You HAVE to try this RECIPE!

Another one I found from Oprah! Thanks OPRAH! This one is EASY BREEZY and you can make it your OWN WAY! I will put HER recipe and then NEXT  to it, the foods I will substitute hers with...

Lemon Zest Pasta

Makes 4 servings

• 1 pound spaghetti- I will use Kamut
• 1.5 cups basil leaves
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp. oregano leaves
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. butter spread- I will use coconut oil spread
• 1/2 tsp truffle salt- I won't use any salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese- I will use nutrional yeast
• zest of one lemon

GET COOKIN'

Bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Blend the herbs, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processor. When pasta is al dente, drain and toss with herb mixture, butter spread (or coconut spread, truffle salt and black pepper. Garnish with cheese and lemon zest.

MY Dinner! I added 4 oz of FLAX TEMPEH...

It was a HUGE success! It tasted AMAZING! I think I would use a LITTLE less FRESH lemon, but aside from that... it was so DELICIOUS! I had more than I should! Mario had his with a piece of filet mignon. 

Would I eat this again!?!?!? YOU BET! 

Wow! It's Friday!

I know I say this all the time, but really..... The weeks FLY by! Sheesh! So on this FABULOUS FRIDAY, I got so much done, and STILL not done, but so far so good! I worked and trained my clients. They rocked my NEW workouts... This GODDESS always has NEW stuff up her sleeve! I went off to Equinox for my workout. When I planned my week, it was on the plane- so I was hyper, antsy and DYING to get back to the gym.... Raha HATES when this happens, because I always end up CRIPPLING US! So today I had an 8 mile run planned- YEAH OK! THAT wasn't happening! I got to the gym, looked at my book and LITERALLY laughed out loud! Was I on CRACK? HELLLLL NO is my body ready for that run yet! That CERTAINLY doesn't mean I half stepped my training or running for the day! YOU KNOW ME! 


Although I am NO LONGER posting my workouts (You'll have to JOIN my Fit Green Goddess Community to access those) I will give you a FREEBIE today. 

Treadmill ORGASM!

Round one:

Walk @ 3.4 - 0% incline .25 miles

Run @ 6.0 .25 miles

Side shuffle @ 4.0- 0% incline 30 seconds each side

Walk @ 4% incline- 4.0 speed

Run @ 6.0 .25 miles- 1 % incline

Side shuffle @ 4.0- 0% incline 30 seconds 2% incline

Walk @ 4% incline- 4.0 speed

Run @ 7.0 - 1 minute o% incline

Side shuffle each side -30 seconds - 0% incline @ 4.0

Backwards run @ 4.0 1 minute

Sprint @ 8.5- 1 minute

Repeat until you hit two miles

**EASY BREEZY, RIGHT?**

Round two:

Run @ 7.0 - 1 minute o% incline

Side shuffle each side -30 seconds - 0% incline @ 4.0

Backwards run @ 4.0 1 minute

Sprint @ 8.5- 1 minute

Run @ 7.0 - 1 minute o% incline

Side shuffle each side -30 seconds - 0% incline @ 4.0

Backwards run @ 4.0 1 minute

Sprint @ 8.5- 1 minute

Run @ 7.0 - 1 minute o% incline

Side shuffle each side -30 seconds - 0% incline @ 4.0

Backwards run @ 4.0 1 minute

Run @ 7.0- 1 minute

Walk @ 4.0- 30 seconds

Sprint @ 8.5- 1 minute

walk @ 4.0- 30 seconds

Sprint @ 9.0- 1 minute

walk @ 4.0 - 30 seconds

**OH yeah, That felt amazing! Sweat dripping down my spine, my heart rate up to 180 and my legs trembling**

Try different things!

I admit it! I am a creature of habit! In the fitness industry, things are changing everyday and there is ALWAYS some NEW "THING" coming out. Take for example Cross Fit! It's like a cult! Cross Fit is a different animal than what you NORMALLY see in the gym. People lift tires, climb ropes, use sledge hammers, lift up big round stones (or rocks). They even eat different than most- mainly eating a Paleo diet which is just seeds, meat and veggies with minimal fruit. I NEVER stepped foot in a Cross Fit studio, or have I done a Cross Fit workout. I can see why MEN would LOVE it and how they would benefit from it. I also see how some women would love it! I think it would be a GREAT way top relieve stress, blow off some steam and get super strong! A nice way to build one's self confidence and muscles! Is it my thing? No, but I don't knock it either.














How about the Viper workout at Equinox? Viper stands for Vitality, Performance and Reconditioning. It's used as an alternative to the classic weight training circuit that MOST of us use at the gym.  The ViPR replaces dumb bells, bar bells, kettle bells, medicine balls and body bars, giving you a total body workout. It's a great way to become more efficient, cut back on injuries, and get you stronger. Have I done this workout yet? NOPE! I never even picked one up!


