Hello There Old Friend

Looks like my last post in this space was quite sometime ago....still not sure why, or how I ended up going dark.  It's funny how life happens sometimes.  I wonder if I stuck with it if I would be wearing comped sneaks by now?  Kidding, sort of.

So what have I been up to?

Well, for starters, that guy....the one I kept getting back together with?  I'm super happy to report that we are just friends.

For the last 2 years I have been dating (and living with!) an awesome guy who is far too nice for me.

I ran another NYC Marathon (2015) and my time was meh...4:47:37 which was a 3 minute course PR, so I'll take it!

This last season I dabbled in triathlon and completed a half....more to come on that. And I ran a ton of half marathons.

Oh, and I'm still chubby.  WTF.

I miss this space.

What a Summer!

Am I blogger of the year or what??  It's been awhile since I have updated, and the funny thing is I constantly think of blog posts on the daily, I just never actually write them!

So summer...that's where I'll start. 

There was a breakup (again) and a make up and I think we are heading into another breakup, when will I learn???

But, but, but...ok, there is nothing more I can say about that.

Onto the fun stuff....I did A LOT! So here goes:

• I climbed a mountain in NJ with a meet up group, which took balls on my part  - I was newly single and I hate heights. It was fun, I probably won't do that again.
• Spartan race with my sales guys!
• Spectated IM Lake Placid
• I lost 10 pounds and was able to fit back into my white jeans. Can I get an AMEN!
• I decided on NOT running a fall marathon and got into tri's
• I placed in my division at Deep Pond. I placed again in my division at the Montauk Sprint
• I had a ton of fun open water swimming, jelly fish and all
• Hit up a ton of concerts, a Yankees game, the hamptons, upstate (tubing in Phonecia!!)

I'm sure there is a ton more, this was really a fun summer.

I'm loving the tri's - I may never run a marathon again, which sucks considering I'm a volunteer  away from my NYRR 9+1 for the 2015 NYC marathon. 


Up on the agenda:

Ski season!!!! Woot

And planning out next year.  I'm looking to do a half IM distance - maybe Lake George....Any suggestions??

It's FRIIIIIDAAAAY!!!

Happy Friday, also the eve of my 13th half marathon!  Tomorrow I'll be out and about at the crack of dawn to run my 3rd Brooklyn Half.   NYRR does a great job with this race, even though it's a pain to get to and I have to be up at 4am.  I also have PR'd every time I have ran it, although I'm not expecting much tomorrow.

Anyway....

Thing's I'm loving right now!

Trampolines!
I went to Skyzone for one of their Skyfit classes.  I have to say, I was expecting it to be easy, but it was pretty hard! The instructor even incorporated weights into the mix.  Definitely an awesome way to spend a birthday or a fun day date with the gals.

And if you can do this...even better!

Crossfit231
I'm back at it with a vengeance! A new box opened up at the end of my street, which means walking distance which also meant that I left Cobalt which I was loving, but was just not getting to. These guys are great, it's a bit of an older crowd which I really like.  Not that I am old, but it's nice to workout with people who are more my age (30's), also helps on the social angle.


8 pounds
Gone and NEVER coming back!  Now I just need to lose about 10 more.  I'm about 40 days off of wheat, life changing! Have I had trace amounts yes, but nothing obvious like a hunk of bread or a box of Cheeze-its.

What are you loving right now?

DC Half Recap

What a could of weeks, I've been busy, busy with work, friends and just life.  It's been good.  I'm still sitting in the "hallway" but am learning to enjoy it more, and may even start decorating soon!

So way back on April 27th I ran the Nike DC Half.  I went into the lottery as a team (there were actually 2 teams) with a bunch of chicks I didn't really know (minus my 2 running buds) and hoped for the best. I wasn't really properly trained to do anything more than just run, I was sad and sort of meh.  The good news is that as soon as I took a little nap on the 'ol Amtrak I snapped right out of it! The sadness over the boy lifted, I bonded with the gals, and had a blast!  It's amazing what a little sleep can do!

On the Amtrak

As far as the race goes, I did better than expected: 2:12:15 - not too shabby!  I was really pleased with my mile splits which were all even for the most part.  I have had some major fluctuations in past races and was so happy to see that each mile was basically even.  I was able to kick it up for the last mile which made me happy.

