adios part dos

So as mentioned previously, I was looking into getting another pair of Adidas Adioses…whether I was gonna stick with the watermelon candy color or try the new one was to be determined.  Which one did I go with?  Without further ado…

this pic doesn’t even do justice to how neon-y these shoes are…

Yep, I decided to go with the pink…or as I was informed, the color was called “turbo.”  OK, maybe that doesn’t scream “look at me, look at me” as much as “neon pink” does, but “turbo” does sound fast.

And believe me, these do get noticed.  I broke them in at my track workout and when just waiting around some random stranger says that she spotted my shoes halfway down the block.  Plus just walking to/from the subway I felt they were getting looks.  I like it though!  Glad I went with these instead of the greens.

Last nite had short stuff on tap-10 x 200.

Interval	Time	Pace
1	0:45.30	6:04.52
2	0:45.89	6:09.26
3	0:44.70	5:59.69
4	0:45.03	6:02.34
5	0:44.40	5:57.27
6	0:44.55	5:58.48
7	0:44.17	5:55.42
8	0:44.28	5:56.31
9	0:43.69	5:51.56
10	0:43.32	5:48.58

Given my target was my normal VO2max pace of 50 secs per 200 (with the blessing to take it down to 48-49 if need be) I guess these were a bit on the fast side.  But still felt good, and hey at least I was consistent, and didn’t blow out the first interval and get significantly slower for the rest of them.  200s may sound easy (especially compared to the previous week’s 1200s!), but the quanitity, plus the short rest, makes it hard.

So glad the shoes are still working for me…I’m actually debating whether to wear them for my upcoming half.  Or do I stick with my performance trainers (the Brooks Launches)?  Decisions, decisions…

And though it may be just the middle of my running week, thankfully my workweek is over!  Yay for 5-day holiday weekend.  Tomorrow I’m hitting up some hills…then hitting up the US Open!  It must be love…

the storm passes

Well as most of us in the tri-state area know…Hurricane Irene (or actually was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it made landfall in NYC) wasn’t the Hurricanepocalypse that it was predicted to be.  That said-I feel Manhattan-at least my neighborhood-defiinitely was very lucky and dodged a bullet-I didn’t lose power once and when i took a walk outside later on Sunday to check things out you wouldn’t have known a hurricane hit (though it was extremely windy.)

I do know others weren’t so fortunate, it looked like everything outside the city took the brunt of it.  My parents in northen NJ had their power knocked out for a day, and I know some in Westchester, CT and LI that had theirs knocked out for even longer.  My brother reported that the streets were flooded in Hoboken.  And I’m sure that’s not even half of it.  I guess that’s why I can’t understand why I saw people complaining that the storm was “lame” and “boring.”  Ummmm really?  You all want something more destructive?  SMH…

My office was open yesterday, albeit a delayed opening, and let me tell you I never thought I’d say I’d be glad I had to go to work…guess that’s how much I appreciated some sort of normalcy.  I met up with the downtown Flyer run after work for the normal 6 miles along the Hudson, down to Battery Park and back north…and even though downtown was supposed to have taken a beating, if it did you wouldn’t have known as all the paths were clear.  Was actually a really nice night, with the sunset and no humidity in the air…what a difference from Saturday before the storm when the humidity totally soaked even my shorts.

In non-hurricane related news, though sorta something to do with a rainstorm (har har)…Bolt’s DQ in the 100m at Worlds…crazy!!  Who wants to bet that the “one and done” false start rule gets changed before London 2012?

week 8 wrap-up

Yeah, I know this is on the early side, but Hurricane Irene has ended my running week as of today.  The park was absolutely mobbed this morning with everyone trying to get their runs in before the storm hit (and/or before the MTA shutdown at noon)!

Obviously, I was cramming all my runs in this week to avoid the storms.  Tempo on Thursday…originally 5 x 1200m (5:20 target) but when everyone was struggling, got modified to 2 x 1200, 2 x 600, 1 x 1200.  Was still a little off (splits 5:27, 5:32, 2:39, 2:39, 5:24) but was glad to get it in.  Friday morning’s recovery was a crawl…legs were definitely tired from Thursday, maybe the timing wasnt ideal but I wanted to give myself a little more rest before running long…

So my long run on tap was 14, with the last 5 at goal marathon pace.  Which was why I signed up for the now-canceled Bronx Half, that would have worked out perfectly.  But the alternative worked out as I ran the first 9 with an friend I haven’t seen in awhile and it was great to catch up.  (and as I joked, I haven’t seen this many Flyers in Central Park on a Saturday morning since the morning of the awards gala!  just like then, no one expects to get any miles in on Sunday.)  When it was time to take on the 5 MP miles, I was unsure if I’d be able to hit it, as the humidity was absolutely deadly.  I was shooting for between 8-8:15 and I wound up on the lower end of that…or maybe I just wanted to get this over with?

