I'm from Northport.. a small town on long island. every summer they hold the 'great cow harbor 10k'. i grew up hearing abou this race.. 'ooh, it's so hard' 'runners come from everywhere to run the cow harbor race'.. whatever.. i never had any interest because i hated running and figured that watching people run was even less exciting than actually running!
well, now that i'm a runner of sorts i figured it was only right that i run this particular 10k. i wasn't really worried about it, i've run 10k before. heck i've run 20k. this was just another training run. until my mom called me early in the week from florida to ask if i plan on running the course before the actual race. she offered the name and number of a friend who has run it in case i wanted to get the ins and outs of the race.. what the heck?! i lived in northport for the majority of my life.. i know the roads. i know the hills. i know that james street seems like the hardest part, but that the long slow incline of waterside ave. is actually the part that kicks everyone's ass. no, i don't need to call someone.
friday night i headed out to my parents' house to spend the night there. i thiink my mom asked me 3 times 'are you nervous?' then all her friends at dinner asked 'are you nervous?' no, i'm not nervous.. or i wasn't. this is just another training run!
i woke up at 6am to the sound of rain outside. sucks because i did not bring any warm clothes. i figured that the race itself wouldn't be a problem but the waiting to start would be cold. as i applied heat to my calfs i watched the early morning weather report and they said the rain would be moving through within the hour. i had 2.5 hours before the start of the race so i should be good.
this is a hilly run, and the first mile is almost all downhill which explains why the next 5 seem to all be uphill! everyone seemed to sprint off the start, and i knew that if i kept up this pace i'd be bummin by the end. my legs were really bothering me and i was trying not to limp down the hill on scudder ave. i just kept praying that my legs would loosen up soon!
my family was waiting for me at the bottom of the hill on james street which was a nice boost going into the hill. i was trying to smile and not limp, but apparently the limp was pretty obvious. my dad said he had doubts that i'd be able to finish, and to tell you the truth so did i.
my goal was to get to the top of the hill.
then my goal was to get to the end of ocean avenue.. a long flat stretch before a big downhill. the bottom of the downhill was waterside. waterside was supposed to be the killer, but it also meant i was on my way to the finish. i made it to waterside, but it was not pretty. i tried to drink a cup of water but managed to snort it up my nose instead. passed a girl puking. passed some people walking. i got to waterside, and instead of killing me, my legs loosened up finally and i started to feel good. right as i neared the end of waterside i had a surprise fan call out my name and wave which gave me the boost i needed to make it up the hill at the start of main street.
the top of this hill meant literally 'all down hill from here!' and the final stretch to the finish!
the music pushed me on, and then i heard a guy come up behind a small group of us and shout 'ok guys and gals, lets finish this thing!!!' GOD BLESS THAT GUY!!!! i was rockin now!
i dont really remember much about the finish other than i wanted to be running strong to the final step, and i started crying as soon as i hit that marker.
i am really not sure how i am going to finish 26 miles. i'm saying it out loud now. i'm not sure i can do it.
this is not me backing out yet, but it's me starting to face the fact that my legs just might not let me. we'll see.. cross your fingers.
miles run: 6.2
finish time: 1:01:15
song that saved me: 'feelin good' by muse (and that guy!)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
it's official
i booked my flight to San Francisco for the marathon!
Last night I went out to run a new route in my neighborhood.. it was time I extended my short run so now I run south to 155th. I can run along Edgewater which has a park running along the east side. This way I don't hit any lights for my entire run. I've also realized that I can even extend it down to 145th, turn around and run to the top of amsterdam, around the school (up that steeeeep hill) and home for a nice 6.25 miles.
The weather in NYC has been amazing the past couple days and I've been off work, so I'm trying to work out and walk my dog as much as possible!
carry on!
miles run: 4.3
new songs added to the play list : 6
Last night I went out to run a new route in my neighborhood.. it was time I extended my short run so now I run south to 155th. I can run along Edgewater which has a park running along the east side. This way I don't hit any lights for my entire run. I've also realized that I can even extend it down to 145th, turn around and run to the top of amsterdam, around the school (up that steeeeep hill) and home for a nice 6.25 miles.
The weather in NYC has been amazing the past couple days and I've been off work, so I'm trying to work out and walk my dog as much as possible!
carry on!
miles run: 4.3
new songs added to the play list : 6
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
what i learned by mile 14
so i now know that i need to rig some kind of pouch for the marathon to hold my gel packs and ID etc.. the fanny pack i was wearing started out a little annoying.. this soon turned into chaffing on my waist. i will probably cut the belt off the fannypack and velcro it right to my shorts.
i also know that i will NOT be wearing thong underwear when running 26.2 miles... enough said.
i also know that i will NOT be wearing thong underwear when running 26.2 miles... enough said.
Monday, September 3, 2007
sorry, i lied..
well, i haven't lied to most of you, just not been completely honest.
This training has been WAY more difficult than i've let on. I was afraid that if I said it out loud i'd give in to the defeat I was feeling. My legs have been killing me. the stress fracture leg (left) has been surprisingly strong.. it's the right leg now. The 'hamstring tendonitis' didn't seem to be getting any better even with 2 weeks of rest and regular PT. The fact that it hurt just to walk around town was killing my motivation to even try to run.
Last thursday I went to see Michael for a PT session. We discussed the training schedule and I told him I was planning on running 12 miles on friday before i left for vegas. This was indeed the plan... i set out to run after work (and pre party) on friday and only managed to complete 3 miles. It was hot, my leg was sore and my mind was on the party taking place at my apartement in 4 hours. I was more than dissappointed with myself.
Vegas is a difficult place to run in.. late nights and tripple digit temps are all anti-motivators!
Thursday I woke up early and got a 3 mile run in on the treadmill plus 15 minutes on the eliptical machine before heading to the airport. Better than nothing i guess, but it was definitely not going to get me close to 26.2 miles. I was really seriously considering giving up on this marathon thing all together. I didn't voice this to anyone for fear of making it real, and people agreeing with me.
I decided I would give it one last shot on saturday morning. If i couldn't manage a good solid long run (10+) then i'd give up. I booked a last minute appointment to see michael on friday to get myself in good shape for saturday. He asked me how vegas was.. how the run on friday was.. how far i'd run.. my answers were 'great, good, and 12 miles!' two out of 3 were lies!!!
the group was planning a short run on saturday of only 6 miles. the said that if we were behind schedule we could run longer, but we'd mostly be on our own. I got to the park at 7:15am. I figured i'd start running alone and then finish up with the group. The plan was to run a full loop (6 miles) first, the second loop i'd cut across the 102nd trarnsverse (5 miles), then the final loop I'd cut across both transverses (4 miles) for a grand total of 15.
15 miles breaks every rule the coaches have been telling us.. only increase your long runs by 1-2 miles.. don't push yourself too hard.. etc.. but, if i was going to stay on this mission i had to prove to myself that i could do it.
the first 6 were a little tough. it took most of that time to loosen up my hamstring. but, i was not running too fast just wanted to get it done. outfitted with a new nike watch, i checked my time at the end of the first loop. i was running under 9 minute miles!! It didn't even feel fast! This gave me the boost i needed to get into the second loop. the park started filling up, and i started seeing some TNT'ers. Cap and Flash passed me twice, a little frustrating but i just used their smiles to push me along into the final loop.
BRUTAL!! my calfs were starting to burn and my fuel belt was chaffing my stomach ( have i mentioned i HATE fuel belts.. i'm trying to invent a new system before the marathon) and now my right quad was cramping or something.
After 2.5 hours I finally made it to the drink cart on the corner of the 72nd street transverse!!! an orange gatorade was my prize :) I was hoping the coaches would be around to share in my non-defeat, but they were all gone already. my big surprise was that roxy was on bag watch duty, and was being delayed by some other runners needing fundraising advice! She was excited to hear about my run, and of course asked 'did michael say you could run that far??!' ha, if michael had known, the answer most def would have been 'are you crazy?'
Yes, i am crazy.. and in desperate need of a massage.
miles run: 15
hours run: 2h 29m
money won in vegas: $136
This training has been WAY more difficult than i've let on. I was afraid that if I said it out loud i'd give in to the defeat I was feeling. My legs have been killing me. the stress fracture leg (left) has been surprisingly strong.. it's the right leg now. The 'hamstring tendonitis' didn't seem to be getting any better even with 2 weeks of rest and regular PT. The fact that it hurt just to walk around town was killing my motivation to even try to run.
Last thursday I went to see Michael for a PT session. We discussed the training schedule and I told him I was planning on running 12 miles on friday before i left for vegas. This was indeed the plan... i set out to run after work (and pre party) on friday and only managed to complete 3 miles. It was hot, my leg was sore and my mind was on the party taking place at my apartement in 4 hours. I was more than dissappointed with myself.
Vegas is a difficult place to run in.. late nights and tripple digit temps are all anti-motivators!
Thursday I woke up early and got a 3 mile run in on the treadmill plus 15 minutes on the eliptical machine before heading to the airport. Better than nothing i guess, but it was definitely not going to get me close to 26.2 miles. I was really seriously considering giving up on this marathon thing all together. I didn't voice this to anyone for fear of making it real, and people agreeing with me.
I decided I would give it one last shot on saturday morning. If i couldn't manage a good solid long run (10+) then i'd give up. I booked a last minute appointment to see michael on friday to get myself in good shape for saturday. He asked me how vegas was.. how the run on friday was.. how far i'd run.. my answers were 'great, good, and 12 miles!' two out of 3 were lies!!!
the group was planning a short run on saturday of only 6 miles. the said that if we were behind schedule we could run longer, but we'd mostly be on our own. I got to the park at 7:15am. I figured i'd start running alone and then finish up with the group. The plan was to run a full loop (6 miles) first, the second loop i'd cut across the 102nd trarnsverse (5 miles), then the final loop I'd cut across both transverses (4 miles) for a grand total of 15.
15 miles breaks every rule the coaches have been telling us.. only increase your long runs by 1-2 miles.. don't push yourself too hard.. etc.. but, if i was going to stay on this mission i had to prove to myself that i could do it.
the first 6 were a little tough. it took most of that time to loosen up my hamstring. but, i was not running too fast just wanted to get it done. outfitted with a new nike watch, i checked my time at the end of the first loop. i was running under 9 minute miles!! It didn't even feel fast! This gave me the boost i needed to get into the second loop. the park started filling up, and i started seeing some TNT'ers. Cap and Flash passed me twice, a little frustrating but i just used their smiles to push me along into the final loop.
BRUTAL!! my calfs were starting to burn and my fuel belt was chaffing my stomach ( have i mentioned i HATE fuel belts.. i'm trying to invent a new system before the marathon) and now my right quad was cramping or something.
After 2.5 hours I finally made it to the drink cart on the corner of the 72nd street transverse!!! an orange gatorade was my prize :) I was hoping the coaches would be around to share in my non-defeat, but they were all gone already. my big surprise was that roxy was on bag watch duty, and was being delayed by some other runners needing fundraising advice! She was excited to hear about my run, and of course asked 'did michael say you could run that far??!' ha, if michael had known, the answer most def would have been 'are you crazy?'
Yes, i am crazy.. and in desperate need of a massage.
miles run: 15
hours run: 2h 29m
money won in vegas: $136
Friday, August 24, 2007
eeek!
I just looked at the training calendar and this marathon is creeping up fast! I have taken the last 2 weeks off because my right leg is suffering from a touch of hamstring tendonitis I am told. My last long run was a strong 10 miles, so i am trying to get myself a gameplan that will get me to SF!
Talked it over with coach mike (also my PT) and he's assured me that I don't need to run a 20 mile training run, that if i am up to 16-18 with 3 weeks of rest I will be fine for the marathon. This made me feel much better.. I can add a mile a week for the next 7 weeks and be more than ok. Mentally I'm not worried, i can push myself to endure just about anything. Cardio wise it's not a problem. So, if i can get these damn legs to cooperate I should be all set!! GRRRRRRRRRR!
I am headed to Vegas for a 4 day tradeshow, so running will be limited there.. i tell myself that i could run at like 6am, but the reality of the heat there (even at 6am) might ruin that plan. so tonight I am going to get a nice long run in before I go, then I can do shorter treadmill runs while in vegas.
I still have to fill out my playlist, been slacking on that front as well.. if anyone has any suggestions please send them along!! I have a fan who requested my current playlist (i had posted this before) so here it is:
1. icky thump - the whitestripes
2. invincible - ok go
3. baby fratelli - the fratellis
4. hang me up to dry - cold war kids
5. postal blowfish - albert hammond jr
6. keep the car running - the arcade fire
7. think i'm in love - beck (not me, the singer)
8. sitting in the park - quixotic
9. hard to live in the city - albert hammond jr
10 you know i'm no good - amy winehouse
11. baby blue sedan - modest mouse
12. tango - lady sovereign
13. level - the raconteurs
14. get over it - ok go
15. what ever happened - the strokes
16. the truth - la rocca
17. gone - pearl jam
everyone keep your fingers crossed that i finish this run tonight, and that my lucky #12 is good to me in vegas!!
Talked it over with coach mike (also my PT) and he's assured me that I don't need to run a 20 mile training run, that if i am up to 16-18 with 3 weeks of rest I will be fine for the marathon. This made me feel much better.. I can add a mile a week for the next 7 weeks and be more than ok. Mentally I'm not worried, i can push myself to endure just about anything. Cardio wise it's not a problem. So, if i can get these damn legs to cooperate I should be all set!! GRRRRRRRRRR!
I am headed to Vegas for a 4 day tradeshow, so running will be limited there.. i tell myself that i could run at like 6am, but the reality of the heat there (even at 6am) might ruin that plan. so tonight I am going to get a nice long run in before I go, then I can do shorter treadmill runs while in vegas.
I still have to fill out my playlist, been slacking on that front as well.. if anyone has any suggestions please send them along!! I have a fan who requested my current playlist (i had posted this before) so here it is:
1. icky thump - the whitestripes
2. invincible - ok go
3. baby fratelli - the fratellis
4. hang me up to dry - cold war kids
5. postal blowfish - albert hammond jr
6. keep the car running - the arcade fire
7. think i'm in love - beck (not me, the singer)
8. sitting in the park - quixotic
9. hard to live in the city - albert hammond jr
10 you know i'm no good - amy winehouse
11. baby blue sedan - modest mouse
12. tango - lady sovereign
13. level - the raconteurs
14. get over it - ok go
15. what ever happened - the strokes
16. the truth - la rocca
17. gone - pearl jam
everyone keep your fingers crossed that i finish this run tonight, and that my lucky #12 is good to me in vegas!!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
i can't believe i am about to say this
yoga just might have magic healing abilities.
i have been in alot of pain the last 2 weeks after my runs. i didn't want to say anything because 1. i thought everyone was probably bored with my injury talk. and 2. i thought if i said it out loud it would make the injury more real. It didn't feel like a stress fracture again, and it was in the 'healthy' leg so i wasn't sooo concerned. but i was afraid that if i kept running when my legs felt this sore I might risk a more serious injury. so, last week i broke down and went to see dr. metzl.
the minute he walked into the room he greeted me with a smile and said 'i am not supposed to be seeing you here!' I explained my pain, he checked my legs and happily informed me that the pain was not bone pain, just muscular. My leg muscles are pretty developed and dense so it's more difficult to properly stretch them. I have to start using the roller stick religiously and I told myself to get back to yoga.
