Monthly Archives: January 2011

Snow = change in plans!

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Today was supposed to be a run day. I was going to try out my new CW-X compression tights. But mother nature apparently had other plans.

We got 19 inches of snow in NYC overnight. On top of everything that was still there from the Christmas blizzard and our other snows. Good times. We did get a snow day out of it since the majority of the city’s public transportation system was shut down. So that was a bonus.

I decided that rather than add the cardio (and up the injury risk) of climbing over the snow to get to the subway and the gym, I’d switch the run day and the XT day. Woo!

Ended up doing Jillian’s Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and pushing it hard. I don’t recall ever feeling like puking during it before, but today I had that feeling twice. Go me! I do make the one alteration of doing butt kicks rather than “cross-countries” because as much as I try I am simply not skilled in the techniques of cross-country skiing (ask the three different trainers at the Y where I used to go who tried to teach me how to use the NordicTrac), and I’d just end up hurting myself. But other than that I pushed every exercise as hard as I could! Go me!

So that was Day 27 of the 100 Days challenge! I’ve done something every day even if I haven’t posted it on here. I promise!

Also new in my routine? I’m doing Coach Jenny’s Killer Caterpillars every morning! 5 of them! It’s fun in my NYC apartment…I manage 2 or 3, then turn during the hang down section – while hanging down – and go the other direction. Hee! I will probably also do them before and after running – which should earn me some funny looks at the gym…I’m thinking people will just be like “Oh, crazy…” in the parks. It is NYC after all! Hee!

“With that one step, your life will change forever.”

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I remember reading those words in Marathoning for Mortals and thinking “Yeah…a bit of hyperbole, isn’t it?”

But it’s not.

Truly, crossing that finish line at the Disney World Half Marathon did change my life. just like they say in the book, I’m no longer someone who doesn’t finish things. I set out on a plan to run/walk the race, and I did it! I proved to myself that I am a runner! I proved to my lungs that they don’t have to wheeze when I work out! I proved to my legs and feet that yes, they can go the distance!

And I knew I could do more. That’s why I’ve committed to doing the Disney World Marathon next January. I’m not going to go Goofy (both the half and the full). Yet. Maybe 2013? But odds are, the Disney full will be my first full (come on…what are the odds that the NYRR lottery gods smile on me twice in one calendar year???), and I want it to be special and not be nursing any soreness or whatever from the half the day before. I will revisit this option for 2012 when I’ve done two half marathons within a month of each other (the Disneyland and the Wine and Dine) – see how I feel and if I want to think about it.

But also? I’ve become someone who can maintain a 5.5mph pace for 3 minutes on a treadmill. Twice. Without looking at the little red numbers praying for them to move faster!

That happened today at the gym. It’s still sub-arctic out there (let’s not get into how stupid I was for volunteering to be a course marshal for the Manhattan Half yesterday…at least my +1 is done), so I hit the treadmill at the gym. Figured I’d see what I could do. Did my warmup, and then set the treadmill at 1% incline and 5mph for my first run interval. Felt great. So the second run interval went to 5.2mph. Still great. (Oh, I should add I tend to run a tad faster than the treadmill’s speed…not a lot, but a tad.) So interval number 3 I bumped it to 5.5mph. And was SHOCKED when my Garmin started beeping to get ready to walk, and I hadn’t even looked at the clock on the treadmill! Interval 4, back to 5.5mph (I may be about accomplishment, but I also don’t want to push to injury). I did look at the clock once in the last minute, but still felt great. Started interval 5 at 5.5, but then my brain took over and convinced my body it was tired and needed to slow down. So I let it go to 5.3 about halfway through. The last 2 run intervals were at 5.3 or 5.2. Overall I felt great! And now I have something to push for – doing ALL of my intervals at 5.5 in my regular workouts. Technically long runs should be slower, so I’ll back off the speed a little on them until I am doing all my other intervals comfortably at 5.5 – then I’ll up the speed on the long runs to that and start pushing it up on the regular ones again.

My focus is improvement for this next year!! Woot!!

(Yep…Day 23 of the 100 Days Challenge is done!)

