I decided to make my last run in my challenge a bit of a challenge. I'm finally doing a charity run. I chose Best Buddies PA and the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I've always wanted to run it, ever since I saw the t-shirts: Don't Tread on Me.
Luckily for me, it's fund raising goal is reasonable - $750. If 50 people donate $15 or 38 people donate $20 or 30 people donate $25 or 25 people donate $30 or 13 people donate $50, I should be good. It's also a low enough amount that if I'm short I can cover it.
Sep 30, 2011
Sep 27, 2011
I'm Short!!!!
Thanks to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, I'm short on my goal of 13.1 for the year.
1. Manhattan Half (Jan) 2:28
2. Austin Half Marathon (with JC in Feb)
3. National Half Marathon (with TK in Mar)
4. 13.1 NYC Half Marathon (not to be confused with the NYC Half Marathon, which I did not get into this year) (Apr)
5. More Half Marathon (Apr)
6. Still have to find one for May ODDyessy Half Marathon in Philly with MLJ (May)
7. Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon (Jun)
8.North Face Endurance Half Marathon DC (June - I still have to sign up for it) I never signed up for this. As much as I want the arm warmers, after the two halfs in one weekend in April, I cannot bring myself to do that again. Plus Post Hunt is that day, as is MW's 1st birthday party....oh and I have to work.
8. See Jane Run (Seattle in July)
9. San Francisco Half Marathon 1st half route (July)
10.Bronx Half Marathon - canceled due to Irene
10. Run to the Beat (London - Sept)
11. Baltimore Half Marathon (Oct)
12. Monster Dash (Oct)
My ".1". ING NYC Marathon (Nov)
13.???????
It's hard to find a race at the end of the year. And with my weekends getting booked up, I don't know what to do. There is an Annapolis Inaugural Half on Nov 19 that I'm leaning toward. Philadelphia Half is sold out, as is Big Sur. I might look international, but I doubt I can swing that financially. There was also a possible race in St. Pete's, Fl, but you all know how I feel about Florida - Hot, Humid, Hate it.
1. Manhattan Half (Jan) 2:28
2. Austin Half Marathon (with JC in Feb)
3. National Half Marathon (with TK in Mar)
4. 13.1 NYC Half Marathon (not to be confused with the NYC Half Marathon, which I did not get into this year) (Apr)
5. More Half Marathon (Apr)
6. Still have to find one for May ODDyessy Half Marathon in Philly with MLJ (May)
7. Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon (Jun)
8.
8. See Jane Run (Seattle in July)
9. San Francisco Half Marathon 1st half route (July)
10.
10. Run to the Beat (London - Sept)
11. Baltimore Half Marathon (Oct)
12. Monster Dash (Oct)
My ".1". ING NYC Marathon (Nov)
13.???????
It's hard to find a race at the end of the year. And with my weekends getting booked up, I don't know what to do. There is an Annapolis Inaugural Half on Nov 19 that I'm leaning toward. Philadelphia Half is sold out, as is Big Sur. I might look international, but I doubt I can swing that financially. There was also a possible race in St. Pete's, Fl, but you all know how I feel about Florida - Hot, Humid, Hate it.
Sep 25, 2011
A Good Excuse to Visit London
I ran my 10th Half Marathon of the year....in London! I ran the Run to the Beat: London's Music Half Marathon. That just meant every mile or so there was a DJ, some of whom were really good. I still ran with my headphones on though, and for a change the ear buds stayed put.
I was supposed to do a long run, so I padded my run both before and after the half. I ran a little over a mile from the hotel to the Thames Clipper, where I got a ride to the race start at the O2.
Now I've done one other foreign race before (Dublin), but this was by far the weirdest race. Instead of bibs you got a race T-shirt with your number on it. So, you had to wear the race shirt. It was a sea of purple, and I stood out like a green thumb. I was cold and planned to keep my green jacket/vest on, so they had to hand write a bib for me.
The runners were put in pens, and these pens had aisles that snaked. I felt like I walked a mile just inside the pen! It took over 13 minutes from the race start for my pen to even begin moving. I didn't cross the start until 20 minutes or so after the start gun went off. That was quite frustrating. And then I ended up running .2 miles to the start.