With the summer being so hot i have not been very excited to go work out in an even hotter room for 90 minutes. BUT, today I woke up early and went. My right knee was still killing me when i went down a flight of stairs, and this was a full week after my last run. The class wass brutal, especially since i haven't been there in about 6 weeks. But I must say that now my knee feels almost good!!
I have vowed to get back on the yoga train and go 3x a week until this marathon!! The heat and stretching are just what my dense legs need!
Tomorrow (if i'm not too hungover since it's my birthday weekend) i am hoping to get a nice 6 mile run in before hitting the beach.... cross your fingers.
miles run: 0
minutes spent sweating: 90
i have been in alot of pain the last 2 weeks after my runs. i didn't want to say anything because 1. i thought everyone was probably bored with my injury talk. and 2. i thought if i said it out loud it would make the injury more real. It didn't feel like a stress fracture again, and it was in the 'healthy' leg so i wasn't sooo concerned. but i was afraid that if i kept running when my legs felt this sore I might risk a more serious injury. so, last week i broke down and went to see dr. metzl.
the minute he walked into the room he greeted me with a smile and said 'i am not supposed to be seeing you here!' I explained my pain, he checked my legs and happily informed me that the pain was not bone pain, just muscular. My leg muscles are pretty developed and dense so it's more difficult to properly stretch them. I have to start using the roller stick religiously and I told myself to get back to yoga.
With the summer being so hot i have not been very excited to go work out in an even hotter room for 90 minutes. BUT, today I woke up early and went. My right knee was still killing me when i went down a flight of stairs, and this was a full week after my last run. The class wass brutal, especially since i haven't been there in about 6 weeks. But I must say that now my knee feels almost good!!
I have vowed to get back on the yoga train and go 3x a week until this marathon!! The heat and stretching are just what my dense legs need!
Tomorrow (if i'm not too hungover since it's my birthday weekend) i am hoping to get a nice 6 mile run in before hitting the beach.... cross your fingers.
miles run: 0
minutes spent sweating: 90
Monday, August 6, 2007
Count 'em!
This week I ran my mid-week run across the GW bridge. It was hot hot hot so i had to wait until 9pm so it was a bit cooler. I ran from my apartment up to 178th, across to the bridge. I had never run across a bridge so I was pretty excited. The walkway is narrow and I was kind of stupid and wore all black. Twice I almost go run over by people on bikes.
I hit the Jersey side of the bridge and headed back. On my way back to NYC I passed 3 kids (about 19) running back to Jersey. One stopped and tried to hit on me.. 9pm, in the middle of the hudson, only in NY. :)
This worked out to be a 4.75 mile run, and was really enjoyable. It made me want to run every bridge in Manhattan before October.. we'll see.
Saturday I went for my normal group training session in the park. We had a little clinic on how to approach the rest of our training leading up to the marathon. Then there was a touching speach by a woman who's son is a cancer survivor and one of our fellow trainees.. she herself has survived cancer, and she lost her father when she was young to cancer. She is a strong woman and we were all in tears by the end! Coach Ramon used this to inspire this to run an extra 2 miles!
I was already planning on going for 10 (last long run I had was 8) so this was it. It was hotter than hell and it was only 8am, and the humidity was off the charts. They stressed the need to hydrate along the way and said to just go easy. My legs have been feeling battered, so i took it at a nice slow pace. By mile 7 I was still feeling good and actually thinking i could probably push it to 11 or 12.. but I thought about how mad i'd be at myself if i ended up injured and stuck to my original 10.
Feels good to be in the double digits! And now I'm realizing that as long as I can keep myself healthy until October I can really finish a marathon!
I also found out this week that a teacher from my HS was just diagnosed with lymphoma. There is a high sucess rate with the treatment of his specific kind of cancer, so I am confident he'll be ok.. but i've added him to my list of honorees and keep him in my thoughts during training!
miles run monday: 3
miles run wednesday: 4.5
miles run saturday: 10
I hit the Jersey side of the bridge and headed back. On my way back to NYC I passed 3 kids (about 19) running back to Jersey. One stopped and tried to hit on me.. 9pm, in the middle of the hudson, only in NY. :)
This worked out to be a 4.75 mile run, and was really enjoyable. It made me want to run every bridge in Manhattan before October.. we'll see.
Saturday I went for my normal group training session in the park. We had a little clinic on how to approach the rest of our training leading up to the marathon. Then there was a touching speach by a woman who's son is a cancer survivor and one of our fellow trainees.. she herself has survived cancer, and she lost her father when she was young to cancer. She is a strong woman and we were all in tears by the end! Coach Ramon used this to inspire this to run an extra 2 miles!
I was already planning on going for 10 (last long run I had was 8) so this was it. It was hotter than hell and it was only 8am, and the humidity was off the charts. They stressed the need to hydrate along the way and said to just go easy. My legs have been feeling battered, so i took it at a nice slow pace. By mile 7 I was still feeling good and actually thinking i could probably push it to 11 or 12.. but I thought about how mad i'd be at myself if i ended up injured and stuck to my original 10.
Feels good to be in the double digits! And now I'm realizing that as long as I can keep myself healthy until October I can really finish a marathon!
I also found out this week that a teacher from my HS was just diagnosed with lymphoma. There is a high sucess rate with the treatment of his specific kind of cancer, so I am confident he'll be ok.. but i've added him to my list of honorees and keep him in my thoughts during training!
miles run monday: 3
miles run wednesday: 4.5
miles run saturday: 10
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
night time is the right time
I ran last night in the hood for the first time in a while. since the injury i started running in the morning but last night wasn't too hot, so i headed out at 8:45. i forgot how nice it was running at night in the city! In the winter at night it's really quiet, but in the summer it's still pretty crazy. the bball courts were full last night, and there was a little league baseball game going on.. car doors open with music pumping. there is not the stench of garbage baking in the sun like there is in the morning, and the homeless guy i see sleeping on audubon and 181st was actually awake this time.
The craziest thing was that I ran the entire 3.5 miles without having to stop for one traffic light! I am not sure how that happened, but it was fun!
miles run: 3.5
red lights: 0
The craziest thing was that I ran the entire 3.5 miles without having to stop for one traffic light! I am not sure how that happened, but it was fun!
miles run: 3.5
red lights: 0
Monday, July 23, 2007
river run
saturday to change it up a bit we ran on the west side of manhattan along the river. We gathered in Riverside Park at 72nd street, and then depending on how long we were scheduled to run they gave us our turn around point. I was set to run 8 miles. So, they said to run down to Houston Street and back. 4 miles each way.
It was a BEAUTIFUL day. not too hot, very sunny with a little breeze. I set out with a 10 minute pace group which turned out to be a bit too slow and after a mile i broke out on my own. The run was great, i got back to 72nd street feeling strong and that it actually went by a bit too quick.. made me wonder...
there were a few mentors at the meeting spot so i asked, 'is houston street at 4 miles?' they informed me that it was more like 3.5 and then told me excitedly 'you ran 7!' I was sooo disappointed because i felt great thinking i had run 8. 7 is still respectible. another girl turned up a minute later and asked the same thing. upon hearing that she had only run 7 she had the same reaction i did 'damn! i was supposed to run 8!'
i've since checked it on google maps and it is infact 7.85 miles from 72nd street to houston st and back again. YIPPEE. 7.85 definitely rounds up to 8!
my other good news is that this past week i got a new puppy. he's completely amazing. a french bulldog, 8 weeks, named Cash. I've attached a picture so you can all be jealous.
miles run: 7.85
times i heard my entire playlist: 2
new songs i must add to playlist before next weeks run: 10
It was a BEAUTIFUL day. not too hot, very sunny with a little breeze. I set out with a 10 minute pace group which turned out to be a bit too slow and after a mile i broke out on my own. The run was great, i got back to 72nd street feeling strong and that it actually went by a bit too quick.. made me wonder...
there were a few mentors at the meeting spot so i asked, 'is houston street at 4 miles?' they informed me that it was more like 3.5 and then told me excitedly 'you ran 7!' I was sooo disappointed because i felt great thinking i had run 8. 7 is still respectible. another girl turned up a minute later and asked the same thing. upon hearing that she had only run 7 she had the same reaction i did 'damn! i was supposed to run 8!'
i've since checked it on google maps and it is infact 7.85 miles from 72nd street to houston st and back again. YIPPEE. 7.85 definitely rounds up to 8!
my other good news is that this past week i got a new puppy. he's completely amazing. a french bulldog, 8 weeks, named Cash. I've attached a picture so you can all be jealous.
miles run: 7.85
times i heard my entire playlist: 2
new songs i must add to playlist before next weeks run: 10
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
the workout i love to hate
whoa, i forgot how much i hated the mid-week training sessions!
tuesday nights are spent concentrating on technique to build us into stronger, better runners. this week that meant hill repeats.. or should i say HELL repeats. explaining this in detail will not even help you to understand how not fun this is. i'll just say that we ran out to 102nd street in central park, and then ran back and forth (UP and DOWN) the hill for about 45 minutes.
my legs were still kind of tired from saturday's run, but that wasn't even the worst part of it.. it was monotonous, and i had no music to distract me.. instead i just watched the people ahead of me and hoped it didn't get to the point where they lapped me all together! luckily that never happend.. i made it to the end, did my quick stretch and headed home to get some work done and go to bed early!
today i'm trying to remind myself why exactly i thought running a marathon would be fun...
i'm sure i'll remember by october.
miles run: 4.5ish
tuesday nights are spent concentrating on technique to build us into stronger, better runners. this week that meant hill repeats.. or should i say HELL repeats. explaining this in detail will not even help you to understand how not fun this is. i'll just say that we ran out to 102nd street in central park, and then ran back and forth (UP and DOWN) the hill for about 45 minutes.
my legs were still kind of tired from saturday's run, but that wasn't even the worst part of it.. it was monotonous, and i had no music to distract me.. instead i just watched the people ahead of me and hoped it didn't get to the point where they lapped me all together! luckily that never happend.. i made it to the end, did my quick stretch and headed home to get some work done and go to bed early!
today i'm trying to remind myself why exactly i thought running a marathon would be fun...
i'm sure i'll remember by october.
miles run: 4.5ish
Monday, July 16, 2007
6.2 = 10
saturday i ran the naples run in central park.. it was a 6.2 mile race which i later found out is a 10k!!
i'm new to this race thing so i am slow to make the mile to kilometer conversions, but when i found out it sounded much more exciting! This is the furthest i've ever raced.. i think it's the furthest i've ever run.
wednesday we had a group training run in the park which i was very excited for. coach ramon was taking us onto the side paths for a more leisurly scenic run through central park. i knew that it would fly by, and we'd end up running further than we realized. to top it off it was pouring rain. that great summer rain where the air is warm and the drops are huge. the park was all ours and i had alot of fun. we ran at an easy pace for an hour and 15 minutes taking a few 'breaks' to do squats and lunges. this part was not so fun, but it allowed the back of the pack to catch up to the front and in the end is only better for my bootie. turns out we ran just over 5 miles.
the run on saturday started out great. my goal was to average 9 minute miles. i followed the coaches race strategy.. take the first 2 miles easy (slightly off your goal time) then hit your goal time for miles 3-4 and speed up on 5-6.. this plan was working perfectly until the end of mile 3... hmmm, maybe i shouldn't have had the coffee, i kinda have to go to the bathroom... pops into my head. but as my friends know, when it comes to bathroom trips i'm a master at mind-over-matter. i was fine for mile 4, still sticking to my strategy and then at mile 5 things really got uncomfortable (the water stations were not helping either). i told myself i could make it to the finish, it was only about 15 minutes longer anyway.
so mile 5 and 6 seemed like an eternity, and i had no ipod to distract myself. mile 5 is also filled with the long incline of cat hill so these 2 obsticles caused me to slow down. i decided not to worry about my finish time, just worry about finishing. period.
i made it. i looked at the clock which said "59:00:00" at that point i couldn't remember what the time was when i crossed the starting line, so i was just going to have to wait to check my results online.
turns out, i reached a new personal record.. averaging 9:10 miles! and considering everything i was dealing with i'm quite happy. if i had my ipod, and if i didn't have to go to the bathroom i think i could have broken the 9 minute mark... so now i have a new personal goal!
miles run this week: 14
times i swore never to drink coffee before a race again: 8
i'm new to this race thing so i am slow to make the mile to kilometer conversions, but when i found out it sounded much more exciting! This is the furthest i've ever raced.. i think it's the furthest i've ever run.
wednesday we had a group training run in the park which i was very excited for. coach ramon was taking us onto the side paths for a more leisurly scenic run through central park. i knew that it would fly by, and we'd end up running further than we realized. to top it off it was pouring rain. that great summer rain where the air is warm and the drops are huge. the park was all ours and i had alot of fun. we ran at an easy pace for an hour and 15 minutes taking a few 'breaks' to do squats and lunges. this part was not so fun, but it allowed the back of the pack to catch up to the front and in the end is only better for my bootie. turns out we ran just over 5 miles.
the run on saturday started out great. my goal was to average 9 minute miles. i followed the coaches race strategy.. take the first 2 miles easy (slightly off your goal time) then hit your goal time for miles 3-4 and speed up on 5-6.. this plan was working perfectly until the end of mile 3... hmmm, maybe i shouldn't have had the coffee, i kinda have to go to the bathroom... pops into my head. but as my friends know, when it comes to bathroom trips i'm a master at mind-over-matter. i was fine for mile 4, still sticking to my strategy and then at mile 5 things really got uncomfortable (the water stations were not helping either). i told myself i could make it to the finish, it was only about 15 minutes longer anyway.
so mile 5 and 6 seemed like an eternity, and i had no ipod to distract myself. mile 5 is also filled with the long incline of cat hill so these 2 obsticles caused me to slow down. i decided not to worry about my finish time, just worry about finishing. period.
i made it. i looked at the clock which said "59:00:00" at that point i couldn't remember what the time was when i crossed the starting line, so i was just going to have to wait to check my results online.
turns out, i reached a new personal record.. averaging 9:10 miles! and considering everything i was dealing with i'm quite happy. if i had my ipod, and if i didn't have to go to the bathroom i think i could have broken the 9 minute mark... so now i have a new personal goal!
miles run this week: 14
times i swore never to drink coffee before a race again: 8
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
the comeback kid!
i am finally back to where i left off.. running up to 6 miles!
