I’ve been in an “off season” from training since last September. Since then I’ve been afraid of wearing my garmin. I didn’t need to know what my pace was during my runs. I just needed to be running and building up a good solid base. Plus I really enjoy running without technology.

This week I officially start training for my spring 1/2 marathons and will once again start running with my garmin, so I can set some appropriate goals for myself based of training paces.

Today, I didn’t wear my garmin, but I was faced with the fact that running the Gridiron Classic 4-miler would mean knowing my pace. My stomach was in knots all morning as I was nervous about finding out the truth.

Turns out the truth isn’t as bad as I had anticipated. Now that my lungs have finally stopped burning and the chest pain has disappeared, I can say that today’s race was encouraging. (If you’re curious I ran like a rookie, totally crashed and burned to barely complete the 4 miles. Apparently running without a Garmin means having no idea how to pace myself!)

Checking in from last week’s SIDI:

• 1 Spin Class 
• Run 14 miles (including the Gridiron Classic)
• Core/Strength training 3x
• Stretching daily – I have not stretched today

This new SIDI format is working out really well for me, so I’m going to continue. However, if you’re the type of person who needs to schedule each day be sure to stick with what works.

Here’s my plan for the week:

• One easy spin class
• Run 15 miles
• 3 core/strength workouts (at least one Physique 57 class)
• Stretching daily

Tell me: How do you feel about working out without technology (ipod, garmin, heart rate monitor, etc)? How did your workouts go this week? What’s on the agenda for this week?

Up until Tuesday night of this week, I hadn’t thought of that moment in quite some time. Caryn, one of my Girls on the Run co-coaches, and I were on the train talking upcoming races. When the More/Fitness 1/2 marathon was mentioned her eyes lit-up and she told me her “I felt like a runner moment.”

The day Caryn first felt like a runner was April 25, 2010 at the More/Fitness Magazine 1/2 Marathon. She waited out in the rain to run 6 miles of that race with a friend. After standing for some freezing her booty off waiting for her friend, she ran 6 miles. The longest distance she had ever run.

Often, I hear people saying, “I just ran this 1/2 marathon last month, but I’m not a runner”. To which I always respond, “Sure sounds like you ARE a runner!” Usually I don’t get what they are saying and look at them like they’re crazy, but as I look back at my own running history I get why they feel that way.

I ran track and cross country in high school. During that time, I ran my first 5k road race, ran 6 miles without stopping on weekends by myself while my mom followed me in her car with her headlights beaming so I could see the road after dark, and was always one of the faster girls on my xc team. During those years I still didn’t feel like a runner.

The moment I felt like a runner was the year I completed my undergraduate studies. Much like Caryn’s “I’m a runner moment” mine happened at a 1/2 marathon I wasn’t running.

I drove out of town about an hour with a seasoned runner friend to a half marathon they were running. I signed-up for the race with the intention of running as much as I could without stopping (note: a lot of races were not productions like they are now. it actually resembled a group run more than a race). I ran nine miles, the longest distance I had ever run.

After the run, I chowed down on a  homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie that someone from the neighborhood had made for the racers and thought to myself for the very first time, “I’m a real runner!”

Did you have an “I’m a real runner moment”? What was the one thing that stood out to you that made you feel different during/after that run that made you finally realize that you are in fact a runner? Why do you think it took so long?

Number of days I wear workout clothes each week = 7

Number of days I wear normal clothes like everyone else on the planet = .5

Number of loads of laundry full of dri-fit clothes I do each week = 4

Number of days I wear hanky panky’s = 7

Okay, that was weird… why is she talking about her underwear?

To go commando while workout or not to go commando while working out? That is the question that’s occasionally discussed between fit friends. Personally, I only go commando during the warmer months when I’m wearing running shorts or running skirts. For whatever reason, I’m just not comfortable going commando in other workout wear even when the pants are clearly designed for that purpose.

This issue came up last week when I was trying out a pair of capris for today’s giveaway from Ellasport. The pants themselves are amazing. They fit well, are flattering, and feel nice on my skin (I hate itchy workout clothes).

I put the pants on and was about to walk out my front door to teach a spin class, when my husband stopped me in my tracks.

