run with neese

Maggie's Run 5k and Bye for now....

2009-07-03T08:41:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday I ran my 30th race!! (I'm keeping track in an Excel file).

It was an inaugural race and for a good cause. Although the course was a familiar one I find myself just not having the speed that I used to (not that I ever was a bolt of lightening.) and clocked my 2nd slowest 5k finish. Again, I'm good with it... I figure my increased mileage lately just has me tired but I will eventually have that little spark of speed reignited in me again.

I am on a pre-marathon training plan now which is to run 25 miles a week. If I can get this base under me for a good 6months to a year I feel confident I can handle a training plan and run my first marathon. As I've been putting in the miles my thoughts often go to running the 26.2 and also which race should I run? My dream/fantasy had been to run in Florence, Italy... 2010. But, as it gets closer, it just doesn't seem to be a reality. Sure we will likely go to Italy at some point but I don't think all that travel intertwined with my first marathon may be a good mix.

So, as I think of my first marathon training, nutrition, mental challenges and mental focus, physical endurance, turning 40, and which marathon to run??... I figured it was a good time to start a new blog on this topic.... It may take awhile to create my new page and decide what to name it (any suggestions?)... so I don't have a link yet but I surely will post it once I do.

I know blog land is a bit quiet these days with busy schedules and Facebook... but if you find yourself reading this, thank you for reading and for your support. The thought of my first marathon is exciting yet terrifying and I look forward to getting helpful information and inspiration from my fellow runners.

Until next blog...

Peace out.

:)

Candlelight Run 5k and Blog Future

2009-06-26T16:01:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday I ran a 5k that was @ 9pm. One might think this would be a cool time of the day but on the contrary it was 92 degrees and the course very hilly. Yes I'm making excuses for my personal worst 5k time :) I hope to make up for it tomorrow morning when I participate in another 5k that's a more familiar course and the weather not so warm..

I also had to buy a new Garmin that day and haven't figured out how to read my splits, so I only know my overall time, which was: 37:14

I hope my running improves with my increased mileage, I am on week two of running 25 miles a week.

As I increase my mileage and 2010 draws near I think I will close up this blog and start a new one dedicated to my first marathon journey.

Below is just a random shot from the race -- stock full of ambulances for possible heat stroke victims!

Safe Harbor Run 5k Race Report

2009-05-16T10:37:00.007-04:00

Last Saturday I ran a 5k in which all proceeds benefited the Safe Harbor organization which provides temporary safe shelter for victims of family violence and their children. I'm familiar with the annual event but in years past it was an 8k. They decided to change it to a 5k this year and for some reason in my mind I thought that meant it would be easier. Well, it was quite the hilly course and each time I got up a hill instead of a rewarding down hill it seemed the course would instead make a turn and it would just eventually go up hill again. There was one time in particular that I remember gaining some speed on a downhill but for the most part it just felt like hill work. With that being said it was a great workout and certainly not one of my fastest 5k's but I'm glad to have participated and contributed to the cause.

Mile 1: 10:24
Mile 2: 10:31
Mile 3: 12:25
.16 01:41
Total Miles: 3.16
Avg Mile: 11:05
Total Time: 34:59

10k Race in Central Park!

2009-04-19T11:42:00.007-04:00

We traveled to NYC for Easter break and I had the pleasure and interesting experience of running a 10k in Central Park! It was absurd yet exhilarating with the relentless rain and 40 degree temps. I had to periodically wring the ends of my sleeves to release the soaked in water. It was an incredible run however and I was able to run the entire course without walking which I was quite pleased with considering that's not a distance I have been training for. This is only my second 10k but I totally PR'd it from my first 10k experience in 2006!

Mile 1: 10:59
Mile 2: 10:53
Mile 3: 10:23
Mile 4: 11:36
Mile 5: 11:08
Mile 6: 10:52
Mile .38 (the course ran long): 4:08.41

Total Time: 1:09:59
Avg Mile: 10:59

What appear to be black boxing gloves in this photo are my sleeves that are drenched and heavy and stretched over my hands!

saved it for a rainy day

2009-03-28T10:03:00.003-04:00

For years I've been running a route that includes a steep hill that I walk up because when I've attempted to jog up in the past I become so winded.

The run group attendance was three this morning because of the rain. The other two that showed are fast pace runners. And, although I typically go slow and steady on Saturdays I decided to try to keep up with them as long as possible.

