Sorry...

So sorry for the little unexpected break.  I had some posts planned for this week, but work got the better of me.  I am leaving earlier tomorrow morning for a week vacation (!) and really should be packing, but wanted to stop by and say hi (in other words procrastinate for bit since I hate packing). 

Hope you all had a great week and I'll be back next week with more 'regularly scheduled' posts.  Now off to pack some more (or find other ways to procrastinate).

Have a good weekend!

Training recap: Week of 6/17 (DDD / DLH Week 8)

This week was tough.  The red eye really got to me and I was exhausted all week.  Cross country flights used to not bother me all that much, but anymore it is a killer.  Getting old is so much fun, right?

Anyway, can't believe I am 8 weeks into training.  At the end of this week, I will be half way done!  Crazy...

Monday
Scheduled: 6 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: Rest

Decided to skip my workout and enjoy a girls day with Vanessa in San Jose.  A skipped workout well spent if you ask me!

Tuesday
Scheduled: 6 x 800m @ 8:12 pace, 400m recovery
Actual: 3 miles, 31:46, 10:35 pace

I was too exhausted from the red eye that I knew the speedwork was not going to happen, but I was happy to get out for any running.

Wednesday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: Off

Thursday
Scheduled: 5 mile tempo run at race pace (8:46 pace) with warm up and cool down
Actual: 7 miles - 5 mile tempo, 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down
Paces: 8:43, 8:35, 8:44, 8:40, 8:43

Won't lie, this was rough.  It's going to get easier, right?

Friday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: 5 miles, 53:33, 10:43 pace

Saturday
Scheduled: 6 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: 5.25 miles, 52:22, 9:59 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: 10 miles long run pace (9:29)
Actual: 10 miles, 1:42:58, 10:18 pace

This run was not on pace, but it was so hot out that I took it a little easy.  My legs were also dying from all the running.  I just kept telling myself to get through 1 mile at a time and eventually it would be over.  Again, it's going to get easier right? 

Total miles: 30.24

Total June miles: 114.25



The upcoming two weeks are going to be challenging to get all 6 runs in.  I have weddings both Saturdays and I will be traveling for both. I figure even if I can't do the entire scheduled workout, I will at least try to get some mileage in. 

Happy Monday everyone!

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice over Stonehedge

Today is both my favorite and least favorite day of the year: Summer Solstice.  Why?

Well, today marks the first day of summer - which is obviously why it is one of my favorite days of the year.  Despite the fact that it has already been blazingly hot and I always feel that summer unofficially starts Memorial Day weekend, I always love the official first day of summer.  It's finally officially here.  Summer is the farthest we can get from winter and we know how I feel about winter.

But sadly, the summer solstice is also the longest day of the year.  Which means after today, it is going to get earlier every night.  Which means there will be less daylight for me to run in and reminds me that in the not too distant future, I'll be doing most of my runs in the dark (damn you winter!).

But, we do have a while before it gets dark early, so I am going to continue to take advantage of the daylight after work.

Does anyone else feel this way about the summer solstice?  Or am I the only weirdo?

A little bit of randomness for Thursday

So, I'm too tired to write a full post tonight, but thought I would share some a video I stumbled upon the internet this week.

This is just crazy.  It's man new best friend - a bear.

Hope you all had a good week!

Race Recap: Crowley Brothers Road Race

Crowley Brothers Road Race
June 9, 2013

State: #13 (Vermont)
Half: #34

This race definitely qualifies as my smallest race ever.  It had only 75 people!  We headed to Vermont on Saturday afternoon to go to the race.  There was no expo or anything, just a packet pickup, which we missed on Saturday (we may have gotten waylaid at the outlets on the way up there).  We were able to get my number before the race Sunday morning.

So Sunday morning, we headed to the start and got my number.  It wasn't even a chip timed race - just gun time.  The start was no frills, just an airhorn and we were off.  The course was marked with a combination of signs and chalk.  Nothing like a small race!  The course was rolling hills and some flat sections.  Some small climbs but nothing too crazy.   

It was small, but I wasn't alone on the course, which was nice.  I tried to conserve at the beginning which was great for the end (I was able to pass all the people who passed me in the beginning).  I felt strong heading to the finish, which felt great.

The medal was pretty cool too - it was marble!  Definitely pretty unique and one to remember.  Plus, this is the race where I got to meet Kathrine Switzer and Bill Rodgers!

