5 Tips for Your First Spin Class...ever or just in a while!

I decided to switch up my workout last night and thought I'd share! A new indoor cycling or spinning studio just opened up in Baltimore called REV Cycle Studio. Since I don't have a gym membership anymore I have been itching to take some group fitness classes, especially with the cold winter weather we have been having. With their introductory savings of 30% off class packages for the month of January (use coupon code REVITUP), it seemed the perfect chance to try out some spinning classes! I made a reservation for a class last night-choosing the 45 minute over the 60 minute class to ease me back into spinning. 

I have only taken spin classes about a dozen times in my life with the last one being over a year ago so I was feeling unsure of how the class would go. The bikes had cages on the pedals so it was okay that I didn't have fancy clip in cycling shoes (although the clip ins are recommended if you plan to take a lot of classes). The class ended up being great, and I left a sweaty mess! The studio is a beautiful space, and the class wasn't very crowded which was good for my first ride back on the bike.  We even were handed refreshing cool towels after the class was over which felt amazing. The class was full of high-intensity speed intervals mixed in with longer blocks of climbs. I forgot how great of a workout spinning is! If you have considered trying out spin, or like me it's been a while since you've taken a class, I've come up with some tips and reminders for when you decide to get back in the saddle!

1. Wear comfortable clothing. I find I'm most comfortable in form-fitting or compression capri pants and  a moisture-wicking, looser tank or short-sleeved shirt.  You are going to be sitting on the bike so capris or pants are a no brainer, and I like a top that is going to be comfortable and dry when I am sweating a lot during class. 

2. Bring a towel and water bottle. Unless you have the amazing ability to do an intense workout without breaking a sweat or getting thirsty, bring these. I always leave a spin class a sweaty mess if I've been working hard!

3. Arrive early and get comfy! Arrive early so you can find your bike and make all the necessary adjustments to it. I'm no spin expert, but I know that if you stand on the left side of the bike the saddle and handlebars should be around hip height, your legs are fairly extended, and to leave enough room so your knees aren't hitting the handlebars when you are standing up on the bike pedals. Ask the instructor if you need help getting set up!

4. Your butt will be sore the next day. I knew my butt was going to be sore the minute I sat down. I never feel too comfortable on the bike seats, and my butt and lady parts always take some adjusting to sitting on the bike. Apparently you can get padded cycling shorts that help if you plan on being a spin regular!

5. Talk to the instructor. If it's your first spin class or you have no idea how to adjust your bike, let the instructor know! It's going to be awful if you are uncomfortable on the bike or don't know the lingo during class. 

Couldn't stop at five-here's a bonus tip! 6. Go at your own pace.  It's fine to be motivated by others during the class to keep pedaling as fast as you can during intervals or adding just as much resistance as the girl next to you, but know that it's okay to go at your own pace. As long as you are pushing yourself, it doesn't matter how your speed or resistance compares to others-nobody else is looking! Last night my bike was closer to the front of the class so I could really focus on the instructor and my workout instead of what others around me. 

Disclaimer: I am not a personal trainer or fitness professional, just fitness enthusiast! As always, consult with a doctor before beginning any exercise routine. Consult with a certified spin instructor before taking a class!

Have you ever taken a spin class? Do you try different workouts in the winter?

Five Friday Faves- All over the place

Last night I had a great time meeting up with some ladies to watch the Toned Up show on Bravo about the Tone it Up duo-I think it's going to be a weekly event! I've been fighting a cold this week that seems to continue to make me feel worse each day. I've been upping my intake of tea, apple cider vinegar, and green juice so hopefully I can kick this before the weekend is over!  Continuing with my thinking out loud rambles from yesterday, today I've got some of my favorite things from the past few weeks to share with you, especially from the holidays!

Five Friday Favorites

Favorite Christmas gift received: 

cookbooks and more running arm sleeves

Arm sleeves were one of my favorite running items from 2013 so I'm excited to get lots more to wear as a layer in the winter and for when it finally hits spring! The pink Nathan sleeves are especially great because they seem to be a high quality,include little pockets, and have reflective strips on them. I also saw so many great recipe sneak peaks from the 21-day Sugar Detox Cookbook that I can't wait to try some recipes out!

Favorite healthy snack: 

Rhythm Superfoods Pineapple & Coconut Kale Chips

I was lucky enough to win one of the Purely Elizabeth holiday giveaways on their Facebook page a few weeks ago and was sent some goodies from Rhythm Superfoods. I tasted some of their kale chips at Expo East, but this flavor was new to me. I tried to pretend I wasn't going to eat the whole bag in one sitting, but after my first bite of these delicious Pineapple Coconut kale chips I knew that wasn't happening. They had great crunch and the perfect touch of sweetness to satisfy my post-dinner snack craving!

Thinking Out Loud -Pizza on the Brain

Hello, today I'm participating in Amanda's Thinking out Loud Thursdays since I've got all sorts of random thoughts floating around in my head.

