I know, I know, I should be writing about the Pig, since it's this weekend. BUT I have been doing a lot of cool TNT things lately, so I had to post.
First of all, I got to meet all of the other mentors at a potluck. It was fun, there were cupcakes, it was on a roofdeck downtown on a sunny day...do I have to say more?
I also found out something cool...
Coach Steve, the coach who was not going to coach anymore because he was going to med school, is coming back!!! Unfortunately, he has no idea where he is going to med school yet, but for the time being he is going to coach. I am SO EXCITED because he and Ramon are my favorite coaches ever. I actually got to work more with Steve than Ramon, because Ramon sort of belongs to all of the groups and Steve was always with the advanced group. He is the one that coached me through that awful bridge in the Marine Corps Marathon. I can't wait to work with him again. He made me go FAST. Yay!
Also, last night I went to the Nike Women's Marathon preview party to help recruit marathoners for the event. It was fun, and I do like talking to people and trying to convince them that yes, they CAN do a marathon. We had to watch a preview video of the event and it made me SO EXCITED to be training for it!
Our big selling points for the event?
• We get a Tiffany's necklace instead of a medal
• This Tiffany's necklace is handed to us by a San Francisco fireman in a tuxedo
• Very cute Nike shirts
• Pedicure stops along the marathon (uh, I want to PR, not get a pedicure)
• Chocolate stop at mile 22 (Gross)
• It's in San Francisco
In addition, I had a few things that sold me on the event.
• It is the biggest TNT marathon...the pasta party sat 7,000 in one room last year
• Gina said I had to do it because it is the coolest marathon ever
• I get all excited in big groups of enthusiasm, and that's what it seems like this will be
I also saw my friend Eric last night, and he warned me "Don't listen to anyone who tells you the hills aren't bad on that course. They are lying to you."
I actually appreciated that. It's nice to know, because that's all I have been hearing from people.
Anyway, I am excited about my next marathon, even though the one I'm training for hasn't even been run yet.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Crap Run
This weekend the weather was beautiful!
Unfortunately we also hit record temps (over 90 on Sunday).
My first "hot" run of the season is always crap. This one was really bad though.
Bill and I set out to do an easy 6-mile loop of Central Park on Sunday morning. It was super crowded too because the More marathon was going on. (I have no idea how those ladies ran in that blistering heat, especially since, if they are like me, they are used to running in the 60s, max.) So everyone not running the race (including bikers and walkers) had to run in two lanes. I know this sounds like no big deal, but on a nice weekend day in New York, in the park, this is a disaster. I have no complaint about the bikers, they were actually on their best behavior. But it was still just way too crowded and way too hot.
I felt badly for Bill because I was in a grumpy mood, PLUS it was the kind of run that I just needed to finish mentally, so that I could be like "OK. I can run in the heat now." Not good for morale.
I also had to keep stopping for water about every mile.
When I got about halfway up the eastern side of the park I told Bill I needed to stop.
I freaked him out I think, because my face was bright red. I also needed to sit down (which I did, on the fence) and was dizzy. I also had a headache. I did not feel good at all. After much cajoling I promised Bill I would walk the bridal path back to 96th street while he ran the rest of the loop.
GRRRRRRR.
But YES. I'm GLAD I STOPPED. (In the long run.)
Unfortunately we also hit record temps (over 90 on Sunday).
My first "hot" run of the season is always crap. This one was really bad though.
Bill and I set out to do an easy 6-mile loop of Central Park on Sunday morning. It was super crowded too because the More marathon was going on. (I have no idea how those ladies ran in that blistering heat, especially since, if they are like me, they are used to running in the 60s, max.) So everyone not running the race (including bikers and walkers) had to run in two lanes. I know this sounds like no big deal, but on a nice weekend day in New York, in the park, this is a disaster. I have no complaint about the bikers, they were actually on their best behavior. But it was still just way too crowded and way too hot.
I felt badly for Bill because I was in a grumpy mood, PLUS it was the kind of run that I just needed to finish mentally, so that I could be like "OK. I can run in the heat now." Not good for morale.