Results
Official results: 13.1 miles, 1:59:19, 9:09 pace
Garmin: 13.18 miles, 1:59:15, 9:03 pace

Splits

2 on Tuesday

This weekend in SF was just what I need - lots of food, great weekend with girlfriends and of course some running.  So much fun, but now I'm back and got lots to catch up on.  Have 2 race reports coming up!

While I was in SF, we found this store - 100% Pure.  All the products are 100% natural and organic ingredients.  They smelled delicious and Vanessa picked some up to try.  I wasn't able to buy any because I was carrying on, but Vanessa told me today that the products she picked up worked great.  I do think I am going to try some of them.

When I flew to San Fran, I flew out of JFK.  I don't normally like to fly out of JFK as it is very far from my apartment, but this flight was the most convenient for me.  But, I did fly out of the new Delta Terminal and discovered they have a Shake Shack now.  Which happened to be located right next to my gate.  I think I would be willing to fly out of JFK more often if I was guaranteed to have a gate next to Shake Shack!

Training recap week of 6/10 (DLH / DDD Week 7)

This week was a pretty good one for me, got all my runs in but I did have to shorten one of them.  But I got them in, which makes me happy.

I had so much fun this past weekend in San Francisco with my friends.  It was a short trip, but so absolutely fun and I came home relaxed and ready to go. 

Monday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: 4 miles, 40:22, 10:06 pace

Tuesday
Scheduled: 8 x 600m @ 8:12 pace, 400m recovery
Actual: 8 x 600m, with 400m recovery
Paces: 8:10, 8:10, 8:14, 8:14, 8:11, 8:13, 8:11, 8:13
Total distance: 7:50 mi

Wednesday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: Off

Thursday
Scheduled: 5 mile tempo run (8:46 pace) with warm up and cool down
Actual: 6 miles - 4 mile tempo, 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down
Paces:9:30, 8:44, 9:06, 8:29

Friday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: 4 miles, 40:42, 10:11 pace

Saturday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (9:46 - 10:46)
Actual: 3.66 miles, 36:39, 10:01 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: San Francisco First Half Marathon
Actual: 13.29 miles, 2:07:50, 9:37 pace

Total miles: 38.44
Total June miles: 84.01

Morning runs

What is it about morning runs that I cannot get on board with?  I am getting better, but it is so hard to get motivated for them.

My schedule had me doing a 5 mile tempo run today and I knew with the weather report calling for heavy rain, I did not want to do it after work.  Plus, I have a some errands I need to do before leaving for SF tomorrow (and I still need to pack...grrrr, I hate packing), so I just knew it was not going to be possible for me to do it after work.

But when my alarm went off this morning, I could not get moving.  I snoozed until I could not anymore if I wanted to get my run in and I still had to cut a mile from the tempo portion (ended up 1 mile warmup, 4 miles tempo and 1 mile cooldown).  It was to the point were I was waiting for my Garmin to sync with the satellites and I was thinking to myself - 'If I went back to bed right now I could get an extra 60 minutes of sleep'.

I did it, but my paces were definitely a little off.  It probably didn't help that I (obviously) did not get up with enough time to eat something prior to my run so I was running on an empty stomach.  

I used to not be able to run in the AM at all, but I've gotten better and now it seems like just speed workouts are hard.  At least I can get my easy runs in in the AM (when I can get out of bed).  Since it seems I can run in the AM as long as my pace isn't a priority, I am going try to start doing them in the AM and see if I can train myself to get better at it.

But, at least I got my run in today (even if it was short)!

Midweek Updates

So I was planning on doing my race recap of the Crowley Half Marathon, but it's been a hectic week and I want to get to bed early for my run tomorrow. 

Instead, I am going to do a some race updates and other midweek randoms. 

So, I have decided not to do the Madison Mini Marathon.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I have some more travel upcoming (SF, Chicago, Columbus) so I am looking forward to being home for a while.  This also means that this upcoming weekend will be my last half before Dumbo Double Dare.  I may do a couple of back to back 10Ks in July, but otherwise, nothing.

Does anyone watch the show Castle?  I recently started watching it from Season 1.  I am only on Season 2, but I am really liking it so far.  It's funny and pretty entertaining.  How have I not been watching it until now?

