Being sick ...

I'm just not sure I got sick this summer while training for the Hamptons Half. If I did, I would have remembered how quickly my cardio capacity plummets, how hard it is to get back out there and how defeated I feel by my own body.

I ran on Saturday, and it was glorious day for running, but it sucked. I could not run as far as I wanted, I could not breathe as well as I wanted and honestly, I gave up. So when I got up at 5:45 am to put on my gear and get out there this morning, I was not optimistic. I also did not want to psych myself out, so I set my Garmin and locked it and made a vow to myself not to check it until I was done with the four mile loop. I was doing four miles, no matter the speed or time, and that was that. And by mile 3, I began to feel like myself again.

I am running a 4 mile race with a bunch of friends on Sunday. I think if I get out there again one more time before then, I might not embarrass myself.

TNT is in pre-season and just days away from the official launch of Team SeaChange Capital & Friends and our training for the NYC Half Marathon. I am excited to get back into regular training mode and discipline. In the meantime, I have been enjoying me some wine, I will tell you that much!

Race report on Sunday!

Been hanging in my "off season."

Which has also meant, not really counting calories, being a little loosy goosey with the wine intake during the week and I can feel the difference. So I am doing a Juice Till Dinner Blueprint Cleanse today to reset and start to work on the last ten pounds. Yup, it is more like 7-8 lbs or so but feels like a real goal when I envision it at ten, how odd. I have run a 5 mile race every week for the last three, but have also been traveling a lot so not doing pilates or core fusion as much as I would like.

Loving the cold weather, running in the dark routine. I thought it would scare me but it is actually thrilling once I get out of bed!

Proof!

 

Race Report

Hamptons Half Marathon 10/2/10, East Hampton, NY 8:00 AM Start.
It was a very cold morning when the alarm went off at the Southampton Inn. Tom and boys stayed back in NYC and were going to drive out when they woke up and meet me at the finish line.

I met the team bus and shivered my way to East Hampton, watching the sun rise outside the bus window and listening to my race tunes on my ipod. I had a half a plain bagel with almond butter for breakfast and was very well hydrated. We pulled up to the Springs Street School and got to keep warm for a little in the school gym where they were holding registration. The idea became a little too popular and the race organizers kicked us all out into the school yard. The sun was warming but it was still sub-50 degrees out!

Soon enough it was time to line up, I finally located my running buddy, Kelly and we were off. I really tried to keep to the splits (nice and slow 5 miler/speed up a bit 5 miler/slam it out 5k) but every time someone would cheer or a good song came on my ipod, I could not help but speed up. Kelly kept me in check and she had to as the trees/pollen/air was giving her lungs a hard time and she needed me to keep to our pre-agreed long run pace of around 13 minutes. I was not going to leave her but felt my body pushing me faster so at times I was alone with her following just down the road. I ate two bags of sport beans and went through almost all four of my fuelbelt bottles of nuun. I felt great all the way to the finish, when Max jumped into the race and crossed the finish line with me. I cannot wait to see the race pictures! I was pretty sore in the knees right after the race and am a little achy in my hips from time to time but in general feel fantastic and very proud.

Time: 02:55:41

I am a half marathoner!

Looking forward and beyond

I am so excited to get this event under my belt. 4 days until the Hamptons Half!

But I am also excited for the time between this race and my training for the NYC Half.

My plans:

• SoulCycle
• Core Fusion
• Running for the hell of it
• Swimming

I've been so training schedule based since June that just doing a variety of activities in no logical order will feel amazing and then it is back to work of getting ready for another race AND discovering the joys of winter training! Brrr.....

The Tapering Tension

I am ready.
Am I ready?
I am running short distances.
Should I only be running 4 miles?
I feel great.
My body is achy.

Tapering is an odd thing. I am so excited to be finally so close to my event but tapering is the most unsettling experience. Thank goodness for my TNT coaches who have prepared me, at least intellectually, for this stage. They can't unfortunately help with my long held neuroses. Ah well.

Been a little loosy goosy with the schedule due to all sorts of busy life stuff but getting the miles done, mostly on the treadmill or on my own time rather than the team schedule. I am excited to post my race report ... stay tuned and remember, Run Jenny Run!

Days to the race: 8

Counting Down

Tick tock. Did 12 miles on Saturday and felt really tired, a little sick to my stomach but overall OK at the end. Very happy to be starting my taper. My long run this coming Saturday is only 8 miles. Never imagined 8 miles would be a relief for me.

I signed up for two more half marathons this year, the Disney Princess and NYC Half for which I am going to lead a TNT team. I am so excited to run the streets of my beloved city.

I have been relatively pain free lately other than normal soreness.

I am doing a Juice Till Dinner cleanse today and tomorrow. Yum and ahhh.... really makes me feel good!