Week 13 - Double Pilates and a PR

I went to the gym for a treadmill workout Monday.  I thought I was sufficiently recovered from my 17.5 miler, but it seriously felt like I was moving my legs through glue.  And not nice modern scrap-booking glue.  No.  Old-school Elmer's white glue.  The kind that was only good for making 3rd grade science posters about cash crops.


On Wednesday I did some pilates with good old Time Warner "Exercise on Demand".  Why is there something so satisfying about accomplishing a workout the comfort of my pajamas?


Then I had an awesome run in Central Park on Thursday with my new friend Gordon!  Gordon lives in Alabama.  And I "ran" with him in the form of his podcast, "Run to Disney".  I came across his website/podcast while googling Disney Marathon info.  He's a newbie runner like myself, who trained to run the Disney Marathon last year.  He chronicled his training on the web and in podcast episodes.  He's hilarious, and also offers some good running tips (many specific to Disney endurance events).  I totally enjoyed listening to an old episode of his while on my run, and somehow the minutes flew by.  He suggests that his listeners "facebook friend" him, so now we're official "friends"!  Gordon isn't running Disney this year, but who knows... I may run into him at an event one of these days.  It is so nice to read and listen to other new runners.  We have a special kind of neuroses all our own!


I did another round of pilates on Friday, and then Saturday walked around the city (a lot) with my dear friend Heather and her 6-year old daughter!  My feet were aching, but I think it was due to crappy shoes and socks.  The turtle is due for new footwear!


This morning, Jim and I (finally!) completed our 9th qualifying race for the NY Marathon, 2010.  We ran a NYRR 4-MIler (preceded by a 2-mile warm-up run), the "Race to Deliver" (benefitting a great cause, "God's Love We Deliver").  I am proud to say I unexpectedly ran a PR today, at an average of 10:13/mile!  I know this is SLOW for most runners, but for a turtle like me who never ran even two feet prior to 13 months ago, this is a thrill.  In my first race ever (a 5k last February), I ran an 11:45 pace.  So my turtle training is paying off after all!  Besides having my husband by my side the entire race, Eminem kicked in on the old Nano, and it really pumped me up.  I think it's time to consider less showtunes and more rock in my playlists if I want to pick up the pace.  Somehow "Funny Girl" does not inspire speed.  Sorry, Barbra...you're still like buttah.


Sarathon or bust!

Week 12 - Made it Through the Rain

I started my week with a great treadmill workout.  I've been playing a lot with speed intervals on the treadmill once a week.  I've liked these speed sessions more than I thought I would!  It really staves off boredom and helps me build confidence and faster leg turnover...all of which are going to help me in the marathon.  Plus, it feels kinda awesome to keep pushing faster and faster, even if only for a few minutes at a time.


On Wednesday, I ran with Andi down and around the Central Park Resevoir, and back home- about 3.5  miles.  This run felt way harder than it should have, and I was worried I was getting sick.  The next day, Andi came down with Swine Flu!  So I upped my vitamins like crazy and tried to get extra sleep.  Luckily I remained flu-free, and ready to take on my first 17-miler on Saturday.


Until I woke up and it was raining.  HARD.


For a hot second I contemplated putting it off, but then I said to myself, "It might rain for the marathon."  And off I went.  I could hear the squishing of my feet in my wet shoes by mile 1.


Soaked new Nike pink Running Jacket...$29.95.  Soaked bag of sport beans...$2.00.  Soaked Asics Gel Evolution 4 Shoes...$129.99.  Finishing nearly 3 loops of Central Park (hills and all!) and realizing I just moved by body continuously through SEVENTEEN AND A HALF MILES....PRICELESS.


A shout out to Michelle & Liz of Galloway NYC for gabbing with me through the first 6 miles, Dave from Galloway NYC (at the young age of 65!) for sticking with me until 13.7, and Mike & Suzanne (the Blue Snail!) for running the final 3.3 miles with me.  And I can't forget my sweet husband Jim- who had a warm breakfast waiting for me back home.  It takes a village...of running idiots.


I think voluntarily doing 17.5 miles in the cold rain officially makes me a runner.  Or it officially makes me nuts.


Sarathon or bust!

