Tag Archives: san francisco giants

A Little of This, A Little of That

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It’s officially Wednesday – halfway there my friends, halfway there. :)

Today started out extremely early, and kept on going from there. Meeting, running, bussing, teaching, driving, meeting. I didn’t get a chance to breathe until around 2pm. Then I relaxed. Ohhh did I relax. (In my defense this was during load 3 of 4 laundry wise.)

Pilates!

To start, I wanted to thank all of you for all of your words, tweets, messages, emails, comments and hugs of encouragement and congratulations on my career change. It truly means so much to have that much support (even if I’ve never met you!). I haven’t looked back once and honestly don’t think I ever will. I get giddy excited when I think about teaching my classes.

Last night’s class went SO GREAT! I was admittedly a little nervous but the class flowed just right, and everyone left sweaty, red-faced and smiling. Success!

This morning I was up bright and early for a meeting at 7:30am in the Financial District. I figured afterwards I would just hit the treadmill at the gym and bust out a few miles (I even got ambitious on my three cups of French Press coffee and contemplated double-digits.) I just downloaded a new book on the Kindle that I’m dying to get into, so I settled into an 8:34 pace and started to run.

About 3 miles in, I got a call from the Pilates studio in the Marina letting me know that the instructor for the 10am class was sick, and could I sub? Um, duh. I LOVE Cardio Sculpt Pilates (the 10am class). I checked the clock – 9:16am. Oh boy.

Refusing to take a cab, and being really cheap, I hopped on the 12 which dropped me on top of a hill in Pacific Heights. Time? 9:48am. I booked it down the very steep hill, flew by some very startled/alarmed tourists, and flew through the doors of the studio. 9:56am.

The class was AWESOME. Everyone worked their booties off – cardio-ing, pilates-ing, planking, crunching, and lunging to their heart’s content. (Or probably discontent.) They left sweaty, red-faced, and smiling… I will just start to consider that The 3, and take it as a successful class. Until someone lets me know otherwise. (But really, please don’t.) ;-)

I also found out I’ll be teaching the 11am and 12pm Sunday Marina class! Let me know if you feel like getting your Pilates on – perfect for post-brunch/pre-lunch! :)

(In completely unrelated news I also found out I can actually French Braid my own hair. Without a mirror. I used to beg/plead/cry for my mom to braid my hair for soccer games when I was younger. And in high school. Mom you’re officially off the hook. You’re welcome.)

Presents!

Yesterday as I arrived home from the gym, famished and ready for lunch, a package with my name on it in the lobby caught my eye. I knew exactly what it was and I tore into it excitedly.

I found out that I had won a giveaway on Erin’s blog, and was more excited than most rational people would be because I love Two Moms in the Raw products. You’ve probably seen them at Starbucks, and probably passed them over in favor of the Spinach Feta Wrap (am I right?) but seriously, next time – get the granola bar. They are delicious, healthy, vegan, gluten-free and deceptively filling.

The first time I tried one was a few months back on the way to Pilates one Sunday morning. I typically get famished about half-way through the class but his bar filled me right up without giving me that full feeling that we all love so much when wearing tight fitting spandex.

Along with the delicious assortment (Tomato Basil Sea Crackers, Cranberry Granola, and what I am already deeming my personal favorite- the Blueberry Granola bar), Erin sent me the most adorable card.

It’s like we’re best friends already. I go nuts for dog cards. If you haven’t already, check out Erin’s blog – I love that she balances real life with healthy recipes (um homemade Luna Bars? Yes please) and awesome workouts.

I Can Cook?

So having some added free time this month has added up to some amazing things happening in the kitchen. It’s like Giada and Ina invaded my brain and I’m suddenly not setting the smoke alarm off every time I turn on the stove. (Although truth me told I still lack most basic kitchen skills I’m sure.)

