On May 11th, I crossed my first finish line since crossing the Boston Marathon finish line on April 14th, as part of the B.A.A 5K. It’s the first finish line that I’ve been to since standing at the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15th.
Check out my full featured blog post on Compete Every Day!
New addition to my desk. Tomorrow I run my first race after the Marathon Monday bombings. I will cross that finish line. I am not going to promise that I won’t cry. I won’t even tell you that I’m not nervous about being in a super big crowd again.
But I’ll be there. I’ll run. I’ll finish.
More bootcamp progress pics…
Yeah, I’ve been busy, so now here is some catch up on pictures:
Those were taken at the start of week 5 (April 29 - May 3rd)
Yesterday was the start of the FINAL week… and I can’t believe how much my body has changed! I will definitely keep on boxing, along with posting pictures on Friday!
Here are some pics from the start of week 6 (May 6 - 10):
LOOK AT MY CALVES!!! I HAVE LEG MUSCLE NOW! IT’S A MIRACLE
My new obsession - ENERGYbits
Full disclosure: I’m doing unpaid work for ENERGYbits. That fact, however, has NO influence on this review.
Haven’t heard of ENERGYbits yet? Well, let me tell you. They are freaking awesome. I’ve been meaning to write this review for a bit, but I’ve been taking them regularly now for a little over a month, so it seemed like the perfect time to write this.
I’ve had some trouble in the past figuring out how to increase by protein intake, without having to go the route of protein bars and shakes. They hurt my stomach, and frankly they don’t taste that great. When training for long distances, I used to take ShotBlocks or Gu, but I had the same problem - they tasted awful and made my stomach turn inside out.
Enter - Catharine and her ENERGYbits.
ENERGYbits are 100% Spiriulina algea, that contain 40 different nutrients and 64% protein in just one tab. Because they are legit food (yes, algea is a food. You can also find spiriulina, in much lower concentrations, in seaweed), you can either chew or swallow the tablets. Spiriulina has the highest concentration of protein in the world. So for someone like me, who was looking to increase energy and protein, this was perfect.
So, I got my sample, and headed for a run. I slammed back 30 of them (yes, 30 is the suggested serving size. I have not yet mastered the act of putting 30 in my mouth and swallowing at once. Yes, that is a goal of mine), laced up my shoes and went for it.
It is not a jolt, like an energy drink or gu. I finished my first mile, and really didn’t feel anything different. However, I noticed that halfway through mile two, that I was actually picking up my pace and my legs felt great! I kept on going and rounded out my 5 mile run with a MUCH faster time, and with much more energy. I had to tell myself to stop. The sustained energy that it gave me was something that I had never felt before. And it was great.
I’ve also used them during my bootcamp, right before the work out. The great thing there? Since they are basically all protein, they have basically gotten rid of my after work out munchies - which is key when you have an hour T commute back home.
I even tested them out during a race. The BAA 5K. I also gave a packet to my running partner, and we threw back 30 of them and again at mile two both of us looked at each other and were like “HOLY CRAP - WE’RE ACTUALLY RUNNING FAST”. We finished with our fastest 5K time and huge smiles on our faces.
Plus, ENERGYbits, being a local Boston company, is helping raise money for The One Fund. When you purchase a bag of ENERGYbits and use the code BOSTONSTRONG, not only do you get 10% off of your purchase, but ENERGYbits will donate $26.20 to the One Fund.
So, in short, if you are looking for an all natural way to give yourself an energy boost, that is nutrient packed, easy to take and support a local company, give ENERGYbits a try! If you check my purse, my workout bag, and my backpack, you will see a tin of them in there. Plus, I even got my boyfriend taking them!
For more information head to: http://www.energybits.com/
Help me reach my goal of $250 to help healing through yoga at Boston Children's Hospital
This Sunday I will be participating in the New England Yogathon, put on by Yoga Reaches Out. Proceeds from this will go to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital (where children victims of the Boston Marathon bombings were taken and are recovering), Children’s Tumor Fund and other healing through yoga programs.
Let’s help each other heal. If you have a dollar or two and would like to donate, please follow the link. It would mean the world to me.
Half way through boxing bootcamp
And holy crap. I can see the changes. All over. My arms. My legs.
Comparison pictures?
Here is the last pic I posted here, from week 2: 
And here is the picture I took of myself yesterday (start of week 4)
It’s crazy what a little lifting and a SLIGHT change in diet will do.
The BAA 5K
There are not that many words that will go with this post. I ran the last mile of the Boston Marathon the day before the Boston Marathon - the last mile that so many didn’t get a chance to run. However, I realize that these two kids can’t take away our finish line. So, here are my race pictures from 4/14/2013. Time? 30 Minutes. Not great, but crossing that yellow line on Boylston made me want to run the Boston Marathon. And one day, I will.
I want to run for those who because of this senseless act of violence, cannot run anymore. For those who died, and for those who, despite being exhausted after finishing the marathon, gave their all to assist and do what they could to help. I want to be in Boston next year to stand with my fellow runners to remember.
— Kate Nelson (via charitymiles)
