Country Music Marathon Expo

One of the many things the competitor group does well are their expos. They always have a good variety of booths with so many things to do. Not everyone loves silly games but I'm all about plinko, spin the wheel, and slot machines!

The Country Music Marathon Expo took place of Thursday and Friday at the convention center. The downtown location is perfect for us as we like to go first thing Friday morning every year and follow it up with lunch at a honky tonk on Broadway.

We knew we were in the right place when we
spotted the Brooks car in the parking garage. 

Upon entering the convention center, you have to take two escalators down to the basement level where the convention hall is located. The lines always look long when you reach the bottom floor but they do a nice job of making the lines just long enough that you are constantly moving. It took about a minute to enter the convention hall where the line opens up to the bib pick up.

I always wonder why this part of the hall is so boring. They don't even carpet the concrete floor in the bib pick up area.

After getting our bibs and our run now Boston bracelets, we walked to the end of the corridor to get our tshirts. As you round the corner they had their first of many tribute areas remembering the Boston tragedy. There was a long line of people waiting to take pictures in front of this sign.

The tshirts were cute but very girly this year. I certainly didn't mind but couldn't help but feel bad for all the guys. The previous two years have featured great navy and red shirts that celebrated country music in a way both men and women could enjoy.

The goody bags are directly after the tshirts which all funnels everyone into the official merchandise booth. For whatever reason, I found this giant bowl of pasta hilarious. Inside they were doing gait analysis where you could "out run a giant meatball." So weird but sorta funny.

I asked my sister if she had a rain coat to run in and she said she didn't. She was planning to use her regular raincoat. I mentioned she might want to take a look at some at the expo as it might be more comfortable. She was unsure but after seeing the rock n roll rain coat, thought it might be nice to have as a souvenir. She tried one on but was still a bit hesitant. After being reassured by an employee that we could return it, she decided she might as well get it. Good thing she bought it when she did! We looped back to the store an hour later and they were totally sold out!

This gets me every time!

So true!

We didn't win but I did get a kick out of the reasons people run. Example: "my bff is here and she made me."

Dani from the Biggest Loser talking about her journey and answering questions from the audience. 

This must have been made just for me. I ran my first marathon after
everyone said there was no way I could do something like that. 

View from the second floor. This is only a quarter of the expo. (sorry for the glare)

They listed every runners name and let me tell you, people
were so excited when they spotted their name!

Renewed Sense of Purpose

Last Monday, I spent an hour glued to the tv after work watching the horror in Boston play over and over again. I was shocked and a little angry that someone would try to hurt my people. As a a passionate New Englander with family in Boston and as a runner, I just couldn't understand why. The more media coverage I watched, the more overwhelmed I felt. When I just couldn't take it anymore, I turned off the tv and just sat in the quiet of my apartment for a few minutes. Not knowing what else to do, I put on my running clothes. My legs were still tired from the More/Fitness Half the day before but I just needed to get outside.

That day I ran a loop of the reservoir at a 9:36 min/mile pace. Now this is average for most people or even slow for many of the incredible bloggers I read but having run the half the day before at and 11 min/mile, this was huge!

Fueled by emotion, I wasn't thinking about running as I watched the skyline change on my way around the loop. Instead, I was focused on what had happened in Boston. The overwhelming thought was that it occurred at a time when my family would have been at the finish line waiting for me. While I know it's selfish to think of myself, I just couldn't imagine having family there supporting you and then this happening. My heart breaks for those who will carry this experience with them forever.

I didn't check my watched when I finished and in fact, didn't see the time until I turned on my watch Tuesday night for my next run. My first thought was that it was a fluke. There's no way I could sustain a two minute drop in pace that occurred in just a day. I set out for my run and decided to go just a bit longer than the day before. I again was thinking of Boston during my run and of how desperately I want runners to feel safe. I glanced down at my watch after my second mile and saw that I was right at a 9:20 pace. Again I thought this was cool but that it wouldn't last. Finishing up my third and final mile for the night, I was curious. Did I actually do it again? Sure enough, 9:26. Huh, maybe I can really hang on to this.

