Running on Empty

Oooooooooh it has been a really really long month filled with highs and lows, but mostly highs.

I'm lacking in the composition department of my brain right now, so I'm just going to do that Jeopardy clue-style thing I do.

YES. I did go to Brasil and it. was. AWESOME.

NO. I did not run a single day I was there because it was really really cold there and I was too busy hanging out with clowns and drinking. It's Winter there right now. Surprise!

YES. I did email Austin whilst I was in Brasil and forced him to sign up for the Queens half marathon with me, happening the weekend after I returned, because I ate so much delicious food whilst in Brasil. Mmmm, I'm still dreaming about those gorgonzola balls. And the caipirinhas. And those fried things. Mmmmmmm.

YES. Austin and I did drag our butts out to Queens at 6am.

YES. It was 96 degrees when we started the half marathon AT 7AM and 103 degrees when I finished.

YES. It was a struggle.

YES. We did finish and totally made the weather our biotch.

YES. We did eat a delicious brunch afterwards.

NO. I could not walk for a few days afterwards.

NO. My ankle or foot did not hurt at all and that was baller.

YES. I did get a tattoo on my ankle that says "Born To Run".

YES. It is partially because I'm running the marathon this year.

YES. It is partially because Born to Run, the album, has been a highly influential power in my life.

NO. Those are not the only reasons, but it's too much to explain right now.

YES. It does give me running superpowers.

YES. I do look badass whilst running.

YES. You should be jealous.

YES. I do forget I have it sometimes and then see it and get really happy all over again.

NO.  I can't believe there are only 13 weeks left until the marathon.

YES. I am excited and nervous and excited.

YES. I am going to bed now. Peace. OUT.

The hydrants are open, cool breezes blow...

It's officially been over a month since I last posted. Shocking news of the day: I'm terrible at keeping up with this thing.

But look at the bright side, if I remembered to post everyday, you'd probably get sick of this so, it's all working out!

I've been on a pretty good running pace over the past month. My only setback has been some ankle/foot pain in my left ankle/foot (the bunion foot). One week the pain was so strong that I could barely walk. It was the worst. I attribute this to the fact that I have so many adorable, but very high-heeled and terrible for your feet Summery shoes. I now know the true meaning of the phrase "Pain is beauty." Before, my beauty just came so naturally. I must be getting old.

Another struggle over the past month has been that it's been reallyfuckinghot outside and we're only now entering the month of July. Two days ago I was literally just standing outside and pouring buckets of sweat (mmmm attractive). I actually kind of liked sweating buckets (MAN I love that phrase!) whilst running because it makes me feel like I did more and therefore burned more calories. At the end of the day though, I don't think I burned any more calories than I normally would have. Especially after eating that quarter pint of gelato. Mmmmmm.

Thankfully, yesterday and today have been literally breathtaking. This morning while I was walking to work, I looked up at the sky and was speechless.

Anyhoo, I suppose that's all for now. I'm going to make myself a Dr. Praeger's veggie burger and some asparagus. Sound healthy? That's because I ate the other half of my Tofu Pad Thai for lunch and feel dis-gus-ting. It was delicious though, so all is forgiven.

Hope you're all having a wonderful evening, and have a great Fourth of July!!! AMERICA FUCK YEAH!

To Infinity...and Beyond!

Attribute the title to the fact that I just saw a trailer for Toy Story 3, which I am so pumped about. Omfg. But I digress.

Saturday I ran 10 miles because that's what my schedule said to do. This was the first time I have run what has been on my training schedule...maybe ever. Oops. I've been busy. Anyway, it was an alright run. As soon as I started, my left shin started to hurt because the whole week before I had been wearing heels for the Broadway Spring Road Conference and my legs just weren't used to flat shoes. Weirdsies!

I was also a lot slower than I usually am starting out because I tried out my new hydration pack! It's really a fanny pack, but it goes on my back...so it's literally a fanny pack. Good one. How it works is that there is a little bladder that holds about 1.5 liters of water that fits into the main part of the fanny pack. There is a long tube that is attached to the bladder. When you want water, you just bite on the mouthpiece of the tube and water comes out. Brilliant! It's also very convenient so I don't have to awkwardly put my keys in my bra. Awkward.

Anyhoo, everything seemed in order for the rest of the run. I had to walk a little bit around the 7th mile because my knee started to hurt, but after a bit of rest, everything was back to normal.

