Archive by Author | emaiuolo

Central Park WINTER Water Fountains

Nov28

So, you might know, it gets cold in NYC in the winter, and so, the park closes the water fountains because the water will freeze and that will make the pipes burst. Or something like that.

There is usually 3 water fountains that stay open throughout the winter, aka NOW. 

Side note: bathrooms start opening at different times through the park, some at 6 am, some at 7 am, some at 8 am. If in dire thirst, you can always go to a bathroom and drink from the sink. It seems gross. Sometimes it looks/is gross. But the water is safe. Or at least, I haven’t suffered any special side effects.

I just want to point out my new gorgeous adidas kit. The trefoil monogram track jacket and the striped shorts are the cutest and so comfy. I am loving all this new adidas gear and I wear them all the time, not just for running, ooooops! 

Here are the details to find the water fountains.

The first one is always trustworthy and my favorite. It always works, ALWAYS.

She is not easy to find at first but then you’ll always see her. 

We’ll call her East 102. 

When you are running in Central Park, on the East Drive, you’ll see the E0002 lamppost (that means East 102th street so look for the lamposts/streets to get there). 

Right there is also a set of traffic lights right 101th street. That is the spot. 

Go east (towards Fifth Avenue) on the path right under the traffic lights and you’ll see the water fountain on your left.  She is about 20 meters East of the East Drive and 101th street, but she’s right off the E102 lamppost so we’ll go with 102 for her official name. These are her coordinates if that is easier for you: 40°47’29.9″N 73°57’19.7″W

Next!

Then there is the ResLoop/Tennis Court fountains (there’s two)

The good thing about this one is that you can easily access from the West side of Central Park (about 400 meters from the West Drive), but also from the bridal path and the reservoir loop.

The easiest way to find her is to know where the Bridge #28 is. 

Bridge #28 is in front of the tennis court. The bridge intersects with the reservoir track, and right there are the fountains. You have to get (on the bridge towards) the reservoir path.

This one is harder to get to sometimes when it’s early or late (as it’ll be dark) or snowy (snow!) or raining (because mud, etc). But it’s very convenient sometimes, plus usually the bathrooms in the tennis courts are open after 6 am, so it can be a good spot for other things. 

There’s two fountains, yesterday one wasn’t working but they’re usually trustworthy.

And you get a great view for pictures too if you’re in the mood after the drink!

Their coordinates: 40°47’19.7″N 73°57’42.7″W

Next!

No name, let’s call her 61st? better ideas?

There is one more, that is usually open. WAY trickier to describe and find but very useful sometimes. It was NOT working yesterday, but I’ll update you. I did take pics anyway so you can find it if you need to. If you look at the map, this is hard to describe, but just look for the crosswalk, the traffic light. 

The traffic light across the street read W60X but it was hard to read, so around W6something.

The water fountain is on the south side of the road, a bit moved in towards Central Park south. But again, let’s hope it’s working again. Just use this:  40°46’01.8″N 73°58’37.9″W

Hope this helps! Questions? Let me know!

Marathon season is over, now WHAT

Nov15

Blog Title: 

Coping with the post marathon season blues is no joke. It’s pretty terrible actually. You get sad, you have no idea when to wash your hair, you find no reasons to go outdoors, your laundry doesn’t stink as bad so it just sits there, and what do we do with all that pasta?? it really is a confusing, boring, sad, annoying time…

Your “normal” friends could give you some helpful advice like “pick up a new hobby” or “find a series you can binge on” or something. Meanwhile, I a not a normal friend so this is what I suggest:

Recovery is important, that means rest, you earned it! It is boring, yes, but you can also yell at your significant others/roomates/family while you do it. If you are cranky, it’s because you earned it, express your feelings.

Also, nutrition is huge for recovery, make sure you focus on that! Maybe eat “some” of the things you didn’t eat while training, maybe eat whatever the ffff you want because hey, you just run a marathon, so you probably burned one thousand billion calories telling everyone about it!

Go for walks, mostly to show off that new bling, and even if you can’t really walk. Who cares if you look like you need an ambulance?

Find a new interim hobby, maybe planning your next races or shopping for running gear can be a hobby?  Maybe get a gorgeous adidas pink jacket or these new adios running shoes that all the cool kids are running in.

Create a routine that you can stick to. You need some structure to your days now that you won’t be running so much for a few days. So sleep in, then nap, then go to bed early. Maybe do some stuff in the middle???

It is okay to feel sad. It is also okay to obsess over how much faster you could have been if this, if that, if the other. It’s part of the process. You have a month. Then it’s over and we don’t want to hear about this marathon ever again okay?

2023 #TCSNYCMarathon New York City Marathon – Spectator Tracking Guide

Oct30

Phew, done, updated, here is a tracking sheet you can send your friends and families, so they know where they can see you on race day and at what time.

Basically, you enter the runner’s (you!) bib number, wave time, and your predicted finish in the yellow cells, and it throws a page ready to print with splits for every mile so your fans can track you. It also has the closest train stops. And they can add up to 3 people. Or, you can add your goal A, B and C! And tell them to assume 5 to 10 minutes up or down depending on how sure you are on your goal/pacing.

Tell them also to get the nycm app, that will help a lot too!

Just fill the YELLOW CELLS for yourself and/or each runner and PRINT! I added myself in there as example, so you can just write over it. Sorry if it’s messy, I updated it quickly so if anything is not working pls let me know!

Once you hit print, you’ll get a sheet like this, you can send to all your fans.

–

Get the spreadsheet here:

2023-nycm-tracker-v10.31Download

Don’t forget to re-read the:

New York City Marathon Tips, Course Strategy and Info 

2023 free events will be compiled here

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

2023 Chicago Marathon + Wanda Age Group World Championships 

Oct18

Hello friends!

Last weekend I raced those two. Was NOT the day I expected but I’ll give you a quick run-down.

I was “trained”, that is in quotes as I had to pause training for about 7 weeks right at the thick of it because my heart was doing some funny things. After a bunch of tests, time off, etc, I resumed training as best as I could to make up time.

The race itself was amazing. The Championship setup, not so much. Took us a long time to be able to enter on race morning, the tent and portapotties were run over and too crowded, getting to the start was messy, etc. The organization promptly sent an apology and hope they correct those issues for the next championship

After all that start drama, I got to the corrals and was ready to see what the day had in store for me Let’s go! 

The weather was actually perfect. Amazing. Like world record-breaking times weather. Not a spoiler at this point, but the world record actually happened.

Soon after I got moving, around a mile and half in, I knew things were not great. I felt something strange, I couldn’t pick up the pace, my heart rate was weird, I looked down and it was high, really high. 

I then had a “little bit” of an anxiety attack.  Actually, I am not sure if I got anxiety because I wasn’t feeling “right” or because I saw my heart rate spike. Or, if my heart rate spiked because I was having anxiety about how I was feeling. I am really not sure of the order of things or what happened as a consequence of what. It is a little bit of a blur. What I know is that I spent the next 24 miles trying to manage my anxiety, and also dealing with sensory overload. I think because of the anxiety, my senses felt a bit attacked. Everything felt loud, too close, too much. 

It was a bit to manage it all, while keeping my emotions and pace in check. It was not as fun as it always is. But I did my best to keep it all in check, enjoy the bits where I could relax, and keep a decent pace to a strong finish. 

I am quite happy with how I managed the day. It was not easy, and some portions were a struggle but given that I had never had an experience like this, finishing in ok shape was a huge win.

Also, please notice my gorgeous red kit. I got these at adidas the week before. And how amazing is it that I don’t need to test run stuff because I already trust the brand, the materials,  the fit, so I can just roll into a marathon, take the tags off and move along?!?!?! Ha! Check out their gear especially this fab sports bra at their site.

The biggest point of doing this race was the actual Championship. The truth is, given how I felt in the first two miles, I am not sure I would have kept going if it was a regular marathon…  but hey, an age group world championship finish plus two medals were at stake!!!!!

Time to rest, recover, get things looked at, and start getting ready for the next adventure! The New York City Marathon in 3 weeks!!!

NYC’s Summer Streets, circa 2023

Aug18

What is Summer Streets, you say?

this is what it looks like, pretty much. But you can run into the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to Brooklyn to add a few more miles.

On three consecutive Saturdays in August, over eight miles of New York City’s streets are opened up for everyone to play, run, walk and bike. It is an annual celebration of NYC’s most valuable public space – our streets!

If you haven’t seen it, GET TO IT. It is SO SO SO worth it.

I love Summer Streets! You get a straight line of streets without traffic from 7 am to 1 pm on the Upper East Side. You can walk, run, and cycle. There are events, water stations all over, and you really feel like you own the streets. I love love love love Summer Streets, did I tell you already?

Here are a few pictures so you can get a good idea of what it looks like:

PROTIPS for your next Summer Streets.

1- start very early, as early as possible. It officially starts at 7. After 9 am it is too crowded for my taste, and almost not fun or worth it.

2- bring a bottle or a cup. There are these amazing nyc water tables with water but you can’t touch it with your hands or mouth so bring a bottle or cup to refill. The stops are about each 1.5 miles.

3- bring patience, there will be light stops. Nothing you can do about it. Respect the signals and listen to the volunteers.

4- Bring a running backpack/plan your finish. So, there will be treats, food, drinks, fun activities, etc. Check the vendors and then you can finish by your favorite to grab a good snack or gift.

5- Look at the map, and plan your route. The route changes (expands!) every year, and it has doubled the distance since its first year so don’t miss out!

6- take pictures, it’s so amazing. I can never get over it.

7- plan a post-run brunch along the course, so you can watch everyone go after you finish your run!

Promise me you’re going next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took out my adidas 4dfwd Pulse for a good long spin and they were so fun. Comfy, bouncy with lots of support, propulsion and cushioning to take on the streets. I have been using them on shorter runs so 18 miles was a bit of a test for them but they did amazing and took on the street fun easily and kept my feet from getting blisters or getting too sweaty.

Check out adidas’ running shoes here.

I want to thank adidas for providing a gift card with which I obtained these shoes. I wasn’t asked to write about any purchase or gift in particular.

NYCRuns Brooklyn Half Marathon – Course Guide and Tips

Apr12

Well, well, well, and that is totally how you start a post. Let’s try again: before I forget, there is a 55 seconds video here where you can see a lot the course looks like.

The NYC Runs Brooklyn Half Marathon is around the corner and given it’s the same exact course I run last year, let’s just put the basics on the motherfucking table. Lessssgo.

This is the official course information, with my directions in traffic lights colors:

  • YELLOW: GO
  • RED: CAREFUL
  • GREEN: FUCKING GO!!!!

Beautifuuuuuul, amirite??

and here is the elevation:

Here is the quick description:

Starts up with a half mile about 30 feet uphill, so let the crowded start help you hold back the excitement.

Pretty flat all the way to Mile 4

At about 4.3 you have a little bump of 20 feet, done by 4.5.

At 5.1 you climb about 90 feet, shouldn’t be a big deal either, it’s short. Then you have a bit longer downhill to enjoy.

You cruise and then you find the biggest hill of the course, starts around 7.1 and it’s about 120 feet up, you’ll feel this one.

After that, you have a few very little or very short climbs that, because of where they are on the course, you might not even notice. Basically, make sure you are ready for miles 7 to 8, so have a gel at 5 or 6. There is a hydration post at the 10K mark, which is a good place to reload and have time to process before the hill. The next hydration situation in ON the hill, and for some people like me (terrible stomachs and mouth breathers) that might be too late.

