It does exist!!

The sun that is. It was a beautiful weekend and I made sure to take advantage of being outside. I was getting cabin fever; ready to pull my hair out.

Friday--hit the gym and met the roommates for dinner. It's nice to relax and catch-up since we're so busy during the week.

Saturday was spent at the gym with my regular workout of elliptical, treadmill walk, and strength training. I've also been walking home after work and school (both are about a half hour away.)

And these (above and below) were my views on Sunday. I took a long walk along the Hudson to clear my head, with a 5 min run that my PT had on the schedule. It was okay. Not great and I could definitely tell that my cardio is lacking. I also felt a twinge on my left hamstring, but nothing too dramatic. I made sure to stretch along with the hip strengthening exercises. Feeling good now.

I also made dinner that turned out delicious: haddock, brown rice, and a crisp cucumber and radish salad. Will have to start taking pictures of my cooking adventures as well. A beautiful way to end the weekend. Looking forward to lots more sunshine.

And I raaaaan....ran (not so) far awayyyy....

Bad news are usually accompanied by good news. Which puts things into perspective and I definitely needed perspective. I was a bit bummed after learning some not so great news, but today made up for it.

Today in PT, I ran. Not far or long, but it felt awesome. I've been working really hard getting my hips stronger and felt really good so my PT suggested trying a 5min run on their treadmill. I took my new shoes (Feelmax Osma) and because of their construction (or lack there of) my foot fall was really heavy. I'm bringing my regular shoes next time to see if there is a difference and she'll also check my form. I can workout this evening and tomorrow, but will have to wait until Sunday for my next run. And I hear it's going to be in the 50s, so I'll be heading outside. This may be pushing it, but I'm hoping for a mile at least on March 22. **fingers-crossed**

Out of shape, but not out of it

To say that I'm upset and frustrated would be an understatement. The issue with my hip has made me so out of shape and I can feel it. Don't get me wrong, since I began physical therapy I have gotten stronger and in general am in less pain. In the beginning, I could only be on the elliptical for 15mins and now that's been increased to 30 mins with 15 mins walk on the treadmill. It's slow going and every time I see my PT, I beg for more time. She laughs at how impatient I am and tells me that it's a process and will take time. I know she's right.

Apparently there are layers and layers of problems and we have to correct each one. *UGH* Another physical therapist looked at my hips and thinks that there may not be a tear. Yay for that because I so don't want to have surgery. I'm working like crazy and following all of their advice.

Here are a few exercises that I've been doing to strengthen and stabilize my hips and pelvic:







Running Times has a great article by Mackenzie Lobby (where I got the pics above) about weak hip and the issues they cause to the rest of our bodies.


Hopefully it will pay off because...

I've signed up for a LOT of races and I'm itching to start training. ^_^

Laughing...

My office sometimes has yoga classes during lunch and it's the best! It's a fantastic way to decompress during the day and I always leave feeling calm and refreshed.

The other day, our instructor had a completely different approach to class. She could see that we were all a bit stressed out and had low energy levels. We spent the entire class focusing on breathing and just being there. It's definitely hard not to let your mind wander to everything else you have to do or flashing back on the things you did that you want to change. It took so much energy for me to constantly remind myself of where I was and what it is that I wanted (and needed) to get out from this class. Near the end of it...I was there. I was present and breathing deeply.

And of course this is when there was a change up. Our instructor wanted us to look at each other and laugh. Ummm...what?! We all looked at each other sheepishly. She said "...just for one minute. That's it." She looked me in the eye and started laughing. I started to giggle and before you knew it, EVERYONE was laughing hysterically! We kept looking at each other and couldn't stop...even after the minute was up. It was such an amazing feeling. I left the class content and was so for the rest of the day. I want to laugh more often and be present in the moment for 2010.

Injury (Slight)

So....I have a slight tear in my left hip labral. It's been bothering me awhile now and I finally got it checked out. Until Spring, I cannot run or participate in high impact activities. :-/ This is not going to be fun. And I also have to start physical therapy (for 2 months) and anti-inflammatory medicine (for 1-2 months). After that I'll get checked out again and hopefully will not have to go through surgery.

