Setting and Keeping Goals

I am not a good goal keeper, I don't really do anything for long periods of time, nor do I plan to. I think the longest thing I have done is stop drinking (5 years and counting) but that was more of a life altering thing. I also quit eating sugar, flour and wheat for a few months, but as of this week I'm back on all three, and that was supposed to be a more permanent thing. Some nights I can't even stick to the must run 5 miles tonight goal, so I am a bit worried that if I commit to a spring marathon I may not be able to commit to a training schedule. I have a lot to think about in the next few weeks if I really want to do this. I have to take a look at some training plans and see how I can weave skiing into that. I pretty much go up to the ski house at least 2 times a month, which includes weekends, and since I am not willing to compromise my ski weekends I really have to see if this is something I can do. Hmm... lots to consider (OMG, I just realized that I will also be running during the week in the winter on a treadmill or in the dark...). If I do decide to run, I am thinking about running the Providence RI marathon in May. It's not too far (meaning no flights) and I've always wanted to go there.

Head Gear

So I am officially rocking the head gear...meaning I bought a cute little head lamp!! I used it for the first time last night and am now aware of 2 new things about myself:

1. I am crazy, who knew that I would ever in my 31 years of life actually want to run in the damp, dark and cold night (with no one chasing me).

and

2. Running with head gear does not make me a dork, although rambling about it to complete strangers does.

I'm not sure how this is going to turn out long term, I kind of wish the light was stronger, but if I run in a well lit area it really works out. I'm going to give it another go tonight, hoping for a 4 mi run. Last night was exactly 3 mi at a slow 10 minute pace, but ya know, it was still dark a little damp and I had to watch out!!

This weekend is the Ho-Ho-Ho Run and the Runners Edge Bagel run. Planning on running both and am pretty excited for the Ho Run. I am hoping to come close to my PO Run PR, but I haven't been running as often and this course has waaay more runners.

Running in the Dark

Last night was a balmy 54 degrees on good old Long Island, so I decided to forego the treadmill and headed for the streets. I am no stranger to running at night, I have been running with my club in a well lit neighborhood, but running in my 'hood was a whole different experience. First off the lights are not bright enough, but I did get a headlamp which should help with that, secondly there are some areas with no lights at all, which was a little creepy. I have a 3 mile route that is pretty well lit so I am planning on sticking to that in the future. I do have to say, it's really peaceful at night. I live on the water so most of my route follows the bay, which is beautiful at night. I am planning on running tonight with the head gear, so we'll see how it goes.

Still Here!!

What a crazy couple of weeks!! Thanksgiving was great, didn't run in any Turkey Trots, but I managed to run about 5 days that week. Some shorter than others, but all good quality, fun runs.

This past week, not so much!! I was in NYC at the Javits Center for the Greater New York Dental Convention from Sun through Weds night. Super fun (mmmk). I ran about 2.5 miles on the hotel treadmill one night, but to be honest my legs and feet were killing me form standing all day....trade shows are tough work!!

Have some fun stuff scheduled this weekend. Will run Sun with the club (7.5 miles of hills) and will most likely get in a run tomorrow morning. I may spin tonight...

Saratoga Recap (another reason why I love running)

Reason 8,889 why I love running....winning free trips to Saratoga Springs just because I ran a few races!! This past summer I participated in the NYS Parks Summer Run Series and after every race they raffle off an all expense paid weekend to the very fancy Gideon Putnam Resort for free!!! Technically I didn't win, but my friend did and transferred the trip to me, which I guess is like winning, just in a different way. Anyway, I took my mom with me and we had an absolutely wonderful weekend.

Although the weekend is all about running (after all, everyone who was there was there because they ran in the series) I managed to have a lot of non running fun...shopping, great food and an awesome mineral bath at the Roosevelt Baths. The only downside (if you could even call it that) was the weather...it was FREEZING!! I don't think it ever went above 22 degrees!

Most of my club was there which was nice, I had a built in running group at all times. On Sat. morning there was a 5k in the beautiful Saratoga State Park trails. I ran pretty conservatively because of the uneven terrain (I'm still waaaay too cautious with the knee) finishing in 28:45 which I was really happy with.

