Out & Back Weekend - Philadelphia, PA



New Gear pre-race at the no-tel, motel, Holiday Inn

What a weekend!
I apologize for the delay in the post-run blog post, but I feel like I'm only just beginning to recover!
I need to clarify, the race wasn't bad - but you combine the 3-4 miles walking around downtown Philly prior to the run, then the race, then the after party, then the after-after party @ Geno's, then an up early road trip to AC followed by a late dinner @ Cuba Libre, another mile walk to Max Brenner for sinful deliciousness, up early for departure after a stop @ Honey's Sit & Eat (HIGHLY recommend), the drive home, the unpacking, laundry, whew!
This crew can pack a weekend, fo sho.

Friday the 29th was perfect road trip weather. We were in Philadelphia in a matter of hours. This girl got to sleep in and catch the highlights of the Royal hubbub before we departed York. We made it to the hotel a couple of hours before the Killian's (which would later prove problematic), had lunch, got changed and hit the city. A perfect Spring afternoon with only a few sprinkles threatening the cool, sunny, race conditions. I felt really good - well rested, calm, cool, relaxed. I felt that even if I began to tire during the run that I could convince myself to keep going because I KNEW that I could and had already run this distance several times.



Officially Official - yes I'm running, yes I want to be timed!



After my run in at the Under Armour outlet with the sales guy clarifying that the running gear that I was shopping for was actually for me I had convinced myself that I was just being "sensitive". The lady at the race day registration table was way more offending, however. Shawn had decided that in order to partake in the after party awesomeness he would buy a race day bib, get the bracelet and watch from the sidelines. I had already picked up my goods and met him at the registration table when the lady taking his payment looked at me and asked if I was running. I said yes. She then asked if I knew that I was being timed (my bib was different than Shawn's). I again replied, yes. She said "oh". If there was any doubt that I was being "sensitive" at that point, that theory went out the window...especially since the hubby could now corroborate the story. Sheesh! Shawn & I decided that at that moment the best thing that we (meaning I of course) could do was prove them wrong. Which I did.



Michele & I pre-race

I ran the whole four miles, and I wasn't dragging, dying, gasping or anything - well not that I could hear over my blaring music, anyway. Michele and an old friend from high school had passed me on my way "out" and their way "back" and both commented how comfortable and relaxed I looked. I felt that way too! I felt super official when I grabbed a cup of water, took a sip, and threw it down on the ground at the turnaround - you know, how they do on TV?! Michele finished in under 39 minutes then ran back to join me in my last 1/2 mile - super nice of her, especially since we royally pissed them off by leaving the hotel and wandering aimlessly around Ben Franklin Pkwy pre-race. She reminded me to keep my head up, which would help with my breathing. plus "you want to look ahead at where you are going, not back to where you been". I do love that crazy lady and look forward to cheering her on at the Marine Corps Marathon this October.

My adorable hubby was waiting, waiving, and carrying on when I crested the final & only hill at the end of the race (so cruel that they do that), I knew that I was ahead of my best time thanks to my RunKeeper app and I knew that I must have been doing really well for him to be so excited and encouraging. I crossed the finish line in 52:19. That's over two minutes that I knocked off my previous "best" four miles. It was a great feeling! You know what else was a great feeling? Beer bubbles tickling my throat at the Lemon Hill Mansion afterwards! It's still a long way to 13.1...
PS - I'm down 8 lbs even AFTER last weekend!

At the finish line...my face matching the color of my shirt!







T + 2

Been slacking on the blog front but still plugging away at the running/healthier eating habits business which is a good thing because the Out & Back Party Run in Philadelphia is this Friday. That's right - as in two days from now. YIKES!

