Weather tempermental....

Man has this week's weather been uninspiring! Monday and Tuesday were total wash outs and today started out with rain then decided to seal in its misery stamp by never getting sunny. I have only run once since Saturday but I do plan to run tonight....not exactly the "hard core training" I had planned to do leading up to one of my longest runs before the big day. My original plan today was to get up this morning and run so that this evening I could go to my favorite body conditioning class but between the pouring rain outside and the sick feeling I had in the back of my throat, I opted to stay in bed. All day I've felt tired, a little achy, SUPER cranky and this annoying clump in the back of my throat. All I have to say is that I better not be getting sick. If I do, I won't be surprised because on Monday I got absolutely soaked on my way to work and sat shivering the remainder of the day. Probably not the best thing for a person. As much as I'd love to trade this evening's trip to the gym (I'm doing my 5-er on the treadmill...) for an evening on the couch with the beastly feline, I shall resist because I keep hearing my dad in the back of my mind saying, "Just sweat it out kid, you'll be fine." I kid you not, growing up, my sister and I would be sick as dogs (where does that expression come from?) unable to move and my father would yell at us to go for a run around the block to sweat it out!!!

So it will be off to "sweat it out" and hopefully tonight's work out will support my dad's "theory" so that I will be feeling healthy for my 20 miles on Saturday.

I'm a knotty girl...

Monday night, after work, I indulged in a MUCH needed massage. During my run on Saturday I could feel the knotted muscles so heavily in my back I wonder if I was actually running slightly slanted. By the time Monday had rolled around, I felt like there were more knots in my back than there were on a frickin' sailboat! I immediately booked an appointment with a place recommended by one of my friends who frequently gets massages and was slightly thrown off when I arrived. It was not one of the glamorous NY type places, it was a lil' more "rustic" for lack of a better word. There were basically sheets hanging between the 3 massage tables...I apprehensively disrobed and jumped under the blanket. My masseuse came in and immediately got to work. Without any delay, she utters, "you knotty, knotty....very tense." "Uhh, yeah, " I replied. Our striking conversation excluded she became my best friend. She was determined to relieve me of such pain. She even got on top of me twice to push the bad boys out of my back. There were times that she was massaging so roughly with her forearm I was tempted to cheer her on with "Oh yeah, work it, show that knot whose BOSS!" I didn't though....

Tuesday my "knotty-ness" continued because I skipped a run. Yes my friends, after 12 weeks of never missing a run, I opted to skip it last night in the week before my 20 miles. I will probably regret the decision but it was for work. All my colleagues were going to dinner and I did not want to exclude myself and possibly miss anything important. The dinner was rather uneventful aside from being a total salt fest but I felt better safe than sorry.

Today, Wednesday, I have yet another work dinner. Deciding to be better disciplined, I woke up this morning and instead of doing 5 miles, I decided to throw in an extra mile making it 6. I felt guilty for last night but didn't have time to do more. I'm happy to report that my sneakers didn't absolutely kill too. My feet felt mostly numb with some pain in the end but in my mind, this is improvement. I'm trying to stay positive....I think I owe it to myself after my "debbie downer" kind of a week last week.

13 miles, a piece of cake, best dose of medicine and a Pats win :)

This past weekend I did my long run (which dropped down to 13 miles to thankfully give me a break after 18 the week before) at home. I mapped it out ahead of time on mapmyrun.com and was ready as ever when I woke up Saturday morning. My mom is the best and made sure I had all the things I requested to prep me for the run and help me recover post run. I had my usual toast with PB and banana with a Green Tea and coconut water. Then I got dressed and ready and was out the door. The way I had the run broken out was one short loop then a big loop. The first loop went well but I wasn't pleased that the heat and humidity had returned this weekend. On the second loop I had a Gu around mile 7 and was starting to run low on water...CRAP. I didn't want to bother the old men at the car repair shop that I had hit up for some water the last time I was home and ran my 14 miler so I popped into a 7/11 looking for a water fountain...no dice. I continued on and with about 2 miles left I went into a slight panic mode because one of the things I hate the most is feeling thirsty without any relief in site. I took a chance on a small mom and pop place hoping they'd have water. A guy that barely spoke English did not understand me when I asked if there was a water fountain to fill my water bottle with. He did understand "water" and pointed to the bottled water in the fridges behind me but I had no money and god forbid he help help a sister out! Frustrated I settled on just getting the run finished. I made it the rest of the way and couldn't wait to get water at home. As soon as I walked in the door and into the kitchen my mom was right there eyeing me as if she was waiting me to keel over! I gulped down the ice cold smart water in the fridge and began stretching. After showering I put my legs up for 20 minutes to help relieve the lactic acid build up while my mom and I chatted. It was nice to get some time with my mom.

