Sep 5th 2010 12:22:49 pm

This post is based on the blogging prompt “What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the past year?” from IndieBizChicks’ September Blogging Special.

Isn’t this view of the Brooklyn Bridge awesome? I think this photo is a good representation of the challenges I have faced over the last year as I have been trying to get comfortable living in New York City. I took this photo at about mile 12 of my long Team in Training run yesterday. I had already run over the Brooklyn Bridge, across Manhattan, up the West Side Highway, and back down to the Manhattan Bridge. I was exhausted and a little loopy by the time I made it onto the Manhattan Bridge, but I was still blown away by the view. The run was an extreme challenge, but so totally worth it to experience so many beautiful parts of the city on foot.

Living in NY is similar: difficult, but totally worth it. I am (finally) REALLY enjoying the city this summer. When we first moved here I was a little overwhelmed. I can’t quite remember all of my complaints – they have seemed to dissipate over time – but I know that the fast pace, noise, and difficulty getting around were a few of them. New York is just a lot different than the other places I have lived. I was always open to tackling the challenge of living in a big city, but I was not always sure I would succeed and find happiness. Running has been a big part of helping me appreciate NYC.

I joined Team in Training for a lot of reasons: to get in better shape, to help raise money for a great organization (there is still plenty of timt to help!), to celebrate the tenth anniversary of my last marathon, to celebrate my 30th birthday, to be a part of a New York City tradition, and to meet new people. I know that I have already raved about the TNT experience a lot, but it has far exceeded my expectations. Through my runs I have explored parts of the city that I may have never visited and I’ve had a lot of fun with a great group of people. To illustrate, here is a video of us running over the Brooklyn Bridge from about mile three yesterday:

I was probably having a little too much fun… like usual.

Anyhoo, New York is pretty great. Last night I was completely pooped, but Travis and I traveled out to Coney Island for a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game anyway. We had a good time sampling too much junk food (like Nathan’s hot dogs – yum!) and checking out the wild scene on the Coney Island boardwalk. One more NYC experience checked off the list!

5 Comments » Categories: Brooklyn, Exercise, Feeling Happy, Food, New York, Team In Training

Aug 29th 2010 01:41:18 pm

Yesterday I had an enjoyable morning completing a 2.5 hour long run with my Team in Training. Enjoyable, you ask? Yes, it really was fun.

We ran over the George Washington Bridge and then through the Palisades Park in New Jersey along the Hudson River. For most of the run I hung out with my running buddy, Lauren (that is the two of us with Jillian above), and we chatted about all sorts of randomness. We took it easy and didn’t worry about our speed. We thought that was the best idea since we had run two races within the past two weeks and were tired of stressing over our pace… So instead of stressing, we just had a good time. Our teammates said that we were laughing and smiling whenever they passed and one of our coaches even suggested that we host a radio show while we run to show others how fun it can be… we MUST have been having too much fun! Despite the huge and numerous hills on the course, I felt great.

We even took the time to do a little photo shoot of us running under the bridge:

So, all of that sounds excellent, right?

After 24 hours of reflection, I am not so sure. Remember two weeks ago after the Bronx Half Marathon when I said I was going to concentrating on improving my running during practices and try to talk less? Ya, I need to keep that in mind.

When I got home from the NJ run yesterday, I tried to map it out to calculate our distance. It turns out that we didn’t go quite as far as we had hoped, which means we were going slower than we had hoped, too. Not terrible, but not an improvement. I am starting to feel frustrated because despite my commitment to the training schedule, I don’t seem to be improving. Of course, I have been increasing my distance, I just haven’t been improving my speed. Perhaps it is too ambitious to want both, but I am tired of feeling like I am made of lead. Plus, I want to be totally prepared for the marathon. I want to feel like I accomplished something on November 7th, not like I just barely made it to the finish line alive. I am re-re-committing to increasing my training efforts!!

