The Home Stretch

Has it really been a month since my last entry?! Every time I thought of posting I didn't feel like there was much to say - but looking back on the runs that I completed (with commentary, if only a word or two), I'm reminded of that day, that time, the many things that were actually happening.

I was certain I'd post this weekend, one last blog post before the big race. I'll leave the sentimental reflection for a post next week, but it was important for me to record the last of my training (insert melodramatic instrumental here), and my thoughts heading into the 1/2 marathon.

To say that the last month, well two weeks really, have been a whirlwind - would be an understatement. There are some things, of course, that I can't really go into presently, but we've got some big things on the horizon. Big decisions have been made, and there have been some inner struggles, but I didn't lose sight of this goal...this goal that I set for myself one year ago nearly to the day.  I encourage you blog followers to stay with me, this journey is far from over. I can say, with a good deal of certainty, that I will continue to run. Will I run 8, 10, 11 miles or more on a weekend? Um, no. Will I be signing up for a marathon for this time next year? Hell-to-the-NO!

Read on to see what I've been up to the last month...boy have there been some interesting days!

10/18/11 - completed a 3.49 mi run with RunKeeper "whew. done! sushi Tuesday, think I just earned myself a few pieces :)."

Duration 0:45:05 | Calories Burned 404

Average Pace 12:55 / mi | Average Speed 4.65 mph | Elevation Climb 131 ft

10/20/11 - completed a 2.56 mi run with RunKeeper  "short & sweet this a.m., really pushed my avg pace down! is this what they call a tempo run?"Duration 0:30:04 | Calories Burned 327

Average Pace 11:45 / mi | Average Speed 5.11 mph | Elevation Climb 110 ft

10/21/11 - completed a 3.07 mi run with RunKeeper "Ughhh, Tgif!"

Duration 0:40:02 | Calories Burned 352

Average Pace 13:03 / mi | Average Speed 4.60 mph | Elevation Climb 113 ft

10/23/11 - MAJOR RUN FAIL - OK, I didn't exactly elaborate on facebook or RunKeeper but this was a disastrous attempt at a "long run". I set out, as I do on all long run days, with my water, Gatorade, sport beans, towel and phone. I had, of course, already loaded up on Motrin and Zyrtec and was on a mission to get at least 10 miles in. Within the course of the first mile and a half my RunKeeper app crapped out AT LEAST three times, and I received a phone call that killed the music and the app. At this point, I couldn't get the damned thing to run for longer than 15 seconds. I am a creature of habit and I don't take lightly to interruptions. At all. I'll admit it - I gave up. I not only gave up - I came home in a huff and threw a tantrum a three year old would envy.

10/26/11 - completed a 4.01 mi run with RunKeeper "hump day run down...need. coffee."

Duration 0:51:41 | Calories Burned 472

Average Pace 12:54 / mi | Average Speed 4.65 mph | Elevation Climb 151 ft

10/26/11 Received a nice lil note from RunKeeper -
I've hit the 100 activities logged mark!

101 Total Activities
278 Total mi
31,833 Total Calories
SWEET! I didn't realize the app was keeping track! Incredible. The girl who loved her wine, couch, TV and laptop (& admittedly, still does) has logged over 100 activities this year and nearly 300 miles?! Who'da thunk it...

10/28/11 - completed a 2.41 mi run with RunKeeper "brrrr" (36 degrees according to the Xterra)
Duration 0:30:01 | Calories Burned 285

Average Pace 12:27 / mi | Average Speed 4.82 mph | Elevation Climb 97 ft

10/29/11 - OctSNOWber - Halloween weekend, 6 inches of some of the rarest snow out there dampened not only my plans for yet another long run, plans for a Halloween party near DC w/friends that I haven't seen in over a year, and our plans to cheer on the sister-coach as she completed her very first marathon (in under 5 hrs thank you very much). We had downed branches and power lines everywhere, and us Hawks were without power for the better part of four days! At first it was cozy and romantic - once the work week started back up, however - we were over it...but thankful for a gas hot water heater, stove, and fireplace. It was dark and quiet but we were clean and warm.

During this year of training we have experienced all sorts of extreme weather - unbearable heat & humidity, crazy amounts of rain,  a minor earthquake, a flood, a rare October snow storm....once that snow melted, however, my resolve was strengthened.

11/3/11 - completed a 3.27 mi run with RunKeeper ‎'17 days til the race?! whew."
Duration 0:40:22 | Calories Burned 398

Average Pace 12:21 / mi | Average Speed 4.86 mph | Elevation Climb 133 ft

11/4/11-  completed a 3.61 mi run with RunKeeper "16 days..."

Duration 0:45:23 | Calories Burned 437

Average Pace 12:34 / mi | Average Speed 4.77 mph | Elevation Climb 135 ft

11/6/11 - completed a 11.03 mi run with RunKeeper ‎"14 days til the big race! tired, but I know I got this :)." Longest run to date!

Duration 2:27:11 | Calories Burned 1241

Average Pace 13:20 / mi | Average Speed 4.50 mph | Elevation Climb 427 ft

11/10/11 - completed a 2.65 mi run with RunKeeper ‎"10 days til the 1/2, just ran my fastest 30 min., but I'm feeling it!"

