I have never seen so much spandex in my life

I have never seen so much spandex in my life. It’s Friday and it’s two days before the New York City Marathon. I work on Central Park South. Right by the finish line. Thousands of runners are in the area. In spandex. Some should not be… BUT. Because they are so excited about being in New York AND running 26.2 miles it makes me excited and  proud of my accomplishment a month ago.

I haven’t been running a lot lately… I have taken some spin classes but I think I just needed some time to relax and have a social life. I think the marathon on Sunday will give me a boost again and I’ll be back super excited for the Red Rock half marathon in March. I’ve also been battling a sore throat this week that I’ve decided is not allowed. My birthday is this Sunday, yes, they are honoring me by having the NY Marathon on my birthday. 🙂 Anyways, I’ve been going to bed at 8:30pm every night, drinking tons of water and pumping my body with vitamins. And you know what??? Today I’m feeling so much better! Birthday weekend here I come! 

Tonight Ryan and I are going to the Runner’s World VIP party for the marathon!!! A great way to start the weekend! I wonder if any elite runners will be there!?

One more thing – There’s a blogger meet up this Saturday at 16 Handles, my favorite frozen yogurt place!!! It’s at the 82nd and 2nd location at 1pm. I’m going. You should go. You’ll get to meet HungryRunnerGirl and some other bloggers/ NYMarathoners !

So Now What?

Now what? I ran the Portland Marathon. I finished! So now what?
Well, I want to continue running and racing. My next “big” race will be the Red Rock Half-Marathon in March. After that I’m not sure. The only other race right now on the horizon is the New York City Marathon in 2012. I also like the idea of running the Portland Marathon every other year… Not sure if that will happen but I like the idea and I get to go home and see my family. It’s a win-win.

I’ve also created a list of some other races I would like to run:

– Big Sur Marathon
– St. George Marathon
– Las Vegas Marathon/Half-Marathon

I’ll also probably sign up for some New York Road Runner races that are held in Central Park. Those races are shorter distances and super fun.

Right now I’m just going to continue running, try to have more of a social life now that marathon training is done and get back to spin class!

I’m ready

It’s so strange to me that October 9th, 2011 has finally arrived. I signed up for the Portland Marathon almost a year ago. This training has been like a second job. It has been tough and I definitely learned a lot about myself. 

I’ve run 11 races in preparation and with those races (and volunteering at 1 race) I also earned my spot in the 2012 New York City Marathon. I’ve run in 25 degree weather, rain, humidity, and 90 degree weather. Logged in almost 600 miles… 

I know I’m ready for Portland.

If someone said to me two years ago, Catie, did you know you’ll run a marathon before your 25th birthday?? I would have laughed.

I used to hate running. Three miles was the max. Sometimes I wonder who this runner person is… Is this me??? 

I can’t wait to cross the finish line!! And to see my friends and family. It’s going to be so awesome!

Today I finally got my latte

Today has been great! I slept until 9am, read, enjoyed a NAKED Juice called Green Machine which is unbelievably good! Go try it! It has spinach in it! Super healthy. Did you know October is National Spinach Lover Month???

Another food item that I’m now addicted to. POP CHIPS. They are soooooo good. Go out and buy those too. You are welcome.

What made today wonderful, besides the green juice and pop chips at lunch… Getting my first PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE of the season! Woot! Woot! One bad thing – $4.30 for a TALL?! Really Starbucks????

After lunch, while enjoying my latte I was reading and this little one kept laying on my book. She does this all the time and when I’m using my laptop. I guess she wants to be right in the action??

Later on I hit the gym. I was all caffeined-up so I was excited to get running. I ran a solid 4.5 miles increasing my speed. I kept imagining the finish line at the marathon 🙂

After the gym guess what was waiting for me in our mailbox???? The  NOVEMBER issue of Runner’s World!

I probably won’t be able to save it for the plane ride…

4 miler and being a happy person

It was tough to get up and out of bed this morning. When my alarm went off at 5:30am I was very tempted to just go back to sleep and get up at 7. 