Later we went to my cousin's baby shower (my reason for being home). It was so great to see my family and celebrate my cousin preggers with twins! After the rough week I had last week, it was great to see the fam, they were exactly what the doctor ordered. I have to give my other cousin a shout out for getting one of the most scrumptious cakes for the shower! The picture posted is not nearly as enticing as this cake was on Saturday.

The family saturated weekend continued with heading into the city with my mom, sister and aunt for some shopping at Lord and Taylor then a lil' bite to eat and some Stellas. After that I got to have some quality time with my sister at her apartment. We hadn't had some one on one time in a long time so it was great to get caught up and talk about everything and anything.

Sunday it was more family funness, this time brunch with my dad. My globe trotting father just returned from a trip to Amsterdam and Paris. He filled both my sister and I in on his travels as we sat and froze our butts off (we ate outside and the temperature dramatically dropped between the time my sister and I went for our morning walk and brunch). After that we headed to watch the Pats vs the Bills. I honestly think the fact that the Pats lost last week started things off on the wrong foot causing the whole week to go downhill...Luckily for me and the Pats, they pulled out a W.

All in all, it was a busy weekend but a great weekend. I needed a break from the crazy running (13 miles doesn't seem as crazy anymore...sick!) as well as NYC. I am back to feeling like myself again and soon more rejuvenated once I get my back massage after work tonight!

Light at the end of the tunnel...

So I've survived to Friday....YAY!!!! This has definitely been my most trying week of training but at least tonight after work I get to head home to get a break from NYC and get some TLC from the Fam. I hope to just make it through the 13 miles slated for tomorrow (I shall be running in my old sneaks). That's kind of all I'm asking for. I feel that if I can finish and then spend the rest of the weekend in good company along with some actual rest, I will be able to start week 13 off with a clear and fresh attitude.

Last night was another tough run in the new sneaks. Not only is it frustrating to run 5 miles in discomfort but the rest of my body tenses up in attempt to help support my aching feet leaving me more sore than usual after. To top it all off my pace is slower...you all know I like to run like a gazelle and when person after person passes me by I just want to scream. I am going to be patient though and the optimistic light is that I have three 5 mile runs next week in prep of my 20. That will put me in good sneaker breaking in condition for the shorter long run the week after this, lining me up to potentially have the new sneakers good enough for my second 20 miler the middle of October. If things don't improve, I do have a podiatrist lined up for an appointment....I hope it doesn't come down to that though.

So, sadly things aren't a WHOLE lot better than yesterday but they are looking up. I kinda need to knock myself out of this funk and get back to my usual self which is kicking each run in the butt! Cheers to a great weekend!

Feels like I'm hitting a wall...

Yeah, so that's not me. For those who know me I'm blond and sadly at this point in September, any tan I had over the summer has sadly faded. But that is how I felt last night and still have the "feeling hangover" today. I just feel like I'm tired. I'm tired of it all. The sneakers, being alone, not having time for fun, simply always just feeling tired, everything. I got my FOURTH pair of new sneakers last night, ran in them, experienced pain and realized that the last weeks of training are just going to be painful until I can fully break in a pair. NOT awesome realization.

