I am a lousy blogger, part deux

If there's one thing my father and I have learned throughout this experience, it's that we both seriously lose at (co)writing a blog. I originally thought that by expressing my concerns/doubts/excitement/realizations via The Written Word my training would benefit, but I see now that I never really gave it a chance. So my experiment is as follows: stop avoiding the blogosphere. Honestly, I read enough blogs that I can muster up the dedication to peripherally contribute. At any rate, the marathon is in 9 weeks, so here goes.

First item on the agenda - I am a bit behind on my training schedule. This is due to 2 inextricable factors: 1) My shin injury and 2) My loss of motivation as a result of said injury. The month of August really was a complete bust. While my father was wearily quitting a 30-year habit, I was avoiding the gigantic 803,325,532,234 pound elephant (the marathon) in the room (my head). I replaced my now fluid training schedule with lax eating habits, shorter runs and classic justifications (injuries, expensive gear, work, summertime in New York City - including, but not limited to, frequent outdoor happy hours). I could actually visualize the dedication I worked so hard to mold slowly disintegrate, and I had little desire to reel it back in. This, my friends, is what we call a serious lack of motivation. It got to the point where I resented running and, subsequently, everyone who asked me about it*

Then, August turned to September and I realized how foolish I had been. Through my intensive research I learned innumerable tricks to the marathon training trade: plaster pictures of runners on your wall, be positive, keep your calendar where you can see it, be positive, run with other people, be positive, don't quit, visualize EVERYTHING, be positive, record vivid mental tapes and create a personal mantra, STOP BEING SO CYNICAL, oh - and be positive. I did not follow these rules, so I ran begrudgingly. I finally understood that if I could get so unbelievably fired up over this circus of an election, I certainly could care a little more about my own promise to myself.

So, here I am. A couple of weeks into my re-dedication, if you will, and I am feeling much better. I am doing all the cheesy things I'm supposed to do - yaknow, "being positive" and whatnot, and golly-gee it's working! I ran 10 miles the other weekend and I signed up today for the Queens Half Marathon on Sunday with Amarides. From this point forward it's Marathon City for me...

Additionally, I sincerely thank those who have donated to Citymeals-on-Wheels through the marathon charity program. Amarides and I absolutely chose the right organization with which to spend our time. Many people have given in the past month and I really cannot thank you enough! Our goal is to give $2,500 to Citymeals one week prior to the marathon and you have already helped raise over $1,100. For those of you who live in the NYC area, please keep the weekend of October 10th-13th available! Amarides and I will be hosting a fundraising party. More details to come...


-Kelli



*This comment is not meant to be a slight against anyone who has been interested in my progress - you all remain an encouraging presence in my life. I, of course, am extremely grateful for your support. Please don't give up on me!

Alas, a post!

I know, I know...it's been a really long time. A month? Wow. That's quite a hiatus. This does not mean that I have not been running, because I have (sadly). Come to think of it, training for the NY Marathon is by far the most time-consuming activity in which I have ever participated - and that's including my Qualitative Research Methods class. At any rate, my fading internet presence has been a result of 2 business trips and 1 vacation (not including my lovely trip to Richmond, VA for July 4th). I am now back and ready to continue this very...very mundane process that is my training program. Eat (x)carbs now, run (x)miles tomorrow, burn (x)calories by 7:32 pm, drink a lot of water but not TOO much water - Oh! And watch out for your toenails as they most certainly will fall off. Like anything else, the running world is inundated with experts and polarizing opinions. So, naturally, I feel as clueless as John McCain when asked about his reproductive rights voting record. Despite my achy shins and skepticism that my training program is the right one (out of the millions) for me, I am improving. Although my brain is swollen with running information, the actual running part is a nice escape from it all. I have reached the point where I am able to lose myself in the routine and, at times, not even feel my feet moving.

As for Pops Peterman, I wonder how he's doing...

-Kelli

Side Note(s)
1) I have a new devise! Check it out here
2) I will be starting to Volunteer with Meals on Wheels so we can all know how our money is being used - and, of course, so I can volunteer. I'll write about my experience once I hear back from the volunteer coordinator.

