Happy Fourth of July!

This morning I started my 4th of July celebration with an incredible run in NYC along the West Side Highway along with my amazing friend Denise. You have heard me speak about her before. Denise was with me at my first 1/2 marathon back in April. Denise owns Rue Des Crepes in harrison, which by the way is sooo yummy! Denise is also the maniac who did the ALCATRAZ Triathlon this past June! She had been asking me to run with her as she did a great run and wanted me to share the experience. SO!I got up at 6am this morning, had my usual breakfast of Ezekiel toast, almond butter and a banana, drank a huge glass of water and here we go!

We started at 17th street and the W.S Highway. Running along side the Hudson River was so breathtaking for me for so many reasons!Along these piers, I saw people soaking up the sun, doing Yoga, Meditating, and yes, even snuggling at 8am on a Sunday Morning!  It's a place where park-starved New Yorkers can celebrate the seasons. Seriously, I forgot I was in NY as we would run by all the beautiful blossoms, trees and the sick view of the Hudson River. What a gorgeous morning! It's a great running, playing, dancing, boating, or simply watching the boats sail by. I never expected to see such BEAUTY in NYC. There is so much to see!

I was about 1 minute behind Denise's pace, which was fine by me, I was just enjoying the view. At our 30 minute mark, I had to stop. My heart rate was elevated to 172, which is WAY too high for me, so I stopped as did Denise. We found a little water fountain, I got water and we walked for about 25 minutes. I had some Goo which me which is loaed with caffeine, fructose and whey (EWW, I didn't realize until after). As soon as I gulped some goo, I was ready to fly! For a while I kept up with Denise's pace which was about a 9.20 minute mile! NICE! But again, my heart was beating through my chest, so at about 1 mile to go, we walked talked and enjoyed eachother's company.

When we got back to the car, we grabbed our money and bolted into Equinox for a Yummy Smoothie and a potty break. We then strolled into the chelsea market . I have been there with Mario before. I LOVE THIS PLACE. We walked in and out of all the cool little shops. I picked up a little gift for a dear client of mine & Mario's.

SO after our stroll, Denise brought me up to the High Line Elevated Park which is located in the Meatpacking District, running between 34th street and Gansevoort Street. It was once an abandoned railroad viaduct that stretches thirty feet above the streets of downtown New York. They turned it into a park which is so awesome for "Manhattanites" and for tourists! This  park has a breathtaking view of the Hudson River, preserved nature, and stunning views of New York's infamous skyline. Their were benches where people were actually sunbathing! A little Gelato stand!


What a brilliant idea to  recycle it into an awesome little park instead of destroying this piece of our history!

I got to see Manhattan today from a totally  new perspective!No traffic, no hustle and bustle of people rushing everywhere and no crowds of people! It was quite a serene morning...
All while We got our FITNESS AND RUNNING GOING ON! Although I couldn't run the whole 10 miles straight, We did run 6.5 at a pretty awesome pace. I burned 713 calories in the time we did our run/walk!

Thanks Denise for an amazing experience today!

Happy Fourth of July to you all! Mario and I will have a quiet evening out to dinner folloed by some MORE fireworks! I can NEVER see too many fireworks! I just love the BOOMS, the colors, the sounds!!!

Independence Day also known as 4th of July is the birthday of the United States of America. It is celebrated on July 4th each year in the United States. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress - July 4, 1776. The day they announced to the world that the 13 colonies no longer belonged to Great Britain. Independence Day was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.



On July 4, 1777, the night sky of Philadelphia lit up with the blaze of bonfires. Candles illuminated the windows of houses and public buildings. Church bells rang out load, and cannons were shot from ships breaking the silence. The city was celebrating the first anniversary of the founding of the United States



The Fourth of July soon became the main patriotic holiday of the entire country. Veterans of the Revolutionary War made a tradition of gathering on the Fourth to remember their victory. In towns and cities, the American flag flew; shops displayed red, white, and blue decorations; and people marched in parades that were followed by public readings of the Declaration of Independence. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday.

Take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July Holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.



 
 
 
 
 
 

Sister time!

Sunday was a great day for me for SO many reasons! I woke up to my amazing husband who in the morning is so affectionate with me. He wakes me up every morning with kisses on my forehead and lots of snuggly hugs! He is a morning person, I am not. I used to get so grumpy when he would try to wake me up....NOW, I welcome the love! I NEVER take it for granted! He really does make me smile.

When Mario left for work, I got ready for a Sunday workout at my gym- Equinox. I did great! 15 minutes on the STAIR MONSTER, 40 minutes on the ARC TRAINER, and then some total body weight lifting with really light weights and high reps. I FELT AMAZING! I was sweating like I normally do when I run! I burned in one hour 550 calories! NICE! What a great way to start the day!

My sister came to visit and have lunch with me & Tyler. I love seeing her, as she is teh one person who keeps me grounded and here on earth. I don't have to sugar-coat anything, and I can just be myself. Plus, we have so much fun together and all we do is laugh! We went to Target to grab some sheets...because you should get sheets in the summer that you won't sweat on! My husband wakes up and there is a puddle under him, so I had to get new ones! :O(  I brought my sissy to the Iron Tomato in White Plains. I have written about this amazing Italian place in the past. It was really awesome- We watched Tyler enjoy a HUGE Mozzerella, roasted pepper & Chicken cutlet wedge, while we had a great big mixed green salad with DELICIOUS beets and a side of roasted veggies! SOOOO YUMMY! Italians just do it right!

Denise & I at my 1/2 marathon.

Another reason I had a GREAT day was because I heard from my very good friend Denise who flew out to San Fransisco to do a TRIATHLON! Her brother was amazing enough to fly out there with her. She has been training so intensly for 4 months for this event. I think I adore her so much because like me, she is DRIVEN, FOCUSED and zoned in on the result. She won't quit NO MATTER WHAT! I have been lucky enough to witness her training and intensity in the gym and I gotta be honest...There is NO way I would do this type of event- The swimming part alone is one I would be sooo afraid of, no matter how strong I THINK I AM, I could NOT do this...SO I am in AWE of her!

On May 2nd, triathletes from around the globe will descend on San Francisco for one chance to attempt the impossible – ESCAPE from Alcatraz. The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon attracts World Champions, Olympic Medalists and the best amateur triathletes from 50 states and over 40 countries. They will put their endurance to the ultimate test as they take on San Francisco’s icy waters, steep hills, and rugged terrain.


The 2010 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon features a 1.5-mile swim through frigid waters from Alcatraz Island to the shores of the St. Francis Yacht Club, a grueling 18-mile bike ride, and a demanding 8-mile run through the trails of the Golden Gate Recreational Area. Set against the natural beauty of San Francisco, this thrilling triathlon is a virtual postcard of the City by the Bay.

Here is the text that went on between Me & Josh during Denise's race:

ME: How's our girl?
Josh: They are coming in now, so inspiring!
ME: Ahh! Your sister is amazing! Let me know how she does.
Josh: 8:52 she crossed the finish line. 8:57 biking now! She rocks!
She had two of your balls(raw coconut balls) in her transition bag! U mean a lot to her!
10:30 bike. 10:36 starts run. 11:58 FINISH!
ME: AMAIZNG! Can u guys call me when she catches her breath? I am so happy for her!

So she calls me later in the day and I had goosebumps the WHOLE conversation! She said it was the hardest thing she had EVER DONE! I say...I am sure, and I am just so excited she got the experience, did it and did it well and now she can come home!!! :O) I love surrounded myself with people like her! QUITE AMAZING!