Author Archives: tam

Geriatric Yoga

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I really wanted to running today.

I miss the routine of it, the way it clears my mind, the way I feel after. But I knew that I probably shouldn’t go yet since I had a chiropractic adjustment yesterday and my back was a little tender. Plus, I knew it would be smarter to wait at least the two weeks suggested after running a marathon.

So I checked the schedule at the gym and decided that yoga would be the appropriate activity for me today.

Well, note to self – Wednesday 5:30 yoga is not for me. It’s what I’ll call – “Geriatric Yoga”!

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it wasn’t exactly what I needed either. First of all, the instructor was 10 minutes late due to hip and knee injuries. She hobbled through the door, letting us know we had to set up her double mat for her, and she would have her friend do the sun salutations for demo.

She was entertaining enough though with her side reversals and crooked body, and the class was enough to get me moving for 50 minutes… yep she shortened the class from 75 minutes. But you know what, good for her, making it to the class anyway. I just know I can’t go back!

My One And Only

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I guess I could try and describe November 2nd, 2014 to you – the day I ran the TCS NYC marathon. My first marathon, and my only.

I could go through the play-by-play of the morning getting to the start and describe the emotions running through me as I ran through this great city. But telling you wouldn’t really do the experience justice. You would have had to have been there, experience it, and bask in the enormity of this life-changing event.

Training for and running this marathon taught me a lot about myself and what I can do, including how to deal with struggles along the way.

I remember telling someone in a little over a year ago that I would never run a marathon. That running a marathon was crazy. But today, I can say I have done it. I know it’s cliche to say – but never say never. You’d be surprised what you can do, and the incredible sense of accomplishment that comes with it, especially when you think you can’t. And taking so many people on the ride with you is another accomplishment in itself.

Take a chance and do something you never thought you would, or could do. You will be amazed at the adventure it takes you on.

Total exhilaration at 26 miles, just 0.2 to go!

Total exhilaration at 26 miles, just 0.2 to go!

Looking back at the finish

Looking back at the finish

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The most precious medal I have earned.

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A sea of blue capes to stay warm at the end.

So Ready

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Ok. I got my bib. #64018. Signed in at my team’s table.

Mentally planning what I need to prepare Saturday night… thank goodness for that extra hour…

Actually I’ll get my things ready tomorrow night while everyone else is out for Halloween festivities.

So excited, but trying to relax into the moments leading up to the big day.

A lot happening this weekend. Mostly good. All packed with emotion. Been running on adrenaline for the last week I’m pretty sure.

Totally prepared to burst into tears at the end of my run. Thank you to everyone has been so supportive, both in words and in donations to Fred’s Team.

At the TCS NYC Marathon Expo at Jacob Davits center.

At the TCS NYC Marathon Expo at Jacob Javits center.

 

 

Running Anxiety

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It exists.

I have it.

I think it developed this month, a crucial training time for the marathon. The closer the marathon became the less I wanted to run… the more I wanted to do nothing… the more anxious I felt… but now after this morning’s run, I’m feeling pumped!

So in one week from this moment, I will be heading to the start line, finding my wave and my corral. I hate to say I just want to get it over with, but I do! Actually, it’s not even the 26.2 mile part of it, it’s the everything that leads up to the start. Once I’m on my way I’ll be fine!

It’s the getting up early enough to eat my oatmeal. It’s the dressing for the chilly morning. Then it’s taking the 1 down to South Ferry. Then taking the 8:00am ferry to Staten Island. Then it’s the walking to the start area. And then re-feeding myself. And then waiting a couple of hours to start in the cold, knowing that thousands have already started.

BUT – once it’s my time to go… that’s it! There’s no turning back, and that’s the part I’m looking forward to! Crossing the start and running through this amazing city, eyes and ears open to the sounds of this monumental event in my life.

And the anxiety will be gone.

 

I’m Done With A Lot Of Things Right Now Thanks

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Here’s the list of topics, news, ideas I’m so over right now…

1. Ebola

2. Waking up in the dark

3. Fundraising

4. Incompetence

5. Nonsense

6. The media instilling fear in the public

7. Shootings

8. Knowing winter is approaching

9. Inconsiderate people

10. I hate to say it, but… training runs!

That’s my mental unload for this lovely Saturday morning. 😉

 

 

Go Away & Relax

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Sorry … Forgot I drafted then didn’t post last weekend… Soooo

I might have taken two flights to get here and will be taking another two home, but the holiday weekend away was a restful one.

Since Brett was away for most of September, came home a week and then had to go to Austin for two weeks, I decided the Indigenous People Day weekend would be a perfect little getaway.

I’ve been before, as some of you may recall Hipster Austin, so I knew Brett and I wouldn’t be running around doing a bunch of stuff. Since he works nights right now, the day he has is precious, so we took it easy by walking a little in the river valley, enjoyed coffee and relaxed in the awesome suite at the Omni Downtown.

Both he and I caught up on sleep, had a nice time laughing at some silly stuff – which we hadn’t had a chance to do for some time, and just spent quiet time together. This is what years and time together do right? You just really want to be with each other. I find that my exploration time is more friend time now, and the quiet/local vibe is for Brett and me – which suits both of us just fine.

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I’ve Been Lapped

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Hey, it happens when you don’t run a 5-minute mile.

This morning I ran the Grete’s Great Gallop, a half marathon put on by Fred’s Team charity. By signing on to fundraise for Fred’s Team, I gained entry to the 2014 TCS NYC marathon.

