They Can't All Be Good...

I've had my share of ups and downs with my training  - the humidity that killed me all summer and made me cry more than once, the GREAT 20 miler in Central Park, that other great 20 miler, some short and fast tempo runs....luckily the bad didn't outweigh the good and I can keep a positive attitude when I just can't get it together, or else, you know, I would have had to kill people :)

Sunday I ran the NYRR 18 Mile Tune-Up race in CP.  This is a tough course - 3 loops which include the northern hills of the park.  Luckily I only had to run 13 miles which meant 2 loops/not as many hills, even though I LOVE hills, my legs needed a break.

Running in the park is always such a great experience, it has been a boost to my training and because I maybe only head in once a month or so I'm not too bored of it yet. There is always something new to see and people to meet... I met a bunch of guys from Racing for Recovery which was pretty awesome, I hung with them for maybe 3 miles chatting, eavesdropping and just having fun.  I don't normally listen to music on my long runs, especially runs in the city since there is always so much going on, so hanging with them was a nice bonus to help break up the miles.

I felt AMAZING.  Like so good it was a little cray.   I have to go back and look, but I believe my average pace was 9:45 (or 50)  and my splits were pretty even!  This was yet another boost I needed to mentally get me in the game for Chicago.  I'm still not sure if I will make my 4:30 goal, but I feel confident that I will PR.

Ok, so that was the good...

Now for the not so good...

Last night I met some of the new girls for a 6 miler.  I ran a mile beforehand and started to feel a little woozy, not terrible just not great.  I probably should have eaten a little something before I left but didn't even think to since I had a lot to eat during the day.  Thankfully they wanted to take it easy so we went super slow, but man, that 10:20 pace felt hard, nothing like my fast 5 the day before or my long run on Sunday.

I was happy to get through it, and I'm not going to dwell on it, it's just another training run under my belt.  Good or bad, it's miles in the bank and a bad run during training does not equal a bad run on the big day (that's been my motto and I'm sticking with it!!). But man, it sucked!

I'm leaving it in the past and I'm going to focus on quality for the rest of the week.  Tonight I'm at the gym for "World Champion Workout" led by one of our champion weight lifter instructors.  I signed up for the series and I'm pretty excited for it!  The first class was set up like a circuit and KILLED my legs, looking forward to what she has in store for us tonight.  Tomorrow if I do anything will be either yoga or an easy spin class.  Sat is my last long run before the marathon (8 miles), then Sun I'm running the Tunnels to Towers.  Lots going on, but I have to mindful of my legs, I am technically in taper mode...

10 more days!!!!

3rd and Final 20 Miler (AKA That Time I Killed My 3rd 20 Miler)

I'm going to just cut to the chase, cooler temps rule and I am so freaking grateful that I did not have to run my last 20 in the heat and humidity that has plagued me all training season!

This was such a great run, I'm not even sure where to start...

Fri night I worked late, relaxed at home and was in bed at 9:30 and probably sleeping by 9:45 - score!

Sat I was up bright and early at 4:30, running partner picked me up at 5 and were in the city and in Central Park running by 6.  The parking gods obviously loved us!

Sunrise over Manhattan

My plan was to pretty much run this solo.  We both agreed that we needed to do our own thing so we split up after our first mile.  I was plan-less and basically decided to wing it.  The first 10 miles were on the bridle path and along the reservoir, I'm so used to running the roads that this little adventure off the beaten path was great and just what I needed.  Even though I'm out on Long Island, I have done a bunch of runs in the park this year so it was nice to see new things and switch up my route.  I felt very Ally on the run which was cool.  I love her blog and am always inspired by not only her training but her general take on life with a pretty terrible disease. I even made a pit stop at the tennis court bathrooms (tmi?  lol).

