“There’s something so universal about the sensation, the way running unites our two most primal impulses: fear and pleasure. We run when we’re scared, we run when were ecstatic, we run away from our problems and we run for a good time.
And when things look worst, we run the most. Three times, America has seen distance-running skyrocket, and it’s always in the midst of a national crisis. The first boom came during the Great Depression, when more than two hundred runners set the trend by racing forty miles a day across the country in the Great American Footrace. Running then went dormant, only to catch fire again in the early ‘70’s, when we were struggling to recover from Vietnam, the Cold War, race riots, a criminal president, and the murder of three beloved leaders. And the third distance boom? One year after the September 11 attacks, trail-running suddenly became the fastest growing outdoor sport in the country. Maybe it was a coincidence. Or maybe there’s a trigger in the human psyche, a coded response that activates our first and greatest survival skill when we sense the raptors approaching.”
Rest stop
I took off Sunday and Monday as I’ve had a slight head cold. I’m interpreting this as a message from my body that I can’t run on all cylinders. I need to set a better schedule for training (hello, morning workouts!) and get to bed at a decent hour (goodbye, Conan O’Brien) as well as pay better attention to my nutrition (too many bagels). (I don’t think the bagels have anything to do with a poor immune system, but they do contribute to an overall mushy feeling.)
June 13, 2009
GTS LSD
Location: Central Park
Weather: 70, sunny, humid
Distance: 7.07 miles
Time: 1:07:00
Despite a runny nose, I kept up with the 9:30 pace group for seven miles. Farthest and fastest run to date.
Thursday June 11, 2009
Run, Pilates, Strength training
Location: Hoboken waterfront
Weather: Overcast, 61 degrees
Distance: 5.3 miles
Time: 53:13
It felt faster, I felt faster. It felt good, I felt good.
A gaggle of geese tried to give me grief during my run. It got pretty real for a moment. I’m still intact, albeit with wounded pride.
After pilates, of which I’m reaping the rewards of rock hard abs, I did the usual run-of-the-mill lower body workout. I held off on plyometrics because I would rather not be sore for my long run on Saturday.
Hip abductor, 2 reps of 15 at 60 lbs
Hip adduction, 2 reps of 15 at 60 lbs
Squat press, 2 reps of 15 at 80 lbs
Leg curl, 2 reps of 12 at 50 lbs
Here is the June training calendar. Laugh with me at the phrase “7-8 Mile Easy.” Hah. Hah. Hah.
(click for bigger)
Wednesday June 10, 2009
Bike, Strength training - upper body
Location: Gym
Duration: 30 minutes biking, 30 minutes lifting
Who has two thumbs and didn’t sleep through her alarm this morning? This gal.
Chest press 30 lbs, 2 reps of 12
Shoulder press 15 lbs, 2 reps of 15
Tricep press 20 lbs, 2 reps of 15
Assisted pull ups 2 reps of 12
Assisted dips 2 reps of 12
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Group Training Session
Location: Central Park
Weather: Humid, 68, overcast. Did I mention it was humid?
For a warm up we ran from the Indian Hunter statue at the end of the Mall along Sheeps Meadow, making a left onto the lower loop and back to our start position. We then formed 2 groups, one group cross training while the other group ran for 12 minutes. Then we swapped groups and repeated three times.
Oh yeah, the cross training. How could I forget that? It was only exhausting and excrutiating. A small taste: we started off with squats, from there we squatted deeper (I know!) and from there we squatted up and down and then held the squat. And then we squatted deeper.
While working on push ups a father came through the Mall with two children in a stroller. “What are they doing?” the children asked. “Oh, they must have spilled their juice and not cleaned up after themselves.“ Hah.
Monday June 8, 2009
Recovery run, bike, pilates, strength training - lower body
Location: Hoboken waterfront and gym
Weather: 70 and sunny
Distance: around 4 miles
Time: 41 minutes and change
Nothing like a nice slow recovery run to shake off stress. After my run I went to the gym, which I have begun to detest. The recycled air, the loud music, and the guidos: all awful. I continue to tell myself, “You’ll hate yourself more if you get injured.” FINE.
Hip abductor, 2 reps of 15 at 60 lbs
Hip adduction, 2 reps of 15 at 60 lbs
Squat press, 2 reps of 15 at 80 lbs
Leg curl, 2 reps of 12 at 50 lbs
Another day, another 10K
Sunday June 7, 2009
NYRR New York Mini 10K
Location: Central Park
Weather: Sunny and 78 degrees
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 1:00:41
Overall place: 2130 Age place: 181 Split time: 30:03 Pace: 9:47
Heck yes, that’s a new PR! To be honest I am stunned. I expected to come in around 2 minutes slower due to the heat and hills.
First, here’s a brief history of the New York Mini 10K and some perspective on how women’s running has gone the distance since it’s inception back in 1972.
On June 3, 1972, New York Road Runners staged the world’s first road race exclusively for female participants, the 6-mile Crazylegs Mini Marathon. In 1972, distance running was a fringe activity practiced by a few dedicated souls. In most road races the number of female finishers could be counted on one hand. In fact, not a single woman finished the first New York City Marathon, 1970, and only three women crossed the line in the race’s second running.
In April 1972, women were permitted to officially enter the renowned Boston Marathon for the first time. In June, President Nixon signed into law the landmark Title IX legislation, which mandated equal funding for women’s sports programs that receive federal aid. In Munich in September, the women’s 1500 meters was run for the first time at the Olympic Games.The Crazylegs Mini Marathon drew 78 women, a huge turnout for the time. (via NYRR Race Info)
Today the Mini drew over 7,000 runners of all ages and abilities. It was especially touching to hear the supportive words of mothers, with their daughters at their sides, cheer on the runners throughout the race. “Go runners! Girl power!”
The race starts at Columbus Circle and the course leads runners up Central Park West and turns into the park on 90th Street. I felt just like Kelly Bensimon! I think I’m going to have to start lying on my race entry forms about my time because I was stuck in the back of the 10:00 minute mile pack and had to fight my way through runners all the way up Central Park West. Amazingly, the two women I was behind at the start walked up to the start line and then began to run once they met the start line. Once I realized that the left side of Central Park West was open road I made up the time stuck in the pack.
Prior to the race I was dreading Harlem Hill and it’s steep incline. Fortunately, we tackled it from the west side and it was so much fun. I pumped (tiki-tiki*) my arms and felt great running up the hill, passing runners left and right! It wasn’t until we neared the mile 4 mark that I started to feel rough and my legs were sore. After running over several slow long rolling hills I heard a man hollering, “You did it ladies! Way to go, ladies! The hills are over!” One of the New York Road Runner volunteers was hooting and hollering, cheering us on. It was hilarious and I forgot about my sore legs.
As far as water stops go, I only walked through one and it would have been smarter to stop for at least two. It was brutally hot today and I had to sit in the shade for a while after the race just to get my bearings. Sometimes it’s smart to remind yourself: I’m not in this for the prize money, I’m in it for my health. So take care of it.
*more on this phrase later.
It’s official
I will run the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco on October 18, 2009! After entering the lottery for the ING New York City Marathon and being unfortunately denied, I am really excited for the opportunity to run in a signature Team in Training event. Oh yeah, there’s also the small motivating aspect of crossing the finish line and being presented a Tiffany necklace by a firefighter wearing a tuxedo.
