This evening provided another perfect backdrop for a cruise-control type of run. Sure our weather dropped 20+ degrees within 24 hours [again] but the winds were calm and the sky a bright backdrop to the city slowing down just a touch. As much as I've tried and relatively succeeded [earlier in 2010] to become a morning runner, I'm still a night owl at heart. And thus evening running feels right esp when it's cool outside and I feel as though I'm gliding.
Tonight's run sponsors were: the long lines of planes destined for an arrival at Newark flickering as mere sparkles in the sky, a fabulous 311 based playlist, a single pre-run chocolate chip cookie and the several nods I got from fellow runners along the river tonight.
8 miles in 1:09:57 (8:45/mi) for an easy unwinding to a full day at work.
Oh and the Canadian bit of me sweated another nearly perfect maple leaf in the middle of my chest.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Oh hai 2011!
Yes I've been a huge slacker here and no there will be no full post recap of 2010. Mostly b/c I feel like I've missed the window of opportunity but also b/c I'm reading a monster of a book right now and all I can handle outside of that is Reader's Digest summaries. There were two overall themes for running in the last year for me: mileage and local. That may sound contradictory but in the past year I ran more than ever before (2500 mi) and in the company of many kickass local runners. It all started off with Missy moving here and us getting into a sweet groove of regularly running together and continued with connecting to my local scene via Twitter. Now I've run with peeps in the past but I'm was still a 90% of the time kind of solo runner. It's not always on purpose but it works for me. 2010 was all kinds of different, Tuesday mornings with Tavia, bridges runs on Fridays with Eissa & Elyssa and sometimes Daniel, long runs in the Palisades or along the WSH, Beatles yoga (a complement to running!), and of course my last 8 miles of the year to the Doughnut Plant as pictured below. Needless to say I'm thankful for all of the runners that kept me company & motivated along the many miles and experiences of 2010.
It was also of the highest level of kickassery to be able to run with many of my siblings in the week surrounding Christmas. As we'd decided to hole ourselves up in a big rental down in the Outer Banks, running was really our only break from beer pong tourneys, dipping in the ocean, being the stars of some banned videos, chillaxing in the hot tub and endless hours of Wii, Bananagrams, CatchPhrase, Cranium and pledged-floor sliding (don't ask!). I never take running with them for granted, it always feels like a gift, regardless of how bad it hurts (can you say week long hangover) or the number of times we have to stop for emergency bathroom breaks :-) At any rate, this holiday was sissies running all the way as little bro is on a bit of a break ...we tried to peer pressure his ass but he's built a steel fortress of a wall after dealing with us chicks for way too many years. Which made these gifts from Jen all the more appropriate...
So on to this next year, well you know continuing on as it's already the 3rd. I don't have a bunch of monumental goals but would like to stay high on the mileage end, root myself further into my yoga practice and build up some more speed. What that would hopefully translate to is a sub-1:40 HM, another year of staying injury free & strong and the ability to jump into an ultra or marathon whenever I felt the urge.
It was also of the highest level of kickassery to be able to run with many of my siblings in the week surrounding Christmas. As we'd decided to hole ourselves up in a big rental down in the Outer Banks, running was really our only break from beer pong tourneys, dipping in the ocean, being the stars of some banned videos, chillaxing in the hot tub and endless hours of Wii, Bananagrams, CatchPhrase, Cranium and pledged-floor sliding (don't ask!). I never take running with them for granted, it always feels like a gift, regardless of how bad it hurts (can you say week long hangover) or the number of times we have to stop for emergency bathroom breaks :-) At any rate, this holiday was sissies running all the way as little bro is on a bit of a break ...we tried to peer pressure his ass but he's built a steel fortress of a wall after dealing with us chicks for way too many years. Which made these gifts from Jen all the more appropriate...
So on to this next year, well you know continuing on as it's already the 3rd. I don't have a bunch of monumental goals but would like to stay high on the mileage end, root myself further into my yoga practice and build up some more speed. What that would hopefully translate to is a sub-1:40 HM, another year of staying injury free & strong and the ability to jump into an ultra or marathon whenever I felt the urge.
Monday, November 29, 2010
The darling
Of all the foods I prepared and enjoyed on Thanksgiving, this effortless appetizer reflected what I felt the most:
Simple
Whole foods
Nutritious
Delicious
Meet the lovely, talented and tasty apricot canape.
As for everything else, it was good - probably too good. I'm still feeling the effects of too much food, not enough activity to counter said indulgences and a mind+body slightly off kilter. Last week was decent running wise, I'm back to building my mileage with a repeat for this week and a similar schedule including yoga tonight and either Wednesday or Sunday. Sadly I missed the PPTC turkey trot due to an unhappy tummy, highlighting another reason to cut the unnecessary junk and eat what works best for my body. Last on tap for the coming week is a 10K on Sunday, still coming up with a game plan for that one. Stay tuned.