There was no water until after mile 3. It turned out to be a warm and sunny day, and between mile 2 and mile 3, all I kept thinking about was water. It was quite funny actually, since were running near the River Thames.
It was a pretty course. We passed by Millennium Park, Royal Arsenal, Royal Artillery Barracks, Royal Observatory Greenwich, and the National Maritime Museum (which looked really nice), ran through some quaint parks and towns, and then finished right back where we start at the O2, this ode to modern architecture, if ever there was one. Not just the O2, but the other building nearby, which were really interesting.
But one thing I noticed was that the mile 10 sign was at 9.7 - according to my Garmin - in fact we finished at just under 13 miles by Garmin.
At the end of the race, I got a bottle of water, and that was it. There were no food tables. At Dublin, we got a little lunchbox, but granted that was a full marathon. What they had instead were these food trucks: crepes, candy, fish and chips, and burgers. You had to pay for them, of course. It was interesting. I got a fish, cause I needed something post race. It was really greasy.
Now I thought I'd run from the O2 to London Bridge, but the course was under repair, and I didn't. Instead I got off at London Bridge and ran from there back to the hotel. Well, I ran 2 miles and then walked a mile. So all in all, I covered 17 miles (17.5 if I count the time getting to and weaving through the pen. Not too shabby. Now it's tea time with GF!
I was supposed to do a long run, so I padded my run both before and after the half. I ran a little over a mile from the hotel to the Thames Clipper, where I got a ride to the race start at the O2.
Now I've done one other foreign race before (Dublin), but this was by far the weirdest race. Instead of bibs you got a race T-shirt with your number on it. So, you had to wear the race shirt. It was a sea of purple, and I stood out like a green thumb. I was cold and planned to keep my green jacket/vest on, so they had to hand write a bib for me.
The runners were put in pens, and these pens had aisles that snaked. I felt like I walked a mile just inside the pen! It took over 13 minutes from the race start for my pen to even begin moving. I didn't cross the start until 20 minutes or so after the start gun went off. That was quite frustrating. And then I ended up running .2 miles to the start.
There was no water until after mile 3. It turned out to be a warm and sunny day, and between mile 2 and mile 3, all I kept thinking about was water. It was quite funny actually, since were running near the River Thames.
It was a pretty course. We passed by Millennium Park, Royal Arsenal, Royal Artillery Barracks, Royal Observatory Greenwich, and the National Maritime Museum (which looked really nice), ran through some quaint parks and towns, and then finished right back where we start at the O2, this ode to modern architecture, if ever there was one. Not just the O2, but the other building nearby, which were really interesting.
But one thing I noticed was that the mile 10 sign was at 9.7 - according to my Garmin - in fact we finished at just under 13 miles by Garmin.
At the end of the race, I got a bottle of water, and that was it. There were no food tables. At Dublin, we got a little lunchbox, but granted that was a full marathon. What they had instead were these food trucks: crepes, candy, fish and chips, and burgers. You had to pay for them, of course. It was interesting. I got a fish, cause I needed something post race. It was really greasy.
Now I thought I'd run from the O2 to London Bridge, but the course was under repair, and I didn't. Instead I got off at London Bridge and ran from there back to the hotel. Well, I ran 2 miles and then walked a mile. So all in all, I covered 17 miles (17.5 if I count the time getting to and weaving through the pen. Not too shabby. Now it's tea time with GF!
Sep 19, 2011
Recovery Run?
I've always found the concept of a recovery run to be a bit of an oxymoron. Running to recover from my long run? It still doesn't compute in my brain. Yesterday morning (the real day after my long run) I did end up walking from Union Square to my house on 71st via the High Line.
That means instead of just heading north, I went west, before heading north east. Basically I walked all around Manhattan. So my legs were really tired yesterday. But this morning, I felt great on my run. I thought I was sluggish, but my time said otherwise. So afterwards, I treated myself to a recovery drink, "chocolate milk," and a buttermilk biscut.
I can't tell you how great this biscut is - light, moist, flakey goodness. I also love the fact that I have an excuse to buy and drink chocolate milk (because if you don't have a kid, it just seems strange), but Runner's World said it was a good recovery drink, and by God I'm sticking with it!
