The other day, while I was looking over an article in the New York Times that a co-worker sent to me, I came across a reference to a new book called "Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul." A basic premise of the book is that play "is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. In fact, our ability to play throughout life is the single most important factor in determining our success and happiness."
I came across this book at the most perfect time. Exhausted from work and "training" after work, I kept desperately counting down the days to the weekend, struggling to get through the week. And I feel like this has become all too common lately. Monday through Friday is so scheduled, that I find myself longing for some playtime. Not in the typical little kid sense - no tea parties or impromptu baseball games in someone's backyard. Rather, just some unscheduled time. As much time as I want to go for a walk, or watch a movie, or read a book, or go to a museum, or do anything not involving some kind of exercise.
I haven't read the aforementioned book, but I imagine that what the author is getting at is that having a very scheduled life is not healthy. There needs to be unscheduled time, where you aren't, for example running to change out of your work clothes, eat dinner, throw all your swim gear into a bag, and rush off to swim practice. I think we have to remind ourselves of this from time to time. Because while all the training we do is great, we can schedule our lives so much that it is no longer healthy for us mentally. The end result is that we end up unhappy, when training for a triathlon or marathon or any other race is supposed to be fun and make us happy. Otherwise, why spend all that precious time doing it?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
February is cramping my style
Seriously, the month of February is cramping my running style. My February mileage is appalling, because every time I want to run, either is is raining/snowing or freezing cold out. Yesterday was a VERY long and busy day at work. So when I came home, I was exhausted but figured I would run 2 miles because 2 miles is better than nothing and I needed to do something. So I donned my winter running gear, headed outside and it was COLD. The worst part was the wind - like an icy slap in the face. I thought I was going to get some serious frost bite, so I only ended up doing a mile. But I guess 1 mile is better than no miles.
And yes, I know I could always running on the dreadmill, but ugh I. don't. want. to. do. it.
Wouldn't it be great if you could have an indoor running class, like spin class? Picture it: a bunch of treadmills in a room, with an instructor in front telling you when to increase your incline, speed up, or slow down, set to some cool music? Even though it is a workout on the treadmill, I would totally go. Would make the time fly by, and I bet I would get a better workout.
At least daylight savings is less than two weeks away!
And yes, I know I could always running on the dreadmill, but ugh I. don't. want. to. do. it.
Wouldn't it be great if you could have an indoor running class, like spin class? Picture it: a bunch of treadmills in a room, with an instructor in front telling you when to increase your incline, speed up, or slow down, set to some cool music? Even though it is a workout on the treadmill, I would totally go. Would make the time fly by, and I bet I would get a better workout.
At least daylight savings is less than two weeks away!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Race Report: Al Gordon Snowflake 5K
Yes, I actually did a race in the cold weather. I know I said I wasn't going to, but I looked at the weather and it didn't look that bad, so I figured why not. I also did it because this race was in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which I had never been to and because it was a New York Road Runners' Race that was someplace OTHER than Central Park.
Anyway, the race started at 9:00, so I didn't have to get up until 6:45 a.m. This time, getting up that early was OK because (1) it is the same time I get up for work, (2) I made myself go to sleep early the night before, and (3) it was actually light out when I woke up. I left the apartment around 7:30 and headed to a local school to pick up my number, timing chip, and t-shirt. Normally I pick those up before the day of the race, but between work and swimming practices and classes, I didn't have any time.
Yes, it was cold out (28 degrees to be exact), but as I was walking to and from the subways, I really didn't think it was THAT bad. When I made my way over to the starting line in Prospect Park. I didn't some jogging around for a good 20 minutes to keep myself warm. While I was jogging around, I thought, hmmm Prospect Park looks a lot like Central Park. About ten minutes before the race started, I happened to see my friend who was also running the race, so we both did some jogging together. When I mentioned to friend how Prospect Park looks exactly like Central Park, he noted that the same person designed both. So there you go.
We got into our corral five minutes before the start, and at 9:00 we were off. Now, New York Road Runners caps its races at 5,000 people. And according to the race's statistics, there were over 3,000 people there. However, while it was not the full 5,000 people, the race still felt VERY crowded. When I crossed the starting mats, there was a herd of people still in front of me and I had to weave in and out of them. I actually had to weave in and out for the entire race because it just never opened up.
