How I Accidentally Completed My Planned Miles

In my previous post, I said that on Saturday I either wanted to run at night, or walk twice the amount of miles. I completed the latter, accidentally.

A friend of mine called, asking for help while she completed a scavenger hunt for a free weekend pass to the New York Comic Con this year. Of course I decided to help, and I became the Oracle to her Batman as the clues for different locations showed up. Then Clue 24 appeared.

The location for Clue 24 was also in Queens, and I knew the where it was. Since I had already changed, I laced up my sneakers and head out. (I ended up not looking hard enough where the pass was hidden - I was right. there.) I ended up covering at the very least 5.5 miles, roundtrip. I was fun to explore a new area, and I got both Panera Bread plus Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte on the way back. AND my friend found a pass. So, it was a good day.

This morning I was supposed to cover 2.5 miles. I ended up only doing 1.25, because my shins where absolutely killing me. I don't know what happened. I came back and iced them while watching the West Wing. Although I watched my favorite episode last night - "Noël" the episode that Bradley Whitford won the Emmy for, which deals with Josh's PTSD.

I begin classes today. I have two of the three today - an education course and an editor course (for the school newspaper). I've never taken courses of this nature before, so I'm quite excited and nervous. The last course (that I have on Fridays) is going to be fabulous. It's with a professor I've had two times before, in similar course. The first was on Rogers & Hammerstein, the second Stephen Sondheim (could've taught the entire class -- and did for 30 minutes for Sweeney Todd), and this is on Gershwin and Bernstein. I hope we look at Bernstein's Mass. I've seen it live at Carnegie Hall, and it's moving and epic. And Candide. Because I looooovvveee Candide. While the material itself may come easy to me, it still challenges me to write about the music. Though I think with I greatly improved writing about the melody and instrumentation itself, rather than overall moods, from my last course about symphonies and concertos.

I can't wait to get the syllabi. That's when I can truly begin to plan my last semester.

I even "did" my hair today - in that I let it air dry for the most part, blow dried it, then straightened. It's longer (and darker) than people remember.

Change of Plans

I was supposed to run 3 miles this morning. However I had to stay in case the super showed up. I didn't want him to come and wake my roommate up, who got back late last night.

Ah...last night.

Last night I entire the kitchen to find water leaking from the doorway of the bathroom and my roommate's room. Lovely. I call the super's number, only to find out that it is no longer in service. I put towels down, tie on sneakers, and head to the super's apartment. I leave a message with his lovely wife, get the new number, and head back up. I decided that rather than miss the super, in the off chance he showed up, I'll push my run to tonight or tomorrow morning. It's not a big deal; I just don't like running in the sun. It's only 69 degrees out now, but I'll wait.

I can either run later, around 6 or 7, or walk around midday and end up at Starbucks, drinking an iced skinny vanilla latte and reading a book. The latter plan might prevail. Besides, maybe I could map out a 6 mile route (roundtrip) to Starbucks. I'll call it cross-training.

Besides, I'm not doing anything tomorrow.

The other change of plans: I decided not to do the 4 miler in September. I'd rather slowly build up and condition my body, and maybe sign up for another 5k (cross-country) in mid or late October. Hopefully I'll have bought new shoes by then.

I also want to start drafting my "statement of purpose" for my grad school application. The program I really want to do is perfect for me: I can apply this fall, take online classes spring and summer (I still have the lease on this apartment until next September), and either continue to take online classes, or take classes on campus. Now I only need to get into the program. I also need to ask for recommendation letters. Luckily, I guess, I can ask the head of the department and the...assistant (or really other) head of the department.

I have lists of things to do concerning grad school, but the statement and letters are all that is worrying me.

And now, more West Wing. At least it's smart television.

So far, so...okay?

I wish I could've named this entry "So far, so good." However I wouldn't necessarily categorize training so far as "good." (Which reminds me, I need to sign up for that 4mi. race today.) Tomorrow I have three miles, but something is up with my shins. Either I need new shoes, or my legs just needed rest. We shall see.

I haven't figured out a cross-training activity that wouldn't cost money - which I don't have right now. I suppose I can fill those days with walking/more strength-training, but for this week I'm taking it easy. The weather tomorrow is probably going to be around 75 degrees and sunny when I run in the morning. Ah, fun.

