All right, here comes my first run after the half marathon. How did it come that it took me so long to start running again? The week after the race, my body was zonked. Since then, however, I don't really have an excuse. My sister's wedding is next week which is good motivation to start running again. I need to remove that layer of blubber around my gut and shape up my arms in order to show them off in all my dresses. Operation lose fifteen pounds in five days commenced! Come on, you know we all want that ability.
Before running, I had to clip the chip off my sneakers. It's the end of an era... Ok, not really. It's the start of a whole new one.
After returning from the run, I have to admit, it wasn't that bad. I only did a mile and a half to ease my way back into it but probably could have done more. There's always a could have, should have, would have. The heat was getting to me (it was supposed to rain today! what's with this sun?) so I decided to call it a day.
Once in the house, I did some yoga to help stretch the old limbs and now I'm off to shower before heading to the neighbors for some grub. I hope it's fish. I like fish.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Panic. Attack.
I only have four months to raise enough money and get in shape to make it to and through the Loch Ness Marathon. Yikes...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Race Results
There were 4,790 runners in this year's half marathon and 3,096 finished. I came in as person number 2,996 with a total time of 3:01:05 running a 13:50 mile. That's nearly double what I used to run in high school but hey, I am nearly double the age.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Mango Coconut Kiwi Vodka Smoothies
Time to celebrate! I reached one of my goals! And so I shall. You want to hear something funny? While running the half marathon, I was decked out in my fitness gear (and I look precious in it - - I know, you've heard) but what was odd were the people on the sidelines... Also in fitness gear. Ummmmm.... You're not running, right? Where are you off to next? The gym? Please say yes. Otherwise, lame.
Monday, May 4, 2009
It's All In The Details
Yesterday was the big half marathon race day and I have to admit, I really enjoyed the experience. I woke up at 6:30 (woah, what?), was super nervous, tried to get ready despite my nerves, and then made it over to the Allentown fairgrounds. From there, we walked up to the starting line. Before going thirteen miles, I decided to use the toilet. Apparently, so did everyone else. I stood in line determined to at least not give up on that challenge. Little did I know getting to the front of the line was the least of my challenges - - while in the toilet, I worried I was going to get swine flu.... ew.
After the use of the germ factories, it was time to run. We followed the masses over to the started line and waited. The half marathon was staggered - the 5k people went first, then the really fast people, then the kind of fast people, and then me. They had a band at the starting line and every one did a count down. THREE, TWO, ONE, RUNNNNN!! And we did! Well, we jogged. The group of people was so large we had to trot a little ways before actually crossing the starting line. We knew were it was since there was a massive sign reading "Start." I turned to the "trainer" and said, "It's just like in Wii Fit!" And it was.
While running, I created a new record! As soon as we crossed the three mile line, I waited five feet and then said, "A new personal best!" In fact, I ran for four and a half continuous miles. That's more than twice what I normally run in one go. We walked for a little bit, ran for a little bit, took some power gel (which tastes like crap) and water when offered, and then ran again. This time for only two miles before walking a mile and then made sure we crossed the finish line running.
The last two miles weren't that tough but in order to reach the finish line, we had to run up a hill and then run one lap around the college track. Boo on that. By the time we got there (the entire half marathon took us three hours), all the awards were given out. That was one annoying element of the run - - when we passed certain points, the bands were packing up. I paid sixty dollars and was promised thirteen bands. Play, bitches, play!
Truth be told, there were a fair portion of people still cheering us on. I really appreciated that. The Team in Training runners had all sorts of Team in Training supporters on the side line cheering as we passed. They made sure they helped the last person cross the finish line. The people that put the race together (Lehigh Valley Roadrunners)? They were helping break down the tables and band tents. They have a need for speed - not camaraderie. Athletes. Whatev's.
When we did cross the finish line, they gave me a bottle of water, a fire blanket, and a medal. The guy that put the medal over my head said, "Look over there! Your husband is tearing up!" The "trainer" blamed it on the weather but I prefer to believe the medal guy. Where's the medal now? The "trainer" is napping and snuggled up with it.
After the half marathon, I was a little tired. My knees hurt a bit and I took a two and a half hour nap at the end of the day. I picked up the house, watched some tele, took care of the trainer, and ate. Oh lord did I eat. Anything with cheese went in my mouth: pizza, cheese salsa & chips, plain old cheese, mac & cheese, and so on. After the nap, I wanted a serious quesadilla. I settled for Indian food. With cheese.