saturday i ran the full loop in central park. i concentrated on pacing myself.. coach ramon explained to us that the long runs on saturday are about endurance and we should be running a bit slower than our racing pace. now, i have no idea what the heck my racing pace might be but i'm figuring it will be about 9 minute miles (like to hope for 8:30, but i'm going conservative for now). the theory is that if you practice at a slower pace your body will be used to running for a longer ammount of time. then on the day of your race you will finish before your body knows it's done.. in theory. in reality i have a feeling my body will know it's done long before the 26th mile!
it was a great day, the park was full and i was happy to have a goal of 6 miles again. during this run though i was really fighting myself. this time around i am finding the urge to just stop and walk is much stronger. i am conscious of every pounding step i take, every ache, every pain. always worried that i will step on uneven ground and end up injured again or that i will just push myself too far, too fast. there is no way to tell why i got injured last time, so i don't really know what to do differntly this time. just keep trying to follow the rules, take calcium and as coach ramon says 'behave'!
after practice i stoped to say hi to ramon.. i reminded him that i was a 'san diego reject' and that i was finally back to training with the group. i of course didn't need to remind ramon of anything, he knew just who i was and quickly asked how the recovery was coming along. he told me that the biggest hurdle would be getting my confidence back and not to worry. every ache is not an injury. sooooo right. i was having much stronger runs last time and have been frustrated that it is more work this time around. but he also reminded me that i WILL make it to the race in october, and when i DO cross that finishline it will be that much sweeter.
i've started a new list on this blog.. nutrition is an important part of running distance. the right foods can power you through the race, but the WRONG ones can wreck you! sooo, this list is based on research that i am conducting. foods that are not good choices the day before a run. you can thank me later.
miles run this week: 15
song that got me up harlem hill: 'tango' by lady soverign
saturday i ran the full loop in central park. i concentrated on pacing myself.. coach ramon explained to us that the long runs on saturday are about endurance and we should be running a bit slower than our racing pace. now, i have no idea what the heck my racing pace might be but i'm figuring it will be about 9 minute miles (like to hope for 8:30, but i'm going conservative for now). the theory is that if you practice at a slower pace your body will be used to running for a longer ammount of time. then on the day of your race you will finish before your body knows it's done.. in theory. in reality i have a feeling my body will know it's done long before the 26th mile!
it was a great day, the park was full and i was happy to have a goal of 6 miles again. during this run though i was really fighting myself. this time around i am finding the urge to just stop and walk is much stronger. i am conscious of every pounding step i take, every ache, every pain. always worried that i will step on uneven ground and end up injured again or that i will just push myself too far, too fast. there is no way to tell why i got injured last time, so i don't really know what to do differntly this time. just keep trying to follow the rules, take calcium and as coach ramon says 'behave'!
after practice i stoped to say hi to ramon.. i reminded him that i was a 'san diego reject' and that i was finally back to training with the group. i of course didn't need to remind ramon of anything, he knew just who i was and quickly asked how the recovery was coming along. he told me that the biggest hurdle would be getting my confidence back and not to worry. every ache is not an injury. sooooo right. i was having much stronger runs last time and have been frustrated that it is more work this time around. but he also reminded me that i WILL make it to the race in october, and when i DO cross that finishline it will be that much sweeter.
i've started a new list on this blog.. nutrition is an important part of running distance. the right foods can power you through the race, but the WRONG ones can wreck you! sooo, this list is based on research that i am conducting. foods that are not good choices the day before a run. you can thank me later.
miles run this week: 15
song that got me up harlem hill: 'tango' by lady soverign
Saturday, June 30, 2007
high five!
i re-joined the group training sessions today.. and ran 5 miles!
each saturday all the team in training members get together in Central Park at 830 am for our 'long run' of the week. i have been dreading this because i am behind schedule as far as mileage goes, so i am not even running as far as the beginners. today i planned on running 4.5 miles. a respectible jump from the 3 i've been running. the middle loop in the park is 4 miles, so i was having a hard time figuring out how to tack on an additional half mile. i could have just run 4 easy, but it felt a bit wimpy. then i remembered that if i throw in the lower loop i have a 5 mile run! 5 miles is only .5 more than the 4.5 i was planning on.. michael (my PT) seemed ok with 4.5 so surly he wouldn't be too mad at me for pushing it to 5. AND this would put me in striking distance of the beginners who were running 6-7.. watch it newbies, i'm hot on your tail!
i had my ipod and took it easy. legs were feeling pretty good. lungs kickin ass.. as i rounded the bottom of the park i started slowing down, but just in the nick of time i fell in behind a bald dude who was running just a tad faster than i had been. it energized me, gave me something to focus on and pulled me up the hill and through that last 3/4 mile. thanks bald dude!
now, i want to take a minute to talk about a more serious topic.. on tuesday i had an appointment to see a breast specialist at columbia presbyterian. a few months ago my doctor had felt a lump and ordered some tests. the tests came back clear, but i was having some pain in that area so she felt we should just get a second opinion. it's a stressful thing, but i kept telling myself that i'm too healthy to have cancer.
i know full well that this is not how cancer works, and after hearing so many speaches at TNT events i knew that these survivors were blindsided as well. so that made me a little nervous, but i had keep reciting my little mantra anyway. as i waited for the doctor there were passing nurses talking of masectomy patients, breast removal and reconstruction. this was no joke. mantra, mantra, mantra.. the doctor decided a needle biopsy would give us a difinitive answer and was almost sure it would come back benign.
* can we discuss the fact that even though benign is a positive it's not a very happy sounding word. i have to always check with myself "which one is benign and which is malignant? mal = bad so benign must be good" i really think they could have picked a better word. something that sounds happy rollling off the doctor's toungue.
the flip side to my tnt experience teaching me that no one is 100% safe from cancer is that you can get served up this devistating piece of news and handle it. the world would not swallow me up, i would not instantly break into a million pieces. i would cry, and probably, knowing me, kick something but i would deal with it. i would fight with everything i have and hopefully win.
needles suck. needle biopsys suck more. needle biopsys in your boob when you're hungover SUCK THE MOST!!
the doctor told me i'd have the results in 4-5 days and she'd call me either way. luckily things moved fast and on thursday i got the call.. benign... and remember, benign = good.
so, to everyone who has shared their story at a tnt event, thank you. you were definitely with me this week.
miles run: 5
favorite song of the day: 'you know i'm no good' by amy winehouse
each saturday all the team in training members get together in Central Park at 830 am for our 'long run' of the week. i have been dreading this because i am behind schedule as far as mileage goes, so i am not even running as far as the beginners. today i planned on running 4.5 miles. a respectible jump from the 3 i've been running. the middle loop in the park is 4 miles, so i was having a hard time figuring out how to tack on an additional half mile. i could have just run 4 easy, but it felt a bit wimpy. then i remembered that if i throw in the lower loop i have a 5 mile run! 5 miles is only .5 more than the 4.5 i was planning on.. michael (my PT) seemed ok with 4.5 so surly he wouldn't be too mad at me for pushing it to 5. AND this would put me in striking distance of the beginners who were running 6-7.. watch it newbies, i'm hot on your tail!
i had my ipod and took it easy. legs were feeling pretty good. lungs kickin ass.. as i rounded the bottom of the park i started slowing down, but just in the nick of time i fell in behind a bald dude who was running just a tad faster than i had been. it energized me, gave me something to focus on and pulled me up the hill and through that last 3/4 mile. thanks bald dude!
now, i want to take a minute to talk about a more serious topic.. on tuesday i had an appointment to see a breast specialist at columbia presbyterian. a few months ago my doctor had felt a lump and ordered some tests. the tests came back clear, but i was having some pain in that area so she felt we should just get a second opinion. it's a stressful thing, but i kept telling myself that i'm too healthy to have cancer.
i know full well that this is not how cancer works, and after hearing so many speaches at TNT events i knew that these survivors were blindsided as well. so that made me a little nervous, but i had keep reciting my little mantra anyway. as i waited for the doctor there were passing nurses talking of masectomy patients, breast removal and reconstruction. this was no joke. mantra, mantra, mantra.. the doctor decided a needle biopsy would give us a difinitive answer and was almost sure it would come back benign.
* can we discuss the fact that even though benign is a positive it's not a very happy sounding word. i have to always check with myself "which one is benign and which is malignant? mal = bad so benign must be good" i really think they could have picked a better word. something that sounds happy rollling off the doctor's toungue.
the flip side to my tnt experience teaching me that no one is 100% safe from cancer is that you can get served up this devistating piece of news and handle it. the world would not swallow me up, i would not instantly break into a million pieces. i would cry, and probably, knowing me, kick something but i would deal with it. i would fight with everything i have and hopefully win.
needles suck. needle biopsys suck more. needle biopsys in your boob when you're hungover SUCK THE MOST!!
the doctor told me i'd have the results in 4-5 days and she'd call me either way. luckily things moved fast and on thursday i got the call.. benign... and remember, benign = good.
so, to everyone who has shared their story at a tnt event, thank you. you were definitely with me this week.
miles run: 5
favorite song of the day: 'you know i'm no good' by amy winehouse
Saturday, June 23, 2007
strong and 60
man, there is somthing to be said for getting up early. i peeled myself out of bed today.. so tired, but determined to run both days this weekend. i'm going out tonight making tomorrow more difficult, so today was a must.
i got dressed and got outside to find an amazing day. it's 60, sunny and slightly breezy. this was my first strong run since early march. my ankles were strong and painless. the limp was gone, and i felt like i was even running at a quicker than normal pace. even in my first few runs back i've been maintaining a respectible 10 minute mile so by quicker i'm thinking i was pushing towards a 9.
now kids i have decided to share the key to my running/recovery success.. it could be the physical therapy 2x a week, it could be the 1200mg of calcium i've been taking every day, it could be the strength training.. it could even be the yoga with all it's stabelizer-strengthening poses. but NO, i really think it's the killer mix i've put on my ipod. it contains just the right ammount of rockin songs to get you up the hills, and some slower beats to keep your pace in line.
so here is the secret recipe (this works when played in order, or on shuffle. and that is the beauty of a perfect mix)
1. icky thump - the whitestripes
2. invincible - ok go
3. baby fratelli - the fratellis
4. hang me up to dry - cold war kids
5. postal blowfish - albert hammond jr
6. keep the car running - the arcade fire
7. think i'm in love - beck (not me, the singer)
8. sitting in the park - quixotic
9. hard to live in the city - albert hammond jr
10 you know i'm no good - amy winehouse
11. baby blue sedan - modest mouse
12. tango - lady sovereign
13. level - the raconteurs
14. get over it - ok go
15. what ever happened - the strokes
16. the truth - la rocca
17. gone - pearl jam
that's it, 17 steps to a better life.
miles run: 3
song that got me up the hill: #2
i got dressed and got outside to find an amazing day. it's 60, sunny and slightly breezy. this was my first strong run since early march. my ankles were strong and painless. the limp was gone, and i felt like i was even running at a quicker than normal pace. even in my first few runs back i've been maintaining a respectible 10 minute mile so by quicker i'm thinking i was pushing towards a 9.
now kids i have decided to share the key to my running/recovery success.. it could be the physical therapy 2x a week, it could be the 1200mg of calcium i've been taking every day, it could be the strength training.. it could even be the yoga with all it's stabelizer-strengthening poses. but NO, i really think it's the killer mix i've put on my ipod. it contains just the right ammount of rockin songs to get you up the hills, and some slower beats to keep your pace in line.
so here is the secret recipe (this works when played in order, or on shuffle. and that is the beauty of a perfect mix)
1. icky thump - the whitestripes
2. invincible - ok go
3. baby fratelli - the fratellis
4. hang me up to dry - cold war kids
5. postal blowfish - albert hammond jr
6. keep the car running - the arcade fire
7. think i'm in love - beck (not me, the singer)
8. sitting in the park - quixotic
9. hard to live in the city - albert hammond jr
10 you know i'm no good - amy winehouse
11. baby blue sedan - modest mouse
12. tango - lady sovereign
13. level - the raconteurs
14. get over it - ok go
15. what ever happened - the strokes
16. the truth - la rocca
17. gone - pearl jam
that's it, 17 steps to a better life.
miles run: 3
song that got me up the hill: #2
Thursday, June 21, 2007
lesson learned
so here's an addendum to the previous yoga post..
the classes i take are focused on your body and movements and not so much (directly spiritual) but they sneak it in every now and then. last night the instructor was getting us to relax between poses. you have to lie down on your back with your arms at your side. eyes open staring at a spot on the cieling.. letting all the stress go and bringing your heart rate down, focusing on breathing. as she was directing us to do this she said something that stuck with me.
'just lay there and be still. let everything go and don't move. if you have the urge to wipe the sweat or fix your hair, , just resist it. see what happens if you just rest. just take a minute and wait it out.'
seems like this could apply to many things. i am very reactive and want to take charge and, if need be, fix things. what happens if i just stay still and wait....
the classes i take are focused on your body and movements and not so much (directly spiritual) but they sneak it in every now and then. last night the instructor was getting us to relax between poses. you have to lie down on your back with your arms at your side. eyes open staring at a spot on the cieling.. letting all the stress go and bringing your heart rate down, focusing on breathing. as she was directing us to do this she said something that stuck with me.
