Last Summer Race

Tomorrow morning marks this summer’s last race of the season for me. I haven’t participated in any races since my 5k in Ireland so I’m ready to get out there with a group of people and run through Flushing Meadows Park. Tomorrow is NYCRuns Queens Half Marathon. While I’m not particularly excited about probably waking up to my alarm on a Sunday morning, it’ll set me up for an energizing day.

I’m also very ready for my fall running calendar to take effect, a few more races on my list than in the summer. Looking forward to it! What’s on your fall list?

Sep 08

Staten Island vs. NFL Football

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On the weekend my friend, Lisa and I met up for a day of NYC mini-exploration. The original plan was to bike up the Hudson Parkway, but the forecast said 80% of rain so we changed our plans. Instead, we went to The Met and wandered around, looking at some art and talking.

So amongst our conversation came the news that Lisa had purchased two Denver Broncos vs. NY Jets tickets preparing plans for an out-of-town friend. As it turns out her friend won’t be able to make it so she asked me if I wanted to go with her. Dang! It’s the same day as the Staten Island Half Marathon. I had been wanting to run Staten Island to complete the 5-borough half series with the NYRR. Immediately I had a dilemma – do I run the Staten Island half or go to my first ever NFL game with Lisa?

Initially my response was that I’d do both, however logistically it probably won’t work.

The race starts at 8:30am. I’d be done around 10 and would have to trek to either her place or mine to shower and change. Getting to either place would take just as long as the other, at least an hour. Then to get from my house or hers to the stadium would require getting to Penn Station then getting on the NJ Transit battling the masses to the game.

the-life-of-krista-marie.blogspot.com

Could I do both? Could we make it there for the 1pm start? Potentially, but I think it might be a little crazy to try. We will see though, I’ve done crazier things.

Aug 14

Dublin Delights

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We’ve been here in Dublin for almost three days and I think I have some things figured out from a lazy first day trying get sleep, a busier second day wandering around Temple Bar area and a third day of Hop On Hop Off Tour Bus and more walking.

First, Irish people are really nice, love to greet you, and are amazing attendants at our hotel. However other really nice Irish people do not offer the greatest service in restaurants. It’s not bad service, just minimal. I guess that explains the no tip rule?

Second, I need to listen very closely to those Irish that I assume speak Gaelic. They speak so fast I have a hard time comprehending! Lip reading doesn’t really help either.

Third, I like the afternoon sunshine but not the chilly, cloudy mornings.

Fourth, unlike London, I’ve actually been quite impressed with all the food I’ve eaten so far. I haven’t had any blood sausage or pudding or Irish Stew yet, but the wings, soup and breads & dips I have had were pretty tasty.

Finally, there are not many runners but plenty of bikers. I was excited to see the many bikes lanes since we will be biking around the city today! Will let you know how that goes!

Dublinbikes

Aug 02

Missing All Those Races

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From September of last year to this past June, I participated in so many races. Fifteen from January to June alone. All over the city, Philly, DC, California. And now, only two races in the next three months.

I can’t stand it anymore! I need to go crazy and start registering for some! I have been holding off because of many upcoming changes and travel, but now that I have an idea of what’s happening in at least the next few months, I can go nuts registering!

Seriously! I miss the corrals, costumes, bibs, expos, medals, bagels, volunteers, scenery, everything! So here I go! By tomorrow, my widgets will be updated. First up will be finding one in or near Dublin, and then I will add to my September and October line up locally. Stay tuned! 🙂

lightlifealliance.com

Jul 18

No Running For Four Days?!

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Don’t worry, this definitely doesn’t mean I was doing nothing. This trip to California was actually a great opportunity to do some cross training as part of my marathon training (or at least I tell myself).

So here’s the breakdown of activity since I’ve been here – 10 days so far.

Day 1 (Thursday 7/10): Paddle board yoga at Mission Beach and biking around Coronado Island

Day 2 (Friday 7/11): Morning 3.66 mile run, evening kayaking at La Jolla (complete with seeing baby seals in caves and dolphins swimming in pods!)

Day 3: (Saturday 7/12): Afternoon walk, probably 2-3 miles

Day 4 (Sunday 7/13): Morning 5 mile run

Day 5 (Monday 7/14): Morning 2 mile run, afternoon 4.5 mile walk

Day 6 (Tuesday 7/15): Morning CrossFit class

Day 7 (Wednesday 7/16): Afternoon 6.5 mile hike (I thought this was 8-9 miles, and it definitely felt like it) at Mount Woodson, evening kayak at Coronado

Day 8 (Thursday 7/17): Morning CrossFit class

Day 9 (Friday 7/18): Rest

Day 10 (Saturday 7/19): Morning 4.62 run so far… and just came back from a nice long walk (guessing 2-3 miles).

