The aftermath...

So I haven't run in what will be a month tomorrow, a month from the date I ran the longest race of my life.

Sure - I feel accomplished but also a strange sense of disbelief... and then realization... and disbelief again... and then like the marathon was a distant dream (except for when I get up in the morning and my feet still ache)...

A few other runners have told me they have experienced very similar feelings / times after running their first marathons. I guess the feeling is like a sense of underwhelming satisfaction ... it's not that I don't realize my accomplishment, but when others share their excitement with me about running a marathon, it almost seems to be more than my own about doing it myself! Maybe it was the training since June... the 5 months of waking up every day thinking of how far I had to run and planning out my runs for the week. Now that's done, not really playing any music and work being a very stressful situation, it seems I may need another goal to keep myself busy ! :)

I do enjoy talking about the experience of the day and that's when I feel the most excitement -- when I remember the people and the event and the friends and especially the streets of Brooklyn... :)

Now after these weeks I can say - I may very well run a marathon again. Possibly in another city or country (that would really be amazing)... and I've wrapped my head around doing all 5 boroughs half-marathons next year (gosh I love New York). So running goals are in my near future for sure...

I think I better replace my running shoes soon - before my feet forget about all the pavement they've pounded...

xoxox
Curly

One more thing...

The amount of work that volunteers do during this race is remarkable. Simply and utterly mind blowing. I can see why this particular marathon is so addictive, I don't see how it can be replicated anywhere in the world. I'm so moved to have had it be my first (and possibly only) experience at one.

Thank you volunteers... thank you from the bottom of every runners feet. :)

xo
Curly

My NYC marathon day....

... it's amazing what the world looks like from the other side of the NYC marathon...
- Karen Maria Elizabeth Anne Schleifer 11/3/08

HAHAHAHAH what the hell can I say. I finished the NYC marathon. Yes, my time was longer than expected... yes, I am in major pain... yes, it was unbelievable and life changing...yes, I'm elated and overjoyed...yes I feel proud.... but it's the "why?" to all those statements that makes up your individual experience and just how much this race can change your reality.

I slept really great the night before... woke up on time... got ready... made my breakfast, packed my little bag of food/drink for the trip and jumped in a cab to catch the 7:30am SI ferry...I was so happy I got to meet one of my team mates Irina and her boyfriend on the boat... we talked about our nights before... about our plans for the race.. took some video footage... and by the time we knew it were getting on the shuttle and at Fort Wadsworth.



I felt I had a few advantages going into it ...funny thing about starting this race on Staten Island (and my 2nd longest race to date -- the 20 miler done there) is that my life started on Staten Island - I am very proud to say. My base of who I am, and the building blocks of what I'm made of ... all started there. I had such a great, full and amazing childhood... Another funny thing is how much I hung out at Fort Wadsworth during too having parties there in HS and friends that lived there and were "army brats", so wandering around with thousands of unfamiliar people at the start of what was the longest unfamiliar race of my life at this place that was totally familiar, was sort of surreal.

So we get there, and go to our corral... I had layers of clothes on that I had intended on giving away to the salvation army, and just hadn't gotten to yet... so instead of buying something or checking a bag, I gathered things from there, and left them like thousands of others, for the crew to pick up and donate to the homeless. Nice side note of good will with the marathon experience, and quite convenient for us runners.

We're off... we get called into the corrals... we move toward the bridge... with all the walking before and after, honestly - you have to cover more than 28 miles that day!! Can't they have marathon trams for us or something?!!? :) lol



While I jokingly say things like that, and complain, I then see a runner with prosthetic legs who will be racing along with me, and I am quite humbled and stop thinking of my pain and remember why I'm running.

All of a sudden you turn this corner, and there's the bridge... and there you are... and you know you can't turn back now... and you just start going. I must say, I don't know how it was before the Wave method of starting, but the flow throughout and at the start was never a problem at all. Very easy... often felt like there weren't that many people at all around me... except for in Brooklyn.

Since I bought my place in 2005, I've fallen in love with Brooklyn, but never like this before. Holy moly do the people come out and celebrate the marathon and each runner!!! So as you know I had my name taped to my shirt...great advice from a few friends and thought it would be cool to hear people cheering for me if I was having a hard time. I must say, Brooklyn loved them some CURLY! They were not only cheering my name but talking to me about my hair, and the curly haired people would be elated and say "thanks for representing CURLY!"... HYSTERICAL... and a bit distracting..........and amazing... and exhilarating... and all that... and so much more... how can I possibly put it into words ...

So, I had to try and run in the center for bit, because I wasn't really paying enough attention to my race, and to the fact that at times I looked at my watch and knew I had about 2 or 3 or 4 more hours to run... it's funny how I felt bad if I didn't acknowledge people that were putting such an effort into cheering and supporting... hahaha the catholic / Jewish guilt in me never goes away!!! But when the distraction happened and all of a sudden I'd feel too tight, or pain or tired, I'd go back to center (literally and spiritually) and get on track...



The bands in Brooklyn were awesome... every different kind of music and people singing along ... it made me honestly excited about spectating next year ;-) I really wanted to stop and sing a few words with one, but none of them were "playing my song" when I went by :) hahaah

I felt really good through the whole beginning... legs were tight over the Verrazano for sure, really impressive uphill that is the start of this course... most of Brooklyn is flat... turns were a little heavier into Queens... then the Pulaski Skyway and 59th Street bridge. At this point I had already gone to the bathroom twice (never ever in any race have I had to go to the bathroom, so maybe nerves or) ... figured I just drank too much that morning anticipating the hydration factor.. and I was excited because I ran this part of the course in the weeks before... but as someone said to me, that was after 3 miles (I started the run from my house) not after 13 miles... they were SO right.

That's the point where I saw the 70 + year old man with a shirt saying "life begins at 70" and remember my energy and my youth and the strength my parents had... and I keep on going.



I was really lucky to have my friend Kenny as my first and 2nd "check points"... he had a huge sign and all my "must haves" for the marathon day in case I needed anything... he took pics and videos and helped me throughout the day... THANK YOU KENNY. So I had some gatorade with him in Bed Stuy, and a sip of more in Queens... then onto the 59th street beast!

At this point my phone was not working well, condensation from it being my pants pocket was making it short out... but I got to call my friends Anthony & Lawrence to say I was on my way over to 1st avenue... they were the 3rd stop in the journey. The bridge was much longer than I remembered of course (thanks Kevin for warning me about this!)... it was really almost humorous. Like OKAY WHEN does it end and when do I get to run up 1st avenue?!!??!? This was the only moment I chose to walk for about 30 seconds because my glutes were cramping a bit. I realized at that point, if I walked again, I may not make it all the way (mind playing tricks on me!!!)... so I better get moving.

First Avenue felt good and wide open and free .. but honestly the crowds behind the barricades during a lot of it made it feel like you were more on display than in Brooklyn where you felt more interactive and a part of the whole crowd... when I got further up I heard someone yell "karen schleifer" (at this point the "Curly" cheers weren't really getting my attention as much because I was blessed with a LOT!)... it was really excited to see friends of mine that I hiked an incredible path in Kauai with, Libby & Greg... Libby saw me, and I saw Greg looking back like "who the heck... OH MY GOD KAREN"... hahaha

Then another great surprise, my friends Leslie & Christopher on 1st Avenue somewhere in the 80's I honestly don't remember at this point... and the barricades were down so I got to hug them!!! It was awesome, as it was the first HUG I had on the course!!! From there it was straight to my sister Lisa's block...at 101st and 1st... where Kenny, Lisa & Anita were waiting with gatorade and signs in hand! Hugs and pictures and onward I went!

I kept in mind the whole time what Scotto and James and Kevin and others had to say, just look at the people and enjoy the experience, take it all in ... and I tried to keep doing that...

Harlem & the Bronx represented for sure!!! Amazingly interactive people really reaching out to you... handing out all kinds of candy and gels and water and everything... singing choirs and rappers and church groups... just blessed.