Another thing that has me feeling worn out is that I barely have time to socialize let alone call my best friends to catch up. When I do go out, I really pay for it because my body is already being put through a lot that to top it off with late nights and excessive amounts of Stella, I'm trash. I lack energy and most importantly optimism.

Last night I set out for 8 miles that I had to condense to 7 miles because of not only the pain but the rain/lightening storm that the weathermen oh so reluctantly left out of their forecast for the week. It wasn't raining when I set out for my run so I didn't have a hat to help keep the rain out of my eyes and even better, I wore a white tank top with a white sports bra underneath. I'm not 18 years old on Spring Break and trying out for "Girls Gone Wild" here, I'm 29 and training for a marathon! The last two miles were my worst. I was aggravated that the pain was too much to get the full 8 in. I was so made that I was not properly dressed for the weather and to top it all off, fittingly the song "Mercy" by Duffy was playing and my nano kept stalling! Overall, it was bad.

I got home and put on the radio and as if there is a soundtrack to my life, Colbie Caillat's "Breakin at the Cracks" song came on. Like, really? I'm just all sorts of out of sorts and everything metaphorically and literally rained down on me last night. I need to get myself back on a positive track but I'm having a hard time. I'm heading home this weekend for my cousin's baby shower and I'm hoping a good dose of my mom (its amazing how a mom hug can make you feel better) and family time will put me back on track.

Running with the Nugget and learning how to end a 10 year relationship...

Last evening I had a running buddy for the first time in my training. My beloved Nugget emailed me earlier in the day to ask what I was doing for a run and if she could join me. She doesn't live far from me so she pedalled her lil' Nugget legs over and met me around 6:30 for a jaunt along the Hudson. It was lovely to have a lil' partner to chat with and we also hadn't seen each other in awhile so it was good to catch up with whats going on in her lil' Nugget world. Since she hadn't been running in awhile she sent me off to finish the remain the 3 miles of my run. I was feeling really good since I hadn't run since the 18 and these "shorter" runs I tend to pick up the speed.

Now onto my reallll and never ending dilemma; the sneakers. I ran in the new Saucony's last Thursday and again last night. Thursday they hurt me, not nearly as severe as the previous pain but they hurt. Then last night, it was the same thing again. Having been a DEVOTED and LOYAL Saucony customer for 10 years now, I kept thinking that when the sneakers didn't hurt they felt pretty good. Maybe with some time they'll be better.... Then I realized I sounded like someone in an abusive relationship!

Before getting home last night, I went to City Sports to try on different brands in models suggested by an online customer service rep that unfortunately for her, had to break the news to me that the pair of Saucony Progrid Triumph 6's that I ordered online were not in fact in stock and I was S.O.L. I tried on a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus. They felt like fluffy clouds supporting my feet as if they were molded specifically made for me. I felt as though this was the "drink meet and greet" with a possible suitor to replace my existing and now abusive relationship. These sneakers were like the "nice guy" that could be so much better to me if I could just forget the length of time I've tolerated the current and abusive guy. They could be the shoes to support me in the ways I need but also allow me to be me, the runner that I truly can be.

So, although I am heartbroken that I am going to have to break up with Saucony after a once really great relationship of 10 years, it appears that the writing is on the wall. Saucony has changed its shoes in ways that no longer "work" for me. We had a great "run" in our relationship and I shall miss them dearly but I'm on to bigger and better things and they are just not the guy, I mean shoes, that will help me make it to the finish line on November 7th....

18 miles and trying to stay awake..

I kid you not but when I was out for my run on Saturday I had gotten into such a "zone" that I had to snap myself out of it a couple times because I felt like I could have closed my eyes and kept running. I guess when you've been running for over an hour and then have about another hour and a half to go, you kind of lose sight of what you're actually doing, or at least I did...

