Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Labor Day Weekend

The weekend was wonderful. We were down the shore with my family.

I rested. A lot. I ran about 2m on Sunday but Saturday I did nothing. Monday we came back and went on a 15m bike ride. My back was agitated and now is majorly so. I took Tuesday off mainly because of the rain but ultimately because of my back.

We'll see what I manage tonight. Back pain is the worst. The absolute worst!!!

My goal is to run 9m tomorrow after work. Well really, leave work a bit earlier to get this accomplished. We'll see how that goes. I am in massive amounts of pain with my back. It's awful.

Anyway that is it.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Hello Harlem Hill- it's been a while...

Ran my long run- 7.65m during the day today. BOO-YAH. I was meant to run 7-8m. Close enough. I'm not going to kill myself for 0.35m or run in a circle. It's good enough. Sometimes I am over. Sometimes I am under. It happens. If I've learned anything from the last three years of running it's that I've stressed myself out about so many things and in the end, my best half marathon was still my first. Where I ran all my miles in the park or along the East side and where I ran 3x a week and did a lot of yoga. I did no speed work, no hill work, I just ran and tried to gag down gels. I remember the summer of 2008 quite fondly in that respect. I spent a lot of time by myself, did a lot of Friday night runs and reflected a lot on my life.
I ran from the office, up the East drive, did the 6m loop with a detour at 97th street and a detour at 110th to pee and get water. Those detours added about 0.7m. I then ran back to where I started to finish the 6m loop and then back down the East drive connector back to the office.

I felt pretty good, made it up Harlem Hill without stopping, Cat Hill without any issues and all the West side hills with only one stop (for a thigh cramp). I drank water 3-4x and had a bottle of gatorade at 97th street on the west side after about 45 min. I felt weird this am (too much coffee?) so I wasnt sure how I would feel but I felt great. Best I've felt in a while.

I ran for 85 minutes. This means I burned approximately 850-1050 calories. Amazing right?

Since I have 15 lbs to lose. It's about 80 hours of running roughly. YIKES! I shouldve done that math while I was housing cookies this spring.

I will more than likely run Sunday again. Monday will be a bike ride. Our 35m bike ride is Sept 24th. YIKES!

I am really excited. I feel so much better about the half in October after this run. I really think since I've run a bunch of marathons and halfs and etc that I don't have that mental block. I used to have a massive mental block over 6m. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that the main loop in Central Park is 6m. I also have a minor block at 9m. While it does still boggle my mind that I ran 3 loops of Central Park (forget the marathon!!! Harlem Hill 3x in one run- YIKES!!!), I do think the majority of running is nutrition/hydration and mental toughness.

Anyway, happy long weekend!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Foreign Running

Back in 2005 before I got into running this go around, I used to run in London, Los Angeles and NYC. I never ran while at my mom's house, or while I was anywhere else. Just those cities and mainly when I Was in LA and London. I got a kick out of running out of the Savoy and down the bank and by the London Eye. I thought it was a great way to see the city and really see and smell and feel the city. Somehow when I stopped traveling, I also stopped running.

Fast forward to 2008. I changed jobs, met my boyfriend and signed up for a marathon all in the first week of November. I started running but running became a job. I had to follow a schedule, never could swap out a run for a great yoga class, couldnt run hungover, had bad run after bad run, struggled to get faster (still struggling!) and actually, as I realized this spring, felt running had become a chore. Even though I sometimes would remember the joy of running, i really was marathon training. Which is meticulous, exhausting and takes over your entire life.

Now, while I run a few races for charity a year, and try and run 2 half marathons just to stay in shape, running has breathed some life into my life. I am in Toronto currently and just ran along the harborfront. I remembered what it was life to run again. I felt the wind behind me and in front of me and felt, for lack of better words, alive. It's so rare that things in my life don't have purpose.  Because of my busy schedule every day is planned. Every am or pm has an errand, a task list, things to get done, errands to run, missions to accomplish. So rare is it, that I am disconnected enough to enjoy what I'm doing and not focus on what is next. That was the run I had today. A just under 5m run along the water, observing, listening to not fast paced music (Adele and Shakira based) and just a run.

Amazing. So while I reset my internal running dial this season to more enjoyment and less training (even though I am running the Phila half in November) I'll try and remember this run, carefree and blissful.

