Red Mango V Pink Berry

Happy Monday everyone! Hope we’ve all started the week on the right foot. I am for instance looking forward to a stellar week considering that I had to wait 45 minutes for my bus this morning which at one point I felt would never show up and I got to work exactly 1:05 hours late. So, I decided that after that morning fiasco things can only go up from there!

Today is my first “official” week back to classes after a week and a half off thanks to Jewish holidays. I have to admit I am looking forward to my classes this semester. My finance professor seems pretty cool and laid back and he is actually an established professional in a career which I’ve been thinking about pursuing post MBA so I’m excited to pick his brain on that. I am also taking a “feminist-type” of course (I’m pretty sure that’s not the point of the class but so far feels like it) about women and entrepreneurship. I’ll be sure to share a few of the things I learn.

Anyways, so yesterday I went on a run with a friend. He is all of a sudden up for running and increasing his mileage stamina and so we decided to challenge ourselves with the hilly running tracks of central park and boy did we run!

After a 5+ miles (which included about ¼ miles of heavy sprinting) he decided it was time to do push ups, pulls ups, sit ups, mountain climbers—we even did jumping jacks (that was my contribution, don’t act surprised). I was a little flabbergasted considering that when I run (especially more than 3 miles) I feel that’s more than enough workout and no additional “extra-curricular(s)” are needed. However, I suppose he felt it was necessary to finish “strong” and so, we did. I can’t lie—it was a great work out all in all.

After out run + additional random strength training we decided to go for some frozen yogurt over at pink berry. Actually, he said ice cream and I looked at him like “who eats ice cream anymore?” And so, I suggested frozen yogurt @ Pink Berry. I had never been to one in my life so I was excited to try it out:

 

I forgot to mention this but a few weeks back while my cousin from Tampa was visiting we went to Red Mango after a Sunday afternoon of “tourist-activities”:

So, now that I have tried both places, what’s my verdict? Well, in all honestly, Red Mango wins hands down. Why?

-I get to choose my own toppings and pile them up myself

-I get to pull the handle of the frozen yogurt myself (and try different flavors before I commit to one in the process without having to annoy any of the employees)

-The flavors are just sweeter/taste better and the yogurt is smoother (in my personal opinion)—at pink berry I got the original “tart/sweet” flavor and it was geared more towards tart.

Although the pink berry was also delicious I didn’t like the fact that the workers add in the toppings for me. Hey—if I want to try every topping available I don’t want to be judged. So, let me add my own stuff thank you very much. Also, the location we went to was super small and really busy!  I felt a little claustrophobic in there.

After I got home that evening I remembered I had some fruit to cut up before it went bad. And so, I spent about 20 minutes cutting up melon and making myself fruit salads for the week. Mission accomplished:

 

One of the highlights of my weekend was welcoming back my little cousin whom was on vacation with her family in the Dominican Republic. I was so happy to see her again! She is such a happy/gorgeous baby although she was half asleep in this photo:

Love. Her. And her big brother. They melt my heart.

And that’s all folks. Thanks for reading! Cheers to a great week.

Tell me, Have you tried pink berry and/or red mango before? What was the highlight of your weekend?

 

July was an Awesome Running Month (plus some news!)

First and foremost I have to share last night dinner, which I’ve had two days in a row and made up by accident:

Nothing fancy but so good! (black beans, garbanzo beans and corn mixed with melted part-skim mozzarella on Trader Joe’s ‘brown rice tortilla’ ßmy new obsession plus my usual steamed veggies on the side). I also had a small banana smoothie made w/ almond milk and spinach, not pictured.

So this morning I concluded an ENTIRE month of running every other day! I actually began running every other day in late June (around 6/19, as per my fitness journal). However, I am excited that I was actually able to carry that momentum in to July and finished strong.

I am not a long distance runner by any means and I kinda’ like it that way. My mileage ranged from 2.5 miles to 4.5 miles but mostly stayed at an average of 3 miles or so on most days. On my non-running days during the past month and a half or so I was able to complete a second round of Jillian’s 30 day shred which I finished and now Ive moved on to my beloved Gilad strength training videos for arms, back, abs, and legs. I alternate body parts but have been pretty consistent with the arms and back exercises. I see lil bit of muscle peeking usually post workout. He’s good!

I want to set up new fitness goals for August which I cant believe is just hours away (scary!). I have Jillian’s Ripped in 30 which I purchased a while ago but never finished it. I am considering going through the whole series for the month of august and continue running. I am not sure if I will continue the running every other day thing but now I have to run regardless considering that  last Friday (out of pure randomness) I signed up for this:

 

 

Yup.  My second half marathon! I was going back and forth on whether to do the 5K or the ½ marathon (is like two different extremes!). I really wish the race had a 10K which would have been nice and comfortable but that wasn’t an option. At the end of the day I decided a 5k would be too short so I closed my eyes and clicked the button for the half.

The next day (Saturday) I wanted to cancel it immediately and constantly asked myself what the heck was I thinking the nigh before (I promise I wasn’t drunk). Eventually I got over it and decided to suck it up. When I thought I could go on with my life I almost fainted when I realized that a while ago  I had already signed up for another race in October:

 



 

The Rock N Roll series race which I have been looking forward to for a while! I feared the Diva’s race would be the same day but thankfully it isn’t. That’s the good news. The scary news? They are only a week apart! Ah! Sometimes I wonder who the heck am I and what did I do with the real Mabelle.

Anyways, after my two minor panic attacks now I am kinda’ excited to set up a training plan specifically for the half as I’d love to improve my time from my first half which took place this past April (time was 2 hrs 17 mins). I subscribe to SELF magazine and this month’s issue had 12-week ½ marathon training plan in it. I think everything is aligning nicely. I may have to re-arrange it some how to make it work with the time I have left before the race but cant wait to get started with an “official” training plan. I have to confess Ive never followed a “strict” plan for any of my races. I just kinda’ go with it. We’ll see what happens this time around.

