First day of training for the Phoenix half. I feel a little stale with my current routine & my 7 week training schedule isn't really exciting me. May need to pump it up a bit to get over this mental hump.

Did an easy loop around Ft. Greene park, it was dark, cold & rainy...but I liked the refreshing break from the group run.

Distance: 3.5 miles
State of Mind: Bored...so easily

With family leaving town today, I eventually had time for an easy run as the sun was setting. I went out with the intention of taking it pretty slow & just enjoying the end of the day but I got caught in my single-minded spirit of trying to pick off as many runners as possible. Sometimes I truly wonder what my problem is, can't I just enjoy an evening run without the drive to "progress".

Distance: 5.3 miles
State of Mind: Starting my training for the Phoenix half...

After being completely snoozing the last few days, I peeled myself out of bed for the 8am group run. Thinking that no one would show up, I almost didn't join BUT I was surprised to see so many people braving the wind & cold.

We ended up doing both Brooklyn & Manhattan bridge, following by the riverside parks & promenade. I felt great almost the entire time, the weather didn't hurt at all...it was simple gorgeous. Plus, the wind really has a way of lifting my spirits.

Distance: 11.6 miles
State of Mind: Great way to start a weekend

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ran in the Turkey Trot 5 miler today, was both nervous & excited about putting myself out there again after my poor performance at Van Cortland a few weeks back. The hubs & I made our way down to the crazy start, it was great seeing so many familiar faces. I started off the race with a even 7 min split at the mile & held a pretty consistent pace the rest of the race. I felt really in control & spent most of my time running next to D, who is always an inspiration. A few other PPTC'ers were around us, some of which I passed & some I just couldn't keep up with. But instead of focusing on others, I truly tried to just keep myself positive. Something I am working on.

Distance: 1.5 mile warmup, 5 mile race at 36:23, 1.5 mile warmdown
State of Mind: Pleased

Did a quick run around Ft. Greene park tonight, more of a mental release than a physical one. Not my mileage this week, which feels great.

Distance: 3 miles
State of Mind: gobble, gobble

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend

Had a great weekend running & watching some amazing runners put their hearts out on the line. To start off, I did an easy run with the group on Saturday morning, heading to the bridge & back before getting ready for my first ever trip to Philadelphia.

After we arrived in Philly, S & her brother invited me to join them on a scenic run of the city. We headed out of O.C. across the Ben Franklin into N.J., through urine tunnel & into No. Philly for a really revitalizing run. It was great to have new company & to see a whole new city.

On mile 20, after little sleep, we all headed to mile 20 to watch the race. All the PPTCers looked great, we definitely had a fun time cheering the racers on while listening to the Rocky soundtrack on repeat. As soon as we saw A, we joined in with her & finished the last 6 miles. The energy was great & made me want to be running more than just the last few miles of the race.

I don't care what people say, it takes some serious guts to run the way we do. To put all of your training on the line & hope for your dreams to come true. Watching the runners, I think I could see how non-runners might have a hard time understanding what is so tough...but they seriously have no idea what heartbreak we all have felt to get to the places we have got.

Distance: 24 miles (for the weekend)
State of Mind: Invigorated by others