So yesterday was to be my long run, but I wasn’t feeling great and knowing I was running a half today I didn’t feel too guilty about not running yesterday.

As I ventured into the chilled air at 8:3o this morning, I ran to the start line to put in a couple extra miles as my way to make up miles from yesterday. I was feeling good, despite the windy, cool air. I dressed appropriately in my Fred’s Team long sleeve tech shirt and the Grete’s tech shirt, along with my shorts.

At the Start

At the start

I was glad I was warm when I got to the start because had to wait about 10 minutes to start. The first miles were great, but by mile three I already had to tinkle so I decided to step off at the pit stop at the trough of the Harlem Hills. Turned out there was a bit of a line, no big deal.

As I was waiting, I heard the whistle. No way! I was getting lapped already! The first runner was lapping me while I was waiting to pee at my 3.5 mile mark – but he was at his 9.5 mile!

All I could think (or say actually) was – “holy shit, that guy’s fast”. For a split second I felt inferior to his champion running abilities. I’m not sure why considering he is a professional athlete and I am far from it. It’s really more of an honor to share a course with city/state/national/international champion runners. It’s really exciting to watch the first runners go by and cheer them on!

Alas I finished, an hour and some minutes after I had been lapped. And to think, a mere four weeks until I cross that same finish line at the end of my first full marathon.

That Was Thirteen Years Ago

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What was?

Meeting my husband. Our first date. My first experience eating Indian food. 🙂

The last week of September and beginning of October encompass a few significant dates for us – our “meetaversary”, our first date, and our anniversary.

Who knew at the time we’d be where we are now.

Our lives are so different from then.

But in a great way.

An intense way.

A learn and grow way.

An “I wouldn’t change it” way.

One Red Arm

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Yes, just one of my arms is a little red, and that’s okay because it was a result of an awesome day.

I picked up a bike from KickStand Bicycle Shop near my place and rode down the East River to meet up with Lisa at South Ferry. Our plan was to bike up the Henry Hudson Parkway along the west side of Manhattan. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect considering the day before was rainy.

To no surprise it was busy down at South Ferry and parts of Battery Park, but once we got out onto the path, it was smooth sailing. We were pleasantly surprised how quiet the path was the whole way uptown. We rode with ease along the path, past the little outdoor cafe at 42nd Street, the Boat Basin at 79 Street, and finally stopped for a snack break at 125th Street.

Courtesy Lisa Fort @toolmarks

Courtesy Lisa @toolmarks

Once back on the path, we continued our conversation, pedaling easily until we approached the George Washington Bridge. Here we experienced a couple of steep hills bringing us up to a higher elevation from the river.

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GWB on the way back down

Once we biked past the bridge at 188th Street, we had to do a little weaving to get to Inwood Park, however we didn’t quite make it into Inwood Park, but somehow beside it… We weren’t sure quite how to navigate from there, so we turned ourselves back downtown.

At the end of our path

At our turn-around point

By this point we were in need of beer and food, which we enjoyed at The Boat Basin. We sat out on the front patio, with a view of the sailboats in the marina, and facing the gorgeous sun – hence the red arm. 🙂

Downtown view

Downtown view

Our journey took about 6 hours in all, including biking and lunching. Once we reached South Ferry again, I left Lisa to take the subway home. I had to bike up the east side again and I wasn’t sure if my butt could stand it! It did however, all the way to 42nd Street and 1st Avenue at which time I had to dismount due to UN Assembly street closures.

After I dropped off the bike, I stopped to get my pint of Ben & Jerry’s and crashed on the couch at home. What a day!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, biking and talking with Lisa. We saw some beautiful landscape along the river and crossed another outdoor adventure off our lists!

Three Sightings in a Week

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So I know I’ve been pretty quiet the last couple of weeks. In all honesty, I feel like I don’t have a lot to say, but I actually do. New job. Husband away in foreign country. Fall, my favorite season. Friends. Running.

But on my list of what people like to hear – because they’re not usually an everyday occurrence … celeb sightings. I’ve had three sightings this week. All in very different places but all comedic people, funnily enough.

The first was last week during one of my numerous Central Park training runs. As I was in my last mile, I ran by this guy from a TV show who I recognized immediately. Curly haired, short, white dude. No idea what his name is, or what show he was on…

The second was on Monday, and it was so exciting! My colleague and I were leaving one of our school sites, walking and debriefing. In my mid-sentence, she says – “wait a minute”… and I look right beside her to see Jerry Seinfeld getting miked for an interview maybe, or maybe his show Comedians in Cars with Coffee since there was this gorgeous old Mercedes parked just to the right. So we keep walking and then I stopped and asked her like a 16-year old – “should I go and ask for picture?” Well, I answered my own question… I walked back to where the small group were standing and talking, and asked a big dude if I could snap a shot and he said it was fine. So I did! I should have asked him to say something to my Voxer group while I was at it.

Jerry on West 83rd Street

Jerry on West 83rd Street

My third sighting was today, on my way home from acupuncture in the Gramercy area. I was walking past a little playground and saw this woman on her phone, pacing by a stroller. I looked at her because I thought she looked familiar, then she looked at me because I was looking at her. She kept talking and I kept walking. It was Rachel Dratch, who plays Debbie Downer on SNL. I contemplated taking her pic, but I didn’t want to be a creeper hahaha!

So I imagine that will be the end of my sighting for some time. Three in a week was a lot of work. 😉

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