Eating Is Half The Battle

Yes, I have started training for my fourth half marathon, but the real battle for me is what almost everyone, especially women, face on a daily basis...the yo-yo effect of my weight.  As I mentioned yesterday, I haven't worked out with my trainer in a while and I just went on vacation, so I'm feeling extra blah lately.  The past month and a half has been pretty screwy, resulting in there being no food in my refrigerator, so I'm buying almost every meal.  I know, this is awful and a waste of money, I just haven't had time to go grocery shopping and I wasn't in my apartment long enough to eat the food.  So, now that things have settled down and I have no big plans for the next few months I need to get back to eating right.  I keep giving excuses, like yesterday when I had pizza for dinner and justified that I can get away with eating crap for the next few days, since I don't have time to go grocery shopping until Friday.  This morning as I walked past the bakery with my favorite blueberry muffins (it should be a crime to put bakeries that close to my morning walk to the subway!) I kept on walking, knowing that I could get some Honey Nut Cheerios at work.

Eating right has always been a struggle, and it's not the actual act of eating right that is the struggle as much as making the decision to start eating right.  Once I'm a few days into it, like any other habit, I'm ok.  I've honestly never had any problem giving up certain foods, it's just a matter of keeping up the eating schedule.  I think that as my marathon training continues, and once I start back with my trainer after Labor Day, everything else will fall into place.  I have learned through the years to not be too hard on myself and we all slip here and there.  I will go grocery shopping this weekend, and finally have food in the fridge...I will stop buying every meal and get back to a routine that I can depend on.

It's easy to think that just exercise will do the trick...I mean, I will be running an average of 10 miles/week for the next three months, I should be in great shape after that, yes?  Well, as I said...that's only half the battle.


p.s.---on a much different note, I have "day after first run" super sore legs, to the point where I'm practically goose-stepping my way down the street because it's too hard to walk normally.  and going down steps is practically torture.  oh, the things we do to get our bodies in shape, haha.

Back to running...back to blogging

It's true...the time has come for me to start training again for the Philly Half Marathon.  I never in a million years thought I'd be able to say that I was training for my FOURTH half marathon, but here I am.  I will say...this morning was rough.  All first mornings are rough though, and that is what I keep telling myself.  I started off with what should have been an easy three mile run, and well...by about 1.15 miles in, my stomach was a mess.  I ended up only going about 2.18, with a horrible pace, etc.  But...it's the first time I've ran in months, give or take a few random times here and there.  I'm ok with this start.  I know I'm a horrible trainer, and I know that I've run this race three times already and my time has gotten considerably better each year.  I also haven't worked out with my trainer in about a month and I'm just getting off of vacation, which means I'm definitely not in the best shape.  All of this put aside...I know that as long as I stick with it, I'll make it through.  For the first time in my racing history, which obviously is a long and storied history, I made a running schedule for myself.  It's a bit ambitious, but completely doable.  I have never ran more than 10 miles before I run the official race, and I am determined to break that streak this year.  I don't have any big plans in the next two and a half months that would disrupt my training, and with a few new angels watching down from above, I have even more motivation.

Now...back to this first run of mine...while it was a hard run, it still came with some observations, such as the woman who had her shirt on inside out.  No, I wasn't the Good Samaritan...I didn't stop and tell her to jump into Starbucks to switch it around, I kept on running.  I have a race to train for, come on now.  And of course there was a TV or movie shoot in Central Park this morning, so there was Kraft Services lined up along the sidewalk.  That never makes running easy...couldn't they be so kind as to spare a danish?  And then on the way back, running through the cigarette smoke of those nice gentleman stationed on their bench really helped my already tired lungs.  

Now we just have to wonder what Thursday will bring.

4 Miles Or Bust!

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!

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!!!

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!