All in all it was a really fun trip, and the price was right! It was so good that mom is even considering participating in the series next year so she can possibly win the weekend.

Early AM Run

Well, slacker no more!!! I was up and out by 5:45 this morning for a 5 mile run. Not too shabby!! It's pretty cold, and still dark at that hour, but I had a great run with 2 friends from my club. We ran in Amityville down to the bay beach back up to Sunrise highway. The cherry on top was seeing the sunrise over the Great South Bay, other than that I was a little winded! My body is not used to running in the morning. I still managed a 9:30 pace, but it was a little harder than I expected. I need to rethink how I run....what fuel I need, how much awake time I need....

I Hate Posts Like This One!

I hate to say this, but I always come clean on the blog...I'm slacking a little. I can say that I am taking care of me knee, and to a degree I am , but I am really only running 3x per week...and doing nothing else...except maybe eating Ralph's Ices (which are the best things in the world).

Last week started out OK, ran Sun (I think), off Mon, Tue track, Weds 6 miles of hills with my club, then I think nothing until Sat, which was maybe 4 miles. So far this week, nothing, unless you count 2.45 miles on the treadmill. I could do no more, I was crazy hot, bored and dizzy. I hate the mill, but it's been really cold and dark and I am having trouble getting up in the mornings.

So what to do, what to do.... I am scheduled to run at 6am tomorrow with my club, so I am hoping that meeting people in the morning will give me the motivation to actually get up. I am going to attempt the mill again tonight. I am off Fri so I can try and get a quick one in before my drive up to Saratoga, then a 5k in Saratoga on Sat. So hopefully instead of being a slacker, I will end this week as an overachiever!

Track Workout - Week 2

Ok, so my huge love of the track may have been a one time deal only...

Yesterday the workout was tough! It was also freezing and I really ran my hardest (last time my knee was pretty bad so I took it easier than I should), which is probably why I was not loving it as much. Don't get me wrong, this is probably one of the best things I could do for my running, and I really do love it, but last night hurt! My poor hammies and even my glutes were screaming after each 300 meter, but at the end of it I felt great.

Tonight I am meeting my club to run hills in Farmingdale (who knew there were hills in Farmingdale!) . We are hoping to get in around 6 miles. I haven't run with them in ages, so it should be a good time.

I have to start planning for some races. I guess the biggest is the Long Island Half in May, which will be my first half (unless I do one sooner). But I may schedule in some 5k's to keep the winter interesting.

Was reading a fellow bloggers post about SAD and have to say that I am feeling pretty positive about the time change and there being no light when I get home. I am working around it by running in the dark (well, on a lighted track) and trying to get some early runs in. It's a little hard for me to get up early, but I figure I can squeak out 2 morning runs. I have to remind myself that if I am serious about training, 2 early morning won't kill me (I hope)!!

Track Workouts

Whoa, so I participated in my first track workout last night and I ABSOLUTELY loved it!! The first 45 minutes was all drills - high kicks, karaoke, skips, high skips, prancing...all that kind of good stuff. Then came the track portion, 300 meter repeats. ....I now have a new respect for the track, but I have to say this was the best thing ever! There are 2 coaches (who I guess are now my coaches) who run the program (through LITF). They meet every Tue. so my plan is to try and make 2 or 3 a month as I have some other commitments on Tue. that I would like to try and keep.

I was a little nervous about the knee as I have been feeling some pain and am now thinking that I may need surgery, which if necessary, I will plan after ski season, but it held up and I felt pretty strong. They broke us up into 2 groups, advanced and not so....I was in the not so, but was running considerably faster than the group. I was in 2nd for all of the sprints which was nice.

Now about the knee, I'm RICING it and trying to not wear heels which I think aggravates it. I'm also taking a break from spinning which is why it's bugging me. Going back to the ortho next month so he can look at the new crazy brace and make sure it fits correctly. Still not sure how I'm going to ski in that thing, but anything is better than not being able to ski!