I am just a girl who LOVES weights, bands, dumb bells, and my running sneakers! I love kettle bells and I like using them instead of dumb bells sometimes....I guess I was never really open to NEW things... because I don't get BORED with what I already use....


HOWEVER.... I am 40 years old now and realize that at a certain point, I am going to have to maybe tweak some things here and there. I am planning on running until, well...FOREVER, and I plan on working out forever, it's the INTENSITY of teh training 6-7 days a week that starts to take a toll on me. I can feel it in my joints, my energy levels, my moods and my sleep. So, I have been thinking of NEW ways to keep my body LEAN, SMALL, TIGHT and FIT.

I came across of really great Pilates videos on Youtube. I have some interest in incorporating pilates movements into my workouts. PILATES is  a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. The MAIN reason I have been researching Pilates is because I train a PROFESSIONAL BALL ROOM DANCER. She is INCREDIBLY tall, lean, sculpted and fit. I always try to find NEW ways to get her MORE flexible, MORE graceful and STRONGER all at the same time. With BALL ROOM DANCING, you should NEVER be BULKY and TOO muscular. You need to have INCREDIBLE core strength, GLUTE strength and SUPER HIGH ENDURANCE.  Before I do the session with her, I do it on myself, so I understand what it will feel like for her, and how her body will respond. SO far, She has been some really HUGE gains in working with me- which I am VERY proud of!  So ANYWAY, I am on a quest now to find some GREAT pilates moves, and shoove them into my ALREADY JAM-PACKED workouts! HA! THAT's A NEW "SOMETHING" I am open to trying! I like the fact that it's graceful, and it lengthens you. I LOVE anything that makes me look TALLER!

SO as I LEARN NEW things, I will share them with YOU, MY PEEPS!! Until then....KEEP running, KEEP training hard and HEAVY (YOU WON'T BULK) and EAT SUPER CLEAN!

XOXOOX

Vacation Time is OVER!

Wow is it hard to come back to REAL LIFE after being lazy on a gorgeous beach for five days with PERFECT weather! I got home on Saturday and by Sunday afternoon, I had my journal FILLED with this weeks workouts and runs. I have two weeks before I have my surgery, so I want to be as intense as possible, and not miss a beat.

Raha has been having some knee issues, which no matter how hard you train the muscles around the knee, or how much you stretch or foam roll, eventually we all get some sort of injury. Running is INCREDIBLE and Raha and I are Runners for life, but it does take it’s toll on the body. We weren’t sure she would even be able to run on Monday, as I planned for a four mile run, BUT as I always say, My FIESTY little Iranian friend was too stubborn to NOT run.

For me, the run was a challenge, especially since I had done NOTING since the race and since I have not been taking my CREATINE. It felt as if my legs were bricks. But we both managed. Towards the end, I was running really fast, and sweat my ass off!

We headed over towards the weights and got right to work, but I could definitely tell that I lost some of the strength I had before my vaca. BASTARD!!!!

SO now I am torn between staying on the CREATINE and staying OFF the CREATINE. I am not definite of my goals right now. Some days I want to look teeny tiny and more on the SKINNY side, and then other days, I want to look lean, ripped and cut. I guess for now, I will just continue with my workouts and runs, stay off the CREATINE for a few more weeks, and see how I look and feel. I am weighing in between 112-113 these days… and am most happy around 109, as I feel 113 is the “DANGER ZONE”. That’s me, that’s my body, everyone has a number they like to be at. The only thing I don’t want is to lose muscle and sport the soft mushy look- THAT is GROSS. I’m not too hard and I am not soft, I definitely am very toned and athletic- just would like to be a bit smaller.

What are your goals? How do you get to where you want to be? For me, it’s all diet, consistency of meals, LOADS of water and extra sleep. My body is happiest when I train 6 days a week, but not every week. Most weeks I train 6 days and when I feel exhausted or weak, I take another day. As I always say; “LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.”

XO

You HAVE to try this RECIPE!

This one is mine. It's QUICK, it's EASY, it's ORGANIC, it's LOWFAT, it's LOW CARB, it's DELICIOUS!

Usually Sundays are a night where I make Mario a really nice Italian dinner, including a homemade sauce, gnocchi and meatballs from scratch as well as a huge salad. Since we just got back from vacation, we both weren't in the mood for a big dinner, and even though I only MAKE it and don't eat it, I STILL didn't feel like making it. 

This doesn't mean he gets CHOPPED LIVER or I half step a dinner creation..oh no! I just don't take 2 hours in the kitchen, more like 30 minutes. 