For example last Thursday? I made Ina’s Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with open-face grilled cheese sandwiches for boyfriend and I. Full disclosure? Tomatoes scare me. I hate them. I won’t get near them. They are too dainty and they have weird not-quite-liquid juices and seeds everywhere and make me anxious. But this girl sliced 2 lbs of tomatoes (with her bare hands), roasted them, and made them into a delectable soup. (Along with quite a few other ingredients, I promise the soup was amazing). Try this – you will not be disappointed. I liken it to drinking a semi-spicy pasta sauce. Is that ever a bad thing?

I also decided that I was going to make veggie burgers. Gluten-free veggie burgers at that.

I followed this recipe from Skinny Taste exactly. And the end result was amazing. Just a hint of spicy, delicious flavor, and perfect texture. I toasted a gluten-free hamburger bun, added some goat cheese and dug right in after today’s run. The ingredients are simple enough that you probably already have them all on hand.

Make these. They probably take about 7 minutes start to finish. Then you freeze them and throw on a skillet once you’re ready to eat. $6 for a box of Gardenburgers? Never again my friends, never again.

Workout

Running wise this week has started out really strong. I almost feel like I’ve been (for lack of a better word) scared to push myself to run this fast before. I guess it could be that I didn’t think I could do it, or simply thought of myself as a runner that maxed out at a certain pace but I was definitely wrong. Call it gaining mental confidence, or finally realizing that every run shouldn’t always be a walk in the park and might be – GASP! – a little bit taxing physically, but that’s how you get faster I guess. To run faster… run faster. Noted.

Monday – 7 miles

Tuesday – 8 miles, Pilates reformer class

Wednesday – 3 miles

With that (I apologize for how darn long this post ended up being, thanks for sticking around. Oh you bounced about 500 words ago? I don’t even blame you), it’s time to relax and watch the rest of the Giants game. It was 7-0 Giants when I started writing this post, and it’s now 10-0 GIANTS! Go Cain go! 

Have a lovely night :)

Weekend Recap – Giants, Escape from Alcatraz, Jameson

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Good morning! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Do anything fun?

Boyfriend and I had a jam-packed weekend full of sun, Giants baseball, fun, running, and cheering on friends at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, and by 9:36pm last night I was curled up in a blanket on the couch, snoozing (shocking) through Untamed America on Nat Geo. (I’ll catch up today – this is the best thing to happen to television since Planet Earth.)

Saturday morning we slept in before getting dressed in our orange and black for the Giants vs Rangers game. I had bought boyfriend the tickets for his birthday – the last time we saw the Rangers play the Giants was in Game 2 of the 2010 World Series (and we all know who won that year!) so I thought it would be a fun game to go to again. In an effort to avoid traffic, paying $30 for parking, and the general extreme annoyance of driving a vehicle in San Francisco, we decided to bike to the game.

5 miles later, the bikes were locked up, and we were sitting pretty (and directly in the 80 degree heat) in our seats ready to watch the Giants beat the Rangers. After the victory we headed to meet up with friends for Game 7 of the Celtics vs Heat, then out for some dinner and drinks. A fantastic Saturday indeed.

Yesterday morning we were up bright and early to head over to Jaime’s roof-deck to watch the swimmers jump from the boat for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon! Jaime’s fiance and boyfriend’s good friend Matt were competing, and it was a perfect morning for both spectating and racing. The boat drops the swimmers in the middle of the Bay and they swim into the Crissy Field beach before running (BAREFOOT) to their transition area. I think I’ll stick to marathons. I need shoes.

I’ve never actually watched a triathlon, and it is INTENSE, and so much fun. There’s such great energy! We watched the swimmers run in to their first transition and then take off on their bikes, and it was really fun to watch. We missed the second transition, but made it just in time to see Jaime’s fiance and Matt cross the finish!

After the race, Jaime and Tim hosted everyone for her legendary pulled-pork, mai-tai’s, New York Times chocolate chip cookies, and PB&J bars – everything was amazing as usual, and it was a great afternoon with great friends. Tim beat his sub-3:00 goal, and Matt crushed his sub-3:30 goal… Congrats guys!

Oh, there was also this little guy (JAMESON!) at the party.

