Waiting Game

Right now I feel like I’m in a waiting game. Marathon training isn’t starting until July 2nd but I want to keep up my running and I also have some races before July. So I’m kind of doing whatever I want. I go to spin class Tuesday mornings, run on Wednesdays… maybe run on Thursday and Friday…. Maybe on Saturday and Sunday… It’s all kind of up in the air and I like it. The calm before the storm I guess.

Once marathon training really begins I’ll have to say good-bye to my favorite spin instructor on Tuesday mornings and take the class Monday night. Tuesday night will be Speed Sessions with the New York Flyers and then I’ll be running Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Phew. I’m tired just looking at that schedule. I’m excited to see what my body can do though. And see how training will go this time around compared to last year. 

I think we’re all in for a treat.

My Summer To-Do List

You all know I love making lists and planning… So I thought I’d make a Summer To-Do List!

1) Go to Little Italy

2) Go to the beach at least three times (last year I went once!)

3) Get back to Boston! (I had so much fun this past weekend! Post will be up tomorrow)

4) Take a cooking class (I’m thinking pizza or pasta?)

5) Keep volunteering at NYCares (Just because it’s summer isn’t a reason to get lazy!)

6) Keep running! The New York City Marathon will be here before I know it!

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What’s on your Summer To-Do List???

Keeping Pace

Tuesday night after work I headed to Jack Rabbit Sports to get my New York Flyers singlet. They had two different brands – Nike and Brooks – I went with Brooks and I can’t wait to wear it in my first race as a New York Flyer!

During the day on Tuesday one of the New York Flyers reached out to me to join their group speed session that night. I had gone to spin class that morning (tired legs) but really wanted to get to know my new “team” so decided to go.

Well, it was a WORK-OUT. Let me tell you. That night they were working on learning your pace without the use of a watch. Just knowing your body and trying to keep the same pace throughout your run/race. Our goal for the night was to run four miles at race pace and keep the same pace the whole time. It was very hard but awesome. I basically ran a race on Tuesday night! I ran the first two miles in 14:42 and finished the four miles in 29:52. Pace: 7:28. I’m pretty sure that was the fastest four miles I’ve ever run.

I loved the speed session and I can’t wait run more with the Flyers! I know this will only help me become a better runner and I’ll meet other people who like running as much as me!

I’m on the team!

Guess what!??? I finally joined a New York running team!

The New York Flyers!!

I’ve been researching for a while now trying to figure out which team would best suit me and I kept coming back to the Flyers. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to go on group runs and race for the team!!! 

Yesterday I signed up for my summer races (go check out my races page) and I loved being able to put down a team. I’m on a running team! Too crazy! I even get a uniform…pretty cool, right!? I also got a shout out on the team’s web site:

This weekend I’m off to Boston to visit my friend Lauren. We studied abroad together in London and were basically inseparable those 4 months. It’s been WAY too long and I CANNOT wait to see her!! It’s also my first time to Boston!

This Week.

This week I’ve been surprisingly productive. Not in the running department, I’m mostly cross-training this week – I’m still getting over sore legs from the race - but in other areas of my life I’m kicking butt.

My room may be the cleanest it’s ever been. I’ve donated four bags of clothes and shoes to Housing Works (goodwill type place). I rearranged my closet. And as you know from a previous post I’m getting excited for the 2012-2013 races! I’ve been planning away! (Eugene Marathon 2013 here Janae and I come!)

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I’ve also discovered the best thing ever for a healthy dessert! And it’s really easy. Like, Catie easy. Where there is no way you could possibly mess it up or give someone food poisoning, easy.

Take one Chobani greek yogurt (my favorite right now is the lemon flavor). Put it in the freezer for about 30 – 40 minutes. Take it out and enjoy an Italian ice/frozen yogurt type dessert! 

It’s really good!!! 

Verrazano Half-Marathon Race Re-Cap

The Verrazano Half-Marathon!

