunburns lead to you having your name permanently on your arm like all summer long. Yeah plan accordingly if you have a summer race and a big fancy event a month or so after.

Also, learn from my mistake - don't write your name in marker then put your armband over it. It just gets messy and ends up getting marker all over everything. Oops! Put your name on the right arm. :P

5) Wear something cute, bright and shiny that will catch the crowd's attention!

Now I have found that different articles of clothing will obviously appeal to different ages and sexes.

This is not meant to be sexist at all - it is just something I've found works for me. ;)

To win over the girls-ladies of the crowd: rock a cute skirt. For me? It is the Sparkle Athletic skirts all the way.

Plus they are fun and are comfortable to wear while running, which is the most important thing - not letting crowd pleasing outfits get in the way of your performance.

For the boys and gentlemen in the crowd, a good pair of knee socks can do the trick. My personal favorite: my Superman socks. They have amazing little capes on the back.

Superhero socks, colorful socks, BEER knee socks ... any of those will work. :)

I had a little boy yell out during one 5k: "Look dad that girl is Superman!" Oh the smile on my face was HUGE!

6) A full costume. 

This is something that I have only tried during this January's Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I dressed up at Jessie from Toy Story and LOVED the "Go Jessie" cheers along the course.

Again make sure it is something that will not impede your performance in your race.

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And sometimes almost all of these tips come together in the perfect storm: my Boston Marathon outfit this past April.

It was the first race I truly had something that appealed to everyone in the crowd so I felt like those folks carried me through one of the hardest races of my life!!

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How do you rally the crowd and capture their energy to pull you through a race?

Dani Dishes 8-26-13

On this episode of Dani Dishes, I drop TWO HUGE announcements on you guys regarding my next fitness goal for 2014 and new sponsorship!! :) :)  

Weekly Workout Wind Up (8/15-21/13)

I need to get back some variety into my workouts, but this was a solid week of running.  

Thursday, August 15: Cross-Training Day (35-min Stairmaster)

Friday, August 16: 6-Mile Run

Saturday, August 17: 10.04-Mile Run

Sunday, August 18: Race To The Row 5k (official time: 21:59.2)

Monday, August 19: 5-Mile Run and 50-Minute Spin (plus walk to and from gym)

Tuesday, August 20: Harvard Stadium Stairs (30 sections) and 30-min Stairmaster/20-min Elliptical (plus walk to and from gym)

Wednesday, August 21: 5-mile Run and 2.75-mile Walk

Here's to getting back to the swim and finding a way to watch my Jillian Michaels DVDs! 

First Annual Race To The Row 5k

Sometimes a race is more than a race. Was that deep?

No?

Okay. I'll skip the poetic opener and get to the good stuff. ;)

I love being a part of inaugural races AND uber local races.

The Race To The Row 5k, which took place on August 18, fit both those categories.

How local?

Well it was directly across the street from my neighborhood.

Short commute for the win! :)

I actually had the honor of giving away a free entry to the race thanks to the organizers - Somerville Road Runners - and was excited to meet the winner, Shimmy, on race day (it was her first 5k race).

On Saturday, August 17, we headed over to Assembly Row to pick up my bib/t-shirt at Sports Authority, peek around Assembled (weekly artist market) and have the wife get some grub from the food trucks!

Saturday night I took my first stab at applying the KT Tape myself. I had used it on my last two marathons and loved it, but always had a professional administer it at the race expo.

Thankfully the videos on KTTape.com were very helpful and easy to follow.

I thought it looked pretty darn good. I even gave it a try on my ailing wrist.

The other half said I looked like a Power Ranger. Agree? :P

The race started at 9:30am on Sunday which meant we got to sleep in ... as best as possible with the 2 pups. ;)

As always I had laid out my outfit the night before so I didn't have to think at all that morning while getting ready.

We set to leave the house by 8:45am so we could hit Dunkin' Donuts before the race.

I actually had the coffee before my run for one of the first times ever. It was risky to change my pre-race routine, but I was okay with it - I set low expectations for the outcome of the race (which I'll touch on later).

We arrived at the starting area just before 9, which was perfect since the little kid Fun Run was happening at 9.

I was happy to see some familiar faces at the race including my friend and fellow Weight Watchers Leader Heather and my Tedy's Team running mate Meg and her husband Josh.

Heather and I pre-race

We all chatted until we heard the warning call to line up. I quickly hit up the table to get my "hell yes I am 21 and will be having a beer post-race" wristband. ;) Priorities!!

