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!