Just Another Musical Monday

I'm kinda surprised that folk pop artist King Charles hasn't really made it big yet (read: sold out to Gossip Girl or Grey's Anatomy). I mean, I'm not exactly a scenester*, but it seems like he's still takin' his dear sweet time on this side of the pond. I'm thinking it's because he kind of falls in his own nondescript category - and he can be a lil' obnoxious from time to time. Regardless, he finally has two songs on iTunes, so I reckon he's well on his way to making it on a Twilight soundtrack.

*Disclaimer: "I'm not exactly a scenester" is a hefty understatement. I mostly live under a rock. So it's quite possible that King Charles already has a love child with Miley Cyrus and hosts TRL every week (Is TRL still a thing?).

He first won me over with this little beat...

And his EP on iTunes has some lovely little running diddies to spice up your stride. I'm diggin' on Ivory Road...

Ivory Road

Fare thee well,

Buble Duets

#awesomesauce.

A Very Merry Musical Monday

This year, we're leaving it up to the gals at lulu to provide an "uber-festive holiday playlist." And we happen to think they did quite well. [Click here to download these merry melodies from iTunes].

Via the lululemon blog...

Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
This woman knew Christmas – heck, she backcombed her hair in the shape of a wreath for the entirety of her career. That’s what I call commitment!
U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Call me biased but I have this strange notion that spending the holidays in Ireland would be incredibly festive. Perhaps it has something to do with the large number of pubs…
Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord
I like to put this track on, throw on my best sequined sweater and eat sausage rolls with friends. This may sound weird…but I dare you to try it and disagree.
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick
One of the best holidays I ever had was spent in a Santa-themed bikini in the tropics, hanging ornaments on a palm tree. Enjoy this surf-flavoured holiday song that comes with subliminal Vitamin D.
Burl Ives – A Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives IS Christmas. End of story.
Wham! – Last Christmas
If the sight of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley prancing around a ski lodge doesn’t make you feel happy, I’m afraid I don’t know how to help you get festive.
Nat ‘King’ Cole – The Christmas Song
The classic feel-good song of the holidays. This version is my favourite because Nat ‘King’ Cole’s voice is smoother than double-crème brie. (Are you noticing a pattern here?)
Kanye West – Christmas In Harlem
In the past, I have struggled to enjoy newer Christmas carols because they just don’t seem, well, Christmas-y. This has changed now that I’ve heard Kanye, Alicia Keys and Jim Jones talking about hot chocolate being “dericious.”
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock
If the thought of the AM radio dial is what helps you get in the mood, then look no further; Bobby Helms is just what the doctor ordered.
Paul McCartney – A Wonderful Christmas Time
You work on the appies and sugar cookies, leave it to Sir Paul to ensure everyone’s simply having a wonderful Christmas time.
The Eagles – Please Come Home For Christmas
The Eagles may be famous as the “Boys Of Summer,” but they prove their multi-season resilience with this modern holiday gem.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
This epic masterpiece never gets old, kind of like crochet tops and daisy dukes.
Dean Martin – I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
If Frank Sinatra is “The Chairman of the Board,” then Dean Martin is “The Chairman of Always Having A Drink In His Hand & Having His Celebrity Roasts Re-Run A Billion Times.” That being said, his brand of swagger really sets the holiday mood.
Elvis Presley – Blue Christmas
The holidays can bring out the highest and lowest of emotions. If you are down in the dumps (as opposed to Down Dog), let Elvis commiserate with you.
Vince Guaraldi – Skating
This is my favourite song from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ the album that accompanies the classic TV special about the beloved animated beagle, Snoopy. Coincidentally, this is also a very tranquil song to pass out to after one-too-many eggnogs.

And click here to check out our holiday playlist from 2010.

Merry! Merry!

The 10 Biggest Fitness Myths

Via Outside Magazine

It's more than a little frustrating when the things we think we "know" are contradicted time and time again. Honestly, I'm well past the point of really knowing what to believe anymore - particularly when it comes to fitness and running and thinking that I know what my body wants and needs. Outside Magazine put together this little list of the 10 biggest fitness myths - and there are quite a few upsetting "truths" in there. Take a look and decide for yourself...

