The difference between ordinary and extraordinary?

 It really is the little extra, and yes, I know how corny this line is. My reason for talking about this is the fact that I'm sitting in Newark airport waiting for a flight and simply amazed at how low the bar is here (and most any other airport) for the consumer experience.

The outlet which is my source of nirvana

Security aside, as there is virtually no hope for that improving any time soon for obvious reasons, everything else about it is pretty crummy. The food, the service, the seating, the lighting, having to (as I currently am) pay for wifi. I actually got really excited when I found a place to plug in my iPad. Seriously?!?

This is how low my expectations are. I just got visibly excited over electricity. 

I just feel like if someone were to step up and making the airport a desirable place to be, even just a little bit, it would be a tremendous success.

Airports aside (I realize claiming that they are a sub par experience isn't exactly discovering America) what could you do in your personal life to be just a little better? Often times, you just have to suck a little bit less than everyone else to stand out. You don't need to be amazing, just be better.

I'm often juggling a lot of stuff, and deep down I want to be the best at everything. When you're a busy person like myself though, everything can't be perfect - and that's ok.

I just make sure I am doing an honest job, do my best and try to at least exceed expectations. Perfection is often impossible, so stop worrying about it.

Drive slow.

True Swagg - Did he do that?

I just learned this morning that Jaleel White will be competing on Dancing with the Stars. You may remember Jaleel from his seminal role as the young protagonist Steve Urkle on the hard-hitting 90's series Family Matters. In him, nerd culture reached new heights.

What I'd like to discuss today is what made Steve special, and how my somewhat silly post today actually has some backbone - stick with me here.

Stefan Urquelle, Steve's alter-ego is the definition of swag - but what Steve didn't realize was that his smooth side was always there. He just needed to believe in himself and go for it. Sure, Laura Winslow seemed out of his league, but he was a lot cooler than he realized.You too can have true swag like Stefan. Just be confident and let it out. When you're taking on a new challenge, a race, a new job, school, whatever - just go for it.

 If you're taking on a running event as a new challenge this year, it certainly can be pretty intimidating. You walk into a running store, everyone just looks like runners. Just ask yourself, what would Stefan do? Everyone started somewhere, and runners are typically more than willing to help a new person out. Be confident in your new venture and you're already half way there. It doesn't hurt to feel good in your running gear either, so get some workout clothes that you think look nice on you. It sounds vain, but when you feel good about your gear, it can give you the confidence boost you need to get through that hard workout.

Side note, if Jaleel White competes on Dancing with the Stars as Stefan Urquelle - he's a prohibitive favorite.

Drive Slow

Vitamins are important, but worth fighting over?

When training for a race, lots of things come into focus more than ever before. What type of fabric your socks are made of, how hydrated you are, and the proper ratio of protein to carbs in your meals. Nutrition is a huge factor in your success (or failure) on the racecourse. Given the amount of stress you're putting your body under - it's a good idea to supplement your meals with vitamins. Some people get way into a certain mix of B12, flax seed oil, and anything else you can think of. To start though, a simple multivitamin is a great and easy way to make sure you're getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs to achieve its potential. There is one product that has gone completely out of control.

Vitafusion Multivitamins, take a Xanax or something, please.

I'm actually a Vitafusion customer - I think they make a cool product, gummy vitamins for adults. They may be the most expensive gummy bears on the planet, but for the sake of argument, let's assume they work as well as other products on the market. My issue is not with the product, but with their ridiculous commercial that seems to be playing constantly on television. Let's break it down.

