An announcement

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's official.

I will not be running Philly. I more than likely will not be running any halfs in the next few months. Even though I did run 10m about a month ago, my training has been lackluster at best. The majority is health related. My sinuses are still shitty. My headaches have returned. My allergy shots are kicking butt. I have a reaction every other week and it's exhausting. I am exhausted.

I haven't trained properly and I don't see why I should spend more money on the race (hotel, etc) when I can run a bunch of halfs in the spring right here in Central Park (0.4m from my apt).

So. There it is. It's hard. It's really hard to admit I can't do this. It's frustrating to have these issues but I always have to keep in mind, it could be worse, I could be so sick instead of just nagging annoying sick.

As you can all probably tell, I'm not really feeling it this 'season'. I don't know why that is, I really don't but I intend to force feed myself running to get through the next few weeks leading right up until Thanksgiving. I chose this. I chose to race in Philly. Why can't I focus?

I was sick last week with a cold/fighting off the office disease everyone had. Pretty nasty. I am still feeling slightly under the weather but overall, OK. I worked out Friday, Saturday and walked Sunday (is walking 5m a workout?? I think its not, its just part of being healthy?). Yesterday I went to FlyBarre. FlyBarre is FlyWheel's (the Soul Cycle spin out) answer to the Bar Method. I can't really explain what the routine was like but it was massive repetition, small movements and you used a bar, a ball and some bands. Basically, hell. My legs hurt so much and my ass does too. It's weird hurt though, it's intenal hurt. like as if your leg's internal deep muscles were exhausted. Very interesting. I will be attending next week as well.

Tonight is a 4m run with TNT. I need to get back into it. My race is Nov 20. Plenty of time. In fact it's 6 weekends away. I ran 10m the weekend before last. 9.25 the week before that (as my long runs). I need to have more faith in myself.

We'll see.

On the allergy shot side, i am dying! Allergy shots are the worst. They are so archaic. They burn, they itch, they're terrible!!!

My poor legs

Clearly I am out of long run shape. I would even go as far as to say, I am out of shape, but let's not get too drastic here. My legs hurt! Like legit, first time I've ever run that far, hurt. I don't think its the sneakers, but maybe (Ive been wearing them with no issues for 3 years, same model), perhaps its the 15 lbs (think about running with a 15 lb kettlebell, gross huh?), but whatever it is, my legs hurt.

They didnt hurt Friday when I woke up. We had a great day in Michigan. Saturday they were lethargic while we were traipsing around campus and my 4m run quickly became a 2m half run, half walk. I did run inside- I didnt wnat to get lost/deal with drunk college kids, so I thought it was the treadmill (older, cheaper, hotel icky quality). I was on my feet all day at tailgates etc and we walked about 4m overall which was good.

We just got home a bit ago and I went to the gym and ran 2 quick miles. Just wanted to loosen up the legs and sneak in a run I wouldnt have otherwise. It was a tough run. My inner thigh is quite tight on the left side and my calves/side of my leg on the right leg is a mess. YUCK. More stretching and yoga is def on the docket!!

This weeks plan:
Sunday- quick run
Monday- weights in the am
Tuesday- run in the pm
Wednesday- off or yoga/weights/biking, depends on work
Thursday-3m run, weights
Friday- Yoga
Saturday- Long run- 10.5m
Sunday- Bike ride

Exhausted but back on track.

I came back from a few days off with a lot of motivation. Ihope that it gets me back on track. I also go tmy paperwork for my surgery on the 28th. YIKES! It's real and maybe will cure me of my headaches or as I refer to them, my running headaches.


Went to the trainer this am. upped by kettlebells to 20 lbs. My routine was pretty intense. We did some new abs and stretches in the beginning as well as some shuffle things with the VIPR. I think Rachel is really trying to give it to me (like I asked). Then we did the following circuit 3x with 10 reps per arm  (15 lbs mainly with a smattering of 20 lb usage until the last one where I used the 20lb exclusively):

• single armed swings
• clean and press
• gobblet deep squat (means with the 20 lb kettlebell)
• single leg dead lifts
• single arm bent rows
• pull backs
• snatch

Even though I am feeling it I am also feeling really good. Tonight is running with the old TNT crew in the park- I am excited...it's really weird to not be running/training for a marathon, but oh well. It's weird that that is weird too I suppose. Tomorrow may need to be a day off or yoga. Thursday is a run and trainer. Friday idk. Saturday is a run with TNT YAY! 7 am start! What a day!. Sunday depends as well. ack!

For whatever reason being 6 months away from turning 30 has totally motivated me into getting into amazing shape. Unclear how that worked but I'll take it.

Queen MIA

I have been mega MIA. I also havent been running. Since realizing my headaches and migraines were directly related to running (well really everything over an hour long) I have taken quite a hiatus.

My surgery is late July. I am excited to see if it will help.

