Random Thoughts Thursday

26.2 reasons why I’m relieved that I’m not running NYC Marathon. Hopefully, I will not be a hater for a few of these reasons. 

TBT Marathon Monday 2018

Ha. I guess it was a good thing that I put “maybe” on my Instagram post. 

1. I am not running 26.2 miles.

2. I can sleep in on Marathon Sunday.

3. I’ll be able to root and cheer for folks this year because Mile 22 goes right through my neighborhood. Oh, I get to buy glitter for my signs.

4. I probably can schedule my toe surgery and have time to recover before training for Madrid’s marathon.

5. No Marathon Monday soreness.

6. No painful post-marathon shower. It’s over for me once the soap and water hit the areas of chaffing. 

7. I can have a beer while watching the runners. Well . . . technically, I usually have a few shots of beer while running the marathon.

8. Since I can defer my registration, I do not have to worry about completing my 9+1 for guaranteed entry into next year’s marathon. This is important because the marathon was supposed to be one of my 9+1 races and I am NOT doing that NYE midnight run again. I know this is bad, but I did (for a millisecond) consider selling my marathon bib. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that you are not supposed to do this. 

9. Once the hip fully heals (hopefully in a few weeks), my running motivation will be restored. Usually, after the NYC Marathon, I do not want to think about running until mid to late January. Maybe this will be the year (technically 2020) that I will run NYRR’s Fred Lebow Half Marathon, which will be held on Jan. 19, 2020.

Man, coming up with 26.2 reasons is tough. 

10. No worrying about having to use a porta-potty.

11. No post-marathon blues. I’m already dealing with the ‘I’m injured and cannot run’ blues.

12. I will not have to deal with the Marathon expo. I’m not really a large crowd, massive lines kind of guy. But, I do like taking this picture.

TBT: NYC Marathon Expo 2018

13. My friends and coworkers will be glad that I’m not going to be constantly talking about the marathon. However, it is a great way to make a conversation about yourself . . . unless you are in a group of marathon runners. 

14.  I will not have to deal with walking another half of a mile (at least) after the marathon to get my bag. Yeah, I know that it would have been easier to get the poncho. But, I like doing the bag check because I take a shower at my gym after the marathon and change into my “hanging out, let’s get some gin” clothes. Also, I need to have my post-marathon smoke.

15. No running across the 59th Street Bridge, which always has been a thorn in my side.

16. No stressing out about flying from Hawai’i to NYC the day before the marathon.

17. If I wake up early enough, I can see the top, elite marathon runners in action.

18. No falling short of time goals. I guess not running the marathon is technically falling short of a time goal.

19. Not running this year (hopefully) will make me want it more in 2020.

20. I guess that I do not have to buy new tennis shoes.

21. I probably will have a nice sleep the night before the marathon. Last year, I think that I only got only 3 hours of sleep the night before NYC Marathon.

22. No eye-rolling on the Staten Island Ferry bus to Staten Island. I cannot stand people who are super chipper first thing in the morning.

23. No bloody nips.

24. No constantly dropping F-bombs after mile 21. Once the marathon hits Manhattan for the second time (Mile ~20), I’m pretty much over the entire thing. 

25. I’m going to my favorite Seafood restaurant on Marathon Monday.

26. No monitoring what I eat 48-72 hours before the marathon. Actually, did I ever do that?

0.2. Who wants a heavy medal anyway? 😉

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A Marathon Deferred

Let me stop going back and forth with the thought of running this year’s NYC Marathon. It’s just not happening. You know what? I’m fine with it. 

I was somewhat energized because NYRR released the corral assignments.

But after struggling through a four-mile run this morning, I realized that I do not want to struggle for 26.2 miles in and around NYC. It was a little tough coming to this decision because this would have been my sixth consecutive NYC Marathon. Also, I was planning on getting a marathon-related tattoo after completing this race.

In one of my Marathon “support” groups on Facebook, I mentioned that not running this thing is not the end of the world. Surprisingly, I got a lot of pushback from folks saying things like:

• It’s not a thing; it’s one of the best races in the world
• It’s all about the experience
• You have to push and power through

First of all. I don’t have to do shit. 

Last year, I did that whole it’s all about the experience. I think that I even posted a GIF of Jade from America’s Next Top Model doing her “beautiful, wonderful, fabulous” thing during a challenge to represent how I felt coming off of the Queensboro Bridge.

I did the whole “let’s run 13.1 miles and see where the rest of the marathon takes me” for NYC Marathon 2018. Last year (once again), I was coming off of an injuring and flying back from Madrid two days before the race. Do not get me wrong, the experience is unbeatable, but I wanted more out of this marathon. I guess this would have been my redemption marathon. After this morning’s run, I do not feel confident that I can run 13.1 miles in a couple of weeks to the point of even seeing where the marathon will take me. Why risk further injury by doing too much too soon? Also, I will be traveling for work in Hawai’i will return the day before marathon Sunday. By deferring the marathon, I will not have to constantly think about it during my Hawaiian work trip/vacation.

