A PR Wedding!

Posts before this one: A Running Engagement / Engagement Pictures / I get married today!!!

In case you missed it, because this is going really fast, I got engaged two weeks ago. You don’t want to miss those pictures if you are a runner, and also, in there there is a link to how Juan and I met. Through Running. Of course.

On August 21st, we got engaged, Monday September 2nd we did our engagement pictures, which I don’t have yet (will share, but we have this one!) and by Tuesday September 3rd, we were married! Not world record fast, but I’d say an age group win for sure!!! That’s just how we roll (sometimes!).

We spent the weekend excited about it, and also looking for shoes. I know I have said this before, but I wanted hot pink shoes. Oh well. No such luck. Poor Juan walked with me and carried my purse and graham crackers and gave me his opinion on approximately 200 shoes I tried on. So not worth our time. Live and learn.

Monday we did our thing. We wanted to make sure we had our time with this. These ceremonies go so fast, they are gone in a second and we did a Life Objectives list, like an adventure plan, and our secret vows no one will ever hear. We had a great time with it. For us, that was the point of committing to each other. The rest was the fun and the cute rituals.

Tuesday came around, the morning flew by. We were going to meet some friends at City Hall at 2:30, so at 1:20 we got in a cab, at 12 we started getting ready, had lunch at 11! Didn’t want to run out of energy on a day like this, for sure! Juan and I kept looking at each other like we didn’t believe we were really doing this… It was so fun and surreal and exciting!

Weather turned sunny as soon as we stepped outside, for some weird coincidence; it had been muggy and cloudy for DAYS. My friend Maricela was coming from Philly to be our witness at City Hall, and she offered to get me the bouquet; I said thanks, but I thought a bouquet? I need a bouquet??? I hadn’t even thought about it!! When we got to City Hall, she had just gotten there too..

All photos in this post by our amazing friend and megawatt photographer Ben Ko. If you need pics, he’s your guy, tell him you know me 😉 Also many thanks to Tessa Benau for looking for spots and angles, and to Bryan Dulog and Kenneth Tom for helping with the flashes and all Ben needed. Such an amazing team of friends I have..

Maricela and I have been really close friends since 2001, even when I moved to NYC. I was just so happy that she took a day off work to come be with us. It’s funny how as soon as she met Juan in July she and her hubby thought we had to get married because we were perfect for each other. I called her a lunatic.

We got in line. And then we did another magic shot with no people 😉

Ken, Galya, Juan, Me, Maricela, and Flor

I am realizing looking at all these pictures now how goofy-faced we are all the time!

So, once we got our number, we thought we’d have like a half hour for pictures, or to have fun. No such thing!!! They called us to get our license and pay and then in to the chapel. All in a matter of 10 minutes. We barely got a few shots (well, we are FAST!)

Then, two minutes later, we were in the chapel. The officer asked if we’d do rings, OF COURSE, and told my friends to all get behind him so they could get better pictures… We were READY and giddy!!!

It looks like yellow gold, I know, but it’s not

Why do I have to ruin every photo?!?! Huh?

Florencia, one of my favorite people in the whole world, and us!

This is my “I am too excited to look normal” face

The impromptu bridal party, hahahaha! The wedding was so fast, two of them didn’t make it to the ceremony. NYC: the city where everyone is always running late (minus Juan and I, because he ALWAYS has to be early…!)

Sze, who also got there late…

Juan, you look a lot better with Mari. I am so sorry you married me!

Somehow this makes me think of Sex and the City…

Luckily, Tessa had gotten lost on her way to City Hall so she had seen a lot of spots to take pictures… This spot was amazing. Not only because the stairs looked amazing, but also because our view from up there was UNBELIEVABLE…

We then walked over to the park that is in Park Row… I had no idea it was called City Hall Park, and I always loved the fountain there. I think it is gorgeous, mostly because of the architecture surrounding it. If you’re in NYC, it’s a tiny little park to see, and it’s close to so many spots you’d visit (Ground Zero, Century 21). So cute.

Sorry, that is all my red lipstick all over your face!

A big group of Spanish tourists were just walking into the park and Ben somehow tried to communicate to them to get behind us. It was hilarious. Juan started screaming Viva Espania. They started screaming Viva Argentina, Vivan los novios. It was insane.

After those shots, came time to have some more relaxing fun. It was around 3:30 or 4 so we headed to a restaurant, and had food, which was great. It was just a small group so it was nice to take a little nice relaxing break. After some laughs and food, we headed over to the Terrace at Yotel, the biggest rooftop in the city, and a gorgeous view without the place being crowded or pretentious. Perfect. My friend Kettia found it, booked it and got it all set up. I really do have the best friends! REALLY.

runners, of course!

Martina, Daniela, Soledad, and Annette

Abbe, Baker, Erica, Lora, and Linda

Ibra, Juan, Me, Flor and Fahima

Flor. I look so BLONDE in this picture!

Kettia, me, Sze, and Flor

Emily, me, Baker and Abbe!

My friend and training partner Patricia, who is about to burst and then be the fastest mommy in NYC!

Ken, oh Ken.

Polka dots Michelle

Juan, me, Dimi and Mag

Emily x2, Annette, (Photobomb-Ken), Tessa, and Andrea

Wow, the wind…. Ned, Kirby, me, Emily and Linda!