Chicken, Kidney Beans and Spinach with tomatoes over Brown Rice Pasta

Ingredients:

1/2 red onion~ diced

3 cloves garlic~minced

2 tbsp. grapeseed oil

1/2 can diced tomatoes

2 skinless boneless chicken breast- diced into 1/2 inch cubes

4 cups baby spinach

sea salt & pepper to taste

cayenne pepper to taste

1/2 pound brown rice pasta

GET COOKIN'!!

In a frying pan, heat up your grapeseed oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions. Saute until golden brown.

Add kidney beans, and spices and saute for 5 more minutes over low heat. Next add the diced tomatoes and simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes, until tomatoes look hot. Add the chicken, mix well and simmer with cover on top- 10 minutes. Meanwhile you have a pot of water boiling for the pasta. 

Once pasta is half way cooked, add the baby spinach to the chicken, turn OFF heat and cover. 

Once pasta is cooked, strain it and put back in the pot. Mix the wilted spinach around into the chicken. 

Place pasta on a plate, and add the chicken mixture on top.

MY DINNER:

Of COURSE, I don't eat chicken, I think it's GROSS, so I made a fabulous salad with some Tempeh and my Mary's Gone Crackers.

Ingredients:
1 head romaine lettuce
1 small container sprouts
4 cups arugula
1 package beets
10 small orage tomatoes
3 tbsp diced red onions
1/2 cup kidney beans
10 kalamata olives
3 tbsp flax oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar


I shared this with Mario, but I had about 80% of it! I added about 6 oz of tempeh to my plate and one serving of MGC- which is about 13 crackers. DELISH!

You HAVE to try this RECIPE!

While on vacation soaking up the sun, I kind of get a little fidgety and need to DO something... I played every song o my IPOD, and there are hundreds! I went in the water about 20 times, I sang to my husband, and when I finally got so bored, I walked into the little store at our hotel and grabbed who other than OPRAH's magazine! I LOVE OPRAH! I found SO mnay new recipes I want to try. As you know, Whatever recipe I do find, I always make it my own..... 

So this issue March 2012- if you turn to page 172 you will be faced with a mouth watering recipe and the title "YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS RECIPE!" There are quite a few I will be making this weekend! 

I couldn't wait to get home and to Whole Foods, get what I need to come home and make these new yummies! So the first one was Soba Noodles with Kale & walnuts. As you see, I used Kamut instead. Just my preference.

Kamut pasta (100%) with Kale & walnuts

• 2 pots of water
• celtic salt
• 4 cups kale (or more if you are a GREEN GODDESS) Make sure you chop it.
• 1lb Kamut 100% pasta
• 1 tbsp. Grapeseed oil
• 1/2 cup raw unsalted walnuts

                

GET COOKIN!

1. Boil two of the pots of water. Make sure BOTH pots are big enough.
2. Once the water is boiling add pasta to one pot and the 4 cups of kale to the other. Pasta should cook al dente- about 8-9 minutes, and the kale should JUST BLANCH about 5 minutes. Drain the kale, but save one cup of the water.
3. Drain the pasta. add 1 tbsp grapeseed oil to a frying pan and add the pasta. Saute the walnuts into the oil until they are golden brown. Add the kale celtic salt and cayenne pepper if you like, 1/4 cup of the left over water to the pasta. stir and serve!

Extras: 

I topped Mario's dish with a 12 oz piece of Wild Salmon that I baked in the oven in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Cooked on 400 degrees for 20 minutes so that it's still oink in the middle.

& my dish with Tempeh. I used the whole grain tempeh. I cut up 5 oz. and nuked it for one minute, flipped and 1 minute more.

A little vacation and some thoughts along the way....

An incredible SUNNY and 85 degrees on this Friday afternoon and Mario & I are sitting on the plane headed back to New York. Since Monday, we have been soaking up the sun, taking many naps, walking from our room to the beach to lunch and back to the beach- you catch my drift.  A few times, some light bulbs have gone off in my head ( I KNOW, I KNOW, I should NOT be thinking about work, but...I LOVE MY WORK)....

