Celebrate Marathon Month With Your BEST Run: Tips for Success

Race Swag from Run10FEED10 

Some of the most elite of all races, the marathons are happening this November with the New York City Marathon kicking off on the 6th. Here is a list of all the other U.S. Marathons going on across the country: November Marathons

More/Shape Women's Half Marathon Tee & Finisher's Medal

So whether or not you've signed up for one of these full on marathons, you can still join in and share the spirit all runners enjoy in accomplishing a set goal. Maybe you are after a better PR? Perhaps even getting to the point that running is easier, almost effortless? Now is the time also to try a different protein powder to increase muscle efficiency. Whatever your goals, the journey should be fun and exciting!

The More Fitness Women's Half Marathon in Central Park

2016 New York City Run 10 FEED 10 Recap

NYC's 2016 Run 10 FEED 10 at Hudson River Park on September 18th

Hudson River Park, NYC This year's "run down West Side Hwy" for hunger awareness was met with safety concerns due to bombs found at another charity race this weekend in Seaside Heights NJ and one which detonated in one of my favorite NYC neighborhoods, Chelsea. So security was high at Pier 84, Hudson River Park with a heavy police presence which made us all feel safer. In spite of terrorist threats however, the race now in its 5th year, had an amazing turn out.

I am going to let the photos/video tell the story but I want to thank my sponsors and team members again for their excellent training and race day support. Special thanks to Macy's for the custom screened commemorative race day shirts:

Women's Health Magazine for my VIP Invitation as Race Sponsor

Hoka One One - Footwear Sponsor

Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems - Official Corporate Sponsor (Also a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels)

Interview with NYC Run 10 FEED 10 Race Emcee, Amber Browning-Coyle

ABC's Good Morning America Meteorologist Ginger Zee to Run Again for Hunger Awareness

Ginger Zee and I are invited VIP runners again for NYC's Run10FEED10!

She's back! Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee of TV's Good Morning America is at it again to run for Feed Projects in NYC on Sunday September 18th, 2016. Ginger and I are again VIP invited runners for this event hosted by Women's Health Magazine & Macy's to raise hunger awareness and money for Feed Projects.

Ginger Zee at the Empire State Building Lighting

You can see last year's RUN10FEED10 NYC full race coverage HERE.

Each runner gets a LTD Edition FEED Pouch with their race registration.

Each person who runs that day makes 10 meals possible for needy area children. Yes, hunger is a problem here in the United States and FEED Projects makes sure local children receive nutritious meals. As the brainchild of Lauren Bush Lauren, former President Bush's daughter, this charitable organization puts meals where they are needed...in front of little ones.

I'd especially like to acknowledge and thank my support team/sponsors for this race: 

Women's Health Magazine for my VIP Invitation & Race Sponsorship.

Hoka One One - Footwear Sponsorship

Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems - Official Corporate Sponsor

Women's Health 2015 NYC Run 10 FEED 10 Recap

The 2015 Run10FEED10 race kicked off at Hudson River Park, NYC on September 20th

NYC, NY Now in its 4th year, Women's Health Magazine's sponsoring of the 2015 Run10FEED10 race in NYC had many new runners, both men and women, signing up from all over. I ran as an invited VIP Guest and got there well before sunrise as can be seen in the photo below. Yes, it was dark and the skies overcast.

Running for a Cause
This partnership between Women's Health Magazine and The FEED Projects (Lauren Bush Lauren's brainchild) allows these races to be hosted in major cities across the country. Each race provides meals for children of that particular community so my run purchased 10 meals for NYC's hungry children.
The race is for a very good cause indeed. We had a warm up exercise at the start line that got our blood pumping.

Pre-race warm up at the start line. I'm there in the middle of the crowd.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Women's Health.

Race Route: 44th Street to Tribeca
After our warm up and the singing of the National Anthem, the countdown began and the horn blew. We were off! We made a right onto West Side Hwy which was blocked off down to Tribeca for the race. 

Good Morning America Host Ginger Zee sending off us runners. PHOTO: Women's Health

Rising up in the distance we could see the Freedom Tower at 1 World Trade Center. Truly inspiring as we began to set into our paces.

There were water stations along the way downtown and once we hit the 3 mile mark at North Moore St. in Tribeca, it was time to make the loop back to the finish/start line as they were one in the same.

