It's the last day of the year and I am ending my year just as I started it -with Lorenzo taking the stats and emailing them to me. I was supposed to do tempo today, but left the house without my fancy Garmin watch that, by the way, I still can't use to it's full potential. But, it's green and it looks good!
So, I didn't have enough time to go home and get the watch. I have become addicted to my watch, or the information it gives me -- the distance I run, the time I run in and my variation of effort during the workouts. Needless to say, I was a bit distressed.
When I arrive, I am sneezing like crazy...I feel horrible. Lorenzo soon calls it. No tempo, just get some miles in. I have to admit, I am so darn relieved. It ends up being a great run, even though I'm sneezing like crazy. It's great because there's no pressure, no watch. We talk about last year's running and our respective accomplishments and plan for 2009.
I have never run as many miles as I did this year -- approx. 1400. I had never done a marathon until this past Fall and I qualified for Boston. I did lots of races in the Spring and had a ton of fun. My kids ran a race too! (see Jingle Bell).
And, I've met so many incredible people who I learn from all the time. It's been a great year. I hope that in 2009 I can get my core strengthened, bust a 20 min. in a 5K and have a few great/fun races.
Alas, I need rest to get rid of this cold. I pray for peace in 2009, for more hope and joy, for civility among people all over the world.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
The great and humbling thing about running is that you never really get there. Or, at least, I don't. I have had so many conflicts lately with schedules and sitters that I'm looking at kissing my 3M goal good-bye. Ok, maybe.
Anyway, this is total junk training. And, my body is telling me that. Today I headed to a Tuesday class for the secret hill. Holy @#@$! I was dead meat. But, I decided I needed some punishing. 5 times up; 3 backwards; 3 strides. I was hurting. It was great to see Ian and Caroline. It was not so fun to suck wind on the hills. B encouraged me -- come on Red, pick up your feet! G tweaking the ridiculous form I thought I had.
We talked more about shoes, which is so funny. That blog struck a cord with my friends from Burundi.
Apparently, I need to get some Pumas now. But, as I was huffing and puffing, I couldn't understand either of G or B when they told me which Puma shoe I should get.
Ah well, I'm heading for another workout tomorrow. Right after I polish off this glass of Chianti.
It's Ok; Lorenzo is on a cruise, Double D is skiing and I have no idea where Vomit Boy is!
Anyway, this is total junk training. And, my body is telling me that. Today I headed to a Tuesday class for the secret hill. Holy @#@$! I was dead meat. But, I decided I needed some punishing. 5 times up; 3 backwards; 3 strides. I was hurting. It was great to see Ian and Caroline. It was not so fun to suck wind on the hills. B encouraged me -- come on Red, pick up your feet! G tweaking the ridiculous form I thought I had.
We talked more about shoes, which is so funny. That blog struck a cord with my friends from Burundi.
Apparently, I need to get some Pumas now. But, as I was huffing and puffing, I couldn't understand either of G or B when they told me which Puma shoe I should get.
Ah well, I'm heading for another workout tomorrow. Right after I polish off this glass of Chianti.
It's Ok; Lorenzo is on a cruise, Double D is skiing and I have no idea where Vomit Boy is!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Jersey Jingle!
The first 5k of my non-marathon training "season" was the MADD Jingle Bell at the Domain. The race has now moved up to the Domain and I have to say, I do not like it. I love the races downtown. This course was ho-hum, boring. And, it was really windy. One way you battled the wind, but the other way, it did not seem to help you at all. It was fight the wind, then come to a dead stop. Anyway, I'm from Jersey, we complain a lot. Just ask my Lorenzo Blanco.
This year, I was so happy that my kids wanted to do the kids K. So, we all headed out there and I loved that they were so excited by picking up their packets and putting their numbers on. We got our picture with Santa -- thank you MADD -- no mall, no line!
We got right up to the start with Aidan on the line and Lourdes between myself and Rolph. I was worried that she'd get pushed over. Along comes "Loud Guy". I started seeing him at races last year at the Jingle Bell. He looks like he digs in the back of his drawer for an old pair of running shorts and shows up at the race..and, if he is ever behind you, he is so LOUD. Drove me crazy last year. Anyway, his kids were running too.
Aidan took off like a shot, too fast. Lourdes took off too, but made a pit stop as her Jingle bells were coming off and she was crying. We told her we'd get her some more at the end and tried to get her back to running. I mean she came to a dead stop for those bells. Up ahead, Aidan was starting to come back toward the finish line and fading. I decided to run along side him. He wanted to quit. You can't quit, I tell him. There's the finish line. Lift your knees up, use your arms, you are awesome, I tell him. Come on, let's go. He pushes as hard as he can, finishes and sits on the curb with his head between his legs -- great job, I tell him. He's mad that he didn't do better...sounds familiar. I think you may have started a bit too fast. I try to console him but he's having none of it.
