Family and friends can have such a huge impact on what we see as "normal" in our day to day lives. A sedentary lifestyle lived by someone close to you can inadvertently have a similar impact on your own health and fitness. On the other hand, some people look at other people who are active and make excuses for their own fitness level (or lack-there-of) by labeling them people as "fitness fanatics", or "obsessive". Yes, there must absolutely be a balance and exercise/healthy living can't be all you care about or you aren't really living, are you? That being said, I don't know anyone personally who is at that level of fanaticism but I do know many people who use this negative labeling to make themselves feel better about their unhealthy lifestyles. It's health bullying in a way.
Adam Knowles and I post Half Marathon
The reason I'm writing all of this is because I had a sort of lightbulb moment with my great friend and fellow blogger Krysten (Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail) after a 6am crossfit class at Indestri in Collingwood. It's no surprise, and no great secret that both Krysten and I have had our own challenges with body image (hey, we're human). However as we sipped our lattes at Starbucks post workout, we made a connection that something had changed this year for both of us re:health and fitness. A ball had dropped. It began when we each committed to running a half-marathon. When the training began, there was a serious shift in the way we each thought about our bodies. For me it went from dragging myself to the gym and hoping that I had burned enough calories, to pushing myself to run farther than I ever had before. When you're training for a race, you can't treat your body badly because you need it be a clean machine. We both started to appreciate our bodies more and although neither of us broke any records by any means, we both finished something that a few years ago we had never dreamed of committing to.
So yes, it may seem crazy and obsessive to run for 2 hours and put yourself through blisters and cramps and all sorts of other crap and actually pay to run in a half marathon, but hey - it's the best therapy and confidence boost I've ever had. So if you're reading this and you think you might fall into the "health bully" category - maybe it's just your fear talking. Any chance you might actually want to challenge yourself in this way too? How about saying f%&k it to your excuses and put on a pair of sneaks and just GO? And if you've crossed paths with someone like this - don't be angry with them, just remember, like any bully, they are doing it out of their own insecurity. So run, swim, hike, yog, cross, or whatever else it is that keeps you sane and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.
Co-Star Andrew Pigott, Director Joseph Procopio & I
Our premier of Memories at the TIFF Next Wave Festival was a huge success! I was lucky enough to have a ton of friends and family at the event and an incredible amount of support from those who were there in spirit. Naturally I was slightly panicked about my outfit but was lucky enough to have the stylistic help of Lyndsay - who helped me plan the perfect daytime screening outfit from head to toe.
Can't wait to wear these puppies again!
With amy daytime event - it's important not to overdo it with your makeup & attire. We worked with a dress that I already had (Tory Burch for Forever 21), added some sick shoes from Zara & a cropped jean jacket and bangles from H&M. So including my dress which I've had for a few months, I felt TIFF ready and totally appropriate for my first big screening for under $150.
This is just the beginning of the Memories Festival tour. Next up is the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August. Road trip! I'm confident that it will be screened at some other excellent film festivals as well, Joseph has done an incredible job with the piece.
Just a couple of short weeks before MetCon Blu and my summer move to 4th Line Theatre. Lots of updates on both these fronts but right now, I've gotta get out the door and go for a run!
I can't believe it, but somehow the big day has come and gone and I managed to get my body from the start line to the finish line of the Goodlife Half-Marathon. First of all, kudos to all the other runners and thank you to all of the amazing people pumping me up along the way. At one point I had a raging cramp and this nice lady stopped and asked if i was ok. Such a small gesture but it really meant the world to me at the time. I was lucky enough to have my friend/lil sister's boyfriend, Adam, join me for the run and it really helped having someone there to calm my nerves before the start. Of course, about 5 minutes before go time, I had to pee like a racehorse and had to run into the bushes, narrowly avoiding a cop and another runner. I tried to be as stealth as possible in my neon hat but I think they just chose to ignore me, to which I say, thank you kindly!
So now it's two days post run and my legs are feeling better than yesterday but still, pretty darn sore. My blisters are healing, and my joints feel pretty good. More than anything though, I just feel happy. I am happy that I pushed myself to achieve a goal which for a long time, made me too nervous to even commit to. I am happy that both my body and mind were able to accept this challenge. My sisters, brother in law,boyfriend, mom and her partner Ted were all there cheering me along. Them being there and supporting me along the way meant more to me than I can say. They believed I could do it, even when I didn't. I realized about 10K into the run I wasn't really doing it to prove to anyone that I could, except for myself. I needed to do it for me. And that is the most satisfying part of all. I proved myself wrong. I can be a runner (despite the fact that as a child I hated all sports event and picked dandelions in the fields rather than participating). I've realized that we put limitations on ourselves, and those are the ones that really hurt. By saying "I'm not a runner" or "I'm not really an athlete" we put ourselves in these little boxes and don't see the world of opportunity around us. So if you're reading this and thinking "I'm in my own box", open it. You are the only one who can do so and it is so freeing. Realize that your own fear is holding you back, but it has no real power over you. You can do whatever it is you want to do and no one is responsible for your own physical condition or your own happiness but yourself. Be your own life coach. Believe.