I had hoped that I would be able to have done at least 2-3 races by Spring. So frustrating, but will have to regroup and make new goals for the year. After speaking with the doctor, I made sure to know what I could actually do. Ugh--to not move for months is my nightmare. To keep my fitness level, I've been working on the elliptical, bike and will try to get in some pool time as well.

It also looks like I'll be needing to make a new mix. The music on my shuffle is geared towards running and my body is used to moving in a certain way when I hear those songs. While at the gym the other day, it was incredibly difficult (and sad) not to get on a treadmill!! I can't wait to get clearance to run again!

The bad and the good

My left hip has been hurting--a lot. A dull ache that doesn't seem to be going away. And I've been reluctant in getting it checked out, but then it started hurting when I would sleep on it. Grr. I've eased back the running and have been concentrating on strength, especially my hip flexors. It's getting much stronger, but I did suck it up to make a doctor's appointment. I just want to make sure that it's nothing serious. *Fingers crossed*

The Running Company group run meet up. Time Warner Center

I started running with a running group and even though it's disbanded for the rest of the year, I'm looking forward to it starting back up in the new year. On Thursdays and Sundays, it's a women only group. Even though there are co-ed groups, and I would love to join them, right now, those are the only days that I can make. The women are awesome. So welcoming and encouraging. It was a wet, cool run in Central Park. We ran up E. 59th, did the top portion of the Resevoir and back down to W. 59th. All in all about 4.5 miles. Part of it and especially near the end, I could definitely feel my hips and low back, but it wasn't too terrible. I just need to relax more and not tense up my shoulders and arms. As long as I continue to do more strength training and watch my form, I think that next year, I'll be able to run more quality races.

Start over

So yesterday, I started actually running again. I took a strength class in the morning and ran after work along new paths. It was awesome to run along the Hudson River all the way from Harlem to the Upper West Side. I've been waiting and waiting for construction to be done and it was well worth it. The feeling of running along the water is incredible and so peaceful.

I do need to get some form of reflective gear now that it's getting darker much earlier. Coming back, I made sure that my iPod was lower and I was more aware. It wasn't too bad, plus there was still enough people running, biking, and roller blading. It's my new favorite path to run and hopefully it will keep me motivated throughout the long winter.

I'm following the Hal Higdon Intermediate training plan with some minor adjustments to the speed work (I'm not great at it and am not sure if I can follow what he has down). With additional strength and core work, I think I can get my time down from last year's 10K. I'm also running the Thanksgiving Day Columbus Turkey Trot (5miler) with my brother. So excited about that!! We've never run together, but I'm sure my competitive streak will be in high gear!

Punishment

It's amazing to me how fast you lose fitness even after being consistent for months or years. You take a few weeks off or in my case a month and half and it's all gone. I headed back to the gym yesterday and took a 30 min ab class and a spin class. Got.my.ass.kicked.

BUT I also felt awesome. I left sweaty with a giant smile on my face and a slight limp. Can't wait to go back tonight for boxing and another ab class with my favorite instructors.

Updates...

First off--a few photos from Barcelona. It feels like it was so long ago. I had an amazing time and if I didn't have the rest of the world to explore, I would want to go back there.

our (almost) daily walk to the beach

<--Montserrat (major hiking involved)

Delicious vegan lunch @ Vegetalia

beach day in Stiges

Because we were on our feet the entire day (and most nights), I only got in one official run. :-/ I was plenty sore and tired by the time I hit the bed though, so I'm going to count the entire vacation as one giant cross training.

After coming back, I had a week of work before heading home to Ohio for a week. Always love going home to spend time with family and friends. Had a fantastic time zip lining. First time ever and after a few tries, I caught on. Will post pics of that soon. While there, I was able to get in a few bike rides AND got a chance to hear Lance Armstrong speak at the kickoff to Pelotonia. Awesome.