I got to 5th Avenue and was really feeling tired at this point. I wanted to be in the park, heading for the finish line. I didn't want to think about how many miles were left... or how much my legs were hurting. Then I'd try again to relax, breathe, center myself. So much mind over matter in this marathon race...

I was also looking out for my friend Ken McRay who said he might be out ... who was there with a smile as big as the day and a high five for me... Everyone from there on said, "the park is right in front of you"... while I love them, they LIED! hahaha I still had to run all the way down 5th to 91st street before I actually entered the park...


At this point I see a handicapped bicycle rider struggling to crank the pedals with her arms and while I know how much further I have to go, I cheer her on as I run by and try to bottle the motivation toward breaking down and crying to give strength to my legs to keep going. Reminding myself again of why I'm here.

There's that moment where you allow yourself to get emotional during this race, and you know if you let it out, you may not recover. You're that on the edge, you're pushing yourself that much... it takes that much strength. Holy crap. And quite honestly - you really don't know you have it in you until that very moment.

In the park... familiar territory again as our training runs were there, and 2 of the half-marathons I did this summer. At this point, I felt like I was in the twilight zone. I was there... but not really... I was running, but it wasn't really me making my body move. I knew what I had to do, but didn't know exactly how I was going to get it done. I heard the crowds, but couldn't really respond... I saw my friend Tess... and then after that Kenny, Lisa & Anita said they saw me and were cheering for me, but I looked so focused and in the zone and was running strong...

The finish line is there... I start to cry and push it down ... wait until you cross...I think... because you're about to finish your first NYC marathon... you can wait a few hundred yards... and I did... and I crossed... and a woman that was walking beside me heard me cry, and turned to me in tears.... and we hugged each other for what seemed to be like 10 minutes.... feeling the people pass us by and just crying in each others arms. It was just one of those moments that you never ever forget.

Now was the next really uncomfortable part... having to walk... slowly... through he bag check to the finisher area... the pace was just too slow and a few times I almost fell trying to stop and start and keep walking... my phone was completely shot. . . . and then I hear... KAREN!!!!!!! It was my softball teammates Jenna & Nicole... with cell phone in hand to lend me so that I could meet the gang.... I had to then walk all the way up to 77th street to walk back to 72nd street where they were... didn't know I had to do that until after I hung up ...

Again... marathon trams... helloooo can someone get on this ?!?! : ) lol



Met Lisa, Anita and Kenny (with bag still in hand, coat for me to put on, and all the stuff) and we bussed it / cabbed it over to Lisa's where I took my ice bath, shower and tried to clean the STINKY athlete off myself.. :) Went to my favorite bar of the upper east side Kinsale for a martini and a cheeseburger.. and 1/2 way through knew I had to go home and ice more, or I'd be in trouble.

Was up many times through the night because my legs were really hurting... iced the knees a few times... and woke up this morning feeling generally great, I just can't use my legs too well :)



Now rest... and reflect more... and absorb all this. What I've just written can't really accurately describe the day or the monumental achievement... and I thank each and every person, thought, energy, email and phone call... you did it with me. I was happy to take one for the team and run the miles... anytime...

xoxoxxo
Curly

I did it.

Yeah, that's pretty much all I have to say :)
xoxoxo
Oh, and I'm very grateful :)
xoxoxox

Lots of details, please read - because this is the last time you'll be hearing from me until after I FINISH!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the support that has cradled me through the injuries, incidents and the triumphs of this extraordinary experience.

Your words, thoughts, deeds, calls, emails, facebook comments, smiles, high fives and general well wishes were taken in, reflected upon and stored in up in my heart & soul - to get me to the point I'm at right now....READY to run the ING NYC MARATHON!

MY DETAILS

MY BIB NUMBER IS 51242

YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALERTS AND CAN TRACK ME HERE (WITH MY BIB NUMBER 51242)
http://fanalert.ingnycmarathon.org/Alerts.aspx


If you are looking for me - I will be wearing these clothes (below)

Most likely I'll have my hair up in curly pony tails....... :)
NICE AND CURLY AND HIGH!
(above)

I'm projecting to finish the race between 3:15pm - 3:45pm... give or take time for unforeseen circumstances!

The finishers area

If you want to see/meet me in the park --- after the finish we are directed to go to our bib specific finisher area... Bib #'s 33000-54999 (again, mine is 51242) will be let out between 73rd & 77th Streets. I'll head there, and in case I can't find anyone - wind on the NORTH WEST corner of 76th Street & Central Park West.... I figure I'll wind up there by 4:15-4:30pm... (all times are of course approximate)

I'll be going to ice bath AND make myself presentable afterwards, and heading out to CELEBRATE!!!! Feel free to join!!!!
From what I'm told - NYC is going to be a big party scene!
MARATHON AFTER PARTY!

26.2 miles - enough said!
Host: Maya Sudhakaran (team member from TEAM RUN MS)
Date: Sunday, Nov 2nd, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: The Half Pint - 76 W. 3rd Street @ Thompson
(trains A/C/E to W 4th)

Important links for you all!!!
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/closings.php
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/barpromotion.php
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/spectator.php

All other information regarding the marathon can be found here: http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/home/index.php
Watch the world's greatest road race live at 9:00 a.m. on WNBC 4 in New York.

20 miles (check!) and the taper down has begun!!!

So you ask - how was running for just shy of 4 hours straight yesterday?

I still don't feel in my heart that I LOVE running, BUT I have definitely learned to respect it immensely... I have trained and almost conquered the beast, and I look forward to looking that 26.2 mile beast straight in the eye and smiling.... along side thousands of marathon supporters and all my friends and family that have literally taken me through every inch of every mile of this journey.

Yes indeed, I finished my longest run to date ... 20 miles ... 7 miles + the Staten Island half marathon. It was pretty interesting doing my longest/hardest run in the place I grew up... along streets I used to drive my red Chevy Cavalier and later my white Ford Tempo... along side parking lots (Midland/South Beach) where I used to hang out in HS and kiss boys :) hahaha whatever motivation it takes to get you through right?

Another major point I have to share with you all ... the universe has sent me a wonderful "push" for the last, and what I believe to be the hardest, part of this training... my teammate Amanda Monaco. She and I discovered a few training runs back that we run about the same pace. Quite honestly - having her to run with has been one of the main points that is keeping me focused... Even waking up yesterday to go to the run, for a minute I was like "eh, I could say I slept through my alarm and do the run myself"... but then I thought about Amanda running solo, in addition to my own catholic/Jewish guilt and I got right up and got out the door! We push each other, make each other laugh, take care of each other through these long runs ... and in the nearly 4 hours we ran together yesterday, it made it seem like much less than that, and made the journey so much sweeter.

I really needed to complete that mileage yesterday to feel like I can actually finish the marathon. Up until yesterday I had a few lingering doubts.... I was looking for any way to get outta running this race - that's as honest as I can get with you all ... call it fear/nerves/laziness/whatever. I have discovered I'm not exactly a runner, but I have come to admire and respect the long-distance runners ethics tremendously, and I'm lucky to have seen a glimpse of what their lives are like all the time during these months...

Really it's all about the lessons... all this running has taught me so much.... SO much about how I tick inside .... and also that I really can complete something I've started... no matter how uncomfortable it is... if I just show up ... and do the work.

Now you ask - will I do another marathon? Hmmmm jury is still out, and right now if I had to answer I'd say probably not. But everyone says not to make that judgment until after I experience the race...I think this year with the vertigo and work insanity that I've had a few additional obstacles to taint my experience, but that's life right? Nothing is ever THAT easy...

I spoke with another friend from work Patrick that runs marathons every year... I told him how I was hurting a bit today, had doubts... and how hard it's been for me... and he said "if it was easy Karen, everyone would do it... "

It's not easy... not at all... but I'm finding out through all the self-reflection that it's more than worth it... and maybe - just maybe on November 3rd, I'll be able to truly call myself a marathon runner :)

xoxoxox
Curly

18 miles ... 34 days....

WOW.

I did it.

