What have I signed up for?

Because I'm _____ <insert any of these here: crazy, nervous about 1/2 marathon, useless when it comes to resisting peer pressure, etc...> I've signed up to run 10 miles with Annie's company on September 23.  Yikes!  This will be my first race since high school cross-country!

The race is the Dam to Dam - which is running from Amsterdam to Zaandam.  Here's some details:
http://www.damloop.nl/en/

Here's the course.... start in Amsterdam center and finish in Zaandam... I have no idea how we get back.

What I've heard about this race is that it's run pretty quickly, the average is 8:30 minute miles... You must finish in under 2 hours, which is 12 minute miles... I think I can do it.  Better, I KNOW I can.  Bring it on!

Keep on challenging yourself!

Liz

Getting fitter

So, yesterday began the week of 50 minute runs... it sneaks up on you, but the ability to run for an hour without stopping impressed me.  Garmin tells me I've run 80 miles, which sounds like a lot! I've also been tracking my commute which has been 178 miles (it's a little over 4 each way)... Racking up those miles!

I don't have a lot to blog about today.  Saturday is moving day and yesterday I found out I have to move my office at work as well.  Lots of new changes in Sept, new apt, new office, new car.  I'm excited.

I'll harass Wendy / Annie / Jeannelle into posting as they've been slacking and I have very little to say.

Happy Tuesday,

Liz

Acquisition mode

In the past week I've acquired a lot of things - most of them not tangible, but some of them are.  Regardless, I've spend A LOT of money.  One of these acquisitions concerns this blog, hence this post.  Here's the list:

Tangible:

Framed dried flowers from a craft market in Helsinki (they're beautiful!)

Lovely art with some Scandanavian animals and such from the same craft market in Helsinki (it's gorgeous)

2004 Renault Megane convertible!  (see pic below!!)

Intangible:

Car insurance contract

Gym contract (through Groupon) - 10Euro/month instead of 50 for 6 months - I'm a bargain shopper!

Privium contract (gets you through the fast lane in Schipol and allows you in a fancy lounge while there)

Trip to Copenhagen (October)

Trip to Riga (October)

Trip to Bucharest (November)

Trip to the top of Finland to see the Northern Lights (January)

Happy Spending!

Liz

6 mile fail then win..

Today was the 6 mile run.  This will mark the farthest I'll have ever run at once (I think?)  I believe cross country in high school we ran 5, but not 6.  Today I didn't accomplish that goal of running 6 miles straight either.  Lemme tell you why.  For this weekend I've decided to try a juice cleanse mostly due to a co-worker raving about it all week in my office, but also because I've been eating horribly on vacation (all-you-can-eat cake buffet was only a single meal of the crazy indulging) and been vacationing A LOT.  This has resulted in my clothes being a little tighter then I'd prefer.  Since I'm in Amsterdam, I cannot just go out any buy new clothes without breaking the bank, SO I'm going to just stick with what I've got.

If you've read my posts before, you know I struggle with running in the morning due to hunger.  Weeeelllll 48 hours of just juice is not conducive to that, so I decided to run first thing in the morning.  This would have been great, except it was/is scheduled to rain ALL weekend.  I get outside about 10 minutes after waking up to find it's misting out.  "Super, this will keep me cool on my 6 mile run" I trade my sun glasses for my sexy "safety goggles" which I wear to bike when it isn't sunny and start running.

Less than a mile it starts to drizzle.  I congratulate myself on my practical glasses which are keeping the rain out of my eyes.  The drizzle suddenly turns to downpour.  I duck under a tree and stop my watch, knowing that Amsterdam rains are not long events.  Except when they are.  I remember to weather.com saying it would rain all weekend.  Crap.  Before long, my tree is no longer keeping me dry.  Suddenly the rain lessens significantly.  Phew.  I start the watch and keep going.  Not even 2 minutes later it gets heavy again.  Now I'm pretty wet.  While under another tree, I decide to turn back before my blackberry, watch and shuffle get ruined.  5 minutes later and no respite. Since the tree isn't any help, I decide to just run back.  I'm not sure I've ever been so wet in my life where I wasn't in a shower or submerged in water.  My handy glasses were fogging up and water was running into my eyes.  I ran haphazardly into big puddles and had completely soaked feet.  I had to disrobe in the hall, bring my clothes in a ball to wring out.  A long shower later, the rain completely stopped and it was a bit sunny out.

