GRBA 5k with Dad

I love how excited and victorious he looks!

Mini 10k!

7000 women+10k+medal+flower= great day

There was something really beautiful and powerful about running with all those women. Not to sound cheesy, but the crowd at the starting line represented women of all ages, nationalities, sizes and paces. All of us have a love for running in common. What a cool thing. I have no idea why the race is called the Mini 10k, but apparently it started sometime in the 70s with only 78 participants. Today we were out there 7000 strong. And the guys were on the sidelines cheering us on.

Japan Day 4M

Photos courtesy of D, who got up early to come with me to the start. I'm in the photo if you look closely. It's like "Where's Waldo?" for race spectators.

After not running for a couple weeks due to vacation etc, the Japan Day 4M was a great race. I PR'd again at a pace of 10:17 per mile. That may not seem fast, but it is for me! I left everything I had in the park that day. Then I went to a diner and had some eggs and took a nap in front of the tv. Sweet. 7 down, 2 more to go to qualify for the 2010 marathon!

A very Scottish Saturday

I was a little nervous about Saturday's Scotland Homecoming 10k (where does NYRR come up with these names?) because I haven't raced that distance in quite awhile and my knee has been bothering me lately. I spent Friday night stretching and icing (and worrying, to be honest). I guess the first two paid off--Saturday morning went really well, and I PR'd during the 10k! (1.06.21). Slow, yes, but almost 45 seconds faster per minute than my normal pace. Even better, my knee didn't hurt nearly as much as it did during the Colon Cancer Challenge (There's that NYRR naming thing again. Incidentally, I am planning to give the shirt from that race to my father. I think he will appreciate that given his profession).

The challenge for Saturday was definitely the weather--the very wet, chilly, Scottish weather. The announcer kept saying that the day came free of charge courtesy of the Scottish chamber of commerce or something, and NYRR was trying to give us the authentic Scottish experience. Still, there were bagpipers. The rain was not necessary, thanks. It was pretty hilarious to see all these people running in their Scottish flag-adorned ponchos and hats (in the bag of swag we got for registering). I almost forgot how wet and frozen I was as I watched the crowd ahead of me. And of course, there was quite a large crowd ahead of me!

Anyway, I was really proud of myself for PR'ing and finishing so strong despite the conditions. My knee is a little sore now, but I'll deal. I think this is race #5 in my quest for guaranteed entry into the 2010 marathon. I have another next weekend, so we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, it's back to the ice and the foam roller for this knee!

i found a friend...

maggie decided to join me during my post-run stretching routine after B and I tackled the castle island loop in southie.

a new chapter

I've been thinking about trying to run more seriously again for awhile now. My new year's resolution, if you can call it that, was to find a way into the NYC marathon again. I didn't try for 2007, didn't get into 2008, and am not in shape enough to run in 2009. But I did join NYRR in January after resisting for ages, partially because of the way I felt they mistreated Coach Adam back in 2006. But resistance is futile--they're the only game in town if you want guaranteed entry, so I gave in. A few weeks ago, I ran my first NYRR race, the gridiron classic. Superbowl Sunday morning in Central Park, 4 miles in the freezing cold. I couldn't feel my toes for the first mile and a half, but it was great. I was proud and happy to finish and I had my cheering section of one meet me at the finish line.

Fast forward to this morning. The Al Gordon Snowflake 5k in Prospect Park. I don't usually do 5ks because I prefer distance. (It's not as embarrassing to run slowly during longer races, but during a 5k, everyone goes quite fast). I was really excited, though, because it was so close to my house. But something just didn't feel right. I was tired, it was FREEZING, and each mile felt longer than the last. (Seriously, it might have been the longest 5k I've ever done). I couldn't feel my toes for most of the race, which made it quite a challenge. (I don't think I realized how important toes really are!) Maybe it was that I went in thinking it would be no big deal, over in half an hour etc that got me in trouble. I guess the lesson here is that I need to take each race as seriously as the last. The whole time I was running, I kept reminding myself that I just need to do this, to get back out there, to put one foot in front of the other, if I really want to run another marathon. What's a marathon but a whole bunch of short races strung together, right?