So there it is. NYC Marathon . . . OUT! Wait. Not, 100% OUT. The marathon route goes through my block at Mile 22 so I’ll be out there cheering folks on. I’ll try to keep my hating and FOMO to a minimum.

Looking past NYC Marathon, I do have Madrid’s marathon to prep for.

The hubby checked tickets the other day, and they are fairly cheap right now – $320 RT (JFK <-> MAD). Actually, let me request some PTO in April so I can book the flight. He wants to see if I can take a full two weeks off. Those Europeans and their crazy concept of 2+ weeks of vacation.

For the months of October and November, I plan to do the following:

• continue with my dumb PT exercises for my hip that probably will not work.
• get a damn handle on my diet. It probably will not hurt to lose a few pounds.
• do more strength training and continue with biking, stair climbing, and Zumba for my cardio.

With a combination of these things, I should be able to start training for Madrid’s Marathon (Apr. 26) in early January. Ouch, running in NYC during the winter months.  Something else for me to bitch about. Should I add anything else to that list?

Happy training.

Random Thoughts Thursdays

• Is it me or did this week zoom by pretty fast?
• So this happened today. 

• Why is Amazon annoying? I needed to reset my password so I was sent a validation code to my email address, put in my validation code, was asked the expiration date of my credit card. Here’s the problem: I no longer have that credit card, and now I have to call them to reset my stupid account. Now, I don’t even want to order the damn item. 
• I need to buy new underwear and t-shirts. Oh and some new work clothes. 
• This weekend, I have a 10K race so I guess this race will be a litmus test to see if I can attempt this marathon in a few weeks. 
• What is all the hype around the iPhone 11? No one really has been able to tell me what’s so great about it. That said, I probably should upgrade my phone, which is an SE. I rarely update my phone unless it is super damaged. Although my current phone is old as hell, it works fine and has no damages/cracks. Actually . . . my is having some battery issues. 
• I love this album. 

• My employment tuition exemption benefits kick in in a few months. I’m wondering if I should “go back” to school. I’m thinking of maybe an MS in higher education administration, Sanskrit, or feudal farming 😉
• I’m back on 16:8 intermittent fasting and hitting the gym more often. Perhaps, I can lose a few pounds before Hawaii in a few weeks. 
• Oh, I need to buy vitamins. 

NYC Marathon Training Update

Well I’m back . . . not really.

A week later, and my hip feels a bit better. This hiccup in my marathon training plan made me a bit depressed. I think my hateration has converted into marathon training FOMO/depression. I am a member of a couple NYC Marathon FB groups, and I was getting annoyed with folks’ weekend long run posts. What was I doing yesterday? Eating pizza and watching old episodes of “Married with Children”. Random: I love the episodes where the Bundys and the D’Arcys visited England. Over the past couple of weeks, I have not done much of any physical activity. Yes, I’m having a hip issue, but it really does not prevent me from doing other physical activities such as biking, stair climbing, or weight lifting. I think it’s just a case of me being lazy and unable to adapt to not training for NYC Marathon. Also, I have been overeating (and drinking) quite a bit over the two weeks. I’m sure gaining more weight will not make life easier when my injury heals.

That’s gonna change TODAY.

I’m going to try my hardest to start 16:8 fasting again and hitting the gym at least 4 times a week. Although the NYC Marathon may be out of the question, I am going to Hawaii next month. I really do not want to be swimming or hot-tubbing with a shirt on (even with my tinea versicolor spots).

Keep hope alive

I am still on the fence about NYC Marathon. According today’s email, NYRR has informed me that I have the Grete’s Great Gallop 10K this Saturday. I guess that I can use this race/gallop to see where I am with this hip thing. Since we are about a month away from NYC’s marathon, I’m hoping that I can run at least half of it, and run/jog/walk/crawl/uber the rest of it. I wonder if NYRR will let me smoke during the marathon if I decide to walk the second half. It feels a bit of a waste to “defer” until next year and pay the registration fees again. Y’all know that I’m cheap as hell. Ok, time will tell.

Trying not to cry over the spilled milk – Madrid 2020

If the hubby wants to visit his family in Spain during the spring; perhaps, I can tack on the Rock n Roll Madrid Marathon to the trip. It would be nice to run an international marathon; I’ve only run a half marathon in Montreal. Well, I was supposed to do the full marathon, but I was injured (of course). Eh, we’ll see. Madrid’s marathon looks like it will take you all over the damn place. 

Since I am not really running, what the hell do I write about in a running blog?!!!

Race Report: TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M

Date: August 11; 7:00 am 

Distance: 12mi/19.2km

Place: Central Park, NY, NY

Weather: 71 F

Finishers: 4,536 (2,396 Men/2,140 Women) 

Offical time / pace: 2:07:33 / 10:37min/mi

With my slow ass. Anyway.

This is the second of three training runs that NYRR sponsors in preparation for the TCS NYC Marathon. Technically, we are 12 weeks away from NYC’s marathon. Umm, yea! I guess?

This training run allows one to run two full loops around Central Park, starting off with the tough Harlem Hills.

I find the run challenging in a good way because you do not have much time/distance to recover in between hills.

