Well, I know that race pace will be faster or at least I hope it will since it was in March. I did 13.1 in 3:55, but it wasn't NEARLY as hot or humid. I am truly praying for some less humid weather.
I was very pleased with my walk though because, if you have been keeping up, I have been averaging okay walking times, but then I add in all these breaks. On Sunday, I didn't have any breaks. It was straight through, well, I mean I did use the facilities in Mickie D's and I did stop to buy water and Gatorade, but I didn't stop or stop the clock at all.
I did, however, manage to twist my knee ever so slightly and it was killing by Sunday night. Lots of ice seemed to do the trick. I was fine by Monday. Of course I haven't done a walk since then, but I trust I will be fine tomorrow night, the next TNT walk.
Boy, do I love TNT! They are so awesome and supportive. I have already gotten an email from the walking coach, the campaign coordinator and the assistant walking coach! I love me some TNT!
Showing posts with label TNT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TNT. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
3 quick ones today to prep for tomorrow...
Tomorrow is my first day with TNT. I feel like a kid starting a new school year. Hopefully, I can handle it with the same grace that Emily did. She prepped - got a good night's sleep, laid out her clothes, packed what she needed and got up on time. She thought about what would be good and what would be hard and accepted it. She got up on time and her entry into 4th grade was excellent.
So, lessons learned - lay out clothes - DO NOT FORGET SNEAKERS :-)
Pack whatever I will need
Go to bed early
Get up on time
and Trust it will all work out
The part I am having a hard time with is thinking about what will be good and what will be hard. I am feeling shy and hoping to meet someone. I will admit that my mentor not believing 19 min/mile is my pace has hung over me. It is...Time and Time again, I end up there or slower. So, I think that is my biggest fear - they will say, "You are too slow and cannot be helped." Should I admit that I checked and the PF Chang marathon that same weekend has a more friendly time limit? 4 hours for a half. I have done that before. I did 3:57 or something. And I am in much better shape now.
OK, I will stop making myself nuts and trust it.
Today was a quick 3 miles, but I truly can't stand walking anywhere except the park now. All those people and cars just plain ole annoy me. I think they add a lot of stress and time to the day. And it was HUMID again. I hate that.
So, lessons learned - lay out clothes - DO NOT FORGET SNEAKERS :-)
Pack whatever I will need
Go to bed early
Get up on time
and Trust it will all work out
The part I am having a hard time with is thinking about what will be good and what will be hard. I am feeling shy and hoping to meet someone. I will admit that my mentor not believing 19 min/mile is my pace has hung over me. It is...Time and Time again, I end up there or slower. So, I think that is my biggest fear - they will say, "You are too slow and cannot be helped." Should I admit that I checked and the PF Chang marathon that same weekend has a more friendly time limit? 4 hours for a half. I have done that before. I did 3:57 or something. And I am in much better shape now.
OK, I will stop making myself nuts and trust it.
Today was a quick 3 miles, but I truly can't stand walking anywhere except the park now. All those people and cars just plain ole annoy me. I think they add a lot of stress and time to the day. And it was HUMID again. I hate that.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Longest walk yet (about 18 miles)
Sunday Morning (Pre-walk)
I was supposed to leave this morning at the crack of dawn, but when I awakened and it was pitch black out, I rolled back over and decided that was a stupid idea. I should walk in the sunlight, right?! lol.
So, now at about 8:20, I am (still) procrastinating leaving for this big walk. Again the question "why?" pops into my mind...The simple answer: I am scared. Last week's heat episode has really left me doubting myself. I am scared. Scared I won't fuel right, scared my feet or legs will give out, scared I will collapse. I am just plain scared. 6-7 hours is a friggin' long time to walk.
So, off I go...
