Author Archives: Theodora Blanchfield

Yo.(Ga)

A few years ago, I was SUPER into yoga. It was there for me at a rough time in my life, and it brought me peace from a terrible bout of anxiety.

Since then, I’ve favored running, HIIT and strength classes to yoga, but I always come back to it when I need to get grounded again. So I wanted to share two random yoga experiences with you:

1. Pro Yoga USA!

Pro Yoga DC Yoga Week

This one is only for DC-area readers: my friend Amy is opening up a corporate yoga program called Pro Yoga USA. A few jobs ago, we had a yoga class once a week at noon, and it was so, so amazing. If you’re in DC, try one of Amy’s free classes this week or see if your job can get some yoga on. (The first class is free.) I’m so, so proud of Amy. 

Y7 Yoga

2. Y7 Yoga

Last night, after taking a class at NYU all weekend, I went for a run. Though the views and weather were awesome, my body was exhausted and not into it. As I thought about this week’s workouts last night, I looked to see what was available on ClassPass this morning for before work, looking for some kind of strength, Pilates or yoga class. Y7, a new-ish studio in Flatiron (hi, never leaving this neighborhood), had an 8:15 class. DONE.

Sleepily, I climbed the stairs to the gorgeous studio. I walked into the room and was immediately disoriented that it was really (intentionally) dark. But then again, my favorite part of class at Laughing Lotus is when they close the blinds, so I tried to withhold judgement.

The hour-long hot vinyasa class is fairly different than others I’ve taken before: it’s set to much louder music than other classes, it’s mostly in the dark, and the instructor would take us through a flow several times and then have us repeat it on our own for a few minutes. I get serious exercise amnesia and would usually forget the flow halfway through and start kind of doing my own thing. I like some serious hand-holding in yoga. Tell me exactly what to do and when to do it. 

Either way, I walked out mellow and sweaty, which is all you can really ask for on a Monday, right?

How did you start your Monday?

26 Strong: Running the Chicago Marathon Again!

Never Limit Where Running Can Take You

When I met my buddy Bart Yasso at the Runner’s World Half, he signed his book “never limit where running can take you.”

Running has given so much to my life.

It’s given me the confidence to believe in my dreams. I never thought I’d be able to run a marathon, much less four, taking off more than an hour off my time from the first to the fourth.

It’s given me some pretty incredible opportunities, from a race and trip to the Bahamas to hanging out with the Runner’s World staff and was even being included in their top fave Twitter people.

It’s given me some free therapy and massive endorphin rushes.

But most importantly, it’s given me friendship. Ashley and I became so close because we logged a million hours running together as we trained for our first marathons. It’s given me a new outlet to connect with my coworkers. It’s brought countless people into my life that I would not have met were it not for running.

26 Strong Logo Badge

So I am REALLY excited to announce that I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon as part of the 26 Strong program with Saucony and the Competitor Group. The program pairs experienced marathoners with first-timers to coach them through the experience.

I remember reading along last year as Michele trained with her sister, and getting the warm-fuzzies as they shared the experience of training for Honolulu.

NYC Marathon Blue Line Tent

I’m really excited to be training with my good friend Heather. We only met this time last year (in fact, yesterday was our friend-a-versary), but she quickly became one of my closest and most supportive friends. Our friendship has given me so much, and I can’t wait to pay that back by supporting her through training for her first marathon.

A note on choosing to work with Saucony: those of you who have read this blog for a long time know that I have been brand-loyal to New Balance for the past few years since they were my client at my last job. But I actually ran in Sauconys for years before working with New Balance and ran my first two marathons in Sauconys. I didn’t take this decision-making lightly because I know how it looks when I’ve written about one brand for years and am all of a sudden taking an opportunity with another brand just because it’s an awesome opportunity. I’ve turned down paid campaigns for other shoe brands because of my loyalty, but I ultimately decided that I felt comfortable working with Saucony since I ran in their shoes for so long before making the switch to NB.

So, two marathons this year — ah! I cannot wait, though. This is going to be a truly memorable experience, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.