I've been working out I swear!!!! It's just been harder to write out since I'm doing much more combination of thiings.

I think I only ran ran 2 miles last week...I did the elliptical , DVD's, and workouts with my trainer instead. And so...I'm rounding out the year of 2010 at 662 miles. Not to shabby if I do say so myself! Now I have a frame of reference to make some goals for myself next year. However, I don't know if I'm going to do more miles next year because I'm focusing more on weight training and other types of workouts and only plan on training for one half marathon. However, I got a GARMIN FORERUNNER for Christmas and I CANNOT wait to use it! This will help me keep a much more accurate count of my miles and my progress. So, with this new handy device, it just might motivate me to run more than ever!!! We shall see what happens, hello 2011!

Miles Run Last Week: 2
Total Miles Run for 2010: 662

Today:
Did abs and legs after a 3 mile intense interval run. Warmed up for one mile at 6-6.3 mph. Then for the next 20 minutes or two miles, alternated between running 8-8.5mph for one minute and walking at 3.8-4.1 for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. I know interval training is the best way to burn fat fast so I'm trying to really focus on interval running this week.

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 660

Tuesday, Decmeber 14, 2010
Did free weights for 30 minutes before the run. Warmed up for one mile at 6-6.3 mph. Then for the next 20 minutes or two miles, alternated between running 8-8.5mph for one minute and walking at 3.8-4.1 for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 657

Good 3 mile run today!

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 654

Wednesday 12/8
Total Body conditioning session again today. Walked a mile afterward.

Tuesday 12/7 
Total body conditioning session today! Ran a mile afterward.

Miles Run Today: 1
Total Miles Run for 2010: 651
 

Monday 12/6 
Lifted weights after my run

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 650

I did a Gillian Michaels 50 minutes metabolism blast DVD last night! I can't tell you the last time I've worked out AFTER work! It was great...though I was starrrrrving by the end of it.

For dinner I had 2 pickles, 1 boca burger and half a cup of butternut squash risotto. Today is the third day I've been keeping track of my weight watchers points. I'm feeling a new sense of motivation lately and I hope I can keep up with tracking my points throughout the day. Hopefully this lasts longer than my small 3 days tweetwhatyoueat obsession.

This morning I had my small group training session from 7:30-8:30 and this one really kicked my butt today..well...really, kicked my arms. My arms were screaaaaming by the end, but I loved it!

Hoping to squeeze in some cardio tomorrow for a total 5 days of working out this week. Then, doing some light dvd work over the weekend.

Lazy today..but planning to do a workout video when I go home tonight! Here's what I did the past week:

Tuesday Nov. 30th:

Hardcore interval training again today..amaaaazing workout. But it really kept me hungry all day! Did some free weights after for 30 minutes.

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 647


Monday, Nov. 29th:
Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 644


Black Friday: 6 miles on the elliptical
Thanksgiving: 6 miles on the elliptical 
Wednesday 11/24: Total Body Small group training session

Did some hardcore interval training today!

Miles Run Today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 641

My foot hurt me a lot this week, so I took it easy. I had my 2nd group training session today, which was actually a personal session because the other guy was on a business trip. It was great!

I love this:
9-5-2-1-0 Zip Code to Your Health.”  On the back it broke down the zip code for kids. 

• 9 – Get 9 hours of sleep each night.
• 5 – Eat 5 fruits and vegetables every day.
• 2 – No more than 2 hours of screen time a day.
• 1 – Exercise at least 1 hour each day.
• 0 – 0 sugary drinks! 
•  

Did 7 miles yesterday! had a slight nagging side sticker pretty much the entire time. Walked the last mile home, and had major intestinal problems all afternoon....uggh. But it was a beautiful Fall run!! Amazing weather!

chris and I did an Back and Arms P90X DVD video on Saturday and I did some more weights and abs this morning after a 20 minute elliptical work-out!

Miles Run Today: 7
Total Miles Run for 2010: 637

I have 70 more miles to run by the end of the year if I want to reach my goal of 700 miles!! That's an average of 10 miles a week...which is totally do-able for me..buuutttt I'm not sure if I'll reach it.

Tomorrow I have my first small group training session for the next 8 weeks. One hour, total body conditioning 7:30-8:30 with me and about 4 other ladies. I'm super excited to learn some new things!!

Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 630


Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Miles Run Today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 627

Monday, November 8, 2010
I had a weird annoying side sticker today...just wasn't feeling the run...I really did .5 miles but I want to get rid of this stupid .7 so .3 it is. Then I did elliptical for about 15 minutes.
Miles Run Today: .3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 623

Did 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday! It's been a looooong time since I've done that many miles on a treadmill...I'd say since last Feb. or March? But, now that's it's getting to the dark dreary months, it's time to get used to logging miles on a treadmill. This was surprisingly easy for me and  I felt like I got a really great work out!

This morning I did level one and level two of Gillian Michaels' 30 day shred. I went to bed way too late last night, it's raining out today, and I have a bunch of running around to do this afternoon and I really didn't want to have to carry my backpack with me. Same thing for tomorrow...because I'm going to a show after work, I'm going to try and work out at home in the morning so I don't have my stupid gym bag.

I've decided my goal miles for the year will be 700....I want to make sure I get to 700 before January 1, 2011...I think I will easily hit that. 

Miles Run "Yesterday": 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 622.7

Just did a one mile warm up before lifting weights and doing leg exercises.

Miles Run Today: 1
Total Miles Run for 2010: 617.7


Beautiful Fall Day!! Did my normal 5 miles run by my house, loved it and it even made my aching leg actually feel BETTER!

Miles Run Today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 616.7

Great day today!! Ran outside...wanted to do more than 4 miles, but really wanted to have time to do abs. So, ran 4 miles, then did 15-20 minutes of abs.
Miles Run Today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 611.7

Wednesday:
Ran for one mile, then did free weights and leg exercises for about 40 minutes.
Miles Run Today: 1
Total Miles Run for 2010: 607.7

Tuesday- I did 45 minutes of spinning..it was intense. But Brittany's Circus album got me through it!

Ran one mile, then did free weights and worked on arms and legs, then closed out with another one mile run.
Miles Run Today: 2
Total Miles Run for 2010: 606.7


Friday, October 22, 2010
Miles Run Today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 604.7

30 Day Shred

Woa Folks...Gillian Michael's is kicking my BUTT. I am seriously so sore,and my calf muscles are super tense. Day 2 of level 1 and 2 of "The 30 day Shred" I don't know if I can do this again tomorrow because I'm so sore! I think I need a day to recuperate! Is that allowed? I'm not sure what to do!

I'm also STARVVVVING. Because it focuses on interval training, I def. feel my metabolism kicked up and my hunger is out of controoool. Trying to eat healthy, high protein things to keep me full.  But feeling good!

Biking!

I've been woefully inactive since the race. I'm embracing it and telling myself it's ok..but seriously, I need to get back into a routine now. I can't become lazy especially with the holidays and the "winter slump" coming up...not to mention my wedding dress fitting in January! I've decided for the remainder of the year, I will devote this blog to my "work-outs" and not focus soley on my runs or how many miles I did. I still plan on running and hope to adapt to running in the colder weather. But I realize just how good of a workout I can get doing other things, too.