Although this “race” was 12 miles, my training plan called for 14 miles for this week’s long run so I ran two miles before the race. For the most part, I felt pretty strong until about mile 8 of the run (or 10 total miles).

Once again, I was BSing in the apt before the race so I ended up starting with the last corral, which was not too much of a biggie because I was not trying to get a PR. Living close the a race’s start is a blessing and a curse. However, I got off to a really slow start because I had to move around A LOT of people during the first three miles. Actually, I found it quite frustrating to weave around people, so I kind of gave up. But, it was my own fault getting to Central Park late and having to start with last corral. Perhaps, it would have been better to run my extra two miles after the twelve miles.

Once I hit Mile 8, I really started to lose steam. I do not think that I ate enough before or during the run. Come to think of it, the Gatorade at all of the fluid stations was really watered down for this race. Going forward, I really have to start noting how early I need to wake and how much I need to eat. I believe that my body’s digestive abilities have changed a bit since last year. This may be a little TMI, but I find that I have to take TWO poops, typically 30 – 45 minutes apart every morning. Depending on what I have eaten, I usually have to poop again before starting the run. Pretty much three poops within a 1.5 hr time span. Because of my double, sometimes triple, poops, I have to wake up even earlier to prepare breakfast and make sure I clear out my system so to speak.

Eh, I don’t feel like typing anymore.

Liquid carbs for a post 14-mile run

Upcoming races: 

• Oct. 5th; NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop (10K)
• Nov. 3rd: 2019 TCS New York City Marathon

I  probably should register for one more race so the NYC Marathon will not count as one of my 9+1 races.

NYC Marathon Training Update (Week 4)

General housekeeping: 

-Just realized that I did not make an update for Week 3, but I really did not do much so I guess that it does not matter. 

-It has really been a struggle kicking this nicotine habit cold turkey . . . for the most part. Although the addiction part is pretty tough, one of my biggest obstacles is habit/association. After a few drinks, light up a smoke. After a few annoying ass emails, light up a smoke. Wake up in the morning, light up a smoke and drink a Diet Coke.

-The lack of nicotine has significantly reduced my energy levels.

-Oh, the Lion King remake was pretty LAME.

Monday: Planned, 6mi easy; Actual, Nada

I was too hungover, tired, and annoyed.

Tuesday: Planned, 5mi strides; Actual, 3.34mi easy

Technically, I had planned to swim laps because I did not feel like running. Bright and early at 7 am, I jumped into the pool and swam two laps. Then my freaking goggles snapped so that ended my swim workout. Hey, two 25-meter laps are better than zero.

I did try to swim breaststroke without the goggles, but the chlorine still managed to burn my eyes. I called it a wrap and went to IHOP to have pancakes. 😦

Later in the day, a friend wanted to meet up for adult beverages. I felt guilty for agreeing to go out for drinks without working out, so I ran from work (Morningside Heights) to the bar (Hell’s Kitchen). Actually, I was killing two birds with one stone because I picked up my race bib and got drinks with my friend.

Wednesday: Planned, XT or Rest; Actual, Rest

Thursday: Planned, 6mi up-tempo; Actual, 3mi treadmill sprints

Didn’t feel like running outside so I ran 0.25mi/400m sprints on the treadmill with a 1-mile warm-up and a 0.5 mi cool down.

Friday: Planned, 5mi easy; Actual, 8mi stationary bike and 45min swim

Still wasn’t in the running mode so I hit the stationary bike. I also visited another NYC Open Lap Swim Program’s pool and swam for about 45min.

Marcus Garvey Park Pool

I think that I like this pool more than the pool that I frequent.

Sunday: Planned, 14mi; Actual, 13.3mi

I combined my long run with NYRR’s 12mi Marathon Training Run. The long  run/race was not that bad. This marathon training run showed me that I definitely need to start incorporating speed work into my training plans . . . when I actually train. I will say that I handled the hills in Central Park (for the most part) pretty well, but there is always room for improvement.

On track for the upcoming week

Random Thought Thursdays

-I realized that I forgot to post a weekly training update, but I’ve been a little depressed because of my nicotine withdrawal.

-I don’t know if this is because I joined two NYC Marathon Facebook groups, but so many folks are freaking out about this year’s baggage and transportation options. Maybe it’s always been like this, and I never noticed (or cared). These folks now have me questioning my decision of baggage check and the midtown bus option.

-I’m kind of sad that I did not have an international summer vacation, but I’m kind of glad at the same time.

-Is it time for new running shoes, Runeatralph?

-Bottomless brunch every day?!!! Doesn’t this place look like fun? Also, it’s only a block or two away from work.

Shit, I may go there in twenty minutes when the restaurant opens.

-Swimming workout fail. My goggles broke within 15 minutes of my workout Lame!

-I made lemonade out of lemons and went to ignorant ass IHoP. Well, IHoP, on the whole, is not ignorant but the one in Harlem, NY sure is.

-I just realized that I have a 12-mile race this weekend. Hopefully, I’m up to the challenge because I skipped last week’s long-run.