More than a Painted Nail

Service-Oriented businesses are among the few concepts 'safe' from our Internet-Driven marketplace. You can't get your nails painted or your hair cut over the internet. Yet, even these concepts are still improving.
Introducing   - 'The Painted Nail'. Many are uncomfortable in a traditional nail salon environment. Much like sitting in a hotel jacuzzi with the wrong crowd, getting your nails 'done' can be not only intimidating but borderline obnoxious at a time you are wishing to relax. In addition to the top nail technicians, The Painted Nail offers free wi-fi (I'm assuming for use prior to your manicure) in their chic, realizing lounge, so even your wait is tolerable. They also feature an extensive selection for nail polish and nail accessories. A one-stop-shop; everyone'e kinda shop.

They built their concept considering your health and safety, from the ground up. They have SINGLE USE  buffers, files and toe scrubbers, so you are assured cleanliness in these intimate areas. Their tools are sterilized in an autoclave - only usually seen in hospitals. They don't use whirlpool foot spas, as they know these are a breeding ground for bacteria in typical nail salons.  They also have a free mini-bar serving coffee tea, seasonal cocktails and wine and VIP manicure cabanas - a private studio with a flat screen TV to get you your nails done, let's say, after work while catching up on Grey's Anatomy. Talk about relaxation.


Check out their website, or to find an LA location near you!

www.thepaintednail.com

Pre-Race Preparation Tips

The OC Marathon is just 12 short days away. As the miles are slowly coming off my training schedule, I revisited the best tips to keep in mind within 1-2 weeks of RACE DAY! My goal is to PR at the OC Marathon, and qualify once again for the 2012 Boston Marathon!

1.            Revisit and visualize your goals: Is my goal of 3:35 still relevant? I think so. Wait, that’s the wrong attitude, YES! It’s a realistic challenge. What will I do differently in this race that I haven’t done before during a race? Spend several miles without my iPod.

2.            Avoid taper madness: After 3 months of heavy training, the last two weeks of lowering the mileage has ‘phantom pains’ creeping up on me. No, hip you are fine! I am going to use these next 12 days of taper to rest, and stretch.  If an easy 5 mile is on the schedule, and my legs are itching to go 12, I’ll remind them, ‘this is for race day’.

3.            Examine the course: The course for OC Marathon has changed this year. Not a big surprise, as it’s the 7^th annual and I believe they have had 4-5 different courses around Orange County. Nontheless, run the new leg, and definitely fit a run in on the last 6 miles of the course, as I’ve only touched these parts on previous race days when I want to spoon my eyes out coming in the final stretch.

4.            Drink lots of water:  Being hydrated for a race starts a week ahead of time. There is a theory that thirsty people feel more pain. No alcohol. I want my body to be full of good things. I will try and limit my coffee and other caffeine take. Realistically two-three days before.

5.            Buy some sweet new running shorts: Because it’s exciting to put them the morning of RACE DAY!

6.            Don’t wear your favorite $14 running socks up to 4 days before so you don’t have to wash them the day before the race: Enough said.

7.             Sleep well on Friday: Marathon is on Sunday. Sleep generally has a lag time of about 36 hours. Sleeping poorly two days before the race will be much worse than sleeping poorly the night before the race.

8.            Get in a short pre-race day jog: Get in a short 2 or 3 mile jig jog the day before the marathon. Do not go fast, try to avoid going up any mountains unless you are scouting the course, and try to relax.

9.            Eat a good meal: Nothing out of the norm, what I would usually eat the night before my long runs (or any other meal in general, as I am usually pretty healthy). No popcorn Colletti. And no pre-race coffee. 

OC Marathon 2009 -  Dad on Bike, Dan on my side! PR: 3:38

BlackSocks, the Netflix of Dress Socks

Yes, a Sockscription. This concept joins the millions of other businesses that are replacing storefronts. While I value the businesses that we can walk in and touch, feel, and try on the product, this subject cannot be breached. We are seeing the Blockbuster's coming back to the market, as Netflix and Red Box have figured out the convenience for DVD home delivery. And, I believe there are some items that are better served in this 'fashion'. I like receiving our DVDs in the mail. We enjoy going online and 'seeing' what others in our very community are watching to order it as well. BlackSocks is an online-based 'sockscription' service that gives professional men an easy way to fulfill their sock needs on a specific schedule. Men choose what style and color of socks they need and how often they need to receive them. 3 pairs, every 3 months? Sure! In a time of low shopping drive, this concept responds to the headaches men carry for this end of their wardrobe.

Their website: www.blacksocks.com

Boston Marathon, 5 days away!

The 2011 Boston Marathon is just 5 days away! Good luck to all the Run Your Potential runners including my coach, John Loftus! I ran the Boston Marathon last year, and I dug up my race recap to my running coach:


What an experience! Smooth travels over there. From Chicago to Boston the flight attendant even asked for a show of hands of who was planning on participating in the Boston Marathon and 70% of the flight had their hands in the air (if you couldn't tell by their conversations, running apparel etc.) 
 
Ate well on Sunday, stayed off my feet as much as I could, ran on the treadmill. Got a little sleep (nerves/excitement) but had plenty of rest on Sat night, so it evened out.
 