Yay yay yay for running!!!

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FINALLY I had a day for running in my reverse taper in my training plan!!!!

Just 6 reps of 3:2 run:walk intervals, true. But RUNNING!!!

I’m really trying to trust my training and follow the reverse taper to not do too much too soon, but it’s tough!!!! Last night I did do an hour of Yoga for the Warrior on what was supposed to be a rest day, but it had been a hellacious day and I needed to get my zen on!

It was a bit cold to do Prospect Park – plus it’s still getting dark kind of early, and I’m not as familiar with their lighting. Also, I wasn’t sure that 6 reps of 3:2 would get me around the park. The little park close to my apartment has a couple of cleared paths, but they don’t really connect, so… To the gym it was.

Now, I’m not one to discourage anyone trying to get in shape, but… Let’s get real. It’s January 20. Shouldn’t those resolutionists be dropping out of the gym about now? Because they don’t seem to be dropping out of mine. I barely found a treadmill. OY!

But I did manage to find one and got my run on. Felt GREAT!!!! YAY!!!!

Also, that fulfilled day 20 of the 100 Days Challenge! :)

And also again? Still LOVING my Brooks Adrenalines!!!! They make my feet so so happy!! And happy feet make me a happy little runner girl!!

Butt and Balance ~ Bob’s dvds

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So as much as I wanted to run, a) the weather is nastiness personified outside (sleet, freezing rain, and then rain making everything all slushy and gross) and b) I’m not supposed to run yet per my training plan. Now, granted, I know I don’t HAVE to do everything by the letter… But my training following John and Jenny’s plan got me to the starting line of the Half generally uninjured (IT flares, but beyond that, uninjured), so why would I stop trusting it now. Running will come on Thursday.

So today was some XT. So I decided to be brave. But it was supposed to be short. So I tried to think about where I needed to be focusing. Working on the legs and the core seemed like a good plan, and so it was Bob Harper’s Butt and Balance. No, it’s not a DVD you can go and buy on its own. It’s the “short” section on his Body Rev Cardio Conditioning. It’s hellacious, but it’s so worth it.

Maybe one day I’ll get brave and put his short ones back to back to back and make them into one workout.

Maybe.

(Yes, this met my 100 Days Challenge for Day 18.)

Next steps!

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I got out today for the first run/walk since the half. And in my new shoes!! Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s!!! I love them, and my feet are really happy with them too!!

The run went really well. I wanted to take it easy, so I decided to do the lower loop in Central Park. That way if I could see how I felt at the end of one lap and decide if I wanted to do another lap. I did. So the total was 3.54 miles. A couple more weeks of reverse tapering, and then I’ll jump right into training for the NYC Half.

Having done the Disney Half in less than 3 hours definitely gives me confidence going into NYC. They have a 3 hour time limit. Granted I was only 13 minutes under, but I feel like with the extra training I can push the time down a bit more. I won’t be stopping or slowing for pictures, and hopefully I won’t have to pull over with shoe issues, so I should be golden.

Coach Jenny asked me via twitter yesterday what my next goal is, and obviously the most immediate is the NYC Half. But here’s my upcoming schedule…

2/6 – NYRR Gridiron Classic 4M
2/26 – NYRR Al Gordon Classic 4M
3/6 – NYRR Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K
3/20 – NYC Half Marathon
9/4 – Disneyland Half Marathon
10/1 – Walt Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon (reg not open yet)
1/8/12 – Walt Disney World Marathon (reg not open yet)

I’m debating the Broad Street Run in Philly…I know I don’t have long to debate that one. I know there are other NYRR races I’ll be doing in the spring…registration just isn’t open for them yet. I need to get 5 more in before the end of the year to get guaranteed entry into the 2012 NYC Marathon.

Also I’m going to look into starting pilates – I have a 5 class card to a studio that I got on groupon.com. They recommend you do private lessons first, and they have a 3-pack…so I need to get on that.

But don’t worry. This fitness and running thing isn’t going away any time soon!! :D

Recovering. And the search for shoes.