18 miles yesterday in 3:26 and change.

Ouch... and yay... and I FEEL LIKE I CAN REALLY DO THIS NOW. I think :) lol

I guess for me its going to take watching myself complete each long run now to prove to myself that I can do the big race. Honestly at times I feel like I am outside of my body when I'm running. Like it's doing the work, and just taking my spirit along for the ride. I wonder if other runners feel this way... I'm finding a separation in body / spirit / mind. It's quite amazing how we work as human beings.

I'm sore... but okay. Don't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would being I only did 2 of my 4 weekday training runs last week. I thought for sure Sunday I'd be hurting in a big way. I was hurting, but not in a big way. Also - this morning I woke up with my period, which made me pretty excited - but not for the reasons you would think ... lol I know this week was hard for me training, and I"m realizing now it's because I was overtired and PMS'd out! So if I can run 18 miles the day before I get my period, and know I'll be done with it before the marathon next month - I feel that much more confident. For me, the "girl thing" gets in the way of my energy level in a HUGE way.

I met some great individuals running yesterday. Helped out a girl early on in the race that was a little more inexperienced and really trying to qualify for next years marathon but had only been training for a month. Talked her through a few hard hills, and helped her to relax... it's times like that I really get the most from running. I love to be of use and help others in their own struggle with it all, knowing I felt exactly the same way and SO appreciated the help I've received.

Amazing times. As my runs get longer, my words seem shorter...

I'll leave you with this... THANK YOU.

Peace,
Curls
xo

Time to Dig In!

Okay - so after my milestone 15.6 mile run, I had a bad week... lack of time, sleep, stability in my AIG world just lead me down a not so great path... I had a horrible long run the next week in the park... fell... cramped up and didn't complete my 18 mile run.

Last week I decided ... no time like the present to dig back into it all...

So LAST week I did my 3 runs of 16 miles during the week... and my long run of 13.26 on Saturday and bettered my mile per minute time by 1:24 seconds a mile! Which is amazing for me... and from what I hear, it's really great progress for anyone! I think my body is finally catching up after the vertigo and pulling my hamstring a bit... and things are clicking thank goodness.

This week, three runs of 4 miles each and then I'm doing the 18 mile NYRR Marathon Tune-Up on Sunday! I am excited to do another formal race before the 20 milers start next month. It's easier for me because I don't wear a hydration belt or like to carry/hold anything at all on me... so the organized races have everything there that you need as far as nutrition, etc...

Also, very excited that I got my 2 new pairs of marathon sneakers last night thanks to my brother David's generosity of an early birthday present to me... so I'll wear one for the next month and then a few weeks before the marathon, break in the other pair... I don't think I've ever owned so many pairs of sneakers before! :) Along with those, I got that yummy GOO (chocolate that tastes like pudding to me!) running socks and body glide...

Seems like I'm all set... now all I have to do is concentrate on training, stop having a social life and show up on Nov 2nd ready to rock...

:)
Thanks for reading... and thanks for the energy and support you all always give me... trust me I need it, and feel it!

Peace,
Curly
xoxo

15.6... another milestone!

I have to say, I don't know how I'm doing the long runs! I'm still having a serious problem getting motivated, but once I get out there, I get it done!

I finished the 15.6 mile run this weekend in 3:06:47. I bettered my time by 16 seconds a mile from the Half Marathon in July. I was in awe, in pain, but all-in-all, really pleased with my accomplishment.

I definitely know the team training on Tuesday nights has helped push me and make my time better. Maybe it's the overachiever in me that needs to try and keep up with everyone else (who are rock star faster runners than I am)... or the guilty Catholic/Jewish girl that wants to finish faster because I don't want anyone waiting around because of me, the slow poke hahah ... whatever it is, it's working! I still really enjoy doing the long runs solo (because I can pick my own route and just like the solitude), but in the coming weeks will try and join the team.... GOOO TEAM RUN MS!

It's nice to feel like I've almost found my "stride" as far as my training...

So, is it bad at this point to feel that I honestly don't like to run? After mile three, I like it for a little while... then between miles 5-9 I hate it again, then after mile 10 honestly - it's all auto pilot. So it's about getting through the hills and valleys and getting to the auto pilot point that's the trick for me...

I really do look forward to the experience of the marathon... and I am very excited about raising this money to find a cure for MS. My brother is really unable to walk anymore, and not getting any better. We need to find a cure and FAST.

If you haven't already - PLEASE donate what you can. I would truly appreciate it. I am running for the MS cause 1st... and for myself 2nd...

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=258247&lis=1&kntae258247=E7B6F4E6697A4EC79A8488AAF62EB2D7&supId=210702758

Blessings and light,
Karen

Getting into the flow of things...

So ... it's been going well (knock on wood!!!)....

Last week was a light running week... did 8 miles over the weekend, and it's funny how that's starting to seem like an "light" run ... hahahah.... I completed my run and went up to Tuxedo NY to the Renaissance Festival with my sister Lisa and Anita... it was an AMAZING weekend.... and I decided my last big hurrah before training started to get intense starting in September.

This week I actually did my scheduled runs with the team on Tuesday and on my own on Thursday... Tuesday night we did a series of "out and backs" with the team totalling 5 miles (so 1/4 mile then back, 1/2 mile then back and so on until 1 mile and back). I wound up running most of the time with one of the other ladies on my team. We are both pretty solid 11 minute mile pacers we both admitted... BUT were both in shock when we realized we did our BEST time EVER... averaging out at about 9:28 a mile - with our last mile being a solid 9 minute mile! We both acknowledged that we couldn't have done it without the other inspiring us the whole way!

Yesterday I went back to my "old" route in my neighborhood for the first time in a few months. With the longer runs I changed the route to go directly to Prospect Park, but yesterday was just under 3.5 miles, so I decided to go back to my roots of Ft. Green Park in the HOOD! :) lol I ran an 11 minute pace but it seemed EASY... which is just something I haven't felt yet since I started training in May... The "hills" that seemed to exhaust me before, I was sprinting up.... the whole run seemed like a warm-up!

It was AMAZING to feel the progress that I didn't even know I had made. I was thinking that I was pretty steady and the same this whole time and even trying to play catch up a lot because of the vertigo, and aches and pains I was having ... but after this week, I can see a difference... a real difference, and it's inspiring me to do more...

Tomorrow... 15-16 miles. Wish me luck... :)

More later, peace & love now,
Curly
xo

Training ... 13 miles already????

So you know I completed the half obviously.... took a break that week... went back the following weekend, and did a simple 5 miles... then decided I would start fresh last week with the team... I was away the first weekend of August for my godson's big 5th Circus Big Top birthday party that we planned, decorated, etc...(which might I add was more exhausting, in a good way, than the marathon) and just didn't want to deal with coordinating running up in Saratoga, there was too much to do, and I needed the down time with the family up there... (see pictures) !!

I did the 5 mile Tuesday training run in Central Park... it was definitely interesting and different for me to run with a group. While I totally LOVE team sports and love the camaraderie of teammates, I always felt like running was definitely more of a solo thing. I really enjoyed running with the team, but found myself distracted by who was in front, who was behind, where everyone was... etc... I think maybe just the idea of keeping up was a little distracting to me. So after running with a few girls who were totally encouraging me, I found myself going a little too fast, and slowed myself down after the first half (I ran 2.5 in 26 minutes, which is a little fast for my shorter distances). I didn't have a "negative-split" as they say, but was content with my run. Stretching afterwards I over-stretched my right hamstring. So that was a little setback... and kind of made me a little mad. First the knees were hurting in June... then the Vertigo in July... now I have hamstring issues?!??!?! UGGGHHHHH.

Running in Central Park is hard. I never realized how challenging. Let's just say that...

