Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Dec 3 map

Dec 6 map

Been lazy....

Ok I admit, I've been very lazy! I haven't written...not to mention I haven't really run.

It's been getting harder and harder to have to will power to just go out and run in the cold. I admit that once I start running my body temp increases and I'm not so cold anymore. It's just the initial getting out and on the move that I'm having a hard time with.

Ran last night in 20 something degree weather. I actually saw flurries of snow! Thank goodness we ran though. I shot a text to Marielle earlier in the day saying "We need to run"...and she was like "Let's go tonight." SO she met me at my house at 8:15pm and we ran! Boy did we run. Apparently it was 4 miles according to mapmyrun. Marielle seems to think it was more. We did great tho. A fast 10 minute mile for the first mile...then only walked here and there for the rest.

I also ran on Friday of last week. It was probably the earliest run I've done yet. I was working an overnight for work so I was in the city. I started on the upper east side, running next to the Central Park Resivoir. Man was it COLD! I did it tho. That ended up being a beautiful run, and I know exactly where I'd be running regularly if I lived in the city. It's mostly flat in elevation and made it for a good run. 1.70 miles (a short one).

The running is getting a bit easier, but it would be nice to find some sort of flat location to run. The hills make it a bit challenging. I'm looking forward to running in Florida over Christmas break.

We have 79 days until the race. Only at 4 miles. We must pick it up! Need to discipline myself and steadily run 3 days a week. NO more fooling around.

Switching up the schedule for now. Running with Marielle Monday and Wednesday nights after work. Then we will need to start with longer times of running. We did 45 minutes last night. It's going to take us somewhere in the 2.45 hour range for the race...so we totally need to get ourselves there!

New maps will follow this post.

I promise to have a new post by Thursday (after my Wednesday night run with M).

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Short one....

Today was just a quick run. Make it a three way 2 miler! Hahah Dara joined Marielle and I on a quick run.

I don't have much to say other than I'm happy to have completed a full mile without walking one bit! I know we can do more!!

Marielle has this crazy idea about me waking up before sunrise to run...I am determined to gradually wake up earlier. When it comes time for the 6 am race I'll have worked my way up to waking up early. For now..until after the holidays...I'll run at 9 am!

Short run = short blog.

XOXO

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Map Nov 17, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tired....

Well, I've been at it again....LAZY! 

Ran today tho with Marielle.  Our first run together!  3.75 miles in 42 minutes.  Ran constant for .90 miles....then Mar needed a walk.  She hasn't been doing her training...tsk tsk!  But I don't fault her for it.  We have our goals and we are sticking to them.

I will post our map.  We went the route that I like, and THEN some.  I'm glad to have her as my partner for the pure sake that I know she just won't ever give up!  It's inspiring when someone says "We can start home...or go longer!  Eh, let's take the long route!"  Also great, even when we need to walk it out, that she says "we're still going the distance, running or not!" 

No music...just good chat!  Temperature was warmish...50's.  Windy tho!  New sneaks are proving to be amazing!  Nike cold gear, the same, thank goodness as it's only going to get colder!

Need my routine back!  It's been hard to keep.  Gotta push!  Potentially running tomorrow...and def over the weekend!

For now....bed!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

MapMyRun - View Workout Details

MapMyRun - View Workout Details

Alright...

I have to admit, I lost motivation for a week there.  I got a little lazy and wasn't getting my ass out of bed to run!  I need to remember that I'm doing this for myself...no one else!  Laziness is only a crap ass excuse!  I did, however, continue with yoga for the week, so I wasn't completely useless!

I ran today...and did fabulous!  Still in my old sneaks as I am still breaking in my new ones.  I'm afraid of switching.  I know I need to eventually, just making sure my feet are totally happy with the new ones before completely doing the deed and switching over! 

I ran 3.15 miles in 33 minutes.  It was a good route, mostly downhill toward the Empire State Building.  I ran pretty much all the way into Long Island City.  Walked for a very small bit of it...considering I took off a week, I think it was a great success.  So far, my fastest run yet!