This morning I FINALLY woke up early and did levels 1 and 2 of Gillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD. It was frickin fantastic! I was sweating so much and I can tell my metabolism is spiked because I'm so hungry today!! It felt great to get up even with it still being pitch black out, not have to rush to the gym and get my work out done at home. For 3 years straight, I went to the gym before work. Each night, I packed up my bag, packed breakfast AND lunch, got up the next morning and rushed to a 6:30am train. And....I'm just kind of done with it. I've been so embracing getting my work outs done at home. I can make breakfast on the fly and not spend time the night before packing up my gym bag. I just wish I had more equipment to get even better work outs. However, I do think I've decided it's time to cancel my gym membership, or at least put it on hold. I haven't gone there in about 2 months now!

In addition to this morning's work out: This past weekend I was home in PA and did some pretty awesome bike rides with my dad. Seriously, my dad NEEDS to create his own blog with all the best biking trails in our area. He knows all of them, the best time to go, how long they are, how hilly they are, etc., etc., etc. This weekend's weather was beautiful and perfect for a bike ride.
Sunday afternoon we rode in Walnutport

So gorgeous! We rode right along the water

Waterfalls

 

 

On my mom's fancy new bike!

All in all on this day, we completed 16.04 miles and rode for 1 hour and 33 minutes!!

On Monday we got up at 7am to go for another brisk Fall morning Bike ride before my dad headed out to work. We did another 11.5 miles in 54:22!! I felt this ride a lot more, there were more hills and since I already knew this trail...I felt more comfortable going at a faster pace.

I can't wait to try out some more bike trails with my Dad as he discovers more and more. I'm home again briefly this weekend, and hope I can get myself out of bed early enough on Saturday to do another ride!!

DIVA Half Marathon!!

The weekend I had been training for for the past 12 weeks finally arrived! My dear friends Mandy, Kate and I ran the inaugural DIVA Half Marathon in Eisenhower Park on Long Island. I trained really hard up until the last 2 weeks. I got lazy for some reason, and found it hard to get up in the morning now that it's dark out! But, no matter what...that couldn't stop me from running what I signed up for months ago, trained really hard for 10 weeks, and paid $75 to do so! We met up on Saturday to get our race number, race t-shirt and score some freebies!

Afterward, we went back to our house with my parents where we had an "Around the World" meal prepared by Chris' mom of grape leaves, spring rolls, dumplings, and ZITI!! I was mostly excited for the ziti so I could get my carbo-load on before the big race. After dinner we three girls went for a walk to help digest a little bit, watched some tv, went in the hot tub to relax and all of us were in bed a little after midnight! Not too bad for a Saturday night!

At 6:00 Mandy's alarm went off our in our living room and I literally popped wide awake. My alarm hadn't even gone off yet, but I was up and ready to go! My anxious nerves kicked in immediately. We quickly got ready and went out to my car to drive to the park. It was freeeeezing and still rather dark outside.

When we got close to the park the traffic was terrible! It was backed up for what seemed like miles! (I was one of "those people" who drove up to the front and then cut in...yea...deal with it.)This was intimidating to be behind as we were waiting to park:

We finally parked and had about 20 minutes to get warmed up for the start. Lots of people were walking to the start line:

We took our places. We all heard that 4000 women were running but it apparently was only 2080. Still a good number, but it wasn't nearly as packed as I thought it was going to be, which was nice. What was miraculous was not only did the race start right on time..but we were pretty much right up front and started about 30 seconds after the race actually started!

Throughout the race a number of things crossed my mind. Firstly, I felt great. It was soooo cold that morning, but it actually was the perfect temp. in which to run a race. I had to take my brand new (thanks mama!) green running jacket off by mile 2, which proved a bit difficult since my number was pinned to it! Little lessons learned. But as soon as the race started, I could tell that I was going to be in the zone for this one.

I was glad that I took my electrolyte jelly beans before the race and I had one gu packet at about 6.5 miles. This was good for me and helped give me the energy I needed. I only took water from 3 water stations along the route...and that was in the last half. I didn't have any water until after 6 miles. If it was hot, I definitely would have needed more...but that was what I did during training and so that's what I did with the race. I didn't want to get bloated, or have water sloshing around in my stomach. Plus, I can't drink water and run at the same time and I didn't feel like stopping to drink water unless I really needed it. I looooved listening to my 175 beats per minute podcast. It's a 6.5 mile session and listening to it twice took me through the whole thing. It kept me on an even pace the entire time and definitely helped me achieve the time that I did. I'm addicted to these podcasts!

I got my feather boa and tiara a little before mile 12 and tried so hard to power through the last mile but my knees were hurting me so badly by then, it was really hard to concentrate on anything else. I usually stop to stretch my knee once or twice but they really didn't bother me until the last 3 miles and I figured at the point..I could just power through it. I put majooor strain on them doing this race, mainly because my quads aren't as strong as they should be. Next race, that has to be my main focus so I don't completely wreck my knees at the tender age of 25. I crossed the finish line at 2:03:36 but my official time was 2:03:06 because I didn't start immediately with the clock. My goal was 2:10 and I am so happy! This also give me a new goal: to break 2 hours! I can def. do it, I was so close!! Kate and Mandy both did amazingly well and I think it's safe to say that this will not be their last half marathon. They've both got the bug!

Mandy finishes!

After the race we were greeted by firefighters who handed us roses (and I got a hug from mine!) champagne (no thank you), our huge DIVA-esque medal (picture coming soon) and brown paper bags to fill with bagels, bananas, luna bars, popchips, wheat things, fruit bites, etc., etc. I downed my bagel and it was soooo amazing. We got our picture taken for our medals and then waited and waited for Chris and Billly to arrive.

Unfortunately, Chris and Billy had quite a bit of trouble finding where the race was. They actually walked about 4 miles of the actual half marathon trail in order to find us. It was a bummer...but we can't say they didn't try. And they got a nice morning walk in! Nick DID get there in time to see Kate finish, brought her a blanket to warm up, AND a Jelly doughnut. Major props to that kid!

All in all it was a successful day, we're all still feeling the repercussions of putting our bodies through that. My quads and knees really hurt, Kate has a huge blister on her foot, and Mandy is at Duane Reade getting a bandage for her foot as I type this. It's true we're DIVAS through and through, but hey! We just ran 13.2 miles...Booyah!!

We did it!!

I reached 600 miles for the year!
Miles Run Saturday: 13.2
Total Miles Run for 2010: 601.7

Sunday, Sept. 26
This run was harrrd. clearly my quads are not where they should be. My buddy John who I always see out walking, was near my house walking and I welcomed the excuse to stop 1/2 mile from my house and chat with him for a bit. I'm bothered by the fact that it's not just that these 12 miles were tough...it's that it was really tough after 6 miles which is normally easy for me. My knees were really bothering me today and they haven't bothered me in months! Why now?? I had a nagging sidesticker...not enough to stop me completely, just uncomfortable, and I was just counting dowwwwwn the time for it to end after 6-7 miles. Luckily, this is my last long run before next weekend...one more long run and then this is overrrr!! I've enjoyed the process, but i'm anxious to get back to strengthening and toning.


