Fitness

Before September 2010, I did not work out consistently. I hated it, it was boring and I had better things to do, or so I thought. I would like to say I had an ephihany and started exercising for my health but really it was because I hated my job and needed a release. I joined a kickboxing gym and forced myself to learn to run. Exercise has become my therapist, my peace and quiet, my "me" time...and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Trapeze

I've been to a two flying trapeze clases over at the Trapeze School of New York - a cool circus training ground it seems with people on trampolines, dangling and twisting from silks, juggling and of course flying, courtesy of the trapeze. See my blog post, Circus Act, Take Two and my friend Sallyann's post here.

And check out the video below of me trying upside down bar hangs and back flips. Trapeze is a killer workout - my arms, legs and abs are sore days after it!

Running

I started running in September 2010 and I signed up for my first race, a 5k (3.1 miles) that month. I couldn't run the full race without getting a cramp and stopping. But I was hooked and started training myself to become a better runner. Since then I've run countless races (5k, 10k and 10 milers) and just completed my first 1/2 marathon in September 2012. In some ways running has become therapy - I might hate getting up to start a run, but once I am in it, I enjoy it and afterwards I am more calm, relaxed and ready to start the day. 

A few highlights:

Army Ten Miler (October 2012)
Having not run a long distance since the Oregon Half Marathon a month before I wasn't really looking forward to it. But then I started thinking about random fitness mantras like "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch!" or "You can feel sore tomorrow or you can feel sorry tomorrow. Your choice." So I walked over to the race start (bonus that it was only a few blocks from my place) sucked it up and started running. Awesome part was after each mile I kept giggling thinking hmmm I'm already at 5, and then 6 and oh crap, here comes the tiredness around mile 7 and 8. I really wanted to walk because I felt like I had already accomplished enough but I soldiered through and imagine my surprise when I got my final time of 1 hour and 28 minutes...a whole 4 minutes faster than last year! WOOT WOOT!
                            

Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon (September 2012)
Leading up to the race I was terrified that it would suck, I would get injured and/or run it very slow. As a result, I took it easy and decided to just have fun because afterall, I'm not training to be an Olympian! The course was awesome, gorgerous scenery (think rolling hills, farms, cattle, horses and vineyards) and the weather was magnificent (mid 50s). My only regret is that I took it easy for fear of tiring myself out and then when I realized I could go faster, it was too late to make up the time. Final time: 2 hours and 5 minutes. Awesome time for a newbie like me, but I'm already plotting my next one to be under 2 hours. Goals...I like goals!

Starting point = wine bottles!

Cattle roaming free...

See 13.1 miles is fun...

Probably the only race where I was smiling the whole time!

Cool finishers medal.

Bexley, OH 4th of July 5k (July 2012)

I recently placed in a race - second place in my age group! (A 5k in 25 minutes - my fastest race time yet!) Granted it was a small local race with a couple hundred people, but I still count it as a huge success. Plus I got a cute mug/trophy!

My prize! Probably the only one I will ever get!

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (April 2012)

This hugely popular race does a lottery entry and I luckily won a spot! It was a great race and my fast time yet for a 10 miler - 1 hour 26 minutes and 53 seconds (average 8:41 mile)! Check out this cool recap of my race:

Seal Team PT

When I'm not running, I'm working out with Seal Team Physical Training! I stated this AWESOME bootcamp in September. The summary: pure torture = great way to spend many a weekday mornings! Each day is different but as I explained in my guest blog post on the experience, while you meet at one  location, you quickly leave it as D.C. becomes your personal gym/playground. The pool in front of the U.S. Capitol = a track. That playground in front of the U.S. Department of Education = perfect place to work on tricep dips. Haines Point = a great place to perfect swiftly down a slide. Those stairs at the Lincoln Memorial = exhausting to sprint up! Read my full blog post recap and join the group if you are in DC/VA/MD and now Philadelphia!

And watch this video to see what the bootcamp is really like! (This video is of the VCU basketball team and their experience. and p.s. its dark because it meets at 5:45am!)

UPDATE: Check out this awesome blog post on SealTeam PT via DCFitCrasher.com with some awesome photos (that's me in the purple!)