Husband: “Um, hun… I can see a read line showing through the back of your pants.”

Me: “You mean I have panty-lines?”

H: “No, like I can see your underwear through the white part of your pants!”

Thankfully, he saved me from my embarrassment (For the record, I was in fact wearing a thong) which is why I’m bringing up this subject once again. Should I be going commando in these types of workout pants?? Is that what they are designed for?

Anyhow, enough about underpants and on with the giveaway!

Ellasport is a small company founded by Pamela Oelerich in 2006. Her mission, “to provide every woman with athletic apparel that is designed for her body and makes her feel good about herself.”

Pamela wants to give two of you the opportunity to try out out Ellasport’s gear for yourself! One reader will win a pair of the New Power Capris, while another winner will receive the Ellasport Workout Skirt.

Here’s how you can enter to win either the New Power Capris or the Workout Skirt:

#1) (mandatory entry) Tell me something personal: What do you think about going commando while working out? Is it a “do” or “don’t” for you?

#2 (bonus entry, please leave a separate comment telling me you tweeted) Tweet: “I just entered to win @ellasport gear from @fitchicknyc and so can you http://ow.ly/8O9m7″

The Ellasport giveaway ends on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:00a.m. EST. Two winners will be chosen at random. The first number drawn will win the capri pants, while the second number drawn will win the workout skirt. The winners will be announced on this post, via twitter, and facebook on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

{I was not compensated for this post. I did receive the above mentioned products for review. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.}

****This giveaway is now closed.

The winner of the Power Capri Pants is Alexis {Diva on a Diet}.
The winner of the workout skirt is Michelle C.!

Congratulations, ladies! I hope you enjoy your Ellasport gear!

While searching through my refrigerator for some inspiration, I had an idea. I would attempt to make a peanut curry sauce for one.

The outcome of my sauce creation was just what I needed to stop me from heading to seamless web and ordering $15 worth of food.

Peanut Curry Sauce for One

Ingredients:

- 1 tbsp peanut butter

- 1 tsp curry paste

- 3 tbsp coconut milk (or whatever milk you have on hand)

- 1 tsp dried basil

- dash of red chili pepper flakes (only if you like a little extra kick)

Directions: Combine ingredients and mix together in a small bowl. Pour over cooked food, raw veggies, or mix into a rice bowl while on the stove.

The sauce recipe easily doubles to serve two!

How do you jazz up boring meals? I’m always looking for new ideas because I’m always left with grains, a frozen veggie and a protein when I haven’t gone food shopping.

I haven’t “raced” a race since September 26, 2010. Let’s just say I’m getting itchy over here.

So itchy that I’ve signed up for both my 9th and 10th 1/2 marathons (they’re two weeks apart from each other). I’m ready to train. I’m ready to set some pr’s. Which, means I’m playing by the rules this year. I’m increasing my mileage slowly. I’m doing my core work and I’m avoiding workouts that might remotely enhance my healing injuries.

Training doesn’t start until next weeks, but I have my 12 week training plan ready to go!

Changing up the way I plan my weekly workouts last week worked. I did all my workouts, I just need to do more stretching.

Here’s what’s on my schedule this week:

• 1 Spin Class
• Run 14 miles (including the Gridiron Classic)
• Core/Strength training 3x
• Stretching daily

Tell me: What are you itching for this winter? What workouts are you committed to this week? How did last week’s workouts go? Anything fun going on this week?

Congrats to Amber and Gia for their new shiny pr’s!

Now, every time the opportunity to take a dance style class presents itself. I timidly “say yes, sign me up!”

Last night, I headed to the Kips Bay Crunch Gym to take a brand new class, Zumba Senatao™ taught by Beto Perez. In case you aren’t familiar with the background of this workout, Beto created Zumba®. I should also mention that Zumba Sentao™ utilizes a chair as part of the workout. Talk about intimidation and stepping outside of my comfort zone!

After class with Beto

Last night’s class was a preview for the program that launches at Crunch Gym in New York in February and nationwide this summer. The workout utilizes a chair to strengthen abs, upper body and glutes while using choreography to keep your heart rate up.

