Bienvenido a Miami

Posted on December 9, 2011 by scoopsontherun

Well, not exactly yet but I will be there at the end of January.

I booked my air and hotel today so this is now the real deal. My training officially starts on Monday and I’m looking forward to have goal specific workouts. I’ve enjoyed my month off from training for a race but I’m anxious to get back in the saddle.

I’ve been wanting to do the Miami Half for a while. I even registered for it a couple of years ago and unforeseen circumstances prevented me from going. It’s been even longer since I have been to Miami and looking forward to hitting some of my old spots mainly the beach.

This trip will also be another belated birthday present to myself. It’s a milestone birthday and if no one else is going to treat you certain things you might as well do it for yourself. After all, I deserve it!

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+1, Take Two

Posted on December 3, 2011 by scoopsontherun

Sometimes things don’t always work out as planned. Two weeks ago I was supposed to have completed my New York Road Runner +1 volunteer requirement in order to get my guaranteed entry into next year’s marathon just in case I decide do it again. Well thanks to my train dying en route to NYC I never made it.

So now, take 2 of my volunteering efforts will be this weekend at the Join the Voices five mile race. The race is in support of the Join Voices Against Brain Cancer organization and not some strange holiday singing thing.

Here I am running in the marathon. I think that woman next to me wants to say hello. Will I be crazy enough to do this again?

Once this volunteer thing is over then I can go back to my ever changing will I or won’t I decision about doing the marathon next year.

I have a strange feeling that I’ll being going back and forth on this decision all the way up until the deadline to register. Then I’ll see all my running buddies on Facebook and Twitter posting that they registered and I’ll be dumb enough to want to join in and register.

I’m hoping it’s not like that but instead a decision based on solid research in regards to how well I ran in winter and early spring. Ideally, if I hit specific goals then I’ll most likely do this again, if I don’t hit those goals then no marathon.

But alas, only time will tell.

In the meantime, I’m debating the NYC Half Marathon. I did not complete the races to get guaranteed entry so that leaves my to try for the lottery or to enter as a charity runner. The fee has also gone up to a whopping $117 bucks. I think this is the first race where we’re seeing the NYPD’s new fee structure for road races outside of Central Park. But, if The Trevor Project is putting together a team I’ll be running for them again and hitting all of you up for donations.

But now I must go practice saying things like, “Stay on the course and keep to your left” and “Good job runners!”

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The Nose Knows

Posted on December 1, 2011 by scoopsontherun

My nose does feel that big but it's a wee bit more red.

This week my nose has been running more than I have. This typically happens after my big work conference in November. My body finally says, “Hey, I held up for as long as I could and now this conference is over so I’m going to get us sick.” This year, the cold has just taken up residence in my nose.

Technically I can still run but I have been feeling run down so I figured now is the best time to rest before I start up my Miami Half training. I’m starting to get antsy so I guess that is a good sign that I’m feeling better. Yay!

Today also starts the official countdown to my 40th birthday at the end of the month. It feels kinds of weird only because for the past year I have basically been referring to myself as in my forties. In a way it is a bit anti-climatic. I haven’t planned anything for my birthday but that is nothing new either. When you’re the kid whose birthday falls two days after Christmas you learn early on that this day gets over looked. I have to work that day so I’ll probably have lunch with some friends because I have to run five miles that evening.

I do however, have some belated special treats planned for myself and yes, the trip to Miami is one of them. Another treat is a trip to the opera. My ex and I used to go all the time and I have only gone sporadically in the past few years. I have missed that so much and that is something I’m going to correct this upcoming year. I’ve got my ticket to see one of my all-time favorite soprano’s, Patricia Racette, in Tosca at the Met. I’m in the process of picking out a few more performances to see in 2012 and I’m really excited about that.

I hope to travel a bit more without it being tied to a race. While that’s not a bad thing sometimes it’s a very good thing when your major decision of the day is if you’re going to read your book poolside or on the beach. It is crucial to have those kind of trips.

But I’ve got to get my nose in order first. Maybe doing that can be considered an early birthday present.

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Easy Does It

Posted on November 27, 2011 by scoopsontherun

I have been taking it easy this past few weeks and it has been a nice change of pace. This doesn’t mean that I’ve only been hanging out on my sofa but that all of my runs during this time have been easy.

Denver Dinosaurs

Look at what you can find when you go out for an easy run -- dinosaurs!

