"Favorite Thing" Fridays - SUMMER TIME!

This weather just gets me so excited! And the forecast for this Memorial Day Weekend - Summer kick off is looking fan-friggin'-tastic!

Now, I have to admit, I'm not much of a fan of the heat when I'm running. Some people can run mid-day during the summer and be just fine. Me, not so much! But mornings and late evenings are just golden. LOVE IT!

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Also, RUNNYC will probably kick up it's Nike Half Marathon Training Events soon which are always a highlight of my summer. The opportunity to meet up with running friends at various parts of the city... getting a quality run in and then eating, drinking and of course DANCING at the NIKE post run parties is definitely a highlight of any summer work week!

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This weekend I'm off to Virginia (it's for lovers, you know? ha! lame!!). But I'm hoping to get in some good runs now that things are feeling a bit better. I had my sixth appointment with the chiropractor today and she beat me up pretty badly with the graston tools, but things feel like they're shifting around in there.. so I'm taking it (still) as a good sign. It's small steps for me, but I'm feeling so much better about things!

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Here's how the past week's training shaped up:

Training Plan: - May 18-27

Sunday: AM: 3miles

Monday: PM: Run on the Charles: 35mins

Tuesday: PM: Traveling and tied up with work - DNR :(

Wednesday: PM: Bridge Runners Run- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKLYN BRIDGE - 5miles

Thursday: PM: Swim - Workout:

WARM-UP: 300m, 200m (pull), 100m (kick);
Wkout: 3x200m, 3x100m, 4x50m (pull, finish), 100m

Total: 1800m

Friday: AM: Didn;t get to ride :( PM: Run - 30mins

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STILL AHEAD:

Saturday: Virgina is for LOVERS!! Happy Memorial Day (Weekend) Run/Swim - TBD

Sunday: VA - Off (should have brought my bike)

Monday: VA - Run: 35mins

Tuesday: Back to NYC - RIDE MY BIKE!!!!

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYONE! Have a fabulously fit and exciting weekend!

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XOXO,

TheRunnerChick

"Favorite Thing" Fridays - NIKE Discounts & Free Stuff!!

Okay peeps, this is two discount alerts in one week. So it's sort of obvious where my budget conscious mind has been these days.

First up, we have the 20% off code "MAYSALE" available for use at check out on nike.com until Sunday May 11th.. Does Mom fancy something nice from nike.com ??? Just asking!

Next up, for all you morning-sunshine craving, concrete treading manhattanites, tomorrow morning NIKE is generously giving a 30% post-run discount for RUN NYC members at NIKETOWN (located at 6 E 57th St btw Madison and 5th Aves) in manhattan. So get your run on and shop all before noon... what a fabulously productive way to spend the morning! :)

And for us Brooklynites, could there be a new Saturday morning run club option??? The answer is YES! A group will be meeting this Saturday @ 9am at the Starbucks-Park Slope, Brooklyn. This inaugural RUNNYC- BKLYN run will take place through Prospect Park and will offer Starbucks Frequent Runner rewards.

Personally, the 30% Niketown discount sounds like the winner in this Saturday morning runclub - borough rivalry (at least for this week), but we all know that for some of you, morning runs are more about the location convenience (if contemplated at all).

So.. there seems to be plenty of options out there for you to fulfill all (or most) of your discounted/free stuff cravings~

Don't forget to check out the RUNNYC facebook page and NEW May runclub schedule on InsideNikeRunning.nike.com

NYC Half Marathon - July 27, 2008

"You have a confirmed spot in the 2008 NYC HALF Marathon
Presented by Nike!"

..and another "add" to the 2008 race calendar

Sweet!

Last Night's Run - RUNNYC

Here's last night's run with RUNNYC (click the map link below). The figure 8 loop we ran was about 5.8 and with the addition of our warm up and cool down, a few of us added on an extra 1.8miles. The weather was perfect and the rain held out. I couldn't keep up with the front group, but I was pushing pretty hard for the 5.8 loop and kept it rolling in through the finish. I had an excellent run and was on quite a high afterwards. I even had some awesome company for my cool down and striders after the run. Thanks guys for A. making me cool down and B. being such troopers with the striders!



So, I also signed up for the Nike+ challenge, so I'm excited to use the Nike+ for the first time and check it out. Everyone who signs up will be assigned to a specific team (teams will be selected on March 15th) who they will represent for the actually challenge which goes from March 17th through April 8th.