So our training w/ the team is Tues & Saturdays (long run day). I was suppose to be at Central Park at 8am this past Saturday. Alarm went off at 6am... and I shut that thing off and went back to sleep! COME ON, Saturday, the one of two days during the week that I can actually get up at 8am - and here I am red-eyed and exhausted and not wanting to get out of bed to go for an 11 mile run first crack!!!! AND my hamstring was hurting me... Who could blame me for not getting up!?!?hahah

I got out of bed about 7:30am... was thinking, I'll get out at like 8:30 and do my own run (which they ask us to do our own work if we can't train with them)... then 8:30 rolls around and I found myself totally unmotivated... and decided that I could go out later, at dusk, when I really love to run. However, my catholic/Jewish guilt kicked in and I found myself dressed and ready to run at about 9:00...

Did some stretching, made sure the hamstring was a little warm... plotted my course on mapmyrun.com and decided I would do 10 miles (they said up to 11 miles depending) and that THAT was enough of a challenge for me that day. Just getting out of my pajamas is enough of a challenge for me on the weekends....

BUT ... as Woody Allen says, "80% of success is showing up"...

So I showed up... and I ran... and I FELT GREAT... I did my Prospect Park route, from my house, to the Park... around the loop... and then for the extra mileage, around the loop AGAIN but the other direction.

It was definitely a challenge. The longest I'd run was 8 miles before the 1/2... so this was my 2nd longest run ever. I did it... 10.1 miles in less than 2 hours (actually 1:59:44 and I didn't stop the watch when I got water 3 times)...

Coming from someone that would say at first "I don't care about times or negative splits or any of that, I doubt I'll even wear a watch".... I pay attention to my times now. Really more for water/nutrition purposes and just to see my progress. I bettered my time by 23 seconds a mile this run and from there it gets better!!

I went on the Tuesday training run last night in Central Park. A 6 miler that I was again, not looking forward to.. I think lately I've just been in a negative state of mind, going through a little depression maybe, and just not feeling like running. ALTHOUGH I do feel wonderful after I run, and that's what's getting me out there.

I got to the park early, and of course, it starts to pour rain. You could see it was going to pass, so I stayed there, under a tree and read my running magazine (yes, I've hit the point of buying a running magazine!).. and waited for the group... Slowly people showed up, smaller group, but faces that were familiar to me. Another girl was talking about how she's been unmotivated, but usually runs about a 9-10 minute mile... Everyone else is fast. To me. 8-9 minute milers, and though I'd love to run that fast, I just don't think it's in me, which is FINE. So I figure I'll be the last in the group, with another girl that's on our team and actually has MS. A few people on the team have MS, which is a totally humbling thing for me to realize. If they can go through this challenge with all they are facing, I surely can stop complaining about my dizziness, knees and hamstrings and just RUN.

WELL, did I surprise myself last night. Not only was I NOT the last to come in, but I ran a 9:45 minute mile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Moly!!!! Finished in 59 minutes (something about 59 in my times that keeps repeating)... and was so HAPPY after the run that I ascended on the group that had already returned clapping and jumping and I think they thought I was a little koo-koo! hahaha

So the weeks continue. THIS Saturday - 13 miles of training run... funny that mileage has now become TRAINING! hahah

I add two training days this week (Thursday & Sunday) and hope to complete all my runs and feel good and healthy.

That's all for now. Thanks for sharing my journey...

xoxo
Curly

NYC Half Marathon - DONE!!!!

This is the story of my first half-marathon, longest distance, longest time ran and one of the most overwhelmingly amazing experiences ever, in the 38 year history of my life.

So, it's Saturday night….. night before the race… thinking I had to wake up at 4am was completely daunting. Coming from a “Broadway baby” that doesn’t sleep tight until around 9am on weekends, I was trying to force myself to sleep by 9pm… HA. That was a joke. I just lay in bed, thinking about using my vertigo as an excuse to forego the race and sleep in all day. Though it’s subsiding, it’s definitely still there every time I lie down and get up. I think I finally fell asleep after 10pm sometime, knowing that I was at least going to attempt it and see how I felt in the a.m.

Woke up on my own at 4am… thankfully because my blackberry alarm I was depending on was only set to go off weekdays. Realizing this, I got up…. Got in the shower and put on my race-day clothes. I ate my bagel with peanut butter, my banana and some Gatorade…. And I left Brooklyn at about 5:05am.

THE MOMENT I got outside – in the darkness, the sky opened up and it started to pour rain!!!! My initial route to get there was to take the bus to the 4 train, instead of taking the dreaded G train. But as the really nice gentleman (seemed to be a kitchen worker going to work in a breakfast joint) pointed out to me while I was standing at the busstop alone, sans umbrella in the pouring rain – the bus doesn’t come that often on Sunday mornings at 5am. I didn’t have anything on me but my wrist band w/ money/metro card/ID, so that I didn’t have to check a bag at the race. Since I didn’t want to stand in the rain, I listened to my gut and took my chances with the G train.

Lo and behold, within 5 minutes, the train came!!!! It was definitely strange being on the train with not many people (and no other runners) at that time without it being a drunken train ride from a long night before, and I did encounter a few groups of kids that were doing just that, and in their drunken states TOTALLY encouraging me with statements like “YOU’RE GONNA TOTALLY ROCK THIS RACE!!!!” ahhaah Gosh I miss being that young... sometimes... lol I did my transfer to the 7 train to Grand Central and finally saw the mass of other runners that were on the same time schedule as I was, so I was very relieved I was relatively on time.

At that point I was happy to be on auto-pilot and just follow the crowd. It was about 6:15 when I got off the train at 96th and Lexington Ave - and they said the corral entrance closed at 6:35. So I had some time to get to the park and then some. I decided to listen again to my gut upon passing the Starbucks and use their bathroom. I knew that it would be madness once I entered the park … There were about 8 people on line – but it was worth the wait… talked to a few runners, finished my business and jogged over to the entrance!

People everywhere obviously…. Excited, nervous, with friends, groups… so it was interesting to be there solo….and just quietly take it all in. A friend from work Patrick Keane who is a seasoned runner had told me what a great event this was (as others did) and to make sure I just took it all in and had fun. That was my objective….

The pre race and waiting in the crowd of corrals consisted of listening to the chatter about timing, and nerves… joining in a few conversations….there was a guy with his buddy and he was saying how this would be his longest distance and that he feared “the bus” would pick him up because he wouldn’t be able to finish (there’s a bus that picks up runners that are slower than a 13:45 minute mile at the end and don’t finish quickly enough). I told him I may just be on the bus with him, and was in the same situation ... we laughed saying how it was probably a party bus … and his friend said, “I think it would be a pretty sad mood on that bus”… and I corrected him by saying, “honestly anyone that comes out to even start this race should be proud, so there’s no way I’ll be sad at any point!! Exhausted, but not sad!!"

Then the crowd started moving forward… the race was starting the front and they were moving us all up …. And we were OFF!

The first 4 miles for me are always brutal, but especially on Sunday when I hadn’t trained in 3 weeks, and running in Central park was ridiculously hard. They said in the news that even the world class runners don’t expect to break any records because the 1st half of the course is so incredibly difficult. So I just tried to keep my breath steady… and do what I’ve been doing since May…. Just run my pace.

Wow….all I have to say is, I’ll never look at "Harlem Hill" in CP the same way again. It’s not a hill it’s a MOUNTAIN!!! And they kept saying “this is the last hill”… they were lying!!! Hahaah It’s all very hilly in the park, and was truly one of the hardest runs I’ve ever done. I had a few people that were around me at the start of the race that I was pacing myself against as well. I’d be ahead… they’d move ahead… visa versa…. It was a good gauge. I would have enjoyed running with someone or a team – but honestly for me running is such an individual sport… I found that when someone (intentionally or not) sort of “pulled” me out of my zone - without my wanting to be pulled out – I would get very distracted and flustered and have to force myself back in the zone. Which was fine… it’s all a learning process. Also, I found at this race (as opposed to the Corporate Challenge I ran) there were such wonderful and gracious runners, I couldn’t help but be distracted watching the athleticism of every person. Amazing.