One light bulb is that I noticed how my body responds to different foods I eat when I am not in my Fit Green Goddess Kitchen. 
I really lived it up on vacation (no seriously!) For starters, when do I EVER eat tortilla chips? How about white wraps? Um, let’s see, how about sweet potato fries (deep fried), and well, bread? YEP! Oh and the kicker, at dinner one night I decided to suck down three Proseccos (oh yea baby). I was not drunk, I was HAMMERED! I ate sorbet, and I also had MOCHI wrapped around ice cream (I think it was ice cream).  Guess what I noticed. My stomach was completely ripped: I looked like I had been starving, my belly was so flat! I didn’t get bloated once, didn’t get ANY belly aches nor did I have gas! I was feeling great these past five days.  My biggest meal each day was breakfast. We would wake up and I would be FAMISHED. I would start off with fresh fruit juice; one day it was honeydew melon juice (intoxicating) and another day was pineapple and papaya (got my senses flowing). I had maybe two or three plates of fresh cut fruit consisting of; mango, watermelon, tons of fresh blueberries, kiwi (annoying to get the little seeds in your teeth). Next came my oats. Okay so they weren’t steel cut, but they were still amazing. Instead of a big bowl, I hd a small cup full. I loaded it up with raw pecans (TONS EVERYDAY), brown sugar for some sweetness and many golden raisins. I sipped on Illy’s coffee with some steamed soy and was so happy each day. Breakfast was also the longest meal of the day. We would sit, people watch, read the paper and just chat it up. I finally got my husbands undivided attention! That’s my favorite part of vacation! 

Another light bulb went off and that was that we ONLY ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with the occasional mid afternoon snack which was more fruit. 

I wasn’t starving nor did I CRAVE anything. I was satiated happy and content. Could it be because I wasn’t working out that I was NOT starving all day? Could it be because of all the great nuts I was eating? Maybe it was because we layed in the sun, and the sun curbs my appetite. All I DO know is that I was taking mental notes so that when I get home, I can continue on this glorious feeling going inside my body, mind and belly! 

The loo and I became best friends. 

I mean I am great at home too, but for some reason, every morning after breakfast, it was as if I was detoxing and my body and much stuff to get rid of. Didn’t bother me, I was so happy. I felt LIGHT, LEAN and TEENY TINY! 

I drank water almost all day. It was DELICIOUS! There were water canisters all through out the hotel and on the beach. They were filled with fresh fruit which made it more appealing to me. I usually HATE water, but THIS was refreshing. It’s been said that if you pee every hour, you aren’t dehydrated, and guess who was peeing every hour! YUP! ME! 

While at the airport heading to the Grand Cayman’s, I picked up the book “SKINNY BITCH”. I just happened to read the back, and thought it would keep me occupied while flying. I didn’t think for a minute I would be cracking up, getting an education and some really useful information regarding a healthy lifestyle. I always KNEW why I became Vegan and that my reasons were MY reasons only. What I didn’t know was what a FREAKING SCAM our GOVERNMENT is! THE USDA is a HUGE SCAM, and as the book says, “TRUST NO ONE”. This book is a REAL eye opener. It really has NOTHING to do with being “SKINNY” or being a “BITCH”. The title is GREAT, and the two writers add a twist of dry sarcasm to get their point across, besides, FOR ME to read a WHOLE book and nit get fidgety or bored, there HAS to be some humor and CUSE words in there! The word (excuse my French) “PUSSY” is in there, and once you just pick up the book and look at how classy and beautiful the two women who wrote the book are, you really crack up! This book is a MUST read! If you DO in fact want to lose weight and KNOW MORE about where your food comes form, grab this book, plop your ass on the couch, on a lawn chair, or at your table with a cup of green tea or a bowl of fruit, and get ready for some out loud laughing, some inside belly turning anger and get ready to go food shopping for some really incredible foods! 

After reading some of the book to Mario outloud, we both agreed it was the RIGHT TIME for the VITAMIX!  Yippie! FINALLY! I can make my juices, my soups and any other recipes I want!  More importantly, Another thing I noticed was that as RIPPED and LEAN as my husband is, his belly always looks like he is bloated. He has abs, but his stomach sort of sticks out too much. Within 24 hours of Mario being on vacation, his stomach was completely FLAT and he was ROCKING an 8 pack! I have been telling him for so long that all the protein he takes in daily between egg whites, protein powder, steak, chicken, turkey and fish, he is stressing out his digestive system and intaking too many grams per sitting. When he finally saw his abs, he told me I was right. He was ready to make some changes. I am so happy; NOT about being right, but about Mario trusting in me to help him make the right choices for a HEALTHIER body. We BOTH are going to CREATE a new plan for him and for me, one that suits our lifestyle, and is MORE concious of our Earth, animals and environment.

This will consist of daily juicing in the morning and NO more coffee (slowly taking out the coffee). No more chemical infused protein powders, but introducing VEGAN protein powders only (for Mario, since I already do that). Taking out the GREEK Yogurt- What!?!? It comes form a cows saggy boobs! YEP take out that creamy ass chemical bullshit My husband doesn’t NEED it and NEITHER do you.  WE will start consuming different fruits and veggies and try to break away from the norm. Same goes for nuts. Yea, walnuts are incredible, but so are raw pecans, hazel nuts and Brazil nuts. 

And about our vacation....