Mile	Time	Distance	Pace
1	8:03	1.00	8:03
2	8:08	1.00	8:08
3	7:53	1.00	7:53
4	8:03	1.00	8:03
5	7:50	1.00	7:50
5.15	1:06	0.15	7:25
Summary	41:03	5.15	7:58

sub-3:30 pace? ummm yeah.  That definitely is not the marathon goal, but let’s just wait and see, shall we?

So now I’m happily indoors on the couch, watching 90210 and DWTS reruns and hoping the power stays on long enough for me to see if Galen Rupp will medal in the 10,000 at Worlds   I’m all prepared, here are some of my other hurricane supplies:

I WILL tear into the PowerGels if desperate!

Also made some air-popped popcorn to snack on while watching more entertainment…the trainwreck that is the NYRR Facebook page.  Another day, another drama!  Not only was the Bronx canceled, but there was a 5K race up in Harlem this morning (which was also a team points race, but was planning on skipping anyway) that got canceled yesterday when the city revoked all Saturday permits too.  In a way, this was a situation I can see both sides of.  Mostly for those who signed up yesterday to only be told a couple of hours later that it was canceled-NYRR shouldn’t have been accepting new registrations.  That said, given the state of emergency and the MTA shutdown at noon, planning anything on Saturday would be kind of iffy, given the need for the city’s resources elsewhere (after the half was canceled, I sorta had a feeling this 5k would be too.)  And of course everyone is in an uproar.  “Why no refunds?  Its soooo unfair!!  Why isnt anything being rescheduled?  Why is no one answering our questions?”  And on and on and on.  Finally I had it and couldn’t bite my tongue any longer and responded to a post:

Sorry, it just had to be said

Anyway-once again, hope everyone stays safe this weekend!  And here’s hoping that come Monday morning, we’re all wondering what the fuss was about…fingers crossed…

collectors items

These. From the half-marathon that won’t be. Thanks to some chick named Irene who’s unleashing her fury on the east coast (damn, what did her BF do to her to get her so mad…)

Just as I predicted, the decision was made for all of us yesterday.  Once a state of emergency was called for New York, was only a matter of time before things would be canceled.  First, the XC race in Van Cortlandt Park, then soon enough…

Sunday Races Cancelled

Due to the cancellation of all NYC events on Sunday, August 28, the Bronx Half-Marathon and the Henry Isola Cross Country Classic have been cancelled. Bronx Half registered runners and volunteers who meet NYRR membership requirements will receive 9+1 qualifying credit toward 2012 marathon guaranteed entry, and registered runners who meet NYRR membership requirements will receive qualifying credit toward guaranteed entry to the 2012 NYC Half. Runners may still pick up their race shirts during registration hours at NYRR. In keeping with our policies, no race-entry refunds will be given.

So there you have it. I’m actually relieved they made the call when they did…another day of speculation was just gonna get everyone more on edge. Plan is to do my long run tomorrow morning, then spend Sunday hiding indoors.

And of course, I see lots of complaining on Facebook, between the NYRR Facebook page and even my news feed. So of course I had my 2 cents.

Yeah, I know I can be a drama queen at times, but seriously some of the complaining I was seeing was getting ridiculous.

So to everyone who is in the hurricane’s projected path…please stay safe.  Do not be a “weather hero” and run in the hurricane, if and when it hits…live to run another day.

picture of consistency

THIS.

can you guess what my target time was?

So the dreaded workout of 1200s.  Well actually I didn’t dread it as much as a coupla others did, I knew we were due for a tough one and I guess 3 of those babies was…um doable?  Just wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hit the pace for all 3, given that the last time I ran 1200s in a track workout I fell short.  But then again, it was a little cooler…and my 800 interval times have gotten faster, so maybe that would translate to the 1200s too?  It did, and did a pretty good job pacing them too.  Kinda thought the 3rd one should have been a second or 2 faster, given that I felt like I was really hauling a$$ on the last lap, especially the last 200 meters, but I’ll take it.  At any rate, my legs were definitely dragging on yesterday’s recovery run so I must have done something right…

As for the Bronx Half this weekend-still don’t know what’s gonna happen.  Given that the forecast for Sunday hasn’t really changed just yet, I see NYRR making this into a “fun run” or just canceling the thing…the right thing to do would be to make the call by Friday so people can get their long runs in Saturday if need be.  If NYRR does wind up canceling the race, I just may move my long run to Saturday instead.  And before you say “wuss” and “weak”…another thing I do have to keep in mind is the transportation situation.  Given that the subways malfunction when there is just one drop of water, there are definitely going to be subway issues if the hurricane predictions come true.  And given that I’m sure that we wouldn’t be able to shack up in Yankee Stadium, I’d prefer to not take my chances with getting stuck in the Bronx.  Not to mention the fact that it’s not worth risking safety just for a a run that’s being used as a marathon-pace workout.  Sucks to have to eat $30, but that’s the breaks.