After a few hours of chatting with everyone as much as we could, and me begging for water (without even lemon, stupid ulcer!) and stealing every french fry I saw, we headed home. It was way past my 10:30 pm bedtime and I was sleepy. We stayed up for a bit because we were so so so excited. It felt a little unreal, and it still does. Our whole story and every day is still unreal. We just get along so well, when people would ask Juan about the honeymoon, he’d say we’ve been on a honeymoon since we met. Even if we live in a tiny studio apartment.

It was a really great day and I am very happy about where we are. We cared a lot more about the marriage than the wedding, and we want to make sure we’re doing all we can to be fair, honest, respectful and loving to each other. This decision just made it much more of a commitment, but I am very excited about what we just started. Even if calling someone husband is still pretty weird…

Post following this one: Our Central Park Wedding Ceremony / NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

I get married today!!!

Sep3

Posts before this one: A Running Proposal / Engagement Pictures

In case you missed it, I got engaged in my last post. Yes, we do things fast (not running!!) –but also shows how little I’ve been blogging. All I’ve been doing, mostly, is look for shoes. Try to get this all figured out in 10 days, and the shoes become a problem, said the shoe-maniac. Well, I just wanted hot pink shoes, and only figured that out 4 days ago… So, we had to find a place, a dress, SHOES, and figure out who could make it, what we’d do and what we’d skip…

The thing is that was this is one tough month for us with two other weddings, a long holiday weekend, two days working for a race, and out of town for 4 days for another race, plus work and the ulcer. So we picked September 3rd or ~~bust~~ we’d have to wait another month… Which would have given us a lot of time to get it all done right, but… meh, life is too short, right. We get married today and have a little Central Park affair in a few days. We had our engagement pictures done yesterday, with a team-mate, Richie, who was such a sport… on our last day we’d be engaged… It’s a little crazy to be engaged for just 10 days!

Anyway, I’ll share more pictures soon, but for now one we took on our slow run yesterday; how perfect! Our friend Linda sent us over there and so we made it part of our run!

Engaged in the Big Apple; even if for just 10 days! Kubota’s sculpture, titled “Ringo” (the Japanese word for apple), in NYC for just a year!

Yes, I am running again… Little and slow, but LIFE IS GOOD. Feeling a Lot Better. I think it’s the power of the ring. Or the power of Love. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I never thought I would want to get married, ever. But it’s amazing how things change so fast when the right person comes around. Pure Insanity. Here we go!! Get ready, on your marks, get set… GO!

Posts following this one: A PR Wedding! / Our Central Park Wedding Ceremony / NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

A Running Engagement

Aug27

Well so it happened, we am engaged!!! But you want more details than that right? This is more personal that running, but I think it fits perfectly in a running blog because we were in running clothes, In Central Park, and in front of Fred Lebow, so yes, sharing…

The last weeks have been a little hectic, plus weird with me being sick with the ulcer and dieting to make it heal and not running much because I was weak. Juan was always by my side, not matter what. Always keeping me happy, making me smile, watching all the Harry Potters with me, and bringing me graham crackers or something. So much happened to us since we met, and even more in the last months, that we knew exactly in which direction we were going…. The truth is we got along perfectly since day one, I shared our crazy love story with you all a couple of months ago. Things kept developing fast and we decided to keep moving forward.

As we’re both Argentinians in NYC, we can pick and choose which rituals we’d prefer. I never wanted a big dress or a big wedding, but I did want a nice ring, which is not customary in Argentina. I love jewelry. But, I had no idea type of ring what I’d like, so it took a long while for me to make a pick! Two Fridays ago, after I found it. Wedding bands were purchased and sent for resizing. We were so happy, we made out right outside the store and went to get sushi to celebrate. We then decided to get married within 2 or 3 weeks, so… early September wedding!

But, alas, he said he wanted to propose like they do here in the movies… Ugh, I said, I want my ring! No, you’ll have to wait, he said. Okay. Resizing would take over a week so on Wednesday, when he started acting REALLY WEIRD, I figured it had to be something else. There was no way the ring would be ready.

I emailed to check what he was doing that afternoon, if he wanted to do something with me, or otherwise I’d make other plans (I wanted to go to Bloomingdale’s to find a cute dress). He said, can you come to the park with me and videotape me and we’ll do drills? This was suspicious enough: he hates drills more than winter! Can we go at 6:15? what weird schedule is he on??!?! Then he made me change into running clothes, then he asked me if I liked him better in shorts or tights, all ready weird things… and he was a complete mess! He was NERVOUS. Juan, you’ll know when you meet him, is NEVER NERVOUS. Never! NEVER.

Anyway, we walked around, he takes me to 85th st, we enter the park, then turns into the bridal path, very strange as we always walk in a different path… then we get to Engineer’s Gate.

Engineer’s Gate, if you are not familiar with the park is one of the nicest entrances, or the one I like the most! It’s also the way we enter the park from our apartment! And Fred Lebow’s Statue is right there.

Fred Lebow’s Statue… Make sure and watch Run for your Life, amazing movie!
**All pictures by Richie Hildebrand

He then starts talking about how special this part of the park is, and to us, and how we both always are happy there, and we always salute Fred… all so ceremonial… he was on some kind of speech…

Everybody was across the street!!!

Juan had duct-taped the whole ring box to his back… apparently it hurts when you rip it out. But he was so nervous, he was sweating a lot and almost lost it midway!