To help motivate myself and to give you an idea of what is in store for me, check out this video of the NY marathon course condensed to seven minutes:

No Comments » Categories: Exercise, Friends, New York, Team In Training

Aug 22nd 2010 08:45:05 pm

Despite my crazy-person smile seen in the photo above, today’s “Battle of Brooklyn” 10 mile race in Prospect Park was killer. I think it may have been my worst long run of the season, and I have only myself to blame. Travis and I took a lovely trip to Rhinebeck yesterday for our friend, Sarah’s, birthday party. (Happy birthday, Sarah!) We had a great time, but I definitely did not eat the correct pre-race foods (instead I had a lot of delicious food, like ribs and cake) and we stayed out very late – getting home well after midnight.

The trip was totally worth it, but I woke up groggy and sore this morning. To make the run even less appealing, it was overcast and rainy out. I am trooper and I made it out to the park anyway. As usual, my teammates were a great source of encouragement. I ran with my friend and running doppelganger, Lauren, and I managed to make it around the park for the full three loops. It rained on us, I was stiff and sore, my previously most trusty pair of shorts caused chaffing issues, and my pace time was the slowest of any of my races so far… ugh. But thanks to my husband and dog cheering section and the encouragement of my coach for the last half mile and my team at the finish line, I completed the run. Thank goodness.

The icky-ness of today’s race really reinforces the importance of race preparation in the days leading up to a big run. Nutrition, hydration, and sleep definitely make a difference. I have recommitted to staying vigilant about those things in the future — especially for the marathon!!

Look at this awesome team:

I have received so many generous donations from friends and family for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through my TNT fundraising page, but there is still time to help me reach my $5,000 goal! Help us find a cure for blood cancers and support families struggling with the diseases.

3 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Health, New York, Team In Training

Aug 18th 2010 02:03:57 pm

At Team in Training practice my coaches are often telling me, “if you can carry on a conversation you aren’t working at a hard effort.” I usually nod my head, keep running and talking, and then come home to Travis and complain that I try to work at “hard effort” but I just love the social aspect of practice. Why can’t I have fun and train for a marathon at the same time?!

Well, I think these photos from the Bronx Half Marathon have finally made me realize that I should probably start focusing more on my running and less on chatting! I mean, look at me. I barely even look like I am running! It cracks me up. It looks like I am taking a walk with my friends and telling some silly story…. I definitely don’t look like I am in the middle of a half marathon. And it definitely shows that I could be pushing myself to go a little bit faster.

As the race progressed, I started to look more like I was working hard…

But I still think I need to concentrate on improving my running during my races and practices, and try to save all of the chatting for after… at least for the sake of my poor running buddies who are forced to listen to me blabber for hours on end!

——-

My fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is going very well! I have raised over $3,800 thanks to my awesome friends, family, and Swap-bot members, but to reach my goal I still need to raise over $1,100 more. Would you be willing to help Team In Training and the LLS find a cure for blood cancers? Any donation amount is awesome and will help make a difference! Visit my fundraising page to learn more.

3 Comments » Categories: Exercise, New York, Photos, Team In Training, Thinking

Aug 15th 2010 05:26:18 pm

I must admit, I am proud of myself today. I completed the Bronx Half Marathon, and it wasn’t even that bad!

I have run the 13.1 mile distance in the (long ago) past — you can see my results from the 2000 Drake Relays Half here under Rachel Lamble — but today’s race was my longest run this season. My recent, week-long trip to Disney World set me back just a bit in my training, which meant that 10 miles was my previous long distance max. I was worried that I may not be totally prepared to tackle a half-marathon race at this point in my training.

Races are a little bit different than regular long run practices because there is more adrenaline in the air and runners are much more likely to push themselves to go faster, even if that isn’t the best idea. I had already decided not to try for any specific time, but it was hard not to get caught up in all the discussion of paces and time. Luckily, the weather was cool this morning and I ran with two fabulous friends, Lauren and Jessica, who kept me going at a consistent speed. I felt fine for nearly the entire race, with just some stiffness and soreness during the last three miles. Lauren and I crossed the finish line together with a time of 2:30. We sprinted the last mile, or so, which was difficult, but I am glad that I gave my best effort.

I could not have done the Bronx Half Marathon without my Team in Training. It may sound cheesy, but they are the ones who convinced me to sign up and convinced me that I wouldn’t come in last. Lauren’s dad and Brian provided us with transportation all the way to and from the Bronx. Lauren even hosted a Saturday night pre-race dinner at her house and everyone brought carbolicious foods. (The photo above is from dinner, from left to right are Hannah, me!, Jessica, Lauren, Brian, and Travis snapped the pic.) I truly cannot motivate myself to train for long distances on my own, but with my team it all seems doable. Amazing.