Upcoming:

Day 11: Chargers 5K Bolt to the Q. Had to sign up for a race here, it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t!

Day 12: probably another early run, hike, bike ride

Day 13: potential early morning run

I’ve rested this vacation but I’ve also kept my body very active – and it feels great! And when you have views like this, it’s easy to keep active outdoors. 🙂

Potato Chip Rock @ Mount Woodson

Jul 10

It’s 4am, I Must Be Lonely

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It’s 4:20am in New York according to my computer, however I’m on California time! But seriously how am I even still awake at 1:20am or 4:20am?!

Maybe it’s because Monica and I flew in to San Diego for some California good times before her event next week! And soon Alaa will be home to join in the festivities!

I am so looking forward to…

…kayaking in caves

…paddle boarding

…visiting breweries

…bike riding to Point Loma

…running in Balboa Park

…snorkling with sharks

…laughing and talking

…gazing at palm trees

…yoga

…thinking or not thinking.

Ahhh!

http://www.terragalleria.com

Jun 22

Misting Station Ahead

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You know when you are running, and it’s one of those days when you just feel slow, you feel hot, and you’re using your sacred bits of water to splash yourself? Well, that was me today for parts of the Queens 10k.

So I was about halfway and really in need of a boost… and then… there it was.

The misting station. Ah! Yes!

It was just past the 5k point, a point where both me and the guy beside me needed some encouragement. As we approached and ran through the sprinkles, we both giggled and sighed, then kept on moving with a little more oomph.

Thank you NYRR for adding these little refreshing spray stations along the routes of the last couples of races. (This photo was the misting station at last weekend’s Oakley Mini 10k – love the joy on her face!).

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Jun 14

It’s Official – I’m in! Times Two!

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Today is the day I knew I would qualify for the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon. Nine races and a volunteer opportunity through the NYRR since January, and I’m in. Ah!

But then life threw us a little curve ball … but a good one.

Yes I am now officially qualified for the 2015 marathon, but I’m not sure if I will be here. Brett’s new job is taking us to Singapore next year, making me unsure if will be able to make it back to NY in November, soooooo – what do with all these races I’ve been doing? Use them as training runs! That’s right – an email I got the other day made me realize I should marathon THIS year. I received an email that there were still charity spots available for 2014 so I have decided to fundraise with Fred’s Team for Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Yes I’m fundraising – which I’m horrible at, but I’m going to raise the $3,400 I said I would, even if I have to chase people down the street! – and run the 2014 marathon!

I must be freaking crazy? Ya, I guess I am. But this is something I said I would NEVER do, just a year ago. You see how hard work and a strong mindset changes you to want to do awesome things?! If you think you will never do something because of whatever excuse you have – you are short-changing yourself. Do it! Stop making excuses and do something big, drastic, crazy and insane. You can do it!

So obviously, my campaigning starts now, with you. Please click my Fred’s Team link above or the picture below to donate to my charity on the Fred’s Team page.

Whether we know each other or not, we all know people who have been affected by cancer. Those of us who run do it for these reasons. We want our miles to go to something big and worthwhile. So I choose cancer research.

I look forward to seeing your donations on my page. Thank you!

mskcc.convio.net
Can’t wait to be one of these people!

May 17

Just One More!

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Today’s Brooklyn Half was a great race! My eighth qualifier for 2015! Only one more to go!

To prep – I fed myself well this week, had decent sleep, and was mentally sound (neither the bike nor the basketball incidents affected me!).

Getting there was fine – the 2 train was running and the operator was humorous so that was nice. I also helped a girl try to locate her lost contact in her eye – not a good way to start a race!

Arrival – I’d say this was the only snafu. The bottlenecking into the security screening for low-alert level event was not ideal… but other than that, no big deal.

En route – nice weather, great course, good energy! Only a little IT discomfort on the downhills but nothing major. Although the new Mizunos are great, my feet felt quite fatigued by about mile eight. Nothing one can’t power through!

Finish area – so awesome! On the boardwalk (which was a bit slippery from the sand) of Coney Island, surrounded by an amazing crowd cheering, and along side the beach and the Atlantic. I didn’t stick around for the after-party though, it was quite crowded so I hopped on the subway to head home for my iced beer. 🙂