Sunday, September 30, 2012

Workout roundup Week 1


Welcome to the Weekly Workout Roundup!

grab a button and link up!


I am very excited to be linking up with Meghan and Kat!  Both of these ladies are amazing athletes.  Meghan is training for Disney Marathon and Kat is training for her 6 half marathons in 6 months.. (I hope I got that correct).  They are both Rockstars. 

 I am training for the New York City Marathon then Disney's Goofy.

I am going to keep this post short because I am writing it (Saturday Morning) before I head to Disney's Tower of Terror 10 Mile Run.  So when this posts, I will (hopefully) be crossing that finish line.

On to my workouts.  I really hate to start off the first link up with stinky workouts, but I guess that is what happens when a 20 miler tears up your quad.  


Hope you had a great workout week and I am ready to get this leg taken care of so I can go all out before NYC Tapering begins!!

How were your workouts this week? 




Saturday, September 29, 2012

On My way!

Well, I am going to keep this post short but I am just about to leave my house for the Tower of Terror Ten miler!!!

I am really excited and nervous as the same time.

I am using this jut to get my miles in, in a fun way!  I am not too concerned about pace or speed, although I do have goals I want to reach!

You can follow along via twitter.  Follow ME!!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Also, wishing Tori, John, Beth, and Jen a great and rewarding time at August 70.3! Kick booty!

Check back tomorrow for our Weekly Workout Roundup.  Check out the button to the right! -->


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Friday Letters

Happy Friday Everyone!
I have been seeing the Friday Letters around the blogging universe and I love this idea!
I wanted to start out this week :)

Dear Self,
You are pretty amazing sometimes.  You rock!

Dear Cross Country Students,
I know (or I hope) you will not read this but I am so sad I had to say goodbye to you.  You are amazing!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to give you my all.  Selfishly, now I am able to have "me" time.

Dear Readers,
Thanks for stopping by! I love hearing all your feedback and reading your comments.

Dear Future Husband,
I can't wait to meet you, but please come soon!


Dear Body,
I really hope you hold up for this weekends race.  I am so excited to participate but I am not really sure how I am going to stay up past my bedtime and run ten miles.  Why did I sign up for this race?  I am super excited to wear my tutu!!!!

Dear Bulls,
Please win against FSU.  I don't want to be mocked wearing my USF shirt, shorts, and tutu this weekend!

On another note, Guess my finish time to win a copy of 
Photo by Amazon
All you need to do is comment below and guess the time you believe I will finish my 10 mile race saturday night!.  Happy Guessing :)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Being too cautious?

Is there a thing as being too cautious?  Or is it not wanting to know the outcome?

I am talking about running right now.

Two weeks ago I went on my amazing/not so amazing 20 mile run and thought I was just sore in my right leg but a few days later it still hurt, and not a ouch I am sore but out, my muscle is feeling weird. After a 1.5 mile run last week I had to hobble back.  I started foam rolling, kneading it, and stretching it by myself.

I have a race on Saturday evening so I wanted to to get checked out and worked on my by amazing Dr.!  I went there, he did his magic, I hope. I was told to let it rest a few days and I can go back out for a short run on Thursday.  

As much as I want to run Thursday, I am scared.  I am scared it will hurt and I won't be able to run the race on Saturday and I will have to walk another event. 

I am scared it won't be OK for NYC, the race I have been training for, for months, the race many dream of getting into and  have the opportunity to go partake in.

Am I crazy?

How do you deal with these issues?  

Also, I am very excited for Sunday to recap my workout week with Meghan and Kat!  We are hosting an linkup and very very very excited to join in with these amazing inspiring women.  Come link up!
Hopefully I will be crossing the finish line as the posts go up!  

Monday, September 24, 2012

No running?!?! Really?!?

Last week after my 20 miler I started to have some quad pain.  I thought it was sore and then it progressively got worse.  I tried running my my students last week and my leg did not have it.  