Anyway-I’ll still get my bib and stuff tomorrow…if NYRR hasn’t made the decision for us already, I’ll probably decide for sure on Saturday morning what to do…

week 7 wrap-up

So I hit 45 miles this past week, partially thanks to Sunday’s LTR…highest I’ve seen since last fall’s marathon training.  No worse for wear, though I was definitely feeling the long run in my legs Sunday nite and through Monday, thank god I was given the blessing to take Monday as a rest day!

So as week 7 was a “quantity” week, week 8 looks to be a “quality” week-running 5 days instead of 6, with my long run scaled back a coupla miles, but with some MP work to be thrown in there…

…so it looks like I’ll be running the Bronx Half after all.  Running it though-NOT racing.  When I was told that my long run was to be 14 miles with a few miles at marathon pace, I thought running the half would work out beautifully-just warm up for one mile and with the half, I have my 14.  But of course after I sign up, a hurricane is predeicted to hit on Sunday.  (And of course, everyone on the NYRR Facebook page is freaking out and/or complaining, as per usual.)  I think it’s way too early and there is still time for things to change…and even then a forecast a day or 2 out can be wrong.  I remember once, 3 years ago, supposedly a hurricane was gonna ruin a points race but that wound up not happening.

And even if it does rain hard…it’s not like I’ve never done a long run in the rain before…

make a plan, stick to it like glue

So unlike one month ago, the Heatpocalypse decided to stay away from the 2nd NYRR Long Training Run.  However, this wasn’t gonna be totally challenge-free, as the humidity was definitely on full-blast for this one.  Additionally, this would really be my first true stint in the 9 minute pace group, as we wouldn’t be getting the blessing to take it easier as we did last time.  But I had a feeling it would be fine.  As I had to run 18 total, my plan was to run with the group for the first 3 loops (16 miles), then one more mile on the 4th loop then back to the staging area to make 18.

Unlike last time, the MTA was kinder to me.  Then again, I left a little earlier, not wanting to take any chances.  The A train showed up after only about 5 minutes (as opposed to 20 last time) so I got to the staging area a bit early, but it was nice to not feel rushed.  As we were waiting for the cue to line up with our groups, we were playing with the pace signs…me particularly, the “7:30 pace” sign   Hey, that could mean 7:30 race pace, right…lol.  But eventually I was given my TRUE pace sign and me and the other 9:00 pace leaders went over to our group to divide and conquer.

So, a few minutes after 7, we were off.  The run started out normally…first half-mile a little fast due to the downhill Harlem Hill, make up for it on the uphill.  After that, my goal was to just “lock in” and keep an even effort, regardless of what the other leaders may be doing…and in the first loop I did lag a little bit behind the other leaders, though I was right on pace (and one person even asked me if the others were going too fast)  First loop ended fine, second loop went well too, Flyers and co-paceleaders HM and MR stuck with me through this loop, as did one girl from Dashing Whippets who was training for MCM.  And of course, MR had to mention how much I just loved that marathon…not!!  Needless to say, I did warn her about the so-called “honor system” at the start!   Another guy said to us midway through this loop, “how good are you, everything is within 5 seconds of 9:00!”  yay

The third loop was a little bit of a struggle…not sure if it was the humidity getting to me, or I felt a little under-fueled, though I had already taken 2 gels (after miles 6 and 12.)  Or it could have possibly been the Gatorade that was being served on the transverse…not sure what variety it was, but it was really watered down and I sure hope they do not serve that at the marathon and stick to the tried and true lemon-lime endurance formula!  But the gel kinda kicked in around mile 14 and I felt fine for the last 2 miles of that loop.  MR had gone on ahead (his excuse-”needed more rest at between this loop and the next…uh yeah right “) but HM was struggling a little.  I felt bad at leaving the group after 17, as she was doing 20 and needed the support, but I was not prepared-endurance wise or fueling wise to do 20…I had to stick to my plan.  Thankfully MR was going to take on the last 4 miles as well.