Ting Tings radio on Pandora today.  Good mix of Metric, Modest Mouse, etc.  I found this station a bit more fun to run to...I was pushing myself a little harder.  Still looking for fun music to run to...but this may be the funnest so far.

I'm in the middle of rolling while blogging.  I got a roller for my body, which is exactly like it sounds...a big rolling pin that I can roll out all the knots in my muscles.  It's like my very own personal deep tissue massage.  Love it!

Going to watch the NYC Marathon tomorrow (Sunday).  I went to the location of the finish line yesterday and took pictures.  It was inspiring!  Don't know if one day I'll be able to run a full marathon...but it will be awesome to cheer all those runners on!  26.2 miles seems crazy...but so does 13.1.  I'm determined!  I will do this!

110 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes, and counting until race day!  Back to my regular training schedule!  Maybe an extra run thrown in tomorrow.

We shall see~!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

New sneaks....FTW!

Well...UPS turned out to be my friend yesterday!  I was getting very upset with the fact that I usually have to chase down the UPS person to retrieve my packages.  I actually have lost several packages to UPS and FedEx due to them just plain old not leaving my stuff!  Only yesterday...they came through!  I had to leave approx. notes for them to actually leave what I was expecting....MY NEW SNEAKS!  I ended up coming home from work yesterday to find a package under my door mat.  Ummmm, I question why they put it under the mat, due to the fact that it was a shoe box, but it was here none the less!  I didn't get to wear them today because it was raining....can't ruin them on day one!

So, today is Wednesday.  I have gone to 2 yoga classes and ran 1 day this week.  I'm feeling tighter than usual.  Trying to get some sort of loosening up to happen, but it's difficult!  I'm seeing my body become a bit stronger, so I guess that's good.    Let's see tomorrow how my run goes.


I'm hoping to get some new scenery on Saturday.  This running in Queens thing is getting to me.  Maybe a trip into the city to either run the Hudson River or Central Park will help.  I'm looking forward to Christmas time when I can run in FL!  I'm slated to run 9.5 miles on New Years day!  Oh boy!  At least it will be on flat ground in the place that I love the most!

Aiming for a longer run tomorrow.....still 30 minutes tho!

Monday, October 25, 2010

A bit of delay....

Mike came for the weekend.  He's very proud of me and all that I am accomplishing.  I'm glad he's such a great support!

I tried to get some running in on Saturday...however, it was hard when we just wanted to sleep in and then go right out and do stuff together!  I ended up doing 2 miles in about 27 minutes.  I actually ran about 3/4 of it!  Less walking for sure!

Got a notice on our door from UPS that I have a package.  Wondering if it's my new sneakers or if it's the arm band!

Second day of yoga today.  I think I'm going to continue with this place.  They have class times convenient to my work and running schedule....so that's what I was looking for.

Haven't been very consistent with my blogging....time to get back with it!! 

Annnnd on that note...bed is calling....so I can run my 30 minutes tomorrow!!  Hopefully I can fall asleep sooner than later....I don't want to sleep all morning!!

Well....

Today is Thursday....day 5 of my running.  I had the urge to lay around and sleep in this morning, however that didn't stop me from at least running 20 minutes today.  I managed to get in almost 2 miles in that time.  I'm finding myself able to run for longer periods of time and walking a little less.

My knee is still in pain...ending up swollen at the end of the day both today and Tuesday.  It's frustrating that I'm experiencing pain so early in my training, but I'm learning new techniques on how to avoid injuries.

As I mentioned before that I was going to be purchasing some near gear....well I did that.  Still waiting for my arm band...I'm very annoyed it isn't here yet!  I bought a Nike winter thermal top and some running tights.  They are not thermal, but they have the ability to absorb the sweat and keep me warm in the cold weather.  I also managed to get a great deal on a new pair of Mizunos....the same brand of sneaker I am currently running in...just a new style.  I'm hoping they are as comfortable as the ones I own now.  I ordered them online...so here's hoping for the best!!

