Tag Archive | new york city marathon

Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!)

I used this program twice already, for the 2011 Footlocker Five Boro Challenge NYC Marathon, and then this year for the NYC Half. You enter ALL your running information in there and it gives you a predicted finish time. You get a (weekly or daily) email with the workouts and you have an online hub where everything is recorded, listed and explained. If, midway through the program, you run a race and want to adjust your times, you can do that! It’s really cool because you can customize with your personal history and data, but also with races and times that happen thru the training, and keep it realistic. Plus, it gave me workouts I had never tried before… It also predicted I’d run a 1:35, which I thought was ridiculous (my last halves had hovered around 1:42s); and, I did 1:35:37!! I definitely recommend it. Also, you get the support of all the NYRR coaches, so, why not?

For this giveaway, we have available a program for NYCM marathon OR any half marathon.

You have THREE chances to play and win:

– Post below a comment: what you will be training for starting July 15 and why you’d like to win it, and maybe what you think your training needs help with = 1 entry

– Follow me on twitter, comment below you did so and your username = 1 entry

– Follow this blog via email (bottom right in the bar there –> on the right), comment below you did so = 1 entry

Every entry counts, do all 3!!! The 16-weeks program starts Monday, July 15th., so on July 8th we’ll randomly select a winner! Super easy, right? Go for it and, also, share!

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And in case you want to keep reading about the Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program here is more info, and their website:

The Official ING New York City Marathon Training Program is unlike any other; it uses data you provide about your fitness level, race experience, and scheduling needs to generate a workout schedule that will prepare you to run your race. Input your age, gender, training history, race results, and schedule to start training like a pro for November 3, 2013. You’ll be able to set realistic goals, and your online program will adjust as your fitness changes.

Other marathon training plans are neither dynamic nor flexible, they don’t cater to your schedule, and they aren’t specific to the ING New York City Marathon course. Our program uses proprietary insights from the NYRR marathon-finisher database and unique knowledge of the NYC course to get you on track. Let our experts take you all the way to the Central Park finish line!

I choose NOT to be a better runner

Jun27

Yes, you read that right.

I made this decision a while back. And it was Right. For me. It’s who I am.

But, I was reading Matt Fitzgerald’s “Runner’s World Guide To Cross-training” and at the end he lists things we should be doing to be “a better runner”. All obvious stuff: sleeping, eating well, hydrating, etc., etc., and as obvious as all that is, “life” (or my life, at least) goes in the other direction. And yes, I could change it, and be a better runner…

But no, I chose to go out, I chose to eat all I want, and whatever I want, and it’s ok if it affects my running. So be it. I own the consequences of my choices.

I run because I like it. I run because it’s good for my health. I run because it helps me relax and think. I run because it allows me to eat all I want and makes my body look and feel like I am 22 without having to go to the gym, diet, cosmetic surgery, tanning beds, and all that gross stuff.

I want my running to bring that good stuff into my life, and NOT to take stuff out. I am not willing to cut my nights short, or miss out on quality time with friends or family. I am not willing to say no to that donut, that cupcake, that steak, or anything else.

I love running THIS much BECAUSE it is NOT stopping me from doing all the other things I like. I am not willing to sacrifice much from my life to run a few seconds faster. So I am ok with having less speed, or less endurance, or being a bit heavier on my feet.

I will cross-train a bit to avoid injury, I’ll give him that. I’ll do drills and I’ll wear flat shoes most days. I’ll hydrate, I’ll sleep a bit more when I can, and I’ll eat good stuff half the times. I’ll give him all that too. And I’ll ice-bath (who am I kidding? I love the ice baths!).

So it is OK if I never ever reach my full potential as a runner. I don’t mind. But I love and enjoy my running more this way, because it’s not taking anything away from me.

Pre said that “giving less than your best is sacrificing the gift“. But, what is that “best”? And what is that “best” for me? And what is my “gift”?

For him, it probably was to suffer in the track, to leave it all out there, to get to the point of blood and guts and broken bones and knowing he did all he could to win. Ah, Running and Pain go so close together… But what is it about with glorifying the pain in this sport? WHO likes pain???? No, don’t lie. No one likes it… You like knowing you are tough and you can withstand anything and feeling unbreakable, but no one likes the pain itself. Still, pain is inevitable here. I am still trying to learn to subject myself to as little pain as possible, short of walking. I might be sacrificing the gift, but I don’t think that’s “my gift”. My best is definitely something else. It’s not in a PR. It’s not in how many miles I suffer through, how high I place, how fast I can get, how many PRs in a row I score, how many races I do or qualify for. That is not the measure of me.

