My name's Nini, this is MY world...

I survived!!!

2009-02-11T13:08:00.000-05:00

Spinning didn't kill me, but it also wasn't a very challenging class... I think Saturday's class might be a very different story :D

The weather is beautiful today, I won't lie, sometimes I wonder why I have to be indoors on such a beautiful day.

Wish me luck...

2009-02-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

I have spinning class tonight! That is one tough workout, but I know it will pay off on marathon day!

Queen of the Hills

2009-02-08T21:24:00.002-05:00

I am the queen of the hills :) I am an amazing hill runner.

Today was a 13 mile run from Southie to Charlestown. It felt great... plus I motored up those hills :D

Also, I had to use the loo in Charlestown, and the firefighters at the fire station very generously let me use theirs. Next week I'll bring them cookies as a thank you.

Training is in full swing...

2009-01-31T20:19:00.003-05:00

Of course, I have a cold which is slowing me down a little... but it hasn't broken my spirit!

This morning I ran 6 miles with my running partner. Tomorrow I will do a short run on my own and ideally I will do a yoga class; however, if I can't breathe through my nose, I don't think yoga will be terribly effective.

I'm getting excited about my training. Today I watched "The Spirit of the Marathon" http://www.marathonmovie.com/index2.html

I thought it was OK. I enjoyed the coverage of the elite runners, I didn't find the "average" marathoners (nothing average about marathoners btw) terribly engaging. I just feel that their individual stories weren't sufficiently developed. But it was a good movie to get me revved up for training :)

Running up a storm!

2009-01-11T15:41:00.002-05:00

I have been running a lot lately, but not posting much, I apologize. I've started a new job, and I don't have the time to post most days (given the choice of go running/go to the gym/go to yoga v. post on my blog, I always choose the workout).

Today was a wonderful run in a snowstorm. I purchased Yak Trax a few weeks ago, and I'm so grateful that I did. They are comfortable and perfect for running in slush and snow (I think on hard ice they would make things better, but slipping would still be a distinct fear). Anyway, I did 6.1 miles, most of which was in 3" of snow... it was like running in soft sand.

I feel great, and I'm looking forward to another run tomorrow night, and ideally a yoga class on Tuesday!

Which reminds me, I've been hitting up my Bikram yoga class a lot lately, and I have hit the camel pose (which has eluded me for ages) every time! It feels good :)

Merry Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T20:28:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

This morning I had a great 7.25 mile run with my running partner :) I'm super excited, it went so well. It was also a hella hilly route. She's great, she's much faster than me, but she helped me up the hills. It's so different being the "slow" person in a running relationship. I'm really happy that I let my guard down a little to start running with this new running buddy.

A little disappointment... balanced out with some excitement...

2008-12-22T06:27:00.002-05:00

I'm going to break my Hyannis 1/2 Marathon streak this year. This made me sad. I love this race, and have done it all but one year since I graduated from college. BUT, I'm going to Iceland that weekend... so I figure it all comes out in the wash... and maybe, just maybe I can run over there.........

I like ice and I like snow!

2008-12-21T14:33:00.001-05:00

Today I went running alone, for the first time in a few weeks actually... anyway, it's been snowing for over two days, and I went out and bought some "Yak Trax." They were great, they provided me with a lot of traction for my 4 miles today :)

Back from Radio Silence

2008-12-07T19:49:00.002-05:00

Hello, it's been a very long time since my last post... I feel like a bum for not posting lately.

Here's what's new with me... I have a new running buddy. She's a lady who lives around the corner from me. She pushes me to run hard, and to challenge myself. I've been running with her a couple of times a week for the past month or so.

I've made some big changes in that time.

Also, I've been struggling to find a marathon training plan. I don't know exactly what I want to do... I have some basic nuts and bolts marathon plans... but, I will admit, I'm intrigued by a plan that some friends have done that doesn't have any long runs over 16 miles. Don't let this plan fool you, there are MANY MANY MANY long-ish runs during the week (ex. run 10 miles Saturday, 16 Sunday... and more....)

So I'm trying to decide what I want to do... I like the idea of this very different plan, but I start a new job tomorrow, and I need to see how it all goes, and whether I have time to put in those long long midweek runs.

Since I'm starting my new job, I'm looking forward to having money to join a gym. I'm going to need access to a treadmill (I *so* wish I could have one at home... that would make my life about 1000% easier) and other XT equipment (cardio and weights). I also want to get myself to the pool at least once a week, and I want to do yoga... so I guess my point is, I need to fit all this really important stuff into my schedule.

In my opinion the yoga is not negotiable, so I need to iron out my schedule.....

Boston Marathon 2009

2008-11-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

Dear friends and family,

On Monday April 20, 2009, I am going to run my third marathon, my first Boston Marathon, to benefit seriously ill children through Team Hole in the Wall. This is a cause near and dear to my heart, as someone who has worked with children with disabilities and who has volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I decided that after passing the bar exam, I should give something back, to help those in need.

In addition to training, I have committed myself to raising $3,000 to help send a child with a life threatening illness to a Hole in the Wall Camp for a magical, life-changing experience. I would greatly welcome your support.

Childhood should be a carefree, happy time. For most children, it is. But for youngsters challenged by a serious illness like cancer or sickle cell anemia, childhood can be very different.

Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, Hole in the Wall Camps are the world's largest family of camps for children with life-threatening illnesses. Thousands of kids are served each year at no cost to them or their families.

Hole in the Wall Camps offer a critical experience in the life of a seriously ill child, encouraging the heart, enlarging the spirit, and empowering the will, all year long. Hone in the Wall Camps give these youngsters serious tools – tools they can take into the world to help meet the challenge of serious illness long after their time at Camp is over.

I hope you will join me in supporting this important mission with your tax-deductible gift. To sponsor me, visit teamholeinthewall.org. Click on "Be a Sponsor," select Boston Marathon, type in my name, Nina Villanova, and contribute to the goal of sending at least one child to a Hole in the Wall Camp.

While you're at it, check out what some of the campers and their parents have said about Hole in the Wall Camps (under "Get Inspired") and see if you don't agree that helping to change the life of a seriously ill child is pretty powerful stuff.

Many thanks for your support and encouragement!

With great appreciation,

Nina

Shredding it!

2008-10-29T20:58:00.002-04:00

Another day of Shredding... I did level 1 again.

I'm not a big fan of the narrative, but I do really like how low key the workout is... the instructors aren't dressed in fancy (or matching) outfits, they're just there to workout.

I have a running "date" with a much faster runner on Monday, I'm really excited... I think it's going to push me to run faster... I'm also scared out of my mind :-p

Another hardcore badass day!

2008-10-28T17:36:00.002-04:00

Today I got up, I thought it was way too gross outside to do anything, then I quickly came to my senses. I put on my Shred DVD, kicked it in "level 2" doing all sorts of really cool push-ups, and other strength building stuff... I feel buffer already!

Then I went for a 2 mile run, in the pouring rain B-) I am getting so much more hardcore!

Getting Shredded...

2008-10-20T09:29:00.002-04:00

SO some people I know suggested Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. I wasn't sure if I should buy it or not, I went through a workout DVD phase about 5-6 years ago, and my Tae Bo DVDs go unused now (although at the time I used to do them almost daily). I have a few yoga DVDs that I do love, but I also have some pilates DVDs that I don't use... so I wasn't sure if this would be a waste or not.

Anyway, I read the reviews on Amazon, re-read the suggestions of my friends, and read about the results they were seeing, and finally bought it.

I was so excited when it arrived. I was too busy to do it the day it arrived and the day after, but the next morning I woke up early and decided to give it a whirl. It's only 20 minutes, but OMG, it was really tough! I'm sore the next day, which is great, I really love that feeling!

I have only done this workout once, but I'm a big fan!

I missed a milestone...

2008-10-16T12:00:00.002-04:00

My last post was my 300th post!!! Wow... I've come and gone a long way since my first posts.

Anyway... today was a great run, short, sweet, and to the point. I cannot wait to do my next run... which lucky for me is tomorrow! Tomorrow's a short run.

I'm really starting to enjoy being back in the running business. I've got a plan to get back in shape, and to start doing long distance racing again next spring. I am trying to find the right balance between running, yoga, and strength training.

I just ordered a DVD called 30 Days to Shred, it's by the lady from Biggest Loser. While I'm not a fan of the show, some friends who have bought it say they are seeing results similar to when they were doing regular circuit training, so I'm hoping it will be good.

I will be posting much more frequently...

2008-10-14T08:18:00.001-04:00

Good morning! Just back from a great morning run... the first day of (gulp) marathon training. However, this isn't like marathons past... I am doing a building phase to get in shape for the training. I've been running off and on lately, and it's been more on lately, so, I have narrowed down my list of spring marathons, though I'm 99% sure which one it will be... and I'm going to "make it happen." I have some interim goals to keep me engaged when the going gets rough :)

I'm very excited, it feels good to have plans, goals, and my runner legs back under me again.

