Nurse on the Run

Do you know what that countdown is to?  I suppose a better question would be, “Does anyone out there speak Icelandic??”  (Do I have readers in Iceland?  Because that would be cool…)  Back on track here.  That countdown is to the Reykjavik Marathon on August 23rd, 2014.

Fun fact:  Marathons hurt less in another language.

Although I somehow manage to never blog about my travels (completely breezed over Ethiopia from a couple years ago, hardly mentioned Poland from a few months ago…), but I do love to travel, and most countries are on my bucket list.  Iceland, however, is definitely high up on the list since a few friends have been there recently (hey there, Alyssa and Celia! Sidenote:  They don’t blog anymore…), including running the marathon, and it looks nothing short of amazing.  Just google “Iceland” or “Reykjavik” and see the beauty for yourself.  Combine the beauty of the country with the beauty of running (yes, I went there), and you get something like this:

No, I don’t know why everyone is in red.  But red is one of my favorite colors…

So many colors.  It’s like a painting.

So why am I babbling on about beautiful pictures and a race I’ve never ran?  Well, the awesome Laura from Runner’s World alerted me about a sweepstakes that Runner’s World and Iceland Naturally are putting on.  What’s in it for you, you ask?  Well, here you go…

Trip includes:

• Economy round-trip air on Icelandair for two (2) persons from select Icelandair gateways.*

• Three (3) nights accommodation in Reykjavik at Hotel Nordica based on double occupancy, with Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily, except on arrival date.

• Two (2) 72 Hours Reykjavík Welcome Cards, providing free access to City of Reykjavik world-famous thermal pools, museums and public transportation, plus various retail discounts.

• Two (2) entries to the Reykjavik Marathon

• Two (2) roundtrip bus transfer from the airport to hotel in Reykjavik

• One (1) case of Icelandic Glacial water for your hotel room

• Two (2) Experience Comfort entries to the Blue Lagoon Spa

• Two (2) award winning Snaefell jackets from 66°North

I repeat…a trip for two to Iceland to run the Reyjavik Marathon.  Read that one more time, please, because it is that amazing.

What’s in it for me?

Nothing!  I just think this is an awesome opportunity and want to spread the news.  Although, if you win, you must promise to take me with you.  (I’ll accept chocolate chip cookies in lieu of this, but I promise I’m a fantastic travel buddy.  I do run in my sleep though, so my apologizes in advance.)

So how do you enter??

Head over to this website: http://insidetrack.runnersworld.com/sweepstakeiceland and enter your info!  You know you want to!

(Side note:  You must live in the United States, be at least 18 years old, and have a passport.  The more you know.)

Not convinced yet?

If free travel to a beautiful country sponsored by Runner’s World isn’t enough for you, then you must be a tough sell.  However, here are a few more things to convince you:

• Running a new country is fun.  You have no idea what those spectators are saying, so you can just imagine they’re all cheering for you.  (Or they’ll yell for everyone from Denmark, as they did when I ran Berlin.)
• Running a race marked in kilometers is very different than running in miles.  I learned this at the Berlin Marathon…although the race distance is the same (obviously…), kilometers click off faster since they’re shorter, so it makes you feel like you’re moving along quicker.  Plus, no matter how good you are at mental math, you probably won’t really be sure how far along 33 kilometers really is, and by the time you figure it out, you’re already at kilometer 34!  Victory!
• The weekend coincides with Culture Night (that’s planned on purpose…), which is a huge festival that draws in about 1/3 of the Icelandic population.  It’s planned on Reykjavik’s anniversary (or right around it) and is full of concerts, exhibitions, tours, shows, and events.  Talk about a post-marathon party!
• Once you’re done celebrating, the Blue lagoon Looks like a great place to spend some post-marathon time.  Take me there now!  (No really, I was thinking about going to Iceland is August anyway.)

• You get me as a travel buddy!  (Not a requirement…but please?)

What are you waiting for?

Here’s the entry form again http://insidetrack.runnersworld.com/sweepstakeiceland, and you have until April 1 to sign up!  Scare away the Polar Vortex (please?) with some thoughts of a summer getaway to Iceland!

Let me know if you enter (and if you’re taking me with if you win…), or if you have suggestions for travel in Iceland!

*************************************************************************************************

I did not receive any compensation, etc. related to these companies or this event.  I did learn how to spell Reykjavik correctly on the first try, so thumbs up for that.

About a month ago, I took a dive into a new fitness world that I’ve never really been a member of.  After much thought and wondering what it would mean for my bank account (ouch…), I ended up joining a gym.  Although I’d been thinking about joining a gym for awhile, my love for running outside and hatred of spending money always got the best of me and I managed to avoid the gym.