I could have stayed in the park all day but I weaseled my way into one of the million training groups that were getting in their long runs and headed out of the park down 59th over to the West Side Highway.  I think I was with the Jack Rabbit group, still not sure, but they were great and I was pretty pumped to leave the park. I figured they were going to stay in the park for their whole run so it was a nice surprise.  Once I was settled into a nice rhythm I ended up splitting from the group and did my own thing, I ran through Riverside Park and decided to turn around to head back once I got just past Chelsea Piers.  Running partner was running the 4 miler NYRR/Fitness Magazine race so I wanted to make sure that I was close to the car around the same time as the end of the race which worked out perfectly.

On the way back while chugging up the 59th street hill I ran into Ashley from a Healthy Happier Bear and introduced myself.  I always feel like a creeper when I run into fellow bloggers, but who cares!  We put all of our stuff out there on the internets anyway, so why not say hi!  She was so sweet and we chatted for a second about our upcoming races.  It's crazy how small the city can be! I saw her and her friend again around my mile 19 which was awesome!

I could go on and on, but seriously, this was a great run.  I felt strong and kept my pace at an average of 10:30 which was very doable for me, no tanking at the end! I also ran solo and with no music which is exactly how I'm planning on running Chicago.  This was definetly the run I needed to have, nothing like a good 20 mile confidence boost!

As far as nutrition goes, I stayed with water the whole time and had 2 Gu's  - one at mile 6 then again at mile 12.  For the marathon I'll take in a 3rd at mile 18 and if necessary a 4th around mile 23.  I seem to be Ok with my fuel which is awesome, I'm also planning carbing up with some Chicago style deep dish pizza the night before which should hold me over!  Anyone have any suggestions?

You can read more about my other 20 mile runs here and here.

19 more days!  I can't wait!!!!

NYRR Long Training Run #1 - 18 Inspirational Miles!

Most inspirational run in ages...

You Are Your Best Investment

Become Your Dream

I love street art, I love running so when you mix those two inside one hell of an 18 mile run only good things are bound to happen, right?!?!

De La Vega

This is the second time I have run 18 miles in Central Park and both times were super humid.  This time around though I was better prepared and had an easier go of it.  For the most part I kept up with the 10:00 pace group which worked out, I never lost sight of my group but my average pace was 10:24, which for 18 hot, hilly miles I'll take (also better than last year which was a 10:43 pace).

I ran 3 loops (plus some): loop 1 was 6 miles, loops 2 and 3 were 5 miles each, with each loop ending at 102nd street where NYRR had set up refueling stations. The coolest part though was the De La Vega street art right around what I'm guessing was the Met.

The first piece of art I ran over was the phrase "you are your best investment" and how true is that! Especially when I've been struggling with food and running and almost wanting to give up and just eat pizza all day long.  But nope, I took that as a sign and it became my mantra for the rest of the day.  I have one shot at living my best life and becoming my dream, so I better take advantage now!

Form there I saw 2 more pieces, "Become Your Dream" and the fish bowl drawing. Both were fun and totally helped make my run all the more interesting.  I love running the park and especially running with different people.  I ran sans headphones and had a few smallish conversations with a few other runners, but for the most part we all just smiled and waved and silently keep each other going.  I had added on 2 miles to the last loop and passed one of my fellow pack runners, it was obvious he was going for 20 so I gave him an encouraging wahoo and he forged on with a big smile. I always say this, but it makes me so proud to be a part of the running community, I don't have to know you, but I know you, ya know :)

Afterward I chatted with another lady from my group who was training for her first marathon and then ran into some Massapequa Road Runner friends.  All in all it was a great day.

I got home around 1:00 and layed low then headed out to grab a new dress for dinner with my girls.  I also had a chocolate cookie but I am making it a point to be on my best sugar free behavior this week. Yesterday I was tired but I got in a very short elliptical session at the gym and hung out in the hot tub for a bit then off to the boy's sisters house at the beach for a big famly celebration (have I ever mentioned that he is one of 8 kids...and that I'm an only?  I think he wishes that he was an only, his family events are HUGE!). It was a perfect end to a loooong weekend, fun, beach family and food!  I'm a lucky girl!

Deck view