Duration 0:30:43 | Calories Burned 332

Average Pace 11:37 / mi | Average Speed 5.17 mph | Elevation Climb 97 ft

11/12/11 - completed a 3.04 mi run with RunKeeper "‎8 days...sister coach has me tapering...had to
go to York College, band practice @ Suburban."

Duration 0:37:52 | Calories Burned 368

Average Pace 12:26 / mi | Average Speed 4.82 mph | Elevation Climb 150 ft

11/13/11 - completed a 4.04 mi run with RunKeeper ‎"1 week to go, just a couple short runs this week, race day will be here before I know it."

Duration 0:51:31 | Calories Burned 476

Average Pace 12:45 / mi | Average Speed 4.70 mph | Elevation Climb 153 ft

11/17/11 - completed a 1.00 mi run with RunKeeper The Great Lock-Out and no I'm not talking about the NBA! I returned home from my super short, just keeping the legs warm only, run to find that my husband had left for work and locked me out. This is his first week at the new gig and since he couldn't really drive home and let me in, after two broken screens, and in turn, two failed attempts at breaking and entering into my own home, I found myself at work....in my running gear. No, I won't live that one down anytime soon.

Duration 0:11:13 | Calories Burned 128

Average Pace 11:12 / mi | Average Speed 5.36 mph | Elevation Climb 38 ft

So, now you are all caught up, and tomorrow we head out to Philadelphia to finish something I started so long ago. It's been a crazy ride, thanks for hitching a ride ;). xx ~V

Runner's Guilt

For starters, I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted a legitimate blog entry. I know, the before and after pics are cool and all - but that was kind of a cop out. Though, it is increasingly awesome and equally motivating to do those side by side comparisons. I am so entirely different in so many ways than I was just over a year ago. The physical changes are remarkable, but this running game is more mental than I ever gave it credit for. Furthermore, knowing that I CAN do this, makes me feel like I CAN do anything.


Let's be real, no one really thought I was going to see this thing through. My sister has admitted it to me, my boss has informed me that "none" of my co-workers really took this 1/2 marathon thing seriously. Not even my dear, sweet, husband, who by now knows the hardness of this head, thought that in exactly 40 days his wife would be running in a half marathon. (I have suggested that such an awesome feat is gift worthy - will keep you posted).


September was absolutely brutal on the training front. I had no idea that we would be swapping an Indian Summer for a Monsoon Season (hurricane & mini quake to be followed by flood).
Combine the questionable weather with the trifecta of major event planning (one to be postponed due to said flood), throw in a lake trip and this girl was all sorts of off schedule and exhausted. Within the past week or so I have come to feel that I am again in "training mode", and though I run, and run, and run, I still don't really consider myself to be a "runner", I don't call myself a "runner", I'm not trying to race my way through this 1/2 marathon. I'm not in it to win it (obviously), I simply want to finish it. No stopping, with the exception of the water station breaks - oh, and I want the medal, and the post race kiss pic with my man ;).


To date, I have not experienced this elusive runner's high - but I am becoming all too familiar with the lesser known "runner's guilt".  You can ask "runners" about the runner's high and you will get varying accounts - I'm guessing because we all have different biological/chemical make up and our bodies respond to things differently. But by definition the runner's high is "a feeling of euphoria experienced by some cross-country runners and joggers as they near the end of a run. The feeling of elation is believed to be associated with the body's production of endorphins during physical stress." Mosby's Medical Dictionary - and yes, I did just make an internal citation in my blog post...too many years of writing papers, but you get my point.


No, I don't personally know this runner's high, but as of late the guilt that I feel when I don't run, or when I don't feel like running is just as powerful! This voice in my head, this nagging feeling I get, then there is the facebook friend postings, so & so just completed a run with RunKeeper!, so & so is headed to DC for a 10 miler, so & so just picked up the weekend race packet. Ok, ok, I get it! That runner's guilt was never more effective than this past Sunday.


Saturday morning was full of family time and vendor food at the National Apple Harvest Festival. Saturday night I basically had a Super Bowl menu all to myself - nachos, wings, beer...aka heaven. Then we hit up a friends party where the festivities continued into the wee hours of the morning with yours truly experiencing her best game of beer pong, ever.


When I awoke Sunday morning, the very LAST thing that I wanted to do was drag my butt to the track. The goal had been to complete 10 miles for the first time since the Rail Trail 10 Miler on 8/27. At this point, that seemed down right insane. I took the dogs out, put on a pot of coffee and stared longingly at the apple dumpling that I picked up at the festival the day before. My stomach grumbled. Fed the dogs, went back upstairs and sat on the bed...then the voice crept in. It's so nice out, you know at least three people running at this very moment, only a little over a month until the 1/2 marathon, you have so many people routing for you....ENOUGH!