However, I started feeling the need to mix up my running routine a bit.  I have the best intentions of doing strength training or yoga, but the truth is that I won’t actually do them unless I’m at a class.  Add in the fact that I don’t want to spend $30-40 per class (my goodness, NYC, you are expensive), and I basically never did them.  Cheaper classes exist (Yoga to the People, etc.), but NYC is full of boutique classes.  I did Bar Method for a month last year since one of my fellow nurses is a teacher, and I did a month of Refine Method in January.  Bar Method wasn’t really my thing (although some of those ladies are strong and look amazing…and my runner muscles had a hard time with it!), and I really enjoyed Refine Method.  Refine Method involves high intensity interval training and uses a wide variety of exercises with weights including body weight, a pulley system, kettlebells, and TRX.  It was challenging and made me feel like I was working.  However, the cost is one thing I can’t necessarily get over…going eight times per month (twice per week, reasonable for me) will cost anywhere from $232/month (one month commitment) to $192/month (six month commitment).  Although I really enjoyed it, locking into one type of workout at that price seems a bit steep. 

The fact that I did enjoy the classes led me to actually consider joining a gym – I didn’t want to join a gym and never end up using it.  Since I’ve already paid for it (by getting billed monthly), it takes the “I’m cheap and don’t want to pay for a workout class” idea out of it.  So those are some pros.

Of course, the question then turned to which gym to join.  The two key factors involved in choosing a gym included:

• The hours the gym is open
• Access to a pool

One of the main motivators for joining a gym (and needing a pool) is the half Ironman in September that I signed up for…that swim isn’t going to swim itself!  Plus, a pool would be nice if I ever get hurt again.  Since I live on the Upper East Side, a few pools/gyms with pools surround me, including:

• Asphalt Green (largest pool in Manhattan!)
• 92nd St Y
• New York Sports Club
• New York Health and Racquet Club
• Equinox

The problems with the first two is that they close at certain times for swim lessons/family swim, and Asphalt Green gets crowded.  Closing for a few  hours may not seem like a bit issues, but since I work weird hours, they close at the times I would most likely use them.  So that’s a pain.  As for NYSC and NYHRC, the pools are 17 and 15 yards, I believe.  That is tiny!  Equinox has a 20 yard (meter?  not sure which) pool, with 25m options elsewhere in the city.  These never close, except for a one hour class once or twice per week.

If you live in NYC, you are most likely aware that Equinox is the most expensive option on that list…by far.  At $193/month (full disclosure?), I could think of many other things to do with that money.  However, it’s the one I decided to go with.  Why?  (I’m rambling, I know.)

• It has that pool I was talking about.  The pool is at 63rd St, which isn’t that far from my apartment and is closer to work.  So that’s a plus.
• The hours.  It’s open 5:30am (which I will most likely never see) to 11pm during the week, which is super convenient.
• Location:  I have a couple options within blocks of me.  Can’t beat that.
• It’s really nice.  I don’t think I need nice things, but it’s super clean and the showers are nice.  Grapefruit shampoo?  Okay.
• The classes are good.  Whether it’s true or not (it’s mentioned by Equinox themselves, so who knows), the classes have been good so far.  Plus, there’s variety enough in the schedule to accommodate my weird schedule.  (Pilates at noon?  9am classes for after work?  Excellent.)

I realize I most likely could have been just fine at one of the other gyms…but this gym is less than a month worth of a “boutique” fitness class, but I get access to treadmills, a pool, and whatever class I want.  Although I hate the treadmill because I get bored so easily on them, it has been a nice backup on days of slick snow or when I sleep past sundown and don’t want to risk running on ice in the dark.  I would still always prefer to run outside, but the option is goodto have.

What I’ve Tried So Far

Although I really liked Refine Method, I have yet to get to a class that is really like it…although I want to and I think Equinox has some similar options.  However, the Pilates schedule fits in with me well since they often have noon classes.  Pilates is tough and really helps to strengthen and stabilize the core, which is important both in running and to protect my back from future energy.  I also took a yoga class where I was most likely the only one who couldn’t touch my toes.  Otherwise, a barre class (mixed feelings) and a cardio sculpt (left me sore the next day!) have rounded out my class taking adventures so far.

I’ve also used the treadmill a few times…the longest I’ve managed is eight miles, although generally I run about five-six miles.

What I’m Looking Forward To

Swimming!  I need to buy a swimsuit (recommendations, anyone?).  Although I love running, I’m looking forward to mixing up my training with swimming and biking, not to mention the classes such as yoga, pilates, and strength stuff.  If I ever work up the nerve/figure my way around the weight room, maybe I’ll do some squats!

Any tips?

I’m pretty knew the gym and cross training situation, so any help would be great!  I’ve already realized that my run goes better if I run before working out, so that’s a plus.  If you have recommendations for types of classes to try, how to learn what weights to use for some strength stuff, want to explain swim workouts to me (I’m pretty sure it’s written in code…), or want to work out with me, let me know!