Started a new yoga class last night.  It was amazing!!  I was looking for a way to get some great stretching for my days off from running.  Found a yoga place that was right around the corner from work...which is convenient.

Until the next blog....

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Quick post...

Just wanted to do a quick post before I head to work....

So today's run was a little tough and on the other hand it felt great.  I found myself struggling today because of my knee and I got a cramp relatively early in my run.  Not quite sure what is causing the pain in my knee, but I've got a heating pad on it for the day.  We'll see if that helps.  (Time to break out the knee brace.)

Still through all of that...I managed to run 2.46 miles in 30 minutes.  I'll post the map a little later.  I found a somewhat quieter place to run...I stayed on my side of Queens Blvd.  It was close to the cemetery for only one block, but then I ran through the blocks surrounding my apartment.  Seems to be a nice run.

I found myself having bursts of "Wow, I'm breathing a bit easier!" and "If my knee would stop hurting, I'd be able to run further!"  It was a decent run all around.  I'm feeling that if I manage the pain a bit, I'll be running that half marathon in no time!!

Off to work!! 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Exciting NEWS!!

Well, I just registered for the race!!!!  Running in a 2 person team with my good friend Marielle!

While registering we were asked to provide our FAVORITE Disney Princess!  Such a difficult thing to choose from...so I went with Ariel since The Little Mermaid holds a special place in my heart.  It just so happens to be the very first movie I saw in movie theaters in 1987...when I was 5!!!!  That was also the year that Mikey was born!!  So I picked her!!  Marielle was torn between 2 princesses as well....Cinderella and Belle.  She chose Cinderella.

We were then asked to give our team name!  That wasn't an easy task!  So the conversation with Marielle went like this, "Spicy Girls" (because of our middle school history with the spice girls), "Big city princesses", she said to maybe do a play on Snow White and the big apple....so I responded with "Snow Whites Big Apples".  Thinking it may be a little too inappropriate I started listing things relating to our princesses.  "Part of your once upon a dreamers", "Once upon a dreamers", then Marielle said "The slippery fins"  I laughed thinking it could have gone the wrong way....then she said "Glass Slippers and Mermaid Fins".  The 2 things our princesses use to get around!  SO then was born our very creative team name!  Team Slippers and Fins!!

Filled out our information...and ended up doing a nice thing as well!!  We each donated money towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Potentially putting in a quick run on Monday night with Marielle...along with I guess some Monday night football (don't know who's playing, but it should be fun).

No pain...no gain!!

Well...as you all may see..I missed my Thursday run!  Ooops!  Guess I was forced to deal with the consequences today!  No true explanation for my missing my Thursday, other than just the fact that it was a bad day!  No more bad days allowed!  Next week will be a full week of following training to it's extent!  NO EXCUSES! 

I was slated to do my 3 mile run today....which I did!  Hooray for me!  It was a struggle here and there, but I pushed and did it!  I am finding that it is hard for me to run locally here in Sunnyside.  There is too much traffic, both cars on the road and people on the sidewalk.  Now to find a place for me to run that's safe and has some sort of regulated distance (as I keep thinking I'm running further than I really am).  Here is one instance I wish I lived in the suburbs!!

I used an app on my phone that uses GPS to track my every step.  Kindof creepy that "big brother" is watching...but at least someone is!  It claims I ran 3.03 miles.  I'll link the map of my crazy, "no idea where to run to", run here on my blog.  Maybe someone can give me some ideas of where to go...without going all the way into Central Park just to go run a few miles!

Great music selection today...Justin Timberlake on my Pandora station!  Great mix, perfect for running!! New headphones FTW (for those who don't know what that means...mom....it means For The Win).  Ordered some new headphones that were more appropriate for my little ears....that didn't hurt or fall out while I was running!  They were awesome!!  Put them on under a headband that protected my ears from getting cold...great success!!  Now I'm just waiting for my new armband to strap my Iphone to my arm while running...and I'll be all set!