I head back to the finish just in time to see Lourdes coming across with a big smile and I hug her. Where's my medal, she says! She remembers that I have gotten medals when I've finished some races! How cute!
It's my turn now and I have not warmed up at all. Too late to worry about it. I look for Lorenzo and see him sticking up his hand. I head over toward him. I recognize a woman next to us and say hi. I've seen her at Chuy's and other races and seen her on the trail too. She says she got injured right after IBM this year. Ouch! Anyway, really nice, she trains with another group in town, but nice woman.
The gun goes off and we're off. I'm out too fast on the first mile and once we head to the boring, windy part, animal print shorts paces me. I think to myself, ok, I will stay behind her and catch up at the end. I really think I can pass her but want to wait. I take water at the first stop which I have never done at a 5 K before. It's humid. There's a turn around -- I hate those. I see KS and say hi. I see a few other Gazelles and say hey. Anyway, we turn and I start to lose more ground, but I feel I'm catching up to animal print. We head toward the end and I'm not too far back thinking, maybe she's younger than me! Hee Hee. I hear my kids and Rolph over to the side and I think, I thought they were heading to Mass. Anyway, I try to dig, to lean forward, to push. Animal print beats me. I walk and bit and bend over nearly hurling. I am SO out of shape, I think. I remember that I really should keep moving to avoid throwing up so I move. I see L from the start. Her friend has my keys and she offers to run back and get them.
I head over to the posting to see that animal print is there. She's in my age group and has beat me by a few seconds. I tell her, I tried to hang on to you, but I just didn't have it to give. I heard you back there, she says, which kept me going. (I hope I'm not Loud Girl) Anyway, we introduce ourselves to each other and I congratulate her. She's super nice and congratulates me too.
Second again, but it's ok with me this year! I don't make the Gazelle posting since I didn't run below 20 mins. Close, but no cigar!
The best part of the whole day was seeing my kids have such a great time. They wore their shirts all day and told everyone they ran. My son talked strategy the whole rest of the day. And, my daughter is still looking for her medal!
Happy holidays!
This year, I was so happy that my kids wanted to do the kids K. So, we all headed out there and I loved that they were so excited by picking up their packets and putting their numbers on. We got our picture with Santa -- thank you MADD -- no mall, no line!
We got right up to the start with Aidan on the line and Lourdes between myself and Rolph. I was worried that she'd get pushed over. Along comes "Loud Guy". I started seeing him at races last year at the Jingle Bell. He looks like he digs in the back of his drawer for an old pair of running shorts and shows up at the race..and, if he is ever behind you, he is so LOUD. Drove me crazy last year. Anyway, his kids were running too.
Aidan took off like a shot, too fast. Lourdes took off too, but made a pit stop as her Jingle bells were coming off and she was crying. We told her we'd get her some more at the end and tried to get her back to running. I mean she came to a dead stop for those bells. Up ahead, Aidan was starting to come back toward the finish line and fading. I decided to run along side him. He wanted to quit. You can't quit, I tell him. There's the finish line. Lift your knees up, use your arms, you are awesome, I tell him. Come on, let's go. He pushes as hard as he can, finishes and sits on the curb with his head between his legs -- great job, I tell him. He's mad that he didn't do better...sounds familiar. I think you may have started a bit too fast. I try to console him but he's having none of it.
I head back to the finish just in time to see Lourdes coming across with a big smile and I hug her. Where's my medal, she says! She remembers that I have gotten medals when I've finished some races! How cute!
It's my turn now and I have not warmed up at all. Too late to worry about it. I look for Lorenzo and see him sticking up his hand. I head over toward him. I recognize a woman next to us and say hi. I've seen her at Chuy's and other races and seen her on the trail too. She says she got injured right after IBM this year. Ouch! Anyway, really nice, she trains with another group in town, but nice woman.
The gun goes off and we're off. I'm out too fast on the first mile and once we head to the boring, windy part, animal print shorts paces me. I think to myself, ok, I will stay behind her and catch up at the end. I really think I can pass her but want to wait. I take water at the first stop which I have never done at a 5 K before. It's humid. There's a turn around -- I hate those. I see KS and say hi. I see a few other Gazelles and say hey. Anyway, we turn and I start to lose more ground, but I feel I'm catching up to animal print. We head toward the end and I'm not too far back thinking, maybe she's younger than me! Hee Hee. I hear my kids and Rolph over to the side and I think, I thought they were heading to Mass. Anyway, I try to dig, to lean forward, to push. Animal print beats me. I walk and bit and bend over nearly hurling. I am SO out of shape, I think. I remember that I really should keep moving to avoid throwing up so I move. I see L from the start. Her friend has my keys and she offers to run back and get them.
