5 K with Boys

The boys had off for the NJ teacher's convention, but I still managed to get a ryde at Hammer House in this morning (Ray was playing golf and did not head out until later).  It seems like even our days off are filled with chauffeuring ourselves here and there.  Soccer has been manipulating a lot of our time lately and I am ready for a break.  We have 5 games this weekend and then we have a break until spring---that is of course, not including Winter training....

Anyway, Finn was going to an impromptu practice this afternoon and I really wanted to get a run in.  I was able to convince Ronan and Conor to come with me---YEAH!  We did a 5 K in our neighborhood.  They are so beautiful when they run--I had plenty of time to admire their form and grace as they took off without me at mile 2.  

We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful area; the fall colors are stunning.

I have been trying to have a wheatgrass drink/day--it is not easy--it tastes like ****

Today's Splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	30:47.7	3.17	9:42.1
1	10:05.6	1.00	10:05.6
2	9:31.8	1.00	9:31.8
3	9:36.8	1.00	9:36.8
4	1:33.4	0.17	8:57.1

8 Miles of Clover Hills

Today was a wash in regards to any normal routine.  I had to miss my strength training and head over to the Middle School for open house for the boys.  There was a minor snafu due to timing, since I did not change my car clock yet and I ended up having an extra hour in between the two sessions---so Starbucks it was.

After the 8th grade open house I headed home--I had about an hour and 1/2 before the boys came home and the afternoon mayhem ensued.  So I threw on my workout gear and headed out the door.  It is 70 degrees here in the NE today--sunny, beautiful and a perfect day to run (even though it was on the warm side).  Ended up with 8 miles in my hood--which is very HILLY.  I am glad I got the 8 miles in since this weekend is going to be crazier than normal.

Race Day Recap

Just got home from the Beauty and the Beach Run--so much fun.   I love this event.  It was a little crazy pre-race.  The temperature this morning was perfect for a fall run--around 40 degrees, but the wind at the beach was CRAZY!!!  A few of us met at Orlando's parking lot in town to drive down together and we were meeting everyone else there.

We parked at Pier Village, where the race start has taken place the last two years (this year the start was about .25 mile North).  Parking was easy and very convenient--plenty of spots.  We hesitated to get out of the car--it was so COLD.  When we first approached the tent to get in line to pick up our timing chips we got in a massively LONG line--this was the line for packet pick up.  I was so glad I had picked up our packets the night before.  It was clear that the race was not going to start on time--there were too many women in the line for pick up.  

The chip pick up line was really no better--it was mayhem.  We waited in line to get into the tent only to find out that once inside it was a free for all.  There were many lines approaching the chip pick up table--but little did those in line realize that the chips had to be matched to your bib number and the table was separated into different numerical areas--the signage only visible when actually standing right in front of the table.  So first I waited in a super long line only to realize I needed to be at the other end of the table.  Finally I got the chips for me and C who was driving down alone and we were going to meet up outside the tent.  

Outside the tent we realized that most of our group was not there yet or not in the meet up area, so we hit the porta potty lines--which were not too bad and the porta potties were clean (perhaps a women only race yields cleaner bathrooms).  We finally assembled some of our group for a photo:

The photo did not include everyone--missing was Nikki, my running partner.  We had to snag a photo separately.

Also missing was some Bosom Buddies--we grabbed a photo in the starting area.

I did find C although it was touch and go there for awhile:)

I started out faster than normal and I felt great.  Nikki caught up to me within the first mile--I thought she was ahead of me--we ran close to each other the whole time.  At times I lead--at times she lead.  In the end, she was faster than me and I tried to keep her in sight and follow her lead.  I was worrying that I was losing steam.  In the last .2 mile I saw her ahead and I pushed to catch up, so I could cross the finish line with her:)---Yeah

In true Casi fashion, I forgot to turn off my Garmin, but I think my final time was 45:30.  Here were my splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	45:47.6	5.00	9:09.3
1	9:16.5	1.00	9:16.5
2	8:57.9	1.00	8:57.9
3	9:05.4	1.00	9:05.4
4	9:06.3	1.00	9:06.3
5	9:15.2	1.00	9:15.2
6	:6.2	0.00	30:00.0

This was a good race for me--I ran faster than I normally do in races and in hindsight I probably could have pushed myself a little more...