• Husband comes into the kitchen, finds wife making pancakes. She's a little too dressed up for breakfast duty, but ok - that's nice.
• He grabs his bottle of Vitafusion multivitamins like a good growing boy should, but finds only 2 gummies are left (the serving size it 2 by the way).
• He starts taunting his wife that he got the vitamins and she can't have any - dooming her to malnutrition.
• Wife throws a blue berry at him. Hm, sort of messy but playful. Go on...
• Husband throws what looks to be a pear at her. SERIOUSLY? That's domestic violence brother!
• Wife retaliates by throwing a strawberry which is blocked by a plate. Not to be outdone, the wife then takes a scoop of pancake batter and splashes it all over her husband. This is punctuated by a demonic laugh by the wife who now has forced her husband to take his clothes to the cleaners and get ready for the all over again.
• They then grab whisks, spatulas and other kitchen utensils and start beating and stabbing each other with them. What the hell is going on here?!
• The wife then throws a handful of flour in her husband's face, blinding him, and taking the two vitamins. 

Nothing is worth this, and while I understand the serving size is two gummies and the company wants people having two a day (thus doubling their sales) - can we just agree that sharing the last two vitamins is a better solution than resorting to an exchange that surely has strained their marriage?

What commercials have made you less likely to buy their product?

Drive Slow

Making Life a Game

 Let me first disclose that I am no fan of Nike's running shoes. Nothing against the company, but as I noted earlier, shoes are a very personal thing and some work for you and some don't. I often wish I could wear them though because I think they make some of the coolest looking kicks around. But alas, I stick to my mantra of "it's better to look like a dork than to get shin splints".

What I do like about Nike is their innovative approach to sports. The Nike+ system is a cool tool that runners can use to track runs in an inexpensive and fun way. They just announced a number of new products this week, like shoes that are made like socks (Flyknit) and this little gem pictured here - the Nike+ FuelBand.

I was skeptical for about this product for roughly 13 seconds until I thought about what it represented - making like a game.

I love this idea.

The device tracks all of your movements throughout the day and you basically earn points or "fuel". You can then track your activity and see if you are meeting your fitness goals. For instance, taking the stairs at work or walking instead of getting a cab will become more desirable because these choices will earn you "fuel" that you can compare with friends which in turn can keep you motivated to stay active through the Nike+ system. It's a simple concept, but it just seems like a lot of fun to me.

This bad boy runs $149 according to Nike's site, so not necessarily an impulse buy - but might be money well spent if it can help keep you moving all day.

Drive Slow

If Kanye can have a new workout plan, so can I

 Taylor Swift, I'mma let you finish, but running a marathon is the best goal to have in 2012!

So, as noted, I'm getting on my horse to train for a half marathon in May as well as a full marathon in November. I've been getting to the gym, running, and feeling pretty decent about it (my abs being the exception right now - holy core workout) The problem is I don't want to just feel decent.

I want to feel GREAT.

The title of my blog should give away the time crunch I find myself under most days. The real problem is when I'm in school and I don't get home until 11pm. This is twice a week right now, which may not seem like that big of a deal, but it creates a bit of stress on the non school days to get my workouts in.

You (aka Brah): "Dude, you still can work out the other 5 days, stop crying about school".

Matt: "Brah, listen - sometimes there's traffic or I get stuck at work and can't get to the gym. It happens"

So with that, I've come up with a solution. I'm going to start running when I wake up at least one if not both days on school nights. This isn't exactly "discovering America" or anything, but for me it's a big change. I don't like running in the morning but I'm going to give it a shot. Even doing a 2 mile run before work is better than nothing. I really want to achieve my goals, so sometimes, as the Roots say,

"If you want to be something in life
You ain't gonna get it unless
You give a little bit of sacrifice"

Drive Slow

Spinning with the Real Housewives

Cross training is something I've come to enjoy. I get enjoyment out of running - sure - but like most people, it can get a bit boring to do day after day. I seriously envy those of you out there who have no greater pleasure than to run for an hour. Jerks.

There are any number of things that you can do to change up your work out routine. Honestly, anything that isn't running is cross training and anything you do that gets your blood pumping is good for you. For me, it's important to do some weight lifting (I live in New Jersey, remember?) and some cardio which takes the pressure off of my knees. I've found that spinning is my favorite type of cross training for a number of reasons.