'just lay there and be still. let everything go and don't move. if you have the urge to wipe the sweat or fix your hair, , just resist it. see what happens if you just rest. just take a minute and wait it out.'
seems like this could apply to many things. i am very reactive and want to take charge and, if need be, fix things. what happens if i just stay still and wait....
man, for someone who hates to work out i sure spend alot of time torturing myself.
last week i started running outside again, and i'm keeping up with crosstraining in between. Saturday i was installing a roofdeck which required carrying 50lb boxes of wood tiles to my roof. i'm too proud to ask for help, so saturday i managed to get 14 of the 20 up. that's 700 pounds of tile up 3 flights of stairs. i already knew this would be my workout for the day so i didn't feel too guilty not running. i took the stairs slow and told myself i was strengthening my legs with each step. (and apparently my arms and back and almost every other muscle in my body that was screaming at me on sunday morning!)
last night i headed back to yoga to try and stretch out all the knots in my body that are still hurting from the manual labor. evening classes are rough.. the room is extra hot from all day classes.. i'm extra hot from dealing with work and the subway... and the class is jam packed. it's 'hot' yoga, so every gets REALLY sweaty. now you pack us all in together and it's not a pretty sight. i picked my spot near the window (which the instructor sometimes opens giving us a breath of cooler NYC air) and was quite happy until this dude moved in right next to me.. he peels his shirt off to reveal his full hairy back. and chest. and arms. (these are moments i feel like my life turns into a sitcom) i had visions of hairy back sweat somehow getting on me. not to mention the fact that just looking at all that hair was making me even hotter (temperature wise, people!!) it seemed like the equivalent of playing tennis on a 103 degree day in august with a wool sweater on!
it wasn't the greatest performance, i struggled through the class.. but struggling through it is better than not going at all. and i'm happy to report that no back sweat go on me, and i survived the heat.
this morning i woke up early and went for a 3 mile run before work. each time gets a little easier. and today i signed up for the Cow Harbor Race (10K) in september. it will be nice to run in my hometown.
temp at 7am: 75
new on the ipod: 'icky thump' by the white stripes
last week i started running outside again, and i'm keeping up with crosstraining in between. Saturday i was installing a roofdeck which required carrying 50lb boxes of wood tiles to my roof. i'm too proud to ask for help, so saturday i managed to get 14 of the 20 up. that's 700 pounds of tile up 3 flights of stairs. i already knew this would be my workout for the day so i didn't feel too guilty not running. i took the stairs slow and told myself i was strengthening my legs with each step. (and apparently my arms and back and almost every other muscle in my body that was screaming at me on sunday morning!)
last night i headed back to yoga to try and stretch out all the knots in my body that are still hurting from the manual labor. evening classes are rough.. the room is extra hot from all day classes.. i'm extra hot from dealing with work and the subway... and the class is jam packed. it's 'hot' yoga, so every gets REALLY sweaty. now you pack us all in together and it's not a pretty sight. i picked my spot near the window (which the instructor sometimes opens giving us a breath of cooler NYC air) and was quite happy until this dude moved in right next to me.. he peels his shirt off to reveal his full hairy back. and chest. and arms. (these are moments i feel like my life turns into a sitcom) i had visions of hairy back sweat somehow getting on me. not to mention the fact that just looking at all that hair was making me even hotter (temperature wise, people!!) it seemed like the equivalent of playing tennis on a 103 degree day in august with a wool sweater on!
it wasn't the greatest performance, i struggled through the class.. but struggling through it is better than not going at all. and i'm happy to report that no back sweat go on me, and i survived the heat.
this morning i woke up early and went for a 3 mile run before work. each time gets a little easier. and today i signed up for the Cow Harbor Race (10K) in september. it will be nice to run in my hometown.
temp at 7am: 75
new on the ipod: 'icky thump' by the white stripes
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
what do you want first, the good news or the bad?
the bad news is that i didn't get into the NYC marathon. they get so many applicants that they hold a lottery to decide who runs. roxi, the rookie and i all got shut out.
the good news is that i am guaranteed entry into the Nike Marathon in San Francisco on Oct 21st. so to all my friends in SF, i'll be there!
the better news is that i ran 3 more miles today, outside! it's a struggle, my cardio has gone to shit over the past few months and my steps are a bit unsteady.. i'm afraid of all cracks in the sidewalk and curbs and dead rats... but, i'm gonna keep at it and i'll be ready for late october!
the good news is that i am guaranteed entry into the Nike Marathon in San Francisco on Oct 21st. so to all my friends in SF, i'll be there!
the better news is that i ran 3 more miles today, outside! it's a struggle, my cardio has gone to shit over the past few months and my steps are a bit unsteady.. i'm afraid of all cracks in the sidewalk and curbs and dead rats... but, i'm gonna keep at it and i'll be ready for late october!
Monday, June 11, 2007
3 long miles
i am not sure i was supposed to, but yesterday i went out for a run in my neighborhood. it was cloudy and cool all and looked on the verge of rain all day. the impending rain meant that the normal weekend washington heights crowds would not be out. the sidewalks would be pretty clear.
i was thinking of going to the gym for a run on the treadmill (treadmill is easier on your bones than the pavement) but it is a long trip for a 15 minute workout. so, i mapped out a 2 mile run which would equal about 20 minutes. of course, my leg was feeling good and once i got going i decided to run my old 3 mile loop to the top of amsterdam ave and back. if it really started to hurt i could always walk.
by the end of 3 miles i was definitley feeling it, and thinking that it might not have been a smart idea.. but i was sick of taking baby steps. if i was going to get back into training i was just gonna have to do it. and to be honest i had also read roxie's blog from the marathon.. i was feeling jealous and frustrated.
ice and tylenol followed the run, and today i'm feeling pretty good. i'm going to attempt this 1-2 more times this week, and if that goes ok I will be back at the group training run on saturday!!
miles run: 3
tylenol: 3
outbursts during soprano's finale: 33
i was thinking of going to the gym for a run on the treadmill (treadmill is easier on your bones than the pavement) but it is a long trip for a 15 minute workout. so, i mapped out a 2 mile run which would equal about 20 minutes. of course, my leg was feeling good and once i got going i decided to run my old 3 mile loop to the top of amsterdam ave and back. if it really started to hurt i could always walk.
by the end of 3 miles i was definitley feeling it, and thinking that it might not have been a smart idea.. but i was sick of taking baby steps. if i was going to get back into training i was just gonna have to do it. and to be honest i had also read roxie's blog from the marathon.. i was feeling jealous and frustrated.
ice and tylenol followed the run, and today i'm feeling pretty good. i'm going to attempt this 1-2 more times this week, and if that goes ok I will be back at the group training run on saturday!!
miles run: 3
tylenol: 3
outbursts during soprano's finale: 33
Thursday, June 7, 2007
like, WHOA!
First i must say, Thanks to my friends at Beautiful Decay magazine!!
OK, i just got home from hot yoga (bikram) for the second time. i will reiterate that i am not a yoga type person but this class is intense. it was in a new yoga center on the upper west side and they were still getting a handle on the heating system and how hot is too hot... let me tell you, it was too damn hot!
The class is an hour and a half and it felt more like 3 hours. its great for strengthening my legs so i stuck it out even when i wanted to puke. ** side note.. roxie and i were talking about how i've been down lately with my runnig progress, and at times think it would just be easier to give up. but for some reason that is not an option for me. she tried to boost my spirits by reminding me that i'm strong and determined and i'll be back in no time. i told her how sometimes i think that i'm not really as strong as i think i am. meaning, that my body is not that strong it's just that my mind is stronger. i could easily be one of those mothers who lift an entire car to free their trapped child *** ok, back to the hotter than hell yoga. i finished the class, showered and headed to the subway home.
Right around 96th street i realized i forgot my shoes in the locker room. (relax, i was wearing flip flops) i figured i'd call and have them hang onto them until tomorrow. then at around 145th street i remembered i forgot my skateboard on top of the lockers. THEN as the train pulled into 168th street i realized that I ALSO forgot my sweaty workout clothes on the bench. So essentially i walked out of there almost emptyhanded. I was lucky to have pants on.
the quick ride home turned into a there and back and there again 2 hour commute!
towells sweat through: 3
dollars raised to save lives: 5040.00
OK, i just got home from hot yoga (bikram) for the second time. i will reiterate that i am not a yoga type person but this class is intense. it was in a new yoga center on the upper west side and they were still getting a handle on the heating system and how hot is too hot... let me tell you, it was too damn hot!
The class is an hour and a half and it felt more like 3 hours. its great for strengthening my legs so i stuck it out even when i wanted to puke. ** side note.. roxie and i were talking about how i've been down lately with my runnig progress, and at times think it would just be easier to give up. but for some reason that is not an option for me. she tried to boost my spirits by reminding me that i'm strong and determined and i'll be back in no time. i told her how sometimes i think that i'm not really as strong as i think i am. meaning, that my body is not that strong it's just that my mind is stronger. i could easily be one of those mothers who lift an entire car to free their trapped child *** ok, back to the hotter than hell yoga. i finished the class, showered and headed to the subway home.
Right around 96th street i realized i forgot my shoes in the locker room. (relax, i was wearing flip flops) i figured i'd call and have them hang onto them until tomorrow. then at around 145th street i remembered i forgot my skateboard on top of the lockers. THEN as the train pulled into 168th street i realized that I ALSO forgot my sweaty workout clothes on the bench. So essentially i walked out of there almost emptyhanded. I was lucky to have pants on.
the quick ride home turned into a there and back and there again 2 hour commute!
towells sweat through: 3
dollars raised to save lives: 5040.00
Congrats to my pinch runners!
Last weekend was the marathon in San Diego that I should have been running.. Roxie and I were texting all weekend so I got a play-by-play on the pre-race festivities. Sunday she called me after the race to report that she decided to go ahead and run the full marathon. She's been battling shin splints for the past few weeks and had resigned herself to only running a half-marathon for self preservation. I KNEW she would end up running the full... she is like me. When she sets her mind on a goal there is no stopping her! No only did she push herself to finish the full 26.2 miles, but she beat her time from the phoenix marathon!! Roxie is indeed a rockstar! The rookie had also been having problems with injuries, but he also manned-up and ran the race! He didn't suceed in breaking the 4 hour mark, but he came damn close... and we all know that sometimes the rookie pushes himself a bit to far.
I was happy for roxie when she called from the race on sunday, but i was really sad to have missed it! I've been trying to stay focued on my progress and not get discouraged.
Yesterday I upped my run to 15 minutes on the treadmill.. and i have to say that treadmill running is tedious enough, but when you are literally counting each painful step it gets a bit unbearable! I wanted to just say fuck it and quit.. but that is not how i am wired. So, i finished the full 15 and hopped onto the eliptical for another 15 minutes of cardio before doing some strength exercises.
Today I'm headed to yoga for the seccond time.. i am hoping to make this part of my regular training routine. The rumor is that the NYC marathon announces it's lottery picks any day now so cross your fingers that i get in!!!
my minutes run: 15
friends' miles run: 52.4
I was happy for roxie when she called from the race on sunday, but i was really sad to have missed it! I've been trying to stay focued on my progress and not get discouraged.
Yesterday I upped my run to 15 minutes on the treadmill.. and i have to say that treadmill running is tedious enough, but when you are literally counting each painful step it gets a bit unbearable! I wanted to just say fuck it and quit.. but that is not how i am wired. So, i finished the full 15 and hopped onto the eliptical for another 15 minutes of cardio before doing some strength exercises.
Today I'm headed to yoga for the seccond time.. i am hoping to make this part of my regular training routine. The rumor is that the NYC marathon announces it's lottery picks any day now so cross your fingers that i get in!!!
my minutes run: 15
friends' miles run: 52.4
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
ten is the magic number
I DID IT! I RAN FOR 10 MINUTES TODAY!!
yes, i am a long way from a marathon, but i am also a long way from the limping fool that i was a few weeks ago.
minutes run: 10
small steps for mankind: 1247
giant leap for beck: 1!
yes, i am a long way from a marathon, but i am also a long way from the limping fool that i was a few weeks ago.
minutes run: 10
small steps for mankind: 1247
giant leap for beck: 1!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
HOT fun in the summertime!
oh man, this summer started just in time!
for some reason i am more than ready for summer to start this year. not quite sure why. I kicked off memorial day weekend with a trip to jones beach on saturday. it was my first time out there and i was a bit overwhelmed.. there was an airshow going on as well as the normal holiday crowd, so it was PACKED! for those who have never been to jones beach, it's a nightmare. endless parking lot, then you have to walk through a tunnel to get to the beach and the beach is so wide you can almost not even see the water!
schlepping coolers and chairs and beach accoutrements makes the trip feel tortorous! but, we finally made it to our chosen spot near the water and it quickly turned into an excellent day! fighter jets and all!
sunday i had a photoshoot with the NY times (pick up the sunday paper next weekend!) and then sunday night it was back out to LI to hang with my friends for a low key night. i stayed at my friends joann's place and in the morning she woke andrea and I up early to go to a hot bikram yoga class. it was my first time at bikram yoga and i was a bit apprehensive. i am in NO way new age-y, and it puts me off a little to say the least. but, i was keeping an open mind and even thinking that the balancing poses would be good for my legs. strengthing the stablizers in my ankles ;)
it was an hour and a half class, and actually much easier than i expected. easy in that totally taxing, totally difficult kind of way! and at one point the instructor said 'only 2 more poses' and i thought i was going to scream out "IT'S TOO DAMN HOT!!!" my body was keeping up with the 105 degree temperature in the room, but my mind was having a harder time! we finished the class and headed directly to 'sand city' a small beach on the north shore of LI and where you can find me most saturdays in the summer... kickin back with the girls!
i woke up today sore from the yoga and excited to find a bikram studio in the city.. definitley ging to make it part of my routine!
days at the beach: 2
chakras aligned: not sure yet
for some reason i am more than ready for summer to start this year. not quite sure why. I kicked off memorial day weekend with a trip to jones beach on saturday. it was my first time out there and i was a bit overwhelmed.. there was an airshow going on as well as the normal holiday crowd, so it was PACKED! for those who have never been to jones beach, it's a nightmare. endless parking lot, then you have to walk through a tunnel to get to the beach and the beach is so wide you can almost not even see the water!
schlepping coolers and chairs and beach accoutrements makes the trip feel tortorous! but, we finally made it to our chosen spot near the water and it quickly turned into an excellent day! fighter jets and all!
sunday i had a photoshoot with the NY times (pick up the sunday paper next weekend!) and then sunday night it was back out to LI to hang with my friends for a low key night. i stayed at my friends joann's place and in the morning she woke andrea and I up early to go to a hot bikram yoga class. it was my first time at bikram yoga and i was a bit apprehensive. i am in NO way new age-y, and it puts me off a little to say the least. but, i was keeping an open mind and even thinking that the balancing poses would be good for my legs. strengthing the stablizers in my ankles ;)
it was an hour and a half class, and actually much easier than i expected. easy in that totally taxing, totally difficult kind of way! and at one point the instructor said 'only 2 more poses' and i thought i was going to scream out "IT'S TOO DAMN HOT!!!" my body was keeping up with the 105 degree temperature in the room, but my mind was having a harder time! we finished the class and headed directly to 'sand city' a small beach on the north shore of LI and where you can find me most saturdays in the summer... kickin back with the girls!
i woke up today sore from the yoga and excited to find a bikram studio in the city.. definitley ging to make it part of my routine!
days at the beach: 2
chakras aligned: not sure yet
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
i love you, i hate you
i have started easing myself back into running on the treadmill.. still hurts, but working it helps the bone grow stronger. or so they say. in the meantime i need to get my cardio workout back on track so that when i am able to really run i won't be sucking wind!
for years i have been anti-eliptical. i think they look weird, the people on them look weirder and to be honest i hate trying to learn a new work-out machine. but now i have no choice.. i need a non-impact way to get my heart racing and this is the best way. so monday night after spending 10 minutes on the treadmill i moved to the eliptical and tried not to think about what i looked like to all the people running on the treadmills behind me. lucky bastards. (lucky for the running part, not the watching my sorry ass part!)
everyone i was training with is getting ready for the SD marathon in just over a week. i am in awe of them, wish them well and wish i was with them for the trip!
on a fundraising note, i am dangerously close to the $5000 mark!!! thanks to everyone who donated this week, and thanks to my buddys at beautiful decay magazine for a very generous donation!! i'll be rockin their logo come race time!
to those who have yet to donate i know you're just making me work for it, and i plan on making you proud!
minutes on the treadmill: 10
calories burned on the eliptical: 200
songs on my new, most-excellent work out mix: 13!
for years i have been anti-eliptical. i think they look weird, the people on them look weirder and to be honest i hate trying to learn a new work-out machine. but now i have no choice.. i need a non-impact way to get my heart racing and this is the best way. so monday night after spending 10 minutes on the treadmill i moved to the eliptical and tried not to think about what i looked like to all the people running on the treadmills behind me. lucky bastards. (lucky for the running part, not the watching my sorry ass part!)
everyone i was training with is getting ready for the SD marathon in just over a week. i am in awe of them, wish them well and wish i was with them for the trip!
on a fundraising note, i am dangerously close to the $5000 mark!!! thanks to everyone who donated this week, and thanks to my buddys at beautiful decay magazine for a very generous donation!! i'll be rockin their logo come race time!
to those who have yet to donate i know you're just making me work for it, and i plan on making you proud!
minutes on the treadmill: 10
calories burned on the eliptical: 200
songs on my new, most-excellent work out mix: 13!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
small accomplishments in the big city!
today for the first time in 2 months i RAN for the subway! this might not seem like much until you spend 8 weeks limping around the city dreading curbs and having to just resign to being late when the tain doors are closing on you.
that's all for now, tomorrow I'm going to attempt 10 minutes on the treadmill.
that's all for now, tomorrow I'm going to attempt 10 minutes on the treadmill.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
70 and sunny in NYC!