That means instead of just heading north, I went west, before heading north east. Basically I walked all around Manhattan. So my legs were really tired yesterday. But this morning, I felt great on my run. I thought I was sluggish, but my time said otherwise. So afterwards, I treated myself to a recovery drink, "chocolate milk," and a buttermilk biscut.
I can't tell you how great this biscut is - light, moist, flakey goodness. I also love the fact that I have an excuse to buy and drink chocolate milk (because if you don't have a kid, it just seems strange), but Runner's World said it was a good recovery drink, and by God I'm sticking with it!
Sep 17, 2011
Around and Around and Around Again
As usual my intentions and what happened - two totally different things. I intended to wake up early and go running down to Battery City Park and back and then finish with FITNESS 4 miler race. What I did was hit the snooze button...a couple of times... watched a little TV and then went to the 4 miler (where you could have won something from Birkenstock...if the line wasn't prohibitively long). After I crossed the finish line, I ran for another 12 miles. I ran around the park. I did a loop 3 times and stopped at cafe near the start of the race.
I didn't vary it, although I thought about it. Instead, I chose the consistency of the route. It was fun though, on each lap I saw something news. Towards the end, there was some sort of German Day festival going on. A lot of people in lederhosen, it was kind of scary. I thought I should be in a Grimm's fairy tale.
I got back home around 1:30 and found out I chaffed in places I don't normally. It's not a good thing. Finally went out to get something to eat around 3. Luke's Lobster and Little Red Rooster bakery. Good post long run meal.
But I am so tired. My legs hurt and I can't seem to drum up any energy to do anything. Sleep time.
I didn't vary it, although I thought about it. Instead, I chose the consistency of the route. It was fun though, on each lap I saw something news. Towards the end, there was some sort of German Day festival going on. A lot of people in lederhosen, it was kind of scary. I thought I should be in a Grimm's fairy tale.
I got back home around 1:30 and found out I chaffed in places I don't normally. It's not a good thing. Finally went out to get something to eat around 3. Luke's Lobster and Little Red Rooster bakery. Good post long run meal.
But I am so tired. My legs hurt and I can't seem to drum up any energy to do anything. Sleep time.
Sep 15, 2011
Getting in a Groove?
Slowly but surely I'm being more consistent with my running. Given the fact that the marathon is 2 months away, it's a good thing. Better late then never, though, right? I ran 2 miles on Tuesday, a little over 4 miles on Wednesday (I forgot to restart my garmin after a water break, so I'm not sure what the end total was, but it was 4 when I finished), and 5.5 miles today.
I think I'm going to give myself a rest day tomorrow (or do some cross training) and rest up for my long run Saturday. I'm aiming for 16, but you can take bets/guesses on how long it really will be.
I think I'm going to give myself a rest day tomorrow (or do some cross training) and rest up for my long run Saturday. I'm aiming for 16, but you can take bets/guesses on how long it really will be.
Sep 12, 2011
Excuses, Excuses
Another day, another bagged run. I was going to go and meet the NYRR morning group run, but when I woke up, it still looked rather dark, so I said to myself, 'To Hell, with it. I'll run later.' It's later and I haven't run. I slept, answered some emails. I'm about to go out and get the last of my apt supplies. What I'm not doing today is running.
Sep 11, 2011
How Many Miles Will I Run?
I had to do my long run on Saturday for a couple of reasons. The main reason was that I wasn't sure how open the roads would be in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, and I wanted to do the West Side route again. I always wanted Sunday to be a relaxing day in general. So, I set my alarm early for Saturday morning,even though I didn't get to sleep until after midnight.
I hit the snooze button a couple of times and then just shut off the alarm. When I woke up, it was about 8:30. I used work to procrastinate some more, so by the time I got out for my run it was 11am. The question was how many miles would I do. I was hoping for at least 10, I was shooting for 11 miles. According to the training plan, I should be at 16 miles. I'm not.
I ran across Central Park, through the Upper West Side to Riverside Park, and then headed south. It really is a pretty route . It was a gray day, and it started to rain a pit -- no downpour, but enough to cool me off.
Unlike last week, there was a lot of fun activities that I hadn't noticed. There was free kayaking! (Guess what I'm going to try and do next week!) But as you can see, I got to run through some nice areas. You can get off the pavement and run through areas like this on the left, or run up and down piers and get a great view of the Hudson, which I admit, does not look very inviting.