Other notes, with GORGEOUS visuals of last year’s course:

  • The course is gorgeous and most streets are wide but the first miles will feel crowded
  • tell your friends to come cheer for you!
  • Atlantic Ave will be crowded wit people cheering!!
  • don’t overdress please
  • elevation from my watch. it is a bit shorter so it looks steeper
  • this is a wild portion: COBBLESTONES. there is a one-person strip that is smooth, so use that if you want. Some people were on the sidewalk. Just make sure you are not darting sideways,so no one would trip

Questions? Who is racing it this year?

Marathon Packing List v 2.0

Apr7

Download it, print it, adjust it YOUR NEEDS, check it, and definitely save it in a precious place for next time! Delete and add as much as you please!!
I organized it in stages, so it’s both a packing list and a to-do list.

Week before
Prepare playlist
Study the course
Download the app, check all the details
Plan travel/accommodation/race nutrition

Grocery shopping (once in destination)
Salted pretzels
Nutella
Bread, cookies
Oatmeal, PB
Bottled Water

Day before the marathon
Set what you’ll eat on top of the counter to pre-asses and as a reminder.
Eat
Prepare marathon bag (I like to duct tape on the top sometimes in case in breaks!)
Sleeping drops/pills
Earplugs
Phone/Watch charger
Tape (for anything)
Duck tape for shirt letters, scissors, sharpie
Put phone numbers in the back of the bib

Marathon Day – Pre race
Sunscreen
Prerace food: power bars, gels, bagels, bananas, whatever
Salt Pills
Wet wipes or Toilet Paper
Bodyglide
Trash bags to sit on/wear
Gels to eat before
Gloves, hat, fleece headband
Throwaway warm clothes: sweatshirt, pullover
Thin bag pack to put stuff inside marathon bag
Heat packets for hands/feet
Kleenex
Pen, you always need a pen…

Marathon Day: Race
Pace bracelet (this one is my favorite!)
Playlist/mp3 player/phone
Bib and pins
Hat/visor for rain
Sunglasses
GPS watch
Home/hotel keys
Gels (5, 10, 15, 20: four gels), gels flask
Clothes (shoes, hair bands, headband, shirt, bra, shorts/tights, socks, underwear, tshirt)
Heat packets for hands/feet
Wet wipes
Credit card, cash, metrocard
Salt pills
Caffeine pills
Handheld bottle

Marathon Day: Post race (in the checked bag)
flipflops
socks
extra shirt
deodorant
warm clothes
food
bandaids
cell phone
muscle balm, neosporin

Day after the race
Gelato
Boston Cremes
NY Times

Go wild and adjust it to your needs!

Chicago Marathon #ProTips

Aug17

You know the “don’t wear anything new on race day” and all the basics… you can get that anywhere else. So let’s focus on Chicago alone now.

Note to keep in mind: the marathon I did the most is NYC, so I might be biased and comparing, okay?

Pre-Race

This course is flat. Sit down. Think. Talk to your coach. Find a strategy and STICK to it. Whatever it takes.

If you want my opinion on how to race this course. This is very very simple, but won’t for everyone. On a course like this, you should execute a classic negative split. If you don’t know what that is, look it up and aim for the sky. I met some friends so I started a few corrals back -this can really help you to slow down the first few miles as it will be crowded. And don’t go around people, ok? NEVER NEVER, it’s wasted energy, distance, and they are there for a reason: to hold you accountable.

Study the course. The course seems simple because it’s all straightaways and out and backs (and it’s flat) but it is NOT simple. I was lost the whole race and that can really mess up your strategy. It is hard for people like me that don’t know the city, but still, take some time to look at the course, and memorize some landmarks, neighborhoods, water stops, and direction (for wind, etc). I really wished I had done that and it was my biggest mistake and regret. There are many bridges and big out-and-back turns that can really anchor your race strategy. Also, make a note of where are you going to see groups, have friends waiting, etc. All I remembered was to be ready for Chinatown, mile 21, and it was something but not enough. There is some here.

Also, this course is super flat. Hope you trained on long runs for flat. If you did this right, your last 5K will be amazing. BUT, right as you’re about to finish, there is a tiny little hill when you make the turn off Michigan Avenue onto Roosevelt Road that will look and feel like HELL. I am still upset about it. I knew it was there, but forgot, and thee b!tch beat me. It was the only time I walked during the race and I might be salty about it forever.

Check the temperatures for previous races, and prepare/pack for everything, it’s been really hot and also really cold. But mostly hot. So prep especially for that if you see it coming a few days ahead. Have at least two electrolytes drink the day before, have some that morning and bring saltabs for the race. You’ll be sweating. And chafing.

Learn to run tangents if you haven’t. Necessary.

I took the train to the city, you have to buy some card but I think your cell phone’s apple pay works just as well. It was so easy. And I also took the train to the expo back and forth twice, only once we took the wrong train. Learn the metro system and use it up (to avoid stupid not needed walking!)

The easy and short line on Friday

Do not go to pick up your bib at the last minute, or on Saturday if you can avoid it Last year the lines were insane. I went Friday at 10 am and it took me about an hour, but I went back on Saturday with a friend at 12 to keep her company: she was in line for 2.5 hours – by the time we left lines were about 6 blocks long, crossing streets, and it was warm to be standing out there for so many hours the day before the marathon. If you’re coming directly from the airport, pick up some food and water bottles to make sure you hydrate through it. Don’t wait until you get there, last year was a real mess and the drinks vending machines were empty.

Race Day

The GPS!!!! The race starts in the city, big tall buildings everywhere and your GPS WILL be wonky. I like to go by manual lapping. Basically, turn off your auto lapping for every mile and lap when you see a mile marker. I remember last year my gps distance by the first mile was 2.5 miles, insane! You’ll also need last lap time and current lap distance, as well as elapsed time obviously.

The start is SUPER chill, do not stress about it, but get there with time to enjoy it, there is a bunch of walking. And check a bag, it is so easy to leave and retrieve.

Check the wind and wind direction that morning. You are doing long stretches in the same direction and once you know where you’ll have a wind coming at you, go towards a building or tuck behind a group, etc. Try not to be dumb to want to beat the wind.

I’d say this was the most shocking, THE CARPETS!! yeah, there’s carpets!!!!!! The race organization covers the gritty road/grates on the bridges with carpets. I don’t think the carpets are there to make the footing smooth but more so to warn you to pick up your feet and be careful. Okay? Those carpets are the alarms. I also remember a bunch of potholes, so keep an eye down.

Use your brain for pacing. Seriously. If you start too fast (remember that you’re going in the same direction for the first 10 miles) you’re gonna hate yourself. Also, think of mind games to kill the monotony of running straight: look for tangents, look for mile markers to lap your watch, etc. One thing I like to do in very flat races to switch my form and not get the same muscles to get stiff or to set on a motion is do pick – ups -maybe every time you see a mile marker you sprint to it (that’s what I do!).

There is not a lot of shade in the second half so if you’re not into squinting or getting sun in your face bring sunglasses, visors, SPF, whatever it takes.

You better have a reservation for lunch post-race. There’s some amazing places to eat in Chicago, plan it, and get a ressie ahead of time. I went to La Mar, as it was close to our hotel.

Sports stores on Michigan Ave might have some of the race gear and souvenirs, worth a little walk. The Nike store had more stuff than the expo.

If you want a few extra pictures and stuff, there’s some in my insta highlights, as I am now officially too lazy to write race recaps…

What else? Questions? What did I miss?

New York City Marathon, ferry or bus?

Aug30

If you still have a to decide, here’s how:

Short answer (if you’re lazy): FERRY.

Long answer (you can figure this out): below

Ferry:

Leaves from: Staten Island Ferry Terminal in battery park, you can take a few train lines there. Do not worry about having to take take train there. just buy a 2.75 metrocard the day before, and head out, you’ll see TONS of runners you can just follow, I swear.

How it works: the terminal gets crowded, but most people will fit on the next ferry, they’re big. Not much stress.

Fun: the views are amazing, staten island liberty and downtown manhatttan. the energy on the ferry is AMAZING.

Toilets/food on board: yes toilets, no food, but there’s a few little stands in the terminal. Toilets in the terminal on the NYC side will have lines. Get to the ones on the SI side as soon as you off board (a right, and another right

Extra: it’s easier to meet friends, at each of the two terminals, or even on the ferry. Has outdoor and indoor. Can walk around. No traffic. There’ll be a very short bus ride from the ferry to the start, like under 2 miles. tons of seating.

Bus

Leaves from: NYC Public Library on 5th Avenue and 42nd st, so close to a lot of midtown hotels.

How it works: long lines, can be chaotic. very hard to find people.

Fun: meh, but you get to ride on the Verrazano!

Toilets/food on board: one toilet in the back (if it’s working), it’s like a regular greyhound, no food, can get warm (and stinky).

Extra: traffic can really mess you up and drive you insane (if you’re anxious like me). If the one bathroom is not working, you can get screwed. People are super close to you, might annoy you or if you want to sleep or just chill. No walking around. you might not get to sit with your friend if it gets full, and/or you might have to sit with someone with smelly food. might be worth it if you’re staying very close to 42nd.

Questions?

For a LOT more info, check the New York City Marathon Tips, Course Strategy and Info! post

My new training partner!

Mar29

hello!!

We are super close already and it knows a lot of my secrets (like how much I love/hate planks, depending on my mood that day!

We’re really close lately, with gyms being closed and me staying put in the apartment so I thought it was time to introduce it to you all!

Anyway, it’s very light so I can move it around all day, but mostly just avoiding its stare when we both know it’s time for a quick workout!

It comes with a very powerful motor to inflate AND deflate, and it doesn’t take much space, which I really appreciate, given I live in a typical NY apartment.

It is also quite light but seems like it supports quite a lot of weight.

It comes with several youtube workouts you can do along, or we can just free-will it. It depends on my mood of course.

But for one thing, I haven’t been getting those neck and lower back pains I used to get every single time I did crunches. THOSE are awful.

Also, I don’t need to pull blankets, yoga mats, yoga blocks, towels, and whatnots so my bones don’t get hurt/chafed/etc like they do when pushed into the wrong surface. Also, benefit number 342, I like the added element of balance it brings into the workouts. BALANCING IS HARD for some of us ok?!

Also, or Plus -because I have so many alsos above already- either you don’t have a gym ($#&! covid) right now or you don’t want to pay for it, or you don’t want to waste time going to and from there (I am all of those), so this is all AT HOME. This is a huge game-changer for people like me who also don’t like changing clothes to go outside.

So, like you see in the picture of the box I posted above, there are many things you can do (it also comes with a sheet that tells you all the positions you can do or try to do

For example, my right wrist has been a disaster for the last 20 years (did I tell you I was a volleyball superstar when I was in high-school?!?!?!?! but ugh, it messed up my wrist!!!) so I can’t do a full plank or pushups. With my Aerotrainer, I now have more options…!

See there, wrist? I-don’t-need-you-at-all!

These are SO SO HARD…

I haven’t fallen off yet, but stay tuned. If I do fall, I’ll get you pictures, I promise, the husband is always at the ready to capture anything messy!

I need to get better at these, I am trying. But that is why we are here, right? SAY YES.

I am totally not sweating my skin off, you are! OMG.

Time for a bit of relax… my core and legs are exhausted…

I love stretching my back and the couch/bed doesn’t do it. This is better than a spa sometimes!!!!!

I am not very flexible so there is really no way for me to do this on my own.

Hanging like this feels amazing. Now someone please just pls turn the tv on!

I swear times one hundred that this stretchy pose is saving my back. I even felt taller after it. I bet you can totally tell! I think I walk differently too. No, I didn’t any yoga!!!

Also, I might stay here a bit more, okay? this is soooo relaxing… shhhhhh, I am in nirvana. As you were… bye.

And, no you can’t borrow my best friend. Get your own here!!!

I DID A HALF. Like, NOT virtual. TWO RIVERS MARATHON RACE FESTIVAL race recap!!

