Category Archives: run

Running updates and Los Angeles Marathon

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Just popping in for a quick hello…

I haven’t been running too much since the Bronx 10 Mile. I was sore for a couple of days and then with schedules, I wasn’t able to fit a run in again until we were in Pittsburgh last weekend visiting family. I did a run/walk with Josh’s parents, his dad is training for his first triathlon and I’m helping coach. We ran/walked some pretty steep hills in the neighborhood and it felt really nice to get out there.

This past weekend, I was able to fit in a Wet Barre (Cardio!) class on Saturday morning. I’ve taken this class a couple of times postpartum and it really kicks my butt. Yesterday, I even managed a 2 mile run on the treadmill before heading to a baby shower. Let’s see how long I can keep up this routine for.

img_4525However, the most important running news as of late is that I signed for the Los Angeles Marathon in March. We have been toying with the idea of me running the Tokyo Marathon (it’s a World Major and a big bucket list race for me) in February but after much back and forth decided that such a big trip was likely too much with a 7 month old. I really wanted a goal race to train for post-baby and a vacation, and decided on Los Angeles. We loved our trip there earlier this year and are excited to go back. The course, from what I read, is somewhat hilly in the beginning but I am excited to run from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. Now I just need to find a way to start running consistently and the time to train for a marathon – wish me luck!

In other exciting news, I have been coaching my cousin for his first marathon and he ran his first half this weekend. Despite the crazy weather in Staten Island and being sick, he rocked it out there with a great time! I’m so excited for him to tackle NYC in a couple of weeks. And a BIG congratulations to everyone who raced this weekend – Staten Island Half, RnR Brooklyn Half, Twin Cities Marathon, Long Beach Marathon, Chicago Marathon and I’m sure a ton more that I am missing.

Bronx 10 Mile Recap

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img_5989On Sunday, I ran the Bronx 10 Mile. I ran this race two other times before but not since the course changed.

There were many times leading up to this race even up to 30 minutes before I was supposed to leave the house that I thought about backing out. I had so many doubts about whether I could finish the race without hurting myself and last night, I started having mom guilt. I have not been away for that many hours straight before  (around 6 hours total).

If it weren’t for my friend, Maria, I would definitely not have run this yesterday. She remembered us talking a couple of weeks ago about run/walking it together. We touched base earlier in the week and agreed that we would do the 10 miles together. It sounds like we were each other’s motivation to make it out!

img_5987So race morning started with me waking up to pump, eating breakfast, changing into my running clothes, and coordinating where to pick up our friend, Toni. We made it to the Bronx a little later than I wanted but fortunately NYRR recommended a nearby garage that I was able to park in fairly quickly. The garage was right by Yankee Stadium and bag check. There we met up with Maria who had picked up my bib earlier in the week.

I had serious doubts about whether I could finish the race up until we made it to mile 5. We even talked about how if it didn’t feel right, we would stop and cheer everyone on. With inconsistent running and my longest run being 4 miles, what was I thinking that I could even complete 10? I also brilliantly took a cardio barre class on Saturday so I was already feeling sore. However, Maria and I were in it together and we had a lot of catching up to do. We spent the time chatting about everything from running to families to life. The first 5 miles flew by (flew is relative, not as fast as we both are used to). We walked a bit between mile 5 and 6 while we refueled and drank some water. Then we chugged along and mostly ran with some walk breaks for the last 4 miles. As we were approaching the finish line, we had enough left to speed up. Our finish time of 2:04 is slower than most of my half marathon times, but I am extremely proud of what I was able to accomplish with little training or fitness since the 9th month of pregnancy.

img_6005I signed for the race back in May. I thought when, almost 9 months pregnant, that it would be a good test of my fitness in preparation for the NYC Marathon. This was my first race postpartum (10 weeks postpartum and a 10 mile race, very appropriate timing!) and my first race sporting my Oiselle singlet. I wouldn’t have been as successful today if it weren’t for Maria and Toni who I really wanted to see and that was encouragement enough to get out there. Also, I am fortunate for Josh’s support – he was on full baby duty since Saturday bedtime until I got home. He even managed to track me during the run and send a congratulations video when I crossed the finish line.

As it relates to the logistics of the race, I am generally pleased with NYRR’s organization in race settings and the Bronx 10 Mile was no different. There are a ton of volunteers and signs around. Bag check was relatively easy to find and it was short walk up a hill to the start. We started in the last corral since we were late getting there, so it did take 28 minutes from the start of the race before we crossed. The only downside to the race is how crowded it was. A couple of years ago when I ran this race, there were a lot less people and I didn’t need to sign up months in advance on the day that registration opened just to get in.

Overall, it was a gorgeous Sunday and I am glad that I decided to run. My legs are not feeling the same way now though but as Maria puts it, you need to do things for yourself so that way you give your child(ren) your best time when you’re with them.