Now that I'm home in my warm apartment, I'm happy I did it. Of course, I'm going to have good days and bad days, but each race will bring me closer to fall 2010. Here's to proving 2006 wasn't a fluke!

the brooklyn half--sort of

I set out for my usual Saturday morning run in Prospect Park and was very surprised to find masses of people running the Brooklyn half marathon along my route. (That's right, it's MY route! ;)) I should've remembered, since my coworker told me a few days ago that she was running it. Anyway, I wondered what to do for a quick second, and then I figured I would just run alongside the course. As long as I didn't try to win a la Rosie Ruiz (seems particularly fitting given the Boston marathon a few weeks ago!) it shouldn't be a problem. As I ran mile 9-13 of the course, I got a little swept up in the energy of race day. All these people were cheering and urging us on. Us, right, like I worked as hard as the people who actually ran an entire half marathon today! It made me remember how much I miss racing (and by 'racing, I mean endurance running, since we've established that I am not fast).

I cut out of the park at Grand Army Plaza and ran through the farmer's market and past a million baby carriages. And that is a typical Saturday in Brooklyn, if not an entirely typical run for me!

B runs Boston

In the spirit of the family marathon tradition, my brother took on 26.2 in Boston this past Monday. Here are some photos of his cheering section at the halfway mark (let me tell you, a lot of work went into those signs!) and of B running past us. He finished--any runner's goal for the first marathon. Way to go, B!

starting over...

I've taken a bit of a break from any hardcore running over the last few months and stuck to the gym and to yoga. I've run a little, but only about once a week and for a few miles at a time. Today was so beautiful that I opted to go for a loop of the park instead of to the gym. It finally felt like spring--the sun was shining, there was a breeze, it was opening day at the zoo, so there were families everywhere, all with little kids wearing animal masks. The trees were starting to bloom and all sorts of people were out playing soccer, biking, etc.

It felt great to be outside, but I just could not get a rhythm down. I don't know, I just wasn't feeling it. It was a struggle to finish 4 miles. My legs weren't tired, but I just didn't have the energy to keep going. I hate feeling like I'm starting over from square one in anticipation of next fall's marathon. (I haven't gotten in for sure yet, but I really want to run, either through the lottery or through charity). I really am starting from scratch, and the task feels daunting. If I couldn't comfortably run 4 miles today, how am I going to do 10, 12, 15, or 20?

I realize I'm being ridiculous, since I haven't been training, and I am the first person to say that we have to run our own races and start small. (I just wrote an article about that for a friend's blog). I'm just feeling a bit frustrated. I hope it'll pass as I add running back into my regular routine, and I hope I can stay strong and injury-free.

some photos from the NYC marathon 2007

Paula Radcliffe and Gete Wami, the two amazing women who will eventually take first and second in the women's division. (This picture was taken at mile 7, a mere 38 minutes into their marathon)

an adorable little kid near me who was giving passing runners a little extra support.

Mary and Emily, all set to cheer with their Jackrabbit noisemakers

one year ago tomorrow...

Tomorrow is marathon Sunday in New York City. I am so proud of my friends and teammates who are running, but I am heartbroken not to be among them. Friday night was our team dinner--Race with Purpose folks invited me to join them because I volunteered this season. I was so touched to be included, to still be considered part of the team even though I am not racing this year.

My friend Sarah, who was on staff at Team for Kids, is running with RWP tomorrow. She is amazing, and I feel truly lucky to know her. She's run two marathons for AIDS foundations, and tomorrow will be her third for charity. She is injured and hoping to finish in 5 1/2 to 6 hours, a 12-13 minute pace per mile. Despite her challenges, she is always smiling and ready with an inspiring word. Even so, she needed to be lifted up a little last night--she was anxious about her pacing and feeling that her performance would be diminished by other teammates' speedy showings out on the course tomorrow. Many of them have already qualified for Boston (running marathons in about 3:15 or so). I reminded Sarah (and myself, really) that we don't need to compare ourselves to the fastest teammates. I am never going to run a 3:15 marathon, or even a four hour one, for that matter. My body is not built for it. Sarah and I and other "slow" runners need to think of all those other people who can't even fathom running a marathon and remember that what we do is also extraordinary. In a lot of ways, it's harder for the slower folks to get out there and do it, and for many of us, we've come a long way to get where we are. (Remember when I hated running and couldn't last 15 minutes?)

