Putting the Fun in the Run

I'm not going to lie, I did not want to run today.  It was hot, it was humid and I was just feeling all around lazy.  But then I read Danica's recap of the San Francisco half marathon that she ran this weekend, and it hit me.  I'm not doing all of this running and training for anyone but myself.  No one's forcing me to do it.  This should be something that I enjoy and do to unwind.  And it is.  

So many times I find myself counting down the distance until the run is over or depending way too much on the music for motivation.  Today I started thinking about how much I've accomplished so far and how much I'm going to accomplish in the next few months.  A little over a year ago I was in the worst shape of my life.  And less than 18 months from the unhealthiest point in my life, I will be running a marathon.  I can't even describe the mental switch I had during today's 6 miler.  I was smiling, listening to music outside my normal running playlist (including the Spice Girls and Third Eye Blind...90s throwback heyyo) and just all around taking in the sights and enjoying myself.  It was a fantastic feeling and now I'm so pumped for the rest of training.  I'm looking forward to everything instead of being overwhelmed.  What a difference a day makes.

G2 is the New Black

Please stop reading now if you offend easily....

Seriously...

OK so G2 is the new black - meaning that like black, once you go G2 you never go back. More on this later I just wanted to explain the title.

Today's run was one of the first times that it felt like summer. All of a sudden the rain cleared out and humid hotness took over. Hot as hell, but we are in full out, balls-to-the-wall marathon training mode so I had to push through for my 6 mile run. I made it, not that fast, and def not pretty by the end, but I didn't die and that tends to be my only goal lately.

At the end of the run I decided to get a G2 to help rehydrate (I was really dehydrated/sick to my stomach). Unfortunately the little store at the end of my street only had fruit punch g2 (not a fan of that flavor) and I was craving orange. So after about 10 mins of contemplation I went with a legit Gatorade and it was soooo gross. (get it...I'll never go back).

OK well I'm still feeling sick from the run so I am going to lay down. Love ya'll, thanks for reading.

PS here's another fun photo from Pburgh just because

Blogger love fo' lyfe

Sarsh + Ange = <3

Combo Special

I have no excuses for not posting so I'll just pretend like my two week plus absence never happened (although the Liz/Ange visit was phenomenal).  Moving on...

First, a story that is not directly linked to running, but seems as though it's an appropriate tale for this format.  For the past few months, I've been walking to and from work everyday.  It's only 1.5 miles, and it's a rather scenic route, so I really don't mind.  Also, it serves as my own personal "f you" to the Port Authority of Allegheny County (I'm sorry, it should not cost me $2 each way for this trip downtown).  However, I realized last week that I act like an absurd human being during this trek.  From the moment I leave my house or office, slip on my sunglasses and put in my earbuds, I think I'm the star of my own music video.  

How did I finally discover this, after months of walking?  I caught myself in the reflection of a bus shelter, mouthing lyrics, bopping my head and maybedefinitely doing a hand gesture similar to what ange does when she dances.  So there you have it.  PR professional by day, but when I step outside the confines of corporate america, I think I'm Sasha Fierce, lip synching about how I've been rocking these stilletos since I was 15.  

As far as my running, it has taken some serious motivation to get back in the swing of things.  Namely, the thought of running 26.2 in just 14? 13? weeks.  But I'm doing it.  Even though it's becoming harder and harder, especially when it's the first nice day in weeks, and all I wanna do is sit on my front stoop and drink wine and people watch.  However, today was a solid run back in the right direction, as I ran through downtown at dusk and had several homeless people and jail visitors (yeaaaa this is why I don't make it a habit of running after sunset) cheer me on with "Hey girl you got it" and "You're doing good!"  Granted their intentions might be slightly different, but whatevs I'll take any encouragement I can get.  And I'm determined to get a quality long run in this weekend.  I'm hitting solid double digits if it kills me.  

The Hiatus is Over...

Sorry for being so M.I.A. I took off about a week from running to attend to some some medical stuff and then go to Pittsburgh for a rendezvous with my co-blogger Sarsh and our friend Liz to celebrate Sarsh's 23rd year of life.

Here is a photo of the three of us at the bar (I'm on the left, then Sarah and then Liz)

Anyway, I started to get back to my running this Monday with a nice slow 5-miler, and let's just say it's very easy to fall out of shape. In just one week I went from whipping through 9 mile runs to getting sore after a measly 5 miles. By Wednesday I seriously struggled to walk, but I pushed through to do a 3.5 on Tuesday, a 5 on Wednesday and a 7.8 mile on Friday.

