Friday Letters: It's Winter break!

Happy Friday!! It is winter break, well almost! At 3pm it will be winter break! Surprisingly, my kids have been pretty well behaved this week so I am counting that as an early holiday gift. I am really looking forward to winter break because I normally have time to rest and relax. Because I do not celebrate Christmas I am not required to be anywhere special, but that changed this year as there is another family in the picture which I am so excited to join! I also have family coming into town for two days and I am so excited to see them since I didn't get to see them when I was in New York last weekend. What are your Christmas plans like? Mine normally consist of a good movie and Chinese food! Yum Yum :) Dear Friday, Thanks for showing up in your good ole fashion. I hope the next two weeks go by slowly though. On December 20, 1773 the Boston Tea Party occured so that is what we are celebrating today! Dear Bike, You hurt and I am nervous for our future meetings. Thankfully Meghan came to ride with me and she showed me lots of stuff, like what the different gears are. Also, apparently I was riding on flat tires because I thought my airpump was malfuntioning, it was only user error! she stayed nice and slow for me and I hurt after only 12 miles, and I don't mean just my legs. I am excited to get on my bike more often and learn how to ride better! Dear Behnieeee, I am excited and overwhelmed for this weekend of planning our future out. We are looking at a wedding venue and at a house that we can hopefully live in. Lot's of big things are happening for us! And you get to spend the rest of your life with me, feel special :) Dear Triathlon I signed up for, I am excited for you! I am findraising for the Leukemia and Lymohoma society. I am doing it for a very special friend of mine, Megan! I hope if you have a few extra dollars lying around, or still in search of a gift for someone, maybe you can make a donation to my page! teamintraining.org/sun/anttry14/ghimelfarb That is all for now, I am going to keep them nice ans short so you can enjoy time with your family and friends! What are you looking most forward to this holiday season? Me, rest! and exercising What is your favorite holiday movie? The Santa Clause series!

happy Friday! boy has it been a while

Happy Friday, everyone! hope everyone is having a great holiday season! I am so happy it is Friday of course! I haven't been blogging lately but have been busy reading all your blogs. 

This weekend I am headed up to New York to visit my family, especially my grandma who is not doing so well.  I head up Friday after work and get back Subday afternoon.  Hopefully I will get to see some of my Israel family as well!

now it's time for my Friday letters and get you all caught up on my life! 

Dear Friday, I am so happy to see you of course! I am excited to see my family and there is only one more Friday before winter break.

Dear NYC marathon, even though you were over a Month ago, I still owe you a race recap.  let's just say it didn't go as planned and I hated almost every second of that race. I think my expectations were too high. 

Dear exercise, I miss you and can't wait until you return to my life next week. I am lazy!

Dear "big race", I signed up for a big race  that haven't disclosed yet on the blog and will hopefully get around to telling you about that.  any guesses on what it is?

Dear fiancé, yes! there is one now and I couldn't be more excited to spend the rest of my life with you! if a goes well, we will wed exactly one year from today!

what are your weekend plans?

any guesses on what event I plan to do?

what is your marathon PR?

or

what was your worst race ever? what happened?

New York City Marathon 2013 Pre-Race Recap

I should probably start this post warning everyone this is probably the post you are not expecting to see..

The New York City Marathon is a *magical* race, or so I was told.

I started July 1st training with the goal of sub 5, so 4:59:59 would have been great.  Unfortunately with injuries I moved that goal to 5:15 and knowing there were bridges and hills, I thought it was doable.  Oh, it was not, but I shall get to that later :)

I flew up to NY Thursday after work, was picked up at the airport, spent time with my Aunt and Uncle and went to bed.  Friday we woke up and made our way to the Expo.  Everything was great at the expo.  It was well managed and we never had an issue.  I received an email the week before telling me to stop at a special booth to pick up a bracelet.  With that bracelet I received last years shirt and my medal! NYRR pulled out all the stops this year.  I am certainly an expo's best customer so I stocked up on NYCM pants, 3 t shirts, 1 tank top, 3 cups for me and as gifts, arm warmers (Oh thank heavens I purchased those), a hat x2, and a teddy bear.  After we made our way through the official merchandise we walked around the expo and I tried to be as good as possible and I think I only purchased a pair of compression pants for post race.