It's about a half mile in that we encounter the big hill and like I said I usually just walk it so to save my breath for the remainder of the run. The others were running up so I thought, "heck I'll give it a go." I actually made it to the top and continued running fairly well into mile 3. During the last mile I told one of the fellow runners that my goal at this point is to not walk.... so, my pace will slow up and I don't see it getting any faster. I suggested if he wanted to pick it up to the end it was cool with me. I'm so glad he took me up on that and they both got get their runs in on their pace and I was also achieving my little goal of running the entire 4 miles without stopping (including the HILL). I feel really good about this and hope I'm creating a solid foundation to work from which will lead to more improvement over the next few months into the fall race season.

Mile 1: 10:45
Mile 2: 10:57
Mile 3: 11:23
Mile 4: 11:39

Total Miles: 4
Total Time: 44:43
Avg. Mile: 11:11

This is not the hill I just thought it would be funny to post :)

Shamrock Fun Run 5k

2009-03-21T12:06:00.005-04:00

This morning was the Shamrock Fun Run - 5k! I was looking forward to the 8:30am start and arrived around 8am realizing I wasn't prepared for the wind and cold! Luckily I brought my outer jacket and Rhett lent me his gloves.

My friend Amanda ran the race also and we each beat our last 5k time (turkey trot/same course) by about 2 minutes! We were excited about this and even managed to get a photo op with the local baseball teams mascot! (note the matching outfits which was something completely unplanned, but funny!)

The finish time isn't up yet but the clock coming through the chute blinked 33:53. I'm very pleased with this having felt fairly strong and steady the entire race with only one walk period which was up a steep hill.

I tried a new technique -- (it's actually something I sometimes try to do when I run on my own) after reading about meditation lastnight the idea was to not wear headphones and instead repeat a mantra to myself as I breathe in and out.

So for the entire 3.1 miles I repeated these words in my mind: "form. rhythm. stride. attitude." It really helped me to stay in the "zone" and not be distracted by miscellaneous thoughts such as "this shit is hard" and "there's no way I can keep running", etc. . So, I may be on to something..

Happy Weekend and Belated St. Patrick's Day! :)

-Neese

A photo from the local newspaper, my feet are off the ground!:

blog time

2009-03-14T14:12:00.002-04:00

I have managed to neglect my blog for months! Well, as I'm sure many understand with working full time, exercising, spending time with family and the much sought after sleep there is only so much internet time and I've been finding myself using that up on Facebook (and now Twitter!). I do miss blogging, it's benefits like a journal...helping me keep my goals in focus and also getting those thoughts out on "paper" in order to clear room for new ones :)

My running is going well, I still run 4 miles on Saturday mornings with the group. There are about 20 people on the email list and each week there is a combination of all those people that come out, sometimes it's just me, sometimes 2 sometimes 12! It's a nice weekly routine and a great group of runners!

This coming Saturday (March 21) will be the annual Shamrock Fun Run 5k. I have participated in this race the last two years, here are my previous finish times:

2008: Finish: 36:40

2007: Finish: 34:43

Since I've been running regularly again since November and have included 90 minutes of yoga once a week I feel confident I can finish faster than 2008 and maybe 2007... we'll see!

If you are reading this (Hi!) and if you have a blog I'll be stopping by to visit yours soon!!

Neese

Run Group increasing with 5 of us Saturday!

2009-01-18T10:33:00.002-05:00

I hope this doesn't make me a lazy blogger when I post just videos! -- here is another from Saturday morning when 6 brave souls (includes videographer) showed up in sub 20 degree temperatures to run 4 miles. Here's a delightful piece of film making from that morning!:

you will FLIP!

2009-01-12T21:02:00.003-05:00

my husband loves his new FLIP camera and brought it along saturday during the morning group run... he then hit the editing table and added music and text... the quality is low res for size purposes...

goose bump generator!

2009-01-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T11:32:00.010-05:00

I wish all that are reading this a blessed, fit and happy 2009!!

One of the many delightful gifts I received this Christmas is a Wii Fit, and I love it! I've incorporated it into my training schedule for 2009 (see below/right). I've also added a yoga class (every Tues.). And, my Sat. morning run group. With all those activities plus the additional running I do on my own, it looks like '09 should be a good year!

Below is just a random pic that I think is funny looking... it's of me bowling yesterday.. for such poor form, I didn't do too badly out of the group of us I placed 2nd or 3rd each game... but I never made it over 100..

Sunday Workout Complete:
6 miles on treadmill:
walk: 1 mile
run: 4 miles
walk: 1 mile

self analysis

2008-12-14T09:55:00.005-05:00

Well if it wasn't obvious in my last post, I didn't have the greatest attitude about running the 5k yesterday so it turned out I decided earlier in the week I wouldn't run it. It worked out for the best because I had a wicked bout of PMS and was emotionally and physically off all week. A great time to call it for 2008.