Saturday morning, I woke up and began my new morning routine of green tea, coconut water and a toast sandwich with peanut butter and banana. This breakfast fueled me the previous week for 17 so I figured if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. When I started out on my run I felt kinda stiff and sore and was a little nervous that it wasn't going to be as successful as the previous week. I had my run split in two loops, 7 mile southern west tip of Manhattan then 11 miles up the Hudson and back down. When I reached about 96th street, that's when my daze took over and I had to "snap to" and "look alive" because I was totally having an out of body experience. I was running but I wasn't totally paying attention. So weird and I'm so not describing it properly but it was crazy. Anyway, once I reconnected myself to the task at hand and realized I had a few miles left, I was feeling pretty darn good. There is a billboard around 50th Street that has a clock on it and when I ran by it on the way back I had been running for about 2 hours and 20 minutes and had probably another 2 to 3 miles. I gave myself a lil' pep talk and picked up the pace to finish my 18 miles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. I kid you not, I averaged under a 9 minute mile pace...holy lord! Needless to say the rest of my day was spent on the couch with my legs up but that's okay by me, I think I deserved it!

TGIF....Fooo shooooow

Sooooo....an update on the "Sneak Situation," I have a new model.... I spent an hour with the manager at City Sports last night trying on a recommended model by Saucony as well as other brands to hopefully make the right decision on my next pair. Cheggie (pronounced like reggae) was very patient with me and wanted me to leave with the best possible new pair as I could. I think we succeeded because when I ran my designated 5 miles last night, I did not experience the pain I had previously... With that said, lets all cross our fingers, toes, arms, legs...hell lets even braid our hair in hopes that this new pair of Saucony ProGrid Ride 3's are the SHOESSSSSS!!!!!!!

Now that my stressful week caused by not having the proper footwear is over, I am looking forward to a relaxing evening ahead. I plan to grab some groceries, go to Yoga, cook a healthy pasta dinner, maybe take a bath and hit the hay on the early side. This routine seemed to help me out with last week's long run so I'm hoping that it pays off for tomorrow too. The weather forecast is favorable for another lovely run so all I have to worry about is making sure I'm properly hydrated and fueled. I'm feeling good about this, its starting to get really REAL (as if running all these miles every week hasn't been real enough!).

Sneakers made by Satan himself...

As I'm sure you can pick up from the title, my 8 mile run last night did not go well...AT. ALL. I tried giving the godforsaken sneakers a real shot but they took my hopes and dreams, squashed them and then mangled my foot in one full swoop. Yes my friends, these sneakers could only have been constructed by Satan himself to squash my optimism as I continue through week 11 of my training.

Last night I didn't even have an ounce of desire to run, let alone 8 miles but when I thought of the consequences and that it could put me back a little bit as I work towards 18 miles on Saturday, I decided to suck it up and get out there. My first mile was fine and it was actually a really nice night, so I was glad I snapped out of my funk. Then the pain struck after mile 1 and didn't let up, not even a little bit, the remaining 7 miles. I kept thinking, "okay, any minute the pain will subside and I'll be okay," but no, that never happened. Around mile 4 or 5 I stopped to loosen the laces on my right foot and that helped for a short time but once I got toward the last 3/4s of a mile to the finish, the pain grew so intense that I was almost in tears and just gave up running. I walked the rest of the way home in pure anger and frustration. I wanted to throw things, I wanted to scream. This is the last thing I need to deal with in my training. All I need is new cushiony sneaks, is that really too much to ask???

So this morning, I called Saucony customer service and asked what the deal is with the new Progrid Triumph 7. Apparently the new arch support added to the model has caused more pressure in the toe...AHHH HAAAA!!!! I am NOT crazy and there isn't anything wrong with my foot! I await some sort of email verifying this construction change so that when I go to return my 2nd pair, the manager of City Sports won't hold me accountable for this discomfort. I even have other Saucony models to try in replacement. I hope that one of the different models treat my feet with decency and respect and help me along the remaining weeks of training.

New sneakers and throbbing toes...

