10

Posted on December 6, 2012 by scoopsontherun

For the second straight short race I have had a 10 in front of my average pace. It still boggles my mind a bit and is taking some time to get used to.

Sure there’s the fact that I feel fairly strong on my daily runs and that for my most recent four mile race and then this most recent 5k I felt really good the whole way through. One race was in Central Park the other in the happily flat Riverside Park.

I still have no idea if this is due to doing all that marathon training and not running a marathon or if I’m legitimately faster and can maintain this consistently. Only time will tell, but I am enjoying this a lot.

It has given me a new level of confidence and had forced me to push some of my goals a bit. For most of the past year just about every race goal I’ve had has been to get close to an old PR. After these past two races I now have the thought of trying for a new half marathon PR in Miami. I have that average pace in my head on every single run I do.

I’m in my third week of the Runner’s World Challenge training plan and really like. I think changing plans at this time has been a great benefit. Of course, there wasn’t anything wrong with the old plan, it was just old. The RW plan basically has the same distance for long runs two weeks in a row to start out and I like the distance and goals for the daily runs. These have really helped me focus on what my half marathon pace will be.

I have two weeks in a row of nine mile long runs, one of which will be the Ted Corbitt 15k in Central Park. The 15k distance has always been a little tricky for me in figuring out how to race that. I feel as though I’m getting a better grasp of it and am really curious to see what I can do with my newfound speed.

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Giving Thanks

Posted on November 22, 2012 by scoopsontherun

There is so much for me to thankful for this Thanksgiving and if you know me well you know what those things are. I am not going to devote this post to mushiness, I’m done with that. It’s time to talk about the other things we are thankful for — like pie.

I am thankful for this new fast pace that I have. I think I can actually work on this for a realistic shot at a new PR for the Miami Half Marathon.

I am thankful that my new knit hat matches my favorite running socks! (c) Stacey Cooper

I am thankful for my foam roller. Now that the temperature has dropped below 60 degrees my IT band on right leg likes to make it’s presence known. I nice roll on that lovely foamy thing makes it all good.

I am also thankful for my Stick. That just gets out all of those other little kinks here and there.

I am thankful for the 10 for 10 sales on Gatorade at Stop & Shop. The bottom shelf of my fridge is always stocked with my two favorite flavors.

I am thankful for the sweet Black Friday sale at National Running Center so that I can get my running shoes at a very good price.

I am thankful for the recent pant exchange with Lori.

I am thankful for my discount coupons at Modell’s so that I could stock up on new base layers.

I am thankful for the pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner from FreshDirect so it will only take me one hour to prepare dinner.

I am thankful for pie, always thankful for pie.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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Loving the Unexpected

Posted on November 18, 2012 by scoopsontherun

For the past couple of weeks I’ve noticed that my usual runs have been a lot faster and that I have been feeling comfortable at those fast paces. While these fast times were happening during my daily runs it would be interesting to see how that would carry over to an actual race.

Today was my chance to put that to the test. Um, yeah, I passed.

Not only did I get a new PR, something that I wasn’t even thinking about, but I also ran the fastest race of my adult running life.

There were so many times last year when I had trained for a PR or had hoped to get close to one and of course it rarely happened. I was hit or miss with one massive PR for my 2011 marathon and little PRs in smaller races like a 5k and a three miler.

Today’s PR was only by about a minute but because of the unexpected nature of it, I’m on cloud nine right now.

Now, how did I get it? I think the explanation is pretty simple — I didn’t run the marathon.

I had trained faithfully and well for that marathon, I really think I would have gotten another marathon PR. I would have had to have a totally crap day for it not to happen. If I ran that marathon my legs would be a bit dead at this time of year and I don’t think I would have achieved today’s PR if I ran the marathon. My legs are rested and ready to run hard.

Oh and there was also that 10 pound weight loss that happened somewhere along the marathon training. Had no idea until I finally weighed myself last week. Yeah, I never really believe people when they say I look like I lost weight. Guess they were right.

I am incredibly anxious to build on this achievement and am really excited that my training for the Miami Half Marathon starts this week. What a perfect way to start that training and put some goals together for that race.

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The New Plan

Posted on November 12, 2012 by scoopsontherun

I’ve done somewhere around 11-15 half marathons. I’m 40 now and I can’t remember all of them. I know for sure it’s at least 11 there may be one or two or three others I can’t remember. I’m sure they were great races and were a lot fun.

