I'm admitting guilt on this here blog - I ran my first race ever last week without paying.
At first I felt really bad about it, then I didn't (ok, not as bad as I initially felt, I do have some morals).
I didn't take water, cleaned up after myself, was polite and courteous. I even cleaned up after another messy runner. So while I didn't use any resources, I still feel a little yucky about it...
So the reason for the Renegade Run (I prefer renegade to bandit, sounds waaay cooler) was basic laziness, I missed the deadline to sign up and I really wanted to run. Plain and simple. Plus, this wasn't a charity run so I wasn't taking money away from a good cause.
Am I going to runners hell?
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Chicago Training Plan
Last year for my first marathon I worked with a coach, this year I'm relying on Runners World Smart Coach to get me through. I'm already dreading my 8 miler this weekend (kidding).
I'm actually pretty excited to start my training. I have been pulling big numbers between the half and the10 miler so I'm mentally prepared for the distance. I'm hoping the lack of a coach will not deter me from getting my workouts in. I know I am better when I am accountable to another human, but I feel confident in the athlete I have become and am sure that I will not skimp out on training. Plus I have a loft goal - a 4:20 marathon (A goal), but honestly I will be happy with anything under 4:30 (B goal) and of course my ultimate goal is to train and finish injury free!
I already know that I will be adding in hill work (thank you Selden Hills) which I was completely missing last year, I also want to try to add in a track workout. I think I can make both of those things happen at least 2 - 3x per month plus a yoga class to keep me all bendy (maybe I should make this my monthly goals post?). And I already anticipate being at least 10 lbs thinner than my last full (if not more, I"m already down 7 #crossingfingers) so I should be a speed demon by Oct!
I'm actually pretty excited to start my training. I have been pulling big numbers between the half and the10 miler so I'm mentally prepared for the distance. I'm hoping the lack of a coach will not deter me from getting my workouts in. I know I am better when I am accountable to another human, but I feel confident in the athlete I have become and am sure that I will not skimp out on training. Plus I have a loft goal - a 4:20 marathon (A goal), but honestly I will be happy with anything under 4:30 (B goal) and of course my ultimate goal is to train and finish injury free!
I already know that I will be adding in hill work (thank you Selden Hills) which I was completely missing last year, I also want to try to add in a track workout. I think I can make both of those things happen at least 2 - 3x per month plus a yoga class to keep me all bendy (maybe I should make this my monthly goals post?). And I already anticipate being at least 10 lbs thinner than my last full (if not more, I"m already down 7 #crossingfingers) so I should be a speed demon by Oct!
Monday, June 4, 2012
I Just Ate A Bagel And Didn't Really Like It...
Yup, absolutely true story. I went to the Bean, grabbed a chai latte (new addiction) and a bagel, maybe the 2nd one I've had in about a month and a half (new record) and am happy and shocked to report that I'm over it. I would have rather had my oatmeal. Progress!!
I'm stalled again with my weight loss. I'm around 161, haven't gained which is miraculous as I didn't really eat all that great this week, but I'm not losing sight of the goal. I basically have done none of what I had planned on doing since the last time I met with my food coach, but I have a week to make it up to her! I'm hoping to get back on track this week so when we meet next Tue I have something good to say!
All in all, I'm happy with the coaching. I'm down close to 7 pounds, off coffee and for the most part fake sugar (although I have had a few diet soda's here and there). I feel better and I'm on the right track, so it's all good!
This weekend was one of those really fun, lazy kind of weekends that I just love! Fri was more of the same thing is always is: meeting, diner and then Chris and I went back to my house and passed out.
Sat we went to brunch at our favorite spot, Glenn's with our friend Tony then hit up the Music and Arts Festival in the Village.
It turned out to be a great day so we spent a few hours in town shopping and checking out the musicians, 2 of whom we knew Emmy (my fake sissy) and our friend Deb. Then I got locked in the town jail...totally by accident...I hate boys!
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| Happily Full! |
All in all, I'm happy with the coaching. I'm down close to 7 pounds, off coffee and for the most part fake sugar (although I have had a few diet soda's here and there). I feel better and I'm on the right track, so it's all good!
This weekend was one of those really fun, lazy kind of weekends that I just love! Fri was more of the same thing is always is: meeting, diner and then Chris and I went back to my house and passed out.
 |
| Emm and Deb |
Sat we went to brunch at our favorite spot, Glenn's with our friend Tony then hit up the Music and Arts Festival in the Village.