Simple
Whole foods
Nutritious
Delicious
Meet the lovely, talented and tasty apricot canape.
As for everything else, it was good - probably too good. I'm still feeling the effects of too much food, not enough activity to counter said indulgences and a mind+body slightly off kilter. Last week was decent running wise, I'm back to building my mileage with a repeat for this week and a similar schedule including yoga tonight and either Wednesday or Sunday. Sadly I missed the PPTC turkey trot due to an unhappy tummy, highlighting another reason to cut the unnecessary junk and eat what works best for my body. Last on tap for the coming week is a 10K on Sunday, still coming up with a game plan for that one. Stay tuned.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Sponsorship
As I was running last night my mind worked through the expected waves of sporadic thought. One second contemplating the menu for Thanksgiving dinner and the next reminding myself of something to do at the office in the morning. My mind loves these waves, it's me... a prolific multitasker or, more likely, a sufferer of adult onset ADD. Part of this process includes a game where I come up with sponsors for the miles I'm running. Now there's no marketing genius at work here, it's more stream of consciousness. And thus my sponsors include weather conditions, music, interesting folks or animals I might encounter, physical scenes from the run and from time to time, other runners - the quirkier the better ...I'm talking to you, Mr. YeahIRockAMembersOnlyJacketWhenRunning. It gives my mind something to do, makes it feel useful and it totally entertains me. Have I mentioned that I'm freakin' heeeelarious and witty to no end in my own mind? Well, I am. :-)
And it appears to run in the family... from baby sis & dog niece yesterday morning: [Monika] went on her run this morning with Sadie, we pass another runner, she looks back while still running forward with me, and then....BAM! light post....that's my pup!
That reminds me, I'm due for a good wildlife report
Do you have games you play while running?
p.s. last night's run was sponsored by the new Girl Talk album, perfect blankets of leaves floating on the Hudson and a cool fall rain.
And it appears to run in the family... from baby sis & dog niece yesterday morning: [Monika] went on her run this morning with Sadie, we pass another runner, she looks back while still running forward with me, and then....BAM! light post....that's my pup!
That reminds me, I'm due for a good wildlife report
Do you have games you play while running?
p.s. last night's run was sponsored by the new Girl Talk album, perfect blankets of leaves floating on the Hudson and a cool fall rain.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I'm coming after you...
Count me among those who like to include future race planning in their recovery. While downtime is needed, especially the mental break, I like to have a few races either planned out or floating around in my noggin' as next steps. This week is another of free form running, just getting out there and getting some time on my feet while allowing my body to continue to recover from the marathon. I've been a good girl and went back to Kula on Monday night and let me yell at you.... mommy! My entire core is crazy sore, when meeting Tavia last night for our run I remarked that my flanks were crying out in pain. I feel like those first times I played Wii tennis and suffering from the dreaded Wii arm (read, flank). Today is certainly better but wow, anyone who doesn't believe yoga --- even a beginner's class, can be a challenging workout needs to sit in my body for a bit. And it's not like I'm way out of practice, was just a week or so since my last class. But I digress... back to running.
The siblings and I are all in for the next race; Team Pfeiffer loves to get together as often as possible and our next one is looking to be the perfect storm of running insanity. We're sitting at 6 siblings strong all registered for either the Surf City full or half marathon on 2/6/11. I actually cannot remember the last time that 6 of us ran the same race.... we had good representation at Lewis & Clark in Sept but that was just part of the STL based gang and a bit more at the STL HM this past April but no CA sis, probably the strongest showing was last year at the San Francisco HM where we had 5 peeps running. In fact, I don't think 6 of us have ever run together in the same event, someone always seems to be a cheerleader or otherwise occupied at race time. Even more of a reason to let out a big ole WOOT! So that's the next big race, I'll be training for the HM and looking to bring my PR down to a sub-1:40. Earlier this year I ran a 1:40 in NYC while deep in marathon training thus my preparation for Surf City will be compromised of a similar mileage build up and lots of tempo work. Prior to February I'll be planning to jump into a couple NYRR races and possibly hit up a Turkey Trot next week.
1:30s... I'm coming after you, watch out!
The siblings and I are all in for the next race; Team Pfeiffer loves to get together as often as possible and our next one is looking to be the perfect storm of running insanity. We're sitting at 6 siblings strong all registered for either the Surf City full or half marathon on 2/6/11. I actually cannot remember the last time that 6 of us ran the same race.... we had good representation at Lewis & Clark in Sept but that was just part of the STL based gang and a bit more at the STL HM this past April but no CA sis, probably the strongest showing was last year at the San Francisco HM where we had 5 peeps running. In fact, I don't think 6 of us have ever run together in the same event, someone always seems to be a cheerleader or otherwise occupied at race time. Even more of a reason to let out a big ole WOOT! So that's the next big race, I'll be training for the HM and looking to bring my PR down to a sub-1:40. Earlier this year I ran a 1:40 in NYC while deep in marathon training thus my preparation for Surf City will be compromised of a similar mileage build up and lots of tempo work. Prior to February I'll be planning to jump into a couple NYRR races and possibly hit up a Turkey Trot next week.
