Racing in the Winter

I'm getting ready for the NYE run in Central Park and I'm a little worried about what to wear.  On the one hand, I don't want to check my stuff because I don't want to have to wait on line to get it back.  I'm pretty sure everyone will be hanging out for the party afterwards but I'll be the stag so I'm planning to dash home right away. 

On the other hand, I'm afraid I might freeze my ass off getting there and then waiting for the race to begin.  So the solution, so far as I see it, is to layer strategically.  I figure it'll be cold enough that I'd want my base shirt and a middle layer on during the run but I won't want my outer layer on once I get moving.  That's fine, as it's light weight and I can tie it around my waist without too much fuss. 

But even still, winter running gear isn't that warm when you're not running, so I bought a head buff so as I heat up, I can reconfigure it.  It's a dorky piece of gear but after the Turkey Trot, I can definitely see it's appeal.

This is a head buff.  I'm SO getting an Irish flag one for when I run the Shamrock in March.

If it's really cold, I'll get arm warmers that I can take off or roll down before the race to wear over my base layer.  Pretty much the same idea as the buff, I can adjust.

But what if it's really really cold?  What if I need to keep my core warm while I wait but not while I run?  I mean, getting from Brooklyn to Central Park at night on the weekend can be a trek when it's not a holiday.  That's a long time left to shiver.  That's when it occurred to me:  Why not wear something I won't mind throwing away before the race?  And I happen to have just the thing.  Finally, I have a reason for not burning this shirt!



I knew I wasn't that fast!!!

Okay, I knew something was wrong with my times. The race results were faulty.  My "real" stats are 40:26 chip, 44:08 gun, averaging 8.06 minute miles. That still seems a little fast to me but I'll take it :)

I'm a little disappointed and embarrassed now that I didn't run so fast, I wish I knew exactly what my times were, but I didn't bother using my Nike+ ap cause I thought the race was keeping track.

I wrote to the organizers on Friday night to tell them that there was no way I could have run as fast as they said.  It was a little deflating.  I decided to use it to motivate me, though.  Someday, maybe next year or the year after, I will make it onto the Leader Board.  I may not be first, it may not be with 5:41 minute miles but I will get there.

Also, to make sure this never happens again, I've invested in a GPS pedometer.  I used it for the first time last night.  It's pretty cool.

Finally Downloaded Some Pictures

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! As the title says, here are some pics:

At the New Museum with my mom.  We didn't blend in with the hipsters, we didn't mix with the artistes, but dressed all in black and white, we did match the museum motif perfectly.

Taking a stroll in Central Park.

Hmm, can you see the resemblance?

^These three are from a day off I spent with my mom back at the beginning of the month. 

The Tartan Ball.

^This is from last weekend before the night went down in a flood of scotch.  The older gentleman recognised my tartan and called me over.  According to his family legend, he is descended from the brother of one of my ancestors, so I guess that we have a great great great ... grandfather in common.  He was pretty cool. 

Feeling very confident before leaving the house.

Nervously waiting for the race to begin.  Sorry, it was cold out.

At mile 2.  I swear I was still running, here.

Right before the finish line.  Yay!  I look fast here!

My wonderful supporters!  I can't tell you how happy I was to see them!  I was tickled pink by the sign!

No, I didn't win.  Everyone got a medal. 

This last set is from yesterday morning's Five Mile Turkey Trot.  I was so nervous.  My mom came with me to the race and S and Wiley the Pit Bull met us there.  I thought that once we were there, I'd find a place to get them coffee to keep them toasty while they waited.  Unfortunately I was so nervous, once I got there, I refused to take my eyes off the starting line.  Woops!  Sorry, guys!

The race turned out to be a lot of fun!  Once I found my groove, I wasn't nervous, I just wanted to keep running.  S and my mom waited for me at mile 2 and at the finish and I can't tell you how great it was to have their support!  Going into it, I thought it would be cool to get cheered on but I had no idea how motivational it would be.  I looked for them as I ran and I wanted to keep running so I could see them at the finish.  I can't explain it, they just made me a really happy racer.

 

In other news, I told my family how I saw kids on scooters and a lot of walkers yesterday so we're all planning on entering the Turkey Trot next year!  I'm really excited about that.  Maybe it can even become a family tradition, at least for some of us.  My parents will be in the midst of training for the Camino, so they will walk it.  My little nephews will be able to scoot it or walk it.  Hopefully some of my sisters will want to walk, cheer or run.  It could be so fun!

Edit:  Umm... so I just checked the race results and apparently I have the lowest chip time amongst women... So like, if I was at the front of the pack and not the back, I may have, like... won. I don't think that could be right but I had S check the results page, too. I can't believe it. I think I need to run a race against people who are racing to win, and not a fun run and see how I compare. I am... er... shocked... I also just want to stress how much motivation I got knowing my mom and my sister were there to cheer me on.  I'm so used to doing things on my own that I don't always realize what a wonderful thing it is to have people there to support me.  It really makes all the difference in the world.  Thanks guys!!!