So the miles came and went, not that easily but they did …. 5 miles… 6…. 7 …. Got a drink twice and realized my body doesn’t really love drinking when running like this…. But I didn't want to dehydrate... and then finally rounding the turn to finally get out of the park and continue down 7th Avenue to 42nd Street.

I had planned to take a “break” at 42nd, that’s where they have the provided gross and disgusting Gel pack and a cup of Gatorade and stretch for a minute. On the way down 7th Avenue they had bands playing every mile or so… and gave out wonderful wet, cold sponges… the street was pretty open to have space to run and take it all in. There’s not many times in your life you can say you ran down 7th Avenue to Time Square with no traffic and the openness of Time Square inspiring in all its billboard glory….

Rounding the corner at 42nd street, I was really feeling fatigued and took a minute to walk it out…. Came up on the gel station and remembered along the way a woman saying how the chocolate gel tasted like pudding, so I opted for that. YAY!! It DID!! And didn’t gross me out or make me gag! I stretched a bit… got a few words of encouragement from walkers by… and got back on to the business of finishing the race.

At this point, my knees were aching a bit. Everything else felt fine…. Vertigo was in check (I just really couldn’t turn around and look over my shoulder too much because I got a little dizzy when I did that, so I just kept my head forward) …. my concern was more about my knees. So I made sure to keep in good form so as to not injure myself at all…. walked for about 30 seconds every few miles to get a full stretch in my legs, arms... etc...

Rounded the corner to the West Side … and felt my heart take a HUGE LEAP. I couldn’t believe I had made it that far … (and I’m crying as I type this)… I couldn’t believe it. This dream I had of training this year, running races, ½ marathons, and finally in November the marathon… it was finally truly taking shape. It was really really happening. I was doing it.

There was a runner during the race that I overheard saying, “the first few miles you run with your mind, the 2nd few you run with your body… and the rest and last miles you run with your heart.” Well, never to me were words so true, and that statement got me through the rest of the race.

One thing I have to say about those last miles…. Even though the crowd support was thin because of the rain… it was there… truly there. The people’s faces and cheers and unbelievable support were truly priceless. Truly!! I made as much eye contact as I could, and when I did, I didn’t hesitate to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to each person. Actually – not only the last miles but really through the whole race…especially the last part of Central Park… just inspiring to see how many people were there, for hours… people that perhaps knew runners, but some of them you could see didn’t know anyone and were just there… telling us “you can do it!!” “you look great, keep it up” … “don’t’ give up”… it was the stuff that the dream of life is made of… people supporting people in their life goals. I only wish that my mother and father could have been there to see it happen. I miss having them there to support me in times like this… however, I know they were there during those last miles, pulling me through, and telling me like they always did “you can do anything you want in life, you are special, don’t ever forget that”…

I passed Chelsea Piers I knew it wasn’t far to Battery Park. I kept my head up… kept my legs going… and saw the 800 meter marker… passed the World Trade Center and remembered all my friends who died there…. Gave thanks for my blessings… gave thanks to my God… and then there was the 400 meter marker…. And then…. I saw it… the finish line ..... I started crying again, and met eyes with a woman in the crowd who put out her hand and said to me “you made it … you did it… keep on going … finish strong”…. I jogged over, slapped her hand… and sprinted to the finish line.

I DID INDEED FINISH STRONG … in 2 hours… 36 minutes… and 2 seconds. Came in 9,888 out of 10,506 runners!

To anyone who ever had a dream…. Any dream…. I know you hear people say it when they fulfill their dreams… but YOU can do it. You can - you can!!!! I never thought I’d run one mile, let alone 13.1 … so don’t give up… ask for the help you may need from whoever will support you… and you will feel like I did this morning when I woke up and felt the soreness in my legs…. Such accomplishment…. So proud of my dedication… through all of the last three weeks with the vertigo… through all of the last 3 months with my training… and through all the work in trying to raise money find a cure for MS, even though this race wasn’t for MS… it’s the bigger picture… the race in November, and raising the money to eradicate this devastating illness. I just kept thinking, while I can use my legs, while I’m lucky enough to be healthy and functional… do whatever I can to use that strength to help others, and through that, help myself -- so much so I didn’t even realize how much.

Aftermath…. Knees were really sore, but I iced them through the afternoon/evening and they were fine when I woke up. I’m a little sore today – but much less than I anticipated from what I felt last night. I’m chaffed in a few places I didn’t expect either! I didn’t sleep well, but that’s okay. I think I’m still so wound up from what I accomplished, it’s gonna take a few days to come down from this unbelievable high.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading… and sharing my story through these months. I hope I’ve inspired even one person by what I’m doing. My love and support go out to all of you who share in a journey like mine…if ever you should need me as support for your cause/life/journey – I will be there.

xoxoxo
Curly

my official time:

http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/5611.2.736579485400014953

VERTIGO!

I have been diagnosed with severe vertigo this week.... from neck stress and some problems with my cervical spine, and emotional stress.. and whatever kind of other stress you can think of... :) lol

Hopefully with the help of physical therapy, trying to narrow down the real "cause" of it - and a lot of prayers... I can continue my training and keep on the marathon path.

Without all of your encouragement, I would never be able to do this. Thank you all for your words of support and your continued "cheering" for my journey...

Curly
xo

July is here!

Wow, I really can't believe it's July and the half-marathon is right around the corner... and 13.1 miles later... :)

I'm a little nervous, but getting through a few more 8 mile runs has built my confidence a bit to say I'll at least be able to make it through!!! I was hoping to finish in just over 2 hours, but because my training hasn't been consistent enough, I'll take what I can get.

I basically canceled all my "social" plans for July except the two shows I have planned on the 15th & 16th... and other than that, just TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN... I cancelled my 4th of July weekend plans... and did my runs... :) I was very proud and happy to say I DID IT.... even in the heat... my friends who I had canceled plans with were surprised but equally supportive, which meant the world to me!!!

My left knee is feeling a little "achy" from time to time - so on the advice of my coach - I'm going to see a PT tomorrow just to be safe. We don't want knee problems now! (or ever)...

Long runs and what goes through your mind in the hours that you are running is crazy.... I end up not even remembering 1/2 of what I thought about. But these long runs are testing my mental and emotional abilities to cope with the distances, be patient and pace myself for sure. doing 8 miles on a treadmill is an interesting test as opposed to doing it outside.... no trees or people around to distract you... just you and your body and GO... then the thoughts come.... everything from, "I should have worn different underwear" to "why am I still mad at my mother after all these years" hahahah Literally it's a mentally grueling test. I guess that's part of the reason why people love iPods so that they can tune out. Since I started training - my iPod has been out of commission - so I'm really being tested. It's either that or wait at the Apple store... and think I'd rather run a marathon than wait at the Apple store for help! hahaah

I find my body is just getting adjusted to being a runner. I am a runner now. That's a whole other concept I never fathomed to wrap my head around. I really like the way my body feels. I haven't really lost much weight, and it fluctuates depending on my run days and what I'm shoving down my throat because I"m so hungry all the time. But that's all balancing itself out. My clothes fit the same pretty much, but I feel a little tighter in my skin. Jeans from last year still don't fit, but I could probably take off someones head with the strength in my legs!

I saw the nutritionist - but she's so unavailable that I've taken some of her advice, and will continue to see my fabulous MD who does acupuncture and is an alternative guy with eating habits and things... he recommended this book "Eat Fat, Lose Fat" since I'm having an issue with my eczema related to eating more carbs. Going to look into that this week...

I gave away most of my copies of The Four Agreements - but bought myself another one this past week. It's a wonderful book... I highly recommend for anyone that needs some positive good thoughts thrown into their every day life...

Much love, keep on keepin' on...
Peace, rock n' roll,

Curly
xoxox

8 mile....was not only an Eminem film...

Okay - SO I DID IT!

After one hour and thirty-three minutes of running on Saturday morning ... a very nauseous and sweaty Curly headed girl from Staten Island reached her home after 8 miles of running and nearly threw up!