But I didn’t. I got up, put on my running stuff, crammed a handful of cereal in my mouth and hit the gym. 4 miles complete before 7am. I’m tired but I’m happy that I did it.

One reason for my tiredness… Watching Hart of Dixie last night on the CW. I love Rachel Bilson and I think this show is going to be one of my favorites. Anyone else watch last night???

As I mentioned in a post a few days ago, I’m listening to Gabrielle Bernstein lectures. I’ve ordered her books but I’m just waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Well, one of her focuses is finding your happiness. You are the only person that can make you happy. Get rid of the stuff that makes you sad, mad, or angry. So I’m trying to follow this.

One thing that makes me cranky is the subway during rush hour. The subway at rush hour makes me hate the human race. I know… that’s a really strong statement… But I truly feel like that sometimes. SO. In order to rid myself of this feeling I’ve been walking to and from work more often. And I love it. The walk from my apartment to work and vice versa is wonderful. I walk by Central Park, all the beautiful buildings, stores while listening to her lectures. I love it. I am then a happier person. See how easy it is to be a happier person? One small change can make you happier. 

Totally off the subject of running, I know… Anyway. Happy Wednesday, keep running, working out, and striving to be better.

Always Stay Positive

Yesterday after work I picked up my bib number and goody bag for the 18 mile Tune up. In the goody bag there was a cook book, shampoo, and men’s deodorant… (Ryan, I got you a present!) Instead of a shirt we got a towel which I thought was nice change from the usual race tee shirt. I have way too many race shirts already!

Though I had planned to run last night the cleaning bug hit me and I cleaned my room like crazy. No run but a clean room. I think it’s a good trade-off.

Since I didn’t get my miles in last night I woke up nice and early today.

It’s super dark at 5:40 in the morning! Mom – Dad, Don’t worry the gym is right around the corner.

I had a great four mile run and listened to a lecture by Gabrielle Bernstein. She’s great and I just bought her two books. I can’t wait to get them in the mail! If you need some inspiration or just more love (I know this sounds super corny) in your life check her out.

It was pretty difficult to get up this morning but I what made me haul myself out of bed was how great I was going to feel afterwards. Right now as I write this! 🙂

—

I find the quote below to be so true. Marathon training and the race is really about your mental toughness.

I know I will finish the Portland Marathon. It might not be fun and I might want to cry at times but when I cross that finish line I will be so happy and proud. 

Always stay positive~ It makes life more fun and rewarding. I’m telling you, it works.

Finish What You Start

After last week and dealing with Hurricane Irene I realized how much I enjoy running and working out. I ran two miles last week and went to one spin class on Friday night. Not good…

It felt like something was missing. And there was something missing. Running.

Running is my time. Just for me. Though it is really difficult sometimes, I really enjoy it. I feel so great afterwards and proud that I accomplished something. With life being so stressful at times, running/working out is my outlet. To just forget everything else that is going on in the world and see how far I can push myself.

Even though my legs can hardly move after an 18 miler I don’t care. I am so happy and proud of myself that if, for the rest of the day I take a nap, read a book and watch a movie I’m fine with that.

I signed up for the Portland Marathon almost a year ago and have kept my promise of training and I know I will finish. I’ve grown up being taught ‘finish what you start’ and I have always tried to follow this. Though at times I have given up, I won’t let myself with this. I have spent too much time and money to just give up now.

So, this week is a new week and I’m ready. Saturday will be my 20 mile run and I’m ready. If I have to take walk breaks I will but I will complete my 20 mile training run. 

What keeps you going? Do you finish what you start?

My Legs are Sore – Like Woah

Since I don’t have internet in my apartment yet I can’t blog on the weekends. So today’s blog is all about Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. I know. Woah three days. This is going to be a long post, right?! Not really… I didn’t do that much.

