After two years of disappointing my parents (by not keeping them updated via running blog), I have decided to return to this blogging community. Why? I was reminded last night (while having dinner with my friend Carly) that people care about my passion for running, and I would love to share it.
It has been a difficult journey. The day I fell in love with the sport was my first New York City marathon in 2010. Before that day, exercise was always an important part of my life- but was used primarily as a means of social interaction, weight loss, self torture, or some combination of the three. On November 7th, 2010, however, I let go a little bit. I allowed myself to take in what was happening around me, and really experience the incredibly satisfying feeling of my feet in contact with the pavement.
In general, my instinct is "flight" rather than fight, and for the firset time I allowed running to help keep me in my body and in the moment. The result was discovering happiness from within myself. This ecstatic transformation was not only apparent to me, but was also visible to my close friends and family who were overjoyed to witness me experiencing this true happiness.
Since then, my training has changed- for the better. I have found that although running with music may "pump me up," it is no longer necessary to get me through a marathon. I have also found that some of my best and most intimate conversations with friends have occured in motion- staying present in my body in this way allows me to speak honestly and with vulnerability. It's like a much healthier version of tequila (and usually, but not always, doesn't conclude with uncontrollable crying or vomiting. Although that is probably the sign of a good workout).
The 2011 NYC marathon (which occured November 6th) was also a truly amazing day. This was the first time I'd trained alone. For the most part, my long runs were done all by myself with and without music. I felt an intense feeling of satisfaction enjoying (kind of ) each 20 mile run without outside distraction. Maybe I just really, really need more "me" time in my life :)
The worst part of this season was the taper period. The taper occurs the two weeks preceeding the marathon, and allows the body to rest and absorb the hard training before the big day. All of a sudden, my "me" time was gone, and was replaced by eating ridiculous amounts of pasta and cookies because I wasn't sure what else to do with myself. Maybe by this year I'll learn to really value "rest." Maybe I'll learn how to sleep at night. Maybe I'll learn how to not rely on movement when I feel like running from myself.
November 6th 2011 was a magical day. I am in complete awe of this incredible city I live in. I am honored to call myself a New Yorker.
I am also so lucky to have such amazing friends and family who supported me, cheered for me, and even ran in with me for a few miles! For me, it was just a long run to test my limits and my passion. But to be able to share that with all of you, changes me.
The worst part of the race? Getting my powergel packets all over me not once, but twice. The stickey hands were uncomfortable and distracting (gross).
There were many best parts. Seeing my fan club at mile 21; the amazing brunch I got to enjoy afterward; singing and dancing to "New York, New York" at the starting line at the Verezzano bridge; running with my roommate Evan in Brooklyn; running with 5-months pregnant Lauren (my running soulmate) in Manhattan. And the attention seeking side of me also loved having my name sharpied on my bright red shirt- there were many cheers for "Rebecca."
There is NOTHING like entering central park- my park- at mile 24. And is it cliche to mention crossing the finish line? :)
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, July 9, 2009
workout routines!
It's been a week of beautiful weather in Manhattan!
Since Last week, I have organized my workout schedule to a very specific day to day routine. Whether I will stick to that, well thats another story.
Monday: Run in morning; strength training with trainer in afternoon
Tuesday: Weekly speed training session with Team in Training
Wednsday: Bikram Yoga
Thursday: Run in morning, see trainer in the afternoon
Friday: Bikram Yoga
Saturday: Long run in the park with Team in Training
Sunday: Bikram Yoga
That may seem like a lot of yoga, but since I have an unlimited package (and I like to get my money's worth), and I feel like it speeds up recovery for my runs and strength sessions, it seems like a good idea to disperse it throughout the week.
This past Saturday, we had our weekly long run in the park with team in training. The advanced group was scheduled for a 12 mile run; twice around the full 6 mile loop in the park (including the dreaded harlem hill, an area of the park I try to avoid as often as possible). I guess the killer hill workout we had Tuesday helped, because I had no trouble on Harlem hill! (well, not much trouble anyway). I guess hills are the secret!
This Tuesday we had a much simpler workout scheduled. 6 mile tempo run (including Harlem Hill). Although I feel myself improving, I don't think I push myself as hard as I can. And I don't think I run enough during the week.
Tomorrow will be a 10-miler in the park. I think I may be running alone for this one, as the team is running a 4 mile race in the park that morning and I waited too long to sign up (oops...). I am not heartbroken about that. I have run 12 races so far this year, so I am pretty sick of racing at this point. I'll save up my race energy/excitement for my next race, which is the NYC half marathon on august 16th! Come cheer me on!!
The next new workout I'm really excited to try out is called "Strip Xpertease." While this sounds wildly inappropriate, it's not really about stripper training. Just getting a hardcore workout (in stripper heals). I'm going with the girls on Wednesday, I'll let you know what I think!