After the race today I felt quite stiff. I tried to stretch, but I think I am going to be sore for a few days… I actually think that is a semi-good thing. It means that I pushed myself past my comfort zone a bit. I want to improve my pace time slightly before the marathon (my goal is to run it in under 5 hours), but I think I am on the right track!

p.s. If you want to read more about our Team in Training adventures, read Jessica’s excellent blog: Jessica Runs Like a Girl. She has a masters in creative writing and her descriptions are much superior to mine.

8 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Feeling Happy, Friends, New York, Team In Training

Aug 2nd 2010 05:52:21 pm

Above is a photo of my Team In Training group in the ocean at Coney Island last Saturday. (I’m smack dab in the middle in the white tank top.) That run was so much fun and also a big accomplishment for many of us. We did our long run and ended it at the beach where we all jumped in the water in our running clothes. (Unfortunately, I also jumped in with my now dead iPod in my pocket.) It was the first time I ran ten miles this season, and despite the heat, it wasn’t all that bad. I was motivated to make it a good run since I left for vacation the next day…

I had half-heartedly planned to run while I was in Florida, but it really wasn’t possible. The amount of time we spent walking the theme parks at Disney World was its own kind of endurance training, I figure. We spent at least eight hours on our feet each day and much of that time was spent in the hot, hot sun and terrible humidity. I don’t feel like the vacation set me back too far in terms of training (if you don’t count all of extra sugary treats I consumed), but I did really miss my team. I only missed two group practices, but I look forward to them and rely on them for my motivation. My teammates are so fun and funny and kind – running with them is much more enjoyable than running alone!

So, today I hit the road alone for my first run after eight days off. I ran about 4.5 miles and actually felt quite good. I tackled the big hill at Prospect Park without trouble! Not bad, but I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s group practice. We are doing a tough hill workout, but I don’t even mind — I just can’t wait to see my team!

p.s. There is still plenty of time to show your support and donate to an amazing organization, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, via my TNT fundraising page. I love donations and your support means so much to me. xoxo

No Comments » Categories: Brooklyn, Exercise, Friends, Health, New York, Team In Training

Jun 26th 2010 05:41:47 pm

My marathon training is still in the beginning stages, with fairly low mileage runs and lots of cross training, but tomorrow the team (the Brooklyn LLS Team In Training) is participating in our first organized road race of the season. We will be running the 5-mile Achilles Hope & Possibility Run in Central Park. The image to the left is the race map – we’ll travel through much of the park. I am really excited to be running a race in central park, but five miles is still a loooong run for me. I will not be running it at any kind of race pace. If I can get under 11-minute miles, I’ll feel cool. I have a sore left foot that I really can’t explain, so I want to take it easy.

This evening, Travis and I are eating baked potatoes so that I can fuel up with some healthy carbs, and then I hope to head to bed early. I’m not exactly worried about the running tomorrow, but I am nervous about having to wake up so early and make it to the park in time. Subways are unpredictable on the weekends!

(This is where I once again remind you that in addition to training for the NYC marathon with Team In Training, I am also helping to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your donations will help me get through those 26.2 miles, but most importantly, it will help those with cancer in their daily journey and push us closer to cures that will save lives. You can donate right now online! Special bonus: if you donate now you won’t get bombarded with future emails and letters from me! Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who have already donated!)

No Comments » Categories: Exercise, Health, New York, Team In Training

Jun 21st 2010 09:38:36 pm

While doing some research for my Team In Training fundraising letter, I came across some old photos from when I was training for my first marathon 10 years ago. Most of the photos are stills from video Travis took at some of my practice races. (He had just bought a new video camera and we were pretty enthralled with it.) The photos above were taken from a video we filmed for my first marathon website, a really classy geocities site. We are trying to resurrect it from the archive we saved… but I don’t know if we will have any luck.

You can check out all of the photos from my running adventures of yore over on Flickr. Just please don’t mention anything about the difference between my past and current rear end size.

