Falling in love with the treadmill just in time for Valentine’s Day

06. February 2014 · 3 comments · Categories: running, running gear · Tags: , , , ,

OK, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but lately I’ve actually enjoyed running on the treadmill (with the exception of that almost fainting episode of course).

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I busted out 6 miles (which is close to the longest distance I’ve ever done on a treadmill. I think 7 is my max) and I felt strong the entire time. I focused on my form and kept looking straight ahead focusing on the exit sign above the doors at the entrance to the gym. It was like I was in a trance….in my zone….I kept to a 10min/mile pace for most of the run but added in a few short bursts in the in the 8:30min/mile range here and there just because I felt I was holding back. This was supposed to be an “as you feel” style run so I went with it and honestly it was awesome!

Remember a while back I mentioned in this post that I bought two pairs of my favorite brooks running capris on sale. Well they arrived and I wore one pair a whole lot already. But the second pair ripped on the seam as I was putting them on for the first time.

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This is actually the second time I had a pair rip on the seam. The first pair ripped during the very beginning of a 20 mile run. I didn’t know at first until I felt burning and pain and looked down to see blood about 10 miles into the run. The rip was along the seam in the inner thigh and i ended up with major chub rub.

ouchie!

ouchie!

I emailed Brooks customer service and after submitting a claim with a pic they sent me a replacement pair. So I emailed them again for this pair and they are sending me a replacement for these as well. So happy. They stand behind their slogan “Run Happy”.

Meanwhile I randomly found this fortune on my desk at work yesterday.

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Not sure how it got there since I have never ordered chinese at work. But I think I’m going to follow along and relax the rest of today. I love my Thursdays off. =)

Question: Do you love or hate the treadmill? Do you eat fortune cookies or just break them open for the fortune and then toss the cookie?

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I Heart Jelly Donuts

06. February 2014 · 2 comments · Categories: running, sweet treats · Tags: , , ,

Well Mother Nature just dropped a whole lot of precipitation on us. You name it we got it…snow turned to freezing rain which eventually turned to plain rain. I opted to venture in to the office only after seeing that the ice layer on my car was quite thin. It ended up being a zippy ride with no issue. The office was super quiet. Most people opted to work from home. After lunch my boss slipped me some cash and asked if I would run an errand for him. It was critical we get donuts for the brave coworkers who trekked in. And so I was off to Dunkin Donuts. All prepared for the slush puddles of NYC with my waterproof boots.

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My feet are totally submerged from the ankles down

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I could just eat all dozen in the elevator but i won’t….self control Sally!

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What’s better than a jelly donut? A heart shaped jelly donut!

photo 5Tomorrow I have a 6 miler to bang out. With the roads and sidewalks such a mess I might just opt for the treadmill at the gym (unless my local park is in good shape). I just don’t want to burn myself out dancing around puddles and ice patches. This particular run is just a straight one…no tempos, intervals, or hills….but that means nothing to break up 6 “dreadmill” miles. #runnerproblems

Well, last night’s Biggest Loser finale left me concerned….somehow seeing the winner drop down to “underweight” just seemed off-putting to me. Tonight it’s American Idol! I’ve already fallen for 2 contestants and Hollywood week just started. Majesty and Spencer.

OOOH, I’m hungry too…ok gotta split…time to make a snackie.

Question: Reality TV? What do you watch? Have you ever seen My Strange Addiction? Now that’s a wild one.

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Make it Work Monday and Treadmill Tuesday

05. February 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

We sure got walloped with a lot of snow yesterday.

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I knew commuting through the blizzard would be unpredictable, unsafe and quite honestly just frustrating so I cleared it with my boss to work from home. The best part of this was that it saved me from having to deal with shoveling or leaving the house for most of the day. I did bundle up to take the dog out a couple of times.

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Life is always good!

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Snow nose!

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I think my privates just froze

Good thing I had no running on the agenda. Work kept me busy. My meals were pretty last resort….packet of oatmeal for breakfast and a pb&j sandwich for lunch. Thankfully I remembered I had this one piece of “in case of emergency” chocolate saved for a day just like this.

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emergency chocolate!