After the expo we made our way back up town, went to lunch and relaxes before I met Christa and her uncle for dinner at the Hilton around Times square for the Team in Training's Dinner.  I stocked up on chicken, pasta, and of course dessert.  I hydrated well with lots of water...typical :)  We purchased cheering hands for our family for race day and took lots of fun pictures.  (once I get them from Christa I will definitely share them here)

Team In Training pulled out all the stops.  There was not a dry eye in the room by the end of the night. It is the 25th anniversary and they had the founded of TNT as well as his daughter there who this group was started for.

Saturday morning we woke up and of course went shopping.  What would a day in the city be with your aunt if you didn't go shopping?  I got some new lululemon pants and skirts and a new North Face fleece because apparently what I was wearing from high school was not socially acceptable.  I thought it was just fine.  Maybe this is why I ask my friends, or more like tell them I need them to take me shopping.   Lunch was at Chipotle.  I made my way to Trader Joes to get some food for dinner.  I pre-made dinner because my dad and I were staying at a hotel in Staten Island Saturday night and I did not want to worry about where or what I was gong to eat.  Once I met my dad we were on our way to Staten Island, the place I grew up.  It was so weird being "back', even if it was only for one night.
I managed to scarf down my grilled chicken and gluten free pasta.  I kept drinking my water and Gatorade and was definitely asleep by 9:30.  At the latest.   I had a beautiful nights sleep.  I did do some tossing and turning but felt well rested when I woke up Sunday morning ready to conquer 26.2 miles through the famous NYC with over 50,000 of my closest running friends!

Where I've been lately....

This post is just a mash up of some thoughts running through my head, what I have been doing, and my need to blog!  Sometimes all I want to do is blog but when it comes time to actually blog, there isn't time.  The act of turning on a computer os daunting!  I try to be in bed around 8:30 and hope to be asleep around 9.  I am cool, I know!

1. So for the last 3 months I have been training for this silly thing called the New York Marathon as most of you already know.  This month although has really put a damper on my miles.  My body is revolting!  Runners knee, plantar faciatiis, this weird pain in my back.  I am a mess!!SInce July, each month of training has decreased in miles and it is supposed to be increasing..It makes me sad but oh well.  That is all I can say I think.

2. I love reading your blogs!  Its a few minutes of peace and quiet I get during the day.  I am sorry if I haven't been leaving comment but I promise I have been reading your posts!

3. I had such a blast at the summer of rum festival back in August!  Behn and I met up with a bunch of our friends and everyone had a blast!  Can we do this every year?  It did get very crowded towards the end and I was ready to leave at that point.

4. I really, really, really, love my one hour (45+ mile) drive to and from work every day..NOT

5. My injured body is already planning for future races but I hope this body heals itself.

6. I went on my bike last for the first time in probably 10 months.  I did 18 miles.  It was great! I crave more, minus the butt pain.  I need to find a bath to ride on because I am terrified to ride next to the cars.

7. I love food..DUH

8. I am sure you are really getting sick of this post now so I will see if I can find some pictures to share with you.

9. Compression socks rock! I love you Pro compression.

10.  I may already be counting down to spring break.

11. I have been gluten and dairy free since Sept. 1 hoping it helps my belly.  I had a slip up this past weekend..WHOOPS!

What have you been up to lately?  Catch me up on your life!

What is your favorite dairy free dessert? I love dessert!

Designer Whey Sustained Energy Review + Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Fitfluential.  I was given this product to review.  As always, all opinions are my own. 

Designer Whey Sustained Energy came at the perfect time, at the height of my marathon training and the beginning of school.  Recovery isn't my best but this makes it easy. I've only had the opportunity to make my smoothies a few times because I have been out of time or when I do my longer runs I haven't been home.  When I have had my protein smoothies I have noticed the taste is great.  Not chalky like other flavors.

