Category Archives: Running

Stay Tuned – NYC Half Tomorrow!

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I’d say the NYC half marathon is a good choice for my first half of 2014. Excited to meet early in Central Park with about 30,000 other runners to spend our Sunday morning running through the park, through midtown, then toward downtown on the West Side highway. Will just have to watch out for poor road conditions on some streets due to crazy winter weather fluctuations this year… nbd.

Last night I completed my 9+1 volunteer at the Expo at the Metropolitan Pavilion. I really enjoyed taking on this role (after the “training” of course) of giving out bibs. This was a different perspective for me – checking IDs, confirmation sheets, and handing people their bibs. Then being thanked, and watching those runners walk away with a smile, checking out out their bibs and the number they are attached to for this race. I could so relate. Every time I pick up by bib, I smile. I’m excited for the upcoming race I’m about to participate in with thousands of people who enjoy running as much as I do.

So stay tuned for tomorrow’s update!

I Guess I Didn’t

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So I thought I registered for the Al Gordon 4M at Prospect Park tomorrow morning. Initially I didn’t register because I thought I was going to be in San Diego visiting Alaa this week. But when I knew I couldn’t make the trip happen, I THOUGHT I registered for this run. I put in my calendar, added it my race widgets and was mentally getting myself ready for the early get-up on Saturday.

When I didn’t receive an email from NYRR to pick up my packet yesterday, I became confused… I checked my dashboard on the NYRR site and didn’t see the race on my list… I checked my email for a receipt… Not there.

Hmmmm, so I guess I didn’t register. Bummer. And it’s sold out. I guess I’ll be in charge of motivating myself to get out while the weather is 50 degrees. 🙂

Happy weekend!

Just Go!

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And I promise you will feel so much better!

That’s what I was thinking when I was trying to convince myself to go to the gym. Weather and roads still a little unpredictable to run in the park. So, the gym it had to be.

Well, I was right of course. I did feel better.

relationshipplaybook.com

relationshipplaybook.com

It’s just getting dressed and getting out the door that’s the hardest part. Yes, I was not looking forward to running on the treadmill for the second time this week, but I have Kathy Lee and Hoda to thank for getting through the three miles today, and The Lone Ranger for getting me through the three miles on Monday.

This morning I just felt depressed – Brett left for work, I caught up on PLL, the sky was clouding over, my mind was cluttered with unimportant thoughts. I felt jumbled, lethargic and unmotivated. But I got my gym clothes on and headed down the street.

As I walked, my body felt slow, my mind still frazzled and scattered. I was contemplating my work out on the treadmill. Blech, the treadmill. Perhaps an inclined walk. Or should I run? But I was tired. But I was feeling slow. But but but.

Once on the treadmill, I just went for it. Told myself three miles and no less. If I run faster, it’ll be over faster. So I just did it. And I felt good after. It felt good to sweat. To watch some nonsense. I got over the jiggling earphones and just ran … and I’m so glad I did.

Confirmed once again. I love running. It’s my redemption.

www.amovieaweek.com

Fave movie.       http://www.amovieaweek.com

Seriously…

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I’m so serious when I tell you that work is ruining my running career, which I’ve previously written about. And now, so is winter. Another storm comin’. It’s depressing me so, I guess I’ll use my gym membership. I’ll just suck it up and do some incline work on the treadmill. What a novel idea! But I won’t get there until at least Friday because work is taking over my life right now. Couldn’t be happier that mid-winter break begins Friday at 2:20pm.

Unfortunately I won’t be escaping the winter of NYC, but I will still be in NYC… so I really can’t complain. Well, can I just a little? A beach would be great right now!

Forget Waiting a Week

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Ok, so I just went a little race registration crazy on the NYRR site… But they just opened registration for April through June races and I didn’t want to miss out!! So I registered for 5 races! And two of the weekends are Saturday and Sunday races! So forget about racing on a Saturday then waiting until the following Saturday! Might as well race again the very next day! Check out my new scheduled race widgets along the left of the page…

What can I say? I get obsessed. But you already knew that…

sportymummy.blogspot.com

sportymummy.blogspot.com

Trials & Tribulations of Seasonal Running

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Unless you live in a climate that is conducive to year-round outdoor running, you might be crazy to think you would achieve PR during a winter race. Call me a pessimist on this one, but if you’re like me – hate the treadmill, tend to be the semi-fair-weather runner (although getting better at winter running!) –  no PR’s until later in the year. Running in the winter is just a lot of work! You have road conditions to consider, clothing issues, hydration to factor in, breathing can be more difficult – you get it, right?

Note: Don’t be offended that I may have just insinuated they you may in fact be crazy 😉 Just sayin’…

On the sunny side, I’m predicting an earlier PR this year since I have been participating in a few winter races (and hopefully you have been too)! Thankfully these once-monthly events are keeping me close to, but not quite, on track (no pun intended).

I looked back at my Nike+ app to check out my best times in late 2013. Turns out late October, November and early December were my best runs. Makes sense – prime running weather, lots of summer and fall running, little to worry about. So I’m hoping to get back to my November-runner-self quickly, like maybe April or May?… We’ll see.

This month I have one more scheduled race on the 22nd, with my first half scheduled in mid-March. I’m increasing the frequency of races to every second week after the 22nd, as well as the frequency of longer runs – very quickly! Three halves before the end of May! Last year I only ran two halves all year!

Weeeee! PRs here I come! I have a feeling the rest of the year will be run-tastic! Sorry, cheesy I know. Happy running!

