Fitness: Running Playlist

I know it may seem kind of late in the running season to post up a running playlist, however I feel like now (at least for me) is when it is needed the most. It's hard to get movitated when the days are getting colder, the sun is coming up later and setting earlier. Here are a list of songs, including the length of the song, that I used to get through the half-marathon I ran a couple weeks ago and use now to get my butt in gear to run. 

When the World: The Cave Singers           4:26

Home: Phillip Phillips 3:30

I Don't Wanna Be In Love: Good Charlotte 4:04

I Love It: Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX 3:32

Money Maker: Ludacris ft. Pharrell 3:50

On Top of the World: Imagine Dragons 3:12

Paper Planes: MIA 3:23

Sex on Fire: Kings of Leon 3:23

Shake That: Eminem 4:34

The Sound of Sunshine: Michael Franti & Spearhead 3:43

Stolen Dance: Milky Chance 5:13

We In Here: DMX 3:54

Work It: Missy Elliot 4:22

Summer: Calvin Harris 3:44

Shot Reverse Shot: Jack Johnson 3:10

Riptide: Vance Joy 3:22

Ms. Jackson: Outkast 4:30

It's Time: Imagine Dragons 4:00

I Will Wait: Mumford & Sons 4:36

Feel So Close: Calvin Harris 3:27

Rather Be: Clean Bandit ft Jess Glynne 3:47

Don't Stop the Music: Rihanna 4:27

Radiate: Jack Johnson 4:15

Man in the Mirror: Michael Jackson 5:20

Sail: AWOLNATION 4:19

If you have any songs that pump you up I would like to hear about it! 

Healthy Recipes: Banana Cookies

I love sweets especially cookies. I always buy the fatty version of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip dough, that you eat a piece of the dough, then press two or three of the cookies together to make one big one. You know what I mean. I came upon a new recipe the other night and felt like if I like cookies so much why not try this recipe "Healthy Cookie". It actually was REALLY good. Here is the recipe. Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Ingredients

3 bananas almost brown

1/2 cup honey or syrup

2 cups quick oats

Dark chocolate chips (optional)

Coconut (optional)

Pecans (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl add 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of honey or syrup.

2. Add 3 bananas that are super ripened and brake in half.

3. Mash them with a fork and mix with the oats until completely mixed.

4. Add optional ingredients.

5. Line baking sheet with parchment or spray so cookies don't stick.

6. Spoon cookie batter on trey. Cookies dont rise a lot, so put as big of a cookie as you would like.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. They come out chewy and soft.

ENJOY!😊

Healthy Recipes: Pumpkin Ice Cream Smoothie

I found this recipe in one of my fitness magazines, being addicted to ice cream, being fall and all of a sudden it being a 78 degree New England day in the middle of October, it just seemed right I should try it out. Now I followed the original recipe which was supposed to be "Instant Ice Cream" and it didn't work out to well, was more like a thick, slimy smoothie, so I had to make some adjustments.

Ingredients

1/4 can canned pumpkin

1 banana frozen

1 cup ice

1/2 cup coconut milk

A little syrup

A little pumpkin spice

Directions

Put all ingredients in a blender. If too thick add more ice.

Enjoy.

Around Boston: Harvard Square Oktoberfest

Last week I was searching online for something new to do on the long Columbus Day weekend. I came across Harvard Squares 36th Annual Oktoberfest! I have gone to school and lived in Boston for ten years and had never heard of this event. 

It takes place every Sunday on Columbus Day weekend in Harvard Square from 12-6PM. When I got onto the T at Park Street, I was so surprised how empty the T was. I thought that it would be packed, unable to move or breath. So in my head I was thinking "is this going to be lame?" But it was sooo much fun.

Once off the T at Harvard there were booths with different small companies selling food from all over the world, as well as gifts, crafts, and sidewalk sales from local businesses. While looking a large parade was going on with people in costumes, dancers and bands walking by. All of the vendors were spread all throughout the square, so it was everyone was able to move around comfortably. There were also five beer gardens. You showed your ID, walked in a gated area which was located on the street, paid $5 for a cup and were able to enjoy a brew outside! 

