Throwback Thursday: Rite of Passage for NYC Runners

I found this draft from April 2012. I went running in Central Park with the Professor. We were running the east side of the loop up from Columbus Circle when someone's obnoxious and poorly behaved child ran out in the road and a horse carriage moved to get out of the way and then a cyclist cut into the running lane and another cyclist cut in around him. That cyclist proceeded to ride his bike right up my leg and over my body. He ended up crying, the Professor threatened him, the cyclist's friend tried to say something about peace, love, and happiness, and I was laughing on the ground saying that they all needed to shut the fuck up.

On Saturday I, as many NYC runners before me, was hit by a cyclist while running the Central Park loop. Straight up run over. Before you start crying, I'm fine.

I came home Saturday morning (I slept over the new boyfriend's place and went to bed at a very reasonable 11PM - I am so lame now) and ate a bagel while watching tv. The Professor asked to move our run up by a few hours, which was fine until I realized I hid my Garmin while I was drunkenly cleaning and I still don't know where it is. How I managed to lose something in my studio apartment is beyond me. Then I couldn't find my other Balega sock and was forced to wear regular socks for a long run. Eff.

I told myself that these were not bad omens and to suck it up. I ran to our meeting point and was super excited to see Mrs. Professor ready to run outside.

That boyfriend and I broke up soon after this when he started ignoring me. Then I woke up next to a coworker after the big gala and insisted that the sort of ex-boyfriend come and collect the things he left at my apartment. I found my Garmin in my gym bag. I still use it today.

Casual Post-Work Half

Thursday evening I decided to go for a long run. Yes, I know it was 98 degrees in NYC that day and the low was a whopping 81 degrees. I stocked up on margarita Shot Bloks, which have three times the salt to ward off muscle cramps, Body Glide, and water and headed off to Central Park. 

I went with my Reebok shorts, a Brooks tank, Balega socks, and my red Adrenaline 11s.

Looking skinny if I do say so myself.

I ran the big loop counterclockwise to start. I wanted to pay attention to when I ate my chews and decided that the first mile from my apartment to the park didn't "count" and I would have the first chew at mile 4, which was mile 3 of the park. This made a lot of sense to me at the time because the first mile was my warm up and then two loops are twelve miles and then this would equal a half marathon. In hindsight, I should've brought both packs of Shot Bloks and eaten both of them and screwed this rationing thing. It was hot, my legs felt crampy, and part of me was like, "WTF were you thinking?" The other part was thrilled to be out running.

I made it through the first loop without much ado. I was tired and extremely sweaty, but I felt solid. I turned around to run the second loop clockwise. When I stopped to refill my water bottle for the second time, an ambulance was parked near the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir. The guy inside looked very close in age to me and he was hooked up to all sorts of machines. The heat is no joke and you need to take care of yourself. I patted myself on the pack for taking precautions like drinking extra water and eating fancy salty sports chews.

I survived 13.1 miles and headed out of the park. By that time, I really had to go to the bathroom so I decided to walk home and not jiggle anything around. But then I also thought it would be a good idea to stop by 7-Eleven and get some cold water and a Green Machine juice. La-dee-da. Walked on home and things were great.

Looking super cute on my walk home.

But then things weren't so great. I started shivering and my stomach was in knots. I walked into my apartment and headed on into the shower. By the time I got out, I was dry heaving. And then there wasn't anything dry about it. Throwing up for 6 hours is not fun.

Staying up until 4 AM because you are throwing up in also not fun.

Leaving work the next day to take a nap and then throwing up your lunch at 8 PM at night is not fun either. This heat has to stop because NY is not intended to have Texas weather. We'd all have central air if it did.

In all seriousness, heat exhaustion is very dangerous and this whole experience was horribly uncomfortable. Make sure you stay hydrated and don't push yourself too hard.

Casual Jog to Walmart

Greetings from Centerville, Iowa! Right now I'm at a Super 8 for the night on a small road trip down to Missouri and back. This morning I was in Independence, Iowa, where my grandma lives, and where my amazing friend Jacqie will be getting married this weekend. Eeek!

Anyway, since I have a bridesmaid dress to fit into this weekend, I went for a casual run around town. My knee was killing me on my flight yesterday and I swear it felt like it was trying to get out of my leg by any means necessary. Thankfully I was able to keep a nice consistent pace going today for my 3.52 mile excursion.

I recently went to the Champion store at the Tanger Outlets and picked up some sick new gear. I wore these fitted bike shorts, performance tank, and sports bra today for a test run and I love them.

These shorts are great because they are on the longer side and they stay where they are. I hate when my shorts ride up my ass making me look like a hoochie mama and then I spend the entire run picking a wedgie. I think these are perfect for my 50 mile bike ride next month.

The fushia sports bra is the same C9 by Champion sports bra I always wear but in a better color. The tank is performance material and the back is mesh. I am a big fan but I think it could stay in place a bit better. I'm also rocking a sick pinot grigio gut so that might have something to do with it. On a side note, my mother says I am looking slimmer these days.