So I ran out to the 17 mile-marker, wished everyone continuing on well, then turned around and headed back to 102nd.  And still had something left in the tank to pick it up a little for this last mile or so, while I gave the usual cheers to those heading out for the last loop.  As I got to 102nd, I heard Flyers ST and KH yelling for me then JM saying via the microphone “she can’t talk yet…she’s finishing her run.”  LOL.  18 miles down, no worse for wear.  Though I couldn’t chuck the singlet, Brandi Chastain-style, soon enough…that thing was soaked!!  Oh the humidity…

Annddd…how it netted out in the long run (har har)

So I pretty much stuck to plan.  And encouraging that this felt comfortable, whereas the last coupla years whenever I was debating between 9 and 9:30, I felt 9 seemed like too much of a jump and I was unsure if I I would have been able to handle pacing…but the last 2 LTR’s put those worries to rest (well, for now.)  I didn’t feel like “oh I can’t run any more” when I was done, but there was no reason to keep going…quit while you’re ahead, I say!   And as always-the Flyers kicked butt paceleading and coordinating the event, as usual!

quality + quantity

Equals this training week, perhaps?

Both speed workouts this week consisted of things familiar.  But with the quantity upped a little bit.

Track this week was 400-meter reps.  But whereas last time was supposed to be 8 (which eventually got cut down to 6, thank you thunder and lightning!), we had 10 of them on tap.  I was supposed to aim for 1:36 (ok, guess the ante was upped a little bit since 1:38 was my target last time out…) and I hit that once

Interval	Time	Pace
1	1:35.44	6:23.99
2	1:35.25	6:23.23
3	1:35.72	6:25.12
4	1:36.67	6:28.94
5	1:34.40	6:19.81
6	1:34.10	6:18.60
7	1:35.72	6:25.12
8	1:34.58	6:20.53
9	1:34.82	6:21.49
10	1:32.55	6:12.36

At least I was consistent?   Or maybe I just wanted to get done quicker as I had a date with some Blue Moons and some teammates afterwards and you know it takes a lifetime to get from Brooklyn to the UES

Yesterday was tempo intervals…instead of the usual 4 x 1200, was 5 this time!  Another one I had to get done in the AM as I spent last nite having a few drinks for a certain someone’s b-day…anyway, piece of cake, right?  Never mind the last time I did this workout in the AM I struggled with it.  And I did again.  5:20 was my target, wound up running 5:38 (not sure what happened here-maybe legs not quite ready to run fast yet,though I did warm up for over a mile?), 5:29, 5:26, before I ended with two 5:20′s, the ones I should have been running all along.

I did have mixed emotions about this one.  Why is it so hard to keep my head in it during these tempo workouts?  On the other hand, I was able to handle the additional volume and get the times progressively faster.  So a wash I guess.

And this weekend will be the longest run to date during this training cycle…18 miles.  Bring it!

week 6 wrap-up

Soooo I’m through the first trimester and thankfully no complications so far…

 

…from NYC Marathon training.  Hope you all weren’t thinking elsewise

So the mileage took a tiny dip last week, and I ran 5 days as opposed to 6, but it’s not like I could make those days total rest days.  Nope, had to do some strength/core work those days.  Now believe me, I do recognize and appreciate the benefits of core work.  Hell, I know it will help keep me uninjured.  But I just find it hard to stay on the wagon with it…I guess with the exception of abs classes at the gym, I just find it kinda boring.  And I was exhausted on Friday and so tempted to skip it but I did it…either I can lounge on the couch during the Yankee game or I could multitask, right?

I had 16 miles on tap for my long run, so I took it to the streets on Saturday…Summer Streets, that is.  Currently in its 4th year…while it’s fun to get out of Central Park and run the streets, I sorta feel it’s lost its novelty a little bit.  Maybe due to the roads being packed with bikers who went into the running lane.  Of course, it was sorta my fault for getting a late start (though I had the alarm set-guess I was more exhausted than I thought!)  Oh and don’t even get me started on the Brooklyn Bridge (I threw in an out-and-back to get some “hills” in) though I shoulda known better   Whatever-was done and thankfully on the better of the 2 days this past weekend.  Luckily I got in my run on Sunday during that short window of time where the torrential downpours were reduced to a light rain!