So would I race this again?  Only if we got in as a team.  $175 is a lot, and I could care less about the Tiffany's necklace! The course while nice, was a little boring.  I was expecting to see the monuments and I think we only ran past the White House and the back of the Lincoln Memorial.  I would also plan to stay over 2 nights next time so I could get more sights in.  You just have too much to do the day before a race to really do anything else.  Nike did a nice job, I never felt too crowded on the course, but I was also in the 2nd corral, those in the back had a much different experience.  The expotique was a little cheesy, but that was to be expected.  Major props to the staff and volunteers.  I was also pleased to see a bunch of men on the course (I know, I know...).  They were fun to run with and seemed to enjoy the all women's theme!

  We also managed to make pyramids to happen.  We tend to do that a lot, doesn't everyone??

The Hallway

Life is so weird sometimes.  In the blink of an eye everything can just change.  I've been in the change before, or the "hallway".  I hate it and it's never comfortable, but such is life.  I've documented on this here blog countless breakups with the boy.  Just shy of 4 years together, at least 4 breakups and a million memories, we decided to call it quits.  I ugly cried, he (surprisingly) didn't.  It's been just less than a month, and for a few days in a row I'm feeling better.  Last week?  Ugh, last week was PAINFUL.  And social media never helps. And tears and unanswered phone calls don't help either (oops).  But, we both know this is it, we knew for a while that it wasn't working, that I wanted to get married, that he didn't, ect, ect. So just like that, we ended it.  I'm sure we will run into each other and say the casual hello, but I think we both know that that hello can't turn back into us being together (again).  We just don't work, even though I wish we did. 

So...

Today, I am working on myself, reading, writing, going back to therapy.  I even hit up a few al-anon meetings (best program ever, seriously).  I'm not shy about 12 step programs, I have 10 years success, they work.  I'm running, crossfitting, going out with my gals.  This new life doesn't have to suck.  I'm determined to NOT let it suck! I've wasted too much time being unhappy with the wrong person, time to find the right one.

I'm also losing weight. I've given up the wheat for good (also documented here countless attempts to get with it regarding my food),  It's been 30 days and I feel amazing.  Down 8 pounds and a bunch of inches.

I have no clue what the future holds, but I will make it a good one! 

And before I forget...Nike women's half this weekend! I'm excited to run (even though I'm not really trained) and have fun!

Feb!

When I don't post, I'm realizing I can't remember ANYTHING for these monthly recaps!

Feb was a work filled with work, work and more work.  I was stretched a bit above my comfort zone and was ok with it....I didn't cry and I got through one of the biggest projects I'll probably have to do here.  Good stuff!

Workout wise - I was at my gym more than normal, treadmill, pump and jump, spin....went to CF once and had a bunch of runs including an 8 mile fun run put together by the local running store. I think I skied 2x, all the usual things.

Ah, lame.  But that's all I got...looking forward to an awesome March.

Woops, Forgot to post My Dec Recap!

Wow, December FLEW by!!!! 

In a nutshell...

Christmas, really awesome, lots of cool gifts exchanged and received (I love the giving part a little more though, seeing loved ones excited about a gift rocks).

NYE, it sort of sucked, which I think is normal. I'm always in a funky space, expectations out of control, me and the boy a little on edge....typical. I should add, the party we went to did not suck, in fact it was the perfect quiet night with friends.

Working out, hmm...let's see....I got in a few Crossfit sessions, I ran some miles, the longest being 8 miles in the snow in Central Park (amazing).  I went back to spin and embraced the 'mill. Oh and I placed first in the Athena category at the Ho Ho Ho run!  Not a PR, although I was only off by about 30 seconds which completely amazed me.

Weight, gained back those same damn 3 pounds.  I'm back to square one.  Nutritionist tomorrow.  Why do I suck at losing weight???? 

Random, Ranger game with front row (literally behind the bench) seats, executive suite. Pink concert with my dad, also up in the suites, a party with the coolest tri team around.

I'd say Dec was a hit!

Goodbye January!

January, where did you go....and of course I'm a posting slacker....just keeping it consistent :)

Here is the low down on the month -

Ran some longs (7 and 8 miles in Central Park), the Sayville Run to The Brewery 10 miler. No Crossfit and barely any miles the last 2.5 weeks.

I skied a bunch.

