Jingle Bell Jog

The Jingle Bell Jog was one of my favorite NYRR races last year when I ran with Jenny, so I was excited to run it again with Jenny and Joyce this year! The forecast was for 100% rain, but luckily it didn't start raining until we had finished, and the weather was pleasantly warm (45 degrees).

I wore my usual green Lucy jacket, with the race swag stripey tech socks and a Yankees cap. I knew I couldn't PR because it was my first run after the marathon, but I discussed pacing with Jenny, saying a 10:00 min/mile pace was a respectable effort. I ended up running it in 41:34 (Jenny finished at our target pace!), which was a 10:24 pace and probably the fastest I've run since September's one-mile race.

The first mile felt like it took ages, and a lot of it was uphill. The second and third went by more quickly, and I lost Jenny by stopping at the first water station. I skipped all the rest, but I wanted to take it easy, so I didn't sprint for the finish, though I probably could have. We all went to brunch at Stecchino, an Italian place, and I had a maple sausage eggs benedict and split it for Tom's steak and eggs.

My legs paid for the "speed" the next day, as they were thoroughly sore, reminding me how easily and quickly one can get out of running shape! I had planned to run with Heather at 8:00am but I canceled to sleep in. I'm looking forward to running this weekend and hope to get my mileage up to ~15 miles per week by the end of the month.

Jenny and I have our sights set on a sub-2 half in May, so we have a renewed desire to train properly for that goal.

NYC Marathon Recap

I can't believe I am a marathoner! It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I think I was very underprepared for the distance, especially since my longest "run" this training cycle had been 10 miles + a 4-mile walk.

Pre-Race
Robyn and I signed up for the 8:15am Staten Island Ferry, so I woke up at 6:30am, made 2 peanut butter bagels and got dressed. I packed my bag with a Hello Kitty fleece blanket, put on my throwaway sweatshirt, and took the subway to the ferry terminal. The entire time I listened to two Southern gals discuss their marathons and coach and speedwork.

The ferry terminal was packed with runners. Luckily there were clean and numerous restrooms, and though the line was ridiculously long, it went fast and the bathroom attendant was getting everyone pumped. I gave Robyn a bagel and banana and we waited until 8:10am to board the ferry. The ferry ride was slow and boring, and once we got to Staten Island, we had to board a bus to get to the start. We figured we would rather wait in the warm terminal rather than outside so we waited a bit then boarded the bus for the longest 10-minute ride ever. Lots of runners were sharing stories and backgrounds. The bus ride (we started waiting for a bus at 9:00am) took so long that we got there barely in time for the 10:55am start.

Miles 1-2
We walked up to the Verazzano Bridge, heard the cannon go off, and started our NYC marathon to the sound of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York. We were in the orange corral so we went over the bridge, which was ridiculously windy. I focused on keeping my pace at 12:00-13:00, trying to start slow and finish fast (hah!). Robyn ran a bit faster and kept looking behind at me, but I didn't want to go out too fast, so I tried to keep a steady pace.

Miles 3-9
Brooklyn was by far the best part of the race. The crowds were out, live music was plentiful, and at one point, runners and spectators were doing the YMCA. I took a Gu every 40 minutes to an hour to keep my energy level up. The sun was shining and my legs felt good (too good and I sped up to under 12:00-minute miles).  Robyn and I had split up but her two bathroom stops made us end up in the same place! We stuck together until about Mile 16/17. I high-fived a row of little kids and laughed at the sign that said "Run from ebola!"

Miles 10-16
We crossed the bridge from Brooklyn into Queens and at the half-marathon point, I felt drained. Despite going conservatively, I guess pushing against the wind took more out of me than I expected. Queens was nondescript and soon over, and we were in the long Queensboro bridge, which was incredibly windy. I wanted to walk, but Robyn kept encouraging me to run. I told her that everything from the waist down was in pain. We finally made it through and as we ran into Manhattan, I heard my name being yelled. I was so excited to see Tom and Leemo on the side cheering me on! Boosted, I ran toward 1st Ave.