I also had to keep stopping for water about every mile.
When I got about halfway up the eastern side of the park I told Bill I needed to stop.
I freaked him out I think, because my face was bright red. I also needed to sit down (which I did, on the fence) and was dizzy. I also had a headache. I did not feel good at all. After much cajoling I promised Bill I would walk the bridal path back to 96th street while he ran the rest of the loop.
GRRRRRRR.
But YES. I'm GLAD I STOPPED. (In the long run.)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Gross Foot Talk
There. Fair warning.
I have a corn in between my fourth and fifth toe. I actually didn't know what a corn was, until I got one. Turns out they SOUND grosser than they are. All it is basically is an inverted callous.
I have actually had it for quite awhile, but I keep forgetting about it because during the day it really doesn't bother me. It's when I go on my runs that it does. Then it is like the most painful thing in the world. But then I go to bed and forget about it.
After last night's run though, I was in a considerable amount of pain. I figured this was something I should probably take care of before the marathon. So I looked it up and found out all about corns.
I'm wondering if it's my shoes. I have never had this problem before.
Gross.
My recently purchased Dr Scholl's salicylic acid pads promise me that this could be gone in only 2 days. Let's hope so.
I have a corn in between my fourth and fifth toe. I actually didn't know what a corn was, until I got one. Turns out they SOUND grosser than they are. All it is basically is an inverted callous.
I have actually had it for quite awhile, but I keep forgetting about it because during the day it really doesn't bother me. It's when I go on my runs that it does. Then it is like the most painful thing in the world. But then I go to bed and forget about it.
After last night's run though, I was in a considerable amount of pain. I figured this was something I should probably take care of before the marathon. So I looked it up and found out all about corns.
I'm wondering if it's my shoes. I have never had this problem before.
Gross.
My recently purchased Dr Scholl's salicylic acid pads promise me that this could be gone in only 2 days. Let's hope so.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Not a Lot of Running
Once again, I am not doing a lot of running :(
But, I did get a new running outfit.
This was a promise I gave to myself. I told myself that after I ran my 20 I deserved a new pair of shorts. Yes, shorts. Not a skirt. I don't like running in skirts anymore because they feel so bulky. I know. I was their biggest fan before. But seriously, pants AND a skirt...that seems like a lot of layers. That's why I like the skirtsports skirt. It has spankies instead and has more lightweight material than the other skirts I've tried on. Bill thinks there is a direct correlation between me running faster and me not liking to run in skirts. I don't know what it is. :)
Since I was in Cincy this weekend I dragged my dad and sister to Bob Roncker's Running Spot with me.
I tried on a million outfits. Yes, outfits. Because after all, how could I buy shorts if I didn't have anything to wear with them? Besides, I am a sucker for new clothes.
While I was trying on all of these things my sister and dad were just waiting around in the store with all of the other crazy runners. When we left my dad said something about everyone "praying to the altar of running." I had to think about it for 2 seconds and then I was like "Yeah, it's kind of cultish in there, isn't it?"
I say this with the utmost respect. Bob told us that he set out to create a community of runners and a place where runners could hang out as well as learn about the latest running products etc. He has absolutely done that, and as a result, you can't go into his store without catching a little bit of the enthusiasm for running that all of the people have in there.
I realized that as much as running is a personal sport, it wouldn't be the same if you didn't have all of those other crazy runners to talk to. It made me happy to be a runner.
Plus, now I have a cute outfit to run in.
But, I did get a new running outfit.
This was a promise I gave to myself. I told myself that after I ran my 20 I deserved a new pair of shorts. Yes, shorts. Not a skirt. I don't like running in skirts anymore because they feel so bulky. I know. I was their biggest fan before. But seriously, pants AND a skirt...that seems like a lot of layers. That's why I like the skirtsports skirt. It has spankies instead and has more lightweight material than the other skirts I've tried on. Bill thinks there is a direct correlation between me running faster and me not liking to run in skirts. I don't know what it is. :)
Since I was in Cincy this weekend I dragged my dad and sister to Bob Roncker's Running Spot with me.