Off to go relax in the park!
Since Last week, I have organized my workout schedule to a very specific day to day routine. Whether I will stick to that, well thats another story.
Monday: Run in morning; strength training with trainer in afternoon
Tuesday: Weekly speed training session with Team in Training
Wednsday: Bikram Yoga
Thursday: Run in morning, see trainer in the afternoon
Friday: Bikram Yoga
Saturday: Long run in the park with Team in Training
Sunday: Bikram Yoga
That may seem like a lot of yoga, but since I have an unlimited package (and I like to get my money's worth), and I feel like it speeds up recovery for my runs and strength sessions, it seems like a good idea to disperse it throughout the week.
This past Saturday, we had our weekly long run in the park with team in training. The advanced group was scheduled for a 12 mile run; twice around the full 6 mile loop in the park (including the dreaded harlem hill, an area of the park I try to avoid as often as possible). I guess the killer hill workout we had Tuesday helped, because I had no trouble on Harlem hill! (well, not much trouble anyway). I guess hills are the secret!
This Tuesday we had a much simpler workout scheduled. 6 mile tempo run (including Harlem Hill). Although I feel myself improving, I don't think I push myself as hard as I can. And I don't think I run enough during the week.
Tomorrow will be a 10-miler in the park. I think I may be running alone for this one, as the team is running a 4 mile race in the park that morning and I waited too long to sign up (oops...). I am not heartbroken about that. I have run 12 races so far this year, so I am pretty sick of racing at this point. I'll save up my race energy/excitement for my next race, which is the NYC half marathon on august 16th! Come cheer me on!!
The next new workout I'm really excited to try out is called "Strip Xpertease." While this sounds wildly inappropriate, it's not really about stripper training. Just getting a hardcore workout (in stripper heals). I'm going with the girls on Wednesday, I'll let you know what I think!
Off to go relax in the park!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Time to run faster!
I was dreading practice last Tuesday night. 5 mile race? It's HARD to push yourself for 5 miles. I have been in a "running slump" lately, and I find it almost impossible to have motivation to push myself hard anymore. At the end of the 5 mile loop, instead of feeling near-death and nauseous, I felt OK. Which is not what the workout was supposed to be. Maybe I should start running with music. Or try to run with the intermediates and push myself for shorter distances.
Anyway, my 5-miler was OK. I ran with another mentor, Carlos, for the first half. Then I let him run ahead and tried to fall into my own pace. I always slow down when I let my running buddy run ahead of me. It is kind of like giving up. No matter what, I always push myself at the end though, which is a good jumping off point for success in the rest of my runs. My time ended up being 48 minutes, which is much slower than I had been running last season and up until the beginning of this year, but I guess I did take some time off running and my body does have four months until the marathon to get fast again.
On Saturday, we had our long run day. I had planned to run with Lauren (my running buddy from Disney) in the 9:30 pace group (which would have been comfortable previously). I had so much trouble warming up my legs, so I dropped back to a slower pace and ran with a new half-marathoner, Becky. I love running with new people during these long runs. It's amazing how much you will learn about a person before you even find out their name. Runner's are a very close knit crowd :-) Anyway, I ran the 1st 5 miles with Becky, and then Lauren caught up with us after running 6. I ran with Lauren most of the rest of the 2nd loop. Lauren and I have spent countless hours running together since we met September of last year for the Disney Marathon. She has come so far since our last marathon together. In fact, she ran the Long Island Marathon alone and PR'd by 40 minutes! (from a 4:44 to a 4:04). She gave me some pointers to get back on track with my speed work. I need to get back on the treadmill and do my speed/interval training no matter how much I hate it! I have been do interval workouts on the treadmill for the past 2 days, so hopefully I will see some progress soon.
Also, that Saturday, our crazy coach, Ramon, was celebrating his 42nd birthday by doing 42 upper loops of the park! For those who don't know, the upper loop is the hilliest loop of the park. I try to avoid it at all costs. It is 1.5 miles. He ran 65 hilly miles on Saturday! Thats insane! (I guess he is training for another 100 miler, so I already knew he was insane). What an impressive man.
Tonight our workout consists of running the 6 mile full loop around the park, and pushing ourselves to 10K and 5K paces at various points throughout the loop, with recoveries to follow. This one seems a little more do-able than fast the entire run :-)
I just got the new Ipod shuffle in the mail! Its 4GB, and TINY. There's not even room for a dial! It talks to you and tells you what you're listening to you and gives you choices of playlists. It's amazing what technology can do! It should be great for running!
(I got the darker color)
Hopefully I can handle this weather! Should be a long summer...