Here's what we know:
1) That I CAN run four miles straight, though it's never been road tested.
2) That at even my best four miles I'm still waaay slower than Michele "just signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon" Killian. I'm at about 13.5 min. per mile and she's clocking around 10 min. per mile. Suffice it to say, I plan on flying solo Friday but am hopeful that the other runners motivate me and my time improves.
3) I have some cute new warm weather gear thanks to the folks at the Under Armour outlet (yes, dude with the tattoo sleeves, they ARE for me!). I still can't believe that I went directly to the UA store and directly home. No Pottery Barn, no Coach, this girl was on a mission - albeit, an unfamiliar one.
4) We're staying the weekend in Philly and possibly making a trip to AC Saturday, so I've got some fun stuff to think about while I'm running.
5) For all intents & purposes it appears that we are being robbed of Spring. The heat and humidity that we are currently experiencing is unseasonable (hence the new lightweight running gear). The forecast for Friday in Philadelphia is partly cloudy, high of 67 degrees, much cooler than the beginning of the week - woot! Fingers crossed for no rain.
6) Still not sure how much of a "party" it will be afterwards considering we're not sure our hubbys can even get in!  :(

New Gear

Ok, so if my last blog was 4/11 I'll update my progress since then:
4/14 -6:26 a.m. (blah)  4 miles in 55:14
4/17 - 8:24 a.m. .26 miles in 3:33 LOL - it was sunny but so freakin' windy my eyes were watering and my body was swaying, had to pack it in!
4/19 - app crapped out recorded it in two half's but didn't account for the fumbling time between the phone shutting off, restarting and getting my tunes and timer back up & running (all while still running) 2:21 miles in 29:57, 1.58 miles in 23:19.
4/24 - Easter Sunday 7:53 a.m. only ran 2 miles (26:58) because it was so warm and I was overdressed, plain & simple. I kicked into high gear though at the end and my time was decent.
426 - LAST run before the Out & Back 6:45 a.m. 4 miles in 54:24. So so hot! It was 67 degrees when I got to the track I wore a racer back tank and some sweat capris I dug out of the lounge wear drawer. Was so hot when I finished I couldn't stand the thought of eating breakfast and took a cold shower - by choice, not because Shawn had used all the hot water - which I think he probably had!

I know that I can be silly and a bit of a smart ass about this - but I wanted to take some time and address something really wonderful that's happening as a result of this journey I'm (or should I say "we're") on.
I've been getting little notes, posts, comments of encouragement that are truly touching. I've had people tell me that I've inspired them to start a walking regimen, people tell me that I've inspired them to run their first 5k, and most recently a friend from high school sent me the following message:

"Hello Lady....I want to start with a CONGRATS on all your hard work and also a THANK YOU for the ongoing inspiration. I have been running for quite some time,but have yet to hit a race. I am starting a running program next week that is an 8 week course. I am highly considering the Half in Philly....just cuz I need a super goal.
I have been going to an intense bootcamp 4x's a week and have made great strides, but was still struggling a bit. So, in reading your weekly updates, I finally broke down and joined weight watchers last week. I weighed in today and lost 3.8 lbs. You were the first person I thought of!

I hope your struggles/adventures are still going well....I am rooting for you (and Me!)

thanks for some additional inspiration!!"


When I began this blog/challenge I NEVER imagined the overwhelming amount of support that I would receive - nor did I set out to inspire others. What an incredible motivator - I need to keep plugging away at this for me...and for anyone reading this that might need that extra push.

I do have more to share but maybe I'll just save it for my post race update - I think this is a fantastic spot to wrap this post up. You'll be with me in spirit on Friday!!

Updates, updates, updates

So so much happening with this running business. I've got some pretty big updates to share with my "official" followers and those of you who sneak a peek at my blog via facebook or twitter postings just to be nosy :P.

First and foremost, I hit another milestone this weekend in running 4 consecutive miles without stopping! It was a beautiful day on Saturday, and following breakfast and a vet visit with my doggies, Shawn headed into the office and I headed to the track.

I was virtually alone at the track minus the small group tossing a lacrosse ball back & forth in the in-field and the lady with kid running wildy for a few hundred feet and then gasping for air, only to then work on his perfection of the backward run. I started off with the long sleeved tee/fleece vest/running pant combo but right around the 2 mile marker the vest HAD to go. I need ideas for light weight running shirts with either pockets that zip or a space big enough to fit my Droid and car key in - again, welcoming suggestions. Because I was fresh out of pockets, the phone went into the sports bra - hey, you do whatcha gotta do! The run went ok, I felt pretty good, my Pandora was kicking out some inspiring tunes and it was sunny yet breezy.