But I ran. And I ran. I passed by the cruise ship terminal, ran past 42nd street, Chelsea Pier, the Highline, and was well on my way to Battery City Park when I looked at my Garmin and found myself at mile 6. I thought about running all the way down and then taking the subway up, but instead I decided to run back.
I used a lookout point of old piles (columns that hold piers up) that's supposed to represent stars as my turn around and ran back.
It was fun, until I got to the hill back up to Riverside Park. I ran up about a two-thirds and walked up the rest. Hopefully, one day I will be able to run up that hill.
When I finally got back into Central Park, I realized I was feeling better than I thought I would. So, I turned south and hit mile 11. And from there I continued until I hit mile 12. It was fun, because when I was a done I was about two block from the 3rd Avenue Street fair. So I ended my run with a lemonade and a chicken chipotle taco!
I hit the snooze button a couple of times and then just shut off the alarm. When I woke up, it was about 8:30. I used work to procrastinate some more, so by the time I got out for my run it was 11am. The question was how many miles would I do. I was hoping for at least 10, I was shooting for 11 miles. According to the training plan, I should be at 16 miles. I'm not.
I ran across Central Park, through the Upper West Side to Riverside Park, and then headed south. It really is a pretty route . It was a gray day, and it started to rain a pit -- no downpour, but enough to cool me off.
Unlike last week, there was a lot of fun activities that I hadn't noticed. There was free kayaking! (Guess what I'm going to try and do next week!) But as you can see, I got to run through some nice areas. You can get off the pavement and run through areas like this on the left, or run up and down piers and get a great view of the Hudson, which I admit, does not look very inviting.
But I ran. And I ran. I passed by the cruise ship terminal, ran past 42nd street, Chelsea Pier, the Highline, and was well on my way to Battery City Park when I looked at my Garmin and found myself at mile 6. I thought about running all the way down and then taking the subway up, but instead I decided to run back.
I used a lookout point of old piles (columns that hold piers up) that's supposed to represent stars as my turn around and ran back.
It was fun, until I got to the hill back up to Riverside Park. I ran up about a two-thirds and walked up the rest. Hopefully, one day I will be able to run up that hill.
When I finally got back into Central Park, I realized I was feeling better than I thought I would. So, I turned south and hit mile 11. And from there I continued until I hit mile 12. It was fun, because when I was a done I was about two block from the 3rd Avenue Street fair. So I ended my run with a lemonade and a chicken chipotle taco!
Sep 4, 2011
Westside Running Path
My friend DM, who is training for the Avon Walk for the Cure, takes a camera with her on her long training walks. She takes great pictures of flowers, signs, fun things she sees along the way. Yesterday, I wished I had a camera with me.
I did a long run (shorter than what I should have done, but still got mileage) that mainly consisted for running down the westside of Manhattan.
I've done this before during the New York City half marathons, but I ran on the Westside highway, not the path. So, it was an eye-opening experience for me. I got to see all the piers that jut into the Hudson and that are made for sitting and staring out. There were great little sculptures and seating areas all throughout. And as I approached lower Manhattan, I had great views of City Hall, the new Frank Gehry building, and the Freedom Tower. I wished I had a camera with me to take pictures of it all!
Next week, when I actually run longer, I will try and bring a camera with me. Or maybe I'll just walk one day for the fun of it!
I did a long run (shorter than what I should have done, but still got mileage) that mainly consisted for running down the westside of Manhattan.
I've done this before during the New York City half marathons, but I ran on the Westside highway, not the path. So, it was an eye-opening experience for me. I got to see all the piers that jut into the Hudson and that are made for sitting and staring out. There were great little sculptures and seating areas all throughout. And as I approached lower Manhattan, I had great views of City Hall, the new Frank Gehry building, and the Freedom Tower. I wished I had a camera with me to take pictures of it all!
Next week, when I actually run longer, I will try and bring a camera with me. Or maybe I'll just walk one day for the fun of it!
Sep 2, 2011
Planning My Long Run
I did a short run today and all I could really think about is how I don't want to do laps of Central Park for my long run tomorrow. I'll have to come up with a route. My project for the day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)