Monday, July 29, 2013

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 !! 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

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!



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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

Friday, July 19, 2013

Friday Letters and summer vacation

Wishing everyone a happy Friday!  It feels so great to be back "home" after being gone for over a month.  It was nice to go to bed and wake up when I wanted to (my mom was so nice and let my dad and I sleep in since she likes to be busy in the morning).  I am excited for this weekend!  I get to celebrate my birthday with friends, some family is coming into town, and I get to see old coworkers and running friends!!

Dear Friday, As always, you are one of my favorite days and I hope everyone has a great day!  I am glad you are a planned rest day as I can't find a yoga class at the gym around me so rest will have to do!

Dear Old Coworkers, I can't wait to see you this evening for some drinks and karaoke!  FInally a time when we can all get together and relax.  I can only imagine the amount of trouble we can get in.

Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks for allowing to have a mini birthday barbeque bash tomorrow so I can see some of my amazing friends.  Friends, thanks for coming!  I am so excited to see you.  

Dear Aunt Fran and Uncle Barry, Thanks for the hospitality you showed when I spent countless days lounging around in NY and Cape May.  It was relaxing and perfect.  I am glad this is a yearly thing!
Dear House Hunting, I hate you with a passion.  I am ready to just find something and stop stressing.  I want to find that magical house at the right price and have it be all for me!  Luckily my parents are great and letting me crash with them.  I guess I have no excuse to save money.  So if you know of any houses in the Riverview, FL area, hit me up!!


Friday Market in Jerusalem


A run and drinks..what could be better?

Dear Summer Vacation, It was so great to be able to travel this summer.  Last summer I worked and it sucked.  I was burnt out before I even started back at school.  If you see from my photo dump, I travel to Israel, Manahtten, Cape May, NJ, and Key West, FL.  It was a great trip to say the least.  In Israel I met some amazing people through birthright.  In NY I ran a lot, and in NJ I rested and relaxed.  


Well, I guess I should get back to cleaning so the house is in presentable condition this weekend.  In addition, I am in boxes from moving and I am switching rooms at my parents.  This will NOT be fu!

What are your weekend plans?  
What was the best summer vacation or vacation you ever had?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Where I have been: Photo Dump

Well, I am finally back "home" for the rest of the summer so it is about time I update you all with where I have been.  I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Last Meal with my amazing co workers!

Tel Aviv/Jaffa, Israel

Israel

Walking through the streets of Jaffa, Israle




First Hike of our trip in Israel




Getting pooped on In Israel


Mud Bath at the Dead Sea

All muddied up and ready for the Dead Sea, israel


Camping...No bathrooms, no nothing!  


Hiking up Masada..Please search the elevation of the Snake Path

Lots of sweat!


In a Market, Israel

Hike #3, En Gaidi

Last Hike, Israel

My Family! 

Key West

Running in the rain in key west, FL

Typical Tourist Pic

On top of the lightbouse, Key West, FL






Pride Run in NYC, Central Park

July 4th in Cape May, NJ

Celebrating 27 years with my Grandma


Hemingway House, Key West, FL



Here are just some of the hundreds of pictures I took!!! Be ready for some marathon updates shortly as well as house hunting updates.  This is going to be a crazy few weeks before school starts again!