The Freedom Tower in the distance on the West Side Hwy.

 Coming back, we took the scenic route along the pathway of Hudson River Park which offered a delicious breeze off the river. Although the temps were in the low 70's we still appreciated a little cooling off. A 10K is 6.2 miles or a quarter marathon so it is done with pretty fast. The fastest times were around 43 minutes for the top placers but this is not a do or die event. Many participants were doing a combination of walking and running. I myself did and took full advantage of the watering stations and fountains along the way. Just taking it all in folks.

Us Runners Crossing the Finish Line! PHOTO: Women's Health 

The scenic loop was well thought out and since I have been training in earnest after the Flex It Pink Summer Soulmate Fun Run, I think this was an easier race for me. I wore my Hoka One One Bondi 4's and was very comfortable. Definitely less is more as my clothing choice, (cycle wear actually!) kept me very cool. After I sprinted over the finish line, the board showed 492,832 meals served at that second. Just by signing up, each racers' registration fee purchased 10 meals for needy children. I have an additional goal of raising $1,000 more through Dr. Marie's Run 10 FEED 10 Challenge via Crowdrise so please contribute HERE.

After Race Festivities
The MC's Band were on hand to entertain us with lots of cool 80's covers. There were also booths for massages and other race swag provided by the event sponsors. The Geico Gecko was even there in costume!

The MC's on stage after the race.

Pier 84 at Hudson River Park. PHOTO: Women's Health

Hanging out after the race in the VIP Tent on the Hudson.

Run10FEED10 Race Wrap
While this race may only be in its 4th year, it has elements of a much more established event. First of all there was a 7 Minute Mile Pacer if you wanted to fall in with that group. The park itself was ultra clean with Porta Potties in close proximity to the start line. Security was excellent and New York's Finest, mostly on motorcycles, manned the route itself. While not as large (yet) as the More Fitness Women's Half Marathon I believe it offered more in the way of local community support. We ran for the city's children and that was a point not missed by the neighborhood.
I would definitely do this race again for that reason and the fact that is was super fun! Check out other Women's Health Magazine sponsored FEED Project races across the country HERE.

Woo hoo!  Me crossing the finish line with a personal best.

Doing a Virtual Race - FlexItPink's Summer SoulMate Fun Run

5K down, 5 to go!

COUNTING DOWN TO THE RUN 10 FEED 10 on September 20th.
On August 8th, I tried something new. My first virtual run was similar to the Rapha Women's 100 in that you choose the route in your area and do it with or without others. While I really love the "Girl Power" element of the organized races, sometimes getting to them can take longer than the run itself. So when I had the opportunity to run a 5K/10K in my own area, I jumped at the chance.

I'm blessed to live within cycling distance to a park which just put in a new fitness trail with mile markers. After first checking it out on my bicycle, I saw where to begin. I parked my bicycle so that I could run over to it for a quick drink of water. That way I didn't have to carry a bottle with me.

Oh so lucky 1313! Hoka One One Bondi 4 Road Shoes

I dressed really light but the day had low humidity in the mid 80's at 9 am. Perfect! This was my running outfit as can be seen above. A few pieces from my cycling wardrobe worked well for the ride over and the run itself. The Bondi 4 are Road Shoes with a bit of grip. This makes them just as nimble on a gravel trail. They performed amazingly. These are super cushioned so my ankles and knees felt fine after doing 10K + not including the 3.73 mileage I put on the bicycle getting to the race.

Start of the 5K Trail Head

Just to review a 5K is about 3.1 miles. So just double that by going around twice to get 6.2 miles for a 10K. The FlexitPink Summer SoulMate Fun Run was open for walking, running or cycling. The idea was to grab a partner and do the run together. Since I had never run this particular trail, I decided to do it alone but there were so many other people out there, I wasn't lonely! The mile markers really do help and I was enjoying being out with the other runners on the track.

3.73 miles on top of the 8 + miles logged today.

So I would highly recommend trying a virtual run this summer. It helped me find a new spot to train for the upcoming Women's Health Magazine's  Run10 Feed10 at Hudson River Park in NYC. This should help me to improve my time/speed prior to the NY race. Right now I am doing intervals of walking/ running and trying to lengthen out the sprints. I do think it's working as I've gotten much stronger since April's More Fitness Half Marathon.