I have a ten mile race this weekend, so I bit the bullet today and made an appointment for the doctor.
The doctors' visit was so painful!  He twisted, jabbed, and did ever painful thing to my muscle to work it out. He finally took that metal scraper and rubbed, rubbed, and rubbed again.  I was screaming on the table and was almost in tears.  

I was told no running until Thursday at the earliest, lots of stretching, foam rolling, and icing.

I came out of the doctors like this....

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Thank you!

Many of you are already aware that I am currently training for the New York City Marathon as well as Disney's Goofy and a Half challenge.

Training is going well and I am almost ready to head to NY to conquer those bridges and my hometown.  

For Disney, I am fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society to help raise funds for cancer research.  Disney will consist of the Half Marathon on Saturday then the Full Marathon on Sunday.  39.3 miles :)

All my readers have been so supportive!

I wanted to give a special shout out to Tori, Meghan, and Steph for already making generous donations!

All too often we hear or are touched by family and friends who are affected by cancer.  This is the least I can do to help.


I hope you can pass this link on to whomever you know to help me reach my fundraising goal, to surpass it, and to help find a cure for cancer, so we do not have to have loved one suffer.


Thank you and I hope everyone has a great weekend!!


I am still brainstorming some fundraising ideas.. Do you have any ideas to share with me?  what would you be wiling to participate in?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Speak to me..

Are you ever shopping and an item just speaks to you?  
What was that item? 

This weekend I was roaming around Target just perusing the isles wanting to spend money I do not have and I happened to make it to the nail polish isle,  I'd you know me, I am nt a nail polish person.  I have no patience, and it always comes off in a day so it looks crummy because I don't actually take it off.  

Well, I was looking for some green and gold a d as I was walking away, this pink color popped out.  It was Essie brand and I love my Essie polish.  The name of the color was Marathin. 

The name of th color is why I purchased it, yes, I do love the color and received compliments, but the name is perfect!

As I am currently training for Marathon #2 and #3 I al also on this endless journey to get "thin" .  

Perfection! It was meant to be! It was calling my name, it was fate! 

Monday, September 17, 2012

20 miles..still Alive

After running 20 miles this weekend, it is safe to say, I am still alive.  
I woke up bright and early and made my way over to my favorite spot for a long run.  I met up with Jessica and Aimee who are both training for Chicago.  Jessica is also doing Disney with me, and when I saw with, I simply mean we will be there the same weekend because, well, I am slow.

We were off and I brought my handy dandy flashlight (which I somehow already lost) this time.  It was needed and Jessica kept hearing animal noises and I was luckily their guard.  

This run started out slower for me than most runs.  By mile one I was scared I wasn't going to make it, or I would have to walk majority of it.  By mile 4 my body started to cooperate.  I practiced running to the water stops and after I would get water, walk for a few minutes because realistically, that is how I am going to do it in New York.  For NY, I know I am not going to break any records, and I may even finish slower than my last run even though that is highly unlikely unless I stop and smell the roses or get sick.  Wow, I talk a lot.

The next time I looked at my watch it was mile 5.5 because I wanted to see what time it was..well, I couldn't my watch turned off.  It wold not power back on and I know it was fully charged.  I was freaking out in my head.  Luckily, my trail has every mile numbered and figured out how I wold get all 2o miles in before hand.  Hallelujah!!  I truly believe my Garmin not working was a blessing in disguise.  I didn't worry once about my pace, I paid attention to my form and my crazy swinging arms.  I took my time and felt great.

At mile 11 I met up with some cool folks I know from Team in Training.  They were doing 9 miles so they were at mile 2(ish).  Christa was so kind to let me borrow her watch just because I like to know what time it is.  I trecked on along with some cool folks for another 3 miles.  It was their turn to turn around and I still had 1.5 to go.  At this point I was starting to feel it.  

Mile 16 is where it hit me.  I was hydrating and every water stop.  I had some gatorade I brought along the way and was eating my honey stingers about every 4-5 miles.  I knew I had four miles to go.  That was the only thing getting me though the rest of the miles.  Every step I got closer to my car the happier I became.  I just wanted to shop.

