I'm a week late in writing about last weekend's race - sorry about that - things have been a little hectic.
OK - so last Sunday my mom and I did the Colon Cancer 4 mile Challenge in Central Park. It was a beautiful day! We had a good time.
My Nike Free sneakers are awesome! I realized that I DISLIKE the Mizunos I got so I'm going to keep them at school to use when I walk/run/etc in the gym.
A bunch of my coworkers are doing the Tough Mudder - I won't be able to join them since it's the Sunday after the marathon but I am going to be part of their team - I'll just be the cheering section! And maybe we can do some training together 1 day a week at lunch in the gym,
I have no race this weekend luckily. I've had bad sinus issues for about 2 weeks which just makes me tired and unmotivated. It probably doesn't help that the friggin' cold weather is still here too.
I have to get my butt in gear...which I say all the time. But I really do.
Next weekend is the Scotland 10k - my mom is making us kilts. Fun.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Coogan's 5k
First race of the season...DONE!!! It was a Salsa, Blues and Shamrock 5k in Washington Heights (NYC). It was also my mom's first race EVER! The original plan was to take an early train into the city but Chris talked us out of that since it might take us close to 2 hours to get there! So - we drove. Only took about 40 minutes. The armory was the NYRR staging area for bib pick up - AWESOME armory with an indoor track...too bad the race wasn't in there since it was pouring outside!
My mom seemed calm which was great...I remember my first race and I pooped ALL morning, started crying and came close to having a panic attack :) She had bought us these bizarre shamrock umbrella hats - I thought the woman was nuts until we stood outside for 2 minutes in the cold rain. I put that dumb hat on pretty quick!
Race started - my mom & I broke apart at the start. Close to 8,000 runners on a narrow city street makes for some tight crowds. Took over 3 minutes to get to the start line...and the running was pretty slow to start. Couldn't even attempt to weave around people. It started to thin a little bit but really not much....the road was a slight incline for about the first mile...then a little downhill...then all of a sudden this hill that looked vertical! And LONG. I groaned and slowed down - along with ALL the people around me. It was cold, wet and slippery - now we have to get up this hill??? CRAP. I walked it. Clearly, hill training is in my future.
The water stations were horrible...too many people (including little kids) just stopping in front of the tables.
Somehow - all of a sudden - my mom was at my side. We finished the last 3/4 of a mile together...grabbed our bagel and walked to stand in the pouring rain outside the parking garage along with 50 other runners.
Not my best time but I didn't expect it to be. It was a wake-up call that it's time to get my ass out of winter shut down mode and T.R.A.I.N.
My mom seemed calm which was great...I remember my first race and I pooped ALL morning, started crying and came close to having a panic attack :) She had bought us these bizarre shamrock umbrella hats - I thought the woman was nuts until we stood outside for 2 minutes in the cold rain. I put that dumb hat on pretty quick!
Race started - my mom & I broke apart at the start. Close to 8,000 runners on a narrow city street makes for some tight crowds. Took over 3 minutes to get to the start line...and the running was pretty slow to start. Couldn't even attempt to weave around people. It started to thin a little bit but really not much....the road was a slight incline for about the first mile...then a little downhill...then all of a sudden this hill that looked vertical! And LONG. I groaned and slowed down - along with ALL the people around me. It was cold, wet and slippery - now we have to get up this hill??? CRAP. I walked it. Clearly, hill training is in my future.
The water stations were horrible...too many people (including little kids) just stopping in front of the tables.
Somehow - all of a sudden - my mom was at my side. We finished the last 3/4 of a mile together...grabbed our bagel and walked to stand in the pouring rain outside the parking garage along with 50 other runners.
Not my best time but I didn't expect it to be. It was a wake-up call that it's time to get my ass out of winter shut down mode and T.R.A.I.N.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bustin' ass...
I have been busting my ass. Monday thru Friday I wake up at 5am to do Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred - It kicks my ass every day. I'm definitely getting stronger - it's kind of amazing. Then when I get home from work I either treadmill it or run inside, basically in place, with Wii Fit on the Free Run activity....I checked the mileage and if Wii Fit says I ran 2 miles then in reality I really only did 1 mile. I've also been working up a serious sweat with Just Dance 2! Love it!