My only other thing of note: I watched all the episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. I wish it was given a chance and not canceled, but I'm glad it existed. I love Matthew Perry, and I have a crush on Bradley Whitford. I had watched an episode while it aired, but never seemed to watch the rest of the series. As a musical theater person, it was interesting to see the parallels between Harriet/Matthew and Kristen Chenoweth/Aaron Sorkin (the whole 700 club thing and whatnot).

All of this made me want to watch West Wing (I have the entire series box set), and to finally see Sports Night - which my roommate has. Perhaps that will be next. :D

Oh, I miss the West Wing theme. It's so fantastic.

Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Pictures!

Picture time!

I thought the line of porta-potties (however you spell it) was amusing.

After the 5K started, the switched the sign for the Harlem Health Walk. As you can tell, I took this picture after I finished (note the time).

I was very happy!

This is where I spent some time pre and post race. THE GRASS!

Stephen Colbert thumbs up!

Results Board pre-race. The shadows are cool. :D

This Morning's Wet & Wild Run

I either did 2.5 miles in 30:30 or 2.75 miles in 30:30. (Or 29:30...)I can't remember if I moved my thumb - I move it in between each finger to count a lap, if I'm on the track. But I ran it all, I guess to make up for the walks on Saturday.

2.5 miles would put me at around 12:12 per mile. (or 11:48)

2.75 miles would put me at around 11:05 per miles. (or 10:44)

I'm more inclined to believe it was 2.5 in 29:30, because that pacing seems more like me. But it could be any of them (except for 2.75 in 29:30, that's a little fast for me). Regardless, it's going in my log as 2.5 miles, because that's what I set out to do this morning.

I think I should invest in a Garmin Forerunner. That way I won't have to think about it.

It was raining like crazy, but I wasn't going to give up a day to run when it's cool and 68 degrees out. I was soaked even before I started running. There were two other people (women!) out running in the downpour. Both left before I finished a mile. It was just me, the track, the rain, and the park rangers watching me. I felt quite intense. I felt like a REAL runner this morning. It was fab-u-lous.

I also realized I should get a proper hat -- I grabbed my black Pacific Life Open one for this morning, but I think I should get a running one. You know, in case it rains again!

Evidence of downpour:

I still don't know what kind of cross training I want to do. I don't really want to buy inline skates, and I don't really want to get a gym membership (to take classes and spinning) -- the gym near me is New York Sports Club, which is - apparently - notorious for screwing people over when they want to cancel their membership. Continuous charging and what not...I think a Planet Fitness is near me...perhaps I should check that out.

Movie Day

(Pictures from yesterday's race will be up tomorrow, as they won't be developed until tomorrow at 1PM.)

There were two things on my agenda today. The first was to stretch and strength train. The second was to watch movies I put on my instant queue.

After doing my normal morning thing - up at 7:30, breakfast, web-surfing, etc. - I made my lunch and began to watch the first movie on my list, Chariots of Fire. Having never seen it before, I was not prepared to be so inspired and moved. Hopefully this inspiration will last me for my run tomorrow.

I hate staying in my apartment all day, and I try to find any excuse to go out. In the end, I guess I can always just take a walk, but I like a reason. I wanted to get weights to train with. I had used my mother's while in CT, but ended up holding both 3lb in one hand. Since I also wanted another pair of running shorts and a top, I headed all the way to the Brooklyn target. I don't have to transfer for that one.

After picking up the clothing, I headed to the weights. They only had one 10lb -- of the kind I wanted. It's green. In retrospect, it's good that I got just one. First, because I only really need one. And second, it would be harder to carry 20lbs of weight around. I picked up a Venti Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks (I have a gift card) and trotted on back.

I did some training in my room and stretched. Either it's warm in my room or I worked hard, but I felt like I needed another shower (didn't take one). I made dinner and began to watch the next movie on my list: Wonder Boys. I'd seen it before, but was in the mood to re-watch it. Paused movie to make okra fries, clean the kitchen, and grab a yogurt.

And that has been my day. Thrilling, isn't it? I don't think I'll usually be writing "what I did today" posts. I just felt like it. Must have been the movie!