Miles Run today: 12
Total Miles Run for 2010: 588.5

Saturday, Sept. 25
Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 576.5

Saturday, September 18, 2010
Still Slacking...BUT I had a great 9 mile run on Saturday before getting ready for the wedding. I didn't run yesterday and I didn't run this morning because I'm still recuperating from my lack of sleep over the weekend and didn't go to bed until 12:30 last night! I plan on pushing through this week with some good long runs, closing out with a 12 miler on Saturday or Sunday and then tapering off before the race in 2 weekends!! It's getting close, and I do feel ready. I just need to keep my head in the game for this last hard-core week.

Miles Run today: 9
Total Miles Run for 2010: 570.47

I feel like this always happens to me in the last two weeks before a race. I get lazy. I think "well...I can't get much better by this point anyway..so what's the point? what's done is done!" Plus, it's sooo dark outside at 6:15 when I set my alarm..I think "I can't run in the dark!" But the race is 2 weeks away!! 2 weeks!! I HAVE to stay on target. I've done pretty well so far...just two more weeks of early morning runs and then I can switch over to some DVD's and get back to weight training.

I slept in this morning...again...and only had time for 3 miles, even though I was supposed to run for 55 minutes as my schedule told me. So I did 3 miles...I power-housed through the last half mile. It was HUMID this morning and I was dripping with sweat by the end of the run, which believe it or not, is pretty unusual for me. Anyway, tomorrow I am running for 2 hours, which should equal about 12 miles if I stay on pace. I need to do this by 10:00am because my friend is coming over at 11:00 to do my makeup for the wedding I'm going to and I'll need a good hour to shower and cool down before that. That means I have to be out the door by 8:00 tomorrow..can I do it?? The answer is: I have to.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 561.47

Today I did my interval speed training. The same routine I did last week. 
My times for each 1/2 mile fast run were as follows:

1. 3:33
2. 3:37
3. 3:39
4. 3:41
5. 4:11

so my first three were faster than ALL of my times last week, and my 4th one was exactly right where my first one was last week. I was surprised I knocked 8 seconds off my time for my first run! However, during the 4th run...my left hamstring was really bothering me. And, I could tell my legs were going to be reallly sore again, so I needed to take it easy for my last fast 1/2 mile. So...I just kind of jogged it out at my normal pace and came in at 4:11. All in all, I ran 3 miles this morning with warm up and cool down.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 558.47

My legs were reallly sore after last Friday's run. I'm supposed to run 4 fast miles with a break in between this week...but honestly, I think I'd rather do the same routine I did last Friday again. I think I need to do more shorter sprints on my own, instead of on a treadmill before I move ahead to fast miles on my own. It's amazine what different muscles you use sprinting than from regular jogging. So, I didn't run on Saturday...but I was also in Vermont and didn't know where to run.

But even worse than that....I didn't run on Sunday. My long run :( It was cold and dreary by the time we came home on Sunday and I used that as an excuse to not run. Just like I used the dark, dreariness as an excuse not to run yesterday, too. Boooo, I've been bad. And after my amazing 10 mile run last weekend, I really wanted to have a repeat run like that again!!

I'm going to attempt 10 miles before I leave for the wedding I'm going to on Saturday. I have to get up at 8 if I want to do it, because I have a friend come over to do makeup at 11, so that's a little ambitious but I can do it!! I will!!!

This morning, I felt realllly refreshed. I was in bed before 11 last night, which NEVER happens lately and got a full 7 1/2 hours of sleep. Glorious!! Got up a little later than usual, but still fit in my 4.86 mile run.

Miles Run today: 4.86
Total Miles Run for 2010: 555.47

Crazy hard run this morning. I realized yesterday that I didn't do my interval training this week..so I had to do it this morning. I mapped out a street in the neighborhood across the street from me that's exactly .5 miles from start to finish. I had to do 5 fast 1/2 mile runs with a cooldown in between each one. 

Here were my times for each 1/2 mile run. I realllly wanted my best one to be my last..but I couldn't do it. The first two were the fastest, for obvious reasons.

1. 3:41
2. 3:41
3. 3:46
4. 3:46
5. 3:51

This was HARD. It was the first time that I did an interval training on my own and NOT on a treadmill. Keeping up the pace was entirely up to me, and it is such a mind game to keep yourself going fast. I will def. be trying this one again next week to see if I can improve my time. It's also amazing the different muscles you use sprinting..my legs are extremely sore today!!


Miles Run today: 2.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 550.61

So I thouuught I had been running 5 miles, but mapmyrun actually tells me it's 4.86 now. :(  Close enough..but I'm going to keep an accurate count of miles and so below I am actually putting 4.86 miles for today. Call me Crazy...it's ok. LOVING this cooler weather :)


Miles Run today: 4.86
Total Miles Run for 2010: 548.11

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Ran to a faster podcast this morning that I couldn't keep up with a few months ago. Did 5 miles in 46 minutes which is faster than my usual 10 minute mile pace. Great way to start the week!
Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 543.25

Sunday, September  5, 2010
Had the freaking best run of my entire life today. Got up early (8:30) was extremelllly well rested. The weather was perfect. I stopped ONCE at 5 miles to drink and have my gel packet but that was the only time I felt the need to stop. My knee didn't hurt, I didn't have to stop 1200 times to stretch it out. I listened to two podcasts back to back, I thought about wedding planning the whole time, and I was more than in the zone. I actually loveeed this run and may remember it for the rest of my life.The last mile was the toughest, but that's what makes me think it's so much in my head. I knew it was the last mile..and so mentally I was thinking "ok..this is over" so I was psyching myself out. I want to do this exact run next weekend ...I'm loving this cooler weather!

Miles Run today: 10
Total Miles Run for 2010: 538.25

HOLY COW! We are one month out!! One month away from the big day!!

Me, Kate V, Mandy L., and Mal S. have been training hard for the half marathon on October 3rd. I will admit, I'm getting a little nervous, especially since I've missed TWO of my long runs now, but I'm so excited to run this particular race, and I'm very excited to share in the experience with three really awesome girlfriends.

I allllmost went back to bed this morning after getting up. Almost. But I knew that it was going to rain this afternoon and if I didn't do it now...it definitely wasn't going to happen. As usual, once I got out the door, I was grateful that I did. I had a good run...did some interval running with the help of my motiontaxx podcasts. I did the 3 miles that I was supposed to do on Wednesday.

I decided to do my long 1:45 run tomorrow morning (yikes! i'm nervous!!) and then 3 miles on Sunday and 5 miles on Monday. I hope with the wedding I'm going to this weekend I can fit this all in!

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 528.25

Took yesterday off...I seem to be taking my break days on Wednesdays instead of Fridays lately. I enjoy Friday runs and it's nice to get a day off in the middle of the week.


But I was back to the pavement this morning! I ran around the neighborhood...the weather has been great in the mornings..I just hate how much darker it's getting early on now! It's depressing but I LOVE Fall, so I really can't complain.

