Announcement! I Got a Running Coach, or Two!

Ever since I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, I have had a huge urge to get as fast as possible, as quickly (and safely) as possible. While trying to figure out what was next after running Philly, I blogged about possibly getting a running coach. These were my thoughts: 

For getting a coach:
- All the cool kids are doing it
- All the cool kids are running awesome races with the help of their coaches.
- My times would probably (hopefully) drop faster than without a coach
- I love following a plan. Probably especially when it has been made just for me.

For not getting a coach:
- I have been getting faster on my own, and know I still have more to give. Part of me wants to see how much I can do on my own.
- Adding more speedwork/days per week/miles per week on my own will make me faster
- I don't know exactly who I'd want to coach me
- Costs money, that I don't really have (least of my concerns, but still a factor)

Until last night, they were still my thoughts. Over the last few weeks, I researched coaches that were recommended on Twitter and on blogs. I still wasn't 100% sure I wanted a coach, and really wasn't sure who I wanted...

Finally, yesterday I took the first step in getting a coach (or two): I emailed Allison DeLancey. Allison (an Oiselle Elite team member!) and her husband Derek coach together and are both insanely fast! Within a few hours after I sent my email, Allison had written back a very nice email and attached a training schedule of someone else they coach with the same goals as me. As soon as I opened that plan, I knew they were the coaches for me. The detail, the variety in the runs and the way a plan like that would push me were exactly what I was looking for. I was giddy with runner-nerd excitement!  By the end of the night, I made a complete switch from MAYBE wanting a coach to absolutely wanting them as my coaches!

I can’t wait to get started and work towards my goals for my Spring races! I’m excited to have someone to report back to, get advice from and work directly with me to help me reach my goals and set new PRs! I plan to follow the training schedule to a tee, push myself to the required paces, and take it easy on easy days! 

So, here's to an awesome 2013! 

Dream Big 2013. Lucky '13.

Do you have a running coach? Have you ever thought of getting one? What's your favorite part of having a coach?

What I Learned & Loved!

I have been so bad at updating this blog recently! I don't like to write posts just because I feel like I need to write something, but while trying to fall asleep last night, I came up with a new weekly idea:

What I Learned & Loved! This will likely be a short and sweet recap of my previous (running) week: ideas of what worked for me so I can do it again in the future, things to change and highlight(s) of my week. This will be something I can reference down the road in training cycles, when I'm struggling, when I feel like things are going well. Obviously I'm a bit late for last week but here's What I Learned & Loved! from January 7-13.


Learned: Running Thursday evening, doing a circuit workout Friday night, Yoga Saturday morning followed by a run and a long run on Sunday, while getting over a cold and not sleeping enough, is SUPER tiring. This training cycle (for the NYC Half Marathon) I'm trying to add in an additional day of running (to make it 5), while still cross training. I need to better learn how to spread out my running days and/or cross training days. What I did last week was not effective and made me so tired for the start of this week. Maybe doubling up on runs one day, to allow an extra rest day, would be better for me. Or, maybe I just need to have a set day for cross training every week. I'm hoping to run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday so cross training either has to happen Monday or Friday, but NOT Friday AND Saturday like last week!

Loved: There were two things I really loved from last week:
- I love running fast. This can mean something totally different to everyone. "Fast" is relative and that's what's so great about running. Everyone runs different paces, races and number of miles run, but everyone can get the same highs and lows, confidence and joy from running. Last week I ran my first sub-8 miles since the Philadelphia Marathon and I was reminded of the pure joy of running. I felt like I was finally back at it (after an angry IT band) and felt like I was flying!
- I love running with friends. I love running alone too, but running with friends makes the miles go by so quickly while keeping you entertained. Last week I ran with Ashley and Jess (twice) and Lora, and Fiona when I jumped in for a few miles during a race they ran on Sunday. I was tired (see above!) and wanted to stop since I wasn't running the race anyway, but I didn't because we were all together and were having fun. Thanks for keeping me going, ladies!