Perhaps tomorrow I'll finally watch Food, Inc. Either that, or Wall Street. First viewings for each though.

Now I am off to good cross training activities that don't require a gym membership. I'm almost certain that I'll be registering for another race, in September. I'll decide soon enough!

Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run, for the Children of Haiti

ACTUAL PHOTOS WILL COME! I just have to get the camera developed. Enjoy phone and computer photos.

Last night, I set two alarms on my phone. One for 6:00am, and another for 6:30. I got into bed around 10pm. I was so excited that it took me a while to fall asleep. And I of course woke up at 12:30 and 3:30. I woke up at 6, and grabbed two pieces of GF bread. The race wasn't until 8:30, but since I had no previous race experience, I just ate because I was hungry. It turned out alright in the end.

After eating, changing, and sitting on the computer, I left the apartment at 6:30 to begin my subway ride (and read Runner's World!), which was approximately an hour including a transfer. It was fun to see other runners on the C train, since we were all going to the same place. I got to the site (W135th & St. Nicholas Ave) and took some photos with the disposable camera I bought. I didn't want to bring my phone, lest it disappear. After walking around for 15 minutes or so, I put my bib and d-tag on, dropped my bag at baggage and went to sit on this grassy hill.

At 8:10, the asked for runners to get into corrals. I immediately went to the back. It was comfortable there. :)

At 8:20, they made announcements and sang National Anthems (US and I think Haiti? Something else was sung...), but I couldn't really hear. Slowly we inched up. At 8:30, we made our way and some time after the race began! I was incredible excited, and definitely started to well up.

The first part of mile 1 was flat, then there was a demon of a hill at 0.5 miles. From at least 0.5-1.5 miles was all uphill. And not a little hill. A big one. But I climbed it! I skipped the first water station, which I guess I should've stopped. After 1.5 miles, I took walking breaks. Must've been 3 in total? Of course, what comes up, must come down and I vowed to steady run down the hills.

It had to be around 2.5 miles that I was losing it. But the support from the volunteers was amazing. As I got closer to the 3 mile marker, I slowed to walk, because I thought I couldn't take it anymore. I heard some one say, "It's so close! What are you doing?!" And I thought..."What the hell am I doing!?!?" And began to run again. I crossed the 3 mile marker and felt my energy drop, until I saw the REAL finish. I saw two other runners ahead, and I just HAD to sprint. With every energy of my body, I ran forward, and heard the announcer say "Uh-oh what's she doing!" (In the light-hearted tone of "she's got something up her sleeve/look at her pace them!", not accusatory.) I past those people and crossed the finish. I felt like I was going to die, but I was so happy and proud of myself. I didn't pay too much attention to the clock, because I knew it was started when the leaders ran, and it wasn't very accurate for my time.

I kept walking, got a water and banana. I finished the cup and got another, and ate the banana as I walked along the route I just ran. I didn't have an post-its to write Operation Beautiful (operationbeautiful.com) notes, so I just cheered people as they ran bye and yelled "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!" I hope my support helped them as much as the other's helped me.

I grabbed my bag, and began to walk around, talking pictures of signs, myself, and what not. I was going to leave, when I decided to see if the results were posted. They were only up to bib 1700 or so. I waited around for a while, but decided to go home. After eating a cube of cheese (and picking up a gluten-free recipe pamphlet!), and using up my camera, I hopped on the subway. I didn't take off my bib or d-tag, because I was so proud of myself. I continued to read the Sept. issue of Runner's World and beamed with happiness.

I definitely hope to run many, many, many, many more races in the future. :D

Lewis

Heather

F21

3207

1465 Place Overall (1844 runners)

600 Place Out of 873 Females

47 Place out of Female Age Group 20-24

0:32:37 Overall Time

10:32 Average Pace per mile

649 Age Graded Place, whatever that means

45.39 Age Graded, whatever that means

(I'm holding my shirt up with my hand, hence the slightly awkward pose)

SMILE!

My favorite photo.

And now I'm enjoying this bowl of self-serve frozen yogurt. A place nearby just started serving it! I got plain, strawberry, and chocolate, with some pineapple and strawberry bits. I began to eat before the picture, heh.