When I ran my first half marathon I didn’t have a real plan I just knew that I needed to increase my mileage a little bit every week and then rest the week of the race. I finished in a respectable time. Ever since I have used the same plan, mainly because for one magic training cycle every training run was awesome and I ended up getting a very nice PR. Thank you, Philly Half.

Last summer after the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon I wrote about switching up plans and I did a whole bunch of research by pulling out all of my old copies of Runner’s World and Women’s Running magazines. I thought I found one I liked but when it came time to actually put it in the calendar I stuck by my tried and true plan.

I’m by no means disappointed in the old plan I was using and I often recommend it to others but just like changing running routes or routine some a change makes things just that more exciting again. I needed to get out of my post-the NYC marathon that didn’t happen blues and being the nerd I am, a new running plan did the trick. So did booking a flight to Miami in January.

I thought it would take me longer to find a new plan, but as with moving swiftly ahead with making travel arrangements to Miami I swiftly chose a new half marathon training plan.

Are ready to find out which one I picked? Of course you are!

Well, I picked the Runner’d World Challenge one. I know two people who have used this to get their PRs for their own half marathons and really liked the plan and the support they received.

I’m not necessarily looking for a PR but if that happens I’ll be happy, very happy. I just want to be really excited and happy for this half marathon. After the year I’ve had I think I deserve that.

The first thing I noticed about this plan that differs from other plan is that I don’t have a long run that is more than 13 miles but I do have some more intense mid-week runs. Admittedly the mid-week runs will be the hardest as I only have so much time in the morning to go running and my evenings are even more limited. But I am going to do my best to push myself to improve. I promise to even try the cross-training. (Hi, yoga for runners lady!)

Training starts next week, the way all plans should start, with a rest day on Monday. Seriously, isn’t it nice to start a plan and the very day is a rest day!?!

Until then I’m easing back into regular running. I signed up for NYRR’s Race to Deliver this weekend. This is the first time I’m running this one as I have normally fulfilled my +1 volunteer gig at this race so I’m looking forward to running in this one. Then there’s that rest day.

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Time to Regroup

Posted on November 9, 2012 by scoopsontherun

What a crazy couple of weeks it has been between hurricanes, marathons, power outages, snowstorms, and one canceled business trip.

Being a marathoner without a marathon, my body is still trying to figure out what to do as it knows it should have run a really long race by now and that this past week was supposed to be a rest week. It’s an odd feeling to have.

Then there is that what’s next question. Emotionally, I have recovered from my lost marathon but there is that question of what should I do now? I can’t fit another marathon into my schedule right now so I’m adding a few small races here and there. The hard part was getting motivated for my next big event, the Miami Half Marathon.

Due to my canceled business trip the lesser penalty fee was to change my flight plans from Houston next week to Miami at the end of January. Wow, did that one move get me moving in a forward direction. Snow on the ground in New York and knowing there are warm beaches in Miami also helped tons.

I’m coming back to you Miami! Just like that my mood has improved.

The goal for last year’s Miami Half was to get a PR. That did not happen. I did not have the race I had hoped for but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I don’t think I’m ready to try for that PR again but I would like to get close and fine tune my plan and maybe make it a bit more aggressive. I don’t know but I like the idea of getting a plan together, plotting it into my calendar, and knowing when I have to get moving again.

I’m not sure if I’m going to stick with tried and true plan or look for another one. The thought of even paying for one is something I’m looking into if at least to say I have tried it. There’s the one offered for the Miami Half Marathon and I may try the Runners World Challenge one. Of course you’ll be the first to know which plan I choose.

It feels nice to be back on track again.

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Final Thoughts on the Marathon

Posted on November 2, 2012 by scoopsontherun

The marathon bib that I won’t get to wear. (c) Stacey Cooper

As I write this it has been almost three hours since the announcement that the marathon has been canceled. It is a cancelation that should have been made on Wednesday not 36 hours before the actual event.

I, like most runners, would have been satisfied and okay with the cancelation of the marathon earlier in the week. In fact, that would have been the right thing to do. But it wasn’t canceled and those of us who raised and donated money wanted to run, albeit, with heavy hearts and mixed feelings.