I ran from my grandma's house to the Walmart, cut through the parking lot, and then ran down the highway and back through town. I'm okay with my pace for each mile because I was really just trying to shake my legs out.

I saw this couple on the way to Wally World. One day I hope I have someone who will walk along my Jazzy. Although, to be honest, I'll probably be running circles around the Jazzy, but I hope to have someone who will scoot along beside me. Taking applications at inshapeoutofmind@gmail.com.

#truelove

I was greeted at the back door my the little cat. His name is Alex and he's actually huge, but his brother Alvin is even bigger, which is why we call him the little one.

I was gross anyway so I hung out on the porch to dry off.

sweaty on the back porch

Do these pictures look out of focus to anyone else? I'm wondering if the new version of Blogger for iPhone screwed around with the pixels. Let me know.

Knee Pain

There's a 72% chance that I hurt my knee worse than I thought. Last night's 4 mile run hurt and my knee is swollen.

The pain started flaring up at work and got worse as I walked to and from appointments near the office. Maybe liberally lathering myself up with Tiger Balm provided me with a false sense of security.

Run on Day 6

I'm on a roll with my workouts and needed to fit one in today to continue my streak. My original plan to attend 7 AM yoga fell through and I needed to make the 7:54 PM train out to LI. I decided a run along the Westside Highway was better than no workout at all or having to take a later train.

view overlooking the NJ Transit train yard

My legs felt a little stiff but overall the run wasn't too bad. I wore my Nike Frees without socks (I used to do this all the time) and gave myself horrible arch blisters just like during the AHA run. Reminded me of how that night and how I got dumped the next day.

Just the Statue of Liberty helping out a homeless lady.

Super Mario Brothers comes to Chelsea Piers

So tired, hot, and sweaty but thank God the sun finally came out.

Epic fail on the Garmin tonight. I didn't have time to wait for it to find its satellites and it didn't pick up the first .75 mile and then I forgot to turn it off when I got back to the office and added at least 5 minutes to my time. Oops.

I ran closer to 6 miles.

I couldn't shower after my run but I did change back into my work clothes. Sorry fellow train passengers - I know I smell.

My colleague almost caught me taking this awkward photo.

Compression Sleeves

I love compression sleeves because I get cankles. Yes, cankles. You should feel sorry for me.

I recently went on a business trip to Chicago (my super cool new job includes travel!) and I conked out on the plane before putting on my compression calve sleeves. I was suffering from a 3-day-in-the-making hangover and just really wanted to go to sleep. Upon landing, my ankles were the same size as my calves and I was horrified. I slept in my ankle sleeves that evening and thankfully my ankles returned to almost normal size.

I took this picture from my bed last night.
That's my front door. Oh studios...

I was not going to make the same mistake on the way home. I put those suckers on immediately after boarding and kept them on until I arrived safely at my apartment.

I actually really like sleeping in my compression sleeves and did so again last night. Please excuse the copious amount of laundry in the picture about. I haven't been to my parents house in a while.

I wear Zensah Running Compression Leg Sleeves, but other companies make similar items. I really want the American flag print.

Homeless or Nature Enthusiast?

We're in Denver for the Regional Admin Conference. Booyah! This is my first conference ever (like the DOE would send me anywhere) and I am super excited and I'm presenting a session on Thursday. I'm cool like that.

We landed and it was beautiful, sunny, and in the 60s. Although I'm a little sore from the 50K, I couldn't pass up a chance to run. The concierge recommended this path along the Speer creek or river or whatever this body of water is called. It was a pleasant path, but it didn't let me see any of Denver. Fail.

 

I quickly realized that my left Achilles and my right IT band are a little pissed at me. I did 5 miles anyway. Since there wasn't much to look at, I took an interest in the other people who were out. People were running, cycling, walking their dogs, and sitting on the bank of the creek (?).

Yes. 70 degrees one day, and snow the next two.
In the sunniest city in the country.

The non-athletes really caught my eye. Some of them were obviously students or professionals enjoying the weather, but others might have been homeless. I stress might. The homeless people in Denver sure don't look like the homeless in New York. That's where homeless or nature enthusiast was born. My foot hurt for all 50 some odd minutes of my run, but at least I was entertained.

Frozen Golf Balls

I read about this tip in Runner's World and tested it out today. Put two golf balls in the freezer and leave them overnight or all day. Take them out and roll a ball under each foot. I stood on one foot and rolled the other foot over a frozen golf ball and then switched for a while, but I found that sitting down and rolling both feet simultaneously gave me the right amount of pressure. My arches have been bothering me lately and this was a great way to give myself a foot massage without having to touch my own feet, and the coldness helped with some of the discomfort I've been feeling. I actually tried this out this morning before I put the golf balls in the freezer, and it didn't feel nearly as good.