NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K

My alarm went off for the Ted Corbitt 15K at 6:25 AM and I just felt blah. I think that's happened to all of us, when we are supposed to get up for an important event, either for fitness or work or something personal, and we'd rather just ignore the alarm and stay in bed. I had to get up because not only was the Ted Corbitt my last race of 2011, but I also needed it as my ninth New York Road Runners race. Two of my races have been cancelled this year (the Bronx Half and the Poland Spring Kick-off) and I decided to use the credit for those races. I just don't feel right paying for a race, not being able to run it, and then getting a complete race on my record. I pay because I want to run... even when I don't end up wanting to run.

The weather report supported my desire to stay in bed.

I made a peanut butter and honey sandwich on a slice of toast that I struggled to choke down. I ended up saving half to eat during the race. I then skidaddled up to 86th and caught the M86 bus. I am willing to jog to the park OR up to the hundreds, but not both.

I had a lot of trouble deciding what to wear for this race because I had never raced in December. I wore a pair of running tights, the white long-sleeved seamless athletic tee C9 by Champion for Target gave me, a navy/light blue reversible L.L. Bean puffy vest I bought in high school, and a George Bush '88 pin. Obviously I was dressed to win.

Jealous?

This is a photo of the shirt from the Target website. Um yeah. So, I definitely thought it was the compression shirt they also sell because it was pretty snug, (I requested small tops - my bad) but then I saw that the C9 logo is on the wrist and not the waist. That's a detail I particularly liked and noticed while I was running.

It looks so baggy online!

We all lined up and I realized that my red bib put me in the second wave. I could claim I'm getting faster (I'm not), but it's actually because fewer people sign up to run races in cold weather.

My bib inspired my patriotic outfit. Patriotism is always appropriate.

So the gun goes off without much fanfare and we are trundling along, and I'm like, "Eff! It's cold and I am running marathon pace." I was pissed. I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler last April at a 7.35 mile pace. I ran this race (9.3 miles) in 1:17:13 - 8:18 miles. Not cool.

So I run the first loop (4 miles) and I'm questioning if taking up running more regularly has actually hindered my abilities. I'm missing my running partners and a little bored by the whole deal. Like I said, I was just feeling blah. But then I heard drumming and this made me think of the NYC Marathon. I was able to pick up the pace up the hill towards the hundreds. Thank you Mr. Drummer for raising my spirits.

I've gotten pretty used to running with T and the Professor, or at least having them running the same courses as me. I missed them. I had no one to look out for and no pretty Professor's wife to bring me snacks. Instead I was forced to take photos of myself.

Look at those sick shades.

What do you mean there's a whole other loop?!

I made it through the race. I'm not ashamed of my time but I'm also not too psyched about it. My legs hurt and my back was achy, but I wasn't falling in the street or anything. I headed over to the 34 year-old's straight from the race. When I walked in I found the 34 year-old, fully dressed with shoes, asleep on the couch next to a bottle of vodka, with Cookie sitting on his chest. I immediately assumed they had been that way since the night before, promptly put her in her harness, and dragged her around the Upper Eastside for 45 minutes. Yeah, turns out that they hadn't fallen asleep on the couch after walking me home - they had been up at 6 AM going on a walk together and had both been exhausted afterwards. Oops. Sorry sweetheart - I don't mean to assume the worst.

C9's Hooded Soft Shell Jacket

C9 by Champion for Target gave me some awesome gear when I attended their event at Flywheel on December 13th. This hooded soft shell jacket is one of them.

This is a picture of the hooded soft shell jacket from the Target.com website

I worked from home today (hello pajamas!) but needed to put on some real clothing to take Cookie for a walk over to New York Road Runners. Packet pick-up for Saturday races is a killer. It wasn't a problem when I was teaching, but now the 1 - 7 PM window is cramping my work style. I try to wear workout gear when I walk Cookie because she likes to run, but choosing the right hear to stay warm can be tough. One minute I'm sweating while running down the street and the next I'm shivering while she's introducing herself to a new dog. She has fur, but I have C9.

I like the hood.

I wasn't sure what to make of this jacket at first but now I really like it. It's made of a thick material that holds its shape, but it's not too big or boxy. The hood adequately covers my head and stays in place, which is important if you're going to be running, jogging, or chasing after a pit pull puppy in it. When the jacket is completely zippered, it is fastened securely under your neck to keep out the cold. I don't really like things that high up on my neck, but I'd appreciate it in really cold weather. The only things I would change about this jacket are the pockets. They are a convenient, rounded shape located at the midsection but without zippers or snaps, I wouldn't trust leaving valuables in them.

Does anyone know if there's a timer function
for the camera on the iPhone?

I wasn't sure if it was going to be able to keep me warm so I layered a long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirt underneath it. I wasn't chilly and would probably drop a layer if I were running or cycling in it.

Yeah. We let her in my bed.

At $33, this jacket is both attractive and affordable. I think it's more suitable for traveling to and from the gym, but others might enjoying running in it. Get yours here.

C9 by Champion for Target gave me this hooded soft shell jacket. They did not ask for anything in return. All the opinions in this post are mine. It's no secret I like C9 by Champion for Target apparel. 

3 Mile Puppy Power Walk

I don't normally consider walking exercise but since Cookie has entered my life, I haven't had much time to do much else. On Monday night the 34 year-old and I walked from Madison Square Park to the east 80s. Tonight I did the walk with her by myself. I had to bring my computer home from the office and let me tell you, that was not fun. Cookie was like, "Really? Stop dragging that bag around and walk me properly!" We ran into BrissK and she pointed out that I make my dog exercise as much as I do. Yup. We're an athletic bunch.

How can you say no to that face?

I took Cookie for a short run last night in the rain after obedience training, but we're still working on running with the leash.

Cookie is super tired after our 3 mile walk.

On an unrelated note, this is the salad I picked up from Fairway Market today. Look at that price! It was delicious.

Do you have experience running with a dog? Please share tips below!

Puppy Love

The 34 year-old and I rushed back to NYC yesterday to officially adopt our puppy Cookie. We are over the moon! Cookie is a pit bull terrier mix and a very sweet little girl. We owe the ASPCA a special thank you for taking such good care of her and letting us adopt her.

Look at that face!

The paperwork was signed and filed by 3:30 PM and we took Cookie over to the East River Esplanade for a nice long walk. For about 2.5 hours we walked and played and met other dogs. Cookie handled it like a champ.

I can't even explain my outfit so I won't even try.

We made a visit to our local Petco and then brought Cookie to her new home. For a six month old puppy, she's incredibly well-behaved. She LOVES tennis balls and we played fetch until she the 34 year-old was tired.

Puppy kisses!

After a few more walks, it was time for me to go home. We brought Cookie over to see where I sleep. She thinks I live in a kennel because it's so small. Cooks did pretty well in the small space. I'm glad because sometimes I'll need to watch her over there.

We need to practice smiling for the camera.

This morning I went over to the 34 year-old's at 7 AM to wake them up as planned. Cookie was good about getting out of bed. The 34 year-old, not so much. We went for a nice walk by the river and met other dogs. Cookie was very polite to everyone she met and even shared her tennis ball. I hear that the 34 year-old and Cookie are now back in bed taking a nap.