Behind the Scenes

Making Strides

The running classes have been great. I finished last weekend's race in record time (my record time that is). Still slow but I finished the 10k in 1:05...not bad.
They gave out FrozeFruit at the end of the race. YUM!  A really skinny girl walked next me in the pic so I cut her out. :)

This is what it looked like pre-race. Runners stretching on the grass, meeting up and getting ready.

The running classes have us doing 9:30 minute miles and I would be so happy if I could maintain that average during a race one day.

On the show we've been doing a grilling contest "Live's Ultimate Hometown Grill Off"...it's been pretty cool to meet these restaurant owners from all over the country and learn their recipes. We usually tape on Thursdays which is good because I can burn off all of the BBQ food during my Thursday night class.

Today it is raining again. What a surprise! I normally love the rain...but this is too much! Today I created a blog for the umbrella that I am going to pass around. The umbrella was given to me by a NYC bus driver in a rain storm.  He saw I didn't have an umbrella...and he just gave it to me! So sweet. Anyway, I am planning to hit the streets soon and give it to someone else in need of an umbrella. I hope we can keep it passing around...a "Stay Dry" initiative. :)  Hopefully anyone who gets the umbrella will go to the blog and post their story...I would love to see where the umbrella travels to. Just curious..not trying to save the world or anything. Umbrella Blog

Thank you all for posting.
-Thank you for your kind wishes re: my grandfather's passing
-No I still have not ichatted
-Congrats to all of you who are running races and just running period.

I am trying to get my mom to be active again. Running is out of the question but I think a great walking program and some spin classes would be great. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

-Elyssa

Running around...and around...and around

Crazy days at work lately. Grilling contests, Jonas Brothers, Dressing Art up as Adam Lambert , Denzel Washington, etc!  Thursdays are tough in the summer.

Speaking of summer....where is it?? It has been raining almost everyday for weeks now! The other morning I thought I could beat the rain so I left without an umbrella. I usually walk to work but the bus pulled up as I was passing the bus stop so i decided to hop on.  About 2 blocks from the office it started to pour! I mean it looked like it was midnight and the rain was super heavy. ugh no umbrella!! The bus driver was soooo sweet and said i won't let you off unless you take my umbrella. C'mon!  that was the nicest gesture ever!!  I wrote the MTA about him and how lucky they are to have him on their team (I am usually famous for my complaint letters, so figured I should be equally motivated to write a complimentary letter) anyway,  i heard back from the MTA ...they are giving him an award. yippee!! 

I have decided to take his umbrella and pass it on to someone else who left the house without their umbrella next time it rains...which is probably tomorrow since it now feels like we live in Seattle. Hopefully the next person will do the same and we can pass this umbrella around the city.

I started these classes with NY Road Runners Club. i go twice a week and it is awesome! I have already improved so much I cant believe it. Today I moved up a group. yay progress! It really does make a huge difference when you get a few tips...this is what i learned so far:

• when you start to feel tired make sure your abs are tight, and make sure to use your arms and lean into the run to help propel yourself forward. It really works.

• Mix up your runs - one day do sprints, one day do a quick pace at 1.5 mile intervals (2 -3), one day do a nice long run.

• Running in a pack helps to motor you through especially when everyone cheers each other on. it's pretty great!

That's about it for now...

So proud of all of you for keeping up with the running, or even just starting a running or walking routine. Keep me updated.

-Elyssa

Elyssa Shapiro

Catch Up

It been so long...but it is difficult to write when there is nothing to say.

This is what I have to report:

My Reebok membership has come to an end. It's a great gym but I think I'll keep my workouts outdoors for the summer and fall for now. That was a great plan until NYC turned into Seattle! It has been raining it seems like everyday for a month. 

Actually since we got back from beautiful sunny Miami it seems like it hasn't stopped raining! I should post pictures of the staff hard at "work" and by work I mean working on their tans in Miami. It was a lot of work but we made up for it with a lot of fun.