Most of all, we need to run our own races, not anyone else's. This year's marathon is not my race, but that 7 miles I did this morning felt great and you can bet I'll be back in 2008. Tomorrow, I'll be on 4th avenue in Brooklyn holding pretzels for Sarah and cheering on my teammates as they race with purpose....

STRONG
BREATHE
RELAX
CADENCE
PATIENCE

invigorated (and not by running)

i know i usually write about running here, but i'm departing from that topic for this post. i had a great day today, despite the rain. the highlight was brunch with two extraordinary social workers. i was truly inspired by our conversation--your typical brunch banter about institutional oppression. all of us work in social services and we are challenged daily by the gatekeeping roles we play. on the one hand, we desire to work in solidarity with families and organizations, but we often fall into the trap of pathologizing our clients and failing to see them as whole people who are products of both genetics and society. my friend V said it best, "every time i write 'mom is depressed' on an assessment, i feel sick. we should change the wording to read 'mom is opressed.'" she is right--depression is the result of oppression, and we don't write that because it's not something we can fit neatly onto a service plan and change in 12 months of services.

all day, i have not stopped being grateful for these women. they have pushed me to challenge the oppression that i see in my work and to continue thinking about how i contribute to it through my actions. i really needed a reminder. complacency is my worst enemy.

how to get faster...

Lesson learned yesterday: being really pissed off makes me run REALLY fast. i seriously shaved about two minutes off my mile. as i passed my fellow brooklynites, i definitely got some funny looks. i'm sure they were thinking, "wow, what set this girl off?"

i felt much better afterwards. nothing a little sprint workout won't cure.

ps: go sox!

i can't explain it

it was such a beautiful day today. i love september in new york. it is still warm, but there is a crisp edge to the air that lets us know that something else is on the way. and today was the kind of day that makes me want to soak up the world a little more than i usually do.

i've been feeling sort of down lately, so i headed out to enjoy the sun. i'm not sure what it is-- maybe the transition from school to a full time job, or the fact that work has been utterly insane for the past two weeks. perhaps it's the other personal stuff i've been letting get to me a little too much. i thought a walk in the park might help. i visited a friend in connecticut yesterday, and getting out of the city did me a world of good. it was lovely to be somewhere else, and to be with someone familiar who gets me. still, i haven't fully relaxed in awhile, so i needed some time to myself. i can't say 'alone' because it's difficult to ever really be alone when there are people everywhere.

anyway,when i got to the park and started walking around the loop, something came over me. i ignored the tweak i've been feeling in my knee for the past few days and took off. i don't think i've run that fast since suffering through speed intervals last fall. shockingly, nothing hurt and i felt light on my feet. usually i clomp along rather ungracefully, but not today. i think i just needed to go, to push through everything i've been feeling, to get lost in the music on my ipod. i can't explain the compulsion i felt, or exactly what i was running away from, but that loop around the park made me feel so much better. it's amazing how that happens. i'm so glad i've found running as an outlet. what do the nonrunners do? :)

I am in love...

with brooklyn.

it's awesome. i love my new apartment (even the bunny farm next door, although it reminds me of the scene from "roger and me"), my new neighborhood, and my roommates. i love that prospect park is super close by, and that i just did a loop with my roomie. it's a great way to catch up about our days. but i am SO out of shape. i'd better figure that out, since there was a race starting as we were leaving tonight, and i really want to get my race on soon.

in the meantime, here's to lots more runs to explore the new (to me) borough!

when i look like i've run, but i haven't

it was really hot yesterday. really hot. and it had poured the night before. So much so, in fact, that the subways in NYC completely flooded. Perhaps you read about. When I came out of my apartment and realized the train downtown wouldn't be an option, I waited for a bus. Several passed by, but those were full. I found a friend who was also trying to figure out how to get to work, and we started walking in the humid grossness. It was disgusting. At one point, my friend turned to me and said "You look like you've just run ten miles." Great.

Luckily, when we got to 96th street, the 2/3 trains were running, but only as far as 34th. My friend could walk to work from there, but I still had a ways to go to get to the financial district. I decided to get off at 42nd and see if I could catch another train (someone told me there were some running), but no luck. When 2 hours had passed and I hadn't made it any further downtown, I decided to bag it and go home. Unfortunately, it was just too hot to actually run ten miles.

swimming, biking, running, and helping

With any big race come many emotional stories of endurance, hope, and pride. Several of my RWP/TFK teammates participated in the NYC triathlon a few weeks ago. You can read about what they did on Coach Adam's blog here. I'm not as hardcore as they are, so I was sleeping. But, a family friend recently shared a story with me about that day that is as amazing as the accomplishment of finishing such an intense race.