9 Mile Tail Run!

I ran about 9 miles yesterday with the infamous Ray the Runner. I say infamous because in my circle of friends he is considered a running machine, a force to be reckoned with and he has like 6 foot long legs. First off, I don't think I have ever run 9 miles, so that in itself was awesome, but to run with Ray and actually keep up was amazing!! I felt really good towards the end of the run which was nice, I wasn't shuffling and actually upped the pace a bit. I'm always a little wary of trails as my knee is still weak and trails are pretty unstable, but I like the diversity. The trails we ran were adjacent to the normal path that I run....it was like a whole new world in there!!

Also worth mentioning, I finished 6th out of 24 at the Brightwaters Pumpkin Run (27:50, 8:53 pace). Not bad considering I was crazy sick all week and didn't run once (although managed 2 spin classes).

First Sub 9 Race Pace!

Today was the Post Office Cafe 5k race and what a race it was!! My plan was to set a PR and really get an idea of what my race pace is since I have been stadily getting faster since Cow Harbor.

This race is flat and fast and goes through my neighborhood which was pretty fun. I finished in 27:35 (8:53 pace!!) which was waaayyy better than I was hoping for!

Tomorow I am going to run with the club then enjoy the day!

Favorite Blogs and Such

My blogging has been a little light lately, life has been crazy! I have been running and running and happily running some more. I am averaging a 9:15 - 9:30 pace on my 5 - 6 mile runs, which is mainly what I have been doing lately. I did get some gym workouts in, but need to really schedule them into my crazy life. I think I am going to have to go back the 6am days if my schedule doesn't let up soon!

I have been following a bunch of great blogs/websites lately and thought I would share, they are non-running related as I think we all subscribe to many of the same favorite running blogs.

I love this site and every day has a different theme. My favorites include Tue. Megalinks and the recipe days...all so yummy and cheap!
http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/

This is my favorite of all new sites I have stumbled upon!! You can ask random questions and random people will answer them, sort of like Yahoo Answers but for some reason, waaay better!
http://ask.metafilter.com/

'Cause I'm a marketing geek.
http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com/
http://www.marketingprofs.com/
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

Silly fun!
http://slavetotarget.blogspot.com/
http://unclutterer.com/

So, my faithful readers (if I even have any left as I have not been posting) what are some of your favorites?

What a Whirlwind!

The past week and a half has been soooo insanely busy that I have not had any time to breath let alone post! I hate when that happens!! So I ran Cow Harbor, went camping directly after, then directly after that had two business trips back to back. My life is never this exciting!! With all of this business I am happy to report that I have been running and have even had some gym time thrown in for good measure!

Now...on to Cow Harbor!! The race was amazing! 5,000 people at the start, 6 miles of hills with the deadly James street thrown in and the mile long incline between miles 4 and 5. I kept my pace steady at 9:30 which is AMAZING and my best ever on this course (and actually all courses, I usually run between 9:50 and 10:00). I felt so at ease and comfortable that I really thought I was going at a much slower pace, I was cheering people on at the James St. hill and all around felt great. I owe the majority of that to the weekly training runs...thank you Northport Running Club!! The overall atmosphere of the race was so great, they after party was fun and the fan support was great - cheerleaders, bag pipers and thousands of spectators with cow bells and music and a few sprinklers!! The entire community gets involved...it made me totally want to move to Northport!

The whole race made me really happy that I run, and grateful too!! I often get a little cheesy after races, mainly because it wasn't that long ago that running a mile was killer!

Quick Recap

Wanted to post a very short recap from Saturday's Cow Harbor (sorry so late, but I went camping directly after the race).

10K
Final time 59:05 (!!!)
9:30 pace (!!!!)
Very, very hilly

So happy!

Gearing up!

Not a whole lot to report on the running front. I have been training and gearing up for this Saturday's Cow Harbor race. I am all signed up and ready to go, ran 4 of the 6 training runs and feel pretty confidant about knowing how to navigate the course. I have never really spent anytime strategizing races before, I always just get up and go, so this is new for me. I have the tangents figured out (I think) and feel confident about the HUGE James Street hill. The weather is supposed to be perfect, a little cool but sunny. My goal is to finish in just under an hour, but I have a feeling that I will probably end up in the 1:02:00 range, which is way OK. Ran 5 last night and may run the same route again tonight, then rest tomorrow.