I ran this am. Getting back in the 3x a week groove with a 4th 'run' as a spin class (delicate flower, remember?) That plus 2 weight sessions and a yoga session should rip me into shape. Now just getting there should be fun.

I have the 2 weight sessions, 1 elliptical and 1 spin session down so I just need to fix the rest of it. Work has been C-R-A-Z-Y and is settling back into a normal 11 hour day so that is 'nice'. Sad, but nice.

NOthing else to report. We're headed to Punta Cana for the 4th of July, a recent development. Should be fun and I am excited. Trying to slim down a little (even if its just in my head) over the next few weeks pre trip.

I'm back though OH and I bought a bike! I will be riding up the West Side Hwy these days so please, plan accordingly and stay off the trails. My bikes name is Peppy. Peppy the pink bike. She is rad.

it's ONLY tuesday???

I am in shock it's only Tuesday!!!

Sunday I did a Soul Cycle Bands class- My tri's def hurt Monday and this am. Theyre healed now.

Yesterday I didnt make it to the gym- a much needed off day as last week only had 1 off day. Funny enough, I've gained weight this week. Awesome. Where is my tipping point? Clearly I am not over consuming regardless of how many 'cheat' bites I may have taken.

This am I woke up and ran 2.25 on the treadmill. Yes I know I need to do 3-4 on my easy runs, but quite frankly I have not had the time. I have been working 12-14 hours a day. It's really hard. Not only hard to fit things in but its hard physically and its certainly hard mentally.

I got home around 830 today and just couldn't muster the gym. Tomorrow I have my fist 30 min MAX session at Equinox. Basically its 2 30 minute sessions a week for the cost of a personal training session (essentially) The idea is low rest and for me it will act as a weights supplement because I never have the time to fit it in.

Tomorrow I also will have a 3-4m run with my boss. I hope to ditch her and do a tempo run. Not to be rude, but I need me some speed!!!

On the personal front, my computer died today. It was a cheapo one- $399 on Dell back in 2008.... Oh well. Piece of crap! I am so annoyed in general. I am exhausted. Thats all the blog (albeit boring) I have in me.

An Update

Well. On Tuesday I ran 3.75m at the gym and watched Jeopardy during, which was nice.

Wednesday I forgot I had a running date with my boss and we ran/walked (hey it's career development as well) for about 3.5m...

Today, I took a pass. It wasnt realistic and I was getting sleepy from so much running around.

Tomorrow- I am running my 5-6m run... I think I'll stick to 5 this week. Don't push it although my body feels fine. I do think the iron supplement helps in terms of feeling really worn down.

Saturday- yoga in the pm.
Sunday- Spin
Monday- weights and perhaps an easy run depending on weather/time/life


That's all I'm planning for now...

clearly i do better when im in a team environment

I wonder how I was so motivated during my first half marathon. Perhaps the thrill of it? Perhaps I was just bored and had nothing else to do? Perhaps it was the summer?

I am so not motivated to run it's almost comical.

I'm at my heaviest weight, I hate the winter, I don't have any urge to run WHATSOEVER.

The MORE half is April 3rd. I am ridiculous amounts behind and I know when that happens all you need to do it stick to a schedule and GO, but I'm finding that to be oh so dificult with an increasingly challenging work schedule and a very demanding life in general. I have my plan for the week in terms of running- I will run tonight, I will run Friday, I will run Sunday, but its somewhat dificult to be able to lay that all out. I feel as if I am struggling and it's unclear why I am struggling. Perhaps having a blog and being more accountable will help if I start really writing again. Perhaps just sticking to the schedule (which I have btw and it's not that aggresive, given that I have that base we all need- it might not be a super active base but I have the lung capactiy and general aerobic capacity- that's for sure. I could go out and run 6m right now which I feel is 'good enough' I think inherently my problem is I really dislike winter. I do not handle lack of sunshine well and when you couple it with the insane stress at work and longer hours, its a cluster-F.

How do I motivate myself again?

Let's try accountability. Hold me to it. Yell at me (but be nice when it doesnt work for real reasons!) and the like, come on! I'm begging you!!

sunday- (past-idc I'm writing about it) Kettlehell
Monday- skip. It wasnt a rest day. It was a legit skip/rearrange, happens, right?
Tuesday- run 4m
Wednesday- Weights if I can wake up, otherwise rest day
Thursday- Spin in the am (would have to be 615 spin so perhaps I am kidding myself)
Friday- run in the pm- 3-4m (will be running with someone faster- so will be like a tempo run)
Saturday- yoga and weights
Sunday- run- 5-6m depending on weather
Monday- something and spa day. YUM

Long time between posts

Well, the resolutioners are still going strong- its pretty impressive I must say. Good for them. We're a healthy bunch here on the UWS.

