Running Update and Race Recap

Wow. I've been so horrible about blogging recently! To be honest, part of the reason is that I'm afraid to jinx my training. The last time I wrote about how great training was going, I wound up with a stress fracture only a few weeks later. So, instead of jinxing myself, I just haven't been writing. But, I have been running & training!

It took me a LONG time to feel like I could run well again after my stress fracture. I started back up in May but spent several weeks dealing with the mental aspect of running again after having a cracked tibia. I was EXTRA cautious and paranoid about EVERYTHING and it took me a month to make it up to 5 miles. After that first month, I started to relax a bit, but still kept my mileage very low and didn't add in any speedwork until August. I started working with my coaches again in July and they came up with a very conservative plan for me that I felt comfortable with and with their help, FINALLY feel like I'm almost back to where I was before injury.

For the last few weeks, I've really been questioning how in/out of shape I am, so this past Wednesday, I ran the last 5k of the Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series to find out. I ran this race back in June as my first race post injury so couldn't wait to see how far I had come since then. I went back and forth about how to run this race- with a watch, without a watch, with tape over my watch, etc and ended up wearing my watch (so I would have splits afterwards) but I put tape over it so I could run by feel. I'm proud of myself for actually keeping the tape on the whole time and not peeking (although I almost asked a guy I was running next to what pace we were running!) but it turns out that I'm not sure I like running "naked"! I honestly think that I would have pushed harder at certain points if I had known my pace. I'm glad I tried it out once, and this was a good race to do it, but I can't say that I'll be doing it again anytime soon. It didn't result in an instant PR, like it seems to for many, and had me questioning if I was giving it enough effort in the middle of the race, which probably means I wasn't!

My splits were:
7:12
6:50 (first sub 7 mile in I-don't-know-how-long!)
7:06
6:28 (for 0.1)

Total time: 21:43 (7:00 pace)

I was secretly sort of hoping to run 6:59 pace for this race and am pretty sure I would have made that happen if my watch hadn't been covered. But, I'm still happy with only being 12 seconds off my 5k after only a month with speedwork! I ended up being the 5th female and 2nd in my age group. Should have stuck around for my mini medal, but I didn't think there was a chance that I was anywhere near placing!

Up next is the NYRR Autism 4 mile race on September 7, but I'll run that as a tempo portion of a long run, then Philly Rock 'n' Roll Half in a little over 2 weeks. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm going to do with this race. I'm not going to all-out race it, but I think I would like to run it comfortably hard to see where I stand for the Wineglass Half in October (goal race). I'm really excited for Wineglass weekend- it's going to be an awesome girls trip and 4 people I'm coaching are running/racing it as well! I may be more excited to see how they do than how I do!.....

Oh! And I'm also running the 5th Ave Mile. Last year I BOMBED on pacing myself in this race. When I first looked down at my Garmin, it said 4:xx. Um no, I cannot sustain that pace for a mile, so this year I'm hoping I can run it smarter and PR!

Random picture that does not belong in this post but needed a picture
to spruce it up! Nicole's dog Molly, Allison, Beth and me. Photo credit: Nicole

Do you race with or without a watch? Have you set a PR without a watch? What races are you running this Fall? What's your goal race?

Summer Happenings and Coaching!

Woof. I've been so bad about blogging recently! I'm going to blame it on summer and all the travel that comes with it. I've been in three locations that don't even have internet/cell service this summer, so that's my excuse!

This summer has been filled with great trips, lots of heat, summer running and friends/family! I can't complain, except for the fact that it's almost the end of July already! Since this is a running blog, I'll skip all the vacation stuff and go right to running!:

This past weekend, I spent all day Saturday and Sunday learning more about running than I knew was possible. I took the RRCA course to become an official running coach! This is something that I've wanted to do for a while, but it's so freaking hard to get into one of these courses! They're either located across the country from you, or are full by the time you can hit "register." I was so excited when I saw that one of these courses was coming to NYC that I registered immediately and finally got in!

The course was great! The instructor, Randy Accetta, kept us laughing for 18 hours while also teaching us so much. This course refreshed my memory on many things, introduced new ideas and information to me and got me even more excited about coaching! I've been unofficially coaching a handful of people for the last few months and am excited that I'm only two steps away from being an officially certified running coach (I still have to take and pass the course test and take a First Aid/CPR course)!

I'm still working on developing a coaching page on this blog, but if you're feeling lost while running in the summer heat, still don't have a training plan for a race that's coming up in only a few weeks or want to add some structure to your summer running, let me know! I'd love to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be!

Type A Running Coach right here!
Let me do the thinking for you so all you have to do is run!

Mini 10k Recap. Aka 2nd Race of the Week! Bad idea!