Myth #1: Stretching prevents injuries and improves performance.
Myth #2: Running barefoot is better for the body. (Read the comments after this one. There are quite a few upset barefoot runners who wholeheartedly disagree with the author. Then again, that's a common trend for all of the myths)
Myth #3: You need to focus on your core to become a better athlete.
Myth #4: Guzzling water and electrolytes before a race prevents cramps.
Myth #5: Popping ibuprofen before a hard workout prevents sore muscles afterward.
Myth #6: Dehydration hurts race performance.
Myth #7: Ice baths speed recovery.
Myth #8: Long and slow is the best way to burn calories.
Myth #9: Fructose is a performance killer.
Myth #10: Supplements take performance to the next level.


Up for Debate: Massage boosts recovery after a tough workout.
Up for Debate: Surgery is the best remedy for an ACL tear.
Up for Debate: Cortisone shots speed healing after an injury.

Frankly, all of the "myths" and the subsequent comments leave me feeling more confused than ever, so I appreciated this guy's comment:

Remember, be objective and informed and in tune with your body. Do your homework. This article is just reporting an angle, its not definitive. I don't agree with most of the "myths", but it gives me a reason to go back and affirm exactly why I do not agree.

Because It's the Best (Secular) Christmas Song. Period.

Last night we were at husband's office holiday party when his boss insisted everyone gather round and watch this YouTube video gone viral made by the HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy when they found out they would be home for Christmas.

For everyone separated from their loved ones this Christmas, we're thinking of you and sending thoughts of joy and love. For all of our troops, home and abroad, we can never thank you enough for all that you do.

P.S. - It's super fun in the middle of the Summer, when Christmas is the last thing on anyone's mind, to play this song on a jukebox in a bar or on an iPod at a party. There will be looks of confusion at first, but then without fail everyone will start dancing and singing like magic because it's just. that. awesome. 

Tutus and Tiaras

If you aren't one of the MILLIONS following the adventures of Sophia Grace and Rosie on YouTube, you really should be.  And to be honest Santa, Liv's impossible Christmas request is to either a) be Sophia Grace b) come back in another life as Sophia Grace or C) adopt them both or somehow become Sophia Grace's mom.

It was quite clear when she first sang Niki Minaj's "Super Bass" for the interwebs that she was talented, but leave it to Ellen to make her and little Rosie famous the world over. When Ellen first had her on the show (see first link above) I couldn't get over her confidence, presence, personality and American accent impression. I never really expected to be simultaneously jealous of and inspired by the life of an 8 year old - but I totally am. If only we could all live life with her spunk and innocent reckless abandon. It's like Russel Brand said, can you imagine what living with her must be like?

And because she is my current obsession, I just want to share my favorite Sophia Grace videos with all of you. If you're anything like me have tissue handy - you'll laugh until you cry. Oh, and prepare yourself to be sucked into a YouTube black hole of video awesomeness. Hope you didn't have anything important on your schedule today - there are many many more where these came from.

Sophia Grace and Rosie's Shopping Spree, "I need a new suitcase, definitely."

Sophia Grace and Rosie hit the red carpet for the AMAs.  I love how the celebs are equally as starstruck meeting the girls as the girls are meeting them.



And just to prove that she will definitely not be a one hit wonder, I can't get over her voice singing "Moment 4 life."



If you can make this happen Santa, promise to keep them fully stocked with tutus and tiaras.

Just Another Musical Monday

Via Butchwalker.com

So maybe there are a million reasons to have a bad case of the Monday blues today, but that doesn't mean you can't rock out to a peppy (and a wee bit poppy) tune from Butch Walker and the Black Widows.

Merry December!

Party Time

Sadly, Liv and I have separate office parties this year since our career paths recently parted ways. But that doesn't mean I don't fully intend to crash my old/Liv's current company party tomorrow night. 

While I am very happy with my new work digs, I miss all of the folks I used to work with greatly. So like any crazed ex-employee, I'll chug a bottle of wine while my old colleagues are yucking it up and hope that someone stays sober enough to text me directions to the after party. 

Here are some pointers on how to keep it classy, co-workers...

via New York Magazine

Merry Merry!

All {Sal} Wants for Christmas Is...

This year, Liv's + my wish Christmas wish list are looking a little different. Last year, we basically just wished for the entire line of lulu run gear, in addition to some not entirely practical luxe items. But fast forward to today, and for me, my focus has shifted to all things yoga. Things in my bod still aren't in full working order post apocalypse marathon, so I'm dedicating myself to become a full time yogi... though I am currently anything but.