It's been a while

I haven't updated in a bit cause all I've been doing is running and I didn't see the point in posting my stats all the time.  Let's see, what have I been up to...?

This picture is entirely unrelated to my post but people like pitcures in blogs, so there you go.

I'm running at 20-30 minute stretches and ran five miles over the weekend with only two one minute walk breaks.  I think I'm in good shape for the 5M Turkey Trot next week, although the hills will probably suck.  I've also gone ahead and registered for the New Years Eve run.  I think it will be good cause 1)  They say that how you spend NYE is how you'll spend the year 2)  I'll be busy running when the ball drops so I won't be awkwardly waiting for people to stop kissing so I can say Happy New Year to someone  3)  I won't have a hang over the next day  4)  Half the people I know will be away anyway.

I found a condo I'm interested in and I'm trying to not get my hopes up about it.

I've been knitting up a storm!  It's my hobby du jour and would qualify as goal #17.  Let's see if I stick with it.  I'm currently making a pocket scarf for my mom for Christmas cause she loves mine.  I have a few things I'd like to make lined up after that.  Maybe a sweater or wrist warmers and something for Brado.

I also accepted an invitation to the Tartan Ball for this tomorrow.  Usually I wouldn't go to a party with someone I barely knew unless it was a date but I want to be more social and it's not every day you get asked to a ball.  I bought three dresses but I'm returning two of them.  I really couldn't decide which one I liked better until I saw my credit card bill!  That did it!  LOL  It sucks that the one I'm wearing isn't the most fabulous one but I do feel luxe in it, so it's okay.  I also bought a fox fur stole and a hotel room for the night, neither of which are refundable, so oh well!  I'll have to lump it!  LOL

I'll try to remember to take a picture of myself to post.

All Geared Up!

Just in time I went and got some winter running gear on Wednesday.  I got a long sleeve shirt, a jacket, an ear band and an awesome Nike sports bra that makes me feel all speedy and athletic.  I'm told that this will do for all but the coldest days.  I'll still need another layer for when it's bitter out, but this is good for now.  Somehow I managed to forget sunglasses, gloves and a backpack!

I got to try out all my new gear last night when I went running in the rain.  I thought it would be a miserable run but I was really tweaking for it, so I went out anyway.  It turned out to be incredible!  I ran 3 sets of 9 minutes a piece.  The last one, I decided to see how fast I could comfortably go, while maintaining and not sprinting.  IT FELT GREAT!!!  I felt SO fast.  It was exhilarating!  I got home feeling like I could have kept going, not exhausted.  I seriously can't wait to get back out there. 

It's going to be a busy weekend.  I'm meeting a friend and his partner for brunch tomorrow, meeting my sister for birthday drinks tomorrow night and then having my nephews and sisters for a spooky brunch on Sunday.  I'm going to try to bake tomorrow afternoon.

I'll try to take pics of brunch.  I'm making witches finger cookies, jack o'lantern pumpkin pancakes, apple bites, mummy English muffin pizza and possibly witches brew parfait.  I'm really looking forward to it!  I like getting all creative with food.

The game plan for this weekend:

Friday:  3 reps 10:1
Saturday:  early a.m. run not sure how long
Sunday: long evening run at least 5 miles, not sure how many reps that'll take.  Might have to walk more.

Restlessness

I'm not really hearing back from anyone regarding my condo search.  I'm going to try Prudential early next week if I don't hear back from anyone.  I'm a little disappointed about the whole affair, tbh.

I've given myself a deadline to move out, February 2012.  It'll have been one full year of staying with my folks by then.  As much as I appreciate their letting me stay there, I'm getting to the end of my rope.  It's really hard to live somewhere that's not really your home.  Plus, I have no privacy whatsoever so when I get overwhelmed I have nowhere to go to just be alone.  If I'm in a bad mood, I still have to interact with people when they traipse through my room and expect me to be cheery.  Everyone needs alone time now and then, it's hard not to have any.

My knee is starting to hurt a bit when I bend it.  I need to run on more even, softer ground, or better yet, cross train.  Cutting back on cardio is not an option.  Without smoking, it's the one thing keeping me sane but I don't really have any other options.  I'm trying to find a gym to join but it's hard cause: 1) I need it to be cheap, 2) if I sign up by my house, what happens when I move?

I dunno.  Bitch bitch.  Moan moan.  I guess I'm just having a cranky day and I'd rather complain that problem solve.  It's just hard to problem solve when you're feeling so stuck.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Goals for the weekend.

Tonight: 

1. Two laps around the outside of the park at 8 minute intervals.
2. Make scones for the party tomorrow.

Saturday:

1. 8:1x4 intervals
2. Stick with healthy eating and moderation at the party.

Sunday:

1. Long run 3.5 - 4 miles.  Far enough to feel it but not so far it hurts.
2. Stick with healthy eating and moderation at Sweet Melissa.
3. Pick up some winter running gear and shades.

In black and white it seems so easy!

Have a good weekend!