20 days blogging to the NY Marathon

20 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes and 30 seconds until the marathon on November 2nd.  I have been preparing for this since January 2013.  I became a member of New York Road Runners, ran in 9 qualifying races in 2013, and volunteered at the 2013 NYC Half Marathon.  This year I've run almost 500 miles so far, spent hundreds and hundreds on entry fees, membership fees, virtual training programs, and energy gels.  There is no other option but running on November 2nd, I will walk or crawl if needed.

My knee is STILL hurting, and my training has suffered a lot.  For the last 4 weeks, I have done very little running.  Today was supposed to be a 19 mile run, the longest in the training program and would have been my longest run ever.  So I'm getting nervous.  I have got to get better.  

I can feel my hips, lower back, legs, and IT band are still really tight, so I went to hot yoga tonight.  And I feel great.  The key to relieving my knee pain is going to be loosening up all of these areas.  Tomorrow is a day off from all fitness, and I'm hoping to do an easy, pain-free run on Tuesday.  My strategy is yoga, stretching, foam rolling and gentle running for the next 20 days.  And Epson salt and ice.  I will be taping everything on race day.

Ideally, I would love to do 10 miles next Sunday and then taper for the remaining 2 weeks.  Wish me luck!  I am going to blog every day until the race.

Marathon Training Blues

4 weeks now until the NY Marathon.  As it gets closer and closer, my goal finish time increases.  Before I started training, I had a goal of 4 hours 30 min in mind (beat Oprah!).  Now my goal is to finish under 6 hours (beat Pam Anderson!).  Check out some other celebrity marathon finish times here: http://running.about.com/od/famousrunners/tp/celebritymarathonrunners.01.htm

Training was going pretty good, I felt really fit, strong, and injury-free until the 18 mile Marathon Tune-Up on September 14th, which I finished in 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 28 seconds.  This is a 11:55 min per mile pace, which is significantly slower than the pace that my training program estimates (11:04-11:24).  Izzy commented that I looked completely fine as I crossed the finish line, not like someone who ran 18 miles.  But as the day went on the serious pain sunk in.  Previous to this, my longest run was 17 miles, after which I was tired but my body was injury-free. 

I got almost no running in before my next running event, which was the Bronx 10 mile run on September 28th.  My right knee was killing me, so I taped it up with KT tape.  For anyone who has ever wondered how much this helps, I can attest that this is pretty amazing stuff because my right knee didn't bother me at all.  But my left knee started hurting immediately!  And my right ankle was sore too.  This was one of the worst runs I have ever had, my finishing time was 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 40 seconds.  (Actually, I am making a commitment to myself right now to finish a half marathon in less time than this next year.)  But I finished and I earned another medal.  And I completed 4 our of 6 of the Five Burroughs series which earned me guaranteed entry to the NY Half next year.  Clearly, I am going to tape all of my legs for the marathon.  I did a little research, and decided to order "Mummy Tape", which isn't as pretty as pre-cut, colorful KT Tape but is supposed to stick better.  And I bought a spray that also helps the tape to adhere better and stay put.

This past week I ran less than a mile and a half with my doggies, and today 2 miles on the treadmill.  A whole week wasted when the marathon is so close!  My plan at this point is to take it easy and slowly ease back in to running this week.  If I have to go to the gym and ride the exercise bike just to keep up my fitness then I'll do it.  Because time is running out and I don't know what else I can do.

I'm sure that this is totally related: I have been feeling fatigued and depressed for the past several weeks.  I sort of crashed the other week, all of the extra training and also extra work hours seemed to catch up to me at once.  As much as I would love to be able to do everything that I set out to do (which is a lot) I do actually have a physical and emotional limit.  I think the changing of the seasons has a lot to do with it, and cumulative effects of hard training.  I had my first facial ever yesterday, and the facialist suggested that the pattern of my new acne breakouts on my skin suggest stress or adrenal dysfunction, and hormonal issues.  All of which were theories of mine based off of internet research.  Another theory is that my pH level is too acidic, I plan to eat more whole foods this week and drink lots of Smart Water.

Also notable news is that my birthday is this month. And Izzy's birthday too, he is exactly 10 days older.  We'll both be 39.  We're keeping it mellow this year, just having one combined celebratory dinner.  Izzy won't even tell me what he wants for a present.  Training is definitely keeping me in line.  Usually, October is always such a busy month for us.

Besides that, I have been taking spanish again.  This time just a 6 week class, which is perfect.  Better teacher this time.  My spanish is still not that conversational, but it's getting better.