We traveled to the Grand Cayman's. As soon as I stepped off the plane (wearing a juicy terry cloth zip up and Juicy track pants) I ripped off my jacket because it was about 85 degrees, humid and the sun was super HOT! AHHHHHH... Relax time!

Hope you enjoy our pics!

My NYC Half Marathon Experience.

Before I get into my NYC Half Marathon experience, I want to talk about a REAL ATHLETE! An AMERICAN ATHLETE! YES, AMERICA. If you happened to catch a glimpse of the NYC Half Marathon on Sunday morning on Channel 7- You would have seen some KICK ASS Olympic Runners, and there is one runner who I have been following. SHe is freaking adorable, and such a BEAUTIFUL runner.

My FAVORITE is Kara Goucher... An AMERICAN long distance runner. Kara did the NYC Marathon in 2008 (November) and ended up finishing in THIRD PLACE! 2:25:53, and was the FIRST American on the podium since 1994-Anne Marie Lauck. She then place THIRD in 2009 in the BOSTON Marathon (2:32:25). I mean REALLY! She is incredible, and if you watch her run, it's effortless, graceful and simply AMAZING! SHE is a role model for me. A woman who is so focused on her goals, regardless. DEFINITELY someone I look up to!

Sunday morning couldn’t come soon enough for me. I was so SIKED that our hotel The Parker Meridian was two blocks form the Park- Central Park that is. Shannon, Raha and I drove into the city on Saturday afternoon big bags stuffed with water, Gatorade, Oatmeal, bananas, GOO, Gummy bears, and our marathon outfits! This was definitely going to be a weekend to remember! Our MAIN concern was keeping Raha rested, healthy and able to run. She was on a Z-Pac as well as Tylenol. 

We checked in our room which was spectacular as it overlooked Central Park. We tossed our stuff on the bed and headed over to the REDEYE Restaurant for our Pre-Race Dinner. The city was buzzing and there were still some bag pipers hanging on the streets as we walked up the block. 

As we looked at the menu, We all agreed that there was NO WAY we would eat: BIG PLATES of white pasta, gravy filled dishes, Beer, anything that would make us have to CRAP all night or the morning of the race. We wanted to eat just enough to have some stored glucose in our bodies and have enough energy to get us form Central Park to the South Street Seaport! Dinner was great! It was so nice to be with the girls and just talk about kids, husbands, life, oh and the Real Housewives! We had to fill Shannon in because she doesn’t get to watch them that much. 

I ordered a small bowl of Gluten free pasta- but OF COURSE they were out. I asked for a bowl of Whole Wheat pasta- which I usually turn my nose up at- Whole what is all bull shit and I don’t eat any of it... But I figured, it’s better than the white shit. Tha pasta has some red tomato sauce on it. A perfect portion, but I couldn’t eat the whole thing, I didn’t want to get stuffed. Before the pasta I had a great salad that just had corn, chopped peppers, tomatoes, avocado, some mixed greens, lima beans- I inhaled it like a starving  child! Oh I did! We ate the scrumptious bread, but of course, I ripped out the dough, and added a sliver of butter (WITHOUT THINK IT CAME FORM A COW’S BOOB!) Shannon had SUSHI and Raha had MATZI BALL SOUP. They both a pounded chicken breast with my same salad on top. All in all we ate really healthy and felt “CARBED UP”. 

Since I am the “BITCH” in the relationship between me & Raha (A name and role I choose), I organized our stuff. I put the sensors on our sneakers, I ironed our names on our tank tops, I Pinned our Bibs to the tank tops, and layed out the GOO, the gummies, the oat bran and the Kind Bars. We had been chugging water all day as well as some Gatorade and I was drinking some other sugary sodium filled drink. I knew in the morning, I would be in the LOO for quite some time.

Before we knew it, our alarms were going off and it was 5am- Time to get our asses in Gear and get our heads in the game. I’m a pain in the ass with being punctual- I admit it! I HATE being a second LATE for anything, so I made sure I was ready to go. I had a date with the bathroom before the girls got up and was able to take my time (If you know what I mean). Shannon was DYING for coffee so she could go, and Raha says going to the LOO in the morning is not on her agenda. Shannon and Raha wanted coffee so we headed downstairs only to find that my date with the LOO was NOT done. The kind where you get the goosebumps and kinda have to get there FAST or something may expose it’s ugly head (sorry for the visual!). I raced make up to the room. When I was done, I was completely EMPTY in my gut! I think between my nerves, the SHITTY pasta and the sugary drink, my body was a little pissed off at me and rejected everything I had put into it. Well I say, Better off, because the lighter you fee, the better you run, and who wants to start running only to get that signal from your gut saying, “Hey lady! I gotta go!”