Monday Afternoon (Day after the "big walk")
As Dora the Explorer would say, "We did it, we did it, we did it yeah!" I managed to do 19.48 overall miles. That includes the jaunts to the ladies room, the strolls to the car to fill up my water/Gatorade and to get snacks. The "timed" walking portion was 18.48 miles. I took some long breaks, but here is the gist:
Half loop/warm-up: 1.73 miles: 32.5 minutes = 18.79 min/mile = 3.19 MPH
Full Loop #1: 3.35 miles: 62.25 minutes = 18.58 min/mile = 3.23 MPH
Full Loop #2: 3.35 miles: 61.5 minutes = 18.36 min/mile = 3.27 MPH (still thought negative splits were possible)
Full Loop #3: 3.35 miles: 62.8 minutes = 18.75 min/mile = 3.2 MPH
Full Loop #4: 3.35 miles: 66 minutes = 19.07 min/mile = 3.07 MPH
Full Loop #5: 3.35 miles: 77 minutes = 22.99 min/mile = 2.6 MPH (OUCH)
TOTAL WALKING TIME: 18.48 miles: 362.05 minutes: 19.59 min/mile = 3.06 MPH
TOTAL TIME (including breaks and all): 19.48 miles: 428.5 minutes: 22 min/mile: 2.73 MPH
I was feeling really good until the last loop. That one was hard. I was hungry, tired and wanted to call it a day. I am a but miffed because I spent as long yesterday including my breaks (which would, obviously, be counted during the marathon) as I had originally hoped to spend doing the entire thing (aka marathon), yet, I still had 6.8 miles to go (which is over 2 hours at the pace I was keeping). Speed and endurance are tricky things to work on. I thought by not pushing my speed too much in the beginning yesterday I was golden and would maintain a 3 MPH rate throughout, but no such luck. The good news is, I did maintain that for the first 15+ miles which is a huge improvement.
All in all, it was a great walk, a great day and I must say, I know now how much the heat impacts me. Yesterday was a lovely day to be walking and the climate was right. It wasn't too humid, the high must've been in the low 80s. It was all good. I feel good today. My feet were aching last night and hurt mildly this morning, but they seem to be okay. Next long walk, I will try taking something like aleve during the walk and see if that helps. The footsies were killing for the last lap. Luckily, I called a friend and chatted for about 15 minutes which had me not concentrating on the pain too much - I was going to say forget about the pain, but I didn't. I just placed it to the back of my mind for a few minutes.
Walking in Prospect Park, which is where I do the majority of my long walks, is fascinating. There are people who you feel like buddies with because you see them several times. There are people who must be training for ironman events or something because I see them 4-8 times and I am walking - they are running or riding bikes. That is some serious mileage. It is such a friendly and diverse place.
As I walk throughout the day, it changes. In the morning, it is peaceful with the sounds of nature and the rhythm of the other athletes approaching. As the day goes on, there are kids on their bikes and the challenges of youngsters about who can get up the hill faster or who can go "no handed" for longer. And, if I look over at the fields, they start to fill up with people sunbathing, tossing firsbees, having picnics and playing a variety of sports: soccer, touch football, baseball and, if you can believe it, cricket. Who knew there was cricket right here in Brooklyn?
As the day goes on the bbqs start, which always seems a little cruel to me. Here I am having walked for umpteen hours, famished and I can smell the lighter fluid followed by the burgers and chicken cooking away. There is one family/group who seems to be there every weekend with a mob of people and their food smells divine. One of these weekends, I am just going to have to crash.
Then, as the day creeps on, the drum circle starts. I always get a kick out of that. The beat carries me to the end of my loop and starts the next. Usually, the people in that area are gregarious, funny and have some encouraging comments. They are all races, sizes and ages just chilling to the beat of the drums.
The one downside I have noticed is that as the day goes on and the park gets more crowded, the manners decrease. In the morning, everyone is watching out for everyone. You would never have a car or a pedestrian cut a jogger or biker off nor would you see an athlete get annoyed as a ball is accidentally sent into the path. In the afternoon, I am dodging people and cars crossing the streets. The bikers and roller bladers are in the walkers/runners lanes. People are seemingly bothered by any intrusion, even someone encouraging them. Here is an example. The Team for Kids Singlets are BRIGHT GREEN and hard to miss. There was a young 20 something girl wearing one. I passed her 4 times. The 1st time, I called out, "GO Team for kids." She looked up and around baffled. Mind you, I was wearing the white version of the shirt, she still never spotted me. The other 3 times, she was so busy watching where she was going, we never even made eye contact. I feel certain that would never happen in the morning. In the morning, everyone has a smile for the other athletes out there. Maybe it is the heat, maybe it is the crowd, I don't know, but if you want to find the nicest crew, go early in the morning.
Wow, I hate to sound cocky, but I am in awe of myself. Just 7 months ago, when I attempted to do a quick mile I was dying afterwards and now I did almost 20 miles and have had a totally normal day today! That is amazing. I even went swimming and raced with Emily.
And no, I am still not losing weight. I am within a pound of where I was in January when all this insanity started. I put that in often since it is the #1 question I am asked.
Ciao, until the next update.
I was supposed to leave this morning at the crack of dawn, but when I awakened and it was pitch black out, I rolled back over and decided that was a stupid idea. I should walk in the sunlight, right?! lol.
