I am in a rut...a 3 mile rut, that is. My schedule has kind of been all over the place the past few weeks between jury duty and Fordham Homecoming, that I haven't been able to get myself past a 3 mile run. Yes, this is frustrating. No, I'm not letting it get me down...or at least I'm trying not to.
Last week I bought some new sneakers, and well...they're pretty schnazzy (aka blue sparkly sections on the heels!). I went back to my tennis roots, with some Mizuno running sneakers (who knew they existed?). I was excited to get in my first run with these sneakers, with dreams that they'd make me run faster and less sore. Alas, PF Flyers they are not. I went for my run this morning, and well...I was not jumping higher or running faster. I ran like I normally do. The first mile and a half were kind of hard on me, since I hadn't run in a week and the stop and go nature of city running isn't always easy. I then got my sh*& together and decided to run full force back. I was able to pick up my speed on the second half and felt better knowing I was still on my normal pace, even after a horrible first half of my run.
I have been getting slightly discouraged with how hard it still is to get out of bed, and how I am not at the mileage I'd like to be. I realized this morning while running (because what else can you do while running but think) that I have put some large expectations on myself since this is the second time I'm doing this. While yes, I'd love to better my time and truly run in a more efficient and comfortable manner, I need to realize that I am still me and I can only do my best. Running is not something that comes natural to me (as I always say, I always played defense in all of my sports...I hit people, I never ran after them), and the fact that I am doing this at all if a major feat for me. I need to remember to have fun and just keep that picture of the little guy in my head. So, on Thursday I will run 4 miles...that is a promise to myself. I will get out of this 3 mile slump and continue having fun in the process.
peace and new shoes!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Am I Crazy Or What?
This is the question I have been constantly asking myself in the past two weeks since I finished the sprint triathlon. Why may I be asking this? Because the Tuesday after the tri marked 10 weeks until the half marathon! Yup, that's right...that Tuesday morning I dragged myself out of bed and ran 3 miles. Painful? Yes, but I'm excited. I have so far ran 12 miles in my training (I'll admit, I skipped what was supposed to be a 4 mile run this past Sunday). I feel pretty good, and yesterday I kept my best 3 mile pace yet.
So yes, the running/training for the Philly Half Marathon has started. I think having the tri to lead into this helped a bit, since I was already in the mindset of running, etc. The weather has turned fall-like (although today not so much), so it's been gorgeous running in 65 degree weather in the mornings. It's sad, but I almost can't wait to be able to put my running pants on, but I will hold out as long as I can.
One exciting thing coming up is new sneakers! Payday is tomorrow and new sneakers are on the horizon. I'm hoping they'll help my ankles, knees, hips, haha...sometimes I feel as if I have the body of a 70 year old. I'm also going to look into orthotics, as I've heard they may help as well.
One morning last week while I was out I decided that running in New York City can sometimes be cruel. Why is that Sonny?...you may ask. For anyone that has lived in or visited New York, you know that the city is one big TV/movie set. There are production trucks parked everywhere anyday of the week. What comes along with productions trucks? Craft Services trucks. See where I'm going with this? Last week I was running down Central Park West one morning and had to run by a Craft Services truck with all of their food set out. Not very nice to do to a hungry runner who still has 1 1/2 miles left in their run, haha.
Yesterday I did my 3 mile run in the morning and actually got yelled at by a woman on the sidewalk! I kind of laughed, because in my head I made up a story that she was jealous that she couldn't run as well as I could, hahaha. She yelled at me because I ran in between her and a light pole, granted the space I ran in was at least three feet wide, so she was not in jeopardy of being hit in the slightest. I found it funny beyond anything else, and I've decided that people yell unnecessarily way too much in New York. I wish they could get fined for unnecessary yelling, instead of honking, because really...who ever gets fined for honking?
We have a great group running with us this year and the fundraising efforts have doubled with an event in Philly and NYC! We are getting off to a great start and I am beyond excited to do all of this for the little guy yet again, and also hopefully better my time from last year.
So...thank you all again for you support! Keep on keeping on...
peace and happy first day of fall!!!
So yes, the running/training for the Philly Half Marathon has started. I think having the tri to lead into this helped a bit, since I was already in the mindset of running, etc. The weather has turned fall-like (although today not so much), so it's been gorgeous running in 65 degree weather in the mornings. It's sad, but I almost can't wait to be able to put my running pants on, but I will hold out as long as I can.
One exciting thing coming up is new sneakers! Payday is tomorrow and new sneakers are on the horizon. I'm hoping they'll help my ankles, knees, hips, haha...sometimes I feel as if I have the body of a 70 year old. I'm also going to look into orthotics, as I've heard they may help as well.
One morning last week while I was out I decided that running in New York City can sometimes be cruel. Why is that Sonny?...you may ask. For anyone that has lived in or visited New York, you know that the city is one big TV/movie set. There are production trucks parked everywhere anyday of the week. What comes along with productions trucks? Craft Services trucks. See where I'm going with this? Last week I was running down Central Park West one morning and had to run by a Craft Services truck with all of their food set out. Not very nice to do to a hungry runner who still has 1 1/2 miles left in their run, haha.
Yesterday I did my 3 mile run in the morning and actually got yelled at by a woman on the sidewalk! I kind of laughed, because in my head I made up a story that she was jealous that she couldn't run as well as I could, hahaha. She yelled at me because I ran in between her and a light pole, granted the space I ran in was at least three feet wide, so she was not in jeopardy of being hit in the slightest. I found it funny beyond anything else, and I've decided that people yell unnecessarily way too much in New York. I wish they could get fined for unnecessary yelling, instead of honking, because really...who ever gets fined for honking?