After being injured and out of running for so long, I knew I needed to get some shorter races on the books. It just so happened that the first 2 races were within three days of each other. I didn't really think anything of it, until Friday- the day before the NYRR Oakley Mini 10k. When I signed up for these races, I wasn't planning to race either one. But then I sort of ended up racing both of them. Not all out, but close to it for my current post-injury running level.

I began questioning my sanity (and intelligence) on Friday. I woke up feeling old and creaky, with a knot in my right calf muscle. My right leg (the one that had the stress fracture) felt off- it didn't hurt at all, I could just tell that the muscles/tendons/everything around the bone were adjusting to running faster again. Or at least that's my non-medical assessment of what was going on! It's also something that I've been feeling for the last few weeks, which the doctor says is normal. But sends me into unjustified paranoia.

I sent Beth about 2930478293 crazy text messages on Friday, about how my leg might fall off, what if I re-injured it, etc. Thanks for amusing me and responding :) One of my messages to her also said that if it hurt at all on Saturday, I was prepared to DNF (did not finish, mom!). Running the Mini 10k was NOT worth re-injuring myself. Since my leg just felt funny, but didn't hurt, I decided I would start the race, and stop immediately if it hurt at all.

Since everything was feeling tight Friday, I decided it was time for some yoga for the first time in months. A 10k is not a long race (but it was going to be my longest distance since February) so I probably should have just rested on Friday, but of course didn't. I also had an engagement party to go to Friday night and wore heels. And drank. These do not make for an easy race morning! So when my alarm went off Saturday morning, after tossing and turning all night long, all I wanted to do was turn over for a few more hours of sleep. I finally got myself out of bed, forced myself to eat something and headed down to Columbus Circle to take this Oiselle Team photo!

Thank you Amanda and Lisa for looking more awake than me!
And thanks for the picture, Lisa!

The race started at 8am. This was the least crowded NYRR race I've ever run so  I got into my corral just a few minutes before the start and was ready to go! After some speakers, we were off!

From the first few steps, I knew it was going to be a long race. My legs and body were tired and it took me several miles (maybe 6!) to get into it mentally. It also got really humid super fast. And, the HILLS! I haven't run a Central Park loop in months and have only run the Harlem Hills once since February, and at a much slower pace. I took the hills way too fast and crashed and burned a bit on the flat part (the last 3 miles).

Around mile 2, I saw Jen cheering- thanks for being out there and for the picture below! Also, thanks to Jess for cheering around mile 4!

Photo credit: Jen

I absolutely positive split this race. Whoops. But at the end of the day, all I really care about is that my leg felt great the whole time!

Splits:
Mile 1: 7:43
Mile 2: 7:37
Mile 3: 7:26
Mile 4: 7:54 (aka this is where I wanted to quit)
Mile 5: 7:44
Mile 6: 7:47
0.2: 6:58 pace

Official time: 48:15

While this was my second slowest 10k ever (my slowest is 48:16!) it has actually given me a lot of confidence for Fall racing. I'm really happy that I was able to run this time after only five (very low mileage) weeks of running post-injury, after another race just a few days before, and when my longest run in months had only been 4.8 miles. This gives me hope that twice the distance and 10 seconds faster per mile, on a flat or downhill course, might be possible in the Fall! Aka sub 1:40 half marathon. Dream big!

Post Race with Robin, Lisa, Amanda and me!
Photo from Lisa's phone. Not sure who took it!

Next up, Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll Half in September!

Did you run the Oakley Mini 10k this year? What the heck is the name of it now?! What did you think of it? When's your next race?

I ran a race!!!

Yesterday, I ran a race! I RAN A RACE! It's been SO long since I've been able to say that! It was so much fun so I'm glad that I have another on Saturday!

After taking 8+ weeks off of running due to a stress fracture, I've been lucky enough to be pain free for about 5 weeks. But, my mileage has still been low, and many of my miles have been slower than I'm used to, so I didn't know what to expect at the 5k yesterday.

I got home from work early so had time to take a little nap before heading to Brooklyn. I woke up before my alarm went off, which never happens, and was suddenly REALLY nervous! What if my leg hurt and I couldn't finish? What if I crashed and burned? What if I totally forgot how to race? I was really excited, but also really nervous!

Beth texted me my bib number for the Oakley Mini 10k just before I got on the subway- 320! I've never had a three digit bib number for a NYRR race and have never been in the blue corral before. It got me really excited and reminded me that I do know how to race, even if I haven't been able to do it recently.

On the subway, I decided that I would wear my Garmin, but would only look at it for distance, and maybe mile splits. I wanted to run by feel- comfortably hard, but not all out racing, since I haven't done any tempo runs/speedwork since February and wasn't sure how my leg would feel with much faster paces.