So, now at about 8:20, I am (still) procrastinating leaving for this big walk. Again the question "why?" pops into my mind...The simple answer: I am scared. Last week's heat episode has really left me doubting myself. I am scared. Scared I won't fuel right, scared my feet or legs will give out, scared I will collapse. I am just plain scared. 6-7 hours is a friggin' long time to walk.
So, off I go...
Monday Afternoon (Day after the "big walk")
As Dora the Explorer would say, "We did it, we did it, we did it yeah!" I managed to do 19.48 overall miles. That includes the jaunts to the ladies room, the strolls to the car to fill up my water/Gatorade and to get snacks. The "timed" walking portion was 18.48 miles. I took some long breaks, but here is the gist:
Half loop/warm-up: 1.73 miles: 32.5 minutes = 18.79 min/mile = 3.19 MPH
Full Loop #1: 3.35 miles: 62.25 minutes = 18.58 min/mile = 3.23 MPH
Full Loop #2: 3.35 miles: 61.5 minutes = 18.36 min/mile = 3.27 MPH (still thought negative splits were possible)
Full Loop #3: 3.35 miles: 62.8 minutes = 18.75 min/mile = 3.2 MPH
Full Loop #4: 3.35 miles: 66 minutes = 19.07 min/mile = 3.07 MPH
Full Loop #5: 3.35 miles: 77 minutes = 22.99 min/mile = 2.6 MPH (OUCH)
TOTAL WALKING TIME: 18.48 miles: 362.05 minutes: 19.59 min/mile = 3.06 MPH
TOTAL TIME (including breaks and all): 19.48 miles: 428.5 minutes: 22 min/mile: 2.73 MPH
I was feeling really good until the last loop. That one was hard. I was hungry, tired and wanted to call it a day. I am a but miffed because I spent as long yesterday including my breaks (which would, obviously, be counted during the marathon) as I had originally hoped to spend doing the entire thing (aka marathon), yet, I still had 6.8 miles to go (which is over 2 hours at the pace I was keeping). Speed and endurance are tricky things to work on. I thought by not pushing my speed too much in the beginning yesterday I was golden and would maintain a 3 MPH rate throughout, but no such luck. The good news is, I did maintain that for the first 15+ miles which is a huge improvement.
All in all, it was a great walk, a great day and I must say, I know now how much the heat impacts me. Yesterday was a lovely day to be walking and the climate was right. It wasn't too humid, the high must've been in the low 80s. It was all good. I feel good today. My feet were aching last night and hurt mildly this morning, but they seem to be okay. Next long walk, I will try taking something like aleve during the walk and see if that helps. The footsies were killing for the last lap. Luckily, I called a friend and chatted for about 15 minutes which had me not concentrating on the pain too much - I was going to say forget about the pain, but I didn't. I just placed it to the back of my mind for a few minutes.
Walking in Prospect Park, which is where I do the majority of my long walks, is fascinating. There are people who you feel like buddies with because you see them several times. There are people who must be training for ironman events or something because I see them 4-8 times and I am walking - they are running or riding bikes. That is some serious mileage. It is such a friendly and diverse place.
As I walk throughout the day, it changes. In the morning, it is peaceful with the sounds of nature and the rhythm of the other athletes approaching. As the day goes on, there are kids on their bikes and the challenges of youngsters about who can get up the hill faster or who can go "no handed" for longer. And, if I look over at the fields, they start to fill up with people sunbathing, tossing firsbees, having picnics and playing a variety of sports: soccer, touch football, baseball and, if you can believe it, cricket. Who knew there was cricket right here in Brooklyn?
As the day goes on the bbqs start, which always seems a little cruel to me. Here I am having walked for umpteen hours, famished and I can smell the lighter fluid followed by the burgers and chicken cooking away. There is one family/group who seems to be there every weekend with a mob of people and their food smells divine. One of these weekends, I am just going to have to crash.
Then, as the day creeps on, the drum circle starts. I always get a kick out of that. The beat carries me to the end of my loop and starts the next. Usually, the people in that area are gregarious, funny and have some encouraging comments. They are all races, sizes and ages just chilling to the beat of the drums.
The one downside I have noticed is that as the day goes on and the park gets more crowded, the manners decrease. In the morning, everyone is watching out for everyone. You would never have a car or a pedestrian cut a jogger or biker off nor would you see an athlete get annoyed as a ball is accidentally sent into the path. In the afternoon, I am dodging people and cars crossing the streets. The bikers and roller bladers are in the walkers/runners lanes. People are seemingly bothered by any intrusion, even someone encouraging them. Here is an example. The Team for Kids Singlets are BRIGHT GREEN and hard to miss. There was a young 20 something girl wearing one. I passed her 4 times. The 1st time, I called out, "GO Team for kids." She looked up and around baffled. Mind you, I was wearing the white version of the shirt, she still never spotted me. The other 3 times, she was so busy watching where she was going, we never even made eye contact. I feel certain that would never happen in the morning. In the morning, everyone has a smile for the other athletes out there. Maybe it is the heat, maybe it is the crowd, I don't know, but if you want to find the nicest crew, go early in the morning.