We have a great group running with us this year and the fundraising efforts have doubled with an event in Philly and NYC! We are getting off to a great start and I am beyond excited to do all of this for the little guy yet again, and also hopefully better my time from last year.
So...thank you all again for you support! Keep on keeping on...
peace and happy first day of fall!!!
I'm A Triathlete!!!!
That's right...two weeks ago I completed the HV Sprint Triathlon in Danbury, CT. I am still amazed at how quickly that day came and went. My mom drove me to the lake that morning around 6:00a.m. and the nerves came with me. I had to check in my bike, get my swim cap and have my number written on my arm (291). We were doing a lot with Team Juju production stuff early on, getting pep talks from our trainers, etc. I went and felt the water - it was warm thankfully.
As the start time was getting closer I really wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. I knew that I could do it, but I had no idea what I had in store.
The gun goes off and the swim starts. They didn't stagger the waves very well, so we were all pretty much on top of each other. This was very scary and in the first 50 yards I was starting to gulp down water and gasp for air. Turning at the first buoy was quite a nightmare as well, seeing that I made the silly choice of being on the inside of the corner and everyone came in on me as they made their turn. Note to self for next time, definitely go to the outside lane. I decided to then take my time and do whatever I could to get through the swim without having to grab onto the boat used for safety or one of the kayaks. I wanted to do this on my own, no matter how long that took. I finally got out of the water and headed to the transition area to get ready for the bike.
The bike...I definitely didn't take training as serious as I should have and that became very apparent early on in the bike leg. I started out strong and then wham! There was the biggest hill right in my way that absolutely killed my legs. I eventually got up the hill and continued on my way. For the first time I was actually thankful for my 12 year old mountain bike. The roads in this neighborhood were full of potholes and I can't imagine being on a road bike. At one point I was going pretty fast down a bumpy road and I was jostling so much that the cage holding my water bottle broke off, my water bottle fell to the ground and I ran over it! That was it...only about 1 1/2-2 miles in and I was lacking my water supply. Eventually I made it through the first loop, dreading facing that hill again and just kept going. I was finally done the bike!
When I went back into the transition area to put my bike back and get ready for the run, people were already finished the race. A little disheartening, yes, but I kept going. As soon as I got off the bike my legs were jelly. I knew I could keep going, I had to finish, and I knew I had those three miles of the run left in me. I continued on through the neighborhood pretty much alone, as I had been for most of the race, and could hear the music from the finish line. I reached the turn around point, went down a straigtaway and saw the water of the lake in the distance. This is when I almost lost it. I started to tear up and the emotions were taking over. I couldn't believe that I was finishing a sprint triathlon and I was so close to that finish line.
Even though I finished pretty close to last, it was still an amazing experience. My parents and Trey were there waiting for me at the finish line and that made it all worth it. Now that I know I can actually do this, my competitive instincts have kicked in and I want to do another sprint triathlon in April, take the training seriously and get better times.
It was a great time, but as I said...I cannot believe how quickly it came and went.
Peace and happy swim/bike/running!
As the start time was getting closer I really wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. I knew that I could do it, but I had no idea what I had in store.
The gun goes off and the swim starts. They didn't stagger the waves very well, so we were all pretty much on top of each other. This was very scary and in the first 50 yards I was starting to gulp down water and gasp for air. Turning at the first buoy was quite a nightmare as well, seeing that I made the silly choice of being on the inside of the corner and everyone came in on me as they made their turn. Note to self for next time, definitely go to the outside lane. I decided to then take my time and do whatever I could to get through the swim without having to grab onto the boat used for safety or one of the kayaks. I wanted to do this on my own, no matter how long that took. I finally got out of the water and headed to the transition area to get ready for the bike.
The bike...I definitely didn't take training as serious as I should have and that became very apparent early on in the bike leg. I started out strong and then wham! There was the biggest hill right in my way that absolutely killed my legs. I eventually got up the hill and continued on my way. For the first time I was actually thankful for my 12 year old mountain bike. The roads in this neighborhood were full of potholes and I can't imagine being on a road bike. At one point I was going pretty fast down a bumpy road and I was jostling so much that the cage holding my water bottle broke off, my water bottle fell to the ground and I ran over it! That was it...only about 1 1/2-2 miles in and I was lacking my water supply. Eventually I made it through the first loop, dreading facing that hill again and just kept going. I was finally done the bike!
When I went back into the transition area to put my bike back and get ready for the run, people were already finished the race. A little disheartening, yes, but I kept going. As soon as I got off the bike my legs were jelly. I knew I could keep going, I had to finish, and I knew I had those three miles of the run left in me. I continued on through the neighborhood pretty much alone, as I had been for most of the race, and could hear the music from the finish line. I reached the turn around point, went down a straigtaway and saw the water of the lake in the distance. This is when I almost lost it. I started to tear up and the emotions were taking over. I couldn't believe that I was finishing a sprint triathlon and I was so close to that finish line.
Even though I finished pretty close to last, it was still an amazing experience. My parents and Trey were there waiting for me at the finish line and that made it all worth it. Now that I know I can actually do this, my competitive instincts have kicked in and I want to do another sprint triathlon in April, take the training seriously and get better times.
It was a great time, but as I said...I cannot believe how quickly it came and went.
Peace and happy swim/bike/running!
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