Tonight's Training: Five miles on the West Side Highway. I couldn't get myself out of bed this morning (shocking!!) to get it done in the AM... so if I can't rock it out at lunch, I'm heading out afterwork.

Doesn't Everybody Like a Challenge?

I'm thinking about giving this a shot.

Seems like it could be fun, but I don't have the Nike +

...so I'll see how that will work out tonight at
RUNNYC Run Club. :)

Anyone out there run with Nike+ and want to give me some feedback? :)

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Evaluate, Restructure, Regroup & Move Forward

Things are looking a bit different around here at http://mindofarunner.blogspot.com/ . Let me know what you think about the change. Be honest! :)

Sad to put this graphic to rest already (below), but I it was a fantastic starting point.


Also, check out my newest blog endeavor, http://whereirun.blogspot.com/. To give credit where credit is due, my boyfriend thought of the idea and pushed me to get it started. He got me interested in this other blog, http://ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com/ which served as the inspiration for this new endeavor. I've seen some spectacular pictures as I've bounced around to your sites, so whereirun will be a collage of sorts of the favorite running places of all sorts of runners out there. I think this could be GREAT, but it's only as good as those who participate, so send your photos and captions to me at therunnerchick@gmail.com.

Review of Week#2 Training Schedule -(Feb 25-March 2):
Monday: DNR
Tuesday: PM: RUNNYC - 7miles - 2 X 20 sec striders
Wednesday: PM: 5miles
Thursday: PM: 6miles - Burrrrr.. it was COLD outside!
Friday: AM: YOGA, PM: Women's self defense/cardiokickbox class-55mins
followed by 2mile run
Saturday: 4.5 miles,
Sunday: 7.5miles, 4 X 20 sec striders
Total: 32 miles + YOGA + 55min kickboxing

Thoughts: My overall mileage increased a bit and I'm feeling stronger, but getting back on a regimented training routine has been difficult with work and life (..and weather). Something always seems like it gets in the way. I'm on the right path, but I need to continue to increase mileage over the next few weeks with not letting the little things (i.e. core work) and threshold training go.

Triathletes, as a runner pursuing triathlons, I'm having a hard time dealing with lower (running) mileage as I incorporate cycling and swimming into my routine. If there are any runners turned triatheltes out there, do you always track swimming, cycling, running mileage separately? Sounds like a silly question, but I was almost tempted last week to add my cycling mileage into my running mileage... just so I could see the numbers go up! ...But I resisted the urge! :)

"Favorite Thing" Fridays - Cozy Socks & Warm Gloves

No one likes to have cold toes or fingers! So it's important to keep those metacarpals and metatarsals warm and cozy for the ride and not to mention protect them from the elements of the harsh winter weather. If last night's run taught me anything, it was having the proper socks and gloves can make MAJOR differences in your run.

I was ever so fortunate to forget a pair of socks last night so I decided to run in my work-trouser socks. Not the best decision of my life, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do! So, half way through the run my left (stocking thin) sock slips under my heel and instantly it begins to chafe. I tried to stop and fix it but no amount of yanking could keep it from slipping right under my heel again. Sweet! So, this led to thoughts of what pair of socks I has wished were on me feet. At least it helped to distract me from the inevitably forming blister for about 5mins! My favorite pair of socks are my Nike Elite Running - No Show Sock. I'm typically not a thin sock wearer, but these socks have great cushioning in the parts that you need it most. They're extremely comfortable, stylish and not at all bulky. LOVE them! My other favorite socks are the Ladies Under Amour cushion- no show. They're very comfortable and durable.
If anyone was out running last night, all the power to ya! The weather was a BEAST! I believe that at 6pm it was reported to feel like 12degrees. But as planned, I braved the West Side Highway (a.k.a. Hudson River Park rec path) after work (check my "fun stats" posted below). The wind was so fierce that it actually felt best when I had to stop for traffic lights on the way to/from the path. I was soooo.. VERY happy to have remembered my "good" gloves which kept my hands toasty, so thankfully that was the least of my concern. If you don't have a good pair of gloves (and you live in a cold climate), I suggest you invest in a pair. Once you try them, you'll never want to go back to that old ratty pair that you got for free at a race 10+ years ago that are three sizes too big for your hands. .. or at least I never went back to mine! My favorite are the women's lightweight running gloves. My hands heat up quick so anything heavier than a "lightweight" glove is a bit uncomfortable (at least, for me).