Anyway, my 5-miler was OK. I ran with another mentor, Carlos, for the first half. Then I let him run ahead and tried to fall into my own pace. I always slow down when I let my running buddy run ahead of me. It is kind of like giving up. No matter what, I always push myself at the end though, which is a good jumping off point for success in the rest of my runs. My time ended up being 48 minutes, which is much slower than I had been running last season and up until the beginning of this year, but I guess I did take some time off running and my body does have four months until the marathon to get fast again.
On Saturday, we had our long run day. I had planned to run with Lauren (my running buddy from Disney) in the 9:30 pace group (which would have been comfortable previously). I had so much trouble warming up my legs, so I dropped back to a slower pace and ran with a new half-marathoner, Becky. I love running with new people during these long runs. It's amazing how much you will learn about a person before you even find out their name. Runner's are a very close knit crowd :-) Anyway, I ran the 1st 5 miles with Becky, and then Lauren caught up with us after running 6. I ran with Lauren most of the rest of the 2nd loop. Lauren and I have spent countless hours running together since we met September of last year for the Disney Marathon. She has come so far since our last marathon together. In fact, she ran the Long Island Marathon alone and PR'd by 40 minutes! (from a 4:44 to a 4:04). She gave me some pointers to get back on track with my speed work. I need to get back on the treadmill and do my speed/interval training no matter how much I hate it! I have been do interval workouts on the treadmill for the past 2 days, so hopefully I will see some progress soon.
Also, that Saturday, our crazy coach, Ramon, was celebrating his 42nd birthday by doing 42 upper loops of the park! For those who don't know, the upper loop is the hilliest loop of the park. I try to avoid it at all costs. It is 1.5 miles. He ran 65 hilly miles on Saturday! Thats insane! (I guess he is training for another 100 miler, so I already knew he was insane). What an impressive man.
Tonight our workout consists of running the 6 mile full loop around the park, and pushing ourselves to 10K and 5K paces at various points throughout the loop, with recoveries to follow. This one seems a little more do-able than fast the entire run :-)
I just got the new Ipod shuffle in the mail! Its 4GB, and TINY. There's not even room for a dial! It talks to you and tells you what you're listening to you and gives you choices of playlists. It's amazing what technology can do! It should be great for running!
(I got the darker color)
Hopefully I can handle this weather! Should be a long summer...
Monday, June 8, 2009
1st post!
Hi!
This is my first time blogging, so bear with me. I am a music student studying in New York City currently training for my second marathon. I ran my first marathon, the Disney World Marathon, on January 11th, 2009. The decision to become a "runner" was purely impulsive. My friends will tell you that I simply decided to run a marathon one day, and then stubbornly stuck with it (this is how I make most of my decisions).
I trained for the Disney marathon with a group called "team in training," which is a endurance training program that raises money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). Over the course of 5 months, I went from being a novice runner (if you consider running for a bus novice! That's a hard workout!) to a marathon runner. The process was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Not only did I accomplish something so physically daunting, but I also became so emotionally connected to the LLS cause. It really opened my eyes to the strides we are making in the cancer world, how much further we have to go, and what we can do to help. This is what we can do to help. Check it out: teamintraining.org and LLS.org
Anyway, after running the marathon in January, I am back for my second season! I am running the Nike Women's marathon in San Francisco, on October 18th, 2009. I have never been to San Francisco, so I am very excited! I am also excited about this season because I am a team in training mentor! Right now I have 6 1st time marathoners that I help guide through this experience. What could be more rewarding than that?
This is my first time blogging, so bear with me. I am a music student studying in New York City currently training for my second marathon. I ran my first marathon, the Disney World Marathon, on January 11th, 2009. The decision to become a "runner" was purely impulsive. My friends will tell you that I simply decided to run a marathon one day, and then stubbornly stuck with it (this is how I make most of my decisions).
I trained for the Disney marathon with a group called "team in training," which is a endurance training program that raises money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). Over the course of 5 months, I went from being a novice runner (if you consider running for a bus novice! That's a hard workout!) to a marathon runner. The process was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Not only did I accomplish something so physically daunting, but I also became so emotionally connected to the LLS cause. It really opened my eyes to the strides we are making in the cancer world, how much further we have to go, and what we can do to help. This is what we can do to help. Check it out: teamintraining.org and LLS.org
Anyway, after running the marathon in January, I am back for my second season! I am running the Nike Women's marathon in San Francisco, on October 18th, 2009. I have never been to San Francisco, so I am very excited! I am also excited about this season because I am a team in training mentor! Right now I have 6 1st time marathoners that I help guide through this experience. What could be more rewarding than that?
This blog will be devoted to
1) Tracking my training progress for the marathon
2) Reviews of exercise classes I take
3) Reviews of New York restaurants (and cheap eats; I am on a budget!)
4) Whatever else I feel like talking about
Here we go!
Here we go!
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