Also, I could have worn some decent-sized shorts if I thought about this twice…

I hadn’t screamed yet about the duct tape on the floor. Yes, yes I did!

ah, finally, he’s breathing…

My precious!

See? he picked it up. By the way, we were happy. He was relieved. I was a bit embarrassed. But overall HAPPY.

Look away!!! GROSS!

Then we became a little bit social…

I can’t say this often enough: I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS.

Juan’s never looked so tired in his life. I have no idea why he was so stressed out!

Of course we were jumping with joy. hahaha, got that?

well, everyone was…

So we sat down. he was sweating for two days and I had to walk 7 blocks and then jump. I am too old for this.

We went up the stairs to the reservoir to take some pics. It never gets old up there. Always gorgeous.

Don’t we look like we belong together??? WE’RE EFFING ADORABLE!

**All pictures by Richie Hildebrand

**All pictures by Richie Hildebrand

We took off after that. Everybody was going to some bar for a ultra celebration (as in ultramarathon!) and we were exhausted. He had stressed like crazy and I wasn’t feeling so great that day so we just wanted to keep it quiet. The thing is, as soon as this was done, it was all over facebook. We turned the phones silent and went to have a romantic dinner, and a moon-lit walk by the river. It was perfect.

Anyway, here is my good news for the month! We’ll be getting married in a couple of weeks and all needs to be planned URGENTLY. It includes a little City Hall thing, with a friends thing, and then a picnic ceremony in Central Park thing, and maybe running a race that same weekend in bride/groom outfits thing. So ALL very running related, because, really, that’s us! (Or that’s just me, he’d tell you he’s not a runner: he’s a triathlete, but sushhhh!)

Posts following this one: Engagement Pictures / I get married today!!! /

A PR Wedding! / Our Central Park Wedding Ceremony /

NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

His and Hers – Running Style

Aug13

I always thought those embroidered towels were stooopid… but this is different!

Marathon Hats for me. Ironman visors for him (apparently triathletes ONLY use visors…?!?!)

Saucony Grid Type A5s, His are Blue, Mine are Pink. Obviously. These shoes seem to get along really well!

What happens when we get to the park and we both have our own workouts to take care of: his Adidas ADIOS and my Mizuno SAYONARA.

It’s ok, you can say it…

running = hypochondria

Aug12

You know what I am talking about…. As soon as your race is around the corner, you fear everything.

Every stair case is a lethal trap, every meal is suicidal adventure, and getting sick is… your worst nightmare.

I read this bit once from this Magill’s article in RW and it really stuck with me:

I was thinking of that when I read Nick Symmonds post today about the same fears… “I could not have asked for a better final workout going into this World Championships, but despite this, I will spend the next 24 hours trying to suppress my fears. What if I get tripped in the race? What if my spikes break? What if I get food poisoning tonight? Each time a thought like this pops into my scatter-brain, I re-play the wise words of my sports psychologist, Jeff Troesch: “It is much more likely that your race will be ruined due to expending energy on needless fretting, than due to any of those events actually occurring.”

So… I realize running might be making us look like hypochondriacs… I, of course, think that is normal.

Now, with an ulcer, pills that make me dizzy and weak, and directions NOT TO RUN, I get the “worry about getting better first” from everyone when all I can think about is how I am not gonna make it to my goal marathon (Mohawk-Hudson in October 13).

So, being sick SUCKS. Being SICK when you’re on a schedule, sucks double. I can’t just not think about it!!!

I get it though. I do. I need to put my health first. And I try my best. It is not easy. I am wired to go run when I DO NOT WANT TO. When it’s cold, when I am tired, when I have better things to do. So, giving up something I like and I do even when I don’t like it so much, is not easy.

Also, not running makes me feel like not I am not myself. Like I can’t choose, like I can’t have the life I want. And I miss the endorphins. Even if everything else in my life is perfect, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate fully without the clarity that running gives my brain, and the elation feeling I get in my body.

Even worse, when I feel bad, I need my runs more. So, it’s not easy to stay put, to focus on healing, giving up my hobby without a fight.

On the other hand, I am not stoopid. I will sit, focus on healing and getting better (and stop being so dizzy and weak, for Pre’s sake!!), try to be smart and have plans B, C and D for marathons in November, December, January… for whenever I can start training. Just don’t expect me to not care about when I’ll be back running, OKAY?

I got an endoscopy and a different diagnosis: AN ULCER

Aug8

before this one….

Yeah, an ulcer. WHO get ulcers?? Well, with all I was expecting, I am quite relieved. Let me tell you…

I saw the gastroenterologist on Monday, and she gave me a different medication for the pain. A stronger medication. It scared me a bit because I had read about PPIs, the side effects and how long people stay on those. But, I noticed right away…. I had less pain on these. I even could slide down to a horizontal position at around 4 or 5 am when my stomach calmed down. YES.

Wednesday afternoon I had the endoscopy at 2 pm. You can’t eat anything 8 hours before, and I am not supposed to eat 3 hours before I go to sleep, and I was still going to work so had to go to sleep early, so: I didn’t eat ANYTHING from 8 pm until 2 pm. A big deal if you consider how weak and hungry I already was. I was foggy all day and by time I was going to the clinic I was so light headed I wasn’t even sure I’d make it.

The intake was long and I realized this endoscopy was no small test but a PROCEDURE. My vitals were not good, all was low. Apparently a blood sugar of 57 was too low and they put me on an IV with simple syrup. Lots of questions, tests, precautions. I told everyone I talked to to let Juan in as soon as they put me in recovery to wake up from the procedure. I felt safe and ready to do it.