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I’ve been taking it a little bit easy since the Half – letting my legs and body recover. I did Yoga Meltdown yesterday. Will probably do Yoga for the Warrior tomorrow. The stretching is good. I’ve also been doing things like taking the stairs more at school and walking to and from the subway rather than taking the bus. Today that walk included clambering through snow, because of course we had school today. Fun! /sarcasm

I did treat myself to a sports massage this afternoon. It felt good. Largely focused on my legs, but he did some work with my back too. He’s worked on numerous occasions with the NYC Ballet, so I felt good about going there. And I’m glad I did. There were times that whatever he was pressing on hurt, but I’m pretty sure this was one of those times that the hurt was good for me. :D

After that, I went to JackRabbit to try out some different shoes. I explained about my toe thing during the half, and he suggested I go up at least half a size. So 9.5. Ok. He went back and brought out some kind of Nike, the Saucony Guide 3, and the Asics Kayano…I think 16 but maybe 15. I tried them each on and got on the treadmill with them. The Nikes were instantly voted off the island. Not only were they UGLY (though really I’m trying to get over what the shoe looks like and go with what works for my feet), but there was this…it felt like a bubble thing that I think was supposed to be at the ball of your foot but hit me just behind mine and even in the 30 seconds or so that I was running bugged the crap out of me. The Sauconys felt ok…not amazing, but not horrible. It’s something I could live with. The Asics Kayanos didn’t feel that great, so I eliminated them. He also brought out the 2160s in a 9.5 for me to try, but this one pinched AND rubbed, so no. Asics GT-2160s are off my shoe island. I asked him about Brooks, because I’ve heard a ton of good things about them. He said there is one he’d normally bring out first thing for my type of foot, but right now they were out of 9.5s in the regular width. He had a pair in a wider width that he brought out to let me try and get a feel for them. Um…can we say heaven??? They are only an ounce lighter than the 2160s or the Guide 3s, but they just felt lighter. Yes, I need to try on a pair in my width, and he put in a request from their warehouse which could be in Friday (it was too late for them to get there tomorrow, and he has no way of knowing if someone else from another store already put in a request for the 1 pair they have right now) but assuming that one works, I have a new shoe that my feet are in love with! Worst-case they’ll be in the shipment they have coming in on Tuesday (which I’m thinking could be Wednesday since Monday is MLK day).

Woo!!!

The Big Day!!!! The Walt Disney World Half Marathon!!! 1/8/11

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I’d been training for this for 14 weeks – and preparing for about a month before that to start training! I was so excited!!!

The weekend started on Friday when my sister Andrea and I

pre 5K

walked the 5K they had to kick off Marathon Weekend. It was just a walk, so no PR, but the sister bonding time was well worth it!

After the 5K it was off to the Expo to get my HM bib and stuff and purchase (and immediately hand to sis without looking at it) an “I did it!” shirt as I’d heard (correctly) that the stuff sold out quickly at the finish area. Lunch and Sweet Tomatoes and naptime in my resort room (cat allergy meant no staying with sis and her roommate) rounded out the afternoon. The evening brought a spaghetti dinner with my two running partners, sister, and Seth’s roommate and dog. Good times! Then we headed over to the Magic Kingdom to see Wishes! for inspiration.

just before Wishes!

And then it was off to bed to try and sleep!!

That was semi-successful. I was still in bed, though awake, when Stitch and Mickey delivered my wake up call – at 2:15AM! Got up and got ready, then headed over to get on the bus to go to the staging area.

oh man it's early!!

Lots of texting with my sister – she and Seth (running partner #1) were running a little late and stuck in the oh-so-warned-about traffic they thought their back ways would let them escape. Ryan (running partner #2) texted that he was in the lot and parking. When he got there, we checked my stuff (at this point sis had said to go ahead and do that – if she’d been on time, she would have held it for me) and headed to the staging area. Seth was going to try to meet us in Corral C, but when he got there he made it about mid-way through and couldn’t get further up. So Ryan and I started together.

ready to run!

