Running mojo

Totally nosegaming responsibility for my lacking of posting over the past two weeks to earnings season. That and a bad case of spring fever that has left me totally unwilling to touch a computie after walking (read: SPRINTING) out the office every evening. Very excited to report that my knees have finally stopped bothering me and my running mojo has returned after two months of icing, knee straps, and MOTRIN. So happy.

Last week's runs included:

1. Tempo Run: 2 miles warm-up at 9:45mm, 4 miles at 8:45mm, and 1 mile cool-down at 9:30 for a total of 7 miles
   
2. Speedwork: 2 miles warm-up at 9:30mm, 7 x 900 at 7:45 pace with 1 minute jogs at 9:20mm, 1 mile cooldown
   
3. Long Run: slow 10 miles at 10:00mm. Circled downtown Manhattan per usual and enjoyed the GORGEOUS weather on Saturday.
4. Recovery Run: Chill 5 miler at a comfortable, untimed pace. What? Not every run has to be aiming for a new PB.
   

Now that it's spring (and sometimes warm), running attire etiquette is definitely a topic on my mind/in my field of vision... In the winter, it's no big deal - everyone piles on layer after layer of fleece and spandex to stay warm. Well except for this NYRR runner, who bares it all no matter how cold it is. However as soon as the temp inches past 60degrees, many runners drop their clothing like it's hot. The Runners World jury was divided on if it's ever okay to run without a shirt. Let's be honest, if a guy's in great shape I'm probably not going to complain if he nixes the shirt. But generally those aren't the runners who've decided to bare it all from the waist up, and so I'm often left with retinal scarring. Sadly I'm resigned to the fact that this phenomenon will only increase as we enter the brutally hot and humid NYC summer.

Thoughts - yay or nay to shirtless running (or sports bra for the ladies)?

Stay tuned for a recap of Dasha's and my adventures in the NYC Scavenger Hunt (!!) and how running actually makes you good at life/helps you win free food. Mwuahaha!

Home is where the Diet Coke is

As you can see from the lovely tree in our front yard, spring is in full bloom here in the pseudo-South. I tore myself away from the city for the weekend and am back in Alexandria to catch up with my family. And raid their cupboards.

Although it may only be the beginning of April, it certainly felt like freaking summer on my run yesterday. I fueled up with a tasty whole grain salad from the Whole Foods salad bar (Paul, I now understand how it is your crack) then set off on a nice 6 mile run down the GW parkway to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The weather definitely impacted my speed a bit since I'm not used to running in 80degree weather yet. Give me a snowpocalypse any day! Well, maybe not. Wished I had brought a water bottle with me around mile 3, but luckily the park service has turned the water fountains back on along the trail. That is one thing I definitely miss when running in NYC. For long runs, you're practically forced to carry a water bottle since fountains are few and far between. I'll have to pull off some logistical feats to stay hydrated and fed once I start racking up 15+ mile runs this summer.

What's your favorite time of the year to go running?

Only a short post for now, my nieces are shouting up the stairs for "Auntie Monica." That makes me feel awfully old... Going to sneak in a 12 mile long run this afternoon or tomorrow. Perfect way to enjoy the weather!

Spring is in the air!

And I've fallen in love with New York City all over again. Something about hyacinths and outdoor runs in shorts and a tank top restores my faith in humanity.

On Friday, I took the day off from work (!!!) to take care of some long overdue errands / get my life in a semblance of working order. Mission moderately accomplished; however, the 70 degree weather distracted me from getting a new passport. After two hours in the DMV line, the prospect of another encounter with bureaucracy at its worst was unimaginable. Instead, I was lured over to the East River Park to do some of serious speed work. Did two miles warm-up at half-marathon pace (9:20) then did 6 x 400m at 5k pace (8:45) with 200m recovery. Followed that up with a one mile cool down along the East River.

All in all, didn't feel horrible, which isn't saying much considering I haven't done any serious intervals for a few weeks. Last week, I limited my runs to a few short, slow 4-5 milers. Not very fun, but practical considering the state of my knees. However, with this weekend's 15K rapidly approaching I wanted to gauge where my pace was at and also decide if I needed to sit this race out. As much as I've been looking forward to running a race that ISN'T during a snowpocalypse, can't justify blowing out my knee due to stubbornly ignoring my pain. My (overly?) ambitious goals of running my first marathon this fall and the Comrades in 2011 are just slightly dependent on having functioning joints.

What are your running/exercise goals for 2010?

