Let's Streak!

Last night was supposed to the Runners Edge Run the Night event but it got rained out so I went over to Crossfit. 

I was a little bummed, part of the event was trying on merchandise geared toward evening running and I have my eye on that new New Balance Beacon jacket.  It's a little pricey, so I wanted to test it out first. 

I was also bummed because I haven't really ran AT ALL since the marathon.  I ran about 9 miles week 0 and then was sooooo sick that I didn't run for a week and last week only managed a 3 miler.  It's good to recover, and I'm killing it at crossfit, but I was hoping for a good ol' group run to get me back in the swing of things. 

I'm contemplating the whole Runners World Holiday Streak.  It will be a challenge, but I think I may try. I have a good base, so injury isn't the issue. I guess running every day for a million days is freaking me out a little.  I'm on the fence but I'd like to at least TRY to do it. 

What do you think?  To streak or not to streak?

I'm Cold

We went from fairly normal/mild temps to full on February in a matter of a day!  NY what the heck happened!?

Yesterday was absolutely FRIGID! My parents and I went to the city to see the Radio City Christmas spectacular where I was by far the oldest kid there with their parents!  We go every few years and since I was given the tickets for free, we went.  The next time I go I better be (a) with child or (b) a grandmother.  I go for the Rockettes, the rest is a little too childish (still fun though).  My mom was a professional dancer, so it's always a treat for her.  Plus the theater is so grand and beautiful.

Ok, back to the cold...we basically froze walking from the theater to dinner (which was awful) to the car. Which made me think, how the heck am I going to train in this all winter! I can deal with the cold, but the wind was killer.  I may have to go back to the gym since I don't see Crossfit Cobalt investing in a treadmill anytime soon (pretty please!!).

I know this is a freak weather pattern, and I will eventually ease into the cold air.  But GAH! Awful.  The good news is that I have a ton of cold weather gear for running.  I'm also a fan of mixing my ski base layers into my running repertoire.  I may need to invest in a jacket, or just wear my Northface which is not as snug as I would like.  I'll figure it out.

On a side note, tomorrow I'm heading over to my local running store for a night trail run and pasta dinner after.  We will get to try out a bunch of new products geared for night running.  I'll post back with all of the details.

And last but not least, click here  (and leave me some love in the comments) for 15% off any US Spartan race!

Anyone a SPARTAN? Promo inside :)

I was recently contacted by my friends at the Spartan Race (I know, right??) to host a little giveaway.

For this blogger who just took a big time out I was super surprised and really grateful for the email. I have been wanting to get more connected with my blogging and my readers and really feel that this is an awesome fit! Also noted, I'm not getting compensated in anyway.  I think there is some blogging rule out there that says I must say this.

While I have never done an "adventure" race, or muddy thingy, I have always been interested in the Spartan Race.  The sprint races are not as hardcore as say a Tough Mudder, but still killer enough that I feel like I need to train my booty off (literally). Plus they have a ton of races in my region which makes even more appealing. 

Even cooler?  NBC Sports is hosting the Reebok Spartan Beast World Championship on Dec 7th, so if you are unsure about exactly what a Spartan race is all about you should check that out!  I also love this video, totally got me AMPED up! 

Has anyone ever done a Spartan race?  What do you think, I'm a marathoner who does a little Crossfit on the side, I'm guessing it's time to ramp up my CF to get ready! Any tips?


Leave a comment below to send me some love! In exchange, here is a code for 15% off of any 2013-2104 Reebok Spartan Race in the continental US!

Winter "What's Next" Plan

I'm trying to figure out my what's next plan which is both fun and a little scary. The fun part is hanging with friends, getting my run on.  The scary, well, I'm not sure it's scary, but I really want to challenge myself this winter and see where it takes me - the goal?  A 2 hour half!

For the fun:

December 8
Northport Tough Cookie Trail Race - trails AND cookies?  I'm in.