We were there for all the pre-race stuff, then cheered as Wave 1 (aka Corral A) went off to fireworks and fire shoots. Wave 2 (aka Corral B) walked to the start and took off a few minutes later, also to fireworks, etc. Each wave/corral got the same send-off, which was really nice! Corral C walked to the line, and we were off!!

I had thought I’d stop for character shots, but initially there weren’t really any characters out I wanted a pic with, and when we did find them, it seemed everyone else wanted pics with them so the lines were long. About mile 3, I left Ryan behind – my walking pace (I was doing a run/walk) was faster than his, so the walk breaks weren’t really providing much of a rest for him. It was all good though. Took a pit stop just before heading into Magic Kingdom.

I will admit to tearing up when we got ready to turn onto Main Street, and more when we turned and could see the castle. Another runner saw me trying to get a steady shot of the castle and offered to take a pic of me – then I took a pic for her.

I'm really doing this!!

Just after this, I spotted my sister just before the turn into Tomorrowland and was full-out crying for a few minutes (she told me after she was too), and only continued as we ran through Cinderella Castle. I did try to smile for the cameras…but we’ll see how those pics come out when ASI sends me the links.

After Magic Kingdom, it was a relatively calm stretch by the Grand Floridian. I was feeling good and strong through the 15K mark. Probably around Mile 10 I started to feel something familiar every time I’ve gone a new distance – my IT band starting to flare a bit. So I just added in a little more walking.

Mile 11 is kind of brutal – you go up the cloverleaf exit, so it’s a long, steady hill that takes a while. The humorous part of this was they stationed one of the Green Army Men on the hill and he kept exhorting us to “Take that hill soldiers!” We were trying! I swear!! After that it wasn’t long until we were heading into EPCOT, and I realized I WAS GOING TO DO THIS!!!!!!

At some point just after the hill, I really felt the “middle toe” (the one right next to my big toe) on my right foot. This is the one that’s had a runner’s toenail for a while, and I wasn’t sure if the nail had come off or what. I finally pulled over to the side for a moment to take my shoe off and look. Toenail still on. Cannot tell WHY my toe felt weird. Put shoe back on and trotted off.

(A note on shoes… I ended up going with the 2160s just tied to try and keep from rubbing on the top of my foot/leg where they meet over the ankle. I’m definitely going to go on a new shoe brand and stuff hunt now that this half is done.)

The second half of the race I was much more aware of seeing cameras and trying to “run pose” for them. And yes, there were times that meant the mental thought of “Ok…camera…run, or at least look like you’re running. And SMILE!” We rounded Spaceship Earth and headed backstage. At the corner, I could hear the gospel choir and knew from youtube videos I was almost there. And I made myself run across the finish line!

I proceeded through the chute and got my mylar blanket and medal, then steered myself into Medical to get Tylenol and ice. A girl near the ice asked me how many and where I needed it, then saran-wrapped it on. VERY glad it was a female helping me with the ice up at the top of my upper thigh – which had also been twinging a little. She got a third ice pack and another medical volunteer to help with putting a couple of bags on my knee for the IT band issue. She got me some water so I could take the Tylenol, made sure I was ok other than that, and I hobbled out. Got in line for the “Look at my medal!” picture and Ryan showed up one person behind me! We went to get food (and got WAY too excited about things like mint chocolate energy bars, diet coke, and non-lemon-lime powerade), then my bag. As we exited the bag tent, my sister and Seth were there waiting. Long hug, and then the “We did it!” pic!!

We did it!!

Then it was off to the resort for me for a cool bath. I went back to the Expo to hear John “The Penguin” Bingham

with The Penguin

And Coach Jenny Hadfield

and Coach Jenny

speak. It was great to meet them as their book has been the backbone of my training, and Coach Jenny especially has been a GREAT help in replying to emails and tweets.

The next morning, Ryan, Seth, Alex (Seth’s roommate), Andrea (my sister) and I went to brunch at Cape May Cafe to celebrate – it’s a character breakfast with Minnie, Goofy and Donald. Since the Half Marathon finishers get Donald Duck medals, Donald was VERY excited to see us, and wanted a picture. Silly duck…he thought his tie was a medal.