We got our layers on and headed over to the park, where it was STILL dark out (6:30am). Checking out all the runners, the set up, the police...really brought some excitement to us sleepy heads who wanted to know WHY THE HECK these things start SO FREAKING EARLY! 

When they say start time is 7:30 on the DOT, I am thinking that is when we ALL start running, but sooooo NOT the case! 15,000 people line up according to their bib numbers. There are Groups and so each group goes, and then the next group goes. Of COURSE the ELITE and the OLYMPIC Runners go first. 

So the park is 6 miles- We didn’t even start yet and the ELITE runners lapped up as we were walking towards the start line. The race DID start at 7:30, but we didn't actually cross the start line until 8:00! How is THAT for FAST! I got a mili second glimpse of MEB and Kara Goucher. These people run like GAZELLES! They have BEAUTIFUL FORM, and such a grace about them- I WANT THAT. WHY can’t I be an ELITE runner.  As I watched them, I suddenly got the URGE to hire a running coach and get my ass in gear. In about 20 seconds, my visions were crushed by the reality of my life.... ‘UM HELLO TINA, AREN’T you going to get KNOCKED UP SOON????”  OH yea, well I am NOT KNOCKED UP yet, so I WILL try and start this goal when I get back from vacation, just don’t tell Mr. Mario.

As the race started, I grabbed the girls with tears in my eyes and wished them luck. I had the goosebumps and was filled with so many emotions. I guess all the pain and sweat and we endured in the last 5 months, it was finally our time to SHINE. I was wondering what happened to the sun though. I thought it was going to be around 62 degrees. It was 42 degrees instead and VERY CLOUDY!

To run in Central Park was exhilarating! To have thousands of people running with me & cheering for me just motivated me even more than I already was.  Us three girls agreed that if someone is feeling strong and fast, then just go. We all also agreed that at the start and through the park we would cruise and then pick up our speed once we got out of the park. I knew in the first  mile, it was going to be a GREAT run. I kept saying the Our Father prayer- One line stood out for me- “Give us this day, our daily bread”, and for me that meant, “GOD, please be the sun on my shoulders and the light in my body to get to to the finish line happy, healthy and not in pain! STill wondering where the sun was!

Around mile 3, I suddenly felt the urge to speed up and challenge myself on HEART BREAK HILL. We conquered it on our practice run, so my legs KNEW what to expect! I did it, and as I looked at my heart rate monitor, my heart rate was 175! I better take it down a notch. I kept turning around as Shannon and Raha were right behind me. At around the 5 mile mark, I just took off, but not without one more look behind me. Raha gave me this look like “ GO! You better go”, so I was torn between saying with them or booking it out of the park. I looked up and it’s as if I was being guided by God’s force to run, do my best and listen to my body. When I made that right hand turn out of the park, I smiled and got super emotional, because how often does NYC close it’s streets for anything? This race was HUGE! To be able to run down 42nd street, Times Square, looking at the lights, the buildings, the people screaming my name, How could you NOT do your best, run hard and not be in the moment. 

My legs felt so strong. It was a sign that I did everything RIGHT in my training. I did feel a little bit weak around mile 7, so I would run to the Gatorade stand, grab a cup, and sip a few sips, toss the cup, and hope that the stitch in my side would go away. I prayed another “Our Father” Prayer. From mile 7-9 I would grab the Gatorade every chance I got. At mile 10 I got a little delirious. I thought the mile marker read 11, and so when I really got to mile 11, I thought who ever put the marker there was WRONG, I was at mile 12... NOT! It was me, My brain was a little depleted. I pulled the gummies from my sports bra and started chewing. I have to say, I NEVER run with water, and I NEVER drink Gatorade (I HATE THE SHIT), and those gummy things? I am so not a sugar person or candy, but there is NO DENYING, these two things saved me! 

The whole time on the WEST SIDE HIGHWAY, I was hoping my girls would appear next to me and we would finish together, but they were no where in site and I wasn’t turning my head back to look. We came up to an underpass, and until we got right up to it, I had NO idea we would go through it! Under there we were all screaming and cheering and the echos gave me goosbumps. I kept thinking: “There is a light at the end of then tunnel and when I come through, I will see my husband and my son. I just couldn’t wait to see their faces! We we came out of the tunnel, there was no sun, but there was light and a curve, I thought FOR SURE we hit 13.1 miles, but NOPE 800 meters to go! FUCK! Yea, I said it out loud, Where is the finish!?!? Then I see 400 meters, Oh yea, baby, bring it home....Take me across that line. When I saw the finish line, I tore up the road and gave it my all! By this time, completely FRIED, I couldn’t see anyone- It was all  a blur. I heard my name a few times, but didn’t know where to look..then suddenly I turned to my right and saw Mario & TYLER. I couldn’t wait to hug them.  First I went over and accepted my medal, as it was placed around my neck....