Look at these beautiful sneaks to the left...just LOOK at them! Don't they look so cushiony and perfect to run in? I agree! At least I used to... These sneakers of beauty are my second pair of the same model (I have consistently bought the update for the last 10 years) only this time in my accurate size (reference previous blog entry). I thought AUTOMATICALLY they would be the singing voice from above to guide me along my last 8 weeks of training and even on the big day....Well, my hope is still existent but I have some doubt, yes kids, I have some doubt. I wore them last Thursday for my 4 miles in the park, verdict: painful. I wore them for my 5 miles this morning; verdict: numb right foot toes. The ONE perk about this pair is that I am yet to experience (and hope not to experience) the painful feeling that I am running with razors on the bottom of my right foot like the pain I felt from the last pair that was a 1/2 size too big. I continue to carry the hope like a torch as I waver the idea that I may even brave wearing them for my 8 miles tomorrow night after only wearing them twice so far. "Why?" you ask. Because I am DETERMINED to have a new pair of sneaks broken in! My theory is this; the first pair was horrendously painful because they were not the right size, but this pair will earn its keep after a few break-in runs because no new sneaks will ever be as perfectly worn in on the first few runs as your existing pair. I hope to GOD that my theory pans out because as stated previously, we are in week 11 of 18 training weeks (can you believe it? I can't!) and I need fresh sneaks....BAD!

Note to self and to others: If you are training for a run of this size and/or any long distance run, I read that it is recommended to have two pairs of sneakers to alternate between. I read this well after I had begun my training and I wish I had the heads up ahead of time!

17 miles and then some...

I am ECSTATIC to report that my previously much dreaded 17 mile run was an absolute success! Not only did I finish, I did it in 2 hours and 35 minutes (9:12 avg minute) and only stopped once to refill my water bottle. I totally feel that after Saturday, I'm back on track to where I need to be and the horrendous 15 mile run I endured is behind me. I am really happy that all of my preparation last week paid off on the big day. Between my hilly runs in the park, yoga and making more of an effort to eat nutritious "fuel" foods, I think I'm on to something. Friday night, I cooked for the first time in ages (I hope that didn't cause you to fall of your chair in shock) a healthy meal of whole wheat pasta with chicken, garlic, cherry tomatoes and asparagus. It was DE-LISH if I must say so for myself. Then Saturday morning, pre-run I took a fellow marathon runner in training's advice to have toast with PB and banana.

When I started out on Saturday I was feeling well hydrated and "fueled." I previously mapped out my run by basically keeping my usual 7 miler to start and then adding 10 by going up the West Side along the Hudson then back down. I think that by staying on a constant route, not having to deal with any intersections or starting/stopping definitely helped my cause as well. Saturday was a rather somber day for NYC as it was the 9th Anniversary of 9/11. Aside from the extra NYPD detail along Hudson by Wall Street, I didn't feel like New Yorkers let it ruin the beautiful day it was outside. There were plenty of people out running, walking, biking, soaking up the gorgeous morning. As I made my way through the second half, onto the 10 mile section, I was feeling pretty good. Conveniently there were people promoting Power Bar's new "gel" right at my 7 mile mark and I gladly accepted it! As I made my way north up the Hudson, I rationed my water (so I wouldn't have to stop to refill) but still kept hydrated so my mouth wasn't dried out. I made it all the way up to 110th Street and then turned around to head back downtown and home. This was a mile 12 marker and I was feeling good! I didn't feel too tired, I wasn't feeling dehydrated and I thought to myself, "You're going to do this today." Around mile 13 or 14 I took another "Gu" to keep my energy up. I gradually made my way down and when I passed by the Intrepid, I had a smooth 30 more blocks to finish. I stopped around 34th street just to fill up one of my bottles so I would have some water as I walked the last block home. When I made it to the end and I felt like throwing my arms up victoriously. I not only showed 15 miles who's boss, I kicked it while it was down and threw another 2 miles on top of it!

The rest of my Saturday was spent mostly on the couch with my legs up and me drinking TONS of water. I was definitely sore and completely wiped out. Its only natural though since its not really normal for a person to run for two and 1/2 plus hours. I did manage to get myself together later to meet my cousin out for dinner that night but that was about all and I was completely okay with it (hard to imagine since I traditionally love to tear it up on Saturdays).