Accountability

2008-09-25T13:16:00.002-04:00

So I'm posting here to make myself accountable... my new shoes showed up last night... so I went out for a run today :) Running in new shoes is the best thing ever! I can't wait to ramp up my miles, but it's going to start out slow and go from there.

I am going to post a training schedule that begins next week... my goal race for right now is the Hyannis 1/2 Marathon in February... and ideally another marathon in the spring (March, April, May, June ish...) so if anyone has a suggestion for a great marathon, please let me know! I've run Vermont City and am not opposed to doing that again, but I would kind of like to run a marathon in every state (or at least many different states)... but I don't want to travel too far I don't think... but who knows.

Now I'm rambling!

The Running Shoes Are Coming! The Running Shoes Are Coming!

2008-09-18T11:14:00.002-04:00

I ordered new running shoes this morning... I should be up and running again soon!!!

Do you accept the challenge?

2008-09-15T19:33:00.002-04:00

As part of my "getting back on track" effort I have started, I have started on a challenge that a buddy said she was trying, the hundred push ups challenge. (http://hundredpushups.com)

Today was day one... and I am happy to say I made it through all the push ups required :)

A birthday row

2008-09-14T08:34:00.002-04:00

Usually I go for a run on my birthday... I either run for the same number of minutes as I am old (plus a minute for good luck of course), or I run a distance tied to my age (ex. on my 26th birthday I think I ran 2.7 miles).

Yesterday was the first time in years I have not run on my birthday. Instead I rowed. I rowed in a charity fund raising regatta in memory of a friend's wife who died of breast cancer almost 2 years ago.

Anyway, it wasn't a birthday run, but it was a meaningful experience.

A short run

2008-09-03T15:35:00.002-04:00

Today was a short run, but it was worth getting outside for. I hope to get into the routine of going running regularly.

Discipline

2008-09-02T14:18:00.002-04:00

Today I am pondering discipline, or lack thereof.

I reach points in my training where it is second nature to go out, no matter what, and run. I don't question the decision, I just go. There are other times, like right now, where no matter what I try, I just cannot get into the groove of things.

Each week it seems I go on a great run, declare my mission to be more disciplined to the world, and then I do not run again for at least a week.

I keep chalking it up to life transitions... out of law school... studying for the bar exam... taking the bar exam... decompressing after the bar exam... searching for a job... lather rinse repeat really.

So I am trying to figure out where running fits in there. I find it particularly frustrating because I coach rowing, I make it my job to make sure other people stay true to their goals and their discipline, but I cannot make it stick for myself.

I am not sure exactly what the point of this post is, except maybe that I need some discipline of my own.

On the road again

2008-08-28T08:56:00.002-04:00

Got myself up and out this morning. Only for a couple of miles, but it all starts with a single step.

A run and a row to report...

2008-08-27T19:00:00.002-04:00

I have put off posting on my blog because I wanted to upload pictures, but for some reason, it doesn't want to load.

Last Friday I went for a row in a racing single. I have not been in one of those boats in YEARS, and well, it was tippy. I almost tipped it right at the dock. But once I got going, it came back, like riding a bicycle. I rowed for about 40 minutes, which was nice.

Then Saturday morning I woke up on Nantucket Island (I went down on Friday night with some friends from college). I got up, and dutifully went out for a 40 minute run. It felt so good to be out on the Island.

So now on to making myself run when I'm on the mainland!

Not quite right...

2008-08-20T21:14:00.002-04:00

I went for another short run yesterday, but something was not quite right with my left hip... it hurts when I sit, feels fine once I'm up and moving around. I'm not sure what's going on, but my running and yoga are going to be dictated by how it feels. I think tomorrow I might try going for a walk and see how it feels.

Running again...

2008-08-16T14:20:00.002-04:00

This week I went for two short runs :) One that I documented on Tuesday, and another on Wednesday.

Went back to yoga on Friday.

Hoped to play tennis today, but it didn't work out... hopefully tennis will happen soon, along with more running.

I need new running shoes!

Gone Runnin'

2008-08-12T13:30:00.002-04:00

Per my agreement with myself, I went running today. I only ran 2 miles, but I ran, and that's what counts.

It was funny, while I was out running, I could feel the benefits of yoga. Ironically, I took up yoga to improve my running, but right now, I am focusing on yoga. HOWEVER, after going for today's run, I am hoping that I am back on the bandwagon. Ideally, I will go for another run tomorrow or Thursday.

I want to do yoga again tomorrow.

Bringing my pet camel home...

2008-08-11T14:23:00.005-04:00

When I got into Bikram Yoga the first time, I went out on a limb and bought the CD of Bikram teaching the class. I figured "hey this is great, I'll save time and money by doing the class at home!!!" The problem with doing the class at home is that it's not 105 degrees and humid in the room.

So today I threw on my winter running clothes, moved the full length mirror out of my parents' bedroom, and popped the CD in the player. It was a really great practice. It wasn't the same as going to class, I definitely missed the benefits of being in the heat, HOWEVER, there were a lot of benefits.

First, because of the lack of heat, I was able to hold some of the poses more easily. I was able to do camel with little to no problem. I think because it was cooler in the room, I didn't get dizzy, and I was able to do the camel.

Second, I can get farther into the poses than ever. It felt great today.

Third, over the weekend I discovered something stupid... for the first time in my life I can touch my toes!!!

More yoga to follow :-p I can't wait to do more in the hot room on Wednesday!

Feeling very ommmmmmmmmmmm

2008-08-08T14:02:00.003-04:00

Today's Bikram yoga practice was an interesting experience for several reasons. But before I get into it, I would just like to say, it left me feeling very good.

The first interesting thing to note is that my mum took a stab at Bikram today. I will let her share her experience for herself, but it's always interesting for me to note how far I have come. I too remember being afraid, scared, tired, dizzy, and frustrated. Sometimes I still have these feelings, but they are helping me to grow in my practice. The dizzy feeling comes from my body eliminating junk that is in my body, detoxifying. The frustration happens for all different reasons, some are reasons that have nothing to do with yoga, but with my brain being busy elsewhere, and some are because I am starting to push harder, but I'm not achieving what I think I should be achieving. I am learning to be more patient, and to accept what is going on in the world around me because I am learning to be more accepting IN class. The fear portion hasn't gone away yet... I don't know if it ever will. Sometimes we're just afraid. There are some poses that scare me, and I don't know why, but something tells me that I handle my life similarly in and out of the studio.

The second thing was that I am making clear progress in different poses. When we did standing bow position, I felt very comfortable going farther, seeing my toes above my head in the mirror, and balancing for almost the full minute before falling out of the pose. I am making progress in camel, I was able to reach full expression for a brief period, but this is much farther than before. I'm still afraid in that position, I need to learn to trust myself. I can tell I am making progress because I am more flexible in my life outside of yoga class.

Third, I am done with the bar exam, and it was amazing for me how much of a difference that seems to have made on my practice. I was able to go into class, and practice without the pending fear of the exam. That is not to say that I don't have other important things on my mind, but with such a major weight off my shoulders, it is amazing what a difference it has made in my yoga practice.

I cannot wait for my next class... I still have quite a ways to go.

Kayaking on a Sunday Afternoon

2008-08-04T08:12:00.003-04:00

The bar exam is OVER, and to celebrate that my mum and I headed down to Nantucket to visit a close friend of mine and her mother (my friend just took the bar exam as well). We had a wonderful time, wine tasting, eating wonderful food, and enjoying good company. Sunday morning, my friend and I went for a brisk walk on the beach. The soft sand of Nantucket was tough to walk in, my feet sank deep into the sand on every step. Then we scaled a cliff (literally, I wish I had a picture) so that we could do a walk by of a celebrity house we had discussed on our walk...

Mum and I headed out on an early boat and headed back to Hyannis where the family surprised her for her birthday. We headed down to Provincetown for an afternoon of Kayaking. We got stuck on the fringe of a thunderstorm, but that made us paddle home harder. We had a blast, and got in a good workout.

I still haven't accepted that I don't have to study anymore.....

One more day...

2008-07-31T06:35:00.000-04:00

The bar exam will be done by the close of business today :) I cannot wait... I can resume running and yoga when this is OVER!!!!

The bar exam is coming, the bar exam is coming!!!!

2008-07-28T19:22:00.002-04:00

Much like the brave Americans who fought the Revolutionary War, part of me would love to run and hide, but instead I am going to face the bar exam with all the ammunition that I have, give it my best shot, and hopefully wind up victorious after an arduous battle.

I have studied hard, and I am probably as ready as I will ever be.

I have preempted running, yoga, and everything else healthy in my life in order to devote myself to my studies, I know this was flawed logic, but it was the only way there seemed to be enough hours in the day.

Anyway... the bar is Wednesday and Thursday... Friday is recovery day... Saturday on Nantucket... Sunday is mum's birthday surprise, then I'm going to have a detox week... all yoga and healthy eating and running... it's going to be wonderful, and is what is motivating me to get to the other side of this exam.

My pet camel...

2008-07-26T10:45:00.003-04:00

It's been a ridiculous week... the bar will be over in less than a week, I'm crazy busy, and there doesn't feel like there's time for anything.