Since the end of May I have been training for the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon and the NYC Marathon with everyone being targeted to the goals I had for each of those races. That’s a lot of focus with little down time. I have enjoyed this three week period of just going out for a run without worrying about hitting a certain pace or other specific goal.

I got to run in Denver and really take in the scenery and now running in my neighborhood and feeling at peace with my running. This has been nice.

With that, I’ve noticed that I have been running better and that has put in the right frame of mind to start tackling my upcoming running goals, the big one being to PR or close to it at the Miami Half Marathon. I even added a new goal in the middle of that.

Yesterday, I sat down and plotted out my training plan for the Miami Half and realized that the Ted Corbitt 15k fell perfectly in with one of my long runs. I have only done three 15k races in the past and the last Ted Corbitt I ran in was not a good experience because it was so damn cold that day.  When NYC got hit with our Halloween snow storm the Poland Spring five mile race got canceled and I got a voucher to sign up for another race, I chose Ted.

Because I have never done particularly well in these 15k races, I want to try and change that and since this falls into the Miami Half training I’m hoping I can accomplish two goals but at the same time not put too much pressure on myself for this 15k because after all it is a long training run for the half. So, I really want to PR for this 15k but considering that each 15k I have run has been worse than my first one I know I’ll also be happy if I improve my time from the last two I ran.

I have one more week of easy running planned and I’m going to enjoy that and take that happiness into my training for this half. When I look back at all the other races that I got a PR I was running relaxed and enjoying it. That is a sign, if there ever was one! So I’ll

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Adios Mile High City

Posted on November 17, 2011 by scoopsontherun

I only have a few hours left in Denver. I’ll be heading to the airport in about 1.5 hours and I’m happy to be headed home.

One of the things about this conference is that when you get here it’s takes a bit for things to get rolling. You’re going to meetings and doing things but it doesn’t really get frenetic until Monday and then you’re going non-stop and days are a blur and you can’t believe that you actually have to pack to go home.

But happy I am!

Overall this trip has been great. I got to have lunch with someone who played a very important part in my life when I first moved to New York. We hadn’t seen each other in about 20 years but it was so easy to just sit and talk and I am so glad she is back in my life. Thanks journalism/Google research skills!

I say this every year, but I really do get to work with the best volunteers in my organization. I’ve had some doozies here and there and that makes me appreciate my core group of volunteers even more. They really contribute so much to the Society and well, without them I wouldn’t have a job.

I am very happy that I got through a whole business trip without putting my room key next to my cell phone and wiping out all the data on the key. You have no idea how huge this is. Last year, everyone knew at the reg desk because I was there almost everyday to get my room key re-swiped with my precious room code.

I wish I got to go out running more often but alas Denver has a slightly freaky homeless population and I understood why the hotel had that safety disclaimer on the running route they provided. It has been a long time since I have seen someone shoot up in broad daylight so I thank you for that Denver.

But I did feel really great the two times I did go out and felt incredibly optimistic about the start of my training for the Miami Half Marathon. I’ve got all of next week off so I can do some nice goal oriented runs during the daytime and not have to worry about it getting dark.

I am also very happy for eggs, meat, and potatoes in any combination in a breakfast dish. I had a real breakfast today that did not have a small muffin or Danish in sight.

I think the Perks ladies are going to miss me ordering my Venti double shot of Tazo Awake tea and the expression on my face after that first sip. Those got me through this conference without having to get mad at anyone once.

Finally, I am hoping I won’t have to use the tornado shelters in the Denver airport. Just kidding, but they do have those signs all over the airport and those shelters happen to be located in the restrooms. Let us all pray that the wind inDenver dies down so that my flight is not delayed and that no one sneezes at LaGuardia and delays my landing as we all know a single sneeze can delay flights up to two hours. Oh, and most importantly please let my flight be empty like it was coming here. That was super nice so if you are flying from Denver to New York today please take a flight that isn’t mine.

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Major Altitude (Sort of)

Posted on November 13, 2011 by scoopsontherun

Today is my first full day here in Denver. I got in yesterday afternoon and took it easy with a stroll along the 16th Street Mall. No altitude sickness but my legs did feel a little wobbly at times but I think that was a combination of a four and half hour flight and a little altitude. I did grow up in a mountainous area so I think there is some sort of lung memory on what that feels like so I don’t it bothered me that much. Well, maybe not that actual theory but work with me. Everyone was saying that every glass of wine is like having two but I didn’t really feel that either after four glasses.