Wow, I hate to sound cocky, but I am in awe of myself. Just 7 months ago, when I attempted to do a quick mile I was dying afterwards and now I did almost 20 miles and have had a totally normal day today! That is amazing. I even went swimming and raced with Emily.
And no, I am still not losing weight. I am within a pound of where I was in January when all this insanity started. I put that in often since it is the #1 question I am asked.
Ciao, until the next update.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Random thoughts...
Addicted...That is the word that I keep using about walking and races. I think I am addicted. I spend a good part of my day thinking about when and where and for how long I will do my next walk, what equipment I need, what races I should do, what my time will be, etc. I have to constantly remind myself that I do have a life outside of this marathon.
Bridges...I have decided to walk all of the major bridges that connect Manhattan to the rest of the world. I have done the Williamsburg Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. I still want to do the Manhattan, George Washington and the 59th Street/Queensborough. I think the 59th Street/Queensborough has become this ominous thing to me since several people have mentioned to me that they found it one of the toughest parts of the marathon. First of all, it is quite an incline, second of all, it is desolate, 3rd of all, it is far enough in that you are exhausted. So, I want to do a couple of rehearsals on it.
Shoes...I am very happy with my running shoes (new balance 766), but it is time to get another pair. I am torn. They do not make mine anymore, but I can probably find them online. Should I go get fitted at a running store? Am I a runner? I keep thinking I am, but I am a walker, will they scoff at me?
Training...I must improve my time. It is suddenly hitting me that I will be finishing in the dark, and I would like it not to be past Emily's bed time...lol. I originally had the goal of finishing in 7.5 - 8 hours. I have now decided anything under 9 would be good and 8.5 would be awesome. I am not sure how or why I slowed down so much, but I have, so now I just need to adjust my thinking.
Disney...Should I do it or not? I feel so torn. I really wanted to do the Disney half. In fact, it was training for that half that had me decide to train for the More and the rest is history.
The pros - It would be fun, it would be a foray into TNT, it is a good cause - Leukemia and Lymphoma, it will be cold here and it will force me to take on my time and pace in a new way, I could honor barbara.
The cons - It means more fundraising, the fundraising for it will start before I have even done NYC, I want to go back to Disney with Emily, but she might be a distraction, I do not have anyone to watch Emily while I am there (if she is with me or not), if Emily comes she will have to miss some school.
I suppose I am leaning towards going and finding someone to come with me to watch Emily.
These are the random thoughts of the day.
Bridges...I have decided to walk all of the major bridges that connect Manhattan to the rest of the world. I have done the Williamsburg Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. I still want to do the Manhattan, George Washington and the 59th Street/Queensborough. I think the 59th Street/Queensborough has become this ominous thing to me since several people have mentioned to me that they found it one of the toughest parts of the marathon. First of all, it is quite an incline, second of all, it is desolate, 3rd of all, it is far enough in that you are exhausted. So, I want to do a couple of rehearsals on it.
Shoes...I am very happy with my running shoes (new balance 766), but it is time to get another pair. I am torn. They do not make mine anymore, but I can probably find them online. Should I go get fitted at a running store? Am I a runner? I keep thinking I am, but I am a walker, will they scoff at me?
Training...I must improve my time. It is suddenly hitting me that I will be finishing in the dark, and I would like it not to be past Emily's bed time...lol. I originally had the goal of finishing in 7.5 - 8 hours. I have now decided anything under 9 would be good and 8.5 would be awesome. I am not sure how or why I slowed down so much, but I have, so now I just need to adjust my thinking.
Disney...Should I do it or not? I feel so torn. I really wanted to do the Disney half. In fact, it was training for that half that had me decide to train for the More and the rest is history.
The pros - It would be fun, it would be a foray into TNT, it is a good cause - Leukemia and Lymphoma, it will be cold here and it will force me to take on my time and pace in a new way, I could honor barbara.
The cons - It means more fundraising, the fundraising for it will start before I have even done NYC, I want to go back to Disney with Emily, but she might be a distraction, I do not have anyone to watch Emily while I am there (if she is with me or not), if Emily comes she will have to miss some school.
I suppose I am leaning towards going and finding someone to come with me to watch Emily.
These are the random thoughts of the day.
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