Post NYCRUNS 10 Mile race with Ashley, Fiona, Erica, Leticia, me, Susan and Lora!



What was your favorite part of running last week? What did you learn?

Top Three for 2012 & 2013!

Happy New Year!!! I can't believe it's already 2013!  I had big plans to do a 2012 wrap-up post, and a 2013 resolution post. But, as it always does while on vacation, time got away from me! Since I'm leaving for the Bahamas tomorrow(!) and have a lot to do today, here's a quick version of both!

Top 3 Favorite Running Moments/Things of 2012:

1. Finishing my first marathon! Crossing that finish line was one of the best feelings in the world.
2. Meeting, and running with, so many new friends! Starting a Twitter account and this blog has introduced me to so many amazing runners and friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise!
3. Being accepted onto the Oiselle Team!!! I am continually impressed by Oiselle and the team members and am so honored to be a part of the team!

Top 3 Running (Related) Resolutions for 2013:

1. Be healthy and injury free. Listen to my body and take breaks when needed.
2. Stick to my 2013 Workout Chart below! The cross training will help with number one, and will help my running as well. I love checking things off so I'm hoping that it'll make it easier for me to stick to this chart, knowing that I can cross something off every time I complete something :) It starts today, right after I go for a run!

3. Run a sub 1:40 half marathon and set a new 5k PR!

I hope your 2013 is off to a great start! What are your 2013 workout/running resolutions? 

2012 Highlights!

2012 is the year I got serious about running. It has definitely been my best running year yet and it has made me super excited to see what's ahead. I've seen a few other people answer these questions on their blog and think its a nice way to wrap up the year!

1. Best Race Experience: Hands down, this would be the Philadelphia Marathon. It was my first marathon, and as anyone that has run a marathon knows, there's no better feeling than crossing the finish line and knowing that you've completed something so big. I doubted myself every day leading up to this race, and was somewhat terrified of my goal to BQ. Running this race made me realize how strong I am and what I'm really capable of when I put in the time, effort, energy and heart. I was also lucky enough to have SO many friends and family members there* cheering for me before, during and after the race that made it a day I will truly never forget. (*cue tears, over 1 months later....)

2. Best Run: My last long run before the marathon. It was a 22 mile solo long run and I felt great the whole time! It was exactly the run I needed to boost my confidence and it reminded me again of why I run: pure happiness.

3. Best New Piece of Gear: Anything Oiselle! At that start of 2012, I didn't own any Oiselle and now I wear their products constantly! Rogas are definitely my favorite shorts, and there's nothing like a good pair of running shorts! I also am in love with my new Sherpa (no longer available on Oiselle.com but there are some on Amazon.com!)

4. Best Piece of Running Advice You Received: Have fun! So simple, yet sometimes I put so much pressure on myself before/during races that I forget why I run. I'm not running to win (although I wouldn't mind if I did win a race sometime!), but I run because I love it. I run to enjoy myself, reach new goals, gain confidence and because it's fun! Never lose the pure joy of running!

5. Most Inspirational Runner: This is a really hard question because I'm constantly inspired by everyone on Twitter and whose blogs I read! But if I had to pick one, I would say Jen Bingham. She's on the Oiselle Team and is constantly winning races while raising her adorable daughter! I also got to meet Kara Goucher this year and she's pretty inspirational....

6. If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, but what would they be?
Confidence building, inspirational, amazing

2013 goals coming soon! Sorry for any typos, incorrect links, lack of pictures etc.- it turns out that writing a post from an iPad/iPhone isn't easy!

How was your 2012? What are your goals for 2013??

Yurbud Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered (and retweeted!) my Yurbud Giveaway!  Because of you all, I have some new tunes to listen to while I run! You thought that the giveaway was all about you, but I got something out of it too! :) What I learned from your comments is that I apparently live under a rock. I had to look up almost every song you all mentioned on iTunes. Sad, but true! Don't judge.

