Kohl's Saves the Day (Again)

My warm weather running gear problem has been solved. I picked up some awesome Nike lightweight capri-length tights and they were on CLEARANCE for $18 plus I had a coupon (because, really, when do you NOT have a coupon for Kohl's?) so I think the final price was around $16. They are perfect in every way -- lightweight, moisture-wicking, mesh inserts behind the knees, stylish, perfect length hitting right below my knee, and even a little zip pocket in the back for a car key or ipod. AND -- they had 3 pairs in my size on the clearance rack. That's unheard of! I bought all 3 pairs. I love them so much I will even handwash them and not throw them in the dryer like I do with all my other workout stuff. I haven't even tried on the pair I got from Roadrunner Sports because I can already tell I love these way more. Hallelujah. Problem solved. They're so awesome they deserve a picture.

I did my long run today instead of tomorrow because we're leaving for vacation this weekend. Since I did 10 miles 2 weeks in a row I had decided to cut back to 8 this week, go back up to 10 next week, and go for 12 the following week. Official training only had me at 6 this week so I'm good as far as that goes. It was super hot, although not as hot as it has been, and I felt every freaking inch of the incline on the trail. My GPS got all wacky on me today but I'm pretty sure it's a little over a 300 foot climb over 4 miles. But what goes up must come down and that's what I kept telling myself on the first half of the run. Even with the heat I had a really good run, my pace for 8 miles was 11:09/mile. I'll have to check but I think that's my best pace so far for a trail run and given this heat (it was 85 when I finished) I think that's pretty awesome. It just goes to show you that some times you have a real crappy run like last week and then it gets balanced out with a good one like today. My pace is trending downward, even with last week's disappointment, and that's all I can ask for. Also, staggering the length of my long runs is proving to be effective -- by doing 10 hard miles the last 2 weeks my 8 miles this week was stronger than it's ever been. That's the way the program is designed, you go up on distance for your long run for 2 weeks in a row, then cut back, then move up again. It really does make you a stronger runner in the end and just having that mental break of weeks with a shorter long run helps so much.

I'll be on vacation next week but the runs will get done. They need to, next week is already week 2 of the training!

OOH-RAH!!!

Yesterday I talked about the good pressure I have to do this race because all my family and friends know about it. Today, the pressure heated up a little more because I got a call from HARVEY WALDEN!

A few months ago he had posted on his FB page that he was willing to coach people online in their fitness and weight loss goals. It was 50 bucks for the year and I thought, why not? I've always enjoyed watching him and I respect his discipline and attitude. A got a few emails from him which thrilled me to no end and then today -- PHONE CALL!

He was super nice and gave me a lot of good advice about running in general and the marathon. We talked for about 15 minutes and he said we'll be talking again soon. I was a little giggly talking with him but, for the most part, it was a really natural conversation! I am so honored that he called me. He said "we'll get the mission accomplished" and he told me not to worry, that I'm going to finish the marathon like it was nothing.

How awesome is that?! How often does a celebrity trainer call you at home?

If I thought I felt pressure before to get this done, imagine how I feel now? Harvey-freaking-Walden is expecting me to finish and finish strong. I am so pumped up! I'm going to get the danged thing done!

Well, consider me honored!

My blog is about 2 months old and my friend Sarah has bestowed upon me the Sugar Doll award! Isn't that cool?

So, in order to fulfill my award status, I need to do the following:

• Thank the person who awarded me: Thank you, girl! I'm a faithful reader and you always inspire me. We've known each other a long time even though we've never met and it never ceases to amaze me how parallel our journeys have been.
• Link to Sarah's blog: go check it out!
• Share 10 things about myself: since this is a NYC marathon blog I'm going to make my 10 about the race.

