MLB All-Star 5k Race Recap

Well, 5k's are a short affair, so I'll give a short recap. It was VERY stressful getting there; parking was not the best, and I'm a get there early kind of gal! I got to the start line (After parking at 7:50am, running to bag check, going to the bathroom etc) at 8:01am. SO, there's freak out number one! It was 94% humidity, which regardless of the temperature, totally affects me. Here is how this went down:

Mile 1: Decent first mile, lots of weaving as Mr. Miller and I tried to stay together despite the slower and often walking runners.
Mile 2: Big hill. The mile to push just a little more...but people were WALKING A TON. I simply was bobbing and weaving nonstop!
Mile 3: Annoyed by the hill, we settled in to a comfortably fast pace knowing my PR was not happening that day. 

Finish time: 28:57 (AKA, I PR'd in positive splits!)

Lesson learned: My mental game is a bit weak. I need to control my frustrations.

Positive moments: I saw tons of amazing people!

 YES. That's MARY WITTENBURG. We chit chatted about cheering on the Queensboro Bridge for the NYC Marathon...stay tuned. I was instructed to call her office to see if there's something we can do. EEK.

A word on Mary. She remembered my tweet on Friday asking if I could cheer on the Queensboro Bridge during the NYC marathon, and was waiting to get a better answer than "No" before she replied. She was BEYOND polite, gave me her contact info and wants to work something out. I was really impressed with her forthrightness, candor and charisma. Go Mary.

 Mr. Miller and I loved seeing our friends Bryan (Top right) and Bernadette (Bottom Right)! 

As always, the Slafters (Top) were ready for the gun show(Bottom Left). Mr. Miller's Mets friends (Bottom Right) were ready for the ASG Fan Fest!

What race is complete without yummy food? Our friends the Anders are going on a mission trip to South Africa to work with school students, so I attended their pancake social! It was a fun event with CLOSE attention to detail...Mrs. Anders is a party planner extraordinaire! If you need one, let me know. She's amazing.

Pancakes for a Cause

Finally, we ended the night with a @NikeNYC event. We got to go to a stickball game in Soho. Nike shut down the street and catered this event to perfection. It was fun watching Manhattan vs. Brooklyn while eating some Cracker Jacks and sipping some Heineken. 

 I love themed food. Yummy!

L-R Top to Bottom: Free baseball food, stickball, #makeitcount and DJ JAZZY JEFF! Perfection.

The event was fun, but DJ Jazzy Jeff made it amazing. The MC literally said "And we have DJ J---" and I started screaming, I'm such a fan! I just read a People magazine article about how he's still around, despite people thinking he's a has-been. Verdict? He was fantastic. 

How about you? Did you race this weekend? Did you run long this weekend? Do you love the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

Lap Swimming Ettiquette

Wednesday night, I finally got back in the water. Swimming, shockingly, is my first sport love. Cue the angels singing:

Well hello there old friend.

As is always the case, there was some questionable etiquette happening. I'm not saying this to be rude, I'm saying it because sharing a workout space should be enjoyable for everyone. By not understanding the rules and etiquette, you can really frustrate or even hurt a fellow swimmer. Wednesday night I got cut off and passed by a swimmer because she thought I was slow; however, it was the gentleman in FRONT of me that was holding us up. I swam behind her for four laps before she gave up and realized that I was then being held up by her. There were also people in my lane who decided to not bring goggles. Or, they decided to walk half of the lap because they haven't swam in a while. All these things could have frustrated me, but I decided to write a blog instead of being upset...hopefully it will help some swimmers be great neighbors in the pool!

Me thinking, "THAT was an interesting swim!"

Etiquette Number One: Wear a swim cap and goggles. I know it cramps your style, and goggle eyes at work aren't attractive, but these items are like your socks and sneakers in the pool; you can't go on without them! Goggles will help you see your lane marker underwater, and your cap will keep your hair from (inevitably) falling out and distracting you. (I know this seems obvious, but after last night, well, I had to say it!)

Goggle eyes. EEK. Product reviews by the pool.