Sunday was officially my Funday but with some limitation....I woke up and got 35 minutes in on the Elliptical which I really needed to stretch out my tense muscles. Then I got showered and dressed to watch the Pats game at 1pm. I went to my fave Pats bar here in the city and joined my fellow fanatics for some beer guzzling, referee cursing funness. The Pats kicked off the season just beautifully by crushing the Bengals 38 to 24 making me a VERY happy woman :-)

So that is the latest and greatest. I think tonight I may do a lil' Yoga at home but I plan to just enjoy the day of "rest" from training. Tomorrow is a 5-er which I totally have! Can't wait in fact! Bring it!!!!

A long short week....

All I can say is TGIF!!! It has been a really long short week and I am relieved that its Friday. The sad thing is that the long part is attributed to my running and not my job or any really fun stuff.

Last night I went for my scheduled 4 miles with the Niketown running group again. I'm really having mixed feelings about this group because the run has consistently (a whole two times in a row) not started on time and I'm kind of a "no nonsense" kinda gal. I like to deal with the task at hand, move on and be done with it. I feel like with this group, you have to wait around in the store until everyone finally decides to head to the park. Then you have to wait for the group to get to the meeting spot in the park. Once everyone is there you get split up in your mileage pack and after all of that you finally can start running! Last night I only had 4 miles to do (sans nano because I forgot my godforsaken armband...grrrr!) and by the time I headed back to Niketown (skipping part of the stretching because I started stretching on my own waiting around yet again for the group to start) it was 7:50pm! Really?!? For 4 miles?!? I will say the good thing is that it has me running along hilly paths which will hopefully benefit me on tomorrow's run but other than that, I get more aggravated than a runner's high. Depending on how I do tomorrow will help me evaluate if I will continue with this group run. An idea I've concocted is that I may just bring my running stuff with me to work and head to the park from work then go straight home on the subway after my run....But that's just a lil' alternative plan I'm working out...

So tonight, to nurse my tired body and soles, I plan to grab some groceries, recovery bevys (no, no Stella unfortunately), throw in a wash, go to yoga, take a bath, make some dinner (this is getting ambitious) then hit the hay early. Ideally I'd like to rise and shine tomorrow at 7am, have some breakfast and tea then hit the road running by 8am for my 17 miles. I'm hoping it takes me 3 hours or less but I won't know until I'm done and look at my time. Let's hope I don't toss and turn tonight worrying about tomorrow so that I'll be well rested to take on the beast that is looming over me...

Where to begin...

Yesterday, I started my Wednesday in a Zen state of mind. A few weeks prior I purchased a yoga mat to utilize the Yoga available on demand...the mat has been sitting in the closet since then because I haven't quite gotten the motivation to actually use it. But yesterday was the day and I must say, I felt great doing it. I had to lock the Beast (Oliver) in the bathroom because otherwise he would have jumped on me or attacked me as I moved from plank to vinyasa to upward dog to downward dog. Starting the day out with a great combo of strengthening and stretching had me thinking the day has started off on the "right foot."

After work, I got my butt home, threw in a wash (I've been doing laundry as much as Zoila lately *reference "Flipping Out" on Bravo) and threw on my running "outfit." Last night was the first middle of the week run going 8 miles. I must say that its kind of crazy that when I say 8 miles, it feels like nothing. Now that I've made it running 15 miles and have 17 miles looming over me like a dark cloud, 8 miles doesn't seem so bad. I'm kinda like, "okay, this should take a little over an hour and then I'm done." Crazy!

So my route plan was similar to the 7 milers I had been doing, I just tacked on an extra mile. Starting out felt good, I made it the first few miles without any issue. THEN my RIGHT FOOT started to experience sharp shooting pains in the ball of it around mile 4ish....not good. Last night I decided to run my 8 miler in my newer pair of sneaks that I had already run a total of 12 miles in and figured they were ready for some distance (quick side note, I was convinced to buy a 1/2 size bigger but I am now thinking that was a bad idea). I am hoping that this pain I experienced is the SHOE and NOT my foot because we are just half way through the training baby and I am not giving up!

