Get yours HERE!!!

I won a playlist from SonicTap over on hottie-tottie-fit-mama MizFit’s blog.

So cool!

My choice? MizFits’s Weight Training Vol.1 – it rocks!

Go get your playlist at SonicTap! They’ve got something for everyone, every mood, every occasion! Best of all they are DRM-free songs, available to use on any portable media device, including iPods® and MP3 players. It’s fully integrated into iTunes, so you can import your playlists right into your iTunes library.

Rock on peeps!

photo: rossinabossio

1-Consult with an Expert in your sport of choice – Although I’ve trained for marathons before, most of my information came from books and the Internet.  I have gotten great information from these sources, but consulting with an expert in running has opened up new possibilities to my training.  Through the recommendation of fellow athlete blogger Rachel, I have hooked up with Coach Al.  Just by exchanging emails with him i’ve already gotten information that I didn’t have before to apply to my training.  We will also soon be meeting to do a run video analysis.  He recently sent me a sample of what it does and I was blown away! You can see everything from form, running gait and problem areas.  That is super important information if I am trying to improve and get faster.  Yes, of course I know that consulting with an expert can be a little costly, but it all goes back to how bad do you want it?  Where are you spending your money right now and what are you willing to sacrifice to have that expert help?  If you are paying $4/day for a Starbucks latte x 30 days = $120!  That’s 1 or 2 consultations right there!!!

2 – Talk to people training in your sport – What works for someone else might not work for you, but you never know unless you try it out!  Rachel and her husband have tons more race experience than me so I am open to listening to what they to say.  There also may be local groups in different sports that you can connect/train with.  Just being around people in your sport can be so inspiring and you can always learn somethimg new!  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you’d be suprised how open people are and want to help!

3- Get the proper gear – I just bought a bunch of new sports bras.  But not just any over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, they are super duper running bras that hold my ta-tas in place!  It might sound silly, but up until recently I was adjusting/pulling up my sports bra about every 10min!  Not only was it annoying, but it was slowing me down!  Have you ever seen an elite runner adjusting her boobs during a race? No.  Investing in the proper clothes, although a little costly will not only make you more comfortable during training, but will also last a long time with care.  Guys, i’m not sure what it would be for you, but i’m guessing it would be getting the right banana hammock to hold things in place too, right?

4- Training technology – This can be expensive, but when I saw what it could do (yet another suggestion from Rachel…yes, can you tell I’m her fan?) I had to have one. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is just the coolest gadget ever!  It is a stop watch/heart rate monitor/GPS navigation/Virtual training partner training gadget.  There are a bunch more features but I haven’t figured them all out yet.  What’s the point of getting it?  Well, today on my run for the first time ever, I was able to see how fast I ran at every mile, what my heart rate was, exactly how far I ran, what my running average was, etc… Before today all of that if was just guesstimated, and you know what? I was way off!!!  Yes, this IS expensive as well, but I gave up some other stuff so I could have it.  It also took me a few weeks to get because I was bidding for it on ebay to get it half-price (which i did!).  Nothing is out of our reach if we really want something, its just a matter of making adjustments to get it.

4- Fuel – This has made a HUMUNGO difference in my training lately.  I was eating OK before, but OK for an athlete is not good enough.  Cutting out the skittles for lunch and twizzlers at 11pm has made a tremendous impact on how I feel every day and how ready I am to train.  Recovery nutrition is also so important. Your body needs the proper fuel to recover and prepare for the next training session, a pop tart isn’t going to do that.  The focus should be on fueling your body for optimum performance.  Is that always fun? No, of course not, but I want results.

5 – Positive self talk & visualization – Sometimes its not easy to praise ourselves, but if we want to perform well then we have to BELIEVE it!  This morning on my run I pictured myself running through the NY boroughs with the thousands of spectators chanting my name.  I also get repeating in my head “I AM an athlete. I AM fast & light on my feet.”  Do it all the time and you WILL be what you say you are!

So, that’s my spiel for the day.  Whatever your goals, plan, focus and give it everything you got!

Not here dear ones.  Mama is heads down reading & writing, trying to catch up on school work (yes, I’m back in school furthering my education so I can be super smart when i grow up – can you say WORLD DOMINATION?! *insert evil laugh*)  I have a slight issue with procrastination.  I keep meaning to work on it, but I never seem to get around to it for some reason…hmmm.

Anyway, here are some cool places to go to keep ya’ll busy while I write up a case analysis for my Organizational Behavior & Leadership class:

Wanna win a new bike? or better yet, help me win a new bike? Go here!

Need a new bicep exercise to spice up those boring curls?  MizFit has got the answer.  She makes the neatest little videos and is super buff.  Some day I’ll get up the nerve to make neat little videos too.

Need some advice on how to start a running program? Go here and just do it! Rachel knows her shit.

Christine over at Live Passionately is the real deal and always inspires me to think about what I can do to lead a fuller & more satisfying life.  Who doesn’t want that?!

Don’t tell anyone, but i’m into some kinky stuff.  Yeah baby, check out these hot shots.  Food porn at it’s finest.

Do you Know how to train with your own body weight? All ya need is you!

Need a cocktail? I know I do.  Check out this “healthy” alternative.

I’m giving away a  FREE copy of The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training.  All ya have to do to enter is leave comment and tell me why you love/hate running.  Wanna enter twice?  Link back to this post and let me know.  The winner will be chosen Friday May 9th 6pm EST.

*image courtesy of Austin Evan

To learn more about TDs click here

 I want a Fuelbelt. This past Monday was the Boston Marathon.  This entire city was buzzing, fussing & having FUN!  By mid-day I starting to feel that ‘itch’ again.  My body was telling me that it was time…time to train for just one more!  So since I live in Boston, am married to a Bostonian and it is an oh-so-cool race, I’ve decided to train to run the Boston next year!  It will be so amazing to run that historic course!  So…hence the need for the super cool sexy Fuelbelt!!!  Fitness for Mommies feautured it on her blog this week and I have been swooning ever since.

I want a new pair of New Balance 992 Running Sneakers.  I have run two marathons in the 990 series and they just kick-ass.  They give me comfort, control, & stability throughout all of my runs.  And best of all, NO BLISTERS!  I have 4 pair sitting in the closet all worn out (I have a little problem when it comes to getting rid of certain things…no, i’m not a hoarder).  So now that I’ve decided on the Boston Marathon I think I’ll print some pictures of these beauties and innocently give my husband a BIG FAT hint.

What do you want?