The views from the pier in Brooklyn were pretty amazing. On one side the Statue of Liberty far off in the distance.

On the other the Verrazano Bridge! The race started at 9am and it was FREEZING. Though the sun was out the wind coming off the water made waiting for the start of the race miserable.

Once we started running and as the time passed the temperature got warmer and it was the perfect day for a race! It took me about 3 miles to get in race mode. It was weird, I felt like my body was moving super slow but I would look down at my watch and see I was running at a 7:45 pace.

Ryan was there to cheer me on and took this awesome photo of me right before I finished!

Like the web site said, this was a flat course. Which means fast times.

Going into the race I was a little worried. I had gotten a cold on Thursday, had only ran once that week and just didn’t feel that prepared. My goal was to stay under an 8:20 per mile pace, which would then beat my previous half-marathon best time. And I did just that!

Around mile 6 I noticed that two guys were running between a 7:40 – 8 minute pace. Exactly the pace I wanted! So for a while I just focused on keeping up with them. At around mile 8 I decided to ask one of the guys if it was okay that I run with them – since I thought it might be kind of creepy if I continued to run along side of him for the rest of the race… He said sure and he talked a little bit and really just paced each other. I think it helped both of us get a fasted time. I never got his name but I definitely owe him thanks because I know I would not have run as fast if it wasn’t for him. So thank you – guy that I ran with! 

My time was 1:41:54. A 7:47 pace. I still can’t believe it! And I have a cold! WOW. I’m really proud and I can’t wait to see what I can do when I feel 100%. 10K Rum Run I’m coming for YOU!

Saturday was the perfect day. A great race, followed by a HUGE breakfast, a nap and then dinner and a movie with Ryan. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Now I just need to beat this cold for good!

Yup, that’s right I planned all the way to 2013…

I’m a planner. I like to plan and make lists. If you know me you know I plan far, far in advance. Like crazy in advance – sometimes too far in advance that plane tickets aren’t even available for purchase. In this case races haven’t even started registration yet. But that doesn’t stop me. Below is the list of races I’m running/I’d like to run in the future. Wanna run with me???

- New York City Marathon – November 4th, 2012 (signed up and in!)

- Red Rock Half-Marathon – March 2013 (Last time was so much fun and I love how difficult the race was.)

- Eugene Marathon – April or May 2013 (I’ve heard great reviews and I love Eugene! Go Ducks!)

- Portland Marathon – October 6th, 2013 (I have to beat my time from 2011!!!)

Yup, that’s right I planned all the way to 2013… Before some of the 2012 races have been run…

I’m in.

Even though I already knew I qualified for the NYC Marathon it was pretty exciting to receive this e-mail. I’m in. I’m running in this year’s NYC Marathon!

 

I had to!

Sometimes you just need to get new running stuff… There are many reasons why someone would need new running clothes… Worn out, lost a sock, etc.

Monday I decided I needed this top and running skirt because – to put simply – they’re super cute and they’re part of the Marathon line at lululemon. I run marathons so I had to buy them. I had to!

I’m hoping to test them out when I run the 10K Rum Run in late May when I’m home in Oregon.

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Yesterday my legs were like jello after my run Monday night and spin class Tuesday morning. Totally worth it though. If you haven’t taken a spin class yet – take one. It’s like going to a club and getting a great workout. The music is always awesome!

Woah.

When thinking about my up coming marathon training I’m not as scared or nervous as I was just one short year ago. I’m actually surprised how relaxed and confident I am. Going into training for the Portland Marathon I had no idea what I would be up against. I had never run more than six miles before!

July will be the start to my “official” marathon training and I’m pretty excited about it. I know that when I’m in the midst of training and can hardly walk I’ll be thinking to myself – You were excited about this!? But I am and I’m pretty darn excited to run one of the most famous marathons in the WORLD. The New York City Marathon! Woah. So cool!