Urbans Thursday Class

What we did last night was horrendous. I was hoping for not tempo and what I got instead was a 5k sprint pace run with breaks. Basically we ran a 10 min warmup (at 9:30 pace) and then did a weird variety of 100's (200, 600m then 400m then 200m etc etc in no particular pattern). We took breaks after each effort (again which was sprinting) and at the end we had out '5k pace'.

I ran 24:12 which I was happy with because I also had to walk at one point because I was so naseous and by naseated I mean the vomit was almost in my throat. Gross? 100%!!! I came up the seond of the three bitches (the nickname of the 3 hills on the west side according to Coach Rob- and last night they sure were) which ends at the Reservoir and hit a vendor guy... well not hit but you know, caught up with.

And I smelt hot dogs. WOW. I love hot dogs but HOW GROSS when you're coming off of 2m of sprints. I can't even explain how gross I felt and how close I came to barfing.

All in all I am happy that I ran well. I think I def couldve been faster but c'est la vie. Next time!!!

Today I even made it to the gym for arms and abs and tomorrow even though the heat index is 105 I will be in the park running laps w the team. 9-10m is planned. How gross does that sound? Just to reflect... last year this weekend I ran just under 12m out in East Hampton. Last summer weas no where near as hot as this one has been. I would like to be a beach bum this summer!!!

Wk in Review

Tuesday I was supposed to run with TNT in the park and do a 5k at effort level 4 to see which long run group you're placed in. i think the strategy is a bit complacent however, because if I race at 9:50/mile speed I think tempo runs should be faster, not slower which is where TNT will place you. At that race speed the long run speed group is 11:30. I already run in teh 11 min pace group and want to move up to 10:30 to be aggressive in terms of training and what I need to get done.

4:20 is my ultimate marathon goal. 4:30 I will still be ESCTATIC about and 4:40 is my real goal.

Tonight is Urban Athletics running. I don't really feel up to it but I have to remember running is more mental than not and I need to hang in. I did really well last Thursday so I am excited to see if I do OK tonight when the humidity is down a bit. I don't know what the workout is which is a bit nervewracking but I know they did tempo on Tuesday as did TNT so it won't be that again (at least I hope not because I will die). I hope its dustbowl sprints (1000s repeats) or strides. Or reservoir. All of those I am OK with. Just not tempo please!!!

Tomorrow I need to get my butt out of bed in teh am and head to the gym for arms and abs. I havent done nearly enough this week. In fact I havent done them since Sunday since I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I'm not sure what exactly is wrong but I feel liek I need to spend the weekend in bed. Unfortunately it wont be this weekend either!!!!

really good wk

I had a really good week last week. Monday I did Gregg Cook's spin class. I slogged through a very humid practice at TNT on Tuesday (5m loop w sprints). Wed I took off. Thursday I did Urban's class and felt (and apparently looked) strong. Friday I did arms and abs in the am and then yoga in the pm. Sat I ran the CPC race is 39:36 which I was happy with given the heat and I felt in control. In fact it even crossed my mind that 'hey i think I could do this as marathon pace!!!' Sunday I made it to the gym for arms and abs in the am. Today I managed another spin class. Finally settling into a routine that I think works. It's a lot but it works. So far at least. Week 3 here we go!

first TNT run of the season

so of course my first TNT run of the season was a Tuesday, post 4th of July, 18 weeks before Marathon day. It was also 102 degrees out. The heat was a thick wall of nastiness let me tell you.

I actually wanted to bail but both my mentor and go to coach talked me out of it. I left my desk at 6:30 and lo and behold, when I went into the bathroom to change I realized I had not packed shorts. A quick trip to nike and I was on my way, late, like usual.

I speedwalked (sped walked?) the 1.5m to cherry hill (why not just call it the fountain where the JPMCC ends???) and then found out our workout was to be a 4 m loop (intermediate) with whatever effort level you could muster. I had had 2 glasses of wine Monday night (Rombauer- not worth it for Chardonnay) so i think that made me a bit more dehydrated in combination with my allergy pill for Tuesday. Halfway through the run I had to take a breather and I did walk a lot of the East side of the park, mainly bc I was goosebumpy.

We shall see. No real headache today (slight this am) so I'm on top of that at least.

I joined Urban Athletics for speed training Thursday nights. We shall see.

I havent been here...

...because I haven't been running. I decided to take a break through July 4th and give my legs some time to rest. I've had some issues with over worked quads (aka chicken cutlets) which I attribute to lifting, spinning, hilly races and the like.

I did sign up for NYC again. I don't know what I'm thinking. I don't even know if I want to run. I want to have a better time in my look back. I am not satisfied with a 4:59 marathon. I want a 4:30 marathon. But I guess the problem is, once I get to 4:30 will I want a sub 4?

To be honest, I don't know. I feel alone in this challenge. I feel like everyone of my family in friends isn't supportive merely because, let's be frank, I've done this before. I've already proven I can do this. In fact, I've already run the exact course I will run again in 18 weeks.

To run a 4:30 marathon I essentially have to run 10 min miles. I don't know if I can. If I run 4:45 will I be happy? Or will I be disappointed?

fathers day 5 m run

i signed up for yet another race on a seemingly unstoppable quest to race 9 races this year even though i've already promised myself it's my last marathon. why struggle to qualify for next year then? is it a good option to have? i don't quite know.

anyway the race was sun am, always a wkd killer. i am terrible at having a glass of wine and waking up early feeling spiffy.

it was 80 at the start and pretty humid so needless to say it was a hot race.

52:48 was my time and i did have to work to get there in that time. Not a too terrible pace esp give my quad (which did feel stressed after) and the JPM challenge wednesday.

My splits for JPMCC were as follows:
mile1- 9:55
mile2- 10:03
mile3- 11:27 (WHAT?!)
mile3-3.5- 4:51

it was a clockwise loop starting at w76th street coming back around to 72nd street transverse

My splits for the Fathers Day race were as followS:
mile1-10:42
mile2- 10:21
mile3- 11:04
mile4-10:38
mile5-10:03

It was a clockwise loop from w68th lower 5 m loop.

san diego race report

I had my race in SD. It wasnt great but it wasnt bad. My leg acted up so I didnt finish until 2:31 which is my worst time to date but it's ok. I walked when I had to because of my leg and did an 11 m pace otherwise which was whatever.

It was not a good winter for me in terms of training. I was sick with swine flu which really compromised my lungs for quite some time. THen between losing my job and having to find another running took a backseat. I also was coming off literally a year of marathon training so I'll be damned if I am upset :)

I had a great time in San Diego and enjoyed myself and the scenery immensely which was fun.

Next race is this wkd- 5 m and the wkd after as well- same deal.

I am pretty sure I am doing NYC. The marathon that is. SCARY.