Today I did 50 minutes as instructed by my trusting training schedule! I used a new MotionTrax podcast to run to which kept me at 175 bpm the entire way. I was surprised that it was an easy pace for me, and it kept me right on target. I think this weekend when I run my 1:45 long run, I'm going to use this one plus the :43 minute upshift podcast I usually listen to, and that should be exactly the length of time I need to run! I'm so hoping I can get in a 3 mile run in the morning before Hurricane Early greets us in the early afternoon!

Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 525.25

Warmed up for .25 miles at 6.0 mph
Ran 1 mile at 6.8-7.3 mph
Cooled down walking for .25 miles
Ran 1 mile at 7.0-7.5 mph
Cooled down walking for .25 miles
Ran 1 mile at 7.0-7.8 mph
Cooled down walking for .26 miles.

All in all, traveled 4 miles.
Ran 3.25 miles.

Miles Run today: 3.25
Total Miles Run for 2010: 520.25

Monday, August 30:
Today was my first run exploring the east side of the city near my new job and new gym. I wanted to run along the East River and see if I can get a new, steady path down in the city that I know I can do in the mornings. It took quite a few tries to try and get over there...I realized the only place I could actually enter was at 63rd street and York...All the others places were either complete misses (only a few feet long..more dog parks than anything), or completely locked up parks. I ran along the East River but there was zero shade, and I didn't wear my sunglasses so I was getting blinded. It was a good trial run and I have a much better idea of where to start off with running tomorrow..it was neat to explore a new part of the city. But, I do miss the park :(  I ran for an hour..but stopped a lot along the way to try and figure out where to run and I walked at a few points and it was also very hilly!!! sooo I think I only did abou 5.5 miles today. If I'm feeling very ambitious, I may log another 3 miles tonight after work. But that's a big IF.
Miles Run today: 5.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 517

Saturday, August 28
Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 511.5

Friday, August 27
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 506.5


Thursday, August 26
Miles Run today: 2.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 503.5

I hit the 500 mark!

Tuesday, August 24th
I was supposed to do interval training today: 4 fast 1/2 mile runs with a cool down in between each section. However, it took me an hour and  a half to get into the city today. The LIRR is a mess this week because of a track fire near Jamaica station yesterday. I waited 20 minutes for a train this morning. I actually didn't mind that much because I was able to watch a full episode of Dexter and it's getting sooooo goood! But, I did have to modify my work-out. I did my 3 miles today that I'm supposed to do tomorrow...and tomorrow I'll do the interval trainig. I prob. could have fit it in today, but I wanted to be safe knowing that I can do a quick 3 miles and still get to work on time.
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 501

Monday, August 23rd
I didn't run my 9 miler for the 2nd weekend in a row. This is a problem. So, I did 6 on the treadmill this morning! Oy! It was really hot in the gym, but it was a good steady paced run, and I felt great afterward.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 498

Saturday, August 21
It was a lot hotter out than I thought it would be today, but it wasn't too bad. I also started out this run not so great...my legs felt weird, almost like I was getting shin splints and I also got a slight side sticker at the start. I guess that's what happens when you don't run for However, once I ran a mile it all started to fall into place and I felt back to my normal running self again. I felt like I could have run longer than my 6 today..but we had plans and I got a later start to my day than I wanted (per usual)
Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 492


Tuesday, August 17
Interval training today! It went very well...these are intense!
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 486

Today, Monday August 16, 2010
I was a slacker and didn't post for almost a week! But I remember my work outs:
I didn't run at all this weekend. I was supposed to do 90 minutes yesterday but I was in AC for the weekend, and had a 5 hour drive home yesterday. By the time I came home, I had so much to do to prep for my week, I just couldn't bring myself to run. Plus, a bad storm was heading my way. So, I compromised and ran 6 miles in Central Park this morning. I was looking forward to it, because it would be my last long run in the park before I started my new job and went to my new gym which isn't near the Park. So..it was one final harrah. It was MUGGGY out today. I was drenched way more than usual when I was done. But, i still did it in 60 minutes flat!
Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 483

Friday, August 13, 2010
I love friday morning runs! I did my normal run that usually takes me 45 minutes or 4.5 miles..but I finished it in 40 minutes today..so now I'm wondering am I getting faster? or was I just slower before, and it's really 4 miles? I dunno, but I"m gonna put down for 4 miles.
Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 477

Thursday, August 12
I wanted to run 4 or 5 miles but I just wasn't feeling it after mile 3. Well..before mile 3 but I told myself to at least get to that. Then, I did 20 more minutes on the eliptical to make up for lost time.
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 473
 
Wednesday, August 11
Had jury duty today! Ran around the neighborhood when I came home, cause I didn't have time in the morning.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 470

Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I went to my new gym today for the first time!! Still a NYSC but over on the East Side now that I have my new job. This gym is MUCH more crowded than the one on Columbus that I used to go. On Columbus, I'd often be the ONLY person in the locker rooms in the morning getting ready. Now, this one was packed! Busy and bustling, but I didn't mind it. I think the locker room is nicer at my new gym. I think it's bigger, too....though it's hard to say. I wish it was a little brighter....I felt like it was pretty dim everywhere I went..and this was in the summer with lots of windows! I can't imagine how dark it's going to feel in the dead of winter. But whether I like it, or not, this is my new gym and I'm giong to embrace it. It was a welcome change of scenery and I'm excited to feel more comfortable here. I have many familiar faces at my old gym...some people I even talk to on an almost daily basis! But, I will have to bid them farewell and carry on...ce la vie.

My run today was intense. I ran 8 quarter mile hills at an incline ranging from 8-10 at 6.5 mph. By the 8th hill I was in one word DONE. I cooled down in between each hill walking for about .10 to .15 of a mile. All in all, I traveled 3.5  miles.
Miles Run today: 3.5


Total Miles Run for 2010: 470.5

3 miles at the gym. I really wanted to do some abs and weights, so I cut this one short. I was going to run 6 miles to make up for not running yesterday. But, figured the weights are really important, too. Anyway, instead of running yesterday, I was all set to do a 9 mile bike ride. Instead, I got a major flat tire on my bike a mile and a half into it and had to walk back. Thank goodness Chris was with me. We strolled back weaving in and out of the neighborhoods and then we dropped our bikes off at the house and walked for another half hour or so. All Together, we were out for an hour and 10 minutes! Sooo surely that made up for the 30 minutes I was supposed to run.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 467

Saturday, August 7, 2010
This morning was beautiful. We woke up at 9:00 and I felt sooo refreshed and great after a relaxing Friday night at home. Chris went outside after we got up, came back in and said "You're doing your long run outside today." Sure enough, I went out and it was soooo gorgeous and perfect out I figured you know what, why not get it over with on Saturday and relax a little on Sunday? We didn't have any pressing plans, we were up early (for us) and all signs pointed to "yes". So at 10:15 I headed out for my long 90 minute run. I did my usual run to Alley Pond Park and then picked up the Brooklyn/Queens Parkway trail for a few miles. The last time I did a 90 minute run..I ran out this same way for 45 minutes, then turned around and came back, which was exactly what I planned to do today. But this time, when I got to the spot that I had turned around at last time, I still had another 10 minutes to go!! Did I run that much faster?? I certainly didn't feel like it. I felt really sluggish for the first 2 miles. So, I kept running another 10 minutes before I turned around. I had to stop and walk a few times during this run which kind of upset me, because usually I don't have to. I was having some stomach issues (perhaps from all the pizza I ate for dinner on Friday?), my knee was acting up as usual, and when I had to stop for a stop-light on the main road, I was sooo thankful. So, because of these stops...I decided to actually run 3 extra minutes to make up for some lost time. So today I ran for 93 minutes, or about 9 miles. In the last 3 minutes, I passed my old man friend who is out walking every day near me. I usually pass him on week day mornings, and he always gives me the thumbs up sign. Chris's mom thinks that he was a much heavier guy who had a heart attack a few years back and now walks every single day, no matter the weather, to stay fit. I saw him across the street when I was just about ready to give up. He smiled, gave me the thumbs up and shouted "You're looking great!! I'm serious!" and gosh darnit if that didn't keep me going for the last extra 3 minutes!!