NYRR Portugal Day – Cheering in a bikini, a year later!

Jun17

As some of you might remember, I went cheering last year for this race in a bikini. It caused a bit of a commotion, and to this day, I still hear about it. So I hung the bikini, bought 3 more sunny suits because I didn’t think I could take that one outside again, and moved on. Until this past weekend happened.

The girls in my team were cheering for the Portugal Day 5 miler, a men’s point race that the boys in my team have to run. And as they cheered for us during last weekend’s Mini10K, we were to return the favor. In Style of course. Cause we roll hard.
So, there was a bit of prepping, sign-making meet up, I just showed up in the bikini and they had made me a “fake pool”, and a special sign. Amazing amazing team mates!

that’s my fake pool in my fake water station.

All ready to cheer. Notice we have Whippets of the human, canine, and real cheerleading type!

We also decided to cheer twice, on the east and west side, around 72nd st, so nobody would miss us. My team is growing a cheering reputation and we didn’t want anyone to miss it!

Hard Hat Kenneth, being mindful of the Hammer Rain

What is up with the hammer talk and the hard hats, you ask?

Well, a fabo Whippet, Simon, started this whole “drop the hammer” talk, you know, “drop the hammer”, as in push your guts out, and it stuck. A LOT. It has become a bit of our team’s moto in a way!

The pool and the sign (by Rose, thanks!!) were a huge hit. Lots of people fake dived in my pool, men AND women blew kisses, hollered, winked, gave thumbs up, and they all smiled or laughed. I think they liked that I had no shame. I know I don’t look like a supermodel, but it’s all about how you feel in your head, and I am delusional like hell. It really helps and I am very happy all up in my fantasy world 😉

So, they boyfriend wanted nothing to do with dressing up. I told him he couldn’t come with me in runner’s clothes or it would throw off our look (well, not runner, he only has Ironman outfits!). So we started little by little and all the other girls in the team helped woo him. It turned around and he was shirtless and had a R in his abs… He looked amazing. And I heard a few “thanks for bringing him”. Oh my. Eye Candy.

Hilarious. Which one is trying to compensate with a tough face for the tutu?

much better

It was all ridiculous and amazing, and super fun. I don’t think I ever saw so many smiling runners.

Lesson from the post:

-Running can make you happy even when you are not running yourself
-Being ridiculously fun and delusional is the best cheering
-No shame! Ever.

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Fridays Can Be Confusing + some NRD pics

Jun7

#1 It’s National Donut Day. And there, I have a 10K tomorrow! How many donuts can I eat before I run my race?

#2 I realized I should start marathon training in a couple of weeks, so, I started doing calculations. The same numbers I do before every marathon and they don’t fail. I got a 3:09 to 3:12 marathon. WTF? This seems impossible. Last one was 3:27. ??!?!?! I redid them over and over. Something must be wrong.

#3 I have to start marathon training next week?

#4 It’s Friday: who cares? Also: it’s Summer Fridays! It’s been raining all day, do we not get Summer this year?

And just because I like them, here is a couple of pictures from National Running Day, will probably blog about it at some point…

all pics stolen from JP. thanks!!

Happy Racing/Weekend!

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NCYM2011: Tiny update

Nov7

Today was fabulous. Car service to the start. VIP Tents. Interviews. Sightings of Bloomberg, Christie Turlington, Mya (?), Mario Lopez, more Carrie Tollefson, some soccer star (?), Ed Norton, Trista (the Bachelorette), etc, etc. Then we had our own start and the RW’s David Willey in our press card… and a bike escort the whole second half! Photo shoots, and interviews post-race…!

But

This was my SLOWEST marathon ever (unofficial 3:59), including my first (3:51) and the worst. I have to tell you why soon. There’s a backstory. I finished 3rd (out of 5) in the Footlocker Five Boro Challenge, but really, I was quite lucky to even finish. But it was a wonderful day with lots of friends who came to cheer and run with me, and a once in a lifetime opportunity

I am having breakfast with Ed Norton tomorrow and I promise I will tell you all soon about… stuff.

Now.. PHILLY mode ON!

NCYM2011: Tiny update

NYCM2011: Who wasn’t at the expo?