Ocean 2 Sound

Yesterday I competed in my first Ocean 2 Sound Relay with the women from my club. It was an interesting day and I'm still trying to figure out if I will ever do it again. We all met up at Cedar Creek Park for leg 1 of 8 (totaling 50 miles) and decorated our 2 support cars and took some team pictures (pictures to follow). Most of the day was spent driving 1 mile jumping out of the car, cheering on our runner and giving her water, getting back in the car and doing the same thing over and over until the last runner finished. Overall it was fun, but exhausting. I ran leg 4 which was just under 6 miles and HILLY!!! I made good time with a pace of 9:54 which I was really thrilled with considering the whole thing was a climb with one crazy steep down hill. After the run there is a big after party with a band, beer, wine, food. I only stayed for a few minutes as I had a work party to go to, but it looked like a good time was had by all.

This week I am back to the gym for toning and a few days of running including(I think)the last Cow Harbor training run.

Back to Babylon, Back to Reality!

So I am back from the Hampton's (Sag Harbor really)and back to my regular everyday life. I had a great week and was able to get some really nice runs in. I felt great and had very little pain which was a godsend since I was feeling sooo terrible earlier in the week!

I have some really great runs coming up: Cow Harbor training tonight, Ocean to Sound Relay on Sunday and a mix of my usual training runs. I HAVE to go back to the gym ASAP!! I need to tone up so I figured it's time to un-freeze my membership and post this on the good ol blog so I am accountable!!

Happy to be back and glad to be blogging!

Vacation + Bad Knee = No Posts

The knee is officially killing me!! I have been on a pain free streak, but I think the trail run last Sun. and the hills on Weds. re-aggrivated the 'ol ACL. I figured that since I was off from work this week I would RUN RUN RUN, instead I am LAZY LAZY LAZY!!! I am hoping to maybe get a run in tonight, or tomorrow morning. I am pretty sure that the Cow Harbor training run is a no go for tomorrow, which stinks, but I need to take it easy so I don't end up sidelined for more than a few days!

Sooo Happy!!

I am so happy that I can hardly contain myself!! Last night I broke my 10 minute per mile pace and ran the Cow Harbor course somewhere in the 9's (I think 9:48). I have to look at my Garmin for the exact numbers, but I am soo excited!! I swear, this running thing keeps getting better and better! oh, and I just found out that Ryan Hall ran this a few years back and set a course record (I'm catching up!!).

Dirty Socks + A Lttle Bit Of Blood = Best Run EVER

This past Sunday was the Dirty Sock run, and oh how dirty it was!! It rained a ton last week so the trail was a little muddy, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. Since I normally run this trail on my own I was pretty aware of all of the little twists and turns, or so I thought....the course took us through a part I had never been through, which was pretty awesome. The other really great thing is that I have a new 10k PR - 1:02:17 which was pretty exciting, and definetly because of the hill training I do at the Cow Harbor runs. The only down side is that my feet got all jacked up - a few blisters and a really bloody sock due to a cut somewhere on my toe (I think from one of my nails). Pretty gross. I really need to get good socks and properly body glide my tootsies before each run. Ahh...lessons learned!

Can I get a What What!!

I am so stoked right now....I cut 4+ minutes off my Cow Harbor training time. I knew I was going to improve from last week, especially now that I know the course a little better, but 4 minutes, that's HUGE! I also got interviewed for one of the small town papers. If I make it in I will post it next week, I think it comes out on Thursday.

So far my running life has been steadily improving...faster times, additional miles, zen like breathing (as opposed to my old Darth Vador breathing). Oh, and my ACL, although still 'loose' (yuck) feels pretty good. I need to get a knee brace, but only to use when skiing. Woo-hoo!

Cow Harbor Training

It's been a little while between posts...I usually like to write once or twice a week, but this past week was a busy one!

Weds night started the Cow Harbor training run series put on by the Northport Running Club. This is an awesome series and really well put together. About 200 or so runners form into different pace groups and run the course. Being new to this I took my time and did well (1:08:15). I ran the entire couse including all of the hills and inclines. I felt really good and at ease, a few people commented at the end that I really look liked I enjoyed the run (one said I had a zen like look...what, me??? I love it...).