So looks like a packed schedule this week, ending with 18 on Sunday, 16 of those miles with the 9 minute group of LTR #2.  Hoping there’s no repeat Heatpocalypse this time around!  (Of course now that I said it, just jinxed it…)  I’m already 5 miles into my week-yesterday not only missing the rains once again but running into someone during her last run in Central Park   Good start to the week so far…

“enjoy it while it lasts”

So I’ve been warned.  After 2 PR’s in a row, pretty soon the ante is gonna be upped for me during workouts.  I guess I had to expect it, was gonna be only a matter of time.  Doesn’t mean I’m not nervous about that though

As for this week at the track, your basic 6 x 800 workout.  Even though the skies were threatening, the forecasted rain thankfully held off for us to complete the workout.  And this is what it was:

Interval	Time	Pace
1	3:18.57	6:39.46
2	3:17.15	6:36.60
3	3:16.02	6:34.33
4	3:16.42	6:35.13
5	3:13.94	6:30.15
6	3:12.82	6:27.89

Well no wonder the ante will be upped, I surpassed the 3:20 target each time…even when going out in 47 seconds (for the first 200) every time instead of 50   I did think the first one felt “easy”…not as much describing the effort, as I was working hard, but as in “the first interval felt good and that means I went out too fast and gonna crash and burn for the next 5.”  Though I think Coach T thought I meant effort and said “duly noted” but not totally seriously.  Oh damn…second time that day I put my foot in my mouth!   (the first time was my positive reaction to someone not attending a meeting I was in.  though everyone else in that meeting agreed with me.)  So thankfully, no crash and burn.  It helped me on the last 3 that AK (who was coming off running the 5-miler and doing the NYC Tri on back-to-back days!) was taking it easier so she ran with me-she was good to pace with.  And I think the forecasted rains scared off all the annoying people, as the track wasn’t as crowded as usual.  So good workout.  As for the next group up, their target times sounded scary to me and a little out of my league but I was reminded that “there was a time when I thought 3:20 was scary.”

And speaking of scary, last nite’s workout involved a scary hill.  Well maybe not so much scary as it was just tough-the Great Hill.  You know, that one that leads up to the dog track that is so steep it actually has stairs?  I had last done a workout there 3 years ago and lived to tell the tale so I suppose I could do it again   And it really wasn’t bad-no specific “targets” to shoot for, just ups and downs with a recovery loop around the dog track for 25 minutes, which for me and a few others meant 5 round trips.  And even though we weren’t supposed to be running for time, I was glad to see that the trips up the hill were faster than 3 years ago.  Though I will say, it’s almost like 2 hills in one…once you get past the part that has the 2 sets of stairs, that last steepest part just gets ya.  Needless to say, I slept well last nite…

week 5 wrap-up

6 days running, 3 hard, 3 easier.

Obviously the hard days were track, the race…and yes a tempo workout on Thursday.  Original plan 1K, 2 x 2K, 1K.  Target 4:30 for 1K, 9 minutes for 2K.  Didn’t quite hit either-1K’s were 4:35 and 4:38 and the 2K was 9:27.  And thankfully I was let off the hook for the 2nd one.  A little off the targets obviously, the surface and the contant turning on Great Hill track really isn’t conducive (sp?) to speediness…neither is idiots stopping right in front of me.  Oh yes, we were none too happy to see a mass of humanity led by highlighter singlets make their way to the track while we were warming up.  Especially when some of their runners would stop short right in front of me without stepping aside while I’m trying to keep momentum going.  It was definitely a beautiful sight to see them heading down the hill…oh my reaction was definitely in “double rainbow” territory…

Wednesday was a dreadmill run, as I was advised to stay off the roads that day and do the bridle path but the rain was gonna leave the bridle path muddy and slippery.  But even though I kept the pace easy/recovery effort…I don’t know if I was imagining things…but I thought I heard the (sh)IT band talking to me.  Moreso because running on the dreadmill really seems to mess up your stride.  Needless to say, my leg got plenty of foam roller action and plenty of stretching action in yoga class afterwards.  And I’m keeping any future dreadmill runs to a minimum.  (just to clarify, it feels fine now.  probably just a scare triggered by the dreadmill?)

Thankfully, I only had to do a “medium-long” run the day after the race, so I did 10 on the west side path.  Much better than the last time I attempted a longish run the day after a race, what a difference the terrain makes.  Oh but of course, I waited until the afternoon…well because I was occupied in the morning, nope not watching the NYC Tri (for the first time in years!)  But my baby brother was doing the Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium so I wanted to watch for a little bit.  It actually looks like a fun race…definitely something on my running bucket list-maybe one year when I’m not training for a fall marathon?

Finally, for laughs…I like Galen Rupp and Chris Solinsky, and i hope they both do well at Worlds, but this was hilarious!

the club (champs) can’t handle me

Thankfully this year’s NYRR Club Team Championships was a complete 180 from last year.  Was a good day for me, for the Flyers, for lotsa peeps.