To cut to the chase, the last 4 miles were excruciating. So much so that there were times I wanted to cry or scream but I tell you the one thing I didn't do, I didn't stop! Maybe I will regret that decision later if this becomes a persisting issue but when you're running 8 miles, no matter what, you want it DONE and OVAHH. Miraculously I finished the bad boy in 72 minutes averaging about a 9 minute mile... I WILL TAKE IT! After I stretched out, ordered a healthy turkey burger, sweet potatoes and broccoli, jumped in the shower in time for my feast delivery and I was a happy girl.

What did I do at lunch today? I returned the "new sneaks" for a pair in the correct size and I'm crossing my fingers that I never experience the same pain again!

Change of pace...

Last night, for my 4 miles, I opted for something out of my "routine" and chose to go for a group run with Niketown. They have group runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Central Park. I had hoped for a hill run but last night it was a Bridle Path run....huh? I have learned that there are dirt paths throughout the park called "Bridle Paths" that were created when people could ride horses in Central Park. Its just recently that they stopped allowing horses but I hadn't really paid much attention to the paths...EXCEPT for being intrigued about where the scene in the movie "Kate and Leopold" takes place when Kate's purse is snatched, Leopold jumps on horse that was being used for carriage tours, then tracks down the mugger and gets her purse back....Yeah...I've seen the movie...I used to be obsessed with Meg Ryan until she put enough collagen in her lips that I don't know how she keeps her head up these days!

Anyway, back to the run, along the bridle path....Starting from Niketown, a group of about 50 of us make our way from 57th and 5th to 63rd St inside the path to then reconvene and break up for various mileage runs. There was a 3 mile, a 4 mile, a 5+ mile and a 7+ mile run. Never having run this before, I stayed to my training schedule and chose 4. As we assembled into groups, it was unclear which group was the 4 mile group and I found myself next to two other girls around the same age. I asked if they knew where they were going because I had no clue and one of them said, "Yeah, I love the Bridle path, I wish we could still ride horses on it." I just nodded my head and looked down to the side thinking, "Is she for real? We are so from different backgrounds!" Moving along...the run started out and I began to run along with my two new friends but quickly realized, this was moving a lil' too slow for me. I threw on my headphones and picked up the pace, finding my comfort zone. The great thing about this group run is that they have people that run ahead to certain points to help direct you in case your confused or lost, like myself. As I moved onto the path, I went under the tunnels that Leopold goes under to rescue back Kate's purse. It was kind of cool because I always wondered where these were in the park. Then I went under a really dark tunnel that kinda freaked me out because it was a little bit long, a LOT dark and you literally couldn't see next to you for part of it. I was not looking forward to going through it on my way back (which I ended up sprinting through because I was so freaked). I made it up to where they (Niketown peeps) tell you you've made it 4 miles and to turn back around to the original meeting spot. I must say, at the end this was a pleasant surprise of a run. I did not expect to enjoy it simply because it was on dirt and I was wearing my new kicks...I wasn't ready for them to no longer be pretty and new!

At the original meeting spot on 63rd, there are groups for stretching and then you all head back to Niketown to grab up your stuff and they give you Gatorade, which I prefer just plain and simple water, but whatever. To give you a timeline, we got back to Niketown around 7:45 (this thing was supposed to start at 6:30 which it obviously didn't) and then I didn't get home until around 8:30...not my total ideal time of arrival home when I'm only throwing down 4 miles. Timing aside, I did enjoy the run, it was hilly (what I was looking for), on dirt (easy on your knees and joints) and just something different to add to my training. I'm not sure if I'll rush back for this particular run but I am still planning to go on Thursday that promises to be a hill run.

Back from a long labor day weekend!

I am back! Not that anyone really missed me since it was Labor Day weekend and I highly doubt anyone was checking their facebook or my website for updates. If you were, thank you and I'm happy to be restoring joy and love in your life...

