Glad Game Monday XX

Ah, it's the 20th Glad Game Monday Post! WOOHOO! Lots of Mondays choosing to be glad instead of down. After seeing the Chicago Marathon streaming live, friends getting PR's, and Columbus Day off today, there is plenty to be glad about this Monday!

I'm glad that Jocelyn and Carla ran AWESOME races in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday! Seriously. These ladies both scored 20+ minute PR's and made me hopeful that my goal (eh hmmm not really mentioned on the blog as of yet because, well, I'm nervous!) is attainable. Also, congrats to my friend Brenda! She was coming off a great PR in Louisville and ran Chicago! GREAT job ladies! You're my inspiration for getting out to run my best run today!!! 

I'm glad the temperatures have become more weather appropriate. I nearly died last week at school. Couple disgusting humidity with a cold, and I was pretty miserable as a teacher in a hot hot hot classroom! Thank goodness this week will include more hot coffee / hot tea drinking weather!!! I still have yet to have a pumpkin spice latte...maybe this week will be the week!

I'm glad that I ran in my favorite kind of weather! It's no secret that I love running in cooler temps; however, so cold so soon meant I waited to run until the temps got a tad bit warmer around 11am. Today's 6 mile tempo run was steady and consistent. My splits were all the in 9's, averaging 9:46/mile. This run was a great way to kick off my comeback from the cold week.

I'm glad someone likes to snuggle. I know I know. Blah blah blah I love my dog. But come on! He's so cute. Since it was a cold and rainy weekend, Lambeau Puppy was extra snuggly. Couple that with a Packers loss (of which we will not speak), he slept and snuggled and slept some more! I was glad to be a willing participant. 

I'm glad I got to go to a Uconn football game! Although this was last week, it still deserved the add. We got to go to the football game with my brother and his wife, an annual tradition that we had to skip last year. SO glad to hang out with them! I'm also glad that my sister-in-law, Mrs. McAuliffe, has been cancer free since December 2011 and plans to stay that way!!! GO DEB!

What are you glad about today?! Celebrating Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492? Glad that Breaking Amish is a show?! Glad that it's LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL THE NYC MARATHON?! Tell me about it!!!

26 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!

NYC Running Routes: Roosevelt Island

Since I'm currently battling a cold, why not talk about past runs that rocked?! If you're planning your long run, this could be the route for you! ENJOY!

Do you like bridge running? Sure I do. I've run the Brooklyn Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, the Pulaski Bridge, and little unnamed ones out in the 'burbs. However, I had never run over the Roosevelt Island Bridge. I had heard good things about running on Roosevelt Island, so I finally decided to give it a go! Let's check out the in's and out's of the mystery island in between Manhattan and Queens.

Name: Roosevelt Island

Location: On the East River in between Manhattan and Queens.

Distance: 3.6 around the edge of the island.

Entrance: There are a few options to get onto Roosevelt Island. If you're coming from Manhattan, you could take the Roosevelt Island Tram! Entrance is located on 60th Street and 2nd Avenue. As I said in the Pulaski Bridge Running Route post, you could also opt to run over the Queensboro Bridge into Queens and enter from the Queens side. To enter from the Queens side, take the N/Q to Queensboro Plaza or R/M/E to Queens Plaza. Head East on 21st Street toward 38th Avenue. Turn left on 36th Avenue and enter the walk way on the Roosevelt Island Bridge on 36th Street and Vernon Boulevard. You will see signs directing you to the bridge ahead.

Via

Best part about running over the bridge: No bikes allowed on the walkway! They have their own lane on the road, which I'm sure they prefer anyway. 

Once you're over the bridge, you have to go down stairs or an elevator. Veer right once you finish running over the bridge. It's the only way to get on to the actual island. It breaks up your run a bit, but it only takes a minute or less. 

Oh, the views! I feel like every running route has great views! You get views of Long Island City as well as the New York skyline along the East River.

Via View of LIC

Via View of Manhattan

There are cool things to look at! There is a section of Roosevelt Island that becomes like an official Park. They're still doing a little construction on it, but there are ruins of an old hospital. Kind of creepy, but cool to check out...on the run ;-)

Via

The bathroom and water situations are great! There were six bathrooms (Only two stalls open, it was early!), four water fountains, and sinks with soap inside and outside the bathrooms! No need to feel gross for using the restroom, they are clean and fully stocked with all the essentials that disappear on most race days. This is located at the beginning of the ruins park area.

