New Threads

My brother and sister were home in CT visiting for their birthdays a couple of weeks ago. We had our friends (who I should really just call family), the Mitchells, over to celebrate my siblings' birthdays, and they so generously brought gifts for all three of us. My birthday was in February, but they still had a gift for me. So nice! Not only was it unnecessary, it was a perfect present. A new running shirt. My running wardrobe has more than doubled in the last year, and for good reason.

I was so happy to show off my new shirt on a run the very next day. While most of my shirts are reminders of races I've run, this shirt will make me think of the Mitchells, and all the amazing support I have for my first marathon.

Whoah Humidity!

With the record-breaking heat and humidity this week, it was hard to muster motivation to get my running in. Thank goodness for my CT Chapter TNT teammates - I wouldn't have made it through a 10-mile run without you! Although the run was discouraging to say the list, I completed the 10 miles. Sure I had to walk A LOT, but 10 miles is 10 miles. Since it was so hot and humid, I managed to drop 4lbs in water weight during the run. Wow! After the run it was imperative to hydrate, hydrate some more, and keep hydrating the entire day. Although I usually like to push myself, I took it easy yesterday. When my body was tired, it was time to walk.

Being safe and taking it easy can sometimes be frustrating. I was happy to read some tips from my TNT NYC coach this morning on "bad runs." For all those runners out there, here is what she had to say:

1. Focus on the health benefits. Even if you have a bad run, you're still getting lots of benefits, such as stress relief, calories burned, and other health benefits.

2. Don't forget the mental training, too. Getting through a tough run makes you stronger mentally. These tough runs will help teach you how to deal with rough patches during your race.

3. Figure out what went wrong. When you have a bad run, it's helpful to understand why it happened. Was it the weather? Are you sluggish from overtraining? Did you eat and hydrate properly? Are you getting enough sleep? Figuring out the reason behind your bad run can help you avoid a repeat experience and can also help you make adjustments to your training.

4. Write about it. It may seem like writing about your terrible run will only prolong the agony, but expressing your thoughts about it in your training journal or blog can help you work through it. Having a record of what you think went wrong will also help you prevent you from making the same mistake in the future.

5. Appreciate your good runs. The silver lining of having a bad run is that it helps you better appreciate your great runs. After a terrible run, try to push the bad run out of your mind by thinking back to the runs when you felt incredible and experienced that intoxicating runner's high.

6. Talk to others. All runners, from beginners to elites, have days when it's tough it get through a run. Comparing bad run stories with other runners will make you feel better about your own experience because you'll know you're not alone.

7. Don't wait too long to run again. Bad runs are usually pretty rare, so don't assume that you'll feel the same way the next time you run. So don't get discouraged and stop running for a week because you're afraid you'll have another tough run.

Cross-Training

My marathon training did not get off to the start I was anticipating. After the NYC Half Marathon in March, I got pneumonia and had to take it easy for a while. My rest period lasted a little longer than it should have.

I was so happy when my friend Thea wanted to complete her first triathlon since it motivated me to do a little cross training. Although I didn't get to do many workouts due to some traveling in the last couple weeks (squeezed in a run in Chicago and a swim in Montreal), we completed the triathlon, and Thea did so in amazing time! Although I didn't set any personal records, I was very pleased with my run (I shaved off 11 minutes from the run last year).

Now that the Pat Griskus triathlon is over, I can focus more on running & fundraising...unless I find another tri to do. Perhaps one at Todd's Point in Greenwich? August 7th? Seems like my triathlon addiction is only getting worse.

Pre-Season Goodness

After my amazing experience with the NYC Half Marathon, I got pneumonia. My training came to a halt and didn't do much moving for two months. Bummer, I know.

Now that my lungs are feeling better and my work load at University of Bridgeport has been considerably less, I'm able to start my pre-season training for the New York City Marathon. I'm starting to get excited...first full marathon, turning thirty, oh my. It is all coming up so soon! And by soon I mean at least five months ;)

I joined my new Team in Training teammates this evening at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park for some cross training. After a quick 10-minute run, we did lunges, curtsies, push ups, jumping jacks, planks, squats, standing ab work, and ended with some stretching. It was a beautiful evening in Central Park and I think my first time at Bethesda Fountain/Terrace. It was at times difficult to focus on jumping jacks while working out under such a beautiful ceiling. I look forward to many more work outs with my new teammates and discovering more of New York in the process.

(photo borrowed from bleekerstreetphoto.com)

Half Way There

The New York City Half Marathon was in a word, AMAZING. The weather was perfect, the crowds supportive, and the course, incredible. My favorite part was running through Times Square with "Footloose" blasting. I couldn't help but dance a little while running. I was so happy to have my Mom (pictured) and her friend Claudia there to cheer me on and the support from Team in Training was unending.

Was it my best run? Probably not. I went out a little too strong for the first 8 miles and then paid for it in the end. Is this discouraging? No. Makes me want to be even more prepared for the marathon in November. I am officially signed up for the ING NYC Marathon with TNT and will continue my fund-raising efforts on a new page (http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nyc11/emcintya93).

Thank you again to all of my generous donors. Your donations were part of over $1 million raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from the CT, NY and Long Island TNT chapters alone. Now that's amazing...

One Week Away!

This time next week I'll be finished with the NYC Half Marathon! I'm hoping to run a little faster than my first 1/2 and finish at or a little before 2 hours.

The team had a nice and easy 5 mile run today. So much easier than last week's 12. This week I'm going to take it easy, eat right, and get psyched up for Sunday. Luckily I have spring break for the University of Bridgeport this week so I should be able to get extra rest.

The race starts in Central Park and ends in Battery Park. Can't wait to be running through Times Square!

Soaked to the Bone

Anyone who has seen me post-workout knows that I sweat a lot. Kind of gross to admit, I know, but this is not sweaty picture of me people. Around mile 6 of the 12 mile run this morning, it started to pour. At this late stage in training, Mo Nats* is testing my perseverance.

The NYC half marathon is only two weeks away and I completed my last long training run before the race. For the next two weeks, I'll be running, but taking it easy. If you ask my Mom, I've been "tapering" for the whole 16 weeks of training, but at least I've completed my weekend runs without a problem.

Stay dry today - it is nasty out there.


*Mo Nats = Mother Nature