Running was the last thing on my mind Saturday as I nursed the hangover from hell, but by Sunday I was hydrated, rested, and ready to go! Set out in the afternoon over to the East River and ran up past Stuytown and Peter Cooper to tack on an extra mile then turned around to head down to the Battery. I think all of NYC was out for a run/walk/bike/etc yesterday afternoon, including 5 million tourists who would NOT GET OUT OF MY WAY. Angstangst. Headed uptown along the Westside Highway for a few miles than cut across town on Houston St. to head back to my apartment. Used the stop and go of running city blocks as a chance to throw in some intervals. Ran at 5K pace until I hit a stop light - definitely took some effort since my legs were pretty tired by that point. Ended up running a skotch over 10 miles at ~9:50. Nothing spectacular in terms of time, which was fine since it was supposed to be a long slow run. Major victory that my knees didn't hurt too badly the next day thanks to icing and dosing with Mortin like a semi-responsible person.

After yesterday's long run, I'm feeling pretty solid that I'll be able to finish the 15K without screwing up my knees further (knock on wood). However, I'm going to have to wave goodbye to my goal of running the race at a ~8:50 pace. Sadly that will have to be left for another day, perhaps the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May!

Getting back on the horse

After taking the last week and a half off from running in a futile attempt to nurse my knee back to health, I AM BACK. Well to blogging that is. The first run back last night was rather frustrating as 1. it was NOT very springlike out aka far too cold/windy/rainy/nasty to be running in shorts and t-shirt outside and, more importantly, 2. my knee started flaring up literally half a mile down the Westside Highway. I carried on and did around four miles, not nearly as far as I would have liked to go but I didn't want to overdue it and miss out on gorgeous outdoor runs later this week. It's going to be 68 degrees on Thursday!!! This fact warrants many many exclamation points.

What are you looking forward to as the weather finally starts to warm up?

Either way, I think it's time I bite the bullet and go see a sports therapist to get my knee checked out. It feels like cotton balls are being pulled apart under my knee cap - that's not normal right? Clearly proved that I'm capable of running through the pain but it's not exactly an ideal or sustainable situation. In the meanwhile, I'll limit my running to only 2 times a week (super sadface) and continue crosstraining. Unfortunately, my forays into non-running workouts over the past week have by and large left me unsatisfied and longing to lace up my shoes and go for a jog around Tompkins Square Park. I've tried to focus on activities that will maintain my aerobic fitness while targeting key muscles that need to be rebalanced. In other words, loosen up my calves and hamstrings.

Here's the rundown:

1. Power Vinyasa Yoga: Brushed off my very under-used yoga mat and trotted up St. Mark's to Yoga to the People a few times last week. Tip to anyone who lives in the area - this place is AWESOME (albeit pretty intense). The studio offers free yoga classes with just a $2 mat rental fee and a suggested donation of whatever you can afford. I have yet to be a class that wasn't jam packed so be sure to show up at least 15 minutes before class begins. Luckily they have a ton of sessions even a 9pm one for us late working banker girls. Vinyasa is one of the most aerobic types of yoga, which is perfect for me since I am not well suited to sit around and say 'Ohm' for an hour. ADD, whaaat? And although the YTTP studio isn't heated, with so many people it definitely gets ridiculously hot Bikram style and you work up a mad sweat.
Overall: A- for a good aerobic workout and much needed stretching out of my hamstrings. Slight drawback of utterly embarrassing myself in the camel asana.

2. Elliptical: Ugh. Okay, I know that ellipticals are good for knee injuries since you can closely mimic the motion of running with no pressure on your joints. Fine. But does it have to be so boring? Also, the elliptical basically exercise the same muscles used in running thus failing to strengthen my quads in order to balance out the posterior thigh muscles. Fail.
Overall: C- for being really boring, not strengthening underused muscles, and making me feel like a Jane Hoya at Yates.

3. Stationary Bike: While the bike maybe equally boring, at least I can get a solid workout when the resistance is ramped up. And, more importantly, the bike is the perfect way to target lateral and medial quad muscles with minimal strain on my knee. Might try my first spin class this week to mix things up.
Overall: B for offering a decent workout and meeting most of my crosstraining goals. Still find myself staring jealously at the runners after the first 20 minutes of biking...

Up next: NYRR Colon Cancer Challenge 15K in Central Park on March 28! Sadly the race has already reached it's cap, but Smithies and I would definitely be happy to see some of y'all at the finish line! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I'm good to go in two weeks...