Etiquette Number Two: Be honest about your pace. This is NOT the time to think that you can roll with the big dogs. Serious swimmers get very upset when little lowly people like myself decide I'm ready to freestyle with the semi-professionals. (Those swimmers have every right to be...it's like me trying to run the NYC marathon with the wave one! I'm a wave three kind of girl!) The key is to ease in by watching the swimmers for a few minutes, then choose a lane that seems completely doable for you. If the swimmers in the lane are slow, then move to a lane that seems to have a faster pace. My pool has lanes from left to right marked as a walking lane, slow lane, medium lane, and fast lane. The further right you go, the faster each lane within each category gets. I usually join the fast lane, but on my first return I settled into the medium lane. I slowly moved my way over to the fast lane, realizing that a lot of people were not honest with themselves about what lane they should be in. 

Obviously not my pool, but you get the idea. Via 

Etiquette Number 3:  Share the lane. My pool is a free public pool. Many people take advantage of it, which I think is fantastic. However, this means sharing a lane is mandatory with 5-10 swimmers. General etiquette is to have the lane marker be on your left side. You don't swim ON the lane marker, you swim next to it. That way, a swimmer coming from the opposite direction can equally share the space with you. Drafting is something that could help or annoy your fellow swimmer. Drafting is when you swim close behind another swimmer to benefit from them paving the way in the water. I was drafting with another swimmer (who I had just met at the pool!) and we agreed to take turns drafting. Otherwise, I could have thought she needed to pass me or vice versus, so communicate if you want to try to work with someone. Passing, however, is more of a silent move. You warn the swimmer by tapping them on the foot, and the swimmer should NOT speed up as you pass. I had a gentleman who got passed by my drafting partner, and clearly did not want another female passing him. He tried to beat me to the wall, which resulted in my almost getting punched by an unsuspecting swimmer in another lane. 

My pool is seriously this crowded. At least it's a 50m pool!

Etiquette Number Four: Be aware. Be sure to check how far you've drifted away from your lane marker, notice swimmers on your left and right, and try your best to stay consistent with your strokes and breathing pattern. This will help you react quickly if something happens. For example, I didn't realize that the aforementioned gentleman had stood up to walk a bit (?), and I ran right into his back. I had not raised my eyes to look ahead of me because I didn't see any bubbles, which signals that you're getting close to someone who is kicking/swimming in front of you. It was harmless, but if I had been more aware I could have simply swam around him...and avoided the passing duel. 

So, get in the water! For more practical information, check out this post for some more great lap swimming etiquette advice.

Hilarious.

How about you? Do you swim laps? Any advice? Do you prefer to be in a floating device when at the pool? Have you ever tried aqua jogging? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

The highs and lows of NOT training for a marathon

This is the first summer in two years that I am not training for the NYC Marathon. My first year was all roses and birds chirping, and my second year was determination to better my time with a more intense training cycle. This summer? NADA. I am running when I want to, doing fun things, and not caring if I miss a run. Insert SHOCK and AWE! This has been a huge mental shift, and I have noticed the differences already.

Here are a list of highs and lows of NOT training for a marathon when:

Instead of long running on Saturdays, I can bring Lambeau Puppy to the park with his puppy friend Brady during the off the leash hours, which end at 9am! 

High: He is so happy to roam the park and make puppy friends!
Low: Seeing my running club running laps around the park...at amazing paces...in the heat. Sigh.

People are posting on Twitter or blogs about how their training cycle is going.

High: I'm not committed to ANYTHING!
Low: Hard working runners will get a pretty medal soon.

 NYRR Had a time sensitive flash sale on marathon training gear.

Via

High: I don't have to spend money on overpriced Asics clothes, despite the sale!
Low: I really like that hat. A LOT.

My weekend plans are WIDE open! I'm not committed to a 10+ mile long run!

High: We can do fun things like weekend trips, events, or hiking!
Low: I can't justify eating special treats from Queen's Comfort.

I'm cross training more! Check out my guest blog on Running Bun!

Highs: I feel more fit and toned!
Lows: Cross training more is hard. Like nausea inducing hard!

I get to sleep in if I want. And by sleep in, I mean 7am.

Via This is my friend's baby. I'm still in love with these photos. Clearly Lambeau and I look like this!

I get to work out with Mr. Miller more. Since I'm not determined to get my workout done ASAP in the early morning, we try to coordinate a couple of workouts a week to do together.

Highs: We get to spend more time together!
Lows: I feel lazy until the evening workout!

Verdict: I'm okay with not being in official marathon training, I just need to do some long runs to get back to Queens Comfort!

