Did you know today is International Women’s Day? I first became aware of International Women’s Day when I was a child living in Turkey. To mark this year’s International Women’s Day I thought I’d give a shout out to the women that have inspired me fitness and health-wise:

• The first one is an easy one for me. My Mom. Over the last few years she has constantly inspired me with her ability to become an incredibly healthy and fit woman. 
• Ms. Run Shorts – an incredible running coach and friend.
• All of Team Green – I could not have run a marathon without any of you. 
• My childhood friends who I went to the Hillside Club with. You name it we did it. 
• The entire team at Core Studio – because of all of you I love Pilates.
• Carla and Myrna Saliba – both have played key roles in introducing running to me.

Brunch at Fressen

For the most part this weekend was the perfect weekend. A couple of great classes at Core, a walk along a sunny Queen West with B, a brunch (or two!), some shopping (thank you Little Honey Bee!) and some drinks with friends. I find there is always one weekend toward the end of winter where you realize that summer is just around the corner – this was the weekend. 

The weekend’s highlight, though, had to be the blogger brunch I went to. For a while now I have been following the adventures of Oh She Glows. A couple of weeks ago she suggested a meet up in Toronto and I decided to put my name down as someone who would be interested in going. I have to admit I was a little nervous. I had never done something like this before – is kind of like going on a group blind date! You are worried about what the other people will be like, if they will like you and what to wear. 

Turns out I had nothing to be worried about. The other 16 ladies (!) who ended up going to this blogger brunch at Fressen were fantastic, interesting and down to earth. It was great to connect with a bunch of women and hear about their stories. Thank you Angela for taking the time to organize this! To get an idea of who I met check out their blogs! I know I’m looking forward to reading them!
 

• Life after bagels
• Julie Boyer
• An Opera Singer in the kitchen
• Kristin nibbles
• Revel
• Training to live
• Happy Go Lucky
• Mediterranean miss
• Stars in the City

 
On a final note, yesterday’s meeting reminded me how good (and healthy for you!) it is to put yourself into new situations. Lululemon really is right – it is good to do one thing a day that scares you.

Its been a while since my last race. To get back into the spirit of racing I have registed for the Nike Runners Lounge Shamrock Shuffle which takes place on March 18. An 8 km race spring race sounds like the perfect way to get back into things. Is not too short, is not too long and best part…it is free to register. I even have signed up B (although he doesn’t know it yet! All part of mt master plan to get him exercising more!)

What do you need to do?

Check out the Lounge’s Facebook fan page. One of the tabs at the top is all about the Shamrock Shuffle. This will contain all the information that you need! They are also running free training runs Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

PS: A lot of people are curious about the Nike Runner Lounge it seems. The best way to find out about what they are up to is to go to their Facebook Page or pop by the Nike Store on Bloor.

Today is day 20 of my Pilates/Yoga challenge at Core Studio in Toronto. By the end of today I will have done 16 different types of yoga and Pilates classes in 20 days. I still have a week to go in this 30 day challenge, but as I’m only doing the “light” option of 21 days in 30 days I think I’m going to make it! I attempted this challenge before and lets just say I didn’t quite make it.

The biggest challenge for me has been learning that it is ok to spend more time on Pilates/Yoga than on my running. As crazy as this sounds this has been a challenge for me. I don’t think if I was training for a full marathon that I would have been able to do this challenge. It would just be to much for me (for my body and for maintaining a good life/balance).

The benefits so far?

I have more shape again in my waist and my legs are looking lengthened.  I also feel healthier.

Bread basket @ Earth

For the last three years or so the Rosedale Running Room has been like my second home.I love going there (most of the time!) and I think part of the reason why I love it so much is that I love the neighbourhood that it is in. So many great running routes and…restaurants. 

There’s a new addition to the neighbourhood – Globe Earth. The menu is made up of local ingredients and deliciousness. I just went for a post-run weekend brunch and although it was a little pricier than my usual weekend breakfast (a salmon omelette at Boom) it was a nice treat and made me try something new. The must-have is the bread basket for the table as they have their own in-house pastry chef. Carbs after a good long Sunday run are in my books another must!

I wonder if they will open up the adjacent courtyard for a summer patio experience…if they do I think I’ll be there a lot more!