Mar28

Imma write this as two posts, in blue, what my race was like, and in green, what people should look for if they are racing this in the future, as I couldn’t find ANY information about this race anywhere.

PRE RACE / LOGISTICS ETC

My friend Carolina found this race eons ago (October? November? 2020!) when we did a half and she got a PR. She decided she needed to run the marathon that she had trained for, so she signed up, said she’d look into the logistics and I could do the half, you know, like Batman and Robin (I am Robin here). So I said yes but with a disclaimer that if I could go to Argentina, I’d just leave and not care for one second about the race. I’ve been dying to see my family as you can imagine.

So she did all the research, she got the hotel, she said it was a two hour drive and that it was flat. That is pretty much all I needed to know, so I got to training and forgot all about it.

Fast forward to March, there is no trip (don’t even get me started because I’ll start crying and no, there is nothing you could say to stop me) and with 3 weeks to go, I realize I am getting my second vaccine 3 days before the half. Well, if I get sick, I just won’t come (what a lovely friend I am) or I will just come to cheer and keep her company.

Also, worth nothing right here. This was an IN PERSON race (I CAN’T DO VIRTUALS, PLS DON’T START ME, I RATHER NOT RACE FOR YEARS, VIRTUALS ARE WHAT I CALL A TIME TRIAL, NOT A RACE).

Back to my point, Carolina and I could never race each other, so we had devised a strategy that got both of us super excited. I assumed I’d be around 1:45 (my mental idea was 1:42 to 1:46) and she’d be around 1:20. So I’d start at 7:35 am, and she’d start at the (new for this year???) elite wave at 8 am, and we’d try to beat each other. So cute, right? You gotta do what you gotta do to get yourself hyped up! Which is not easy for someone like me who can’t care less about finish times.

Anyway, a week before the race I finally read all the race emails, tried to get organized and get a clue. I literally had no idea where the race even was. It’s in PA, a two hour drive from NYC (more like 3 IRL) and and out and back, a new course for what I heard, of 6.55 M, on the same road. Looked chill, easy. Luckily, for people who get overwhelmed easily like me, the bib pick up, start and finish were on the same exact place. YEY. I’ll call it race central. deal?

The hotel Carolina picked was cute, called Ledges, but 14 miles from Race Central. Also, doesn’t seeem like there were so many options anyway, and this one was probably the best for what we heard from others. I have no clue.

I did get super sick on Wednesday/Thursday from the second vaccine shot, but by Friday, I was feeling better, even though I was under a big amount of Tylenol, so I decided to go and try my luck!

FRIDAY

David, another awesome friend, decided to sign up after I told him and he offered to drive us. So cool, cause I hate traveling and driving and know nothing of any of it. BUT, I am a great co-pilot, I’ll do directions (occasionally fuck that up also) pick up music, feed you and keep you entertained, even when I am dying to sleep or are cranky. I know my place.

We left NYC at 1 and made it straight to RC (race central, don’t forget) by 3:30. There was a short line. There we nice clean real bathrooms. OMG NO PHONE RECEPTION WHATSOEVER HELP. We got bibbed up, met the famous Mark who’d send us crazy funny and long emails and he told us stories of Argentina (menem’s sideburns!) and Chile (for Carolina, she’s from Chile).

We pushed to the hotel. I WAS STARVING and stating to get CRANKY. I am no good hungry. Ask my husband. I had a box of graham cracker for the car ride, thanks Juan, which really helped. We left our stuff in the room, which was HUGE, cute, not a lot of light though, but would do totally fine. Some pics here, if you’re looking for a hotel option. You’ll see below the outside, the Glass restaurant where we had dinner (meh, service was not great, took a whole hour to get our food even thought we were the first people there at 5 when they opened, and food.. meh also) and the room.

I tried to make Carolina watch Drag Race but there was no way so around 8ish we passed out!

SATURDAY

I woke up on my own at 4 am. Tried to be super quiet but I woke her up too. DAMN. Made us coffee and we just prepped. ZERO stress here. We are all so particular right before a race. I am glad her and I are the same type of crazy. Love you Karrie! She did ask me “tank or bra” about 3 million times though, but if that is the worst, you know we are twins!

Deciding on start time can be a huge deal. Temps were 40 at 6 am, 45 at 7 am, and 50s by 9 am. David was starting at 6:30 because he was doing the full (just double everything I will say from now on). But 45 is fucking perfect fo me. Also, there was some NW wind the day before, about 12MPH, but it had all died down by Sat. YEY!!!! It looked perfect. I decided, tank, shorts and nothing else.

Julia picked me up, as we were all sorta starting together (Carolina was starting at 8 with some friends from CPTC, and there were a bunch of ppl in the same Ledges, so we split up!) and so Julia, Patricia, Lynn, Neil and I drove together.

You drive to the start on the first two (maybe?) miles of the course so we got to yell and cheer for a lot people. Then we shot up the windows and drove because it was REALLY slowing us down to the start. This is what the course looked like at 7 am.

Also, on our way to the start, we stopped at one of the fluid stations (the first one I think) and they all had water and one porta potty, but this is what the fluid station looked like in case you want to drop off your stuff, or don’t know how to decorate it. It was unmanned at 7 am but it had people later.

We got to the start. And back to realizing I had no phone service. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. I stayed in the car freaking out about being all alone in a race, with no one to chase down, and no music, while they all picked up their bibs. FUCK FUCK FUCK. This is important. Download your playlists or whatever. FUCK ME. This is us at the start.

So, less people and colder if you start earlier, sunnier and more crowded later, but also more cars on the road later…

We started at 8:40 am. NOT the 7:35 am I had planned with Carolina, but oh well, WHATEVER. Neil and Patricia and Julia started together. They are all faster than me, but given I am good at pacing and I am great at not taking off too fast, they indulged me and I was pacing for the first two miles.

RACE ON

I had a minute when Patricia and I were together at the front where I almost started crying (which I always forbid myself to do on a race, NO EMOTIONS, do the work, execute the plan, don’t be stooopid, emotions later!) thinking about all the million races we had paced together, sometimes as far as to mile 11 or 18, all over the world… DAMN I HAD MISSED THIS SHIT.

Yes, I curse a lot, so what. you knew that.

2 minutes in, I did a body check, felt sluggish and stiff, but I was properly dressed. No music coming in. FUCK ME AGAIN. But I already was complaining. The course felt flat but the road WAS SO SLANTED, I was fucking stressed and annoyed and worried, I hate that kind of camber on a road. It was INSANE. There was no shoulder so we were literally on the side of the road, running agains traffic the whole race, which was fine because traffic never really became a major issue (a tad annoying a couple of times, but nothing stressful) but this was BAD BAD. Other people were complaining later about the uphill out and dowhill back. I WAS SURE THEY WERE LYING. If you’ve ever every run 3 inches with me, you know my running uphill is BAD, I struggle, but oh well, not sure why I didn’t notice. Also it does look up and down BUT it’s like an inch… so maybe that’s why.

Mile 1 was 8:20. Perfect. If am going for around 1:45, that is fine. I thought it was too slow for everyone else, but oh well. On the other hand, Julia’s breathing was concerning me. I assumed she was hot or nervous.

By the time we hit Mile 2, Neil and Julia had taken off, they were about 40 yards ahead of me and I started freaking out, again NO MUSIC, and those stooopid vaporflys fucken loud “stomping” was annoying. Julia dropped a bit. I didn’t want to push her, I knew she was having a different pace kind of morning. Mile 2: 8:02 pace.

I really got bored. You can’t pace off anyone. People are passing me, I am passing people, it’s SO WEIRD. UGH. Mile 3: 8:05. This is fine. Then I started telling myself I just had to get to the turnaround. Mile 4: 7:52, what the fuck? Also, trying hard to remember where the turnaround was. I assumed I had seen Mile 6.55 somewhere and focused on just getting there. Mile 5: 7:59. Yeah almost there. fucken focus. SO HARD! the course was truly monotonous, no one cheering, just roadkills (by the end of the race, I had seen about 5 dead possums, 1 snake and more I can’t remember).

Decided to have a gel. YEY. Felt so yummy. Also, I forgot how to drink water while running?!?!?! it’s been SO long… had to stop to drink. oh well, lost some time but water is SO important. Mile 6: 8:19.

I lapped at the half way point, because I wanted to have two laps, out and back, but Garmin doesn’t work that way (I miss my Tom Tom days!!!!) and I am too lazy to do the math, so at the half way point, at Mile 6.57, pace was 8:03.

Now… once I turned I felt a fire up my as FIGURATIVELY of course. I felt it was time to pick it up. Maybe it was the downhill I didn’t notice? Maybe I was sick of it all? Who knows…?

Mile 7.5 was 7:38. OH SHIT. mmmmm, can I hold this mess. Then I see Carolina running. Fucking FIRST WOMAN ON THE COURSE. I yelled I STARTED 5 MINUTES LATE, IT’S NOT FAIR. She went I HAVE AWFUL CRAMPS AND THIS IS THE WORST RACE OF MY LIFE. Stay tuned.

Then I realized a fluid station was coming up and I had to have a gel… I stopped. It was weird, I got dizzy for a second. But I got moving again. Mile 8.5: 7:52. Yep, all good with a gel stop.

Caro comes right from behind, we chat about the cramps, and I tell her to have a gel. I see her pull it out and have it. Mile 9.5: 7:52. Ok, it’s just a long 5K now, LET’s GO.

The next few miles was just a bunch of all the same, no more water, just some bits of Viter Mints (caffeine pills, but I break them apart) and huztpah. I tried to sing to myself, yeah, I am crazy. I could still see Patricia and Neil ahead but a lot farther out.

Mile 10.5: 7:39
Note, if you’ve raced with me, ever, you know I am psycho about running ALL the tangets, hard. Here, I was going from one side of the road to the other the whole 13.1 trying to find some even running road. It was impossible. The only good portion to run was right in the middle, where the double yellow lines were, but 1, that is where the cars were driving, 2, the yellow lines had some texture to it, so I was afraid of tripping… so I’d try to be as close to the middle as I could but then I had to be super vigilant about cars and other runners that were passing me… A STRESSFUL MESS.

Mile 11.5: 7:36

Mile 12.5: 7:25

There was a bit of sun on the way back, glad I had sunglasses. I then noticed I was about an 800 away and this was going to be over soon. Pulled out my mask for the finish, had some crazy head wind on the bridge back, got the finish arch and was DONE.

Last .57: 7:16 pace. I know, I am a killer pacer.

Caro, Patricia and Neil were there. I hadn’t seen so happy in a long time. I LOVE FINISH LINE TEARS

Those medals are HUGE. There was water, friends, and a thingy where you punched your bib number and got your results. They told us to go get our awards at RC.

If someone wants to do the first half vs 2nd half math for me, I’ll appreciate it (SO LAZY).

We hung out by the finish for a couple of hours, waiting for David and a few other friends, cheering, starving and freezing: THE BEST!!!!

At some point, we got back in the car, to the hotel, quick shower and brunch at The Settlers Inn, cute quaint, old, super inexpensive (these prices in PA are insane for a NYer!!!!) and great service. I had a crazy burger with bacon and a million other things and fries and I was very happy. Recommending this one HARD. I WAS BEYOND ELATED THAT WE WERE THERE DOING THAT, just missed Juan.

All in all it was a great trip, a great race, and/but… IF IT WASN’T FOR THE SLANTED ROAD I’D DEF COME BACK. The camber was not a problem for some people, so there is that. I hated it. And today my ankles are NOT happy. And I know people who’ve gotten injured that way before. I know I will be fine a day or two but I just hate running like that, like on just one side of the body.

