Half Marathon

Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11:15 am I completed my 9^th half marathon. I stood at the start line in Brooklyn, NY along with 17,499 other people and ran 13.1 miles through the streets of Brooklyn in the Inaugural Rock n Roll Half Marathon.  I completed the course in 3:17 (two minutes slower than I wanted) but I did it, despite fighting a cold the five days leading up to the race. It was the perfect running day, not too cold and not too hot, sunny with a nice breeze. As my friend Moira and I would always describe these days when we ran cross country in high school, “perfect apple picking weather”! I ran the first 8 miles and kept a nice pace. Mile 9 -11 I did a run walk and started to slow down a bit. The last two miles were tough. My plantar fasciitis was acting up and I couldn’t wait for the race to end. At that point in the race you see everyone who finished ahead of you with their medals on walking to their cars or the subway and it makes you want to finish even more.

My friend Lynne was waiting for me at the finish. She was a trooper; she got out of bed at 4:30 am and headed to the start line with me. We took the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the Q train, with so many other runners who had the same crazy idea as I did. When we sat on the train the nerves started to take over. I didn’t know anyone else running this race, what made me decide to pick this race? (Well I know why I picked this race but that is another story for another time). I was nervous that the head cold that I had would really affect me during the race. Did I train enough for this race? I had doubts and fears running through my head as the train moved its way to Brooklyn. What was I doing?

We arrived in Brooklyn, walked towards Prospect Park, stood in the porta potty lines and then said good bye to Lynne. I headed to the security lines where every runner had to pass through a metal detector. I miss the good old days where we used to feel safe on a race course and trusted the people around us.  After I made it through security I headed to the corals where we stood and waited. Due to so many people running the race, there were delays in the security lines and also clearing the course. I finally started at 7:57 am. 

Team In Training (TNT), the endurance fundraising program of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, had teams of runners and walkers there. I worked for TNT for five years and of course I had to talk to as many participants as possible. I met runners from Savannah, GA and Portland Oregon as well as many from New York and New Jersey. It brought me back to a place when I was first introduced to the endurance running world.  It brought me back to a time when I loved running as many races as possible. And I couldn’t wait to cheer on anyone who had a goal and a dream!

When I got home on Monday, October 12^th I hung my medal with my other half marathon medals and realized it had been 2 years and 8 months since my last half marathon. I couldn’t believe it had been that long. I had not planned that long of a hiatus from running but it happened. It felt good to be out there again. I don’t want to lose that feeling or desire again. Although my wallet and schedule don’t let me run as many races as I want, I would like to run as many as I can. As of today my next half will be on April 3^rd. And as I train I want to get stronger, physically and mentally. I can’t just talk a big game; I have to live it every day. My health is so important to my goals of wanting to continue running and completing more triathlons. It is not just about the miles on the road but about how I treat myself.

While I was running this past weekend, I saw a woman running for Team In Training. She and I would pass each other. At this moment I cannot remember what chapter she was from but I do remember one thing as clear as day. Written across the back of her jersey was the word “Survivor”. This woman had survived a blood cancer. She was out on the course completing 13.1 miles because she was alive. She looked cancer in the eyes and said you aren’t going to win. I became a bit emotional at that moment not for her but for me. I realized how often I ignored my disease, there were so many days I won’t look it in the eye because I don’t want to face it. Why didn’t I look at my disease the same way this woman looked at her cancer and tell it you aren’t going to win today? Why do I let the diabetes get the best of me? I am not the type of person who likes to let others win … so why am I letting the diabetes win? When will I wake up and begin to fight for my life?

Fat Wednesday

Tonight is the last night of my old life ... Tomorrow is the first day of my new life. Tomorrow my rut will end. I will begin my journey to achieve my new goals. I will move forward and not look back. I am the most important thing in my life. It will be hard but it will be worth it.

Decisions, goals and a funk...