I've ran a few times since the 19th... maybe 2x? 3x? I finally ran 3x last week which felt great. Was a super stressful time at work.  I've been working ridiculous hours (12-13-14 etc) with no mental breaks etc. There has been some drama too so its been uber exhausting. To add to it I've been traveling so it's been a lot. I've been sticking to it and made it to the gym 5x last week, 3 running, 2 yoga and did weights once. They weren't the most quality workouts but they were workouts nonetheless.

This weeks plan:
Mon & Tues- I was in Boston, busy, no workouts, meeting all day!!!
Wednesday- I meant to run but the good treadmills were taken. I ran/walked up hills for 28 minutes and then did the ARC trainer for 12 minutes. I meant to stretch yet all the Resolutioners were hogging the stretch areas. Instead I did nothing and walked home and started this.
Thursday- Up early for weights :) ARMS and ABS and some other cardio circuit things. We shall see. I'm on a tight time schedule as I have to be at work relatively early.... so we shall see.

The remainder of the week is up in the air because I go and get my foot cut up tomorrow. Well we'll see. I can't tell if its better/worse, idk. So we'll see. If the foot is fine then Saturday will be running/spin, Sunday will be yoga and Friday will be spin and or weights. If my foot is cut up, then Friday will be stretch/arms/abs and Saturday might be rest with Sunday being something not stressful- we shall see. I am traumatized from last time when I really hurt my leg after hobbling all over. We shall see.

Running plans:
Next wkd: Gridiron- except now I am meant to go out to dinner Saturday night. UGH.

Weight/Eating
Weight is up/steady. I think stress isnt helping. Eating has been OK but I need to start the clean biz again.

Gym day #2

I made it to the gym this am.

My hobbling is minimized after a 75 massage session yesterday. Phew. Hobbling gets old quick my friends.

Today I have real sneakers on, no more pretending with pumas and the like. Full on stability sneaks. Hello- these got me through hundreds of miles of runs, how DARE I toss them aside when I need them most. Fact: I dont think my leg wouldve been so sore/tight had I worn my real sneaks to start with. Lesson learned. Hey, at least no blisters!

So back to the gym. Just a 25 min session with arms, some abs and some squats. Lunges are too much for the foot. I am going back this pm for a 60 min cardio session on the elliptical/stepper/arc machine and bike. Tomorrow more than likely I will go to yoga in the pm post all day photog class and Sunday pre Three Kings Celebratory brunch (yes its a real holiday!! ) I will make it to the gym for weights.

Solid 4 days of work outs (kinda) with major dieting (save Sunday) should result in......... you've got it- weight loss.

We shall see. Marginal movement down then back up. LE sigh.

The Foot

So as runners we know our footsies are important.

As my blog readers you know I've had quite a few foot ailments. All topical (thankfully), but issues nonetheless.

This summer I was plagued by blisters. PLAGUED. Blister after blister, on top of blisters etc. Terrible. Who knew that one day of cotton socks would send me into a downward spiral for a month!

This late summer/early fall I was plagued by plantars warts. These little suckers went undiagnosed on my foot for almost a year (mainly because of winter and other blisters). I went to a podiatrist as soon as I realized it was a plantars wart and there are three methods of treatment as follows:

First-line therapy Over the counter salicylic acid


Second-line therapy Cryosurgery, intralesional immunotherapy, or pulsed dye laser therapy

Third-line therapy Bleomycin, surgical excision

I am now on third-line therapy... this will happen either next week or the week after. For now, I have a third degree burn on the bottom of my foot which is what the podiatrist did to try and shrink the warts pre surgical excision. GROSS.

Long story short- My foot is en fuego. Somehow 'on fire' doesn't do it justice!

I am still intent on working out today. Arms/Abs/Squats/Lunges. I think I can do some circuit training although I'm not looking to battle the crowds at the gym. I did 30-day Shred on Monday and took yesterday off because of the foot. I'm scheduled to run tomorrow and think I can wrap it and make it happen. We shall see.

So far- 2 lbs lost on this weight lost quest. 10 lbs to go!

Welcome 2011

Where have I been?

Around. Not running. It really is unclear to me why I have this mental block against running. Except I do, and I have since 12/21. I am determined to run today, albeit at the gym.

I have my foot surgery tomorrow. God help me. I might be off my feet for a week. EW! I am ignoring that tidbit.

My resolutions (non-running):
1) Eat clean this month, start the month off right
2) work out 4-5x a week, no excuses
3) have a positive (or net positive) body image

My running goals/resolutions:
1) Run a half in 2:10
2) Run a 10k in less than 1 hour
3) Run a 4m race in 34 minutes.

Upcoming races:
Jan 22- Manhattan half- unclear how this is possible given I havent run since 12/22 and at that only 5 m. NEXT.
Feb 6- Gridiron- Silly me wants to PR (PR 11/2009 38:11)
March 27- 15k. Goal time: under 100 min