A week later and I've run a variety of distances, from 1.6 to 6.5 miles, all in the mid 9s. I want to see those low numbers more than even and I'm ready for them. I have the drive to work for it. I may never qualify for Boston but I'm going to I will continue to run for the victims and will work hard to push that pace even lower. This past week has given me a renewed sense of purpose and I will hold on as along as I can.

Let's all use this tragedy to renew our own strength not only in running but in all aspects of our lives.

The countdown is on

I can't wait to get on a plane on Thursday and cruise on down to Nashville for the Country Music Marathon. Nashville is a city that has certainly found a special place in my heart. I had been there once on a family vacation when I was younger, well we all got to tag along on one of my dad's business trips. I didn't particularly care for the city then as it seem like the entire city was under construction.
My love began years later when I accompanied my sister on a interview at Vanderbilt. It was her very first interview after graduating from college so she wasn't comfortable traveling and getting ready for her interview by herself. Neither of us knew much about the city so we booked a hotel right by Vanderbilt which ended up working out perfectly as they had a fantastic shuttle that would take you anywhere in the city.
That interview was in 2010 and I am happy to say this weekend marks my sixth trip back! She absolutely loves everything about the city and has managed to show me new and exciting things every time I visit. So much so that every few months I find myself contemplating making a move to Nashville myself. I mean, a girl can dream especially when home are so much less expensive than nyc or tahoe.
This weekend's race will be a bit different than the previous two as temperatures will be much below the usual 85 and humid. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw the ten day was predicting mid fifties however I'm quickly getting nervous as it also says thunder storms and rain all weekend :(
No matter what the weather turns out to be, I know it will be an amazing weekend!
Nashville here I come!

More about my plans for the race to come...

The Day I Tried Spin

I've wanted to take a spin class for the past few months but have never found a class that fits in my schedule. Last week I finally told myself it was time. I called the gym exactly 24 hours before the scheduled class to get on the list and was told it was already full. Naturally, i asked when the list opens so I could try again this week and was told it opens 24 hours before class. Really? That can't be right. This week I called 26 hours before the class and was able to snag the last spot in the class.

As soon as I got on the list I started to get nervous. What should I wear? How do I set up the bike? Will I look like a struggling newbie? Everyone at work was insistent that it was going to be hard and that I definitely be incredibly sore after my first class. Well, everyone other than Alison who said,"you run marathons. You'll be fine." This is true but I was still hesitant.

I had an awesome lunch from Whole Foods that brightened my day. Even if this class was horrible, at least I'd enjoy a very tasty meal.

I arrived at the gym a half hour before class to make sure I could find and put my things in the locker room and get into the spin room early to get set up. A half hour might have been a bit too early. I hopped on the elliptical for a 15 minute warm up so I wasn't the wierdo sitting alone in the spin room.

I walked into the room 10 minutes before the scheduled 6:15 start and there were only 5 bikes left. Thank goodness I was able to grab this bike in the second row. There was no way I would have been able to focus on the class if I were in front. I'm one of those self conscious types who would be spending way more time wondering if I was doing it wrong or if everyone noticed I was the new kid. I can honestly say this worry went right out the window once we started and I was in a focus on me mode the entire class.

Perfect bike location other than the huge
 pile of garbage bags.

Our instructor started right on time and warmed us up to some great music. His music selections were great throughout class and the only complaint I had was his awkward wanna be rapper dance moves when he wasn't on the bike.

Overall the class was good. I felt like I was working and I was certainly sweating by the end. I definitely didn't get that "omg I must do this again tomorrow. This was the best thing ever" feeling. Would I take another spin class? Sure. If I happened to finish up a workout at the gym as a class was starting then I'd grab a bike. Fighting to sign up for a coveted spot on the list? Not me.