I kept glancing around the crowd to see how many folks were participating in the run-walk and it looked to be about 200. Great turnout for a first-time local run.

The race director gave a countdown through his makeshift megaphone and we were off.

It was a looping pattern so we would run part of the course twice, which was fine by me.

I didn't put any pressure on myself for this race. Since I have been focusing more on my long distance running/Dopey Challenge training I haven't been doing so much speed work. This would be the first time I would be testing the legs in a 5k race since May.

As we headed out on the course, I caught a glimpse of my average pace time about 1/2 a mile in and there was a 6:45 starting back at me.

Excuse me!

Did I read that right?

I was in shock! But tried not to get too excited. There were 2.6 more miles to go. :P

The organizers did a great job keeping the run within the Assembly Row Marketplace and the surrounding streets. We didn't have to cross any huge intersections, there were plenty of volunteers and not multiple water stops. Bravo folks! Bravo!

My Garmin buzzed off for Mile 1 and flashing back at me was indeed a sub-7 pace.

I shook my head and kept going.

It couldn't be.

I had to keep my focus so I picked one person in front of me and made a pact with myself that I HAD to pass her by the end of the race ... and then stay in front of her.

As I passed her heading to the Mile 2 marker, 2 other women passed me. Agghh! I kept those two women as close to me as I could, but they were darn speedy!

We hit Mile 2 and according to my Garmin I was still sub-7 pace. Holy heck.

I decided that no matter what I would give it all I had for the last mile. Since it was kind of a loopy-out and back situation going on, I was able to cheer for friends as I raced to the Finish.

I looked down and we were at 2.6 miles. Okay legs give it all you have ... and that is exactly what I did.

Can you tell by the pic? This is me coming into the Finish Line thanks to the wife.

I clicked the Garmin as I crossed the Finish. There it was 6:56 average pace.

HOT DAMN!

Now, in retrospect, I should've known it wouldn't be sub 7 since my watch had us at 3.16 miles instead of the 3.1 for a 5k. Logic should've set it, but I was too darn happy ... and too ready for beer. :)

Either way I had PRed (previous PR 22:20) and THAT was one pleasant surprise. I was more excited talking to my friends who had done amazing things during the run

Meg & I post-race in the beer garden

AND meeting up with Shimmy, the giveaway winner.

She had set out 2 goals: 1) finish in under 33 minutes and 2) give it all she had. And you know what? She did both. Way to rock it Shimmy!! :) :)

Big thanks to Burger Dive for providing great post-race BBQ and for Harpoon Brewery for donating the delicious post-race brews.

Overall, it was one amazing morning. I can't wait to participate next year too!

Oh and those final results were:

I finished in a PR of 21:59.2 (7:05 min/mile). I was 38 out of 208 overall, 9 out of 115 females and 4 out of 55 in my division.

How could I not be proud with those sorts of numbers?

Little 'ol me posted those. I have certainly come a long way since my first 5k in Somerville in March 2005 when I posted a time of 38:21.

And either way: I got to cross the Finish Line of yet another race. The best moment of it all.

Dani Dishes 8-19-13

On this episode of Dani Dishes, I remind myself (and you) that is it okay to be frustrated when a moment on your weight loss/fitness/running journey doesn't live up to expectation! BUT make sure to then immediately step back and look at the journey as a whole for overall appreciation! Product Of The Week: Boom Chica Pop

Weekly Workout Wind Up (8/8-14/13)

The first full week of Dopey Training ended on Sunday so this week featured much more running than anything else. I am still working on keeping a good balance between running and cross training. I've found that my running is greatly improved by cross training - which I think everyone can agree on! :)  

Thursday, August 8: 2.2-Mile Run

Friday, August 9: 4.01-Mile Run

Saturday, August 10: 10-Mile Run

 

Sunday, August 11: 5-Mile Run

Monday, August 12: 5-Mile Run and 50-Minute Spin (plus walk to and from gym)

Tuesday, August 13: Harvard Stadium Stairs (25 sections) 

Wednesday, August 14: 5-Mile Run and 6.05 Mile Run (1-Mile Warmup, 6xHills, 1-Mile Cooldown)

Let the Dopey Challenge training continue! 

My Latest Tattoo!