Silly Donald! Ties aren't medals!!

After breakfast, we went out to cheer on the Marathoners. And Seth, Ryan and I all decided that next year? We’re going to be among them!

All in all, it was a great weekend, and I’m so happy I did it!

Oh yeah… My chip time? 2:47:38!! (And in my “WOOHOO!” moment, I beat Al Roker who finished in 3:16 and change. Hee!)

Three days to go…

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…and taper madness hath fully hit.

When I was reading Marathoning for Mortals the taper period was described as “the closest you’ll ever be to being possessed” and talked about wildly fluctuating mood swings.

Other than the shoe issue, I hadn’t really had any of those and was feeling pretty good. I wasn’t feeling like I couldn’t eat. I wasn’t overly nervous. I was feeling confident.

And then suddenly walking to the subway today I was in tears and freaking out.

HELLO WILDLY FLUCTUATING MOOD SWINGS!!

So I’m doing things like making sure my nook is fully charged so I’ll be occupied on the plane. That kind of thing. The less time my brain has to think about it, the better. My Runner’s World magazine came today, and funnily enough there was an article about mantras and a “make your own mantra” grid. So…

Be strong! Embrace power!

…is my new mantra! Woo!!!!!

The bag is packed. I’m checked into my flight. All that’s left to do now is sleep…and get through tomorrow at school. Then it’s off to the House of the Mouse!!

And day 5 of the 100 days challenge is done. Walked for 2.54 miles for 34 minutes at running club tonight. Yay!

Four days to go…

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…and taper madness is rearing its ugly head in the form of shoe freak-outs.

Ok, not unfounded shoe freak-outs. But shoe freak-outs nonetheless.

Shoe freak-outs that resulted in me paying a visit to my local running store (LRS) to talk to someone about my “crisis”. The guy who was helping me started off with “I’m sure it’s not a crisis” but turned to “Oh…yeah…” when I told him my dilemma. Old shoes with 450-500 miles on them, newish shoes that rub a major tendon unless I tie them differently, or a new brand and style.

His response? “None are really great.”

Gee, thanks dude!

But seriously, he was more helpful than that. He asked what size I wore and went back to look and see if they had any 2150s in my size left in stock – the thinking being that at least if I was going to be in shoes with less than 10 miles on them, they would be shoes my feet are familiar with. They didn’t. He checked their other stores to see if they had any. They didn’t. He suggested I check at another store close by. They didn’t have them either. I called one other store I knew of. No go. At that point, I just conceded that there are NO size 9 Asics GT-2150s left in stock in NYC.

Back to my store to discuss further. By this point he’d discussed with someone else options. They had found one pair of 9.5s, but try as we might, they were just too slippy on my feet. The verdict seemed to be that most likely my best option would be to run on the old ones – after all, they still have more padding than five fingers. However, they did have me put on a pair of 2160s to experiment with lacing styles, and we found one that looks like it might work.

I’m going to give it a shot with the newer ones (new, but I’ve worn them for maybe 30 miles) tomorrow at the fun run – mainly walking, but I might jog for a few minutes just to see how the shoes feel.

So basically an afternoon of freaking out and running around led me back to the same theory I’d had before leaving. Take them both and plan on the old ones unless a miracle happens and this lacing thing works.

Oh my!

When I get back, the quest for new shoes will begin. I did look at some on the wall, and both Brooks and New Balance seem to lace a little further down your foot, so those might be my starting point. We shall see!

Five days to go…

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The last run before race weekend is in the books!

I hit the gym – and had to fight for a treadmill among all the resolutionists who you know will be gone by the end of the month. All the way upstairs and at the far end. Oy!!

Overall the run felt good. I *think* I’ve solved the shoe issue at least for now. The older shoes are coming with in case this fix proves not to work. But at least I don’t have to adjust to a whole new shoe before the Half!

Now it’s all about XT and relaxing. I’m surprisingly not nervous about it. Granted that might be because I haven’t really had time to think about it…we’ll see how things go as the week goes on.

Definitely getting excited though!!!

Also? Chalk this up as Day 3 in the 100 days challenge!!