Workout

After a full day of celebrating boyfriend and I were feeling motivated to get a workout in. It’s hard not to feel inspired, and ready to race after watching a triathlon! 7 miles (5 at 8:39 and 2 at 8:13) later and it was mission accomplished.

This week’s base-building ended strong (40 miles!), and I felt surprisingly solid and fast during my run. I’ve been consistently running 8:30′s-8:40′s and then cranking it up to 8:13-8:20′s for the last couple of miles on my runs, and I’m feeling really confident going into my second month of building up my base mileage before CIM training officially starts in July.

Total – 40.5 miles 

I just walked in the door from this morning’s  7 mile treadmill run at an 8:39 pace (I’m in the middle of a really good Kindle book and I swear it makes the miles fly by!), and it’s time to inhale my green protein smoothie and start knocking out today’s to-do list.

Hope you have a great Monday!

The Giant Race 1/2 Marathon!

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Happy Weekend everyone!

Remember yesterday when I said how excited I was to sleep in and not wake up in the 6am hour for, well, anything?

Well, that was a lie.

I did indeed wake up in the 6am hour, and it was indeed to run… a half-marathon.

In which, I PR-ed with a time of 1:58 and some change. (!!!!!)

Around 4 yesterday when I was leaving work, feeling like a zombie, with big plans of a cat-nap and a pedicure in my future, I got a message from the lovely Aron asking if I still wanted to run the Giant Race because she had come across an extra bib at the 11th hour.

Hell yes I did!

A half-marathon that starts and ends at AT&T Park (finish line was on the field) and includes a medal, t-shirt, and Tim Lincecum bobblehead? Twist my arm.

The run was sold out, and when registration opened, I was in no position to be signing up for half-marathons.

4 weeks into my marathon training I had a change of heart apparently. My long run this weekend was set for 11 miles. . . so I figured what’s an extra 2.1?

I met up with Aron and Courtney early this morning at the ballpark, and we set off running together down the Embarcadero, through Fisherman’s Wharf, and out towards the bridge.

About half-way through, we had a nice little surprise cheerleader in Giants closer Brian Wilson high-fiving people along the route. It took me about 10 seconds of “ohmygod” to realize who had just given me a high-five, and it was a welcome burst of adrenaline.

I was SO pumped up. (Not pumped up enough to risk my sub-2 hour 1/2 and ask for a picture, but pumped up nonetheless).

I can honestly say it was the best 1/2 marathon (or any long run) experience I’ve ever had. Chatting the entire time made the miles (and the time) fly by!

Before I knew it we were on the last mile, weaving in between walkers and trying to get onto the field as fast as possible. Once we saw that people had actually stopped a good 20 feet from the finish line to walk through, I started throwing some elbows (the sub 2-hour 1/2 was within reach, c’mon now!) to step across the finish line in 1:58.

My previous PR was at the Nike Women’s Half last year when I finished in 2:12.

14 minute difference. Cloud 9 would be an understatement.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Aron for the extra bib! I had SO MUCH FUN running with you and Courtney and can’t wait to run again together soon!

The finish line from (thankfully!) far away…. there were SO many people, in a pretty small space!

The medal was HUGE (yes, that excites me) and the t-shirts were Nike Dri-Fit Cotton and really cute! (Although just me or were they cut TINY?)

And of course, the Timmy bobblehead.

With that, boyfriend and I are off to celebrate a friend getting her Masters. . . and eat and drink the day away in the sun! :)

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

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Sadly, the end of the weekend is upon us.

And what a weekend it was!

After 2 birthday celebrations and a bridal shower, we ended our weekend with one of my favorite things to do in SF -

Giants Game!

My dad had generously given us tickets (thanks Dad!) to today’s game so we took full advantage and got there a full 2 hours early for batting practice.

(Sidebar: it was also Giants fedora day and I was on a mission to secure my fedora before they ran out. I’ve been long convinced that I can totally rock the hipster look and you can bet I was going to try to do so for free. Only the first 20,000 fans got ‘em.)

It was a beautiful day for baseball!

 

 

Excuse the award-winning quality of the iPhone pictures. I’m working on figuring out how to use turn on the DSLR. 