The snow is beyond ridiculous. I ordered Yaktrax so we'll see how they work. I gotta get outside!!!
I have some serious personal goals for 2011. As they say - Go big or Go home.
I'm tired and hungry now so I'm signing off. Thanks for the continued support!
The snow is beyond ridiculous. I ordered Yaktrax so we'll see how they work. I gotta get outside!!!
I have some serious personal goals for 2011. As they say - Go big or Go home.
I'm tired and hungry now so I'm signing off. Thanks for the continued support!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Things...
OK - well here is where I'm at right now. I have been feeling like a zombie - really tired, unmotivated and just zoned out. I looked at my blog archives and saw that last winter I felt EXACTLY the same way. And going back in my memory - I know I pretty much feel like this every single winter.
Not only have I been feeling run down, but I'm also pissed off that no matter how much I bust my ass and track my food I continue to lose the same 2 pounds then gain the same 2 pounds the moment I do ONE thing outside the Monday-Friday food intake routine. It's pissing me off.
So - I went to the doctor to have some bloodwork done. I am not anemic and I do not have a thyroid problem but I AM severely deficient in Vitamin D. Lowest level my doctor has ever seen. I have been put on a prescription Vitamin D supplement for 8 weeks - a few weeks after that we'll retest. Hopefully - that will help me feel normal again...and there is a chance that my level is contributing to my 2 pound battle. Apparently new research is showing that low vitamin D levels in the northern hemisphere could be to blame for high rates of: MS, depression, schizophrenia....the list goes on. Great.
I had been waking up very early to get in about 20 minutes of Wii fit daily and although my center of balance is certainly improving - I know I need a little more intensity. I busted out the Jillian Michael's 30-day shred. I'm on day 3 of waking up at 5am and getting my ass kicked. That shit is HARD. It's nonstop - not even a quick pause for a sip of water. I better see some improvement. It's strength (with 5lb weights), cardio & abs - I'm hoping this helps with my running.
As for my running - I need to up this substantially. I have an April half-marathon & a May half. In addition to that, I've decided to do the NYRR 9+1 program so I'll be running 9 of their races and volunteering at 1. This is my potential schedule - want to join me?
2/26 Al gordon Classic 4 Mile, Brooklyn
3/27 Colon Cancer Challenge 4 Mile or 15K, Central Park
4/10 Scotland Run 10k, Central Park
5/14 NYRR 10k, Central Park
6/11 Women's only Mini 10k, Central Park
9/24 Fifth Ave Mile (**Maybe)
10/30 Marathon Kickoff 5 Mile
11/6 NYC Marathon!
12/10 Jingle Bell Jog, Brooklyn
Volunteer possibilities: 6/26 Achilles Hope & Possibility 5Mile, 7/16 Central Park Conservancy Run for Central Park 4 Mile, 9/17 Fitness Magazine 4 Mile (I may run this one instead!).
I think these are all spread out nicely to keep me on track and officially keeping tabs on my progress.
Not only have I been feeling run down, but I'm also pissed off that no matter how much I bust my ass and track my food I continue to lose the same 2 pounds then gain the same 2 pounds the moment I do ONE thing outside the Monday-Friday food intake routine. It's pissing me off.
So - I went to the doctor to have some bloodwork done. I am not anemic and I do not have a thyroid problem but I AM severely deficient in Vitamin D. Lowest level my doctor has ever seen. I have been put on a prescription Vitamin D supplement for 8 weeks - a few weeks after that we'll retest. Hopefully - that will help me feel normal again...and there is a chance that my level is contributing to my 2 pound battle. Apparently new research is showing that low vitamin D levels in the northern hemisphere could be to blame for high rates of: MS, depression, schizophrenia....the list goes on. Great.
I had been waking up very early to get in about 20 minutes of Wii fit daily and although my center of balance is certainly improving - I know I need a little more intensity. I busted out the Jillian Michael's 30-day shred. I'm on day 3 of waking up at 5am and getting my ass kicked. That shit is HARD. It's nonstop - not even a quick pause for a sip of water. I better see some improvement. It's strength (with 5lb weights), cardio & abs - I'm hoping this helps with my running.
