The last few days have been filled with all good things. First I received a special award at work. Nope not for my diligence in the office. It was for being in the best shape! Apparently if you run 19 races in one year you qualify. đ
tee-hee!
I got a pedometer along with the certificate too! Then I came home to more packages in the mail!The missing leg to my trampoline came. So I completed assembly and then tried it out.
Yeah, I think I just learned that jumping in socks is not a stellar idea. I almost wiped out. But the good news is I love it and I’m so excited to use it a whole lot in 2014 as an alternative low impact way to burn calories when I’m not running.
Work was the pits yesterday. I think I just assume that our clients will ALSO be busy with their personal stuff like I am and that we’d be slow during the holidays. That never happens. Like clockwork, December tends to be a busy month. I wrapped up a kick-off conference call with a new client and just needed air. I had to go uptown to pick up my race bib for today’s race anyway so I started out on foot walking from Herald Square to Grand Central (about 10 blocks) where I planned on catching the subway uptown to New York Road Runners. But something happened to me in those minutes and I just felt that with every step I walked I felt less stressed. So instead of getting on the subway I continued walking uptown and additional 20 blocks. (20 blocks is approximately 1 mile).
Passed Bliss Spa on my way. Thought about asking if they took “walk-ins”. But then I remembered I don’t “pamper out the small stuff”….I sweat out the small stuff =)
I popped in to get my race number and then thought i’d continue the walking “therapy” so I headed up a block and entered Central Park at Engineer’s Gate which is where I entered the Park on 11/3 during the NYC Marathon at my very emotional mile 22-23. I felt such a sense of peace and contentment. Being reminded of that awesome marathon day allowed my mind to stop focusing on my current workload woes and instead reflect on my accomplishments and how amazing 2013 has been.
Engineers Gate! Hi Fred Lebow! Consecutive numbers bib!
This little squirrel scare the bejeezus outta me while I was deep in my reflecting zone
I walked an additional 20 blocks and then jumped on the subway back to work since at this point my lunch “hour” was well beyond an hour. So 2.5 miles of walking and almost 2 hours out of the office and I was good as new. Sometimes that’s all you need. I returned to my desk and saw the most beautiful gift that was left for me by one of our vendors. Score!
Godiva chocolate…the perfect gift!
I completed my work for the day and then headed home.
This morning my alarm woke me at 5:00am. Good thing I set 2 alarms because I did the SAME Â thing I did the morning! Â Last time I checked, Saturday is NOT a weekday.
I bundled up in my running gear layers and headed to meet my running peeps for our 15K in Central Park. 7am flurries turned into a steady snowfall just as the 8:30am race began. It was magical. I was so happy….smiling from ear-to-ear. I love snow. I love running. I love friends. WIN-WIN-WIN!
9.3 miles done!
aid stops were serving water Slushies and Gatorade snow cones. LOL!
It’s a masked runner peep sandwich. Photo: L. McGarry
in the corrals walking briskly to the starting line
Pretty as a picture. Photo: E. Negron-Perez
We had to conquer the infamous Cat Hill TWICE on this course. Photo E. Negron-Perez
Running Peeps!
It’s a PR but only because I haven’t run a 15K in 3 yeas.
Gatorade slushie and an apple post-race
one more running peep!
I ran a good race, a PR by 14 minutes actually. But last time I ran a 15K distance was this race in 2010 when I was a lot slower overall). My Garmin said 9.5 miles (instead of 9.3) so average pace 9:48. My official time was only 4 seconds different but because the distance is 9.3 My official average pace was 10:00 on the button. Â I definitely hit a wall today around mile 7. It was tough getting up Cat Hill the second time. I didn’t eat much this morning before the race and didn’t eat anything at all during the race. At one point I could hear my stomach growl.
I’m now home and thawed out and refueled (The box of Godiva is almost gone!) and watching the snow come down.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Question: Have you ever run in the snow? Do you ever just feel so overwhelmed at work that you need to walk 50 blocks to clear your head? LOL!