Friend and I were running together, but he got a little ahead of me, and then he got more ahead of me when I had to stop and tie my danged shoe. Five minutes later, I had to stop and tie it again! Grrr. At this point, I couldn't see friend anymore, so I was just running along with the mass of people. I have to say that I wasn't really enjoying myself. Again, because of the cold weather, it felt like I was slogging through mud. As I got to the first mile marker, I saw the clock and thought (1) only a mile? That's it? and (2) yikes, it looks like I am running at an 11 something pace.
I kept on going, even though I was not enjoying this overly crowded race in the freezing cold weather with legs that felt like lead weights. Around mile 2 1/2, the pain in my ankle that I first developed during the Staten Island half-marathon came back. I don't know why it started hurting so early - it usually only starts if I run more than 6 miles. But, luckily it did not hurt enough to make me walk.
At the mile 3 marker, I thought, "Thank God, let this be over" and then all of a sudden became very nauseous. So then I started chanting to myself "Please don't puke yet, please don't puke yet." I managed to muster up something of a sprint at the very end, passing three people (one of whom I was NOT going to let beat me). I found friend at the end and he told me that he had had to stop to use the bathroom, but still beat me by two minutes.
When I got home, I checked my final time, and it was my best 5k time so far!?!? I was seriously surprised, because I thought I was sucking it up out there on the race course. But somehow, I managed to run faster than I ever had.
Anyway, I thought about doing the 5k in Washington Heights next weekend, but given my displeasure of running in 28 degree weather with a huge mass of people, I think I am going to pass on any races again until it gets a little warmer out.
1 race down, 8 races + 1 volunteer event to go to qualify for the 2010 NYC Marathon.
Anyway, the race started at 9:00, so I didn't have to get up until 6:45 a.m. This time, getting up that early was OK because (1) it is the same time I get up for work, (2) I made myself go to sleep early the night before, and (3) it was actually light out when I woke up. I left the apartment around 7:30 and headed to a local school to pick up my number, timing chip, and t-shirt. Normally I pick those up before the day of the race, but between work and swimming practices and classes, I didn't have any time.
Yes, it was cold out (28 degrees to be exact), but as I was walking to and from the subways, I really didn't think it was THAT bad. When I made my way over to the starting line in Prospect Park. I didn't some jogging around for a good 20 minutes to keep myself warm. While I was jogging around, I thought, hmmm Prospect Park looks a lot like Central Park. About ten minutes before the race started, I happened to see my friend who was also running the race, so we both did some jogging together. When I mentioned to friend how Prospect Park looks exactly like Central Park, he noted that the same person designed both. So there you go.
We got into our corral five minutes before the start, and at 9:00 we were off. Now, New York Road Runners caps its races at 5,000 people. And according to the race's statistics, there were over 3,000 people there. However, while it was not the full 5,000 people, the race still felt VERY crowded. When I crossed the starting mats, there was a herd of people still in front of me and I had to weave in and out of them. I actually had to weave in and out for the entire race because it just never opened up.
Friend and I were running together, but he got a little ahead of me, and then he got more ahead of me when I had to stop and tie my danged shoe. Five minutes later, I had to stop and tie it again! Grrr. At this point, I couldn't see friend anymore, so I was just running along with the mass of people. I have to say that I wasn't really enjoying myself. Again, because of the cold weather, it felt like I was slogging through mud. As I got to the first mile marker, I saw the clock and thought (1) only a mile? That's it? and (2) yikes, it looks like I am running at an 11 something pace.
I kept on going, even though I was not enjoying this overly crowded race in the freezing cold weather with legs that felt like lead weights. Around mile 2 1/2, the pain in my ankle that I first developed during the Staten Island half-marathon came back. I don't know why it started hurting so early - it usually only starts if I run more than 6 miles. But, luckily it did not hurt enough to make me walk.