Nothing wimpy about this bad boy

Now, I know what you're thinking - spinning is something that girls do - I had this same misconception as well. While it's true a lot of women spin, so do a lot of men. Truth be told, if I'm able to attend a lunch class during the week, I'm usually chilling with the Real Housewives of Princeton. Those Lululemon clad ladies are killing it for 45 minutes though, and so can you.

Let's also make one thing clear - spinning is hard work. There is absolutely nothing wimpy about it. You are cycling with an instructor telling you what terrain to simulate.

The first time I tried it, I thought I'd roll up in there, hop on a bike and cruise through the 45 minute class. After about 10 minutes, I thought I was going to die. After 20, I was convinced I was dead. Not to scare anyone off, but it's a tough workout. It only took about 2 sessions for me to find my pace and get used to the bike, and now I really enjoy it. The instructor pushes you harder than you'd push yourself and they generally play good music to keep you going. Having the instructor direct your workout prevents you from easing up and getting lazy once you start to get tired (I've heard this is what happens, but I wouldn't know anything about that...)

Get out there and find a sport to mix into your fitness routine. The best way to keep at it is to never truly have a "routine". What activities do you do to mix up your workouts?

Drive Slow

What's worse than running in the cold?

 Not running at all.

 I completely hate running outside when it's cold - but I convince myself that it's better than the alternative. The main thing, and this may seem obvious - is dressing properly. It can be tricky to keep yourself warm while not over heating or getting sweaty. On the other extreme, you don't want to get cold and risk injury or just feeling like crap. When it's cold out (and this may seem painfully obvious) it takes longer for your body to warm up. It's critical that you remember this and take it easy as your start your workout. When prepping for a cold weather run, there are two main things I pay attention to.

1. Dry Fit Clothes
2. Layers

Not a lot of manly photos of running tights online. Odd.

Dry Fit Clothes - These are going to be essential for any weather condition, but certainly when it's cold out. If you are wearing cotton, let's just say it'll be an uncomfortable run between having not only wet clothes, but also cold clothes. I'll discuss the merits later, but for now - remember, cotton = bad.

Layers - Gotta layer up. At first you're going to be cold, so you need some extra protection from the elements, but as you get farther along in your run your body will start to warm up. If you're not wearing clothes that are easy to adjust on the fly, you may end up overheating. Some great options are a zip fleece jacket or a windbreaker. You can open it up on the fly or take it off and tie it around your waist. I'm a big fan of loose long sleeves because you can slide them up as you get warmer. Now, the one layer that I like to wear in the cold which some people (my wife) think is dorky as all hell is running tights.

Personally, I think I look pretty sharp in a pair of running pants, what can I say, I make them look good. She has a differing opinion and struggles to mask her snickers as I strut around preparing for my run. Whatever, I think she's jealous. (and by jealous - I mean completely embarrassed for me that I'm seen in public like this). Bottom line, gotta be comfortable and if you do not keep yourself warm, you are risking injury.

What do you do to fight the cold?

Drive Slow

You Need Some Soul to Run Fast. Gotta Run the 100 Yard Dash

Wanna get faster? Yeah - me too. I'm not exactly "built for speed" but this is something I'm hoping to change this year.

It's funny - when I goto the packet pickup for a race the day before, I feel like the toughest guy in the room. I'm pretty tall and definitely don't look like the guys who are a buck fifty soaking wet. This all turns around on race day when they blow past me within the first mile.

 So, what on earth can one do if you're not built like a Kenyan? Speed work.

 Running intervals and using different paces and bursts of speed can help improve your pace. For instance, you can run a mile at a pace that is maybe a minute or so faster than you usually run, then slow down to recover for a quarter mile or so, then jump back up to the faster pace. You don't want to hurt yourself, so be sure to listen to your body while you do this, and of course everyone's intervals and plans will be different depending on your ability and your goals. Mix it up though! Push yourself.