We SF-ers don’t mess around when it comes to the Giants – this was the 50th consecutive sell-out at the park!

There’s just something about this team – winning the World Series last year brought together the entire city and we all had the time of our lives watching the games and celebrating. I definitely became a bigger (some may call it bandwagon!) fan because of the post-season.

 

SF the night the Giants won the World Series in 2010

 

I grew up going to baseball games with my dad and absolutely love the game so the more games we get to go to, the better!

 

Lou Seal even got a fedora

Fear the Beard

 

I had my “celebrity encounter” when I was walking to our seats and saw a guy on crutches coming towards me. Being polite, I smiled and he said “Hi, enjoy the game” and it dawned on me it was our injured star catcher, Buster Posey.

I was obviously more than ready to let Perez Hilton know about it. And People magazine. 

For lunch, boyfriend and I got delicious flank steak, brown rice, caramalized onions and scallion bowls.

 

For ballpark food? A+

 

They were light but filling, not greasy (for ballpark food that’s hard to come by) and I loved that they gave you the option of brown rice. The veggies were fresh and overall it was a delicious lunch!

Even better, the Giants ended up beating the Brewers 2-1 to win the series!

Let's go MadBum

And you know I got my hat!

In all my hipster glory

 

Once we got back from the game, I was itching to get a quick workout in since we’d beed sitting all day, so I headed to the gym (obviously with my new toy, the Kindle, which will never again leave my side) and completed an Elliptical workout:

35 minutes @ Resistance 9, Incline 20

When I got home we decided to keep the Giants theme of the day going so we watched the first 2 episodes of the new Showtime show, “The Franchise: A Season with the San Francisco Giants”. 

 

 

It’s fantastic.

Even if you’re not into baseball what-so-ever it’s an addicting reality show that goes as much into their personal lives (wives, babies etc –  basically a baseball version of our favorite E! shows) as it does their professional lives.

And if you don’t want to pay for Showtime (like us!) you can check out the first episode on their website – and if you’re really feeling ambitious you can stream it to your TV. (Thank you boyfriend :) )

With that we’re off to relax for the rest of the evening!

Hope your weekend was great!

What did you do this weekend? 

I’m On A Boat?

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Hope you all have had a great weekend! :-)

Mine has been non-stop  but for once, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been such a blast.

As you may (or may not!) have guessed, last night’s festivities took us to the San Francisco Bay… on a boat!

It was a good friend’s birthday, and to celebrate, he had chartered a “booze cruise” around the Bay for the evening.

Since we were on a boat, the obvious choice was a nautical theme… and people definitely brought it.

From sailor’s beards and hats…

Birthday Boy!

To lots of navy and white…

And definitely Sperrys.

Top-Siders were the choice footwear of the evening

I can’t even remember the last time I had so much fun.

There was delicious homemade food, drinks, music, great friends, and a dance party out in the middle of the Bay.

It all started around 7pm…

Heading to the Boat!

Which one will it be?

Ahhh the DAUNTLESS

Once we boarded the boat we got the lay of the land:

Drinks and Appetizers

Home-made (the birthday boy is also a chef) Tuna Tartare

 Prior to tonight I didn’t even like tuna!

Chicken Skewers to die for

Home-made focaccia bread

Needless to say, we were wined and dined to our heart’s content.

It was a foggy and cloudy night but there was no shortage of beautiful views.

From our take-off point

The Rock

Beautiful SF

I think every one of us (and we’ve all lived in SF for about 4+ years) made “this is where we live” statement at least once.

After cruising around the bay for a bit we headed to McCovey Cove and the Giants Ballpark to check out a bit of the game.

AT&T Park, where the Giants play is a beautiful stadium, and it’s built on the San Francisco Bay so that boats, sailboats, ferrys, kayaks, paddle boarders, and even people on pool rafts can listen in and “watch” the game from the water.

GO Giants!

 

From there we went back around the Bay and over to Tiburon, on the Marin County side of the Bay.

Bay Bridge

SF Ferry Building

Hope you had a very Happy Birthday Vince!