I had high hopes that this was going to be amazing and while it was good, it was not amazing. You're far more likely to see me running in the park, killing it at zumba or pushing through a touch uxf burn class than on a spin bike.

NYC Half 2013

Thinking back to yesterday just makes me chilly. Freezing doesn't even describe how I felt while waiting for the race to start.

I left my apartment on the Upper West Side and walked across the park thinking it wasn't so bad. I had expected to be miserable the moment I stepped out the door. I guess my north face and sweat pants made a huge difference because man, the second I took them to check them at baggage at 6:45am, I was frozen. Having to check warm clothes 45 mins before the race was rough. I completely understand why but it isn't easy.

After shivering in my corral for a half hour I heard the national anthem and started to get excited. I love this race and couldn't wait to get it started. I crossed the line 11 mins after the gun and wa ready. Last year I was still in my corral when Kara Goucher and the rest of the pros ran by after their mile 6.

The first 3 miles were a blur as I experienced something I can honestly say I have never dealt with before. My feet were completely numb! You know that feeling of standing up from the couch with your feet asleep? That's exactly what both feet felt like! After the first mile I could start to feel my left foot but it took another two miles before I had feeling in both. I don't know if I should have run like that but luckily I am fine today.

All if a sudden we were already heading over the Harlem Hills and all I could think was that someday I will learn not to hate they. They get me every time but I'm determined to make them my summer project. One upper loop every morning before work should do it. That will have to wait for 50+ degree weather.

The west side of the part was pretty uneventful other than the wake up call I made to make from my bf. You would think that he could get himself up at 8:15 if I could get up at 5 and run a half marathon. At least he was willing to spectate and take me out to a celebratory brunch!

After hanging up with a very sleepy guy, I checked my garmin for the first time. I was ahead of my goal and couldn't have been happier. I was in pace to beat the timed 10k I had scheduled for next week. When I planned my Nashville training last week I was a little worried about the goal times I was writing down for each week. Who knew I could hit it unintentionally!

I was blown away by the crowds at the southern end of the park. As soon as we passed the start line, there were people lining both sides of the road! That was pretty awesome as I wasn't expecting to see large crowds until 7th Avenue. A quick check of my garmin proved I had in fact beat my 10k time trial so I was thrilled as I left the park.

As we turned onto 7th, everyone around me was pumped! "This is the best part!" "Get your camera ready!" "This is why we're running!" Even as a longtime new yorker, it's still pretty exciting to have the streets of Times Square closed down for you. Did you know the only other time they close Times Square to traffic is for New Year's Eve. Pretty cool.

Making the right onto 42nd was chilly. The wind hit me the moment I made the turn but the crowds were still incredible so I was able to soak it in as I made my way west. Once we hit the West Side Highway we took a two block trip north with a beautiful view of the intrepid before making a U turn and starting the long 5 mile stretch down to the tunnel. NYRR had bands placed along the route but this is just a tough section. It's like the third quarter of a game. You're starting to get tired but the excitement of the fourth quarter hasn't hit yet. Luckily the water stops had amazing volunteers who kept spirits high.

Signs for the tunnel signaled that we were almost there. Running down the ramp into the darkness was pretty cool. You don't realize how dark tunnels are until you're running through on without headlights! The smell was also horrible. All the car exhausted trapped in their made me so nauseous. Thank goodness for that 800m to go sign! Less than 5 mins to go and I'll be done! My stomach was not happy but I knew I wasn't actually going to be sick so I just powered on.

Up the ramp, a short stretch down the river, left over toward water st, a quick right and there was the finish line! I found a coworker of mine while I was in the tunnel so we sprinted to the finish line together.

With a brand new medal around my neck, I'm officially ready to push myself for Nashville. I was thrilled with my first 10k split and hope to rock that pace for my April race. The NYC Half will always be a favorite if mine and this year didn't disappoint. The crowds were great, the volunteers were amazing and the issues at last year's start were all sorted out. Nicely done, nyrr. Now if only they could do something about the expo. Kind of boring and had a bizarre layout.

40 days until Nashville!

