Confident & Strong

Today’s Workout: 5 Miles, Easy

I’m feeling really confident these days. Work is good, my relationships are great, and running is back to amazing.

But let’s focus on the running right now.

I was being pretty cautious over the past month. I didn’t want anything to deter me from completing the marathon, so I’ve been taking it easy and listening to my body as best I can. I take walk breaks every mile, slow down if I feel achey, and ice and stretch religiously.

My weekday runs have been pretty successful – no issues completing them, or feeling too tired or sore afterwards. My weekend long runs, however, are a different story.

Anyone who’s trained for a half or full marathon will tell you that the long runs are key. Sure, skip a weekday run here or there and it won’t kill you. But if you skimp on your long runs, you will definitely feel it during your race, and it won’t be pretty. I’ve been there. It’s brutal.

So the last few weekends when I’ve been on the mend, the long runs have definitely been tough. I am almost ready to collapse by the end, my legs are screaming at me, and every week I swear I couldn’t run another step. The upside – I’ve been working on some mental techniques that seem to be working. Let’s have a sharing session, shall we?

Technique #1 – Wait to listen to music until you need a boost

If I’m going for a 4-6 mile run, I’ll grab my iPod if I’m feeling sluggish, but I usually don’t need it. I know very well the effect that a little hit of music can do to your sore and tired muscles. So for long runs, I started bringing my iPod, but leaving it off until I’m more than halfway through my run. During my 11-mile run on Saturday, I didn’t really need that boost until I was 8.3 miles in. As a result, it broke up my run, and gave me that extra surge of happiness that only comes from lip syncing unashamedly in public.

Technique #2 – Give your brain a little mental stimulation

There was an article in Runner’s World that gave some suggestions on what to do when you’re feeling tired during a run. One of them was to name all of the states – which I tried this past Saturday. It took me about two miles to do, but I swear those were the quickest two miles I’ve run in a long time (another tip – teach yourself how many states are in each letter, and go through them alphabetically, so you know which letter to go back to if you can’t remember one. i.e. The letter I has four states). For some reason, Nevada was last. It just ain’t that memorable to me.

I also have been listening to this podcast called “Stuff You Missed in History Class” by HowStuffWorks.com. I’ve been learning all about public enemies from the 1930s to how the Titanic worked. I like to learn and run at the same time.

Technique #3 – Put some gold at the end of the rainbow

I suppose this is self-explanatory, but it can really help in the last few miles of a long run. Plan exactly what things you have to look forward to after you run – an iced coffee, brunch, relaxing on your couch–and remind yourself it’ll just be a few minutes ‘til you get your reward.

So my long run on Saturday had some highs and lows – I ran over the Williamsburg Bridge, and I am pretty sure I ran past Fred Armisen. I thought I saw him, so I sprinted back so I could pass him again, and then I wasn’t so sure. So that part is up for discussion. (However, I DID see Tony Danza on Sunday. He waved and said hi after he overheard my friend say "wow he looks really good." And he did). 

Ok. This is an ugly picture. But still
proof that I was on the bridge.

My knee felt stiff, but it was pretty much along for the ride the whole way. I took walk breaks after every mile, but realized I didn’t need them as much as I did just two weeks ago. That is progress in my book!

Pretty splits.

I ran each “half” at about the same pace, which I’m also pretty happy with. Basically, this run gave me some confidence that I’ve been lacking, and I’m ready for the last eight weeks of training (eep!).

Later on Saturday, Keith and I went to the wedding of our two dear friends, Dustin and Karen.

It was an amazing wedding, with the ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park and the reception at a cute restaurant nearby. We ate and drank with their friends and family, who were all there to party like we were.

:)

So I’m going into this week feeling pretty happy, confident and strong. Ready to ramp up my training, and work on my U.S. geography.

To the Front of the Room

I was feeling a bit daring yesterday.

I’m a firm believer that if you never try anything new, you might not know what you’re missing out on. I base this idea primarily in fear – it’s important to do things that scare you a little every now and then. This could be as big as immersing yourself in a brand new social situation, or as simple as trying a different sandwich for lunch. Despite whether the experience is ultimately positive or not, at least you did it. You broke out of your cozy, pillow-filled comfort zone, and it probably makes you a more well-rounded person as a result.

My little fear-inducing exercise for the day was to go to my favorite spin class – and sit in the front next to the teacher – where everyone could see me.

I normally participate in group classes in the back of the room – what if I get tired? What if I don’t understand the teacher’s instructions and find myself frozen while everyone else is moving? What if someone else notices how much I abnormally sweat? These questions are eliminated by cushioning yourself in some dark corner. Staying in the back of the room will also likely place you next to other back-of-the-roomers, and your chance of looking less-exhausted compared to others is high.

But not yesterday.

I decided to take my water bottle and set of towels to the front of the room – to a bike that is positioned perpendicular to the rest of the room, so people can see exactly how fast you’re pedaling, how tired you probably feel, and whether you know the words to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”

I have taken the class two or three times before, so I wasn’t exactly going in blind. But I know the instructor usually has a tough class, and I decided to give it my all.

I would say that overall – the experience was totally positive. The room was really stuffy, and I went through more of my water bottle than I normally do, but I found myself pushing through the tough parts full of determination. I wanted to spin faster and work harder than my back-of-the-roomer alter ego, and I did. I felt great – and I think I may even pick that bike from now on.

