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| Accepting my first-place trophy (and 100 dollars!) from a cute little kid |
Since I have a few minutes to spare, I figured I'd spend my "down time" blogging. I know I haven't written anything in a while because my time has been nowhere near down. Luckily though, even though I've been taking some time away from a ton of running, my race times have still been on the downward slope too, downward meaning faster, which, of course, is always an upper.
Since I last posted, I have won two more races: the Shoreham Wading River Thanksgiving Day 5-Miler in 30:41 and Patchogue's Santa 5K Toy Trot in 18:30, where little kids (including the three little ones I babysit, since their mom was running too) lined up at the finish line and looked at me as if I was a superhero. I don't plan to road race until January, so I figured this week, I'll enjoy some rest and easy miles. Even though my body doesn't ache for rest, I know it's perfect timing for a break, especially ending on a nice winning streak iced with commendable times and superhero experiences.
And speaking of commedable times, last Sunday, I was in no mood to run but prodded myself out of the door around 4 p.m., realizing that I would have to stay on illuminated pathways for my 13.1 miles. I promised myself since I was feeling "blah" and unmotivated that I would enjoy the feel of the long run and avoid checking my watch. I wandered through the Christmas-y streets of Patchogue, window shopping and checking out the Christmas lights on the Victorian homes. The run was sweet, and it was even more sweet when I finished the half-marathon and glanced at my watch to see that I completed my easy-going "stroll" in 1:36, a time that would rank pretty high in most actual races!
Later the next Saturday, I went with some of the girls to sign up for the Colgate Indoor Games, where I can potentially win $1,000 in scholarship money to pay off the rest of my student loans. After registration, the girls and I went for a 5.5 mile run at Farmingdale College in a horse trail that I was so excited to find (one of my students let me in on the secret) and show off. I especially love the riduclous hill you HAVE to climb in order to get onto any part of the trail. After we finished a nice run while chatting, the girls commented that the change of pace and location was nice, just what they needed. Me too, except then I had to leave them and dart back to a few extra hours of tutoring (on a Saturday - my choice)!
Life has been pretty crazy. The past week, I haven't been taking care of my body as well as I should. I have been sleeping less, hydrating less, coffeeing up a little more, and eating on the go or not eating much (although I have eaten two chocolate filled donuts in the past week - YUM). In fact, I don't think I ate much before that Sunday run. I've been really slacking in that department. Obviously, none of these actions are congenial for running, but they work out well to help me survive the end-of-semseter home stretch. My "down" time from running is actually an extremely hectic time for work. I guess on the positive side, I don't have to worry about both at once.
Another thing that is helping me through the semester and something I thought was going to be a downer was not coaching this winter season, but, in fact, I know it was a smart choice. Honestly, I don't know how I squeezed coaching into this end-of-the-year madness. I enjoy having a few moments to myself. I miss some of the kids, but I, sadly, don't miss the craziness.
But once this craziness is over, I will REALLY have some down time, a full three-weeks off, which is why I can't complain too much. My plans? Some P90X in the morning, a free 10-day pass to L.A. Fitness to check out spin classes and their pool, some Bikram yoga, Real Ryder spin classes, maybe some Alter-G runs at Reddy-Care, some lifting in my basement, lots of mileage, a photo shoot with Citius, some research on a few free degrees I can get, and some time on my scrapbooks that are taking over my attic.
Plus, I have to get ready for the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler in Washington, DC in April. I just found out this week that I am an automatic seeded qualifier! Talk about feeling like a superhero!
Bascially, I guess I don't believe in being down.