Don’t know what’s going on with me today but I just felt like the bottomless pit. I truly overate! Started and ended my day with a waffle. Yep….the clock struck midnight and I felt it appropriate to make it Midnight Munchies Monday. And of course the dog wanted to partake so he got his own munchy.
midnight munchies
There was apple pie in the break room at work and I couldn’t resist…twice! (who eats 2 slices of pie before 11am?)
fruit for breakfast
All I know is that there better be some will power for me under the tree this year. Well, Cyber Monday almost came and went without a single online purchase by me…..but……I’ve been eyeing this cool mini-trampoline for a half a second and when I saw it was 20% off with FREE shipping too I pulled the trigger.
fancy shmancy trampoline.
If you’re looking for me I’ll be bouncing on this thing in my living room all winter!
Now it’s time to share some link love. I happen to have 2 very good friends named Lisa…..There’s running Lisa and baking Lisa.
Running Lisa and I met when we worked at the same company about 7 years ago. And then she inspired me to start running. If you’re new to this blog you can see how she inspired me in this video. In the article she talks about her most recent endeavor at the Center of the Nation Series. I was one of the friends who accompanied her on the trip but while she ran an entire full marathon each day for 5 days straight I ran 5 consecutive halfs. It was one of the best trips of my life. I posted a recap for each of the 5 days of the series. If you’re interested in reading more…
The Rescue Baker! Cutest logo ever! I created it =)
Baker Lisa, otherwise known as The Rescue Baker, has been whipping up some amazing “Divine” holiday chocolatey treats while sharing the recipes and an exciting giveaway on her blog. I’ve tasted many of her desserts and she never disappoints.
Well now that it’s 1am, I’m going to try and go to bed. Tomorrow will be another hot date with the rowing machine at the gym. I’d like to say it’s because I’m getting excited about cross-training but in all honesty I hurt the bottom of my foot jumping down from my kitchen counter Sunday night and it’s very tender so I’m trying to keep my weight off it for a couple days. (note to self: 40 years old means it’s time to be smarter about jumping down from kitchen counters. If only I weren’t vertically challenged!)
Hope your week started off on the right (not tender or sore) foot!
Question: How do you deal with days when you just can’t get full? Do you just go with it? Anyone have a trampoline/rebounder?Â
So apparently 11 days without running caused a little concern for Runkeeper:
Runkeeper misses me!
Well, I didn’t want them to worry so I went for a run today.
It was chilly so I put on my new nike long sleeve half zip shirt that was a birthday gift. I love ripping off tags and wearing something for the first time. I also love thumb holes!
ready to run! (please excuse that mess).
What a great run! I kept an average pace of 9:32. I remember when I started running 5 miles would take me an hour or even a little longer (12:00 pace). So to complete 5 miles in 48 minutes feels really good! I spent the first few miles thinking about my goals for 2014 and what races I would sign up for. I have one full marathon planned at the end of April. My goal is going to be to PR. I have to clock in under 4:48. I’m going to train for a 4:40 finish which is a 10:40 average pace. I know it’s doable. I am going to make sure I really focus on speed work and tempos and try and get a 22 miler into training instead of stopping at 20. It feels good to have a goal to work toward. I spent the last couple of miles thinking about how I could get a 5k completed before the year is out. I need to find a local event. I still have yet to do a 5k that was timed (I ran the Tunnel 2 Towers 5K in September but it wasn’t timed). And with PRs in all the other distances this year (full, half and 10k) I’d love to complete a 5k (automatic PR for my first right?) So I can call 2013 the year of the PR.
Maybe it was being reunited with the runner’s high endorphins that I haven’t felt in almost 2 weeks, or the sunshine on my face but I felt so alive today. Mentally alive.
Running awakens the sole!
Yesterday was Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day. I made my boss hug me when I got to work. He’s a trooper!
Speaking of yesterday I discovered the most amazing Mike and Ikes
RedRageous!
I could have eaten the whole box but brought it to a meeting and shared with some coworkers.
Tomorrow I’m attending a fundraising Gala for a local pet rescue. It’s called the Blue Gala and everyone has to wear blue. I’m excited because I have a great navy blue sparkly dress that I will wear. It’s going to be the 3rd time wearing the dress this year and since I got it on sale for $79 to begin with that breaks down to $26.33 per wear! =)
Question: What’s your favorite candy? What are your goals for 2014
P.S. here are a few cute pics from the Trenton Half 2 weeks ago. I’m on the fence whether to shell out the cash for them. It’s getting out of hand! Especially if I keep running so many races each year…
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