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!