Miles 17-20
Running up from the 70s to the Bronx was difficult. I knew it was only 8 or so miles to the finish, but I stopped to walk and seriously considered quitting. These were my slowest miles of the race.  I told myself that once I got to Mile 20, it'd be the "halfway" point of the marathon and I could easily finish a 10K. The crowds were also sparse in the 100s and the Bronx. My body was hurting with every step and only walking seemed possible. The Bronx felt quick, and we were soon headed back into Manhattan.

Miles 20-23
I ran down from the Bronx and felt boosted for Mile 20. I sped up and my legs felt surprisingly fresh. But then in Miles 22-23, my legs felt like sandbags and my muscles felt destroyed. Running down 5th Ave. wasn't terrible, but I expected us to run down until 59th St, so I was pleasantly surprised that we turned into the Park right before Mile 24.

Mile 24-26.2
Once inside the Park, I heard my name and looked and saw Nathan! I high-fived him and heard Lyndsey yell, "Yayayay!!" which totally boosted me at that moment! I sped up again, only to hit another wall at Mile 25.  With one mile left to go, I ran/shuffled as quickly as I could, scanning the crowds along 59th St. for Tom.  Right at the corner before turning back into the Park, I saw him and high-fived him! I saw the 26 mile marker and sped up, thinking I could keep it up to the finish. Not so, I lost steam but teared up when I saw the finish line, blinked back my tears, and crossed the finish line!!

Post-Race
My right knee was in immense pain and NYRR makes you shuffle 2 miles to get out of the Park (and once you do, you have to trek another Avenue to get transportation anywhere). All cabs were taken, traffic was horrible because they shut down Broadway. Robyn and I debated getting a Lyft, Uber, pedicab (but we only had $10), and finally boarded a bus ride that took 30 minutes to go 20 blocks. We got home and I showered and we ate brisket and mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, beans, and sweet potatoes.

I can't stop thinking about the experience--it was incredible, but it was also a LOT of wear and tear and damage to my body. I don't think I can run another one, I went as hard as I could and only managed 5:50:05. I think I'll stick to halfs but I'm lucky and thankful I was able to run the NYC Marathon!

Marathon Training (Week 13)

I ran 5 miles on the treadmill on Saturday because it was raining and cold and I had limited time because we had to meet friends for some BBQ (which was a delicious post-run treat, even though Tom and I were deprived of our weekend bagels). For some reason I had a mental block against running 5 miles straight, so after 1.5 mile, I hopped off to get some water. I did another 2 miles (walking .5 of it), then got water again, then I finished with 1.5 miles.

Sunday was my 10-mile run. Tom did 5 miles with me, then I finished a second 5-mile loop on my own. I was struggling until I took more strides, which helped me keep moving forward and made my footfalls lighter and softer, which made running the rest of the 2 miles of the loop feel much easier. It was a warm day and I test-ran my marathon outfit, which turned out to be a poor choice because it was so warm. I'm not sure what I will wear if it is mid-high 50s on marathon day!

I read a blog about BQ-ing and one of the factors the author attributed his BQ to was increasing his strides per minute to 180/min. A lot of run/science blogs are debunking the theory, but it at least should help reduce impact, right?

I was a bit concerned about not hitting the magical 20-mile number for my longest run in marathon training. I felt slightly better about it after reading about some running coaches recommending running no longer than 2.5 hours (after which the benefits of the run don't outweigh the costs and wear on your body and increases the chance of injury). Of course most assumed that total weekly mileage was decent (mine isn't because I only run on weekends). But I guess I'll either walk slowwwly or let adrenaline carry me across the finish line. I'm already plotting which sweats and/or jacket to buy as bragging rights.

(How I ate back the calories)

Marathon Training (Week 12)

Saturday it was raining and I had a bit of work to do so after a long week, I did an easy 3 miles on the treadmill then went home to work.

Sunday was PERFECT RUNNING WEATHER!!! There was also the hustle and bustle and race day excitement of a half marathon in Central Park! The feeling of running a race without having to pay for it! Tom and I did the big 6-mile loop and I felt fantastic in the cool weather and fun atmosphere. I convinced Tom to do a second 5-mile loop, which we conquered with a bit of walking. I had intended to do 10-18 miles so I carried on alone for a last 4 mile loop, but as soon as I started heading up the east side of the Park my entire body was in pain. I cut across the Reservoir and just walked until I got home. I must have gone too fast during the second loop because I've never been in so much pain. 