Two seconds later, I wake up and Juan is there helicoptering. I start talking super fast, I make no sense, and I am really dizzy, I had as many cups of apple juice I could get in. YUM. A bit later, the doctor comes over and explains: There was an ulcer. It’s 10 mm. (Ulcers could be caused by stress -stress?? WTF??? not sure I have any stress other than Juan proposing 5 times a day!- or it could also be cause by the aspirin I’ve taken every day for 9 years). It was NOT GERD, the acids were trying to eat out a part of me because they thought the ulcer was another burger… So the pills I am taking control the acid, which help the ulcer heal. I still need to do the GERD diet (acids hurt, and big meals stretch it all out, which makes the ulcer also hurt) for a bit and hopefully in a few weeks I will be able to eat more things, maybe still smaller meals… In a week I get the results of the biopsy, to see if there was a bacteria to treat with antibiotics (woohooo!!) and what’s the course to take.

An ulcer seems to be no fun, but I am glad it’s not GERD. The gastroesophageal reflux disease was just the symptoms (and treatment) and hopefully it’ll go away. It was a huge relief to know I most probably won’t have to diet forever. I’ve stopped taking my aspirin (obviously!) but I am seeing my cardiologist on Friday just in case. Now I can already foresee my cardiologist worrying stoopid that I am stressed out…

Anyway, back on the diet, after starving yesterday, added Graham Crackers, and happy because knowing what it is gives you some power back, and because I think I can manage to be done with this in a month or two (or I hope so!), instead of thinking I’d have to live like that forever! Thanks everybody for your super nice messages and love in the last two weeks (wow, TWO weeks of my life already!!!).

I am on mile 21… hopefully I’ll see you at the finish soon!

Summer Streets in NYC

Aug6

What is Summer Streets, you say?

On three consecutive Saturdays in the summer, nearly seven miles of New York City’s streets are opened up for everyone to play, run, walk and bike.

I love Summer Streets! You get Park Avenue on the Upper East Side all the way downtown to the Brooklyn Bridge for yourself, and then some. There are events, water stations all over, and you really feel like you own the streets. I love Summer Streets, did I tell you already?

The first one was last Saturday. And I was excited and horrified that I would miss one.

As slow as I was, I let the boyfriend go first, do his mileage and then circle back to run with me. There was a little mist and it was cloudy: perfect. Less people!! We went out early because it becomes a nightmare later, closer to 11 or noon. He went out at 7, I met him at 9.

My distance and speed were non-important to this run, but you’ll get how amazing it was when you see the pictures. All photos are Juan’s.

In case you can’t go in a straight line: a map

This is where it starts, on 72nd and Park Ave, heading south, towards Grand Central in the background…

I look bent like my stomach is hurting. Which is probably the case always,

On the other side of Grand Central. Looking like I digested something now. Also, what you do at stops signs.

Most of them don’t bite

If you live in NYC, you know Brian. you just do.

I love these things. Yes, I love water, I love free water, and I love water that is everywhere. These things are EVERYWHERE. So I love them.

Make sure you read the “repair” part before you throw a tantrum.

Free Advertising. BEST SHAKESPEARE EVER. If you are in NYC, GO SEE Love’s Labour’s Lost. MOST FRIKING AMAZING THING YOU’LL SEE EVER. EVER. I PROMISE.

At the end: the Brooklyn Bridge, which is never this lonely!

Twelve miles of GERD

Aug5

After 8 days of pain, I decided I wanted to try a run, so Friday I set out to test out my legs. I really had no idea what I was up against.

Consider this:

-in one week, I had lost 5 pounds

-i’ve been eating less than 1,000 cal a day, average is probably around 800

-i can’t wear tight things around my chest or stomach

-i can’t sleep a lot, or I sleep uncomfortable

-i feel weak and dizzy

I really had no idea what to expect. Getting dressed was a challenge, all shorts and sports bras felt REALLY tight (even if I was skinnier now!!!), I found an old bra and loose tights that did the trick. I brought Juan in case I fainted of course. I figured out it’s be easier in the morning when my stomach was empty, so nothing was sloshing around, I just had my pill and 3 tablespoons of honey for energy (the new gels!!!). I waited and hour and went.

Friday I did 4 miles. The beginning and the end were tough. My average pace was 10:45. If i tried to go faster, my chest would hurt. I was dizzy throughout and dead tired after.

Saturday was ROUGH. I did 5 miles, but I was miserable, I should have stopped earlier. I couldn’t figure out where I was (Juan was with me of course no worries!!!), was dizzy and couldn’t focus. I was really dead tired after. Pace was 10:30s.

Sunday, I managed only 3 miles. They were around 9:55, as I was running with my friends/team mates in their long run, but I couldn’t muster any more than that. I was completely blah after.

I am not even sure this is worth it, but crappy running is better than no running!

(August) Biomechanics Coaching Session GIVEAWAY

Aug2

JULY’S GIVEAWAY RESULTS!!!

Wow, July’s giveaway was a hitttt!! Thanks all for participating!! As picked officially by rafflecopter here, the winner is… Kashi D!!

I know a few of you will be disappointed you didn’t win, so I am hosting another giveaway for August!! See below and participate!