Still, really happy I went, and got to enjoy a race, a finish line and time with my BFFS. Life is awesome. GOSH, WHAT A DAY… so many emotions. I need to sit down and Arnicare my ankles! any questions? comments? I am here!

please stop with the stooopid “MOTIVATION” lie!

Oct19

Yes, I spend some time on social media, mostly Insta, and I can’t lie… every time everyone uses the word MOTIVATION or INSPIRATION, I roll my eyes. SO SO HIGH.

I’ve said it a million times and I’ve posted about this a lot but it seems like I haven’t gotten to the whole world yet 😉 AS IF. So here I am at it again, in long-form, instead of the regular exasperated story here and there. To me:

MOTIVATION IS BULLSHIT

INSPIRATION IS NOT A THING.

THEY DON’T WORK.

If it worked, you wouldn’t be out there looking for it.

This is a convo that I have often with my husband. We don’t quite yet see eye to eye on this. He sees me from up close, day after day, getting up at the crack of dawn to run or workout, when I am tired, when it’s dark out, when I am sick, when I just raced, when it’s miserably cold out, when I don’t want to, and he tells me I am his “inspiration“… At least 2 or 3 strangers tell me the same thing on Insta every day.

I get it.

I appreciate it.

Sometimes I speak back.

Sometimes, when I don’t have time to elaborate and I roll my eyes, say thanks and get to the next thing. And that is my point. Exactly that one. There is always the next thing.

Life is just a sequence of time when we do things to stay above water, correct?

I also don’t believe in:

  • living your best life
  • trying your best
  • be the best you can be

It makes no sense to me and it doesn’t seem to work for anyone. But that is maybe another blog post? Maybe. Let me know if you wanna hear more.

So, back to staying above water, each day consists of a bunch of things you have to do to meet any of these 2 goals of life:

goal 1: survive

goal 2: be well, happy, a rounded individual, a strong builder of a community

correct?

If you want, you can go as basic as the seven basic human needs according to Maslow for most of #1:

  • air
  • water
  • food
  • shelter
  • safety
  • sleep
  • clothing (in some cases)

So, every day it’s a series of acts to get those needs met: breath in and out, drink water, eat something to survive, find shelter, stay out of traffic, etc.

Obviously, we want a lot more than those -we want to be happy, to have fun, to see our people, to share, to be loved, to create, to be more, to make someone happy, to make a difference, etc. That would push us to goal #2.

So, then our list of things to do goes from showering, brushing our teeth, eating, to… a LOT MORE things, like reading, being healthy, training our patience, etc.

To me, running* is inside the bigger category or being happy and fit. Being happy and being fit is within the bigger category of pushing into goal #2: being a rounded, happy, strong, caring, smart part of the community.

It’s as simple as that. The end. There is no need for someone to remind me I need to brush my teeth, or running?

If want to be THAT person, then I have to get up and out, day after day, PERIOD. 

It’s JUST like pooping, brushing your teeth, drinking water, paying your bills, washing your clothes, showing up to work, and hugging your loved ones. It’s something that is a part of who you are, who you want to be, and your daily routine. It not more than that. It’s a routine.

It doesn’t have to be fun (though you’d be smart to make it fun), it just has to get done.

It’s not motivation, it’s DISCIPLINE.

*running can be substituted by any sports/hobby that makes you happy or fit or healthy. It could be crochet. It could be gardening. It could be anything.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and more so everyone that will not agree with this would love to hear us fighting exchanging ideas 😉 

AM I inspiring you?????

Am I inspiring you?????

February Recap (with two halfs!)

Mar5

Heeeeey peeps! Napoleon February -short and wild! I did TWO half marathons, which is insane, two weeks apart and both were awesome.

To start with, we went to Florida on the first weekend to run the Daytona Half, which was a blast. I totally planned to put together a post, and haven’t but who knows, maybe I will, but also keep breaking post promises! On the other hand, I got a cute little video. Not only it was fun, but I was also quite fast AND I came in as the 2nd Woman, which is insane for a half. Both things were very impressive -for me, but I am impressed early with my own achievements just get yourself some really low expectations!).

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Also, then, after that, or because of it, or whatever else I can add at the beginning of a random sentence, I run the Central Park Half Marathon. Holy sweaty headband Batman, what a doozy. The course is insane. I had run the exact same course in December and thought it was INSANE. Then I signed up again of course. ’cause torture, am I right? I actually felt tired and like I was pacing it poorly, and wanted to quit and not kill my legs for the next few week’s worths of workouts. I ended up running a very decent second half and a whole minute faster than the same race/course in December. Whaaaaaaat. Also, 3rd in my AG but a 1:39:04 half in that EFFING-AWFUL hard course is a win. Again, low expectations! 

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Now, in between the little tapers and the recoveries, my monthly mileage and amount of quality workouts were meh, but what can you do? Let’s jump right into it, should we?

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 148… pretty lame
  • Downs: tapering and recovering TWICE
  • Ups: running on vacation AND running with my husband AND placing 2nd woman and doing two great halves back to back
  • Balance: Yeah, HAPPY.

January

was like a dream. Awesome and gone too soon. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what happened before my amazing 2 weeks and 3 days in Buenos Aires, so let me go look it up, I really can’t remember.

Well, turns out, maybe nothing interesting happened in those 10 days because all I have left if my phone are pictures of my niece… she is really cute. Who knows what had happened, also, who cares?

According to my log, I run. And I remember that on the day that I was leaving it was like 70 degrees (in January, yes, a huge shocker) so YEY for garmin global warming! Ah, yeah, speaking of that, I got a new running watch, the garmin venu, pretty cute and awesome. It was a liiiitle sensitive topic for a bit because it was a gift from my husband, and I HATE gifts… so as much as didn’t want it, I also didn’t want to be an a**hole, so I kept it. And I ended up liking it… I am crazy, I KNOW. He also knows.

So, best part… OMG I RUN EVERYWHERE IN BUENOS AIRES and it was THE BEST. I wonder if I should put together a separate post, because I am sure enough ppl will fall on it, but I am lazy so I won’t. Here is a recap: it was so amazing. OK, maybe I will put a separate post together cause I am too lazy to write it all here… I can’t win.

The other thing that happened that I am now remembering is that my cutesy-hubsy starting running with me and my group. Given he has fallen off the training wagon and is in VERY poor shape, he can run at our pace. Good????? well, I love it. Also loved having him around for all those amazing runs in Argentina… 

DATA DOWNLOAD

 

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 186… I always end up with decent mileage in January in general… not sure why.
  • Downs: NONE
  • Ups: running on vacation AND running with my husband.
  • Balance: OMG Fucking AWESOME!!! Bring it on, 2020!

New York City Half Marathon Tips, Course Strategy and Logistics

Feb21

updated 11/28/23

You know the “don’t wear anything new on race day” and all the basics… now, let’s do the United NYC Half Marathon as well as we can. I have done this race 12 times so far -since 2006, its first year, to last year, 2023 and I keep running into people who haven’t raced it and have lots of questions (post in the comments section below if you have any questions not covered here!).

 

If you just want to see RACE STRATEGY scroll through to the section in green.

And in case you want to see photos and/or read my race reports, here is the 2019 race report, the 2019 race video, the 2017 race report, the 2016 race report, 2015 NYC Half report, here is 2014 NYC Half and 2013 NYC Half.

PRE RACE LOGISTICS

Make a race prep list of what you’ll need a week or two before and sort it all by stages, here is a Marathon Packing List to start with. Whether you’re traveling or not, get everything in the list ready as soon as possible. Start prepping 2 weeks out.

Plan your nutrition waaaay ahead. You can buy gels at the expo if necessary, but get bagels/oatmeal/bananas and whatever you need for race day the day before as there will not be a lot of delis open at 4, 5, or 6 am. Some may be, but not a lot.

If you need any last-minute things, you can buy most stuff at the expo/bib pickup (don’t forget to bring your photo ID, and your NYRR account QR code, or here is an organized list with all the running stores by area.

I promise you this look is totally normal at the start!!!!

Prep some cheap or throwaway clothes for the start. Find a mylar blanket from your last half or marathon (and don’t throw away the one you’ll get at the finish here!). You will need them until the last minute in the corral (I wear one as pants with tape and one as a cape). I wear my throwaway cardigan or a sweater (cut in the front for easy peeling, kept it in place with a safety pin!) during the first mile too! Go to the dollar store and get knee-high socks, cut the foot part and you’ll have throwaway arm warmers! I keep half of it on until I warm up, it can be windy and cold at the start!

Gear/What to wear… the weather can be anything from 50s to 30s so prepare (aka, train in) a few options and decide the day before. Or that morning. Be smart, and make sure you can peel off layers comfortably. If you don’t want to carry your phone, at least carry a $20 bill, a metrocard, and an ID with you, just in case. My rule is if it’s over 42 degrees, I do just singlet and shorts. PS that garmin+apple pay works on subways and buses!

This is what the weather looked like the last few years:

  • 2023: 30 DEGREES, 30% HUMIDITY, WIND 9 MPH (GUSTS OF UP TO 20 MPH). (what I wore) unusually FREEZING!!
  • 2022: 54 DEGREES, 59% HUMIDITY, WIND 6 MPH. (what I wore) unusually hot!!
  • 2019: 34 DEGREES, 46% HUMIDITY, WIND 6 MPH. (what I wore)
  • 2018: 28 DEGREES, 31% HUMIDITY, WIND 9 MPH NW
  • 2017: 34 DEGREES, 70% HUMIDITY, WIND 18 MPH (what I wore)
  • 2016: 34 DEGREES, 35% HUMIDITY, WIND 14 MPH (what I wore)
  • 2015: 42 DEGREES, 60% HUMIDITY, WIND 10-18 MPH (what I wore)
  • 2014: 31 DEGREES, 40% HUMIDITY, WIND 18 MPH (what I wore)
  • 2013: 30 DEGREES, 64% HUMIDITY, WIND W 7 MPH (what I wore)
  • 2012: 47 DEGREES, 90% HUMIDITY, WIND 3 MPH.
  • 2011: 37 DEGREES, 41% HUMIDITY, SUNNY
  • 2010: 53 DEGREES, 55% HUMIDITY, SUNNY
  • the ones before that, 2006 to 2009 were in the summer, so weather was SO HOT.

The temperature has been preeeetty consistent… but, you should assume it’ll feel 10 degrees under that temperature (hey wind!). So, depending on the wind/humidity/lack of sleep/whatever, you can add a hat, arm sleeves, leg warmers, etc. Always add things you can get rid of easily and won’t miss. If you’re not sure about a layer, keep in mind that once you leave Prospect Park and get to the Manhattan Bridge or the FDR, it can get a little windy there. Also, check the wind direction in the morning!

Headphones or not? If you are used to racing with headphones, bring them. I sometimes leave them on my ears (with the music off), and turn them on only when necessary. Make sure you can still hear everything around you though, that is key. I just wear one on low and have the other ear ready for anything!

If you need a short run before the race, go to Central Park. You’ll see many of your race buddies and get to enjoy the best place in the world for runners.

Find a mantra, or two, you might really need them. I write them in my hand where I am sure I will see it.

RACE LOGISTICS

Memorize your Start Schedule (or write in your hand like I do).  2023 version as example, this will be updated once available.

Screenshot 2023-03-08 at 5.43.44 PM

Getting to the start/Baggage Check. The easiest way to get there is to take the train.

Also, check the Start Map carefully. 2023 version as example, this will be updated once available.Screenshot 2023-03-08 at 5.46.24 PM

Give yourself ample time (as this is a weekend schedule) and check MTA for weekend alerts, or try any subway app: make sure your train is running! Avoid a last-minute mad rush: NO RACE BEFORE THE RACE. Also, if you are not sure where to go, I am 100% confident that if you just head over to the closest train stop, you’ll see someone you could follow to the race start.

