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

21 Days Until Spring...and the NYC Half Marathon

This sign is about a mile from my house and it is fantastic. During the worst winter I have ever experienced, I'm so happy it's been there. Little did the owners of this house know, they've been keeping a countdown for my next half marathon.

I missed out on posting about my 11 mile run last week due to a winter vacation trip to Florida. Since I was on vacation, I was able to get my weekday runs in and, oh man, 80 degrees felt too hot compared to the CT temps. Never thought I'd say this, but I think I prefer running in CT. It felt good to be back and running with the team today. We had a break this week with only 7 miles to run, and next week we're going big with 12.

While it is exciting to know that spring is only 21 days away, I think I'm even more excited for the NYC Half. I am proud to say that I reached my fund raising goal for the half marathon this week at $2,000. I can't thank all of my contributors enough. I know I've said it before, but I couldn't do this without you.

29 Today

I know what you're thinking...29 miles from 5 miles last week? Not quite. I ran 10 miles this morning and I think you can see from the picture that I took right after the run that I am happy as can be. You can also see that my bangs have a mind of their own.

It is my birthday today and the start of my 29th year. Which means I have exactly a year to run a marathon. My training during the week has been taking a back seat to school now that I'm back in class three nights a week, so I've been more than a little nervous for the long weekend runs. I definitely need to do some strength training to help what feels like iliotibial band syndrome.

Aside from some knee pain, the 10 mile run felt great this morning. I can't think of a better way to start a year.

Oh and if you want to get me something for my birthday this year, please make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm only $250 away from my Half Marathon goal!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/halfnyc11/emcintysts

If you have already donated and you're reading this, thank you again. I am so grateful.

Tropical Vacation Run

This morning's run was a short one. We are on a "recovery week" and my knee needed it. Not only was the run only five miles, but it was 35 degrees out. I felt like I was in tropical paradise. After several runs in sub-twenty degree temperatures, this morning felt like a vacation. I didn't wear my winter hat, only wore two layers on top and about a mile in, I was starting to feel too warm.

Perhaps the groundhog was right this week. Maybe spring is on the way.