Yes, I was pretty excited to see this special package come in the mail

This is my favorite recipe:

 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
 1/2 banana
 water
 1 scoop or chocolate powder
 Once that is al blended I add 6 ice cubes.  Yup, exactly 6 because that gives it the consistency I like.

Here is exactly what Designer Whey Sustained Energy is and what it does.

“Designer Whey® Sustained Energy™ is specifically formulated with our proprietary Endurance Blend™. Designed to give you balanced, stimulant-free, sustained energy through fast absorbing whey protein and slower absorbing soy and casein proteins, giving you a steady supply of essential amino acids while helping you control hunger with fiber.  Packed with 16 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and 19 Essential Vitamins & Minerals and naturally flavored and sweetened – all for only 100-good-for-you calories!”- From the Website

I also loved that there are 16g of protein.  So many protein powders have 25-30 grams of protein which is just too much for me to handle.  I have such a sensitive stomach.  I have also read that women do not need that much.

 Unfortunately, because I have a thyroid problem and stomach issues I can't eat for an hour and a half after a wake up because I have restrictions with my medication.  I loved that I was able to make this smoothie at 5:00 am right before I left for work and by the time I got to work at 6:30 I was able to enjoy it.  There was no separation of powder and liquid.  I have noticed that with other protein powders my drink would separate and I couldn't drink it.  This picture below shows is about two hours later, no separation!

Designer Whey would like to give 6 R is for Running readers  a chance to win a canister of the flavor of their choice, Chocolate Velvet or Vanilla Bean Sustained energy!

To Enter the Give Away:

Mandatory to enter:

• Leave a comment here and let me know which flavor you would like to try!

I will leave this open for comments until September 2!

Hope everyone has a happy labor day!

Also, do you have any special labor day plans?  I am heading out of town for my Big's Bachelorette weekend!!! Woohoo

Brew Over Ice Review and Giveaway

I was given this package to review.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Let me begin by saying that I do not like coffee.  I actually hate everything about it; the smell, taste, people's breathe, the sounds when the spoon hits the cup when people stir it.  Yup, so I am not really sure why I requested to review the Keurig's Brew Over Ice products when I do not like coffee, oh yea, now I remember.  There are other items besides coffee and the tumbler was pretty darn cute!

 Little did I realize when I was asked to review this my parents have the Keurig Vue which uses special cups.  I may have had a mild panic attack because I was VERY eager to try the burst!  Luckily my dad mentioned opening the package and pouring the contents inside the filter we use.  Yup, it worked like a charm and I was able to enjoy my iced drink!  This was the first time I had ever used a Keurig and it was pretty food proof.  I didn't realize you could take the bottom out to put a larger cup under it so I made the tea hot in a mug then added ice to it.  Yup, deliciousness!

 This bucket most definitely light up then I have every intention of bringing into my classroom and putting markers or colored pencils in!  multi purpose :)

I received  3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples, a Brew Over Ice tumbler, 4 Brew Over Ice coasters, plus a Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket and tongs and you can too!!  All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below.  

Be sure to participate in the Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes HERE. And, for instant gratification, you can download a $2 off product coupon HERE.  They also have a Facebook and Twitter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NYCM Training Week 8: Take 2

I have to say, this week of training I am not proud of.  I managed to get in one run and to say I am disappointed is an understatement.  Fortunately, some of it was out of my control.  

This week, once again, I am linking up with Meghan and Kat.

I can't believe there are only 70 days until the Marathon.  Where has the time gone?  Are there really only 10 more weeks?  Do I really start tapering in 7 weeks?  I sometimes wonder how on earth I am going to finish 26.2 miles upright!  I know I am more committed this training season than last, but damn, this shit is hard!

Back to the scheduled post of making excuses...

