Fit as a Philly

Fit as a Philly

Last summer, my husband and I went to the East Coast the the US for just over a week.  I was headed to Maine on a week-long course for work, so we took advantage of the free flight to see family and friends.  Our friend, who officiated our wedding, lives on the outskirts of Philadelphia.  We had been to seen them once (for their wedding!) before but now they had a two year old son and a dog.  Even though the summer was in full swing and our friends had to work, we managed to stay busy during our visit.  Here are my recommendation on how to stay active when visiting Philly.

Run through the City of Love and up the Rocky steps–  I gave myself an August run streak challenge, which I stuck too even though it was so hot and humid! I ran at least one mile a day that month, covering ground in London, Boston, Philadelphia, and Bar Harbour.  Thanks goodness we could use their washing machine during their stay because I was dripping with sweat after even one mile.  I couldn’t go to Philadelphia and not recreate this iconic cinematic moment as part of my streak.  The wide open sidewalks were great for running on.  It was earlier in the morning when I started out so it wasn’t too crowded on the steps leading up the the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The weather was hot but there were a few other runners joining me on those steps.  I was probably the only one taking selfies with a tripod though.

Visit the Philadelphia Zoo– Did you this is America’s first zoo and it opened in 1874 after a delay due to the Civil War?  The zoo itself covers 42 acres, giving you plenty of chances to get those steps in.  Plus there will be benches, cafes, and toilets along the way.  And don’t forget all the cool animals too.  We went on an overcast day and ended up getting rained out.  Plus it was nap time for the wee one.

Go to Marsh Creek State Park for a hike and then grab lunch at Victory Brewing Company (VBC)When you have a small child in tow, you tend to stick to easier paths in case you need to carry said child.  That was ok with us due to the heat.  Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the large lake in the center of the park, but you can swim, boat or fish in the lake.  Not far away is the VBC at the Downington location.  it looks like the menu has changed a bit from last summer because of Covid, but when we were there, we all enjoyed the pizza.  Philly Cheesesteak is still on the menu if you don’t manage to find one in the city during your stay.

What else did we get up to while we were there?

Got our nerd on at Mutter MuseumI have a strong interest in medicine and biology.  This museum did not disappoint but might not be your cup of tea.  It is a bit macabre, showcasing physiological anomalies (deformities, false eyes, preserved animals born with two heads, etc).  They also have slices of Albert Einstein’s brain, a skull collection, and medical instruments from around the world and across time.  You are not allowed to take any photos while in there but the gift shop has some great options to take away as a memento.

While I like all this biology, James loves going to tall buildings when we travel.  In Philadelphia, he went up the One Liberty Observation Tower while I went shopping in the mall below.  Being a geographer, James enjoys seeing the structure of the landscape.  Unfortunately, it looks like it has closed indefinitely due to low tourism rates but keep checking back in case things open up again in 2021.

Lastly, we ate donuts!  When we went to Dublin in 2016 with my mom, I spotted a trendy donut shop while on a city bus tour.  From then on, I always try to find at least one donut shop in every place I visit.  Much like running, it can take me to a neighbourhood I might not otherwise go to.  Plus, I love sugary treat.  In Philly, we visited Reading Terminal Market for Beiler’s Donuts. These were delicious and also had retro pricing (I believe less than $2 per item.  In London, trendy donuts at £3.50+).  On the way to the airport, we drove to Frangelli’s Bakery in a local neighbourhood.  As it was the afternoon, there wasn’t much choice but they will stuff your donuts upon request, which I thought was pretty cool.

We did several other touristy things (bog standard Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, etc) and also enjoyed trips to the local playground with our friends. \it was the perfect mix of relaxation and keeping busy for me.  If you head over to Philadelphia, keep in mind it has a subway system available but it also seemed pretty easy to drive through if you decide to hire a car.

What other suggestions do you have for keeping fit and active in Philly?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Quickie Workout #37

Quickie Workout #37

Remember to go for QUALITY over quantity. If you are unclear what the exercise is I am describing, please look for a video or arrange for an in-person tutorial with me.  Please consult your doctor before engaging on any fitness regime.