How long does one have to live in a city before it becomes "home"?  I was talking with a friend about something and I mentioned I had "left something at home" and she asked me "PA?".  I know everyone is different and my childhood home will always be my childhood home, but I've been in NYC for almost 8 years, is it weird that I call it home? 

I'm off to SF this weekend to spend some quality time with some girlfriends and run the SF First Half.  I am really excited for this race as it runs over the Golden Gate Bridge - how cool is that?  Should be a good time.

Now I'm off to bed...can barely keep my eyes open!

2 on Tuesday

So tonight's speedwork did not go as good as last week.  I upped my paces for my new half marathon goal, which I definitely think was part of it and I was also just an off day.  I need to remember in an 18 week training cycle, bad days will happen.  I still did make my paces though, they were just a little tougher!

Well, that was quick.  Princess registration opened today at noon.  By 6pm, the Glass Slipper Challenge (10K + Half) was sold out.  Holy cow.  I am all signed up myself for the Glass Slipper Challenge, my cousin for the half, my mom and aunt for the 10K.  Pam is doing the GSC as well and her mom the 5K.  Abby is also doing the GSC.  Although, I am not sure how I am going to be feeling only like 6-7 weeks after Dopey... but, should be a good weekend.

My favorite show of the summer is back on - So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).  I just love this show - the dancers on it are just really talented.  I didn't love last season as much as Season 8 (2 years ago, when Melanie won), but I am still always really happy to be watching it.  The auditions are just coming to a close and now starts the Vegas portion.  Makes me want to take dance classes again.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Coolest running meeting, ever

So this weekend, I ran the Crowley Brothers Half Marathon.  I will be doing a full race report this weekend, but I am too excited over this next part to save it for my race recap.

The race wins for the smallest race (like 75 people small), but coolest post race party.  After finishing, they had a post race festival and 2 running legends were there - Olympian Bill Rodgers and Kathrine Switzer.  If you don't know, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon (back in 1967) and was big proponent for women's running and sports and for Title IX. 

Both were at the finish festival and talked to runners and were signing autographs.  Both of them happily signed my bib.  Bill ('cause we are clearly on a first name basis now) told me some stories of running the NYC Marathon in 1974 all 26.2 miles in Central Park.  I can barely make it through 2 laps of Central Park - I cannot even imagine running 26.2 miles in the park.  That is pretty intense. 

Kathrine was incredible.  It was really moving to me to meet her.  She is a pioneer in women's sports.  She changed the face of sports and I can do what I love because of her.  She was also so nice and was signing copies of her book 'Marathon Woman'.  It's her story of changing women's sports.  I am looking forward to reading it!  I already started to read the book and have discovered that she went to Syracuse and was in Newhouse.  How strange is that?

For a small, local half marathon it was pretty cool to get to meet both Kathrine Switzer and Bill Rodgers.  Definitely a one for the ages.  I plan on framing my bib as this now goes down as my favorite famous runner story (previous one is having Joan Benoit Samuelson give me a high five as I cross the finish line of the 2011 Nike Women's Half Marathon, which has been relegated to second place).

This bib is a keeper.

Signed copy of Marathon Woman. 

Training recap: Week of 6/3 (DDD / DLH Week 6)

Is it raining where you are too? I am so over the rain.  Although, give me a high five as I did go for my run in the rain tonight.  Rock on. 

This was a solid week of training while checking another state off my list.  The weekend ended with a half marathon in Vermont.  A full race recap will be coming this week, but I do have something pretty cool to share (a second post to follow tonight on this).

Monday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: 4 miles, 40:31, 10:08 pace

Tuesday
Scheduled: 12 x 400m @ 8:33 pace, 400m recovery
Actual: 12 x 400m, with 400m recovery
Paces: 8:17, 8:36, 8:18, 8:36, 8:27, 8:25, 8:31, 8:28, 8:25, 8:22, 8:26, 8:16
Total distance: 8:39mi

Wednesday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: Off

Thursday
Scheduled: 5 mile tempo run (9:09 pace) with warm up and cool down
Actual: 7 miles - 5 mile tempo, 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down
Paces: 9:08, 9:03, 9:04, 8:55, 9:08

Friday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: Off

Saturday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: 3 miles, 31:03, 10:21 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Crowley Brothers Half Marathon
Actual: 13.18 miles, 1:59:15, 9:03 pace

This week was a bit of an eye opener.  I was training at paces for a 2:00:00 race with the Disneyland Half as my 'A' race.  Well... I just ran that this weekend in VT without too much effort.  There was effort, but not a crazy amount.  I am definitely going to be adjusting my training paces for this upcoming week as I clearly should be training at faster paces if I just ran a half at my goal pace.  I am going to adjust for a 1:55:00 Half Marathon goal time. 