Mile 17 I walked..I hurt.  My arms were chaffed I had to keep them up.

At mile 18 I ran walked because its the easiest mile to break  up with the bridge :)

Mile 19 I saw my amazing friend Kat and I "ran" the rest of the way home.  And by home, I mean to my car.  I wanted to cry.  I hurt and wanted to be done already.  I am not sure how I am going to make it 26.2 miles.  After the run, I am not sure how I am making it 39.3 miles in January.  I also wanted to do a Ultra, a 50k trail run.  

Well.  Finishing my first 20 miler of the season was an accomplishment.  I finished in under 5 hours, I had nothing to pace myself.  That included all the times I stopped to chat and eat.  

Thanks roommate for letting me use the tub
After the 20 mile run, it was off to Panera and a 30 pound ice bath.

Before I started my run, I bribed myself.  I do that often.  I tell myself, if I complete XXX then I get XXX.  Today was a trainer for my bike.

Not only did I get a trainer, I now needed  a new watch.  This was one expensive weekend for me.  I guess that means a lot of saving the next few months.

How do you get through tough long runs?  How do you motivate yourself? 

**Please check out my Team in Training Website.  For every $5.00 donation now through October 1st, you can choose a song for my to listen to and pick the mile for either the NYC Marathon or DIsney Marathon weekend :)**

Sunday, September 16, 2012

My weekend in Review


Alternate Title: What I didn't buy this weekend

Wow.  Boy was this weekend busy yet relaxing at the same time.  It was jammed packed with things I was supposed to do, things I did, and things I wanted to do.  I don't even know where to begin.

This weekend was my students Cross Country meet that I had to miss because I was signed up for the Central Florida Blogging Conference.  Unfortunately, I had to miss that as well.  Since I had to miss both events, I figured..I should at least be somewhat productive so I went out for a 20 mile jog in accordance to my the New York City ING Marathon plan.  That is shortly approaching and I owe you all a recap of that soon.  Conquering 20 miles is more than a physical challenge, it is mental.  I tend to psych myself out and make it worse than it is.  Well, I conquered those 20 miles with no Garmin (more on that in the next post).  After 20 miles of "fun" (please read torture) I headed to Panera for delicious "breakfast" and some great company.  My breakfast consisted of a pumpkin bagel, turkey, tomato, and onion.  After all, I did just run 20 miles.  

Since I conquered those miles, I thought I needed a reward so I quickly went home, showered, lesson planned and headed to Sports authority because I had a 20% off coupon and needed wanted a trainer for my bike.  Not only did I pick up a trainer, I also picked up shorts, and some power gels for the next 20 miler.  
(I will post pics soon once it is all up set)

My New toy!
Next stop was Fitniche because my Garmin died at mile 4.5 of 20 miles so it was necessary to get a new one.  Not only did it die, it is completely dead!  I don't think there is any restoring it.  Luckily, Brain was there to help me out!  Not only did I do all my research before hand, my Coach spoke to him that day and I caught him as he was walking out the door.  Now that is great customer service (and he knew he would make an expensive sale). I was there trying 4 models on for about 30 minutes talking to EVERYONE there getting their opinions.  I went with the Garmin 910 thanks to John, Jen, and Brian.  My excuse, tri training.  It sounds good in my head.


Marathin by Essie

Lastly on Saturday I made it to  Target because I "deserved" a new nail polish and some Big Bang Theory.  I did need running tops.  I walked out with two nail polishes, Big Bang Theory season 2,  3 running tops and ingredients to make rice krispie treats.  

Saturday evening was nice and relaxing.  My roommate and I ordered Chinese food, watched some BBT and called it a night.


Sunday was a little more relaxing as I graded, ate, shopped for tulle for my tut for the RunDisney's Tower of Terror 10 miler in two weeks.  It is the same night as the USF v. FSU game so I will be showing my school spirit in a Green and Gold tutu!  I will post the final product as soon as it is done!

How was your weekend?  What did you accomplish?

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

100 +

Guess who just surpasses 100 posts...

That would be me...