I head over to the posting to see that animal print is there. She's in my age group and has beat me by a few seconds. I tell her, I tried to hang on to you, but I just didn't have it to give. I heard you back there, she says, which kept me going. (I hope I'm not Loud Girl) Anyway, we introduce ourselves to each other and I congratulate her. She's super nice and congratulates me too.
Second again, but it's ok with me this year! I don't make the Gazelle posting since I didn't run below 20 mins. Close, but no cigar!
The best part of the whole day was seeing my kids have such a great time. They wore their shirts all day and told everyone they ran. My son talked strategy the whole rest of the day. And, my daughter is still looking for her medal!
Happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What the....?
Did I actually run 26.2 miles a few weeks ago? What happened to my fitness level. I actually attempted to attend a Gazelle workout today and do 1000's...Ugh. Forget 'bout it! It was horrible, I was horrible. I bailed on 3 out of 5 of them and only completed 2!
I have to say, I was mortified. I tried not to get pissed at myself....just move on. My leg hurt...that leg Pieter has worked on all summer. The one that didn't bother me a bit after the marathon. UGH. I need to do speed work, but the track and I are not friends.
Anyway, I got a workout in which these days has been tough. Let me just complain...I got up early, got the kids ready, drove to St. Austin's, dropped my son off, pit stopped at RunTex to say hi to Gilbert and then back South to drop off my daughter. I was going to run alone but said, screw it, I'm playing hookie and went downtown to join the friendly group.
I hope my former self returns in time for the Jingle Bell on Sunday....
I have to say, I was mortified. I tried not to get pissed at myself....just move on. My leg hurt...that leg Pieter has worked on all summer. The one that didn't bother me a bit after the marathon. UGH. I need to do speed work, but the track and I are not friends.
Anyway, I got a workout in which these days has been tough. Let me just complain...I got up early, got the kids ready, drove to St. Austin's, dropped my son off, pit stopped at RunTex to say hi to Gilbert and then back South to drop off my daughter. I was going to run alone but said, screw it, I'm playing hookie and went downtown to join the friendly group.
I hope my former self returns in time for the Jingle Bell on Sunday....
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Mizuno, I hardly knew ya
Over time, I've realized that THE shoes are really critical to running. Not just ANY shoe, but THE shoe. Gilbert preaches this to us all the time. He has an innate gift of knowing how to correct ailments by changing shoes. He can run to the back of RunTex and return with THE shoe and you don't even have to try on another pair.
Bernard has the same gift. And, since Bernard is at RunTex quite a bit, I always get my shoes from the smiling Bernard man. It's the easiest shoe visit ever. I need a new pair, I say. Ok, Red. Back he goes to the store room and out he comes with my shoe in my size without asking me another word. Now, we just got straight to the counter; no trying on or trotting around the store required.
So, imagine my dismay when Mizuno decided to retire the Wave Runner 8. I bought the last pair at RunTex in my size. Then, right before the marathon, I hunted for them on the web. No one had my size.
I decided to order the Wave Mizuno 9, from, horrors, Road Runner Sports (sorry RunTex, they were cheaper). They can't be too different, I think. I get them 2.5 weeks before the marathon and tear in to the box when they arrive. They are clean, nifty and blue. Ok, I would have preferred green, but ah well.
On a recovery day, I lace them up and head out. I'm not even a mile into the run and I hate them. I mean, not just a little. They are horrible. But, I am not sure why. I turn around and change shoes...they are that bad.
I throw them in the box and head to see Bernard -- shoe guru. I confess my sin of ordering online and ask if, please oh please, he can dig through the back and, by chance, by some small miracle, there's a pair of Wave Runner 8's in my size back there.
No, there's not, I'm telling you, he says without even looking, he knows the inventory and I realize that I'm toast. It's too late for new shoes Red, Bernard so wisely tells me. Let me see the old ones. You'll make it just fine, you have plenty of road left on these, just alternate them.
I still would like new shoes...bummer.
Anyway, I ask him about the 9's. I know he says, I don't know why they changed them. I don't like them either.
What a relief...I'm not crazy...they changed something and even this super fast, race-every- weekend-and-win guy is telling me he doesn't like the changes either! Whew!
After the marathon, I give them another try. After all, I've spent the cash and don't think I can send them back. I lace them up but take my daughter to school first. By the time I am driving home, I realize that I still hate them and don't even want to walk in them, let alone run. I head home and change before my run.
I search the web frantically for another pair of WR 8's in my size and find a single pair at some ski shop in Vermont. I immediately order them (sorry RunTex). Christmas came early when they arrived....I was so darn happy to see them.
Lesson one, listen to your shoe guru; he knows.
Lesson two, don't cheat on your shoe guru; he knows.
Lesson three, get as many pair of the shoes you love to run in, because they will change them and you will hate them!
Mizuno -- go back to the old version...please....