1. This will be my first marathon but it's not my first time at the rodeo. I unsuccessfully trained for a marathon in 2004. I got as far as getting in two 20-milers in and decided the week of the race to not do it. We had found out that week that my husband had a heart condition (which has now been fixed, thank goodness) and I used that as an excuse not to go but to be honest, if I felt better prepared emotionally and physically nothing would have stopped me from doing that race. I look back and it's one of my biggest regrets but that experience I think is helping me this time around. I am following the beginner program for a reason -- the two 20-milers (and I had a 3rd scheduled) was way too much for me. If the race had been 2 weeks after my first 20-miler, which went awesome, I would have been fine. The wear and tear on my body getting the 2nd in put me in a bad place. Doing NYC will be my redemption and I will hopefully finally erase that feeling of failure that I've carried all these years.


2. Yes, I did get the idea to do this for the North Shore Animal League from Beth Ostrosky Stern when she did it a few years ago. I listened to Howard daily and heard a lot of the details of her training. What can I say? She inspired me. The day of the marathon I went online to see what her finishing time was and I was happy for her. When I didn't get into the regular lottery for NYC this year I went to the NSAL website and saw that they were accepting applications to run the marathon I jumped on it. I had to wait about 2 weeks before I knew I was accepted and I was so nervous. I don't think I've ever wanted anything worse since I was a kid. When I got the email notifying me of my acceptance on the team I cried. There are other charities I could have run for, there's still some taking runners, but if I was going to go this distance and do it for a charity it had to be for animals.


3. My least favorite day of the year is when we move the clocks ahead. Conversely, my favorite day of the year is when we set them back. This year we set the clocks back the night before the marathon. I'm seeing that as a very good sign. Not that I'll get any sleep anyway but when I get up at 4 am that morning it will really be like 5 am. Love that.


4. I already know that I have absolutely no idea what I'm in for -- not the training, but the race itself. It has been described as a race like no other and the people I know who have done it all agree. I have no idea what it's going to be like to be part of a crowd of 40,000 (my largest race was the Disney 1/2 marathon and that was only 15,000) and to run through the 5 boroughs of New York City. I've run lots of races in other states, even other countries, and as long as the course is marked and there are people to follow, not knowing the route or the area never bothered me. Somehow, I feel like this is going to be way different. It's amazing and terrifying at the same time.


5. I always run with music but when I get to the really long run stage of my training I'm going to try to do what I did last time and run for at least the first hour without it. It's agonizing the first mile but -- if it works like it did the last time -- I can usually clear my mind and just run like a machine and the time goes by incredibly fast. When I do add music it's like starting a whole new run. I plan on putting together a great playlist for the marathon with lots of NY-themed songs in it, especially Empire State of Mind, from which this blog was named.


6. I don't have any tattoos but I always said that if I ever ran a full marathon that I'd get one. I'm not sure that I'll follow through but my plan all these years was to get a small star on the bottom of my foot with "26.2" in the center. The irony would be, of course, if my foot got horribly infected from the tattoo and I'd never be able to run again but I won't think about that for now. I may decide after the race that the memories and the medal are enough but, yeah, I think the only event ever worth immortalizing on my body would be finishing a marathon.


7. My husband is my greatest supporter. He knows how much this means to me and his belief that I can do this means the world. I'm not sure if he knows what he's in for -- by the end of my training I'll be cranky, tired, and completely focused on myself and the race -- but I know that he'll be there for me. When I cross that finish line my victory will be mine and for the animals my fundraising will help but his love and support will be what got me there.


8. I am vain and I will be pissed if my race photos do not come out well. They usually never do, so it wouldn't be a surprise, but I feel like I'm owed a good picture for once. My race photos usually fall into 3 categories: I look like I'm about to kill someone, my tongue is sticking out, or I look fat. When I run, I usually am happy so I don't know why I always look so angry. I honestly NEVER am aware that my tongue is sticking out but I have photo after photo documenting that I do. As far as looking fat, I've taken pictures before a race and after a race and I always look so much bigger in the official photos. Bad angle? I don't know. But, for once, I would like a frame-worthy photo.


9. I am using this race as an excuse to get monthly (and, by the end, bi-weekly) massages. I'm justifying it under "injury prevention" but truthfully I just want them. Why should the elite runners get all the fun?