I didn’t even know what my time was, but since Tyler was tracking me, he said I hit 13 miles at 01:52:28.... HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!! I did it!!!! I DID IT!!!!!! Then I checked on line, and I guess I finished the 13.1 in 01:58.28, which to me, is still AWESOME!!!!!!!! I am so happy and can’t wait to run again!

Guaglianone

tinamarie

F40

6272

harr

NY

USA

7376

2634

314

1:58:25

0:29:45

0:58:00

1:25:14

1:52:26

09:03

1:54:36

2539

57.45 %

Raha and Shannon weren’t far behind. Raha’s knee started to piss her off in the underpass, and determined to finish, she take her pace back, but wouldn’t stop. She and Shannon crossed the finish in 02:05:00. Raha ended up getting pulled in by the Red Cross for her severe limping, but ended up with Hypothermia.... If I saw this, I would have lost it! I was so upset when Shannon called me and told me. I felt so guilty, as if it wouldn’t have happened if I stayed with her. She went home and rested and I went there later on. Like I ALWAYS SAY: SHE IS MY FIEST LITTLE IRANIAN FRIEND! I love her so much!

The Calm before the STORM!

 

Picking up our packets on Friday was SUPER fun! Raha and I ran into the Metropolitan Pavilion to grab our Bibs..and to our surprise, the whole place was buzzing with vendors, racers and EVEN AN OLYMPIC Runner, WHO I adore! KARA GOUCHER!

 

 

 

I was so thrilled and so caught up in the moment, my adrenaline was pumping, I can only imagine what Sunday will be like! OMG! Our Shannon is missing from these pics, but I am sure to grab some pics of her throughout the weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sitting here in complete silence, as I reflect on all my training, all my runs, all my workout and meals that got me to this point: The day before the NYC Half Marathon. The past few days I have felt anxious, unsettled and well, yea, like ant in my pants. My body is so used to the pounding I put it through, that I don't know what to do when I don't have to workout or run. My last run was on Thursday- a 2 mile run. I finished in 16 minutes, and really felt as if my legs were bricks. Having Friday & today completely off is GREAT for my body, but not so good for my mind which sounds like a traffic jam right about now!

I am thrown off a little bit as well as anxious because my partner in crime, RAHA, is home sick in bed! two days now and doesn't look good for running tomorrow! I can't believe it. In a way I can, because we have been pounding our bodies for quite some time now. It was only a matter of time before our bodies say: "HEY! I am shot! I need a break".  I just wish this happened for HER the day AFTER the race! :O( I just hope a miracle happens and Raha ends up feeling better!

 

So ast night I packed my race bags.... I am always packed way before I have to be, and I TRY to make sure I don't forget anything!

 

Just hung up with Shannon and so now I am packing some more things. How fun! Our Goo, our Gatorade, our oats and bananas! YAHOO!

ENTERTAINMENT AND CHEER ZONES

All along the course and at the finish, you’ll find music (including Irish rockers Black 47 at the Post-Race Festival Presented by Poland Spring) and Cheer Zones. Check out our complete map and guide.

TUNE IN

No matter where you are, catch the excitement of the NYC Half 2012! In NYC, friends and family can tune in to ABC7 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.; fans anywhere in the world can watch it streaming live at 7online.com.

NYRR Live

Before the race tune in to tv.nyrr.org for NYRR Live. An inside look at the personalities, stories, and drama of the NYC Half 2012, with insightful commentary and analysis, professional athlete and celebrity interviews, tips from the experts, and much more. This 30-minute show will be aired Thursday, March 15 at 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m., with a wrap-up show on Sunday, March 18, also at 8:00 p.m.

Come to the NYC Half Expo Presented by Poland Spring on Thursday, March 15, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, when our NYRR Live team will be filming for that evening's show. You might even get on camera!

TrackMyRunners™

No matter where you are, be a part of the race-day excitement when you follow your favorite NYC Half runners—world-class pros, celebrities, and your friends and family members:

TrackMyRunners™ via SMS: Plan to be on the go on race day? Register to have real-time updates for up to three runners sent to you cellphone, Twitter account, or Facebook page, for just $0.99  Sign up today!

TrackMyRunners™ via Web: Follow up to 10 runners at a time: Get their 5K splits, view them on course map, and find out their pace and predicted finish time. It’s the perfect complement to watching the ABCTV 7 live broadcast! The link will be available on race day, and these cool new analytics and stats will be available after the race, too, so runners can check out their performance!

  

Where did Monday & Tuesday go?