3 months until NY Marathon 2014 and Izzy's first boxing match

Just 3 months until the NY Marathon!  I ran 8 miles yesterday, as prescribed by my online virtual trainer.  It's been humid and hot, and running has become so much harder.  Last Sunday, I ran 16 miles for NYRR long marathon training run, longest run to date.  I found out that it is actually much harder to run at a slower pace, and the last 2 miles were excruciating.  But I did it and I'm a better person for it.  I'm starting to plan my post-marathon party.

So I quit 30 Day Abs.  I will do it again.  Some day.  I mean, I invested $20 in that ab mat, so...

Izzy had his boxing match, it was so exciting!  I had no idea that I would enjoy it that much.  He lost, but he gave a good fight.  And not many people actually get up there and do that, so there's that.  Everyone got a trophy, and our friends from the local dive bar made him a champion belt made out of six pack holders, beer coasters, and tin foil.  So much love and support!  I think about 30 friends came out to to see him, plus he raised over $1000 for charity.

And Izzy has already signed up for his next athletic challenge.  We signed up with a bunch of friends to do a Zombie Run (5k obstacle) on October 25th.  We all decided to be runners (or humans) and not zombies.  My initial thought was that a 5k would be a piece of cake, but then reality sunk in about the obstacle part...  The marathon is the following weekend.  I should probably train for this event, but this is definitely outside of my comfort zone.  Taking suggestions and advice from anyone who has trained for this type of event, particularly if you lack upper body strenghth like I do!

Which reminds me, yesterday was the NY triathalon.  Some day I will do this...  So little time!

30 Day Abs: Shit is gettin' REAL.

I noticed a few of my friends publicly committing on Facebook to do 30 Day Abs, and I thought that this challenge could help me established a new healthy fitness habit and would benefit my marathon training.  There are several free and paid iphone apps, I settled on "30 Day Ab" free version by Jozic Productions (www.jozicproductions.com).  There are 4 exercises: sit-ups, crunches, leg raises, and plank.  Day 1 is 15 sit-ups, 5 crunches, 5 leg raise, and 25 second plank.  Pretty easy!  And didn't take so long.  But for some reason it took me a week to mentally prepare for Day 2.

The program is 3 days of exercises, followed by a rest day.  Each day is a little harder than the previous.  By Day 11, I could barely finish.  So after a day of rest on Day 12, I decided that I would repeat Day 9, 10, and 11.  I did Day 9 on Friday, and yesterday I justified skipping a day since I had to run 9 miles for marathon training.  Now I find myself at the crossroads of procrastination.  I am telling myself right now that as soon as I finish and publish this blog that I will go to my bedroom at complete Day 10.

I starting running in 2009 using the Couch to 5k program.  I read somewhere that if a week was really hard that it was best to repeat a week rather than move on.  I repeated many weeks and took extra rest days between run days.  But I finished it.  And I've run 3 half marathons to date.  So I thought the same method could be applied to 30 Day Abs.  My journey, at my own pace.

If anyone else is considering doing this challenge, I highly recommend buying an ab mat.  I bought one for $20 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Workouts-Machines-Equipment-Trainer-Exerciser/product-reviews/B00BBLDN56?pageNumber=2. It's basically a little curved mat that supports the small of your back.  It also helps you get a better range of motion and do the exercises more effectively.

Here's a similar 30 Day Abs program, the one I saw circulating on Facebook:

Solstice means it's officially summer!

It is absolutely gorgeous today in Brooklyn, we were out of the house this morning by 9 am to enjoy the longest day of the year.  We did our usual long doggy walk down Franklin St. and Kent Ave. to Williamsburg.  We always stop at Sweetleaf Coffee on N. 6th, which serves the best coffee and pastries on the planet.  Then we go to Bushwick Inlet Park along the waterfront to enjoy our tasty treats while we watch soccer.  Of course, we always take the doggies to the dog park at McCarren Park.  Oh, did I mention that we got another doggy?

Landon was showing signs of boredom, so we adopted a sister for him.  Irene is a chihuahua pug, she has a mean looking grin, one ear that is always curled forward, and she snorts like a pig.  And she is an alpha female. We love her so much, but these two are a hand full!

According to my new Misfit Shine activity tracker, I have walked 4.8 miles before noon today.  (Shine is "the world's most elegant physical activity tracker": http://www.misfitwearables.com). I still need to run 55 minutes today (about 5 miles), according to my Gipis app marathon training program.  

Izzy and I have had sinus infections that are interfering with our training.  Izzy is still set to box in the ring for the charity at Gleason's on July 19th.  I'm running the Queens 10k tomorrow and marathon training is gearing up.  I am registered for long training runs through NYRR in July, August, and September.  And I'm thrilled that the Queens 10k is a month earlier this year (and probably 20 degrees cooler), and that I will earn a medal.  Last year I finished in 1:08:02, and hoping to finish under an hour. Check out this photo of me last year, apparently I looked like I just bought a Toyota.