Then the backlash started. I can understand anger, that’s fine. But people started threatening to harm runners during the marathon. There were calls to trip, push, and throw eggs at runners. Somehow the anger for the lack of response in Staten Island and other areas got directed towards the marathon and those running in it. Fine, be angry at the organizers and city for moving forward with the marathon but threatening to harm runners was wrong.

I am probably safe in saying that none of these people donated any money to recovery efforts or donated their time.

Many of the runners participating in this marathon were doing so through a charity and raise money for charities all year round. Last year over 34 million dollars was raised through the NYC Marathon and it was safe to say that somewhere around that amount was going to be raised again this year. In addition, New York Road Runners set up a new fundraising page and took one million dollars out of their reserves to start the fund.

There are thousands of runners who traveled from out of state and oversees to come to this event who are now out of thousands of dollars. For some, this may have been their bucket list race and once in a lifetime trip. Who refunds their money now?

During this entire week I saw runners stepping up and posting information on how to volunteer and donate funds while they were in New York. I also spoke with several European runners at the marathon expo asking what they could do to help.

This wonderful community that I am a part of is now organizing ways to continue to help by auctioning off their marathon shirts, donating items they bought at the expo, and organizing trips to Staten Island on Sunday.

We didn’t need to be bullied or threatened to do this, we would have done it anyway.

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Long Distance Dedication

Posted on November 2, 2012 by scoopsontherun

Yes, I just went Casey Kasem on you. 

There is now a lot of controversy over the running of the NYC marathon. I’m not going to rehash the pros and cons of having it. I am a rational person and fully understand both sides of the argument. My heart as a runner and as someone dedicating this event to some I love dearly sides with holding it.

I’ve had to stop reading articles about the marathon because I ultimately read the comments that are becoming more horrible. Right now I really believe that I will be booed for the entire 26.2 miles. The excitement I’ve had for this year’s race no longer exists and I’m trying not to dwell on that as marathon Sunday approaches.

For my regular readers and friends you know that my mother almost died this past year. She was in and out of hospitals and nursing homes for none months. My mother has shown a fight and desire to live that would make most marathoners look wimpy. I am dedicating my marathon to her. Within that marathon each mile will be dedicated to many of the people who helped save her life and care for her during this time. I’ve also thrown in a few others that I have lost over the years who have touched my life.

Instead of a pace band I will be wearing a band with each of their names on it. Thinking about them during each mile will help get me through this race.

Here are the people who have touched my life and their miles.

1 & 2 – Pearl Ford (RIP)

3 – Drs. Molinelli, Lubin, and Hui at Greenwich Hospital

4 – The MICU nurses of Greenwich Hospital, especially Mary, Carol, Ann, and Kathy.

5 – The Surgical A nurses & Techs of Greenwich Hospital

6 – Sue, Ventia, Jasmine, and Esther at Sarah Neuman Nursing Home

7 – Micheline Turturro (RIP)

8 – Drs. Bacon, Kolscar, Yun, and Maltez and White Plains Hospital

9 – The nurses and techs on 4F at White Plains Hospital

10 – The nurses and techs on 5F at White Plains Hospital

11 – The ICU nurses at White Plains Hospital

12 – The Cardiac Care nurses at White Plains Hospital

13 – Everyone in Publications at ASME

14 – The nurses and techs on 3F at White Plains Hospital

15 – The volunteers at the front desk of White Plains Hospital

16 – The nurses and techs and Port Chester Nursing Home.

17 – The nurses and techs on Medical A at Greenwich Hospital

18 – The ER doctors and nurses at Greenwich Hospital

19 – The ER doctors and nurses at White Plains Hospital

20 – Edna C.

21 – Carolyn T.

22 – Donald W.

23 – Terry D.

24 – Peggi T.

25 – Margaret Edwards (RIP)

26.2 – Mom gets the final 1.2 miles as well.

All of these people have touched our lives so much and they will always have a place in my heart. Running this marathon and celebrating my mom’s life is the least I can do.

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Dear ING NYC Marathon

Posted on October 31, 2012 by scoopsontherun

I can’t quit you.

I know I told you that after running last year that I wasn’t going to again. But I need you.

After a difficult year of seeing people who have legitimate reasons for not running a marathon I quickly realized that my reason of not wanting to deal with sore muscles the next day was incredibly wimpy.