Got up, got dressed, popped two Excedrin Migraine, one Zyrtec D and hit the track. I ran the 10 miles in my best 10 mile time (so weird to write), just under 2 hrs & 15 min. The guilt got me out there, but I saw it through. After my nap - yes, there is always a nap on long run day, I realized that if I can run 10 miles after a night filled with crappy food, beer and get out there on 5 hrs of sleep, I'll be smooth sailing on 11/20. Here's hoping!

What I've been up to since my last post:

8/31/11 - "Feels like fall & I love it! struggled a bit this a.m. bit getting. back in the swing of things." 

2.35 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:30:02 | Calories Burned 275

Average Pace 12:48 / mi | Average Speed 4.69 mph | Elevation Climb 86 ft

9/3/11 - Rail trail run with Lori - "Stupid rain! cut us short!" (aka the beginning of monsoon season in south central PA)

3.19 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:40:03 | Calories Burned 406

Average Pace 12:35 / mi | Average Speed 4.77 mph | Elevation Climb 247 ft

9/13/11 - "Back at it, easing in...lovin the cooler temps, but not how dark it is in the a.m."

2.43 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:30:01 | Calories Burned 295

Average Pace 12:21 / mi | Average Speed 4.86 mph | Elevation Climb 99 ft

9/14/11 - "Woo. tired! good time, but I think these allergies are working against me"

3.31 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:40:01 | Calories Burned 413

Average Pace 12:05 / mi | Average Speed 4.96 mph | Elevation Climb 130 ft

9/16/11 - The Lil Golf Tourney That Could...how many calories does one burn driving around on a golf cart and consuming beers all day?! My husband swears it's a sport (well golf in general), my performance on this day was all star worthy :).

9/18/11 - 9/20/11 - Deep Creek Lake with the bestie & fam...is wine tasting considered an "activity"?

9/20/11 - 9/24/11 - Rain, rain and more rain, then, the threat of rain...this fair weather runner was seriously considering a Planet Fitness membership. Ugh.

9/24/11 - "Finally a dry morning! easing back into it, @ York College this a.m., HS football players have invaded Suburban!"

5.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:08:59 | Calories Burned 548

Average Pace 13:46 / mi | Average Speed 4.36 mph | Elevation Climb 266 ft

9/28/11 - "Took every oz. of will power I had to drag my butt out of bed this a.m.! ready for this humidity to leave, it's practically October, jeez!"

3.45 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:45:01 | Calories Burned 391

Average Pace 13:04 / mi | Average Speed 4.59 mph | Elevation Climb 141 ft

9/29/11 - Wine & Tapas Ladies Event for Roseville Wealth Management Group - actually wanted to run, but alas, another rain soaked a.m.

10/4/11 - "Brrrr! week is off to a good start, 1hr at the gym last night, over three miles this a.m., and here comes the sun! I watched it rise :)."

3.39 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:45:01 | Calories Burned 380

Average Pace 13:17 / mi | Average Speed 4.52 mph | Elevation Climb 138 ft

10/5/11 - "Double dog walk done! I ♥ this old neighborhood, Hillcroft is all dressed up for Fall."

2.01 mi walk with RunKeeper

Duration 0:40:00 | Calories Burned 199

Average Pace 19:54 / mi | Average Speed 3.01 mph | Elevation Climb 198 ft

10/6/11 - "Chilly this a.m., looking forward to a break and a day of apple filled goodness Saturday."

4.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:52:22 | Calories Burned 454

Average Pace 13:05 / mi | Average Speed 4.59 mph | Elevation Climb 146 ft

10/9/11 - "Gold star! especially after last night! PS its hot!!" - yep sunburn after I froze on my a.m. runs this week, crazy weather.

10.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 2:14:53 | Calories Burned 1178

Average Pace 13:29 / mi | Average Speed 4.45 mph | Elevation Climb 334 ft

Homegirl has a waist!

Pic 1 - 4/29/11
Pic 2 - 7/14/11

Pic 3 - 10/4/11 

4 down, 1 to go...

So, after the Worst. Run. Ever. I found myself preparing for my 32nd birthday, a girls weekend in AC, and of course there was that far away 10-miler at the end of the month. With that, I made the conscious decision to take a MUCH needed week I (or a tad longer) off from my training.


Atlantic City was a welcome distraction from day to day life and a chance to re-connect with some girlfriends, and my other friends - nachos! I would tell you that I'm kidding, but I'm not. I had nachos for lunch at Harrah's pool bar both days in AC. They were heavenly. Shawn calls them my kryptonite, and I've often said that should I ever find myself in the position of death row inmate (God forbid), that would be my choice for last meal - true story...well, only if they include jalapenos and guacamole :).
Did a little beach lounging, pool side relaxing, cocktail sipping, gambling, and of course people watching.
But once we returned home, and the weather improved, it was time to head back to the track.


August 16th

3.76 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:45:24 | Calories Burned 466

Average Pace 12:05 / mi | Average Speed 4.96 mph | Elevation Climb 152 ft - the extreme heat had begun to let up and my pace was reflecting that

August 17th

4.21 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:50:01 | Calories Burned 529

Average Pace 11:52 / mi | Average Speed 5.05 mph | Elevation Climb 177 ft - 11:52 average pace?! Holla!