Sorry for the delay, life has been a bit busy. I actually made a decision based on my last blog a couple of weeks ago. Two weeks ago I ran in a five mile race. I felt great that day. I ran the entire race and kept a steady pace the entire way. A week ago I did my long run leading up to my half marathon which is scheduled for October 10th. This past Sunday I walked for about 40 minutes after working all weekend. The problem is that I haven't done anything else. I have been in a funk or a rut. But I digress, I will get back to my decision and share that first. During the two runs I made the decision to go back to basics. I will sign up for two triathlons like did back in 2001. The first for the 2016 season will be in June and the second will be in July. I am still deciding on exactly which triathlon race I will do but I have it narrowed down to just a few. I also decided that I will complete the 3 mile swim again in August and of course try and beat my time. And the final thing that I decided was I want to participate in the Diabetes Ride (cycle) in Syracuse (no I haven't decided on the distance yet). So there it is my schedule and goals for the spring/summer of 2016. Now back to my rut ... I don't know what is going on. I lay out my gym clothes every day but I either don't get up in time or I don't go to the gym after work. The scale hasn't looked good and my diabetes numbers are paying the price. I will say that by not working out it affects so much ... my mood, my self esteem, my sleep and so much more. I know I want to work out but something is keeping me in this rut. Tonight I told myself that I had until September 30th to continue to feel sorry for myself but come October 1st that was it ... I had to get moving. Training must begin and I physically can't afford to continue this. Tonight I went onto Pinterest and read my board on motivation. It helped a bit, I saw one post that said, "imagine yourself in 6 months from now, don't stop it will be worth it". Six months from October 1st is April 1st ... can I do it? Another one read, "look in the mirror, that is your competition". That is so true ...The person in the mirror can be my best friend or my biggest rival. Will she hold me back or will I pass her? The final post I read was, "God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a gift for your faithfulness. Don't give up". AMEN!!

Stay tuned!!

What to do??

15 years ago this month I started training for my first triathlon. I worked so hard for that first event and the second one I did that same summer. I had a fire in me that drove me to complete that event. I will admit that some of the fire in me was fueled by people who doubted me. I was out to prove them wrong! I worked hard week after week and I enjoyed the process as I saw myself get better and stronger. Since that first summer I have completed several other triathlons as well as countless half marathons, a marathon and several open water swims.   

When I started this blog several years ago (2012) I was training for my half Ironman (70.3 miles). Which although it wasn't pretty I completed the distance. In 2013 I completed the 70.3 as a member of relay team and did a few other sprint triathlons. Since the summer of 2013 I have not completed one triathlon. I have done a few open water swims and a few runs but I haven't completed a triathlon. I do miss it.

This summer I had planned on doing two, the first was going to be in July but do to some GI track problems the morning of the race I couldn't do it. I wasn't totally disappointed because my heart wasn't in it completely. The second one I wanted to do in August but I had to back out due to a work conflict. Instead this summer I did an open water swim (5K) and have been training for a half marathon this fall.

Recently I was riding my bike, on my trainer. Yes I have put my glutius maxiumus on the saddle a few times since my last post, most recently this morning. And it occurred to me that it had been 15 years ago this month since the first time I trained for a triathlon. I thought about my desire and dedication to accomplishing that goal. I want to be that girl again! Although I am 15 years older I know I can be that girl again!

So this is what I need to decide ... do I sign up for a 70.3, set my sights on that goal and start training now? Or do I go back to basics, get my fire back, fall in love with triathlons again and focus on some sprint triathlons next summer?  I need to make a decision soon but I would love to hear your thoughts. 

September 2nd

I biked today! I actual got my bike shoes on sat in the saddle and peddled. It wasn't a hard ride but it was a ride. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Every journey begins with the first step. Or in this case the first turn of the crank!

A swim, my bike and then I run

This past Saturday I completed a 5K (3.1 miles) open water swim. I love to swim, it is actually my favorite exercise, but this past weekend's event was tough.The water was rough and choppy and I had a lot of trouble with leg cramps. It was a great event and I will definitely sign up again ... I need to beat my time.