During the race, please please be careful, stay alert, and keep the music down or off. If you need to stop for a walk or move sideways for water, please please please signal with your arms, and look around behind you before you make any moves, dO NOT just stop or go sideways. Be considerate of your fellow runners who could trip! The good side of having all these people around is you’ll always have someone to run with, pace off, or follow when you’re tired. Pick them up when you feel strong, encourage them when they need it, and keep your eyes peeled for anyone who might need help!!

There will be water/electrolytes around every mile or so, so if you miss one, don’t stress. Don’t go for the first table as everyone will do that. There are many tables: go to the last one. You’ll find the portapotties where the water is, so keep an eye out and don’t just dart sideways!

Think about joining an official pacer from the NYRR Pace Team, they’ll be wearing a blue and white striped singlet and will run even splits through all 13.1 miles of the United Airlines NYC Half.

RACE STRATEGY

The easiest way to tackle this race is to divide it into three parts:

  1. start comfy and relaxed -the first 3 miles are a roller coaster of a warm-up.

  2. at mile 5.4 pick the shit up

  3. at 54th St, hit the gas, and light the torch

Because this is not your typical half, where you can actually pick it up and finish fast, you have to pick your battles and do the best you can. I would race part 1 at 70% effort (or heart rate), part 2 at 80%, and part 3 at 95% and up. Obviously, adjust as you please.

Here is the course profile elevation. yeah.

Screenshot 2023-03-08 at 5.49.08 PM

 

Quick look at the course map too!

Screenshot 2023-03-08 at 5.48.03 PM

PART 1

Now we start on the side of Prospect Park: it will be SUPER crowded and downhill for the first hundred meters so please be careful.

Also, ppl won’t be ready and still looking for GPS signal and discarding layers, a recipe for disaster, look out and keep your ears attuned.

Stay to the right and once you turn, HELLO FIRST CLIMB.  You’ll be doing an out-and-back on Flatbush so relax and look at the runners on the other side. Those out-and-backs always get me super psyched. Keep yourself in a hard check. 

At around Mile two you are starting the climb onto Battle Pass Hill. You will feel this one, it’s early in the race but at least you had two miles to warm up the legs. Don’t be scared, but don’t be a fool to try to race up the hill.

Then we have a nice run by Grand Army Plaza and there is the straightaway on Flatbush for a couple of miles towards the bridge. From 2.5 to about 4.6 you have the easiest stretch of the race. Downhill, spacious, and the best time to relax and enjoy the race.

We are heading straight towards the Manhattan bridge thru Flatbush, which is, quite, and literally, easy.

Mile four will go SOOOO quickly with the excitement of the bridge coming towards you, that you won’t even notice the climb that starts at 4.6 It’s uphill for about a mile, 4.7 to 5.5, pretty up/long but so amazing and worth it. I can’t even tell you how insanely scenic Mile five is. AH ❤ 

WOOOOOOOW THAT WAS SUCH A RUSH!!!!!! VIEWS ON BOTH SIDES!!! SO EXHILARATING… HELP.

WOOOOOOOW THAT WAS SUCH A RUSH!!!!!! VIEWS ON BOTH SIDES!!! SO EXHILARATING… HELP.

The top of the bridge actually happens at about 5.6, and you start dropping quickly. Into Manhattan. That’s when we come face-first into the second part of our plan.

PART 2

Let’s

GO

This is when we pick things up. HARD. Mile five, the downhill from the bridge is going to feel like SO amazing, ride it hard. There is going to be a very hard right turn off the bridge right before Mile 6, brace yourself, but also, take it and keep your eye out for gels, they’re right there, along with some AMAZING views of the bridge and Chinatown you don’t want to miss out on.

Beautiful, right? But FOCUS.

This is when you can bang out some really fast miles on the FDR. Miles 7 and 8 all the way to 9.6 are flat, use them up, you’re going to miss them later.

You might get bored. Find someone 20 meters (yards?) ahead and chase them down.

Focus on the United Nations Building ahead, because that is where we turn left. That is also, ehem, where we start climbing again, at mile 9.7. There is a ramp you’ll hate. This is when things will start getting tough. Hold the pace. Stay right there, same effort. Mile 10 at 42nd and Lex will start feeling hard, but enjoy the views and the crowds. It’s quite special.

Also, it might feel windy here, there can be a wind tunnel from the east river to the Hudson (remember I told you earlier to check the direction of the wind?) so tuck between people if you can and stay in your rhythm.

At 7th Avenue, we turn right onto… TIMES SQUARE. A few blocks over, it’s Mile 11, and now you’re just really really really close.

and what happens now…?

PART 3

At 54th St, we MOVE. Why 54th? Well… it’s a combo of reasons, there’s a downhill and we are close enough to take into account the bumps along the road and the amount of time we have left. This will obviously depend on how much gas you have left in you. But if you paced yourself properly, this is the moment you waited for, so go for it. In 2019 I had my friend Whitney waiting there to signal the start of the end: 

We turn onto right Central Park South for a couple of blocks before entering the park and there’s Mile 12. 

A left onto the park, more rolling hills all the way to the 72nd transverse and IF YOU TRAIN IN CENTRAL PARK, I’D RECOMMEND YOU RAN THIS BIT ONCE OR TWICE BEFORE THE RACE. I promise it will make a huge difference to know exactly how it will feel (HARD, shocking, right?). The transverse is also an uphill until the middle, it will be (also) hard and I want you to be mentally prepared for it. 

And then, right there on W 67th Street, is the finish line! 

Get your medal obviously.

and walk. You have to walk to Columbus Circle to exit, that’s 59th St, so just keep moving.

Check the website for a map of the finish area. Then brunch, shower, ice bath, rest, eat more, sleeeeeep, all the stuff, you know!

For more, definitely check out the 2019 race report, and the 2019 race video.

Questions?? Anything to add? Anything you want to go over? Lmk in the comments below!

—-Comment happily: you won’t be asked to create an account!

Daytona Half Marathon – race video, 2020

Feb13

So, the world premiere…

race recap, with all the juicy bits, coming soon, maybe even sooner than you’d want it!

Enjoyed it?

Hope so!!!!! Details SOON…!

Hey 2020! January Recap

Feb3

January was like a dream. Awesome and gone too soon. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what happened before my amazing 2 weeks and 3 days in Buenos Aires, so let me go look it up, I really can’t remember.

Well, turns out, maybe nothing interesting happened in those 10 days because all I have left if my phone are pictures of my niece… she is really cute. Who knows what had happened, also, who cares?

According to my log, I run. And I remember that on the day that I was leaving it was like 70 degrees (in January, yes, a huge shocker) so YEY for garmin global warming! Ah, yeah, speaking of that, I got a new running watch, the garmin venu, pretty cute and awesome. It was a liiiitle sensitive topic for a bit because it was a gift from my husband, and I HATE gifts… so as much as didn’t want it, I also didn’t want to be an a**hole, so I kept it. And I ended up liking it… I am crazy, I KNOW. He also knows.

So, best part… OMG I RUN EVERYWHERE IN BUENOS AIRES and it was THE BEST. I wonder if I should put together a separate post, because I am sure enough ppl will fall on it, but I am lazy so I won’t. Here is a recap: it was so amazing. OK, maybe I will put a separate post together cause I am too lazy to write it all here… I can’t win.

The other thing that happened that I am now remembering is that my cutesy-hubsy starting running with me and my group. Given he has fallen off the training wagon and is in VERY poor shape, he can run at our pace. Good????? well, I love it. Also loved having him around for all those amazing runs in Argentina… 

DATA DOWNLOAD

 

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 186… I always end up with decent mileage in January in general… not sure why.
  • Downs: NONE
  • Ups: running on vacation AND running with my husband.
  • Balance: OMG Fucking AWESOME!!! Bring it on, 2020!

2019 Numbers and Overall Balance

Jan3
I’ve kept the last few years for comparison purposes… and my comments in Italics. I expect your comments below.
What do YOU think are the wins and fails? what about your wins and fails? What is the most important factor for you? Mileage, PRs, races..??
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Total Miles:
2009- 678
2010- 1217
2011- 886
2012- 1241
2013- 1109
2014- 1081
2015- 1237
2016- 1502
2017- 1616
2018- 1724
2019- 1858
— wow. simple: most miles ever. To be fair, I add 100 miles to my goal every year, so 1800 was the goal (from 1700 last year). awesome. thumbs up
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Races:
2009- 10 (9 in NYC, 1 in Nashville) 1 marathon, 2 halfs, one 18 miler, one 10k, one 5M, two 4M, one 3 miler and a Mile.
2010- 19 (13 in NYC, 1 in Boston, 1 in Boulder, 2 in NJ, 1 in Philly, and 1 in Buenos Aires)
2011- 12 (10 in NYC, 1 in DC, and 1 in NJ)
2012- 16 (13 in NYC, 1 in PA, 1 in Germany, 1 in Argentina)
2013- 11 (10 in NYC, one in NJ)
2014- 15 (12 in NYC, one in NJ, one in MA, and one in Argentina)
2015- 17 (16 in NYC, one in NJ)
2016- 13 (11 in NYC, two in NJ), 6 were half marathons
2017- 20 (all in NYC, 4 halfs, 1 full,5 5Ks!)
2018- 26 (all in NYC minus the Newport 10K -all short distances, longest were one half, one 15K and one 10 miler)
2019- 20 -all in NYC minus a 5K in Nice, France, and the Cherry 10 Miler in DC. One marathon (NYC!) four halfs and a lot of shorter distances!)
— Good amount and really a great mix of distances. Also, hey, a marathon, which hadn’t happened in a while. thumbs up
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PRs:
2009- Six! (Out of 10 races)
2010- Thirteen! (Out of 19 races)
2011- Six + 1 automatic (Out of 12 races)
2012- Three (marathon, 5K, mile) + 1 automatic (out of 16 races)
2013- Three (half mary, 4 miler, and 10K)
2014- ZERO!
2015- ONE – at the NYRR Hope and Possibility 5 Miler in June. I also came first woman in a 5K, but no PR there.
2016- ONE! at the United NYC Half.
2017- NONE. (one automatic, for a new distance, but.. whatever)
2018- none (of 26 races…!)
2019- Three! It took three years but one major PR in the 10 Miler which then I beat later in the year… wohoo
— could be better or more… but i’ll take it! thumbs up
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Highest Age Grading:
2009- 60%
2010- 69%
2011- 68.5%
2012- 71:29%
2013- 70.23%
2013- 70.20%
2015- 72.28%
2016- 72.68%
2017- 71.06%
2018- 71.37%
2019- 71.5%
— still the highest! also, grading was updated (and got harder) two years ago. thumbs up
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Injuries:
2009- 2 — retrocalcaneal bursitis (5 months out), piriformis syndrome (10 weeks out)
2010- ITBS (three weeks out right before the Boston Marathon!)
2011- broken shoulder, 2 broken ribs, torn rotator cuff (2 weeks before NYCM!)
2012- NOT ONE!
2013- NOT ONE RUNNING INJURY! WOHOOO
2014- just my will to run…?!?! So, yey, good!?!?!
2015- a little adductor strain. It took a few months to diagnose it, but didn’t stop me from running.
2016- NOPE
2017- NOPE
2018- NOPE. There was some weird ligament strain bothering me for a couple of months but I luckily didn’t have to stop running.
2019- NIET. I did fall twice but nothing that stopped my from running.
—#winning! thumbs up
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Races Cancelled or DNFed:
2009- none
2010- One DNF, a 50K where I fell twice.
2011- Chicago, DNS because of 2 stress fractures.
2012- ONE DNS (snow storm!), plus the NYC Marathon cancellation.
2013- none
2014- none
2015- Did the France Run without bib chip as I didn’t want to race it and skipped the Newport Half because wasn’t sure what was happening with my leg…
2016- One DNS: Philly Marathon
2017- Many.
2018- a few. Mostly a few halfs.
2019- nope
—Because of the knee strain that I didn’t want to turn into an injury, I skipped a few Fall halfs. But I still raced the most ever and even got a few AG wins and placings! thumbs up
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Highest/Average Weekly Mileage:
2009- Highest: 40. Average: 13
2010- Highest: 40. Average: 23
2011- Highest: 36. Average: 17
2012- Highest: 40. Average: 25
2013- Highest: 43. Average 21.
2014- Highest: 43. Average 20.
2015- Highest: 40. Average 23.6
2016- Highest: 50. Average 28.8
2017- Highest: 49. Average: 29.4
2018- Highest: 49. Average: 33.1!
2019- Highest: 56. Average: 35,6
—YAAAAAAAAA! ON FIRE!!!! thumbs up
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Marathons:
2009- One (NYC). PR: 3:45:22
2010- Two (NYC and Boston). PR: 3:42:33
2011- Two (National and NYC). PR: 3:37:57. DNS in Chicago for injury.
2012- One (Berlin). PR: 3:27:44
2013- One (NYC). A MegaMESS
2014- Two (Boston and NYC).
2015- NONE. isn’t that insane?
2016- No thanks.
2017- One. Mohawk Hudson River Marathon.
2018- No thanks!
2019- One. NYC: with a course PR by like 10 minutes from like 10 years ago!!!! WOHOOOO
— #QUEEN thumbs up
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Half Marathons:
2009- Two. PR was 1:45:55
2010- Six. PR is 1:42:47
2011- Two. No PR.
2012- Two. No PR. (though there was an unofficial half marathon PR in the second half of the Berlin marathon)
2013- Three. A 1:37:35 PR and two I did for training (1:45 and 1:42).
2014: FOUR! NYC Half, Brooklyn, Gretes’ Great Gallop and Staten Island. Not ONE PR!
2015- Three raced, one Paced. NYC Half, Brooklyn, More (pacing the 1:45 group) and Staten Island
2016- SIX. the most!
2017-Four. Raced only two of those.
2018- One. Ouch.
2019: Four, all within 1:42 to 1:39…. 
— very far from 1:36… oh well, we do what we can….! thumbs down.
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THE BALANCE
Besides some consistent running throughout (even on vacation in France!) and some really decent race results and placings, the best part was the races I got to do and the places I run on. Running in Nice was amazing, I got to see SO much… Running in Paris was ridiculous, I am so lucky I get to see the cities empty and sometimes with my husband… it is such a luxury… I discovered another amazing place to run in Buenos Aires when I visit my family and pop in for churros on my way to my parents.. the habits we develop as runners can’t be understated… I love that my crew loves to run early, before the sun even comes out to play and that I get Central Park for myself. I love that I am not in a team, running with no pressure, or obligations, or even people who could be jealous/mean. Everyone around me is really supportive and there for a reason. The running scene for me means friends/early morning/health/laughs/social time. There is no pressure or competitiveness. Still, we all show up to try our best and be there for our buddies. That’s exactly how I like it. really high thumbs up
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What was your biggest accomplishment in 2019?
Do you have any goals for 2020?