Summer is on the way finally. I have the windows open in my apartment so I am enjoying (if prematurely) the sounds of summer.. which in my neighborhood means the ice cream trucks, kids on the street playing ball, their parents sitting in deck chairs on the sidewalk and the stereo of a neighboring parked car blasting the latest dominican hits!
It is getting really hard to keep from running. I know I'm not ready yet, and I'm actually very afraid of hurting myself again (i can usually deal with pain, but this leg fracture thing was serious business!) but i also know how good it would feel to just get out there and run a nice mind-cleansing 4 miles!
Soon enough.. for now i will have to try out the eliptical trainer..
It is getting really hard to keep from running. I know I'm not ready yet, and I'm actually very afraid of hurting myself again (i can usually deal with pain, but this leg fracture thing was serious business!) but i also know how good it would feel to just get out there and run a nice mind-cleansing 4 miles!
Soon enough.. for now i will have to try out the eliptical trainer..
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
New running season, new color
Ok folks, it's official! The fall running season has officially started and I am IN!
I had my first full workout at the gym since my injury. And by full workout I mean I did cardio (30 minutes on the bike = 6 miles) upperbody weight training, squats, lunges (a little sore on those still but nothin i can't handle) and abs!! Man it felt good. I was scheduled to work out with my trainer, but he slept in so I was on my own. A perfect opportunity for me to get lazy and wimpy but I pushed it without overdoing it.
I also faxed in my paperwork to the Team in Training office, so I am officially signed up to run the half-marathon in San Francisco this October, and then (lottery permitting) the NYC marathon in November. If I do not get through the lottery selection, I will just run the full marathon in San Francisco.
Last week when I saw Dr. Metzl for my follow up visit he recommended I see a physical therapist to help build up the strength in my leg.. so, on monday i had my first visit with Michael, who it turns out is going to be one of my TNT running coaches! PERFECT! He knows my training schedule inside and out and will be able to get me ready, and if i have any problems once the running starts I will be able to go right to him. I couldn't feel more comfortable now. One of my biggest fears is another injury.. i am going to be obsessive about training properly this time, and eating a healthy diet. I WILL GET TO THE FINISH LINE!!!
Now that I have a firm plan I will be sending out updates and more fundrasing emails, so be on the look out and spread the word!
I had my first full workout at the gym since my injury. And by full workout I mean I did cardio (30 minutes on the bike = 6 miles) upperbody weight training, squats, lunges (a little sore on those still but nothin i can't handle) and abs!! Man it felt good. I was scheduled to work out with my trainer, but he slept in so I was on my own. A perfect opportunity for me to get lazy and wimpy but I pushed it without overdoing it.
I also faxed in my paperwork to the Team in Training office, so I am officially signed up to run the half-marathon in San Francisco this October, and then (lottery permitting) the NYC marathon in November. If I do not get through the lottery selection, I will just run the full marathon in San Francisco.
Last week when I saw Dr. Metzl for my follow up visit he recommended I see a physical therapist to help build up the strength in my leg.. so, on monday i had my first visit with Michael, who it turns out is going to be one of my TNT running coaches! PERFECT! He knows my training schedule inside and out and will be able to get me ready, and if i have any problems once the running starts I will be able to go right to him. I couldn't feel more comfortable now. One of my biggest fears is another injury.. i am going to be obsessive about training properly this time, and eating a healthy diet. I WILL GET TO THE FINISH LINE!!!
Now that I have a firm plan I will be sending out updates and more fundrasing emails, so be on the look out and spread the word!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
whoa, check out that naked girl..
PR is the darndest thing.
I have been exhibiting at the pool tradeshow in las vegas twice a year for 4 years now. it's a great time, and it's run by some awesome people.. i have made many friends from my seasonal trips to sin city. anyway, today i got a newsletter from the people at pool. they send these out from time to time to get everyone excited for the upcoming show, to introduce new brands and to hype news from existing brands. today i was skimming it as i worked. i scrolled down and saw a picture that was all too familiar. I had to do a double take, and actually checked to see what the heck i was reading.. it was my 'your logo here' picture from my fundraising ad. such a surprise to see that the kind people at pool are helping spread the word about my fundraising campaign!!
without me begging or even asking. the newsletter goes out to buyers, exhibitors and friends so I can't thank them enough.
makes me look forward to august in the desert even more!
thanks pool!
I have been exhibiting at the pool tradeshow in las vegas twice a year for 4 years now. it's a great time, and it's run by some awesome people.. i have made many friends from my seasonal trips to sin city. anyway, today i got a newsletter from the people at pool. they send these out from time to time to get everyone excited for the upcoming show, to introduce new brands and to hype news from existing brands. today i was skimming it as i worked. i scrolled down and saw a picture that was all too familiar. I had to do a double take, and actually checked to see what the heck i was reading.. it was my 'your logo here' picture from my fundraising ad. such a surprise to see that the kind people at pool are helping spread the word about my fundraising campaign!!
without me begging or even asking. the newsletter goes out to buyers, exhibitors and friends so I can't thank them enough.
makes me look forward to august in the desert even more!
thanks pool!
Monday, April 30, 2007
before you can run..
ok, i think i am finally FINALLY getting better!
The limp is pretty much gone and Friday I made it to the gym for the first time since March 24th. (yes, i know the exact day of my last workout.. that's how much i've missed it people) When I got to the gym the girl at the desk who checked me in cheerfully asked 'are you training with Lamont today?!' Before my injury I had been to this gym maybe a dozen times so i was surprised that she not even remembered me, but remembered who my trainer was... but, it was nice to be welcomed. I figured I would try and ride the bike for 10 minutes and see how that went. Riding a stationary bike is probably the most boring exercise you can do so I was dreading it. I brought my ipod and a 'learn spanish' book to keep me occupied. If i have to be sitting there I might as well learn un poco del espanol. Well, the distraction tactics worked and I managed to stay on the treadmill for 30 minutes! Once that was over I did some upperbody weight training and then headed downstairs to stretch.
I was wrapping up my stretching routine when a trainer came downstairs with his client. He asked 'you work out with lamont right??' I said yes.. again shocked that so many people know me and my training schedule. He then went on to tell me how i always look so serious when I'm working out and that I should enjoy it more. Normally when I'm training with Lamont we're kickboxing so serious kind of comes with the territory.. if i'm not paying attention he will kick my ass!! Aparently I've made some kind of impression on the people of Crunch - Lafayette
So, what is my point?? Well I've been sitting here for a month feeling awful.. exercising is my stress release and believe me when i tell you that the past 2 months have been more than trying. Losing my job along with some other personal losses it was like the 'perfect storm' of stress that was begging for a good sweat to ease the pain. But almost the same week that everything seemed to be falling apart my leg breaks. So it seemed all i could do was sit around and think about how crappy things were. I could almost feel my muscles getting lazier by the minute. But, it seems that what felt like an eternity to me was actually not long at all.
Now I'm back to work, it's a sunny 70 degrees out, i wore heels today, had a salad for lunch and am going back to train with Lamont as soon as I can get on his damn schedule! (it seems to have filled up fast when i wasn't looking). On top of it all my friends and family have chipped in to help me raise $4000.
To everyone who has donated so far thank you.. to everyone who has yet to donate, i'm coming for you. And to my friends who have put up with my whining and complaining over the past 2 months I love you.. i'm back and ready to enjoy the summer! Come over on saturday and have a drink!
Weekend miles biked: 3
Weekend bags made: 200
Weekend tears shed over leg pain: 0
The limp is pretty much gone and Friday I made it to the gym for the first time since March 24th. (yes, i know the exact day of my last workout.. that's how much i've missed it people) When I got to the gym the girl at the desk who checked me in cheerfully asked 'are you training with Lamont today?!' Before my injury I had been to this gym maybe a dozen times so i was surprised that she not even remembered me, but remembered who my trainer was... but, it was nice to be welcomed. I figured I would try and ride the bike for 10 minutes and see how that went. Riding a stationary bike is probably the most boring exercise you can do so I was dreading it. I brought my ipod and a 'learn spanish' book to keep me occupied. If i have to be sitting there I might as well learn un poco del espanol. Well, the distraction tactics worked and I managed to stay on the treadmill for 30 minutes! Once that was over I did some upperbody weight training and then headed downstairs to stretch.
I was wrapping up my stretching routine when a trainer came downstairs with his client. He asked 'you work out with lamont right??' I said yes.. again shocked that so many people know me and my training schedule. He then went on to tell me how i always look so serious when I'm working out and that I should enjoy it more. Normally when I'm training with Lamont we're kickboxing so serious kind of comes with the territory.. if i'm not paying attention he will kick my ass!! Aparently I've made some kind of impression on the people of Crunch - Lafayette
So, what is my point?? Well I've been sitting here for a month feeling awful.. exercising is my stress release and believe me when i tell you that the past 2 months have been more than trying. Losing my job along with some other personal losses it was like the 'perfect storm' of stress that was begging for a good sweat to ease the pain. But almost the same week that everything seemed to be falling apart my leg breaks. So it seemed all i could do was sit around and think about how crappy things were. I could almost feel my muscles getting lazier by the minute. But, it seems that what felt like an eternity to me was actually not long at all.
Now I'm back to work, it's a sunny 70 degrees out, i wore heels today, had a salad for lunch and am going back to train with Lamont as soon as I can get on his damn schedule! (it seems to have filled up fast when i wasn't looking). On top of it all my friends and family have chipped in to help me raise $4000.
To everyone who has donated so far thank you.. to everyone who has yet to donate, i'm coming for you. And to my friends who have put up with my whining and complaining over the past 2 months I love you.. i'm back and ready to enjoy the summer! Come over on saturday and have a drink!
Weekend miles biked: 3
Weekend bags made: 200
Weekend tears shed over leg pain: 0
Thursday, April 19, 2007
two more tattoos!
You can never have too many (temporary) tattoos!
Thanks to FreshJive and Volcom for donating to the cause.
Thanks to FreshJive and Volcom for donating to the cause.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
HALF FULL!
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, I just mailed in a bunch of checks and I've offically crossed the half-way-to-my-goal mark! We've raised over $3000!!! The infomation meeting and sign up for the fall season is on May 2nd. If there is anyone who is interested in running the San Francisco marathon or any other Team In Training event let me know and I can get you all the information! It's gonna be a fun training season, so join me :)
I appreciate the support even more now that I've had to take a break from training. My leg is still pretty sore but I'm following all the doctors rules and am sure I'll be ready to go in a couple more weeks. Feel free to mock me and my limp when you see me!
I appreciate the support even more now that I've had to take a break from training. My leg is still pretty sore but I'm following all the doctors rules and am sure I'll be ready to go in a couple more weeks. Feel free to mock me and my limp when you see me!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
i'm broke... so you better donate!
hey friends. here's the official word. i have a stress fracture in my tibia (large shin bone).
i met with dr. metzl today.. this guy is a sports medicine master. he's run over 28 marathons, tri-athalons and he has competed in the ironman. he confirmed the stress fracture that showed up on my bone scan and told me I will have to lay off for a few weeks while the leg heals. he stressed that i need to keep crosstraining to keep my fitness up, so i will be biking like a mad woman!
the doc and i are on a plan now to get me back on track in time for the NYC marathon in the fall. SO that means the fundraising effort is still on! I have already raised over $3000 thanks to all of you! Since I have more time now I've increased my goal to $6000. I have learned alot about the Leukemia & Lymphoma society over the past 2 months and heard from some people who have survived cancer, and it's quite amazing how much the money we are raising does. From things like funding research to paying for someone's cab ride home after a chemo treatment.. it all adds up to better survival rates and increased quality of life for paitents and their families.
I got an email yesterday that the group i have been training with for the San Diego Marathon has raised over $189,000 already this season! If you think that we are only about half way to our goal and we are only one group from one marathon you can see how much a small donation does in the end.
Enough, enough... you know the deal and you know what you gotta do. No donation is too small.
Miles: 0
Legs broken: 1
Days until the NYC marathon: 213
i met with dr. metzl today.. this guy is a sports medicine master. he's run over 28 marathons, tri-athalons and he has competed in the ironman. he confirmed the stress fracture that showed up on my bone scan and told me I will have to lay off for a few weeks while the leg heals. he stressed that i need to keep crosstraining to keep my fitness up, so i will be biking like a mad woman!
the doc and i are on a plan now to get me back on track in time for the NYC marathon in the fall. SO that means the fundraising effort is still on! I have already raised over $3000 thanks to all of you! Since I have more time now I've increased my goal to $6000. I have learned alot about the Leukemia & Lymphoma society over the past 2 months and heard from some people who have survived cancer, and it's quite amazing how much the money we are raising does. From things like funding research to paying for someone's cab ride home after a chemo treatment.. it all adds up to better survival rates and increased quality of life for paitents and their families.
I got an email yesterday that the group i have been training with for the San Diego Marathon has raised over $189,000 already this season! If you think that we are only about half way to our goal and we are only one group from one marathon you can see how much a small donation does in the end.
Enough, enough... you know the deal and you know what you gotta do. No donation is too small.