Honestly, there is nothing more intimidating than showing up late to a class where everyone there is warming up with positions that undoubtedly deny the laws of physics. Even so, I'm determined to power through my newbie awkwardness and own my vinyasa like nobody's business.

So naturally, my wish list consisted of the following...

yogitoes SUTRA COLLECTION Skidless Towel (because I'm a little tired of being that girl that slips and slides and squeaks her way through downward dogs)

The No-Brainer Mat Strap. Right now, I use those green rubberbands from the Whole Foods salad bar and I can feel my classmates' judgy-un-yoga-like eyes burning into me (Not really... I just really want this)

The Wunder Under Crop. Most of my lulu gear is running based, which frankly, can get a little too steamy in hot yoga. My one pair or true yoga pants is looking less than dapper from overuse, so I could use another pair in the arsenal.

The Boogie Short. Because in true Bikram class, honestly the cropped pants ain't cutting it. The heat completely knocks me out, and all I want to do is peel my sweat-soaked pants off and jump in the Potomac. And while we're at it, I'll take the a$$ in the photo too, okay Santa?

The lulu Scoop Neck Tank... in every color. Because it is pretty.

Since I'll also be spending some time in the coldest place on Earth ever so lovely Chi-Town, I need to amp up my cold weather gear a lot bit. So I'm hoping Santa can bring some of his best garb from the North Pole, specifically...

Some Cuddl Duds. That drop dead gorgeous model you see there is my gal pal Al (who also auditioned for the Rockettes with me several years back). She swears by this brand and 'fessed up that she may or may not have worn them every. single. day last winter with little to no washing.

Sperry Top-Sider tall Shearwater boots for J.Crew. No doubt I'm a sucker for J.Crew's gimmicky brand partnerships - something about seeing these suckers in the catalog convinced me that I absolutely HAVE to have them. And frankly, they are a lot easier to pack in my suitcase than my Hunters.

I'm a notorious book starter. I start one and then get excited about another and then move on to the next and then forget (or lose) whichever book I started with. The ever so lovely (and delightfully small) Kindle touch will hopefully keep me on track and enable me to show up to Book Club feeling less guilty. Liv's and my book club is reading The Paris Wife this month. Has anyone read it?

And as long as all of these items are already loaded up in the sleigh, I figure Santa can also make room for...

A week-long Kenyan safari

A time travel machine... so I can visit my family in the 'Ham and PTW in Chicago and my friends that live everywhere but here. Okay, I can probably think of a lot more I would do with a time travel machine, but those things are weighing the heaviest on my heart right now.

Actually, come to think of it, I already thought of something else I'd do with my time travel machine. I'd rewind to last weekend when I saw this GOOOOORGEOUS Rebecca Minkoff Ostrich purse in New York and friggin' buy it. Blast you practicality!

The Barefoot Contessa's kitchen. Fully-stocked. Including Ina Garten herself... to fix me delicious meals and save me from a life of the peanut butter and banana sandwiches I eat for lunch every. single. day. (no exaggeration)

I'd also like for the election to already be over and for the entire country to love whomever is elected and live in peace and harmony forever. I'm really not asking for much here. So get to work, Santa.

We Know You're Out There

No doubt we're working on our Christmas lists for Santa right now - and they may or may not include a riDONKulous number of items from lululemon (yes, again!) and the cycling store. But you know what we reeeeeeally want this year?? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

This blog has no doubt been a fantastic way for us to meet blogging buddies and get insider tips from you experienced athletes out there, and we have loved every second of it. There are certainly days when we're pretty sure the only people reading SFOF are our moms and... well... us. And that's totally okay! After all, the original purpose of this here thing was to hold ourselves accountable so we couldn't flake out on our marathon goal. 

But every so often, we hear from readers that we had no idea were even checking us out - and that's even more amazing! It's a fantastic reminder to us that our blog isn't entirely self-serving - it is introducing us to folks beyond our immediate social circle and perhaps even inspiring some of you to stick with your fitness goals, too. 

So, while a bazillion dollar gift certificate to lulu would always be appreciated (ahem), what we REALLY want is for you (YES YOU!) to take your clicker over to the right... and a wee bit down (below the Twitter feed)... you're almost there... wait for it... OKAY!