As I look over my race history I can't help but see the slow down of participation and finish times, 2006 was my year, with times in the 30's and 31's... but then I became increasingly slower... I think I need to see a psychologist because I'm pretty sure it's all mental... When I began running I thought this could be it, running could be *my* thing, the thing I'm good at, I'll be fast, I'll break records, I'll win trophies... I set the bar way too high and when I didn't run the fastest and meet all those self imposed expectations I became discouraged and disappointed.

The fact remains that I do enjoy running and I do feel a sense of accomplishment when I run and to participate in a race and finish is satisfying and rewarding all in itself, so even if I am average I do want to continue, I'll just have to find that something else in life that I'm exceptional at...

So here's to 2009, more running, more races... and we'll see what else....

tis the season for 5k's...

2008-12-06T15:47:00.002-05:00

The week after the turkey trot was busy as I prepared and then traveled with my husband to florida for 5 days at "the beach" to honor his late father (who passed away in September) we gathered to share memories, laughs and tears as well as lay him to rest where he wished. I also took the following Monday off work and spent the day doing some Christmas shopping.

This last week has been an acclimation into work mode and reintroducing myself to running, I hit the treadmill earlier in the week but couldn't quite get past a mile....this morning I went out with another gal from the run group and we happily completed 4 miles by running more than walking..

David reminded me that there is a 5k coming up, and sure enough it's THIS coming Saturday (December 13) -- I will probably do it, since it's in my backyard but I do not expect, plan or even hope to do much better than my Turkey Trot finish...

2008 Turkey Trot Race Report

2008-11-23T09:48:00.004-05:00

It was a COLD sub-30 morning yesterday and the first mile of the 5k race was a fight or flight situation for me as I sucked in ice cold air and kinda panicked wondering if I could handle it.... I stayed focused on the music coming from my iPod and managed to stay in a zone. There were ten of us out there (co-workers and friends) and two of the girls from the Saturday morning run group were around my pace so it helped comfort me seeing them out on the course. I was also proud of the fact I ran all but "the hill" portion of the course. In the end I think my finish was 36+ minutes, and I am completely fine with this, I just know myself and I wasn't "on" yesterday and I let the cold get to me, and lost that whole mind game thing.

After the finish a few of us toughed it out and stood in the cold for the "door" prize ceremony and I won a pie! (which is funny because previous years they gave a pie to each participant, they must not of had the donor this year).

Overall good race, bit cold, loved that so many of us were out there giving it our best, and would do it all over again next year!

peaceful warrior

2008-11-09T19:24:00.004-05:00

I admit I feel a little like Jess blogging while tipsy.... I haven't been bowling however, just a long warm bubbly bath and several glasses of Pinot Grigio as I near the end of a wonderful book called Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. Please, get it if you haven't yet. I have already, in my drunken state, ordered the follow up "Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior".

Running has been going very well, in addition to treadmill runs throughout the week this past tuesday I ran 3 with my boss and a co-worker at a local park... and yesterday was week 3 of my Saturday Morning Run Group, we ran 4miles in about a minute less than last week, it was a wonderful time and the two gals with me are brilliant and witty and it just make the entire expererience that much more rewarding. An example of a funny moment was this...

L: "Neese I'll be glad to put your iPod in my pocket so you won't have to carry it". Neese: "thats Ok it gives me something to be responsible for", L: "right, since Jeff (beagle) isn't here with you...., A: "..or your Fabergé eggs"

Not to mention at one point we all stop so L can move an earth worm in our path to a nearby tree to save it from imminent demise as it headed toward the roadway..

After our 4 mile run we came back to my house for smoothies from the VitaMix, a concoction of cherry tomatoes, orange juice, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, mixed veggies (peas, corn, green beans), grapes, soy protein powder...

One more saturday of training and the following weekend is the Turkey Trot!

Saturday Morning Run Group

2008-11-01T13:06:00.003-04:00

This morning was week 2 of a saturday morning run group I'm trying to gather... last week there were two of us and today three so we are getting there! We enjoyed a 4 mile course in 50 minutes and it was just absolutely beautiful out there. My husband glided around on his Segway taking photos.

New York City Marathon tomorrow! I can't believe it's that time of year already! I wonder if any celebs are running it? Surely Lance Armstrong will give it another go... time to Google..

Happy November!

Six Random Things...

2008-10-28T12:25:00.003-04:00

Angie tagged me the other day to list six random things about myself, here goes:

1. My marriage is a "May-December romance" :) (and when I just read this to DH he said it's more like January-December LOL!)