The weather today was a bit windy and it's definitely fall!!  Weather man says it was 59 degrees out with gusts of wind upwards of 30 mph!  That's faster than I was running!  Not fun running against the gusts...that's when I turned to a fast walk for those moments.  Wore my GapAthletic fitted capri pants, a thermal shirt, and a windbreaker today.  I know it's only going to be getting colder...so today I'll be ordering some cold weather gear like thermal pants, warmer socks, headbands/ear muffs, and warmer tops.  This whole training through the winter thing is going to be tough!!  Also looking into some new sneakers that are a little more winter friendly....for running in the snow!

 New goal for the next few weeks is to progressively begin waking up earlier to run!  The 1/2 marathon is at 6am!  I can't just get up and run that...so there will need to be some work done on that department!

Plans for the next few days include treating myself to brunch tomorrow am with a good friend (Lauren), looking for a yoga class for the other 2-3 off running days, and preparing for my Mikey to come on Thursday night.  He'll have to deal with me being gone for about an hour on Saturday while I do my run before we start our day...unless I take advantage of visiting his/my family on Saturday and go running in the SUBURBS!!!  We'll see!!  And perhaps today...REGISTERING FOR THE RACE!!! 

Until Tuesday..........

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Frozen peas on the knees......

Well, feeling great as far as my running is concerned....HOWEVER, today was a little rough on the body!  As I was on my way to work (feeling great from my run) in my usual rush in the subway, when of course there was a slow guy on the escalator!  Said "road block" wouldn't get out of my way when asked...so once to the top of the escalator I decided to book it...only I tripped over myself, and fell on my knees.  Right knee seems ok...left one took the brunt of it!  Hopefully my bad karma doesn't cause my Thursday run to be a problem.

I am determined to do this....PAIN or NOT!!

Day 1

Ok so I'm not much of a writer, but all of these resources for runners told me I should keep a journal of all of my running.  So I figured I'd make them for everyone to follow me!

Today marks day 1 of my training for the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon.  It will be an 18 week training, running 3 days a week (through the winter in NYC), finalizing the training at the finish line Sunday, February 27th, 2011.  I haven't quite registered yet, but that is coming!

So I'll be running on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays.  The training suggests a breakdown of 30 minutes 2 days a week....and then on the weekend day, to do whatever the set mileage is.  This weekend starts with 3 miles.  But let's not go there yet.  Today is DAY 1...so I'll tell you about day 1. 

Alarm went off at 8:45am, didn't get out of bed until about 9:20am, walked Katie then got out the door.  Was hitting the pavement by 9:45am.  Set the Pandora to Michael Jackson.

I found a path to run locally here in my neighborhood.  I guess it's not really a path, more like running on the streets of Sunnyside, dealing with traffic lights, cars, and people in the sidewalks.  However, it's a little under a mile to a park that has a small track (small track doesn't even begin to describe it).  There is quite a bit of elevation on these roads, so that is making a bit of a challenge for me.  So I ran to the park in approximately 11 minutes.  An 11 minute mile...not bad for day 1.  There was a bit of running and a bit of walking...but we can blame that on the waiting I had to do at lights.  Ok, ok, not totally on the traffic.  Once at the park I ended up running 2 full laps and walking 1.  The track is measured at .10 mile, so a little less than a third of a mile there at the track.  I did some stretching then got back on the road.  Ran that mile back (mostly downhill which was nice). 

I stopped at the health food store on the way back and got a protein/energy shake.  It was made with banana, almond milk, ice, protein powder, and an energy elixir.  It was just what I needed after that run. 

So total, with my brief stop I got back to the house by 10:35am.  (I happened to add in a quick move of the car for alternate side of the street parking...bought me a week for my car).  Did some stretching while typing this blog, feeling GREAT!

Until Thursday.........