Anyways, thank you for reading.

Tell me, Have you ever signed up for two long races on the same month? How did you handle it?



Fortunate Fridays

Hey everyone!! Ugh! another busy week. Although it was a short week (thank god) I barely had time to come on the blog (as usual). However, cant miss Fortunate Fridays, can I?! So here goes...this week I feel fortunate for:

1. My sister and the fact that she loves to run and is motivating me to sign up for several races! I have a goal in terms of the number of races I want to run this year and I have several super fun ones on my radar which I will be signing up for within the next week. So excited! 

2. Jillian Michaels DVDs! I swear her workouts WORK! I feel so much stronger and although she kicks your butt she gives you results. Plus- I cant mention enough how much I love the fact that the workouts are only 20-3 minutes. Amazing.

3. The text message I got from one of my friends today thanking me because she was able to raise her credit score significantly, save on her 401k, get out of debt and started investing. About a year and a half ago I wrote up a financial plan for her and she followed it to the T!!! I always tell her that it was her focus and hard work that has gotten her to this point. My plan may have been a blue print but it was all up to HER because SHE wanted to improve her life. Either way, that text made my day and made me feel incredibly grateful that I was able to help her. The greatest satisfaction is simply to see her reach her goals and I cant wait to see how much further she goes.

4. Living in America! Okay this is going to sound random but I LOVE this country and I feel incredibly blessed to live here. So many opportunities to do some many things I probably would have never been able to do had I never moved here. I feel really, REALLY blessed. 

5. On that same "I Love America Note" I feel fortunate for the Stock Market and for being able to participate in it. This is another random fact about me-- I LOVE investing. Is one of the things that I am super passionate about. I follow market news, listen to podcasts, read the books, etc. etc. Such an exciting world. If you arent in to stuff like that you may think I am crazy. But everyone has a passion or two, right?! I may share more about this stuff on the blog. What do you think? Would you be interested? I dont see enough females excited about the market and I feel that this is a skill everyone should have! Is often known as a "mans world" but it should not be! I would love to change that.

6. BONUS FORTUNATE: Cant forget the blogger award I got this week!! I get so happy when people find my blog and enjoy my posts. Thank you!! I am still finalizing my list of 11 bloggers I will nominate so, cant wait to share it with others.

Okay this is it for today! Its been snowing in NYC but I want to see if I can run tomorrow. With my work schedule I can usually only run on weekends. When he weather gets better I hope to be able to run outside more often.

Cheers to the weekend!!!

Question: Any plans for the weekend? anything great happened this week that you are feeling grateful/fortunate for?

MY VERY FIRST 10K!!

So this past Sunday I had the privilege of joining my sister and her wonderful friends with the purpose of running a race. But not just any race…my first 10K ever!! I still remember the first time I ever ran a race in my entire life. It was a 5K and I think it was back during the spring of 2010 when one of my best friends and I went to visit her sister in Charlotte North Carolina. While most people you visit across the country surprise you with a night out in the town at a club or some big party she actually surprised us with the fact that she signed us up for a 5K! and not only that, we actually did some dirk-bike racing and that turned out to be one of the best get away of my life.

But....back to the purpose of this post. The 10k was at Roosevelt island (a tiny little piece of land between Queens and NYC) and it was called…brace yourselves!...the Hot Chocolate Run! When my sis first sent me the email about a couple of months ago I think I just read the title and signed up immediately. During the signing up process they asked whether I’d like to run the 5K or the 10K. I actually hesitated for a while and even texted my sister to see what she thought. I have to admit---I was doubting myself on whether I could actually run ~6.4 miles. I know this might seem like nothing to a lot of people that constantly run or that have completed multiple ½ marathons or marathons and beyond. However, for me this was quite a big deal. Ive learned to absolutely love running this year but I am used to 3-4 milers. Nothing more than that. Well, until this past Sunday, that is! This past Sunday was actually a few firsts:

1. First time on the Roosevelt Island Tram
2. First time on Roosevelt Island 
3. First 10K ever

Here are some fun photos of the event--

The Tram Experience:

 

On the Island. Pre and Post race:

 

The cool mug and enjoying the delicious Hot Chocolate at the Finish Line:

....AND HERE IS MY TIME/ MILES PER MINUTE:

The verdict?! I loved it! And even better; I ran the entire time! I was so proud of myself and of this huge personal fitness milestone. I also got a super cool mug which I will surely treasure along with great memories. I think it was so cool they actually emailed us the results the same night of the race!! How awesome.

What did I learn? What was I reminded of? That I pretty much can do anything and that is true what they say--- “mind over matter”. There was a couple of times I wanted to take a break and walk but the amazing podcasts I was listening to (TD Jakes-- "Stay on Track" part II) plus fun Christmas music helped me pulled through the finish line with a big smile on my face!

I do have to share that the next day my body was aching and I could barely get up from my bed. Lol. I somehow manage to get up and get ready for work but I think my body was in total shock for about 16 hours. Makes me appreciate all this body does for me and every piece of it: from my head to my toes. What an amazing machine the body is!

In other news---last night was my very last final of the semester. So happy to share that fall 2012 has finally come to an end!!! Now I have some decisions to make about my future and life in general but I am super excited nonetheless. I know that as long as I do what I need to do God will guide me on the right direction. I leave you with this super cool picture I found while browsing Facebook this morning. I love being optimistic about everything in life and this made me smile:

Tell me, Do you remember your first race? Is there anything you learned about yourself or life in general before, during and/or after the race?