Chill nite Friday nite…carbo-loading (and yes I did have another Blue Moon…lol) and watching the Yanks vs. Sox game…hey didn’t the Yanks win 2 years ago the night before this race?  Saturday I did all my usual pre-race preps and headed to the subway…just in time to see the door of a C train close just as I got there.  Doh!!  My hope was to get to da park in time to see the guys in their first mile, but it was in the hands of the MTA now.

Luckily, another C train came shortly…and I got off the train uptown and headed to 90th street to watch the guys pass by before I warmed up a little bit.  Perfect timing-the lead bikes/truck came by just as I got to 90th.  As it was early, everyone pretty much passed by in a matter of minutes, but I was able to spot some Flyers here and there and cheer.  I then continued warming up, headed to the spot that the Flyers staked out on the east side near the finish for our post-race festivities.  A few minutes later, the leaders approached…the usual suspects were in front (WSX, NYAC, etc) all running ridiculous times.  And of course we were anxiously awaiting our first male and BK said that we should just all cheer like crazy when he runs by.  Sure enough, Lam runs by and the (Flyer female) crowd goes insane.  Strong finish to what was apparently a great race for him!  he was followed shortly by JD, and then Crazy Bandanahead who looked like he was passing lotsa guyz in the final stretch.  But man, the looks on these guys faces…they did not look happy at all.  And I couldn’t tell if it was because of the conditions (it was in the mid-70s and quite humid…probably the toughest conditions we’ve had for this particular race in awhile) or if it’s just the normal “pushing hard at the end” discomfort…

At around 8:35ish, I headed over towards the transverse and the corrals for the women’s start.  So Flyer LH says to me that he “expects me to finish top 10 for the team”-as this time around, the open women’s scoring for this race went 10 deep (like the men’s usually is.)  And of course that expectation is based on my performance on the 4-miler last month…and honestly, this wasn’t what I wanted to hear before the race!  One of the good things about the 4-miler was the fact that there was no pressure beforehand…just ran.  And also this time, there were quite a few fast Flyer ladies who would most definitely finish ahead of me.  Our “master blaster” CM, who always leads the team whenever she toes the line.  Our ultra-chick DC, this would be just a sprint for her.  JR, another quick chick who consistently runs sub-7 pace for these races.  EG, who’s been on a PR-setting tear this year.  And of course EA, AK and NPT, the ladies I do speedwork with…I’ve never beaten them in a workout or a race before.  So there I counted 7 Flyer women that would most likely finish ahead of me and I’m sure there were others I hadn’t seen yet.  Thankfully my Flyer friend JW put her hands over my ears as a sort of sign to tell me to block it out.  Thanks JW-I needed that   And soon enough it was time to start…took some deep breaths to calm myself further before the starting horn.

Mile 1 (7:18)-so despite the whole “bibgate”, my starting position was actually fine (and in fact, supposedly I missed a pile-up that happened in the first corral!)  Me and EG stuck together for a good part of this mile, weaving our way through the West Side Hills.  And I was pretty pleased with this mile split, showed that last month definitely was not a fluke!  That said, given the warmer and more humid conditions, did I go out too hard?

Mile 2 (7:08)-Down the hill, still running at a good clip.  I felt that I was still keeping it together, in the heat and humidity, and the mile split did reflect that.  I knew that this race was definitely legit and was just gonna go for it from here…

Mile 3 (7:17)-what is usually the most mentally tough mile of the race with the least crowd support.  I had several women to pace off of…a Harrier, a fast woman from Moving Comfort or Running Divas or whatever they are called now, a coupla PPTC women, and I had NPT in my sights up ahead-in fact I have had her in my sights the entire way.  But I really tried to not worry about what they were doing, or where I was place-wise…I said to myself just the fact that I was sticking with these women means I was having a good day.  I was here to run for time, not place.  But the fact I was running with them may have helped a little-I usually lose a little bit of time in this mile and this time, I didn’t.

Mile 4 (7:32)-Cat Hill time.  Just a hill repeat and you’re done with the tough part.  I’ve seen peeps actually climb up onto the cat statue to cheer, today was no exception.  This time it was Flyer TD, encouraging me up that last part of the hill, and it definitely was a relief to be done.  Cat Hill does its usual damage to this mile, though possibly a tiny bit less than before?  Quick check of the watch says I’m at 29:1x though 4 miles (my 2nd best 4-mile time ever!), so all I need to do is kill it on the last mile.