Stats from Yesterday's Run - 6miles (out and back) - WSH
# of times I thought about going back inside: 1
# of times I thought to myself "I'm crazy!": 1 million
# of times I had to stop to (try to) fix my sock: 5
# of runners spotted out on the WSH: 8 (brave souls)
# of bikers " ": 12
# of pedestrians " ": 4
# of times I wished I brought my metro card: 0 (I'm not that lame!)
# of times I wished I had put on an extra top layer: I can't count that high!

Today's training:
AM: Yoga, PM: 55min Cardio Kickbox, and 2 miles

Nike Structure Triax Update - Day 2
Today I used the RW Shoe Finder to see the comparison between what I was running in, the ASICS 1120's and the NIKE Structure Triax 11. I tried to link directly to the comparison between the two, but it didn't seem to work. So here's the skinny, they are both a stability shoe but the major differences were that the ASICS 1120's are slightly heavier (by 1oz) and the Triax was more of a neutral shoe where as the ASICS 112o is better suited for the overpronator.

So, last night went well sans the sock debacle!! I do wish the laces were a bit longer so I could do my "crazy laces" knot for more ankle support, but I suppose I could purchase new laces myself. As for the overall ride of the shoe, it was still just okay in my opinion.

Treading in My New Nike Triax - Day 1

As promised, here's an update on my new trainers. I was a bit skeptical at first considering my new pair of Triax are a size 8.5 and I typically run in 9's, but I trust my favorite EKIN and decided to not focus too much on the very snug fit of the shoe.

For several reasons, I couldn't head outside to the WSH rec path last night as originally planned and I had to try my new trainers out on the treadmill. But as it turns out, I was better off staying inside since after .5miles I had to stop and take my shoes off because my feet cramped up BIG time. I had completely forgotten how sensitive the outsides of my feet could be to new shoes. It was pretty painful! However after removing my shoes, I realized that I had put my heel inserts in the wrong shoes. Whoopsie! What a dope! My heel inserts were given to me by a podiatrist at a local (fabulous!!) foot comfort shoe store called Eneslow and they are actually to take pressure off my sesamoid bones (we can talk more about how lovely sesamoiditis is later!).

So, I fixed the mix up and quickly strapped my new trainers back on and hopped back on to it. For the most part, things were fine after the switch and I finished out a solid 5 miles!

My left hamstring and calf have been really tight lately and my left knee was a bit sore last night also, but I'm not blaming the shoes. I'm going to head outside tonight and give them another try.

Baby, it's a cold one out there today!

Mama's Got a New Pair of Trainers!

Fresh off the plane from Portland, OR and just out of the cradle, the pictures below are of my lovely new Nike Structure Triax 11 - trainers, waiting patiently last night (behind the yellow line, of course) for the "F" train back to Brooklyn, their new home.

These shoes are so FIERCE, yet so structurally cautious! :)

I can't wait to take them out for a spin on the West Side Highway after work tonight. I'm happy with my decision not to break 'em out last night since they would have been in the same sorry condition that my ASICS are in today (... still drying out in my apt hallway). I'm out for 5-6 miles tonight. Stay tuned!

They're just do darn beautiful, I could cry. :)

And I'll run in the rain 'til I'm breathless...

...when I'm breathless I run 'til I drop. Hey!

Things got a little wet and wild on the Central Park loop tonight. I love running in the rain!! As my highschool track coach would say on miserable rainy days, "It never rains on a runner". I say this line frequently and people always tend to look at me like I'm crazy.

So, I ran the five mile lower loop clockwise with RUNNYC run club tonight (on map - light and dark blue combined loop). I came through in 37mins, which wasn't too bad considering I wasn't feeling 100%. The run started out great until Worku's group dropped my slow draggin' self. Just wasn't my night and they were pretty much cookin'! After the 5-er, me and my fellow (drenched) running chica, dropped the boys (lame) and added on an extra 1.7 lower loop for good measure (on map - light blue lower loop). We also threw in a few striders after the run on our way back to Niketown, because we're just that bad-ass! :)

The total run was a bit over 7miles (with the back/forth from Niketown), but we'll log it as 7mi!