But the biggest milestone in my running "world" this week was the 2.1 mile jog I took through the streets of New Haven, CT, on Sat. Now I had planned on taking photos to post on the blog, but apparently photos go untaken when you run with your photographer* (OK it's not really his fault, I left my camera in Boston, but I'd rather not take the fall).

Anyway, me and the photographer went for a lovely run late Saturday morning through some adorable and sunny (yay!) neighborhoods in the city. I was actually kind of nervous 1. because I have never ran with anyone 2. I have never ran in New Haven and 3. because the photog is not a runner so I figured I'd be carrying his skinny ass home (jk...kinda). But in the end it went very well! I was extremely impressed both with the run and my running partner and I had some great G2 and bananas to boot! Looks like we might have to make a habit of this (if he is brave enough to run with me again).

*The photographer was first refered to in the "New Charles River Run Race" post, he is not technically a photographer by trade, but I find it fun to refer to him as such for the purposes of this blog...at least for now :)

Just One of Those Days.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the run is just not happening.  Today was one of those days.  I started out with high hopes of doing my long run for the week (10 miles, ideally a little more).  I had my path all plotted out, I even had $2 tucked in that secret pocket in the running shorts for some hydration halfway through.  But my body and the weather were in cahoots to conspire against me.

Mistake #1 was leaving too soon after getting home from work.  I was so jazzed for my run that I wanted to leave immediately.  I came home, chugged some water, changed and was out the door.  Bad move.  It was still approx 85 degrees with a lot of humidity when I left, and I could feel the water sloshing in my stomach.  I should have waited for an hour and sipped while waiting for the temperatures to drop.

I felt like my legs were moving sooo slowly (they were, I checked out my reflection in a store window) and I was starting to feel sick.  So I stopped a little earlier than I had planned to get a G2.  

Mistake #2 was disposing of the G2 way too soon.  I was feeling refreshed after sipping on the G2 and had captured a second wind that managed to take me through a solid middle portion of the run.  It was heavy, it was starting to get warm and I got cocky about my ability to continue on through the rest of the run.  So I tossed it.

Two miles later, I was parched.  To the point that I couldn't make spit in my mouth.  [Yes, I realize this is basically turning into a wikipedia entry on "how to dehydrate yourself."  Don't worry, I've been sipping on water ever since I walked in the door.]  So I ended up having to halt the running and switch to a walk (actually it was such a pathetic pace I think grandmothers with canes were passing me. Let's call it a stroll.)  So I walked home the last two miles, meaning I only got in 8 miles.   I was so frustrated and even more upset with myself for failing to plan properly.  I knew I could have finished if I had started a bit later and hydrated more.   So I think it's time for a fuel belt.  I have been resisting up to this point because it just didn't seem necessary for my little training runs.  But now I don't care about looking like a tool with one, because do you know what's even more toolish?  Walking home for two miles in your running gear and praying you don't vomit over the side of the 10th Street bridge (or so I've heard).  Here's hoping that next week's runs are a little more stable.  

And you thought ange was cracked out

I can't even combine everything going on in my mind into a coherent paragraph right now, so you're getting bullet points.  

-this is so far off topic from what the purpose of the blog is, but as a public service announcement, I would like to direct you to check out www.2birds1blog.com if you have never visited before.  I have lost track of how many times I have had to actually stifle my laughter at work while reading the posts.  A warning: once you start you can't stop.

-Also off topic but worth devoting time to: 16 and Pregnant.  Yes, the mtv show airing at 10 pm on Thursdays.  Before this show premiered, I hadn't watched a MTV show in years (I think season 1 of the hills was my last devotion to the primetime mtv gods).  But this.  Oh words can't express.  Just do it.  

-oh and running.  I've written about my love for running after happy hour before, but I think my body is rejecting this plan.  Today I attempted to run after 2 beers, and my stomach was not pleased.  To the point I had to stop after a mile and come home, because I thought I was going to be sick.  So this is forcing me to adjust my schedule a tad this week --- instead of doing my long run Saturday, I'm going to do it after work tomorrow, and attempt to squeeze in a 5 or 6 mile run on Saturday.  This is my first week of following the marathon training plan, and I think I'm probably going to tweek the schedule each week according to what I feel like.  I've been reading a lot of message boards and blogs about marathon training, and the overall consensus seems to be that as long as you run 2-3 times during the week and get the appropriate distance in for a long run each week, you'll be fine.  So that's what I'm banking on.  