December 2019 – closing out the double doors.

Jan2

was not like any recovery month… There was no “jumping into a training plan” right away but I got to squeeze some really good runs and workouts!

I managed some good weeks and also reached my yearly goal of 1800 miles by December 19! 

Also, I raced a half marathon.

Correction: a very HARD half marathon.

The start was fun. Senator Schumer was there

The Big Apple Half is 2.5 loops of Central Park, that includes 2 Harlem Hills and 3 Cat Hills. Hello. It was actually super fun. Not super crowded, the weather was I and I know the park like the back of my hand. 

It was pretty cold and I was the only person wearing a sleeveless shirt. Probably stooopid.

Also, I had Juan cheering in both loops which was so awesome.

For some reason, I got rid of my arm warmers and was even colder… I was frozen but it’s so hard to race with so many layers.

Also, about half the field passed me on the first mile. 

Of course I passed them all back in the last 4 miles… PEOPLE!! how do you think it’s smart to go all out in Central Park?? no matter how cold you are! Anyway, I did a faster half the one I did in October, and that one was flat, wooooo. Also, placed third in my AG! Wohooo! Getting an award!

Besides that there many fun workouts but nothing tops the Holiday Lights Run we do every december. Awesome video here. Love this run so much!

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 145. not bad… with the cold weather and a half marathon…!
  • Downs: it was very cold a few days. Also, I had a little procedure and then I hemorrhaged a few days so I had to skip a bunch of runs… booooo
  • Ups: feeling fit this early in the season. Or is it “late”?
  • Balance: 2019 was a blast, December included!

November

The month started all around the New York City Marathon… There was a run and fun times with my best Judys Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn a couple of days before…no big deal you know, we’re all team New Balance…

That was pretty cool… Then we got to the NYC Marathon expo, to get bibs and one million other things that we totally need will make my nyc apartment feel claustrophobic. 

 

Then, the big dance happened. The NYC Marathon report is here. And the crazy video of that morning is here. It was amazing. I rested for a week. I also got a cold so I was barely running for two weeks. I then got a little surgery so I stopped for a few days. Then… Thanksgiving.. a month full of things but little running… and it shows in the numbers!!

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 121. Lowest month this year. Nothing bad with that.
  • Downs: not being able to run after the marathon. I got a stoooopid cold and I felt miserable. also, it is frrrrrreeeezing
  • Ups: the marathon!!!!!!!!! 
  • Balance: meh. I need to adjust to this cold weather. I am not INTO this.

October

was a kick in the face, LITERALLY

Runs were good, did a half marathon -the Brooklyn Half, here is the race report, plus here is the video, did a couple of weekend “last ten miles of the marathon” runs, all good, but, of course, I had to fall again. WTF SERIOUSLY ELIZABETH, YOU JUST NEED ALL THE ATTENTION DON’T YOU?

This fall was bad. Once I hit the ground I knew it. I felt all the blood all over my face instantly and I feared for my nose so hard. I didn’t even think I could have gotten a gash on my face or broken teeth or my lip, nope, I sat and touched my nose bones everywhere… IT WAS FINE THANK YOU OMG. I could still feel all the blood pouring down from my face, not sure where from so I assumed I had a hole somewhere in my face WHOCARESMYNOSEISFINE!! This was during speedwork so about 20 of my friends showed up 4 minutes later and they all looked at me so scared, I knew something was wrong…

On the first picture you can see all the blood that dripped from my face. My knees and elbow were badly scratched. I’d find out about two weeks later that I had a thin fracture in my nose and a bruised bone, the right knee. 

I WAS PISSED. I had fallen literally a month before in Bruges, WHY THE HELL DO I KEEP FALLING? anyway, I know why, it’s fine. that was on a Tuesday, I couldn’t really run so I took a few days off. I was doing the Brooklyn Half that Saturday so I showed up to the start line unsure if I could run, and super traumatized about the fall… The half, actually, went fine. Again, here is the race report, plus here is the video, and I didn’t win anything but also didn’t crawl… Glad I showed up!

So, you know I was recruited by New Balance to run the NYC Marathon, right? well, that’s old news now but here are a few shots of that prep!

A few “last ten” runs, one last speedwork… and the marathon was around the corner, but you’ll have to wait for that report… 

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 155 NOT bad, given I had a bad fall…>!
  • Downs: Training is done… we just now heal from this stooopid fall and taper, UGH. The taper felt more abrupt given the fall.. I was doing a lot less than I wanted to.
  • Ups: Felt good during the half.
  • Balance: only time will tell!

September

Heeeey October, what’s up? I am SO READY for this… but let me get to the recap first!

We started the month in Nice ->my husband was competing in the Half Ironman World Championships. Running in Nice was EVERYTHING -so amazing- and here are some pics! I truly enjoyed it. My runs were slow crap but the scenery was top notch -also, it was quite hilly. The food was RIDICULOUS. Love. The highlight was a 5K organized by Ironman, where I did horribly. My legs were crap all week. The next week I did a run in Brugge, in Belgium, where I… emmm… hit the pavement a bit and got scratched up a bit… it was no fun… I started hyperventilating and almost crying. Luckily Juan was with me and helped me relax… so scary, but the run was gorgeous. 

Then we went to Paris for a week and it was also amazing… I run about 4 or 5 days but my runs were still slow. Maybe it was all the food, maybe it was my vacation mindset, maybe it was PMS (or all 3!). Again, and of course, Paris is amazing. 

Anyway, the first half of the month was unbeatable… then I came back to NYC (yeah, nothing to sneeze at) and had two weekends to complete the month. Weekend 1 I did a 22 miler with 6 loops of the top loop (Harlem Hill) which is NO joke, oh, and a rabid pace. It an insane confidence booster.

Weekend 2 I run the Bronx 10 Miler -ha, in the Bronx!- and I PRed HARD. It was a bit shocking given my PR was from a flat 10M in nice weather but it happened. My pacing was ridiculous. These are my last 6 miles:

And it was so much fun… see the proof:

Anyway, it was awesome! time for the:

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 147 ha. Vacation in France. what else need I say?
  • Downs: more croissants please!
  • Ups: it was gorgeous over there, FAST over here.
  • Balance: time to catch up. that was fun but there is work to do now.

August

Full of PRs!

I have no idea how this happened. Yes, I have been training like a beast since December and yes, I always surprised when things turn well (to me, the key to being happy is always having low expectations!!!) but omg how did I run the highest mileage I ever did without intending or noticing? I did 216 miles. That is insane!  Also, there was a little racing to be done… The month started with SUMMER STREETS!!!!!! Summer Streets is my favorite. I did all 3. It is the BEST.

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The first summer streets I did 10 miles because/but I had the Manhattan 7 Mile race the next day, OOOPS… SOMEHOW, I PRed, but that’s only because 7 miles is such an odd distance and because I was sick last year when I did it. My pace was actually good enough for top 20 (out 2435 women) and 2nd in my AG (out of 357) which is quite shocking! My expectations were so slow and I had so much fun that it’s shocking that I did well..

Then I did about 19.5 in summer streets, speedwork, many great workouts….

and did a 5K, another one of the PPTC Al Goldstein Summer Series which was actually decent! I came in 1st in my AG and 20 SECONDS FORM A PR. WTF! ALL I DO MAKES NO SENSE!

More workouts, more summer streets, more miles, the highest week ever in my life and then I did a half in the Rockaways with Andrea and Elizabeth. It wasn’t particularly good but a decent effort. Overall, a month I didn’t plan and couldn’t have foreseen!

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: the MOST ever ever. woooot. didn’t even know this was happening while it was happening. blame summer streets?
  • Downs: that it’s over????
  • Ups: HOLY CRAP I AM STILL HIGH FROM ALL THIS RUNNING!!!!
  • Balance: MORE more more more please.

July

You’re so predictable, hot weather and all, but so so great. I love summer, have I told you that before? You’ll never hear me complain about the heat, unless I don’t want to wash my hair that day and it’s getting to be a sweaty mess, ever. The tiny layers, the sweatiness, the sprinklers, the sun, the colorful runners, the never-ending weekend morning runs that always come down to a sweat puddle in a brunch situation… omg the finest things in life….

so, July, I went to see a preview of this movie which was a blast and a true story about a girl who decides to run the NYC Marathon. It has very funny running moments. If you’ve seen it, let me know your thoughts!

On July 3rd I run a 5K, which was burning hell a bit balmy. I did ok. I started slow, you know, to warm up a bit more up the hill and the hammered down to get 1st in my AG. YEAH. Then I almost melted.