I finished the 4 miles in 55:22. And though I'm not particularly happy with the split - I'm feeling as though I'm accomplishing good things. I may not enjoy the actual "running" part - but I'm gaining self-confidence, I'm feeling more energetic (in general, not after the runs), and overall, a bit more optimistic. That being said, after the run, I went directly to the wine store - I did not pass go, I did not collect $200, right to wine store. Found some great deals and got enough bottles to fill our wine rack (which holds 6 bottles, relax). Even though I've yet to open any of them, at that moment, I had every intention of doing so.

What I wanted more than wine, however, was food! Directly beside the liquor store is a pizza joint, and for the only time in my life that I can remember - I ordered a single slice of pizza. This girl was exhausted from the run and starving from the light breakfast she had had 5 hrs. prior, what I didn't want was to wait 20 min. for a slice of pizza...but I did, with my wine in tow, and in my super sexy running gear. At that point, I could have really cared less what a single soul in that pizzeria thought of me. The pizza was divine, and worth every point and minute spent waiting. Equally divine was the 2 hr. nap that followed my late lunch & work-out.

I lost 3lbs in the last week thanks to the Weight Watchers Points Plus program/running combo and feel pretty good about that...and the fact that I was able to eat pizza, chocolate fondue, have a few drinks, etc. I need something realistic w/"cheat" days if I'm going to stay the course - plain & simple.

My sister updated me on my progress as well (these #'s don't include the 4 mi. on Saturday):

"You have successfully completed 39 runs
You have completed 59.83 miles
You have clocked ~850 minutes of training time
Which converts to ~14 hours of running :-)
And you say you can't run for two hours lol."

Another terrifying update is the fact that we may have very well "found" my 1/2:

Philadelphia Marathon 2011

www.philadelphiamarathon.com

Friday, November 18 12:00 PM-9:00 PM Saturday, November

Because I have made it this far and would really like to see this journey through, Shawn and I have made the decision to hold off on the IVF process until January of 2012. And though it stings a little bit, I have to believe that by then I will be in fighting shape and spirit. Now of course, if a little miracle should happen upon us in the meantime, we would be thrilled - one thing we know from experience is that the best laid plans are sometimes broken, and that can be where you find some of the best stuff life has to offer.

Tread lightly...

So, I'm doing a bit better with my blog frequency. Lots happening, and I feel I should document it.

First let me state that I only got one run in last week due to the ever comedic Mother Nature. Winter 2011 is/was/will forever be known as the Winter that just wouldn't die. You know the whole "March comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb" business - uh, yeah, not so much. This was apparently opposite year for the month of March, and those among us craving Spring like a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity were S.O.L.! To further prove that she's the funniest of all forces in the universe, she gave us one heck of an April Fool's Day prank...snow, yep, snow.

By the time the rain and the prank snow rolled out last week, the weekend was upon us. Saturday I spent the day getting myself pampered at the spa with my mother-in-law. I feel like monthly pedicures should be offered at no charge for those of us in training for a 1/2 marathon.

Sunday, rather than run, I hit Gold's Gym with my very best girlfriend. At times it's hard to find time for us to chit chat and catch up, we decided that it was time to make a date and do what we ladies do best...no, not gossip, multi-task :). We spent a half hour on the elliptical, then we did some ab, core and arm work-outs that her trainer had taught her. I did not fall off the balance ball for once, and must have been doing something right because if I so much as coughed the next two days, I still felt it. After the work-out we re-fueled at Ruby Tuesday before heading out to do our grocery shopping. She made my most hated of chores enjoyable, and it was nice to reconnect, even if over our mundane weekend tasks.

Monday brought seasonally warm temps and a double dog walk after work. We did a little over a mile though the dogs make it feel much longer with their pulling, barking, stepping on each other, relieving themselves in the middle of the street, etc. Tuesday brought, wait for it, more rain! Yes, it is impossible for those of us in South Central PA to enjoy two consecutive days of sunshine and warmth.

Something else has begun this week, which should have those close to me or within arms or ears distance particularly concerned - the return to Weight Watchers. And though I'm flying solo this time around, it's a new program that seems like an o.k. fit for me. In the past I lost nearly 100 lbs. on the program, I'm hopeful that with this plan, in addition to the miles I've been logging, I will start seeing some results. Aside from the constant eating and peeing, I feel good. Oh, and thank you God for "activity points"!