Since I was sore, I took Thurs. off then had to take off Fri. due to crazy rain and a play that I had to attend. Ran a quick 2 miles Sat. and 4 yesterday. Overall I had a great week and ran a total of 17 miles which is kind of lame, but whatevs. This week I need to concentrate on distance and speed. I really need to get into a speed workout groove, that's really the only way I am going to improve my times.

Last Monday night Run!!

Monday was the last of the Summer Series....I am sad to say goodbye to the whole thing, but after 8 races it's nice to have Mondays Back! The run was a 5 miler at Heckscher State Park. I was tired, hot, hungry and a little cranky, but I finished with my normal 10:20 per mile time. Most people wold consider than pretty slow, but I'm still happy with my time (although always looking to improve!!).

For the next 6 weeks I will be running the Cow Harbor training run series. I am super excited for this series, and for Cow Harbor day!!

I have always been gun shy about the Cow Harbor race, but now that I have a great base and actually enjoy running I am determined to kick that cow's ass!! One of the great things about the training run series is that they put you in pace groups based on your finishing time. You start out slow then get progressively faster..woo-hoo!! This race is killer hilly, but I am ready for them (and it pays that I actually like hill training).

Why I run

A lot of people have been asking me why I run and when did it all start. I guess you could say I always wanted to run, I was just never good at it so I started cycling, because to be honest, at my previous weight the thought of running was a kin to torture, while cycling was waaay easier. So anyways, after participating in 4 century rides and one 2 day 140 mile ride across the crazy hills of CT (crying my way through hill after hill) I decided that I hated cycling and I needed something new...enter running.

My cycling friend Bridgette and I started out with a few 5k's that were really terrible. I absolutely loved the before and after, the comraderie among racers, seeing people cross the finish (although I was one of the last people in so I often only got to see a few people cross). But the running..oy, I HATED it. I was sweaty and could hardly breathe, it was beyond torture. Still, I knew that I wanted to love running, I just needed to figure out how...and that took a while

After cursing running and some time off I decided to start up again and thought that participating with TNT would be a good idea....and it was until I got laid off and really needed to place my fundraising energy elsewhere (i.e. I needed to network and find me a job!). So to make a long story short I continued to run after breaking up with TNT, joined my running club, made a few runs, tore my acl (see older posts for details) lost a bunch of weight as a result of tearing my acl (note - a torn acl will not make you loose weight, but an awakening from not being able to excercise will...enter the no sugar, flour and wheat part of my life)and now I can say I really love running.

That's the really long version, but the short of it is that once I got healthy (i.e. shed about 20 lbs), running became really easy (well, not that easy) and I found myself able to enjoy the whole act of running. It's been great motivation to see my times improve and my endurance continue to get better. I have also met a bunch of awesome people and get to write this blog, which is so fun for me, even though I think my posts are pretty boring! I know there are a ton more reasons why I run, which I will post later and I'm sure will continue to post as this running journey of mine continues.

New Gear

Went on a spree at my favorite running store and got a bunch of new gear!! Woo-hoo! Shopping always seems to make my long runs go better (especially when new sneaks are involved). I am partial to the Asics GT 2130 as they make my knee and my toes feel really good. They also seem to last a bit longer than other brands I have run in. I also baught a fuel belt and new sunglasses which I desperately needed. The fuel belt thing is kind of throwing me off as I am not used to really running with anything, most days I don't even run with an iPod, but it's been really hot and I know that I will need it once I really get into my long runs.

Summer Run Update:
Last night was the Belmont Lake State Park run which was sweaty and super dusty - not my favorite of the state park runs (although part of the course I run on a regular basis). My time was off, but that really was due to congestion on the path. It was really hard to get a good pace going until the 2nd mile. I love these runs and will be sad when they are over - only 2 left for the season.

Hempstead Lake

Last night was the Hempstead Lake run - I set a new PR for 10:05 minute miles. Woo-hoo!!!

Nothing really new to report other than the fact that I have been running A LOT and my sneaks are dead!! Scheduled to run 10 on Sunday, although I really think I am only up to 8 but I am going to see if I can do it. If I feel like bailing I will just take it real slow, or walk in the last mile (hopefully not, but it's nice to give myself the option).

