Not pretty.

Just ran 11.2.

Basically ruined the run in the first 2 miles, as I had to semi sprint to the bathroom after about 5 minutes of warm up to avoid a disaster.
Had a little pity party about mile 8.5, walked a bit.
Had some cramping, dumped my Nuun/Carbo Pro at about mile 8ish- I think it helped as I was able to recover well on the last 2.5 loop and bring my pace to where I want it to be for long runs.
Still learning, may just do Nuun in water next week and more Gu.

Changing Perspective

As per usual, over a week has gone by and I have not been on my bike. Excuses as always: did my long run Saturday morning, cheered all day at the NYC tri on Sunday, my hip hurt, it was raining...blah blah blah. I also have the idea in my head that if I'm not on the bike for at least an hour or 20ish miles, it's not worth it to go out. Takes too much effort to get my bike out the door than it's worth.

As of today, that attitude it OUT the door. Riverside Park, and the West Side Bike Path, are less than 1/10 of a mile outside my front door. Yes, this can be an annoying ride and you're not likely to average over 16-17mph because of traffic and oblivous annoying people, but it's better than nothing. And when time is limited, it saves the time it takes me to get over to the park through traffic and traffic lights. So tonight, I figured it was early enough to beat the night time rush on the West Side, and I did 13 lovely miles. And it only took 45 minutes. This is better than nothing and I am going to start thinking of my time on the bike as additive: every little bit counts.

Snapped a great shot when I turned around, loved the softball field and game in the midst of the Financial District high rises:

My doctor appointment went really well this morning. I am glad I had some time to put things in perspective after my Tuesday freak-out, I was feeling well enough to run 5 miles last night and was only a bit achy this morning. We talked about achy vs. nagging vs. pain and the fact that I should only be worried if the ache or pain is limiting my activity (after resting it for a day or tw0)- Dr. M. also recommended a massage therapist for 2 deep tissue massages to loosen up my hips, and a strength training specialist to help me develop a routine, as he was worried my right leg is still significantly weaker than my right.

I will have to look into these options in terms of costs, as I may have to choose between the two, but it was good to hear that Dr. M had confidence in my moving forward with the marathon. I really think the strength training is important and it would be really nice to have someone help me develope a routine to focus on certain areas.

It was also fun to see Dr. M today because he did Lake Placid this weekend and was on top of the world. He had a great day, got a course-PR by more than 20 minutes in the crazy weather, and most importantly beat his brother by 30 minutes :)

None of the above....

Tonight, I got home from work, changed into running clothes, and promptly sat down on the couch. Then I proceeded to:

decide not to run, eat 2 celeste pizzas (gross, I know), watch 30 minute meals, decide to run, run 5 miles in 100% humidity, in a cotton t shirt, praying for rain the entire time.

Of all these decisions, i would recommend NONE OF THE ABOVE. I feel like crap now.
Sur-prise!

I have an appointment with the ortho, Dr. M, in the morning. Had a minor/major freakout earlier this week with my femur. I think (hope) I just did a few too many squats and lunges on Monday night, but I woke up Tuesday with my leg feeling worse and in more pain than it has since I originally hurt it. Still nowhere near the pain I was walking around on before, but definitely more than the 'aches' that are commonplace. It was feeling much better today (thus the run, still probably not the best idea), which makes me think that it was just my groin and surrounding muscles being angry that I have not been doing enough strength training, but I am still keeping my appointment.

I know that only I can really know what is going on with my body, and NEED to listen to it as I try to continue to up the miles to prepare for the marathon, but I guess I just need my ortho to tell me (yet again), that my hip/leg/groin is GOING to ache, probably for awhile. So that is what I am hoping he will tell me. Fingers crossed.

So sad.

Photo from nytimes.com

A 32-year-old man competing in the New York City Triathlon died Sunday after being pulled unconscious from the Hudson River on a day when competitors battled heat, humidity and stinging jellyfish along the course.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/sports/othersports/21triathlon.html?ex=1374379200&en=3b335082dc6b5a3c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

I apparently walked away from the swim exit about 10 minutes before the man who passed away was pulled from the water. Some people I had been cheering with witnessed the EMTs trying to revive him and were really shaken up. My heart goes out to this family.