I don't know if I could have run any slower...

Strength trained this morning at the Y--you know I love that T/Th class--perfect all body conditioning.  I wanted to run after class and I did not have any set mileage in mind---as long as I got at least 3 miles in.  I headed out from the Y parking lot to the Henry Hudson Trail.  I felt great.  I keep my pace SLOW and I really felt like I could have run longer, but I was worried about over doing it after class.  I thought I was doing 12 min miles--I mean, I was SLOW--ended up with an overall 10:51 pace.

I  have the 5 mile Beauty and the Beach run this Saturday.  This will be the third year I am running.  I have come to the realization that I am not a RACER--I am a RUNNER.  I love the training for the run better than I love the actual event.  I sometimes run my training runs faster and better than the actual event.  I have never really tried to race..... I am satisfied with finishing.  My goals are not usually quantitative based.

My goals for this run are:

Run strong

No walking

Feel good

Have fun

.....I know some "runners" find those types of goals lame--thinking what good is a race if you are not shooting for a PR--I understand that their perspective is different than mine and I am OK with that.  Sure I hope my time is good--but if I get wrapped up with times it takes the fun out of the run.  I just started running in 2009--so for me the fact that I can run 5 miles and feel great doing it is such a HUGE accomplishment.  I am not a 7 min/miler and I am unlikely to place in ANY race (unless there are only 3 women running)--but I am happy just to be out there.

Against some obstacles

Yesterday was Halloween--I love this holiday, even though I really am not a "sweet" girl.  Believe it or not I did not have ONE piece of candy--not because I denied myself--I just did not want it.  Now, if people were handing out slices of pizza or plates of nachos--my salty self would be all over that.  

I got a ryde in at Hammer House that morning--so glad I did, because the rest of the day was non-stop ACTION.  Fun but a wee bit crazy.  We did not even have time to fit in all the festivities--please forgive us if we were supposed to stop by and never made it.  Ronan ended up having a friend come over and we had to stay home to hand out candy and be home base.  Finn went out the first time this year with his brother and told me specifically he was too old to have me go too---boo hoo. We ran out of candy and turned out the light at 7:45 pm--I know lame--but I spent over $100 on candy and bought way more than last year......

Today I was all set to run at least 5 after strength training at the Y--I had my bag with my running shoes, heart rate monitor, ipod---wait where is my Garmin and water--why at home on the kitchen counter of course.  So when I realized this, I changed plans and headed to Starbucks--a latte solves everything.  On the way there, I realized I could download an app on my iPhone for pacing.  I picked up water with the latte and headed to the Henry Hudson train.  Runkeeper was free and seemed to work fine, except for the few minutes when I stopped to take a picture and it did not pause properly.  It was OK--but don't worry, I still love my Garmin.

It was a perfect fall day--5.32 miles in 54 minutes

It's Sabotage

9 miles on the agenda this morning along with windy cold rain and SNOW--yes, snow here in the NE today.  I was hoping we would be able to sneak a run in before the rain came, but it was raining pretty steady at 7:30 when I was getting ready to go.  I could have easily climbed back into bed.  P decided to stay home and I was waiting to hear from N, when L sent a text letting me know she was coming.  Put the sneaks on and headed to the car.  On the way to Thompson park the rain really started to come down.  L sent another text letting me know she had no rain gear on--it was not looking good.  N had not left the house yet--but was happy to head back to bed when I called.  No run :(  In hindsight, I probably could have gotten 2-3 in, but it would not have been pretty.  The NE wind was picking up and it was cold.

Too late to head back to bed ( I could have really used the sleep--awful insomnia last night), so I ran some errands and grabbed a Starbucks--Yuum (so worth getting out of bed for).  I decided I would attempt the 9 on the treadmill.  I had run long runs on the TM before, but they were never pretty and always tortuous.  Ipod in place, I got going.  Kept it steady and slow and focused on my form.  It is usually the last few miles that are pretty messy ----lose my form and "things" start to hurt.  When I felt twinges in my knee or calves today--I form corrected and really focused.  I felt great--9 miles DONE!