The whole nauseous factor for me was about my allergies being horrible since Wednesday's run, and running in the morning, a lot of mucus still sitting in my head. Enough said about that. Quite honestly - there were a few points where I was tired and had those thoughts of "why am I doing this to myself"... but all in all, I felt really hopeful about my run, my pace, how I felt and my legs not really being that tired. My breathing was a little rough through the end - I think because of the weather getting hotter as I ran in the morning, and the allergies combined.

Like Coach Jonathan says, "you run, I think". So I'm going to keep reminding myself of that... this marathon training, as I've said before, is so much more mental and emotional for me than it is physical.

On that note, would love to share an amazing short video that someone from the RUN MS team made last year, great quotes, great images and very inspiring:

http://www.leadingedgemediagroup.com/NYCMarathon/vid.html

Skipped yesterdays pick up run, will do that today or tomorrow depending on how I'm feeling. I was concerned about going two days without running, but was told that's fine, as long as my weekly mileage adds up to 15-20 miles and increased the way it's suppose to on a weekly basis.

Doing all this food journaling for the nutritionist has been eye opening. I really don't eat frequently enough at all... working on that this week.

One day at a time, one run at a time......

xoxoxo
Curly

p.s. Thank you to the ever so handsome Miguel.. though he didn't inspire me to run (away from him) just meeting him provided all kinds of inspiration ;) lol

Corporate Challenge

Well well well... I ran the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge for the first time and completed what I consider my first "official race".

I was kinda nervous for sure. I mean, my teammate on the AIG Investments team (and softball teammate) has won the men's individual title for the last 2 years in a row - and there were many other accomplished runners in our company.

Since I've been training, I've been training alone, now that I was with a team, it was an odd dynamic for me to know what to do with myself... so at one point I just said - okay, I'm gonna go run a little, warm up and I'll see you gals either at the start line or after the race. I wound up meeting up with 3 women that I didn't know originally - but one of whom I wound up really hitting it off with, and she encouraged me quite a great deal. After the race she told me that she never passed me (we lost track of each other because of trying to run between people) and she said she was impressed with how well I did (she's run 1/2 marathons and been running for a while). So that was pretty cool - just the criticism and comments in general. Where I could always gauge myself in performing, how I did, the effort, etc... I always feel like running is hard, and I look like I'm dying from it LOL...

I finished in decent time, averaging in by the time we actually crossed the start line (because we were so far back) I think I ran it in about 34 minutes (a little slower than the day before when I ran it in the 33:50)... but it WAS raining the entire time, and the crowd was crazy. Makes me wonder what the beginning of the marathon is going to feel like. As much as I'm dreading it, I'm so completely excited to be in the midst of it all.

Have been emailing with Coach and he's giving me some good information... doing the 8 mile run tomorrow morning... wish me luck. I'm feeling a million things.

Life has been getting a little easier, great friends taking my mind off happenings as of lately.... and just trying to have hope for the future and think about this marathon. But in the words of the Coach "you run. i think. that's it".....

So, I run.... and then I run again. And I look forward to celebrating my friend Wack's birthday tomorrow with Leslie & the Lynch's and friends :) I'm lucky to know some great people in my life and these are by far at the top of the list... also mapped a route by Lisa's house and she said she would roller blade possibly while I skate (she's trying to get in shape, so great to have people to suffer with! hahah) So it's really cool to have support, even while going away for the weekend and staying at a friends house...

Here's to succeeding in something you want to do this weekend... NO MATTER WHAT it might be :)

Running on full,
Curly
xoxoxo

Erased!

Oy Technology!

I was logging all my runs on mapmyrun.com.... and I pressed a wrong button, and most of my entries were deleted :( Soooo bummed... hopefully I have them written on a calendar at work by hand and most will be there... :)

So took a few days off running... had to rebuild my closet over the weekend, and reorganize my life because the running is only going to increase, and I need to get organized from the inside out... oh right, and my whole rack that was holding my clothes and all kinds of other things like shoes and towels, completely busted.

Wow - okay - not so incredibly hard in the end, but boy did I ever use up all the trials and all the errors ... and found myself after about 11 hours of physical labor on Saturday saying "I really think it's okay right now not to do the long run that was scheduled for today "....... same thing for Sunday... Monday came, and I was exhausted and still totally sore.. plus, I'm having this issue with my right arm/hand having pins & needles, so holding anything with it right now is randomly uncomfortable. Get the whole picture here? I got partially lazy and made partial excuses - which equaled no running. Life is short, forgiving thyself is key.

Today was the get back on track day... started with work, then a 3.5 mile run at lunch in 33.50 :) Then I had a meeting with the nutritionist Keri Ganz... she was wonderful (and I'll be writing down all my food for a few weeks to get a true sense - but she gave me some good initial suggestions) then off to my first Team RUN MS meeting for the marathon!!! It was very inspiring personally for me, because of the cause of course - but also because there are so many others like me~~~~~ hahaha first-timers!!! VIVA LA FIRST-TIMER! Very very cool that others are crazy like me to just take on this incredible challenge...

Got some very cool info from our coach Jonathan... and kind of set my mind at ease...then scared the pants off me a little! So basically - based on the fact that I'm doing the 1/2 marathon end of July - I have to increase my total miles by 10% every week for the next three weeks .... WOW. Ok. :) That's 10% longer on the long runs AND the short runs.... okay. I can do this.... I can do this.... I can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right?

I know it will change my life, and I'm ready for the change. I've been ready for way too long now. One day at a time, one run at a time.... one marathon at a time :)

Feeling the blessings and sending the Love
Curly
xoxo

The week of HEAT......

Well is it hot enough for ya!!??!!?

Tough times for running outside.... good thing I have a wonderful friend with a gym in their building that happens to be right next to my work so I can do my 3 mile short runs during the week inside on the treadmill (more on the treadmill later)...

Last Friday I headed out to Staten Island for a visit with my Godmother (Aunt Marie) and my cousin Linda - then a friends wedding on Saturday. I knew I had to get in my miles ...

Besides the week being one of the hardest I've had in a long while for personal reasons (aka my heart being completely broken) the heat, seeing my Aunt Marie who I love (but it's also bittersweet because we both miss my mother so much, she was her best best girlfriend) and anticipating getting my period (feeling exhausted and bloated) .... it was just rough for the life of the curly one... so I tried to plan ahead - it's the only way to succeed, for me, I've learned...

I mapped out my miles on mapmyrun.com.... and told my godmother and cousin ahead of time that I needed to run (so people are prepared for the commitment I've made to myself) and just took it moment by moment.

Funny that the area that I was running (Midland/South Beach Staten Island) was where we used to hang out during High School and spent a lot of time partying with friends... so that was a good distraction of memories...

I ran Friday night at the point where the heat wasn't so bad. Finished and was rewarded by a beautiful completely home cooked meal from Aunt Marie! Linda and I ate and talked and I got to sit with Aunt Marie until we all went to bed...

Saturday morning, alarm went off at 6:30am... UGH... but I had to do it.... better than laying in bed feeling miserable right!??!? I had a small cup of coffee with Aunt Marie who was of course up at the time all 82 year olds are up (6am!)... and then set out.... it was truly beautiful, and again, not too hot because it was early. I ran along the beach and the boardwalk with many other folks who seemed to have the same objective as me... it was a slow - long run for me... BUT I DID IT.... and as "uncomfortable" as I may have been, I was so comforted when I drank my mimosa later at the wedding (that was on the same boardwalk as I had just run on) knowing I had done my work for the day!

We also had a beautiful breakfast before the wedding with my brother, sis-in-law and goddaughter that came over to say hi... great exercise, family and wonderful food all before 11am on a Saturday .... you can't start off much better than that!

Running is really difficult for ME in particular when I'm having an emotionally hard time. I know a lot of people get out there and feel it's a release... but I haven't gotten to that point yet. So doing all this was just a major major accomplishment for me... if I can do it - I know anyone can do it...

Theresa & John's wedding was incredibly inspiring to say the least... and at a point where I was questioning why I believe in love, it made me remember why.... and to have faith... that someday, at some point, I will find someone that will love me for everything I am... good and bad... difficult and easy... because love isn't about being easy - it's about so much more than that.