10. I am terrified I will fail. I am actually relieved to have the added pressure of not letting my fundraising supporters down because I don't want them to feel I duped them into giving money to a charity and not following through on my part. Because I failed once before, this fear is all too forefront in my mind. Having friends and family to account to is a big motivator. I'm used to letting myself down, I've done it my whole life, but I don't like to let other people down, especially ones who have believed in me enough to fork over their hard-earned dollars for this cause. I will crawl to the finish line if I have to. If I screw up on my training I will still line up with the 40,000 other starters and do what I have to do to get through it. I've made excuses before, gone too easy on myself before, but I don't have that option this time around. And I'm glad.

And the 18 week countdown begins...

This is it! I'm now in the 18-week countdown for the marathon. Some training programs are 15 weeks, some are 26, but the one I chose is an 18-week one and now I'm actually in it. I am following this program with one modification: he suggests running Tues, Wed, and Thurs with a cross-training day on Sunday. I'm doing 2 weekday runs and replacing the cross-training day on Sunday with a run. I figure it's the same thing -- the idea is to run on tired legs whether it's 3 in a row or coming after a long run. It's just easier for me to get in that 4th run on Sunday rather than try to get another one in on a weekday.

Toward the end of the training I'm going to have to make some allowances for those longer mid-week runs, like the ones 8 and over, but I'll find a way to do it. If I come in an hour late to work I'll just work through lunch or stay late. Everyone seems reasonable at my job and it's not a permanent thing, this will all be done by November.

Today I got in my run before work. For now, every time I do it I'm pretty amazed with myself. I'm hoping it becomes something more natural and not something I am shocked by. Official program called for 3, I got in 4.58. I don't really see the need to back off on my weekday runs if I'm already used to doing that mileage. The increased mileage will hit me soon enough so I'm going to enjoy just doing what I've been doing without really having to think too much about how much harder it's going to be.

My pace this morning was better than last week: 10:55/mile. I was miserable the first 20 minutes but I felt pretty normal the last half of the run. Eventually I'll push a little harder on pace but for now just getting through these early AM runs are an accomplishment. I thank God for air conditioning though...there was no way I would have been able to do my run outside today, even at 6:30. My basement isn't air conditioned and it's kind of humid down there but it's nothing compared to what it would have been like outside so I am very appreciative of a cool house and a treadmill.

Oh, and running shorts are not my friend. I bought some to run in at home since it's so hot and while I thought they looked pretty good I just don't know how they stay in place on anyone. I was pulling on them the whole time. They weren't horrible to run in but I think I prefer capris. I just ordered some lightweight ones that looked cute, hopefully they'll work out.

What a difference a day makes

Today was a MUCH better run -- no headache! I planned to only do 50 minutes but at the 30-minute mark I was feeling exceptional so I did the full 60: 5.58 miles, 10:45/mile pace. I am really happy how well my Sunday runs are going coming on the heels of my Saturday long runs. I would think that I'd be sore and sluggish but my best runs have been coming on Sundays. I seem to be stronger and faster.

It ended up being a really good week: 25.55 miles. Tomorrow starts the 18-week countdown! Right now I'm about where I'll be at the end of Week 6. If I was following a more aggressive training program I'd be heading into some really long runs right off the bat but I'm sticking with the beginner program. Hopefully that will allow me to work on pace and endurance at the same time without pushing myself too hard. I have no time for injuries or burnout. I think this is the right way to go.

I got in 6 workouts this week: 4 runs and 2 strength workouts. I enjoy the weeks where I can get in all 6. With my new job that's not always going to be the case and it requires 4 of my workouts to be pre-work ones. That's going to take a lot of discipline on my part. This week I already know it will be 5 workouts because I have my day in Stamford and then we leave for vacation this weekend. For vacation I'm only putting pressure on myself to get my runs in and I'll take the week off from strength. It seems like a fair compromise. I have a feeling I'm going to be making a lot of deals with myself over the next 18 weeks...