I made it home but at one point I was despairing and wondering how I could get home without having to move any more.

One day after I feel fine. I'm debating whether to repeat last weeks 5mi/10mi for next weekend or try for 15-18 miles in one go. I'm getting nervous about experiencing the same type of pain during the marathon where it hurts to move. I'm not sure how best to prepare for it other than to run as slowly as possible. I guess I'm also banking on some race day adrenaline to get me to the full 26.2.

Bronx 10-Miler Recap (Marathon Training Week 11)

On Saturday, Tom and I set out to run 5 miles and I promptly wanted to walk and/or quit. He made me finish the 5-mile loop and we rewarded ourselves with our usual post-run bagels.

On Sunday, I ran the Bronx 10-miler with Robyn on pretty tired legs (we walked a lot Friday and Saturday, not to mention the 5-mile run).  I met Robyn at the start and we were in the back of the pack, but with my legs, the 12-minute-mile pace felt just right.

The course was rather boring, with a long straight run down Grand Concourse (which reminded me of my least favorite part of the Brooklyn Half from Prospect Park to Coney Island boardwalk but with less crowd support). Robyn and I stayed together for the most part, even though she took a bathroom break (guess I was running really slowwwly)! The course was an out-and-back, so we cheered on the first-place runner--he looked so breezy and all smiles, it was really refreshing and exciting to see someone run with such joy and so effortlessly! Unlike my plodding along--Tom coined the word "plogging" to describe my running (plodding and jogging).

I walked through all but two water stops, and thank goodness I had my new iPod shuffle to help the miles go by. (Note to self: OneRepublic, Kesha and Katy Perry are much better running songs than A Fine Frenzy and Snow Patrol.) My legs and feet were hurting and I was thinking that all the pain was due to Robyn, who got me to sign up for this race and for the freakin marathon.

I made it to the finish line, and beamed and waved when I saw Tom waiting for me. He even brought me a bagel! He's the best! I was sore the rest of that day but I'm fine the day after.

Official finish time: 1:57:28, an 11:45 min/mile pace. Slower than my half-marathon time, but it was a hot day and I had tired legs.

Next week: 20 miles!!!

Marathon Training (Week 10)

Ack! 6 weeks until I have to run 26.2 miles! What am I doing with my life.

So this weekend was probably the most I've run since June...I ran 6 miles Saturday with Heather, then 5 miles today with Tom. Then I went kayaking on the Hudson and got a little too much Hudson River on my face. But it was free so that's good for the wedding fund.

I've been running Garmin-less. Yesterday was all about catching up with Heather on her trip to Berlin and her fight for Taiwanese independence. Today Tom and I debated religious hostility, whether America was built on Christian ideals, and vaccines and correlation/causation of autism.

Luckily the fall weather has made running much more bearable than in the height of summer heat. And I have a shiny new iPod shuffle to listen to for next week's Bronx 10-miler and the 20 mile run I have scheduled for October 4!

I think in 2015 I'm only going to run the Brooklyn Half. I've spent well over $500 on races in 2014 and I need to just run in CP without being forced to in a race.

Fifth Avenue Mile Race Recap

I ran fast. My goal was 8:xx, which I told Robyn at the start. It was chilly at the start! Tom and I walked to the start at 5th Ave and 79th Street.

At the 1/4 marker, the clock read 2:19. At the 1/2 mile marker, it read 4:19. At the 3/4 mile marker, it read 6:13. I slowed down because my breathing was heavy and burning up my lungs and I knew I could make my goal time. Then when I checked my time via live tracking, I was surprised to see 7:37! I was coughing and having difficulty breathing the entire walk home, and downing a cup of water at Starbucks did little to help. Only after a hot shower did I start to feel better.

Tom says he runs fast all the time and he always feels like crap after. I think I'll never run that fast again. Or run the race ever again. I'll watch Tom and Leemo race it instead!

Ponytail flyin!