Don’t forget to breathe! Please email me if you want tips on how to make the quickies easier or more challenging (mollie@ptmollie.com).

Autumn is here and the leaves are changing colors in London. I am asking you to go for a 15 minute walk or run (feel free to head back after 15 minutes to make your route a whopping 30!).

Start off slower that your normal pace to warm up for 3-5 minutes or until you start to break a sweat. To keep your activity interesting, see the rules below to amp it up.

Every time you see a ……                                         Do………
White or silver car                                                      10 jumping jacks/star jumps
Dog                                                                               20 squats
Bench                                                                           10 press ups on the back of the bench AND 10 tricep dips
Mail/Post office box                                                    Pretend to jump rope for 30 seconds
Another runner                                                           Run/walk faster for 10 seconds

Take a photo and tag me on Instagram at the end of your walk.

Active Travel: Oxfordshire

Active Travel: Oxfordshire

Traveling is one of my passions and sadly, the pandemic has limited that in 2020 to England.  This actually wasn’t so bad as there are many places in the United Kingdom I haven’t been yet.  Starting in October, I am going to be sharing a few of my favourite trips from the last few years, along with ideas on how to stay active when visiting these places.  Most of the activities I have tried myself, so I can give you a fair review, but others will be things I have heard of or wanted to try but didn’t get a chance to.  Of course, if you can suggest anything in the local area, please leave a comment to let others know.

To kick off these #traveltuesday posts, I will start with our most recent trip to Oxfordshire for our tenth anniversary.  James was away with friends on a walking trip when he spotted Mollie’s Motel and Diner in Buckland.  Why is this so cool?  First, it is spelled like my name.  Second, it is an American-style diner and I am American (in case you didn’t know).  Third, there are many waterways nearby where we could stand up paddleboard (SUP).  Finally, we wouldn’t have Maple with us so we were bound to get a good night’s sleep.

After dropping Maple off at the kennel, James drove us in the hired car to the motel.  It was about two hours from Chingford in Friday afternoon traffic.  It was the first time we stayed in a hotel since the pandemic began.  We wore our masks when entering and the clerk had one on too.  The lobby is referred to as the General Store and there was a selection of American candies, other foods, drinks, and complimentary filtered coffee.  There was some Mollie’s merchandise available too but nothing I couldn’t leave without sadly (please stock t-shirts and magnets!).  The hotel clerk let us know that due to Covid-19, our room would not be tidied every day but that was fine by us. The room was basic with a huge bed, large rain shower (no tub) and small table with chairs.  All very modern and clean.  I think the rate was £66/night so a very good bargain for a weekend away (yes, we paid for it). The location is off of a busy motorway, so not great if you wanted to head out for a run without having to drive anywhere.  I did pack my trainers, but didn’t make it out from the hotel on foot.

After we dropped off our luggage, we headed over to Mollie’s Diner.  They were only taking bookings, and the hotel kindly shifted our reservation 30 minutes later as we were running late due to traffic.  The menu had several American classics, like milkshakes, burgers, and all day breakfast.  I knew we would be eating out a lot that weekend so had a chicken Caesar salad, milkshake, and sweet potato fries.  James had a burger and apple crumble.  We were back Sunday morning before we headed home for waffles, French toast, and avocado on toast.

Saturday morning we got up early and drove to Lechlade-On-Thames for paddle boarding.  I brought my inflatable board from Two Bare Feet (gifted last summer) and James hired a board from Cotswold Canoe Hire (who also have canoes and swan boats).  There was a small car park and a nearby area for me to launch my board.  While I have enjoyed many SUP sessions in the London Royal Docks, this summer, I have been able to explore more English waterways, such as in Flatford Mill and Saltford (near Bristol/Bath).  James and I went an hour upstream, enjoying the views of greenery around us.  We headed back to the hire venue but found going the same direction as the current was much quicker so then went a little bit passed our starting point.  On the way back, James also bumped into my board as I tried to fix my ponytail, knocking me into the water (apparently after a slow motion wobble).  He says he didn’t mean it, but didn’t apologize until much later.