The sun should make me happy, but today, it meant that right after my shower, I should go back out and run the other 4.5 miles.  Which I did, and you already knew, because I gave it away in the title.  My average pace was 10:32, and I didn't do the whole thing in a row, but I ran 6 miles today, so that's something.

Signed, the dedicated one,

Liz

The 10 minute mile... for 4 miles

Yesterday I had a good run.  I can't tell what makes me have a good run, but some of the ingredients seem to be, running where I often run (know the route), and wearing my old(er) sneakers.  They seem to have less shoe to them and it makes me just feel faster.  Yesterday the proof was in the numbers - I ran four miles in just under 40 minutes (no short feat of amazing for me).  I did stop at several stop lights and once when I couldn't tell how to get on the bridge and I stopped the clock for those, but I'm making actual progress, which is motivating and good, because I'm still no-where near Anne, Wendy or 1/2 marathon ready.  I have just under 2 months, so I feel ok about that.  

I was also thinking about it yesterday.  I've run in the Netherlands, US, Norway, Turkey, Sweden and Finland.  That stat makes me sound pretty dedicated, and when I check out my workout calendar, maybe I am?  I still wouldn't say I'm addicted or feel any different (when not working out), but I'll keep at it.

Here's some images (you're welcome David):  

You can sort of see where I got a little turned around trying to get on the bridge...

Faster to slower..... but still happy with average pace....

July calendar.  Red = biking (riding to work mostly), blue = running, purple = cross training

Happy fitness!

Liz

Miss me much?

Helloooo everyone!

I'm sorry for radio silence.  I've been training and not training, mostly due to travels. I have been mixing up my cross-training DVD with Nike + Training app, which is really good.  There's been a lot of travel, plus work is a bit more busy, plus researching a car purchase, plus making plans to move, I've been busy!

This past weekend I was off in Sweden and Finland for a little Scandinavia action with my peeps.  It was pretty cool - Stockholm is a great city (much better than Oslo IMHO) and Helsinki was pretty cool too.  Quick summary of the trip include gorgeous sunsets, a photography museum where we saw dead people rotting, going to a palace, buying moose stuff, reindeer steaks, festivals, pastries + ice cream galore, an overnight cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki, fresh fish on the docks, visiting a fort, and finally an all you can eat cake buffet.  It was a good trip.

I admit, I missed some of my training.  I did every run except for the 3 miles I was supposed to run on Saturday.  Since being back, I'm right back on track.  Also trying to eat better to make up for the gorging on cakes that was Monday's lunch (I tried 7!)  Here's the photographic evidence....

All you can eat cake buffet!! Wa wa we wa!

Round 1, still going strong after this

Round 2 and I had to tap out... :(

Happy Hump Day,

Liz

Iron Horse Trail Stalker

You might be very concerned for my health from the sound of that title.  As background, the Iron Horse Trail is a fabulous running and biking path that cuts through my hometown Danville and connects to the towns around it.  It is flat and shaded most of the day.  It is also jam packed with amazing fit looking people of all ages.  As for the stalker, I am sorry to say, that is me.  I am obsessed with everyone’s running gear.  How they carry their water, what gels they are forcing down, other contraptions with pockets, etc.  I have taken to interrogating my follow joggers and sporty looking people in the grocery store.  Luckily, my fellow joggers have been friendly and forthcoming with information. 