Roosevelt Island is a great place to take pictures. Because there are great views everywhere you turn, we just wanted to take photo after photo! However, there were miles to be run, so we kept it to a reasonable minimum:

Verdict: Running on Roosevelt Island is right if...

- You like a relatively flat running route.

- You enjoy running surrounded by water.

- You need limited to no shade (Great for fall and spring running!)

- You enjoy seeing a little taste of the 'burbs, like kids playing soccer, dogs being walked = Heaven.

- You want to try something new!

31 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!...almost a month! GAH! I need to get better!

When a marathoner has a cold

Aw SNAP, that's me. I tried to avoid it. The raspy, scratchy throat each morning has turned into a full blown head cold. UGH. I ran 12 out of 18 miles on Sunday. COLD FAIL.

Last April, I  was out of commission. I didn't really blog about it, but my allergies threw me through a loop. I got really discouraged because I had never had allergies like this before. I had a really hard time bouncing back, and now I'm nervous. EEK.

Last fall I got a cold a couple of weeks before my marathon. This is to be expected where I work: germ infested school with kiddos who outnumber anti bacterial applications.

So, here's what my coach (Also a nurse) recommended:
- Fever: take Tylenol (duh...but I had to be told)
- Lots of fluids
- No sugar (Including juice...thankfully, I don't drink any!)
- Soak in Epsom salt for 15 minutes (for throat)
- Lemon Tea (Add fresh ginger if you have it)
- REST
- Buy cold-eeze lozenges

So, here's to trying some new things! I'll let you know if I recover quicker etc. For now, enjoy some Lambeau Puppy pictures:

When I'm sick, Lamby is close by...but needs constant scratches and love.

Lamby partied hard after the Packers crazy game and victory. Go Pack Go!

Have you ever been sick in training? Sneezing during long runs?! Cough drops during races?! Tell me about it!!!

32 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!

Glad Game Monday XIX

Did you feel this way today? I sent this to Mr. Miller. I insisted on being positive today. It was a busy day, but I feel grateful. Grateful that I have a job, grateful for my husband, grateful for my family and my puppy dog. Being sad on Monday's because the fun, relaxing weekend is gone? The fun and relaxation would be NON-EXISTENT without a stimulating work week. SO. Let's get glad about Monday, excited for the week and weekend ahead!!!

I'm glad Sex and the City is on TV right now. ENOUGH. SAID. This movie is fabulous. I got my first cosmo before seeing this movie. 

I'm glad that we were Aunty Kristin and Uncle Brian to Georgie. Although his formal name was George, we all new him as Georgie (Insert high pitch voice). G-Man was our friends S and A's dog who Mr. Miller and I dog sat about three years ago. Two days after we gave Georgie back to the Anders, Lambeau Puppy arrived via my parents. We loved Georgie so much we got a Yorkie of our own. Georgie was Lambeau's cousin; gentle with him as a puppy, playful as a grown up pooch, sharer of his toys, and a willing example every time L-Puppy went to get his hairs sheered by G's daddy. (Georgie would go in the bathroom because he was concerned that Lamby was crying; Shaun would sheer Georgie a bit to show Lambeau it was okay. It always worked.) Georgie died suddenly at 6 years old between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning of last week. We are all upset because we loved this dog so much; he inspired us to get our love of a pooch, and was the best cousin a Yorkie could ask for. Georgie, we are so glad to have known you, so glad that you did not suffer, and so glad that Lambeau will continue your mischief.  We will always love and remember you G-Man, also known as Pork-a-belly.

I'm glad I ran 20 miles. I feel great! Had some quad soreness yesterday, but I feel awesome today. Score.

I'm glad that I went to the bathroom in Radio City Music Hall. It was SO old school! A powder room, old sinks; so old New York. I loved every moment of it.

I'm glad that I saw Bon Iver Saturday night. Oh yea, that was after running 20 miles! It was PERFECT. A sit down and relax concert, in comfy Radio City Music Hall seats, and an INCREDIBLE show by Bon Iver!!! They said they won't be in the US for the next 2 years...totally worth it! Bravo Bon Iver, Bravo.

How was your weekend?! Have you dealt with the loss of a pet? Have you seen Bon Iver? Did you have a great run or workout this weekend? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

40 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!...oh geez, getting to the 30's

20 miles and my house smells like APPLES!

