Chocolate Milk to Bring in the New Year

It's been a little while, but the running has continued! We haven't had any team practices over the past 2 weeks due to Christmas and the New Year, so the runs have definitely been a bit lonely now that I like discovered that I actually like running with people. 


Running Updates:


- I got off the treadmill and made it to one of the outdoor track workouts last Tuesday night. It was probably about 20 degrees outside and for the warm up laps my feet felt numb. But the time does seem to fly when your toughing it out with others. Andddd.... a track workout followed by burritos is never a bad combination. I could get used to that...


Last week's 8 miler felt really great... truthfully, surprisingly good.   I ran out and back along the Newton Hills, covering the three big heart break hills. I figure that it's good practice since come marathon day, we'll be hitting those hills after running 20 miles. (can't wait). 


Today marked the last single digit long run until April 16th. When I think about it like that, it seems daunting and slightly unattainable. But as Sarah and I were trucking along Beacon Street this morning, I feel thankful for already having found someone who runs at the same pace as me and shares similar fears: What do you eat before a long run? How do you ignore the fact that the Boston Marathon has an incredibly large pool of elites? How many "Gu's" do you plan on running with? How do you stretch this muscle that you never thought was a muscle until you started feeling some pain there? AND most importantly, where should we put our gallon of chocolate milk as we go out for our run so that it doesn't go sour? YES YES I said it. I have leaped on the chocolate milk bandwagon after some skepticism. I don't believe there is a better post-run drink in fact. I'm hooked. You got the protein, sugar, potassium and deliciousness. Solution: chocolate milk remained in my fridge. In the future, we leave it outdoors, it's sure as hell cold enough!


We left my apartment this morning and decided to warm up with a lap around the reservoir. It was pretty foggy and misty, just a little bit such that it actually felt kind of nice since it is about 40 degrees outside. The fog persisted throughout the 9 miles and by the time we got to heartbreak hill all we could see was a faint green light at the VERY top of the hill, far off in the distant. I felt like I was in the Great Gatsby.... ha....


But the chocolate milk was safe and sound in my apartment and post-stretching, rolling, and kneading, we downed some milk a la chocolate and with that, I say, here's to double digits and more importantly, here's to a healthy New Year!

Qualms of the Bag Lady #2

I think the one piece of equipment that poses more of a problem than socks is... a sports bra. I was so happy that I actually got myself to the gym after my company's holiday party which included beer, macaroni and cheese, and cookies, that I felt pretty disheartened when I opened my knapsack and basically flipped it inside out swearing that there had to be a sports bra in one of the many compartments. But there was not. You would think by now that I had this routine down - but there is always room for error. I told myself that I had to run anyway. It was not pleasant. Not at all. Not only because of no sports bra but because I learned (the hard way) what foods don't sit well in my stomach pre-run. I can tell you this, I'm saving the beer for post run glory...

being thankful and trotting

One of my favorite reasons for coming home to NY from Boston each year for Thanksgiving is to run in my town's 5 mile Turkey Trot. I think it's a great way to run in the brisk air, start my Thanksgiving morning, see people who I haven't seen since last year's run, and most of all celebrate one of the things I am most thankful for - my health. 

At this time last year I was still recovering from having a lymph node removed from my neck. Everything was benign, but it took some time for my neck muscles to regain their strength in order to run long distances again. Running became something I never wanted to take for granted because every time I went running meant that I was healthy enough to do so. 

This time of year is always so special. Similar to most people, it's a time when I always realize how lucky I am for so many reasons - whether it's as small as being thankful that I remembered to run with gloves this morning or something as big as my family and my health. As I trotted along the Port Washington Turkey Trot this morning I made sure to recognize how lucky I was to be out there running alongside the 2500 other trotters. Camaraderie is really not something to be underestimated. It's also nice to run a race without going full force sometimes and taking in everything around you. I decided to take it a bit easy on the legs since training begins next week. Today I appreciated all of the people who were standing outside in the cold cheering us on. I'm convinced that that is a harder job than actually running in a race! It was a bit chilly, and damn, have I forgot about some of the hills in my town, but overall, another great trot! 

I know that this time of year is tough with the holidays approaching, but if giving happens to be in your budget during this wonderful season, please consider donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. As I've mentioned before, now that we have exceeded the $4,000 minimum, every cent of every dollar is going directly to this wonderful cause. 