Nov5

Before this: NYCM2011: All over the press / NYCM2011: At the NYCM Press Conference / NYCM2011: FootLocker Run – Bart, Ryan, Bobby, Carrie, Steph, well… everyone was there!

Thursday I had an after-work work thing, so I had to go to the expo earlier in the day. Blaise (my training partner) and I met up for the trip, because I knew that as soon as we got there, we’d get separated… This is how you ride to the Expo!

Cool right? NYC transforms into running mecca for the marathon!! Everywhere you look there’s banners, ads, signs, elite runners, whatever. It’s kinda really too cool. And it’s Fall. There’s no better week to be in this fabulous city!

Mandatory expo shot:

As soon as I walk in, even before I get my bib, I walk into one of my best friends and most favorite people in the world!! I met Karen at Team in Training and we shared offices for a month. It’s a small city. Or a small expo!?!? Runners tend to hang out in the same circles… though she was volunteering at the expo.

Another mandatory expo shot I’ve done 5 years in a row…! Yey for rituals!

The Asics store is usually the biggest booth and always pretty amazing. Because of that, I looked down and blazes thru it repeating out loud ‘I don’t need anything” like a crazy person.

Ok, I lied. I didn’t look down. I looked up: their ads are pretty osom!

At the NYRR’s booth, with Daphne. Fab new logo, Fab Daphne…

More fabulosity… the love story continues… Laura, watch out!!!!!

Ah, the TNT booth! Katie looking fabulous in purple, my favorite color. What are the odds?

And there’s John again, who I talked about yesterday. He was manning the NYRR Training Program booth with another one of NYRR’s osom coaches, Stuart Calderwood. The guy is pretty phenomenal and is about to break all records ever. yeap. Sorry for the blurry pictures, these two are just fast for a regular camera!

That’s Dari, at the Sparkly Soul booth with fabulous shiny headbands. She’s a TNT coach so in two seconds we were both screaming!

HA, and Tegla Loroupe was signing pictures. I wished her good luck and she signed a card for me! Uh, my head is enormous. Maybe that’s why those headbands are so tight!?!??!

I took some pictures of the adidas booth because I love Grete…

Went back to the RW booth to say goodbye to Barth and Amby was there… We chatted a bit about the Loop and Smart Coach and stuff. I think he’s like Neo in the matrix and he just sees numbers and code…

It was a fun trip and it always takes forever. I got a few “I know who you are!!!” or, “I read about you!!”, which was weird and cool at the same time. I looked at the medal, which is always fun. That’s all I think about come mile 22… 2 days to go and I am exhausted. I am thinkign about skipping the RW party tonight. It’s sad but I am toast!

After this: NYCM2011: Have you seen a Marathon Morning like this? / NYCM2011: Get Ready, Set, GO! / NYCM2011: Beyond The Finish Line (finally the last post!) / NYCM2011: Marathon Monday (Ed, the breakfast, Carrie, the press conference, etc.!) /

NYCM2011: At the NYCM Press Conference

Nov3

Before this: NYCM2011: All over the press

Yesterday was the press conference for the Footlocker Five Boro Challenge team, at the Marathon Pavillion, which is where Tavern on the Green used to be. Everything will happen in there this weekend, the interviews, the NYRR shows, more press conferences, and come race day… this will be epicenter. It also helps that it is located just a few yards away from the finish line.

I got there early and took some pictures. This is the week when Fall officially starts for me, so the trees are gorgeous (the ones still standing after the Snoctober we just had, around a 1000 trees in the park suffered, and they need to clean it all up by this weekend for the marathon!)

In Central Park West there are already lots of preparations going on.

That’s my city!!!!

Going into Marathon Pavillion/Tavern on the Green/The finish line!

They’re starting to build the finish line!!!! Bleechers have been up for over a week now!

And onto the Marathon Pavillion, where all the Press stuff is already set up. This is where they do the NYRR TV!

The Tiffanny Cup the Five Boro Champion gets. I really would not even know what to do that with. Who are we kidding, I’d break it in 5 minutes…

Oh hello, picture time already?

I guess I’ll sit here then!

Yeah, my marathon nails are out and not embarrassed! My team starts to get there! Rob/Bronx! Sal/Queens!

Then the conference starts… NYRR and Foolocker spoke about the Challenge and gave some info. Then we each did our own little talk, for 5 minutes. I wanted to do a little collage of the pictures of me speaking (but I didn’t): it looks like I am dancing. My hands are just everwhere!!!!