Kicking it old school

I've finally accepted that there is no cute solution to keeping my hair out of my face when I'm running. I've tried pigtails, My hair is layered so a ponytail won't work, so lately I've been doing the ponytail and a thin elastic headband. I end up fighting with the headband the whole time because it's too thin to stay in place but when I've tried thicker elastic ones they're uncomfortable. I don't want to do a hat because my head gets too hot as it is and I wouldn't be caught dead in a visor. So what's a girl to do besides shave my head (which I've thought about on many a sweaty run).

My solution? I'm bringing back the old-school John McEnroe-style terrycloth sweatband. Yes. It's come to that. It may not be my best look but I did not mess with my hair once today. Now that I'm making it my thing I'm going to look for some real old school ones, like those rainbow striped ones from the 70s. Might as well own the look.

Today's run started out excellent. I was feeling strong and doing well about mile 7. Then, out of nowhere, I felt blackout tired. I'm used to having waves of fatigue but they usually pass. This was different. Then I realized that the unthinkable was happening -- I was getting a migraine. I haven't had one in over a year but the signs for me are unmistakable: the feeling I'm about to drop, the circles in my vision, and the tightness in my chest. It's horrible. I realized that I had been looking down while I was running and since it was a super sunny day all the patches of sunlight on the ground coming through the trees was too much on my eyes and sending me quickly into migraine territory. That was a first for me, I've never had that happen on a run before. I didn't even know how my legs were still moving because my head felt completely disconnected from my body.

I was in a remote part of the trail and I kept telling myself to get to a more traveled part in case I needed help. It never occurred to me that if I was really in trouble I had my phone but my brain was shutting down. I decided to walk for a little thinking that if my heart rate came down maybe that would help relieve the pressure in my head. It seemed to work, after 5 or 6 minutes I felt okay. As soon as I started running the lights on the ground were moving faster and I felt just as bad.

On the trail I have to look down because there's so many rocks that could take my ankle out and dips from water runoff. I had to force myself to keep my eyes on the horizon but I was worried that I'd trip on something. I was upset that a potentially awesome run got completely derailed but even though the last 3 miles were agonizing my overall pace was around 11:47 for 10.12 miles. A month ago that would have been a great pace for me so if there's something good to take away from today, it's that I am making progress on my pace.

I don't know what to do next time. I really don't want to wear sunglasses. I finally solved the hair problem (unless it was my John McEnroe headband that caused my migraine by squeezing my brain) so having yet one more accessory to fall off, slip around, and be a giant pain in the butt is not something I am looking to take on. As it is, I fight with my headphones the whole time and I have the ones that hook over the ears. I already run with a pack for my phone, license, iphone, and sport beans. I have to run with a water bottle (which was also a disaster today, I ran out of water 2 miles before I finished and it was freaking HOT). How much other crap am I supposed to carry? I'll just have to hope that most of my runs are overcast. Ugh.

All and all, a good long run. Next week I'll go 8 since I did 10 for 2 weeks in a row, then I'll try to push it up to 11 or 12. I'm still 6 weeks ahead the training schedule for the long run. It's going to catch up FAST in August though.

Here's me in my McEnroe sweatband and a migraine after my 10 miles in the sun. I think I'm rocking the look! HAHA!

Kelly: 2, Sleeping in: 0

I did it! I got up and ran again today getting my 2nd weekday run in. I think today was harder than yesterday, maybe because I knew what to expect. I had already decided that today would be the shorter of my weekday runs. I wasn't quite ready to do the hill course from hell so I opted for the treadmill for 50 minutes. I felt kind of crummy the whole time but I managed to get in 4.46 miles. Again, a little slower than I'd like but hopefully that will balance out in time once I acclimate to running in the morning.

Last night this book came in the mail. I was so excited to get it! I was going to start reading it on vacation next week but I think I might hold off until I get closer to the marathon. It sounds so inspiring and hopefully gets into the nitty gritty of the course. I think if I read it now I might psyche myself out a little. I think I'll wait until my training gets to the grueling stage and I need a boost.

I plan on doing 8-10 miles on Saturday, depending on how I feel, and 4-5 on Sunday. I'm still way ahead of the curve for the training schedule and I should end up with a good mileage week.