Oh and I'll be running sober tomorrow.

Revelation

Today, at approximately 7:05am on the corner of Harvard Ave and Coolidge, I had a revelation. A life changing moment.

Now, I have described this to a few people throughout the day, but I have several, very different, styles of runs. Some days I am so out of it I run and have no idea I'm running. My body just carries itself and randomly I'll be like "what up Fenway, how did you get here?" Other days I am so into the run that I am aware of every stride, I push myself, have great form and feel fit. Some days I'm all about the sunlight on my skin, soaking in the scenery, smelling the flowers (or more recently, the rain) and just loving life.

But some days, I am cranky. I have something on my mind that I just can't shake. These are my "therapy runs." The runs where, I typically don't smile at other joggers, have no concept of time/place/speed/body and I just think. Today started out like that. I was tired. Oh-so-tired. Four hours of sleep to wake up in a dirty house the day before my mom comes in from Arizona, with no food it in, no clean laundry and a stack of bills on my dresser that I keep forgetting to pay (which should be less difficult than it is considering there are several neon orange parking tickets mixed in). I was stressing, I was kinda cold, and I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, literally, figuratively and every other way in between. I shouldn't have been shocked, mornings have never been my thing, yet this morning seemed tougher than most. But I was out there, standing, running breathing, pushing through.

And then it hit me. I am less than a mile from home. I dragged my ass out of bed and ran, on no sleep, and I am ruining it. I am ruining something that usually fixes everything. So I stopped. I stopped thinking about all the bad stuff and just thought about everything I love about my life. I started small "thank you for giving me legs that will carry me for miles around this city, thank you for the running clothes that keep me from being cold or, well, exposing myself on the streets like a creepo, thank you for my granola this morning, thank you for my job, my apartment, my friends, my mom, all the possessions I have that clutter up my bedroom floor, my ipod, my run." I kinda just kept going and the thing is, some of the stuff that I was thankful for are the very same things that stress me out (ahemm job and apt) but I have them and they help me and my life. So I decided to stop finding the bad in those things and treat them like my morning run. Because if you search for the good and focus on it, all you see is good. But if you hone in on the negative, I kicks you in the stomach and takes over every ounce of your being.

Wow this is so much. Too much. Wayy soo too much. I will leave y'all now before you send me away and lock me in a padded room. Because those rooms don't seem conducive to running.

But Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for being you and being in my life.

:)

It's Official

First things first:  5k race report!  As I mentioned on Friday, I ran 8.2 miles and then did weights.  In the first minute of the 5k on Saturday, I regretted this decision.  My legs were not capable of moving nearly as quickly as I would have liked, and I was fearful that someone in an Old Navy patriotic tee and jorts would soon be passing me.  I realized that my goal of finishing in under 26 minutes was not happening, so I decided to just do the best I could and enjoy the run.  I ended up finishing in 27:13, which was 10 seconds quicker than the last time I ran the course a month ago.   Considering the ridiculous workout I did the day before, I figured it wasn't an embarrassment.

So I've avoided telling some people about the marathon.  But this weekend it really hit me that it's happening.  First off, this week marks the point where there are only 16 weeks left.  So the "official" training is beginning (up until this point, I've just kinda been doing whatever I felt like and not really following a specific plan.  Starting today, this is no longer the case.)  And this weekend my entire extended family learned (thanks to my mom) that I'm doing this.  So now it really feels official.  I'm locked in.  I feel legit.  I think I'm officially a runner now.  

You Can't Beat a Wife Beater

The alternate title for this post was going to be "Beat It" in tribute to MJ, but frankly I was never really a fan, so I went with the title above.

Anyway, today I went for a run in shorts and a wife beater. Why is this something to write home about? Because for the first time in weeks it was warm out/not raining during my run, and let's just say it felt great. There is something about the sun on your skin and warm breeze against your face that just makes life feel happier. It can erase all the blah of the day, clear your head of all worries and just leave you with a smile on your face. Love it. Like seriously, love it.

Yesterday I had my first really back in action run. 6.7 miles from my house to Cambridge to pick up my car (I left it there after my Saturday 4th of July Celebration). It was actually a really fun route, all along the river (including the hidden dirt paths) and then down Mass. Ave through Harvard Square and Central Square. I love new runs. It really mixes it up and helps keep things fresh.

Sorry there is not much else to report about. I need to go finish up some weights, I'm rededicating myself to my Michelle Obama arm goal, let's see how it goes.

xoxo

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My

I never fail to be astounded by the things I encounter on my runs.  Whether it's an elderly man giving me a teddy bear, or the sheer number of fashion failures, there's always something for me to write about.  