I got to see Theresa marry the man that she truly felt was her partner in life... and that was such a gift in itself. Also got to spend time with my college friends and sorority sisters, and I have to say, I'm so proud of the place we are all in with our lives... and it was such a joy to spend that time with them. Another reward for running that morning!!! :)

Saturday night I went home, rested and pretty much slept all day Sunday... Monday was my day off... and Tuesday (yesterday) I did my 3 miles on the treadmill ... I have to say - I am not a huge fan of the treadmill or running inside. However, it's a great way to push for better time (minutes per mile)... and that's exactly what I did yesterday. I was able to run 3 miles in about 28 minutes.... finally running under a 10 minute mile. Friday / Saturdays "brutal runs" were more like 11-12 minute miles, but that was because of all the "x" factors... :)

So all in all, a HUGE week for me... and I anticipate many many huge weeks to come... and I look forward to continuing to share all this with you all...

Thank you for reading... and for continuing to support me...

If you can - please make a donation to the marathon - I would really appreciate it.... I need to raise another $500 by July - so please feel free to spread the word... :) Here's the link ... any donation is graciously accepted!!!!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=258247&lis=1&kntae258247=E7B6F4E6697A4EC79A8488AAF62EB2D7&supId=210702758

Next week, going the the nutritionist to get some help with the food issues and energy... this week acupuncture to help align my spirit ... (and as my doc said, a "dragon" treatment to fight to reclaim my balance!)

LOVE and KEEP RUNNING,

Curly
xoxoxo

Good News!

I got into the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge with my company (June 18th at night) and also THE NYC HALF Marathon!!

Entry Number: 292774

Dear Karen Schleifer,

Congratulations! You have a confirmed spot in the 2008 NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE. Like the ING New York City Marathon that inspired it, the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE is a rare day when New York closes some of its busiest streets to traffic—and opens them to runners who come from across the country and around the world for the experience of a lifetime. This year is the 50th anniversary of NYRR, and we will celebrate this milestone during spectacular events like this race, and in other ways, all year long.

We're thrilled that you'll be joining us on Sunday, July 27. This year, a world-class field of athletes will try to top the excitement of 2007, when Haile Gebrselassie dominated the field in 59:24, and Hilda Kibet bested defending champion Catherine Ndereba. The race will be broadcast locally on WABC-TV/Channel 7, so be sure to tell family and friends who live in New York to tune in.


VERY EXCITED !!!! Now if I can get out of this slump of a week.

Also going to see a nutritionist (that's thankfully covered by my insurance!) so I think that will definitely help alleviate much of my energy/fatigue issues, as well as a host of others!

Viva la getting in shape!:)

Peace,
Curly
xo

Daily Runs....

Sunday wound up being a day OFF! Breakfast with Lisa.. Sex and the City at Noon... then lunch and Cosmos (of course!).... any time for my 3 mile run.... nope. Or rather - by the time I got home at 6pm and after the "celebratory" eating and drinking... there was no way I was going to do it.

So, I told myself that was okay... and made a deal with myself. Although I very much prefer running at night, I have a lot of summer plans/things to attend during the week nights... so I am trying to go running EVERY morning for 3 miles. This way, not only am I starting off the day right, burning calories and all that, but I'm getting a normal dose of running in every day, and hopefully - this will make my long runs on the weekend just a little bit easier.

This morning, up at 6:40am ... after fighting off the cats (they thought I was waking to feed them at this hour, HA!) and fighting off the sleepy eyes, I put on my running gear, and headed out the door by 6:52am.

I have to say, it's been a while, but I was definitely asleep for the first mile - mile & a half!!! I don't know if that was better or worse, because I really had to concentrate on my breathing, body placement and relaxing more than I usually do.

The next thing I must say, is that there's really nothing like the feeling of being done with running in the morning, showered and fresh afterward, and sitting on the subway with my body tingly still from the workout, and knowing the day is mine, and I don't have to schedule running time in between plans for later.

I ran a bit slower mile (11.2 minute mile instead of the consistent 10 minute mile I've been running lately).. but that's okay. If I can do 3 miles every weekday and the long run on Saturday, I'll be in great shape to train with the team come July. Either that or do Tues - Sunday (so that Mondays are my "off" day)...

Next... getting a nutritionist. I'm finding that it's probably the thing that is preventing me from making some nice leaps forward where my efforts and times are concerned. If you know anyone that's good - please let me know!

Keep cheering me on to run every day this week!!!!!!!!

Peace,
Curly
xo

New milestone!

Okay... so .... did 7.07 miles yesterday in 1 hour and 20 minutes!!!!

Making this short and sweet because I have tickets for the 11:45am showing of Sex and the City and having mimosas and breakfast with Lisa before....

So today is the challenge... I have plans most of the day, meeting a friend later for some coffee.... I have to do the 3 mile run today............wish me luck!

Feel really good today... not sore... my calves were REALLY hurting during the warm up of the run yesterday. I had to stop once to stretch them out a bit (and I never do that) but they worked it out and I did my first time from my house - through the big loop at Prospect Park and back to my house.... One thing that happened was that I had a slight sunburn from last week and going to Montauk... and got sort of water/heat blisters on my chest... they went away overnight and with some aloe... but scared me a bit!

Ack - late - off to the shower....

:)

Viva la Sex and the City!!!

Peace,
Curly

Tired and unmotivated.

So I was 1/2 asleep last night on the couch and saw this commercial... it literally woke me up because I've been very unmotivated with my daily running and just can't get past it all seeming like a big HUGE CHORE right now....

I had to share with you all... the link is below to the You Tube ... thank goodness for You Tube :)

The general wording is..... guilt... works with me every time :) lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJFsE4bz_SQ

Running knows when you cheat on it...
Running knows when temptation may lead you astray...
Running knows when you're thinking of calling the whole thing off...
BUT both you and running know you won't....
And nothing spices up a relationship like a hot sweaty make up run...

lolol

I'm hoping for my hot sweaty make-up run today.... I'm feeling I need it after taking Mon & Tues off....

Here I sit, at my desk... working away on things that don't mean anything to me... and the world keeps spinning... and I'm just at a really stagnant point (ironically with all the movement I'm doing)...

I've also gained 4lbs.... I know - muscle is building and weighs more than fat... and I'm eating a lot... so I'm going to try and cut down these next few weeks... I also need to figure out if I'm either wheat intolerant or if the carbs are just killing me and my eczema.... because it's awful right now. Could be in addition to running outside, being allergic to the pollen and it all having an effect...

I need encouragement everyone!!!!! Help!!!!

Love
Curly

I See What I Sing

Mental Memorial...

Oy Vey it's not getting easier.... okay that's a lie... I guess I'm improving in time and yes, at points it's easier... but it's hard to run!

You think I would have figured that out before committing to the 26.2! HHHAHA

So last weekend, I skipped my recovery run... which resulted in my running 5.35 miles Sunday, 3.15 Monday & 5 on Tuesday...skipped Wed Thurs & Friday... so I knew I HAD to do my long run today... I'm averaging around 11 minutes per mile on the longer runs and 9ish on the 3 miles now.

If you can even believe it - which I didn't... I ran 6.19 miles today ... stopped twice for about a minute each time because of a cramp in my side and caught my breath... and ran an average pace of 10.10. I finished those miles in just over an hour 1.03 to be exact.

So as brutal as it may have seemed, I guess I'm pushing myself without realizing it - or my body is making the natural progression to push itself....

Tomorrow I head out to Montauk. Going to do a little run to the lighthouse from my brothers house in Ditch Plains. That should be fun...

It was an emotionally taxing week, I enjoyed drinking a few nights... and really didn't eat foods that would give me energy, more that would comfort and feed the hunger.... I'm sure that played on my being so incredibly tired. Skipping 3 days in a row from running right now is just not really what I need to be doing. Even if I do short runs, I have to get something in.