Is it me, or is it that whenever I am working towards a goal, or I have something planned, the days FLY by like SECONDS! I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I have to be honest....I am so tired of working out, so tired of running, so tired of working right now, that Monday can't come soon enough! I will be on a flight OUT OF HERE, and on a BEACH to soak up the sun. NO cell phones, NO TV, NO lap top. Just me and my babe!


When Mario & I start to argue a little, it's because we are both overworked, and under rested. It's TIME, my friends for a little vaca...... 


BUT! FIRST! I must accomplish what I set out to accomplish and that is the NYC half marathon on Sunday! 


The goal for this week is to tapper off and run less mileage so my legs get a rest, and they are ready for 13.1 miles of running through the people filled streets of NYC. So without babbling on anymore, here is what we have done this week so far....

Monday: NO running, lots of total body, dynamic stretches and other stretches.
Tuesday: 4 mile run. I ran HARD and FAST! our workout consisted (just to keep my muscles tight) of:
Round one: 

• Sumo Squats
• cable standing kickbacks
• alternating forward lunges

Round two: 

• tricep kickbacks in plank position
• side plank shoulder fly
• plank to front punch
• plank on side to arm circle

Wednesday:3 mile run (25 minutes) NICE! Workout was:

Round one: 

• kbell swing
• wall sits
• dbell fly

Round two:

• step up from side
• renegade row
• push ups

Round three:

• 1 leg deadlift
• front dbell raise
• dbell tricep kickback

Round four:

• fire hydrants/ circles
• overhead shoulder press
• bicep curls

Abs:

• russian twists
• toe touches
• v-ups

And today.... an awesome day ahead of us! I am meeting Raha in the city and we will head over to the Metropolitan Pavilion to grab our packets, bibs and check out the EXTRAVAGANZA! SOOO exciting. Of COURSE, I will take pics!

XOXO 

The Countdown Begins!

What a GORGEOUS Sunday! It’s a CRISP 45 degrees, super sunny and a slight wind in the air makes it feel a little colder. I am praying to God for a few things to happen this week:

. Dear God- Please heal my allergies. I can’t take sneezing anymore and the weight of my head is staring to effect me. My face is puffy and I can’t go outside without sneezing 10 times in a row.
. Dear God- Please give me the strength to stay focused on my training this week. Please pull me back when I want to do more than I should, and keep my body physically strong.
. Dear God- Please be the warmth of my shoulders as well as a slight push when I need you during my race. When you feel me get weak, push me through- allow me to feel your presence.
. Dear God- I pray to you for Raha & Shannon both to enjoy this race, finish and to feel so accomplished empowered and strong.


God…. we worked so hard to get to this point. All I ask is that you shine on us come race day. Thank you. Amen.

The week before a race is sort of like it was when I competed in Figure. What you do in your last week can make or break you come the DAY. Here is MY plan and some tips that may help you should you decide to do a half Marathon. We rehearsed the run we will do on race day already so I won’t put that on the list…But my adivce to ANYONE doing a race whether a 5k, 10k, half or full 26.2 miles; you should have your LAST long run be that (the race run) minus 2 miles. So for a half marathon, which is 13.1 miles, we did an 11 mile run. The BEST thing we did for ourselves, our psyche and our legs.

1. To be consistent with my meals- and no eliminating any complex carbs
2. To drink at least 96 oz. of water per day until Saturday.
3. To continue to workout with weights: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
4. To taper off my mileage. Tuesday- 4miles Wednesday-3 mile and Thursday- 2 miles…. WOW! For me this may be harder…I kind a look forward to the LONG runs!
5. get plenty of sleep
6. On Friday night, I will pack my bag for our stay in NYC on Saturday night. I suggest if you have to be up bright and early for a race, and you live MORE than 25 minutes away, GET A HOTEL ROOM!
In my bag: Nike running capri’s, 2 sports bras, a tank, race day sox and sneakers, Ipod and charger, Garmin & Polar heart rate monitors, baseball hat, Rosary Beads, Bib, pins, allergy meds, CHIP, a change of clothes for after the race.
6. On Saturday we will check in to our hotel and get situated. We will be doing NOTHING with our legs! we may try to catch the expos and may walk around a little and of course pick up our packets. As for dinner, I plan on eating a light healthy dinner with veggies, complex carbs and lean protein- NOTHING HEAVY or crazy. I also don’t want to eat too late, because our dinner will be with us for at least 30-36 hours before it’s digested and used as fuel for race day. Saturday I will drink about 6 oz. of coconut water & plain water every couple of hours. Right before bed (an hour and 20 minute), I will suck down an electrolyte drink like Gatorade. Hopefully I will be able to get some good sleep.

That’s my plan from tomorrow until Saturday. Mid week, I will let you in on my mental well-being as well as my plan for race day including my TIME goal. Until then…….

 Tinamarie.