After paddle boarding, we enjoyed a picnic on the bank with an artisan cheese and wine basket from Prestige Hampers.*  It included a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white; three packs of oatcakes; three different chesses; a jar of ploughman’s pickle. I packed our tin mugs although we didn’t end up opening the bottles of wine because James had to drive and it was only midday.  We did enjoy the food that came in the hamper (along with grapes, pork pies, and Tolberone that we had picked up in the morning) to make it a filling meal.  Even though I was soaking wet, it was nice to sit by the water’s edge and enjoy the views.  The white wine was enjoyed on Sunday night when we got home and the red we have saved for an upcoming lamb stew.  There are lots of areas to row, paddle, and even wild swim in Oxfordshire, as we saw driving to and from the hotel.  Most had wide open green fields that are perfect for picnicking too.  I did think about packing the hamper on the board but knew it wouldn’t be waterproof.  Plus, if it landed in the water when I fell in, it probably would have ruined the rest of the day (I tend to get hangry if I am not fed at regular intervals).

After a quick shower back at the hotel, we drove to Uffington White Horse, part of the National Trust, for a walk along the hill top.  This park is also part of the Race To the Stones route if you are in to running long distances.  It was super windy but very interesting to walk amongst ruins from the Bronze Age.  Sadly, we discovered from neither the castle ruins nor Dragon Hill could you get a good look at the horse.  Perhaps there is a hot air balloon ride or helicopter tour that would provide more impressive view (check Groupon people!) although also be a bit more expensive that paying to park.  If you enjoy walking and hikes, Oxfordshire includes portions of the Cotswolds, Chiltern Hills, and North Wessex Downs (all areas of outstanding natural beauty).

While we didn’t get a chance to try this, Oxford University is famous for its rowing team (especially when competing against Cambridge) and punting.  There are many places to hired boats for punting in Oxford itself along the River Cherwell.  As a last resort, Bicester Village is also found in Oxfordshire and offers luxurious outlet shopping close to London.

Where is your favourite place to explore in Oxfordshire?  Where should we go on our anniversary next year?

Thanks to Prestige Hampers for the complimentary feast.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Quickie Workout #36 Tabata time!

Quickie Workout #36 Tabata time!

Remember to go for QUALITY over quantity. If you are unclear what the exercise is I am describing, please look for a video or arrange for an in-person tutorial with me.

Please consult your doctor before engaging on any fitness regime.

Don’t forget to breathe! Please email me if you want tips on how to make the quickies easier or more challenging (mollie@ptmollie.com).

You will need a timer for this Tabata workout. If you have a smart phone, look for an interval time app.  Set it for 20 sec/10 sec x eight cycles.

Here is your workout:

8 cycles of 20 seconds of alternating forward lunges with 10 sec of rest = 4 min

8 cycles of 20 seconds of press ups with 10 sec of rest = 4 min

8 cycles of 20 seconds of prisoner squats with 10 sec of rest = 4 min
* prisoner squat engages the core because fingertips are kept by ears. Squat down and jump up out of squat.

4 cycles of 20 sec of crunches with 10 sec rest, followed by 20 sec reverse curl with 10 sec rest = 4 min

Covid-19 antibody home test

Covid-19 antibody home test

It has been over six months since the UK went into total lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We seemed to have come out the other side with restrictions loosening over the summer. However over the last few weeks, new  local measures have been but into place around the UK as the data implies we are at the start of a second peak.

I have been fortunate to have felt physically well during all this. We think James had Covid-19 in May, but both his test (through NHS) and mine (thanks to work) were negative. He was in bed for two weeks (although no fever or cough) which was extremely unusual as he rarely gets sick. Back then, little was known about the immunity that having Covid-19 gave you. Even now, there isn’t much data. There is a man in Hong Kong that tested positive for Covid-19 four months after his initial positive test. This is worrisome for those relying on a vaccine to make the world return to normal. Will a vaccine need to be annual, like the flu shot? But that is an entirely different post for another day.