Late August began the month of fasting for Ramadan so most if not all workouts were shelved until late September. I've been going a bit crazy waiting to get back to the gym/running. And since school also started up, I've been lax in the workout department. BUT. I am back or will be tomorrow when my gym membership becomes unfrozen. Love the fall and I can't wait to start working on new goals. :-)

New plans...and the start of summer for me.

I'm heading to Barcelona next week with a few girlfriends and hopefully will be able to get in a few runs while I'm there. I really do love running in other cities early in the morning. It's amazing to see it in a different light. Lots and lots of pictures will be taken, I'm sure.

I've decided not to run the Baltimore Marathon this year. It would be incredibly stupid for me to without proper training. My friend and former roommate, Erin will be running the Baltimore Half so I will instead be cheering for her in spirit. After her first half in April, she now has race fever. :-) I'm now looking for an October/November race. Nothing too big, maybe a 10K so that I can work on my speed.

Over the past few months, I've been slacking majorly with my running and spending more time with classes at my gym. Hopefully this will change. My plan right now is to run during my lunch break, about 3 times a week. Nothing long, just a quick 2 miles and then abs. At least it's something until I sign up for another race.

On a social note, I will be at All-Points West starting tomorrow. I can't wait!! Even though I'm a little sad that Beastie Boys had to cancel (get better soon MCA!), I'm psyched that Jay-Z will be the replacement. What better way for my summer to officially start?! I'm glad classes are over and I can take the time to enjoy my friends and family.

I met Olympians!!!!!!!

This past Sunday, I ran the mini 10K in Central Park. It's a women only race and was absolutely fantastic. I felt really good throughout the race and I think that has to do with all the spin classes I've been taking. All the interval training really helped me kill it on the hills. I also met Catherine "the Great" Ndereba and Magdalena Lewy Boulet afterward and that was just freaking awesome. They were ridiculously nice and encouraging about my novice running.

I'm still deciding whether or not I'll run the Baltimore Marathon. Not sure if it's something I can commit to along with grad classes, but will make a decision by July before they raise the price of entrance.

start of the race


running up Central Park West before getting into the park


my "rabbits" that I chased and made sure that they were always close until...


800 yards to go and I sprinted past them to the finish line. Woot!


Awesome :o)

More Magazine Half Marathon aka Erin's FIRST race eva

Ready to run!

80+ degree weather and giant blister at mile 7 does not make for a "fun" run.

Happy and thinking about future races together!

My Reward

*Sigh* Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this adventure.

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
-Emil Zatopek

Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon Race Report

This pretty much describes how I felt about the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon on June 21st. Yes, it's been awhile sine then, but I needed time to gain perspective. Believe me, I did not have anything positive to say about my first marathon experience right afterward. I was just happy for it to be over.
We got there a couple days early to adjust to the time change. Anchorage isn't the most beautiful place especially in comparison to the rest of Alaska. Not...even...close. The day before the marathon, we all went for a short 20 minute run, I could definitely feel all the nervous energy/excitement in our group. We all wanted it to be over. The unknown is always scary.

My first glimpse of Alaska.

Surprisingly, I was able to sleep quickly and we made sure to keep the curtains drawn as Alaska gets 19 hours of daylight during the summer months. 19 hours!! It can mess with your head a little.

I couldn't believe it was finally happening. I'd been training for 6 months and the day had finally arrived. I felt a little sick. What if I couldn't finish? I would not only be letting myself down, but so many others. That freaked me out more than anything.
Ready to start.
A bus took all of us from the hotel to the start line. Having witnessed both the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathons, my expectations for the number of runners and spectators are more than a little skewed. Those that had traveled to the marathon probably increased the population of Anchorage by 25%. I wish I was exaggerating.

We started and I quickly found my groove. After the second mile, it started to rain and it kept up for the first 8 miles. The course was supposed to be a combination of paved paths and trails. My expectation of a trail is packed dirt, maybe some rocks. This course had 7 miles of rocks which made it difficult to stabilize and for me to maintain pace. It was awful and put a tremendous amount of pressure on my lower legs. Running the bridle path in Central Park did not prepare me for this assault on my body.