Tattoos - to me - tell a story. Every tattoo I have means something different to me and has its own back story. Now many people say they ended up with their tattoo after a night of drinking with friends or on a dare. That's Not Me! A ton of thought went into each thing I put on my body.

Hello! These things last forever.

Or until you have thousands of dollars to get them removed. :P

I promise there will be a whole different post explaining the meaning behind these 5 tattoos, but today is all about #6.

Since early 2013, I knew I wanted to get another tattoo on my left foot. I needed my tattoos to be symmetric. What can I say? :P

I had a general idea of what I wanted, but told myself I would get it following the Boston Marathon. I knew the tattoo would pay homage to my fitness/weight-loss journey to date.

But what exactly to do was eluding me. I had a few ideas, but not a concrete plan.

With the events of the Boston Marathon, the tattoo idea kind of went by the wayside. But, once the triathlon became my main focus, I knew the tattoo would have to happen soon after that.

A triathlon had never been on my radar so completing that would take my fitness journey to a new level.

The week after the tri (which was August 4) the design came to me. I knew exactly what I wanted on my left foot. I turned to the best designer I know - my wife - to get the idea from my mind to paper.

She didn't disappoint. She showed me what she came up with and it was SPOT ON! :)

Once I had the design, which I kept a secret, I had to find the right tattoo parlor to go to.

I reached out to 3 or 4 shops before I found the one.

Empire Tattoo in Somerville, MA - just a mile or so from my house.

Photo Courtesy Empire Tattoo

I actually found them when they liked a picture of mine on Instagram - thanks Social Media!!

After emailing back and forth, I went in for a consultation with tattoo artists Amanda Abbott on Sunday (August 11) and knew immediately that this was the right studio and artist.

Amanda actually shed over 70 pounds herself recently ... Hello instant connection!!

We showed her the design and she was on board. We made an appointment for just over 48 hours later - Tuesday (August 13) at 3pm.

I was PSYCHED. I would've done it right then and there if she had had time. :P

On Monday (August 12), I made sure to get a nice fresh pedicure. I mean I was really doing it for Amanda. No one should have to endure staring at "runner feet."

Did I convince you all that the pedicure was a necessity? Good!

Before I knew it, it was Tuesday and I was walking through the door of Empire Tattoo. The shop is clean and each tattoo artist has their own little booth (with a door) to work in. I liked not being so out in the open like some tattoo parlors set-up.

I was calm, cool and collected which let me know this was exactly what I should be doing.

Amanda was a true professional and made the whole process painless.

Her booth was really warm and inviting with walls covered in artwork she did herself. There were some truly gorgeous pieces. The tattoo only took about 45-50 minutes to do and we chatted the whole time.

So are you ready to see the finished product?

IT'S PERFECT!!!!

Now you probably want to know I came up with it?

I used to watch The Biggest Loser religiously back in the day and there was a specific episode where Bob Harper told a contestant to "Stand Up And Finish What You Started." Ohhh boy did that stick with me.

So when I started my weight loss and running journey, I used that statement over and over again. It really became my mantra. I even added it to my GoSportID bracelet as a reminder.

I knew that I needed "Finish What You Started" as the centerpiece of the tattoo.

I owe huge props to a blog reader that actually noticed that the font for it is actually the same as the blog header font. I'm sorry to admit I didn't pick up on that. My wife is one clever lady isn't she? ;)

I think the top of the tattoo is pretty obvious - they represent the half marathons (13.1), triathlon (swim, bike, run) and marathons (26.2) I have conquered ... and will continue to conquer thanks to the changes I have made over the past 4+ years. :)

And finally the date - 4-15-13 - a date that will forever be engrained in my mind. For those that don't know it is the date of this year's Boston Marathon. I was lucky to cross the Finish Line that day just 1 minute before the bombs went off so I was able to Finish What I Started that day. Yet so many of my friends were not.

Oh! And to answer the biggest question - it really didn't hurt. The only spot that really hurt would be the little biker and runner dudes right on the top of my foot. The rest of the tattoo just felt kind of annoying rather than painful. Does that make sense?

There it is. My 6th and probably most meaningful tattoo I have.

And now I am symmetrical - 2 wrists, 2 ankles and 2 feet. ;)

So if you are in the Boston-Somerville-Cambridge area, I cannot recommend Empire Tattoo - and Amanda Abbott in particular - enough if you are looking to get some ink done yourself.

Tell 'em I sent ya!

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Do you have any tattoos of your own? Does it hold a special place in your heart?