Wow, ok that may have been an intense paragraph but I'm fairly certain it communicates the essence of what this Half-Marathon brought to light for me.
I still don't know whether a full marathon is in my future or not but I would do another Half. But now, it's time to focus on METCONBLUE! And it starts tomorrow, with a recovery yoga class, and I can't wait.
ACTING ETC. I booted it to a print-ad "go see" audition this morning which seemed to go well but it's hard to tell when the directions are to jump up and down screaming like you're at a soccer game and your team just scored. I find it hilarious how often I find myself in these brutally awkward scenarios in commercial audition settings but somehow my brain flicks a switch and I just giver. I guess that's an essential part of being an actor - being able to disregard the fact that you look like a complete maniac sometimes.
On the way out of the audition I got an email from my agency that I booked a part in a multi-media project that I auditioned for initially in November and was called back for last week. The project has some really cool aspects to it. The characters will all infiltrate various social media venues (ie twitter, facebook etc) and the "episodes" will be on youtube. It's fairly improvisational which I love and the director has some great ideas to work off of.
FOODIE PEN PALS!
I've been matched up with my Foodie Pen Pals and have really been enjoying chatting with them via email. It's amazing to connect with these people and listen to their stories and experiences. I can't wait to get Nikki's package together! I've already got some great ideas just from the couple of emails we've sent back and forth.
Take care, comb your hair, and enjoy this lovely tune by Great Lake Swimmers.
Just two more sleeps until my Goodlife Half Marathon and my mood about the whole thing is shifting fairly spastically from "Hell yes, you are ready, you got this!" to, "Oh God, oh God, what was I thinking?!". Regardless, I'm still very glad that I made the decision to do the run. It's been a life goal of mine and hey, if not now, when? Life really is too short to be a bystander. I couldn't be happier to start off my 27th year with the biggest fitness challenge yet. I've just got to remind myself that no matter how fast I run and no matter what my time is at the end, it's a huge accomplishment and has allowed me to push myself and run farther than I have ever before.
A little less than a month after my half, it's time for Met Con Blue Adventure Race! It's a 5K fitness blitz with twists, turns and insane challenges. My brother in law, the amazing Bill Pain, should be given due credit for my two sisters and our partners participating in this madness. Not to mention everyone's favorite Darwinian Fail and her hubby will be participating! How shall I train?! Here's my tentative plan (starting after I recover from the half!):
Yoga or Pilates - 1x per week Crossfit Class - 1x min per week Running - 2x min 5K run per week Strength - Either Body Pump or solo weight training
Tweaks will inevitably be made I'm sure (especially after I discuss with Mr. Pain!). But for now, I'm just going to try to enjoy my tapering before the run, and fuel this body as well as possible!
Paleo Pre-Race Fuel!
Breakfast: 2 Eggs and a couple pieces of sweet potato or honeydew melon and the essential cup o coffee. Snack: Handful of Almonds Lunch: Giant salad with any protein, half an avocado, whatever veggies are in the fridge and maybe a couple of dill pickles (don't judge me) Snack: Snack size can of Tuna or last night's protein with leftover veggies. Dinner: Last night it was Fish tacos wrapped in bib lettuce with some awesome veggie toppings. Always a protein and lots of veggies. So many options.
Throughout the day I am trying to drink at least 2L of water as well as some herbal teas to keep the lattes at bay! Good restful sleep is essential especially since pre race anxiety/excitement can interfere all on its own, no need to throw extra caffeine/alcohol into the mix to really eff it up!
I've signed up for The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Pen Pals! Check out her blog for more info but I'm really excited to pack up a bangerang kit!
In Other News...
"Memories" will screen at the TIFF Next Wave Festival on May 12th (yahooo!). Our new little car "Ricky" has arrived and she is an absolute beaut. My 27th Birthday has come and gone and thanks to all of my amazing family/friends and the wonderful Andy it was a blast! Plans for my secret business are developing really nicely and I will share details very soon. I get to see my sisters this weekend and complete a goal that I've had for years, to run a half-marathon. So this girl is pretty dang excited about Spring. I'm officially calling it "Make it Happen May" because hey, if we don't do it for ourselves, it just ain't gonna happen.
I'm off to the Goodlife Marathon Expo to pickup my race kit! I leave you with this amazing tune which will DEFINITELY be on my playlist race day!
Have a fabulous day and hey, do something nice today for yourself k?