This week, on Tuesday, I ran a whole 4 miles.  :(

But that is better than 0 miles :)

Unfortunately the weather was the reason I wasn't able to get my week day runs in.  As soon as I would get back home from work the skies would let out horrible roars!  Monday it was bad so I moved that run to Tuesday.  I set out to do 8 because I was scared this would happen Wednesday.  I managed 4 and probably should have stopped at two because it was lightning and thundering and I was trying to hard to ignore it yet I know that is not what I should be doing.  I knew it wasn't right over my head at the moment so I just made a loop and stayed close to home.  Wednesday it was rainy and stormy and same with Thursday.  

See, I do have a gym membership but,

1. I hate the treadmill ( I need to get over it)

2.  There are no fans over the treadmills at L.A. Fitness so that sucks

3. 8 miles on the treadmill, ugh!- I can run 8 miles without stopping outside, but 8 miles on a treadmill will take me eternity.  How do you people do it?  Slow the speed, make it faster, what do you focus on?

This weekend was also full of excuses.

I had 17 miles of bridges that I WILL do next weekend!

It was poor planning and overcommitting on my part.  I also may have signed up for a TRI that took place on saturday that I never did..That is for another post.

Friday after work I went to the Backstreet Boys concert and didn't make it to Behns till after 12.  I was not going to run on less that 4 hours of sleep and be miserable, especially since we had the summer of Rum festival we were really looking forward to that evening.  With that being said, would I really be able to wake up Sunday for a long run after the summer of rum?  Realistically, in hind sight, I should have, but didn't plan accordingly.

I am taking this as a rest.recovery week.  This was the first week with the kids, my ankles have been hurting more, I think from being on my feet all day in terrible, no good for your feet shoes, and I was exhausted!  

yea, Backstreets back...Allright!!!

I ran into these pretty ladies at Rum Fest.  Don't mind the hair, no one else did.  It was a little humid apparently.

This week I will try my darm hardest to run as much as possible to get my monthly milage over 100 miles!!!

How do you get your runs in on the treadmill, are there any tricks I need to learn?

Are you training over summer and wondering where your speed has gone?  I miss mine and it's making me sad!!! How do you get it back?

NYCM Training week 6 & 7: Take 2

I can't believe how quickly the last two weeks have gone by.  I really meant to do a recap for week 6 but work started up and there went my time to do anything.  I can't get over how often some people blog?  Please give me hints on how you make the time?  By the time I get home it is time to run, shower, and go to bed!

I am going to make this post short because I am still hopeful the lightning and thunder will stop here and I can get my run in.  If not, at least I will have blogged and todays run will be moved to tomorrow! I am not going to lie, I do think my legs need an extra rest day but will get to that later.

I am linking up with Meghan and Kat this week for their Weekly Workout Roundup!

Week 6

Monday 8/5: 5.24 miles  1.5 in 18 minutes then 3.71 @ 11:19 pace and 

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday 8/7 3.7 @ 11:41 pace Tempo run (Tempo at 11:57)

Thursday 8/8 planned for 7 but slept in :(

Friday Rest Day 

Saturday 8/10 Christa's Graduation run 14 miles of bridges. 12:17 pace- this was pretty good minus except for the terrible stomach ache and therefore had to walk more than I would have liked

My new Camelbak and my sweaty body

Christa's graduation with Christa, Coach Lyle, me, and Coach Teresa

Week 7:
monday 8/12: 4.06 miles @ 11:34 pace
Tuesday Rest day
Wednesday 8/14 7 @ 12:25 pace.  This run I am not sure how to describe.  Work started monday and I came home and took a 2 hour nap.  This was incredibly hard but I did not stop at all to walk.  The pace would just not GO!
Thursday 8/15 6 mile progression run 11:29 pace- felt good for the most part.  Used the last mile as a cool down and the first mile I just couldn't slow down.  I got the miles in :)
Saturday 8/17 16 miles @ 12:45 pace.  This run went pretty well.  We walked about a mile because who I was running with wanted to walk to I took the brake with them!Some felt great and some felt hard.