So Friday was a day off and much needed after an agressive Thursday consisting of a 4 mile morning run then conditioning class later that day after work. The rest was good in order for me to refuel energy for my 11 mile run on Saturday. After my 15 mile run the week before, I was looking forward to an "easy" run this past weekend. I say its easy only because I've run the mileage already in my training and to be honest, anything under 15 was going to feel easy in my book!

Saturday morning, I got up and made myself some toast with peanut butter and green tea. Then I grabbed a packed back and headed to the Upper East Side to enjoy my run in Central Park. Once I made it up there, I got my "gear" on and headed out towards the park. It was a beautiful morning; sunny, clear skies, no humidity and just a little bit warm. My run went smoothly even with hills and all. I opted for a hilly long run because I hear hills help you on the really long runs. I need all the help I can get in preparation of my next big one, 17 miles. So, sorry to disappoint, I really don't have any crazy stories from this past Saturday. It was just a nice pleasant run and I felt great afterward.

Sunday and Monday, I rested although I should have done cross training or yoga at least one of the days but I was enjoying my last weekend of summer and so, whatever!

Today is Tuesday. I had planned to rise and shine then practice some yoga "on demand" that I found on cable...Yeah...that plan back fired...I woke up instead feeling depressed about the official end of summer and having to return to work after a wonderful 4 days out of the office. So, tonight I will keep to the second part of my workout plan for the day and go to Niketown to join in on their group run. I've been once before and it was a hill training run and that's what I'm hoping for again tonight. Regardless if its that specific, the hills alone in Central Park are better than the flat surface I've been training with along the Hudson.

And that is my unfortunately, not very entertaining update. This is the start of my 10th week though which is crazy to think about. I also plan on kickin' things up a notch and getting more strengthening exercises in addition to the running. I refuse to let the 17 miles looming ahead of me win on Saturday. I guess you could say I'm in fight mode and this one I WILL win!

A lil under the weather but definitely over it!

Yesterday, Wednesday, my plan was to get up early and get my run in before work and before the temperature outside soared to above 90 degrees for the upteenth time during my 8 and 1/2 weeks of training. Unfortunately the alarm didn't go off with "Eye of the Tiger" but some random commercial and I woke feeling like the last thing I could do was run 7 miles. Deciding to be safe and not sorry (sorry if I get sick), I changed the wake up time on my alarm and slept for another hour. By the time I did actually get up to go to work, I did feel somewhat better. Once I was at work, I was so busy being in and out of meetings all day that even if I didn't feel well, I didn't have a chance to realize it. Once 5:30pm rolled around. I tied up loose ends and got ready to peace out for the evening. I checked the humidity level and although the current temp was 93 degrees, the humidity level was only 31% so I decided to brave the 7 miles outside in the heat.

As soon as I got home, I made a quick change and was out the door in 15. I had my handheld water bottle with me but I picked my usual run along the Hudson that has plenty of water fountains to refill if I needed to. To be honest, it wasn't as bad as you may have thought. Because it was hot, it was hazy so the sun was beating dreadfully down on me. There was also a slight breeze and having little humidity in the air was definitely on my side. I took my time but managed to keep my 9 minute mile pace more or less. When I got home, I ordered in a healthy meal and was feeling better by the time I laid my head down on my pillow.

This morning, Thursday, you can call me a "machine" as some of my other friends have today, but I woke up and went for a 4 miler. I love a total body conditioning class after work and I have plans to hang out with my beloved Gumbi. Not wanting to miss out on a run or my class (I need to get stronger for these long runs) or be too late to meet up with my buddy, I had to get up and get the 4 miles in or it would have thrown everything off. It went rather well and I ran in my new sneaks again, this time, they felt better.

So in the last 24 hours, I've run 11 miles and I'm about to head off to an hour conditioning class. Today I will accept anyone calling me a "machine" because a) check out the hot pic to the left and b) I am determined like a machine. I am really trying this week and next to get my strength up so that when I run 17 a week from this Saturday, I don't feel like I've been buried by a road!