My Finisher's Medal from this day's run.

So definitely check out  Run10Feed10.com to sign up for this race to run 10K to FEED 10 people here in the United States. I've followed and supported The FEED Projects for years and think they are a worthwhile organization. My elite XTreme XTraining readers will get $5 off the $55 registration fee by entering promo code: R10F10PR!

Heidi Powell's Bikini Booty Mission Workout and Interview

Enjoying Heidi's kick "booty" work out in The Hamptons

Heidi Powell, celebrity trainer and co-host of ABC's Extreme Weight Loss treated us VIP guests of Women's Health Magazine's in The Hamptons this past weekend. This day of healthy living was hosted at the Montauk Point home of V.P. and Publisher of Women's Health, Laura Frerer-Schmidt.

Taking in the view from the roof after our workout

After a bit of stretching on the roof with wellness expert, Mandy Ingber, we moved down to the pool area for Heidi's super charged Bikini Booty Mission class. 

Heidi starts off with some cool warm up moves

I love watching Extreme Weight Loss which is now in its 5th season. In fact Heidi and Chris inspired me to run my first half marathon which I did in Central Park this past April. That was a huge milestone for me so the chance to meet and workout with Heidi herself was not to be missed. It was very warm that day but Heidi was in top form and we had a super Bikini Booty workout. We did a tag team deal with a partner. If you've watched the show, they often do this to bring out the best (or worst) in couples. One person did a plank while the other did burpees all in rotation. It was so much fun especially with the music pumping. We couldn't have asked for a better location to work out.

Heidi pouring it on!

We also did multiple Sumu Squats to get the glutes in shape. Heidi has such a great sense of humor that the time just flew by and it didn't feel like drudgery because of that. After the workout, I sat down with Heidi to find out what's her schedule like and how as a mother of four young children, she manages to fit in her work outs and "me" time.

Celebrity Fitness Trainer Heidi Powell

If you've followed Extreme Weight Loss through the seasons, you'll see that Heidi has come into her own as a trainer and fitness expert on the show. This was a super move in my opinion as Heidi is able to help other women who may be hesitant to bring up certain subjects with Chris. Heidi is not only a trainer but a business woman who handles the technical affairs of this team. Chris is more of the creative visionary. Whatever they are doing, it's working!

So how does Heidi feel about fitting everything in yet still making time for herself every day? She says: "My workouts are MY time." She follows her own advice and says that you can't be the best for others if you do not take care of yourself first. Very true. As they are out of their home base in Phoenix Arizona, 2/3 rds of the year working with their "show peeps" this can be very tricky. Add in four children who need your attention and to be taken to school plus activities, your schedule looks something like this:

5 am 1st workout as a couple. This gives Heidi and Chris a little time together to start the day.

6 am Breakfast. Chris makes breakfast for the children and then drives everyone to school

Upon returning home, Skill work in the Gym

10 am - 3 pm Catching up on business, calls, clients, etc. while the children are in school 

3-5 pm Pick up kids from school, homework and sports. Children are all in bed by 8 pm

Wife, Mother, business woman and fitness expert.

I'd say Heidi definitely has her priorities in order. She is very warm and loving to care about others wishing them to have the same healthy body she does. More than that, these transformations help the person's entire life. They are more self-confident and self-assured. 

Another thing the show addresses are toxic co-dependency and enablers one may have. Some people are simply not committed to doing what it takes to be healthy and will subtly try to dissuade others in that direction. They will bring home high calorie junk food "for you" and proceed to eat most of it themselves (in front of you)! Some people especially when they are first starting out can't have garbage in their house and it's very difficult to get everyone on board with that. In some cases you may have to just move out. This is especially true when the person is not only non-supportive but actively sabotaging your weight loss efforts at every turn. It's sad but it happens. You have to decide that you are worth it and deserve to be happy, healthy and in great shape. I'll have more tips and advice from Heidi in my upcoming posts as I train for the Run 10 Feed 10, 10K Run in September.

A fantastic day of fitness at The Point

Special thanks to Women's Health Magazine for the invitation and transportation to this day of fitness and the annual Party Under the Stars in The Hamptons.
Hair: Christo 5th Avenue