It turned out to be a great day so we spent a few hours in town shopping and checking out the musicians, 2 of whom we knew Emmy (my fake sissy) and our friend Deb. Then I got locked in the town jail...totally by accident...I hate boys!
Sun was a beach day with the girls then dinner at the club with some friends which if I was a decent blogger I would have taken a few pics...oh and I KILLED the NYRR Celebrate Israel run. My Garmin had me at an 8:49 average pace, NYRR has me at a 9:03, either way I'll take it! I'm thinking this race may have put me up into a new corral. Yay #wishful thinking!
I love summer weekends, running, food friends, hanging in my neighborhood...couldn't ask for a better way to spend a few days off!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Long Beach 10 Mile Managers Run Recap
I had a total love/hate experience with this race. First off it was small, maybe 300 people (love), awesome town (love), ocean views along the boardwalk (super love) and TONS of rain, like 8 miles worth (hate), super wet sneakers (hate) and chaffing due to soaking wet shorts (hate) and my time didn't record (hate).
Despite the hater feel, I absolutely would run this race again, even in the rain! I love distance running and according to my Garmin I maintained a 9:16 pace which was really awesome. I ran with a friend who I have never run with so that was good, his time recorded and according the FLRRT we (err, he) finished in 1:33. SUPER LOVE.
I felt good throughout and wanted to stop around mile 8 but I kept going, I didn't even slow down during the water stops, just kept running with a cup in my hand which is a first for me. I tend to slow or walk a few of the water stops during longer distance races.
Right now I'm obsessed with running another half, based on this race I'm sure I can get close to a 2:00 half at the very least a 2:05) The only stinky thing is that aren't any in the near future aside from one in CT but I'm not sure it's worth the trek. Looks like I may have to wait until Sept which again means I will have to travel to CT as anything on Long Island either happens the week before or weekend of Chicago.
#runnerproblems
Despite the hater feel, I absolutely would run this race again, even in the rain! I love distance running and according to my Garmin I maintained a 9:16 pace which was really awesome. I ran with a friend who I have never run with so that was good, his time recorded and according the FLRRT we (err, he) finished in 1:33. SUPER LOVE.
I felt good throughout and wanted to stop around mile 8 but I kept going, I didn't even slow down during the water stops, just kept running with a cup in my hand which is a first for me. I tend to slow or walk a few of the water stops during longer distance races.
Right now I'm obsessed with running another half, based on this race I'm sure I can get close to a 2:00 half at the very least a 2:05) The only stinky thing is that aren't any in the near future aside from one in CT but I'm not sure it's worth the trek. Looks like I may have to wait until Sept which again means I will have to travel to CT as anything on Long Island either happens the week before or weekend of Chicago.
#runnerproblems
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Brooklyn Half Recap
Last Saturday I ran my 9th half marathon!!! I still find it hard to believe that I run and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE long distance races. Remember, I'm a former fat girl who used to drink beers and smoke butts.
I set out to run the Long Island half as a training run for Brooklyn, that little training run ended up being a PR so I now had even higher expectations for this race. I went in with no sleep, was up at 4:30 in the car by 5 barely making it to the start on time...and I had to pee...bad!
NYRR does an ahhhmozing job of setting up races so I was super surprised there were no porta-potties at the start, especially since 15k runners were running this race! It was almost a bad scene but I took the cue of my male compadres and peed along a fence on Flatbush Ave behind the only fat tree I could find to somewhat cover my bare ass! It was do or die so I didn't care. Even though I once almost crapped my pants during a race, I found a place to go, but it was a new scene having to pee in front of thousands.
Ok, back to the running. I did manage to PR (2:08) but it was a tough race for me! The last few miles were torturous, not at all like LI when I breezed through the last 3 miles. I was struggling, but I managed to keep my pace somewhat steady and I kept reminding myself that I could do it. Once we entered into the Coney Island section of Ocean Parkway I knew I was golden and that the PR was going to happen - now the question was by how much I would PR (2 minutes!!!) I didn't care though, it was hot, I was done and I wanted the race to be over.
I have to say, although the 2nd part of the race was pretty boring (Ocean Ave for like 6 miles) it was so fun to run this race. Ending on the Coney Island boardwalk was a blast and really energizing. I will definitely run this again, unless of course NYRR changes the course distance like they did for Queens and the Bronx which has really made me super mad (sorry NYRR, I considered unfriending you but instead liked someone else s nasty post about the changes). I LOVE the half mary distance and was planning on KILLING Queens since I had such a crappy run last year. Oh well.