Today I made time for a yoga class with a friend. We were supposed to go yesterday, and she overslept, and really, it was all for the best because today was the most AMAZING class I have had since I resumed my yoga practice almost 3 months ago.

We got to the studio, and I thought "I'm going to have to sit out most of this class, I'm tired, I don't feel well, it's not happening." I took a look into the room and said "Oh, it's so crowded!" The instructor said "I prefer the crowded classes, there's an energy in the room that you don't get in the ones with lower attendance." I figured, "yeah right" and crammed myself into a corner up against the wall. I kept thinking "OK, my hand is going to hit the wall, what am I going to do, this is ridiculous."

I went through the first part of the class and felt like it wasn't really meshing, I kept falling out of my poses, and I was frustrated. Then all of a sudden I realized, normally I would have sat down and taken a break, but I didn't I kept pushing through, and it felt good. By the time we got to the floor series, I was ON, the poses were flowing together, I was able to push harder, try harder, give more, receive more.

Then... it began... FIXED FIRM POSE... I hate this one, I can never seem to do it, I'm so inflexible. But I tried a little harder, and it happened for me, and it felt GOOD. Then a few minutes later CAMEL POSE. Camel pose is the backward bend that you spend the whole class preparing for. Camel pose makes you feel a nauseous dizziness. I've been so afraid, I keep trying to nail that pose, and I don't get any farther than standing up on my knees before it becomes too much. Once again, I tried a little harder, and I finally got my camel! It happened, FINALLY, after 3 months. Bikram says that pose will strengthen and fix your back, and I can finally start that portion of my practice.

After class, I didn't feel dizzy like I usually do. I took the instructor's advice, and left everything that wouldn't serve me in the room. I felt good, calm and serene... I still have this odd calm over me, and I really like it. I feel like I could conquer the world (in a peaceful manner) right now, everything is good.

So, I am going to study all day, and reward myself again tomorrow morning with another camel. I'm pretty sure my parents don't want me to have a pet camel here at the house... but I can visit that camel any time I need at the studio.

Sometimes it's hard...

2008-07-21T17:05:00.003-04:00

Today's Bikram class reminded me of mile 20 of the marathon, you are so close, and yet, you still have 10K left to go.

I got to class, probably a little under-hydrated, and tired. I felt good at first, then it got hard. It was really hard, and every pose was a challenge. I even had to sit out one of my favorite poses because the heat in the room was really starting to get to me.

I had to sit out more of class than I wanted to. I wanted to have a really fabulous class, I even moved my mat to the middle section of the studio... feeling like I had graduated from absolute beginner. So of course, I was embarrassed when I felt like I wasn't doing well enough. I kept trying to feel better by looking for people in the front who also had to sit down, but pretty quickly I remembered, you go to yoga to improve yourself, not to compare yourself to others.

So, I decided to look at it this way... I have made big improvements, enough so that I have increased my confidence. I was confident enough to move to the middle of the room, and that's where I want to be. I tried my hardest at each pose.

I also remembered something my usual yoga instructor usually says (I had someone else today), each class is reflective of what is going on in our lives, sometimes when you are going through something, your practice will reflect that. The bar is less than 2 weeks away, and I have a feeling that is impacting my yoga practice.

So, when I left the room, I left everything that doesn't benefit me... I left the nervousness, and the stress, I left the body that doesn't feel like it's working hard enough, I left the part of me that compares myself to others behind... and hopefully, I will not need to shed them again, but if I do, I know that the yoga studio will be available to help me cleanse myself.

Bikram Running?

2008-07-20T10:43:00.002-04:00

For anyone who has done Bikram yoga, the term "Bikram running" will have one meaning, but I also found a second meaning in it... and both apply today.

Bikram yoga is done in a room well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and humid. Today my run was done in the heat and humidity. I was sweating just like I do in a Bikram class.

Bikram yoga also teaches improvement through patient practice, discovery by pushing through borders, and being happy as you are in the moment. It also teaches that you gain 100% of the benefit just by being there. So today, I applied these principals to my very short run. I realized that even if I had to walk a little, I would still get all the benefit, in some capacity.

So I did, I ran, I walked, I felt my boundaries, I was happy in the moment, I pushed hard when things got challenging, I let myself walk when I had to... and now I'm happy :)

Hampton Beach

2008-07-12T10:38:00.003-04:00

This morning was a great run from my friend's house in Hampton, NH along the waterfront all the way down to the Hampton Beach strip, for a round trip of about 5 miles.

I haven't been running anywhere near enough lately, so it was really great to get out there, and really run. My favorite thing to do while I'm running is to people watch, and Hampton Beach was full of people to watch from the surfers up at the residential end of the beach to the beach goers at more honky tonk end of the beach, there was never a dull moment.

It felt great to be a Nini in motion again, I feel really energized for the day ahead. Now that my bar review class is wrapping up, I will have time to run again!!!

Got this... thought it was great!

2008-07-09T19:32:00.000-04:00

1. Don't make running your life, make it part of your life.
2. Don't compare yourself to other runners.
3. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
4. Don't always run alone.
5. Don't always run with people.
6. The best runs sometimes come on the days you didn't feel like running.
7. All runners are equal; some are just faster than others.
8. There are no short cuts to run excellence.
9. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
10. Don't try to out run dogs.
11. With out goals, training has no purpose.
12. Go for broke, but prepare to be broken.
13. Runners who never fail are runners who never tried anything great.
14. Running is simple. Don't make it complicated.

The wonders of finding what works for you...

2008-07-07T13:52:00.002-04:00

So, right now I'm kind of in a running funk. I don't feel like it, I don't have time for it (which could probably be remedied fairly easily by shuffling some things around, but it's not right now), and I'm kind of having an affair with Bikram yoga.

I'm still running a couple of times a week, but nothing like I would otherwise want to do. As I've lamented over and over this summer, I'm studying for the bar exam, and I will be honest, it's ruining my will to do just about everything. I want running to stay fun, so I keep trying to make sure I run with a buddy, or when I'm really jazzed for it, or something like that. (I'm really sorry to use a phrase like "jazzed," I would change it, but I'm suffering from studying brain fry...)

But, the one thing I really can't stop doing is Bikram. I find myself thinking about Bikram yoga when I'm not in class. When I'm in class I feel like I'm on top of the world. Even though the class is really hard, and I usually am wishing it was over, I have these moments that I best compare to runners' high. When a pose starts to become easier, and I can feel the boundaries between the limits on my body and trying my hardest pushing farther and farther away, I start to feel really good.

Even when a posture doesn't feel good, it's hard for me that day and I am struggling with it, it gives me something to focus on.

In class yesterday, things felt good... I was reaching clarity on the poses, and I was feeling great. I fell out of pose after pose as I pushed my boundaries, and I couldn't help but laugh at myself, which the instructor told me was a sign that I was growing.

Then when it came to one of the tough the instructor suggested that a newcomer watch me because I do a particularly good job with that pose. I was so happy that I was no longer the newcomer, but am starting to establish my practice in the room with everyone else.

Anyway, I'm not giving up on running, not by a long shot, but I will tell you, during yoga class, I have so much else to think about, I can't even begin to worry about the bar exam or anything else... and that's a pretty wonderful feeling.

The best part of waking up...

2008-07-03T12:58:00.002-04:00

Is not Folgers in your cup... sorry Folgers! I think the best part of waking up is knowing you've got a friend stopping by soon to go for a run.

I ate a nice healthy breakfast, and waited for her to come by. When she got here we did a really nice 3.5ish mile run. We ran along the waterfront, up a very steep hill, and then stretched at the beach. Stretching at the beach is good for me, it forces me to stretch, and I want to stretch longer because I am in a beautiful environment.

She and I are going to work out a schedule to do that again, and she vows to conquer the hill the next time we go out, how cool is that!?!

Looking forward to tomorrow!

2008-07-02T22:00:00.000-04:00

Going running with a good friend. I love scheduling runs with friends more than anything... it holds me accountable on my run and it makes the run more fun!

Frustration has its value...

2008-07-01T13:17:00.003-04:00

I think that frustration is what leads us to try harder, to push a little more, to put more time into something.

Today I did another Bikram class. For some reason this one was really hard for me, harder than usual. It was SO hot in that room today, but I had to keep pushing. I was irritated with myself because I don't have the time to do the class more often, and I was blaming myself for not being "good enough." But as I settled into class, I really focused on doing the best that I could do, because that is all that any of us can do at any given time.

It turned out to be a very small class, so I was able to get a lot of attention from the instructor. I had an amazing time. I was able to push harder, and farther. I got really positive feedback from the instructor, and I was encouraged to try even harder. I watched myself in the mirror while I moved from side to side, trying poses that are hard for me, and I discovered I was able to do some poses that I haven't been able to do before. My half moon position was beautiful, I was able to push farther to the side than before. I was able to achieve toe stand on both toes, and I was able to do other thing that have challenged me.

Anyway, I pushed hard, and it felt good, and I am making progress.