I often ask myself, what would Saadiq do?

Have a great long weekend, and I'll check in with my new training commitment on Sunday or Monday. If you have Monday off, be sure to get a run in! I'll see you out there.

Drive Slow

Running with the Devil

David Lee Roth was perhaps the coolest front man of all time. I mean, who else could get away with wearing an open shiny red shirt, pearls, leather pants, a sparkly belt and still look awesome? Diamond Dave, that's who.

1978 was a great time for Van Halen - their music didn't suck yet (Eddie won't fall in love with the synthesizer for another 6 years) and they gave us today's work out song: "Running with the Devil".

This is just a great tune to put on if you need an extra boost. A lot of races will have music playing at various points on the course and the Rock n Roll marathons have made a name for themselves by having live music about every mile - something that is being done more and more by other races.

During the 2009 Chicago Marathon, I was having a hard time given the sub-freezing temperatures. I was obviously cold, I had pulled a muscle and just felt like crap by around mile 16. Then over the speakers, Diamond Dave spoke to me. The whole song just gets you going from Michael Anthony's driving bass line to Eddie's iconic riffs. It's a slower song with a lot of power which really helped me focus my efforts. It's not about going as fast as you can like other upbeat work out songs, but rather digging deep and taking on the challenge that is right in front of you.

"I found the simple life ain't so simple, when I jumped out on that road"

What songs pick you up when you feel like you've hit the wall?

Drive slow

Legs feed the wolf

In the movie, "Miracle" - Coach Herb Brooks told his team that "legs feed the wolf", but what one needs to ask next is, "what feeds the legs?"

In order to be successful in your training, nutrition is going to be key. A lot of focus is given to meals, and rightfully so - but snacking before and after a workout is also critical. The best part about these snacks is that they can be really tasty if you do it right! In a time pinch? No problem. The whole idea of a snack before or after a run is to get something in your system quickly - so being too busy is a weak excuse. If you don't have a snack before you work out, your body won't have the fuel needed to perform at its peak. A snack after also helps by replenishing what you just burned, helping in your recovery.

Today's tip is more of a simple recipe that you can start enjoying before your next workout, or even as a healthy snack in the afternoon. Instead of reaching for a "5 Hour Energy" (which I'm convinced is poison by the way) next time you get that "2:30 feeling", reach for this.

Toasted whole grain bread, chunky organic peanut butter with a drizzle of honey on top. Simple!

I'll share other favorite snacks along the way, but in the meantime, what fuels you?


Drive Slow

Don't like on Facebook today, Love on it.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I've seen a lot of posts so far today going in both directions - some people excited for today, other looking forward to February 15th. While I can understand that it may be a tough day if you don't have someone special to share it with, that's no excuse. Chances are you have plenty of people to share it with in one way or another. Look at your friends list on Facebook - who haven't you spoken to lately? Who should know that they matter to you? Use today as an opportunity to reach out to others and let them know that you care, that you love them! You don't need to send chocolates or flowers to make someone feel special, you simply need to take a small amount of time to say or do something nice for them.

I lead a really busy life, so being able to connect with folks over Facebook, email, twitter, text message, etc is critical. It's easy to say you're too busy - but make that effort today (and everyday!)...but especially today.

This is why Facebook should create a "Love" button for Valentine's day.

 Klout changed their format to be hearts and "kisses" for today - I'd expect at least this much from our friends at Facebook. How nice would it have been to open your homepage and see friends who love you this morning?

 People have been demanding a "dislike" button for years - and I guess I get it. What do you do when someone posts something that is sad or annoying? "Hey, I got a flat tire on the way to work today"...Like! But in the spirit of positivity, Facebook needs a love button, if only once a year. It would be a fun way to celebrate the holiday that everyone could enjoy, and truly give social networking a new dimension.