This week I've been taking it easy, I have a slight head cold and I'm running the Long Beach 10 miler on Sunday. I squeaked in 2.5 miles before work so that was good and a run on Monday after work, better than nothing.
I set out to run the Long Island half as a training run for Brooklyn, that little training run ended up being a PR so I now had even higher expectations for this race. I went in with no sleep, was up at 4:30 in the car by 5 barely making it to the start on time...and I had to pee...bad!
 |
| Picture me in between these guys (image via google) |
Ok, back to the running. I did manage to PR (2:08) but it was a tough race for me! The last few miles were torturous, not at all like LI when I breezed through the last 3 miles. I was struggling, but I managed to keep my pace somewhat steady and I kept reminding myself that I could do it. Once we entered into the Coney Island section of Ocean Parkway I knew I was golden and that the PR was going to happen - now the question was by how much I would PR (2 minutes!!!) I didn't care though, it was hot, I was done and I wanted the race to be over.
I have to say, although the 2nd part of the race was pretty boring (Ocean Ave for like 6 miles) it was so fun to run this race. Ending on the Coney Island boardwalk was a blast and really energizing. I will definitely run this again, unless of course NYRR changes the course distance like they did for Queens and the Bronx which has really made me super mad (sorry NYRR, I considered unfriending you but instead liked someone else s nasty post about the changes). I LOVE the half mary distance and was planning on KILLING Queens since I had such a crappy run last year. Oh well.
This week I've been taking it easy, I have a slight head cold and I'm running the Long Beach 10 miler on Sunday. I squeaked in 2.5 miles before work so that was good and a run on Monday after work, better than nothing.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
No Sleep 'Till BK
I love the Beastie Boys. And I love Brooklyn so lets hope all the love I have for a tiny borough will carry me through the Brooklyn Half tomorrow!
I have some pretty high expectations for this race, considering I had an epic hill run on Weds (and shaved about a minute off my time) and my last half 2 weeks ago was a PR, I'm really thinking that I have a shot at a 2nd PR. I know, I know, I shouldn't get too ahead of myself, especially since the NYRR has issued a heat advisory and I haven't ran in temps above 70 since last summer, but I just have a feeling :)
It's a pretty cool course that starts in Prospect park and ends at Coney Island. I'm heading over with some friends so I think a boardwalk stroll and a ride on the Cyclone might be in order. I'm pretty afraid of heights which I found out a few years ago while riding the Cyclone - so we'll see if I actually make it up there, lol!!
On a food note, things have been going really well. I did have a bagel this morning which was partly due to laziness and not having anything prepared, it was good but not great and I'm super happy about that, the last thing I want is a bagel relapse! I'm feeling so great and am making really healthy choices, don't want ruin my good work! I'm going to rationalize this one my saying the carbs are good for my race tomorrow...(#lies).
I have some pretty high expectations for this race, considering I had an epic hill run on Weds (and shaved about a minute off my time) and my last half 2 weeks ago was a PR, I'm really thinking that I have a shot at a 2nd PR. I know, I know, I shouldn't get too ahead of myself, especially since the NYRR has issued a heat advisory and I haven't ran in temps above 70 since last summer, but I just have a feeling :)
It's a pretty cool course that starts in Prospect park and ends at Coney Island. I'm heading over with some friends so I think a boardwalk stroll and a ride on the Cyclone might be in order. I'm pretty afraid of heights which I found out a few years ago while riding the Cyclone - so we'll see if I actually make it up there, lol!!
On a food note, things have been going really well. I did have a bagel this morning which was partly due to laziness and not having anything prepared, it was good but not great and I'm super happy about that, the last thing I want is a bagel relapse! I'm feeling so great and am making really healthy choices, don't want ruin my good work! I'm going to rationalize this one my saying the carbs are good for my race tomorrow...(#lies).
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A Day In The Life
I love all the dorky DITL posts that have been popping up for awhile now. I love to see how people live on the daily...hello voyeur (errr stalker).
Anyway, here is a typical DITL of yours truly -
7:10 Hit snooze
7:20: Up and at 'em...brush teeth and hit the shower, done in 10, do hair and makeup, re-blow out bangs like 10 times, damn you cowlick that just appeared out of NOWHERE! Weight myself , throw clothes on. Feed Olive Marie.