2. My fingernails are currently polished the color purple.

3. I've been at my current job for 8 years, 10 days

4. I'm letting my hair grow long again.

5. I haven't decided when to vote next Tues., early in the morning, during lunch or after work?

6. I daydream my first marathon will be in 2010 (after I turn 40) in Florence, Italy.

I now tag the following peeps to list 6 random things about THEMselves:

Darrell
Stacy
Denise
Jess
miss petite
Jessica

in time for the Trot...

2008-10-26T11:19:00.004-04:00

It's been a difficult and emotionally challenging couple of months. In August my husband became seriously ill and had to take a leave of absence from work. And, in September his sweet father passed away.

During these trying times I should of used running as my coping mechanism, but instead it was pushed to the side... but for my birthday in mid September my friend Paul sent me a Nike + so I began to slowly but surely add running back into my life...

I'm really enjoying the Nike + As of yesterday however I realize that it's off compared to the GPS so I need to figure out if I should recalibrate it, or live with the difference. It has me slower than I am, which is good I suppose... but I'd prefer it to be more accurate.

My next race goal is the Turkey Trot on November 22. Last years finish time was 33:22, which last year I thought was slow, but now I'm hoping I can just finish close to that!

I've also lost my Bloglines/Feeds and had to setup a new account, I will get everyone back in there and catch up on all my favs.

Have a great Halloween week!

Marvin Gaye - Nike Commercial

2008-08-23T16:03:00.001-04:00

vacation

2008-08-18T11:41:00.004-04:00

I'm off from work this week. No traveling, just taking time to spend with my husband before he starts school next week, and also a chance to relax, read, run, watch the olympics, and just take a break from the stresses of the work schedule.

We have friends from Boston visiting for a couple days, so tonight we'll go to the Greenville Drive game. (it's the farm team of the Boston Red Sox) so it will be a neat experience for our friends who are big Red Sox fans, the Drive is a "baby" version of the Red Sox, even the ballpark was created based on Fenway (Green Monster included!).

I did run 9 miles again this past Saturday.... and hopefully will get a few more shorter runs in this week before a bump up to 10 on Saturday...

Weekend Warrior

2008-08-09T14:57:00.003-04:00

Ran 9 miles today! -- I felt pretty strong considering I haven't been running during the week, I NEED to work on that, no excuses.

The "fitness challange" at work is over, I didn't meet my goal of losing 12 pounds but I did lose some. See photos below, and yes, we purposely looked absolutely miserable in the "before" pictures! lol

summer specials

2008-07-29T19:21:00.005-04:00

I have two stand out favorites this summer (so far),

1. my husband and I training together using his Segway to pace me. It's a great way to spend time together, and also helpful to have his feedback and encouragement during some tough moments out there.

2. The fabulous VitaMix 5200! If you don't know what it is, it's essentially a mega mutha blender that is so much nicer than a juicer because there aren't any special attachments to catch pulp and seeds. This machine grinds it ALL and into the drink to give you all the nutrients.

It's helpful to keep most of the fruit in the freezer that way it doesn't go bad and helps the smoothies to be cold (although this thing takes ice cubes too!). Today we made a strawberry-blueberry-cantaloupe-black cherry-carrot (AND tomato!) smoothie! You can't even tell there are carrots and tomatoes in there! (A perfect way to sneak in foods you may not normally eat) No added sugars, just plain YUM!

busted by my dr.

2008-07-19T20:12:00.004-04:00

This post is a bit personal, you have been forewarned!

It's been another rough week with no running. I had a Dr's appointment the other day and mentioned that I've been experiencing constipation for several weeks.... He voiced some possible solutions as he simultaneously wrote them down ....

Note the next to last suggestion!! AND he underlined it! I think I laughed out loud and said, "That must be IT I have NOT been running lately." I also thought it was so sweet of him to remember that I'm a runner.

I have picked up some Miralax (GREAT stuff!), but also got back to it today with a 7 mile treadmill run. The run was tough but as always good to be back.

still trying....

2008-07-13T21:48:00.002-04:00

I'll never get close to a Dara Torres body just lying around.....
so.... back to working out this week!

6mph

2008-06-29T22:24:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I decided no more timing devices or logging splits for awhile. I have to break this rule to mention that on today's treadmill run I set the speed at 6mph (10 mm pace) and ran that for TWO miles, no stopping! A FIRST for me!

My recent "Segway training" has really helped me hold pace. It's a little tough to be "full stride" on the treadmill but I did focus on the "stride-kick" mantra and that seemed to help give me the energy to see 2 miles to the end.