If you contract Covid-19, your body should elicit a immune response in which B-cells are produced to identify the virus and destroy it. Having an antibody test is a way to see if you have these protector cells available. Cerascreen contacted me to try out their at home antibody test for Covid-19. You may remember I did another at home test for food interolerance back in February. The general collection technique was the same. Prick your finger, drip blood into a tube and send off for analysis.

The Cerascreen test kits were in high demand when I ordered mine in June so it took a week for it to arrive. You want to collect your blood sample on Monday or Tuesday morning and post the same day so the sample can swiftly arrive at the testing centre. No refrigeration is needed. The next step is just wait for an email saying you results are available on their website.  You can then log in and download your seven page report.  It provided a lot of information about how to interpret the results and what to do if you are still feeling ill.

Antibody tests have two measures that indicate how reliable a test is- sensitivity and specificity. In this case, sensitivity means the test will detect everyone who has the antibodies and give a positive result. Specificity means how many false positives it will detect.  At the start of the pandemic, Roche antibody tests were known as the gold standard of antibody testing (specificity greater than 99.8% and sensitivity of 100% (14 Days post-PCR confirmation).  Unfortunately, many companies came out with kits of varying quality and their customers were scammed out of money.  The Cerascreen kit has a sensitivity of 97.4-100%. and specificity of 98.9-99.2%.

As I mentioned before, we were convinced that James has the virus, even though his (traditional) test result and mine were both negative. We continued to share a bed while he was sick and have always had separate bath towels. He said he made an extra effort to wash his hands well while sick too. One of the frustrating things about Covid-19 is how people can be asymptomatic and therefore vectors of the disease. Also, symptoms can be delayed. James’s GP said that depending on when you obtain a sample (day 3 of symptoms versus day 5) can also influence the test results.

It took about a week for my results to arrive via email. My antibody test was negative, meaning that I had not had Covid-19 at the time I took the test in June. I was partially surprised because I don’t have a great immune system (pneumonia, chicken pox, glandular fever, blood clot, etc). I thought for sure if James had it, I would have too (even though this would have meant that I was asymptomatic).

Why would you want an antibody test? Some people might want peace of mind that they have already had the virus and therefore can’t infect anyone when visiting loved ones or their colleagues. Perhaps they would decline a vaccination if there was a vaccine shortage if they tested positive for antibodies. There is no way of knowing when a person had Covid-19 though from the antibody test. Whether you test positive or negative for antibodies, you should still take precautions such as wearing a face covering, using hand sanitizer and social distancing as it is still unclear how long the antibodies will last for.  It also puts people at ease to see others taking the same precautions.  By making it the social norm, we can make these practices more commonplace.

I feel very fortunate to have been healthy so far in 2020 and am grateful for this.  Please take care of yourself and loved ones as we continue to navigate through this global crisis.

Learn more about antibody testing over on the NHS website.

Cerascreen kindly gifted me the Covid-19 antibody test.  All opinions are honest and my own.  The Cerascreen Covid-19 kit is now on offer for 5% off.  The price includes shipping, analysis and test report.

Quickie Workout #35

Quickie Workout #35

Remember to go for QUALITY over quantity. If you are unclear what the exercise is I am describing, please look for a video or arrange for an in-person tutorial with me. Please consult your doctor before engaging on any fitness regime.

Don’t forget to breathe! Please email me if you want tips on how to make the quickies easier or more challenging (mollie@ptmollie.com).

Warm up- Walk up and down stairs for 3 minutes
1 min– Wall sit
1 min– Plank
1 min– Jumping jacks/star jumps
1 min– Hold arms out in a lateral raise (so body is ‘T’ shaped). Hold for 1 min. If easy, hold a can of soup or weight in each hand.