A few days ago, I attended a funeral service for the newborn son of a close family friend. The baby's death was truly a tragedy. He was very premature and wasn't able to leave the NICU. His entire family gathered at the hospital during the last few days of his short life to say their good-byes. On the way uptown, his grandparents got stuck in the middle of the NYC triathhlon. Traffic was completely stopped and roads were barricaded for the extraordinary athletes competing that day. My friends were understandably angry at the delay and overcome with grief at the thought of losing their grandson. A police officer on duty at the tri came to their aid, asking where they were going and what the situation was. The baby's grandfather is a fairly imposing man, and to see him broken with grief is a heartwrenching sight. Whatever the cause, something stirred inside the police officer, who motioned for the family to follow her. She escorted them through the triathlon and all the way to the front door of the hospital, where they were able to see their grandson just hours before he passed.

I love this story because it reaffirms my faith in humanity on the most basic level. Also, I am a social worker, and I love what the police officer did for this family in a moment of incredible need. One does not need to perform earth -shattering feats to be a hero(ine). Lastly, I think the NYC triathlon is a perfect backdrop for a story like this. In endurance sports, we always strive to PR, but this is proof that we can be our best selves outside the race, too.

gonna be some changes made

a thousand points to you if you know who sang that song! seems fitting given all that's going on for me right now. after a temporary gig, i start a new job next week. i'm excited about the work, and i look forward to the challenge of trying to make change in such a huge, complicated system of social services. yesterday, i went to a big meeting for social workers around new york city, and the sense of hope in the room astounded me. sure, there were people there who are jaded and burned out, but there were more who live their lives looking for the goodness in people and advocating tirelessly for kids and families. i couldn't help but feel pride. That was my community.

wow. deep.

in other news, i will soon be a brooklynite! i was thinking the other day as i was running on the west side (gotta bring it back to running always, right? after all, running is a metaphor for life) about how many places i've lived in the past few years and how many of them i've gotten to know simply through running around. DC, Providence, Boston, Sevilla, New Haven, various parts of Maine, NYC...you get the idea. can't wait to explore brooklyn on foot and tackle the loop in Prospect Park a few times. newness doesn't scare me as much as it once did.

but before i find some new runs, i've got to take care of these shin splints. ouch.

back to running for fun

I decided that i couldn't do the marathon with RWP this year (race with purpose is the new team that folks from team for kids formed). I have too much going on--I just graduated from CUSSW (!!), I moved, and now I'm job hunting. It's hard to think about fitting training into my schedule when I don't even know what my schedule will be. However, I've volunteered to help out during the training season, so hopefully I'll stay connected to my teammates and I can cheer them on November 4. I'm also thinking about a spring marathon--maybe by then I'll feel more settled.

So it's back to running for fun. I am so out of shape. Hard to believe my EASY runs used to be 10+ miles, and now I am barely doing 4. Yikes. Oh well. Now is not the time to feel discouraged about my mileage. Running is how I am taking care of myself during this time of such ambiguity. I went to an alumni thing a couple of months ago where someone actually said in her remarks, "be sure you work out a lot and eat good food while you're unemployed. It helps you feel less disgusting about yourself." Good advice to live by!

a little bit at a time

My six weeks of no running were officially up the day after I got home from New Orleans. (See link at right) After the incredible intensity of the trip, there was nothing I wanted to do more than put on sneakers and get outside. It didn't matter that it was freezing and there was snow on the ground. (Very harsh after being in 70 degree sun for a week!) Not wanting to overdo it, I went for about 20 minutes. Shortly, I realized how out of shape I am. The eliptical just doesn't compare to running for an hour + at a time. I have a lot to do to make up for all this time off, but I'll work up to the old level slowly. I'm not interested in getting injured again. Good luck to all the folks running Boston, Paris, and all those other races. RWP is doing Chicago--sadly, I won't be ready for a marathon in the fall. Maybe I'll go just to cheer them on?