I hadn't realized how fast the Rail Trail 10-miler was approaching. I really had no choice but to jump from a longest run of 8 miles to 10 miles for my next long run. I know, I know, some people think I could have done another 8 or even  a 9 mile run and been just fine heading into the race on the 27th - but I know me. I know that when push came to shove, and I felt myself doubting myself on race day - there was one thing that would keep me going...knowing that I had already run the distance. You may think this running thing is physical - but it is 100% mental. For real.

August 21st

10.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 2:17:46 | Calories Burned 1116

Average Pace 13:46 / mi | Average Speed 4.36 mph | Elevation Climb 384 ft - WOOT!!

Under the strict orders of the sister-coach, I had just a few short runs leading up to the big day.

August 24th

2.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:24:18 | Calories Burned 253

Average Pace 12:06 / mi | Average Speed 4.96 mph | Elevation Climb 67 ft

August 25th

1 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration: 0:10:43 **best one mile time to date!**

Heading into Saturday I was pretty terrified of running the rail trail for 10 miles, alone. Sure, I would know others there, but let's face it, I'm a slow poke (yes, even now that I have shaved MINUTES off my average pace), and I'd be eating their dust. There was also the threat of Irene. I will also reiterate that I am a fair weather runner. Some sprinkles a few miles in are sometimes welcome, the torrential down pours that threatened had me slightly, uh, really apprehensive. I had hoped that the sister-coach might accompany me for this one - but alas, home girl had a field hockey scrimmage on the calendar, and she, for whatever reason, felt her varsity hockey team needed her more than I did. Whatevs.

The night before the run I put my water and Gatorade in the fridge to chill. Laid out the headphones, armband, sport beans, and my running gear, got to bed at a decent time and hoped for the best. Race time was at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday the 27th, we arrived at the starting place around 7:30. Shawn stopped for coffee, and I envied his steamy cup of Starbucks the entire ride there. No way was I adding a thing to my tummy/bladder before the run, especially not after that boardwalk run fiasco. Once parked I noticed something, or should I say, someONE out of the corner of my eye. There, bounding down the hill, braid swinging behind her - was JANELLY!! The sister coach & Joy-ous had surprised me! Their scrimmage was remarkably moved to Monday (today), and they had pulled the switcheroo - drove from Gettysburg to Loganville for 7:00 a.m. race day registration. I was floored, but thrilled. I had running buddies, and all the trouble they went to in order to be there for/with me meant more than they will ever know.

The weather was sticky but not too terribly hot, the rain was impending but not yet upon us. The surface and slope of the rail trail are really ideal for novice runners like myself. We started at the rear of the pack and remained there. Our average pace ranged from 12:30 - 13:30 per mile, which is great for me when it comes to a long run. Janelle & Joy stayed with me, tried their best to keep my energy and spirits up. Joy gave pep talks to struggling runners along the way as well. This was actually 6 miles less than Janelle was to run that day, given her own marathon training - but she was recovering from an injury and seemed happy to maintain my pace.

I felt pretty good actually, I mean, I had been training for so long, and had made some real progress since my battlefield run with Janelle. I wanted to show her what I could do! The RunKeeper app ran beautifully, on occasion my Pandora would crap out due to tree coverage. There was, however, that mini meltdown around the 6 mile marker...We had been told that there were four water stations along the race route. The first was (in my opinion) misplaced at the 2 mile point. We ran and ran, and I hoped and hoped for another shot of H20. When there was another station around the 6 mile point I couldn't hide my excitement - when we reached the spot and it was abandoned and DRY, I couldn't bite my tongue! Granted, the ear buds didn't help my volume level, but my profanity was enough for a Rent-a-cop to dip into his own stash of bottled water in his car and come to my aid. Not my proudest moment, but a running girls' gotta hydrate man!

We plugged along - and at around the 9.5 mile marker Janelle told me to look up and over to my right. At first, I didn't see what she was referring to, then it became clearer. Sitting on a park bench, crouched over with his camera and now empty Starbucks cup was my handsome hubby, proudly snapping pictures of his ever evolving wife. We waved for the camera, I stopped for a kiss, and I wondered if he would make it the 1/2 mile down the road to meet me at the finish...he did.


As we neared the finish line, Joy noted that she's never met a finish line she didn't like, Janelle commented on how beautifully the trees arched over the trail, and I was just so thankful to have made it. I practically made it look easy! It was slow & steady the entire 10 miles, and aside from my sailor mouthed outburst at a little over the 1/2 way point, it wasn't that bad. I was thankful to have had my very own cheer leading squad, and an adoring husband waiting with his cell phone camera and a congratulatory kiss at the finish line. When the race was over, it really hit me. I'm going to do this. I ran 10 miles, and I'm going to run 13.1. I started this journey 10 months and at least 33 lbs ago, and I'm going to finish this. Last year I couldn't imagine running one mile, and I just ran 10. It was a bit surreal.
P.S. We re-fueled on kryptonite and Maple Donuts, and later I noshed on sushi and sipped white wine as a reward...of course I'm back on the wagon today.