As for my running - I need to up this substantially. I have an April half-marathon & a May half. In addition to that, I've decided to do the NYRR 9+1 program so I'll be running 9 of their races and volunteering at 1. This is my potential schedule - want to join me?
2/26 Al gordon Classic 4 Mile, Brooklyn
3/27 Colon Cancer Challenge 4 Mile or 15K, Central Park
4/10 Scotland Run 10k, Central Park
5/14 NYRR 10k, Central Park
6/11 Women's only Mini 10k, Central Park
9/24 Fifth Ave Mile (**Maybe)
10/30 Marathon Kickoff 5 Mile
11/6 NYC Marathon!
12/10 Jingle Bell Jog, Brooklyn
Volunteer possibilities: 6/26 Achilles Hope & Possibility 5Mile, 7/16 Central Park Conservancy Run for Central Park 4 Mile, 9/17 Fitness Magazine 4 Mile (I may run this one instead!).
I think these are all spread out nicely to keep me on track and officially keeping tabs on my progress.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Let the fundraising begin!!
I have anxiety about fundraising. I want to raise as much as I can as soon as possible so I can focus on training. I don't know how to get people to understand how important this is and that even $10 helps!
This year I'm going to try some new ways to raise funds. I haven't figured out what to do yet though.
Feel free to send me suggestions!!
I got out there last weekend and walk/ran 6 miles on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. It was awesome to get outside - even though it was FREEZING!!
But - I will go outside every single chance I get since I have been diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency. Will be starting a weekly supplement soon - let's keep our fingers crossed that I will soon feel less like a zombie.
This year I'm going to try some new ways to raise funds. I haven't figured out what to do yet though.
Feel free to send me suggestions!!
I got out there last weekend and walk/ran 6 miles on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. It was awesome to get outside - even though it was FREEZING!!
But - I will go outside every single chance I get since I have been diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency. Will be starting a weekly supplement soon - let's keep our fingers crossed that I will soon feel less like a zombie.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
I am not one for making New Year's Resolutions. Why? Because I think the majority of people who make resolutions fail at them. And I don't think people should wait until the "New Year" to make a change - change should come at any point during the year...it's just actually doing it.
HOWEVER, I am not against setting goals for the new year. I think there is a difference.
So here are some of my goals in no particular order...fit time in for my training and stop letting a little mess in the house stand in the way of my goals, be a more patient parent, appreciate what I have more, be more consistent with my nutrition, do my part to wipe out brain tumors, etc, etc, etc. My list goes on. These are all things I have been working on but I am not perfect so I'm working on them all still.
I'm ready for this new round of training. I feel how much I've slipped back since the marathon - mentally and physically. And I'm not liking it. Not one bit.
I've got some work to do. I'm ready for it. Strangely, I think I'm craving this new round of challenges.
Now - some of you may not realize this about me - but I can be a bit competitive. With myself and with others depending on the situation. As for competing against others - running really isn't my place for that. I'm not sure I will ever consider myself a runner. BUT I can compete against myself with it. So my times have to drastically change. Yes - I'm proud of how far I've come but dear lord I am slow. That's going to change.
As for competing against others - as silly as this sounds - I've been on Wii Fit almost every day competing. My kids think I'm insane since they hear, "That's right! Who's #1 at tilt table!?" I'm working on getting to #1 in each activity and I'm trying to get enough points so I'm constantly unlocking new activities or yoga poses.
I'll be reaching out soon to help me raise $$ again. In advance, thanks for supporting me!
HOWEVER, I am not against setting goals for the new year. I think there is a difference.
So here are some of my goals in no particular order...fit time in for my training and stop letting a little mess in the house stand in the way of my goals, be a more patient parent, appreciate what I have more, be more consistent with my nutrition, do my part to wipe out brain tumors, etc, etc, etc. My list goes on. These are all things I have been working on but I am not perfect so I'm working on them all still.
I'm ready for this new round of training. I feel how much I've slipped back since the marathon - mentally and physically. And I'm not liking it. Not one bit.
I've got some work to do. I'm ready for it. Strangely, I think I'm craving this new round of challenges.
Now - some of you may not realize this about me - but I can be a bit competitive. With myself and with others depending on the situation. As for competing against others - running really isn't my place for that. I'm not sure I will ever consider myself a runner. BUT I can compete against myself with it. So my times have to drastically change. Yes - I'm proud of how far I've come but dear lord I am slow. That's going to change.