Today was a great run overall, I got in 8.2 miles (I will most likely regret this decision during the 5k tomorrow) and the weather was perfect - cool with a nice breeze.  

The downfall of this run was Anthrocon 2009.  Better known as the Furry Convention.  

Let me state here that I am not a fan of costumed characters.  Never have been, never will be.  My sister and I were accosted by the Pirate at a Buccos game on a Monday night and we both went screaming in the opposite direction.  

So this: 

is pretty much my worst nightmare.  THAT TIMES 1000 IS WHAT I RAN THROUGH TODAY.  

I can't even focus enough to write a conclusion for this post.  This is going to be a lingering trauma, I can tell.

Family Fun Does Not = Fun Run

My apologies for the lack of writing this week, life kept interfering.  On to catching up on my running stories!

First up: the 5k my sister and I ran last Saturday.  It was possibly the most unorganized event I've ever attended.  Granted, it was a charity event, but still.  Here were my issues:

-No identification for runners.  There were no chips and no numbers to tack onto the front of your shirt.  If Kara or I had collapsed in the middle of the race, no one would know who we are or where we belonged.  Probably a liability issue they should look into.  Thankfully, they did have a clock at the end so we knew our time.

-No signage indicating where to register or where the starting line was.  This run was at PNC Park, so it was basically a lot of people milling about and watching batting practice and we learned where everything was by asking multiple people or following people who looked important and were carrying clipboards.

-The race itself.  It had a late start time for a summer race to begin with (9:30 a.m.) and then it was started 20 minutes late.  Which equated to us baking in the sun for 30 minutes waiting for the race to begin.  The course was basically two loops, but they started the runners and the walkers at the same time, so when the runners started on the second loop they ran into the walkers.  This was billed as a "family" event, which apparently is equivalent to "please bring your double strollers, pets and anything else that could obstruct a runner."  We were bobbing and weaving in and out of every obstacle you can imagine.  My breaking point came at an aid station, where I was trying to grab a cup of water on the run and was blocked by a woman trying to put her dog's snout in a cup, completely blocking my path.  Ma'am, your dog is at the bottom of the totem pole at this event.

-And most comically, the food.  Before the race, Krispy Kreme doughnuts were available.  After the race, Kara and I went in search of some fresh fruit to replenish ourselves.  Here's how that went down:

   Bearded Man with Few Teeth: "Ya'll want pizza or a hot dog?"

   Me: "Um do you have any bananas?"

   Kara: "Maybe an orange?"

   BMWFT: "mmmm no, none of that here.  Pizza or a hot dog?"

   Me: "Do you have any fresh fruit?"

   BMWFT:  "Nope, sorry.  Miller Lite's right across the way."

Yes, the post-race food consisted of pizza, hot dogs, and miller lite.  I wish I was making this up.

On the plus side, Kara and I kicked ass (Kara especially).  She finished in 24:02 (she said she was fueled by the anger towards the walkers that refused to move out of the way) and I finished in 26:27.  Both of us were also in the top 50, so we got free t-shirts!   Who doesn't love that?  All in all, not too bad, but the race organizers could use some work.  My sisters and I are doing another 5k tomorrow, so I'll do my best to post those results sooner than this one.  

Guess who's back?!?

Back again. Angie's back tell a friend.....

Ok enough of that. Moral of the story is that I am finally back to running after Sunday's race. Today after work I went for a nice 2.5 mile run. Very, very slowwww but I was afraid to push too hard after getting so sick post-race. Anyway, everything went well and now I can start building up again. Hopefully, I'll log a few miles tomorrow, maybe a few more over the weekend, still a very low key week, but getting back into it.

This little "vacation" from running definitely taught me something. I am addicted. Everyone kept saying "take it easy, it's fine to take some days off - you NEED to take days off." But honestly, I felt like I was at a methadone clinic - my body was hurting, I was going crazy inside, I seriously just needed a "fix." Anything to hold me over. It's as if I no longer function with out running. It pretty much consumes me. I don't really know how else to explain this to people, because they just look at me like I'm crazy, but it's so true.

I love running. I am not ashamed of this. I'd rather give up diet coke for life than skip more than two weeks of running. Like I only skipped two days. How ridiculous is that, just two and my skin was already crawling.

Ugh...I am scaring myself a bit. On that note, time for bed.

Luego!
Angelita