I have noticed this whole week my legs were so sore.  I went in Saturday with sore legs which is beneficial come race day but made running 16 pretty annoying.  I also don't have a working ipod.



Those were my last two weeks and tomorrow my students come!  I am really excited to enlighten a whole new bunch of students.  I am hoping to be as productive as possible during the school day so I can leave on time to run.  Waking up at 4:45 doesn't leave much time in the evenings to get everything done.  I am proud that I got all my runs in last week. I am thinking my body is so sore because it is actually following a training schedule!  

Oh, I also made this for my classroom!

This came in the mail for me to review so I am excited to try it out.  I did receive this from fitluential :)

For all you bloggers, how do you stick to a blogging schedule?

What did you do this week that made you proud of yourself?

What songs should I add to my hopefully new ipod ??

'

NYCM Training: Week 5

Another week of Marathon Training has flown by.  This week wasn't as great as I wanted it to be, there were a few ups and downs but I am determined to make my last week before school starts to be great!  July was a great month so I am hoping to replicate that!

This week I am once again linking up with Meghan and Kat!  Yay, two weeks in a row, what has come over me?

Monday: 7/29 

4 easy miles.  11:56 Pace.  The first 1.5 were great.  I wanted to go to the local Fit2Run group run but as I was about to leave it started to lightning and thunder.  I went for a run around the neighborhood when it finished.  My stomach started cramping and was locked out of the gate!  It was grand.

Tuesday: 7/30

Cross training.  I cross trained, yay!  If any of you have followed my training before I am very good at not cross training.  That is another goal this training cylce, to incorporate cross training.  I went to the pool at the gym and swam a mile.  36:16 minutes.

Wednesday: 7/31

7 easy miles. 11:444 pace

Went around the neighborhood again.  Went after the rain and the mosquitos were out in full force! 

Thursday:8/1

This could be forgotten.  My plan called for 5 miles at MGP with a warm up and cool down.  I tried this run three times.  I first woke up at 6 to run.  I got .5 miles and my stomach was cramping so I walked home.  I went back to sleep, looked for houses and then went to the gym. At the gym I warmed up again, put it to GP and my chest hurt.  It hurt to breathe.  I called it quits and drove to Bayshore.  I ran 2 miles under GP and called it quits because I just couldn't go.  I walked back and had a scenic view of of the beautiful houses.  I think my body is rebelling because it hasn't ever actually followed a training plan completely.  This is where I freak out because I have to start work, which  I will need to drive at least an hour each way, and work way too many hours a day.

Friday: 8/2

Rest day! Hallelujah!

The only part I like about Bayshore

Saturday: 8/3

10.65 miles

This was supposed to be my 14 miler down Bayshore down with TEAM.  Unfortunately, I went to bed and woke up with a stomach ache.  The humidity got the best of me, my ankle was killing me and it was not my day.  With all that being said, I was maintaining a pretty good pace for running by myself.  Too bad it ended too quickly!

Sunday: 8/4

Rest day take two!

Sugar Overload at the Rays Game for Rest Day

Summer of Fun..Oh I mean RUM!!!

I cannot believe how quickly my summer is coming to an end.  In just a week, it will be over and what did I do?  It feels like nothing but I completed an amazing first month of marathon training, traveled to Israel, ran around Central Park multiple times, shopped along the streets of New York City, lounged on the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey.  I traveled to Key West, Florida for the first time and stayed at the Pilot House where it was "clothing optional" at the pool (yup, I learned that is NOT my thing), and I have been house hunting like it is my job.  Unfortunately it is not my job and I have to go back to the real world bext week and earn a living.  Not to break anyones bubble, but I do NOT get paid over the summer, incase you all thought teachers just get paid to have summers off.  

There are a few things that I am looking forward to that happens after school starts and that is the Summer of Rum Festival.  I get to celebrate the first week of classes with students with RUM!!  So on Saturday, June 24 at 4:00 I will be enjoying myself in VIP in downtown Tampa.  You too can get all the details here on facebook.  Also, I will be giving away two General Admission tickets at the end of this post.  

