The Beauty Of Running At The Jersey Shore

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So I finally got the chance to run in my new running sneaks. I was eager to run because I needed to figure out if my hip issue was due to my run down sneaks.   Although I’m having fun doing CrossFit, I still miss my running.  Sniff!  Sniff!  Today would determine if I needed an X-Ray or MRI.

You know what?  It was the sneakers!!!

Shame on me for not keeping up with my mileage! I know better.

The great thing about today’s run?  I know that I can run the Atlantic City Marathon!!!!   I am going to run the half-marathon (13.1 miles).   While I haven’t been training for the Half-Marathon; I am well conditioned and have time to prepare, so I am flying high!

Today’s weather was ideal for runners.  Seriously!  The sun was out; not too hot, but perfect enough to break out into a good sweat.

Oh– there was another reason I was eager to run…  My first time running the Ocean City bridge…. alone!

Although two weeks ago, I walked the bridge with two beautiful women, Nicole and Tara, I needed to run it the first time alone.  I still got nervous as I approached  the bridge.

But I stayed to the left of the walkway, carefully avoiding the right side railing…  It is still scary to me. Eventually I settled in to take in the beauty of the day around me.

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The bridge was steep, but breath-taking. My hamstrings and quads burned like someone lit a match to them, but was worth every step.

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After my run, I walked under the bridge to my car. This was the breath-taking view. I quietly stood, taking in the calm waters, the beautiful bridge, the clear sky, and the fact that I just ran the bridge with an abundance of gratitude in my heart.

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Boaters and jet skiers enjoyed the day as well.

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Another shot from under the bridge. So peaceful as the waters softly crashed against the rocks.

Anticipation!

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Good morning! I am in the car (hubby is driving) on my way to Atlantic City to run the Half-Marathon.

I am filled with anticipation. Lol! I know it was just last week that i ran a little further, but running it with fellow athletes makes the run more enjoyable.

I am fueled up and rested and eager to get started. Wish me luck.!

 

Staying fit for race day

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The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results. – Anthony Robbins

With every step my muscles ache.  Walking up and down the steps hurt.  The process of sitting down and getting up hurts. I squatted down to clean behind the toilet and that hurt too!  My ham(strings) and quadriceps ache.  Lol!  You’d think that as much as I work out, I am immune to soreness.  The reality is if you work out, you ought to feel something (soreness not pain) from your workout.

The last thing you want is for your body to get accustomed to your workout.  My fitness instructors have taught me well.  “You’ve gotta shock the body!”

Today I ran.  Yesterday I did CrossFit. Different from my regular class, but the workout was challenging and I feel it today.

This afternoon’s WOD was a run.

Distance:   8 Miles

Duration:   1:13:37

Pace:          9:11 min/miles (average)
7:00 min/miles (maximum)

Calories:     793

Yesterday’s WOD

Round One:   1,000 meters – Row Machine

50 Thrusters

 35 Pull ups (used green band for assistance)

Round Two:   500 Meters – Row Machine

25 Thrusters

15 Pull ups (used green band)

Round Three: 250 Meters – Row Machine

 15 Thrusters

7 Pull ups (used green band)

It had been six days since my last run and three weeks since I took my favorite CrossFit Chicks class.  June through August, I am euphoric with my fitness routine.  I work out as often as I want—at least once, sometimes twice each day.

September rolls around and my routine comes to a screeching halt. Oh boy!  Every year I struggle with the change.

October 21st, I am running the half-marathon (13.1 miles) in the annual Atlantic City Marathon.  While I trained hard the entire summer, my schedule tapers off just a month before the race.   My runs are now limited to weekends. I barely go to the gym.  Trying to stay conditioned for the race is the challenge.  I do the best that I can with my schedule.  Although I am not happy, I work with my schedule and fit the workouts in as best I can.

The change in my schedule is because I have returned to work, my son is back in school, he plays football, and hubby’s work schedule has changed.  Homework, practice, and games adversely impact my fitness schedule.

My struggle is the same as other moms.   We are constantly playing the balancing game.  You know, balancing the kids schedule with our own personal want to do’s.

Case in point,   I started this post around three this afternoon.  It is now a little after ten at night and I’m finally getting back to finishing it.  Lol!

Regardless I stay focused on my goal of completing the half-marathon and beating my personal record.  Between now and October 21st, I will work on staying injury free and keeping my body conditioned.

For now—I have to get some much-needed rest.

Sweet dreams!  Good night!

 

 

We run because…

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“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ The human spirit is indomitable.”

-Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile

I did not feel like running this morning. I wanted to stay in my comfortable bed, snuggled under the covers, to sleep and then to read. I ran anyway.  Why?  Because of several reasons:

  1. I read yesterday’s blog post (to critique it) and the post inspired me to run anyway.
  2. Next week is the beginning of the hectic family routine.  The “routine” limits my  flexibly to run as frequent as I do during the summer.
  3. In October I will run the half-marathon in the 2012 Atlantic City Marathon.  I need to stay conditioned for the run because I want to beat my best time.
  4. A family member invited me over for brunch today–fried fish is on the menu.  Need I say more?

My running stats for the day are:

7.18 Miles
1:09:12 Duration
746 Calories Burned
9:37 Minute/Miles (Pace)

I’m so glad that I ran today and feel better for doing so. I hope that you have a great day!  Remember…keep it moving!