My original plan was to head out this morning to run in a 5k race here but being tired and all I got up at 7:00 am and would not have made it out there in time to register and race. Instead, I took advantage of the running route that the hotel provided. I mapped it out into Map My Run, switched to classic mode and imported the course into my Garmin. You’d think that being in the Mile High City my Garmin would locate a satellite more quickly but when there are buildings around you still gotta.

Cherry Creek Trail in Denver

Just a bit of the view along Cherry Creek. (c) Stacey Cooper

The route goes along the Cherry Creek Trail for most of the way, but as I found out it’s not all that trail(y) but is actually a paved path. Not complaining though because it was a nice flat route to get the post-marathon legs moving again. This was supposed to be a six mile run but I lost my way a bit as the turn sheet on the hotel website didn’t account for the detour on the path for construction. Oh and there should really be a sign that says, ‘This is the Platte River, this is where you are supposed to turn right.” It really is hard to tell when a creek turns into a river.

After finding a good point to turn around without looking touristy and obviously lost I headed back along the creek and made my way to exit ramp near the convention center. This wee little ramp felt like running up a steep mountain. Oh, hello altitude, nice to meet you! Near the top I lost my left lung on the side of the road (not pictured). Sort of kidding.

My planned six mile run turned out to be only about four miles but I’m with that being the first post-marathon run and at altitude. The legs feel pretty good and really didn’t feel much different from last year’s first post-marathon run so I’m very happy about that.

I’ve got about three meetings to go to this afternoon and then we have the opening ceremony for the conference tonight. There will be free booze for me. I’m going to test that one drink equals two theory again.

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Rocky Mountain High

Posted on November 12, 2011 by scoopsontherun

I’m sitting here at LaGuardia Airport waiting to board my flight to Denver. I’m also supposed to get my first post-marathon run in this weekend. It is supposed to be slow and easy so I’m thinking about entering a 5k race in the Denver area. I’m really paying attention to the slow and easy part. Seriously, I am. My idea behind doing this race is so that I can run on a closed course and not have to worry about finding a route early on a Sunday morning.

The big maybe about this whole plan is how well I adjust to the altitude. This race will be less than 24 hours after landing in Denver. I’m hoping that me experience of growing up in the desert/mountain area will resurface and that my body will remember what that felt like more quickly. I’ve been hydrating pretty well and think that if I wake up tomorrow morning and fell pretty good I’ll head on over to the race. If not, I’ll just plan an easy run later in the day along the route that hotel has on their website.

This is also supposed to be my easy week before I start my training for the ING Miami Half Marathon in earnest. My goal is to get as close to my PR time as I can or to even PR so I know I’ll have to put in some hard work in the coming months.

I’m on my plane and need to shut down so please wish me luck in keeping my lungs inside my body.

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What’s Next?

Posted on November 8, 2011 by scoopsontherun

Last year after I finished the marathon I didn’t have any real plans, while I didn’t have the “now what” blahs that a lot of runners experience I think not having a plan hurt my running.  I just wasn’t able to get back into a regular routine and found it very hard to want to get back into a regular routine, something I also learned a lot of marathoners go through.

Look at me trying to swallow my banana and thinking, "If this were a half marathon I would be home by now."

I had more down weeks than up and did not feel good about my running until this past August. I know that sounds a little crazy but I know of a really fast runner who experienced the same blahs and just got excited about her running again this past weekend. Hearing that made me feel so much better. Knowing that I already had a post-marathon plan made me feel even better.

Back in July I registered for the ING Miami Half Marathon at the end of January. So now I know that I have a nice rest week this week and can ease back into my training the week after. I also want to get close to my half marathon PR, if not beat it, that I set in Philly back in 2009. The Miami course is pretty flat and it is weather I love so I certainly think I can meet this goal.

After Miami things are a bit up in the air. I did not do the four NYRR half marathons to get guaranteed entry into the NYC Half Marathon in March which means I have to take my chances with the lottery (a given no selection) or participate as a charity runner (I’ll only do this if The Trevor Project has a team again). I really like the NYC Half mainly because we get to run through Times Square, but that’s not the sole reason I want to run it this year. The past two years I have basically proofed that this race can be run with little or no training. It wasn’t pretty, far from it, but I think I owe it to this race to try a little harder.