Sadly when I got back my grandfather passed away. I lost my last 2 grandparents in a matter of 3 months. That hasn't been easy.

I joined a running group through NY Road Runners...the workouts are hard but great.  I really think this can help me increase my speed, endurance, etc.  I was in a bit of a workout slump but now i am back...for real...in fact a friend of mine in LA and I are going to do our own little fitness challenge. I am calling it the Summer Bod Project. Today I ran 5 miles after work. Trying to run with my butt and abs to take the stress off of my legs. make sense? sounds weird.

I am a mac convert. The lovely Jeff Probst showed me the light. He came with me to the Apple store and played it beautifully...what I mean by that is...if my husband came with me he would try talking me into getting the most expensive laptop and i would get frustrated and leave empty handed. Jeff tried talking me out of getting the mac after raving about it (pre shopping trip) ...as soon as he said "maybe you shouldn't get it" is when I said "i"ll take it". What is wrong with me?  But I love it....even though I have yet to find someone to iChat with me. 

Not sure how I feel about the iChat. The idea that you have to look decent to talk to someone is a little annoying...but I am still dying to do it. 

Great moment at work the other day...Art Moore dressed up as Adam Lambert....then a few days later Art dressed up as MC Hammer...and he danced. I love my job. 

Well that's the big catch up. I will try to post pictures. The blog will be easier to do now that I have a laptop and I don't have to be tethered to a desk to do it. 

Proud of all of you for all of your running progress. Now its your turn to catch me up.

Hit a Wall

Seems I have hit a wall.  I have been trying to get back into top shape to run the MORE Half -

Marathon

(end of April) but ever since I stopped that crazy NYC marathon training it seems like my usual workouts won't do. I can't seem to get any faster and I can't seem to lose any weight. I am just stuck. I have been working out everyday. Mixing it up with spin classes, fat burning interval runs, long runs, and weight training....and none of it is working anymore!

I even got back together with Gladiator Greg aka The Beast (my former trainer) for some tips. He gave me some great new ideas to work into my routine...lets see if it works. If anyone can get me back on track it's Greg.

Glad to hear from some of you. I am really happy that many of you are running and attempting half marathons, etc. It's a great feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line.

I have to look up Myrna's info and buy some of her Skinny Crisps and Pancake mix...I am adding that to my ToDo list.  Great snacks and awesome breakfast! I miss it all!

Now you see why I haven't been blogging because I have nothing interesting to report. Maybe I'll start adding some behind the scenes info . Any suggestions are appreciated!

I'll post the new exercises when I take some pictures to better explain them.

Any workout ideas???

-Elyssa   

PS Did another Sould Cycle class this morning...Damn it's good!!

Hit a Wall

Seems I have hit a wall.  I have been trying to get back into top shape to run the MORE Half -Marathon (end of April) but ever since I stopped that crazy NYC marathon training it seems like my usual workouts won't do. I can't seem to get any faster and I can't seem to lose any weight. I am just stuck. I have been working out everyday. Mixing it up with spin classes, fat burning interval runs, long runs, and weight training....and none of it is working anymore!

I even got back together with Gladiator Greg aka The Beast (my former trainer) for some tips. He gave me some great new ideas to work into my routine...lets see if it works. If anyone can get me back on track it's Greg.

Glad to hear from some of you. I am really happy that many of you are running and attempting half marathons, etc. It's a great feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line.

I have to look up Myrna's info and buy some of her Skinny Crisps and Pancake mix...I am adding that to my ToDo list.  Great snacks and awesome breakfast! I miss it all!

Now you see why I haven't been blogging because I have nothing interesting to report. Maybe I'll start adding some behind the scenes info . Any suggestions are appreciated!

I'll post the new exercises when I take some pictures to better explain them.

Any workout ideas???

I did another Soul Cycle class this morning. Damn it's good!!

-Elyssa