After a night’s rest, I crawled back into my comfort zone this morning for a wonderful 5-mile run. As my mileage continues to creep up during before-work hours, I am becoming hopeful that I may actually be turning into a morning exerciser (and dare I say, a morning person??!?! Maybe? Okay, fine, baby steps).

It was a gorgeous morning - not too hot and not too cold. I have been trying to remind myself not to go too fast since I’m in build-up mode for Marathon Training, and I should be clocking in paces slower than race pace. The speedwork I did during Half-Marathon Training naturally made my pace faster during long runs, but Marathon Training is a whole other animal. To quote the advice countless running experts have given – it’s better to save your fast running for race day.

With the Olympics right around the corner (I didn’t segue into the Olympics because I was talking about my own running… that would not resemble any kind of smooth transition. I’m just really into them), I realized I want to watch as many events as possible. So I decided to treat myself and get a DVR, so I don’t have to worry about missing events like gymnastics, swimming, and archery.

There were a few things I was nervous about before purchasing a DVR – normal stuff like worrying about footing the bill alone and getting addicted to shows like Sister Wives. But I was most nervous about the logistics of actually getting my DVR set up through the company with the world’s worst customer service– Time Warner Cable.

Virtually every encounter I have had with them has been abysmal (something as simple as setting up a day to get cable can turn into a 3-week saga). They must be reading some of their customers’ suggestions though, because they had a do-it-yourself option to do a box swap. Done and done. I was happy not to spend one of my precious vacation days waiting patiently at my door only to have them show up five hours late.

So I strolled in to the closest Time Warner location a bit before lunch hour, crossing my fingers that the experience wouldn’t be as scarring as a trip to the New Jersey DMV. In about 15 minutes, I had my precious DVR box and a new, positive impression of my cable company all wrapped up in a shiny, purple TWC bag.

Is this where the money goes when
I'm charged for "misc fee" ?

It was still beautiful out, so I didn’t powerwalk to the subway as I usually do. But when I got to the station, I realized by the staggered exiting of other New Yorkers, I had missed two successive subway cars. Dang.

I wasn’t in a big rush though, so I turned around to find a place to sit with all my equipment, only to notice an actor from one of my favorite TV Shows:

Harry Crane from Mad Men!
Also, the gay BFF from the Devil Wears Prada.
Real name: Rich Sommer

I can notch up my celeb count one more, and I think I am officially skilled at spotting celebs (shortlist over the past year includes Katie Holmes and Suri, Lance Bass, Tyra Banks, Sally Field, Michael Cera, and Colin Hanks. Not that I’m bragging. I think Michael Cera was genuinely repulsed by me).

So a few closing and inspirational notes – do something that scares you a little today, keep your eyes peeled for celebrities, and appreciate your DVR.

Runner's High

It’s been a hot minute –I think I was a little overwhelmed from all the races I had been doing. But don’t worry, I’ve still been running.

I was ready this year for an awesome race pic.
May or may not have practiced acceptable
running poses in the mirror.

After the half, I took a few days off from running, and went to a spin class with my favorite gay-straight man at NYSC. We did lots of fake hills to his awesome playlist, and it was nice to mix up my workout regiment a bit after running so much. I’ll be heading to Vermont in a few weeks for a family reunion, where my dad has challenged us all to a race to the top of his favorite peak. As a result, I am testing out spin classes all over the city now to get my legs ready for Vermont’s unforgiving landscape. I am determined to beat Papa Wyman.

My first run post-marathon was over my beloved Williamsburg Bridge. I was still on a runner’s high from a great race, so I just enjoyed the run without a care about pace or distance. I’m still getting used to the heat that has been sitting on New York, and I try not to leave home without a big bottle of water until it feels normal to be running in 80 degree heat.

I spent Memorial Day weekend doing fun things like seeing post-punk bands perform bad music and going to outdoor festivals with yummy food.

Best grilled cheese. Ever.
At Dekalb Market!

To celebrate our Monday off, Keith and I went for a run together. It. Was. HOT. Since Keith is way faster than I am, I tried to start the pace off fast, but we deemed it too quick for the 90 degree heat. Keith was smart and turned home after about a mile and a half. I decided I was feeling good, and continued to run. When I made it to my turnaround point very parched, I realized that I had no money to buy water on the way home. I was not too far off from seeing mirages of palm trees and swimming holes.

I rounded out my run at about four miles, but it felt more like 10.

I realized that my IT band that gave me so many issues after the marathon was feeling a bit sore, so I took a few days off from running. I am running the American Heart Association Wall Street 3M Run today, and I wanted to make sure that I felt nice and fast for it.

Highlight of the week: While I was doing the typical hike up to the Upper East Side to grab my shirt and bib for the run, I ran into 1 ½ A List Celebs:

KATIE AND SURI

They were an adorable mama/daughter duo, and Suri skipped down the street while Katie was all smiles. And, part of my body was caught up in a paparazzi shot.

MY HAND IS FAMOUS

I plan on chugging water today to prepare for the 3M race this evening, which should be quick but fun. I’m most excited that after today, I will be done with 7 out of the 9 races I need for the stupid 9+1 program. Just two more races to go and I will be ready to take on the Verrazano Bridge next year!

Tune in for my race recap at Wall Street – unfamiliar territory for a race = happy Kate.