Miles Run today: 9
Total Miles Run for 2010: 464

Friday night and I had to go home to run. It was an easy 3 miles, and it was actually good after the crazy week I had.
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 455

I had a side sticker for the first and last mile of this run. I ran after dinner, which was the first problem. BUT it was nice to have a night run for once.
Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 452

Did interval training yesterday. had a good 3.5 mile run. Didn't run today :( but getting up to run before our engagement pictures tomorrow!!

Miles Run today: 3.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 448

OK, I was really bad this weekend. I hadn't run since THURSDAY!! I was supposed to take one day off this weekend and then do a 10K race (or 6.4 miles) on Sunday. But I was so busy this weekend and couldn't get my butt out the door yesterday morning. BUT!! I did an amaaaazing 11 mile bike ride with my dad on Saturday and I think that MORE than makes up for the 3 mile run that I was supposed to do. So...I really only missed my long Sunday run. To make up for that, I did 6 miles this morning in Central Park! It was a GREAT run...it had been a while since I had done the whole loop in Central Park and I needed a good Monday morning long run. I had a nagging side-sticker in the beginning, which was weird because I haven't had that in awhile. But, it went away pretty quickly and I was able to keep a pretty steady pace throughout the whole run. The 6 miles took me exactly 1 hour...which is pretty standard, but I was hoping that my speed had increased at least a little.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 444.5

I was really sore yesterday from my intense run on Tuesday. Plus, I was out late Tuesday night and didn't have a chance to pack my gym bag..so I took Wednesday off from running. That means instead of having Friday as my break day this week...Wed. was my break day and I have to run tomorrow. I'm actually glad because for some reason, I LOVE Friday morning runs. There's something great about knowing it's the weekend and you're starting it off with a good run. I did some more interval running today...but not as intense and more gradual. I was only supposed to run 3 miles today and tomorrow but I was feeling good and went for 4. 
Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 438.5

I was itttching to do some hard interval training today. I was supposed to do another 7x400 hills but I just wanted to do some speed-work because I haven't done that in awhile and I read a blog post yesterday about how important HIIT is (high intensity interval training). Today, I warmed up at 6mph pace for 5 minutes, then I ran 1 minute at a 7.5-8.2 mph pace (I went up incrementally each time) with either a 1 or 1:30 minute rest in between walking at 4.3mph. At around 20 minutes, I did 30 second sprints at 8.2 mph with a 30 second walk at 4.0mph. Then at 25 minutes, I ran for 5 minutes at 6.3mph. At 30 minutes I had run/traveled exactly 3 miles...and then I walked to cool down for 5 minutes.

It was harrrrrd but really great. I feel like I really spiked my metabolism for the day.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 434.5

Monday, July 26, 2010 
3 easy miles in Central Park this morning. The humidity has FINALLY broken! It was nice to be back in CP again. Did free weights for 20 minutes after the run.
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 431.5 

Sunday, July 25, 2010
Today BLEW! I was supposed to run for 90 minutes like last Sunday. This should equate to running roughly 9 miles. Well, it was really hot and rainy outside this evening..so I soon realized that this would HAVE to be done on the treadmill. My biggest mistake was that I stopped. I ran for 50 minutes (5 miles) and then decided to take a quick break..go refill my water bottle..and then I'd come back and finish out with 4 more miles. Well....coming back to it was NOT fun. I somehow managed to squeeze out another 2 miles after that, but my stomach was not having any more running beyond that. I could just tell that my gastro-intestinal system was screaming at me. (lovely right?) So, after 75 minutes of running...I was discouraged because I just had 15 MORE MINUTES to complete the workout. I decided to do 15 minutes on a stationary bike so I could at least say I did 90 minutes of cardio. But, I was only able to actually run 7 miles. Oh well, we can't always have on days. I think if I had been able to do this outside, I would have been better.
Miles Run today: 7
Total Miles Run for 2010: 428.5
 


Saturday, July 24, 2010
Went to the Gym...WAY too hot outside to run. Had a great 3 mile run followed by an hour of free weights/abs/legs.

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 421.5
 

I enjoy running on Friday mornings. I think it's a great way to end the week, a great way to start the weekend and if I'm really tired..who cares? It's Friday! Had a great run this morning around the neighborhood.
Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 418.5


Wednesday July 21, 2010

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 414

Mallory Sweeney - Laura, to answer a question you had previously posted: generally, most runners I know log their total mileage for the day, including any warm-ups and walking (that's what we used to do for XC I think...). Sometimes, people will log miles run and then total miles including ones walked. Mainly though, it's good to keep track of all/total for your shoe wear...that way, you know LITERALLY how many miles are on your shoes and (besides the obvious feel!) it is easier to know when to get new ones!!
LOVE YOUUUU. Mandy and I ran today...can't wait to run with you!! I didn't do hills yest., just sprints...booo

Today was my crazy hill run day! ahhh!!! My calves were SCREAMING at me this morning. I think that my 9 mile run from Sunday finally hit me today for the first time and this was just residual muscle soreness from that run. So today I did 7 hills at a 10 incline on the treadmill for .25 miles each with a walk at 4.0 mph in between each one. Meh....It was ok...it felt harder today than last week, prob. because I'm sore but I was very happy when this was over. So..this was mixed walking and running but all in all, I traveled 4 miles so I'm going to count it.


Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 411

After my long run last night, I wasn't feeling another 3 miler this morning...so I did one mile on the treadmill and then 20 minutes on the elliptical instead...still cross training, still fine. And, I know that I'll be back on the treadmill tomorrow for my hill work out.
Here's my workout for the week:
Tuesday: 7X400 hills
Wed: 3 miles plus weights
Thurs: 45 minute tempo run
Fri: rest
Sat: 3 miles
Sun: 90 minutes

Miles Run today: 1
Total Miles Run for 2010: 407

Sunday night is the new Sunday morning! And by that I mean, running on Sunday evening was soooo fantastic and I may reserve my long Sunday runs for nightime instead of first thing in the morning . Chris and I both slept in till noon which I was pretty mad about. I did not want to sleep that late, but I guess we needed it. So, it was way too hot by then to go running outside and I did NOT want to do my 90 minutes run on a treadmill today. So, we went about our day (lunch with James and Maria, Despicable Me! which was soooo good, and grocery shopping) and then I set out for my run at 7:18. I thought that it would still be too hot and that I'd prob. just do an hour run and try and make up the miles throughout the week. But, something wonderful happened as I was running. I felt GREAT! I felt like I could run all night, the temperature was perfect and it was just a beautiful Sunday evening. I decided to keep running until I ran for 45 minutes and then turn around. That way...I'd have no choice but to run the whole 45 minutes back home and it would be my 90 minute run. Before I even realized it, I had run an hour. I would be lying if I said I did't look at my watch every 30 seconds during the last 10 minutes of the run. But, for most of it, I was feeling fantastic. I'm so so so happy that I did the full 90 minutes I was supposed to and I'm also really glad I did it at night because even though I slept 10 hours last night, I am sooooo ready to just pass out right now.

