It's amazing how something that throws your day off course or something that you're so used to doing or having every day suddenly changes, throws you off course, and then happens to be for the better.

For instance..today I forgot a hair tie to put my hair back for a run. Thank GOD I brought my Met Opera hat because I was able to put it through the hole in the back of the hat with some bobby pins. I really really REALLY didn't want to wash my hair today but I thought I might have to because I had sweat so much during my run and my hair was matted down from the hat. However...I played around with the bobby pins and was able to quickly do a quick little french twist today that looks so cute!! I'll def. being doing this hairdo again soon, especially on days I have to run and don't have time after to fix my hair. This was something I never would have tried had I just had my regular old pony tail holder and done the same thing I always do.

Crummy example..but here's a better one: I was really, truly, 100% dreading running today. I was exhausted, I was falling asleep on the train on the way in, my stomach was bleh, I'm still having this pain on my right side, and then on top of it all..my ipod died as soon as I went to start my run!!! I contemplated running on the treadmill so I could watch the morning TV that I know and love so well...but it was just too nice outside not to run in central park and I really wanted to try and do the full 6 miles loop today. So, I ran it without any music or my running podcasts...just me, and the sounds of Central Park (which are actually quite nice!).

I ran the full 6 miles in 56 minutes!! That's 4 minutes faster than my usual 10 minute mile pace that I just can't seem to break. When I did this same run last week with my MotionTraxx podcast...it took me a little over a full hour to complete, which perplexed me. I think that this particular podcast I've been running to is actually slowing me down!!! I think in an effort to make sure that I'm staying on the beat..I've actually been taking shorter strides. Today I was able to set my own pace depending on how I was feeling and depending on my current terrain. Central Park is hilly...So if I slowed down a little going uphill, I could easily increase my pace going downhill to make up for any lost time. These podcasts are also designed for an average person of 150 pounds..which presumably is someone taller than me, and with a larger stride to begin with. So, the stats that he gives for each episode, are a bit different for me. What I learned today is that there is a constant give and take to running. It's great to be able to keep an even keel pace, especially during a long run...but it's the ebb and flow of pacing and stride that will ultimately be how I'm able to shorten my time in any long distance racing.

I really don't think there is any way I'm going to knock 11 minutes off my time from last year. I went into this hoping I can do the half marathon in 2 hours. As long as it's better than last year's 2:11, I'll be happy. I feel much more prepared this year, particularly for outdoor running and the terrain, so I think that will work in my favor. I also need to make sure I take less and/or shorter breaks (for water and stretching out my right knee, though they both will have to happen at some point). But, all in all I'm so excited for the 25th. I feel like I'm just beginning to lose some steam and the longer runs are starting to take a bigger toll on me. I have a bad shin splint in my left leg, which I'm not sure HOW I got, and my right side pain is soooo annoying. But, I have to remind myself that I'm sooo close to the race, I've kept up this training schedule for the past 3 months straight, and that I've learned a LOT about running, my body and myself in the past year.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 230.25 (I gotta get this damn .25 outta here)

I overslept this morning. I WILL RUN TONIGHT!! I WILL!!



Tuesday April 6, 2010
Ran in the park..beautiful morning. Still having my sidesticker pain. Passed a girl that I work with on my run which was funny. We may run together some mornings when I'm not being crazy about my training.

Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 224.25

Sunday, April 4, 2010.

Ok..this run was 10 times better than last week's run, but the first 5 miles were killer. I had a side sticker again, I was very dehydrated, and my left leg felt like I was getting shin splints for the first 2 miles. I almost started crying at one point because I was so frustrated. The ENTIRE first 5 miles all I could think about was how I didn't think I could do the full 11. I was going to just stop at 5 and do the 11 tomorrow. But once I got done with the first loop 5.5 miles..I took a quick break, drank a bit of water and took a gu and thought "ok..I think I can do another loop" and you know what? It was so much better than the first loop and not so bad.

My stomach was pretty messed up for the rest of the day. It was reacting very well to anything I was eating but I also was eating a LOT because it was Easter and my mom made such good food!! My stomach was still messed up today (Monday) I think from the run. I'm glad that I don't throw up when I run...but I def. feel bad aftermath after runs. I need to take some more gu or elektrolyte jelly beans before my runs now that they are longer than 10 miles. I'm nervous that I won't have time to do my run next weekend being home w/ the boys. I'm hoping Ben may run with me.
Miles Run today: 11
Total Miles Run for 2010: 219.25


Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wanted to run around the neighborhoods by my house. So ran what I thought was 3 miles out and then back. I came back home and went on mapmyrun.com to double check how many miles I ran....exactly 6 miles!! Unfortunately, I had to stop and walk a few times on this run...this permanent side sticker is just NOT leaving. VERY annoying.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 208.25

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Did a speed run today. 9x400 meters at 8.0mph with a cool down in between each one....I broke 200 miles for the year!! 200 miles in 3 mo...so I'm averaging 66.66 miles a month, wahoo!