Once I got off the subway at Grand Army Plaza, I ran a little over a mile to registration, and saw Steph and Carla. We chatted until it was time to walk over to the starting line. The race series is so small (although a lot bigger this year than last!) and laid back- I love it! (It's also only $5 per race, for anyone interested that hasn't done it before!)

The director made some announcements and then we were off! The first mile has the only big hill in Prospect Park. I was running a comfortable pace and knew that the hardest part was over once I made it to the top.

Mile 1: 7:32

I was feeling really good and was just so happy to be running a race again! The end of mile 2 ended at the bottom of a big downhill, so I picked up some speed there.

Mile 2: 7:14

Around mile 2.25, I started to feel a little tired but at mile 2.5, something changed and I was ready to pick it up and pass some people! I passed two or three girls at the end, and finished feeling really strong!

Mile 3: 7:26
Last 0.1: 6:33

I haven't seen a 6 on my watch in SO long! I was so happy when I saw this after I finished! Total time: 22:50. This isn't a PR, but actually is much faster than I was expecting/hoping for yesterday! I wanted a few things for the race yesterday: 1) for my leg to feel good 2) to feel strong 3) to run a smart race. I feel like I accomplished all of these things so I'm really happy. I can't wait to toe the line for twice the distance on Saturday! Nevermind that I haven't run more than 4.8 miles since February....Details, details!! :)

I'm going to miss the Al Goldstein Speed Series race in 2 weeks since I'll be in Hawaii(!) but will definitely be back for more later this summer, and hopefully feeling stronger and faster!

Left to right: Meggie, me, Laura, Jocelyn, Steph,
Carla and Jeremy

Oiselle, Picky Bars and Nuun NYC Fun Run!

Chances are that you're going to run on Saturday, June 1, so why not do it with all your friends, three awesome companies and the chance to try samples and win prizes?! No thought required- just get your FREE ticket (below) and show up with running shoes!

WHO: EVERYONE IS INVITED! You don't have to wear Oiselle (yet!), drink Nuun (yet!) or eat Picky Bars (yet!) but fair warning- there's a very high chance that you'll want to after this event! Men, women, friends of friends, significant others...EVERYONE is invited! All paces welcome! 

WHAT: A fun run that Jocelyn and Meggie have organized with Oiselle, Nuun and Picky Bars. Options for 4 and 8 mile runs.

WHERE: The run will leave from the Greatist Headquarters located at 18 W 27th St, 8th Floor

WHEN: Saturday, June 1 at 8:30am

WHY: Because these are the three best up-and-coming companies for looking awesome (Oiselle!) with great nutrition (Picky Bars!) and staying well hydrated (Nuun!). A runner's dream!

HOW: Get your FREE tickets here

Any questions: Ask me and I'll try to answer, or contact the brains behind the operation: email Jocelyn at Enthusiasticrunner@gmail.com or Tweet her at @jcbonn or Meggie at @MBSthinks. 

Thanks to Jocelyn & Meggie for organizing and Oiselle, Picky Bars & Nuun for being awesome and providing samples and prizes!

Please spread the word and see you all there!

RUNNING and what I've been up to

Yikes, it's been a LONG time! While I was sidelined from my stress fracture, I had no motivation to write to let everyone know that I STILL wasn't running. But after 8 weeks of absolutely no running (plus 2 before that of basically no running) I'm BACK TO RUNNING!!!! IT'S THE BEST! I'm still keeping my mileage very low and am only running every other day, but I look forward to my next run for 48 hours and smile the whole way. I'm so happy to be back at it!

Here's a summary of what my last few months have looked like:

• Cheer for NYC Half

Pre NYC Half brunch. Left to right: Meggie, Allison, Steph, me, Jocelyn.
Photo credit: Allison's husband (I think)

NYC Half Men's lead pack at mile 7

• Go to DC with Beth, Steph, Kim and Jen for a girl's weekend. Cheer for Cherry Blossom 10M. Have brunch with a bunch of Oiselle girls! 

After the Cherry Blossom Expo in DC. Left to right: Jen, me, Steph,
Beth and Kim

The White House. But if you didn't know that, we should probably talk.
Or, maybe we shouldn't.

Runners on the left, cheerer on the right!

Awesome Oiselle teammates post brunch in DC after everyone race
the Cherry Blossom 10 mile!

• Fly to Eugene. Meet awesome people. Cheer for Eugene Marathon. Drink beer. 

Somewhere over Utah

Large portion of the Oiselle team at the Eugene Marathon expo!

Best cheer squad ever! Photo credit: Oiselle Facebook Page

SO. MUCH. FUN. Photo credit: Oiselle Facebook Page

Oiselle team at Ninkasi after party! Photo credit: Derek Delancey

• RUN a mile!!!!! Best mile ever! Smile the whole time!
• Cheer for the NJ Half Marathon and run part of it with Beth while she scored a kick ass PR! 