So I tore open that wrapper and indulged along with a cup of coffee right after my 3:00 conference call. (Note to self: buy a replacement chocolate square ASAP!)

Eventually after the snow stopped falling I shoveled out, cleaned off the car and trekked out to the grocery store. I literally was the only customer.

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sole supermarket shopper

Today, I went to the gym at lunch for what should have been a 5 mile hill workout. Well I had to stop at 4 miles because I got lightheaded and almost passed out. I went to the locker room and just sat down on a bench for a few. Then put my coat on (over my sweaty running clothes) and hoofed it back to the office. I was afraid to get in the hot shower because of how woozy I felt. I finally started to feel better after being back at the office and eating a turkey sandwich. Luckily none of my coworkers noticed since I am always a pretty casual dresser. Lol.

photo 5The run was great while it lasted. I kept the speed steady at 6mph (10:00 mile pace). I put the incline to 1 for a half mile and then bump it up to 5 for the next half alternating this for all 4 miles. It really clearly showed how my effort level increases dramatically to maintain the same pace on the inclines. I know that these Tuesday workouts (intervals, tempos, hills) are definitely making me a better, stronger and hopefully slightly faster runner.

I’m now chillin’ on the sofa with the dog and we’re watching the Biggest Loser Finale! I always love to see the transformations but for heaven’s sake, why must they put these people in high heel shoes that are so high they can’t walk down the steps? These are real people…not runway models.

We’re getting another snow/ice storm starting late tonight and into tomorrow morning. I guess I’ll evaluate in the morning whether or not i’ll be heading to the office or working from home.

Hope everyone is having a lovely evening.

Anyone watching the Biggest Loser?

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4 interval miles and I didn’t forget a thing

28. January 2014 · 4 comments · Categories: running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , , , ,

Do you remember that post exactly 2 weeks ago where I forgot some of my running essentials while doing a 3 mile speed workout at the gym?

Well today, I was back at the gym for a 4 mile interval workout and I’m happy to report I didn’t forget anything! I had my hair pulled back nicely and my sport ear buds securely in place and my workout was just perfect!

4 mile interval workout makes for a sweaty betty

4 mile interval workout makes for a Sweaty Betty Sally

I was still feeling sore and achy from Sunday’s half marathon so I opted to keep all 8 of my half mile intervals about 30 seconds slower. Next time I do this workout I’ll start at 10:30 and drop down to 8:30 for my fastest interval. And I KNOW I can do it because today wasn’t super difficult. Although by the amount I sweat it might not appear that way =)

I wonder if it was my super healthy breakfast that gave me the energy to push through…

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black coffee and peanut M&Ms….sweat out the small stuff sugar and caffeine

When I arrived at the gym I was giddy to see they decorated with a balloon arch just for me…

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and then I realized it was for the Superbowl. Speaking of Superbowl, they have closed down Broadway north of 34th street (here in New York City) to create Superbowl Boulevard. It’s getting crazy. So many trailers and wires and contractors constructing lots of wild things. The police presence is significant. They even just installed this NYPD security camera right outside my office building. (I work right by the big Macy’s at Herald Square)

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I got back to my desk and inhaled my lunch and made sure to log my workout in my calendar, on RunKeeper and cross it off the task list! AHHHHHH!!! Best feeling.

Here are a few pics that were taken of me from Sunday’s Fred Lebow Manhattan Half

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happy but cold but happy and running and that means it’s all good

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almost done • crossing the finish with Carey • enjoying a post run Gatorade slushy

If only I were rich because I love these pictures. But I can’t keep dropping $70 after each event. That would literally be over $1,000 a year on photos considering how many races I participate each year. I think I need to get a job with Marathonfoto. I actually felt bad for the photographers though on Sunday. They must have been so cold! One guy had a little camoflage fort (probably bought at a hunting or sporting store) and was sitting inside of it. It was awesome!

OK, off to conquer the world now that I ran. Hope you did something to make you feel invincible today too! Or at least I hope you had chocolate and coffee for breakfast.

Question: What workouts make you feel so strong and accomplished afterward? What workouts do nothing for you? What did you have for breakfast?

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