My Quest to 50- Brooklyn Half Marathon (13.1)

My Quest to 50

 

9 Down 41 to Go!

 

 

Brooklyn Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)

May 17, 2014

 

This weekend I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon, this was my 15^th Half Marathon and I ran a personal best which I am still in shock. With my knee hurting the last few months and not as much training didn’t think I would shave off 3 minutes and 14 seconds off of last year’s time.  My time was 1 hour and 49 minutes and 10 seconds, although for some may not seem that fast it was for me and I’m so happy and feel amazed. At times I still shock myself on what my body and my mind can do. A lot of times it’s how bad you want it and when I started the race didn’t think I would beat my own personal best but I did.

The race was an early start at 7am; it was a bit chilly and was shivering the first mile or so. I did start out fast which they say not to when racing, you need to pace yourself but I kept going and felt good. I thought of pacing myself once I got into Prospect Park around mile 4 but again I still felt good so kept going. By the time I hit Ocean Parkway around mile 7 I was at 58minutes which that’s the time I need to be at to beat my time. The course on ocean parkway can get a bit boring it’s just a straight road that leads to Coney Island. By mile 11 I was hitting my wall; the bottom of my foot was bothering felt a blister coming on and I was just wanted it to be over with. Mile 12 you can see Coney Island at a distance which is where the race finishes so kept pushing for it. Running onto the boardwalk was not that great, it was a small ramp and we had to squeeze in and run up to get on the boardwalk. By time I got on the boardwalk I see the finish line but couldn’t really pick up the pace because there was sand on the boardwalk and it felt slippery to me so I just ran to finish line put my hands up that I was done. I looked at my watch and it said 1:49 but I wasn’t sure how accurate it was being that I started my watch early so waited for the results and I saw that I beat my time and I was so happy and proud. I don’t know how I did it because I didn’t follow any training plan, when my knee hurt I didn’t run and at times I ran once or twice a week.

My next new challenge for June is the Spartan race, I’ve done a mud run but nothing as challenging as Spartan. I am doing the sprint which is a 5K in Tuxedo, NY and then Rugged Maniac also in June.  I will then be working towards my 10^th state with a half marathon in Denver in July which I’m super excited about.

 

P.S. KT Tape is the awesome, I used it to wrap my knee and my knee felt great throughout the race.

Until next time Happy Running!

MY QUEST FOR 50-Brooklyn 5/17/14

MY QUEST TO 50

9 Down and 41 to Go!

Brooklyn Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)

May 17, 2014

 

Today makes exactly one month till my next half marathon in Brooklyn. This race will be my 15^th half marathon. Although this is not a state race I will use it as a training run for my next state which is Denver, Colorado in July my 10^th State.

 

Do I feel ready for this Brooklyn half, so far yes and knee is feeling better than it did for Delaware back in March when I only had 4 days of training. I just have to listen to my body and take care of my knee and continue to wear my brace. I’ve already done my 10 miles and will be aiming to get up to 11-12 miles then taper down until the race.

The course itself isn’t too bad starts in Prospect Park and the first 6 miles or so are done in the park and then Ocean Parkway all the way to Coney Island which is pretty flat and not very scenic. No matter what I still like the thrill of the race and competing against myself and how much I can push myself.

 

Until next time, Happy Running!

 

 

 

9 Down 41 to Go on My Quest for 50

MY QUEST TO 50

9 Down and 41 to Go!

Delaware Half Marathon 13.1 Miles

March 23, 2014

 

So I completed my 9^th State Delaware a couple of weeks ago. This was my 15^th Half Marathon since I first started to run in 2009. I was hesitant at first to run this race because I was sidelined due to a knee injury so with my lack of training I didn’t feel l can finish it. A few days before the race I decided what the heck and let me just get it over with. This was my mentality just to get it over with, with maybe 4 or 5 days of training, yes said days not weeks of training. I was not confident at all.

The day of the race I got ready like I normally do and prepped as any normal race day with the exception of putting on a knee brace just to keep it secure. As I started I felt ok still thinking about the knee and being cautious. I was feeling good, ran with some friends so it was a good distraction for me.

I didn’t wear my fuel belt which wasn’t a good idea the water stations were so far apart and I usually take a sip every 10 to 15minutes.  Around mile 6 I had to adjust the brace felt it slipping, felt a minor ache but nothing to make me stop. Then mile 7, 8, 9 and up to mile 13 all hills, ughhhhh. I’m usually ok with hills but due to lack of training these hills kicked my butt. Right before mile 12 I looked at my watch and saw that I can make the under 2 hour mark which I wasn’t planning at all. I told my friend next to me after the grunting from him and a few other people around me which was pretty funny we can make it. We decided to book it to the finish line until I saw yet another hill and it slowed me down. I saw the finish line and sped up again and made it at 1:59:44. Not my best time but not my worst. So happy I did it and now just 41 more states to go.

My next state planned is Colorado in July and then I will be 10 on my Quest for 50.

Until next time, Happy Running!

