I'm in!

Yesterday I found that I'm going to be running the New York City Marathon as part of the Alzheimer's Association team!

First I was like YES! Awesome!

Then I was like, crap, that's going to be hard.

Then I was like YES! Still awesome.

Then I started crying. I have been thinking about this team for a year, and when I started running, I always kept it and my dad in mind. I don't know what he would think about me running a marathon, but I'm guessing he would think it was sort of funny and laugh and also be glad that I'm keeping busy.


Here we go!

a bit much!

I haven't kept up with this logging everything into every site I have signed up for, but at least in this last two weeks before my half marathon, I am trying to keep up with training. I was sure when I signed up for this run, which is on April 9, that it would be a great way to get through winter and by this time, spring would be here and warm and sunny skies. Not so much, as we are supposed to get the yucky rain/snow combo, maybe 6 inches. Gross.

Anyhow, I have the DuPont Half Marathon (or Morris Broadband), and then on May 1, I am riding the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York as part of the Alzheimer's Association Team. (Halfway to raising $2000!) Then on May 9, I have another half marathon, the Superhero Half. I had to sign up for this because it is in my town.

Anyhow, after that, I plan to take it easy with this trail series all summer long, with weekly runs out at Central Park of Morris County.

Half Marathon Training

I have been using Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training Program to get ready for the DuPont Half Marathon in April. By using, I mean, it is sitting on my desk, and I sometimes do some of the stuff.

I was really knocked out for a couple of weeks by the flu and then another week by being lazy. I was back to it last week, but still skipped a run here and there. I have a lot of dog walking jobs right now, so I'm hoping just by moving more, I'm making up for the ones I skipped.

Anyhow, yesterday I ran 8 miles, which is prolly the farthest I have ever run. I celebrated by taking an extreme nap, and then later we went on a bike ride, so maybe that counts as cross-training.

At some point I need to go through my running playlist and cut some not very good running songs. Yesterday I somehow ended up with the Bee Gees "Run to Me" on my ipod, which isn't great for running and the only way I got through the song was to picture Barry Gibb at the end of the Traction Line holding a bag of a dozen bagels from Jersey Boy.

Also thinking that I should start running on Patriot's Path for the long runs; I'm not sure what the paths are like in DuPont, but I think they are more dirt than paved?

one year of running!

One year ago, on February 17, 2010, I bought this Couch to 5k app for my iphone after my brother-in-law started using it and was posting his runs on facebook with it.

I went through that program and then used the Bridge to 10K app. I quit the 10k training when it got too hot, but started back in the fall.

Anyhow, in one year, I have run 10 races, signed up for 2 half marathons and lost at least 15 pounds. I actually think I may have lost about 30 pounds since I started running, but I wasn't really keeping track of it until November.

Anyhow, I would say the app is def worth the 2.99!

Training: Check

On Monday, I mentioned to my trainer person that it was the first day of my 12 week marathon training program. He said something like "oh, I think you'll be able to do it, don't worry," and I replied with "oh, I'm going to do it, I already paid for it." I think that sort of confused him, but it is true. Even if I had to crawl it, I would probably show up for that reason alone.

Well, I might skip it if I had to crawl or it was a hurricane or something, but maybe not.

Anyhow, yesterday was the worst weather combo ever of lots of snow followed by freezing rain, so went to the gym and ran 3 miles on the treadmill, which is superduper boring. I get really distracted by all the buttons and numbers and just end up looking down all the time. Plus the tv is right there, but no subtitles, so I can't tell if my guesses on Jeopardy are right.

I'm heading back over this morning to do Day 3 which involves running about a quarter of a mile pretty fast about 5 times with walking and slow running breaks in between.

I also freakishly gained about 7 pounds in one day, so not sure what that is about. Probably all muscle, I'm sure.

12 Week Half Marathon Training Starts Today

When I was lazing around yesterday morning, I realized that while I thought I had to start my half marathon training on January 22, I actually have to start it today.

I'm going to use Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Marathon Training Program, and if it seems like too much for me, switch down to the novice. I think my friend that is doing the half marathon with me is going to start with his walking program. I think.

Anyhow, that works out for me, because I'm supposed to meet with my trainer person this morning and the plan calls for strengthening and stretching. I have two hours to drink some coffee and stare into space first tho.

Day one: check.

Keep on Keeping On.

So. On January 1, 2011, I made all these great resolutions and then on January 2, I flew in to visit my parents. When I arrived, my mom told me that my dad was really sick. My father had Alzheimer's disease, but had been doing well and was eating well and had even gained weight. Anyhow, he stopped eating and drinking after lunch on New Year's Eve, and he passed away on January 5.

My dad was a great guy and an awesome father. I feel like I am lucky to have even known him.

Anyhow. Was not able to get out to run while at my parent's, tho I actually made the attempt a couple of times. The south was hit was a big snowstorm and the trails that I was planning to run on were closed the one day I made it out to try, and the blackjack race I wanted to enter was also cancelled. I drank lots of coffee instead.

I arrived home on Friday, January 14, and drank a lot of wine. Then on Saturday, January 15, I got up and went to a 5 mile trail run at Lewis Morris Park. I haven't really run since New Year's Eve, and this was a snow covered trail run and given the amount of wine, I had the night before, I set my goal as not falling and finishing. Success! I think my time was just over an hour and 20 minutes, but the official times haven't been posted yet.

Thank you to the good friend who gave me a ride, even tho she wasn't running and was only awake to feed her new baby. So nice.


Will still keeping think of my dad while running and keep the New York Marathon's Alzheimer's team in my mind too.