45 Days

I have 45 days to get myself ready for my next big challenge: The Country Music Marathon. Nashville is one of my absolute favorite cities and I can't wait to head down there for a weekend of cowboy boots and honky tonks! There is just something about that city that gets your toes tapping and a smile on your face from the moment you touch down. I've run the Country Music Half Marathon twice and figured it was time to step it up.

It may sounds crazy to train for a marathon in 45 days but I promise I'm not totally nuts. I'm running a half marathon this weekend that I've trained for and feel I have a great base to start from. Plus this isn't my first rodeo. This will actually be my third marathon and quite honestly I'm in a better place now than I was 45 days before each of those.

This training cycle will be different for me though. I want to spend these 45 doing something I've never really done: embrace each workouts. Push through the hard parts and make it count. I generally just run for milage and rarely keep to plans calling for speed or hill works. So many runs have been spent wondering why I never get any faster but the truth of the matter is I've never put in the work.

Wish me luck this weekend as I take on the NYC Half and keep your fingers crossed that 45 days from now I'll be dancing across that finish line knowing I've earned it.

3 Weeks

Oh man! We're three weeks away from my third NYC Marathon. Can that really be right?

I finished my last scheduled long run yesterday and let me just say, I wanted to die. My previous long runs of 18 and 20 miles were fantastic and I expected this one to be the same but oh how wrong I was. I had signed up for Grete's Great Gallop, a half marathon in Central Park that started at 10:30 am so I figured I knock out 7 or 8 miles before and then toe the start line. I should have know that when I fell asleep on the couch while putting on my shoes that this was going to be tough.

Miraculously my mom called me 15 minutes later to tell me about something she pinned on pinterest. Why I needed to know about her new use for mason jars at 7:30 on a Sunday is beyond me but nonetheless it got me up off the couch.

I knew that the cool 50 degree temp was going to turn into 74 by the time I finished my run so I went with a short sleeve shirt and capris. I was chilling to start and hot at the end but I know any other outfit would have made me miserable. It was however perfect for my sunny one mile walk home at 1pm!

So my run...my plan was to start as usual with one lap of the reservoir and then get in a full loop of the park before getting into my corral at 10:15 for the 10:30 start of the race. That plan went out the window when I looked down and saw that I was 4 miles into my run and still doing loops of the reservoir, oops. Guess I was still asleep!

I finished my third lap with just over 5 miles under my belt and headed south toward to start. It was almost 10am so I weaved my way around the bridle path and somehow managed to hit exactly 7 miles at Tavern on the Green. Perfect! I could see the corrals and slipped into mine at 10:25. Not sure where the time went but as soon as I stepped under the rope we were started moving toward the start line.

The first mile of the race included parts of the last mile of the marathon and I was pumped to be retracing this part a total of three times during the race. A full loop of Central Park is just over 6 miles so we had to do two full loops plus a mile. In essence that first mile was also mile the 7th mile and the 13th. During my previous two NYC Marathons I had nothing left at this point and think I actually walked the last quarter mile of both :( This year I'm determined to run that portion even if I walk the rest! Just kidding but I really want to feel good about that final stretch. I always run the other direction when in the park so this was perfect.

As soon as we hit that first mile marker, I knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. I had to walk multiple times throughout the race and could shake the lead leg feeling. My garmin was showing ok times but my legs felt like they weren't moving. By the second lap, I was so tight behind my left leg that I kept doing butt kicks and stopping to stretch but it just would give. Needless to say that as a half marathon, my time was horrible. I was almost 30 minutes slower than at the Rock n' Roll Providence two months ago but I was still happy that I finished.

I was so disappointed with my time that as volunteers started saying things like, "You've just run 13 miles" or "You're still looking strong at mile 11" I actually corrected them and told them I was almost to 20! Not sure why I felt they needed to know but oh well.

Moral of the story:
Half Marathon time = bad
Finishing my last long run = excellent!

Now if only I can manage to not eat everything in sight today!