How about you? What are you training for? Are you "on a break" from training? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

Sometimes, I just love New York

Confession: I've been watching SATC on HBO Go. It all started with episodes in the afternoon on E!, which I figured out to be season 6. I ended up finishing out the season during my week off while avoiding the hot and humid afternoons. Then I got to thinking, "I need to see this from the beginning!" So I've been watching it from the beginning, and it's been reminding me over and over again of the infinite possibility of New York.

Now, I'm obviously not in the city looking for love. I've found my real, ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love. However, sharing this city with the one I love and those friends I love has become more and more fun lately. It's like I'm falling in love with NYC all over again. So, here's a little Bradshaw inspired caption work from a fabulous holiday weekend in New York: 

On July 4th, it's not what you know, it's who you know. And by who you know, I mean who has rooftop access with a grill.

In a city of over 8 million people, finding good friends is priceless.

Even though its common retail, Macy's was brilliant.

Just when you think you've found all the cute spots, a new one comes along to surprise you.

Sometimes the best museums are closer than you think.

Just when you think you've seen it all, love for New York is in the air.

How about you? Is there one place that you feel enamored with? Did you have a fun 4th of July? Has it been as HOT by you as it has been in NYC? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

Why I'm not in Marathon Training

Well, it's no secret to those who know me. I didn't even plan on running a marathon last year, and I MYSTERIOUSLY won an entry into the NYC Marathon through the lottery. Everything was amazing in the training cycle, and I'm glad I ended up running the Philly Marathon. However, I was tired. SO tired. Between life and work, I was happy to officially retire from marathoning for a while back in November.

My marathon retirement / birthday party...but it happened the Friday after the NYC Marathon was supposed to happen...a bit premature, but we couldn't change the plans!

As a teacher, training for a fall marathon is difficult. September/October is the most stressful time for me as a teacher, and it's also peak time in training. I don't talk about it much on here because, well, we have social media guidelines that are pretty air tight. It's no secret that teachers are going to be receiving a new evaluation system thanks to the insane amount of media coverage in recent months. This new system will require even more work from me now, aka useless paperwork to prove that I am, in fact, a good teacher. Hey, better safe than sorry.

This is one of my only pictures from work...I had to buy shorts because I forgot mine for a runmute! Also pictured, my pink water bottle that I carelessly lost this week. RIP Pink Nalgene.

My school is also beginning to use two new forms of curriculum. This will require endless reading, even more planning, and inevitable stress levels rising. I know my training would suffer.

I want to spend time with my husband and family. I know Mr. Miller has had to sacrifice time with me when I obsessively go to sleep at 8pm on a Friday night (Heck let's be honest, I do that training or not!), and 5am wake ups on Saturday mornings for long runs. Also, we missed out on fall in Connecticut last year because I was obsessively training; I'd rather enjoy CT runs and spend time with family versus ensuring I hit my pace on a certain route. *I* want to run my life, not let the *run* run my life. Check out Lora's post for more thoughts on that.

Not pictured: MY SISTER MRS. WAITE WHO IS PREGNANT with Lucky niece or nephew #13!

I'm excited to CHEER for friends! So many people are running the NYC Marathon and I hope to be, barring any restrictions to access, getting a PR in cheering on the Queensboro Bridge. I'm also excited to be cheering for Ashley at the Hartford Marathon, and hopefully getting to Philly for Kim's marathon debut!

So, there will be no fall marathon for this runner. I know that runner envy is bound to happen, and I will certainly feel the tinge of sorrow to not be crossing a finish line this fall. However, I believe that my excitement for my friends will outweigh those negative feelings!

How about you? Do you get runner's envy when you aren't racing/training? Do you feel burnt out after training cycles? Are you running a fall full or half marathon? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

How to Runmute!

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It's no secret that I love to run home from work. I often "runmute" after work. I've adjusted what I pack to make my runmute  more self-sufficient. Before, my coworker/carpool partner would bring my bag for me and I would pick it up afterwards. However, there were times when we couldn't connect to get my bag back. Plus, it's SUMMER now, so I'm running to fun get togethers instead of taking the train! So, I came up with a new plan.

Over sized water and holding my phone in my hand? NOT Runmute etiquette! 

What to bring: 

- WATER. I don't leave home without it. 
 HINT: I freeze my bottle so it stays cold throughout the run.