There was a LOT of running actually in July, fun runs, speedwork, tempos, long runs, always with the most amazing friends and all over the city! 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: the most so far this year, so yeah, GOOD, and a even few miles ahead of he 1800 yearly miles goal.
  • Downs: there was a bunch of rain… like flash flooding. Two of my 5Ks got cancelled because of rain..
  • Ups: ALL OF IT! I LOVE SUMMER RUNNING!
  • Balance: MORE please.

June

was awesome and QUICK…?

It started with the Italy Run, a 5 miler in Central Park that was fun. I run it with a few friends and we had a blast. The next weekend, I raced the Mini10K, hot as always but also a blast, so how could I miss it? The next weekend I raced the Queens 10K, also always hot but totally manageable this year. Then the next weekend I raced the Front Runners NY Pride Run. Yes, a race every weekend. A little insane on the racing side but that is how I like my summers… There were also some amazing runs sprinkled in. Like, for example, that midweek run where we went up Riverside to see the goats munching on poison ivy…

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 157. Racing that much kills the mileage.
  • Downs: NOT ONE!
  • Ups: Racing! Love seeing all my friends at the races!!!!
  • Balance: July, here we come!!!!

 

May

was a quick one… It bothers me a bit that mileage goes down as soon as the weather gets nicer BUT that is only because I race much more and hey quality over quantity (plus mini tapers…!). You just can’t do it all -or do it all well, correct? So, I’ve been replacing my tempos by races this past month, I only got in a tempo or two, I just can’t do that many hard miles a week. But I always get my intervals in!

Early May I run the Sharon 5 Miler, which was super horribly hill fun! 

 

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I REALLY need to get out of NYC more… I always say that and I then I get so lazy. Anyway, that was a super fun weekend out of town with friends. Then we had the Brooklyn Half, which was also awesome!

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 134, I am getting behind on my 1800 goal!
  • Downs: just the mileage.
  • Ups: all the races and the runs and the friends. Life and running is GOOD.
  • Balance: I am in a good, GREAT, place. see below…

I have come to terms with WHERE I AM. For 3 years I haven’t PRed and I was pouting about it. I had a few PRs this year, yes, but it’s because it’s at distances I hadn’t bothered with before, it’s like they almost don’t count. A few months ago, I’d get a 1:40 half and I’d point it was about 4 minutes off my 1:36 PR. Now I KNOW that 1:40 is where I am. I am training hard, I am doing all that I should be doing, and HEY, I am older, THIS IS MY BEST. And it’s fine. I am happy with it. Not sure how to explain what changed in my perspective. I am not sure I can say that I will never get closer to 1:36 again -because the truth is not only I am not sure I can get there at all but if I could it is a very remote possibility I am not willing to chase. This, this right here today, is my best. And it sort of reset my goals and status quo of what I can and want to do. Hard RESET. Let’s go.

April

Just like that, we are back to RACING!!!! I started the month with a race I had heard SO much about, the Washington DC Cherry Tree Blossom 10 Miler, an epic run through a very scenic and historic course. The race was truly beautiful, joyful and fast. The race report is here and the video recap is there as well. There was a taper before, a recovery after and then I race the Hot Chocolate 15K in Brooklyn. Also Fun. Did pretty well and the speed is coming back (slowly). Training is good for the soul. And the race results ;-). Oh and I almost forgot: I did a relay marathon in a 200-meter track. That was fun and brutal and insane and fun. More here.

Of course, there were many other fun runs, speedwork sessions, group intervals and what not. See pictures below for more:

 

I ate everything with melted chocolate dip and washed it down with chocolate

DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 127, CRAP. Three races really bring down the total with the taper and the recovery…
  • Downs: legs were sore
  • Ups: All the fast miles!!!
  • Balance: Good month overall. Hard work is starting to pay off!

March

was momentous!! On December 10 I started a training program (that I wrote obviously) that would take me through the NYC Half on March 17. It took 527 miles, 14 weeks, 101 miles at goal pace, 6 training partners, two continents as training grounds, and a lot of sweat to get there. The United NYC Half popped up and it was glorious. My race recap is here, and the race video recap is here if you are curious. It was not a PR or a particularly fast race but I felt strong and did amazing. I was able to crush the distance and come out happy. I love halfs. This one is super scenic and that helps.

 

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The other BIG thing is that I was in Buenos Aires for a week and the running was AMAZING!!!! I will post a video soon. Or maybe a “where to run” type post but for now, here are a few pictures for now:

 

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Running in Palermo was a total blast. Can’t wait to go back. I really will work on a post. 100%!

DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 159, still ok, the taper and the post half recovery slowed me down! Though I am still somehow 31 miles ahead of the 1800 miles goal for 2019.
  • Downs: not one!
  • Ups: I had an insane 5-mile tempo that will inspire me all year. Running in Palermo. Finally managing to do speed by myself when I don’t have an option. This month was above the charts!
  • Balance: TOO GOOD

February

was cold and FAST. Did I tell you I have been training HARD?? I started mid-December, this is week 12 of 14. First race is the NYC Half in two weeks. Training is going amazing. The hardest part was the first 2-3 weeks… when I still didn’t think I could do it. It had been so long since I had a written-down-formal-training-program that I was a bit scared. But if my runners do it, why wouldn’t I? They inspired me. They ask for it, they pay for it, they’re not afraid… what am I waiting for??? So I did it to myself!!!!

So… it was aggressive. So far in these 12 weeks, I’ve run 83 miles under 7:30 pace. Which is what I think should be around my half marathon pace (though who knows?); that’d be around a 1:38 half, not a PR but I don’t think I am in PR shape. We shall see in the next few months… stay tuned.

February had a little snow, some cold days, some brutally cold days, lots of friends and runs, no races, and I don’t remember what else. It was chill, fun, and rewarding.

 

2019-02-09 14.30.47 (2)
2019-02-22 06.27.56
2019-02-14 18.34.36
2019-02-12 07.14.43 (2)
2019-02-03 11.33.14
2019-02-13 06.44.49
2019-02-20 06.45.36
2019-02-19 07.10.19
2019-02-09 09.13.53
2019-02-17 14.46.55
2019-02-03 09.23.13
2019-02-05 07.44.06
2019-02-23 08.40.54
2019-02-02 09.47.00
2019-02-02 08.08.31

DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 170. not bad. at all. for a short month
  • Downs: by the end of the month I was getting sick of the cold… as usual.
  • Ups: Training is going amazing!
  • Balance: Excited for warm weather and less laundry soon!

January

was something: it started REALLY HOT (the first day of the year I did speedwork in a sports bra!) and then it was record-breaking COLD. Running in the cold is so tricky… if you’re underdressed you’ll be miserable (and prone to injure stiff muscles), but if you’re overdressed you’ll also be miserable (and prone to not finish a workout either). Not only I spend way more time layering up but leveling each layer’s materials is a science I work at perfecting every day. Plus, add the wind-chill, the humidity, the area you’ll be running around, and the specific workout to the variables and it could literally cripple you in distress before you even start running… WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF, HUH?

ANYWAY… so it was hot, then cold, then freezing, then back to cold that felt warm because after freezing cold is nothing. I am, somehow, still sticking to my crazy exhausting training plan, and it’s actually going great (some days better than others!). It’s mostly 4 hard workouts a week, but I built them slooooow, so it’s all safe. Painfully horrible BUT SAFE. It’s going well. Plus, I’ve had a few good friends jump in to help in, to pace, to train with, or just distract me from my thoughts of jumping into the reservoir. They are ALL faster than me. I swear. No joke, it’s super humiliating humbling, every week. My main pacer, Pamela Hunt, just won Runner of the Year at the NYRR Club Night. And there I am, trying my best, huffing and puffing, week after week. Why? Because I a not ready to give up. Not yet.

January was a challenging month on the personal side, most of you know. It was heartbreaking but also full of joy. I am trying to navigate all those super strong emotions. We learn something every day if we keep our eyes and hearts open. I am mostly thankful to get to go through this, and to know the people in my life are super strong and we hold each other up.

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 147. Not bad! IF I am shooting for 1,800 miles in 2019, the monthly average should be around 158, so I need to up it up a bit. I think it’s hard to put on a lot of miles when I am training because I am currently doing 4 hard workouts a week, so I need more rest than usual…
  • Downs: just the world-record-breaking really really really cold temps
  • Ups: I have managed to stick to my training even in this cold weather!
  • Balance: starting the year STRONG! Let’s go!

November was a WIN

Dec6

The month started all around the New York City Marathon… There was a run and fun times with my best Judys Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn a couple of days before…no big deal you know, we’re all team New Balance…

That was pretty cool… Then we got to the NYC Marathon expo, to get bibs and one million other things that we totally need will make my nyc apartment feel claustrophobic. 

 

Then, the big dance happened. The NYC Marathon report is here. And the crazy video of that morning is here. It was amazing. I rested for a week. I also got a cold so I was barely running for two weeks. I then got a little surgery so I stopped for a few days. Then… Thanksgiving.. a month full of things but little running… and it shows in the numbers!!

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Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 121. Lowest month this year. Nothing bad with that.
  • Downs: not being able to run after the marathon. I got a stoooopid cold and I felt miserable. also, it is frrrrrreeeezing
  • Ups: the marathon!!!!!!!!! 
  • Balance: meh. I need to adjust to this cold weather. I am not INTO this.

October

was a kick in the face, LITERALLY

Runs were good, did a half marathon -the Brooklyn Half, here is the race report, plus here is the video, did a couple of weekend “last ten miles of the marathon” runs, all good, but, of course, I had to fall again. WTF SERIOUSLY ELIZABETH, YOU JUST NEED ALL THE ATTENTION DON’T YOU?

This fall was bad. Once I hit the ground I knew it. I felt all the blood all over my face instantly and I feared for my nose so hard. I didn’t even think I could have gotten a gash on my face or broken teeth or my lip, nope, I sat and touched my nose bones everywhere… IT WAS FINE THANK YOU OMG. I could still feel all the blood pouring down from my face, not sure where from so I assumed I had a hole somewhere in my face WHOCARESMYNOSEISFINE!! This was during speedwork so about 20 of my friends showed up 4 minutes later and they all looked at me so scared, I knew something was wrong…

On the first picture you can see all the blood that dripped from my face. My knees and elbow were badly scratched. I’d find out about two weeks later that I had a thin fracture in my nose and a bruised bone, the right knee. 

I WAS PISSED. I had fallen literally a month before in Bruges, WHY THE HELL DO I KEEP FALLING? anyway, I know why, it’s fine. that was on a Tuesday, I couldn’t really run so I took a few days off. I was doing the Brooklyn Half that Saturday so I showed up to the start line unsure if I could run, and super traumatized about the fall… The half, actually, went fine. Again, here is the race report, plus here is the video, and I didn’t win anything but also didn’t crawl… Glad I showed up!

So, you know I was recruited by New Balance to run the NYC Marathon, right? well, that’s old news now but here are a few shots of that prep!

A few “last ten” runs, one last speedwork… and the marathon was around the corner, but you’ll have to wait for that report… 

DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 155 NOT bad, given I had a bad fall…>!
  • Downs: Training is done… we just now heal from this stooopid fall and taper, UGH. The taper felt more abrupt given the fall.. I was doing a lot less than I wanted to.
  • Ups: Felt good during the half.
  • Balance: only time will tell!

September

Heeeey October, what’s up? I am SO READY for this… but let me get to the recap first!