Here I sit, Lambeau on the pillow that is propping up my legs, trying to nap. Have you ever experienced this phenomena?! You run forever, then you can't nap. I used to be OUT COLD after a half marathon. Now? I can't seem to simmer down for a bit of shut eye. Mind you, my alarm went off at 5:30am, so I should be a bit tired. Nope. So I guess I'll let you know how my run went!

I ran 20 miles with my friend Leticia! She is fantastic. She has come back from injury and put up stellar numbers on her runs, especially long runs. When she asked me to join, I was scared. Scared I couldn't keep up, scared my fueling or my stretching would get in the way. I was scared for silly reasons, but reasons that all runners who run with partners or groups have; running your own run. I'm so glad to say we did great, made a fabulous team, and completed 20 miles!!!

I had made this mad gangster route on Google maps and said hey, this seems like 20 miles! Kids, don't try this at home. This was a GENERAL estimate which we tweaked ;-D We ran the East side of the Central Park loop, ran a full loop of the reservoir in between, and exited the park toward the West Side Highway on 72nd Street.

We ran up the West Side Highway to the George Washington Bridge. I was *SO* excited to see this lighthouse! I've seen many a picture of it, and I felt a fabulous sense of accomplishment as I traded photo taking duties with another (random) runner. SHOUT OUT TO TEAM FOR KIDS! They were doing their 20 mile group training run on the same route, and boy, did they encourage us! I think they thought we were in the group, but even when we outed ourselves as non-members they were still super positive and friendly. LOVE RUNNERS!

 As we left the George Washington Bridge, things started to get real. Like really real. Cramping (In my butt:? WHAT?!), fatigue, grumbling tummy (I took 2 gus within 4 miles!), the thought of running 7 more miles, the sun, everything. It was a mental battle. Leticia took the lead and I followed right behind her. We ran in silence until we were ready to exit the highway for the last 1.5 miles on the outskirts of Central Park toward our train station.

Finally, at long last, we finished 20 miles!!! Watch time: 20.23 miles in 3:40:20, 10:54/mile. There is a bit of a discrepancy, as we ran the whole way together, and Leticia's watch ended up being .25 behind mine?! Garmin, what's up with THAT?! Anyway, I finished with her...well, behind her. She found some end-of-the-run speed that my mental breakdown of hearing the beep and seeing the Garmin record 20 miles couldn't quite keep up with. Leticia, you're a tough runner and I was pushed so hard by you! THANKS!!!

Oh, last year's time? Last year's solo one and only 20 miler was 3:45, so that's great improvement!!! It was in October on a perfect day. Today was oddly humid, I was cold sweaty, which was really odd.

Overall feeling: confident. Even though the end was a bit rough, I had my friend by my side. Race day is a whole new ball game, filled with tons of energy, tons of spectators, lower humidity and cooler temps. I'm EXCITED.  

Oh yes, and the apple scented candle I bought yesterday? WORKS LIKE A CHARM. Happy first day of fall!!!

42 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!

For the first day of fall, I'll run 20 miles

Tomorrow is the big day!!! EEK! Yes, it has come to that time where my long run has a 2 instead of a 1 in the tens place. Oh, wait, you thought I meant fall? Well, that is a big day too. Fall in New York has got to be the most wonderful season; clear blue skies, leaves crunching, THE MARATHON, and the start of drinking hot instead of cold coffee in the morning ;-D 

Thoughts on 20 miles. Well, the temperature appears to be in the  mid 60's to low 70's, with the humidity gradually dropping during the time we'll be running. I'll take it! Although I do not anticipate this run being as magical as last week's zero humidity ultra cool running weather, I do have high hopes. My only 20 mile run during training last year went swimmingly, and I hope for the same result this time around. I will be running with Leticia, and the tentative route is to try and locate the George Washington Bridge. Running Scavenger Hunt commence! I'm also attending a Bon Iver concert at Radio City Music Hall that night, so recovery will be KEY!!! Love me some Bon Iver. (Is it eye-ver or i-ver?!)

Thoughts on fall. I love it. Truly, who couldn't?! It comes just when I feel a bit bogged down in school to enrich my life with pumpkin, cinnamon, leafy kinds of things!!! Here are a few of my fall favorites:

Cooking fall foods! Not  many people associate cooking with fall, but I DO! This week I made pumpkin pasta (Not pictured), butternut squash risotto (Top picture) and pumpkin cookies (Bottom picture). Seriously, beyond delicious. All the pumpkin recipes are easy, but the risotto is an over an hour labor of yummy love.