Been a while and a bike story

So while I was MIA a few things happened. A lot of things didnt happen as well including a lot of my runs. It's been really hard to reprioritize. I also have been lethargic and a bit down lately which I believe to be an aftermath of packing on 10 lbs (really 15 but who's counting), stress and massive allergies. But that's enough about me, lets talk about running.

Pre hurricane Sunday I took a great class on Sunday am/pm. That followed a 6-mile run the day before on the treadmill (I am very proud of this run, let me tell you!! It's my longest run post surgery which in and of itself is pretty amazing. I felt fgreat during the run but I did do it inside on the treadmill. I know its not the same as running outside but I am still getting back into the habit and swing of things and really needed a not so terrible run, and that it was.

Anyway, Sunday I attended a green cyclist class. For those of you unaware, I bought a bike, Peppy, a gorgeous white Cannondale with pink trim and pink handlebars. Peppy and I however, are scared of one thing. Well two things really, riding and NYC. Fabulous since thats what I need Peppy for and where I live. Enter Green Cyclists. (http://greencyclists.org/ btw) with their Urban Cycling Class. It was a 3 hour long class which basically scared the fear out of me! I spent the first 90 minutes practicing skills and drills and turns etc (and clipping in and out which, yes I realize is ridiculous but hey if I'm going to have the bike, might as well look and act the part) and the next 90 minutes was spent riding one loop of the park (ex Harlem Hill) with Ben and then riding from Columbus Circle down Broadway through Times Square and to 30th street. At 30th street we turned and came up 8th Avenue. 8th Avenue has no bike lane. To say I was petrified doenst do it justice. But somehow, I did it, and I rode all the way home up Central Park West. To put it in perspecitve, that am, my boyfriend had to ride with me to the park and 'drop me off' as if I was in Kindergarden. Uhm yea, that's how afraid I was. I would HIGHLY recommend them as a biking source. They also have more advanced like classses which I assume are just as lovely.

With that I'll leave you with a picture of the day since as of late I seem to be into them!

chilling in times sq!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Another Notch, Another Run

Ran a full 3m on the treadmill yesterday. "Strongest' 3-miler yet, well since I've been back anyway. I still get really tired but less so each time. I suppose it is all about conditioning. It's been about a month since my surgery so time to kick it in gear.

I am still running the Phila half on 11/20. My goal time is 2:10. We'll see how acheievable that is. SHould be nice weather at the very least. I am running the Staten Island half as my training test run. That is in October. I am also running the 5 miler kickoff in the park on marathon week- should give me some speed testing. Other than that. I need a real plan now that I can run so today, because it's Friday, I made one. I did it in Excel. Spent a lot of time on it. Can't post it here because my pc skills are lacking.

So I'll leave you with a beach pic of myself I love...

HAPPY WKD!


Want to run the Miami RNR marathon/half? Check out this blog:
http://www.runtothefinish.com/2011/08/win-entry-miami-beach-rock-n-roll-half.html?showComment=1313772167546#c5682708189736532317

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

First TNT run of the season... better late than never!

Tonight was my first TNT run of the season. Delicious.

We ran the NYCM finish line hill repeats. I ran 3. Beginners were to run 3-4. I figured first night back, why push it. I also should have taken my allergy meds before I went but I forgot so c'est la vie.

This year, my three repeats were 2:58, 2:58 and 2:52. I couldve run them a bit faster, but again, first night back.


Here is how it went last year... I was faster for sure. But not so much it's shocking. So, disappointing but OK. I think the workout before I ran 2:56's so I am overall not too disappointed.

We'll see how things go on a go forward basis. I am also heavier this year so clearly that plays into it. I also havent run outside since like, seriously, May? Unclear. Tomorrow we're meant to ride our bikes in the am and then we have my company BBQ in the pm.

I am proud people! Running has been my nemesis. I had a slight headache when I went to practice but am feeling OK! Hooray- maybe the surgery is worth it short term too!

bumble

I didnt run Sunday. It wasnt because of the torrential rain either. I tore up my calves with my new sneakers. Why is it that sneaker companies claim to make the same sneakers when in fact the newer models clearly are different? Or is it now that I'm adjusted to my old pathetic non supportive sneaks? Who knows. Needless to say, there was no workout Sat or Sun. Yesterday I did 20 min on the elliptical and 25 of weights.

Tonight is TNT hills int he park. I will be there with bells on, I will, really! I feel confident I can run because the pollen has all been washed away! HOORAY!