1. My juice cleanse was pushed back to next week due to delays with shipping because of the polar vortex and the juice being perishable. It has thrown my week off, but I don't mind eating lots of food for another few days! I'm also really looking forward to pizza on Friday. 

2. Speaking of the polar vortex, last night was the first night in a few days where I didn't sleep in two pairs of socks and a hoodie over my pajamas. It's supposed to be warmer this weekend/next week which has me really excited to run outside in the next few days. 

3. I really need a haircut. I just need to find time ASAP because all the layers have grown out, and I've given up trying to do anything with it. I think I'm keeping it right above shoulder length for now but don't know what style to get-I'm easily bored with my hair. 

I should probably repaint my nails which are sporting some badly chipped New Year's Eve sparkly polish.  I've also started taking Delta Labs Advanced Hair, Skin, and Nails formula so hopefully that continues to help keep my nails from chipping and help my hair to look healthy and awesome. I've been taking biotin to help with my peeling nails but this formula but this formula has 28 other vitamins, minerals, herbs, bionutrients, and antioxidants, including biotin to support healthy hair and nail growth. Sounds great and can't wait to see results!

As always, you can use the code "BREATHEBLOG" for $5 off any Delta Labs order! 

Charm City Run Race Series Deal and a Detox

Today I have a great race deal to tell you about if you a Baltimore area runner! I was planning on running at least the Charles Street 12 Miler Race which I ran last year again, but ended up signing up for the Sole of the City 10K and the Shamrock 5K (last year's recap here) too because I couldn't pass up this great offer! And I'm a crazy running lady. Of course.

If you run Charm City Run races there is a new packaged price for the newly created B3 race series which includes the annual Shamrock 5K on March 16, the Sole the City 10K on April 12, and the Charles Street 12 Miler on August 9. Also right now (unless it sells out!) there is a deal on LivingSocial for the B3 series where you are paying only $150 instead of the $200 regular series price. Registering for the B3 bundle includes all the premiums for each race and a special B3 finisher's medal and Under Armour backpack. What an amazing deal-I'm glad I hadn't registered for the races yet. 

 I've done all three races previously, and they are all in different parts of the city but all fun! It's a great way to bite the bullet and sign up for some races to make those New Year's fitness goals a reality!

You can get to the LivingSocial deal right here and find more information about the B3 series from Charm City Run here! 

I read on the Charm City Run Facebook page that if you have registered for one or two of the races already you can email Charm City Run to get in for the B3 series if you want to run all three!

2014-Let go of the negative and embrace the positive

Well the holiday season was a whirlwind as usual so I'm still out of sorts. It's making it harder to get back into the swing of things because I went back to work on Thursday after being off for over a week and then got a snow day on Friday which makes this Monday morning even more unbearable. Especially because I had a lot of lazy days sleeping in way late in there. 

Today I am sharing my new year's to-do list with you. Super original, I know. I call them goals because I think the word resolution gets a bad rap, as in you might completely forget about your resolutions by the time February rolls around. Also having a set of goals to work at seems much more feasible to me rather than these big ideas I may have that do not come with some sort of game plan.  I was definitely inspired by these 5 goals which are awesome. I separated my goals by what the are mainly attributed to-mind, body, or soul. I will definitely try to write these out and post them in my bedroom so I can revisit them. I find it easier to focus on one at a time so 12 goals for 12 months in a year is perfect!

I have seen people come up with themes for 2014 which I like a lot. I think it's good to reflect on what you want to accomplish in a year. My theme would be to be happy. That includes doing things I want to do, not feeling bad declining invitations or things that take up my time which don't make me happy, and also allowing my self to be happy. As always, let go of the negative, breathe, and happily allow the positive to enter.  I'm a list person at heart though, so here we go :)

MIND

1. Re-learn French. I was a French minor in college and still a total francophile. I'm going to get on that Rosetta Stone business and re-learn how to speak French again because it's a skill I don't want to lose!

2. Read 14 books.

3. Try 1 new recipe a month from a cookbook. I have all these cookbooks lying around so I want to actually make an effort to tackle some of the more time-consuming and fancy recipes in them!

4. Live in the now. Planning for the future is important, but I want to focus on seizing the day and not waiting for some perfect time that will never come to do things I want to do. 

SOUL

5. Show more affection. I think it's important to make an effort to keep in touch with people and the people you care about know that!

6. Travel more.

7. Be bold-take chances without fear.

8. LOVE myself and how I look, flaws and all. 

BODY

9. Eat more greens!

10. New marathon and half marathon PRs. Always trying to improve!

11. Improve pullups (unassisted finally?) and string together double unders.

12. Work hard at feeling good in a bathing suit this summer. Superficial and pretty much on every female's resolution list, but feeling good in a bathing suit a.k.a. the least amount of clothing you are usually wearing in public is a huge self-esteem booster. 

If you don't believe in yearly resolutions or goals at least remember this- keep spreading love in the world and you are awesome so dream big!

Do you have any New Year's resolutions or goals? How many cups of coffee do you need this Monday?