———————

Nine out ten people I have coached were wrong when describing their running form. And if no one had video-taped them before, how could they possibly know?? Have you ever seen your running technique close up, frame by frame? No matter how fast or slow you are, there is always something you can do to perfect or injury-proof your running skills.

Not sure what you are doing, form-wise? Or why it sometimes hurt? You know you could run better, faster, or more efficiently? You know you could glide…? Have you been injured? You know you should change your form but not sure what or how?

I am here to help!! I am giving away a Biomechanics Coaching Session a month!

Why do you need a Biomechanics Coach?

Very simple! Running is a skill and it needs to be mastered to avoid injuries and become effortless.
Over 80% of runners get injured every year, and most injuries are caused by a lack of certain skills.
Master the skills of running and you will become an efficient and injury-proof runner!

There are many ways to enter, simply follow the super simple instructions in the Rafflecopter giveaway!

At the end of August, the widget will randomly generate a winner and we’ll announce it here. PS: one condition, we are meeting in Central Park for the session!

And, if you don’t want to wait or just have bad luck with raffles, email me and we can set up a 1×1 session.

GERD – a week later

Aug1

So, this is what my life has been for the last 6 days since days since I went to the ER and figured what I got myself into:

– Six meals a day, or 7 sometimes, every hour and a half. But NO food after 6:30 pm, or it’ll hurt when I go to sleep.
– My meals are: a banana, an apple, oatmeal, one chicken breast, rice porridge, pasta with vegetable broth, honey, pears, bread, saltines, some steamed vegetables. That is IT. That is all I am eating. One single item is a meal.
– No big meals, all has to fit in a tiny bowl.
– Nothing to drink that is not water. No big gulps, tiny sips all throughout the day. I will venture into fat free milk and ginger tea this weekend.
– GERD Medication two times a day, Plus TUMS, plus Mylanta shots.
– I chew a lot of gum, saliva helps dilute the acids in my stomach
I schedule my food intake in the morning, and I don’t change anything.

It still hurts.
I feel weak, and I lost 3 pounds in 4 days. But I feel better than last week.
I quite probably have an ulcer. And a problem for life. Apparently, GERD doesn’t get cured, you learn to manage it. We will see soon what that means.

I realize I brought this to myself. People who get GERD usually are drinkers, or smokers, or have higher BMI, or eat spicy foods. I don’t do any of those, but I was the one always finishing everybody’s food, the biggest the meal the better, and loved night binging! Still, I REGRET NOTHING. I really had fun while it lasted, even if it now has to come to a screeching halt. Also, it could be the aspirin I’ve taken for 10 years. Or stress (??). A hernia is a huge probability too. We will know soon hopefully. I am visiting a gastroenterologist and my cardiologist next week!

I wonder what this will do for my marathon training. I just lost a week, and I am on week 6. I might have to skip Mohawk-Hudson but hopefully I can still do NYCM. Juan takes me on walks every day, and they’re very slow, the first days I couldn’t manage more than a block or two. Last night I didn’t really want to go out, I was so tired, work had wiped me out, but I managed to walked a mile… We shall see. I need to focus on stopping all this acid pumping into my stomach first.

I went to the ER and all I got was this lousy non-running week!!

Jul29

It’s been a rough week and you might have noticed that I dropped out of the face of the earth…

Tuesday night, I hosted a biomechanics clinic and by the time we got home it was late. We ate (A LOT), passed out right away, and when we got up Wednesday, and headed out for me run, my stomach was still super swollen. I wasn’t too concerned, I am used to overeating and I never ever ever get a peep from my tummy: we get along great. Until now.

I did mile repeats, and when I got home, my stomach started hurting. A lot. WEIRD. My stomach really never hurts. It hurt all day at work, and I was still really swollen, but no other symptoms. I tried all the basics, ginger ale, coffee, tums, nothing. By time I got home, like 9pm it was really bad. I ate and it got worse. I couldn’t even lay down to sleep. I sat in bed, eventually, at 4 or 5 am, with the bf massaging my stomach, the pain stopped, and I slept a little. Thursday morning I was better, should I run? I decided to wait until after work, the pain was still there. For lunch, I wanted something light, pasta and tomato sauce, no cheese, no garlic, nothing. As soon as I had the pasta, I started having a lot of chest pain. So, naturally, I got scared. The bf, who had been begging and coaxing me to go to the ER all night, now was relentless. Anything else I will ignore into infinity, but I don’t look away from chest pain. What was making matters worse was that the time I had the heart episode I had ALSO felt stomach pain for a couple of days. I gave in and let him drag me to the ER. I was crying and in the middle of a lot of chest pain, I could barely talk or breathe.

When I walked in the ER at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, I was hoping for an instant EKG. All I wanted was an EKG. I said to the bf I can’t breathe. He went over to the check-in, told them my history and in two seconds they did my EKG. It was weird, they were not sure what to make of it. An hour later, I was inside the ER, in a bed in the middle of a hall, just like half the people there. I still couldn’t lay down, so we just sat there. They were attacking my problem two fold, the heart side and the stomach side. I was scared shitless. I couldn’t see any positive outcome, if it was my heart (the scariest option), I knew that’d fuck up my running for a while. But if they had to remove some kind of organ (or if it was my kidneys? stones? an infection? the liver?? whaaaaat?) it’d take a while too and HELL, MY NON-DIET!!! Anyway, I was stressed out, scared, and OH, SLEEPY and tired from all the pain. I was a mess. All I wanted was to sleep and forget all about this.