December 21
Ho Ho Ho Run - I'll be running with a friend who is just getting back into running.  While I'd love to go all out and see what I can do, I will probably hang back with my bud.  Maybe wear a costume? 

Jan 18
Sayville Running Company 10 Mile Run to the Brewery - love this race! Ran it last year and had a blast, the after party is as awesome as you would imagine.  Beer, food, bands.  Tons of fun. Also looking to PR here!!

Jan 26
Fred Lebow Manhattan Half - 2 freezing cold loops around Central Park....last year it got snowed out (or was it the year before?) and turned into a fun run, I got my 9+1 credit so I was a happy camper.  Looking to have fun and not freeze to death.


For the Scary:

If I get in, I want to PR my half at the NYC Half Marathon On March 17th. I'd like to see a BIG PR, which means I have to throw down BIG training - speed work, hills, weight loss, you name it, I have to do it.  The Goal - to knock off 7 minutes for a 2 hour half. Same goes for the Nike Women's Half. this one is also a lottery...crossing fingers I get into both!

If I don't get into either race, I will have the BK half and the LI half  to race (which is another post for another day, but I may run the full).  I always PR in BK, so that may be the race!

I'm excited for the winter, I always run, but I never train, I just log miles to keep in shape.  My biggest challenge will be running and skiing.  I LIVE for ski season and tend to head up north at least every other weekend.  I also don't belong to a traditional gym, I'm not sure it's a necessary expense since I'm also Crossfitting.  That may have to change though.

Possibly, and this is a long shot but I'd like to run the Reebok Spartan Race. 

Ahh, goals, how I love you! I have always billed myself as a lazy athlete - I'm going to make sure to take the lazy part out...I'm ready!

NYCM Phone Dump

I'm not really a taking pics while running type of gal, but I did manage to get a few before and after race shots.  Warning, I look OLD.  Like woa wrinkles, but really, I was just dehydrated...

I was also lucky enough to have my boyfriend and best gal there with me! They got a GREAT shot of me feeling awesome at mile 19.  I'm still amazed that I felt as strong as I did!

Verrazano Bridge, I ran the bottom which was fine by me, it was windy!

Mile 19!

My Toms SAVED my feet after!

Day after glow (selfie fo life!)

Holy Headcold!

I have always heard to rest and rehydrate, even take extra vitamins after a marathon as our immune systems are usually a little shot.  Well I rested, took an emergenC and tried to drink a lot of water, and guess what?  I'm sooooo sick!

This didn't happen after my last 2 marathons, so why now?  I'm guessing because I never really got over my last cold which attacked me 2 weeks before the race.  Total bummer but what can you do?  I went to my doc, am on meds, slept a ton and now just hoping for the best!  I miss running!

NYCM

I'm coming out of blogger retirement (or self imposed timeout) to jot down my marathon thoughts :)

Sooo NYCM was in a word AMAZING.  I didn't PR (that was done in Chicago last year) but I had a course PR which I'll take!  It was a cold (but then got warm, then cold again), windy day - but no excuses, I ran the race I was supposed to run.  I felt happy, strong and confident the entire time.  Nothing major happened, I ran, I high fived, I contemplated life.  When it was all said and done I finished in 4:50:33, not my 4:3x:xx that I was hoping for, but I can always do that next time.  Best part was having my boy and forever friend out on the course cheering me on.  That was the icing to an already top 10 day.  Oh, the roses at the end of the race didn't hurt either!

One thing I will say - and this is for everyone....always be happy with your effort.  You ran a marathon.  Never feel like you have to make an excuse for your time (I tripped and ended up in medic, I took an extra long dump) we will see in your splits that it didn't happen.  Be proud of what you ran.  The majority of people in this world were on the couch.  Not us, we were out running our asses off. So be a good sport and don't make up a story.  #tacky

So what's next?  I'm signed up for the brewery 10 miler, maybe the NYRR Manhattan half, I'm in the lottery for the NYC half and lots of crossfit.  I need to focus on some other things to keep running as awesome as it is.  No burnout for this gal!