Here are the RunKeeper stats though the official race time was probably more like 2:17: 

10.00 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 2:15:01 | Calories Burned 1251

Average Pace 13:30 / mi | Average Speed 4.45 mph | Elevation Climb 872 ft

Finish line photo courtesy of Shawn Hawk :)

Less than 3 months til the 1/2 in Philly and for once in my life, I'm ahead of schedule...

To my "friends", readers and "followers" - Thanks for reading, thanks for supporting, thanks for believing!

Status Check & Account of the Worst. Run. Ever.

I thought I was getting better with the frequency of posts but I'm already at almost a month since my last little nugget of cynicism. Another month of training, another month of dieting (sorry, but I don't really buy into that whole lifestyle change crap), another month of early mornings, long days, and longer weekends.
I've found a way to make this whole reporting of my runs so much easier - realized that I can just copy and paste my RunKeeper posts from Facebook - woot!
If I hadn't waited so long between blog posts I may have been able to offer some fun commentary on some of these work-outs...but, you get what you get, P.S. the extreme heat & humidity we've been experiencing is implied: 

July 15th

1.59 mi walk with RunKeeper

Duration 0:33:00 | Calories Burned 160

Average Pace 20:43 / mi | Average Speed 2.90 mph | Elevation Climb 173 ft

 

July 17th

7.02 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:34:27 | Calories Burned 787

Average Pace 13:28 / mi | Average Speed 4.46 mph | Elevation Climb 282 ft

 

July 21st

2.23 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:30:01 | Calories Burned 246

Average Pace 13:28 / mi | Average Speed 4.45 mph | Elevation Climb 85 ft

 

July 23rd - battlefield run with Coach Slave Driver..."we ran little round top, second highest point in Gettysburg!"...I didn't understand her excitement.

6.52 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:29:14 | Calories Burned 670

Average Pace 13:42 / mi | Average Speed 4.38 mph | Elevation Climb 425 ft

 

July 25th - so humid...still!

2.25 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:30:01 | Calories Burned 249

Average Pace 13:20 / mi | Average Speed 4.50 mph | Elevation Climb 81 ft

 

July 27th

2.30 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:30:07 | Calories Burned 265

Average Pace 13:05 / mi | Average Speed 4.59 mph | Elevation Climb 77 ft

 

July 30th

7.01 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:34:07 | Calories Burned 785

Average Pace 13:26 / mi | Average Speed 4.47 mph | Elevation Climb 278 ft

 

August 2nd - no more 30 min short runs... :(

3.31 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:45:02 | Calories Burned 378

Average Pace 13:37 / mi | Average Speed 4.41 mph | Elevation Climb 127 ft

 

August 3rd

3.84 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:50:01 | Calories Burned 432

Average Pace 13:03 / mi | Average Speed 4.60 mph | Elevation Climb 150 ft

 

August 4th

4.77 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:00:05 | Calories Burned 560

Average Pace 12:35 / mi | Average Speed 4.77 mph | Elevation Climb 186 ft

 

August 7th - what will forever be known as the Worst. Run. Ever.

Part 1:

5.55 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 1:22:33 | Calories Burned 649

Average Pace 14:53 / mi | Average Speed 4.03 mph | Elevation Climb 375 ft

Part 2:

2.43 mi run with RunKeeper

Duration 0:35:20 | Calories Burned 290

Average Pace 14:33 / mi | Average Speed 4.13 mph | Elevation Climb 236 ft

 

I will now tell you the story of the Worst. Run. Ever., and my series of unfortunate events all while trying SOOOO hard to stay on track while spending the weekend in Ocean City, MD (with my m-i-l/grand m-i-l...that's another blog post altogether).

It's Sunday morning, bright & early! I had laid out my running gear, (black not magenta) arm band, ear buds, sport beans (again, another blog post altogether), and all that jazz the night before. We were staying at nice hotel about a block from the boardwalk, I'd done some research and found the boardwalk was approximately 3 miles in length.  I happened to have the good fortune of having a m-i-l that brought along water bottles, and a hotel fridge with a freezer that actually worked. That morning I awoke just before my alarm and did my best to get dressed and out the door quickly and quietly. I even remembered to grab my driver's license and for some reason, my debit card, tucked them in my sports bra. Didn't take the room key, was assured that I wouldn't need it - they would be around, I'd call when I finished up.

 

Got to the hotel lobby and realized I had forgotten my frozen water bottles -dammit! No room key, didn't want to disturb them again, made it to the front desk where I was informed that the only water bottles in the place were in the vending machines "located on every floor". Well, that's all fine and good but I don't have cash, only a debit card - when will vending machines start taking plastic for heaven's sake?! The new plan became, head to the boardwalk, find bottled water, pay with plastic, begin run.

 

What I didn't anticipate was the fact that is was 6:00 a.m. and not may of the shops were open. At about the 3/4 mile mark (walking), I stumbled upon a coffee shop on the boardwalk and there was water, with a sport cap too so I could just squirt it right in my mouth - score! Got to the counter and was greeted by a sign that read "cash only, ATM in lobby". Ok...I knew I brought that Debit Card for a reason. Made it to the ATM - "service unavailable". Oh for hell!