The frustration comes in from not being able to do the class more often, I know I *could* be much better, but the reality is, until the bar exam, I can only do one class a week, and I'm going to make the most of that time I have.

After class I stayed in the room laying in the savasana pose, and enjoyed being there in the room, in the moment, and feeling very good. I can't wait to go back. When I watch myself in the mirror in the poses no matter what I think of myself outside of class, I look and feel strong, I'm impressed with my strong shoulders, my powerful legs, and my graceful bow pose.

Namaste.

A good running partner is a terrible thing to waste.

2008-06-29T21:10:00.002-04:00

So, I won't waste mine :-p

I ran 8 miles with my mum today. It was a great run, especially when you consider I haven't been running much (enough, whatever modifier you want to use here). It was a long run for me, I've only been running stuff in the neighborhood of 3 miles.

I always envy my mum's running though. She's slow and steady, but she is committed to longer mileage. It feels like I can't commit to that type of mileage as readily as she does. So I think our running together is a good thing, because I force her to run a little bit faster than she's used to, and she forces me to slow down and get extra miles in.

I was pleasantly surprised by how good I felt at the end of 8 miles, I'm feeling it, don't get me wrong, but it feels good! Anyway, I hope she'll let me be her running buddy a few more times this summer!

Olympic Trials

2008-06-28T20:29:00.002-04:00

Watching the US Olympic Track & Field trials tonight... oh, SO inspiring. I love watching the sprinters, it's such a different sport than the distance running that I love, but I really enjoy watching.

Anyway, it's inspiring, and I'm looking forward to my run tomorrow! (provided of course my stomach has settled down - it's been very angry for about a day now)

Cobblestone roads

2008-06-26T12:48:00.002-04:00

take me home
to the place I belong
streets of Boston, feeling Strong
take me home, cobblestone roads.

(Sung to John Denver's Country Roads)

Today's run was crazed if nothing else. As my earlier blog post mentioned I forgot socks, then I realized I never ate breakfast (breakfast sandwich w/o meat at Dunks... yum!), then I was in a good study groove, then I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch. All the while, in the back of my mind, I was worrying about the run. The run which has been so elusive lately.

So I rescheduled the lunch and headed out for a run. As I headed out, I ached, I wasn't sure if it was psychosomatic, or if something actually hurt, so I took it easy and I think it was actually that my body was stiff from lack of activity. After about five minutes I was up to some type of normal speed. Then I was thinking "yeah, this is cool... why don't I do this more often???"

Then the next thing I knew, I was kicking myself for not running enough, a general negative feeling came over me. I had lost that temporary euphoria I had enjoyed earlier. Then the rain started. At first I thought "why me???" Then that euphoria returned and I thought "thanks for raining on ME!!!"

Running in the (gentle) rain is one of those gifts that nature gives you, it cools you off, and it forces you to appreciate what you are doing. I was out there running, the very thing I had been craving all day. Then magically the last traces of that bad attitude went away.

So I decided to keep it fun and ran to the aquarium to see the seals out in front, then I continued on my merry way, running over the cobbles mentioned earlier. Those made me smile, and reminded me of how much I love running in Boston.

Unfortunately, that meant my run was coming to a close, but I was OK with that. I will have to make more time for running, but I left myself wanting more, and that is better than leaving myself

Frustration of purpose...

2008-06-26T09:01:00.002-04:00

I *will* post later to announce that I have gone running.

I coxed a crew this morning at 5:10 AM... holy bright and early Batman! My plan was to run before my class... but I got to school only to realize my socks were missing, so I decided to go to the computer lab where I discovered my class wasn't happening today (we have some irregular days off), BUT, I made an appointment in the city for 2 PM, you know, right after class (eyeroll), so I can't go home.

Anyway, I will hang out in the library, study, buy socks, then go running, use wipies and apply fresh 'odorant, eat a Chacarero, study some more, meeting, then home shower, nap :-p

A bit undecided...

2008-06-22T10:35:00.002-04:00

So today was a yoga class. I shoot for at least one session of Bikram yoga per week. This is tough because it's not exactly next door (about 15-20 minutes away... not terrible, but not terribly convenient either), then there's the cost ($15/class = more than my income :-p), and the fact that it's 90 minutes... AND Bikram (and therefore all of his instructors) discuss how you've now entered the 105 degree torture chamber. So you can see how forces are against the rational person ever attending this class. Oh, and I forgot, you're *supposed* to go daily, or at least 5 times a week, to get all the benefits, but that's not feasible for me right now, and thankfully the instructors have suggested that if 1x/week is all you can do, it's far better than 0x/week.

So I woke up this morning with a tummy upset. I wasn't really sure if the yoga studio was the best place for that feeling, but I decided, "you know what... get there... all you have to do is get into the room and breathe, everything else is optional."

Class started and I was feeling OK, then I was feeling downright intrepid. I really pushed myself to reach those limits that we are told to push throughout the class. It was funny, when I applied myself how much more I could achieve, and how much more I could feel. I felt strong, I felt myself grow, I felt my spirit change.

I thought I let myself down on a few poses, where I didn't give it my all. But I had to remember, those are the places where I will improve, and those are the places that I have to learn to push. During the back bend poses they tell you to have "no fear" and unfortunately I had lots of fear during the second set. I have to learn to have no fear.

I have to apply this doctrine of no fear going forward.

Return to Running

2008-06-21T22:30:00.000-04:00

So I talk a good game on this blog... "gotta get back to running" "gotta follow a plan..." but what I've found is that bar review knocks every sense of schedule you have for a massive loop.

So my uncle is on the Cape for his yearly vacation there, and he invited the whole family to go down and run a race with him. So that was my triumphant return to running... though it was less than triumphant on some levels, it was very triumphant on others.

So first, the criticism, I was out of shape, I didn't run as quickly as I could have, I still had plenty left in the tank at the end of my 5K.

Now, the realizations and the positive stuff I noticed. I felt pretty good even though it was harder than I felt that it should have been, I held back a little to avoid the familiar trap of "too much too soon" and I didn't feel like my run was OVER when I crossed the finish line, I wanted to keep going. Cool!

I'm not sure how my running is going to progress from here, b/c honestly, my schedule is a bit... how shall we say... ridiculous right now, but that's OK... the point is, I'm over the big hurdle, and I feel great!

Rowed again yesterday...

2008-06-19T20:34:00.002-04:00

I filled in for one of the rowers on the high school team who didn't make it to practice. It's a little tough to row with my bandaged finger, but that's OK.

Today I went out and got a pedicure, so I didn't want to run on my pretty "Dating a Royal" blue toes :-p I've gotta stop being like this!

I'm running a 5K on Saturday, and I haven't been running in ages, but that's OK, hopefully, this race will return me to my regular running scheduled Nini. I won't lie, bar review is really cramping my running style.

Rowing.,.. for real...

2008-06-16T16:38:00.002-04:00

So I haven't posted for a while.

I know I've explained it before, but my IT band was acting up, so I took some time off... then I did a lot of Bikram yoga, which is SO awesome!!! Hurt my hand over the weekend, afraid to try yoga today b/c I have to interlace my fingers, and I can't... d'oh!

BUT, I was able to go for a row with a colleague today. She's looking for someone to row in the double with more often, and I am available for it. It felt great to be on the water, oars in hand rowing all over the Harbor. It was such a nice row, I got some advice for improvements I can make to my rowing. You might ask, if your hand hurts, how did you row? I taped my fingers so that I could hold the oars, and I just went from there.

Anyway, rowing comes back to you like riding a bicycle. And don't tell running I said this, but I might love rowing more than running, but I'm not giving up on running! I' going tomorrow (if I can get off my lazy butt!)

Another yoga class under my belt...

2008-06-08T17:51:00.002-04:00

Had a great yoga class today :) I think I am ready to run again.

I know yoga is not about how much you can stretch or bend, but what you get out of the practice of actually doing it... but today I got into this really cool toe stand pose, and I was pretty proud of myself :)

So excited to start running again, I might wait until this heat wave breaks though...

Twisty... kind of like a pretzel...

2008-05-31T18:49:00.002-04:00

And probably twice as salty :D

I put another Birkam class in the books this afternoon... it felt great, I seem to respond really well to this class. But boy do I sweat like it's nobody's business! It feels so good, and I was able to drag a friend today, who is excited to go back... YAY a Bikram-buddy!

I'm feeling really great right now, another class or two and I'll get back out on the roads and start running, I can literally feel my IT band loosening up with every class.

Time to regroup?

2008-05-28T22:29:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure what my running schedule is going to look like during bar review... this class and the study time outside of class are going to mess with the plans I had. I'm going to give it a week, and try to figure it out.

On the up-side, I feel AMAZING after that Bikram class yesterday. I am SO looking forward to the next one. I am "good" sore, but it's different than post-run good sore... I love it!

So glad I made it to Bikram!

2008-05-27T12:05:00.002-04:00

I made it to Birkam yoga class this morning, for the first time in.... oh... over 2 years (this reminds me of that part in Confession when you say "bless me father I have sinned, it has been _____ since my last Confession).