At the mile 3 marker, I thought, "Thank God, let this be over" and then all of a sudden became very nauseous. So then I started chanting to myself "Please don't puke yet, please don't puke yet." I managed to muster up something of a sprint at the very end, passing three people (one of whom I was NOT going to let beat me). I found friend at the end and he told me that he had had to stop to use the bathroom, but still beat me by two minutes.
When I got home, I checked my final time, and it was my best 5k time so far!?!? I was seriously surprised, because I thought I was sucking it up out there on the race course. But somehow, I managed to run faster than I ever had.
Anyway, I thought about doing the 5k in Washington Heights next weekend, but given my displeasure of running in 28 degree weather with a huge mass of people, I think I am going to pass on any races again until it gets a little warmer out.
1 race down, 8 races + 1 volunteer event to go to qualify for the 2010 NYC Marathon.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Fitness Isn't an Overnight Sensation, says the New York Times
You know those ads on t.v. that promise that if you take this pill or buy that machine, then you will go from fat and flabby to thin and toned in only a few short weeks? Not true says an article published in the New York Times.
An exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin performed a study on sedentary men age 18 to 40, photographing them in skimpy bathing suits and then assigning them randomly to a cardiovascular exercise group, weight lifting group, or control group. The results six weeks later?
"The subjects rated themselves more highly than anyone else rated them, and female panelists rated the subjects lower than the male subjects or panelists rated them. But, over all, the subjects’ ratings barely changed, if at all, after their exercise program. And neither did objective measures, like weight or percentage of body fat, or waist size or the size of the bicep or thigh."
A kinesiology professor at the University of Connecticut goes on to say:
"To make a change in how you look, you are talking about a significant period of training,” Dr. Kraemer said. “In our studies it takes six months to a year.” And, he added, that is with regular strength-training workouts, using the appropriate weights and with a carefully designed individualized program."
So for all working towards your fitness New Year's resolutions, keep on keepin' on, because it is going to take more than six weeks to transform your body.
Now, maybe I should put down this cheese....
An exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin performed a study on sedentary men age 18 to 40, photographing them in skimpy bathing suits and then assigning them randomly to a cardiovascular exercise group, weight lifting group, or control group. The results six weeks later?
"The subjects rated themselves more highly than anyone else rated them, and female panelists rated the subjects lower than the male subjects or panelists rated them. But, over all, the subjects’ ratings barely changed, if at all, after their exercise program. And neither did objective measures, like weight or percentage of body fat, or waist size or the size of the bicep or thigh."
A kinesiology professor at the University of Connecticut goes on to say:
"To make a change in how you look, you are talking about a significant period of training,” Dr. Kraemer said. “In our studies it takes six months to a year.” And, he added, that is with regular strength-training workouts, using the appropriate weights and with a carefully designed individualized program."
So for all working towards your fitness New Year's resolutions, keep on keepin' on, because it is going to take more than six weeks to transform your body.
Now, maybe I should put down this cheese....
Monday, February 16, 2009
What I've Noticed
Here are a couple of things I noticed this past week:
1. My running clothes are rapidly replacing my work/weekend clothes; and
2. Sometimes running two miles can feel like you are running through mud, while other times, running six miles can feel like floating on air.
This week has been very stressful. There were so many things I need to get done and not enough time to do them. Needless to say, I was looking forward to the long weekend, where my only plans were to relax. And oh yeah, I thought running, biking and swimming would be part of my relaxation plans. While I had the best intentions, it never happened this weekend. Other than a walk on Sunday, I attempted a run today. And today was one of those days where I felt like I was running though mud. Every step was a struggle. So I only ended up running a little over a mile, and walking the rest of the way back.
I didn't do what I had planned/hoped to do running/biking/swimming wise this weekend. But that's OK. Because sometimes you need a break not only from work, but from all that training as well.
At least it was a beautiful weekend....
1. My running clothes are rapidly replacing my work/weekend clothes; and
2. Sometimes running two miles can feel like you are running through mud, while other times, running six miles can feel like floating on air.