 

Decided to abort the finding bottled water and paying with plastic on the boardwalk mission and head out towards coastal highway. What I didn't anticipate was how vacant and creepy it was off the boardwalk at th

 

Water purchased, back to 1st plan, now begin run. At this point AN HOUR has passed...I texted my m-i-l that I was just getting started so she wasn't worried and then I was (finally) off. I felt pretty good. Was doing a fairly good job of navigating the boards, avoiding the bikes, other runners, and frat boys that were still up from the night before. I chuckled at the random pair of underwear or flip flop that littered the sides, marveled at the ocean view and at just how many people were out running that morning.

 

Around the 3.5 mile mark though there was a problem. A problem that I had never experienced before, at all, during this training. It seems that eating out for the two days prior had, uh, caught up to me. And I needed to find a bathroom, fast. Lucky for me there are a some right there on the boardwalk, Unlucky for me, they are hot, stuffy, boardwalk bathrooms, I was already sweat drenched thanks to the Sunday haze and I realized that it is practically impossible to assume the "public bathroom stance" while sweating, huffing & puffing. The app was paused, I took care of business (sorry if this offends -but it happens to the best, well, all of us!), and again set out to tackle this elusive 8 mile goal.

 

Was back in the groove, hydrating and munching on the sport beans as needed, when around the 5.5 mile mark I hear a text message notification. Of course I wondered if the moms-in-law were worried, needed something, etc., so I pulled the phone out of my arm band and checked the text - "Mom & I are on the porch. Meet us there." Ok. Problem = checking that text stopped my app, grrr! Re-started the app and did my best to calculate how far I needed to run back up the boardwalk in order to get back and back to the hotel in 2.45 miles.

 

I did a fine job calculating, reached the end of the boardwalk, hotel in sight, almost finished the run. Also in sight - a Gatorade machine...a sight for sore eyes considering I'd been without water since the 6 mile mark, and no it wasn't a mirage. I jog over, grab what was left of that 20 bucks that I stuffed in my sports bra and tried my damnedest to get the machine to accept my soggy dollars...no dice. Defeated, I put the cash back in the bra ran to the hotel, ran around the parking lot to get in that last little bit of distance required (ignoring the text message alerts that continued to come), and headed to the porch.

 

It took me 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 55 seconds to run the Worst. Run. Ever. It will take much, much longer to forget it. The only consolation I can give myself was that at ANY point, or in the face of ANY of those obstacles, I could have said "screw it"...but I didn't. Does that make me one of those crazy runner people?

 

 

This, That, and a lil Before & After Action

It's been only a couple of weeks since my last blog post so this is progress!

Still been plugging away at this running thing as best as I can...but it has NOT been easy. The heat has been practically unbearable some days...well, it's probably not the heat, but more like the miserable, thick, disgusting humidity. In addition to the summery temps, I have summery indulgence to contend with. I love summer like no one else. I'm a partier, I love back yard barbecues, celebrating seasonal holidays with good food and friends, and just about nothing beats a nice night on a deck with a bottle of wine - just sayin'.
This time of year has proven a bit of a double doozy on the weight loss/training fronts, but I'm doing it.
Just so you know - I worked out EVERY day of our 3 day fourth of July weekend - I knew that I had to offset some serious revelry calories, and for the most part, my diabolical plan worked, bwahaha ;).



"Magenta" Arm Band



While I still do not consider myself one of those "runners", in the past week I have spent another $50+ on running gear/accessories. I should bill my little sister but homegirl won't stay in the state long enough! As I type this, lil miss is relaxing in the OBX, and not quite a month ago the traveling sibling was hitting up Yosemite AND Napa/Sonoma in Cali (a.k.a the HOLY LAND to winos like myself). So, in the sister-coach's absence I decided to class it up a bit at the track and forego the phone in the sports bra look for a moisture resistant, Droid compatible, arm band thingy (yes, the technical term). So far, so good with it - the only complaints that I have are 1) I ordered magenta and as you can see from the pic, magenta means black in some circles, and 2) It's 1/2 a chore to hit "start activity" button on the RunKeeper app, slide the phone into the holder, then get it on my arm...all while running.  I scratch that, it's not 1/2 a chore, it's a full on pain in the rear end.




Creepy Serial Killer Guy



In case you missed it - there was another "Creepy Serial Killer Guy" sighting since my last post...this time I was able to capture the elusive creature in shakey, shadowy pic. I hope my blog readers and facebook friends appreciate the fact that I snapped this pic and endangered my own life so that you may have a glimpse at this anomaly.