I tried on a million outfits. Yes, outfits. Because after all, how could I buy shorts if I didn't have anything to wear with them? Besides, I am a sucker for new clothes.
While I was trying on all of these things my sister and dad were just waiting around in the store with all of the other crazy runners. When we left my dad said something about everyone "praying to the altar of running." I had to think about it for 2 seconds and then I was like "Yeah, it's kind of cultish in there, isn't it?"
I say this with the utmost respect. Bob told us that he set out to create a community of runners and a place where runners could hang out as well as learn about the latest running products etc. He has absolutely done that, and as a result, you can't go into his store without catching a little bit of the enthusiasm for running that all of the people have in there.
I realized that as much as running is a personal sport, it wouldn't be the same if you didn't have all of those other crazy runners to talk to. It made me happy to be a runner.
Plus, now I have a cute outfit to run in.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hurrah! 20!
Bill and I needed a little change of scenery for our 20 this weekend. Basically, I just couldn't stand the options presented before me (three loops around central park and THEN another 2 miles?...2 loops around central park and then run to the tip of manhattan and back? ugh.) It was time for a field trip.
So for the first time all winter, we actually got up EARLY for a run (think, before 7am). We caught the 7:55 to Hartsdale and did our 20 mile run up there.
Did I mention that it was raining?
Not just sprinkles either. Lots and lots of raining. So I was glad Bill was there to chat with me. It made the run a lot easier and it made me concentrate on the crappy weather a lot less.
Hartsdale was also good because it is a pretty hill course (which I forgot about). It's not that Central Park doesn't have hills...but I think we're so much more used to them. AND we know when they are coming up in the course. Plus these were much more rolling, and I think closer to the Flying Pig Course.
Our goal was a 10 minute mile and we did really well at keeping that pace.
I enjoy running with Bill so much that I suggested to him that we run together through the whole marathon....for real this time. I think we could both use each other for support.
We finished with a 3:27, which averaged out to a 10:21 pace. EDIT: Whoops. I meant a 3:17. That is a 9:51...a little different. :)
I felt good, but tired afterwards and went home to sleep for the rest of the afternoon :)
So for the first time all winter, we actually got up EARLY for a run (think, before 7am). We caught the 7:55 to Hartsdale and did our 20 mile run up there.
Did I mention that it was raining?
Not just sprinkles either. Lots and lots of raining. So I was glad Bill was there to chat with me. It made the run a lot easier and it made me concentrate on the crappy weather a lot less.
Hartsdale was also good because it is a pretty hill course (which I forgot about). It's not that Central Park doesn't have hills...but I think we're so much more used to them. AND we know when they are coming up in the course. Plus these were much more rolling, and I think closer to the Flying Pig Course.
Our goal was a 10 minute mile and we did really well at keeping that pace.
I enjoy running with Bill so much that I suggested to him that we run together through the whole marathon....for real this time. I think we could both use each other for support.
We finished with a 3:27, which averaged out to a 10:21 pace. EDIT: Whoops. I meant a 3:17. That is a 9:51...a little different. :)
I felt good, but tired afterwards and went home to sleep for the rest of the afternoon :)
Monday, April 6, 2009
10 Minutes!
I ran my 18 this weekend and so did Bill! Yay!
Because my training has been so off this season and we're getting closer and closer to the marathon I had set some much different goals for this 18 than usual. My goals were to:
• Take it nice and easy so that there are no injuries
• Enjoy the run
• Complete the run
• Convince Bill that he CAN run 18 even though his training has been as spotty as mine
• Convince Bill that if he can run 18 he can run 20, and if he can run 20, he can run 26.2
I did all of these things. It was actually QUITE enjoyable. Bill and I are usually at odds with one another when we run together and it can be quite stressful. I think it has to do with the fact that we are both competitive, we are both stubborn and when we are on a run, all of our mars/venus communication differences seem to come through. It basically has taken us a whole year of running together to figure out how to have a cordial run together. (This is why we could never work together). But Saturday it was as if all the planets were aligned.