1 min– Wall sit
1 min– Plank
1 min– Jumping jacks/star jumps
1 min– Left leg one legged squat
1 min– Right leg one legged squat

1 min– Wall sit
1 min– Plank
1 min– Jumping jacks/star jumps
1 min– Mountain climbers

Quickie Workout #34

Quickie Workout #34

Remember to go for QUALITY over quantity. If you are unclear what the exercise is I am describing, please look for a video or arrange for an in-person tutorial with me. Please consult your doctor before engaging on any fitness regime.

Don’t forget to breathe! Please email me if you want tips on how to make the quickies easier or more challenging (mollie@ptmollie.com).

Warm up– Walk/run for 2 min, skip rope for 2 min
1 min– Squats on bench/chair (to help you bring your squat low, touch bum to seat without transferring weight)
1 min– In a doorway, push hands out to sides against door frame and hold
1 min– Walking lunges
1 min– Jumping jacks/star jumps
1 min– Calf raises
30 sec– Left side plank
30 sec– Right side plank
1 min– Bicycle crunch
1 min– Swimmies- lay on stomach with arms outstretched. Move all limbs in a flutter pattern slightly off ground to engages lower back.
1 min– Push/press up on knees or toes

 

Celebrating our 10th wedding anniverary

Celebrating our 10th wedding anniverary

On the home page of my website is my mission statement that I want to teach clients to balance work, life, fitness, food and fun. This is something I work on too so I thought I would share a bit of my regular life in today’s post rather than the fitness side.

At the end of August, I shared in an Instagram post I would be going alcohol free in September and October to help my marathon training and to hopefully reduce excess calories. In order to make it achievable (hurray for SMART goals), I gave myself two times when I could drink within that timespan.  The first was my 10th wedding anniversary in September and the other was my husband’s 40th birthday in October. Being British, drinking is a big part of his culture (not to say it isn’t in America, but I do think we tend to favour eating over drinking in most celebrations). I would always choose dessert over a drink anyways so I didn’t think the challenge would be too hard.  Although I am discovering the late summer weather is making it quite tough to stick to my word!

James and I were married on a Friday afternoon in Upstate New York in 2010.  Our 10th anniversary was a Thursday night in early September. I had run home from work and James had gone on a bike ride with some friends that afternoon. We didn’t do presents or cards that morning because I am usually headed out the door by the time James is getting up. For the last 10 years (much to James’ chagrin), we have been inspired by the anniversary themes when choosing gifts.  I told him this is the last year we have to do presents.  We have learned that these forced gifts don’t always work out. Here are a few examples:

1st anniversary is traditionally paper– James tried to purchase a Liberty voucher for me because it was my new favourite shop in London.  Unfortunately their vouchers were coins!  I did end up with a lovely necklace though.

6th anniversary is iron- James and I are both avid readers and apparently not very creative.  We order the same iron bookmark from the same Etsy shop with slightly different inscriptions.  The ironic part is that neither of us ever use them because they are too bulky and heavy.

Tenth anniversary is tin and this was so tricky!  Most of the gifts I could find were lovey-dovey tin signs covered in hearts, which is not our style at all.  Another popular option seemed to be tins of mints or tea, which was a little under my budget.  We tend to be practical so when James suggested he get me something not made of tin, I was a little relieved!  It definitely took some of the pressure off.

What did we end up giving each other?  I got James:

Personalized tin enamel mugs for camping.  These I found on Not on The High Street.  There was one flaw I noticed then I opened them up.  James has always been Mr. Millington and then became Dr. Millington in 2007.  It felt a little silly to have his establishment date of 2010 but when paired with mine, it looks cute. To make these mugs more accessible for camping and hiking, I added on carbineers to clip to rucksacks or picnic blankets.