A Little Runner Is Hiding Inside Of Me

It's true...Thursday I was completely dedicated to the fact that I'd go home and run after work. By mid-afternoon I was seriously questioning my sanity, but when I got home, I got changed right away and headed out. The night before I had just run in my neighborhood and decided I liked that ten times more than my usual route of simply running straight down Frederick Douglass (my street) until I came along Central Park and then turned around. That route has been getting boring. So Thursday I set out among my neighborhood, South Harlem/Morningside. I ran down along Morningside Park and through the streets of South Harlem. One of the major motivators was the fact that it was an absolutely gorgeous night. I honestly wore a long sleeved running shirt, it felt like fall was right around the corner.

Luckily, for these runs, my phone (Droid) has an app that will map where you run and keep your pace and how far you're going, etc. This helps me so much, because while we all think 20 blocks is a mile, really...how are we supposed to know?

So as I ran I felt good. I was keeping a steady pace and was just letting the blocks go by me. The only thing that kept nagging at me was the fact that the Mr. Softee truck was honestly following me, ha. Every block I turned down I could hear the familiar jingle coming through its' P.A. system, just urging me to keep running away from it. It wasn't until the end of my second mile that my hip started hurting, which was pretty good for me for now. My goal for the night was two miles, so I was set. As I checked my phone to relay back to me the details of my run I saw that I had averaged a 10:40 mile, which is honestly unheard of for me, so that was incredibly encouraging. Now, I understand I only did two miles and it may be easy to keep that pace for 2-3 miles, but still...I was excited. For the sprint I'm figuring that three miles isn't that far and you can keep a fast pace and just push through. It's not like for the half or a full where you really do have to pace yourself. But, in the end I'm also thinking that if I can start my training with a 10:40 mile, I am well on my way to bettering my time! So, all positive things.

And now the sprint is in a week and a half and I'm still probably not as ready as I should/could be, but...I've never been one to back down from a challenge. We got our team uniforms last week and I now look like a real triathlete. What a summer this has been.


Peace, love and happy running!

Is My Bike A Death Trap?

This was the question of the evening last Tuesday when my friend Sean, who is an avid bike rider, came to give my bike a once over to make sure it won't kill me on race day. Well, he was able to do a few things to it, such as make the brakes tighter and give me a few more gears that I had lost throughout the years. Let me preface this by saying that my bike is at least twelve years old and is a mountain bike. Definitely nothing one should really be riding in a road race, but oh well. The new bike will have to wait until Christmas.

So...I was very grateful for Sean's expertise to come and help keep me safe, and I promised him I'd stop riding this bike after the race to limit my chances of getting killed, haha.

Wednesday I was excited to try out my improved bike. Having brakes that actually work right away is pretty thrilling stuff. The entire day at work I tried to keep up the momentum, knowing that I'd have to go home first before heading out to ride. Knowing myself, heading home before doing anything is pretty dangerous. The couch is just so comfy, and really...there is always some mindnumbing television just calling my name. Not today though. I was able to pull through, go get changed and get my bike out there for the world to see.

Unfortunately two blocks into my ride I think I lost one of the gears Sean had just given me the previous night. Major blow to the motivation. I also have a major problem with my route. I enter Central Park at the top right before the Great Hill, and pretty much use every last bit of energy getting up that hill. I didn't hit a good stride until the E. 70's and by that point I was almost done. The next time I do this, I am going to enter the park at 96th St. so that I am not faced with the hill right off the bat. We'll see if that makes the difference that I'm expecting it to.

So yes...I continued around the park at an okay pace. I'm definitely not going as fast as I'd like, but that's okay. I'm not dying, and I'm not falling off my bike. Those two things alone equal success. I used my gears to the best of my abilities and tried to make it easier on myself when I could. From what I have heard of the bike portion of the sprint, the course is the hardest leg of the swim, bike, run. Go figure. While I was riding around Central Park, I had it in my head to do two laps, but by the time I reached the top of the park it was starting to get dark and "mind over matter" was nowhere to be found. So I exited the park and headed home. In all I bike 7 miles (or so) and was happy with it. Again, not the time I'd like, but that's alright.

When I was done I took a walk and called my mom. After the phone conversation I had just walked a half mile, so I decided to run the second half back to the grocery store to pick up some dinner. It felt good, and I felt somewhat accomplished. Definitely more biking to be done this week though. My goal is to do two laps, it's a must.


Happy biking!