Anyway... I really resisted going, I wanted to go, I knew I had to go, but I also knew it would be hard work.

Needless to say, after the 90 minute sweat-fest, my hip feels 89% better :-p Not quite 100%, but the improvement is remarkable.

I am going to try to make it a couple of times a week to keep my hip happy.

Photos from the perfect post-run experience

2008-05-25T11:23:00.003-04:00

This was the view from my post-run stretching and lunch location. I love the summer.

I look forward to making this location one of my more regular summer running routes.

First weekend of summer...

2008-05-24T22:27:00.002-04:00

Means the first run of the summer.

Today was an easy couple of miles with a friend who doesn't really run much. I am having bad IT band problems again (I really need to do some yoga, I'm just not sure when I can make that happen), so I was happy to run with someone substantially slower than I am, HOWEVER, even after a slow run, my IT band was angry... I'm so frustrated with this... ah well, I really do know what I have to do to fix the situation...

After the run, we were going to grab a bagel sandwich, but bagged that idea and grabbed subs at Maria's, then ate them by the lighthouse... perfect summer day!

While eating at the jetty, all the people who passed us commented on how perfect that meal was. Healthy, no. Perfect, yes!

Then on the way home, I realized how it really is summer again, when we had to stop to let a golf cart cross the street!

Gone rowin'

2008-05-21T21:53:00.003-04:00

Today was a workout on the erg. I noticed a few things about this workout. The first thing is that the erg requires discipline, something that I am often lacking. The second thing is that I need to push myself harder on the erg. I found that I was able to pull pretty good numbers for the middle 10 minutes of the workout, but by the end, my head just wasn't in it anymore, and I just didn't stick with it. So, I'm going to mix things up in the future and not just do 30 minute steady state workouts. I am going to learn how to push myself.

I am trying to work on a schedule that meets my work, class, study, and athletic needs for the summer. I gather it is going to be a tall order to make all this work out.

Next week is my first week of this fun, so I'm thinking, the days I work at the "far away" boathouse, I will use their rowing machines to work out. The days I work at the "near home" boathouse, I will run there and back, or bike there, or something like that. The goal of this is to confine my working out to a time when I can not be expected to study...

I will keep you posted!

Legs of Steel?

2008-05-20T13:41:00.001-04:00

Well, that would be cool, but unfortunately today's run was with legs of lead. Blah! My legs were so heavy and they didn't want to run. I was able to force them through 2 miles, then a trip to the beach to do some stretching.

I really hope that my next run is more productive, but at least I got out there today!

Row Row Row...

2008-05-15T22:49:00.002-04:00

Today I got back in the boat.

First I did a 30 minute piece on the erg while I did some brainstorming for the boathouse. It felt great to be outside, and getting a workout in. So 30 minutes isn't too long, but I have not done a piece on the erg in years. I hopped on, and it felt good. My only goal for this "light" piece was to keep the split time (the amount of time it takes you to row 500 meters) below 2:30. I made my goal, but now I really need to step it up.

After that, one of the rowers needed to leave early, so I filled her seat and rowed for the last 20 minutes of practice. It wasn't any big deal, but I really miss being on the water. Going to have to start rowing more often!

A little run

2008-05-14T13:52:00.002-04:00

Today was just a little run, but it felt good, and the weather was perfect, and I actually ran at a pretty decent pace (compared to what I thought I would do).

It feels great to be out there running regularly again! I can't wait to get out there for another 3-4 miles tomorrow.

Sportsmanship at its finest

2008-05-14T13:47:00.003-04:00

Even though this story happened a week or so ago, I think it is one of the most amazing examples of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Since I coach young female athletes, I love stories like this, and I hope I can instill similar values in them.

When at first you don't succeed...

2008-05-12T22:30:00.002-04:00

SCHEDULE YOUR RUN!

I booked some time tomorrow to run with a friend after work... that's the ticket to making sure my run happens!

FREEDOM!

2008-05-08T08:16:00.002-04:00

I finished school on Tuesday. I cannot believe law school is over. So I celebrated on Wednesday with a 3 mile run around Boston. I departed from the law school and headed down toward the waterfront. Ran around down there, ran up and down the hills in the North End. This has been a staple run for me throughout law school. I will miss this course terribly, though, odds are yesterday wasn't its last hurrah. I will be studying for the Bar exam this summer, and so I'll be in the city, and who knows, this run may make a cameo or two.

Magical Monday Morning

2008-05-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

I got to go for a beautiful run by the beach with my mum on Monday morning. What a great way to celebrate the second to last day of school.

It's one of my favorite routes to follow, especially when the weather is good. It has felt good getting back to running regularly. I really enjoy getting out there.

Today will be a more urban run, but there's beauty in the city too.

Castle Island

2008-05-04T12:07:00.004-04:00

Sometimes when the weather is nice, Castle Island is the perfect Sunday morning run. Running out around the fort, and then the Sugar Bowl, with water on both sides of you, is running perfection.

But most of my memories of this course have nothing to do with sunshine, and cooling ocean breezes... it seems like every time I run this course it's either cold, rainy, snowing, or some combination of those things. But the one thing that this course always provides is good company. I am usually running with my cousin, or I'm in a race, or today, I was with mum and my cookie uncle.

Today it was pouring out, I had the foresight to wear a white shirt, and my pants were foaming (you know how clothes get in the rain sometimes?), but we had a great time talking about all sorts of stuff (what is discussed in Southie stays in Southie).

But the rain didn't seem to matter, we had a great time, and it was a nice way to visit with my uncle, and to talk with him and my mum.

Off roading!

2008-04-28T09:34:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was Blue Hills trail races. I did the 5K... I have always wanted to do the 10 miler, but I don't do enough trail running to really feel comfortable with that.

This is one of my favorite races because it's a friendly little trail race (even though I've personally seen the race expand from 30 runners to 250 over the last three years). I find that the trail running community is a little more fun and more relaxed than the road race crowd, and I prefer it.

Doing this race has inspired me to do more trail running, and to get into mountain running over the past three years. I also enjoy training runs out on the trails now.

Instead of a proper race report, I thought I would post some pictures.

My shoes love being back on the trail, not that they didn't enjoy running on the dirt roads in Sweden, they just prefer the rocky trails of home :)

Lining up at the start. As you can see, even with 250 people it is a small crowd. You start on an access road headed uphill, but you switch to the trail, going uphill very quickly.

Trail races are marked with lime on the ground, and sometimes with colorful markers hanging from trees or staked into the ground (which are always removed as soon as the race is over). This was mile 2! It's a little more bad-assed than regular road race signs.

Running running running... look at the ground, you can see, this is a rocky course. Even though it doesn't look *so* bad, those rocks are really uneven, and you have to pay very careful attention to your footing.

OK, this picture isn't poignant to anyone but me probably, but maybe you can see how muddy my ankles were :) This gives rise to one of my favorite mottos... "dirt in the skirt!"

Anyway, it was a wonderful trail race... lots of fun with a great friend... and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Happy trails!

A good running partner is terrible thing to waste...

2008-04-25T12:49:00.002-04:00

My week of returning to a good running pattern is going swimmingly! Even with yesterday's missed run, I will still get in 4 runs this week.

Today I ran with a friend from college, the one who I wrote about a few weeks ago running her first 5K. Well, she lives near a great running spot, and commented a few days ago that we should meet there and run.

So, I got in touch with her this morning, and we decided to meet to run the beach today. It was a perfect day for 4.3 miles. The beach air was perfect, the company was ideal, and the run was wonderful... the miles just flew by.

We've decided we're going to meet to do this more often! And so, a running-partnership is born.

There's nothing wrong with a 2 mile run

2008-04-23T12:05:00.003-04:00

Well, I guess that's a subjective comment.

I have a few thoughts on this...

First... my return to running since I came back from Sweden was sub-par, which is upsetting to me b/c I've been back for five months now. I'm starting to get it together, but it's a long process. Because I would like to do longer races again in the fall, I need to build up the base now. That means a lot of shorter distances now. And it means actually DOING the base-building, not just thinking about it.

Second... I'm in the middle of finals, paper writing, finishing up law school... you get the picture. This morning I woke up early, but not early enough... I needed to go running, to get some energy for the day, but I didn't have time for anything more. So I laced up, went for 2 miles, and came back feeling good.

So what does this mean? Well, I am not looking to top out at 2 miles for most of my runs. I am looking to make sure I establish a pattern of running, get up and get out there. I am doing the 2 mile runs to strengthen my legs. It is through these shorter runs that I will be better able to support the weekend long runs.

Plus, I know that tomorrow I will have at least a 2 hour break between classes, which means I'll bring my running clothes to school and get a nice run in (more than 2 miles) around the city :)

Three miles between marathons...

2008-04-21T09:42:00.002-04:00

So I ran three miles, because as my uncle Steve pointed out... if I want to make it to the trials in 4 years, I need to get out there and run, even if it's hot, or rainy, or I am busy... so there ya go.