Happy after my first long run of my training!

Miles Run today: 9
Total Miles Run for 2010: 406

Saturday July 17, 2010:
Did a nice 3 mile run on the treadmill at the gym....I watched "cooking for Real" and learned how to make empanadas and chicken and cheese stuffed potatoes. OMG the empanadas looked sooo good and I bought everything I need to make them this week! After my run, I did weight/abs/legs for another hour. It was a fantastic day at the gym!
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 397

Running on 5 hours of sleep is NOT fun. I got home late last night from a Sting Concert at the Met (amaaazing) and went to bed at 1am. I was supposed to get up and meet my coworker to go running in the city with her this morning. Luckily, she texted me around 6:20 saying that she didn't get much sleep and wasn't going to be able to meet me. "YES!!" this was my out!!!! But Chris's alarm clock kept going off and I was laying there in bed going over and over in my head "should I run? should I run it tomorrow? but I wanted a day off tomorrow...should I run tonight? No..I can't run tonight...should I get up?" Finally, I said this is ridiculous, I'm obviously not falling back asleep so I got up and sludged (is that a word?) through a 4 mile run around the neighborhood. I almost gave up around mile 3 but I persevered. Luckily, the humidity wasn't too bad either. I'm realllly happy I got up this morning despite being tired. Having the pressure of training and knowing that your friends are training, too hanging over your head is the perfect motivation that I need and was lacking for the past 2 months!

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 398

Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 394

PHEW today was HARD! I was over-zealous with my hill run and learned real quick that running hills is a lot harder than I thought it would be. On my agenda for today was to run 6 400 meter hills with an equal distance walk in between each hill repeat. Honestly, I thought today was going to be pretty easy...6 hill repeats..in, out, done. I was WRONG!

I warmed up with a run at 6 mph for one mile. Then after a mile, I set the treadmill to an incline of 10 and put the mph at 7.0!!! What was I thinking?? I ran it for prob. 2 minutes before I realized there was NO WAY I was going to keep that up. I lowered it to 6.8....6.5...and finally settled on 6.3 as I finished out the 400 meters (or .25 miles) that I was intended to run at this incline.Then I walked for another 400 meters at 4.0mph. The next hill repeat, I set the treadmill at an incline of 10 again and went right to 6.3mph. This was much better buuuut realllly hard. I was able to run the full 400 meters but had to hold onto the handrails on the treadmill (a bad habit that I have even when I run normally...I seriously CAN'T run without holding onto the treadmill..it's like a fear or a safety that I have when on the treadmill). But I realize that holding on, especially with the hill repeats, was cheating because I was using my arm to pull me along. Today, I was just concerned about actualy getting through these hill repeats no matter how I had to do it. Hopefully as I do more of these, I won't have to hold on, today: it was a must. As I said before, this was significantly harder than I thought it would be but I like it! It was a great mind over body challenge. As I'm reading Marathon Woman right now about the first female Boston marathoner, I'm realizing that I need to challenge myself more and that half of what limits me, is just in my head.

I'm conflicted as to whether or not I should write 4 miles, or 2 1/2 miles because I walked a lot of today's run for my cool-down in-between each hill repeat. But all in all....I was on the treadmill for about 50 minutes, sweating like K-R-A-Z-Y and it was a damn good workout. So, I'm going to put myself down for 4 miles today.

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 391 

When keeping track of miles? Do you include any walking?? What about during speed training when you walk in between speed drills? Do you include that mileage?? I don't know!

Half Marathon Training Begins!

Today starts my 12 week training program for the October 3rd Half-Marathon!! I'm sooo excited to be back to some sort of regime, though I would be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy kicking back for the past 2 months and just running as I felt like it...which...was still about 3 times a week typically. But, it's time for me to get back on track with this. Mandy has now signed up for the race as well so me, Mandy and Mal are all in this together and it's very motivating! I was supposed to run 3 miles this morning, but the loop in Central Park that I run is 1.7 miles so I just did that twice and ran back to the gym for a total of 3.5 miles to kick off my trainig! After that, I did a ton of free weights and leg excercises. I was sweating like a bandshee this morning!
Miles Run today: 3.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 387
Here is my training schedule for the rest of July (but you can click on the arrows to see the full 12 week schedule):



Saturday I went for a run with Ben and his mom on the Cape!! It was sooo nice. His mom joined us for the first 3 miles, which was all Ben and I planned on doing. However, after 3 miles, we felt good and felt we could do one more mile. Well, 2 miles later we got back to his parent's cape house just as the sun was coming out and it was getting HOT!! Ben hopped right into the pool...I decided to shower first before doing that. I hate going in the pool with clothes on..I needed my swim suit! It was really beautiful running through these neighborhoods, and I'm so glad we made ourselves go out. Some of the houses were amazing and along the marina or on the water. It was so peaceful and serene, and I can't even imagine what it must be like to live in such a peaceful, calm, beautiful place. I felt like I was truly on vacation, running and all!

Miles Run today: 5 
Total Miles Run for 2010: 383.5

Monday 7.5.10
I was sooo bloated and gross from the weekend. I could NOT run, plus it was on a treadmill because it was too hot outside and I just wasn't feeling it. I gave up at 2 miles, did the elliptical for another 20 minute and then the stair-master for 5 minutes.

Miles Run today: 2 
Total Miles Run for 2010: 378.5


On Saturday I did the 6 mile Trek to the gym that I was so excited about. It didn't exactly go as planned though. I left the house at 10:00, but it was just starting to really heat up at that point. After about 40 minutes, I really just didn't feel well. My knee was fine, I didn't have a sidesticker..but dehydration was really kicking in. I even brought my coconut water with me leftover from the Corporate challenge run and I was sipping that the whole way! Buuut I also sort of wonder if the coconut water was just a little too much for my stomach to handle in the heat? Cauuuse I felt a pain that I honestly very rarely feel when running. Sooo rather than make myself miserable, I walked the last 1 1/2 to 2 miles to the gym, which was still a fabulous, sweaty workout! But, as a result..I'm only going to put 4 miles down for running today, even though I was all psyched to do 6 :(.
BUT it was a great trail and I'm def. going to make sure I master this 6 mile trek as soon as possible!

