First Half Marathon: Check.

Well, I did it (we did it, actually, as Alison ran with me)!  And it went better than I thought it would.  Yesterday morning was the Seaside Half Marathon.  It was a very flat out and back along the ocean in Seaside Park, NJ with a little over 1000 participants.  Apart from a fairly boring ~7 mile stretch along a tree/dune lined road in Island Beach State Park, it was pretty enjoyable.  I felt good the whole way and only slowed a little at about the 7 or 8 mile mark, but never walked or stopped.  I call that a win.  I also call finishing under my goal time of 2:10 at 2:08:35 a win.  So yayy for my first half completed.  Boo for the fact that my watch has been off distance-wise this whole time I've been training.  When I finished it had the mileage at 13.97, not 13.1, so that sucks.  But at least I know now to tack on an extra bit to be sure I make the required mileage for training runs.  Oh well.  Happy to have finished.  Ecstatic to have beaten my goal.  Petrified to run twice that distance in January.  I leave you with this Instagrammed-up picture of my bib from yesterday.

Trenton Half Marathon is next!  26 Days until then, 89 days until Disney!  Oh, also registering for a little Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning.  Chances of running hungover and/or still a a few sheets to the wind from the night before:  high.

Races=Fun,

CQ

The Fear has Arrived

So the other day I ran a super crappy 5 miles for my last "long" (but seriously, 5 miles isn't even close to long anymore) run before the Seaside Half Marathon.  It did NOT go well.  It was the exact opposite of my run the previous Saturday when I ran 13.1 miles and didn't even look at my watch until I had already gone 7.  This time I set out from my apartment and made it an entire 1.73 miles before I started staring into the face of my Garmin like it was the friggen aurora borealis.  I might be in trouble.  I mean, I'm GOING to run this full race this weekend regardless of how I'm feeling, but my less than ideal run this past weekend makes me wonder my attempt on Sunday will look something like this:

"Ok.. here I go!  Nope."

T - 5 days,

CQ

Documentation of a Long Run

Long runs are so great.  Nothing like going outside on a Saturday morning, running for a couple of hours while seeing sights, listening to some great jams (Mumford & Son's new album Babel is on repeat on this clown's iPod), people watching, and burning enough calories to shovel copious amounts of the abdominal region of your favorite porcine beast into your maw upon your return to start your weekend.  But lateley I've picked up a new habit of taking pictures while running.  Usually only 1 or 2 per run, but it's kind cool to go back through my photos and realize that I wouldn't have some really cool pictures if I wasn't out stomping on the sidewalk's grill.  The following is a collection of some of these snapshots:

Running the Party with Purpose 5k.  I think Sam and Drew might be in this one somewhere, but it's like Where's Waldo.

Early morning run in Seaside Heights.

Instagram-filtered pre-work 8 miles. 

 Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges on what was supposed to be a 10, but turned out to be a 12 mile run with Emily.  We ran to brunch.

 

This past weekend's 13.1 miles.  Running Level = Half Marathoner (finally).  Bring on the races.

(Note:  please ignore the litter/pollution.  I didn't do that)



I'm now officially "tapering" for the Seaside Half Marathon, which is in 11 days (excitement level = high), so I only have short runs from now until then.  But I will definitely be taking a picture or two during the race.  Although last night I had a dream that I was running this race. I tripped over some loose planks on the boardwalk, slammed my face into the ground, and crossed the finish line looking like this chick.  Here's hoping that dream does not become a reality.

I'm a crappy photographer,

CQ

The Must Sees

The Disney Marathon is by no means the Boston Marathon.  From what I've heard, there's very little chance that seasoned runners are getting a personal record on this course.  It's a great "beginner's" marathon since the pace requirement is a snail's pace 16 minute mile.  You can essentially take 7 hours to "run" this race and not get picked up by the sweeper vans.  That said, I still have a goal.  I'd like to finish this race in under 5 hours, ideally at or under 4:45.  The challenge comes here:  the characters.  As I've mentioned before, Disney positions their characters at fairly regular intervals along the course to entertain the runners in the dull sections and provide a some pretty unique photo ops.  Being a HUGE Disney fan, I love seeing the characters, and getting pictures with them is awesome.  But, seeing as how I have a time goal in mind, I'm gonna have to be INCREDIBLY picky about who I'll stop and take a photo with.  I will be stopping for (and ONLY for) the following characters if I see them on my journey:

The Beast

And I will not be stopping for the frou-frou human version of the beast.  That's lame. 

Donald Duck

He's a total jerk, who doesn't love that??

Phineas and Ferb



This one is for my nephew, Grant.  He's a huge P&F fan, and I feel I'd be doing him a disservice if I didn't stop and say hi to these guys.  (Doctor Doofenshmirtz would be a very welcome added bonus)

Launchpad McQuack

Admittedly, this one is mostly just for obscurity's sake.  I mean, I'm pretty sure the Launchpad costume collects a lot of dust behind the scenes at WDW.  But I do genuinely love him as a character.  When I was little, I used to think his name was Lunchpail, so, there's that.