After perusing my blog, I just noticed this is post number 101 for me:)

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and to my future readers!


In other news...

The thing that made me so happy today was my Publix sub :)

So simple and so perfect...Multigrain bread, turkey, tomato and then I put my own Wasabi May on it :)

Heaven

What makes you happy?

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remembering September 11

September 11 holds a special place in my heart.  Growing up in NYC I feel I have a deeper connection than other people.  I know way too many people whose family members were in the Twin Towers the day the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.  Too many neighbors fathers rushed to the scene, not thinking twice, even though they were off or on medical leave.  My father was supposed to be in the building but luckily had to get blood tests instead.

I think it is my responsibility to teach my students about what happened, for me to share my story as well as others.  It is my responsibility to say thank you to the heroes and remember those who lost their lives and fighting for us today.

I will be showing this video in my class and I think you may want to take a peek at it too.


How are you remembering 9/11?

Monday, September 10, 2012

19 Days and counting

19 days and counting till I run this race.  I signed up so long ago because the RunDisney's Tower of Terror Ten Miler is an inaugural race.  They used to have a 13k back in the day.  I knew this race would sell out quickly, I can't even remember what month I signed up, but I do know it was when I was still working at the middle school.

This race is a nighttime race that ends at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Hollywood studios is one of my favorite theme parks and the Tower of Terror is now my favorite ride.  I say now, because if you could have seen my face the first time I rode it, you would have died laughing.  I thought I could get out on the way up, I was panicking. 

RunDisney's website states:

Saturday, September 29, 2012
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Start/Finish: Disney's Hollywood Studios


The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler is a nighttime road race that will end in the shadows of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Your run into the fifth dimension will also take you to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex before returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios where the course will feature the Lights, Motors, Action™ Extreme Stunt Show, then turn down New York Street, wind past the Sorcerer's Hat and return you to an unforgettable finish at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.
What I will be running!!

Above is the course map.  It looks like a lot of running through the back roads which does not make me super happy, but hopefully there will be some bridges for some NYC Marathon training.

I am also very nervous about this race because on my training schedule I have a 20 miler the week before and the week after which will mean sore legs!  That morning I have a cross country meet with my kiddies and lastly, it's a night race!!  

I did Disney's Wine and Dine in 2010 and it was not my favorite race.  I am NOT a night owl.  I am scared I am going to hate life after those 10 miles.  What exactly should I be eating that day?  Will my stomach hold up?

How do you like running in the evening?  What are your tips for a night time  run?  Are you running this race?



Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Social

I cannot believe it is already Sunday and boy am I exhausted.  This is actually a 5 day work week and I am not looking forward to it.  I love my job, and so happy I can finally say that, but man is it exhausting.

This weekend I am linking up with Neely and Ashley for some Sunday Social.  I love this idea, I wish I had more time to blog.



1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it??

R is for Running.  I actually "stole" the name of this blog from one of my friends, Amber.  I loved the name and I figured, R is for running because, well I am a teacher and spelling rocks!

2. What do you love the most about blogging??
I love getting to know other bloggers and getting know know people I have come in contact with in the past and getting to know them better.  I love having an outlet and sharing my experiences.

3. What are your 2 favorite posts you've written?
My 2 favorite posts are Becoming a runner and I am a triathlete
 
4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in blog world?
Patience and use social media. Comment on others blogs :)

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?
I enjoy it, but takes some time to meet people through blogging and I am not very consistent..Sorry, folks

6. Give us 3 blogs we NEED to be following that you love. 


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Go for the Goal: September

Last month, August I did not make any goals.  I took a little break from doing anything productive.


This Month I am linking up with Meghan to set my goals for September.  I am (almost) ready to conquer this month.  

1. Survive:  With all I have taken on at work, all I want to do is get out alive and well.  

2. Run:  This goes hand in hand with number 1.  I am the new cross country coach so the earliest I get home is 7pm and that is before getting any work done.  I hope to get in 75% of my weekly runs in.  

What goals have you made?
How did you do in your last months goals?