On Sunday, my dad and I did a four mile walk on the Iron Horse Trail.  I had planned to run five miles, but I was so happy to be home and catching up with him, that I could not leave him for my jog and decided to make it a cross training walking together day! 

Today, I ran five miles.  It was a little bit cooler than the other morning, but the heat was still pretty rough.  I kept my average miles under 9:30, which is my general goal.

California is so beautiful and energizing. 

I rewarded myself for a good jog with a visit to the local running shop.  I picked up a water container and some of those horrible gels to try out. 

Some like it HOT

It kills me to admit this, but I have acclimated to Amsterdam and it is too hot for me to run at home (at least this week).  It has been between 90 – 100+ degrees every day since I have been home.  While it is not too hot for me to leave the convertible top down or chill in the backyard (with my new favorite cocktail), I almost died on my run the other morning.  The combination of the scorching heat and the beautiful California hills nearly did me in. 

I arranged for my favorite one way jog to Starbucks, where I meet my mom and bum a ride home.  I arrived limp and pathetic.  She of course looked fresh and perfectly coiffed as usual.  I remembered it as a three mile jog and the extra 0.7 miles made me very sad.  The Starbucks guy took pity on my and offered me ice water with my venti iced tea.  Too be fair, if I could run a little bit earlier in the morning I could run while it is still in the 70s (running at 11am is for lazy/stupid people). 

As I think that running the half marathon is enough of a goal for this year, being an early bird will be for another year (note there is no specific year mentioned).  I will just have to toughen up again and sweat it out. 

Oh yeah, I know you are more curious about my new favorite drink than my pace, so….My dad introduced me to a refreshing combination.  50% Aperol 50% prosecco, on ice.  Delicious.  Might go make one now (for the photo of course)!

Well, now I know I can... :)

Oh dear. I just noticed how far behind I am with regards to blogging! Liz, you're a machine! How do you find so much time to go to work, work out, travel AND blog at the same time!!!

Anyhoo. The last couple of weeks have been super busy. The first day in Turkey did indeed break Jason and pretty much destroyed my poor feet. So. Much. Walking! I took my running gear with me with good intentions, but with all the walking and lack of sleep, running didn't happen for me. Very proud of Liz and Marc for going for a couple of runs though - hardcore!

Speaking of running gear - my new Nike shoes were giving me a bit of trouble. Not cool. The right shoe just didn't feel right. Even walking around in them was giving me a sore calf muscle so on Saturday I took them back to the store and they swapped them for a brand new pair without any problems. Thank you Nike Amsterdam Store, you rock! The new pair are much better and my right foot hasn't given me any trouble (except for a big blister on my big toe, oh well!).

Back to Amsterdam on Wednesday night. Two birthdays to celebrate - Andrey's on Thursday and my own on Saturday. Feels like we just haven't stopped!

However, on Sunday, my first day of being 31 years old, I felt the need to try running a full 16km outdoors. I'm going to have to do this in just over a month so I can't keep putting it off. 

It was hard... but I DID IT!! In fact, I ended up running 17.5km, but only because my Nike+ Running app decided to pause itself randomly (I think it happened because I skipped a song on Spotify using the headphone controller) and completely miss 1.5km :( When I finally realized this had happened, I turned it back on and felt compelled to run the full 16km according to the app. I was not impressed by this. Luckily I had another app running in the background (Wahoo Fitness) and it captured the full run.

So how does it feel running 17.5km? Umm... pretty awful. The last 3kms or so were torture. I slowed down a lot and could barely pick up my feet. I'm pretty sure people must've been looking at me thinking, 'ok enough already. stop. you look like you're going to collapse'. It didn't help that I've had a strange chesty cough / cold since the second day in Turkey which made breathing a bit harder. I stopped once because of a horrible stitch that I just couldn't shake and another time for a drink. I think I probably needed to stop more often for water because by the time I got home I felt pretty dehydrated, sore, headachy and just all levels of wrong. I had to lie down infront of the tv for a couple of hours to recover!