Miles Run today: 4
Total Miles Run for 2010: 202.25

You think I would have learned from my mistakes on Sunday but NOOOOO. Laura had to go and eat 3 chocolate chip cookies last night (they were home-made, a new recipe, and AMAZING...can you blame me???) Buuut wow did my stomach hurt this morning. I felt awful coming into the city for the gym. I did 5 miles...it was alright. It's pouring out today so I was back on the treadmill, which I kind of loathe now, running outside in beautiful spring weather is so much more fun! But it's supposed to be sunny and 60 tomorrow and gorgeous the rest of the week so I'm excited to get back out and running in central park!! My quads still really hurt from Sunday's run. BUT I do have to say that my stomach feels much better now that the run is over. I think I would have felt fat and bloated all day if I didn't work out this morning. Sooo I
MUST limit my cookie intake tonight. This is a lesson to me!

Miles Run today: 5
Total Miles Run for 2010: 198.25


Sunday, March 27, 2010:
3 words: Worst.Run.Ever. and I was so mad because it was my first time running with my half-marathon partner-in-crime Mal! I had been reading on running message boards that if you run for longer than an hour, you should eat something before the run to help sustain you throughout the entire thing. Well...it didn't work out so well for me last week when I ran..I had a cramp for the first half and it ESPECIALLY didn't work out for me this week. I had a piece of toast with peanut butter on it as soon as I woke up on Sunday, which was 45 minutes before I actually started running. I got a stomach cramp almost immediately after I started running and burped up peanut butter for 6 of the 10 miles. My body can't digest its food while running at the same time...it's just not that smart. It's like patting your head while rubbing your stomach...some people can do it..some can't. My body clearly can't do two things at one time. Finally by mile 2, I just told Mal to go ahead and I was gonna try and walk it off. The next 8 miles I did on my own (with Mal not even a speck in front of me, she eventually got a mile ahead of me!). From mile 2-5.5 I jogged at a pretty easy pace, just keeping my side sticker at bay and pacing myself. When I got to 5.5 I took a short1 to 2 minute break...I had to stretch out my right knee, which always starts killing me halfway through a run, and I drank half a bottle of Gatorade (I had forgotten my gu!). Then, with 5 miles left, I put on my 5 miles running podcast that I've pretty much been listening to for every run I do because it starts at a great 6mph pace and works up to a 7mph pace. The second half of my run was MUCH better for me. I think I "breaked" a total of 3 or 4 times during the 10 miles for various reasons: knee hurting, stomach cramp, various other pains. But every time I broke..I walked in a circle around the same spot I stopped...because I wanted to actually run a full 10 miles...not run/walk it. I got to the end..but holy cow that was a rough one. My legs are still killing me today and it's 2 days later! I met up with Mal at the end, who had a nice long time to rest due to my slow tempo, but it was still nice to begin with her and drive home with her....I forget how solitary running can be sometimes. We'll prob. run together 1 or 2 more times before the big day!

Things I learned due to this run:
1. I CANNOT share a plate of nachos and drink a glass of beer at 10:00 at night the night before a big run. I think this was a HUGE factor in my overall performance. aaaa duh!
2. I was really excited to run with Mal, but I've never had to talk while running before, and I wasn't very good at it. I think I kind of need to stay quiet and get in my zone while running. BUT I should get better at talking while running so I can at least run with friends SOMETIMES.
3. I can't eat anything before a run. period. I may try eating some electrolyte jelly beans before my run this weekend. I did eat those last year before the half marathon and didn't have a problem with that. But peanut butter/orange juice (Gives me heartburn)/ hard boiled egg/toast are OUT.

Miles Run today: 10
Total Miles Run for 2010: 193.25

Wow...I've never run that much before work before. I wanted to see if I could run the entire 6 mile loop in central park this morning. Let me tell you, running 5 miles in the am is one thing...running 6 miles in the am..is entirely another. I was really shaky and weak this morning. I felt better after lunch..but I had severe heartburn, my quads hurt and I was exhausted. But I did half of the half marathon!! And if it wasn't for my quads and knee hurting so much..I could have kept going. BUT I def. have a long way to go in training before April 25th.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 183.25

I did some speed runs...7 .25 runs at about 7.8 or 8 mph. with a cool down jog in between each one. I slept in today and didn't get to the gym until after 8:00 so I had to really do an abbreviated run...I hope I can run outside again tomorrow!!

Miles Run today: 3.25
Total Miles Run for 2010: 177.25

Yesterday I span for 12 miles or 40 minutes. It was cold out and I didn't feel like running on the treadmill.