After 7 or 8 hours of tests, they ruled out anything to do with my stomach, but they weren’t sure about my heart. My EKG was… weird, to say the least, and they didn’t have a previous one of me to compare it with. They took blood again and did a second troponin test. If that went well, along with the results of a couple more tests we were still waiting on, they’d let me go. I waited for that one test so excitedly… meanwhile, I got hungry, had two pieces of bread with chicken broth. It tasted like crap but I was happy it wasn’t making me sicker: they had given me a gastro-cocktail that would numb me all up inside (I NEED that recipe!)

By 11 pm, the troponin test was back and I was OK. They were ready to discharge me. So, what was it then that caused all that pain??? GERD! GERD is Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. But… I don’t drink, I don’t eat spicy thing!!! Apparently there’s many other triggers: big meals (done), sleeping right after eating when your stomach is about to explode (done), carbonated drinks (the ginger ale!), tomato (done!)… all little things I did and the ones I added to try to fix it combined, produce an ACID EXPLOSION that topples over your esophagus and it feels like the acid is burning your chest/lungs. All that acid can create ulcers in no time. It was just nasty scary stuff I couldn’t have imagined as I didn’t have any gastro related symptoms (no gas, no vomiting, NOTHING!). I had to take these pills and watch what I ate.

Leaving the hospital, I didn’t believe the diagnosis. I really thought it was impossible. Got home before midnight and I was SO tired I passed out in a second without eating. Friday I felt better, obviously weak and tired, but no pain. Until I ate: a banana and oatmeal for Pre’s sake!!! Hell again. So I read about GERD and what I could and couldn’t eat. The chest pain was the acid burning over the esophagus, plus me having a mini panic or anxiety attach about it when I got to the ER. The ER still scares me. Really, a little thing triggered a big mess. But, this was possibly the best result: no heart issue or anything to have surgery for!

Juan did some grocery shopping and I promised to behave. We went for a tiny walk and I couldn’t even stay upright. Lamely weak. I ate early, little portions, and I still couldn’t lay down to sleep, and I was SO tired!!! I slept propped up in my pillows. Apparently, I still have a LOT of acid in me and will take some time to get rid of it. Had an intense episode of pain wake me up in tears, had more mylanta and tried to sleep again… I’d just been so tired from the pain-stress. Saturday was a bit better, again, until I ate. I suck on tams all day, I chew gum (saliva dilutes the acids), I eat little and boring, I don’t move. And I missed my long run!! Plus, I obsess over missing my training. I am in Week 5! We tried another walk, and he just leads me home after a few blocks when I start walking with my eyes closed. We watched a few movies, been reading Born to Run for the 4th time, and just barely doing anything else. I feel weak. Sunday was a lot of that too (good thing is Juan has now watched 3 Harry Potters, which he had never seen, and I watched 3 Rockys!). Hopefully I will be ok in a few days, I am just hoping this is not a chronic thing and I can forget all about soon and go back to eat trillions of tomatoes. Plus the other stuff. In moderation and small portions OF COURSE. 😉

Get this App NOW + your favorite app?

Jul24

Aaaaah, saw this Road ID app and HAD to press FREE even if still in BETA mode. GET IT.

Basically, it has two amazing things: the ecrumb, where you choose a contact on your phone and you tell them, I am going out for an hour (or 5!) and send them a link where they can track you running (or napping in the park or whatever!). HOW cool is that?!?!! PLUS, it sets your lock screen with info on your emergency contacts and some medical info. Even if you don’t run with your phone, someone could get it back to you if you ever lose it! LOVE IT. GET IT!

2013-07-24 13.05.31

What’s your favorite running app? Please share and I can make a little compilation ok?

I am loving Charity Miles. Though I don’t run with my phone often, I like to turn that on when I do, I feel like it gives my run a lot more purpose.

Here is what’s on my Running folder (I am a psycho folder sergeant!)

before I go, STAY SAFE!

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

WORLD PREMIERE: NY Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – THE MOVIE

Jul22

if you came across this video and have no idea what this is about, refer to my previous post:

New York Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race

and, before you see it anywhere else, the world premiere of NYRR’s 2nd Annnual Dizzy Bat Race, the MOVIE!!!

somehow we all made it unharmed, unvomited, and with a big smile on (towards the bar!)

and…

in case you didn’t see the other videos in the previous post, here is Juan’s video

and my video…. which I think had enough material for five movies…

New York Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – funniest thing you’ll see all weekend

Jul19

Okay, first let me clean up my tears. You’ll see what I mean.

I’ve talked about New York Rogue Runners before. I did their Hot Dog Challenge this past march, remember? Well, I didn’t finish it, but I attented it…

This time, the 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race, involved no food but I was still scarred from my lack of any skill for anything so I was just there for support, cause Juan wanted to try it. These was the deal:

Rules: Each competitor will compete individually, for time. To begin, each competitor must take ten spins on the bat at home plate. Upon completion of the 10th rotation, competitors will run the bases, in order. Vomiting is permitted; straying into the infield is not.

Competitors must tag up at each base. Chewing tobacco is frowned upon. The winner shall be the competitor who makes it to home base in the least amount of time. Intercourse without foreplay shall not count.

Anyway, I get dizzy just by being alive so I wasn’t going to do it…

Race Director Claire explaining the rules

First, Claire goes, then Baker, then Neal…

I don’t think the pictures show how funny this can turn… I have video for Juan’s turn. Note what happens when he tries to start “running”

It’s like he’s jumping in place or something. He fell hard on the woodchips under the tree, and got a little scrape. I promise you his running form is a LOT better than that!!