There was also an awesome Beer Hall at the Beat Hotel, located in Harvard Square. There wasn't a cover charge and included community tables, a German band playing old music and German beer. I had a great Oktoberfest celebration and can't wait to do it next year!

I was busy having fun so didn't take a lot of pictures. If you would like to see more information and mark the event on your 2015 calendar check out this website.

www.harvardsquare.com

This event came to me as a surprise. If you know any events around the area that you know of throughout the year let me know!

Travel/Brewery/Fitness: Smuttynose Rockfest Half-Marathon

After training all year I FINALLY travled an hour from Boston to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire this past weekend to participate in my first half-marathon!!

It was an amazing, exhausting experience, that I will definitely like to take part in again. Saturday was pick up day. We drove to the Smuttynose Brewery picked up bibs, a glass and t-shirts. We also were able to have a beer tasting. 

Here is the brewery address if you would like to visit:

105 Towle Farm Rd

Hampton, NH

The race started Sunday morning at 8AM, we arrived bright and early. There is a ton of parking for the beach during the summer so it wasn't hard to find a spot for the car. 

When lining up for the race there were five different waves and you line up depending on the pace you think you will be running per mile:

Wave 1: 8:19 minutes or faster

Wave 2: 8:20 minutes-8:59 minutes

Wave 3: 9:00 minutes-9:59 minutes

Wave 4: 10:00 minutes-10:59 minutes

Wave 5: 11:00 minutes and up

This is great because the people aren't running over each other. 

The course was so flat which made if much easier to run 13.1 miles. The first 4 miles were two loops around the Hampton Beach shops an restaurants, that are packed during beach season. After the two loops we ran north along Ocean Blvd where the waves were crashing against the cement walls and you were able to see surfers riding waves. It took my mind off the run! At mile 6 you turn off Ocean Blvd and run through a neighborhood with tree lined shady roads and families cheering you on. For the last 3 miles you are back on Ocean Blvd heading toward the food, music and finish line at the Sea Shell Pavilion.

At the end the runners celebrated their fabulous effort with some free clam chowder and a lobster roll. There was a band playing at the Sea Shell Pavillon and you could grab a Smuttynose beer and relax on the beach. 

I can't wait to run again next year! If you would like to look at the past years Hampton Beach Rockfest Half-Marathon or Marathon go to:

hamptonrockfest.com

Travel/Sports: Born to Lead: Jim Calhoun

Growing up in Connecticut and being a sporty girl, there weren't a lot of professional sports teams that people enjoy and talked about together. The Hartford Whalers left Connecticut, of course there was always the Red Sox, Yankees rivalry (which was always a headache for is Sox fans). However, even now if you drive through Connecticut neighborhoods you will see one thing in common, several UConn Husky flags hanging from houses, UConn bumper stickers and even grocery stores have UConn chips and salsa. UConn is what Connecticut has for sports. 

Last Thursday I had the privilege to attend the premiere of the documentary Born to Lead: Jim Calhoun at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford, CT.  Former players, assistant coaches, new head coach Kevin Ollie, broadcasters, news anchors and UConn fans were in attendance. 

Produced and directed by L.C. Cragg and Chris Martens, this documentary showed the personal and professional life of legendary coach Jim Calhoun. The film takes you back to where Coach Calhoun grew up in Braintree, MA to when he won the National Championship with UConn. 

This documentary will be airing on CPTV in Connecticut on Thursday, November 6, 8PM.

You are also able to see it replayed on CPTV on:

Monday November 10, 9PM

Sunday November 16, 7PM

On CPTV Sports:

Wednesday November 12, 8PM

It maybe airing in other locations in the future. 

Also check out the Born to Lead online at

www.borntoleaddoc.com