Mile 5 (6:45)-So after keeping NPT in my sights throughout the race, I caught up to her.  “Come on, N,” I said to her as I pulled alongside.  “Let’s work together.”  We did run side by side for a little bit until I edged ahead for good around Engineer’s Gate.  And here was time to crank it up a gear.  And give it everything.  I passed by several other women in the stretch from Engineer’s Gate to the top of the reservoir…and then the real fun part begins, with all the guys from all the teams cheering.  And of course I gotta look good and fast for them   I wasn’t letting up, no smiles, total game face.  Even when I passed the Flyers’ contingent with around a quarter-mile to go…I heard the cheering, but I couldn’t even tell you exactly who was there, I was so focused.  I saw the orange tape lining the finishing chute and I felt it calling me home.  Rounded the corner…and surprisingly, the woman in front of me stopped after crossing the mat a little before the finish (which I believe gives name/bib numbers to the announcers at the finish)…but I wasn’t falling for that!!  No stopping for me til I hit both mats at the finish!!  And I did hear the announcers call my name as I finished!  And finished up with my fastest mile split ever in a race…like whoa!!

Final time was 36:00, 7:12 pace. Wow-had I known I was so close, could I have given that little something extra to get that second to get me under 36?  But still-cannot complain at all about a 49-second PR, an 8th-place finish for the open women (who finished 8th overall) AND redemption from last year’s underwhelming race!

So afterwards was the usual mingling, picnic, photo-taking, catching up with Flyers old and new…and oh yes, a certain baby Flyer girl made her Flyer event debut

So this race, I think, was a huge weight off my shoulders.  For several reasons.  1-the 4-miler definitely was not a fluke, and in fact even surpassed that one.  2-finally able to pull out a good race time in non-ideal conditions.  Though I think partially that was due to getting through that 5K last month in 90-degree weather and my long run during Heatpocalypse 2011…I mean if I could get through those…I could get through this.  3-McMillan predicts a 3:31 marathon from this race, and I wasn’t really tapered for this one.  Therefore, training appears to be on track so far.  Which is why for the next 6 weeks, I’m putting the racing shoes away and just concentrating on continuing the NYCM buildup, and STAYING UNINJURED.

Some pictures from the day, thanks to our fabulous team photographers

the Flyer gurls in the yellow corral

right after the start on 102nd

in the home stretch with the game face on!

me with the Flyer men after the finish

efficiency doesn’t pay

So I’m known for being on top of things, really on the ball (that’s what she said!)

Or hey, it helps to be ahead of the game at times.  When it comes to things like signing up for NYRR races that sell out months in advance.  Or trying to get ahead with workload in anticipation of days off you’re gonna want to take and not wanting to dump things on your already overworked teammates.

Well this week, I learned it doesn’t always pay to be so efficient.  First at the office, after working hard the last few months to stay on top of my increasing workload and even get a little bit ahead-due to something that someone didn’t catch earlier (ahh, gotta love when things are rushed!)…basically there’s stuff from the last month and a half or so that needs to be redone.  Not the end of the world, but just a pain.  And as I said “moral of the story?  efficiency doesn’t pay.”

Then I signed up for tomorrow’s race way in advance, i’m thinking early July?  With the way NYRR races are filling up, why chance things?  I went to pick up my bib today so I don’t have to deal with it tomorrow morning, wondering if I’m gonna be my usual yellow for this race, or if there is a possibility my new and improved pace from last month’s 4-miler would vault me into the red corral.  As it turned out-still yellow-but with my old, crusty pace still on the bib!!  And what’s the reason NYRR gave me?  Since I signed up for this race before I improved my pace, the old one has to stay for this race.  (The fact that one of my teammates who PRed at the 4-miler too did have his improved pace on his bib and he signed up for the race this week seems to back that up.)  Supposedly, it wouldn’t have made a difference in terms of corrals for this particular race.  But still!!  I think that policy makes ZERO sense, especially given how early we have to sign up for races now (hello, Brooklyn Half?  Sold out 3 1/2 months in advance?  The 18-miler tune-up at the end of September currently close to capacity?)  Thoughts…?

Wasn’t exactly the best way to get me psyched up for tomorrow.  (Thankfully, 16 Handles and a pedicure kinda counteracted that.)  As for the race, not sure what to shoot for, numbers-wise.  I’d obviously like to do better than last year, maybe get within striking distance of my PR from 2 years ago.  I’d like to also prove that the 4-miler last month wasn’t a fluke.  I dunno.  Will be all answered by this time tomorrow.