While I was embarrassed to notice people in the gym peaking into the windows near where I was standing throughout class, I managed to make it through to the end without physically injuring myself or anyone else. I actually was proud of myself for making through the entire class without quitting.

Some people worry about quitting races. I worry about quitting workout classes that take lots of coordination.

The workout was fun and required me to move in ways my body doesn’t know how to move. Beto and his crew were super motivating. The music was upbeat and the vibe was such that it didn’t matter what you were doing, as long as you were moving. Plus, the chair actually helped because it meant I wasn’t dancing the entire class.

Am I ready for a full hour of Zumba®? No.

Would I go back to try another Zumba Sentao™ class? Yes!

Your assignment for the weekend: Sign-up for the class or workout style that intimidates you the most and then go in there and own it!

{I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift bag at the event. All opinions and klutziness expressed are my own.}

Did you learn anything from that race?

What made that race stand out from other “bad races” that made it your worst?

Thanks Jess, for such a positive start to this blog post.

If you’ve ran a number of races you probably have one race that stands out as being “the bad one”.

My bad run happened on April 25, 2010 at the More/Fitness Magazine 1/2 Marathon. You can read all the glories details here or spare yourself with a quick summary: It was raining and cold. I felt like $#!T. I complained a lot, then I cried and cried some more.

When you ran that bad race, did you plan revenge or swear that specific race off forever?

I don’t know about you, but I did the mature thing… I swore that race off for good.

That was until a few weeks ago. When in my inbox was a lovely email from someone at Fitness Magazine asking if I was interested in covering the race (for FCITC) or running the race.

To me, that email was a call to action. I could hit delate and pretend I never saw it. Or I could take it on as a sign that this was a race that was meant to be conquered once and for all.

Guess what I did?

I didn’t hit delete. Instead I said “sign me up, cause I’m going to own the More/Fitness 1/2 marathon and teach Central Park a thing or two.”

You’re right, those weren’t my exact words, but those are my exact thoughts.

I’m planning revenge and it happens on April 15, 2012.

{FTC: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary entry to the race from Fitness Magazine.}

Favorite things about the class:

1. The instructor’s focus on technique and posture throughout the class really help make the movements more effective. I was definitely sore (in a good way) afterward.
2. It was a challenging class yet the vibe was relaxing as the music was more classical and soothing. Its real focus is on the strengthening.
3. After class I felt energized and ready to take on the world. It was just one of those mood shifter classes that I was grateful to have taken.

Least favorite things about the class:

1. It was a smaller room that it normally would be held. So space was tighter than normal.
2. I wish it would be offer more times during the week (evenings)

Overall class rating: 5 0ut of 5 stars

Additional Comments: This class focuses on building inner strength through a series of core strengthening class. It is dance-based and it focuses on balance, posture and alignment.

It is similar to a barre class as a lot of the movements are ballet based.  We did more movement along the class. We didn’t use any weights or body bar.

I really loved this class. I found it was the right combination of challenging yet rewarding. Nadia is a great teacher.

Submit a NYC workout review here.

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Soundtrack of My Workout: In My Comfort Zone

Things that are outside of my comfort zone whose briskness leaves me goosebumps and nervous shivers include: Zumba, rollerblading, La Blast Class, skiing, Bottega Veneta on 5th Avenue.

I happen to like my comfort zone and find that most the time that’s exactly where I stay. Yes, within each of those zones I easily push to find something that doesn’t resemble the same feelings as sitting on the couch, but basically I’m comfortable with the activities I choose.

As far as workouts go, nothing scares me more than a Zumba class, yet on Thursday I’m going to a “Master Class” taught by Beto Perez. Turns out Beto, is the creator of Zumba.

I say yes to these classes because as hard as it is to be seven steps behind and stepping I know that in some way it’s good for me. Don’t they say that it’s good to do the things you’re horrible at doing? Okay, maybe I made that up and just like the torture.

If you’d like to give me some tips or just some encouragement for this class I’m taking on Thursday night, join the conversation and reply to my tweet below by clicking “reply”. I can use all the tips I can get!

If someone sucks really bad @zumba and is taking a class with it’s creator this week, what advice would you give that someone?

— FitChickinTheCity (@FitChickNYC) January 23, 2012