Year of Running 2013

Amanda aka Miss Zippy is hosting a blog linkup for the third year in a row,with a 2013 year of running recap, so I thought I would join in because it's been a pretty awesome second year of running for me.  

I have been running pretty leisurely and less frequent the past few months but decided to get out there this morning and go on my last chilly run of the year!  It was a great time to reflect on the year that is ending. 

I accomplished my goal of 13 races in 2013 (not all races had medals of course!).

What was your:

Best race experience?
The Nike Women's DC Half in April was a pretty great race,but I think my first full marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival takes the cake. Four months of training and lots of sweat and tears went into that race. I hit my exact goal of 3:45, and it was the hardest race I've ever run. I know that it has mentally made me stronger. I hit those points where I didn't think I could do it. In the end I could do nothing but smile. I couldn't really walk for a couple of days, but that feeling of pride and accomplishment was worth it. When I had to push through all that self-doubt, insecurity, and pain during the race it was so much more emotional than I could have imagined. I'm ready to tackle 26.2 again in 2014. Bring it (hopefully!) Chicago Marathon.  
 


Best run?
This is a tough one because all my runs seem to blur together. This summer when I ran my first 20 miles ever during marathon training I remember feeling great. I was on that runner's high afterwards, and that's when I knew I could run a marathon. It was a hot summer Saturday morning, and I ran pretty much all over the entire city of Baltimore with a couple of my training buddies. Besides some quad tightness, I felt good. I was smiling the whole walk home with a big iced coffee.

big smiles after 20 miles!

Best new piece of gear?
I love running sleeves! I also just received three new arm sleeves for Christmas so they are not going away anytime soon. I'm always that person that is cold in general so I have a tough time judging what to wear for temperatures. I love wearing arm sleeves for races because they can be rolled down if I get hot. I even had GroovyBaby wonder woman arm sleeves to help power me through my marathon! They are my favorite layering piece for cold weather running right now too. 

post Nike DC Half in April

Best piece of running advice you received?
My marathon training group coach Deidre always told us "do not go out too fast" which has stuck with me because it pretty much dooms your race. I try to be cautious in the beginning of longer races.   

Also she always reminded us that "If marathons were easy- everyone would do them.  Invite the pain, accept it, and then find something else to occupy your brain." I think that idea of accepting pain and then finding something else to think about or a mantra to repeat is really important during marathons and half marathons.  I tell myself to just keep moving or focus on scenery which helps during rough patches of runs. 

5 Rules for Christmas Break

I'm just popping in to drop some Christmas and holiday rules on you before I get back to hanging out with my family.

1. Unplug-post your obligatory holiday greeting and show off your awesome holiday food and gifts on facebook/twitter/instagram/whatever, but then leave the laptop shut off and your phone plugged in somewhere rather than in your hand or pocket.

2. Only eat one cookie-of each variety! Too many delicious desserts to fill up on one type of cookie-save room to try one of everything! I know I only get to enjoy some delicious peanut butter blossoms and Polish chrusciki cookies at this time of year so I'm going to make the most of it. 

3. Be flexible- okay so you usually hit the gym in the AM and refuel with your oats or green smoothie. I'm going to partake in my mom's breakfast casserole or go to the movies to see one of the many films I want to see (I'm looking at you, American Hustle, Frozen, Wolf of Wall Street, and Saving Mr. Banks) instead of working out one day. I swear you'll survive. 

4. Eat some greens-along with green tree spritz cookies and green & red sprinkles, try to eat some of the veggie platter or throw a salad in here or there. You can worry about your waistline in January, but you'll probably feel better right now with some nutritious food to fuel you through the holidays too! Balance=sanity, people. 

5. Live, laugh, smile. The holidays are one of the only times of year I actually see all of my family in the span of a few days. Share your hobbies with people and spend time with others doing what they like. After all, the holidays aren't just about the food you eat, the gifts,  and the decorations, but just about spending time making memories with the ones you love! 

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from me to you. May the New Year be full of health, happiness, and many PRs :-)

Friday Favorites-Christmastime in Baltimore Edition! 12/20/2013

Well the past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and I CANNOT believe that Christmas is next week. I've been so busy with work, shopping, gift wrapping, and attending parties.  Luckily, I made plenty of time to do my favorite holiday activities around Baltimore during this time of year. Here are some of my favorite Baltimore holiday tradition and events from this year!

Five Favorite Baltimore Holiday Traditions

Favorite light show: 

Baltimore's Washington Monument Lighting

The lighting of the Washington Monument in Baltimore (which came before the D.C. one in case you were wondering) is one of the biggest holiday events of the season and happens to take place right around the corner from me. There are lots of vendors selling food and drinks along with choirs and an appearance from the mayor. It all ends with the lighting of the monument and a firework  and light show set to holiday music!

Favorite holiday run: 

Celtic Solstice 5 miler

 

This race is my last race of the year and continues to sell out due to the awesome premiums, hot wine and soup after the race, and lore of the time it was run during a blizzard! It also starts with bagpipers and has lots of runners we're their holiday gear! You can read my recap from this year's race here!

Favorite Christmas lights display: 

Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden