Twofer

Woohoo! I did it! For the first time in ages I finally got out of bed for an a.m. run TWO DAYS IN A ROW!

Today’s post was supposed to be titled something like “Five Things Friday” or “Fun Things Friday”. It was going to be light and simple, and rather than focus on my currently pretty boring [running] life, it was going to highlight five NON RUNNING RELATED things that I meant to talk about all week but got sidetracked on [read: last weekends multiple successes with me in the kitchen, favorite websites to tick away the time at work, etc]. And then this morning came and I ran and I got excited and the title changed from a five theme to a two theme, so we’re just going to have to roll with that.

This morning when the alarm went off I asked the JD what our plans were tonight. Aka, I asked: Can I skip running now and workout later?

Our plans for this evening repeat every other night this week–packing and preparing for tomorrow’s move. So, squeezing a trip to the gym in would most certainly fit into the schedule.

Oh, and it RAINED this morning. Hard. Around 5:30. Which pretty much always means the reservoir water just expands to cover the dirt path around it, making a morning run more like an army obstacle course–leaping up and over puddles instead of hopping tires.

But just as I was about to reset my alarm and go back to sleep I remembered. A few things:

1. Even though yesterday morning’s run was a little sluggish, I was stoked to have finally won a match in the the Katie vs. Alarm Clock battle. And I told all of you fine people that I planned to continue that winning streak. Good/bad thing about blogging? It makes you a bit more accountable for your goals.

2. We are moving significantly further south on the island of Manhattan tomorrow. Which this morning meant that if I didn’t keep my date with the Bridle and Reservoir paths, my last run with them would have not left me with fond memories. And any future runs would be indeterminably far away.

So I got up. And I got out the door.

And today’s run was significantly better than yesterdays. So much so, that I decided to tack on an other mile of rolling hills at the end of my usual 6.15.

Only when I got to work and laid out the course on MapMyRun, it turned out that my “usual” was much closer to 7 miles than 6. And adding an extra bit on the end left me at a little over 8 miles. Either I’ve been running much further distances than I thought over the last few months, or I’m doing something wrong on MapMyRun. I’m not really sure which is the answer, but I’m going to go ahead and trust the web site for now, because higher mileage makes me feel happy

Now I’m toying with the idea of a Friday night spin class to segue me into the weekend. Aka, one last workout before moving/unpacking/makingnewplacelikehome takes over my life (I fear finding no time to get a good run in).

In the meantime, hope you all have a very happy Friday!

The Good and the Bad. Not so much Ugly.

Yesterday and today have been pretty good. That’s what you get when you mix great with a little bit of bad. Pretty good.

What’s been so great?

Well, for starters, I actually got my butt out of bed this morning for an early run. It wasn’t easy, and I wanted to hit snooze, but I also knew that temps were already in the 50s, and if I could just get UP then I could get out the door and love my morning.

I did get up. And I did get out the door. But unfortunately I did not love my morning. While the weather was straight HEAVEN (seriously–52 degrees at 7 am in NYC…in February), my run was, well…sort of hellish. Under normal circumstances, that would be okay. I’ve been running long enough to know some days are good and some days are bad. And since Tuesday’s 10-miler was beyond good (think: Christmas morning with stockings full of peanut butter, chocolate, and winning powerball tickets), I could have dealt with a lousy run following it. But this run didn’t follow it! In fact, I took a 100% UNPLANNED rest day yesterday (aiding to the “bad” blend in my “pretty good” couple of days). I do not like when work and life and other things derail a plan that I have set for the week and make me do things like run at night (well, that’s not true, as Tuesday proved) and/or completely forgo a planned workout. I especially don’t like when I suck it up, accept a rest day and leave my sneaks sitting in the corner…only to not reap the benefits the following day. Someone snuck some bricks into those sneaks last night, because this morning as I looped around the Bridle Path and reservoir, I felt like I was dragging an 80 lb ball on a 180 lb chain.

sort of like this guy. only he is in a jail with a much brighter outlook on his situation, while i was a bit grumpy on the reservoir.

But like I said, I at least GOT UP and got a run in–which frees up my evening tonight for more packing…or more running? I still want to bask in this abnormal weather a little more, so a run-commute home is a definite option.

Not that there’s much home to commute back to…

While I failed to get in a workout yesterday (bad), I failed BECAUSE I was too busy lugging home boxes from work and fillin’ em up. Last night’s good? Kitchen = 100% packed.

empty cabinets and stacked boxes make for a sad looking kitchen.

all that was left by the end of the packing spree: lots of boxes. a few pieces of furniture. and whats that? a bit of wine??

When 10:00 rolled around and I realized that even a quick jog around the neighborhood was out of the question, I decided the best way to wrap up my evening would be by REALLY completing the packing of the kitchen. And that meant, polishing off that bit of wine leftover. The only problem was…I had packed all of the dishes…aka, all of the wine glasses and even all of the other types of glasses.

But this marathon winer knows how to improvise.

a measuring cup can be used for so much more than just measuring!

After enjoying the remainder of my bottle of wine while waiting for the powerball numbers to be announced (no, that comment above was not coincidence. after my parents visit a few weeks ago the JD and I are hooked on lotto/determined to win the powerball and quit our jobs) and quickly discovering we were not winners, I called it a night.

I’m hoping the remainder of today into tomorrow turns out to be great (i.e. all of the great getting up early and being productive packing), with none of the bad (sluggish runs and unwanted rest days…and i guess wine out of a measuring cup need not make a second appearance). We’ve got the keys to the new place! So I’m hoping to run home, grab some boxes and start hauling them downtown tonight

Happy Thursday kids!

 

 

A Fast Fat Tuesday and an RB

I realize that some people have qualms with Lent, and giving things up to aid them in dieting more so than make a real sacrifice, spiritual or otherwise.

I was raised in the Catholic face and Lent always was, and still is, taken pretty seriously in my family. And while I do not make it to mass as often as my mother would probably like or even agree with a lot of the large-scale/political aspects of Catholicism, I do enjoy church when I make it there, and I do enjoy keeping some faith.

I also don’t mind when people give things up for Lent that helps them better control their diet. I for one, have done this many times (maybe most times?) over the years (this one most certainly, included). I’m not going to get all philosophical on you or preach to you about the reasons behind Lent and sacrifices, but the overarching idea is that, you’re giving up something you love for God. And lots of people DO love lots of bad-for-them food and beverages. And lots of people do give them up for Lent to aid them in reaching their diet goals. And as long as they aren’t unhealthy in what they are giving up (you know, like saying no to Oreos vs. saying no to ALL food), then I’m pretty sure they’re still making The Big Guy happy. Turning down something that in excess can clog your arteries or contribute to diabetes and other diseases can only make you a better person–physically speaking. And I’m pretty sure that God has no qualms with people taking better care of their own bodies, be it in his name or not.

Lent lecture over

That leads me to let you know that I–like so many others–decided to give up things to help readjust my diet. Over the last few weeks I have literally included peanut butter in every. single. meal I eat. And literally, felt a need to follow every. single. meal I eat with a dessert. So for the next 40 days and 40 nights, I will have to say no to the Cadbury mini-eggs I love so much (and that only come out twice a year, sigh). I will have to refrain from eating an entire jar of PeanutButter&Company’ heavenly Cinnamon Raisin flavor in one sitting. And I will let the JD tackle the many pounds of Valentine’s Day candy I recently purchased at CVS for 50% off. None of this is because I think I’m fat or I gained a pound since Christmas (though I may have gained 423. I haven’t been on a scaled in ages), but because I’ve realized that I love these items (sweets and PB) to [pretty gross] extremes, and it will be a sacrifice to give them up. And it will also (not so coincidentally) help me be a healthier person…if not JUST for 40 days.

All that being said, I took Fat Tuesday VERY seriously yesterday, saying yes to every donut, free pastry, candy and otherwise gluttonous item that crossed my path. As a result, I was feeling sort of sluggish when I was getting ready to leave the office yesterday. And because I spent all day IN the office, ferociously working and eating, I had very little desire to hole up in the gym once I finally was set free. So I told myself I would just go for a run instead.

Now, I’ve gone a many an evening run since moving to NYC, and many of them in Central Park. But, those were under slightly different seasonal circumstances–I’d run at 7:00 at night in the summer (when it’s still light) and I’d run at 5:30 at night in the winter (when even though it’s getting darker, it’s early enough in the “afternoon” to feel safe). Otherwise, night runs have almost always been reserved for jaunts around the neighborhood [read: street light covered sidewalks bustling with people]. But since I had just had such a night run late last week, I decided I wanted to switch things up a bit, and looked to the world of Twitter to help make that happen. And oh, how glad I am I did.

whats better than getting an question answered on twitter? getting an answer AND a running buddy!

This tweet was just what I needed to avoid a Fat Tuesday finish on the couch. As soon as I left work I hurried home to get into running gear, and met Jocelyn near Bethesda fountain.

In a post-work flurry of tweets and emails we had agreed to run a minimum of four miles–fine by me! Every mile in the park with Jocelyn was one more than I probably would have motivated myself to run solo. Once we met up, we talked a little more and realized we both had a higher goal of 6-7 miles for the evening. Since we’d each run around 2 miles to the meet-up, it was a no-brainer to decide on a 5-mile loop.

We also had both said that we’d likely be running slow, for one reason or another (or 3 in my book–the morning pastries), but that was a bold-faced lie. I’m pretty sure Jocelyn and I were RACING every other runner in Central Park last night, because when I got home and mapped my run (turned out it had been a little over 10 miles) and looked at the clock, the two most certainly DID not match up with my normal distances and times. Big thanks to Jocelyn for kicking my toosh into high gear, especially when I thought I wouldn’t be getting any “speedwork” in this week (and also especially when I had been feeling super weak sauce coming down the west side of the park GASPING for air. Turns out it’s because we were running like racehorses…not because my Fat Tuesday bender had already turned into added weight for the haul).

I ended the night packing up a few more boxes with the JD, and getting to bed early with high hopes of enjoying a shake out run around the reservoir this morning. The forecast was calling for perfect running weather, but between 14 miles on Saturday (also a complete fluke), 6 Sunday (consider yourself now read on the abbreviated version of my long weekend) and an impromptu 10 last night, my shins told me they’d rather sleep in. And so we did.

The rest of the week is gearing up to involve a few more runs, a spin class or two and lots and lots of packing. Followed by lots and lots of unpacking. Moving day is Saturday and I am stoked*!!

*Confession. I told Jocelyn last night that yes I am THRILLED to get a new place with the JD, but a large portion of my excitement over the new apartment is due to its proximity to more runner friends. What can I say? I love a good running buddy!

Self Control. Or lackthereof.

Yesterday morning I made peace with the fact that I would not be getting a workout in due to needing to work late.

Then 6:00 rolled around and I found out that I didn’t have any real responsibility at our event until about 9:30 or so.

I hadn’t packed gym clothes, and I was just shy of having enough time/motivation to go all the way home, gym it up right quick, and return to the office.

I was angry and frustrated for a good half hour or so. Then realized that by not having any duties to see to, I was allowed instead to enjoy the open bar at said event.

Free wine from the company that ruined my Thursday? Of course I had to partake.

But then I’m me. MarathonWINEr. And partaking in open bar very rarely means “responsibly enjoying one glass of wine.” Especially when there’s an obligation to stick around until nearly midnight. So this marathonwiner did some marathon style wine-tasting. With a side of South African themed cuisine–also free.And also DELICIOUS.

Hobnobbing with [not so] new coworkers was definitely worth it (this is the first time in my working life where I actually have colleagues in my age range), but I probably should NOT have had that last glass…or two….

I paid for it this morning when I ventured out to the reservoir to deposit my hangover somewhere along the lovely dirt path. Did I tackle the 12 miles I had WANTED to do before the weekend arrived? Puh. Lease. Of course not. But I did manage to sweat out my usual 6…and almost all of that vino from last night. Hangover run for the win!

I’m hoping I can rework on my self control when I meet up with my cousin after work tonight, then swing a SUPER early [12 mile?] run tomorrow morning, ending where my friends bus will drop her off at 9:00 in the morning. And thanks to a lovely three-day weekend, if that plan flops, I still have Monday to knock out a long run. President’s Day popped up at just the right time this year!

And so this post does not end as one entirely dedicated to my falling off the wagon last night and whining about when to get a long run in, here is a quick list of things that I’m enjoying today:

- The sun. Even though I have YET to have a free moment to go out and enjoy it. I’ll get it on the to-do list.

- My Valentine’s Day tulips that are in full bloom today. They remind me of home and make me smile…and also make me want to book a flight I can’t afford.

- My Valentine’s Day box of chocolates. That is sadly, emptying quite quickly.

- HelloGiggles (thank you, Jocelyn, for tweeting an article from here, it’s a fun new find!)

- Making lunch at work. Turns out, a large and satisfying lunch (delish tuna sand, pop chips and grapes) is a much better idea than bringing in a yogurt with the expectations of going light at lunchtime–that plan ONLY leads to constant boredom snacking.

- The fact that I finalllly have a CRT run scheduled for Sunday. Woohoo!

- Finding out that they have turned one of my favorite childhood books (The Borrowers) into a movie, albeit, an anime one. However, the U.S. version is being picked up by Disney and including the voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. Which means its gotta be a win, even if I have always hated Pokemon cartoons and the like.

Hope everyone has an awesomeeee weekend!

Snooze 43, Katie 0

I have been having the. hardest. time. getting up early these last few weeks.

Yesterday, I was all about a 7 a.m. spin class so I could have the evening free (the ONE night this week I didn’t have to be at work late) to catch up on life, but when the alarm went off, the snooze button won the first scuffle. And the second. And I wound up rolling out of bed with just enough time to swap out the contents of my gym bag from post-workout clothes, to workout clothes and call NYSC to reserve a bike for the 7 p.m. class.*

*First time with new guy at the “new” gym. Class started and as soon as I started peddling I felt pangs of regret for having worn leggings under my shorts (but I learned the hard way, last Friday, that running shorts and spin class DO NOT mix). Once I got used to the heat, I felt better and then started thinking that home dude and his mash-ups of slightly older songs was too old school, and wasn’t going to be able to produce the sweat I’ve come to associate with cycling. By the end of class, I was a giant puddle of goo and praying that there would be no more “30 second intervals” (seriously, this instructor played MEAN tricks with the head. He’d say “10 more second to go”, “5 more seconds to go” –class gratefully prepares for a break– “give me 30 more you can do 30 more!” and so on, and son o). Once again, spin class success!

Once home and fed, as much as I wanted to curl up in bed with my laptop and continue my Glee-watching rampage, I forced myself to think about “training” for the MS Climb to the Top that is happening in just a little over two weeks. I know how scared my legs are of stairs, and I know I need to do more than just my usual run/CT routine in order to survive the climb. So I kept the gym clothes on and spent a good 25 minutes climbing up and down the stairwell in my apartment building (embarrassing disclosure: I attempted to watch Glee WHILE doing this, but our wireless only lasted one flight above and one below before freezing). After nearly 900 stairs climbed (and also descended, since I only live in a 6-story walk-up), I considered training for the evening done.

Then I got back on my computer and did some more snooping around the Climb to the Top web site, only to discover that the climb only goes as high as the 69th floor of 30 rock–which equates to about 1200 stairs. Granted, I wasn’t running up the ones in my building last night, having covered the amount that I did, I’m far less scared of this race than I was before finding out that little tidbit. March 4th, bring it on!

Anyyyywho. Back to that snooze button. That sort of a showdown with my alarm clock is all well and good on days like yesterday, when missing a morning workout isn’t the worst thing in the world, because the evening is still an option.

Not the case this morning.

I went to bed last night with dreams of knocking out a long run this morning (to help free up my long weekend for hanging out with visiting friends). And then I didn’t sleep…like, at all. So when that annoying buzzer started going off at 6 a.m. (and then 6:30, and then 7), I once again opted to lay under the covers until the last moment possible before packing up for work.

Only tonight, I have to work late. Very late. And a post-workday workout is not an option.

This is okay, to some extent. I haven’t had a 100% rest day in quite a few days (but I also haven’t had too many hardcore workouts since Sunday’s 12-miler). My bigger problem is that a few weeks ago when my foot was in agony and I was laying off the long runs, I was able to wake up at 6:00 a.m. multiple mornings a week and make it to the gym for both spinning AND speed work. And I’ve somehow lost all of that in the last few weeks. Howwww does that happen?

Anywho. I’ll gladly take a rest day today (well, gladly is a bit of an overstatement, but I’ll live with it), as long as I can force my butt out of bed tomorrow morning for a long run. Remember back during marathon training when I’d knock out 12 miles BEFORE going to work? I want to be that girl again. Please leave me tips on how to make that happen.

Almost Friday kids! Enjoy the rest of your week

 

 

Whimsical Wednesday

Whenever I skip a day of blogging I feel the need to make bulleted lists to bring you up to speed on my oh-so-thrilling-life [in case you hadn't picked up on it...Yes, that was sarcasm]. Today though, I’m going to kick things off with a bulleted list of things that are making this rainy Wednesday a little whimsical. Aka, things I’m happy about.

1. I just discovered that despite having 4830 W2′s this tax year AND having done a boatload of freelance work that I was paid for without having taxes taken out, I’m still earning some cash back. Sure, I owed NY $6, but that’s a small price to pay to the city that helped me train for a marathon. And DC and the govt are making up for it by reimbursing me for all of the hard work I did there in 2011. Thank you, tax return, for coinciding so nicely with my moving date (aka, greater need for funding).

2. You would think that with 5 different W2′s, three different states and all kinds of “full-time” and “freelance” work to juggle, my taxes would be a nightmare and someone at H&R block would be taking home every penny of my return. Lucky for me, my mother has a very, very, VERY nice friend, who helped me out for the mere fee of $29. I owe him a thank-you card and lots of chocolate and Starbucks gift cards. He’s a wonderful person.

3. My little sis just booked her spring break visit to the Big Apple! Wootwoot! She will be the first person to visit me and the JDs new apartment. Which works out well because it’s above a smoothie bar. And Squigs LOVES smoothies.

4. My good friend is coming to visit for the weekend. I haven’t seen her since…October? That can’t be right, can it? I’m probably crazy. But even if I had seen her just last weekend I would be equally excited to see her again this one.

5. And this weekend is a long one! Big thanks to past presidents for making that happen.

6. Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. And while I can pretend to not make a big deal about it and call it a Hallmark holiday, I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate that is now stocking my desk drawers and the new decor in my otherwise drab little cube:

tulips are one of my favorite flowers because they remind me of home. <3

The JD is so good.

7. My insurance kicked in this week! I am going to the dentist tomorrow! This bullet is a pretty big deal because it’s probably the only time in my life when the word dentist will be used in a sentence with exclamations. Well that’s not true, because I guess there will be plenty that say things like “I don’t want to go to the effin dentist tomorrow!!” and “I haaaate going to the dentist!!” But since I’ve been sans insurance for a few months now, I’m pretty stoked about having doctor-cleaned and approved chompers.

8. I had a second successful run WITH MUSIC yesterday morning. A few years ago, when I was scared to death of the idea of a 5k and still thought spending money on clothes to run in when I had perfectly good cotton t-shirts to throw on was a waste, I happened across a hat at the bookstore of my alma mater.

aww what a cute little duke dog beanie. too bad i do not rock beanies very well.

Said hat, had a little pocket that would perfectly fit my teeny tiny, off-brand “mp3″ [read: NOT iPod] player:

if I haven't seen this hat in 3 years I probably haven't seen the MP3 player in about 5.

…and shortened headphones that swept through the inner linings of the hat, emerging right where it would fit over the ears.

headphones! built in!!

I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, and my new-to-the-working-world/still-fresh-out-of-college self shelled out a “ridiculous” $20 for said hat.

Then forgot about it.

Then remembered it after my chilly 12-miler with music on Sunday. And went digging through boxes under the bed until I found it.

I contemplated pushing snooze when my alarm went off yesterday morning, then remembered I had early-morning music to run to! And I could listen to it without the pain that usually comes with me trying to put up with ear buds!

I’ve definitely determined that I do actually enjoy running with music (especially when using this hat), if not for the fact that when things start to get a little sluggish, a new song can immediately change my mood and my mojo–seriously, even though I KNOW a certain song is in the queue somewhere (seeing as how I put it there), there’s a little twinkle of excitement in waiting to hear what’s coming up next in the list, and it makes an early-morning run a little livelier.

9. We get the keys to the apartment this weekend! I’m so excited to get in early and start cleaning and taking measurements. And have the next two weekends to slowly move things in. Oh, AND NOT HAVE THE LEASE START UNTIL MARCH 1. What does this mean? This means no overlapping/doublepaying rents! Oh, and know what else is great about this apartment? Aside from the fact that its in walking distance to work, completely renovated and beautiful, in our budget, broker free (fRee, not fee) and above a great smoothie place? It’s 10 blocks from the very apartment that my grandmother grew up in. Seeing as how she went from the streets of NY to the suburbs of Richmond, Va. and I just made the opposite trek and I’m ending up a mere 10 blocks from where she started makes me super happy, and super confident in this choice of apartment. Feels a little closer to home somehow

10. I’m going to spin class tonight! At least, I hope. Work has already been so crazy that I had to reschedule that dentist appt from today to tomorrow, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get out of here in time to get my sweat on.

WHOA. Stop typing Katie.

Happy Wednesday all, hope yours is a good one too

 

 

 

The Sound of Music

Happy Monday kids! Hope you all had an awesome weekend…I know I certainly did!

I kicked it off with an impromptu sweat sesh at NYSC. As work down was winding down on Friday, my cousin sent me a text saying that she actually WOULD be able to meet me for a 6:00 spin class (earlier in the week we had talked about such plans, but tossed them aside due to conflicting schedules). I had planned for a rest day –less because I really wanted/needed one and more so because my old roommate from DC was in town and already at happy hour. But when I got that lovely little text message I decided to postpone our reunion and get my butt on a bike for 45 minutes first. And I’m so. glad. I. did. Friday’s instructor gave a lengthier-than-usual warm-up to get people adjusted to spinning in the saddle, but then he was balls-to-the-walls hardcore for the remaining 35 minutes of class. This guy was all about “active” recovery, and I enjoyed the extra push.

I cleaned myself up in about 15 minutes flat, and then the JD and I ventured over to the east side to hang with the old roomie. We grabbed drinks at Point Break and had a delicious dinner at the National–which thankfully, was participating in restaurant week. Dinner ended pretty late and the JD and I had an action-packed Saturday ahead of us, so it was right to bed from there.

Saturday morning we woke up to deliver our security deposit for our awesome new apartment (keys to come on Friday!), and since we were already up, the two of us headed out for a short and snowy jog around the reservoir. We called it quits after about 4 miles, but I SO wish we could have stayed out longer–the snow was beautiful (but not sticking, and therefore not slick and scary) and the temp was surprisingly warm. It was a perfect day for a long run, but we had Saturday morning cartoons to watch.

Yes, that’s right. I made the JD trek out to Williamsburg (my first time there! hipster? yes. adorable? omgyes) with me for Toons, Spoons and Booze–a Valentine’s weekend special of oldschool  Saturday morning cartoons, complete with an all-you-can-eat cereal buffett (of all the worst kinds of cereals–I went into a severe sugar coma) and specialized white Russians (the JD tried one topped with Cocoa Puffs and I had a raspberry flavored one). It was one of the best Saturday mornings I’ve had in New York.

theres a reason i no longer eat cocoa puffs and crunch berries. holy sugar overload.

And then it got even better, because we decided to walk back to Manhattan…over the Williamsburg Bridge! This may have been my first time going over this bridge, and it was definitely my first time going over by foot. Now that I have, I’m DEFINITELY ready to map out some runs that include more bridges. With all of my marathon training in NYC, I somehow never managed to run over a single bridge, and this got me pumped up about the idea.

The rest of the day was spent wandering around the city, and ended with dinner at Papasito on the UWS. We’d been wanting to check out this place for a while now, and figured we better get there before we leave the neighborhood The food was amazing and the portions ginormous–definitely worth a visit! Exhausted from the days running/walking/cerealintaking/mexicanfoodstuffing, we once again called it an early night (all of that, PLUS the fact that I had a long run to knock out the next morning).

Sunday I had plans to meet up with the JDs parents for a tour of the new office at 12:30, and from there, brunch with the old roomie before she headed back to DC, so I wanted to get my long run out of the way early. I laced up and was out the door by about 9:30, headed toward the river for the first time in a long time (I think December? With some of my favorite running friends whom I haven’t seen since?! Sadface).

Running along the water=bad idea.

Why? Well, temps in the 20s (I think 11 degrees with the windchill) paired with the breeze off the river made for a pretty painful first couple of miles. It’s a good thing I went Garminless because I would NOT have wanted to see my pace as I pushed against those fierce winds. Eventually though, the wind died down (/the running path curved more inland), the sun came out and the run was pretty comfortable. And even though it wasn’t quite as easy as my french-fry-fueled 11 miles last weekend, it was enjoyable. A big part of that enjoyment might have been due to the fact that the tunes I was listening to helped me rock out rather than focus on my discomfort.

What? Marathonwiner running with music?

I shocked even myself. I haven’t run with music in probably four years, and four years ago, my “runs” were about a mile long. Back then, even over the course of a mile I would start to feel claustrophobic in my own head, and would rip out the earbuds before the run was anywhere near over. Yet somehow, I both survived and enjoyed a good 7 miles or so of musical accompaniament on Sunday (7 and not the full 12 because the JDs iPod died on me. And RIGHT when I was getting geared up to blast some Katy Perry for a push). I’m really curious as to whether or not this will become a regular occurrance–could totttaalllly change marathon training for NYC!

Bah. I’ve written a book again and likely bored you to pieces. Rest of the weekend [and by weekend, I mean Sunday evening] wrapped up with lots of delicous italian eats, red wine and card games. In my book? Definitely a great ending.

- What did you all do this weekend? Anything quirky and fun, a la Toons Spoons and Booze? SHARE!

- After spinning with the cous on Friday I decided I need to expand my group exercise class horizons. Suggestions?

Moving On Up

Well, that’s not really true. We’re actually moving down along the island of Manhattan. To a deluxe apartment, 60-some blocks SOUTH of where we currently reside.

That’s right kids–we have an apartment!

Application went through, money gets shelled out tomorrow and the lease signed early next week!

About 4832048304 pounds of stress were just lifted from my shoulders. One less thing to whine about to you fine people. Wootwoot!

And here’s the BEST news: the apartment is IN the budget we laid out for ourselves and we got it WITHOUT PAYING A BROKER FEE.

From the onset, I was 100% dead-set against literally, throwing away thousands of dollars to a broker–to the point where I thought it would be more financially responsible for me and my puny salary to leave New York entirely (I know, take a moment to take that in and catch your breath) rather than pay one of those dirty dirtbags 15% of the cost of a new place. But as we continued to look, and February (the month we needed to be out of our current place) kept getting deeper and deeper in days, I began to think that if we were going to stay in this beautiful city of bling, we’d have to feign baller-status and cough up the cash.

Until a beautiful, updated, spacious (in all aspects OTHER than the bedroom) one bedroom popped up on good ol’ Craigslist, under budget and without a fee.

I. am. stoked.

And on top of discovering that I don’t have to spend my Saturday slogging around NYC in a desperate search of a place to live, I also just found out that I do NOT need to come into work on Saturday night.

My weekend just got awesome, and it hasn’t even officially started. Hope yours does the same.

Happy Friday kids!!!!

Do As I Say

Yesterday, as predicted…I left work late, thus, missing out on yet another spin class.

Also as predicted though, I forced myself to hit the treadmill for Hal’s prescribed speedwork for the week. And once again, I managed to push through just a little more than what the doctor ordered–though not much. Hal’s plan called for 8 x400 and I did 9. Once again, it’s the little things that give you that feeling of success. With one extra speedy lap, and a few more than last time clocked in at 7:19 (the last seconds even faster than that…but not due to superman powers, far more due to just wanting the run to be over with), I hopped off that dreadmill dripping with sweat and had a big smile slapped across my face.

*It should be noted that this awesome speed sesh came shortly after a dinner of [free] pizza (yet again) at work. Just as Sunday’s 11 happy-go-lucky miles were fueled by a grilled chicken sandwich and FRENCH FRIES. Maybe I’ve found the key to a quality work out? Grease and junk?

I moaned all afternoon about how I didn’t feel up to snuff with my current training and how my work schedule was making it impossible to get to some sweat-inducing spin classes, and afterwards, made things better. On top of my 4 fast miles (awesome pace, but puny distance),  I spent some time cooling off on the elliptical. To keep me busy and sane sans headphones? I had the latest edition of Women’s Health. And found some particularly interesting reads.One article (it’s the March issue and not online yet, so unfortunately, no link action today) focused on the fact that endurance athletes (women specifically) are bigger boozers than non-exercisers (how fitting does marathonWINER seem now, eh?). And the reasons behind it weren’t too surprising–hardcore sweat addicts feel like they can treat themselves to an extra glass of wine or a hot-toddy because they have already worked up a calorie gap, or plan to work off the calories later. None of the reasoning behind the parallels between drinking and dripping [in sweat] were too surprising in this article, but it was really nice to see another parallel brought to the forefront: that with these compulsions to drink more and burn more, often comes an overzealous desire to eat less.

I mentioned it a few weeks ago, when post-holiday blog posts were filled with women lamenting about the extra pounds that come with the end-of-the-year months and every female tweet and Facebook status had something to do with resolutions, but I’m glad bigger publications are also pointing out this problem. I read a lot of “healthy living,” “foodie” and “running” blogs, and while some try to promote loving your own body for what its capable of, I think many fail to practice what they preach. They post photos of their “lunches” after a 20 mile run and it’s oh, a teaspoon of oatmeal with half of a banana. And they berade themselves with negative comments when their dinner isn’t 100% vegan/gluten/fat-free and they slipped up and had more than three M&Ms for dessert.

I acknowledged a long time ago, that half of the reason I’ve had some whining to do over the last few months, is because even though I’m not training for a marathon, I’m still eating like I am. When I was logging 43423 miles a week during peak training, I was putting away calories better than an 18-year-old linebacker (or, insert any other young male with big bulk and insane metabolism). And my appetite didn’t die down when my weekly mileage did. I’ve been trying to find the right balance, but I still scoff when I see some of the “meals” people post alongside a three-a-day [workout]. So, let me hop of the soapbox for a moment and get to the point of this: kudos to Women’s Health, and the many other publications that are finally starting to focus on this (I believe) growing problem amongst the healthy living community.

One other things Women’s Health reported on in the forthcoming March issue revolved around workouts and proper fueling, recovery, etc. These are all things I’ve been “in the know” about and read about for a while now ( I did, after all, work for a similar women’s health publication when I first came to New York). And I realized last night [certainly not for the first time...or the last], that there’s a big difference between knowing what’s right and doing what’s right. Health and fitness articles have long-touted the importance of eating well-rounded meals before and after a strong workout, as well as allowing the body the proper recovery period. This is something I admittedly have failed to do since jumping on the running/marathoning bandwagon.

And I brought it to my own attention yesterday, when I said I should feel good about where I stand in my half marathon training because I’m doing more than what Hal tells me to do. Stupid Katie, stupid.

Yes, Hal is getting up in years when it comes to marathon training programs, but because of his age, he’s led 48302830432 people to crossing the finish line. Sure there are others out there (Mr. Yasso, for one) who have much more intense plans drafted up for intermediate and advanced runners, but I need to remember, I’m NOT one of them. Just because I ran one marathon in November, doesn’t mean I can run an ultra tomorrow. And just because I’d like to go as hard and fast and long as all the Deena’s and Kara’s out there, doesn’t mean I should…or can.

So when I read for the 4983024th time in WH last night that to maximize your workout, you need to replenish your body afterwards…I hightailed it to Duane Reade and very happily picked up some low-fat chocolate milk. And when I read for the 582302nd time that to maximize your workout, you need to let your body recover….I pushed snooze when my alarm went off this morning. My legs were still feeling heavy after the speedwork and elliptical time last night, adn pushing them through 6 miles on the Bridle Path was NOT going to help them recover properly. And who wants to waste some hard earned 400s? Not I.

That being said…my legs feel well-rested now and it’s going to be hard to convince myself NOT to hit the gym later tonight…

But, I did do as I said (or rather, finally tried living up to my resolutions…I’ve tried to sit straighter today, ate a little healthier, and listened to my body when it said “please don’t run this morning” even though I’d like to think my brain is smarter) and took a page or two from WH’s (they really didn’t have to twist my arm to get me to drink that chocolatey milk, but I also again, attempted a rest day…) in the last 24 hours. Maybe I’ll keep it up.

Anndd maybe I won’t.

And that’s all I’ve got for now.

Happy Thursday kids!

 

 

 

Rolling with the Punches

Yesterday I didn’t write a blog post. And I didn’t even notice. The last few weeks have been just a blurred smear of very long work days, apartment searching and fun weekend visitors. For maybe the first time since moving to New York, I feel completely swept up in the grind, and I’m pretty sure I don’t like it.

I’ve been feeling like a complete flop when it comes to training for the National Half Marathon. And oddly enough, I shouldn’t. I just compared my current training to what’s outlined in Hal’s intermediate plan, and I’m once again going above and beyond what he recommends. Hal had 7×400 down for last week’s speed training, and I did 8 (small victories people, work with me here). Yesterday’s box on the training calendar called for a 4.5 mile run. I did my usual 6.15. I’m slated for 8 400s this week [read: today], and I feel pretty confident that I’ll force myself to cover at least that much. Hal’s weekly mileage for last week added up to a little more than 20, and I managed to knock out almost 35, with a little ellipticalling and some minimal strength training on the side.

And yet…I feel like I’m falling under the mark as far as training goes. Especially when I compare it to my marathon training. Why is that?

My guess is, a combination of things:

1. I’m training for a half marathon.

The JD tells me this all the time: “It’s a half. You can run that in your sleep.” I usually roll my eyes when he says this or pretend he’s crazy, but truth be told, he’s not completely off the mark. While I don’t think I could run a half marathon in my sleep, I’m pretty sure I could wake up from a hefty sleep tomorrow morning and run one. Would it be my best? Heck no. Would I PR? Of course not. But I could definitely run one. I think because I KNOW I am going to run that race on March 17th, AND finish it, AND feel pretty good afterwards, it takes a little of the excitement out of training. The solution? Very likely, I need to up the competition with myself–do more speedwork, push myself to go faster, remind myself that my super-speedy cousin is running it with me and I don’t want her waiting at the finish line for 20 minutes after she crosses to finally be able to go get brunch…

2. I’m not training for a full marathon.

I’ve told you I’m on a roller coaster ride with my running–one day feeling like I can take on an Ironman (to further ignite that fire, a little kid I passed the other day saw me stretching outside my apartment in a strange stance, my weird Lululemon wind jacket billowing behind me, and asked his mom why I was dressed like a super hero) and the next, hating every fraction of a mile that my feet cover. I’m also on a roller coaster ride of emotions when it comes to my running. Part of me misses the thrill of marathon training so badly that I don’t want to wait until July to take it up again, and part of me says a spring marathon is not the best thing for my body to take on right now.

3. That demanding job/apartment search/life I’ve been talking about so much.

When marathon training hit its peak, I was working at a restaurant a hop, skip and a jump away from my stoop. Sure, restaurant work can be demanding–physically, as you’re on your feet for upwards of 8 hours at a time, and mentally, because you’ve got to keep your tongue in check when it comes to nasty customers–but overall, once you clock out for the day, you’re done for the day. When I was working at the restaurant, all my thoughts revolved around marathon training, and that was okay. There was plenty of room for them. With the current workload I’ve got, I’m spending a lot more time balancing work stress with apartment hunting, and only squeezing in thoughts of running/workouts around those other two items. Example: tonight is the 8439240 time in the last three weeks that I’ve booked a bike at spin class, only to find out that I need to work late and won’t be able to make it spin class. Will I still get to the gym at some point? You betcha. Will I push myself to tackle those 400s in lieu of spin class? Probably. Will I feel happy with the way things pan out? My guess is no. Part of the thrill of a good workout is committing to it early, and seeing to it that it happens. So even though I am making a point to squeeze workouts in, and hitting all of the marks on Hal’s plan, my brain is elsewhere, and I don’t feel as “connected” to my training. And somehow that makes me feel like I’m not really training/getting it all in.

4. I’m not a good resolutionist.

If I haven’t failed at half marathon training, I have failed at holding up my end of the bargain on my “new year’s resolutions.” Cutting back on the overindulgence? Very difficult when your office is dangling free pizza, bagels, pastries and cupcakes in your face every other day. My posture? I’m bent over like an 80-year old hunchback. And it’s only early February. Whereeee did I go wrong?

5. Mother nature is a typical, wishy-washy girl. One day its gorgeous and 55 and the next its freezing. No wonder I have a cold. And sniffles don’t mix with early-morning runs.

Now I’m at a point where one of three things will happen:

1. I’ll find the perfect apartment in the next four days, it will make my commute lovely and work will calm down and all will be right with the world, and all of my free time can go back to focusing on running and foam rolling and making impromptu trips to Jack Rabbit.Maybe I’ll be so click-my-heels happy I’ll sign up for a spring marathon. And run it. Fast. And life will be good.

2. I’ll find an apartment, the commute will stay the same, the workload will stay the same, and I’ll spend a lot of time crying/wondering how people have powerhouse careers while still managing to run 4930 marathons a year. I will not run a spring marathon and I’ll wonder how I’ll ever find the time to even train for New York in November. The JD will love his new over-emotional/undertrainined/depressed roommate.

3. I don’t want to talk about this one. Because this one involves NOT finding an apartment. And me going into a state of unimaginable panic.

They don’t call me the marathonwiner for nothing, eh?:)

Alls I want is to get my marathon mojo back!

If you’ve got pointers on how to do so, please leave them in the comments!

Have a very happy Wednesday kids!