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