This week has been very stressful. There were so many things I need to get done and not enough time to do them. Needless to say, I was looking forward to the long weekend, where my only plans were to relax. And oh yeah, I thought running, biking and swimming would be part of my relaxation plans. While I had the best intentions, it never happened this weekend. Other than a walk on Sunday, I attempted a run today. And today was one of those days where I felt like I was running though mud. Every step was a struggle. So I only ended up running a little over a mile, and walking the rest of the way back.
I didn't do what I had planned/hoped to do running/biking/swimming wise this weekend. But that's OK. Because sometimes you need a break not only from work, but from all that training as well.
At least it was a beautiful weekend....
Sunday, February 8, 2009
It's a beautiful morning
Yes, that's right. It is beautiful out. Warm. Sunny. And yesterday was great as well, although today promises to be even better. I really want to go biking today, but I also need to run, because my running this week has been dismal. Yes, I know I could do both. But I have other things I need to do, painfully exciting things, like cleaning and even doing some work I brought home. I think running is going to win out. Plus, I went to spin class on Tuesday, so I got some biking in for the week. Three sports are hard to fit into one's weekly schedule!
As for swimming. Swimming is going very well. I feel much better in the water. Thursday night I went to team swim practice again. We had this guy in our lane who was way too enthusiastic (and seriously way hairy). Not only was he overly enthusiastic, but he was a total spaz. He kept "running" everyone over by not waiting long enough before he followed the person in front of him, swimming into the other side of the lane, swinging his arms everywhere. I could usually see him coming at me in time to get out of the way, but others were not so lucky. When he would ask who wanted to go first, we would say "Oh you should definitely go first" thereby hoping to avoid a head-on collision.
And really, I cannot understand the mute men at practice. They do not talk! One guy developed a cramp in his calf muscles and hopped out of the pool. While he was rubbing his muscles, me and another girl started telling him we get cramps in our calves and feet all the time and he was just nodding. Nothing verbal. Nada. Cannot understand it. Are they socially awkward? It's not like we are hitting on them.
My one complaint with that pool though is that the walls are so rough. They are lined with some kind of spackle material that hurts if you rub up against it. Like last week, my hand brushed against it and I had cuts all over my hand. This week, I slide into the pool and as I was doing so, my pinkie toe hit the side and a good chunk of toe was removed. It hurt! (And it still does!) That pool is a serious safety hazard. What ever happened to lining a pool with tiles??
Anyway, this beautiful weather has got me excited for racing again and being outside in general. So, yesterday, I started planning which races I want to do in the upcoming months. I signed up for the 5 boro bike tour yesterday (OK, technically not a race), which is May 3rd. I also want to do the More half-marathon at the end of April, the Brooklyn duathlon at the beginning of April, the Staten Island "flat as a pancake" sprint triathlon and then some NYRR races thrown in there. I am thinking about doing the NYRR 5k race on the 21st in Prospect Park (a NYRR not in Central Park? It's a miracle!), but I am waiting until it gets a little closer so I can check the weather for that day. Cold and snowy will not work for me.
Oh and for those NYers who like cupcakes, you must try Butter Lane. Simply but oh so delicious cupcakes. The best I have ever had! And the store is so cute! Seriously, check it out.
As for swimming. Swimming is going very well. I feel much better in the water. Thursday night I went to team swim practice again. We had this guy in our lane who was way too enthusiastic (and seriously way hairy). Not only was he overly enthusiastic, but he was a total spaz. He kept "running" everyone over by not waiting long enough before he followed the person in front of him, swimming into the other side of the lane, swinging his arms everywhere. I could usually see him coming at me in time to get out of the way, but others were not so lucky. When he would ask who wanted to go first, we would say "Oh you should definitely go first" thereby hoping to avoid a head-on collision.
And really, I cannot understand the mute men at practice. They do not talk! One guy developed a cramp in his calf muscles and hopped out of the pool. While he was rubbing his muscles, me and another girl started telling him we get cramps in our calves and feet all the time and he was just nodding. Nothing verbal. Nada. Cannot understand it. Are they socially awkward? It's not like we are hitting on them.
