May 2, 2012

Makeover May

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Well hello loyal and wonderful blog readers …

And welcome to those of you who have found me through the fabulous Tina at Carrots N Cake.  I’m so glad you liked my little article on how to make speed work fun.  Has anyone tried one of the workouts?  What did you think? 

… Welcome to Makeover May!  You may have noticed that this blog of mine has been neglected for the past few weeks.  You may not have, but humor me :)  Life sometimes gets a little busy.  I know, groundbreaking news.  I admit that my typically organized self has been lacking in skill lately, I have been living my day to day with the main priority being to make it through the day and make sure that everyone is happy, healthy and smiling as much as possible.  Its a really beautiful way to live and some moment in life require that you throw the to do list aside and just live.

Me, my brothers, my dad and his grandkids

Here is the problem, as a mom and a wife and a daughter its easy to fill your day with doing things for others.  And dont get me wrong I love it, but I also know how important it is for MY well being to take time for myself.  And so I’m making myself over.  I’m adding back in the things that are important to me, and I’m not doing it as a selfish move … I’m doing it because I am a better person when I have my “me time”.  A better person for myself, my kids, my friends and my family.

Does anyone else feel this way?  How do you carve out time for yourself? 

ok this pic doesnt make sense here ... but look how focused they are, the rest of the world tuned out. Love that ...

Here are my 2 focuses for Makeover May:

1. This Blog.  I focus on 3 things here, running, mommying and living a healthy lifestyle.  I will be committing to a minimum of 3 posts per week on each of those topics.  Sometimes more … but at least 3.  No more darkness for 10 days.  I promise.

2.  My training.  Although I have been running, I have also been doing it very sporadically.  In 6 months I will be running the NYC Marathon.  This is my BIG race of the season.  I am shamelessly gunning for a BQ and I will be training my heart out to get it.  This week I will make my training plans and get to work!

let the countdown begin!

And there you have it.  The next 6 months of 2012 are going to be fabulous!

Do any of you have makeover goals for May?

Apr 20, 2012

MORE Lemonade

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It was no secret, I was nervous for this race.  I was playing with a particularly exhausted body, and although I had good reason for my exhaustion … I wasn’t letting it get me down.  I put my everything into staying positive.  Mentally I was hungry for my PR.

The morning of April 15th I woke up with no voice, chills and a sour attitude.  I immediately declared this race a lemon.  I would run it, but it was doomed to be problematic.  I got ready, making the decision to run in a skirt and a long sleeve since I was freezing and couldn’t get warm.  (The weather was damp, slightly rainy and super humid)

Dont let that smile fool you. I was not a fun person to be around. So Sorry RB!

As I toed the line with RB by my side I started to find some positivity.  The corrals were buzzing … women everywhere were so excited for the next 13.1 miles and I wouldn’t help but soak in some of their good vibes.  As I crossed the start line I was finally smiling.

  • Mile 1: 8:51
  • Mile 2: 8:37
  • Mile 3: 8:30

Thoughts from these miles:

  1. Typical NYRR race.  We started in the 2nd corral, with the 7:40/mile pace group and we were stuck behind walkers.  Meh.
  2. OMG I am sweating buckets.  Why, oh WHY did I wear a long sleeve
  3. Huh, my legs feel really strong
  4. I’m already feeling dehydrated
  5. Seriously, how are there walkers in front of me … ?
  6. Harlem Hill:  You are fierce but I am fiercer.  I scoff at you.

I was all over the map, but the takeaway was that the sour puss I began the morning as was slowly melting away.

  • Mile 4: 8:26
  • Mile 5: 8:33
  • Mile 6: 8:05

Thoughts from these miles:

  1. Thats it, I’m taking off my long sleeve
  2. Thank God this is an all women’s race, for some reason that makes running in a sports bra OK in my head
  3. Yup, I’m cooler but mildly uncomfortable with bearing so much skin
  4. Is that the 5 mile marker?  Wow that flew by … I think I’m going to pick up the pace

Somewhere around mile 5.5 I decided to get in the game.  I sped up, I started passing people.  I put my headphones on and I SHUT DOWN that sour puss who was lollygagging around for the first half of the race.

  • Mile 7: 7:43
  • Mile 8: 7:59
  • Mile 9: 7:50
  • Mile 10: 8:00
  • Mile 11: 8:04
  • Mile 12: 7:30
  • Mile 13: 7:37
  • Mile 13.1: 2:31
Thoughts from these miles:
  1. I wonder how fast I’m running
  2. Holy Harlem Hill, 2 times in one race.  Respectfully, I hate you.
  3. HI VC and G’s!
  4. I’m going to pass you, and you, and you …. (this is the part of the race when I target people and pass them.  Its a little game I play with myself)
  5. WOW I feel like I’m running fast.  I think I’ll just keep it up
  6. YES!!  Mile 12.  Its almost over

Thats me on a mission to pass her ... Thanks for the motivation # 2372

I ran my heart out for these miles.  I pushed with every single drop of energy I could muster up.  I channeled SoulCycle mantras.  I danced, I gritted my teeth.  And it felt GOOOOD.  I simply cannot beleive that I ran the pace I ran.  I have never in my wildest dreams thought that I could run sub 7:30 min miles during a half marathon.

I finished in 1:48.  8:06 average pace/mile 

This is the part where I make lemonade.  I will be honest with you, I have spent 5 days bummin about this race.  I clearly had it in me.  I could have PR’ed.  I could have run my 1:45.  I let my spirits get down and I didn’t give it my all for the first 5 miles.

I’m sad about it, and slightly ashamed.  I preech to you all about positivity and giving 100% however I did not practice what I preech that morning.  What can I say?   We are all human.

Finally on the 6th day of replaying this race over in my head I have come to a positive conclusion.  I learned BIG lessons during this race.  I saw myself run at paces that I have never dreamed of.  I gained confidence in myself.  I felt the mental shift of lolly gagging in a race and then really getting into the game.  I learned how to mentally drive myself during a race.  I turned my sour puss lemon race into lemonade.  

A 1:45 half marathon time will be mine.  I’m now certain of it and THAT confidence is a sweet sweet thing.

Have any of you figured yourself out during a race?  

Thats my "I GOT THIS" smile ...

As a side note, the race itself was extra amazing … from Expo to the organization to the massive amount of Girl Power in the air.  I will be recapping that portion tomorrow.  I just had to get this part out first!

 

I had to share this one. G1 stole my medal and strutted around the park with it. Race Envy??? We may have a runner on our hands!

Apr 14, 2012

Overheard in SoulCycle

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I know.  I'm late.  Legions of zealous spin devotees have known this for a while ... but I will admit it.  SoulCycle is amazing. I was hesitant, and I'm not sure why.  I have a long history with spin.  Actually, I'm a certified … {keep reading...}

Apr 12, 2012

Don’t Discredit your Dreams

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Its Race Week again!  This week I will be running the More Women's Half Marathon as one of Athleta's sponsored athletes. Currently I am feeling a bit confused about this race.  I want my 1:45 half marathon.  I want it bad.  To be specific my … {keep reading...}

Apr 11, 2012

You gotta know when to call it

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Remember that Half Marathon I was planning on doing in San Francisco? It was the Golden Gate Headlands Half Marathon. If you have never been up to the headlands in Golden Gate recreational park ... please go the next time you are in San Fran. … {keep reading...}

Apr 8, 2012

Easter Blessed.

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Easter, a holiday of new life, marks a special moment for me ... Easter 2010 was the day I confirmed I was pregnant with twins. These lives have made mine new. With giggles With discovery With little joyful moments (like … {keep reading...}

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