I know you must be wondering what on earth is she talking about that she’s gesturing so much? Spreadsheets, processes, systems, Linux, C++.. ah, I am so dramatic!!!

Then a few photos with the team!

Again, who knows what I’m doing…

What is this about??? mmmm, not sure. Oh, oh, I guess I am telling them how we’re gonna JUMP UP!??!?!?

Then God, I mean, Mary, comes over to say Hi.

On the other side of the room, NYRR is on. And guess who is there… yeah, Carrie!

She’s super sweet. Loved her!

Other press conferences happening in the room: Kim Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall, not a boring day, I’d say! 😉

After this: NYCM2011: FootLocker Run – Bart, Ryan, Bobby, Carrie, Steph, well… everyone was there!/ NYCM2011: Who wasn’t at the expo? / NYCM2011: Have you seen a Marathon Morning like this? / NYCM2011: Get Ready, Set, GO! / NYCM2011: Beyond The Finish Line (finally the last post!) / NYCM2011: Marathon Monday (Ed, the breakfast, Carrie, the press conference, etc.!) /

I am Miss Manhattan!!

Aug22

Remember when I told you about the Five Boro Challenge? Post is here, small recap here:

Every year the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge brings together five ING New York City Marathon runners, each one representing a New York City borough. Their goal: be the fastest finisher out of the five and become champion of the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge! This is your chance to take your 2011 Marathon experience to a higher level and show your pride for your borough.
The Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge team will be treated as VIPs and will be featured on the NBC4 New York live television broadcast on race day. The runner who finishes with the fastest time will become the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Champion, and will win a Tiffany & Co. trophy and citywide bragging rights.
Must commit to running the first 13.1 miles of the marathon with the Challenge Team (after that, you’re free to run alone or stay with the group). Must be available at select times during marathon week to participate in a pre-marathon media event.

This is HUGE. We have our own start and we basically run on our own through the Verrazano. Last year I saw the 5 challengers in the papers, on tv, everywhere… so I am sure everyone in NYC is going to be sick of seeing my face 😉

Photo Shoot and Pretaping with NBC, in a very secret location (Central Park, yeah!) is next week. If there is one person in NYC that doesn’t know me yet, I am coming for them!
😉 SO exciting!!!!!!

I am Miss Manhattan!!

I am a Finalist!

Aug7

Heard of the Foot Locker Five Boro Challenge?!?!

Every year the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge brings together five ING New York City Marathon runners, each one representing a New York City borough.

Their goal: be the fastest finisher out of the five and become champion of the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge!

Guess who could be representing Manhattan…? Yeap, me!!!!

The requirements:

Be an accepted entrant in the ING New York City Marathon 2011

Currently reside in one of the five New York City boroughs: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island

Be able to complete the Marathon in 3:30 to 4:00

Done, doing, and I better hope so.

The fun key details:
This is your chance to take your 2011 Marathon experience to a higher level and show your pride for your borough. The Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge team will be treated as VIPs and will be featured on the NBC4 New York live television broadcast on race day. The runner who finishes with the fastest time will become the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Champion, and will win a Tiffany & Co. trophy and citywide bragging rights.Must commit to running the first 13.1 miles of the marathon with the Challenge Team (after that, you’re free to run alone or stay with the group).Must be available at select times during marathon week to participate in a pre-marathon media event.

And they get their own start!!! I can’t even imagine what it is like to run the empty Verrazano with just 4 more people (and a media truck of course), through 4th avenue… and then being passed by Ryan, Meb, Gebre and pretty much everybody else, hahaha!

After I submitted my entry, we emailed back and forth, then we did a conference call interview, and then I went to the Foot Locker Headquarters for another interview. And I just got an email confirming that I am a Finalist and they’ll decide soon. AAAAHHHH. Super exiciting!

I am a Finalist!

runningandthecity

and by "the city", I mean NYC.

Tag Archive | new york city marathon

Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!)

I choose NOT to be a better runner

NYRR Portugal Day – Cheering in a bikini, a year later!

Fridays Can Be Confusing + some NRD pics

NCYM2011: Tiny update

NYCM2011: Who wasn’t at the expo?

NYCM2011: At the NYCM Press Conference

I am Miss Manhattan!!

I am a Finalist!

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