Surprise!!!!!!

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Last week, while I was still beaming from the last #NBGNO event that I hosted on October 8th, I got a call from New Balance that they were adding another event to this year's lineup - YAY! And the kicker? I'm one of the hosts again (elated)! This time, I'm Co-Hosting with the fabulous Caroline Earle, the voice behind The Trendy Trainer. You may also know her from the health & fitness section of Boston Inno or if you take classes at Turn Cycle Style. (she's pretty great!)

Your hosts!

This event will take place on November 4th at 6:00pm at the Westin Copley (10 Huntington Ave, in the Newbury/Gloucester Rooms).  I'm pretty excited about the event because the theme is "Staying Fit on the Go". We all lead such busy lives and it can be tough to fit in healthy eating and exercise, but guess what - it IS POSSIBLE.

The night will include your choice of a run with the Westin Run Concierges OR a Boot Camp Class, followed by tips from Caroline and me, and then apps & drinks, of course!

Here's the link to sign up (guys, this filled up in about 24 hours last time so act fast!): 
https://www.nbgirlsnightout.com/
(Click EVENTS then scroll down and click BOSTON)

(SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/business/media/westin-lends-new-balance-gear-at-its-hotels.html)

So Westin Hotels & Resorts and New Balance actually have a REALLY COOL partnership. Did you guys know about this? Since 2010, they've had an exclusive, worldwide partnership to help hotel guests find time to exercise while they travel. Guests are able to borrow NB running shoes with new, disposable insoles for each use. They've worked together to create 3 and 5 mile running maps through the RunWESTIN program. I love this! I'm such a nerd that I always check to see what hotels have a gym before I leave on a trip (even on vacation). Anyway, this event is going to be a whole lot of fun. Most of my girlfriends already signed up because they enjoy going to them so much. Hope to see you there! xoxo

NBGNO LaceUp365 Recap

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Hello my frieeeeenndss! As most of you know by now, I recently emceed last week's New Balance Girls' Night Out (NBGNO). To get a refresher on how it came about read THIS. New Balance developed NBGNO with the goal of empowering women through physical and social experiences and opportunities, to connect with others. Last week's theme was LACEUP365. I've talked about how passionate I am for the #LaceUp365 program for close to a year now (HERE, HERE, AND HERE). Essentially, it represents New Balance's 25 year partnership with Susan G. Komen and was developed to bring awareness to breast cancer 365 days a year, not just in October. The ultimate goal being: a world without breast cancer. So, the next time you lace up for a workout and decide to take a selfie or a scenic photo - think about someone who has been diagnosed and give that little instagram pic a special hashtag #LACEUP365.

For those of you that have been touched by breast cancer by either experiencing it personally or someone you are close to, you understand why there is so much pink, so many organizations, and so many ribbons. And that understanding is this... guys, there is no cure. Doctors have made HUGE strides and have come so incredibly far, but, they still need more funding. Since Stacy's diagnosis, I've learned that breast cancer is REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY complex. I never, ever ever realized the complexity of BRCA and HER2, and FISH test and Progesterone positive or negative and Estrogen positive or negative. Gah! You catch my drift? Every diagnosis gets a different treatment.

So, New Balance  dedicated last week's NBGNO to #LaceUp365. We chatted, we ran a few miles, we ate apps, had pink cosmos, dedicated our runs to BC survivors and honorees, and then I emceed a bit more and then the BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT DR. BRASTIANOS shared her story.

Action shot before we crossed the street.

Through the Common.

The sun setting over the Charles. Swoon.

Back at the store, it was my turn to chat with everyone again and tell my experience over the past year with #LaceUp365. At first I was super nervous, but, Renee (at New Balance) told me to just "have a conversation" with the girls, which totally relaxed me. It is Girls' Night Out, after all!

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Dr. Priscilla Brastianos is a person on a mission with a deeply personal passion for finding a cure for breast cancer. A Komen research grantee, and Director of the Brain Metastasis Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Brastianos is an incredible leader. She spoke at the Komen race 3 weeks ago which was when I first heard her story. Her grandmother diagnosed herself with breast cancer when she was in medical school at the age of 23 and then sadly passed at age 29. Her mother just passed of bc this year at age 57. I can't really explain to you how incredible this woman is... she's such an inspiration.

Dr. Brastianos is the second one in from the left.

Dr. Brastianos is the second one in from the left.

If there's one thing that I want you all to take from her speech at the event, it's this: 

EXERCISE REDUCES YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER BY 20%.

She provided a lot of excellent information, but, this fact stood out to me big time and I actually didn't catch it at the race and I admittedly didn't know the percentage was that high. This is a big deal, it's proven. So, if you could all do yourselves a favor, if you're not already exercising, please start somewhere. I'm talking about more than walking. Get your heart rate up at least 3x per week. Lift, dance in the living room, join an exercise class, run, do push ups and squats, hit a heavy bag, jump rope, climb stairs, do jumping jacks, play spike ball, WHATEVER. Just please start exercising. That is one big huge number that really means something! If you need ideas for getting your heart rate up, message me and I'll guide you. I promise.

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This dedication wall shouldn't have so many names. Let's make a cure happen!
xoxo

#LaceUp365 at North End Yoga

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On Saturday, I was honored to join another #LaceUp365 event at North End Yoga with New Balance and Susan G. Komen. I've been lucky enough to participate in two of these events in the past... at Barry's Boot Camp and at The Handle Bar. 

As a refresher... the #LaceUp365 program celebrates the 25 year Anniversary of the partnership of Susan G. Komen and New Balance. Every day, a new survivor story is published on the New Balance website... HERE. You can dedicate your workout to a survivor with the hashtag #LaceUp365 on any social media outlet. I love this program because it provides breast cancer awareness 365 days a year, instead of just in October. Join us by taking a photo during your next work and sharing it with the #LaceUp365 hashtag.

This class was different than the past two #LaceUp365 events. In the last two... my thought process was focused on pushing as hard and fast as possible... "this is just a workout - what some people go through is much harder than this 1 hour workout". I haven't taken an in-studio yoga class in a really long time... I forgot how reflective and spiritual it is.  Our instructor, Joanna, spoke to us in the beginning of class about her dear friend who recently lost her battle with cancer. She explained that she was very much an inspirational and positive person that she really admired and learned a lot from. We dedicated our workout to her. This class felt to be more of a group dedication to those who are are survivors, those who are fighting the battle, and those that have lost the battle. Each movement was for them. All three classes that I've attended have been moving in a different way... just another reason why I love this program.

On a lighter note, the physical benefits of the class were AWESOME! I had been dealing with some serious muscle soreness and really tight IT bands and hamstrings (I know, I know... I NEEEEED to foam roll and partake in yoga more often). By the end of class - I was feeling MUCH better. I had a dull ache in my left hamstring (where I tore it 2 years ago) for about a week and it was even hurting on my ride over. It is now gone. There are so many physical and mental health benefits to yoga. I need to figure out how to fit in a real in-studio class back into my schedule. My at-home yoga videos just aren't enough.

After class, a few of the representatives from New Balance spoke to us about the partnership with Susan G. Komen and showed us some new items in their line. Here I am sporting some of them (I know - sweet selfie). Everything is SO comfy. 

Here we all are at the end of class. Shout out and thanks to Joanna who guided us through the whole thing. 

... And of course... a big thanks to New Balance and Susan G. Komen for putting together such an amazing program. Hope you are all having an awesome week! Remember... #LaceUp365 xo

 

PS: I was not monetarily compensated to write this post, however, New Balance did provide me with the awesome gear and a pass to this class. As always, opinions are honest and my own (and always will be :))