Saturday, October 31, 2009

Boo!

Just a short post to say Happy Halloween!
Have a frightfully good time tonight, and don't eat too much candy :) Whee!

And from my sister, some running humor! Moohahaha!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I'm A Plodder

Proud Plodder here.

You see, not too long ago, my dad sent me a NYTimes article about fast versus slow marathoners; it was quite the interesting article with a very heated debate in the comment section.

Apparently, there are a great deal of snobby runners who think that, if you're not running a marathon at a certain speed (one of an unholy nature), then you have no place in the race.

To these swifter-than-thou runners I say: Bite me.

I do understand why different races have different cutoff times (the Disney Marathon requires no slower than a 16 minute mile, or finishing under 7 hours), as marathons are expensive events to maintain. However, just because I can't run the marathon in 3.5 hours doesn't make me less worthy of a runner.

The training and hard work I have put into this marathon are nothing to be sneered at, and though I may not be the fastest runner, I have most certainly put my heart into it!

Personally, I never thought that the amazing thing about marathons was the speed with which a person finished; I always thought the incredible thing was the distance. It's 26.2 miles, folks, and just to walk that is a big thing--if you want to brag about how speedy you are, go sprint 100 meters instead, and lay off the smack talk.

Yes, I believe it's amazing that people can finish marathons in such record times, but I think it's amazing (period) that people finish marathons!

So, come January 10th, I'll see how fast I really am--but more importantly, I'll see myself finish the race, which matters far more to me than how quickly I can run.

I hope that you who follow this blog aren't running snobs; I hope you understand that the biggest accomplishment really is crossing the finish line, no matter what the time.

And, if you're one of those snobs who feel that plodders like me have no place in marathons: I hope that by reading about what I'm going through, my obstacles and progress alike, you'll begin to see why speed doesn't always matter. Heart does.

Zoom!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Holly Potter and the Week of Off-Trackness

My goodness, I have been a bad dobby with my posts lately!

After receiving an email from my sister today ("New post! New post! New post!"), I had the feeling that I should probably update this blog. After all, I did promise an entry about snobby runners.

Sadly, though, you won't get to see that entry until tomorrow, after my run.

I know, I know: you were all waiting with great anticipation for it, but you'll have to wait a few hours more!

Tonight's brief entry is just that: brief.

It's been a pretty tough week for me, so I made an executive decision and skipped two days of running. The result? My hip feels worlds better and I have a renewed sense of determination (since now, I really have to step things up).

The joint is still a bit achy and one of my eye's has been freaking out (unrelated to training) and I have never been more tired, but it's all good my friends, because I am getting this runaway train back on the tracks tomorrow!

So, choo choo, gentle readers. Choo choo, and good night--I'll see you bright and shiny tomorrow morning!

Bring it on.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

New Job Fun

So, as mentioned in yesterday's post, soon my crazy schedule will be less crazy--hooray!

Starting in late November, I begin working at Macy's Santaland, as in the miracle on 34th.
I worked there last holiday season and had an absolute blast, so I will be taking a brief hiatus from my current job to style Santa. And get awesome discounts.

The wonderful thing about Santaland is that my schedule will be much easier when it comes to balancing training and work. I'll work 5 hours a day, evening shift; this means I'll be able to get sleep, go running, and still have time for real life, all before I head to the North Pole.

Ah, freedom!

Not to mention, I won't be on my feet much (unlike with my current job), so it'll give my legs the rest they need after running.

Huzzah, my friends, huzzah! So, come and visit me in December and get your picture taken with Santa :) I promise, it's totally awesome.

Stayed tuned for an entry later this evening regarding an interesting topic: snobby runners!

Friday, October 23, 2009

I Wish I Had Bionic Woman Legs

...Then again, were her legs bionic? Because, if not, then I don't want them. I know she had a bionic arm. I think.

Tangent, sorry!

Anyway: I am definitely feeling training pains as of late. My hip joint is still being a little monster, and today it started affecting my knee. Thankfully, I didn't feel this until I was walking home from my workout.

I am sure that my being exhausted comes from training in the morning and then working/being on my feet for 8-9 hours; however, this situation will be changing soon.

As I need to be going soon, I will save my explanation for the next post, and hopefully learn to stop writing about how exhausted I am, as I am sure it is terribly boring!

As a means of apology for a--once again--boring entry, I bring you this:

Two hikers on a trail came around the bend to find an enormous brown bear about 75 yards up the trail. The bear spies them and begins running toward them at a full gallop. One hiker drops his backpack, sits down, throws off his boots, and starts lacing up a pair of running shoes. The other hiker says: "What are you doing? You will never outrun that bear!". The first hiker replies: "I don't have to outrun the bear..."