My one complaint with that pool though is that the walls are so rough. They are lined with some kind of spackle material that hurts if you rub up against it. Like last week, my hand brushed against it and I had cuts all over my hand. This week, I slide into the pool and as I was doing so, my pinkie toe hit the side and a good chunk of toe was removed. It hurt! (And it still does!) That pool is a serious safety hazard. What ever happened to lining a pool with tiles??
Anyway, this beautiful weather has got me excited for racing again and being outside in general. So, yesterday, I started planning which races I want to do in the upcoming months. I signed up for the 5 boro bike tour yesterday (OK, technically not a race), which is May 3rd. I also want to do the More half-marathon at the end of April, the Brooklyn duathlon at the beginning of April, the Staten Island "flat as a pancake" sprint triathlon and then some NYRR races thrown in there. I am thinking about doing the NYRR 5k race on the 21st in Prospect Park (a NYRR not in Central Park? It's a miracle!), but I am waiting until it gets a little closer so I can check the weather for that day. Cold and snowy will not work for me.
Oh and for those NYers who like cupcakes, you must try Butter Lane. Simply but oh so delicious cupcakes. The best I have ever had! And the store is so cute! Seriously, check it out.
Monday, February 2, 2009
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel
The last two days have been fantastic weather wise. Sunny. Warm(er). I can feel spring in the air. Too bad it is going to get cold again. But lets just pretend for the time being that its not and spring and everything that comes with it (flowers, farmers' markets, running outside, biking outside, reading outside) will be here shortly.
Now, when I last left you, I was having a slight shoe problem. So that weekend, I went to Jack Rabbit Sports to get fitted for the proper shoes. I ran on the treadmill and they analyzed my gait - the left foot is normal, the right foot has slight pronation. The recommendation: the Mizuno Wave Rider and a pair of Brooks. I tried the Mizuno's on first - they are pretty cool looking but they felt just slightly narrow. (I couldn't tell if I was being paranoid or not.) Next up, the Brooks. Wayyy too narrow. The lady said I could take them out for a run and bring them back to exchange if I wasn't happy with them, but then I thought - what if they don't have anything I want in exchange? So I told them I would think about it (code for: no, thank you, I will pass).
The following week, I hustled over to Modells by work to see if they had my beloved Asics - the ones that fit like a dream (and the people at Jack Rabbits told me were correct for my feet). And guess what - they had them! Score! So I grabbed those. And on my way out, I came across some tech shirts on clearance for $5. Another score!
So, now I am happy because I have my sneakers and some more tech shirts.
I also went to my first triathlon team practice last week. Lets just say that while the pool isn't all that big (3 lanes, 20 yards), the place that houses the gym is like the Bellagio of sports clubs. I mean clearly the members are paying for it, but you should see the locker rooms. Ridiculous the stuff they have in there.
Anyway, I went to swim practice and I think I was on par with everyone else. The coach isn't the friendlist person in the world and I don't think he is the best teacher, but it will do for some extra practice. The other women in my lane were very friendly -the week before had been their first week. On a side note, I find that at my swim practice and my swim lessons the women are much more friendler and chattier - the men don't talk very much. I wonder why that is.
Here are some other non (running, biking, swimming) things I have been enjoying lately:
1. Revolutionary Road (the movie) - saw this movie the other weekend and I really liked it (probably because I have a fear of getting married, moving to the burbs and being so bored I want to stab myself in the eye). Thought Kate and Leo did excellant jobs.
2. Twilight (the book) - Its no Harry Potter - the plot and characters aren't nearly as intricate or creative - but I couldn't put this book down this weekend. I found myself reading for hours on end it was just that addicting.
3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Javier Bardem in Barcelona. Need I say more?
4. Jennifer Weiner's blog - if you have never read "Good in Bed" then you must, because it is one of my favorite books of all time. The book and main character is supper witty. Her blog can also be pretty hilarious - one of my more recent favorites is the "Six Short Stories about My Mother," particularly the "Six Million Dollar Fran." Had me laughing. Also hilarious is her November 11, 2008 entry and her "I was Told That There'd Be Other Fat People." Also hilarious.