After all is said and done, those are my legs I need to rely on for this marathon... and my mind, and my drive.... and all of you hopefully out there somewhere on the route with signs and water and love and hugs to give me....

Thanks again for all the support...time to stretch and get into the lovely bathtub :)

Curly
xoxoxxo

p.s. What honestly helps me is wearing some kinda gear that says marathon on it... got this shirt a week or so after I started training... it makes me proud and pumps me up a little.... everyone tells me that's run they do the same thing... have things that inspire them... make them feel in the "running" :)

Sunday lazies

I don't know what happens, but maybe the weeks have been so long and difficult to me incorporating the running, and lately I've had unexpected things on the weekends, but I've been missing my 3 mile runs... and switching my long runs to Sundays.... and even then, it's been such a game with myself to get outta the house!

I have to start with getting the running gear on... then throw on the socks... then sit and stare at the shoes for a while, knowing the journey they will take me on (see picture) put on the shoes.... and sit there for a while mapping out my run on www.mapmyrun.com ... get the iPod ready.... keys ready.... ugh.... tired... don't feel like it, but out I go...

Gavin DeGraws song "I Don't Wanna Be" came on.... which is such a great song for my head space when I run lately and has a wicked guitar part that kicks off the song... the chorus says:

I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me

So that started the run off with a lot of fuel... then it started to drizzle (which was the reason I made myself go as well, because I assumed the rain was just going to get worse)... and I was going to turn back 14 times in the first 4 minutes ... hahah... sad but true... I guess for my my first 2 miles are the most brutal for me... I take a while to warm up... and so I have to play the head game with myself to keep on running. I literally have to take it lap by lap.

My recent thing is to run the loop around Fort Green Park... it's a lot of up hill down hill which is great for training... on a paved path, but I can run on and off the grass at times... basically it's challenging enough and familiar enough. Also parts of it have enough trees to cover parts of the path from a light rain.

Running in the rain was the best part of the day. Note to self, next paycheck get better clothes to run in the rain with. All in all, totally refreshing and wasn't coming down hard enough to warrant me going back... so with all the distractions of my park, the rain, I wound up doing 5.5 miles out of the 6 I was suppose to do. Which for me today I am happy with based on feeling so exhausted this weekend.

So that means extra run day tomorrow to make up for Saturday, and also, I've read to make sure and do a small recovery run after my long run days. I made a healthy dinner and I'm ready to watch Extreme Home Makeover and cry my eyes out :) lol

Happy Sunday... I hope you ease into the night and dream of things that give you peace,

Curly
xo

Run with friends!!!

Ran with two friends yesterday.... Jenna & Sean... they both said "ohhh I haven't run in yearrrrsss" but yet, both were jaunting along effortlessly... Needless to say - they later told me they ran track, cross country, etc, were track stars, track gods/goddesses!!!

They pushed me, and it was wonderful.... time is improving, and I could actually breath on the bridge - as opposed to last week with the shortness of breath because of the allergies (thank you again Dr. Schulman!!)..

More about this later, but MOST importantly, I wanted to thank my FIRST POSTER of comments.... the lovely Leslie Hinck.... THANK YOU LESLIE... you are a wonderful first poster...

Learning, growing and sore....

I am active... I always view myself as kinda lazy... I guess that's the overachiever in me... but what can I do, I had parents that were constantly in motion... so they set the bar high!

So when I have a softball game with work - and have a run day ... what do I do? Of course, I RUN to the SOFTBALL GAME.. :) lol

Running up the west side bike/skate path in New York is challenging to say the least... but it's better than running the Brooklyn Bridge right after work. It's much less crowded, and while you have to deal with the bikes, skaters, mom's with stroller/bike things whizzing by you because at times the path is really narrow, it wasn't that bad. I plotted out the course from work to the game (which was on 53rd and 11th) as about 4.8 miles. Usually on Tuesdays I only run 3... so I decided to walk the first mile, and try and run the rest... I did the 3.8 in about 42 minutes. I was tired because I missed my recovery run on Sunday. Note - yes, a 3 mile run in my life is now viewed as "recovery"... :) I guess that's something to be thankful for!

I must say, every time I run, for the first 2 miles, I feel like "OH MY GOD I WAS NUTS TO EVER AGREE TO RUN A MARATHON"... hahahahahah. Then eventually I sink into feeling okay - but I still have to be conscious the whole time of my frame, relaxing, my breathing, relaxing.. and mostly ... relaxing. I see other runners and they look so... I don't know - at peace and in the zone. I always think I look like my head is about to explode. :) I've also learned a little to stop caring about what I look like when I run.

So I did the run... made it in decent time... got to the game.. and played catcher the first 4 innings....

Telegraph to self.

Self - Do not run and play catcher the same day. STOP Your legs are going to want to kick you in the head the next day STOP Remember this the next time you get into the crazy-multi-task-running headspace STOP... AND JUST STOP. :)

I think possibly if I would have run in the morning, and not right before the game - maybe it would have made a difference... and next time, I'll try that! lol

Other issue right now is my eczema... naturally (not intentionally) increasing my carbs because I'm running so much is causing my eczema to go NUTS! The way I linked was through my wonderful MD who deals mostly with natural supplements and acupuncture for treating patients. He mentioned yesterday when I was complaining about it, that I should cut my carbs because often times eating them are linked to eczema and those types of conditions/diseases.

So I'm going to start reading up on what I can do to replace the carbs and still be fueled... any ideas out there let me know... of course increasing the protein is the obvious choice, but will that really cure my insatiable appetite??

Whew. Day off today - thanks be to G-d... off to a songwriters circle tonight as my reward (and research for the first songwriters circle I'm performing in next month)...

All in all, learning, growing... and sore :) As you can see from the picture, my eyes were tired !!!!!

Thanks for reading... and sharing with me...

Curly
xo

Busy busy busy

So everyone is busy - and I am no exception...

I play softball with my company and we have a game tonight... it is also my regular Tuesday run day... and thankfully our game is late (7:30) so I'm going to run to the field from work (thank God for NYC!!)...

It's a longer run than I usually do on Tuesdays, but I've been advised it's fine for me to do... I may be a little tired for the game, but I'm thinking I may also be nice and warm and ready to go! Since may last run was the 6+ miles on Saturday, I'm ready for a decent outing...

Feeling a little better from the allergies always helps put me in the mood to actually do something other than sit on the couch, watch Family Guy and order in sushi.. ;)

Saturday's Long Run

I can't say that today was easier than last week.

I think that even though I was tired last Sunday when I completed the 6.24 - I had run for the two days prior... it seemed more managable maybe? I'm not really sure...

Possibly being emotional about my Uncles passing and the past few days... the memories it all brings up... it's hard, every time one of my parents brothers or sisters dies... it just brings you *or me rather* right back. So I thought running would be a great way of getting it out today, but it just wasn't.

HOWEVER, I did it. The sense of accomplishment I felt, even though I was feeling really fatigued in my legs... and even though I cried probably 2 -3 times during the hour and 9 minutes it took me, I didn't stop... I didn't stop... I did not stop.

This running thing... maybe I'm seeing much like a love affair... you've got to put the work in... it's not always pretty... it's sometimes really much effort and a little painful.. .but man, it feels good and it's worth it...

I sit here and know I didn't cave in, that I could over come the crap of the days, and just stay strong. It's been years of caving in, and maybe finally I care enough about myself to really do something for ME.

Now I must go and take a nice hot bath... order some yummy food... and ease into the night....

I was lucky to get to stop by my parents grave today - I have to say, of course I'm a little sad when I go there, I just don't go often. The cemetery is quite beautiful... actually it's funny - there is a lake in the cemetery - and long before my parents passed, they used to go and sit on the bench and feed the ducks /geese in the lake.... they loved it there and always admired the grounds and the flowers... so I had to take a picture of their pretty gravestone we designed, with all the pink petals that have fallen off the cherry blossoms all over... they made a pink path to drive through the cemetery in.... if you have to go, I'd like a pink path for the road to my eternity... :)