I gave a kick ass 2 hour work presentation at my national sales meeting.

I ate amazing meals (Peekamoose!).

I cut back on wheat (I think I broke my denial, ya, it's annoying me too).

I saw Gabrielle Bernstein with my BFF Amy from CT.  While it wasn't as life changing for me as others, I enjoyed her message and have really gotten into listening to her podcasts. 

Girls is back on, and I'm digging the new season.

Lastly, a  fellow runner was hit by a car in very dense fog and didn't make it,  My hills team ran in his honor at the Brew Run, while I didn't personally know him, my heart still hurts.  Runners, we need to be safe! Drivers, look around and DON'T TEXT! I swear running has made me a better driver!

This Life

Sometimes this life I get to live is just too much...too incredible...too, beyond what I ever thought it would be.

This week has been fun and exhausting and worth officially breaking my running streak for! Because of work I was gifted tickets to see Fuerza Bruta on Tue and Big Fish (I loved it, theater critics you are WRONG!)  last night which meant 2 days in the best city in the world.  Plus I got to ski on Sun, I lost 3 pounds (the 3 I had gained) and I get to hang with my friends and smile and ...you know, poop rainbows and unicorns. 

So without sounding ridiculous, I'm just happy.  Happiness comes easy to me, but there was a time where I was literally drowning in the life I created.  I was fat, I drank (wayyyy to much) smoked (waaaaaay too much) was negative all the time and was basically living life with my eyes closed. 

Today?  Today, I have changed all of that and then some.  I've talked about all of this before, so while it's redundant, I'm feeling too good not to share. 

My guess is that most readers are somewhat on a healthy life mission, because I for one was not reading about running when I was struggling through my early 20's. But just know that if life sucks, it can change. You don't have to get stuck in a rut, ever. 

Ok, so off my optimistic soap box, back to the reality which is a pile of work I have to get to.

Tonight, tonight is back to crossfit or a run.  Ahh, this life!

I'm in!

Breaking the Streak

I broke my streak! AHH! To be fair, I was up at 4:30, in the pouring rain, to go ski.  I think the new rule is run everyday except for ski trips, because realistically I can always get in one mile. 

I've managed daily crossfit and running and almost no bagels.  My nutritionist will be happy, hopefully. 

The goal was to consume no man made carbs (with the exception of Thanksgiving) to see a jump in weight loss and to cleanse me from what is seriously a full blown carb addition (I know! That sounds ridiculous, but it's true!!).  I failed, but I'm down I think 2 pounds (of the 3 I had gained back). 

Tomorrow I weigh in. 

And somehow this post went from my running streak to weight loss.  Sigh...

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!

TTFN

I love blogging, even though I'm not good at it. 

I've never been super consistent, but I've loved every second of it!

For now I'm hanging up my blogger hat.  I will update occasionally so I have some type of log of any races, memorable training ect. cuz well, I basically don't keep that info anywhere else.

I will still read your blogs...probably obsessively...

In the meantime,  I'm switching gears over at tumblr.

http://accidentaladult36.tumblr.com/

Thanks for visiting and commenting and basically reading what I've put out there.  We are a cool bunch us bloggers!

2 Loops!

Yesterday's Selden Hills run was in a word, AMAZING!  The "team" (which is in quotes because we really aren't a team, just a bunch of crazy hill runners) threw out a challenge: 3 loops, and the crew accepted!

I have talked about the hills before, but basically it's a 10k course of the hilliest hills around (seriously).  Long Island is relatively flat, there are some neighborhoods that are hillier than others, but nothing compares to the Selden Hills. 

Ok, so the challenge was to run 3 loops, I ran 2 because my training only called for 13 so I didn't want to push it, plus I'm slightly wounded (note: graphic wound shot).   I felt really great, strong even...and of course winded.  Some of these babies are STEEP!  This group is notoriously fast so I was at the back of the pack.  The first loop took a little over an hour, the second a little longer, but not by much (I'll update the times when I get home, gotta check the garmin).  I ran the second loop backwards with a new friend so that we could catch the speed demons coming back, great strategy as we got to see Will finish his 3rd loop (this guy is a machine). 

I love this run, I wish I worked closer because I would be up there weekly, for now though I'm going to try and get up there on the weekends.

Here is Sue and I at the finish - you have to slap the pole when your done (twss)...tradition!