My husband mentioned to me on Sunday that he thinks he wants to quit smoking. When I asked what brought that on, he stated that he just doesn't enjoy it as much anymore. Now, anyone that knows Shawn and I understands that smoking is our worst vice...period. And while I'm a pro at the cold turkey I can do without it business, Shawn hasn't ever really gotten to that point. Lately I've been a cigarette in the a.m., a few in the p.m. kind of girl. It is a very social thing with us. We have a cigarette outside while the dogs do their business or play in the yard, we talk about the day, etc. To finally, once and for all quit, will be so much easier once both of us are on board. I'm crossing my fingers, but not holding my breath. So, dieting and quitting smoking, consider yourselves warned - those in my presence may want to tread lightly...

This morning I was up and at the track by 6:30 a.m. The alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m., I must do a better job of actually getting up at that time, rather than pushing the snooze button, once, twice, sometimes three times.
It was nice this morning, around 35 degrees at the track. I wore my gloves for the first mile and a half. I got the stink-eye from an older lady because I became one of those runners who had to actually say something about the walkers clogging up the first lane at the track. Oh, well, she wouldn't have wanted this girl to plow her over. I was barely awake, and definitely cranky. She's lucky an "excuse me" is all she got. C'mon - there's like 5 other lanes Miss Daisy! My time this morning was 38:02 for 3 miles. It was a personal best for a 3 mile and I was love love loving my Pandora for selecting Usher's More and Flo rida's Club Can't Handle Me at the precise moments I needed an extra push. Word.

Making strides...

It has been a few weeks since my last blog and I have been working my butt off at the track in preparation for the Out & Back run in Philly April 29th. I met my fundraising goal of $200 for the ALS Hope Foundation in under two weeks, and I'm currently running three miles at one clip. This is huge for a girl that couldn't run more than a 1/4 mile before gasping for air and slowing to a snails paced walk.

And though it is "officially" springtime in south central PA, my runs the past few mornings have been in mid 20 degree temps. I realized on the way to work, as the feeling began to return to my legs, that I have been running since November and the temperatures haven't really improved all that much since then. Come on mother nature, work with me here!

Thanks to my handy dandy RunKeeper app I can give you a run down of my running since my last entry on March 4, 2011:

March 8th - 2.04 miles in 30:02 on Old Farm/Greendale - brutal.

March 9th - 2.07 miles in 30:01 on Old Farm - no Greendale, got a little bit better of a distance...still brutal

March 12th - 2.20 miles in 30:01 BACK TO THE TRACK. Beautiful Saturday run though I lost all feeling in my right foot around the two mile marker - made a note to self not to tie the laces so tight.

March 17th - 2.50 miles in 35:13 - This was a 6:30 a.m. run at the track. The sister-coach thought it was about that time to increase my time.

March 19th - 3.05 miles in 42:41. This was an EARLY (8:30 a.m.) Saturday morning run at the track. This was also a milestone - three miles!! And though I was competing with the York Suburban track team, and my time was more like 42 min. except the app wouldn't "stop" when I pressed "stop" and timed me during some of my cool down, it was actually a good run.

March 23rd - I was up early and at the track, what I didn't pay close enough attention to was the weather forecast. No ear warmer, no gloves, no under armour. It was COLD, windy, and there was a fine mist falling. I ran for a quarter mile, packed it up and headed home. That was a first, I tried not guilt myself about it.

March 25th - 3.00 miles in 41:52. Early Friday AM at the track (with proper attire for the balmy 27 degree temps). My 3 mile time is getting better. The upside of running in the morning is obviously the lack of commotion at the track. The downsides are greater - 1) The janitor may throw away your water bottle...which he did. 2) High school kids are arriving as my tired, red faced butt is slinking to my car after the run. 3) The inevitable 3 p.m crash at my desk.

That brings us to today - I ran about 3 miles in 38:46. I do wish I could be more accurate given the fact that this is my BEST 3 mile time to date (temps again around 27 degrees). Unfortunately, my RunKeeper app became possessed at some point between 3/25 and today. It calculated my run at 3.58 miles in 38:46 with an average pace of 10:50 per mile - don't I wish! Had I not been running laps at the track I may have been proud of myself - but the laps don't lie and I can't take credit for a run that is probably months into my training future.