Off to spectate at the Boston Marathon in a few minutes.

Almost famous... or my brush with the rock stars of the running world.

2008-04-20T21:39:00.001-04:00

Sometimes we are lucky enough to be able to give back to something that is special to us. Today was one of those times for me, because I had the opportunity to volunteer at the US Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials. For me this was a chance to give back to women’s athletics. For anyone who knows me, you know, this is something I am passionate about.

In high school I became a rower, and I had the chance to row in college. Because of Title IX, I was a D1 competitor. Now I coach an all-girls crew team, and I work primarily with the girls in a co-ed high school crew team. I remind them regularly that I’m young, and I’ve always had it “pretty good” in the sports world, but that they even have it better than women my age, and to never take that for granted.

So fast-forward to today… I had the privilege to be a course monitor for the Trials. While this job was minor in its significance overall, it was special to me, it was my chance to give these ladies a little time out of my day to show my respect for what they do.

The ladies ran 4x around a loop of Boston, and it was my job to stand on the corner of Comm Ave and Gloucester, and keep spectators from interfering with the race. Along with getting to help, I got a really cool view of the race, I didn’t stand behind the barriers ;-)

They were strong, and they were fast. Watching an all-ladies field of competitors run through the streets of Boston was special to me. On every lap I began to feel like I knew the ladies personally. Starting to pick up their names as family and friends screamed in support of their girls, I began “rooting” for different women as they went by, I had some favorites, but I was in awe of them all.

One of the things that struck me was that most of these ladies are just “regular runners,” kind of like me, only they’re a lot faster, and train a lot more. OK, so maybe not so much like me, but kind of, and that was a nice feeling. Some of them ran by in high tech two-piece get-ups, but some of them wore outfits that I think I actually have in my running clothes drawer, some kind of loose, longer than split, shorts and a white tech shirt, yep, I have that. And they weren’t all sponsored, and they didn’t necessarily belong to high profile running clubs, though some of them did.

I also loved that some of the women achieved “rock star” status. Deena Kastor was the favorite, and people kept asking “how’s Deena doing!?!” Then this woman no one could identify but for her number, 43, had a commanding lead, and there was an aura of mystery surrounding her…

Then there was Joan (Benoit Samuelson, pictured above). She really was the rock star of the race. The crowd (and I mean crowd of thousands) went wild for her on every lap. And why shouldn’t they? This woman is a champion in so many ways, and a real trailblazer in women’s sports.

After the fourth lap of the course, we ditched our post (well, all the runners had gone by) and hurried to catch the finish. We thought #43 was still in the lead, but the big screens along Boylston were focused on Deena! Somewhere between their fourth pass by my post and the finish Deena had overcome a sizeable lead, and was striding down Boylston like a champion. #43 was not far behind. The two of them had a commanding lead over anyone else. Joan’s finish was amazing too, she changed hats, and put on a Red Sox hat before the finish. It was great seeing her run down Boylston St. with her Sox hat on, and the crowd went wild!

I guess women’s athletics have come into their own, and seeing these ladies achieve rock star status was really fulfilling for me, on a lot of levels, and a whole lost more special because I was a part of it as a volunteer.

Hot sweaty make-up run...

2008-04-18T13:52:00.002-04:00

Just got back from a really nice 4 mile run in the hot spring sun. It was the first run of the year where shorts and a t-shirt were a necessity. It felt so nice to be out there.

Anyway, it was just supposed to be a 3 miler, but the weather was perfect, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can't wait to get out there again as soon as possible!

Star-crossed Lovers

2008-04-17T13:48:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I think running and I are star-crossed lovers... I haven't been running since Saturday I haven't been able to fit it into my schedule between work and school.

I think it's been for the best, I've had a stupid nagging pain in my foot, which I am hoping is all in my head. I'll put it to the test when I go running tomorrow... I'm really looking forward to running in the beautiful spring weather. It will be a beautiful reunion... just running and me.

Haven't run since Saturday...

2008-04-16T08:22:00.003-04:00

Yipes!

I hate when I go through these phases where it feels like I can't sneeze without ending up off schedule. This has been one of those weeks, and I think that it's going to be like this until May 6 (when my last final is over).

Ended up not running with the kids yesterday because there were too many of them and I needed to coach a group of them instead of doing a large group run.

Tomorrow there should be time to run!

There's a first time for everything...

2008-04-12T11:36:00.004-04:00

And today it was my friend Kristin's first race.

The weather was awful when I got up, then as race time was getting closer the thunder and lightening began. Luckily, the rain stopped just before we got to the start. The sun came out and it got very warm.

This race was kind of fun because instead of an entry fee, you donate 25 cans of food to a local food pantry. So we stumbled into the room where they were collecting with bags of food, and then got our numbers and shirts, and met up with Kristin's friend from work who was going to run with us.

Right before the race began, the sun went behind a cloud and it cooled down a lot. It felt like it was going to rain again any second, but that wasn't the case. So we set a nice steady pace, we took a walk break in the middle, and then finished up strong, in about 36 minutes. And the rain held off for us, which was great.

It was a really good race, everyone felt very good afterwards, and we had a lot of fun, and that's really what it's all about.

As for my own goals, I'm just happy that I ran 3x this week... I'm shooting for 4x next week, then upping the mileage.

As Kanye West Says....

2008-04-11T12:32:00.002-04:00

"Now that doesn't kill me/Can only make me stronger."

This week I had a little scare. I had a nice run on Tuesday, I was a happy camper, I wanted to run again on Wednesday, but I got up that morning, checked my e-mail, got an e-mail I was very excited about, I thought... "yup, everything's coming up Nina!" On my way to the kitchen to make breakfast I fainted. Forced myself to eat breakfast, fainted again a little while later. So a day of doctors appointments an EKG and bloodwork later, the doctor decided it was likely an isolated incident, and let's hope it doesn't happen again.

Well, let's say, I was sufficiently freaked out. Thursday was the most beautiful day in the history of the world, and I didn't run. I was tired, and a little afraid.

But I woke up this morning, and decided it was still beautiful, and well worth my while to try running. So I got out there, and did a really nice 3 mile run, which is good because I am running a 5K with a friend tomorrow who is running her first race. Admittedly, it was one of the best runs I've had in the last month or so.

It just felt good to be out there, in the beautiful weather, with the sound of nature in my ears. Oh, and it also felt good to use my run to drop off my Netflix envelope at the post office!

Running knows I've been cheating...

2008-04-08T20:02:00.003-04:00

New Balance has these great new ads...

I feel like running and I have off again/on again since I've been back from Sweden... if you look back over my blog entries since then, you'll see this pattern of "yep, I'm starting a pattern, I'm back for good" etc... well, I hope that today's run really was the start of a beautiful relationship that will last for years.

Anyway, these ads apply to me a little more than I care to admit.

Flash Forward...

2008-04-05T21:20:00.003-04:00

Or how to face your demons a few months ahead of schedule...

I drove up to New Hampshire to clear my head. We ended up at Loon Mountain, and it occurred to me... I'm going to have to run up this mountain in a few months, so we pulled the car over, got a parking spot, and I studied the mountain. Somehow, it's not so scary looking when people are skiing and snowboarding and having an overall good time.

Anyway, it was really good to get a look at the mountain, to remind me what I'm training for, and what my goals are. I posed for a few pictures in front of the mountain, just so I would have something to look at to get ready for the whole summer mountain racing series... something to help me keep my focus.

And for the record, that photo doesn't do the whole mountain, or the course that the race follows justice, but *I* know what it's all about!

A few thoughts...

2008-04-04T21:19:00.000-04:00

Ran with the high school crew team on Thursday... it kicked my ass. It was a very short run, but it was speed work b/c some of those girls are FAST. I did my first mile and a half with the slow girls... that did not kick my ass... but the second run I did was with three fast girls... I kept up, but boy... it was a little faster than I am used to!

Ceteris Paribus

2008-03-29T15:40:00.002-04:00

Latin, meaning "with all other things being equal."

OK, so what does this have to do with running? Well, I guess it probably doesn't for most people, but today it did for me.

As I set out on my run, I had a lot on my mind, and I always love running because it helps me put everything in order. So I set out and was trying to think through some stuff, but for some reason the only thing that kept coming to mind was ceteris paribus. Ceteris paribus, ceteris paribus, ceteris paribus... why wouldn't that thought go away?

So I finally allowed my thoughts to turn to "ceteris paribus." It's a term usually used in economics, but it doesn't really apply to real life, because in the real world you can't say "well, if I make this decision, ceteris paribus, everything will turn out OK."

Well, then I thought about it... maybe you can't apply ceteris paribus thinking outside of the world of economic theory, but that's not really true, is it? You can control certain things, keeping them constant. It's not healthy to control most things, but there are some things you can certainly control, on a healthy level, and in being more constant you are better off.

Running... I can keep running a constant... whenever I keep running constant... things seem better. So maybe the point was that running is my "ceteris paribus." Does that make any sense? It made sense to me. So whenever I evaluate my life and my choices, I can apply "ceteris paribus" logic... and just know that running will be the constant that pulls me through.