It may be too late for Valentine's Day 2012, but on February 14, 2013, I fully expect to see a "Love" button on Facebook. What can we do today in lieu of this mythical button? Easy - just love the old fashioned way; by letting people know they matter to you and being your best version of you for everyone in your life. You can't be too busy for that. How are you loving others today?

Drive Slow.

The right equipment for the job

 When starting any new endeavor, it is critical to make sure you're going in with the right tools to be successful. This theory can be applied to almost anything and I will apply it later to work, school, etc, but for today I'll just focus on running. There are a lot of things I will talk about that will contribute to your success, but first, and in my mind, most importantly are your shoes

 This may seem painfully obvious, but it's more than just finding a pair of shoes that feels good when you walk around the footwear section at Sports Authority. Before I got serious about running, I'd just get a pair that looked ok on me, felt like they fit and was a brand I had heard of. I had heard that New Balance shoes were good shoes from people, so I got a pair, and they were ok for me. I tried other brands with varying levels of success but it wasn't until I was told to get "fitted" for shoes that I had the right gear to take on the challenge of an endurance race.

My preferred shoe: Mizuno Wave Inspire

 I went to my local running store and they watched me walk with my shoes off, then looked at my current pair of shoes to see how they were wearing. Finally, they brought out a couple of different pairs for me to try running in so the employee could see what looked right and I could tell him which pair felt best. This may not be common - but since that trip to the running store in January 2007, I've only bought that pair of shoes (many times over).

The best thing you can do for your training - before you run a mile - is get fitted at your local running shop. It's not always the most expensive pair that is best for you, and a good store will make sure you're in the shoes that will carry you the farthest. Check out reviews online and make sure the store will watch you run.Also try to ignore how the shoes looks. Maybe the color doesn't bring out your eyes, but it's better to look like a dork than to get shin splints.

In case you're in LA or New Jersey. My favorite stores are The Starting Line in Marina Del Rey, CA and the Princeton Running Company. Both are great stores that take the time to make sure you're in the right shoes.

Drive slow

Sunday Funday (or Runday)

If your Monday through Friday is anything like mine, it can be a challenge to do everything you'd like during the week. If I have school, forget it. I get home at 11, and since I need to be up again by 6am, it's straight to bed. If it's not a school night, I'll get to the gym for a bit, come home, have dinner and by then it's probably 830 or 9pm - not a lot of time for much else. I make up for a busy week by making sure I'm setting time aside on the weekend for fun and all of the other things I don't get around to.

Sunday is the day I do my "long runs". There is no real reason beyond the fact that I have more time on Sundays than any other day. If your Saturdays or Wednesdays are less busy - go with that. Sunday is also typically the day races are held, so it also creates a routine, but maybe not as big of a deal. This week, for instance, I made a point to get to the gym for ~30 minute work outs on the days I was able, but today I'll be doing an hour. A longer run, maybe some more weight lifting - stuff like that. When I get deeper into my training, my Sunday will turn into just a long run for whatever distance I need to do that week. If you're thinking you don't have time to train for an endurance race, it should be noted that Sunday is the only day I run for longer than an hour. I'll get more into long runs specifically later, but the point today is - make time for it!

Good Friends in San Francisco before Bay to Breakers 2011

The other very important part of Sunday Funday/Runday is the fun (not that running can't be fun...). If you're a busy person, or even if you're not that busy, it's critical to make time for fun with friends and family. You can't spend your whole weekend doing errands and chores. When I lived in Los Angeles, my running friends would have "Sunday Funday" where everyone got together, often at a bar but didn't have to be and just hang out, watch sports, whatever. The point was simply to make time for friends. Disclaimer - Sunday Funday works about 100x better than Tuesday Funday, trust me.

 It may be counterintuitive to schedule "fun", but if you have a lot going on in your life (which I'm assuming most of us do), you may have to pencil it in so you can hold yourself accountable. Sometimes you just need to let loose; your work will still be waiting for you when you're done. Time for me to go lace 'em up now. What do you like to do on Sunday Funday?