I have another half marathon this weekend in San Fran and I get to spend a long weekend with some of my dearest friends.  Can't wait!

Total scheduled miles: 39.1
Total actual miles: 35.57
Total June miles: 45.57

Happy (belated) National Running Day (and why is New York trying to kill my spirit?)

So, I am a bad running blogger.  And a bad runner.  Not only did I not post on National Running Day, I didn't even go for a run.  I did go have dinner and drinks with a running friend - that counts, right?

I love National Running Day and think it's a great idea.  Was totally going to write a post but was busy at work and then exhausted when I got home from dinner.  Oops.  It happens.

I decided not to run (I did think about it) because Wednesday is my rest day and given how intense my schedule is, I didn't think it was prudent (SAT word - 10 points!) to add in a 7th day of running this week.  Plus after my speedwork on Tuesday night, I really needed the day off. 

On a totally different side note (i.e. the second part of the post title), sometimes I think NYC is trying to kill my spirit.  I am seriously.  Like tonight, I was coming home from work and turn the corner onto my block, took 2 steps and got sprayed by some teens with a garden hose.  I am not kidding.  They were hiding behind a set of stairs so I didn't see them.  I wasn't drenched, but I was definitely wet enough to let out serious of expletives.  Where did they even get a garden hose from?  I love NYC but it's stuff like this that sometimes makes me want to move.  Ugh, so annoying!  Sorry, I just needed to vent!

What did you all do to celebrate National Running Day?

2 on Tuesday

I should really write my posts before I do my run.  Tonight was my first speed workout in a long time and while it felt great, I am exhausted.  I did 8.39 miles total between warm-up, recoveries and cooldown which was my longest run of the training cycle so far.  Felt good, but I am going to pass out tonight.

I was in my local Dunkin Donuts this past weekend and saw this sign for their newest breakfast sandwich.  A glazed donut breakfast sandwich.  I am not sure this is necessary in life at all.  Personally, I don't know if a donut is substantial enough to hold a sandwich (a bagel has some structure) but I am sure there will be people who eat it.  The calorie count is not as bad as I thought it would be (360 calories).  I might have to try it just to see for sure.

In case you haven't been following the chatter on the web over this past weekend, a big runDisney/active.com error occur.  Let's just call it Princess Gate.  Apparently the link for registering for Princess got activated early and people could register this past weekend.  Now, I am sure there are people who didn't realize registration hadn't opened and registered (let's give people the benefit of doubt) but there was someone who actively searched the link and shared it.  I know races are selling out quicker, but let's make it fair for everyone and wait until the registration actually opens.  Those who did register got an email from runDisney saying their money would be refunded and the registrations didn't stand, but it's still frustrating.  I wonder if this means there will be a change from Active.com for runDisney.  Between the disaster of Chicago and Marine Corps, Active has not had a good year.

Training recap: Week of 5/27 (DDD / DLH Week 5)

Holy heat wave!  It was brutal out there this weekend.  I apologize for complaining about it not being warm enough out all spring (and if I didn't do it on the blog, I was doing it in my head).

I did have to swap a day this week due to my work schedule, but I still got in all 5 runs.  I also had to cut that one run short, but overall it was good week of running.  I was a little off pace on my long run, but the heat did me in.

Monday
Scheduled: Rest or Cross Training
Actual: Rest

Tuesday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: 5 miles, 51:50, 10:22 pace

Wednesday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: 2.5 miles, 25:39, 10:15 pace

Thursday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: Off (swapped with Wednesday)

Friday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: 5 miles, 51:04, 10:13 pace

Saturday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy pace (10:09 - 11:09)
Actual: 4 miles, 41:13, 10:23 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: 6 miles long run pace (9:53)
Actual: 6 miles, 1:06:39, 11:07 pace

Total scheduled miles: 24
Total actual miles: 22.50
Total May miles: 82.96
Total June miles: 10.00

This upcoming week incorporates a sixth day of running as well as starting speedwork!  Been a long time since I did speedwork, but looking forward to it.

Hope you all had a good week of training!