Ok - how about some updates:
6/28/11 - 2.42 miles in 30 min
6/30/11 - 2.33 miles in 30 min (MILF Bootcamp Thursday!)
7/02/11 - 3.01 miles in 40 min
7/02-11 - Would you believe I went back out in the heat and walk the dogs?! 23 min - 1.12 mi double dog walk...I don't know who was more exhausted afterwards.
7/03/11 - 6 MILES in 1:25:19 - this was a first, super hot, super tiring (date of Creepy Serial Killer Guy sighting/photo op).
7/04/11 - Spent an hour on the elliptical at Gold's w/Lori - my spent legs could not handle another run, but I knew that there were chicken wings in my immediate future and something had to be done to combat that.
7/06/11 - Janelle sent me an article on a 1st 1/2 marathons that equally terrified and reassured me. I seem to be on track training-wise, but there is an excellent chance that at the finish line I could do any or all of the following: Cry, Collapse, Vomit. The article reassures us that I will, however, still get my medal regardless of my post race condition. Ughhhhh.
7/07/11 - 3.76 miles in 50 min
7/09/11 - 6 MILES in 1:24:45...came home to breakfast and coffee waiting courtesy of my husband who is still amazed by level of commitment to this challenge. Ha - my husband thinks I have commitment issues...weird :).
7/11/11 - 2.35 miles in 30 min - yep, I actually got out on a Monday! (small victories people)
7/13/11 - 3.75 miles in 50 min
7/14/11 - 2.36 miles in 30 min - absolutely GORGEOUS morning here in S. Central PA - temps in the 60's, awesome breeze blowing, I only wish I would've gotten up earlier and could get a longer run in. Again, I am NOT one of those "runners", but I can appreciate that I have run much longer distances in much crappier weather!

On the weight loss front we're motoring right along too...I decided to take some of your advice and try to get some photos. I had my drowsy husband take a cell phone photo of his equally exhuasted wife before she left for the track this morning (photo on the right). Decided to do a little comparison of a similar pic from the Out & Back in late April. I'm technically down 26.2 as of last week since 4/4. I feel I'm losing way more in the inch department - though I'm not sure you can tell by this pic. Really wish I would've taken care of that drawstring bulge before he snapped the pic, and maybe next time we'll get a better shot of my legs...and maybe not take the picture at 6:00 a.m. :).







April 29, 2011



July 14, 2011

Making progress & Crazy Track People :)

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Vacation Hangover

Greetings! A much tanner and somewhat more relaxed Vyotta coming to you this fine lunch break :). Probably should've blogged on Sunday night when I was still on that vacation high, all kumbaya and stuff. But alas, the day after our return from the amazingly beautiful Aruba, I was once again grocery shopping, helping with the yard work, cooking, cleaning and doing approximately 6 loads of laundry. I swear the hubby not only over packs but places un-worn items back in the laundry pile...I just know it!

I did not run in Aruba. My last run before this morning was on May 19th - 4 miles in 52:12.

When I left for vacation I felt pretty fantastic. The morning of our departure, still bleary eyed in the 4:30 a.m. haze, I weighed myself and was down another 2 lbs. (fist pump!). I did pack my running gear, but let's be real - I'm no die hard, and the fact that I've been running so regularly AND watching my weight, AND not hurting anyone is pretty impressive and I gave myself permission to be off last week...guilt free.

We did grocery shop since our "studio" had a full-ish kitchen. I prepared egg whites and turkey bacon a few mornings, and we packed turkey sandwiches and snacked on pretzels and chips & salsa for lunch...nothing too fattening. That was, of course, to make up for the extreme amount of calories consumed at dinner, for dessert, while on the beach, by the pool and after our post-dinner strolls in the form of alcoholic beverages.

Many a fruity frozen concoction was enjoyed in the Aruba sun. Many a tasty glass of white or red wine sipped as we dined. And let's not forget our bar tab at Senor Frogs ...I blinked to make sure that the figure only included drinks. Needless to say - a good time was had by us Hawks.  Another plus to vacation is the fact that I'm wayyy more active than I would be seated at my desk all week. We explored in our rented Jeep Wranglers - yes, plural, don't ask. We climbed rocks, ventured into caves, swam, snorkeled, walked, and then of course there was that other, ahem, cardio...

I honestly felt just as good upon our return - just tired...then came the dreaded vacation hangover! You are so high for the week, forgetting what day it is and such, then you're on a plane, and the reality of what awaits you when you get home hits. Then you're in rush mode tyring to get things back in order, sorted, washed, organized. And then, the absolute worst part of vacation hangover - the return to the office! That's right missy - no more flip flops and sun dresses for you. And though it feels like it's 800 degrees as it was in Aruba - there is no pool, no pool bar, no beach for your refreshment. UGH.

Because Tuesday was my first day back to the office and Monday dragged on through an endless string of household chores, there would be no Monday or Tuesday a.m. run. Mid Tuesday I get an e-mail from RunKeeper, you know that app that I rave and rave about. Turns out - we're not friends. More like - frenemies...the e-mail read something to the affect of get your lazy a$$ moving lady, you haven't ran in almost two weeks and we're keeping track! Ok, so maybe that isn't an exact quote, but of course this girl, with the vacation hangover and a desk full of paperwork and To Do's, took it that way.

So today, at just before 7:00 a.m. on this very 1st day of June, I hit the track. The temperature in my car read 77 degrees. It was hot, and thick, and I felt like I was running in slow motion. I had dressed in my lightest clothes as I knew it would be a scorcher. But I was not prepared to run in that heat. Remember when I complained about the freezing temps last winter - maybe they weren't so bad. What I wouldn't give for a breezy summer morning.  I ran for a 1/2 hour and completed 2.26 miles. It was brutal! I stopped three times for a swig of my water. Guess who isnt' looking forward to tomorrow?! We have a long summer ahead of us.