 

 

 

MY QUEST FOR 50- DELAWARE 4 WEEKS AWAY

MY QUEST TO 50

8 Down and 42 to Go!

4 Weeks till Delaware Half Marathon 13.1 Miles

3/23/14

 

 

 

With 4 weeks away till my first half marathon of the year my knee has been cranky. I ran 5 miles this past Saturday but there was a bit of pain before my legs warmed up. I felt like the tin man needing some oil. Since then I have yet to run and getting a bit nervous with 2 races coming up, a 5k (3miles) next weekend and my half marathon in 4 weeks. I decided to cross train and rest my knee from running. I tried spinning which felt ok and will do elliptical and rowing machine just to keep the cardio going.

I’m hoping knee will be better this weekend and I can run again. What I have learned the last few years since I started running is listen to your body. If you need to take a week off from running even if you have a race coming up so be it. Better to rest then injure yourself more.

My race next week will be the Washington Heights Shamrock, Salsa and Blues formerly called Coogan’s. This is one of my favorite races although hilly it’s a different course instead of the usual Central Park. This race takes place in Washington Heights and runs up to Fort Tyron Park and back down which till this day I have ran through that park 3 times and have yet to visit on a regular day.

On March 23^rd I will be running in Delaware my 9^th State and my 14^th Half Marathon. 14^th Half Marathon sounds crazy for someone that just started running back in 2009. I remember the first day I ran outdoors it was a hot August day and just running one mile was tough for me and I just set a goal every time I went out there until one day 6 mile loop around Central Park become a norm and that’s when I became a runner.

I can tell you I do have a love/hate relationship with running. The aches I get here and there or the early morning race starts, so not a morning person but then when I line up in my corral and get ready to start I start to love it all over again.

Oh and be safe out there with all the snow we have been getting not safe to run in the snow or ice. I was lucky that the roads were clear on my run Saturday.

Until next time, Happy Running!



My Quest for 50- Delaware

MY QUEST FOR 50

8 Down and 42 to Go!

9 Weeks till Delaware Half Marathon 13.1 Miles

 

This is my first blog for the New Year, so far I’ve had one race a 10k (6.2 miles) last week and just started running consistently after a little break over the holidays.  I am still on my quest to run 50 states which is taking some time but I know I will get there eventually. These races do cost money and travel even more money so no matter how long it takes I will finish my 50 states.

So far I’ve completed 8 states (Nevada, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida and Philadelphia).

My next state will be Delaware in 9 weeks and I will be running a Half Marathon 13.1 miles. I just started consistently training and working my way back to 3 times a week running with one long run. It’s always good to give your body a break and do some cross training. This winter so far has been very cold so have to get out there and run I can even if it’s just to get a few miles in.

 

Until next time, Happy Running!

12 DAYS TO GO- NYC MARATHON TRAINING 11/3/13

                        NYC MARATHON

11/3/13

26.2 Miles

The time is almost here after 16 weeks of training and running about 300 miles. The NYC marathon is 12 days away and I'm ready to kick NYC asphalt. I'm excited and nervous, this will definitely be a mental and physical challenge but I'm ready to tackle all 5 boroughs of New York.

I've trained alot different this year compared to last year and feel like it has paid off. Less running and more cross training and if I'm hurt or too sore to run, then rest is key. Last year I followed a 16 week training plan with running 3-4x a week and I ran alot more races which left me with pain in my knees that I had to go to therapy.

Training for this Marathon has been not only a physical challenge but a mental, this year I was able to push my body more and I knew mentally I was capable of doing it. I set alot of personal records this year from my races shaving off up to 5-10 minutes from my finish times. My 18 mile Tune Up, I shaved up to 10minutes off from last years time.

As I approach November 3, I will be tapering, which means lowering mileage and getting your body fueled and ready for race day. My pre race meal will be pasta family style at Tony Di Napoli's in the city, yum. And I already put in a request for my post race meal of home cooked Puerto Rican food yumm.

Until next time, Happy Running!

Back to Marathon Training Part 2- NYC MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 11-3-13

STUCK AT #8 WITH 42 TO GO!

TRAINING FOR NYC MARTHON (26.2MILES)-11/3/13

 

It’s been a while since I’ve written my last blog, usually I’m writing about my upcoming destination race but currently have none planned for out of NY so will be stuck on my 8^th state for a while until I figure out my next destination.

I begin my 16 week training this week for the New York City Marathon which is 26.2 miles on November 3. I will be posting pictures and writing about my journey toward the marathon.

Yesterday I ran 8 miles in 88 degrees, the temps are only going to get hotter and the miles are going to get longer which I’m not looking forward to running in this heat but I know it must be done and that’s where the mental part of running comes in.

I will be prepping my body every week increasing the miles, next week’s goal is 10 miles which I’ve done before, and I think anything after 13-14miles will be the most challenge. Running in this heat you have to take your time and definitely hydrate. My training this time around will definitely be different than last year. Last year I ran about 4 times a week while boxing, and strength training. This year I will be definitely cross train with spinning twice a week and strength training as well as boxing once a week but will keep my runs 3 times a week. Also I will be changing my running course and not run as many hills and hard surfaces to take care of my knees and prevent any injuries.

Until next time, Happy Running!!!