My Thanksgiving to NYE (holiday to holiday) run streak did not really go according to plan. That said overall, I had a decent training week.
One update. I finally did it and joined New York Sports Club (NYSC). Now, I just have to remember to cancel my Crunch Fitness membership. Although NYSC gyms are not as nice as Crunch gyms, the monthly fees are cheaper and getting to and from the gym is more convenient. For example, there is an NYSC location five blocks from my apt and another one that is walking distance from work. I’ve already seen the benefits of joining NYSC. After running in Central Park, I can stop by the gym to stretch or fit in an extra workout on my way home.
Monday: Rest
The plan was to run 5 miles, but we got caught up in all of the traveling delays. We could not leave VA until late in the evening, and I did not have time to fit in a run. I guess that I screwed up my holiday to holiday streak run within five days. Oh well, feet smell.
Tuesday: Crosstraining
Wednesday: 2 mi treadmill strides
I did this run at my new gym. Within minutes, I became quite annoyed because many of the treadmills are in dire need of repairs. During the workout, I had to switch treadmills four times. I was not trying to be picky like Goldilocks, but I did not trust running fast on some of the treadmills. One treadmill’s speed controls did not function properly, and I was not trying to break my neck.
Thursday: 3 mi speed run
In an earlier post (or five), I mentioned that I was a bit disappointed with one of my running groups’ Monday night easy runs. On Thursday, I gave the group one more try with its speed workouts and was quite impressed. Although the speed run group is smaller (probably due to the colder weather), the folks seemed a bit more inviting and friendly (aka not as cliquey) as the Monday group. Also, I did not know the Great Hill in Central Park has a nice little circular path that can function as a bootleg track for speed workouts. Good to know for future speed workouts.
The workout was pretty straight forward – 3 minutes hard followed by 3 minutes easy. Although the workout was pretty fun, I wished that I was a little longer (look a my lazy ass wishing for a longer workout); we only ran for about 30 minutes after the warmup. Oh in it’s a small world news: the coach of the workout and I grew up more or less minutes away from each other in Va. Beach, and she almost attended my high school. I look forward to going back next week.
Friday: Rest
I was supposed to cross-train but went out draaaaankin.
My biggest pet peeve in NYC, Cash Only bars. C’mon people, we are almost wrapping up 2019. Get with the times and stop trying to avoid paying taxes.
Saturday: Cross-training and intense stretching
Nothing to really write about here.
Sunday: 8 mi long run and quick cross-training session
I gotta say that I really enjoyed this long run even though I started out very sluggish. I think that I’m getting used to running in 30-degree weather. Since my upcoming half-marathon is more or less a baseline marathon, I’m not sure how hard I should be pushing myself on these long runs. At mile 4, I ran a “fast” mile then fartleked for the rest of the run. At the end of the run, I still felt like I could run a couple more miles.
HA! It seems that NYC Runs was hosting its half marathon so I guess that I inadvertently ran a chunk of a half-marathon race. I really need to start looking into NYC Runs’ race calendar because I would have registered for this run just to see where I am in half-marathon fitness. Now, it seems that you have to register 8 months in advance for NYRR races.
On to Week 5 of training
what I’m getting myself into before a run. On Monday, I really wanted to do a flat, easy run, but we had to climb a fuckin hill. Had I known there was going to be a hill during the run, I probably would have skipped Monday’s run. Actually, the pacers probably did not know there was going to be a hill because most of the run seemed pretty random and half-assed. Also, we were 
to create an ambassador program for the mentors. Basically, ambassadors would schedule and set up meet and greets for the mentors. Could someone tell why the program wants you to give them at least $200/yr with a two-year commitment to be an ambassador? Let me get this straight. Y’all want folks to take on extra volunteering roles, BUT you want folks to pay to volunteer? Isn’t that the opposite of volunteering. Someone make it make sense.
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.