More pictures before I make you cry, because you know what’s coming…

Baker taking a GO

erica baker

Abbe going for it!

Juan… who had never FALLEN IN HIS LIFE. or something

I seriously didn’t stop laughing at any point

Anyway, they insisted, I said yes, because… I can’t say no to anything stoopid. So, here:

I just couldn’t stay upright. At all. I really wanted to give up after the first fall. I was SOOOO dizzy I couldn’t hold it together for a second… oh well, I am not perfect, okay?

Also, if I had thought of competing, I probably wouldn’t have worn those short tights!

Vertically Challenged State

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Th truth is, I was the slowest, BUT I didn’t vomit as I did last time, AND I finished it, so I think that’s a HUGE improvement. PLUS, there was a group 10 yards away having all this delicious barbeque, I think I deserve huge props just by staying put and not wandering away!

There was an official ceremony, the winner got a check for $9.50 (the price of a beer at Yankee Stadium), a Derek Jeter mask, and a stub hub certificate for a sporting event… plus the right to make fun of me: the slowest one of them all!

Seriously, ridiculously, FUN

The competitors and the winner at the bottom. Thanks Erica for most of these pictures!

Can’t wait for the next one… The Wheelbarrow/Three-Legged Duathlon

oh wait, wait, there is more…

WORLD PREMIERE: NY Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – THE MOVIE

The Sprinkler WitchHunt Theorem

Jul18

Today we got up early (which is 7 am for me!) to get the run out of the way. It was gonna be HOT (and my runs Tuesday and Wednesday had been super hot and slow. So, I woke up, saw this (keep in mind, this almost feels like 100 at 7:30 AM!)

feels like 96, at freaking 7:30 am!

for you all europeans! (Davide!)

and braced myself. I drenched my sports bra and shorts before putting them on. Wore my superwet thickest headband, my hair dripping, and was all ready.

Still, this was the run felt like!

Mmmmm of course I decided Juan and I would do repeat Harlem Hill loops. No, I am NOT kidding. Weather is going to wild on me? ME TOO!!!

Then, we added a few miles on the briddle path, chasing every single sprinkler out there. We’d stop, get soaked, keep going. It really was fun. You can call that a “fun” run through hell.

PS: weirdest thing happened- I got a tan!! We were running in the shade and just one hour of running. I run at that hour all the time and I never got the tan lines before. I think the air was baking me or something about the uv index maybe (I have no idea!), but I had crazy three-hours-at-the-beach tan lines. Juan did too. This weather is just wacko.

Now work, ice pops, and a fun race later: The 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race. If we don’t melt before. Slurpees for lunch!!

Remember:

NYC Triathlon 2013

Jul17

well…. no. no. I didn’t do the NYC Tri or won’t be doing a tri. Before you say, just like the Biebs, never say never, let me clarify: NEVER. My poor Ironman bf has tried enough, and he has a crazy case of ~~stubborness~~ dedication, and… still nothing. Everybody should give up. For ever. Anyway.

It’s not that they don’t look like a cool challenge, but… tris just overwhelm me. There’s a LOT of gear to fuss about, too many things you can’t control, waaaay too complicated for my liking. It really seems like a lot of work and I rather go run and not worry and bop around and listen to music and not break my head because my feet are attached to a bike or something. Oh yes, it also sounds super dangerous to me. But anyway, I am a major league klutz.

Anywayx2, Autism Speaks’ Team Up! had a team of runners on the NYC Triathlon and I am the only local staff so I went cheering. I also went to the past dinner Friday night (and omg, I ended up covered in pasta sauce and eating for 5!). Back to the serious cheering: here are some pictures.., and before you start thinking how cool, keep in mind, it was NASTY HOT and HUMID. I felt REALLY bad for them all. But, the harder the race, more exciting that medal will be, riiiight?

We got to the run portion really early, 7 am, because we didn’t want to miss anyone! Lara and I, ready to power-cowbell
Photo Credit: Lora

And we didn’t miss anyone. #1 guy, leading early on, Jordan Jones, repeat offender, I mean, winner!

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Need explanation?
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Loved him!
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

We saw it all on the course, men in speedo, women in bathing suits with strange tan lines (bikinis!), super amazing inspiring athletes, going all out, puffing it all out, but everyone crested the hill like a winner. I spotted a few friends and got to run a little (like a block) with a few (Chris, Jason, from my Dashing Whippets!), and we were amazed (to tears sometimes) by the Achilles athletes, the para-triathletes, the first responders wave… it was all ridiculously inspiring!

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

We made some serious noise for everyone.
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Yeah, an air conditioner!
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

After we saw the last racer, and our cowbells were burning hot from heavy work, we headed for the finish to catch up with everyone. I then run into Terrence, and his whippet who had won the doggy dash. Cause of course Terrence’s puppy has to be a master runner!

The plastic fire hydrant was the 1st place prize. hilarious.

I’ve been cheering at this race for the last 3 or 4 years, and it’s always hot. I just saw they moved it to August for next year. Still, everyone looked like the heat didn’t matter. Congrats finishers!!

PS: just saw that Lora put her blog up too, so, more pictures here!

My new motto I stole

Jul16

True story- I commented this morning:

As hot as it is out: EMBRACE IT. Even if super slow, or walk, go take it in. Next week’s 80s and 70s will feel like winter. I promise!