I'm kind of in love with this 10-mile run because I get to run along the East River, under the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges and over the Brooklyn Bridge. How lucky am I that this is just part of my daily routine? I will never get over it. NEVER!

I felt a little sore on Saturday and Sunday after the run, but today I feel back to normal which is very encouraging because the last time I ran 10 miles, I was sore for a good 3 or 4 days afterwards. So, this is all good news.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to run an easy 4 and will probably do a few more shorter runs throughout the week. On Saturday, everyone is running one of my favorite races ever: The Spring Lake 5! I'm so proud of everyone who is running it. It's going to be many people's first road race, so send good vibes their way! Jerseyyyyyyyyy.

Ok, that is all for now. Hope you're enjoying the week and are having your own little breakthroughs, whether they be running or something else really awesome!

DEDICATED TO NOLEN

I'd like to dedicate this entry to Nolen who has called me out on not updating this thing as much as I should. But let me just say, for some reason my life decided to fast forward and now it's the middle of May already....wtf? 

Anyway, I just got back from a morning run and need to hop in the shower before work,  but I thought I would quickly answer some burning questions I know you've been dying to ask:

YES. I did get new running shoes and they are fantastic. I went to Jack Rabbit NYC (Thanks for the suggestion, Thomas!) and they were amazing. They have three treadmills in their store with cameras that video tape your feet. They watch you run in your old running shoes on camera and then decide from there what kind of shoes you need (stability, support, etc...). The woman who was helping me was able to figure out what kind of shoe I needed just from watching me. Amazing. I ended up with a pair of Brooks, who have become my favorite running company...and I spent about $50 less than I thought I would. AND because I bought from Jack Rabbit, I get 10% off every purchase I make in the store until I die. Or until they go out of business, which I hope is never! I highly recommend it to those who are in NY, or if you're visiting and desperately need a new pair of running shoes! www.jackrabbitsports.com

NO. Since getting my new shoes, my legs/ankle/foot have not hurt. Miracle!

YES. Since getting my new shoes, I have been running faster. I'm talking about 9 1/2 minute miles for the first time since that month in college I was really healthy and did a Triathalon and 10-mile run in 24 hours. Wait...I did that?

NO. I'm not doing the smile count anymore because no one smiles back at me. There was this one time someone cheered me on and gave me a high-five as we passed each other...but it turns out it was my roomie. (Thanks Lisa! )

YES. I did order a running bladder. I'm supposed to get it today and I can't wait to try it out!

YES. I do still hate ABBA. Take away my Honorary Gay Card (HGC), but I just can't do it. The only reason I bring this up is because "Mamma Mia" is on my running playlist and it came on today. That song is just so damn energetic. 

YES. I am listening to the Glee version of "Rose's Turn" right now...HGC re-instated. 

YES. I am drinking chocolate milk to replenish my muscle mass right now. Very important. 

Aiight y'all. Shower time. I'm going to try to update this more often, but life is busy. I know you understand.  

Put Me In Coach

I need to preface this by saying that I'm watching the *hopefully* final inning of the Mets v Marlins game and it is intense. I need to go to sleep, Metsies, let's win this thing!

Anyhoo, this week I have truly felt like a cool Manhattanite because I've been running in Central Park after work! Getting up early has not been working for me and I really need to stop slacking, so I have decided to bring my running gear to work and just run from there. My office is at Columbus Circle, so it's ridiculously convenient and I have NO excuses. None.

Monday I tried to run 3 miles, but let me tell you something about my relationship with Central Park: I rarely know where I am, even though I've run more than a dozen races in that place. I used www.mapmyrun.com (my go-to website for mileages) to figure out where I would need to go in the park to achieve the 3 mile distance. My running was going smoothly but then I turned at the wrong path and ended up only running around 2.8 miles. This is fine, but I always feel cheated if I don't run the full 3. I forgave myself though, it was my first time running Central Park in a non-race scenario.

Tuesday I took a day off, per my training schedule. My "rest" day consisted of walking to work (about 2.5 miles) and watching a super-crazy-awesome episode of Lost. It was a good day.