Bernard has the same gift. And, since Bernard is at RunTex quite a bit, I always get my shoes from the smiling Bernard man. It's the easiest shoe visit ever. I need a new pair, I say. Ok, Red. Back he goes to the store room and out he comes with my shoe in my size without asking me another word. Now, we just got straight to the counter; no trying on or trotting around the store required.
So, imagine my dismay when Mizuno decided to retire the Wave Runner 8. I bought the last pair at RunTex in my size. Then, right before the marathon, I hunted for them on the web. No one had my size.
I decided to order the Wave Mizuno 9, from, horrors, Road Runner Sports (sorry RunTex, they were cheaper). They can't be too different, I think. I get them 2.5 weeks before the marathon and tear in to the box when they arrive. They are clean, nifty and blue. Ok, I would have preferred green, but ah well.
On a recovery day, I lace them up and head out. I'm not even a mile into the run and I hate them. I mean, not just a little. They are horrible. But, I am not sure why. I turn around and change shoes...they are that bad.
I throw them in the box and head to see Bernard -- shoe guru. I confess my sin of ordering online and ask if, please oh please, he can dig through the back and, by chance, by some small miracle, there's a pair of Wave Runner 8's in my size back there.
No, there's not, I'm telling you, he says without even looking, he knows the inventory and I realize that I'm toast. It's too late for new shoes Red, Bernard so wisely tells me. Let me see the old ones. You'll make it just fine, you have plenty of road left on these, just alternate them.
I still would like new shoes...bummer.
Anyway, I ask him about the 9's. I know he says, I don't know why they changed them. I don't like them either.
What a relief...I'm not crazy...they changed something and even this super fast, race-every- weekend-and-win guy is telling me he doesn't like the changes either! Whew!
After the marathon, I give them another try. After all, I've spent the cash and don't think I can send them back. I lace them up but take my daughter to school first. By the time I am driving home, I realize that I still hate them and don't even want to walk in them, let alone run. I head home and change before my run.
I search the web frantically for another pair of WR 8's in my size and find a single pair at some ski shop in Vermont. I immediately order them (sorry RunTex). Christmas came early when they arrived....I was so darn happy to see them.
Lesson one, listen to your shoe guru; he knows.
Lesson two, don't cheat on your shoe guru; he knows.
Lesson three, get as many pair of the shoes you love to run in, because they will change them and you will hate them!
Mizuno -- go back to the old version...please....
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Motivate This...
Oye, I am struggling to get motivated. Somebody, help me please. How does this happen? You stay focused, you work hard, you run and run and run and then...it's over. You sleep late, you eat chocolate, you drink wine (nice) and you stop looking at your watch!
Time to sign up for something.
I heard this song tonight called "The Italian Christmas Donkey" No S@#t; it's hilarious!
Tomorrow, I'm out there to run; just one more glass of wine! Then Gilbert can tell me how I'm getting a belly...I hear it already...have you been drinking??? Just before workouts!
Time to sign up for something.
I heard this song tonight called "The Italian Christmas Donkey" No S@#t; it's hilarious!
Tomorrow, I'm out there to run; just one more glass of wine! Then Gilbert can tell me how I'm getting a belly...I hear it already...have you been drinking??? Just before workouts!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sometimes you feel like a nut
Today I couldn't meet my training buddies, so I attempted to do hill repeats here in the hood. Wow, ok, so, probably lots of workers here thinking...what's up with that white girl doing loops, around and around. The hill was an ok elevation, not Wilke or anything, but hard enough post marathon.
I realize CK is now 39, so I don't have many more wins in me! Hee hee. So, I get out there in my neighborhood and run, yes, alone. Both of these I hate. Running in my neighborhood and running alone.
I find a hill, near construction, obviously and around and around I go. I think I need to do 8, but I get bored and feel spooked by the glares, so I quit at three. Besides, I have a conference call and I need to go.
Getting up before the sun rises is the only way to go. Anything later and it's just not worth it. But, I feel good that I got some miles in and will head to the trail tomorrow.
Thanks to the one mom so far who absolved me of my guilt. Peter still loses the bet...I will NOT do Boston in 2009...but, 201o...I'm there...who's in?
I realize CK is now 39, so I don't have many more wins in me! Hee hee. So, I get out there in my neighborhood and run, yes, alone. Both of these I hate. Running in my neighborhood and running alone.
I find a hill, near construction, obviously and around and around I go. I think I need to do 8, but I get bored and feel spooked by the glares, so I quit at three. Besides, I have a conference call and I need to go.
Getting up before the sun rises is the only way to go. Anything later and it's just not worth it. But, I feel good that I got some miles in and will head to the trail tomorrow.
Thanks to the one mom so far who absolved me of my guilt. Peter still loses the bet...I will NOT do Boston in 2009...but, 201o...I'm there...who's in?
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