*Training Week 3*
Day 1: 3 Miles
Day 2: 4 Miles
Day 3: 3 Miles
Day 4: 7 Miles

today!

Wow! To this date, You all have successfully helped raise $200.00 for Citymeals-on-Wheels! You = Wonderful.

The community thanks you.

A mashed potato started long time ago...

Well, it's sunday. So, that means I'm up early and I'm bored. Except i forget that extreme boredom with me tends to morph into fantastic, albeit latent, productivity. While I didn't run, per se, I participated in an alternate form of exercise, most notably: bicycling! The premier form of transportation in Brooklyn. I contacted some people via craigslist about a room for rent and decided to finally pump some air in the ol' bike tires and take her out for a spin (the spin being this apartment). It took about an hour to get there, but i cycled around the west side of Prospect Park looping in and out of the middle of the Park where all the action was taking place. I think I'll run here for the next 20 weeks. Why? Because everyone is having the time of their lives. I saw kids playing stick ball! I'm not kidding - stick ball! I imagine they were probably being handed fresh hot dogs with perfectly proportioned condiments dripping off the buns as they slid into Home Plate. And then they all went out for ice cream afterwards....ok, whatever, you get the point - this place was Pleasantville and I was digging it. Long story short, the room was about the size of my bed and absent of closet space. I may not have found a new place to live, but I found a great route to run.

If that wasn't painfully picturesque enough, I got caught in the rain on my bike while riding home. It was thundering. And lightening. And there was a rainbow.



music for the day: lots of April March, The Coasters & Broadcast...Oh! and the Breeders. Duh. It's summer!

in honor of...oh what's that word?

would you like your heart warmed?

why can't stride give ME money to dance around the world? At any rate, this makes me want to run.


oh! "Hope"

I wish...

that I was doing THIS instead.

pre-training

So, I am hoping that by the end of this whole experience (training) I have accrued enough motivational support to push me through the actual marathon. Finding time to run is becoming increasingly difficult as the initial shock and excitement has dwindled down to about 20% excitement, leaving 80% of my emotions at the mercy of fear and procrastination. And I mean, let's face it, I am the world's best procrastinator. So let this be my first (not so subtle) push towards coercing you into read our blog (when you have a chance) and post comments (to help us). It really will make a world of difference.

Many people have been asking me, "So how is training going?!?!" And, yes, with THAT much enthusiasm (I love it). Allow me to answer: it's going....not so bad. I can now officially run more than 10 minutes without wanting to die! Oh, I'm sorry, is that pathetic? Well, I suppose now is a better time than ever to confess the following: I have had little to no interest in athleticism and personal growth through exercise since high school. Admitting that was painful...

But it's true. Not to mention, running totally bores me. I'm not used to competitive, physical activity that doesn't require my hands and a ball. But I must say, it's much easier than I thought to push yourself past that point when you are running and you simply cannot go any further. I suppose kids are calling it "endurance" these days. Well, I gots-me-some. I'm bubbling over with perseverance! I still am trying to synchronize the body/mind disconnect, but I imagine that will take a lot of time. If you check in, I'll keep you updated...

At any rate, I am running anywhere between 30-45 minutes 5 days a week. The most solid advice I have adhered to thus far has been: "Don't worry about the rugged training of it all quite yet. For now, you must become a runner!" I have, (graeme), and I kind of like it.

p.s. I bought real running shoes for the first time. I went to a store and was forced to run on a treadmill while watching a CG version of my feet moving in front of me. I tried hard to like the Saucony's (as they have been my brand since middle school), but they just didn't work for me. So, after trying on numerous pairs of shoes (including different models of each brand), I settled with Asics: Gel-Cumulus 10. Now with a gender-specific fit! It's my most controlling sneaker yet.

I must say, there is nothing better than feeling the wind through the sweet, sweet mesh that encases my toes while I run.

-Kelli

2 quick notes:

1) I would love some advice from those of you who are runners

2) If you comment on nothing else throughout this adventure, please @ least send me suggestions for musicology. I have a brand new ipod shuffle and desperately need suggestions for long runs. Help.