We started the month in Nice ->my husband was competing in the Half Ironman World Championships. Running in Nice was EVERYTHING -so amazing- and here are some pics! I truly enjoyed it. My runs were slow crap but the scenery was top notch -also, it was quite hilly. The food was RIDICULOUS. Love. The highlight was a 5K organized by Ironman, where I did horribly. My legs were crap all week. The next week I did a run in Brugge, in Belgium, where I… emmm… hit the pavement a bit and got scratched up a bit… it was no fun… I started hyperventilating and almost crying. Luckily Juan was with me and helped me relax… so scary, but the run was gorgeous. 

Then we went to Paris for a week and it was also amazing… I run about 4 or 5 days but my runs were still slow. Maybe it was all the food, maybe it was my vacation mindset, maybe it was PMS (or all 3!). Again, and of course, Paris is amazing. 

Anyway, the first half of the month was unbeatable… then I came back to NYC (yeah, nothing to sneeze at) and had two weekends to complete the month. Weekend 1 I did a 22 miler with 6 loops of the top loop (Harlem Hill) which is NO joke, oh, and a rabid pace. It an insane confidence booster.

Weekend 2 I run the Bronx 10 Miler -ha, in the Bronx!- and I PRed HARD. It was a bit shocking given my PR was from a flat 10M in nice weather but it happened. My pacing was ridiculous. These are my last 6 miles:

And it was so much fun… see the proof:

Anyway, it was awesome! time for the:

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Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 147 ha. Vacation in France. what else need I say?
  • Downs: more croissants please!
  • Ups: it was gorgeous over there, FAST over here.
  • Balance: time to catch up. that was fun but there is work to do now.

August

Full of PRs!

I have no idea how this happened. Yes, I have been training like a beast since December and yes, I always surprised when things turn well (to me, the key to being happy is always having low expectations!!!) but omg how did I run the highest mileage I ever did without intending or noticing? I did 216 miles. That is insane!  Also, there was a little racing to be done… The month started with SUMMER STREETS!!!!!! Summer Streets is my favorite. I did all 3. It is the BEST.

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The first summer streets I did 10 miles because/but I had the Manhattan 7 Mile race the next day, OOOPS… SOMEHOW, I PRed, but that’s only because 7 miles is such an odd distance and because I was sick last year when I did it. My pace was actually good enough for top 20 (out 2435 women) and 2nd in my AG (out of 357) which is quite shocking! My expectations were so slow and I had so much fun that it’s shocking that I did well..

Then I did about 19.5 in summer streets, speedwork, many great workouts….

and did a 5K, another one of the PPTC Al Goldstein Summer Series which was actually decent! I came in 1st in my AG and 20 SECONDS FORM A PR. WTF! ALL I DO MAKES NO SENSE!

More workouts, more summer streets, more miles, the highest week ever in my life and then I did a half in the Rockaways with Andrea and Elizabeth. It wasn’t particularly good but a decent effort. Overall, a month I didn’t plan and couldn’t have foreseen!

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Small Recap

  • Total Miles: the MOST ever ever. woooot. didn’t even know this was happening while it was happening. blame summer streets?
  • Downs: that it’s over????
  • Ups: HOLY CRAP I AM STILL HIGH FROM ALL THIS RUNNING!!!!
  • Balance: MORE more more more please.

July

You’re so predictable, hot weather and all, but so so great. I love summer, have I told you that before? You’ll never hear me complain about the heat, unless I don’t want to wash my hair that day and it’s getting to be a sweaty mess, ever. The tiny layers, the sweatiness, the sprinklers, the sun, the colorful runners, the never-ending weekend morning runs that always come down to a sweat puddle in a brunch situation… omg the finest things in life….

so, July, I went to see a preview of this movie which was a blast and a true story about a girl who decides to run the NYC Marathon. It has very funny running moments. If you’ve seen it, let me know your thoughts!

On July 3rd I run a 5K, which was burning hell a bit balmy. I did ok. I started slow, you know, to warm up a bit more up the hill and the hammered down to get 1st in my AG. YEAH. Then I almost melted.

There was a LOT of running actually in July, fun runs, speedwork, tempos, long runs, always with the most amazing friends and all over the city! 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: the most so far this year, so yeah, GOOD, and a even few miles ahead of he 1800 yearly miles goal.
  • Downs: there was a bunch of rain… like flash flooding. Two of my 5Ks got cancelled because of rain..
  • Ups: ALL OF IT! I LOVE SUMMER RUNNING!
  • Balance: MORE please.

June

was awesome and QUICK…?

It started with the Italy Run, a 5 miler in Central Park that was fun. I run it with a few friends and we had a blast. The next weekend, I raced the Mini10K, hot as always but also a blast, so how could I miss it? The next weekend I raced the Queens 10K, also always hot but totally manageable this year. Then the next weekend I raced the Front Runners NY Pride Run. Yes, a race every weekend. A little insane on the racing side but that is how I like my summers… There were also some amazing runs sprinkled in. Like, for example, that midweek run where we went up Riverside to see the goats munching on poison ivy…

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 157. Racing that much kills the mileage.
  • Downs: NOT ONE!
  • Ups: Racing! Love seeing all my friends at the races!!!!
  • Balance: July, here we come!!!!

 

May

was a quick one… It bothers me a bit that mileage goes down as soon as the weather gets nicer BUT that is only because I race much more and hey quality over quantity (plus mini tapers…!). You just can’t do it all -or do it all well, correct? So, I’ve been replacing my tempos by races this past month, I only got in a tempo or two, I just can’t do that many hard miles a week. But I always get my intervals in!

Early May I run the Sharon 5 Miler, which was super horribly hill fun! 

 

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I REALLY need to get out of NYC more… I always say that and I then I get so lazy. Anyway, that was a super fun weekend out of town with friends. Then we had the Brooklyn Half, which was also awesome!

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 134, I am getting behind on my 1800 goal!
  • Downs: just the mileage.
  • Ups: all the races and the runs and the friends. Life and running is GOOD.
  • Balance: I am in a good, GREAT, place. see below…

I have come to terms with WHERE I AM. For 3 years I haven’t PRed and I was pouting about it. I had a few PRs this year, yes, but it’s because it’s at distances I hadn’t bothered with before, it’s like they almost don’t count. A few months ago, I’d get a 1:40 half and I’d point it was about 4 minutes off my 1:36 PR. Now I KNOW that 1:40 is where I am. I am training hard, I am doing all that I should be doing, and HEY, I am older, THIS IS MY BEST. And it’s fine. I am happy with it. Not sure how to explain what changed in my perspective. I am not sure I can say that I will never get closer to 1:36 again -because the truth is not only I am not sure I can get there at all but if I could it is a very remote possibility I am not willing to chase. This, this right here today, is my best. And it sort of reset my goals and status quo of what I can and want to do. Hard RESET. Let’s go.

April

Just like that, we are back to RACING!!!! I started the month with a race I had heard SO much about, the Washington DC Cherry Tree Blossom 10 Miler, an epic run through a very scenic and historic course. The race was truly beautiful, joyful and fast. The race report is here and the video recap is there as well. There was a taper before, a recovery after and then I race the Hot Chocolate 15K in Brooklyn. Also Fun. Did pretty well and the speed is coming back (slowly). Training is good for the soul. And the race results ;-). Oh and I almost forgot: I did a relay marathon in a 200-meter track. That was fun and brutal and insane and fun. More here.

Of course, there were many other fun runs, speedwork sessions, group intervals and what not. See pictures below for more:

 

I ate everything with melted chocolate dip and washed it down with chocolate

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Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 127, CRAP. Three races really bring down the total with the taper and the recovery…
  • Downs: legs were sore
  • Ups: All the fast miles!!!
  • Balance: Good month overall. Hard work is starting to pay off!

March

was momentous!! On December 10 I started a training program (that I wrote obviously) that would take me through the NYC Half on March 17. It took 527 miles, 14 weeks, 101 miles at goal pace, 6 training partners, two continents as training grounds, and a lot of sweat to get there. The United NYC Half popped up and it was glorious. My race recap is here, and the race video recap is here if you are curious. It was not a PR or a particularly fast race but I felt strong and did amazing. I was able to crush the distance and come out happy. I love halfs. This one is super scenic and that helps.

 

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The other BIG thing is that I was in Buenos Aires for a week and the running was AMAZING!!!! I will post a video soon. Or maybe a “where to run” type post but for now, here are a few pictures for now:

 

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Running in Palermo was a total blast. Can’t wait to go back. I really will work on a post. 100%!

DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 159, still ok, the taper and the post half recovery slowed me down! Though I am still somehow 31 miles ahead of the 1800 miles goal for 2019.
  • Downs: not one!
  • Ups: I had an insane 5-mile tempo that will inspire me all year. Running in Palermo. Finally managing to do speed by myself when I don’t have an option. This month was above the charts!
  • Balance: TOO GOOD

February

was cold and FAST. Did I tell you I have been training HARD?? I started mid-December, this is week 12 of 14. First race is the NYC Half in two weeks. Training is going amazing. The hardest part was the first 2-3 weeks… when I still didn’t think I could do it. It had been so long since I had a written-down-formal-training-program that I was a bit scared. But if my runners do it, why wouldn’t I? They inspired me. They ask for it, they pay for it, they’re not afraid… what am I waiting for??? So I did it to myself!!!!

So… it was aggressive. So far in these 12 weeks, I’ve run 83 miles under 7:30 pace. Which is what I think should be around my half marathon pace (though who knows?); that’d be around a 1:38 half, not a PR but I don’t think I am in PR shape. We shall see in the next few months… stay tuned.

February had a little snow, some cold days, some brutally cold days, lots of friends and runs, no races, and I don’t remember what else. It was chill, fun, and rewarding.

 

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2019-02-22 06.27.56
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DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 170. not bad. at all. for a short month
  • Downs: by the end of the month I was getting sick of the cold… as usual.
  • Ups: Training is going amazing!
  • Balance: Excited for warm weather and less laundry soon!

January

was something: it started REALLY HOT (the first day of the year I did speedwork in a sports bra!) and then it was record-breaking COLD. Running in the cold is so tricky… if you’re underdressed you’ll be miserable (and prone to injure stiff muscles), but if you’re overdressed you’ll also be miserable (and prone to not finish a workout either). Not only I spend way more time layering up but leveling each layer’s materials is a science I work at perfecting every day. Plus, add the wind-chill, the humidity, the area you’ll be running around, and the specific workout to the variables and it could literally cripple you in distress before you even start running… WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF, HUH?

ANYWAY… so it was hot, then cold, then freezing, then back to cold that felt warm because after freezing cold is nothing. I am, somehow, still sticking to my crazy exhausting training plan, and it’s actually going great (some days better than others!). It’s mostly 4 hard workouts a week, but I built them slooooow, so it’s all safe. Painfully horrible BUT SAFE. It’s going well. Plus, I’ve had a few good friends jump in to help in, to pace, to train with, or just distract me from my thoughts of jumping into the reservoir. They are ALL faster than me. I swear. No joke, it’s super humiliating humbling, every week. My main pacer, Pamela Hunt, just won Runner of the Year at the NYRR Club Night. And there I am, trying my best, huffing and puffing, week after week. Why? Because I a not ready to give up. Not yet.

January was a challenging month on the personal side, most of you know. It was heartbreaking but also full of joy. I am trying to navigate all those super strong emotions. We learn something every day if we keep our eyes and hearts open. I am mostly thankful to get to go through this, and to know the people in my life are super strong and we hold each other up.

 

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DATA DOWNLOAD

Overall Small Recap

  • Total Miles: 147. Not bad! IF I am shooting for 1,800 miles in 2019, the monthly average should be around 158, so I need to up it up a bit. I think it’s hard to put on a lot of miles when I am training because I am currently doing 4 hard workouts a week, so I need more rest than usual…
  • Downs: just the world-record-breaking really really really cold temps
  • Ups: I have managed to stick to my training even in this cold weather!
  • Balance: starting the year STRONG! Let’s go!