Wokka wokka wokka!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

iPhone and iTired and iEat Trail Mix Oh My!

Well, gentle readers, I deliver my apologies. Yesterday I was supposed to give you a fun post that wasn't laced with professions of my exhaustion. Instead, you got no post at all!

Well, I aim to rectify this situation; the following blog entry will be explosively awesome!
It will at least have more than five sentences.

Lately, I have been stretching more intensely than I usually have. My muscles have been much more tense and sore (I'm sure a combination of increasing miles and colder weather), but I'm hoping that stretching and Advil will make the ugh-feelings go away.

Also, I downloaded a fantastic application for my iPhone a few weeks ago! I have mentioned MapMyRun before, but did you know that it has an application for iPhone? It does, and now I shall elaborate on it: MapMyRun for iPhone has GPS tracking, so you can chart your pace, average speed, and distance while you run/walk/bike, etc!

You can then save your data and have it sent to your online MapMyRun account, and so begin further documenting your progress! Though the application isn't entirely accurate--after all, it's an iPhone being tracked by GPS--it is a fun way to (kind of) keep track!

In other Holly news: I have gotten madly into trail mix, all kinds. Sweet and spicy with cayenne pepper, decadent with dark chocolate, super crunchy with soy nuts.

Especially on days when I don't have time to get a real lunch/dinner during work, trail mix has been my nutty savior. Full of protein and good fats and berries, oh my! I recommend trail mix to those of you who feel too busy to pack real lunches during the work day or need a quick treat to beat hunger.

Call it scroggin, gorp, or "hippie stuff"--just have an open mind, and try your own variations :) It's really quite delightful!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Zawsted!

I gotta say, this week has not been easy.

Between running and work, I am beat.

Tomorrow you'll get a much more informative post, one that isn't this boring.

Yikes! I need a nap.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

I Am Carnivore. Rawr!

If I were a dinosaur, I would definitely be a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I mean, aside from being the coolest dinosaur ever, the T-Rex ate a lot of meat.
And I like burgers.
See? Total connection.

However, despite my T-Rex tendencies, I enjoy veggie sausage, turkey burgers, and soy milk. I have had delicious vegan cookies and amazing vegetarian lasagna. Being the foodie that I am, I enjoy both the Boca and the Burger!

I bring up this subject because my sister is, in fact, a vegan. More specifically, a "90% vegan." She hasn't always been vegan, hasn't always been vegetarian, but this is how she lives now, and I am very proud of her for it! She has made me some incredible vegan pumpkin-oatmeal cookies that rival any that have eggs in 'em.

Anywho: I bring this up because, while I keep mentioning the turkey legs and magical bacon that exist in Disney World, it's important to know about the vegetarian and vegan options available, too.

Walt Disney World may have fantastic hot dogs, but there are also great salads and veggie burgers available at the quick-service restaurants, and almost all table-service locations have vegetarian (if not vegan) options on the menus. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and vegan baked goods are also commonly available at food stands throughout the parks.

One of the most amazing things about Disney is their ability to not just accommodate, but to go above and beyond the dietary needs of their guests. By calling the WDW Dine phone line, you can give advance notice of the dietary requirements of your party--be it vegan, vegetarian, kosher, gluten-free, etc.

Once you let the restaurants and chefs of Disney know about your dietary needs, that's where the fun begins! Disney's chefs are able to make some truly remarkable vegan dishes, and better than me attempting to describe them, I suggest you check out this blog: Vegan Satori.

My sister, of course, was the one to point me towards this particular entry, describing the author's wonderful experiences eating vegan in Walt Disney World. The meals actually sound quite tempting, and I may even give them a shot!

After I enjoy a dozen corn dog nuggets at Casey's Corner, of course.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

It's Like Fall In Your Belly

There is no better feeling after working out than a strong autumn wind on your face, seeing little kids gleefully get out of school, and then coming home to a pumpkin-candle-scented apartment and eating granola.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Scary-thon

Today marks the beginning of Week 4 of the training plan (only 13 weeks to go--yikes!), and this is where it starts getting harder.

Not to say that the weeks leading up to this haven't been somewhat hard, but this is where I'll really have to start pushing myself, as the mileage begins to increase significantly. I also need to be more careful about what I'm eating and drink a whole lot more water each day. I over-carbed yesterday and whoa, was I tired when I woke up this morning.

I'm not going to lie, when I think about the task the lies ahead, I get pretty scared. Even though my mind has yet to wrap around the fact that this is 26.2 miles that I will be running, I'm still (obviously) aware of the craziness that is a marathon. Eee.