5. Tea & Cookies - another blog, but an oh-so-good one for other reasons. Namely, the photos and writing make you feel so cozy. Its like being at your parents house snuggled up on the couch under the blankets with a good book, mug of tea, and your parents' dog on a cold, rainy day. Yeah, that kind of cozy.
6. Baoguette - for you NYC dwellers, you MUST check out this Vietnamese sandwhich shop. So. Unbelievably. Good. I got the classic and TWO Vietnamese iced coffees. Now, I HATE coffee in general and will not drink it. But I will drink these Vietnamese iced coffees because they do indeed taste like melted coffee ice cream (which I like). Go there. Support places like this so we don't get anymore banks, drugstores or frozen yogurt chains. And check out the cool artwork on the wall while you are there. Like this, which was one of three:
Now, when I last left you, I was having a slight shoe problem. So that weekend, I went to Jack Rabbit Sports to get fitted for the proper shoes. I ran on the treadmill and they analyzed my gait - the left foot is normal, the right foot has slight pronation. The recommendation: the Mizuno Wave Rider and a pair of Brooks. I tried the Mizuno's on first - they are pretty cool looking but they felt just slightly narrow. (I couldn't tell if I was being paranoid or not.) Next up, the Brooks. Wayyy too narrow. The lady said I could take them out for a run and bring them back to exchange if I wasn't happy with them, but then I thought - what if they don't have anything I want in exchange? So I told them I would think about it (code for: no, thank you, I will pass).
The following week, I hustled over to Modells by work to see if they had my beloved Asics - the ones that fit like a dream (and the people at Jack Rabbits told me were correct for my feet). And guess what - they had them! Score! So I grabbed those. And on my way out, I came across some tech shirts on clearance for $5. Another score!
So, now I am happy because I have my sneakers and some more tech shirts.
I also went to my first triathlon team practice last week. Lets just say that while the pool isn't all that big (3 lanes, 20 yards), the place that houses the gym is like the Bellagio of sports clubs. I mean clearly the members are paying for it, but you should see the locker rooms. Ridiculous the stuff they have in there.
Anyway, I went to swim practice and I think I was on par with everyone else. The coach isn't the friendlist person in the world and I don't think he is the best teacher, but it will do for some extra practice. The other women in my lane were very friendly -the week before had been their first week. On a side note, I find that at my swim practice and my swim lessons the women are much more friendler and chattier - the men don't talk very much. I wonder why that is.
Here are some other non (running, biking, swimming) things I have been enjoying lately:
1. Revolutionary Road (the movie) - saw this movie the other weekend and I really liked it (probably because I have a fear of getting married, moving to the burbs and being so bored I want to stab myself in the eye). Thought Kate and Leo did excellant jobs.
2. Twilight (the book) - Its no Harry Potter - the plot and characters aren't nearly as intricate or creative - but I couldn't put this book down this weekend. I found myself reading for hours on end it was just that addicting.
3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Javier Bardem in Barcelona. Need I say more?
4. Jennifer Weiner's blog - if you have never read "Good in Bed" then you must, because it is one of my favorite books of all time. The book and main character is supper witty. Her blog can also be pretty hilarious - one of my more recent favorites is the "Six Short Stories about My Mother," particularly the "Six Million Dollar Fran." Had me laughing. Also hilarious is her November 11, 2008 entry and her "I was Told That There'd Be Other Fat People." Also hilarious.
5. Tea & Cookies - another blog, but an oh-so-good one for other reasons. Namely, the photos and writing make you feel so cozy. Its like being at your parents house snuggled up on the couch under the blankets with a good book, mug of tea, and your parents' dog on a cold, rainy day. Yeah, that kind of cozy.
6. Baoguette - for you NYC dwellers, you MUST check out this Vietnamese sandwhich shop. So. Unbelievably. Good. I got the classic and TWO Vietnamese iced coffees. Now, I HATE coffee in general and will not drink it. But I will drink these Vietnamese iced coffees because they do indeed taste like melted coffee ice cream (which I like). Go there. Support places like this so we don't get anymore banks, drugstores or frozen yogurt chains. And check out the cool artwork on the wall while you are there. Like this, which was one of three:
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