THAT'S.  IT.  Nobody else.  I got a time to beat, and lucky (or maybe unlucky) for me the chances of me meeting any of these characters aside form Donald are slim.  Bring on that 4:45. 

**Note:  when I come back from my trip with a stack of 30 race day pictues of me and a bunch of princesses I will neither be sorry nor ashamed. 

Not Ponytails or Cottontails but DUCKTALES (ah wooo-ooo),

CQ

Ugh

Last week was NOT a great week for me in terms of exercise and keeping on schedule (and blogging, apparently).  Missed Monday's run cuz I just didn't feel like it, which once in a while is a legitimate excuse, and one that I haven't used at all yet during this training.  Fine.  But then the next day I had a work event in the evening, so no kickboxing for me.  Wednesday I did my four miles, but it was a struggle, then Thursday came around and I got sent home from work because I was sick, so no kickboxing then either.  Skipped the long run Saturday because I didn't want to get up early since I had a full day of fun at Great Adventure and 30th birthday celebrations for a friend of mine (who never does anything half-assed) planned.  Ended up doing an abysmal (read:  hungover) 8 miles on Sunday afternoon.  Then yesterday I was supposed to run 4 miles, "but it's a holiday" and I'm worthless. 

Last Week Me

Yesterday came around.  I felt like garbage.  Weak, fat, and tired.  I never want to have a week like last week ever again.  So I took back kickboxing with a vengeance (I hadn't been in a week and a half), then once it was done I went upstairs to where the treadmills are and knocked out that four miles I was supposed to do the day before.  BOOYAH.  I think an hour and forty five minutes straight of working out and sweating more than I ever have in my life really gave me the push I needed to get myself back on track.  I have a serious test coming up on Saturday as I'm spending the weekend down in Mantoloking with my best friends from college, and I'm due to run 9 miles.  I have a few things going for me though in that my homeslice Merrill is in marathon training mode as well (she's running the Amica Marathon in Rhode Island in October), AND I'll be only a couple of miles away from my favorite running spot, the boardwalk in Seaside.  Bring it on.

This Week Me

Roll Out,

CQ

My Whackadoo Idea

So.  This is completely crazy and it's gonna cost me an arm and a leg, but I don't care one single bit.  I'm doing it.  I love Disney (especially Disney Parks) probably more than any non-breathing thing on the planet.  I also love running.  There.  I said it.  I love running (thank you for that, Emily).  Running the Disney World Marathon this January has the potential to be the single greatest experience of my life.  I'll be running.  I'll be in my favorite place on Earth.  There will be full-suit Disney characters cheering on the sidelines.  There will be fireworks.  MICKEY FREAKING MOUSE will likely high five me as I cross the finish line.  And then, I'll get this:

It's so very cool. I NEED one.  I'll get one.  When Disney revealed this medal, my jaw hit the floor. And then I started looking at the other RunDisney race medals, and Get ALL The Medals (Plan 1.0) was born.  Between now and 2018, I will obtain each medal RunDisney has to offer.  This will require the following:

7 Trips to Walt Disney World
2 Trips to Disneyland
18 Flights
157.2 Miles Run
~1 Zillion Dollars

There are 8 RunDisney races done annually (excluding the kids/family fun runs). 

1)  Walt Disney World Half Marathon
2)  Walt Disney World Marathon
3)  Tinkerbell Half Marathon
4)  Princess Half Marathon
5)  Expedition Everest Challenge (5k including obstacles and a scavenger hunt)
6)  Disneyland Half Marathon
7)  The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler
8)  Wine and Dine Half Marathon

On top of those 8 race medals, there are three additional medals to be won. 

1)  The Goofy Challenge Medal.  You get this if you run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and Full Marathon in one weekend.  We're talking Saturday half marathon and Sunday marathon.  This one is gonna be rough, but it's happening.
2)  Coast 2 Coast Medal.  This one is for completing a half marathon-distance or farther race in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland within one calendar year.
3)  Chip and Dale Marathon Relay Medal.  This one is for completing the WDW Marathon as a team of 2 or more (each member does their share of miles, total miles for the team is 26.2).  WHO'S WITH ME?!



So there it is.  I don't care how insane/stupid/unlikely/financially irresponsible it sounds.  I'm doing this.  5 years. 13 total medals.  If you'd like to join me for any of these races, I will welcome you with open arms.  If you'd like to scoff, keep it to yourself. 

Better prep that medal rack, join the Disney Vacation Club, and make good friends with some sort of airline representative (and/or move to Central Florida). 

Every Mile Will Be Magic.