Week 11 - Hungry Like the Wolf

It has been a few weeks since I've posted, but never fear- the turtle has been plugging away at the marathon training schedule.  And since it has been a few weeks, I'm looking back at my trusty Jeff Galloway Training Journal (free with Galloway NYC membership!) to recap my week.  This week I noticed that I wrote something about being abnormally hungry every day!  One of the joys of marathon training is burning large amounts of excess calories.  So I keep eating.  The good news is I keep losing weight steadily, so I guess my calorie burned/taken in ratio is ok.  Now if only I could stop enjoying those extra calories in the form of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  Damn leftover Halloween candy!


I took a rest day Monday and tried to stretch a lot.  I ran around way too much watching the marathon Sunday, and my legs were feeling it.  After work on Tuesday, I hit the gym for a treadmill run.  My legs were still feeling super heavy (gee- I wonder why?!) but I managed to eek out a 30-minute run.  Then I went straight downstairs for a pilates class.  The teacher was NUTS.  And I mean NUTS.  It was one of the weirdest pilates classes I've ever taken, and we did exercises I've never seen before (girlfriend must have recently attended a seminar or something).  But just when I was about to write her off forever, the next day I was feeling the pleasant ache of a kick-ass core workout.


Wednesday...Rest day = Heaven.


On Thursday I met my sister Suzanne and Mike in the park.  They're both training for the Disney 5k, but I needed to get a longer workout in, so when I finished a jog with them, I attempted another "Magic Mile" (Galloway's marathon time-predictor tool).  There was nothing magical about it. I didn't improve my time from a month ago, I think because I went way too crazy-fast out of the gate.  Still learning about the importance of pace.  Always learning.  I'll try another one in a few weeks!


Rested again Friday, and did 7 miles with Mike in South Jersey on Saturday morning (happy birthday to my awesome husband Jim...he got to sleep in).  This was one of my favorite interval runs I've ever had.  It was a perfect crisp fall sunny morning...58 degrees.  We ran the bike path of the town in which I grew up, and my mom rode her bike next to us.  Great route, great conditions, and great company.  One of those days when I thanked God I found running, and wondered what the heck I ever did without it?  We went super slow, and I enjoyed every step.  On to week 12...


Sarathon or bust!

Week 10 - 15 miles, 35th Birthday, & Marathon Viewing!

What an exhausting (but fun) week!  The turtle is tired. 

On Tuesday, Andi and I dragged our butts out of bed at 7 AM to go running in the park, only to find it was cold and rainy.  Boo!  I quickly decided to do 40 minutes of pilates videos instead.  Yay!  Where all this exercise motivation is coming from these days, I have no idea.  Could it be the lure of fitting into my hot 20-something red plastic pants still hanging in my closet- taunting me like the Ghost of Christmas Past?  Do I dare try them on this year, now that I've shed some lbs. thanks to running?  Stay tuned!

That evening, Andi texted me to ask if I wanted to go running with her and her running trainee Tara at 8PM.  Work-out twice in one day?...Insanity!  Run in the park at night?...double insanity!   Red plastic pants?  Uh, ok.

We did the lower loop twice, which I'm told is 3 miles and change. It was a little chilly, I was kind of tired and my legs felt kinda lead-like (It was Sara...in Central Park...with the lead-pipe), but I got through it with a smile on my face.  I had a bigger smile on my face when I got home and was able to chow down and relax with my favorite guilty pleasure, "The Biggest Loser".  Those people are INSPIRING!

Wednesday and Thursday morning I felt pretty sluggish, and my RHR was kind of high.  No wonder- I've been putting in some definite training, considering I'm still a sort of a beginner.  So I headed off to the gym Thursday night for what I'd planned to be an easy treadmill run.  It turned out to be awesome!  I got a bolt of energy, and I had a really fun time playing with speed intervals mixed in with walking breaks.  I went faster on the treadmill than I ever had before.  It was fun! 

Wait- did I just say the treadmill was fun?  I must be losing my mind.

I started hydrating Thursday and Friday, in preparation for my first ever 15-miler, of which the mere thought was making me really nervous.  I also went to the (free!) NYC Marathon Expo on Friday night.  The prices on gear and stuff were sky high, but it was really fun to see so many excited runners in one place.  I stopped by the Disney booth.  I felt like a member of some elite club when I whispered to the guy working, "I'm signed up for the marathon."