Here is how you too can fest!!

General Admission:  $15 in advance or $20 at the door if there are tickets still available.  This is likely to sell out because of the limited amount of tickets. 

 "GA Admission gives you access to the Summer of Rum with all day re-entry privileges.  Enjoy live entertainment on our main-stage, each our unique rum zones, rum shacks, and more while you sip on your rum drinks. 

Once inside, your rum drinks are ALL ONLY $5 (full 12 oz. drinks, not those little tasting sized cups)."

Endless Rum Cup: $55 in advance and $65 at the door.  There are only 500 tickets available.

The Endless Rum Cup is the best way to drink UNLIMITED Rum Drinks at all of our Rum Zones (food/beer/water sold seprately). 

"These tickets also include GA admissions with all-day re-entry access, and 16-oz commemorative Summer of Rum hurricane glasses — your vessels for enjoying endless, refreshing drinks!

Rum Zones include the Cruzan Daiquiri Deck, The Naked Turtle and The Appleton Rum Shacks, and much more"

I am really excited because it is no fun to have to think about having to drive home after this so hotels are having deals so..NO DRINKING AND DRIVING.  The Courtyard Marriott and Hilton Garden in are having specials, you can see them here.  

I was given tickets to the Endless Rum Cup and will be live tweeting that afternoon.  Follow along here.  

Here is how you can win your General Admission tickets!

All you need to do is leave a comment telling me you want to go to the SUMMER OF RUM FESTIVAL.  

For additional entries:

Follow me on Twitter  and tweet about the giveaway!

Join the Summer of Run Facebook Group

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Instagram.

Leave a comment for each entry.  

Contest will end on August 9.  Please make sure you leave an email address so you can be contacted.  The tickets will b mailed to you.  

*I will be given 2 Endless Rum Cup Tickets to blog about this event, as always, all opinions are my own*

NYCM 2013 Training: Week 4

How is it 2 days before August and I am already a month into marathon training?  Where has the time gone?

We have less than 99 days until November 3 when I toe the start line with thousands of my closest running friends!

This week I am linking up with Meghan and Kat.  I am really excited to link up again because I missed these weekly recaps.  Unless I am training for something, I have nothing to recap :(

Week 4 in Review

Sunday 7/21- 1 mile swim as a recovery from Saturdays 11 miles

Monday 7/22 Easy 4 miler

Tuesday 7/23 Unplanned rest day due to time restraints

Wednesday 7/24 7 ugly miles.  If you saw on Daily mile, this was not my day.  I mentally checked out before it started because I wasn't able to meet the people I anticipated to run with.  I almost went home but pounded it out anyway.  There was much more walking than I planned but they got done.  

Thursday 7/25 20 minutes tempo run.  This was pretty rock star :)

6 miles on the bike with mom

Friday 7/26 Rest day 

Saturday 7/28 13 miles which 8 were bridges at Ringling Bridge

I took this from my instagram.  My first ice bath of the season!!

Sunday 7/29 1 mile on treadmill, 20 minutes on a bike. 1 hour of yoga

Dad foam rolling

This makes for a pretty sure Genna :)

I hope everyone has a great week!  I have almost hit 100 miles for the month.  I haven't seen those numbers since December !! 

25th Anniversary Cruise

Team In Training's 25th Anniversary Cruise around Tampa Bay

was a great time!  I am honored to help celebrate the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training's 25th year!

I have participated in a number of events for Team in Training.  I have fundraised and mentored and maybe one day, I can coach and help other first time or veteran runners as much as my coaches have helped me.  My first run with TEAM Was Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon, next up was Rock n Roll Savannah Full, I mentored Disney Princess, and finally, Disney Goofy!  With Team I have met some really great friends of which I am so thankful for their support, love, and generosity.