Miles: 0
Legs broken: 1
Days until the NYC marathon: 213
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
newton's first
newton said that objects at rest tend to stay at rest....
damn him! i am feeling quite inert and it's killing me! tomorrow is my bone scan so let's all cross our fingers and hope for the best. i am not sure what this bone scan business is, but apparently the schedule is to arrive at the hospital at 8. deal with paperwork.. at 830 i will get an injection (injections and ankles don't sit well with me) and then i have to kill 2 hours before i get 'scanned' which can take from 20-50 minutes. i will be sure to fill you in on the results as soon as i hear!
in the meantime, here is a quick anecdote from the sidelines.. friday afternoon i locked myself out of my apartment (the second of 3 lock outs this month.. more on that later) i was going downtown for a business meeting so i planned to meet my friend carlos and pick up a spare key afterwards. we decided that it was so nice out we'd meet his girlfriend and grab a friday-happyhour cocktail. we ended up at rosa mexicana after hobbling around union square a few times. the weather was great, the margaritas were flowing and the bar was full of cute 'after-work' guys. at one point i got up to go to the bathroom and carlos replays the story like this
'we had the hottest seats in the joint. we are sitting in a lounge area in front where everyone who comes in can see us. beck gets up to go to the bathroom. she's lookin all cute, fluffs her hair, fixes her shirt and (this is where i inject the sound of the needle scratching off a record) she starts to walk but it's all limpy... like her walk actually seems to say 'limpy, limpy' each time she takes a step!'
god love carlos and pointing out the painfully obvious.
damn him! i am feeling quite inert and it's killing me! tomorrow is my bone scan so let's all cross our fingers and hope for the best. i am not sure what this bone scan business is, but apparently the schedule is to arrive at the hospital at 8. deal with paperwork.. at 830 i will get an injection (injections and ankles don't sit well with me) and then i have to kill 2 hours before i get 'scanned' which can take from 20-50 minutes. i will be sure to fill you in on the results as soon as i hear!
in the meantime, here is a quick anecdote from the sidelines.. friday afternoon i locked myself out of my apartment (the second of 3 lock outs this month.. more on that later) i was going downtown for a business meeting so i planned to meet my friend carlos and pick up a spare key afterwards. we decided that it was so nice out we'd meet his girlfriend and grab a friday-happyhour cocktail. we ended up at rosa mexicana after hobbling around union square a few times. the weather was great, the margaritas were flowing and the bar was full of cute 'after-work' guys. at one point i got up to go to the bathroom and carlos replays the story like this
'we had the hottest seats in the joint. we are sitting in a lounge area in front where everyone who comes in can see us. beck gets up to go to the bathroom. she's lookin all cute, fluffs her hair, fixes her shirt and (this is where i inject the sound of the needle scratching off a record) she starts to walk but it's all limpy... like her walk actually seems to say 'limpy, limpy' each time she takes a step!'
god love carlos and pointing out the painfully obvious.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
i've fallen and i can't get up...
ok, i haven't fallen. just wanted to give you all an update on my situation..
i went to see Dr. King at the Hospital for Special Surgery.. they've got some sports medicine gurus over there!
it was a funny scene because there are many people there getting hips and knees replaced.. old people. i was in the radiology waiting area sitting in a group of seniors that appeared to have all come in on the same bus. they were all talking about
colon cancer and tumors and -oscopys of all kinds. i felt like somehow my aging process was increasing at lightning
speed. when i thought i was going to scream they called me in for my xrays. the technician seemed as happy to see a young person as i was!
he took xrays of my ankle and foot which all came back clean. no major breaks for fractures. the next step is to get an MRI which is more likely to show a stress fracture (i'm still convinced it is not a fracture, but better safe than sorry). so we're waiting to see if oxford is going to pay for it or not. apparently they don't know that there are 26.2 miles on the line here!
in the meantime i am resting, icing and trying to lay off the girlscout cookies!
i went to see Dr. King at the Hospital for Special Surgery.. they've got some sports medicine gurus over there!
it was a funny scene because there are many people there getting hips and knees replaced.. old people. i was in the radiology waiting area sitting in a group of seniors that appeared to have all come in on the same bus. they were all talking about
colon cancer and tumors and -oscopys of all kinds. i felt like somehow my aging process was increasing at lightning
speed. when i thought i was going to scream they called me in for my xrays. the technician seemed as happy to see a young person as i was!
he took xrays of my ankle and foot which all came back clean. no major breaks for fractures. the next step is to get an MRI which is more likely to show a stress fracture (i'm still convinced it is not a fracture, but better safe than sorry). so we're waiting to see if oxford is going to pay for it or not. apparently they don't know that there are 26.2 miles on the line here!
in the meantime i am resting, icing and trying to lay off the girlscout cookies!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
a little R 'n R
i can neither confirm nor deny their identities!
there were some great pics of the training session on saturday that i missed. this one clearly says 'we hate running without beck!'
i miss you too kids!
there were some great pics of the training session on saturday that i missed. this one clearly says 'we hate running without beck!'
i miss you too kids!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
i am down but definitely not out!
i don't care what they say, brooklyn is FAR!
yesterday we were scheduled to workout in prospect park in brooklyn. i live in washington heights (no, it's not the bronx but close) so i was thinking my commute could take close to 1.5 hours depending on how the trains were running. this means i have to leave my house at 7 to insure an 830 start. figures the A train arrives quickly and is (surprise, surprise) running express today so i get to brooklyn in under an hour! now what?! i'm a half hour early! i walked around a bit looking for a coffee shop where i could sit for a few minutes, but found nothing so i set off for the park. that area of brooklyn is so beautiful. old brownstones, wide treelined streets. you could picture the cosby's living there for sure!
i haven't been able to run since last weekend's injury. It's been bumming me out. I'm feeling lazy and sluggish... running has really taken a hold on me I'm now realizing. I've taken a few hits lately, and was really looking forward to getting out there and working some of that stress out. i was a bit anxious because i was still feeling twinges in my leg, but ramon and i both felt that once it warmed up it would relax and i'd be ok.
not the case. i started out with roxie and the rookie and all of me was feeling great except my damn left leg which was screaming at me to stop. when i realized that i was literally limp-running i decided to stop. i sent r 'n r on their way and turned back. i ran into lisa my mentor who talked it through with me.. next comes ramon. he is my running guru.. we consulted and decided i need to see a sports medicine doctor to rule out stress fracures and figure out what the real problem is. he assured me that it is early enough in the season that i will be able to catch up and be fine for the marathon. lisa is an great mentor. she's always up, always got a smile and a hug and today she had both for me when i needed 'em!
i am trying to keep these words in mind as i sit here with frozen peas encasing my ankle. i see the rest of the group upping their mileage and gearing up for the brooklyn half marathon in a few weeks. i want to be there with them workin hard for all the money i have gotten as donations! and personally i've lost a few things that were important to me and am not willing to give this one up!!
so that the day was not a complete loss, i went to crunch and worked out with lamont on my upper body strength. told him to punish me from the waist up.. he's good at punishment that hurts so good. i rode the bike for a few minutes and have decided that spinning will be my recovery training. keep the cardio up and the spirits up.
please keep the donations coming and i will make you proud!
yesterday we were scheduled to workout in prospect park in brooklyn. i live in washington heights (no, it's not the bronx but close) so i was thinking my commute could take close to 1.5 hours depending on how the trains were running. this means i have to leave my house at 7 to insure an 830 start. figures the A train arrives quickly and is (surprise, surprise) running express today so i get to brooklyn in under an hour! now what?! i'm a half hour early! i walked around a bit looking for a coffee shop where i could sit for a few minutes, but found nothing so i set off for the park. that area of brooklyn is so beautiful. old brownstones, wide treelined streets. you could picture the cosby's living there for sure!
i haven't been able to run since last weekend's injury. It's been bumming me out. I'm feeling lazy and sluggish... running has really taken a hold on me I'm now realizing. I've taken a few hits lately, and was really looking forward to getting out there and working some of that stress out. i was a bit anxious because i was still feeling twinges in my leg, but ramon and i both felt that once it warmed up it would relax and i'd be ok.
not the case. i started out with roxie and the rookie and all of me was feeling great except my damn left leg which was screaming at me to stop. when i realized that i was literally limp-running i decided to stop. i sent r 'n r on their way and turned back. i ran into lisa my mentor who talked it through with me.. next comes ramon. he is my running guru.. we consulted and decided i need to see a sports medicine doctor to rule out stress fracures and figure out what the real problem is. he assured me that it is early enough in the season that i will be able to catch up and be fine for the marathon. lisa is an great mentor. she's always up, always got a smile and a hug and today she had both for me when i needed 'em!
i am trying to keep these words in mind as i sit here with frozen peas encasing my ankle. i see the rest of the group upping their mileage and gearing up for the brooklyn half marathon in a few weeks. i want to be there with them workin hard for all the money i have gotten as donations! and personally i've lost a few things that were important to me and am not willing to give this one up!!
so that the day was not a complete loss, i went to crunch and worked out with lamont on my upper body strength. told him to punish me from the waist up.. he's good at punishment that hurts so good. i rode the bike for a few minutes and have decided that spinning will be my recovery training. keep the cardio up and the spirits up.
please keep the donations coming and i will make you proud!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
oh woe is the champ...
i am benched due to injury.. sunday and monday i was having trouble walking. dr. anselmi worked his magic on me yesterday and my leg is feeling much better, but it will still be a few days before i can run again. those of you who know me know that i am not very patient..but if i want to see this through i need to take the rest now.
here is the pic of my grandfather and me that aunt jane sent.. love.
here is the pic of my grandfather and me that aunt jane sent.. love.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
UGH!
seems this has been the word of the day for 3 straight days now!
the snowstorm on saturday made running really unappealing, so roxie the rookie and i made a promise to do a nice long run today. last night when we were knee deep in guiness the rookie starts shit talkin.. 'we can do 10 tomorrow. easy!' i was like 'no way dude, the last long run i did was 6. i don't think i'm ready to make the jump to 10' roxie backed me up on this and added that there was really no need to push the schedule. we were really only supposed to be running 5-7 this week anyway. the rookie takes another sip from his guiness and announces 'we can definitley do 10... we're doing 12!'
it was a very slow start to the day and it would have been really easy to skip the run. at 2:30 I rallied and headed down to the park. i headed out alone since the rookie and roxie were both under the weather still. i planned to start my run at 102nd street and do a full loop. this would be 6 miles and that would be totally respectible. it started out a bit rough, but it was a BEAUTIFUL day out. 40° sunny and snow on the ground. i warmed up quickly and felt like it was all gonna be ok. the focus was not on running to fast, just doing the miles. at a mile and a half my left leg started bothering me, and at the 2 mile mark i couldn't take the pain anymore.
not sure what the problem is, it's pain that runs from the outside of my ankle up the side of my calf to my knee. unhappy i hopped on the subway at 59th street and headed home. completely discouraged i tried to tell myself that 2 miles is still better than no miles.
the good news is that last night when i picked up my mail i had a letter from my aunt jane.. along with her donation check she sent me a few old pics.. one of my cousin jess and i when we were about 2ish, a couple of my sister and i, and then one of my grandfather and i. i was about 2 and sitting on the arm of his chair and he's sitting there looking down at me. he had this big red armchair that he always watched tv in. i can still remember how this chair always smelled like his aftershave. it was like his throne. the pic is great and i can't wait to scan it and add it to the blog! tune in tomorrow!
miles run: 2
curses mumbled under my breath: 7
the snowstorm on saturday made running really unappealing, so roxie the rookie and i made a promise to do a nice long run today. last night when we were knee deep in guiness the rookie starts shit talkin.. 'we can do 10 tomorrow. easy!' i was like 'no way dude, the last long run i did was 6. i don't think i'm ready to make the jump to 10' roxie backed me up on this and added that there was really no need to push the schedule. we were really only supposed to be running 5-7 this week anyway. the rookie takes another sip from his guiness and announces 'we can definitley do 10... we're doing 12!'
it was a very slow start to the day and it would have been really easy to skip the run. at 2:30 I rallied and headed down to the park. i headed out alone since the rookie and roxie were both under the weather still. i planned to start my run at 102nd street and do a full loop. this would be 6 miles and that would be totally respectible. it started out a bit rough, but it was a BEAUTIFUL day out. 40° sunny and snow on the ground. i warmed up quickly and felt like it was all gonna be ok. the focus was not on running to fast, just doing the miles. at a mile and a half my left leg started bothering me, and at the 2 mile mark i couldn't take the pain anymore.
not sure what the problem is, it's pain that runs from the outside of my ankle up the side of my calf to my knee. unhappy i hopped on the subway at 59th street and headed home. completely discouraged i tried to tell myself that 2 miles is still better than no miles.
the good news is that last night when i picked up my mail i had a letter from my aunt jane.. along with her donation check she sent me a few old pics.. one of my cousin jess and i when we were about 2ish, a couple of my sister and i, and then one of my grandfather and i. i was about 2 and sitting on the arm of his chair and he's sitting there looking down at me. he had this big red armchair that he always watched tv in. i can still remember how this chair always smelled like his aftershave. it was like his throne. the pic is great and i can't wait to scan it and add it to the blog! tune in tomorrow!
miles run: 2
curses mumbled under my breath: 7
Saturday, March 17, 2007
i heart ny
this has nothing to do with running.
tonight i was out ... it was st. patrick's day.. i am not usually up for drinking on st. patricks day (or halloween) which has something to do with my fear of dudes from jersey and being thrown up on. but, roxie sent me a text message and said the girls were meeting out at 5 at sketchers to seek out some cute irish boys and i was to come wearing my shamrock wristband (which i quickly pulled from the trash!). who was i to say no.
so, we made it through the night with relatively no drama (fainting sister turned out to be ok) and definitley no vomiting. so i leave at a respectible 1am... so now i'm competing for cabs with every drunk person in the city it seems.. i am not that drunk so i decide to walk a bit uptown. this turns into a 20 block walk. freezing in my boots. at 22nd st i decide to just stake claim to the corner and wait. finally a cab stops but it's only dropping off part of the group. i am determined so i hop in and say 'drive them wherever and then take me up to 171!'
i'm in the front seat which is weird in a cab because I'm on the other side of the glass! weird. at some point i realize we've dropped off all the other people so now i'm alone in the cab STILL on the wrong side of the glass! i don't know why this is awkward, but it is.. and especially since i'm going way way uptown.
we quietly listened to luther vandross on the radio. and when he dropped me off i tipped him nicely.
i scurried to my door and realized that the cab driver was waiting for me to enter the building. as i opened the front door, i turned and he was watchign through the open window and said 'you ok?'
thanks cab man!! thanks for the ride and the peace of mind!
miles run: still 0
blocks walked : 23
cute irish boys met: 0
farts inhaled in the bar: 48
tonight i was out ... it was st. patrick's day.. i am not usually up for drinking on st. patricks day (or halloween) which has something to do with my fear of dudes from jersey and being thrown up on. but, roxie sent me a text message and said the girls were meeting out at 5 at sketchers to seek out some cute irish boys and i was to come wearing my shamrock wristband (which i quickly pulled from the trash!). who was i to say no.
so, we made it through the night with relatively no drama (fainting sister turned out to be ok) and definitley no vomiting. so i leave at a respectible 1am... so now i'm competing for cabs with every drunk person in the city it seems.. i am not that drunk so i decide to walk a bit uptown. this turns into a 20 block walk. freezing in my boots. at 22nd st i decide to just stake claim to the corner and wait. finally a cab stops but it's only dropping off part of the group. i am determined so i hop in and say 'drive them wherever and then take me up to 171!'
i'm in the front seat which is weird in a cab because I'm on the other side of the glass! weird. at some point i realize we've dropped off all the other people so now i'm alone in the cab STILL on the wrong side of the glass! i don't know why this is awkward, but it is.. and especially since i'm going way way uptown.
we quietly listened to luther vandross on the radio. and when he dropped me off i tipped him nicely.
i scurried to my door and realized that the cab driver was waiting for me to enter the building. as i opened the front door, i turned and he was watchign through the open window and said 'you ok?'
thanks cab man!! thanks for the ride and the peace of mind!
miles run: still 0
blocks walked : 23
cute irish boys met: 0
farts inhaled in the bar: 48
obey!