I'm definitely proud of my progress but it is a long way from 3 miles to 13 miles. I'm finding that I don't like allotting so much time for running now. I seriously cannot imagine at this point running for hours! It's kinda boring. Some people swear that I'm going to love it (which I still don't) - I was disheartened to learn from a friend that she began to LOVE it around the 5 mile mark. Really, five miles?!

I'm a long way from 5 miles, and if these temps don't start to warm up, I don't know how I'm going to get there. It would, of course, be easier and a much better motivator if I was beginning to see some physical changes - but I'm not. I guess I haven't been running long enough, enough times per week to really make a difference in my appearance. I think we have age to thank for that. I used to make up my mind that I was going to lose weight and 20 lbs. would fall off. Not the case at all this go round. I'm working out more consistently and running farther distances than ever and nothing, nada, zip, zilch. 

My co-worker, the iron man, insists I'm building my muscle. My sister feels as my distances and times get longer I will really start to shed some lbs. I sure as hell hope something happens, and soon. There is no greater motivator for me...well, aside from a good old fashioned challenge. If I begin to lose weight, I'll not only look & feel better, but hopefully I can run faster - it's not easy hauling all this around! 

Then there is Aruba. If ever there was a bright sun-shiney light at the end of this tunnel I call the never ending winter - it is Aruba :). We leave May 22nd for a week on the Happy Island and I couldn't be more thrilled. I don't foresee beach running in 80 degree temps in my future - my body just might go into shock. But there is a gym on site, we'll see if I can get one or two work-outs in while on vacay. I make no promises, however ;). 

Til next time!
V

A little pat on the back

So, I kind of figured that things would be different once I got my mile run under twelve minutes. I had been forewarned. My guess was that I would be bumped up to two miles 3-4 x's a week, or even a mile, then a two mile and so on. Nope. The sister-coach hit me with what seemed like an impossible feat - she wanted me to begin to run for 30 min. straight four times a week.

 

It began Tuesday evening. I made it home and to the track before sundown. There were mini soccer players practicing in the interior of the track. There were parents standing close by...on the track. There were also some runners and walkers at the track. The upside of this time of year is more daylight, the downside is everyone else is trying to take advantage of the extra daylight too. Therefore, there is an audience and I really didn't know how this was going to go.

 

Janelle had instructed me to go slow, and I did. I tried my best to concentrate on my breathing and ignore the others. As I finished my first mile I felt ok. My calves were beginning to burn, but that was to be expected. As I made it to the mile and a half mark I couldn't believe that I was actually still running.

My RunKeeper app is a God send. Every once in a while I get a reminder on time and distance every, and for the most part, Pandora has been running without interruption.

 

I hit 30 min. and though my legs were like jelly - I was proud of what I had just accomplished. I wobbled around the track a few more times to cool down, stretched again, called coach, and headed home. The official distance was 2.14 miles. I was certain that Wednesday morning I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, but surprisingly I wasn't all that sore.  In fact, after checking out the weather and realizing that Wednesday was going to be warmer than Thursday AND that Shawn would have a rare Thursday night at home with us - I decided to do it again the next night.  

 

Before I made it to the track Wednesday night, and while still on a momentum high from Tuesday night, I committed to the Out & Back Run that I had been considering taking part in for some time. The Out & Back Party Run is a 4 mile evening run in Philadelphia. After the race there is of course...a party ;). Now, I may not exactly be a passionate runner, but I love Philadelphia, we're always down for a party, and I welcome any excuse to get the hell out of Dodge! Bonus - my favorite cheerleader will be awaiting my arrival at the finish line. Race proceeds benefit the ALS Hope Foundation. I opted to set up a fundraising page as well and set a goal of $200. I am hopeful that the cause, the race, and the fact that a friend has agreed to join me in this endeavor will keep me on track toward a goal of running THE WHOLE 4 MILES at the end of April.