1:30s... I'm coming after you, watch out!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Remaining work
It's no secret how much I was looking forward to NYCM and quite equally to the aftermath, which included a heavy nudge on the RESET button. Now that some precious recovery time has passed since the race, I'm focusing on what I would like to accomplish for the remainder of 2010. In no particular order:
- Consistently running 6 days/week, 7 some weeks. My body likes the consistency & frequency and b/c I run all non-quality work outs at an easy pace, there isn't a big risk for break-down. Of course this doesn't mean monster mileage right away, I'm still recovering, but shorter running and running more often.
- 1 trip to the yoga studio MINIMUM. Unfortunately I had hoped to also work swimming a day or two into the mix but my pool is closed for maintenance right now and so ideally I'd like this to be 2 visits to the studio each week.
- Cleaning up my diet. I got way too lax in what goes in the ole gullet throughout most if not all of the summer and I can feel and see the difference. Planning evening meals and more regular trips to the grocery store will do wonders here.
- Somewhat related to the visits to the yoga studio, I need to get back to a strong meditative practice. I lost all, I mean all of my mental game. In hindsight this is one of the largest reasons why my summer & early fall running sucked so much, I just didn't have my mind in it and at some times, my heart.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
#9 is fine!
Sunday's NYCM was the 9th of marathons I've run and wow, it did not disappoint! I took the approach of having a grand ole time along the course, soaking up the unbelievable crowd support and amazing course through so many of NYC's diverse neighborhoods and not worrying about a goal time, splits, etc. Again, it did not disappoint. Spots that were a little bare and lacking support back when I last ran this race in '07 were now 3-4 people deep! It didn't hurt that the weather was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!! And for all of you who have read here long enough, you know that means no heat, no humidity and no freak conditions. It was cool and crisp but sunny and we were kissed with a nice breeze (windy, even, in parts) ....all heaven to a too-warm runner like myself. I enjoyed every single aspect to the day including the extra early wake-up call to board a bus and camp out on Staten Island for several hours prior to lining up for the start; this year I even scored a sweet spot inside a tent! And for a day that lasted essentially from 4:15 a.m. till after 2:00 p.m. it went by in a heartbeat.
One aspect to race day that I hadn't encountered before was the excitement in knowing several runners not only experiencing their first NYCM but also running their first marathon. I often thought of these peeps ...Kelly, Elgin, Carlos & most especially the lovely Sharon, wondering if they were having as good of a time as I was and hoping it was my adventure tenfold! Quickly these thoughts led me back to my own first marathon and what I remember from that June day in San Diego back in '06:
Funny enough, after 9 full marathons, countless hours/days/weeks/months of training [and other race distances] and more miles than I'd care to calculate, I ran Sunday's race slower than that first marathon in 2006. And despite my finish time on Sunday, or perhaps in celebration of, I love this beast of a race distance more than ever!!! Thank you New York City, you have been my home for the last 10+ years and I never felt more a part of you than I did on Sunday.
One aspect to race day that I hadn't encountered before was the excitement in knowing several runners not only experiencing their first NYCM but also running their first marathon. I often thought of these peeps ...Kelly, Elgin, Carlos & most especially the lovely Sharon, wondering if they were having as good of a time as I was and hoping it was my adventure tenfold! Quickly these thoughts led me back to my own first marathon and what I remember from that June day in San Diego back in '06:
- Where's sissy, where's sissy?
- Why oh why did the race directors think a cambered stretch of highway to be suitable for miles along the course?
- Every mile after and including mile 21 must measure 2 miles long each, no way are these markers accurate
- This Rock & Roll bs isn't really even worth it, I'm past a band before I even really hear them
- How are we still circling around Sea World, just how many turns can we take to make up a mile or two?
- [seeing a runner fall within the last mile of the race] Holy shit that would suck so very bad... keeping moving forward Maria, keep moving forward
- I'm just going to walk a little through this water station, surely that won't hurt
- OMG, there it is... OMG, there it is! I see the finish line.
- Where's sissy, where's sissy?
- And immediately, I mean immediately after crossing the finish line - where can I sit down?!?!?!?! I don't want anything to eat, I don't want my baggage or my medal, I just want to sit down. :)
Funny enough, after 9 full marathons, countless hours/days/weeks/months of training [and other race distances] and more miles than I'd care to calculate, I ran Sunday's race slower than that first marathon in 2006. And despite my finish time on Sunday, or perhaps in celebration of, I love this beast of a race distance more than ever!!! Thank you New York City, you have been my home for the last 10+ years and I never felt more a part of you than I did on Sunday.
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