Random Thoughts.

Random thoughts during my 10 mile run this morning:

1. I'm really bummed I'm not doing NYC Tri tomorrow. I think of all the races I haven't done this season, I'm most bummed about this. Which is sorta ironic, because I really didn't enjoy (hated?) this race last year. But part of me just wants to redeem my slow-ass bike from last year.
2. I miss racing. There was a NYRR race in the park this morning, and I wanted to be racing. FAST. With my legs burning and lungs on fire. Instead, I plodded along at my 9:45 'long run' pace.
3. I REALLY need to figure out my fall race schedule. It isn't working out like I want it to, so I am just tempted to focus on the marathon. Maybe find a fall century ride to keep me on the bike? Dont' think a half IM is in the cards this season, which is OK. I just need to accept it. More important to get through the Marathon injury free and build a base for next year.
4. OR (and this is sorta crazy talk)- I was thinking about considering the Chesapeake Man ULTRA SwimFest (just the 2.4 mile swim of the Iron distance race) or the AquaVelo (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike). That may be a bit ambitious. But the SwimFest is a definite option. And it's close to home (same area as Eagleman), so I think I could get my family to join. It would be 1 week after I am in Africa for two weeks. But there are great pools in 2/3 cities I will be in.
5. I'm really excited to go back to South Africa. I will need to do a 18ish miler in Cape Town- really excited to map out an amazing crazy beautiful run. Too bad the next weekend I will have to do 12-14 miles on the treadmill in Jo'burg. Blah. But treadmill is better than the 1/4 mile indoor track, I think. Maybe I can find a running club actually? Will have to check that out.
6. NO SHIN PAIN! Yay
7. I want a tri bike. Really badly.
8. I hate humidity.
9. I wish I was going up to Placid tomorrow to watch the race. Why do they schedule NYC the same weekend as Placid- I think it's so annoying and stupid.

OK there are my deep thoughts of the day.

Philly photos

Stealing these from Brightroom, obviously, so I'm not sure how they will turn out. Its the first time I think I have gotten race photos that I didn't cringe at.

PS- I am holding a cup of water in the run pic, and am probably in mid-gulp, so it's a bit silly looking. I have better run form than that, I swear!

Central Park...How I love Thee

During a great ride in the park tonight, I experienced all that lovely central park has to offer. All in all, it really was a great ride. But during my last two rides in the park, I have had a few 'typical' run-ins that got me thinking about my favorite 'types' of cyclist in Central Park. In no particular order:

1. The 250-lb man who gets 6 inches off my wheel and grunts as he lets me pull him around the park. [The same person has done this to me more than once.] When I very clearly brake and very clearly move to the side, he very clearly has no intention of riding by. This is when i throw in a pick-up, or just wait until Harlem Hill to try to get rid of him.


2. The man riding the bike that costs probably as much as I make in a year, who is poking along until I ride up next to him, and he promptly hammers away, jumping from 17mph to 25mph. Because God-forbid you let a GIRL pass you on a SMALL, entry level bike....


3. The 15-20 men riding in a double pace line in full team attire at 7:30pm in the park. I mean....really? (I almost got run over by one of these pace lines today. Actually, not by the pace line, but one JACK-A$$ in particular who seriously almost mowed me over , even after I had moved to let the stupid pace line go by. I mean, it was so close that the guys on the end of the line slowed down to make sure I was OK and I heard them yelling not-so-nice things at him they rode away).

But my all time favorite person I met in a lovely exchange last week. During an already miserable ride where I just wanted to be home, I was heading down the back Harlem Hill, and was passing a bike-commuter on the right. I didn't make it known I was passing, but I had more than enough room that I wasn't anywhere NEAR him, that is until he decided to start swerving towards me (as 28 miles per hour). I let out a simple 'Whoa, on your right'.

His response, with no hesitation?

"F*ck you, you fat whore!"

I have never laughed so loudly in my life. Someone clearly has some unresolved mother issues.

BUT so this isn't a 'I hate Central Park' (which I don't!) post, I will share some pics from last night, when the NY Philharmonic played one of their free shows on the Great Lawn