Custom framed artwork from Etsy.  What did couples do before Etsy?  To keep with the theme of 10 and the fact that James loves maps, I chose a mountain landscape from the DreamSeizeCherish Etsy shop with different destinations we have travelled together over the years.  It was easy to order, and when placed in a wooden frame (I could not find a tin one!) it will look great on our wall.  To make it more personalized, I changed the lovey example quote to one from Winnie the Pooh (Tao of Pooh is one of James’ favourite books).

Personalized champagne bottle.*  This got the best reaction from James of them all.  He is incredibly hard to buy for because he is practical, picky with clothes, and can really get himself anything that he really wants.  When Say it With Champers reached out to me, I thought this would be a fabulous idea.  At the time, we weren’t exactly sure how we would be celebrating so I figured it would be a nice treat with dinner if we ate at home or if we went away for the weekend (and we could use our tin mugs!). The bottle quickly arrived after I approved the design proof.  The bottle was inserted into an inflated bottle case and then in a cardboard box.  It fit perfectly so I just put a bow on the box rather than waste wrapping paper (we like to be environmentally friendly when possible).  With a large clumsy puppy tearing around, I didn’t want to risk the bottle breaking if I put it in a gift bag.

As soon as James opened it, he laughed.  I had sent a selection of photos of the two of us and Say it With Champers were quick to respond and advise which would look best on the bottle.  Apparently they made the right choice!  Because of the personalized labels, there wasn’t much space on the label to learn about the champagne itself.  The label indicated it was Brut so we knew it would be dry rather than sweet.  According to Say it With Champers website, their champagne is either sourced from Philizot & Fils or produced by their own family in Festigny, both in Champagne regions of France.  I think we Philizot & Fils and we loved the taste, easily finishing bottle with our dinner that evening.  The empty bottle is now placed prominently on our dining room shelf.

James got me:

A ginormous bouquet of flowers.  It is quite rare that I receive cut flowers. James feels they are not sustainable and therefore prefers to gift potted plants.  On our recent camping trip, we bought a very nice (small) vase and I think he had hoped to put these flowers in the vase.  James admits he “might have gotten carried away” when we realized all of our vases (we have three) are small.  Even after cutting the flowers down, they ended up going in the dog toy storage container.  The lilies are still blooming and looking fresh.  Flowers are something I tend to go to for self care so it has been lovely having them around the house.  Luckily, Maple has only knocked them over once.

Vouchers for driving lessons.  During lockdown, I struggled to take my inflatable stand up paddleboard to the Royal Docks.  The kit is very heavy and I technically wasn’t supposed to be on the Tube.  Also, I think James would appreciate a back up driver when we are trips and he wants to head to the pub.  I am a mediocre driver in the US, where the roads are wide and straight.  I dread to think hope I will do on London’s streets.  Stay tuned as I am sure I will share my adventures on Instagram.

A car shaped cookie cutter.  He tried to get some tin in there.  We are fairly certain it is not tin though.  You may not know that I love to bake (yes, I don’t just eat raw cookie dough).  I have a fairly large collection of cookie cutters and would make them more often if I had a large table or counter to roll the dough out on.  As a Christmas tradition, we always make a variety of cookies, including cut outs.

If you ask me, I think we ended our anniversary gift giving on a high note with this year’s gifts.  I don’t want to say we are settled into married life, but we know each other well enough to get practical gifts (our flat is too small for more crap) but can still surprise each other too.  I put a lot of time and effort into this last anniversary gift and now need to start over for his 40th birthday next month.  A personalized bottle of champagne might be a good start.

Come back next week to read about our active staycation in Oxfordshire where Mollie’s Motel and Diner was our base.

We look so young!

Thanks to Say it With Champers for the complimentary bottle.  All opinions are honest and our own.

Run the change you want to see

Run the change you want to see

After George Floyd’s death, I felt so helpless. As a white woman living in England, there wasn’t much I could do it seemed to bring about change in my home country. I made many donations to support causes that aligned with my beliefs- education about racism, counselling for trauma experienced by ethnic minorities, and supporting legal teams to help bring about justice. A few of my friends took part in online panel discussions and I eagerly tuned in to learn more their personal experiences.