As for competing against others - as silly as this sounds - I've been on Wii Fit almost every day competing. My kids think I'm insane since they hear, "That's right! Who's #1 at tilt table!?" I'm working on getting to #1 in each activity and I'm trying to get enough points so I'm constantly unlocking new activities or yoga poses.
I'll be reaching out soon to help me raise $$ again. In advance, thanks for supporting me!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Future plans...
It seems I have inspired others around me. My mom has decided to run the Jersey Shore 1/2 marathon at the beginning of May - which means I signed up too. My friend, Michelle, signed up for the Rutgers half at the end of April - which means I signed up for that as well. For me - these are good events to keep me motivated through the winter. Tis the season where I usually slack off - I don't like cold and I don't like darkness.
Now my mom has also signed up with Team McGraw for the 2011 ING NYC Marathon. Wow! She is not a runner - she is a crazy ass fast walker. Always has been. She's trying to throw in a few run bursts here & there now though. She's also working on getting her walking partner to sign up for the marathon so they can stick together. I went out with them last weekend for a walk/run. Saturday we did 3.5 miles; Sunday we did 5.5 miles. It felt good! In all honesty - I have done shit since the marathon. Prior to last weekend I think I made it out for a walk or run only twice. Not good.
I'm just so damn tired. I'm really stressed out about a bunch of other things in my life which means I'm not sleeping well. I'm waking up around 3:30-4:00am and there I sit. Tossing & turning. But come 8:00pm - I'm dog tired and that's the end of it.
So - at my early wake up this morning, I decided that once I can breathe through my nose again, I will be using my insomnia as an opportunity to get in some super early morning runs. Anyone know where I can get those little flashlights that strap around your hands or wrists - or even built into gloves?? These are specifically for running in the dark.
This should help with my spring half marathon training goals. The distance doesn't scare me so I'm going for time goals. I still do not consider myself a runner though. I think the goals I have set for myself are realistic. I'm just looking to shave some time.
And the big news....despite the fact that I said I would NEVER run a full marathon again - I have signed up with Team McGraw once again to run NYC in 2011 and raise some $Cashola$. I'm worried about raising that much money again though. Hopefully I'll get in the lottery but I'm not counting on it. But my 3:30am wake up today gave me some time to think of a few ways that I may be able to raise donations. I'm thinking Etsy - and I'm thinking artwork....not mine - Marley & Chris. Will keep you posted on that.
Now my mom has also signed up with Team McGraw for the 2011 ING NYC Marathon. Wow! She is not a runner - she is a crazy ass fast walker. Always has been. She's trying to throw in a few run bursts here & there now though. She's also working on getting her walking partner to sign up for the marathon so they can stick together. I went out with them last weekend for a walk/run. Saturday we did 3.5 miles; Sunday we did 5.5 miles. It felt good! In all honesty - I have done shit since the marathon. Prior to last weekend I think I made it out for a walk or run only twice. Not good.
I'm just so damn tired. I'm really stressed out about a bunch of other things in my life which means I'm not sleeping well. I'm waking up around 3:30-4:00am and there I sit. Tossing & turning. But come 8:00pm - I'm dog tired and that's the end of it.
So - at my early wake up this morning, I decided that once I can breathe through my nose again, I will be using my insomnia as an opportunity to get in some super early morning runs. Anyone know where I can get those little flashlights that strap around your hands or wrists - or even built into gloves?? These are specifically for running in the dark.
This should help with my spring half marathon training goals. The distance doesn't scare me so I'm going for time goals. I still do not consider myself a runner though. I think the goals I have set for myself are realistic. I'm just looking to shave some time.
And the big news....despite the fact that I said I would NEVER run a full marathon again - I have signed up with Team McGraw once again to run NYC in 2011 and raise some $Cashola$. I'm worried about raising that much money again though. Hopefully I'll get in the lottery but I'm not counting on it. But my 3:30am wake up today gave me some time to think of a few ways that I may be able to raise donations. I'm thinking Etsy - and I'm thinking artwork....not mine - Marley & Chris. Will keep you posted on that.
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