7 miles of hell
Not only was I hurting physically, it was wreaking me mentally and emotionally. They say that most people hit the wall at mile 20 and I was hoping that I would not be affected. I hit the wall at mile 19. I felt like that the race officials had moved the mile markers farther away. I kept moving, but each mile just seemed to get longer and longer. Would I ever get to the finish line?

The marathon ended on a track at the local high school. Finally after climbing the last hill, I came into the school parking lot and saw my coach. I can't begin to say what I felt when I saw him. I was a jumble of emotions and was unbelievably happy to see him. He grabbed my hand and told me that the rest of the way was my victory lap. I hit the track, light and pain free as I saw all my new friends and the big finish banner.

Would I do it again? Maybe in a few years, but right now I just want to savor the experience I had. Six months of early mornings, late nights, speed work, long runs were worth it for that moment when I crossed the finish line.

The Final Miles...well, at least till the actual marathon.

I'm in the home stretch with training for the marathon in Alaska, which means I'm in the home stretch as far as fundraising is concerned as well. I don't leave for the Alaska until June 19^th, but the folks over at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have asked that we get our donations in by MONDAY!!!

That's just few days for you to help me reach my goal of $5000.00 raised to fight leukemia and other blood cancers. Seeing as the LLS does all the hard work, I figure it's the least we can.

What will your donation get you? How about that warm fuzzy feeling in your belly that you get when you know that you just did something really, really good without expecting anything in return? Sounds pretty good to me.

What are you waiting for?

You guys have been awesome so far. How awesome? $3500.00 awesome, that's how awesome.

But I'm not there yet. I only have $1300 more for this event and for that, I need your help. With all of the great and generous people we know, it won't take much. Just $25.00 from you (or your friends and co-workers who you are more than welcome to pass this along to) will go a long way towards helping me reach my goal and it will do so much more for the people that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be able to help with that money. And not for nothing, it will make it a LOT harder for me to quit out there around mile 21 in Alaska.

I only have 6 dedicated miles left so get your mile now!

Mile 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 20 are up for grabs.

Seen

• Man running while juggling (yes, he was still going faster than me).
• Pregnant woman running (at least 6 month along!).
  
• Man at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, sitting with cash till giving money away. I only wish I'd had time to stop and ask why and perhaps get a 20 bill.
• A blind woman running with sighted partner.

and lastly,

• A troup (yes, a troup) of wizards. Must have been a student film project, but in New York, who knows?
  

Let's Get Together...

Hope everyone can make it. It's going to be great time. The weather will be beautiful and it's always nice to get together with friends you haven't seen in awhile. Bring anyone and everyone you can find!!

~Saph~

Finding the Balance

Nuff said.

~Saph~

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

Oh the places I've run...(Part Deux)

Okay, there were some issues with the pictures I wanted to post showing all the places I've run and a glimpse of a future trail that I hope to conquer. But that's all fixed thanks to Erin.

So why pictures of places that I've run to? Well, running is pretty much the only way that I've been learning about New York City. Central Park? Forget it! Sadly, I could have lived here for 3 years and never step foot in it. So, I'm working on that and hopefully even after the marathon, will continue to do so. Suggestions as to places I should definitely hit are appreciated. Enjoy the pics.


Later,
~Saph~
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

Oh! The places I’ve run… (Part 1)

Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.

So…get on your way!
--Dr. Seuss

What’s been happening with the marathon training? It's going much better. Hell, it’s been pretty awesome. Things were a little touch and go a few weeks back when I was hurt along the Hudson River and could barely hobble home, but all is well and healed. I just upped my strength training to build my quad muscles and incorporate more stretching and Yoga. It’s helped me so much and my long run last weekend turned out well. No ice baths needed!

We’ve now graduated from hill workouts. YES! And will start working on pacing our miles. Though my goal is to just finish the marathon, it will be nice not to finish last.

Fundraising Update:

Out of $5,000, I have raised $2500. I’m almost there!! Remember a little goes a loooong ways. Anything you can give to help out is great.

If you donate $100 or more, you will have a mile dedicated to you!!

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Here is my website where you can donate:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

***As always anyone you can forward this on to is greatly appreciated***

~Saph~