(Once again, you can click the pic (on left) to see a larger map of the CP loops.)

And after I got back to Niketown and changed out of my sopping wet clothes, I got to spend the next 45mins on the train back to Brooklyn gazing lovingly at my BEAUTIFUL Blue Nike Structure Triax 11 trainers. If they feel half as good as they look, I'll be kickin ass and taking names all spring. Booyah! :) Phil, you're the best Ekin in the world! Thank you!! :)

I'm breaking these babies out tomorrow and I'll post the pictures then too. So, for now,
happy running to all and to all a good night!!

Some Runner Support

Ironically, after I blogged about stress yesterday and was on a mad dash out the door (to head up to Niketown for runclub), I was confronted by a total stress case. A burnt out, teary eyed, "end of my rope", ugly ball of thick, sludgy, uncontrolable stress!

So, having just had my daily boost of blogger self esteem (a.k.a. vent session), I felt it was my duty to help shed some light on this poor child's perpetual rain cloud. She was the perfect example of a runner who could no longer bare the burden of the training stress compiled with the stress dumped on her by other "stress-heads" of the world. I do think she left our chat feeling better about her currrent predicament. But she took off leaving me still dressed to run, too late for runclub and feeling like my life energy tank was on empty. I called friends for some runner support, but everyone was busy or already out on the road. Finally, a few colleagues showed up and I convinced them to hit the west side highway with me for a nice out and back 6miler. Problemo Solved! Phew!

So the moral of the story is, we're all in this together and if anyone knows this, it's the running blog network that continues to share and support on another through thick and thin and even slow internet connections :)

It's been a LONG day... and this is quite a weak wednesday post, but that's all you'll get from me for now. Peace out!

Merrells, Treats for your Feets!

I know everyone is jumping on the "specialty running market" bandwagon, but Merrell is one company I'm happy to hear is now manufacturing running shoes. As you probably know, they've been doing trail shoes for quite sometime, but I'm so excited about this latest development. They seem to be a great company with a philosophy I can buy into.

As you may know from earlier posts, I'm an "ASICS girl" who most recently was persuaded by her EKIN friend to trail a pair of NIKEs. Last update I received was that my new NIKE kicks are in the mail (stay tuned). But considering my recent purchase of a pair of Merrell zodiacs which I love Love LOVE for kickin' around and for the to/from work, I'm interested to see how Merrell does in this first attempt at a training shoe.

Kids!!, just watch the video below, this shoe has memory foam and is partially made of recyclable material. That's pretty flippin' cool!!

Here's a glimpse of the Merrell CT Converge (and the Brooks Defy ance):

Happy Hump Day!

This week's hump day didn't get all Wet-N-Wild, but I still managed to have a little fun. I'm starting to get the sniffles and decided to stay out of the pool. So, instead of the normal Wednesday pool workout, I decided to go out for a "productive" five miler in my neighborhood.

The goal was to get out and get some food on the way home. I must admit, since I've been away every weekend this month, my cupboards are completely bare! Well, mission accomplished! I did one of my normal loops around the hood and traveled down to red hook to the new Fairway (love that place!). I could only buy what I could physically run with for the 1-mile it takes to get back home. And trust me!!..... you DON'T want to be walking through red hook after dark! It was great motivation. :)

Last night's run with RUNNYC was excellent. The weather and atmosphere in Central Park couldn't have been more perfect. I kept a nice steady 7:30 pace and stuck to mhttp://wwwy place of putting in 4 x 20sec striders after my run. Sweet!

After my run, I had the chance to talk to Coach Jonathan Cane about my aspirations to do a triathlon in the near future. Coach Cane is a coach for several running groups including RUNNYC and his coaching service, City Coach. I also ran into one of my good friends Phil Reichner who is an EKIN (NIKE spelled backwards) rep. And in my short conversation with both Coach Cane and Phil I somehow talked my way into starting to train for a triathlon (with CC's support to get me going) and also trying out a pair of NIKEs (as my new training shoes). We'll see how this all turns out, but it makes me kind of happy that I have so many supportive and motivating friends in this big city!

Also, I'm happy to announce that I'm definitely going to train for the Philadelphia Broad Street run. I'm going to continue my "base" training for the next two weeks and then kick it up a few notches! New Nikes and another race to train for... things are definitely going to get interesting next month!! :)

Today's training: 5miles and short core strengthening routine.