I don't think I COULD have had such an enjoyable run without Bill. I think we really helped each other out. We took it at an easy pace, which was harder to do than you would think. The goal was 10 minute miles all the way. We started off with a 9 minute mile. So we slowed down, and it felt like such an effort. That being said...
I think we have found our pace for the marathon.
We were definitely hurting at the end of the run, and I don't think I could have done any more. But at the same time, I knew that I could run again on Monday. So I think that is just perfect for us.
I would really LIKE to be able to push harder and get a marathon where I am ecstatic at the finish line (like I was in the Bronx half when I finished with an 8:45 pace). But I think it's not in the cards for this one. If we can finish with a 4:22 I will be happy this time.
Consistent pace.
That is going to be my mantra.
Because my training has been so off this season and we're getting closer and closer to the marathon I had set some much different goals for this 18 than usual. My goals were to:
• Take it nice and easy so that there are no injuries
• Enjoy the run
• Complete the run
• Convince Bill that he CAN run 18 even though his training has been as spotty as mine
• Convince Bill that if he can run 18 he can run 20, and if he can run 20, he can run 26.2
I did all of these things. It was actually QUITE enjoyable. Bill and I are usually at odds with one another when we run together and it can be quite stressful. I think it has to do with the fact that we are both competitive, we are both stubborn and when we are on a run, all of our mars/venus communication differences seem to come through. It basically has taken us a whole year of running together to figure out how to have a cordial run together. (This is why we could never work together). But Saturday it was as if all the planets were aligned.
I don't think I COULD have had such an enjoyable run without Bill. I think we really helped each other out. We took it at an easy pace, which was harder to do than you would think. The goal was 10 minute miles all the way. We started off with a 9 minute mile. So we slowed down, and it felt like such an effort. That being said...
I think we have found our pace for the marathon.
We were definitely hurting at the end of the run, and I don't think I could have done any more. But at the same time, I knew that I could run again on Monday. So I think that is just perfect for us.
I would really LIKE to be able to push harder and get a marathon where I am ecstatic at the finish line (like I was in the Bronx half when I finished with an 8:45 pace). But I think it's not in the cards for this one. If we can finish with a 4:22 I will be happy this time.
Consistent pace.
That is going to be my mantra.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Spring!
Last night was a beautiful night for a run!
And the best part? I actually got to GO on a run even though Bill couldn't run with me. Normally, it is way too dark by the time I would go out for a run. We don't live in a sketchy neighborhood or anything, but I just don't think it's the smartest thing to do with all the crazies that are out in the world.
Last night it didn't actually get dark until after I was back from my run and in my apartment!
And it was so warm!
I think everyone must be sick and tired of being shut inside all winter because there were tons of people in the park (and dogs too).
It made me feel happy.
Too bad it went back to the 40s and is raining all day today :(
Oh yeah. And I can't believe I totally forgot to mention this...
I got accepted as a Team in Training mentor for the fall season! That means I will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco this fall as well as acting as, well, a mentor, to about 10 teammates. We already basically start the season on Monday, when I have to go to a mentor meeting. I am excited!
And the best part? I actually got to GO on a run even though Bill couldn't run with me. Normally, it is way too dark by the time I would go out for a run. We don't live in a sketchy neighborhood or anything, but I just don't think it's the smartest thing to do with all the crazies that are out in the world.
Last night it didn't actually get dark until after I was back from my run and in my apartment!
And it was so warm!
I think everyone must be sick and tired of being shut inside all winter because there were tons of people in the park (and dogs too).
It made me feel happy.
Too bad it went back to the 40s and is raining all day today :(
Oh yeah. And I can't believe I totally forgot to mention this...
I got accepted as a Team in Training mentor for the fall season! That means I will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco this fall as well as acting as, well, a mentor, to about 10 teammates. We already basically start the season on Monday, when I have to go to a mentor meeting. I am excited!
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