On the Road Again...

2008-03-27T16:26:00.002-04:00

This morning I hemmed and hawed and did everything in my power to avoid running. But why? I love running. For some reason, I go through these phases where I just don't want to run, no matter what I have looming on the horizon, I just.don't.want.to.run. The situation is usually easily remedied when I force myself out the door a few days in a row.

Anyway, I laced up my shoes and headed out. It was just a short run, though I did throw a hill in for good measure.

So now I know it's that simple, just lace up the shoes and head out the door.

Getting Excited

2008-03-26T07:49:00.002-04:00

My running club was asked to volunteer at the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials which are being held in Boston this year. Obviously I signed up to help. It is going to be so exciting to see those ladies in action! Plus I get a long-sleeved shirt out of the deal ;-) Hopefully I will grow a little inspiration!

Feed the Need

2008-03-25T21:42:00.003-04:00

I just registered for the Feed the Need race in Wampatuck State Park. The entry fee is 25 cans of food. That should be very doable.

I'm excited, it's a 5K on a course I like, with a friend who is doing her first 5K :) I really look forward to running with her, it's something she's wanted to do for a long time.

So this made me think... I should feed my own need. I registered for the Mt. Wachusett race, that should be a good jumping off point for the races I would like to do this summer.

Now... let the training begin!

Easter Sunday, a beautiful run day...

2008-03-23T19:27:00.002-04:00

Today I did a run-walk with Gabe. It was only 2 miles, but we didn't have much time before dinner. It was a beautiful day, and I didn't want to run, but Gabe convinced me, and I'm glad he did.

It was a great run, and I did the big hill near me.

I didn't get a number for Mt. Washington, but I really need to kick ass and get training anyway... I'm going to select 3 mountain races for the summer, and go from there... I think Wachusett Mountain, Loon Mountain, and ________.

Anyway... that's all I've got.

Lazin' on a Sunny Afternoon.... is not for me!

2008-03-09T20:32:00.004-04:00

Today was the beginning of mountain running training for mum and I. We went to the local ski slope and ran up the access road. I have to say, for 13 minutes of uphill running, I think it went really well.

My calves were tight, but that was OK. They're going to be, and that is why I have to start this training slowly. I am going to focus on stretching and massaging the tight muscles to make sure they stay injury free through this training cycle.

I can't wait until we are doing repeats of the hill regularly. Nothing feels better than getting to the top of a big hill over and over and over... and hell, it's a great metaphor for all sorts of stuff too...

I forgot to mention...

2008-03-02T23:02:00.003-05:00

Today I entered the lottery for the Mt. Washington Road Race. Right up there with the marathon, this race has been a life long dream for me... hopefully mum and I will get numbers for the race!

Instead of marathon training this summer, I'm dedicated to running mountain races... like some of them say... the good thing is "there's only one hill."

Is it wrong that I'm a little delighted by that motto? I've run a couple of mountain races before, the first was Mt. Wachusett two summers ago. I talked my mum and a friend into running with me. The friend kicked all of our butts, but mum and I both did a pretty respectable job (Keith Richards comments aside).

Last summer, mum and I ran the Loon Mountain trail run, so did my uncle. That was the hardest race I think I've ever done, and my uncle (a Mt. Washington veteran, and a several-marathons-a-year kind of runner), agreed with me, so I didn't think I was so crazy.

Anyway, I'm so excited for the summer races I have planned....

Starting Anew

2008-03-02T18:41:00.004-05:00

I know I say it over and over again, but it really feels like it's taking hold. I ran the half marathon last weekend, totally (partially) undertrained. So I took a week off from running.

But a week off from running doesn't mean a week off from exercise. So this week I went to the pool 2x. I love the pool. Swimming is hard for me, everything about it is hard, it's inconvenient to get to, it is time consuming, I have to carry all sorts of products with me, and shower in the less than awesome shower facilities offered by the DCR, share the pool with all sorts of unique characters, and then there's the workout itself. Swimming is hard for me, I didn't learn how to swim properly until two years ago, and it really taxes my muscles and my lungs more than any run.

I already talked about Tuesday's swim in an earlier post, but yesterday's swim was amazing. I swam 1000 yards, which is not far, but it's the farthest I've swam in the pool ever, quite frankly, it might be the farthest I have ever swam. I swam the first 750 yards without stopping, I only stopped at that point because there was water in my goggles (there was for several laps, but I wanted to tough it out to an even stopping point). I should mention that I lost my goggles which I have had for years, and bought a new pair of pink ladies goggles, but they're not as good, kind of uncomfortable and they give me raccoon eyes, so I think I might shell out the $$$ to get another pair like the ones I lost.

The hardest part about swimming is the starting. Once I get into the groove in the pool everything is fine, but once I stop, the idea of starting for 10 more lengths of the pool is painful.

I felt great after that swim, but that only accounted for Saturday. Sunday, my mother and I went to the beach near our house for a "bad-ass" 5-mile run. There are few runs that I enjoy more than my beach-front runs (and I have quite a few), but this might actually be my favorite flat run. We ran into the wind for 2.5 miles, even though it was cold, it was a welcome wind, it smelled like salt air, and it challenged each of us to keep going.

When we got to the half-way point, we turned around and had the wind to our backs. It was awesome! I could feel the wind pushing me, and I love that feeling. Part way through the run we decided to run on the sand. It adds an element to the run that I cannot describe, I can only enjoy. But as the sand blew past us, looking almost like an arctic landscape, we had a great time, feeling strong, and sharing a conversation.

It was the perfect run to finish up a weekend of great workouts.

I "celebrated" by buying new running shoes tonight. I cannot wait to wear them on my next run :)

Splish splash!

2008-02-26T17:02:00.002-05:00

Well, I hit up the pool again.

Today I only had a short time for the pool after school, so I hopped in the pool, swam 100 yds (are pools measured in yds or meters, I don't know...) took a breather, then did another 400, took another breather, then did another 200, then 100 of the back stroke.

Felt really good. Swimming is *almost* easy. By easy, I mean, I can do it, and I don't feel like I'm going to die. I do not mean that I am efficient or good or anything like that.

I really enjoy my time in the pool. I hope this week can be pool-heavy to take a short break from running in the aftermath of the 1/2 marathon, so I can give my body a break.

Anyway... that's all the news that's fit to print!

Oops...

2008-02-25T12:38:00.003-05:00

So the plan was to hit the pool today... I figured it would be good to swim, even though my muscles were not sore or tense really, it might have been good to just make sure it stayed that way.

BUT, I realized when I woke up this morning, I hadn't really accounted for the need to bring shampoo and conditioner and body wash to the pool with me. Usually I grab the stuff out of the tub at home, but I didn't want to take all of the bath products out of the tub.

SO, I decided I would take the day off (which is OK). I am going to go to CVS on my break and either buy those little travel sized bottles and fill them myself, OR, I will buy travel samples to bring to the pool... or I could just buy full sized bottles, but honestly I don't want to lug those back and forth where I can't get a locker at the pool.

But anyway, I am feeling great today, which is good considering that my longest run before yesterday (in recent memory anyway :-p) was 7.55 miles, so pain-free is a great thing.

Now I need to focus on getting everything in order so nothing gets between me and my swimming again!

Hyannis 1/2 Marathon...

2008-02-24T17:04:00.004-05:00

... a running personal worst, and a friendship personal best...

Permit me to explain.

I was originally going to run 26.2 today. But while I was in Sweden, my training lagged, and I switched to the 13.1 race. I got home, and didn't feel like running, so it took a few weeks before I was back on schedule. Eventually I got into the pattern of running 7.5 miles on Sundays, so at least I was getting some long runs in. It wasn't sufficient training for a good 1/2, but it was some form of training.

Then on Monday of this past week, my grandmother passed away. It was expected and unexpected all at the same time, and threw everything into a proverbial tailspin. My sleep has not been good, and obviously, I have been sad. I have alternated between nights with 4 or 5 hours of sleep and nights with 8 or 9 hours of sleep, and I am ALWAYS tired.

I also have a minor cold, nothing to write home about as long as it doesn't get any worse, but sore throat and stuffy nose are not fun.

Last night I met up with some people from a running group I belong to, and started to get excited about the race. Even though I really wanted to bag the race when I woke up this morning, a friend of mine had flown in from Atlanta, and I really had to be there.

So I got out of bed after not enough sleep, got dressed, and out the door. In the car on the way there the three of us agreed that we would run together, no matter what, a kind of "no Crusader left behind" pact.

Unfortunately, my friend Kristin and I were better trained than we thought for the race, and our friend Erica, not so much. So I had a lot left to give during the course of the race. I was constantly holding back. I spent a lot of time wishing that I hadn't agreed to run with my friends no matter what. But we had a good time, catching up, telling stories, joking around and teasing each other. We stopped several times on the race course to take pictures, and we were just out for a run, not in any hurry.