Drive Slow

What's your soundtrack?

The ultimate soundtrack moment for me is the opening scene from "Saturday Night Fever". John Travolta's character, Tony, is walking down the street with a paint can - and because of the music, it feels like the coolest thing anyone could be doing in 1977 Brooklyn. If you tell me you haven't been tempted to grab a can of Dutch Boy and strut down the aisles of Home Depot, you're a liar.

Ever have a day where you just didn't feel motivated to get after it? Probably not a rare event if you're working in corporate America! For me, these days pop up and it can bleed into everything if I'm not careful. My solution is to put on good music and make my own soundtrack.

I'm going to post a couple of favorite songs each week that get me fired up to run that extra mile, study that extra chapter and finish that project at work. As far as running and training goes - it's a personal choice. I like to have music on when I'm training, but prefer to use nothing during a race so I can hear the crowd's cheers and encouragement. Try running with and without music and see which you like best. Today's song is "Jealous Again" by the Black Crowes. It's a great rock song with a bluesy edge to it. I find it's helpful to mix up genres. P90x talks about muscle confusion. I'm all about groove confusion. What are some songs that motivate you and get you going? Comment below!

Drive Slow

Know Limit Soldier

Getting started with any new challenge can be a truly exciting experience. For me, getting back into training just makes me feel good, both physically (obviously) and mentally - knowing I'm doing something positive for myself. My personal hurdle is not trying to do too much too fast. In the past I've jumped out to running 5 or 6 miles way too fast and ended up hurting myself. Last night I ran 2 miles and then did some weight lifting to top off my workout. While I know I could have probably kept going - it's critical to know your limits and respect them.

Now - here comes the twist. You should know your limits, and then destroy them.

Finishing with one wing down!

Clearly this doesn't mean going out and running 26.2 miles on your first run, but rather, knowing that whatever you think your best is, probably isn't even close. I ran my first marathon in June 2007. In January 2007, the longest distance I had ever run was about 5 miles (and I probably wanted to pass out after that). I had great coaches and friends who pushed me in that first race (Coach Chris, Rachel from TNT, the whole IDT). We didn't even see the 2nd half of the training schedule at first because it would have scared us off. After about a month, I was running longer than I ever had in my life on a weekly basis. In 2009 I dislocated my shoulder a few months before the Pittsburgh half marathon. Knowing I couldn't continue my traditional training program, I did my best which was walking for 2-3 hours with my arm in a sling. On the day of the race, I ran with my arm tight to my side, simply trying to do my best. The important thing is to do your best, listen to your body, and know that tomorrow's best can be better than today's.


I'm still pushed to be my best and do better by friends, family and my lovely wife who always encourages me. I didn't know if I could balance work and school, but like running, my limits were far beyond my perception. What have you done recently to challenge yourself? Comment below!

Drive slow

No excuses

It can be pretty hard to motivate yourself to make fitness a priority, especially when the weather is less than awesome. What I've found is that setting some sort of goal that will hold you accountable is a great way to achieve success. For me, it's signing up for marathons.

This year I'm planning on doing the NYC marathon in November and I really want to make it my best race yet. My first 3 marathons (San Diego 2007, 2008 and Chicago 2009) ended in pain. I want this one to end better and will be working hard to make that a reality. You may be thinking to yourself now "I don't have time for a marathon, that's like - far." To that I say, there's a simple solution. Sign up for a half marathon! The longest run you'll have to do should only take about 2 hours (~10 miles) and most of your training during the week should take less than an hour (4 or so times a week). I'll be competing in the New Jersey Half Marathon in May as part of my journey to NYC and I'll be writing about the challenges of balancing a full-time job at a pharma company, pursuing my MBA in marketing at NYU Stern at night and balancing my life with fitness and family fun. Oh yeah - I want to learn how to speak Spanish this year too. No big deal. If we don't make the most of what we have, we can never get it back. Hope to see you out there.