Big Stuff!

It's been about two weeks since my last blog - and well, as usual, much has happened.
There are things that I have been meaning to write, but just didn't have the time, energy, etc.

1) We booked our rooms for the Philadelphia 1/2 marathon 11/20 - there is absolutely NO turning back at this point.
2) I'm on a new "program" per the coach - details below...
3) As of 5/16 I'm down 15.2 lbs (since 4/4)!
4) We leave for Aruba in less than a week and I couldn't be more excited
5) I've scheduled an appointment with a leader in the fertility world at John's Hopkins for a second opinion and perhaps a new plan of attack starting in 2012
6) The overwhelming notes, e-mails and words of encouragement just keep coming. Truly, the greatest motivator and so so humbling.
7) as of 5/5 this was my status update according to sister-coach: 
45 runs, 74.81 miles, 25 miles in month of April

See - big stuff!  

After the Out & Back I knew that I would be pushing past 4 miles fairly quickly, I knew that given our time frame, I needed to. That didn't mean that I was necessarily looking forward to it - nor was I prepared for the exhausting new "program" Janelle was proposing. Here's what I got by e-mail:

Workout Plan May-June

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 2 miles or 30 minutes (stretch)	Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Walk or ride bike  for 1 hour (stretch/yoga)	Run 5-6 miles or 80 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)

Total Mileage Per Week:15-16 miles

Workout Plan July-August

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run 5 miles or 60 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 3 miles or 45 minutes (stretch)	Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Walk or ride bike  for 30 minutes (stretch/yoga)	Run 7-8 miles or 100 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)

Total Mileage Per Week:19-20 miles

Workout Plan September-October

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run 5 miles or 60 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 9-10 miles or 120 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)

Total Mileage Per Week:22-23 miles

Workout Plan November

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run 5 miles or 60 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 4 miles or 50minutes (stretch)	Run 4 miles or 50 minutes (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)	Run 10-12 miles or 2.5 hours (stretch)	Rest (stretch/yoga)

Total Mileage Per Week:23-25 miles

Now, she mentioned that we could adjust as needed...but I was dumbfounded after looking at this thing. How could I possibly do this?! That weekend  we did agree to switch out the Monday/Wednesday routines - I mean, I like NEVER ran on a Monday, a short run is really the best I could do.

Last week I attacked this program - for reals.

Monday 5/9 - 2.27 miles in 30 min.(a record)...not bad, even though I had a dentist appointment, full work day, evening dermatologist appointment and a grocery store visit in store, my butt still made it to the track and did the Monday-runday thing.

Tuesday 5/10 - I walked 3.44 miles in 1:11:36 w/D-Dana - then we bbq-d and sipped skinnygirl margaritas on her deck as a reward :)

Wednesday 5/11 - 4 miles in 52:07 and if you're keeping track - that too is a record! Oh and might I add that I had to pause, run backwards, and again remind "Miss Daisy" that the running lanes are 1 & 2...grrr, you would think that given the sunshine, my imposing shadow, and heavy panting, she might want to slide on over as I nip at her heels, nah. If I'm ever arrested for elder abuse - it really isn't what you think...she had it coming! I kid :)

Thursday 5/12 - I straight up COULD NOT do it. I had the clothes laid out the night before and the best of intentions but this girl's a$$ was dragging...

Friday 5/13 - 1hr on the elliptical at Gold's (705.3 cals burned) w/Lori followed by wings & beer and I'm not sorry. Nope.

Saturday 5/14 - I knew this was the day I had to face the 5 miler. Rarely do I wear my glasses or lug the purse when I go to Suburban to run on the track. It's 2 min. from my house, if that - I put on my clothes, grab my spare car key and go. This proved a bit tricky on Saturday, however. I got to the track around 8:30 a.m. and wouldn't you know - a track meet. Drat!

So I then head over to Penn State York in search of a track to run on - no dice. I make the choice to drive over to York College - coincidentally enough, the site of my first ever mile walk/run all those many months ago. My vision isn't terrible without my glasses - but navigation proved a bit tricky as I made my way across Rathton Rd. and realized that it was commencement day....and there were many cones and campus security/rent a cop guys all over the roadway. I made it to the track though and was probably spared a ticket for parking in the faculty lot due to the fact that there were cars from near and far parked anywhere and everywhere for the graduation.

The track was harder than I remembered. Felt like road running only on a flatter surface. It was overcast and every once in a while some mist would fall from the sky. Truth be told - it felt freakin' amazing at about the 3 mile mark. It was sticky and humid and I felt every step. It was not an easy run by any means. I don't know if I had psyched myself out or the jump from 4 to 5 miles is supposed to suck that bad, but when it was over, I was happy....and sore.

This week the rain has thus far kept me sidelined (which is ok - since I'm still recovering), if all goes as planned though, I'll be back at the track tomorrow morning. I'll say this in advance, however,  at this point  I'm making NO promises for Aruba, this girl needs some R & R!