- Light shirt, dark shorts. 
HINT: Try to wear a light shirt to help block some of that heat, and dark bottoms to, well, hide that sweat!)

- Bring a credit card, ID, $5+ in cash, and a metrocard. 
 HINT: If in NYC! If you're going to work, bring a disposable bag with your things so you don't bring your whole bag to work, therefore you have nothing to leave!

- Something to hold your phone. 
HINT: Place your phone in a ziploc bag before storing to keep it dry!

- Ditch the Garmin. 
 HINT: Waiting for satelite is annoying, and having a huge watch on your wrist can be, well, weird. I use the Nike + app to estimate my runs because I have my phone with me anyway!

- If you're meeting someone, give them a towel and/or wet wipes/Showerpill to clean up a bit! 
HINT: You could also throw that into a Spibelt or any other storage belt!

What are your runmute possibilities? I enjoyed a great runmute day on Friday! On the agenda? FUN.

- Visit someone for lunch, dinner, or coffee! 

We had a delicious food truck lunch!

- Meet someone for a fitness class!

 This is a cucumber lime paleta. Holy amazing. Not pictured: Ashley and I went to a great hot yoga class!

- Run an errand by, well,  running there!

Whenever possible, I'll run into the Manhattan over the Queensboro Bridge to run my errands!

How about you? Do you ever runmute? Do you bike for errands? Do you prefer to just show up to things commuter sweaty vs. running sweaty? TELL ME ABOUT IT!

NYC RUNNING ROUTES: Take a ride, take a hike! Rockland County

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Sometimes, it's just too darn hot in the city! After spending time commuting to work in the humid concrete heat all week, Mr. Miller decided we need to get out of the city to check out some nature. He did a lot of research, taking into consideration distance from the city, distance of trails, and ease of navigating the trail. He found a lot of helpful information from this site that convinced him that this was the hike to take!

Trail: Hook Mountain at Nyack Beach State Park
Address: 698 N. Broadway / Upper Nyack, NY 10960
Distance from NYC: About a 30 minute drive
Trail Length: 6 Mile Loop (It took us just over three hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Markers: VERY clear
Views: EXCELLENT
Price: $$

Grab this map when you park! The park attendant was VERY helpful, take their advice!

This was an amazing trail! We got an early start and were hiking by 9am. It was a bit tricky to find the beginning of the trail because it was in the middle of a neighborhood, but the directions were perfect and we began our hike. Thankfully the Cicadas were dead or dying, so they weren't an issue! 

The trail was well kept, clearly marked, and beautiful. We were impressed with how clear the trail was despite its length. Even when there were fallen trees, they SOMEHOW separated them so the path was clear!

Follow the Green markers! Bring your #Nikefuelband and do a #fuelcheck!

The peak was beautiful! It didn't take long to get there, probably less than an hour. It was expansive with incredible views. The best part? You probably walk for another half an hour with continued peak views.

We made it! We also didn't wear sunglasses and it was BRIGHT!

We continued on our hike down the mountain, which eventually turned into the Hudson River Greenway Bike Path. The trail was very challenging to me; in fact, my rear end STILL hurts! The ascents and descents were continual, think rolling hills at high elevation, so it was a really challenging cross train workout. I was out of breath a lot of times, more so than while running! Thankfully the gorgeous scenery kept us going. The trail turns into a gravel bike path which is about two miles long. It's a nice cool down to end a great hike!

We saw a deer! It was exciting. I had to run out some stiffness in my legs! They were a bit wobbly!

The only downside was the cost. Thankfully we have a car, but if you're renting a car, paying bridge tolls and gas, it can be a bit of an expensive half day trip. We avoided the Tapanzee Bridge on the way in, but on the way back the GPS took us across it, adding a third and fourth toll payment. Tolls (Triboro Bridge included) were about $20. Parking was $6 (Saturday and Sunday only), and it took a little more than 1/4 tank of gas.

Verdict: This is a GREAT trail! If we had time, we would have stayed in adorable Nyack for lunch, but we had evening commitments and needed to get cleaned up and rested. The endurance sport presence, whether runners or cyclists, was so strong! The scenery, small town feel, and active people all around us made this a VERY relaxing half day getaway.

How about you? Do you like to escape the concrete jungle? Do you have trail legs? Are you an anti-bug city runner? TELL ME ABOUT IT!