 Football get togethers! Not a week goes by that we get to see at least some of our fabulous friends. 

Scented candles from Bath & Body Works blow my mind. Farmstand Apple? Leaves? Cinnamon Pumpkin? Autumn Day? Yup, picked them all up today...hey, the three wick candles were 2 for $20! Get em while they're hot! Sale ends today.

What are you looking forward to this first weekend of fall? Are you running long? Going apple picking (JEALOUS)? Drinking a delicious pumpkin brew? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

43 days until the ING NYC MARATHON!!!

NYC Running Routes: Long Island City & the Pulaski Bridge

In case you missed the other NYC Running routes posts, check them out!

For a scenic route overlooking Manhattan with limited hills, check out running in this route! Although Queens is a short run in the ING NYC Marathon, it's my favorite! (This may or may not be because I live in this glorious borough...) The Pulaski Bridge marks the half marathon point, and running through Long Island City leads you to the ominous Queensboro Bridge. I've lived in it for six years and I am excited to share this route with you! 

Names: The Pulaski Bridge and Long Island City or LIC

Location: The Pulaski Bridge connects Brooklyn (McGuinness Boulevard) to Queens (11th Street). Long Island City is located along the East River overlooking Manhattan and is adjacent to Astoria.

Entrances: To run from the Brooklyn side, take McGuiness Boulevard to the Pulaski Bridge or take the G train to Greenpoint Avenue to follow the same route. To run from the Queens side, you could be adventurous from Manhattan and run over the Queensboro Bridge! If you prefer to take the subway, take the N/Q to Queensboro Plaza, or the R/M/E to Queens Plaza. Head toward the Citi Building on 23rd street, veer right onto Jackson Boulevard and follow signs toward the Pulaski Bridge. See Marathon Map for a visual. (Same directions from the Queensboro Bridge if you choose to run it!!!)

Via The bridge had cool art!

Oh, the views! As I ran this route I remembered that this was the spot that MANY runners stopped to take pictures in the 2011 marathon, and now I know why. I think I was a bit distracted because I knew my family was in LIC waiting for me. This was a gorgeous view. The bridge is not that long, and the elevation is NOT challenging compared the the Queensboro Bridge looming ahead. 

The walkway is narrow. It's just about equivalent to one side of the Queensboro Bridge's walkway! It was relatively empty (I saw four or five people total on a Sunday afternoon). It was well paved and had a cool little look out point as seen in the photo above. 

You get to be a bad a** and run in multiple boroughs! If you choose to run from Manhattan on a long run, why not train it to the Bronx, run through Manhattan, run across the Queensboro Bridge into Queens, then over the Pulaski to Brooklyn!? You could knock out FOUR boroughs in one long run! I couldn't get a picture from the walkway of the Welcome to Queens sign (BOO to you DOT!), but I loved the sign as I ran into Brooklyn! The bold statement made me laugh. Only in NYC!

There is a lot of great graffiti art in LIC. This neighborhood is known for having really cool industrial buildings adorned with art; I think a lot of it is legit because it's an "artsy" neighborhood. This was on the Pulaski Bridge and I just about lost my marbles giggling...alone.

Another example of a typical industrial building in LIC: 

Via

If you want another scenic stop, head over the to Gantry Plaza State Park in LIC. This is a relatively new development (Opened in 1998). It has amazing views (Especially at night, but please don't run here at night. Too many industrial areas that are vacant.), piers going out to the water, and I believe water fountains! I'm not 100% sure, but there is a grocery store to buy water from. (Blogger fail. Guess I'll have to run back there to check out the water scene!)

Via Going out toward Manhattan

Via Running back toward LIC

Verdict: LIC and the Pulaski Bridge is a great running route if...

- You're running the ING NYC Marathon and want to get a preview of what's to come at the half marathon point!

- You want a relatively flat route.

- You enjoy views of Manhattan.

- You are good at navigation or following directions.

- You have a running partner; as I said, it's very industrial in some parts and I recommend running in the morning or afternoon.

- You carry your own fuel; there's no emergency Gel retailers that I could see ;-)

What about you? Have you run this route before? Have you ever visited the LIC waterfront? Do you think it's an advantage to preview a marathon route? TELL ME ABOUT IT!!!