Running a Half Marathon - and Celebrating at the Spa

What a greeting: champagne & dark chocolate

When I first started training for a marathon, even a half marathon seemed a huge challenge. But now with 5 halts (halves?) under my belt, I think I'm ready.

My bathroom, for an hour

Unfortunately, I once again didn't get into the NYC Marathon. But I will persevere, doing my 9 New York Road Runners races, plus one volunteer spot, to guarantee entry in 2016. As long as no bike accident derails me again.

This year, my friend and I decided to celebrate the day after with massages at Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria.

The lobby of the Waldorf is a hive of activity, but once you reach the 19th floor, where the spa and fitness center are located, serenity sets in.

State of the art fitness equipment

When you check in, you are escorted to the locker room, with a robe and slippers, and you can use the fitness center before your appointment. I got stuck on the subway so I had no time to exercise - but then, I had just run a half marathon. I'd love to work out there some time - everything was brad new and pristine, and there wee cold towels and chilled water bottles available.

Room to stretch, or use the stability ball or Bosu ball

My friend and I had our rooms for the massage, each with a fully equipped shower - great products from--, razor, shaving cream and plenty of soft fluffy towels. We used the too cool steam room after our massages, so we showered in the fitness center showers, which also had rain shower heads and the same products.

The massage was fabulous - an hour of bliss, with a heated bed and a masseuse who worked out all the kinks of my 13.1 mile run. Having my feet and legs rubbed was amazing, and the head rub, back massage and full body relaxation was wonderful.

Romantic setting - though just for me & my friend

When I got to the room, a bottle of water and a piece of dark chocolate was waiting. My masseuse also brought in a glass of champagne; and at the end, she sets up a couple of glasses in the relaxation lounge for my friend and me.

It looked so romantic, I think my husband and I have to celebrate our anniversary this way!

Luxury Spa, Luxury Gym: Lodge at Woodloch

The Lodge at Woodloch's gym; a playground for adults

Whether you are an avid exerciser, or just looking to dip your toe into starting a fitness program, the Lodge at Woodloch offers an array of exercise classes, plus a state of the art gym, so you can work out on your spa getaway.
The gym had all the toys I love; bosu balls, stability balls, box steps, free weights and weigh benches, plus a few goodies - hula hoops, a barre for stretching, and a priceless view when you use the cardio machines.

Look at those trees outside the gym

Woodloch is set in the Poconos, and the wooded backdrop is quite an inspiration. Plus, if you grow bored with the exercise equipment, you can bike, paddle a kayak, run outside, hike. There are yoga classes and guided meditations.

My husband and I took a spin class, which was pretty much like any other spin class in a gym; not SoulCycle, but also not music at a bone-crunching volume. We also took a weight class with an energetic young instructor, who challenged us to push our limits. I wanted to take a bosu class, but three exercise classes in one day exceeds almost every limit, and I really wanted to take a cooking demo.

Two days was hardly enough to scratch the surface of Woodloch, but if you are there for a few more days, you can take advantage of more exercise classes and that great gym. The gym also had soft towels, headphones, and a bowl of fruit and nuts outside if your workout left you a little worn out.

Fairmont Southampton: Diet Buster of Fitness Enabler?

If you stay on the gold floor of a Fairmont hotel (about a $100 premium, and totally worth it if you are traveling with a family) you have access to a special lounge with a concierge. There is breakfast, tea with wonderful scones, an appetizer hour and a dessert hour.

This could wreak havoc on your diet. Luckily, the Fairmont in Southampton, Bermuda, also has a great gym, free if you join the free President’s Club. 

The fitness center, entered through the spa, has an extensive selection of free weights, stability balls, bosu balls (2!) and cardio equipment with individual screens overlooking the pool.

There are weight machines, weight benches, steps and ample stretching areas and yoga mats. Everything was pristine, and you could hydrate with chilled water or lemon water, and grab a piece of fruit after your workout. The fitness center could be a boutique gym in NYC.

There are also headphones if you forgot, soft towels, and showers, hair gel and hair spray in the changing rooms. This is ideal if you are traveling with your family and don’t want to fight over the one shower before dinner.

Note: I stayed at the Fairmont Southampton as a guest of the Bermuda Department of Tourism. Opinions are my own.

Fitness Challenge: Boston Travel

Getting in a good workout when you travel is easy at the InterContinental Boston. This waterfront luxury hotel has a huge state-of-the-art fitness center with treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines, all with their own screens.

There are lots of free weights and strength machines, an indoor pool and plenty of space to stretch. Best of all, the gym is open 24 hours for guests, so if you are jet lagged and up at 3am, you can work out instead of gorging on candy. There is also a spa for those who like to relax on vacation.

Fitness Challenge: What to Wear

You are what you wear and what you wear to the gym can help you tone or lose even more weight. Delfin Spa has a new line of workout gear that uses bio ceramic fechnology to help you improve your look. The neoprene clothes, which are like wet suit material, include shorts, capris and tummy tighteners. The technology in the clothes uses body heat to increase metabolism – but you don’t feel hot when you are exercising. You can also wear the clothes under regular clothes to increase metabolism as you go about your day, though this probably doesn’t mean sitting on your couch eating M & M’s. The shorts and capris help break up cellulite, and if you use a cellulite cream, the cream will penetrate more deeply.