Miles Run today: 4 
Total Miles Run for 2010: 376.5

mapmyrun.com

i am SO EXCITEDDDDD!!! I didn't run today..BOOOO BUT I really want to get in some great workouts this weekend and I needed to feel excited about my run. So, this morning I thought "I wonder how far away my gym is from the house?" So I came in, went to mapmyrun.com and mapped out a back-road run from my house to the gym and it's exactly 6 miles!! That's perfect! I can run to the gym, do some weight lifting and run back if I'm feeling incredibly inspired, or have Chris pick me up and take me home (which is far more likely an option). I'm so excited by this and can't wait to try out the route tomorrow!!

check out my route:

Ran in Central Park with Meghan this morning. I was feeling sluggish again, but it was still a good run and it was GORGEOUS outside today.

Lifted weights for half an hour after:
Regular arm curls            12 10Lb.       3 sets of 12
tricep over the head         10LB.           3 sets of 12
Back work on ball            5 LB.           3 sets of 12
arm raise on ball              10 LB.          3 sets of 12
push ups                         body weight   3 sets of 12

Side plank on extended arm, 20 seconds on each side, 2 sets.

What I decided today: I'M WEAK!

Miles Run today: 4.5  
Total Miles Run for 2010: 372.5

I have good news! I finnallly signed up!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are confirmed as a registrant for the 2010 Divas Half Marathon™ or Girl's 5K! Congratulations for making the commitment to participate in the Diva’s Half Marathon! Have you thought about how you're going to train for it? We have teamed up with Active.com coaches to provide online training plans for our race. The available 12 week programs range from beginner to advanced and from runners to walkers. Included with your training plan is an online calendar, reporting tools and calculators, a mapping tool, daily emails, and much more! Preview the plan that is right for you by clicking here.

My official training for this race will begin July 12th. So I have 1 1/2 more weeks to do my own thang. I was sooooo comfortable in bed this morning. I seriously could not move. The pillows were perfectly positioned, the sheets were perfectly placed on me...it was glorious. Buuut I finally got myself out of bed in time to at least allow myself to run for 1/2 an hour. It was a nice morning, too!! So...just 3 miles for me today.
Miles Run today: 3
Total Miles Run for 2010: 368

Ran around the neighborhood today.....on a FRIDAY! WAHOO!! Great run, it was a beautiful morning!

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 365

Ran with Meghan again this morning! We ran along the Hudson River, which I've never run before! It was such a nice change of scenery and I seriously felt like I was on vacation at the beach and didn't have to go into work in 2 hours! Unfortunately, I was realll sluggish this morning for some reason, I hope I didn't hold Meghan back too much! At least there was the occasional nice breeze off the water. It was really humid out and I just didn't know if I could run the full hour...so I ran 45 minutes (which is pretty much what I'm used to running these days) and then had to take a break. We were fairly close to where we were going to split off anyway, so I told her to just go on ahead and I'd see her at work later. I walked/recovered for 2 minutes and then ran another half mile to round out my run today at 5 miles plus 48 steps that I ran up leading to the road from the River. I had hoped to do 6 miles...but I'm just fine with 5 and happy I have some new options when doing my morning runs!

I also decided that I'm going to register for the DIVA Half marathon in October this coming weekend (when I have a new Credit Card billing period because it's $75!!!!!) But that will be the only way I will be able to stay motivated with running plus, I'll finally be able to run a half marathon with Mal since I bailed on her this past April. I'm going to create my 12 week training schedule this week...I think that would begin in 2 weeks already!!

Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 361

Monday, June 21, 2010- First day of Summer!
Ran after work today around Bellerose and it was actually quite nice!! I did the same path that I run in the mornings and it took me 45 minutes. I came home to an amazing, delicious cheese stuff hamburger that Chris' brother made on the grill and it was divine!
Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 356



Wednesday, June 16, 2010
.5 mile warm up in the morning when I lifted weights and then a 3 1/2 mile JP Corporate Challenge run in Central Park= 4 miles total.
I am so happy with my time for the race!! I ran with my coworker Katie the whole time and we kept each other going and motiviated. It was really humid and there was no air at some points, but all in all..it was a pretty easy trail and I'm extremely happy with my timing of 32:48!!

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 351.5

Thanks Meghan!

You know it's bad when the people who work at AND attend the gym in the morning see you after a month hiatus and go "where the heck have you been?!?!" At least it's nice to know that I was missed and that it didn't go unnoticed. But it was also slightly embarrassing because there are a small handful of us that are at the gym every morning at the same time...and we just get used to seeing each other in our daily routines. So, now all those people know that I've been a slacker while they've been slaving away working out every morning.  They feel abandoned, betrayed, let down....actually they don't care, but I did have to explain myself to some!

I took about a month and a half hiatus from the gym for a few reasons.
1. I got lazy
2. Now that it's light out earlier in the morning...I can do my runs by my house and not have to lug my huge backpack into work.
3. It's cooler from 6:30-7:30  (when I run at home) rather than from 7:30-8:30 (when I run in the city) soooo I'd like to get the run in earlier rather than later.

But today I had plans to meet and run with my friend Meghan at the entrance to Central Park at Columbus Circle and boy did I need this extra boost of motivation!! I actually missed my earlier train ride in (which is less crowded and much quicker), the weather was gorgeous and running in central park is so much prettier than the trail I take out by my house. Soooo thanks to Meghan kicking me into gear, I feel back in the game. Hopefully we can make this a little Tuesday morning ritual for us! Plus...for some reason, I have more time when I run in the city and I was able to get in a fabulous ab workout afterward. Then, I weighed myself on the scale in the locker room and though it's higher than I want it to be...it was less than the last time I weighed myself and I really thought it was going to be more. So, those things combined make for a very happy Laura today.

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 347.5

Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 343.5

Did the same run today that I did yesterday, just a little modified to make it longer. For the second day I passed this cute little old man power walking. As I passed him both days he gets a huuuge smile and gives me two thumbs up. I think I could get used to this daily dose of "You can do it!" from this cute, little, old stranger! It's been absolutely gorgeous running weather this week. I never want it to end! (the weather not the week)
Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 339

I'm still trying to establish "my morning trail" in my neighborhood...I really want to have a defined running trail with a clear beginning, middle, and end rather than just running aimlessly for 45 minutes. I like knowing "ok..this is the halfway point..and I know what lies ahead of me" I ran 22 minutes out over to the Brooklyn/Queens Parkway, but for some reason it went so much rather coming back and I was home sooner than I wanted to be..so I just kind of weaved in and out of the streets by our house for 5 minutes. I'll plan accordingly to that for tomorrow's run, but all in all I liked this better than my run on Friday.

Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 334.5

Ran 4 miles!! WAHOO!!! I don't know if it's that I didn't run for a week or the heat..but this run was a bit ROUGH!

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 330

WW Points today:
Cereal: 4
Cheese: 3
Apricots: 2

weight watchers calculator

I haven't been running this is so bad!! i will start up again, I will start up again!