But... anyway, I did it! So I'm happy. Now I know I can... :)

The five-mile run - check!

I'm sore... this is no surprise, I have a sedentary lifestyle of working at a desk 5 days a week... I bicycle to work, but I don't often force myself to exercise. Marathon training has changed that.  I now work out 5x per week with the exception of not doing my cross-training in Turkey (though we did a lot of sight-seeing, walking, climbing hills, rocky areas, etc... so I'm not counting that as a total cop out.  After all, the first day we broke Jason.

I haven't blogged in a few days.  Thursday was running + sprints which always leaves me a little sore and is hopefully improving my timing.  I managed to squeeze these in before Andrey's birthday dinner.  Friday I did my workout video because I didn't have time to learn all the Nike+ moves for their workout before Sophie/Tristan's going away party.  The lunges and squats also make my legs sore, so yesterday, for the 5 mile "long run" I was a bit sore already.  It didn't matter, it was a good run and I ran it in just under 51 minutes - which is Verrrrrrrrrrrry quick for me.  Full disclosure, I stopped my running timer at stop lights and busy areas where running was a problem.

I was also reminded that a LOT of people smoke here.  Nearly every bench had a few people sitting on it, where at least one person was smoking.  Mildly unpleasant, but the weather was amazing, so I really can't complain.  After running was birthday boating and then bowling then Japanese food for Annie's birthday.

Birthday boating!!

It's been a busy week (only got back from Turkey around 12:30 on Wednesday night (early Thursday morning).  I've also managed to book two more trips - Berlin in Sept and Stockholm/Helsinki for next weekend... busy busy!! The shock of having our one year anniversary in Amsterdam has made me want to book as many trips as possible over the next year - it's gone by so quickly!!

Happy one year!

Liz

Skipping Work-outs like a slacker (in Turkey)

So Tuesday was cross-training... it was also day 2 of Cappadocia.  Day 1 meant taking a shuttle 1+hours at 6am from our Istanbul apartment to the Istanbul airport, a flight, then another 1 hour shuttle to the new hotel. After we arrived, we made our plan for the next two days and immediately did it (see previous post).  I'm just setting the stage here....

Day 2 began with a at 4:45am pickup from the hotel (no, I'm not speaking in EST, I'm talking LOCAL TIME - sooooooooo early!!) for our sunrise hot air balloon ride.  It was excellent - all of us thought the horribly early morning was worth the sleep sacrifice, but it certainly did cut in on sleep.  We also booked an 8 hour tour starting at 9:30.  Since we were back to the hotel around 7:30, everyone headed back to bed for a 1.5 hour nap.  We then toured all day (some on bus, some on foot) which again, was a lot of fun and seeing cool things, such as an underground city and churches carved into rocks.  When we returned around just before 6pm, we were pretty beat. Being our last night in Turkey, we decided to go out for a 3 hour fancy dinner with belly dancing and the whole nine yards... They were going to pick us up around 8pm, leaving two hours for freedom... As you can imagine, the last thing I wanted to do was cross train.  I needed a shower and some relaxation time by the pool.

Gorgeous photo by Andrey

Another gorgeous photo by Andrey

Part of the underground city - it was really cool (pun intended)!

Pool time... ahhhhh

Interestingly, the traditional Turkish dinner turned into a dance party so we could all learn traditional Turkish dance.  Suddenly YMCA came on (wha?!) and then a few other American tunes.  I danced enthusiastically and did a few jumping jacks so I could count some cross-training time, but mostly I slacked.  Marathoning for Mortals does not encourage getting in extra workouts and says "if you miss one, you miss it" so I rested yesterday in Turkey.  Today I'll run + form sprints... what fun!