Best Ads EVER!

I'm telling you, these are brilliant!

Robert Moses

Lat night was the Robert Moses 5K, which was supposed to be a 1 miler on the beach but was changed due to some erosion. Overall it was a great night....I hit a PR with 10:21 minute miles!!! I was determined to come as close to a 10 minute mile as possible and I am so psyched I did!! I took most of the weekend off due to some crazy pain in my knee (BTW, I can't wait for the day that I don't use this blog to talk about the knee) so I was focused and ready to run. I volunteered with my club on Sun for our annual Firecracker run. I was at the 1st water stop which was awesome. I have never volunteered before so that was cool, but the exciting part was seeing the elite runners as they were barreling down the course. I'm usually towards the end of the pack so it was nice to see from that vantage point.

I've Been Tagged!!

Exciting news in my little blogging world...I've been tagged!! I think that makes it official that I have a few readers which is awesome (thanks Ama)!!

Here goes:

6 random things

1. My cat Olive wakes me up EVERY MORNING at 4:15. It has gotten so bad that I have to move to the couch to fall back alseep. I would say that this happens about 5 - 6 days a week. She is also ruining my really fancy banana leaf chairs, but I'm either too cheap or too humane to get her nails removed.

2. I no longer eat sugar, flour or wheat. Brutal in the beginning, but it's been 2 months and I feel really healthy...plus I've lost a bunch of weight which makes life waaaay better.

3. I have a jealous streak which pops up every once in a while in weird ways.

4. I love the Real World, RW Challenges, The Hills, and Oprah. Those are the only things I watch on TV, shocking but true (especially since I am about to turn 31). Oh, I also love that new Living Lohan show (Dina's friend Eileen works at my gym and lives in my town) and am looking forward to Celebrity Rehab.

5. I blog during work.

6. I really, really love peanut butter brownies and Nutter Butters, but they are not working out with the food plan so I end up talking about them a lot!

Tag you're it!! Sorry if you all received this already.....
Grace
Christi
Morgan
akharkev
Jessica
Jill


The rules:

link to the person who tagged you.
post the rules on your blog.
write six random things about yourself.
tag six people at the end of your post.
let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1/2 of a Half

Last night I ran 6 of the best miles ever! I felt great, didn't stop and completed without feeling crazy sick or anything! It was one of those runs that make you feel really great about everything in life! The trail is really nice, but it can seem like a bit of a mind f@#$ck if you're not used to it. The first time I ran it I had no concept of mileage or time (now I wear my Garmin) which can be a little freaky.

It occurred to me during the run that I really am a runner, no doubt about it! I have finally fallen in love with the whole act...the rituals...the scenery. This is borderline cheesy, but I completely feel blessed that I have been able to embrace running. A lot of really great people and experiences have come into my life because of it.

Still keeping up with my goals for the week....off to Point O' Woods for 4th of July fireworks (on the 3rd).

Bethpage!

Last night was the Bethpage State Park run. It was pretty hilly but I still managed to run straight 11 minute miles, which although is not great, is good enough! I took most of last week off due to the bum knee, but I am feeling much better and have a 6 mile run scheduled on Weds in the Babylon trail. I am going to take a few friends through it who have never ran it before. Should be fun and a great way to get a long run in. I keep forgetting that I am running a half in Sept! As far as the push up challenge goes, I am a total slacker, haven't started it yet. I have also been really lax on the gym, the only good thing is that I am down 16lbs and am holding steady on the ol' food plan.

I figured I'd post my schedule for the week, that way I am accountable and stuff..
Tue: off
Weds: 6 mile trail run
Thurs: off or possibly hitting the gym for weights in the morning
Fri: 3 or 4 mile run
Sat: Run with the club, not sure of the miles
Sun: Firecracker run, probably running, def. volunteering

Recap and Push-ups

Yesterday's run was GREAT!!!! The course changed from a 10k to a 5k due to mud from an earlier rain. It was still a chellenging XC/boardwalk run with some little hills. I finished strong and was completely happy with my results - especially since I ran steady with out stopping. My knee is feeling a bit sore today, but I am going to take the day off and resume training tomorrow.