Now on to bigger and better TURKEYS :) [see below]:

Happy Turkey to All!

New Season, New Team, New Kicks

[[Team in Training Mugshot]]

Yesterday was the Team in Training fundraising and winter apparel clinic and I got to meet many of the team members and one of the coaches for the first time. It feels great to be  a part of a team again. The camaraderie, the joint insanity, and the passion. Everyone has so. much. passion. Passion for life, passion for others, passion of a specific cause, and of course a passion for running. I've already been inspired by the 40-50 members of the team that were there yesterday. Everyone has a story and I think as more stories are revealed, it's going to be an amazingly emotional journey. As we were all sitting around listening to a Marathon Sports representative preaching about how easy it is to run in 20 degree weather with the proper gear (yikes! - hopefully my new wool running socks will keep my feet warms!), I looked around the room and realized the mix of people: survivors; recent patients; family members; friends; and loyal supporters, all brought together for a specific missions - to run to kill cancer. 

While I have somehow (thanks so much to all so far who have donated!) already reached my initial fundraising goal of $5,000.00 I have become inspired to keep going. I'm going to keep going until April 16th when I will keep running through that finish line. This endeavor isn't about stopping, its about persistence. 

As the official training season kick off approaches (December 3rd), please let me know if you would like me to dedicate any of the long runs to a loved one who has suffered from or who is currently suffering from cancer. I've realized that while marathon day is the ultimate, every run building up to the marathon is equally as important. I will put the name of the person I am running for on my shirt for runs that begin to exceed 8 miles.

But on a bit of a lighter note, I'm all suited up. Got me some new kicks (above) -- fitted right to my feet at Marathon Sports. I have sort of moved away from the minimalist shoes for the moment as my feet have been hurting me and I think I need more support on longer runs. We'll give it a shot... This is the greatest store - everyone is so knowledgeable and you are able to run outside on the streets in the shoes before choosing the pair that's best for you. Got some winter gear, like a face mask --- no big deal. I could probably rob a bank on my runs now, I'm so disguised :). But for now, I'm looking forward to starting off this season on the RIGHT FOOT. (ha!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you're running a Turkey Trot in your local community, have fun!

After a glorious weekend of sleeping in, Tex Mex and margaritas, I realized that there is officially less than one month until the official training plan begins....uh ohhhhh....!

I feel like I have been pretty good at keeping up with a good 4-6 day/week workout schedule, but as I was watching recaps of the NYC Marathon this morning, still feeling the sluggishness of an indulgent weekend, I felt the jitters! I'm a creature habit. I thrive on routines and so the fact that I started a new (but wonderful!)  job last week has slightly affected my work out schedule for the time being, leaving me feeling routine-less and completing a random workout here and there.

The funny thing about routines is that they aren't based on anything tangible. Routines are relative and as soon as they change, a new routine emerges. For those who don't know, I started a new job last week and the commute and the gym are both farther away. BUT, I did my first early morning workout at the new gym this morning. Oh how glorious is daylight savings time! 6 am and the sun was peaking through!

New Gym: bigger towels, cups at the water fountains, larger stretching space, less people (it's actually strange, it has been empty every time I have gone), bigger lockers -- all of the important stuff

Old Gym: more people, intense camaraderie, cleaner showers, in my office building


Not too shabby...

My goal for the next 3 weeks is to not get too excited. To not start "training yet". To stay calm and CROSS TRAIN. I'm getting back into spinning classes. I give those up in the summer because the thought of sitting on a bike in a small, sweaty room freaks me out. But I sweat almost equally horrendous proportions in a spin class as I do while running, so I plan on attending a bunch of spin classes between now and 12/3.

So here's to a new routine, a new training plan, and a new found patience. Oh, and what the hell, here's to: .necessary.goodness.

-JBU

Qualms of the Bag Lady

Qualm # 1: The. Gym. Bag. 

I always forget socks. I have already went to the City Sports across the street and purchased socks in times of emergency such as today. However, this afternoon, I will rock my work socks in sneakers and try my very best to stop forgetting.

Early Morning (Sun)Rise

I miss running around this. I love waking up at 6 am during the summer and running outside as the sun is rising. I've never felt so rejuvenated at peace. It's runs like that that keep me running through the winter. But alas, my friends, I think those days are over for now. As much as I would prefer to run outside, I really don't enjoy running in the dark and so, winters = long, meditative, repetitive runs on the treadmill. I savor the weekend afternoons for the outdoor daylight.