We had a great time even though it was a personal worst for all three of us. And honestly, I don't want the results posted on my club's website. HOWEVER, it was probably the most fun race I have done in a while, and I am not injured AT ALL. So I kind of wonder if it was a blessing in disguise that this all happened the way it did?

And anyway, running 13.1 miles is never a joke, and I am proud of that accomplishment.

Everyone in the pool!

2008-02-17T11:35:00.004-05:00

Splash!

Today was a 7 mile run with one of my best friends. We had hoped for 10, but we decided pretty early on that it was going to be 7. With the 1/2 marathon next week, I think 7 was the better choice. Despite cutting off the last 3 miles, we were still able to get a lot of good chatting in, and sometimes I think that's the best part of a long run with a good friend.

Yesterday was a swim... 500 yards in the local pool. It was so crowded, there where 4 of us in my lane at one point, which was a bit stressful. Two of them were a couple just chatting and leisurely moving back and forth up the lane. At first I was irritated by them, but then they were extremely courteous getting out of my way as I was swimming past them, and at that point it was hard to be upset. They had every right to be there, and I knew that too... but wow, I've never seen anything quite like it.

Today I woke up a little "good" sore in my upper body.

But part of me felt like despite all the stuff that's been on my mind, I was finally "back in the pool" which is a really nice feeling.

Three miles...

2008-02-15T15:56:00.003-05:00

I think from now on Fridays are going to be "destination" running days as long as the weather is good.

Today I headed down to the lighthouse, and went for a quick/easy 3 miler. It was absolutely beautiful down there. The weather was perfect, the sky was blue, it was a little windy for my taste, but the salt air made up for it.

I thought I was really slogging along (and realistically, I was), but I realized I was running a 10 minute mile, so I couldn't complain too much, since I wasn't putting any effort in.

Ideally tomorrow will be a rest day, then Sunday will be 10 miles, but I might be content to call it a day at 7 since the 1/2 in the next weekend...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

2008-02-10T19:50:00.000-05:00

Loads of changes going on with me... and I am suffering from what a friend of mine calls "busy brain." Normally when I suffer from "busy brain" I go out and run, but in an effort to keep my IT band from freaking out before my upcoming 1/2 marathon, I've severely restricted my running to a short run once every other day. I am not running enough to quiet my busy head, and it makes me sad.

So I'm going to make some more changes... changes to combat the changes I am struggling with... I am going to add swimming into the mix. I really think that adding more physical activities to the mix is going to help a lot.

When I'm not running I miss it... and that couldn't be more true right now.

Not sure if I mentioned this or not...

2008-01-29T19:34:00.001-05:00

When I was in Sweden I discovered that my left foot and right foot don't quite match up. My left foot rests on its outer edge, my right foot sits flatter.

Well, just about every running injury I've had seems to go back to this.

At this point, I can't really afford to go to a sports med or an ortho, so I'm going to stick to yoga and hope it helps. Yoga always seemed to fix it in the past.

So my goal from this point forward is to make sure that yoga occurs at least 3x/week, and I'm going to take two days off after my long run... hopefully that will fix it all.

New Year, New Beginning

2008-01-15T07:50:00.000-05:00

So, it's two weeks into the new year, and I'm just really starting to get the hang of things. My last few weeks in Europe I barely ran, there was so much traveling and other stuff to do, I knew I could always run later (famous last words). Then I came home, and my desire to run was less than awesome.

Well, before I left Sweden, a friend handed me two running mixes... I plugged in for a short run (most of you know how I feel about running with headphones, but I decided since I was only shooting for 2 miles, all on sidewalks, I was going to break my own rule).

The first song "Jesus Walks" was the inspiration for the title of the mix... "Jesus Walks... Nina Runs." As the beat pulsed into my ears and translated to my feet, I giggled thinking of how funny the title of the mix was. The mix segued into some other really great running music. I couldn't stop smiling as I ran, the music hit the nail on the head so clearly, I felt like we were running side by side, who knew a friendship could be concisely translated into several running and other mix cds...

Anyway, that was enough to snap me out of my temporary funk... and I made it three miles with a big ol' hill the next day. I really pushed it when I got to the hill... it felt great B-)

Anyway, onward and upward, I'm about a month from my half, and I am undertrained... I can't be any worse off than the year I did the 1/2 marathon in the Adirondacks totally untrained...

Under Construction

2007-11-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

Like many of the roads around my home here in Sweden, this runner is under construction.

I know I signed up to run a marathon in February. I was enthusiastic and ready to go. Unfortunately, sometimes, life gets in the way, but I genuinely believe life gets in the way with good reason.

My training hadn't been all that it could be, disappointing at best. With all the free time I have, it was hard to find the time to put in the long runs. Between classes and travel, it just wasn't happening. I know, I know, excuses excuses. I had just adopted a new motto... "Excuses... put them in the garbage along with banana peels and junk mail" or something like that, so why was I making excuses?

Well, sometimes, I think it just happens. life just gets in the way. I was still running, I just wasn't doing the long runs.

It was time to retool. Why was I preparing for a marathon, and not going into it with my heart and soul? I didn't have an answer to this question. I pondered it daily, and finally, after a nearly sleepless night (yeah, I know, who has a sleepless night about marathon training), I realized, this wasn't the time.

So, I e-mailed the race director, and asked him to switch me from the full marathon to the half. He very nicely switched me, and I am ever so grateful!

Anyway, I am retooling, and moving on to a bigger, better 1/2 marathon than I am used to. I think that should be good.

When in doubt...

2007-11-19T17:48:00.000-05:00

go out for a 20 minute run rather than skipping it.

Today I woke up with a sore throat for the 2nd day in a row. I was tired, felt gross... just wanted to stay in bed... unfortunately I had a meeting this afternoon, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Anyway, I knew I needed to get out there, and I decided that it was far better to do 20 minutes than no minutes, and lo and behold... I felt pretty good (not good enough to run a marathon, but good enough to finish the unambitious goal I set).

I ran to the fat bellied white pony. That was my motivation, and it was all good! No run tomorrow since my brother is visiting from the US, but I'll run again Wednesday!

Remembering why I like the lonliness of the long distance runner...

2007-11-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

Today I had to set out for a long run. I have adopted the following phrase to try to motivate my training: "Hyannis Marathon: How bad do you want it?" And that has been my guide for my runs.

So again, I realized today I had to do a long run. I set out for 90 minutes, but my hip had other plans. I did make it 80 minutes, but my hip was SO SORE when I got home. This of course means I need to do extra stretching and yoga.

But, I rediscovered how I like being out there for the long haul. I like being out on the run for well over an hour. Everything felt good, my cardio was happy, my brain kept saying "go farther" like that old car commercial... but I kept it to 80 minutes remembering that next week I'm going to need to "go farther" and if I'm hurt, I can't do that.

But the seduction of getting out there for another long run really has my brain very excited. I just want that feeling, where the endorphins kick in and all I can hear is the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement, and every breath I take in and out, your brain sort of shuts off, there's nothing powering me but Nini, it's the moment of the day where there is no music, no book, no magazine, no tv, no one else, just me, and it is an oasis let me tell you! I visit the oasis regularly, but I like it best when I can take an extended rest there, like today.

Back in business

2007-11-06T07:10:00.000-05:00

So today I managed an hour and five minute run. I was no worse for the wear than after my 30-45 minute runs... SCORE. What does this mean? Increasing my time on the road :)

I'm glad I ran in the morning, since it's both raining and sunny outside my window at the same time right now, which to put it bluntly has left me a little confused...

A minor setback...

2007-11-02T15:00:00.000-04:00

So after a few great runs in the past week, and the urging of some friends and family, I registered for the Hyannis marathon. Good news, right?

Well, immediately after registering, I biked to school, where I was involved in a minor "incident" with a car. I'm OK, not entirely clear on what happened, but I got knocked off my bike... I'm a bit bruised, a bit sore, and needed to take a couple of days off... let's hope I'm ready to run tomorrow!

Back from England!

2007-10-23T10:09:00.000-04:00

So I brought the running shoes to England... put about 6 miles on them there. I ran with my friend Ro, she runs a lot slower than I do, but she doesn't do walk breaks, so it was steady running for a longer time... kind of nice actually, to tell you the truth.

Anyway, the running felt good, England was amazing, I will update the travel blog with more pictures :)

And I'm back...

2007-10-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

So after that unexpected delay, I ran 32 minutes today, and it felt good, and I didn't want to stop... w00t w00t!!!

So, what does this mean? Onward and upward my friends :)

Mehhhhhhhhhh... I'm siiiiiiiiiiiiiick........

2007-10-08T03:56:00.000-04:00

OK, so I never guessed I would need to take one of those rest weeks immediately!!! I've had a stupid, horrible cold for a few days now. I tried to go running yesterday, but only did a 20 minute run/walk... meh! That was HARDLY on the schedule.

But whatever, if this training thing were physically or emotionally easy, everyone would be doing it, and since they're not, I think it's OK that I'm struggling b/c of a cold.

I'm taking today off to go to IKEA (because I live in the land of IKEA) and I figure that alone should constitute a workout when I'm sick!