Ok I'm hard core gonna get back to weight watchers for the summer.
I am allowed 20 points a day with 35 flex points per week. This week, I will save my flex points for Saturday, because I am going to a picnic. This is a lifesaver. With all the ways you are able to get points for food online..there is no reason to pay weight watchers anymore for their materials!

http://www.calculatorcat.com/free_calculators/weight_watchers_calculator.phtml

Today:
Breakfast:
6 apricots- 1 point
kashi bar- 2 points

Lunch:
Cereal 1 cup honey clusters- 2.5 points
milk- 2 points
cheese- 3 points

Dinner: 
Salad-

Ran in Central Park again....really wanted to do the whole 6 mile loop...but I guess that was too ambitious for this morning. It was pretty humid, and by the 5th mile, my stomach was really not feeling well from dehydration, so I walked the last 6th mile back to the gym. Oh well...still a pretty good Tues. morning run.


Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 326

Sunday,  May 23, 2010
On a whim...ran 9 miles today!! Ran 2 miles out to the Brooklyn Queens Parkway...ran 2 1/2 miles out, turned around and came back! Pretty good run all around, glad I went!

Miles Run today: 9
Total Miles Run for 2010: 321

Ran at home today before coming into work!I didn't have time/didn't feel like packing my backpack last night. Plus I'm working at an event at the NY Public library tonight and didn't want to have my big backpack with me. It's finally sunny and warm enough out in the am's for me to have my morning runs at home! It felt really great! I was totally ready to do 5 miles..but my stomach got really grumbly after 45 minutes and I just couldn't do anymore. So 4.5 miles for me!

Miles Run today: 4.5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 312

Diva's Half Marathon

I'm really thinking of doing this race: http://www.runlikeadiva.com/Divas_Half_Marathon.htm

It's on October 3rd and it's women only. They give you tutus, pink necklaces, and tiaras while you run it...real girly I know.
It's close to me out on the Island, I actually passed this park on Sunday with Chris and remarked how nice it looked.
It's $70.00 to register!! That would be the most I've paid to race....and that's a lot of $, but I kind of don't want to put a price on my health and motivation because that's so much more important in the long run, so though $70 is a lot, I kind of don't care.

I'm trying to get Mal to do it with me, and maybe if we're lucky Mandy will join back in with us this time!?

I was soooo tired and sooo comfortable when I woke up today. I'm always exceptionally tired in the mornings during weeks where I have my special "once a month friend". But I'm proud of myself for still forcing myself out of bed and once I got there, had a GREAT workout. I kind of wanted to switch things up today...so I ran one mile on the treadmill, did one mile (ten minutes) on the eliptical and then ran another mile on the treadmill for a total of a 3 mile workout or 30 minutes. I'm only putting 2 miles down here because that's how much I actually ran. I'm really incorporating weights and abs back into my routine and I feel so much more rounded out with my workout routines.

2 things that annoyed me today:
1. This woman kept ridiculously coughing in the locker room as she was preparing to shower and change. Like, hacking up a lung, continuously. It was so disturbing to listen to, and since we were all getting ready in such tight quarters it just made me feel dirty and sicky.

2. There is a girl who I saw yesterday and again today who is a BEAST when she works out. I mean this girl WORKS IT, she burns those calories. Anyway..the reason I know this is because she sweats more than any person I've ever seen sweat before. I mean she is literallllly dripping from head to toe. Yesterday she was doing abs on the mat and it looked like she had just gotten out of the shower she was drenched all over. Is it just that she sweats more than the average person or is she really working that hard? She was on the stairmaster today and hunched over trucking it up those steps..she was continuously dripping from her chin all over the machine for a good solid 10 minutes. The worst part: She didn't wipe it down after she was done!!! If you're going to be a crazy sweat machine, at least wipe it down! This poor woman who wanted to use the machine after her had to take a towel and compleeetely wipe down the entire wet machine before using it. DISGUSTING! Seriously??: Learn some manners.


Miles Run today: 2
Total Miles Run for 2010: 307.5

Monday May 10, 2010
The Treadmill groaner was back today!! Seriously, what is his deal?? I was so annoyed...here I am, minding my own business, running on the treadmill watching my beloved morning TV (GMA and TODAY) and every minute or so I get distracted by this loud grunting, groaning, beast of a man...."SIR!! If you have to groan that much while running YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!!"
Anyway..it was a gorgeous morning out, and I really would have loved to run outside. However, I waited 15 minutes for a stupid subway after getting to Penn Station and got to the gym later than I wanted to and I really wanted to make sure I fit in some abs today. It's so amazing how much a difference 15 or even 10 or ever 5 minutes make in the morning. So alas, the treadmill it was.
Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 305.5

Saturday, May 8, 2010
I'M OVER 300 MILES!! I need to up my mileage again...I made it to 200 miles so quickly..and just to get another 100 took me almost 2 months. I had a great outdoor run this morning. The kind of run that I hope I can get in every Saturday. I ran around Queens....kind of exploring and trying to get a sense of what I want "My run" to be ya know? I had a 4.7 loop in Astoria that Ben and I had figured out last year when we would go running and it was perfect. Took us from Broadway over to Ditmars, down through the Astoria Park and back up to our apt. on Broadway. that was "my run"...but I've been just running wherever the wind takes me around Queens, which is really nice...but I like to know where my "end" is. I like to know what I have in store for me before I head out. Especially...on a day like today where I totallllly face planted on the sidewalk. I hope this is my "3 times I'm DONE" fall because this is the third time I've fallen running on sidewalk and have come away with some battle wounds. This particular fall left my right knee scraped, my left elbow scraped and a small scrape on my left knee as well. (Add those to the nice bump on my head from standing up from the fridge when the freezer door was open and I'm QUITE the mess this morning) I'm very careful when I run around here...I know the sidewalk is often uneven so I'm always looking down and ahead of me....today I started thinking about something for 1 MINUTE and down I go. But that's the zone I WANT to get in. I love when I can just get into my mind and I don't even realize I'm running...then it's not hard work. So I shouldn't have to constantly worry about tripping. So...I think I'm going to start running in the street. If I stick to side roads, there aren't many calls and it will just be honestly...safer for me. I also ran over to the Brkyln Queens Parkway which was about 2 miles...so if I ever want to do a 6-10 mile run...I can run there and back and then just do a few miles on the parkway.
Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 301.5

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Good run on the treadmill today. Anxious to get back out in the sunny springtime again!
Miles Run today: 4.25
Total Miles Run for 2010: 295.5

Great interval run today!!
Miles Run today: 4.25
Total Miles Run for 2010: 291.25


Tuesday May 11, 2010:
Did a Spinning video today on the bike.
Miles on the Spinner: 12 miles/43 minutes/500 calories

I'm finally back!!!! I took about 2 weeks off for various reasons. It was interesting..it was nice to have a break, and not worry about fitting in running every day. But I have to say I do think that I just didn't feel as "good" in the past two weeks. I felt slightly anxious, run down and not as productive and I think that it's because running and/or working out really does make me feel that much better Chris forced me out of bed yesterday to go for a run because he knew that I really wanted to, and that I was just being lazy and putting it off.  I was annoyed at first...but by the time I came back I gave him a huge sweaty hug and thanked him for getting me out the door because I felt great!
I want to get to over 300 miles this week.

Today I ran 4 miles on the treadmill
Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 287

Ran around the neighborhood for 40 minutes. Mapped it out on mapmyrun.com and as I figured, it was 4 miles.

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 283