I took to books to educate myself further, learning more about American and British history and how racism was an underlying current. The non-fiction books I read were White Fragility and Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About RaceNatives and How to Be Antiracist to add to the list now that I have finished what I originally purchased.

While Gone with the Wind is fictitious (and seriously long!), I had already started it during this time and followed it up with Queenie, The Tubman Command, and If Beale Street Could Talk. There are so many more books I want to read, questions I want to ask. A black man was killed by police recently in my hometown, sparking protests and even getting a mention from Trevor Noah. Fuelling this fire of unease is the US presidential election where both old white male candidates were raised in a different time (for example, when segregation was legal).

In an effort to amplify black Voices and help drive a change in America’s leadership, I am joining the virtual event Womxn Run the Vote. Oiselle USA is organising a #WomxnRunTheVote relay to benefit Black Voters Matter. Last day to register is 17 September and relay starts 21 September.  You don’t have to run to take part.  You can walk, cycle, swim, row, etc. to clock up your miles.  While I considered making my own team, but I thought it would be nicer to support others.  Aptly, there is a team called Happy Runners (close runner up was team Run for Cookies), so please join the Happy Runners team if you would like to support this great cause.  The team will need to split up the miles (680 in total) so let’s get registering asap.  Sadly, the unique custom event gaiter is sold out and there isn’t a medal, but there are a few online events to attend as a benefit of registering.  That means that $23 of your $30 goes right to Black Votes Matter.  That is a pretty good trade off if you ask me.

Here is the official blurb about the challenge:

A virtual race for real change, Womxn Run the Vote is a 680 mile virtual relay from Atlanta to Washington DC.

This virtual course takes runners on an empowering journey from the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site in Atlanta to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in DC. Along the route, you will travel on the US Civil Rights Trail and follow in the footsteps of generations of activists.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to support the Black Voters Matter Fund, an organization whose goal is to increase power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities through effective voting, which allows a community to determine its own destiny.

Designed to be accessible for as many people as possible, this event allows you to run, walk, ride (or any of 80 other activities) and then log your activity and see yourself move on our map and leaderboards. You will be able to see a Google street view of your virtual locale and then cheer your real fellow teammates in the chat. Learn more about the activists and change makers that helped shape the modern civil rights movement with our interactive maps.

Looking for a team to join?  If you search #WomxnRunTheVote on Instagram or Twitter, you will see info about teams with open spots.

Leave a comment below when you have registered so I cheer you on.  Let’s run together to get more people registered to vote in the USA to make a big impression through voting in the upcoming elections and improve lives of American citizens.

This posted contains affiliate links to Amazon.  They cost the buyer nothing additional and help support the running of this website.

Quickie Workout #33

Quickie Workout #33

Today’s workout requires a pilates ring (also know as a magic ring) and a dumbbell (or gallon jug of water. Pilates rings are very versatility and easy to travel with. Be sure to seek out a dumbbell swing tutorial as risk of injury is great when done improperly. I provided a link but you might need to search out additional information.

Remember to go for QUALITY over quantity. If you are unclear what the exercise is I am describing, please look for a video or arrange for an in-person tutorial with me.  Please consult your doctor before engaging on any fitness regime.  Don’t forget to breathe! Please email me if you want tips on how to make the quickies easier or more challenging (mollie@ptmollie.com).

Warm up- 1 min marching in place, 1 min squats, 1 min jumping jacks/star jumps,
1 min– Chest press with ring
1 min– Place ring between thighs just above the knees. Squeeze ring with inner thighs.
1 min– Hamstring curl by placing ring under bum and on back of ankle. Press heel towards bum to squeeze ring.
1 min- Tricep dip on chair
1 min– Bicep press by placing ring on shoulder and pressing wrist toward shoulder.
1 minOne legged squats on chair
1 minDumbbell swing – Snap your hips forward! For beginners, don’t worry about getting the dumbbell very high.
1 min– Reverse lunge – Lunge by stepping backwards.