Lora, of ‏@LVrunsNYC and this blog, replies: Amen! A strong fall is earned in the summer!

And my brain clicked.

PS: this week has been HELL on FIRE in NYC….

I like to run

Jul15

I like to run at night, early before work, in the middle of the day and with the sunset.

I love to run in the city, in the countryside, by the beach.

I like to sweat, get soaked in the rain, and get runners’ tan lines.

I like to run for no reason and I like to run to define myself.

I like to tempo, have fun at an easy pace, do mile reps, and run for hours and hours.

I like to come back home ready to keep going with my day and wanting to take a nap and sit out the rest of the day.

I like to run with the bright sun in my face, and with the stars as my running partners.

I like to run with no goals and like to race and get better.

I like to run with friends, with my dad, with my boyfriend, and I like to run alone.

I like to wear as little as possible and I like to wear all my running gear and make it match.

I like to line up at races, pace with people, chase each other, finish races, spectate, and congratulate everyone.

I like to run in cities I don’t know, maybe get lost, get a little worried, and use my running shoes as my escape from anything. I like to enjoy the comfort in the same old familiar route I could run with my eyes closed.

I like to greet friends and new people in my runs, and I like being invisible.

I like to have many running shoes, shorts, singlets and sunglasses. I like that I can run without most of it.

I like running. I love the million different choices and opportunities for challenges and fun.

Free Biomechanics Talk, don’t miss it

Jul10

I’ve been invited to host another clinic, this time at the Park Slope JackRabbit Sports Store on July 23rd.

I’ll be going over all the data and science and biomechanics you can handle before you get bored. You’ll clearly see how it relates to your own running and learn what you can do to avoid injuries, get fast, and run smooth! Don’t miss it. I don’t do these often (for free!!).

JackRabbit Sports is located at 151 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215. A few blocks off Grand Army Plaza, the 2,3, and the R an F and G are around there too.

Facebook event is here, so RSVP there in case of updates. It’s an open and public event, so share and invite your friends too! Everyone can benefit from a little bit more info on form and efficiency!!

Plus, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a free coaching session! See you there!!

Running and the City

Jul9

Ah, NYC…

Everyone has a completely different fantasy or experience of what this city is about…

I was talking to a coworker who is leaving town soon. She’s from the south (of the US) and she is used to quieter places, a more relaxed life-style. She was telling me how she doesn’t love the city much because it’s loud, dirty, smelly, super expensive, aggressive, crowded… all those things that I know are true.

Her description was accurate. I get it. I could see it from her perspective and hate it. But, for most of us, all those “bad” things are just the price we pay. Or even the reason why we stay.

It’s common to say that it is one of those places you either love or hate. You either take it or leave it. There’s too much to put up with if you don’t love it.

I can say, with all my heart, that I love it. All those things she mentioned, can be ignored 99% of the time. They can also be celebrated. I like leaving my apartment and not know where I am going to end up. I love meeting people everywhere that are so weird, so weird, that I should probably run away if I wasn’t used to this craziness. You have to be expecting the crazy, the ugly, and the magical every second; and you better have your eyes open or you’ll miss it. You get used to walking around all day with your eyes and your heart ready. There is no comfort zone here. And I don’t want it. I love that I can get in a fight in two minutes, or make a new friend around the corner. You just never know which one will happen first. Ah, yes, always on eggshells.

Yes, if one thing, I’d say living here is exhausting. That’s my word for this city. It can be party/run-all-day-and-night exhausting, or putting-up-with-this-stooopidity exhausting. But I am ok with it. If sleep and rest is the price, I’ll pay up.

But I get it, when I leave the city…. it’s like going through withdrawal. I shake for a few days, crave it, and then I am over it. I get the toxins out of my system, I get some rest, I relax, I stretch out, and I don’t even want to come back to pack up my stuff… Like someone who’s scared of having to deal with crazy and is now happy, warm, and comfy. When I come back, ah, when I come back I always cry a little in the plane when I see the skyline. I always miss this. I love this mess. I want to lace up and go to the park. I really don’t need comfy for now. I want to go out and get lost in the random faces. I want to get in trouble. I want to go to the Met. Do some disgusting shopping. Talk to strangers. Eat burgers and cupcakes. Get in a fight and fall in love all over again.

I never said I wasn’t crazy. I have no problem admitting I do fit in here.

And being in a place where it is so easy to lose yourself, it’s also imperative that you find yourself. I really did find myself in NYC.

runningandthecity

and by "the city", I mean NYC.

Archives

A PR Wedding!

I get married today!!!

A Running Engagement

His and Hers – Running Style

running = hypochondria

I got an endoscopy and a different diagnosis: AN ULCER

Summer Streets in NYC

Twelve miles of GERD

(August) Biomechanics Coaching Session GIVEAWAY

GERD – a week later

I went to the ER and all I got was this lousy non-running week!!

Get this App NOW + your favorite app?

WORLD PREMIERE: NY Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – THE MOVIE

New York Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race

New York Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – funniest thing you’ll see all weekend

WORLD PREMIERE: NY Rogue Runners’ 2nd Annual Dizzy Bat Race – THE MOVIE

The Sprinkler WitchHunt Theorem

NYC Triathlon 2013

My new motto I stole

I like to run

Free Biomechanics Talk, don’t miss it

Running and the City

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