Today, I set out to run 5 miles, per my training schedule. I think I actually ran too far this time, but that is not a bad thing. My run was not my best and I blame it on the fact that I had to stop a few times due to pain in my knee and ankle. I really, really need new shoes. That's on my agenda for next week, fo shizzle. The good news is, I ran for almost 45 minutes (and power-walked for 10 minutes) and I wasn't winded at all. I was a little worried about running longer today because it was a cool 83 degrees and when I ran in the heat on Monday, I had a bit of trouble breathing. I think I can safely attribute this to the fact that I was still in winter-breathing mode and I have adapted to really hot/humid spring-mode. Thankfully. Watch, now tomorrow you'll hear about a girl who has passed out in Central Park during her run. If that happens, you'll know who it is. Don't tell my mother.

Well, as I expected, the Mets game has gone into extra innings and I need to go to sleep. Hopefully when you hear from me tomorrow, I will be rejoicing in another victory for the Amazin's. And a full run with no knee and ankle pain. . .I can dream.

Running Down a Dream

Hola. I know it's been approximately a bajillion years since I've last updated, but my non-running life has been incredibly busy and eventful. However, I will let you know that I have been running and it's been going pretty ok.

My most recent run was yesterday, and it was a refreshing six mile run. I'm not working this week, so of course I woke up earlier than I've ever woken up for work, ever, and decided to run six miles. Naturally. Everything went pretty smoothly, though there was a little knee pain around mile three. Not cool. Also, my right foot has been in a lot of pain lately and I think it's because my running and daily-wear shoes are old... so that basically gives me an excuse to go shoe shopping!

Foot pain aside, something really fantastic happened towards the end of my run yesterday. As I was approaching the last .3 miles, a group of middle-aged Navy men who looked as though they were coming back from their workout cheered me on! It was such a boost, I think I'm going to start cheering on random people I see running. That'll be another thing to boost the running morale on the River, and won't appear creepy at all.

I will say that every time I run on the East River, I can't help but love the city I'm running in, no matter the climate, which happened to be very windy and rainy yesterday.

In other news, I received my orthotics in the mail on Monday, so that's going to be a doozie trying to get used to those. My uncle says that I need to wear them four hours per day for the first two weeks, and I can only run two miles a day for the first two weeks. Lame. But, I know in the end it will keep me from losing the ability to walk, so I guess I'll push through it. Another thing about these orthotics- they were too long for my shoes, so I have to try and cut them without messing them up. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, I suppose that's all for now. I'm going to run and update tomorrow because, really, what else do I have to do?

Oh! One more note: Since the temperature has increased, the number of smiles I receive back has increased, which I couldn't be happier about! I'm not going to include a smile count today because it's been a while, but tomorrow it shall return. I know you'll be counting the seconds.

Ok. That's really it. Enjoy your respective nights!

Runnin' Runnin' and Runnin' Runnin'

So I just got back from a 4.5 mile run on this not-so-cold day and it was pretty fantastic. Today was the first time I ran for 48 minutes since December that I felt little to no pain in my ankle. I'm going to attribute this to the fact that I didn't run over the 25th Street bridge that prevents me from getting hit by a car on the FDR. (rhyme!) You see, I usually start out running downtown and then turn onto 25th Street from 2nd avenue to cross the bridge; however, today I ran down to 21st Street and 1st Avenue and just crossed the street to get to the East River. I usually try to avoid running on the streets as much as possible because it slows down my time and it's awkward to try and maneuver around pedestrians, but running the extra few blocks wasn't too too bad. 

I originally set out to run to the Brooklyn Bridge and back (6 miles, from my apt), but the path I was traveling on was cut-off by a huge snow bank that prevented me from moving forward, so I just turned around and headed home. It all works out though, because I was still kind of hungover at this point. But let me tell you, running is a great cure for a hangover. . .I feel great! 

Something I learned today is that other runners are considerably happier on Saturdays in the afternoon than they are at 7AM on a weekday. I had a smile returned to me 4 times today, and this was a treat. I was told by someone (really, I can't remember who) that it is an unwritten rule that you smile at other runners as you pass them as kind of a solidarity thing. In Jersey, this proved to be true and sometimes I even got the occasional "Get it girl!" from a friendly biker in Astoria, but Manhattan. Jeeze. I have had a smile returned maybe twice before today, and I have smiled at every single runner/biker I have seen. How rude! 

Because of this, I've decided to start a "Smile Count" to see how many I get back every day. I'm hoping this number will grow as the months progress. If you see me running, smile back!!!

Alright, time to shower and then drank. Yup, I'm a healthy runner. This might turn out to be another thing working against me...but we'll just pretend it's not for now. 

 

SMILE COUNT: 4