6 inches of snow and ice delayed the saturday morning run, we'll be taking care of business tomorrow!
and my friends at obey just donated to the cause! shepard is an amazing artist, so it will make for some great tattoos i am sure!
miles run: 0
hours overslept: 2.5
happy st. patrick's day kids!
and my friends at obey just donated to the cause! shepard is an amazing artist, so it will make for some great tattoos i am sure!
miles run: 0
hours overslept: 2.5
happy st. patrick's day kids!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
spring!
whoa! running last night in the park was great! the weather was beautiful, if dare i say, a tad warm. since all my running gear is winter gear i was not really prepared, but know better for next time.
last week when we were out drinking paco spotted my shoes and explained that they were way to heavy for someone my size. if i lightened them up i'd be faster, my legs wouldn't tire so quickly and i'd have a lower risk of injury. he assured me he doesn't get commission so i believe him. last night i went ahead and let him sell me a new pair of the GAYEST sneakers i've ever paid money for. they are white and silver with teal stripes.. really bad. the rookie took one look at them and said 'man, those are girly'... followed quickly by 'you look like you should be running the miami marathon in those things' followed later by 'damn, i think i saw some dolphins chasing you out there on that run'.
looks aside, they did feel good and the price wasn't too high so i'm happy. he threw in a free pair of socks to sweeten the deal. thanks paco!
the drill for the night had us focusing on breathing and effort levels.. the rookie decided that we should run with the intermediates which i hesitantly agreed to.. since i am still kind of sick i wasn't sure i'd be able to keep up. roxie and i ended up running the whole drill together which was a nice way to catch up on boy talk, running pitfalls, and the perils of keeping up with running gear laundry! the rookie's got some long ass legs so he left us for a faster pace.
when all was said and done we ran about 5.2 miles which was not too painful, and i'm ready to run some distance on saturday.
OH, more good news.. Jane Magazine has decided to sponsor my sticker campaign, so i have now passed the $2000 mark on fundraising! THANKS JANE! Donations are still coming in, and the list of donors keeps growing, but the more the merrier so please don't feel like your money isn't needed. giving feels gooood!
miles run: 5.2
temp: 66!
dollars spent on ugly shoes that look like eva longoria would love them: 82
last week when we were out drinking paco spotted my shoes and explained that they were way to heavy for someone my size. if i lightened them up i'd be faster, my legs wouldn't tire so quickly and i'd have a lower risk of injury. he assured me he doesn't get commission so i believe him. last night i went ahead and let him sell me a new pair of the GAYEST sneakers i've ever paid money for. they are white and silver with teal stripes.. really bad. the rookie took one look at them and said 'man, those are girly'... followed quickly by 'you look like you should be running the miami marathon in those things' followed later by 'damn, i think i saw some dolphins chasing you out there on that run'.
looks aside, they did feel good and the price wasn't too high so i'm happy. he threw in a free pair of socks to sweeten the deal. thanks paco!
the drill for the night had us focusing on breathing and effort levels.. the rookie decided that we should run with the intermediates which i hesitantly agreed to.. since i am still kind of sick i wasn't sure i'd be able to keep up. roxie and i ended up running the whole drill together which was a nice way to catch up on boy talk, running pitfalls, and the perils of keeping up with running gear laundry! the rookie's got some long ass legs so he left us for a faster pace.
when all was said and done we ran about 5.2 miles which was not too painful, and i'm ready to run some distance on saturday.
OH, more good news.. Jane Magazine has decided to sponsor my sticker campaign, so i have now passed the $2000 mark on fundraising! THANKS JANE! Donations are still coming in, and the list of donors keeps growing, but the more the merrier so please don't feel like your money isn't needed. giving feels gooood!
miles run: 5.2
temp: 66!
dollars spent on ugly shoes that look like eva longoria would love them: 82
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
super kawaii (that's super-cute in japanese)
i couldn't sit still any longer!
i got home and was feeling down.. i could sit here and watch idol or i could go out and attempt a run. so run it was. i've been coughing for days so i wasn't sure how far i'd get before hacking up a lung, but one mile is better than zero! i made it through the complete hood run and was fine at the end. felt really really good and i'm excited to run with the gang tomorrow.. even though ramone's drills sound hellish.
Got my first sticker donation! Cheers to 5boro.. steve gave me his board to make my first bag so it's fitting that he gives me my first sticker and donation! beck(y) hearts 5boro! as a special bonus he included this little article from a japanese fashion newspaper featuring a beck(y) bag.. most of you can't read japanese, but trust me it reads 'CRAZY RIOTS ARE BREAKING OUT IN THE STREETS OF JAPAN AS GIRLS FIGHT OVER THE SUPER CUTE BECK(Y) BAGS!!!!' .... trust me.
miles: 3.5
starting lung count: 2
finishing lung count: 2
number of times i listened to the same song on repeat: 7
i got home and was feeling down.. i could sit here and watch idol or i could go out and attempt a run. so run it was. i've been coughing for days so i wasn't sure how far i'd get before hacking up a lung, but one mile is better than zero! i made it through the complete hood run and was fine at the end. felt really really good and i'm excited to run with the gang tomorrow.. even though ramone's drills sound hellish.
Got my first sticker donation! Cheers to 5boro.. steve gave me his board to make my first bag so it's fitting that he gives me my first sticker and donation! beck(y) hearts 5boro! as a special bonus he included this little article from a japanese fashion newspaper featuring a beck(y) bag.. most of you can't read japanese, but trust me it reads 'CRAZY RIOTS ARE BREAKING OUT IN THE STREETS OF JAPAN AS GIRLS FIGHT OVER THE SUPER CUTE BECK(Y) BAGS!!!!' .... trust me.
miles: 3.5
starting lung count: 2
finishing lung count: 2
number of times i listened to the same song on repeat: 7
stick it!
i finally finished my fundraising ads.. i couldn't decide between the 2 photos, so i've decided to use both!
letters have been sent out to over 25 companies in the action sports community, and a couple cool magazines too.
for each $100 they donate they can add a sticker/logo to my body for the marathon.
I'm only 5'1" so space is limited!!
to get more information or to sponsor me, email me at beck@beckycity.com
the health update is this.. i am still sick. hacking cough and a runny nose. i refuse to succumb to this, so i'm taking my cough syrup like a champ and am going to try to run tomorrow if it kills me! if it does start to kill me i'll find a nice warm seat somewhere with a nice cold beer.
letters have been sent out to over 25 companies in the action sports community, and a couple cool magazines too.
for each $100 they donate they can add a sticker/logo to my body for the marathon.
I'm only 5'1" so space is limited!!
to get more information or to sponsor me, email me at beck@beckycity.com
the health update is this.. i am still sick. hacking cough and a runny nose. i refuse to succumb to this, so i'm taking my cough syrup like a champ and am going to try to run tomorrow if it kills me! if it does start to kill me i'll find a nice warm seat somewhere with a nice cold beer.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
sippin' on the 'tussin
just because i ain't runnin doesn't mean i ain't workin.
i have been fighting a cold and when i woke up saturday at 6:30am i was having a hard time breathing. since that was before i even picked my head up off the pillow i knew running was not really an option. i was bummed. seriously. i can't stand being sick, and i felt like this run was going to be a big one for me. as it turns out, the rookie ran 8 miles with roxie yesterday, i will have lots of making up to do for next saturday. can't be left in the dust!
all was not lost. i scheduled a photoshoot to get some shots to incorporate into the ad i'm creating to generate donations from the action sports industry. i work with lots of people in the skate and surf industry and as a way to bring in more donations i am offering to wear the stickers of any companies who donate to the cause. if all goes as planned i will be covered with stickers (that i will turn into temporary tattoos.. this will cut down on sweating and general irritation. i do not want to be irritated in any way while running 26 miles. seems that will be irritating enough!) just like all those skateboards i cut up everyday!
the photographer i worked with was berman fenelus http://aa.carbonmade.com his work is beautiful, and he happens to be working on a 'body culture' series which captures real women of all shapes and sizes who are strong and confident. so, we killed 2 birds with one stone.. he shot my ad and then will use additional photos for his series. cassandra came over and did my make up.. and boy oh boy did she work some magic on me!!! we had a great time, chillin and listening to music and taking pictures. they were here for a total of 6 hours which just seemed to fly. **i need to stop for a second and explain that i HATE getting my photo taken and am usually nervous as hell. maybe it was the cold medicine or maybe knowing that i was doing this for a good cause, but i was not as nervous as i normally am.
today it's a beautiful warm day so hopefully later i can get in a quick run around the hood between making bags.
miles run: 0
photos taken: 168
song of the day: price 'you've got the look'
i have been fighting a cold and when i woke up saturday at 6:30am i was having a hard time breathing. since that was before i even picked my head up off the pillow i knew running was not really an option. i was bummed. seriously. i can't stand being sick, and i felt like this run was going to be a big one for me. as it turns out, the rookie ran 8 miles with roxie yesterday, i will have lots of making up to do for next saturday. can't be left in the dust!
all was not lost. i scheduled a photoshoot to get some shots to incorporate into the ad i'm creating to generate donations from the action sports industry. i work with lots of people in the skate and surf industry and as a way to bring in more donations i am offering to wear the stickers of any companies who donate to the cause. if all goes as planned i will be covered with stickers (that i will turn into temporary tattoos.. this will cut down on sweating and general irritation. i do not want to be irritated in any way while running 26 miles. seems that will be irritating enough!) just like all those skateboards i cut up everyday!
the photographer i worked with was berman fenelus http://aa.carbonmade.com his work is beautiful, and he happens to be working on a 'body culture' series which captures real women of all shapes and sizes who are strong and confident. so, we killed 2 birds with one stone.. he shot my ad and then will use additional photos for his series. cassandra came over and did my make up.. and boy oh boy did she work some magic on me!!! we had a great time, chillin and listening to music and taking pictures. they were here for a total of 6 hours which just seemed to fly. **i need to stop for a second and explain that i HATE getting my photo taken and am usually nervous as hell. maybe it was the cold medicine or maybe knowing that i was doing this for a good cause, but i was not as nervous as i normally am.
today it's a beautiful warm day so hopefully later i can get in a quick run around the hood between making bags.
miles run: 0
photos taken: 168
song of the day: price 'you've got the look'
Friday, March 9, 2007
count 'em!
yeah! i hit my first grand in fundraising!! it feels good to watch it all add up. i've gotten some amazing stories of people who have fought against Leukemia and other cancers. their stories are inspiring, and they will definitlely help me get out of bed on saturday mornings. And to all my friends who have donated, you now have license to call me out when i'm getting lazy!
today i am fighting off a cold, and i'm really hoping it does not cause me to miss my run tomorrow. i feel like i am at a crucial point in training where things are starting to feel more like a routine. if i break the cycle now it could be hard to catch up. my original plan was to go to the gym tonight but i think i will skip that and go to bed early. in the meantime i am loading up on airborne, tylenol cold medicine, cough drops and lots of tea and water.
tomorrow i have a photoshoot for my corporate donation campaign.. more details on that to come later, but just know that i am insanely shy infront of the camera. this is going to test the last of my nerves.. coming off a good strong run will give me more confidence i'm sure!
so thanks again to everyone who's donated.. you have found a place in the hall of fame to the right -->
today i am fighting off a cold, and i'm really hoping it does not cause me to miss my run tomorrow. i feel like i am at a crucial point in training where things are starting to feel more like a routine. if i break the cycle now it could be hard to catch up. my original plan was to go to the gym tonight but i think i will skip that and go to bed early. in the meantime i am loading up on airborne, tylenol cold medicine, cough drops and lots of tea and water.
tomorrow i have a photoshoot for my corporate donation campaign.. more details on that to come later, but just know that i am insanely shy infront of the camera. this is going to test the last of my nerves.. coming off a good strong run will give me more confidence i'm sure!
so thanks again to everyone who's donated.. you have found a place in the hall of fame to the right -->
Thursday, March 8, 2007
sarcasm wednesday
wednesday night workouts are the best!
our runs on wednesdays are dedicated to practicing form and technique. last night was all about running with short quick strides. or as ramon described it 'tiki tiki tiki' strides. so we had to run for about 7 minutes tiki tiki style and then 2 minutes our normal stride.. now my question is, what is a girl to do if her 'normal' stride IS tiki-tiki?!
we ran back and forth between 87th and 97th on the east side of central park for about 40 minutes. it was cold, and after the heat wave last saturday it seemed even more torturous. i had a taste of spring, and i loved it. the upside to the night was that i ran with the rookie and so we got some quality catching up time in. i felt like i was holding him back, but he assures me that was not the case.
after the workout we had our first official team social at a bar on the UES. i headed over with the rookie and roxie had a pitcher waiting for us! it was a fun night, played some pool, made some new friends and found out that my running shoes are way to heavy for me. i kind of knew i needed new ones, but it's official now. luckily one of my new friends works at urban athletics so i am sure he will steer me in the right direction!
miles: 4ish
beers: 4ish
our runs on wednesdays are dedicated to practicing form and technique. last night was all about running with short quick strides. or as ramon described it 'tiki tiki tiki' strides. so we had to run for about 7 minutes tiki tiki style and then 2 minutes our normal stride.. now my question is, what is a girl to do if her 'normal' stride IS tiki-tiki?!
we ran back and forth between 87th and 97th on the east side of central park for about 40 minutes. it was cold, and after the heat wave last saturday it seemed even more torturous. i had a taste of spring, and i loved it. the upside to the night was that i ran with the rookie and so we got some quality catching up time in. i felt like i was holding him back, but he assures me that was not the case.
after the workout we had our first official team social at a bar on the UES. i headed over with the rookie and roxie had a pitcher waiting for us! it was a fun night, played some pool, made some new friends and found out that my running shoes are way to heavy for me. i kind of knew i needed new ones, but it's official now. luckily one of my new friends works at urban athletics so i am sure he will steer me in the right direction!
miles: 4ish
beers: 4ish
Sunday, March 4, 2007
ice ice baby
knee hurts! i am sitting here now with a bag of frozen peas on it hoping it helps.
This weekend is full of running and bag making. yesterday i headed to central park at 8:00 for our group run. i was feeling really down and had only 4 hours of sleep behind me. the challenge for the beginners this week was 4-6 miles. we were given the flexibiltiy to choose our mileage and our route through the park. i was completely undecided... i wanted to run at least 5, mentally i NEEDED to run 6 to really work out all my stress, but wasn't sure my body would allow for anymore than 4. I set out alone and decided to try for the full 6 mile loop. if i got too tired i could always cut over 102nd street and make it 5.