I have always struggled with the same thing my whole life, my weight. At times it has held me back and at other times I try to prove I am better than my weight. I have never disliked physical activities. I have run, biked and swam for 100s and 100s of miles and yet my weight is still and issue. To reiterate what I stated in my last post I have six months to get my weight under control. Exercise will not be enough. I have to watch not only my carbohydrate intake but also the amount of fat I intake too. Is it more important to weigh myself at home and use the same scale I have always been using or do I use a different scale during these 6 months. I have been thinking about using the scale at the gym and weigh in once a week. With tomorrow being the first of September, I will make a decision in the AM and post my weight.

I have another goal as we start September. My sister, who is a teacher, often says that September is her "new year" so she sets her resolutions in September rather than January. I thought I would do that too this year. My resolutions in January were surrounded around my health and this September it is a continuation. I need to get my weight under control and I would also like to move my bike now. My bike taunts me. It is setup in my living room and every day it looks at me and laughs. I always have great intentions of riding my bike outside or on my trainer but every time I make the plan I find an excuse. Of the three disciplines of triathlon the bike is my weakest. Knowing the fact that it is my weakest or should I put it bluntly, I stink at it, I should want to get on the bike more, but I don't. There is something holding me back. Is it fear? I know what you are thinking, get on my bike because it is the only way to get better. Oh I know, but the bike taunts me instead! So this September I am going to ride my bike. I will overcome this fear and quiet the bully known as my bike! Other resolutions are to knit more this fall & winter and to do something new every month!

So what is next? A run. I have a half marathon scheduled for October in Brooklyn, NY. Training is going ok but now that the swim is over, my training will totally be focused on my run. I have also decided to sign up for the Ithaca 5 & 10 in September. I was excited when I realized I wasn't working that weekend so I can actually sign up for a race!! And what will come up next ... stay tuned!

What's next?

Of course it's hard. It's supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it.

Hard is what makes it great ---- A League of Their Own

It's been 3 months since I have met with my diabetes coach and on Tuesday, August 25th I returned. I have been working very hard at controlling my daily blood sugar levels. There is so much I can do to produce low numbers but sometimes one meal can throw you off. It happens sometimes when you go out to dinner or When traveling, you think you have made the best choices and then that evening or the next morning's read is up high. I am happy to report that my coach was pleased with my numbers. The majority of the time they were great but there were a few times when they were high. However, we could look back on my daily food intake and were able to pinpoint what I had eaten that made the levels high.

During our appointment we discussed some side affects and issues I have been having with one of my medication. I have been feeling the affects of some of the medication to the extreme and these side affects wreak havoc on my daily routines. So we decided to change up some of my medications to see how I do. I have to try the new medication for a month and then report back in with her via email to see how I am feeling.

The good news is I don't have to go back to my coach for another 6 months. However, I have my work cut out for me during these next six months. I have to break the weight plateau I have been on and continue to bring it down. I lost the 41 pounds and during this summer I hit a stand still. The weight is going to be key. So my blood sugar numbers need to stay low and my weight numbers need to come down. I feel like my body has changed, clothes fit differently in the areas that I lose the weight first (my hips, legs and upper body) but my mid section is still an issue. I need to increase my vegetable intake (not easy for me) and decrease my daily fat grams. Doing all of this while keeping my blood sugar levels low too ... this won't be easy but as the quote up top states...if it were easy everyone would be doing it.

In 6 months the weight needs to drop. No more plateaus ... No more sliding by ... this is more than just my blood sugar numbers, this affects my blood sugar levels. The scale is important too. I need to follow a low fat/low carb diet. I need to be strict and I need to make sacrifices. I need to say no, not just in public but when I am home alone too. Most importantly I need to plan. Exercise is not enough, my diet is keeping me from succeeding. This will not be easy, this will be hard. I have to stop finding excuses and start making a change.