Back in January my mother told me she wanted me to run. I gave her every excuse of why I wasn’t. Then in February I almost lost her. I didn’t run the first week that she was in ICU because I thought something bad would happen when I was out running. Then I finally went running and she got taken off the ventilator. The next time I went running she got moved out of the ICU. In my mind, my running was helping her get better. I was so desperate at that time that I needed to believe that. What I really knew was that I had to stay healthy and strong to help her. Running was my outlet. I knew then that I would run you again NYC Marathon.

Training for you gave me something to focus on other than hospital visits, doctors, and nurses. It gave me a chance to cry, a chance to feel in control of something, and a chance to feel normal. I needed you to help me get through the most difficult time of my life.

So when we meet again on Sunday I will embrace you with everything I have and it will be with pure joy that I run your streets again. These streets will be ones that are having their own tough time right now due to Hurricane Sandy. We will remind the city about how much we need this event. We all need something to cheer now.

You have taken care of me these past two years and I know you will welcome me with open arms again. You will show me your love and remind me why I love you show much.

Love,
Stacey

P.S. But hey, could you do something to flatten out 5th Avenue?

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Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff Recap

Posted on October 28, 2012 by scoopsontherun

You get a lot of Poland Spring swag at this race. The water bottle is being kept for Hurricane Sandy prep. (c) Stacey Cooper

The Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff five mile race in Central Park has always been one of my favorites and yes, it is the perfect way to kickoff marathon week. The race is always crowded and you can always feel some of the excitement in the air for what is to come in a week’s time.

The race was canceled last year due to the Halloween snow storm and Hurricane Sandy was looking to wreck havoc on this one for a bit but thankfully Sandy cooperated and we got this one in the books.

For the past week I have been feeling antsy and not feeling as though I was getting enough running in even though I was following my marathon training plan. I knew this was part of the usual taper anxieties and that getting in this race would help get things calmed down.

Well, I’m happy to report that things certainly did calm down. It was so wonderful to be in a race environment after a couple of weeks off. For the most part I was happy with my pacing. I kept the first mile in check and didn’t go out too fast. Mile three was my slowest and I’m trying to figure out how that happened. I don’t recall slowing down on that stretch. I did get behind some slow people but I just don’t think that would have caused the slowness.

But overall I’ll take this race. It got me into the right frame of mind for next weekend and that is all that matters.

It’s game on NYC Marathon!

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Anxiety Issues or Taper Madness?

Posted on October 25, 2012 by scoopsontherun

Holy crap, I’m freaking out!

There are nine days until the NYC Marathon and two days in a row that I have had some major anxiety issues about the darn thing.

This is new to me. I didn’t feel anything about my first marathon until about 3.5 miles into the darn thing and I never felt anxious about my second marathon. But I’m kind of freaking out about this one.

During my first two tapers I only really experienced some achiness in my legs, I’m not even sure if they were real or not. But that was the extent of it. I didn’t have any major mood swings and no strange dreams where I’m running naked to the start line after everyone has already left. So these two panic incidents are strange to me. For someone who pretty much stays level headed through much of everything, aside from a few grumpy moments here and there I don’t really know how to handle these things.

Yesterday’s panic moment came when I was trying to figure out when I was going to fit my daily run in. I had that scary thought that I hadn’t trained enough or that I didn’t run enough recently. Both are insane ideas. Today’s panic was that I need more than nine days to prepare for this race. Again, completely insane.

Being the cerebral nerdy person that I am it is important for me to try and figure this out.  So far the only conclusion is that this year I’m running for my mom and not just myself. Back in January my mom wanted me to run this marathon, I said no. Then she got ill and that changed everything. I’m not running this marathon out of guilt, I’m running it because she can’t and others like her can’t.

My mom is finally home and the anxiousness I was feeling before then has dissipated and perhaps transferring into marathon anxiety. Believe me, I’ll take that.

In the meantime I’m thinking about my annual letter to the marathon and finalizing my list of people I dedicate these 26.2 miles to. There are so many people who have made an imprint on my soul this past year and this is my best way to honor everything that they have done for me. Perhaps because of what they have all meant to me I’m feeling a little more pressure to do well for them.

Most of my major marathon prep has been taken care of and that is a huge relief. I’m looking forward to running the NYRR Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff race in Central Park on Sunday and of this Hurricane Sandy messes it up I’ll be pissed. I think getting in a race this weekend will help get some of this nervous energy I have out of my system. I really hope so.

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