Once I started running I felt pretty good. Concentrating on pacing myself and breathing. As I approached the 102nd street transverse I was struggeling with what to do.. 5 or 6? 5 or 6? I have never been above 102nd in the park and for some reason it scared me up there.. silly i know. i imagined it to be dark and very woodsy.. like some creepy haunted forest. i dedided I was going to go for the 6 mile loop but allowed myself to put my ipod on to carry me through the last half of the run. HOT DAMN! 6 MILES! now someone get me a seat..
The 6 miles did the trick, the anxiety level was back down and the feeling of accomplishment was great. once again exercise saves me from imploding! :)
I met Davey for lunch after the run, and due to some scheduling mix ups I got stuck downtown until 5pm.. in my running gear all day! Fashion faux-pas for sure! Davey was extremely amused and as usual was not shy about expressing his joy in my pain. i think all my running talk is rubbing off on him.. he's running again, and i expect some runs in our future. he gave me the good idea of getting my legs massaged regularly before the big saturday runs. since i don't need much convincing when it comes to getting massages, i'm calling to set up my friday appointment now!
today there was a quick 5k race in the HOOD! yay, i can roll out of bed and the start is literally 4 blocks away. I was planning on running my 3 mile hood route today anyway, so i signed up and made it official. it was a great run.. not so sure about my time. i felt like i was running fast, and making good time on the downhills but for some reason i think i came in over 30 minutes. can't wait to check the official times later.
oh, on a side note... guitar hero is my new favorite thing! a video game where you play guitar along with killer rock songs. i KNEW i was gonna grow up to be a rock star!!!! might have to get myself a playstation....
saturday miles: 6
sunday miles: 3 race time: 28:37
total hours spent in spandex: 12
total sk8bags made: 38
This weekend is full of running and bag making. yesterday i headed to central park at 8:00 for our group run. i was feeling really down and had only 4 hours of sleep behind me. the challenge for the beginners this week was 4-6 miles. we were given the flexibiltiy to choose our mileage and our route through the park. i was completely undecided... i wanted to run at least 5, mentally i NEEDED to run 6 to really work out all my stress, but wasn't sure my body would allow for anymore than 4. I set out alone and decided to try for the full 6 mile loop. if i got too tired i could always cut over 102nd street and make it 5.
Once I started running I felt pretty good. Concentrating on pacing myself and breathing. As I approached the 102nd street transverse I was struggeling with what to do.. 5 or 6? 5 or 6? I have never been above 102nd in the park and for some reason it scared me up there.. silly i know. i imagined it to be dark and very woodsy.. like some creepy haunted forest. i dedided I was going to go for the 6 mile loop but allowed myself to put my ipod on to carry me through the last half of the run. HOT DAMN! 6 MILES! now someone get me a seat..
The 6 miles did the trick, the anxiety level was back down and the feeling of accomplishment was great. once again exercise saves me from imploding! :)
I met Davey for lunch after the run, and due to some scheduling mix ups I got stuck downtown until 5pm.. in my running gear all day! Fashion faux-pas for sure! Davey was extremely amused and as usual was not shy about expressing his joy in my pain. i think all my running talk is rubbing off on him.. he's running again, and i expect some runs in our future. he gave me the good idea of getting my legs massaged regularly before the big saturday runs. since i don't need much convincing when it comes to getting massages, i'm calling to set up my friday appointment now!
today there was a quick 5k race in the HOOD! yay, i can roll out of bed and the start is literally 4 blocks away. I was planning on running my 3 mile hood route today anyway, so i signed up and made it official. it was a great run.. not so sure about my time. i felt like i was running fast, and making good time on the downhills but for some reason i think i came in over 30 minutes. can't wait to check the official times later.
oh, on a side note... guitar hero is my new favorite thing! a video game where you play guitar along with killer rock songs. i KNEW i was gonna grow up to be a rock star!!!! might have to get myself a playstation....
saturday miles: 6
sunday miles: 3 race time: 28:37
total hours spent in spandex: 12
total sk8bags made: 38
Friday, March 2, 2007
phew!
So the other day I sent out fundraising email letters to 50 of my closest friends to get this thing started. I waited and waited for some kind of response from someone.. anyone! Nothing. THEN, finally I got a donation from Jen! YAY jen! But I was feeling like 'man, no one cares that I'm doing this! and more importantly, no one cares that it's for cancer!!!'
Yesterday I found out that no one got the email!! I was so excited. I am not a loser, and my friends don't suck! Tonight it is movie night (too much wine last night, and an early run tomorrow) so I will re-send the email letters.. so all you non-sucky friends out there, get your credit cards warmed up!!
album of the day: nirvana unplugged (a little kurt in the morning does a body good)
Yesterday I found out that no one got the email!! I was so excited. I am not a loser, and my friends don't suck! Tonight it is movie night (too much wine last night, and an early run tomorrow) so I will re-send the email letters.. so all you non-sucky friends out there, get your credit cards warmed up!!
album of the day: nirvana unplugged (a little kurt in the morning does a body good)
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
could it be?
it might be working.. this running business that everyone is so fond of.. today instead of running i went to the gym for a little crosstraining. did all my favorite exercises and listened to my new ipod shuffle. but still, i miss the run today. maybe it was because yesterdays was so good, but maybe it's bigger than that... Crap! I'm gonna become one of those running freaks!!
tomorrow it's kickboxing with lamont at 8am and if i'm feeling good i'll run at night. stay tuned
miles today: 1 song of the day: fergilicous (yeah, you heard me right.. D to the E to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S!)
tomorrow it's kickboxing with lamont at 8am and if i'm feeling good i'll run at night. stay tuned
miles today: 1 song of the day: fergilicous (yeah, you heard me right.. D to the E to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S!)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
help me help you help me
ran the 3 mile hood run today. it was great actually. no side ache. the hills weren't even that bad, and running in the dark is fun. dodging dog poop is harder, but it's an adventure. i will find a way to expand the loop to 4 miles next time.
tonight was a mental run more than anything.. exercise and loud music in my ears always helps a bad day, and today was a doosie. so, today by running i was on the road to helping others, and helping myself at the same time. feels good.
distance: 3.25 miles song of the day: 'get over it' by Ok Go!
tonight was a mental run more than anything.. exercise and loud music in my ears always helps a bad day, and today was a doosie. so, today by running i was on the road to helping others, and helping myself at the same time. feels good.
distance: 3.25 miles song of the day: 'get over it' by Ok Go!
Monday, February 26, 2007
speed dating
When I say I'm training for the marathon, a few people have said 'that could be a great way to meet guys'. Well, yes, it COULD. But I will explain to you why it is not. When I work out (and Lamont at the gym can attest to this) I AM NOT LOOKIN CUTE!! I go to the gym to work my butt off and get out.. i get all red and sweaty and don't look anyone in the eye cause i know exactly how i look ;) I am not one of those girls who goes to the gym and has a high ponytail and a glisten to her skin.
When I run it's pretty much the same story. Right now, because of the weather, I am wearing like 4 layers (invest in adidas cause i'm keeping them in the black!) a knit hat over my matted ponytail, mismatched gloves and no make up. i have yet to meet a guy who thinks THAT is a hot look. i guess if i were to meet prince charming in central park at 8am on a saturday he'd be a keeper for kissin this lil frog ;)
day of rest. back at it tomorrow.
When I run it's pretty much the same story. Right now, because of the weather, I am wearing like 4 layers (invest in adidas cause i'm keeping them in the black!) a knit hat over my matted ponytail, mismatched gloves and no make up. i have yet to meet a guy who thinks THAT is a hot look. i guess if i were to meet prince charming in central park at 8am on a saturday he'd be a keeper for kissin this lil frog ;)
day of rest. back at it tomorrow.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
last call
Last night i went with roxie to see 'now that you've seen me naked', a sketch comedy that my new friend evan is directing. We met up with evan after the show and had a drink before he had to jet uptown to meet friends. roxie and i stayed and had another round while we geeked out about running and TNT. we realize that non-runners grow tired of this talk quickly, so we try not to inflict it on you too much. please feel free to remind us if we forget! it was lots of laughs as usual when hangin with her. at one point she went to the ladies room and came back with some great souvenirs she found in the ladies room.. 2 terry wrist bands with shamrocks on them, a package of heart shaped pasties, and some ballpoint pens! I was happy to have a new sweat band, and we had some fun imagining what was going through that girls mind while she was walking the aisles of ricky's on a saturday night. hmmm....
On my way uptown I stopped off on 107th to meet up with evan and his friends which turned into a looooooong night of drinking. Haven't made it to last call in a long time! This morning i remembered why. Woke up with a pounding headach and no one single pain relieving tablet in the house. i managed to sleep til noon before i decided if i didn't get advil and diet coke i might die.
By 3pm I was feeling like maybe i should shower and get this day started.. but i should run.. there are 4-6 inches of snow coming tonight and that would wipe all motivation to run in the morning out. So i did it. i pulled my stinky, dirty, yet unwashed running clothes out of the washer and put them on. i have had a neighborhood 3 mile route mapped out for a while, but haven't tried it yet. it's a good run, but man it felt like the entire run was uphill.. this is impossible you are thinking, and science might agree but i could SWEAR it was all uphill. both ways!
I ran down to 168th, east to amsterdam and if you run along the east side there are not many lights to worry about. i followed this all the way north (uphill) to where it wraps around the back of George Washington HS (and goes downhill FINALLY) i was liking it at this point until i turned the corner and realized that i had a steep uphill in front of the school. damn. now i run straight down audubon until i'm back at 171... this is a bit more challenging becauce i have to navigate more people, traffic, potholes and general city crap. the homestretch is a steady incline.. again, dammit!
i ran with my new ipod shuffle which helped block out the people on the street talking about the crazy blankita running with a hangover.
miles ran: 3 guilty pleasure song of the day: kelly clarkson 'since u been gone'
On my way uptown I stopped off on 107th to meet up with evan and his friends which turned into a looooooong night of drinking. Haven't made it to last call in a long time! This morning i remembered why. Woke up with a pounding headach and no one single pain relieving tablet in the house. i managed to sleep til noon before i decided if i didn't get advil and diet coke i might die.
By 3pm I was feeling like maybe i should shower and get this day started.. but i should run.. there are 4-6 inches of snow coming tonight and that would wipe all motivation to run in the morning out. So i did it. i pulled my stinky, dirty, yet unwashed running clothes out of the washer and put them on. i have had a neighborhood 3 mile route mapped out for a while, but haven't tried it yet. it's a good run, but man it felt like the entire run was uphill.. this is impossible you are thinking, and science might agree but i could SWEAR it was all uphill. both ways!
I ran down to 168th, east to amsterdam and if you run along the east side there are not many lights to worry about. i followed this all the way north (uphill) to where it wraps around the back of George Washington HS (and goes downhill FINALLY) i was liking it at this point until i turned the corner and realized that i had a steep uphill in front of the school. damn. now i run straight down audubon until i'm back at 171... this is a bit more challenging becauce i have to navigate more people, traffic, potholes and general city crap. the homestretch is a steady incline.. again, dammit!
i ran with my new ipod shuffle which helped block out the people on the street talking about the crazy blankita running with a hangover.
miles ran: 3 guilty pleasure song of the day: kelly clarkson 'since u been gone'
Saturday, February 24, 2007
one small step!
Ok, so this is a little late so i will quickly catch you up. I have decided to start training for the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon! The marathon is in June (nice right? San Diego in June!) but, the training is NY in February.. you can see where this is going...
I decided to do this for a few reasons, first off I've always been facinated by people who feel the desire to run for over 4 hours straight. I'm hard pressed to run 20 minutes on the treadmill without saying "f*#k this, i'm outta here!" But, my friend Roxie was of the same mindset and she successuflly completed the Phoenix Marathon and was so inspired she signed up for San Diego. I followed her lead and said 'ok, i'll give it a shot'. If you're reading this you probably know me. And if you know me, you know that I am not one to turn away from something that seems impossible!
The second reason I decided to run was that the training was provided by the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (team in training). They set you up with training schedules and coaches and parties to forget the pain. In return you help raise money for the cause. My grandfather died of Leukemia when I was 11, so the cause hits home for me in this case. My family has a lifetime of great memories and funny stories of my grandfather, but I often wonder what it would be like if he were around today. What would he be like? (my grandmother is one tough cookie and pretty damn funny, so I'm guessing it would be more of the same!) What would he think of me? (He always liked spunky, and I'm not short on spunk.. he'd probably approve). So Jim, this one's for you!
Finally, at 36, it's hard to keep the bootie in shape. This will definitley help!
I will be contacting alot of you to help me reach my fundraising goal of $5000.00. Every bit helps, and there are many many sick people who appreciate your donation. If it makes you feel better, donate on a saturday morning at 8am when you're cozy under your covers knowing I am freezing that 36 year old bootie off in the park!
SOOOOOO, why did I start this blog today? Today I did the unthinkable. I woke up at 7am on a saturday to run my first race. A 4 miler in Central Park. Not too bad. Cold for sure, but the crowd helps carry you along. Who am I kidding, it SUCKED! But crossing the finish line felt great!
Temp: 22° Running time: 38:54
I decided to do this for a few reasons, first off I've always been facinated by people who feel the desire to run for over 4 hours straight. I'm hard pressed to run 20 minutes on the treadmill without saying "f*#k this, i'm outta here!" But, my friend Roxie was of the same mindset and she successuflly completed the Phoenix Marathon and was so inspired she signed up for San Diego. I followed her lead and said 'ok, i'll give it a shot'. If you're reading this you probably know me. And if you know me, you know that I am not one to turn away from something that seems impossible!
The second reason I decided to run was that the training was provided by the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (team in training). They set you up with training schedules and coaches and parties to forget the pain. In return you help raise money for the cause. My grandfather died of Leukemia when I was 11, so the cause hits home for me in this case. My family has a lifetime of great memories and funny stories of my grandfather, but I often wonder what it would be like if he were around today. What would he be like? (my grandmother is one tough cookie and pretty damn funny, so I'm guessing it would be more of the same!) What would he think of me? (He always liked spunky, and I'm not short on spunk.. he'd probably approve). So Jim, this one's for you!
Finally, at 36, it's hard to keep the bootie in shape. This will definitley help!
I will be contacting alot of you to help me reach my fundraising goal of $5000.00. Every bit helps, and there are many many sick people who appreciate your donation. If it makes you feel better, donate on a saturday morning at 8am when you're cozy under your covers knowing I am freezing that 36 year old bootie off in the park!
SOOOOOO, why did I start this blog today? Today I did the unthinkable. I woke up at 7am on a saturday to run my first race. A 4 miler in Central Park. Not too bad. Cold for sure, but the crowd helps carry you along. Who am I kidding, it SUCKED! But crossing the finish line felt great!
Temp: 22° Running time: 38:54
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)