I woke up yesterday morning and I thought that jarring sound coming from my phone was a cruel joke. That someone (not sure who this would be) reset my alarm to me to go off at 2 am. But I rolled over and grabbed my phone, spiteful as my finger jam pressed the off button to realize that indeed, it was 6:15 am. I sleep with my window open all winter. To most reading this blog, this must sound befuddling. I am always cold, why would I do such a thing? Well, I like the fresh air. But oh, at 6:15 am was it chilly and my blanket felt so comfortable. I knew that I had to get out of bed though or else I wasn't going to get my run in. I'm trying to maintain a schedule similar to my 10k training plan between now and December 3 when the REAL marathon training begins. My brain and my body both work better in the morning, but damn, can it be difficult. 

Luckily I've got the routine down. The night before I lay out my gym clothes and pack my work clothes in my back pack that way I can literally roll out of bed, brush my teeth and I'm out the door and one of 5 people on the T heading into Boston. I chomp on my granola bar and instead of trying to read my book, I find myself focusing on staying awake. Pages are always read in the morning and reread in the afternoon for clarity.
 

By the time I got to the gym I was ready to go and so thankful I  got my butt out of bed. Sitting at a desk all day is the best motivation for physical activity in the off work hours. It never ceases to amaze me. 8 minutes on the treadmill and I feel awesome - like I can run forever (as long as i'm not sprinting (!) those days are hell)! I was nervous because I forgot my ipod and who can imagine running 5 + miles on a treadmill sans music?! not this kid... but for once, it was kind of nice. While it didn't compare to the sound of the leaves crackling beneath my sneakers, or the birds singing, or the sun rising over the reservoir like my morning sunrise runs in the summer, I was able to focus on my breathing and felt the pouncing of each stride. The sound of feet along a treadmill takes on a rather meditative song which yesterday, felt more musical to me than does the sound of Milkman or Girl Talk mashups that I usually rely on.  I felt very focused and energized. 5.55 miles and 50 minutes later, I decided that "5" was the lucky number of the day. Nothing came of it... but I felt pretty darn good. And you want to know what felt even better? The extra peanut butter on my breakfast to refuel my longer weekday run :)

On a quick side note, but nonetheless exciting and important, I have not only reached the minimum fundraising amount of $4,000 for LLS, but I have exceed my personal goal of $5,000! I absolutely cannot believe the amount of support I have and how generous everyone has been! I found out today that 100% of every penny raised over the minimum goes directly to the (very important) missions. So from here on out, every dollars takes on an even bigger value. Pretty cool, eh?

Support Is Incredible

I wanted to take this post to thank everyone who has donated to LLS so far. I cannot believe how much money has been raised in such a short amount of time. Not only have I exceeded the minimum, but I am almost at my personal goal and it hasn't even been 2 weeks since I started fund raising! It feels so wonderful to know how many friends and family members support me and I know that this will help me in my training efforts. 

It's an interesting in between, limbo time right now. I just finished a 10K last week, yet still have about a month and a half to go before the actually marathon training begins. I've never been good at working out unless I have a training plan. Without a plan, I tend to just go on 3-4 mile runs and forget about speed workout and interval training and of course lifting. I hate thinking about lifting weights, but as soon as I am doing it, I love it. And I know that incorporating a lifting routine into my training plans has helped alleviate my shin splint problems. 

So we'll see how this goes. I'm looking to create a plan between now and 12/3 that doesn't involve anything too intense, but also reminds me to have rest days. Those are equally important! Right now I'm thinking of a 30 min run (with sprints or tempo), a 40 min run, and a 50 min run with 2 days of xtraining/lifting. Any thoughts/suggestions from my fellow followers?!

I'll let you know how the pre-training is going next week, but for now, just a big THANK YOU to all!

JBU

It's Official!

Well, folks! It's official! I am running the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16, 2012. This will be my first marathon and I am excited and honored to be running it with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training. It's going to be an interesting 4.5 months, but I'm looking forward to the training. I am going to keep track of my training/nutrition on this blog as a way to monitor my progress and hopefully learn something new!

More to come closer to the kick-off date which is December 3, 2011. Until then, feel free to check out my personal fundraising page at: Fundraising Site to find out more information about why I am running.

Thank you for your support!

Jbu