Beth and me after she killed her half marathon! 5 minute PR!
Photo credit: Beth's brother

Oiselle Birds. Left to right: Me, Meggie, Jocelyn. Photo credit: Leticia

• Attend FitBlogNYC through Fitness Magazine! Listen to great speakers, hang out with awesome friends and do yoga outside in the sun. Thank you to Fitness Magazine for a great day and for all of the amazing goodies! 

• RUN!!!!
• Buy lots of Oiselle so I have new comeback clothes! Winonas, Rogas, Mesh tanks!

Oiselle display at NY Running Company

• Go to lots of spin & Pedal NYC TRX classes. Attempt to get stronger to stay injury free.
• Do the Dirty Dozen and try to get a strong core
• Sign up for all the races
• Go to runner happy hour. Drink too much.

So many great runner friends that I've met over the past year!

• Join the Honey Stinger Hive!

First Honey Stinger order as a Hive member! So excited!

• Attempt Refine again and realize that I'm really out of shape and it's a horrible idea to do it hungover. 
• Walk a lot
• RUN!!!!! THE MOST AMAZING RUN EVER!!!!! Yes that's dramatic, no I'm not exaggerating!

Now you're up to date so let's get back to the running talk in the next post!

What's your next race? How have you stayed sane during injuries?

Stress Fracture, No Fall Marathon and Trying to Stay Sane

One month of no running.  I'm still alive and surviving (surprisingly), but I'm longing for a good run to clear my head and get lost in thoughts of nothing. I'm longing for the runner's high, Central Park and running with friends. And I'm really longing for a good race.

After being told that I probably have a stress fracture, then being told that it didn't seem like one, and then finally being sent for an MRI to see if it is indeed a stress fracture, I'm actually relieved to have an answer: a tibial stress fracture. While this obviously isn't the outcome that I was hoping for this Spring, I'm glad to have a diagnosis for this persisting pain in my right leg.

Annnddd another month of no running commences...

It occurred to me last night that I haven't raced since the Philadelphia Marathon.  Having this injury now makes my experience in Philly that much more special to me- everything came together on race day and I had the race of my dreams. So many people get injured while training, or have an off day on race day, but I was lucky enough to make it to the starting line healthy, meet my goal and make it to the finish line healthy. For that, I am forever grateful, and thinking back on the Philadelphia Marathon will always put a smile on my face and a tear of happiness in my eye. But, since then, my running record has been less than stellar.  I had three awesome races planned for this Spring, and I've had to back out of all three of them. Cheering for friends is fun and I love to be there to support them, but we all know it's not the same as running the race yourself. I'm dying to race, but I need to be smart about it.

We all know that one has to plan many months out to run a marathon, and train properly. Before this injury, I was planning to run the Wineglass marathon in early October.  For this race, I would have to start training mid-June. If I'm not able to run again until (at least) May, that would only give me a few weeks to really build up my base and get back into things. Given this injury and knowing my body, I know it's not a smart idea for me. Will I miss hot, humid, long runs with friends this summer? Surprisingly, yes, absolutely. Will I be jealous of everyone's amazing times this Fall? Yup. Will I have a huge urge to sign up for a Fall marathon? Most likely. But if I want to make it to the starting line of Boston next April (if my 3:33 time is good enough once registration opens) then I need to be smart and not push it this Fall. If I only run two marathons in my life, I want the other one to be Boston. Philly was perfect, and I want Boston to be as perfect as possible too. And for me, that means skipping a Fall marathon.

My goal for this Spring was to focus on speed and halves, which I now plan to move to the Fall. I have my eye on the Philly Rock 'n' Roll Half and maybe the Wineglass Half. But until then, I'm focusing on my core, hip abductor exercises and am thinking I may need to change to a different type of shoe. And also not increase my mileage as quickly as I did this winter. You know, that 10% rule that I didn't really follow...

The last month has left me cranky, irritable, frustrated, feeling lazy and defeated. Some days I fight back tears because I just want to run. Some days I'm happy just to be able to go to a spin class. Some days I fight back tears IN a spin class. Really, I'm just a basket case of emotions. The one constant through this has been my friends and family checking in on me to make sure that I'm doing okay. Thank you all- you're the best. Injuries blow, but your caring has made it slightly less horrible.

2013 has pretty much sucked for me (in terms of running and health), but I'm determined to turn that around once I'm able to lace up my sneakers and hit the roads again. Bring it on second-half of 2013! Dream Big.


Have you ever had a tibial stress fracture? What's your next race? Are you running a Fall marathon?