On Tuesday we set sail from the Bay Spirit II which is located directly behind the Florida Aquarium and right next to the Victory ship.  We took off promptly at 8:40ish because Christa had to get in some hill and speed training running to the boat. We were greeted with friendly faces and runners and triathletes in "normal" clothing.  Light appetizers were served and there was a cash bar. I was so hungry I darted right to whatever they were serving and stuffed my mouth, not unusual of course.  After we left post, we wandered around the boat and took pictures.  It was my first boat trip out on the bay by Channelside and it was really beautiful.  With my house hunting search, I of course would love to know how much those houses would go for off the water at Davis Island.  

Christa getting in her training before the boat leaves

We were summoned downstairs to hear presentations by Irene and hear Patrick Duffy speak with his daughter Elli.  Elli was diagnosed with AML when she was 19 months old.  You heard the emotion in his voice when he spoke.  I do not think there was s dry eye in the room when he was done.  Patrick also ran Goofy with us this year but for some reason, I did not know his reason for running.  

Team in Training participants have raised over $1.3 billion for life saving cancer research

More than $875 has been invested in blood cancer research

Coach Teresa, Christa, and me!

There is more than just running.  There are cycling, triathlon, hiking, and obstacle racing events.  

This is a program that changed my life and was honored to be able to be a part of such a great event.  If you have any questions, please ask! or head over to their site

I

f you would like to donate, please visit my sister's site who is running her first half marathon!  I am so excited for her to take this journey!

24 days in training

*Warning* This post may be a little disjointed and don't mind the random pictures everywhere, my computer stinks!!

24 days later and I finally sitting down to write a post about my next marathon.  If you follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram, or daily mile, or even my blog, then you already know I am training for the 2013 New York City Marathon.  My emotions for this race are everywhere.  I am excited, nervous, and ready for it to be over (sad to say).  There was so much hype last year about this race and with it being cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy I feel as if I am in a rut.  I was already up there, I picked up my packet, went shopping, and in an instant, it was cancelled.  It is hard for me to be overly excited because what if that happens again.  The weather and other events may be out of my control but the training, that is not, and that is my main reason for writing this post.

Getting my pedicure right before training starts before my toes fall off with some leisurely reading

I "officially" started training July 1 giving me about 16 weeks to train.  I didn't come in with much of a base that I anticipated due to tendinitis in my ankles.  The lack of running is also why you all haven't seen many posts from me in a while.  The tendinitis came about right after my amazing PR at the Sarasota First Watch Half Marathon.  If you know my track record with training and following a schedule, I may not be the best of it.  I am determined to rock NY! Surprisingly, I have only missed 2 runs and they were due to a really sunburned butt and I knew putting on a running skirt was not going to be fun.  I couldn't even sleep on my back.  With that being said, except for today and one other run, I hit every run!  

I am very lucky to have off for the first month of training.  It is allowing me to set a routine.  Once school begins, I will be out of the house by 5:15 which doesn't allow for a run in the morning, but I will make it home to run in the evening.  I have recruited my boss to run a half marathon so I can't wait to have a running partner on that side of town along with many other runners I know up there.  I will be calling them in for reinforcements! Training this year has been done alone for the most part, I miss my running buddies but I live so far from most of them.  I was finally able to meet up with my BRF Christa and she pushed me!  We did unexpected hill training which is always fun and torture.  This heat is truly something else.  I am thinking about getting some type of water pack back such a a camelbak or the nathan hydration packs.  Any thoughts?  I do not like carrying stuff n my hands and the fuel belts give me a stomach ache.

The best post race treat! A popsicle after 9 miles.  5 of which were the Run for Pride with NYRR

My goals for this training cycle and race is to have fun and get back into running shape.  I miss when 10 min miles were easy, now I struggle with 11 min miles for 3 mile miles.  Have fun come race day and not want to kill myself.  If I have to set a time goal, it is 4:59:59.  Truthfully, I am not sure it is going to happen at New York due to the bridges and my lack of base before training.  I hope to update my blog weekly on my runs.  Once school starts again, who knows what will happen.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!

What are you goals this summer?  How do you power through the heat?

Christa and I after 11 sweaty miles