If anyone wants to track me, NYRR offers live tracking here: http://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NYRR-QUEENS-2014#b=na&v=ptrack  My bib # is 9058.

I started Day 1 of 30 day abs, but I never got to Day 2.  I am using a free app called 30 Day Ab by Jozic Productions.  I am recommitting to this, starting today.

I PR'ed BIG TIME!!!

Spring is finally here in NYC and Greenpoint, Brooklyn is my favorite place to be.  Many weekends have been dedicated to wearing out our energetic chiweenie Landon.  We like to walk him to McCarren Park in Williamsburg, which is a 2 mile walk each way.  Then we let him run like crazy in the small dog park.  I started putting on my running shoes to walk him, but now I am taking Landon on my runs up to 3 miles.  And Izzy started riding his bike with Landon running beside him.  Two really energetic people are having a hard time keeping up with the exercise needs of one little doggy.  I am wondering what we will do next winter.

I am super proud of Izzy, he has committed to 10 weeks of intense boxing training and to be part of a amateur boxing event at Gleason's for charity.  He is training 5 times a week for 2 hours a day.  You can check out his profile on the website here: https://www.crowdrise.com/romelnava/fundraiser/gleasonsgiveakidadream. The event will take place at Gleason's on July 19th, and he will be selling tickets for $25. 

On May 4th, I rode in the Five Boro Bike Tour with Izzy and Chester (and 32,000 others).  The tour was 40 miles, and the longest ride for Chester and Izzy to date.  Those guys kicked ass, so proud and happy for them.  Izzy loves to wear my shirts from running events, I teased him that he actually earned this one. 

On May 10th, I ran in the Healthy Kidney 10K with my friend Maureen.  I raised $1185 for Team Kidney in honor of my brother— thank you to everyone who donated.  I had a running goal to finish in 1 hour, so I was thrilled to finish in 1 hour 38 seconds. I PR'ed!  (PR="personal record", not "Puerto Rico" LOL)  It was my fastest 10k time and also my fastest pace for any NYRR running event.  Maureen must have finished about 5 minutes before me, she's fast!  It was her first New York Road Runners event and she surprised herself. 

Last Saturday, May 17th, I PR'ed again.  My third half marathon was my fastest yet.  I didn't expect to do so well because I have not been training hard since the NYC Half in March.  I shaved about 17 minutes off of my last half marathon time and finished in 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 58 seconds!  Wowzers!  That's an average pace of 10:08.  Izzy brought Landon on the Vespa to come pick me up, I was so happy to have my two Mexican boys there to celebrate my victory.  But, as fun as it may sound to end a half marathon with over 25,000 runners in Coney Island, I have to say that I sort of agree with something I heard after I crossed the finish line.  I overheard a guy say "Why did we run all the way to this shithole?"  No cellphone reception and long lines for bathroom or beer make me quite the grumpy pants, especially after running 13.1 miles.  I was happy to get the hell out of there, but the traffic made that more excruciating than the 133 minute run to get there in the first place.  At least they had bagels at the finish line this year and not just stupid bags of pretzels (like last year!). The fact that there is now an Applebee's on Surf Ave. has kind of killed the whole vibe for me I guess.

Next on the horizon, I've got the Queens 10k in June, and I've committed to a training program for the NY Marathon in November using Gipis iphone app.  I'm going to run 4 times a week and my goal is to finish in about 4 hours and 20 minutes, which equals an average pace of 9:53 per mile.  (Or about 15 seconds per mile faster than the Brooklyn Half).  I've been waking up at 5:15 in the morning with Izzy, he goes to boxing training and I go to the gym or run with Landon.  We're going to be so buff!

Long overdue update

I have been extremely busy since my last post, and happy to report that I've made some serious progress towards some of my goals:

1. I am registered for the NY marathon this year on November 2nd.

2. I ran the NYC Half on March 16, and finished in 2:29:13, which is a better time than my first half marathon.  And of course I got a medal!

3. The next 3 weekends are very exciting: 5 Boro Bicycle Tour on May 4th, Healthy Kidney 10k on May 10th (I'm fundraising, please support me--> National Kidney Foundation), and the Brooklyn Half on May 17th.

4. I got laid off from my job at the end of January.  We adopted a rescue dog and I planned a vacation to Mexico where I met my future father-in-law.  Then I got some freelance work, followed by full-time job that was a big step up for me.  It was actually a miraculous turn around since I was unemployed for such a short time, and my freelance clients were very sad to see me go.

5.  I think Izzy and I decided on a wedding location.

I am going to try to blog more regularly, in an effort to become more focused for the next month.

Julie and I in Merida, Mexico with Ollie, my future father-in-law.

Izzy with Landon the chiweenie