See that lil box that says "Join this site"? Click on it, enter your email address, and POOF! You're done. No... it doesn't mean you'll get any obnoxious emails from us; and no, we won't start cyber stalking you (unless you want us to). We know you're out there, we just wanna know who you are! 

Much love to ya, readers! Thanks for your support and keep on comin' back, ya hear?

Just Another Musical Monday

I promise I didn't only select this song because the video has a lot of running. In fact, I first heard it on the radio, and I can prove it... whenever I'm driving around and I hear a song I like, I snap a pic so I'll remember the song/band (hopefully no DC cops are reading this right now. I promise, err, I usually, um, I sometimes wait until a traffic light)...

Anyway, it's funny how certain songs strike you at different times. Not really sure why this one jumped out at me when it did, but for whatever reason, I decided then that I wanted needed it on my iPod (for all of that running I'm not doing). That's enough blabbering. I'll let you decide for yourself...


WU LYF - WE BROS from LUCIFER YOUTH FILM on Vimeo.
Happy Monday,

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I forced myself out of bed at dark thirty on Tuesday morning for a run.  Forced because it was 63 degrees at 5 am and I was pretty sure it was the last one of those we were going to get.  My suspicions were confirmed by Tuesday night. After a day of rain showers, it felt like December and the chill has continued throughout the week.

So there I am, running along so thankful for a warm morning, yet simultaneously dreading the impending cold weather.  And I can feel it - the bad attitude coming about winter running.  I haven't had to break out my Lulu Alpine tights yet and I can't say I'm looking forward to that.  The layering, the gloves the ear warmers.

I turn the corner from 31st to O Street and there she is, the best Christmas decoration  in the history of ever, perfectly illuminating the bay window of a gorgeous Georgetown row home, ever so "frag-ee-lay."

That's all it took to snap me out of my bad attitude and remind myself that it's "the most wonderful time of the year!"  So bring it winter - I'm ready for you, as long as you're served with a side of the holidays.

A Bubbly Friday to You!

Via {this is glamorous}

Hope you have a festive December weekend!

Radio City Fantasy

I'm hopping aboard a train today so I can sob uncontrollably at Radio City Music Hall. I'm going to see the always fabulous Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular. And no matter how many times I see this show, it leaves me teary. every. single. time. 

And that's NOT because the show is anything but fantastically merry and bright. I mean, we're talking toy soldier piles and thousands upon thousands of dancing Santas. You can't ask for much more seasonal flare than that.

But you see, the reason watching the Rockettes has an adverse effect on me is, well, I'm one of the millions of girls that was ABSOLUTELY convinced she was destined to become one some day. So a few years ago, I did what any gal with a lofty bucket list would do (which also included running a marathon btw)... I auditioned. 

Check out :36 & :37 from this video. There was once a full video that, much to my embarrassment and the entertainment of my NY-based colleagues, was on the NY Daily News with full-frontals of yours truly. It truly captured how awkward the entire experience was for me, but alas, I can no longer find it on the Internet.

First of all, let me clear up any misconceptions you may have about the lovely ladies of Radio City Music Hall. While they may wear lots of sequins and elaborate headpieces and kick around in high heels, those ladies are RIPPED. You honestly can't tell when you're watching them on stage or in the Thanksgiving parade, but when you see them up close, you feel like David to their Goliath. They have more upper body strength than I ever would have dreamed could fit in a leotard and their thighs are pure steel. Not to mention, there is the whole height requirement thing for Rockettes (which I barely fit), so they tower over you with their bright smiles and cheery attitude.

As for my Rockette audition experience, well... let's just say I'm sitting in an office right now instead of stretching for the matinee. Even so, it was one of my best memories. The nerve wracking process of preparing for an audition in New York is unbelievably exhilarating, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I can't claim that I really trained (I hadn't taken a dance class in years) or had any REAL hopes of trading out my business casual for sequined leotards, but... well a gal can still dream... hence the tears.

Happy Holidays!

I don't want a medal. I want a scooter.

I rather enjoyed stand-up comic/marathon runner Liz Miele's account of running (badly) from this year's MCM Weekend. Sadly, I can particularly relate to the fear of being last - and even more so to the whole "I run; therefore, I eat" concept. 

"Let me feel like a winner!"