2 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Photos, Team In Training

Jun 19th 2010 11:07:17 am

Whew. I just completed my first 5 mile run of the season at this morning’s Team In Traning group run in Prospect Park. (This is a photo of me after the run doing some stretching. I look like a dweeb, but I don’t mind.) It was actually much more doable than I was expecting. Before starting this training, I hadn’t run over three miles in a few years. I know I have a lot further to go to work up to the marathon in November, but I am glad that I have been able to tackle this beginning mileage so “easily.”

Today while I was running, I was thinking about turning thirty. I’ll be thirty in February and I just keep thinking how wonderful my first 30 years have been and how lucky I have been. I feel so blessed to have always had such good health and I don’t want to take it for granted. Training for the marathon with TNT helps me with that in two ways: 1- by keeping me active and fit, and 2- by helping to raise money for medical research and care. (…Of course, that leads to the part where I ask for your support… If you would like to help me fight Leukemia and Lymphoma, please check out my TNT fundraising page!)

It feels good to be taking care of my body. I have always been active, but I am so happy that I decided to challenge myself with the goal of another marathon.

6 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Feeling Happy, Health, Team In Training

May 21st 2010 12:37:29 pm

I am a terrible athlete. Absolutely terrible. I can’t throw or catch a ball, bench press 100 lbs, do a yoga handstand, or even run very fast… but that didn’t prevent me from joining the cross country team in high school. Ever since then, running has been the most effective form of exercise for me.

My enthusiasm for running has varied over the years, but it has always been a part of my life. In every place I have lived, running has helped make it home. It has been my way of exploring my neighborhood and making it my own. In Kansas, I ran the safe streets and bike trails around my parents’ suburban home. In Iowa, I ran the gravel roads around the farm land and waved to the Amish. In Oregon, I ran the forested hiking trails of Hendricks Park and Skinners Butte. And, In Brooklyn, I’ve finally felt at home while running the crowded city sidewalks and Prospect Park trails.

Ten years ago, when I was just a freshman in college, I signed up for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training with my friend, Jody. We both enjoyed running and I guess we thought it would be “cool” to run a marathon. We were attending school in Lamoni, Iowa, and in addition to our individual training, we had to wake up at a terribly early hour each Saturday to make the over-an-hour drive to Des Moines to do our weekly training with the TNT group. It was intense and I truly can’t believe we did it. In June, we both crossed the finish line of the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon – a full 26.2 miles run by two 19-year-olds far from home. It was more challenging and more fun than I can describe! The 21,000-person crowd running the marathon went on for miles on the roads of San Diego and the number of spectators was even larger. It was such a wild party atmosphere for the entire five hours it took me to finish. (Jody finished much faster and actually placed in our age group!) The experience of that marathon is one of the most vivid memories of my life.

So… why did it take me ten years to do another? Well, it is mostly because of the training. Marathon training is demanding. I have attempted to do it on my own in the past and failed miserably. I know that I need a group to help motivate me to complete the hours and hours of running that is required to prepare for a full marathon, and… I am extremely excited to announce that I have joined The Leukemia and Lymphoma Soceity’s Team In Training (TNT) program for the second time and I will be training for the New York City Marathon on November 7th, 2010! Getting into the NYC Marathon is not easy – people from all over the world apply to run in it – and I feel that running it with TNT is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am excited, can you tell?!

Part of being a member of TNT means raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There are many different charity endurance training programs to choose from now – many more than when I first discovered Team In Training in 2000 – but I chose TNT again because of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s commitment to research, education, and patient services. Seventy-four percent of every dollar raised goes directly toward these activities. I have set a daunting, yet exciting, $5,000 fundraising goal for myself and I plan to meet it. Click here to visit my TNT fundraising website. I would be more than thrilled if you would consider making a donation. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a wonderful charity that not only provides funds for cancer care and research, but has also made a huge impact on thousands of lives through TNT. I am proud to be a part of it.

I plan to improve my TNT fundraising page over the next few weeks, and also write weekly blog posts about my training experience. Please check back to follow along on my adventure!

9 Comments » Categories: Exercise, Feeling Happy, Health, New York, Team In Training