Saturday came.  It was Halloween and I was scared, all right. Duded out with my Nike Plus, my on-the-go hydration belt, my cell phone, & caffeinated gummies, I headed for the group meeting place at Columbus Circle. The group was only supposed to do a 6 mile CP loop, but I was thrilled that I ended up having 2 awesome women accompanying me for the first 8.6 miles. Then I was on my own for the remainder, which was fine. I actually felt GREAT during this run!  My energy levels were steady, and I never doubted that I would finish.  In fact at the end, I felt like I had a few more miles left in me (although I knew better than to take them).  The 15 miles took me 3 hours and 24 minutes.  I was thrilled that it's well below Disney's required pace for the marathon, and I purposely went slower than I think I will on race day.  I did the 15 miles mostly on flat land- I ended up doing the West Side Greenway.  59th Street down to 12th, back up to 96th (through Riverside Park), back down to 45th, and back up again to 110th & CPW!  Whew!  My favorite part was passing a Doggy Halloween party in the park.  Those dogs were dressed to the nines.  I love New York.

When I finished, everything ached except my spirits.  I completed 15 miles!!!  Elation.

Sunday was the 40th running of the NYC Marathon.  I had never watched a marathon live in my life, so I was so excited to go!  I watched the wheelchair racers go by, followed by the Elite Women, and then the Elite Men. If you click on the thumbnails, they'll get bigger and you can actually see the superstars...I captured all three winners around mile 22!

Amazing- and literally 2 blocks from my apartment!  Then we went to Central Park to meet Enrique to watch Ed go past mile 24- 

but Ed was too fast for us and we missed him!  Having a vantage point from mile 24 was both thrilling and humbling.  There are ALL TYPES at ALL PACES finishing the marathon.  We caught up with Ed post-race.  

He was awesome and feeling good, and beat his time from last year!  Ed, Enrique, Jim, and I are all planning to run NYC next year, and I can't wait.

Sunday was my also my 35th Birthday.  This is the year I will run a marathon.

For my birthday, my mother-in-law Marty sent me a pink turtle pin that she found on a recent trip to Mexico. She rocks!  My first actual pink turtle item!

Sarathon or bust!

Week 9 - Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off!

I started my week with a fantastic treadmill run on Monday.  Although I prefer running outside these days, the treadmill was how I started when I did C25K.  So now when I do a treadmill workout, I can see how far I've come...as I slowly inch the speed button higher and higher, for the same physical exertion.  Exciting!


Tuesday I got my butt in gear and did some cross-training.  My favorite?  Pilates. I feel like pilates mixes strength and stretching like nothing else.  It feels really good and is a great compliment to running.


I have noticed that I am HUNGRY as can be these days, which I guess is natural during training.  I'm constantly reminding myself that it's ok to consume extra calories, but to use them wisely.  Hard during pumpkin pie season!


I had a glorious rest day Wednesday, and went to the AVENUE Q Off-Broadway re-opening!  Here's a pic of me (far right) enjoying an awesome night out with Jim and dear friends, the Lopezes.  Decked out in pink, of course.

I really needed a day off, but enjoyed a little too much late night partying... I paid for it Thursday and missed my run.  That's ok- Friday I pushed myself and had a fantastic interval run in Central Park.

Sunday came, and I got to finally scale back on my long run this week- to 7 miles.  Mike and I ran the Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off 5 Mile race in Central Park.  The weather was GORGEOUS!  The leaves were really turning beautiful shades of yellow and orange, and it was a runner-perfect 58 degrees and sunny.  It marked my 8th race of my 9 required for guarateed entry into the 2010 NYC Marathon.  I can't believe I haven't even run one marathon yet and I'm already having to plan for a 2nd.  That's NYC for ya!

This was the first time I did intervals for an entire race.  I have to admit, while the intervals caused me to slow down from my previous 5-miler by about a minute per mile, I enjoyed the race about 400 times more than I had the last one!  It felt really fun and relaxing, and I was able to take in all of the sights and sounds around me.  These are the conditions I'm hoping to mimic when I go for the 26.2 in January! I'd rather be turtle slow and enjoy it than go fast and hate it..any day! 

Plus, I'll need to be running slow enough to high-five Mickey.

Tip for NYC Runners: At the finish line of NYRR races when they give out bagels- reach for a dark one.  They may look like pumpernickel from afar, but they're actually CHOCOLATE CHIP. 

YUM.

I needed to add 2 miles, so I planned to just run home from the race.  I was surprised when Mike wanted to join me, since his longest run before this had been a little shy of 4 miles.  But he did it!  Way to go, Mike!  We then celebrated our 7 mile success at Mike & Suzanne's Oktoberfest...Guilt-free gorging on brats & beer all afternoon!

Did I mention what I like best about running is the food?

Sarathon or bust!