Take a chill pill

02. November 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: labradoodle, running · Tags: ,

I have been in freakout mode pretty much all day today. It started with my friend’s dog getting sick. (he’ll be ok. Apparently ingested something toxic) Duncan sent him a note on Facebook…

photo 5

I went to the NYC Marathon Expo on my lunch break to get my bib and shirt. I cried again. But this year my tears were happy tears. Sometimes I just have to take a step back and realize how lucky I am. I mean, this is one of the World Marathon Majors! And this will be my second time running!

photo 1Run happy!

photo 2I bumped into this girl which was really exciting.

photo 4-1

International event = Welcome in lots of languages

I hit up the pace table and confirmed that both the 4:45 and the 5:00 pacers will be just a few corrals behind me. So Sunday morning I’ll decide which one to stick with (or at least start out with). While I don’t have a time goal I know I’m capable of a 4:48 marathon and I just want to beat my 2011 NYC Marathon time of 5:28. So that’s a big gap. We shall see.

I went back to work and tried to relax. I just kept saying “Take a chill pill Sally!”.

Meanwhile I went to my mailbox yesterday and this was in there:

runner girl magnet

runner girl magnet

No, not the doodle, the car magnet. It’s an exact replacement of the Runner Girl magnet that became a casualty at the car wash I mentioned back in this post. One of my loyal readers and FaceBook friends sent it to me as a birthday gift. How cool right?! Thanks Valerie!!!

Question: Any great suggestions for handling nerves? 

Related posts:

  1. Meh

Down to just nerves and how to track me

31. October 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: labradoodle, recreational fun, Uncategorized · Tags: , ,

I woke up this morning and all those wacky aches and pains were gone! It’s a Chanukah Halloween miracle!

I still opted not to even bother running the 3 miles I was scheduled to do. Took the dog for a walk in the woods as my only exercise. It’s so peaceful and serene. My aches and pains might be gone but the nerves are lingering!!! BIG TIME!!

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I’m wearing nature for Halloween!

I’m heading out shortly for some halloween festivities at a friends house. Duncan is going as a pirate.

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Pirate-doodle

I’m going as a nervous runner who forgot to buy herself a costume. 🙂

Speaking of nervous….I better go tackle my long prep list for Sunday. I’ve got watches to charge, playlists to sync, gear bags to pack, and finalization of a few other things I’ll talk to you guys about at some point over the weekend.

Skinnyrunner made a nice list of tips and a packing list for theNYC Marathon in this post. But I noticed she forgot something very important. Toilet paper! Yep! 48,000 runners hanging around for 2-4 hours a piece means TP might very well not be around for that last trip before corral entry. BYOTP!!! Trust me!

If you happen to be spectating or just home watching TV but want to track me, here are the details:

This is what I’ll be wearing:

outfit

I had this shirt made last year. I was part of Team Stupid Cancer. They are an amazing organization providing resources to young adults who have been diagnosed, are undergoing treatment or who have had cancer so they can get busy living. Go check them out here.  Monika from Monikaruns has attended some of their events. She has also completed 20 marathons, 2 while “powered by chemo”. Go check her blog out too. She’s quite an inspiration.

Based on my corral and estimated paces, here’s a chart that shows approximately when I will get to each mile.

sally-NYCM2013

This link will give you a list of ways to track me.

And lastly, my bib # and start info for tracking is:

bib

Enjoy your halloween and I hope everyone gets treats and no tricks unless of course you’re a magician.

Question: Favorite Halloween candy? Mine is Peanut M&M’s. Anyone running the NYC Marathon too?

No related posts.

aches, pains and nerves

30. October 2013 · 2 comments · Categories: music, running · Tags: ,

Holy freakout!

Yesterday afternoon I went out for a li’l 2.5 mile run.

photo 1

I cannot believe the aches and pains that I felt EVERYWHERE! I’m sure it’s mental and just nerves as we’re just days out from the NYC Marathon. First it was my upper quad/groin pain that actually left me altering my gait. (it’s been a mild pain on and off since June but rarely presents itself on anything less than 10 miles.) Then, my metatarsal bone under my middle toe on my left foot started to hurt. Um, really? That hasn’t bothered me since 1999! My left arm is really sore too. I think I lifted a heavy box over the weekend that tweaked it. I wanted this run to feel like the last 2.5 miles of the marathon in my mind. I even started at 3:30pm so I’d be done right around the time I’d be finishing. So I guess it makes sense that i’d be so full of aches and pains 23.7 miles into a marathon right? LOL!

Luckily I had evening plans to distract me. I went to see my friend’s band The Infinite Staircase play at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. What a great night! I’ve told you guys about his band and his amazing music before. I’m putting ALL the songs on my playlist for the marathon. Go take a listen to their new album No Amends.

I’ll be posting some details of how to track me for the NYC Marathon later in the week. I have no more running planned until Sunday unless I feel like taking an easy run the day before. We’ll see. Hopefully I don’t have too much “small stuff” to deal with.

 

Question: How do you deal with nerves? Any favorite music you want to share?

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40 is just a number, so is 11.8

27. October 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: recreational fun, running, running gear, sweet treats, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Happy Sunday!

First, let me start off by saying if I don’t make complete sentences it’s because i’m so tired! I’ve partied like a rockstar at the new Club 40 (years old) for a few days straight now…

Friday night I met some good friends and former co-workers for a celebratory birthday dinner. We’re closing in on almost 20 years of friendship!

this is what friendship that lasts looks like

this is what friendship that lasts looks like

I stayed out fairly late and didn’t really sleep or prepare much for yesterday morning’s long run. But I pulled it together and met my friends at the base of the Queensboro Bridge where we ran over it into Queens, then back into Manhattan, up 1st Ave into the Bronx and then back down 5th Ave in Manhattan before splitting up at 90th and Central Park West. (basically the last 11 miles of the NYC marathon course).

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peeps!

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I’m coming for you mile 16 next Sunday 2:10pm!!!!

I continued running toward my car on 57th street and although I was shooting to run 12 miles, I stopped at 11.8 because Starbucks had made me a latte (well, technically they didn’t start making it until I went in and ordered it….technically schmecnically)

lots of traffic lights slowed us down

lots of traffic lights slowed us down

I walked an additional block back to my car and then headed home for some last minute packing and prep before heading to my brother’s house for my big party.

Have I mentioned how much I love the fall foliage lately? (probably a dozen times i’m sure)

photo 4-1

Then my party happened:

 

It was such a great night! My cake was made by an amazing cake decorator who took my bib/medal/mums idea and ran with it (get it? see what i did just there?). And my amazing friend, the Rescue Baker made my favorite delicious cookies.

7 heavenly layers of awesomeness

7 heavenly layers of awesomeness

I got so many wonderful gifts, many of which were running inspired…

photo 1

tech shirt, running mitten/gloves, It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” bracelet, and sporting good store gift cards

even these could be running inspired….

refuel and celebrate with candy and booze and sooth sore achy muscles and feet after running

refuel and celebrate with candy and booze and sooth sore achy muscles and feet after running

I am so truly lucky to have great friends and family. So now I’ve caught you up on my birthday weekend. I am going to hibernate for a long time take a nap now and then get myself prepared for the week.

At this time next sunday I’ll have just crossed the finish line of the NYC Marathon! Woo hoo!

Question: What’s the best birthday gift you ever got? How much cake is considered too much cake to eat in a day? 

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  2. Meh
  3. Smooth runner feet—Emjoi Micro Pedi
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