A third great photo by Andrey

Regards from the North,

Liz

Running in Cappadocia

Yesterday was the start of week 3 which means a small increase in time (to 40 min) running. I did this 40 minute run in Cappadocia, which is gorgeous. Here are some pics, courtesy of Andrey:

After a day of travel, walking in the scaling sun, touring, ATV riding, a sandstorm, we made it back to the hotel exhausted. Somehow, I dug deep and found the willpower to go for a run. It wasn't a great run, but it was 40 minutes and almost 4 miles. I'm going to worry about distance now and speed later. (thanks for the tip Auntie Darlene! My Aunt has done more marathons than anyone I know, so I'll take her advice!)

Here's the crew in a jump photo - love it!

Andrey's terrific timer took this one too...

Hope you're enjoying August,

Liz

Worst run ever

So today I woke up early in Istanbul, sounds good right? I thought so, until I realized I was hungary and going for a run - oh no!!! The last time I ran on an empty stomach was in Norway and that run was awful.

After debating this, I decided to go for it and bring a granola bar. I survived, but just barely. I was pretty cranky but poor Marc still ran with me so I wouldn't get lost, since we all know that would be a high possibility. Ed, Annie, Jason and Andrey opted out (smart). I was so sweaty that sweat dripped in my eye this was a new experience for me and not one I hope to repeat. Good thing Amsterdam is so cold even in the summer....(silver lining!)

Tomorrow is a rest day and will involve a boat ride and then Turkish baths and massages. Yay. We've probably walked 10+ miles yesterday and today so the rest will be nice.

The World is Flat

Well maybe the world isn’t flat, but Amsterdam sure is and it is great for running.  On Saturday, I increased my distance to 5.1 miles.  It felt great and my time stayed in a good range (9:30 average first two miles and 8:50 average on last three miles).  If there had been even the slightest incline, you could just throw the distance and speed out the window.  Luckily, that’s not the case.  It will be interesting to see how my times and speed plays out the next few weeks in California (which is anything but flat). 

I caved in an ordered a heart rate monitor.  I will get it in California.  New toy!  I just read the running gear/toys section of the Marathoning for Mortals book and I am already dreaming of visiting the running shop in my hometown.

Its pouring down rain today….so we’ll see if I motivate to run. 

Not training in Turkey (so far)

So I'm in Turkey since last night. In anticipation of travel I actually ran in the morning for 30 minutes and then did my sprints afterwards. Today is cross training, but after walking around Istanbul for 13 hours I'm just too weary. Here's a pic of the crew minus me & Andrey...

Istanbul is an awesome city - amazing food, friendly people, beautiful sights and everything is SUPER cheap. Love it. Tomorrow I will run 4 miles early in the morning, let's all send good thoughts.

From Istanbul with love,
Liz

More of a Yang

So it turns out I am more of a Yang… I got out of work early and thought I would take the opportunity to go to one of the 6pm yoga classes I can never get to (yoga counts for crosstraining in our program).  Unfortunately, my options were Yin yoga with my favorite teacher or Ashtanga with a new teacher.  When my teacher saw me and she realized that I was there for the Yin class, she laughed.  She said I would probably hate it, but it would be good for me.  I should have known at that moment that I was in for pain – mental in my case, not physical. 

When we entered the first hip opener pose (of the 90 min class) and she said breath into it, you’ll be here for five minutes, I almost died.  I looked at the ceiling and I was grateful for the intricate molding so I something to stare at.  I was beside myself with glee when after 60 minutes I spotted a bug that I could follow on the window frame! 

All that I know about Yin yoga after 90 minutes is that Yang must be for me.  The only thing worse would have been 90 minutes in one position.

My natural instinct was to go for a run after Yin yoga to counter the ‘active resting.’  But, Amsterdam must be in on our training program…it started to rain right after and I went home and stuck with the schedule.

I ran on Wednesday and swam on Thursday.  The run wasn’t great, but it was such a relief after the Yin yoga.  I have decided that it is no coincidence that I am more of a Yang and 95% of my clothes are black.

I feel like it is time to add another mile this weekend.