I have stumbled upon a new challenge: 100 Push Ups that I am going to start this week. If anyone else is participating, let me know.

Hello Sunken Meadow!

Tonight is probably the toughest of the Summer Run series....the Sunken Meadow 10k....2 killer hills and 6.1 miles of non stop excitement (OK, that sounds like a bad movie trailer). Once in the 10th grade I ran this and I remember thinking that I was going to die. LI Running says this is the toughest/best run on the Island. Looking forward to blogging about it tomorrow (if I don't die first)

Happy Friday!

Ran just under 3 miles yesterday after work, nice and steady, then my knee started to kill! Damn ACL!! I'm hoping to get in a 5 mile run on Sunday with the club, I find it way easier to run more than 3 miles with a group. Monday is the NYS Parks 10k at Sunken Meadow - that should be a great run, I'm hoping to run the whole thing without stopping, which to be honest will be a challenge.

Everything else is status quo, still not eating sugar, flour or wheat and feeling great. Steadily getting my pace back to where it was before the injury...woo-hoo!!!

The joys of rain!

Monday was the first NYS Parks Summer Run Series at Jones Beach. It was a blast, probably the most runners that I have ever run with at once. I was running steady, 11 minute pace, good breathing, nice form, then came the CRAZY rain, winds and hail...The only bummer was that I have no idea my final time, I did get my 5 miles in but because they took down the timing area and I ran without my garmin I have no idea my (actual) pace or final time. I'm not usually this obsessed with my time (Ok, I am!) but now that I am back from the injury I like to know if I am improving or not. I took yesterday off as my knee was bugging me. Tonight I am off to Eisenhower Park for the LIRRC Weds night 5k.

Running Machine!!

The knee is healing rather nicely and my doc gave me the go ahead to run. It's been about two weeks and I've been running like a mad woman! Completed three 5ks (Judy Shesh, CPA Run and LIRRC Weds night run)although my times weren't great, I feel ok and am back on track!! I am also back training at the gym and am no longer eating sugar, flour or wheat, which is crazy, but an awesome thing. I am down close to 15lbs and I feel wonderful. I'm also running with my running club, the Massapequa Park Road Runners. I have to say that for the first time ever I am LOVING running, I guess it took an injury and some other stuff to make me realize how much fun getting up at the crack of dawn to breath heavy and sweat can be!

Where Are My Posts?

Hmm...strange, although I have been quite the slacker, I did post 1 bit in the beginning of April. Well, to recap, I tore my ACL skiing and now I have Pre-Patellar Bursitis also known as housewives knee. It sucks. I can hardly do anything and I am cranky. What sucks even more is that I got into the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco and there is no way I will be able to run it. I could have used the extra training time and to be honest I may never run again (ok, that's an exaggeration). It's funny though, even with my Darth Vador like breathing and slow time, I truly miss running. I am almost panicky that I will not be able to run a mile by the time I am all healed. I guess I am a runner after all...

Ummm...it's official, I'm a slacker

So I am a TOTAL slacker!! I am back to work for about a month and I am not nearly as active as I had been (or as up to date with my posting)...

I had to postpone my marathon with TNT, things were a little crazy and I needed to find a job, so my focus switched from fundraising to job hunting. I am most likely going to run the Hamptons Marathon with TNT so I am still running for a cause, just not in April.

Who needs a job when you can run all day!

Sorry for the lack of posts, it's been a pretty busy few weeks. I am no longer working, which to be honest has been a godsend!! I needed some time to refocus and figure out what it is that I really want to do with my life. I am considering early retirement....

The running has been going really well!! I'm scheduled for 10 miles this weekend and have been trying to get my weekly miles in. Today I ran 3 and am on my way for a 20mi bike ride. See....who needs work...

I have been skiing a ton, which cuts into my running, but to be honest I would rather ski!! Just got back from Butternut which is a great small mountain and am planning to go up to Jiminy for the weekend (after the 10 miles).

Happy 2008

Back from sking and back to reality! I hope everyone had a great New Year!

I had a great week off and skied really well. I only ran once though, and haven't even attempted to run since I've been back - YIKES!!!

Hopefully the run on Sat will go OK!!