Eeeeee.

Eeeeeeeee.

I also need to be really careful about not getting injured at work. Running a few miles and then being on my feet for nearly 9 hours does not a happy Holly make; I have also (in the past) hurt my heels and ankles at work, due to some precarious wooden steps.

I also may or may not have slipped and fallen on my butt a few times. But, never you mind.

I also should stop writing "also" so much. It's beginning to look strange.

But, regardless, I just need to really be careful: to stretch more, to allow more time, to be better to myself, because now is where the real challenge begins.

Eee.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Some Observations

1) I pushed my power walk pace to 14:15 and my running pace to 11:30 without getting totally exhausted, and feel even better about the possibility of me not passing out during the marathon!

Dos) I met yet another person who has run a marathon (the one in Chicago). It's really encouraging to know that, even though a marathon is still a huge feat of strength and a major undertaking, regular people do it and survive!

C) I am beginning to see muscle definition in my chubby calves--hooray!

IV) I have been trying out different foods to eat before I run (since I don't usually like to eat before working out). I've done yogurt and granola and will soon be trying bananas with peanut butter.

Five) I love my running tights so much--they reduce jiggle like nobody's business.

J-E-L-L-O-No-mo(re).

Thursday, October 8, 2009

I Am Not Made of Iron, But I'm Still Awesome

Hello, gentle readers--I'm still alive, uninjured, and I haven't given up!

I am merely a busy (read: exhausted) bee, but I will honestly try to update more frequently (every other day at the minimum), so that I stay focused :) And plus, it's fun!

Anyway: My workouts have been going well lately. I am still unable to run the entire time, but I'm pretty consistent with power walk 3 minutes, jog/run 2 minutes. It seems that the first minute of running is always the hardest; after that, my lungs begin to adjust and it gets easier.

By the way (and bear with me because this sounds unrelated, but it is), in our apartment, we don't pay for cable, so we get the basic channels (ABC, NBC, etc). One of the channels we get--along with Telemundo!--is NBC Universal Sports, which often does replays of the Olympics, marathons, and more.

So tonight, after coming home from a very successful outing in Manhattan (I finally bought "Dirty Dancing"--score!), I sat down and turned on the telly. UniSports (as I shall call it--man, I am abusing parentheses tonight) was replaying the IronMan competition from Summer 2009 and--can I just say--WOW.

I mean, I know a marathon is intense (and therefore, yay me), but a marathon plus a 2.3 mile swim, plus 112 mile bike race? Holy muscle cramp, Batman. I got tired just reading that sentence. Blergh.

Being aware of how ridiculously tough IronMan is makes the marathon look easy-peasy! And hey, if you've never seen any clips of IronMan, here you go: Anything Is Possible.

Iron is an understatement: these people are made of GOLD (and maybe one day, I will be, too.)

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Hope In the Form of a Stranger

It's late, and I've not been home from work very long, but I had to share this before I went to sleep.

I customer came in and bought a cupcake tonight; she was probably in her late 20's, nice and normal looking. As I rang her up at the register, she commented on why she was buying the cupcake: "I just ran a marathon yesterday and now I just keep eating everything!"

I was so excited! "I'm running a marathon in January," I replied, ecstatic. We only spoke for a minute or two, but it was such a good feeling to talk to this stranger who understood what it felt like. "It's not that hard, you'll be able to do it," she told me. She herself was not a runner; this had been her first marathon. Right before she left, she imparted to me one more nugget of marathon knowledge:

"It's so worth it; it's emotional and you'll just cry at the end of it, but it's great!"

Tonight, she became my favorite customer, and I really hope I see her again in January so I can tell her about how it wasn't really that hard, and how I cried at the end, and how it was so worth it.

Quickie 4

Sorry for the wait, folks! It's been a busy week, so here's what's up:

1) This has not been my strongest week; I've been pretty exhausted between training and work.

2) My hip joint is bothering me less, but still, boo.

3) I'm starting to not hate fake bacon. Fakeon. Facon. Whatever.

I am sure, however, that the moment I taste real bacon again, I will cry with happiness.

Sigh.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Happy Birthday WDW!


That's right: On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida officially opened it's gates!

Opening day attendance was around 10,000 people, and though Walt himself wasn't around to see it, his presence was felt throughout the park.

From the rides to the restaurants to Mickey and Minnie and all the gang--I don't think Walt could have envisioned such a wonderful outcome. Walt Disney World truly is the happiest place on earth, and I, for one, am glad to see that each year it gets bigger and brighter and more beautiful.

Happy Birthday, Walt Disney World--I'll see ya real soon!