P.S. I do not look like this when running! I keep it to a minimum with gadgets and distractions 😉

Running in Fog…

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… is like running in a dream. You have this feeling of running in slow motion with no idea where you are headed or where the end is. Reality checks were necessary while I was running this morning. Today was the first official race of 2014 for both the NYRR and me. After a month of NYRR race hiatus, 6,000 runners gathered in Central Park for the Joe Kleinerman 10k.

I was alert the first couple of miles and managed the Harlem Hills quite nicely, but as I ran along the west side and around along Central Park South, I was in this sleepy daze due to misty and foggy conditions.

The Pond on the west side

The Pond on the west side

On the flip side, running in 93% humidity was great for my skin, nasal passages and lungs. It was like I was at the spa, in a perfectly-temperatured steam room, my skin absorbing as much moisture as it could take. After a week of lost moisture due to absurdly hot classroom conditions, I needed that humidity. I probably should have fueled up with Vitamin Water during the week to account for the excessive loss of fluids, no joke. Complete sauna in my classroom. So today I was pretty thirsty while running because of last week’s “drought”.

In any case, I may have felt more mentally in tune with this event had it not been misty or foggy, or me running in an under-hydrated state. Not making excuses – I finished in around my usual time, but man was I “foggy” morning.

Sniff… I Know, It’s Just a Widget

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Today I will be removing the widgets for “2013 Completed Races”… sniff. I know, I know… those little square boxes of my scheduled running accomplishments are just little date reminders, but to me they represent productivity and growth in running. Those little boxes make me feel successful, particularly since this I’ve been sitting on my couch in this cold and blustery weather – and that means less and less outdoor winter running for now… but 2013 is over! I need room for my “Upcoming 2014 Running Event” widgets, categorized by season of course 😉 . Weeeeee!

What races (running events) are participating in this year? Check out my widgets for registered races so far.

Legs + Cold = Heavy Brick Legs

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Ted Corbitt 15k in Central Park this am.

West side, looking at The San Remo, light flakes at this point

West side, looking at The San Remo, light flakes at this point (mile 1/5)

  • 6 train up to 103 Street – good.
  • Walked to 102 Street entrance of park – good.
  • Baggage line – no big deal.
  • Didn’t get my usual beginning of race instagram pic because I was waiting in the bag line – fine.
  • Entered the corral area and started right away – awesome.
  • Big flakes falling from the sky – pretty (and somewhat blinding).
  • Nice run until … legs and butt became cold heavy bricks with extremely tight hip flexors! – no bueno.
  • Slight struggle to physically push myself through this stiffness for about 3 miles (miles 3-6) – big thumbs down.
  • Passed the start/finish at mile 5, sounds of Adam Levine getting his moves on – muy bueno.
  • Music faded and kept trying to extend my legs back, kick my heels up and the like – not overly helpful.
  • Mind and body back in the race around mile 7 – good.
  • Wind started to pick up back on the east side miles 7/8 – thumbs down.
  • Finished in decent time despite the minor hang ups – excellent.
Thin blanket, leaving the finish area heading back to the east side.

Thin blanket, leaving the finish area heading back to the east side.

Jingly Jog!

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Yesterday morning I participated in the NYRR Jingle Bell Jog today; my first official registered “winter” run ever.

brooklynexposed.com

brooklynexposed.com

I was a bit nervous because this was a new race condition for me. My minute amount of anxiety concerning this morning’s run was not the location or route or whether I could finish, but… clothing.

I am not new to winter running but new to winter race events.

When Brett and I lived in Edmonton we used to run in the winter a lot; running on the packed snow in our section of the river valley, on the icy stairs up to cross the Rossdale bridge, then along the caked up sidewalk back to the condo. We wouldn’t have to worry about being warm enough or getting stranded because we literally would be running immediately from the entrance and end at the entrance. No chance to get cold en route to a run or afterward, and if we were cold while running of well! It was a short distance!

So my worry for this race was – will I be warm enough? Would I get too hot during the run? I needed to travel to Prospect Park, no big deal. Done that enough times, but I was concerned about the walk from the subway to the start and then back to the subway afterward. And I didn’t want to get too hot when running either. Well, I think I planned well.

The key: simple layers and bag check.

The gear:

  • tech T-shirt
  • long-sleeved tech shirt
  • Nike Pro Dri-Fit semi-turtleneck-ish sweater
  • regular gym pants (I opted out wearing the Dri-Fit pants because it wasn’t super cold)
  • Uniqlo down jacket (squishes to fit in the clear bag check bag)
  • headband and gloves

So here’s the warmth break down:

I was warm on the way to the park. I changed into my Dri-Fit top near the bag check area then checked my bag right away.

I walked over to the start area and was comfortable. I’ve become a good judge of arriving to the start at just the right time so I only had to wait a few minutes to begin.

During the run I was comfortable on top, although my thighs and butt were a cold. I probably could have opted for the Dri-Fit pants, but I was fine. I wore my headband and gloves for 2 of the 4 miles then removed them and clipped them to my belt.

Post-run – no problem! — The bag check was just past the finish line so I went right there after collecting an apple and hot chocolate (opted out of the red and green bagels). Once I got my bag, I swapped my Dri-Fit top for my puffy jacket and headed to the subway. Perfecto!

Thankfully the rain had stopped and it was nice enough out at about -2 Celsius,  but it’s cooling down this week… Hope I’ll be warm enough for Ted Corbitt 10k next Saturday in Central Park!