In the end, I was a happy girl. I had to ice my knees and ate a little too much but I was proud. I was proud I ran nine miles and walked four all in a day. Shoot, all in three hours. For a former chain smoker, this is big. Even at that, for a person that lives in the modern era, this is big. Do it again? Heck yes. Next time, I'll run the whole way. Right, "trainer?"
After the use of the germ factories, it was time to run. We followed the masses over to the started line and waited. The half marathon was staggered - the 5k people went first, then the really fast people, then the kind of fast people, and then me. They had a band at the starting line and every one did a count down. THREE, TWO, ONE, RUNNNNN!! And we did! Well, we jogged. The group of people was so large we had to trot a little ways before actually crossing the starting line. We knew were it was since there was a massive sign reading "Start." I turned to the "trainer" and said, "It's just like in Wii Fit!" And it was.
While running, I created a new record! As soon as we crossed the three mile line, I waited five feet and then said, "A new personal best!" In fact, I ran for four and a half continuous miles. That's more than twice what I normally run in one go. We walked for a little bit, ran for a little bit, took some power gel (which tastes like crap) and water when offered, and then ran again. This time for only two miles before walking a mile and then made sure we crossed the finish line running.
The last two miles weren't that tough but in order to reach the finish line, we had to run up a hill and then run one lap around the college track. Boo on that. By the time we got there (the entire half marathon took us three hours), all the awards were given out. That was one annoying element of the run - - when we passed certain points, the bands were packing up. I paid sixty dollars and was promised thirteen bands. Play, bitches, play!
Truth be told, there were a fair portion of people still cheering us on. I really appreciated that. The Team in Training runners had all sorts of Team in Training supporters on the side line cheering as we passed. They made sure they helped the last person cross the finish line. The people that put the race together (Lehigh Valley Roadrunners)? They were helping break down the tables and band tents. They have a need for speed - not camaraderie. Athletes. Whatev's.
When we did cross the finish line, they gave me a bottle of water, a fire blanket, and a medal. The guy that put the medal over my head said, "Look over there! Your husband is tearing up!" The "trainer" blamed it on the weather but I prefer to believe the medal guy. Where's the medal now? The "trainer" is napping and snuggled up with it.
After the half marathon, I was a little tired. My knees hurt a bit and I took a two and a half hour nap at the end of the day. I picked up the house, watched some tele, took care of the trainer, and ate. Oh lord did I eat. Anything with cheese went in my mouth: pizza, cheese salsa & chips, plain old cheese, mac & cheese, and so on. After the nap, I wanted a serious quesadilla. I settled for Indian food. With cheese.
In the end, I was a happy girl. I had to ice my knees and ate a little too much but I was proud. I was proud I ran nine miles and walked four all in a day. Shoot, all in three hours. For a former chain smoker, this is big. Even at that, for a person that lives in the modern era, this is big. Do it again? Heck yes. Next time, I'll run the whole way. Right, "trainer?"
Sunday, May 3, 2009
First Time for EVERYTHING
The last six months have been a roller coaster: I experienced culture shock in my own country, I completely gave up smoking, I witnessed my best friend get married to an amazing man, I experienced unemployment (for a little bit too long - am still experiencing that, actually...), I went skiing for the first time, I saw a buffalo, I carried a watermelon (at a fashion shoot for food), and I finished a half marathon. Gosh, I am tired.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I'll Run You Tomorrow
So tomorrow's the big day and I am so unprepared. We picked up my race packet this afternoon and my ankles started seizing. It was psychosomatic. Walking around with a bunch of real athletes?? What was I thinking?!?! I am not an athlete! I don't even like shopping for athletic clothing and I LOVE SHOPPING! That's what I do all day at work and then come home and shop online! Did you hear running in any of that? That's because I don't run. Ever. Never. Not even a little. I go to sporting stores and get bored. I opt to wait in the car, in the heat - - and I hate almost as much as I hate running. Man, if I wanted a challenge, I could do a crossword puzzle. WHAT THE F!?!?
The good news is there were free samples in the race packet. Yay! Moisturizer!
The good news is there were free samples in the race packet. Yay! Moisturizer!
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