CQ

I am Invincible

So writing this post might be a mistake.  It might, as my brother would say, put the "KAI-bash" on my making any more progress in the form of a serious jinx.  But I just had to point out that running is not difficult anymore.  I ran 10 miles in the Spring twice, and on both occasions, upon completion I thought that my legs were gonna straight up fall off, my entire body ached, I immediately collapsed onto the bed and passed out for hours, then subsequently took 45 minutes to find the right position and trejectory to roll myself out of the bed and into a standing position, and it took approximately 6 days for my body to feel normal again.  Then I ran 10 miles a couple weeks ago... and nothing.  I felt fine.  I didn't need a nap.  I swam in the ocean, took a few short walks, and drank some beers afterward.  The run immediately following that was comparatively short at 4 miles, but, again, nothing.  Then yesterday I ran 6 miles and absolutely nothing.  I barely even broke a sweat.  Am I becoming superhuman??  Or is this just the way the human body works?  Am I IN SHAPE!?  Because last time that happened I was 16 and in the prime of my stellar Field Hockey career and I hadn't yet discovered the gloriousness of copious amounts of red wine on a weeknight.  I absolutely do not remember what that felt like.  So if this is it, it's nice.  I only hope that after 26.2 miles I'll feel good enough to tackle my favorite Disney rides without so much more as a 20 minute power nap.  After all, I'm gonna need to hit all the good ones to make my dream of a ride photo collage of myself and my sister holding up our medals come to fruition.  You can see a preview here:

Feelin' Good,

CQ

Ode to my Post-Run Meal

Back to Life, Back to Reality

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.  Vacation is over and I am pissed.  9 glorious days on the beach was incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating, but I coulda used a few more days.  It is painful to be sitting in the office today (although it's nice to be rocking a pretty legit tan). 

On the running front, I (along with the sister) ass-kicked my vacation.  My training schedule had me running 14.5 miles for the duration of my stay, but I somehow ended up doing 30.  4 miles the first Friday (what would normally be a rest day, but I couldn't resist the call of the springy boardwalk), 8 miles on the SWEALTERINGLY hot first Saturday, 4 miles Monday, 10 miles Wednesday (sans iPod even!), and 4 miles this past Saturday added up to a pretty successful trip down the shore.  Not to mention it afforded me the ability to eat delicious treats (read:  10...TEN!... gloriously cajun-y buttery, and slightly dangerous "Jean Lafeet" crabs in one sitting) without as much guilt.  I wouldn't have changed a thing. 

This morning I thought I had nothing to live for now that vacation and the olympics are over, but I guess these three races that I've been training for and writing about will suffice.  152 days until Disney, 88 until the Trenton Half, and only 61 until Alison and I head back down the shore for the Seaside Half.  Also, it's now officially Shark Week, so I guess I was just being a bit dramatic. 

Photo

Not So Happy to be Back,

CQ

Smart Decisions, Small Successes, and Pet Peeves

So I did not run on Monday.  Big ol' non check for Monday's 3 miles, but I have a good reason.  I was sick.  Out of work sick, and as I didn't feel like barfing on the treadmill (or the sidewalk), I decided to skip it.  Here's to being smart, listening to your body, and knowing when not to push yourself. I did manage to run this morning before work, so I'm chalking that up as a small success.  However, to make up for the missed 3 mile run on Monday, I'll be running 4 with my sister in beautiful Seaside Park, NJ this Friday.  That's right folks, I'M GOING ON VACATION.  You may remember my mentioning a nice little annual trip previously.  That time is upon us again.  After I get through this workday, what is sure to be an awesome Mumford & Sons concert in my town this evening, 5:45am kickboxing tomorrow, and tomorrow's workday, I'm boarding a locomotive to head down the shore for 9 full days of beach lounging, food eating, game playing, margarita drinking, a little paddle surfing, and a LOT of running.  Take this as my formal apology that my blog title is soon to be a big fat lie.  I plan on far surpassing the mileage set out by my schedule in the next week and a half.  I'll just have so much time and so many miles of beach at my fingertips that it would be silly for me not to take advantage of it.  So I'm gonna.  As will sister Alison.  Maybe I'll take a day or two off, and spend a couple days cross training, but the beach is really the best place for a run.  Looks like I'll hit that 512.9 mile mark way before I was planning to.  I'm ok with that. 

I also thought I should mention that throughout this month+ of consistent running and working out, I've come across several new things that really grind my gears

 1)  Kids smoking pot on the waterfront walkway between Hoboken and Weehawken.  I am so sad to say that this has happened more than once.  I mean, are you joking?  This is a highly trafficked area, and I've seen one or two drug sniffing German Shepherds nosing around those parts in the past.  Never while these hoodlums are puffing on doobies, unfortunately.  If I wanted a contact high while running, I woulda followed Matthew McConaughey while he was getting in shape for Magic Mike. 

2)  Run-Puffers.  Now, admittedly I don't hear this too often, cuz I always run with music.  But runners who make that "CHOO, CHOO" sound to breathe every other step really need to realize what they sound like:

3)  The windowsill at CKO.  This thing has GOT to go.  I mean, this would be easily fixable if I was willing to look at other people and/or the wall during kickboxing class.  But I'm not, and I want a view, dammit.  So I always choose a window facing punching bag.  This becomes a large problem when I front kick the crap out of it and it goes careening into the windowsill knocking my keys and water bottle off and undoubtedly damaging gym property.  JUST GET RID OF IT!  They're the kind of windows that are set into the wall anyway, the brick is their windowsill.  Unnecessary. 

4)  Olympic commentators making negative comments during a perfectly good gymnastics routine.  JUST SHUT UP, Elfi.

Feels good to get those out in the open. Feels REAL good that my next run will be here:

Peace Out Real World,

CQ