Today's song, It's Sabotage, Beastie Boys

Feeling Jinxed

Still have not found all the lost IDs yet.  I have been slowly replacing them, but the cost and time involved is tortuous.   It seems like I am victim of a string of bad luck--little things that just really bum me out.  Today I was all set to head to the gym for strength training; I go every T & Th and I really look forward to it.  Well Finn gets on the bus and I literally run to my car (or else I am late and have to deal with "space" issues--a class filled with very territorial woman; I will save that post for another day).  I hop in the car and I knew something was off right away when the door light was sooooo dim--no juice-battery dead.  Instead of calling road side assistance, I figured, I would take the day off---I had a lot of stuff planned that will have to be shifted to tomorrow.  Instead--homebound I was---I had tons of computer stuff to do and work that could be completed at home, but I really missed that workout, especially since I did not get one yesterday.  4 miles on the treadmill just did not cut it.

We had our annual Halloween Party for Bosom Buddies yesterday and although I love planning events for the Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Support Group the time involved usually means that I have to turn down work and miss workouts---you know it is the workouts that keep me sane:)  We have a huge event planned for next week---I am really excited! ---we are going to have a full house.  Thankfully we have a GREAT AWESOMELY talented membership who will help make sure the event goes smoothly.

Here was the press release created by a fellow moderator and member:

PRESS RELEASE / EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2011

Contacts:

“WHAT CHOICES DO PARENTS HAVE?”

VACCINATION SAFETY SEMINAR & BOOK SIGNING – NOVEMBER 2

Local Moms Group Sponsors Free, Open-to-the-Public Event

Colts Neck Township, NJ – The Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Support Group, a free, open-to-the public group for moms and babies, is hosting a November 2^nd seminar by local vaccination safety advocate Louse Kuo Habakus, MA.  The seminar is entitled “What Choices Do Parents Have?”  Habakus is Director of the Center for Personal Rights, and co-editor and author of the bestseller book, Vaccine Epidemic.

“Louise is a wonderful presenter.  I learn something new each time I hear Louse speak,” said Cassandra Leahy, RN, MSN, LCCE, IBCLC, founder and moderator of the Bosom Buddies group.  “This seminar is mother and baby friendly and we welcome anyone who may be interested in learning more about vaccinations.”


Habakus is expected to discuss vaccine safety, efficacy, conflicts of interest, vaccination choice, and exemptions. A question and answer session and book signing will follow prepared remarks. Books will be available for purchase, $20 (cash only). For more information about Louise and the book, go to www.vaccineepidemic.com. The book is sold on Amazon and in bookstores everywhere.

“When anxious parents are attacked and called anti-vaccine, it’s nothing short of bullying. The vast majority of American parents vaccinate their children. But they are deeply concerned about safety and they want to work with their doctors to make informed decisions. The real debate has always been about choice,” said Louse Kuo Habakus.

The free, open-to-the public event will be held on November 2, 2011, from 11am to 1pm in the Community Center Meeting room at the Colts Neck Public Library, 1 Winthrop Road, Colts Neck.  Due to space limitations, registration is requested; to register, please email Casi Leahy at TheLactationLady@gmail.com.  Light refreshments will be provided by the Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Support Group.

###

Bosom Buddies is a free, weekly support group open to all breastfeeding mothers and babies in the Monmouth/Ocean/Middlesex County region.  The group attendees share experiences, discuss concerns, and provide support with all “mothering matters.”  It is a collective group of women who come together to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.  The group meets Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm in the Community Center Meeting room at the Colts Neck Public Library, 1 Winthrop Road, Colts Neck.  For more information and to register for the group, contact Casi Leahy, RN, MSN, LCCE, IBCLC at TheLactationLady@gmail.com.

I am very thankful that our group can sponsor activities like this one.  As a health care professional, I believe it is always important to hear all sides and try to see all perspectives when faced with any issue.  Parents need to be informed consumers and I do not think that the debate for vaccine safety is over--nor do I want to discourage or punish families looking for answers.  The right to question or be concerned parents should never be discouraged.