Now, onto important business! The winner of this giveaway, who will receive a free pair of Women's Small Yurbuds, is:  Steph from stephrunson.wordpress.com! Congrats!

Steph, email me at nycrunninggirl1@gmail.com by next Wednesday, December 12 to claim your prize. Happy listening! :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Happy holidays! Yurbud Giveaway!

'Tis the holiday season! What better time to do my first blog giveaway than now?!

By now, you've probably heard of Yurbuds. They are headphones designed specifically for women, and are guaranteed to NEVER fall out and NEVER hurt! Maybe you put them on your Holiday Wish List, or maybe you've been wanting to give them to a friend or family member.  Well, here's your chance!  I will be giving away one pair of Women's Small Inspire Yurbuds! 

        


You can enter this giveaway until Wednesday, December 5 at 5pm. After that, I'll use Random Number Generator to chose a lucky winner!

We're all busy during the holiday season, so I'll keep this simple for everyone!

TO ENTER:
Leave me ONE comment telling me your two favorite songs to hear while running that motivate you to push harder!


The winner will have until Sunday, December 8 to email me at nycrunninggirl1@gmail.com to claim their prize!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I ran a marathon! Now what?

A week and a half ago, I ran my first marathon.  I still almost can't believe it and have probably had a huge smile plastered to my face since just before crossing the finish line of the Philadelphia Marathon.

                                           

I usually get the post-race blues after my goal race, and while I haven't had the blues, I've been trying to figure out what to do next.  While I said I wasn't going to run a Spring marathon (don't let me!) I've been so tempted by the idea of racing another. Until the last few miles of Philly, I felt like I was running pretty conservatively and now wonder what else I'm capable of. However, if I were to sign up for a Spring 2013 marathon, that would basically be two years of constant marathon training for me. I'm going to run a Fall 2013 Marathon (Chicago? NYC? Wineglass? Something else?) and then Boston Spring 2014 (as long as it doesn't fill up before I'm allowed to register!), so this is my only chance to take some time "off".  I plan to focus on speed and maintaining/improving my current fitness level so that I'm ready to start training again in the summer.

Since the marathon, I've debated the idea of getting a running coach.  Here are my thoughts:

For getting a coach:
- All the cool kids are doing it
- All the cool kids are running awesome races with the help of their coaches.
- My times would probably (hopefully) drop faster than without a coach
- I love following a plan. Probably especially when it has been made just for me.

For not getting a coach:
- I have been getting faster on my own, and know I still have more to give. Part of me wants to see how much I can do on my own.
- Adding more speedwork/days per week/miles per week on my own will make me faster
- I don't know exactly who I'd want to coach me
- Costs money, that I don't really have (least of my concerns, but still a factor)

I have a friend from grade school that qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon (but didn't run because she was pregnant) after her first marathon. I asked her to coach me, but she unfortunately said she doesn't have any experience coaching.  However, she did give me some advice and things to try out, so I think I'll stick to those for now and see what happens.  Maybe I'll reassess the coach situation again next year.

My next "big" race is the NYC Half Marathon in March. I think I tend to run better when I put my goals out there (I have something to live up to!) so my goal for this race is 1:35-1:40. My half marathon PR is 1:43:23 from the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May and know I'm definitely capable of setting a new PR, I'm just not sure by how much!

I'm also in the lottery for the NWM Half Marathon in DC in April, am planning on entering the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and am thinking of running the NJ Half Marathon, depending on what happens with the lottery races.  Those races should keep me busy, and hopefully also keep me from signing up for a Spring marathon! :)

For now, I'm still taking it easy and keeping my mileage low until I'm totally recovered from the marathon, but I can't wait to get my mileage back up and run fast again!

What races do you have coming up? Are you running a Spring marathon? What are your thoughts on running coaches?