Friday – Friday I had a lovely little evening after work. I got my haircut. I love it. Got sushi, went to The Running Company for more GU Chomps and two pairs of shorts that I can use for both running and spin class and I went to Borders. Borders was really sad… The store in the Time Warner building is closing and it just looks so depressing. I did get really great deals on some books though. But still, super sad.

I got a bunch of layers and had the ends trimmed.

I love it… What do you think???

Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. I did not start until about 11am. Bad idea. It was hot outside. I got a little sunburn on my back… I ran 17 miles. Warm up and warm down was my last mile making a total of 18 miles. After that my legs were shot. Oh, and people were looking at me all weird again when I was walking home. YES. I know my face is super red. Thanks. You know, in Central Park I look pretty normal with all the other runners… But once I step outside of the park I look like a crazy person wearing spandex. I’m surprised a tourist didn’t snap a photo of me. Labeled – Crazy spandex lady. I did a lot of workouts last week, including my first spin class and I think my legs were mad at me. Saturday night I watched The Social Network. That’s about it. After running 17+ miles what more do you want from me? 

Sunday – Went to the gym for a little recovery session. (Wearing my compression socks all night really helped my legs feel better on Sunday!) 30 minutes on the elliptical. I can’t remember the last time I used that machine. It was nice and my legs felt good. I then got coffee with a friend and we walked around my new neighborhood 🙂 And I painted one of the walls in our living room. It’s pretty.

I slept a lot this weekend and it was great.

Today – This morning I went to 6am spin class. I’m addicted yes. It’s so fun and the music is awesome! I’m really feeling it in my legs though. Like woah. Sore. Tonight I’m hanging out with Ryan (boyfriend). He was on a guys trip for five days going to various baseball games. (I’m glad I wasn’t invited) I’m excited to see him! (I wonder if he got me a present…)

Have you ever taken a spin class??? Did you love it? hate it? Get addicted like me???

Two Workouts – One Day

Yesterday I went for a run in Central Park after work. My plan was to run ten miles. I only got six in. My legs were pretty tired after spin class that morning. and it started to thunder and lightening… Cool but a little scary. I’m actually a little surprised that I ran at all. I was exhausted yesterday. 

After my run I ate, showered and headed straight to bed. I was sleep in about 5 minutes. I love going to bed at 9pm. 

Today is supposed to be my rest day but I feel weird not working out at all. BUT I need my legs feeling great tomorrow for my long run. I’m hoping there is no rain this weekend. I really don’t want to run in the rain or on a treadmill for 3 hours… 

Other than a long run this weekend I have no plans. And I love that. Monday through Friday is so busy and scheduled, I love having no plans on the weekends. Relaxing and sleeping are two of my favorite things.

oh and this too…

Sushi for my Friday night treat??? I think so.

I’m in love

Holy Moly I love Spinning! I now know why everyone is obsessed with taking spin classes! They are so fun and such a great workout! The music pumps you up and you just pedal and pedal. 

Okay, I got a little ahead of myself…

Last night I went on a 5 mile (ten miles didn’t happen) group run with The Running Company. It was really fun and everyone was super nice.

So far with my training I’ve been a little anti-social. I truly love running by myself. But I decided I needed to branch out and meet other people who like running as much as I do. (I think Ryan (boyfriend) is a little tired of me rambling on and on about my training.) Well, I found my fellow running-obsessive friends and they meet three times a week! I’ll be going back next Wednesday night 🙂

Back to Spin Class – Then this morning I went to spin class at 6:30am. Like you all know, I was kind of nervous about going. I even bought those padded bike shorts because I read that some people could hardly walk after their first class… I’ve also had a horrible past with bikes – running into fences, falling off, crashing my bike… I’m just not great on a bike.

But I’d heard so much great stuff about spinning (and the bike is stationary) so I thought I could do it. And I did! And loved it.

When I arrived I told the instructor that this was my first time and she taught me a little about the bike and how to adjust the seat. The girl next to me was really nice and helped me too. All in all my first spin class was a success and I think I’m going to make Thursday mornings my spin class morning.

I know this post is super happy and all excited… The endorphins from this morning must still be in my system…