 

If anyone would like additional info. on the race, either to join or support me - check out the following links:

 

http://www.active.com/running/philadelphia-pa/out-and-back-party-run-2011?cmp=23-2

 

http://www.active.com/donate/ALS2011/VHawk

 

 

By the time I made it to the track Wednesday night I had already raised $50 toward my goal of $200, just that extra nudge I needed. My result: 2.13 miles in 30 min. Maybe I should be getting closer to 2 1/2 miles or more, but hey, at least I was consistent. Thursday night - I reveled in being home, preparing dinner and cozying up with my husband. I didn't miss my work-out one bit - there I said it! I did, however, get a status update from my sister:

 

Since my challenge to you in November:
You have completed 31 runs
2 5K runs
You have run 37.79 miles
You ran 9 runs in Nov, 10 in Dec, 7 in Jan, 3 in Feb, and already 2 in March.
You started walking a lap running a lap to complete a mile, you now run 2 full miles without stopping.
You can now see why I say running is the perfect exercise...you get to see so much in the line of results it's amazing.
Great Job Miss Thang, I love you!!!

 

^^She's great huh?!^^

 

Anyway, I know that I need to get more runs in monthly and I'm feeling more motivated than ever given the MAJOR accomplishments this week and of course the Out & Back on the horizon. So, it wasn't painful getting back to the track tonight. I had the track to myself which I love, it wasn't too windy, and things started off well. The RunKeeper notifications let me know my average pace in addition to distance and time. I knew that I wanted to speed it up a bit tonight. Things were going well until two consecutive phone calls  came through screwing up the Pandora and leaving me fumbling with my phone while trying to stay on track, literally. Even with the interruptions, I finished my 30 min with a total distance of 2.23.

 

Yes, that sound is me patting my own back, and with that, I welcome the weekend and at least one day off.

Coming Clean

My last entry was on February 3ish, just days before Corey's funeral.
What I didn't disclose at that time, was that not only were we grappling with our grief, we were also in the midst of fertility treatments, tests, etc. All of which aren't exactly conducive to a regular running routine. We were experiencing emotional whiplash from the ups & downs. I should mention that the fact that we were even revisiting IUI was a miracle in itself - not 6 months prior we were informed that it was IVF or nothing. This was a gift in our eyes, a chance that we had to take even  though our hearts were broken and the world just didn't make any sense.

February 4th there was an HSG that left me crampy and in no position to run. February 9th was more blood work - I have amazing veins ;), February 10th was the IUI procedure. February 17th - more blood work, thank heaven their phlebotomist is an angel, and also an ovary check and the plan was to have a pregnancy test yesterday. During the "two week wait" after the IUI and before a test you need to, well wait.
Take it easy, rest, etc. Especially me. My sister-coach is also an anxious aunt-to-be and was adamant about the fact that because I have only been running for a few months - my body isn't as used to it. So I was benched. I have not forgotten about my blog, my blog followers, or my goals - however incompatible they may be.

I did cave and ran on the GORGEOUS February 18th afternoon where temperatures reached 70 degrees and made us remember why we love love love Spring so much. I ran Old Farm (alone), and my time was 12:42. I ran in a T-shirt and Capri work out pants and found that the warmer temps actually hindered my performance. Maybe those of you who insisted 40 degrees is the optimal running temp are on to something. Of course not four days later we were once again buried in 6 in. of snow here in York. So as Winter refused to give way to Spring I remained sidelined even though I had come to the realization that the IUI procedure had not been successful.

But today is a new day, and I'm doing my best to put the events of the last week, well month really, behind me and start fresh! This morning as Shawn prepared for work at the tax office (is tax season over yet?!), I dressed, and stretched and prepared myself to be reacquainted with the squishy track. I can't believe it - but it had been since my 1st solo mile run w/out a stop since I had been there. The unseasonably awesome Friday that I ran - well, the track was over taken by students with Spring fever - but this morning it was ALL mine :). I was back, and with a vengeance too - a personal best of 11:48!

That's new numbers and probably a new regimen. Sister-coach had informed me that once I was under 12 minutes I would move up to 2 miles per run. And though my breaths are still belabored and the runs are by no means easy, I'm kind of excited about it. Milestones are good...across the board.
Of course I am keenly aware of the fact that another round of IUI is looming, we take things one day at a time around here. We embrace small victories, and though actually completing a half marathon will have meant that we remained unsuccessful in conceiving, it will make the blow less difficult to bear.

So, I thank you all for your continued support, I need it!