You start reading home decor magazines and or food magazines
Before splurging on a pair of jeans, you consider what kitchen appliance you could get instead
You stop eating kraft dinner (except maybe once a year...obviously with hot dogs)
You refer to your youth as "back in the day" and are shocked when tweens aren't familiar with N'Sync or Backstreet Boys
You start to really appreciate your grandparents and wish you knew more about them
You own a slow cooker
You either own a dog/cat or are seriously considering it...and possibly have a tester plant (mine's name is Joseph...he may or may not be a cactus)
You pretend like the book you're reading on the subway isn't The Hunger Games
You stop hanging out with people who don't make you happy
Benders are replaced by epic dinner parties.
Yep. It's offical. I think I might be grown up now.
There are some fairly major parts of being an adult that I'm still not caught up with yet (ie buying a house), but I've finally made the decision to lease a car. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! It's a little black Honda Fit named (probably) Ricky. It's going to make this summer of performing at 4th Line Theatre even better. On top of that, I get to pick her up on my birthday!
Half-Marathon training is going pretty well. I invested in a "Fuel Belt" from running room and bought myself a foam muscle roller. Now I've just gotta keep my training on track and not freak myself out too much. Hit the 10 mile mark last week and tomorrow's 11 miles. Wish me luck, and please feel free to msg me with your favorite running tunes.
I had an amazing time shooting an episode of "Cold Blood" last week - so great to be back on a set! The late shoot got me home around 4am but I didn't mind. When you're up really late doing something you're not invested in - resentment is inevitable. When your heart's in it - it somehow makes it a million times easier to keep your eyes open and your brain in gear.
My 27th Birthday is coming up and I'm actually pretty excited about it. Some of my friends are freaking out about our age - insistent that we should "have our shit together" by now. What does that even mean? I think that comparing yourself and your life to other people's, you are bound to feel inadequate and behind the pack. The truth is - you are wherever you are supposed to be right now. And your future, is spotless, no excuses not to do everything you want to do and get everything you want out of life. Stop putting up artificial barriers and making excuses. I have a hard time keeping these thoughts in check sometimes but something about the Spring, and my birthday, is just reminding me more than ever to be present and enjoy life. Somehow it's a little easier to keep these things in check when the birds are a chirpin and the buds are blooming.
I've been putting a lot of this positive excited energy into my half-marathon training as well as working on my business plan for the small business I will be opening in September. I have hummed and hawed a lot about the ever challenging question of what day job is the best for me as an actor. I've done the bartending thing, I've served a ton, and most recently I've been babysitting. Each has their pros and cons and although currently I'm just thrilled not to be working in a bar until all hours, I still find myself frustrated that I can't be using more of my skills and that my hours are so weird (right now I work long hours on weekends and short hours weekday evenings). I'm trying to think long term here. How can I support myself when acting is inconsistent and live a comfortable life, but also be able to see my family and friends more, ie have a more balanced life overall? So that's where the starting a business idea came into play and I will give more detail about it as it comes closer to the start date in Fall of 2012.
I am also getting a car soon as I'll definitely need one doing the musical in Millbrook this summer...YAAAAAY! I have my eye on a Honda Fit but we'll see... So excited to be able to go visit my sisters whenever I want!
I'm excited for my 27th year to start with a half marathon and a new side job option on the horizon. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with the past and the future but something that keeps bouncing around my brain is: the only one responsible for your own happiness is yourself, so do what you need to do for it to be a reality.
I leave you with an amazing catchy tune by the Avett Brothers...
A word of advice to those looking to save some dough and find someone who will do something for your career on the cheap:do your research. I happened to cross paths with a young film student who seemed to have all the necessary qualifications for the job. I hummed and hawed when I finally got the reel back but the fact of the matter was - it wasn't great. And there is no point in putting something out there if you don't like what it represents.
SO...luckily my amazing friend and director of Footsteps, Noam Kroll came to the rescue! Over a two hour session together yesterday, not only did he create and edit a new reel for me, he also helped me understand how to get it online and onto the internet ASAP. What a gem. So here it is ladies and gents! Hope you like it!
Must give credit where credit is due! The footage on my reel is from the following projects:
Footsteps - Independent Feature Film, Directed by Noam Kroll
David at Home - Short Film, Directed by Alexa Di Cambio (official selection, Hills Film Festival)
Enamour - Short Film, Directed by Justin Ho (official selection, Soho International Film Festival)
Allie Dunbar - Demo Reel 2012
Run, Run, Run!
It's "long run" training day and I am thrilled to say that I've completed a 5mile run! I thought it would never happen! Fellow blogger and everyone's favorite Darwinian Fail, Krysten, told me that every increase in distance would seem impossible but somehow if you stick to your guns it will happen, and she was right! Now I'm feeling a little sore but ready to rock a long overdue girls night out!
And this song goes out to...
Krysten's half-marathon is coming up this Sunday in Burlington. We had planned to run the Goodlife May 6th one together, but her surgery date was set after we made this plan and she wouldn't have enough time to recover and train pre race. So the amazing lady found herself a half-marathon that would work with her surgery (literally the day before!). GOOD LUCK KRYSTEN! This song is for you, this helped me through the last bit of my run today, maybe it'll help on Sunday!