8:00: Make breakfast which these days has been a protein shake, grab my lunch and a frozen waffle for later.
8:10: In the car and ready to tackle Long Island traffic (or in my case mostly no traffic, thank you god!)
8:30: Walk in to work say hi to the staff, pop in to say hi to boss head to the "West Wing" which is the marketing area (err hallway, where my cube, yes cube..uggh! is).
8:30 - 8:45: Gab with my work BFF about what's going on/what went on, usually the boy and her wedding planning.
8:45 - 9ish: Huddle with the team to plan our day, discuss new projects, ect.
9ish - 12: Drink lots of water, toast up frozen waffle around 10:30, check email, FB, blogs, work stuff.
12:00: Lunch is here! We often order in, we have a "perk" that if you work through lunch they pay. If I'm eating my own lunch I'm usually in the kitchen putting it all together (lately I've been eating Boca Spicy Chicken patty over salad with lemon juice, yum).
12:30 - 5: Work and work. Go through my to-do list, make calls to my sales team, work with freelancer on new co-op advertising, a few calls or an offsite with the ad agency to discuss whatever we have going on. Facebook and blogs (sometimes for work purposes..teeheee).
5 - 5:30: Close up and go home, write to-do list, say goodby to staff.
5:30 - 6: Home! Brush teeth!
6 - 7: Quick run and a shower (or a class or a swim)
7 - 8: Eat dinner.
8 - 9: Meeting, unless it's a Monday then I don't exercise (usually) and head to a 6:45
9 - 10: Chat with friends, maybe go online, make lunch for tomorrow, iron clothes for tomorrow
10ish: Head to bed where I obsessively check out what's for new/cool/interesting in the grocery items section at Amazon on my Kindle Fire (true obsession, it's so funny).
So yea, probably not too interesting, but that is a typical work day for me.
I do spice things up with the hill run on Weds, but pretty much that's how I roll. Depending on the week the boy may be there, but for now let's just say we are togethr-ish, which means weekends mainly.
What about you?
Anyway, here is a typical DITL of yours truly -
7:10 Hit snooze
7:20: Up and at 'em...brush teeth and hit the shower, done in 10, do hair and makeup, re-blow out bangs like 10 times, damn you cowlick that just appeared out of NOWHERE! Weight myself , throw clothes on. Feed Olive Marie.
 |
| Olive Marie = beast |
8:10: In the car and ready to tackle Long Island traffic (or in my case mostly no traffic, thank you god!)
 |
| Lame car shot! With straight hair! |
8:30: Walk in to work say hi to the staff, pop in to say hi to boss head to the "West Wing" which is the marketing area (err hallway, where my cube, yes cube..uggh! is).
 |
| West Wing - this is where marketing magic happens. Office coming soon, or I'm walking... |
8:30 - 8:45: Gab with my work BFF about what's going on/what went on, usually the boy and her wedding planning.
8:45 - 9ish: Huddle with the team to plan our day, discuss new projects, ect.
9ish - 12: Drink lots of water, toast up frozen waffle around 10:30, check email, FB, blogs, work stuff.
12:00: Lunch is here! We often order in, we have a "perk" that if you work through lunch they pay. If I'm eating my own lunch I'm usually in the kitchen putting it all together (lately I've been eating Boca Spicy Chicken patty over salad with lemon juice, yum).
12:30 - 5: Work and work. Go through my to-do list, make calls to my sales team, work with freelancer on new co-op advertising, a few calls or an offsite with the ad agency to discuss whatever we have going on. Facebook and blogs (sometimes for work purposes..teeheee).
5 - 5:30: Close up and go home, write to-do list, say goodby to staff.
5:30 - 6: Home! Brush teeth!
6 - 7: Quick run and a shower (or a class or a swim)
 |
| Typical running route |
7 - 8: Eat dinner.
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| Baked stuffed chicken, I'm a culinary genius! |
8 - 9: Meeting, unless it's a Monday then I don't exercise (usually) and head to a 6:45
9 - 10: Chat with friends, maybe go online, make lunch for tomorrow, iron clothes for tomorrow
10ish: Head to bed where I obsessively check out what's for new/cool/interesting in the grocery items section at Amazon on my Kindle Fire (true obsession, it's so funny).
So yea, probably not too interesting, but that is a typical work day for me.
I do spice things up with the hill run on Weds, but pretty much that's how I roll. Depending on the week the boy may be there, but for now let's just say we are togethr-ish, which means weekends mainly.
What about you?
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