So long 14 minute miles...

Last night I ran in the NYRR's NFL Back to Football Run. This race was number six on my road to the 2013 ING New York City Marathon. 


photo: New York Road Runner's Website

I was anxious about this race.  While I try to focus on finishing, setting a good pace means alot to me as well. When I started running back in October (more like walking with a hint of a run), my pace was around 17/18 minutes per mile. A sistah was struggling, but vowed to be consistent.

In my most recent races, my pace improved to 14-15 minutes per mile. It was okay, but deep down I wanted to break 14 minutes. I planned to achieve this by working on my speed. The goal was to stay below 13 minutes during my weekly runs. It was very uncomfortable and challenging. However, I pushed through it.

So, back to last night...

The S-T-R-E-T-C-H Playlist

Tonight's stretch session was stellar.
I'd like to attribute it to the playlist that I created.
Here are few songs that played:
 

The Visual

 320lbs (March '11)                                                   293lbs (March '12)                                                263lbs  (August '12)

 

August 20th - 24th

Ever had a day where you wished you could press the "reset" button? Well, imagine a WHOLE week like that. This was my reality last week, and honestly I'm glad it's over. There were many highs, and a big LOW, but stuff happens, right?  Anyways...

For the next five days, I'm on staycation in the city. It'll be just me, my thoughts, and jaunts around NYC. I'll also be updating you on some really cool things that happened. (i.e. meeting Paul C. Brunson and taking my first Crossfit Class - my body is STILL sore) lol. So, I apologize for the delay. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Friend Makin' Monday!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: All the Weigh so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Happy Birthday, Baby Mary!



Baby Mary is ONE today!

By the numbers

So today was THE day. I hopped on the scale to see how much weight I dropped. Side note: I used to weigh myself at least once a week, but decided that I didn't want to get "stuck" on what the scale said. So here are the numbers for August 15th!

Hoopin'

I am always looking for new activities to incorporate in my workout regimen. When I received a text re: a hoop class, I immediately thought "Hey, this'll be alot of fun." Now, mind you when I was younger, I considered myself to be a hula hooper extraordinaire. That all changed when I walked into the studio at the Manhattan Movement Center.

                                     

#truth

It's Friend Making Monday!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: All the Weigh so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Brunchin' at Madiba

Breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day.
What's better? Brunch.
On the weekend. With my girls.

This was the case when Brandi, Marjani, and I trekked to Brooklyn and dined at Madiba, an eclectic restaurant located in Fort Greene. Madiba serves up South African cuisine in an atmosphere that pays homage to Nelson Mandela. Per the website: "Madiba is your gateway to South Africa."

Upon entering the restauraunt, we were greeted with the melodic sounds of Nomsa Mazwai, a South African singer with the voice of an angel. After being seated, we checked out the menu.

Bikram Yoga: A Beginner's Perspective

It's true: I've always wanted to like Yoga. I even incorporated it in my weekly workout regimen. However every time I would drag myself to a Hatha class, I remembered WHY I couldn't.

First of all, the downward dog is a nightmare - especially for those of us with poor upper body strength. Secondly, there is something mildy intimidating about seeing those flexible bodies near me. (How on EARTH do they do that?)

My resolve: Yoga  and I weren't going to see eye to eye. Well, that was until March-- when I purchased a 30 day unlimted GroupOn for Bikram Yoga. Many in my running group raved about the class and its' benefits so why not? At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.

A Totally Biased Taping

Yesterday I attended a taping of "Totally Biased", a new show airing on FX. W. Kamau Bell is the host of the show, and Chris Rock is the Executive Producer.  Now to be 100% honest with you, I had never heard of Bell, so I took to Youtube to do a bit of research. Dude is quite hilarious.

For two hours, Bell, Rock, and the TB crew kept us entertained and the show topics were quite amusing. His kickstarter campaign and Pop/Frisk sketches were my fave.

The show tapes at Manhattan Center Studios on 34th Street. If you can get tickets, I highly recommend you go.  The show premiered last night, so if you  missed it, they may *fingers crossed* have it online.

I spotted Chescaleigh at the taping as well.
You may know her from Sh*t that White Girls Say...to Black Girls.

Friend Makin' Mondays...on a Wednesday!

I just discovered "Friend Makin' Mondays" via  300lbs and Running.  Initially, I wanted to wait and start next week, but thought what the heck. I'll do it now. So, here goes:

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Happy Birthday, Su! {PHOTOS}

Sticks and stones

It was a Saturday afternoon, and we were gathered at my grandmother’s house to celebrate my cousin heading off to college. At quick glance, players were being ‘set’ at the spades table, children were running around, and of course the grown folk huddled in their conversations.

As I approached, my cousin asked about my next race. I replied, and said something to my uncle who was at the next table. While chatting with my uncle, I overhear a family friend say (to my cousin) “Liz runs…as big as she is”.

“Oh.no.she.didn’t.  Oh.yes.she.did.”