Good luck to all the local club runners out racing tomorrow!!  See you at the start and finish lines…

just call me “target”

And the tracky chronicles continue.  Specifically, what obstacles are gonna derail my workout.  I know I have to deal with it every week, but this week seemed worse than usual…and I just seemed to be the target for it!

So this week was 1200/1000/1200/800…same target times as usual.  Some of the peeps seemed none too excited about that…and Coach T was encouraging us to “get excited”…oh man he sounded like one of my bosses there!

First 1200 I was a few seconds off…either the legs were not quite there yet, or maybe I still had Sunday’s long run in my legs?  I made it through that one unscathed, oh but then the real fun starts.  On the 1000, with about 100 meters to go, some girl is WALKING in lane 1, the opposite direction that I am running, and I nearly had to slow to a stop to prevent a collision.  On the next 1200, with about 200 meters to go a family was walking across the track, not bothering to look either way…oh hey there are runners approaching!!  Finally, in the home stretch of the 800 I almost get sideswiped by a friggin kid on a Big Wheel.  I swear, I couldn’t win that nite…

Interval	Time	Pace
1200m	5:05.98	6:50.36
1000m	4:10.49	6:43.12
1200m	5:02.96	6:46.31
800m	3:17.22	6:36.74

For whatever reason, I didn’t feel as good about this one as the one 2 weeks ago.  Coach T said I did good given the obstacles.  And the 1000 was on target and the 800 ahead of it…but wonder what could have been.  The 1200s I wasn’t thrilled with.  But whatever-another one done.

And if these hijinks continue at the track, someone WILL get run over eventually.  You have all been warned…

it’s gotta be the shoes…

OK, I don’t really think the shoes are to thank for my running lately, but I realized I haven’t had a running shoe post in quite awhile and since this time last year, most of my rotation has been pretty much overhauled.  So I present to you, the the footwear that will get me through this NYCM training season:

Brooks Defyance 4 (8.8 oz)-the “workhorses” aka my go-to training shoe.  God bless Brooks for not messing with a good thing (yes, I’m looking at you, Asics!) as this is the third model of Defyances I’ve worn and they still work and work well.  To be used on easy/recovery days.

Brooks Launch (7.5 oz)-my “in-between” lightweight trainer.  Pretty much a lighter version of the Defyance, I’m really liking these so far.  Great for longer tempo runs and I’ve used them on my last 2 long runs as I’m hoping on making these my marathon shoe.  (and didn’t those last 2 long runs go very well?  hmmmm)

Adidas Adizero Adios (6.1 oz)-my wicked fast and flashy racing shoes, also used for track workouts.  LOVE THESE.  If you remember correctly, i did try these on last year and they didn’t fit right, well what a difference they make with a women’s-specific fit.  Minimal but stable-perfect!!  And unlike any of the previous racers I’ve used, I’m already looking into getting another pair-now the only question is do i get another watermelon candy green pair like the ones I have now or the flashy neon pink (on the shoes in the link?)

So this terrific trio of shoes are working very well together-and I can only hope they stay in perfect harmony for the next 3 months and longer!!

And of course, I gotta give some credit to the recently retired shoes that are gone but not forgotten…

Brooks Defyance 3-I went through several pairs of these and they did me good.  These aren’t completely “retired” just yet, I have one pair that’s used on bad weather days (or if I’m running on muddy terrain)

Adidas Tempo-I don’t know why, but this year I kinda stopped liking them.  I wore them in the Brooklyn Half and honestly wasn’t feeling the love for it.  They have since been replaced with the Brooks Launches but still have a place in my shoe closet as the shoes I wear to the gym

Saucony Fastwitch 3-my first pair of racing shoes.  Good for my first pair of racers, but I always felt something better was out there.

Nike LunaRacer 2-they may have looked pretty, but after awhile I felt like my legs/ankles were too wobbly when i was wearing them…not enough support, even when wearing my orthotics.  (you can sorta tell in this photo…especially on my right side)

Saucony Kinvara-oh man….I really, really wanted to like these shoes.  After they’ve gotten such great reviews from teammates and friends.  They have less than 30 miles on them and yet…I have no desire to put them on any time soon.  Just another one that I wasn’t really feeling the love for.  That said, when I was wearing them it was wintertime and I wasn’t in the best of shape…wonder if I should give them another try?  (but why mess with the equation if I don’t have to…)

I sorta feel like Carrie Bradshaw, talking in such depth about the merits of all my different shoes!

Finally, this is blog post #800!!  This time it took me a year and 3 months to get from #700 to 800…maybe I don’t need a life as much now than I did when I went only a few months between century posts?