Last year August John and I went to support our friends Annie and Maxine who were running the New York Half Marathon. Seeing them cross the finish line inspired me to do the same and when the registration opened this year I jumped at the chance to jot my name on the dotted line. Moment of madness? Perhaps. Well, I definitely thought so after I started training for this big milestone at the beginning of May. Yes, it was a half-hearted attempt, but I really dragged my butt all the way over the first couple of 2-mile sessions. I felt despondent and pretty sure that this girl would never complete a 13-mile race.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this girl tonight ran 6 miles (and did a 5-mile run just for fun on Friday too)! And it feels so good. I am yet to experience that 'runner's high' everyone keeps raving about, but man...I am loving the running.
To add to the exhilaration of tonight's run, I spotted Leonardo di Caprio and his three 'bodyguards/male support system' on their bicycles in the park. He whizzed right be me and I'm pretty sure that 4 miles into my run, on my way up a Central Park hill, I was a sight for sore eyes...quite literally.
But it's nights like tonight, with a light breeze drying the sweat off my back, celeb-spotting and feeling that great rush of happy endorphins that I really appreciate living in this great city!
niiiiiice (leo). and very impressive (5 miles!?!?!?). you're going to make it. when is the 1/2 marathon?
ReplyDeleteten years ago, when i spent a winter in hamburg and vinyasa yoga had yet to hit the germans, i started running out of desperation. i worked my way up to 10 miles a day, every other day or so. i kept waiting for that runner's high that i always hear the runners talk about. hmmm. never came for me, but i did get in touch with my ability to stick with something that did not come easily... until i got back to america and, very gratefully, returned to my yoga mat.
Unrelated to this post, but RE: your comments on the Trek Allant:
ReplyDeleteSusan,
I recommend attaching the basket permanently, and using a reusable shopping bag in the store. There are a couple of reasons for this:
-1- Removable baskets can get left at home by mistake, and can be stolen,
-2- Removable baskets are usually, but not always, a bit less sturdy, and
-3- Small things can fall out between the basket wires, and big things can bounce out, so it's nice to have your goods inside a bag, inside the basket.
Stop by a good local hardware store and look at their basket selection - it's likely to be a better selection than at your local bike shop, and the hardware-people can help you figure out how to attach the basket to the rack.
Cheers--David
Cate - Half marathon is mid-August. Had a real moment of 'OH NO, I'm never going to make it' last night after a 3 1/2 mile run... I also leave on a 2 week holiday in 10 days, which will not make matters any easier...
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure I'll get there. Just have to persist.
I used to be a big yoga buff, but have fallen off the mat lately. Perhaps after all this running I'll have to get back into it to ensure I stretch those running muscles back into some form of suppleness...
David - thanks for your comment on the basket. I have actually figured out a way to permanently attach my (fake) wicker basket to my bike and it looks perfect - check back soon for some biking pics!
ReplyDelete