Smooth sailing to the Start line. Talked to some great women on the bus about running, racing etc. I was reminded 'Well, Boston isn't a PR course, it's hilly, so be careful'. But I already knew that. It rewards patient runners, second half is hilly, save up. Use the ups on the first half, and the downs on the second. 
 
I had just enough 'waiting' time at the start - laid out some towels by myself ( I didn't want to feel compelled to run with the women I had met thus far, I wanted to run on my own). listened to some music, stretched, and mostly just took in all the other runners and their unique methods of last minute preparation at that point. Prior to the race I had a bowl of Oatmeal, and half a Fiber One bar. I drank plenty of water and hit the bathroom. Before I knew it, I landed in my corral, and START. (So - no complaints on getting to, and waiting at, the start line, actually couldn't have had it any better!) I felt as prepared as I could have been.
 
The first few miles went very fast. I didn't want to look at my watch, or my pace bracelet as I didn't want to get distracted by its results to early on. I hit the split button at every mile, without looking at the mile times.  I felt like I was going at a great pace, but I also felt like I was saving some for the second half. 
 
Eventually, when I passed the half marathon mark, I glanced at my overall time and saw I was right on (1:44). (But I also knew I had 13 more miles to go, it was going to be tough to maintain). 
 
I couldn't wait for Mile 16, where I knew my boyfriend would be. In fact I ran a speedier (than Miles 13, and Mile 14)  mile in anticipation for it.  I saw him, we hugged and he told me to keep going. Speaking of going, I had to hit the restroom. I waited for an easy access porta potty (no line) and think I only lost about 43 seconds here. 
 
At that point, knowing it was just me to the finish, I had half a Caffe Latte Gu pack handed to me by a volunteer, drank some gatorade and some water, then just cruised. The uphills, including heartbreak, weren't as tough as the consistent downhills. 
 
At Mile 25 I was exhausted and the 26th Mile felt like 2 miles, even with the finish line in sight. I was digging deep, but just couldn't find the energy. 
 
My finish time was 3:41:53. I was a little discouraged - I had wanted to at least beat my PR of 3:38. I suppose I felt with increased training and preparation, I had earned it, but I also remembered this was, indeed my second fastest time, and that is pretty neat. 

 
I think 3:30 had been too lofty of a goal as I think I realized the week going into it, looking through all the split times knowing I would have had to be running every mile at my best, back to back. And I knew with it being a marathon I needed to save some for the second half. 
 
I want to run the OC Marathon under less pressure surrounding a 'finish time', and more freely. Yet, I want to arrive their strong and prepared nonetheless.
 
During every marathon, I am reminded of the distance. That was my 11th, and I am still humbled by the challenge of it. 


When I returned home, I ran the OC Marathon just 10 days later and beat my Boston Marathon time. I finished in 3:39, qualifying for Boston yet again. I was very, very pleased as this was an ever reminder that anything is possible. You can go against the grain and be successful, you just have to want it. 

Back Bay Loop

The best 10.2 miler in Southern California

Any given day pre or post work I'll slip on my running shoes and click my feet into the trail, knowing no matter how tired or sore I feel, I'll complete the full 10.2 and end in utter satisfaction.
Notes to self:

A) Don't take a bite out of your bar and pack it in a bush for your second loop around. The ants will get to it before you do....and you may not realize THAT until you have already gone for a bite. Whoops.

B) Some day you will understand how those bicycle packs stay together. Never will you sense them coming before they let you know. All the same, I enjoy the company out there, albeit 5 am or 7 pm.

C) In the spring watch our for snails and on any Saturday watch out for horses

D) I love this loop

T-Shirt Deli

This T-Shirt Deli is a Short Order WIZARD! An entire T-Shirt store dedicated to the theme, service and selection of a New York Deli. The store is filled with gleaming white deli cases, rolls of waxed butcher paper and open-air wicker baskets that display the freshest selection of solid T-Shirts. Like a deli you can fully customize your new T-Shirt, and it's 'made to order' while you wait.  First, you pick out (or bring in) a logo, photo and/or lettering. (Think: on your way to a birthday party, or a ball game to wear a phrase of support). They even write up your order on deli tabs!

Your finished shirt is wrapped in butcher paper, placed in a paper bag along with a bag of potato chips! This infusion of a fun theme makes this Chicago shop more than just a T-Shirt store. Plus, they do in-store parties and offer catering :) We hope to bring their concept to Orange County!

Their website:

www.tshirtdeli.com

Granola Babies

I met a wonderful woman, Giselle who started Granola Babies back in 2005. I visited her in her current store in Costa Mesa. Her shop was filled with expecting mamas and new mamas and infants. She was showing one mother all the different cloth diaper choices based on different organic ingredients. Her lease is coming up and I get the wonderful opportunity to relocate (and reposition!) her store to better serve our community while maintaining her current customer base. The latter was very important to her; a sign of a loyal business owner, and caring woman in general. With her store, come the knowledge and tools to keep you and your baby completely natural.  Her store carries everything from cloth diapers to organic chewable for the teething stage. Part of her store is dedicated to retail, and the other part for classes for expecting mammas or mamma and infants teaching lessons from labor to sign language.

www.granolababies.com