Then there is the Brooklyn Half. This was my first half marathon and I have a soft spot for it but I don’t like running in Prospect Park because I never know exactly where I am, and there’s that damn hill. Last year I didn’t train and knew I couldn’t fake it like NYC and the year before I got sick the day of the race. But I do think I’ll give it a go this year.

I’d like to improve my 10k time but I want to wait and see about which races I want to tackle for that.

But on the whole, I like that I have a solid post-marathon plan. I love putting schedules together and seeing a whole plan mapped out. I think this puts me on target to become the half marathon specialist I imagine myself to be.

 

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The One Percent

Posted on November 7, 2011 by scoopsontherun

I remember reading an article sometime last year that said about less than one percent of the human population has run a marathon. I have now run in two.

Running Medals

My medal collection looks nice with two NYC Marathon medals!

This one hurt so much more than the first but I did get an 11 minute PR out of this one. While I’m going back and forth on being excited about the 11 minute PR and disappointment because I missed my goal.

Then I chastise myself because there are people like Zoe Koplowitz who do this marathon every year. Zoe has become legendary for this marathon because she has MS and for over two decades has walked this race with her walker and the assistance of the Guardian Angels. She finishes more than 30 hours after the race has started but she finishes. I have passed her in both of my marathons.

There was also the double leg amputee and who also lost an arm. I passed him in Brooklyn as he was walking on his prothetic legs. I also passed a heart transplant recipient and I’m sure many others who have overcome so much more than my sore quads and calves.

A special thank you goes out to Rebecca, Oliver, Phil D., Rick, Donna, Wil, Jackie (and family), and Suzy for cheering me on. An even bigger thanks goes out to Brittany who jumped out onto the course with me at around mile 22 and got me to mile 24. She helped me keep moving and got me that PR.

I’m also glad to report that no one can say I was hallucinating this year. The chicken did not have any chicken friends join him and I have proof of this. I also beat Mr. Met and Mrs. Yankee this year, the husband and wife team dressed in the team uniforms. How that marriage has lasted I don’t know. I did not beat the chicken or the M&Ms but I did put on a sprint at the finish to pass the women wearing their red bras and other strange stringy things.

Bees

Rebecca's sign. I saw the bees from 100 yards away. I also got a nice hug.

Today, I’m feeling a bit sore. Getting up off the sofa is challenging and I’m not going to mention going down stairs. But once I get some momentum going, I don’t look that bad. At least I don’t think I do. I was pretty sure that if I got a PR Mary Wittenberg was supposed to come to my house this morning to take out my recycling and walk the dogs.

I think this may have been my last marathon for while as I had planned. The fact that my quads and calves were tight from the second mile was a sign that I was going to have a rough day. But I am going to do my +1 volunteer gig later in the month as a huge just in case.

Right now I have to focus on recovery and then getting back into training for the Miami Half Marathon at the end of January.

 

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Downtime

Posted on November 4, 2011 by scoopsontherun

The Internet is down at work and Verizon is working on it. Since my job is the Internet I’m sitting here twirling my thumbs and am getting more antsy by the minute. Thank goodness for iPhones and IPads.

On the running front, I will not be doing any more running until the wee little 26.2 mile run on Sunday.

I picked up my bib at the expo yesterday and got everything I need for Sunday earlier in the week so now it’s just about staying relaxed, hydrating, and eating some wonderful carbs. I love carbs!

I am so much more excited for this year’s marathon that I was last year. Maybe it’s because everything about last year was new and I really didn’t know what to expect that I just kept everything on an even keel. Now that I know what to expect and have a real plan for this marathon I can’t wait to get running and see how it all pans out.

I looked back at my training log and am amazed at the progress I have made this year. Going from dreading the marathon, to thinking about deferring, to getting excited and improving with each run. It has been an amazing 18 weeks.

Those are also 18 weeks when all my friends and family have had to put up with me talking almost non-stop about this race. I think some of my co-workers may hate me. But seriously, it’s not just the runner who makes this commitment but the people who surround and support us whether they signed on it for it not. It can be hard living with and loving a marathoner. To everyone who supported me and listened, thank you.

By bib number is 65404 and you can track my progress via the NYRR website. If you happen to be my friend on Facebook, I’ve signed up with Asics to have my status posted on there. I will apologize in advance if those posts get annoying, but you can just hide it like I do all of your Mafia Wars and FarmVille updates.

To everyone running on Sunday, you will be awesome and amazing!

Random, lesbian name to get more page views (Hey, it’s been working) – Rosie O’Donnell

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