16 Miles and a 5k Chaser

Hi again All,

It was quite a weekend...nearly 20 miles in 2 days!!

Saturday started with a 16 mile run---my longest thus far.  Fred's Team took advantage of Summer Streets---a rather inspired program sponsored by the NYC Dept. of Transportation.  For 3 consecutive Saturdays in August, Park Ave. is closed to vehicular traffic from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge.  That's about a 6 mile route.  The run took me from Park and 72nd, down to and across the Booklyn Bridge and back again.  An additional 4 mile loop in Central Park rounded out the 16.

I'd like to share with you a brief excerpt of a conversation that took place between my brain and my legs beginning around mile 14:

Legs:  Um, we're ready to wrap this up.  What's the deal here?!
 
Brain:  You are strong. You are fit. You are feeling no pain.

Legs: You are full of sh*t!

The remainder of the conversation is inappropriate for our younger readers, but suffice it to say that there was some dissent among the
ranks through most of Central Park.  That said, I finished it--coming in at under 3 hours.

The following morning, I participated in a 5k charity run at Yankee Stadium.  Seasoned runners would refer to this as my "recovery run;"  (a short run following a long run, which some believe is advantageous for a variety of reasons.)  The real recovery took place when I inhaled a large breakfast burrito, post-race.  This newfound delight may quickly replace the otherwise delectable egg and cheese on a roll.

I registered for this race before I realized I'd be running 16 miles the day before, but it was well worth the effort. Here's why (in no particular order):

---Multiple images of Derek Jeter on the race-course

---Kicking Jason's ass (FYI: My husband also participated in this race. Notice the use of the word "participate."  One of the Kurtz's did not run this race.  One of the Kurtz's did not finish this race.  One of the Kurtz's skirted a portion of the course, took a medal anyway, and helped himself to a bag of potato chips at the finish line.  One of the Kurtz's is SO NOT like the other.)

An adoring Derek Jeter cheers
Dayna on at the 5K

---Remember that aforementioned excellent breakfast burrito?  Enjoyed gratis, courtesy of my Mom and Dad.

---Derek Jeter pics (worth a double-mention.)

One step at a time,

Dayna

I am very grateful for your support of my efforts with Fred's Team.  To make a contribution, please go to the following link: (If the link does not open, please cut and paste into your browser.)

http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/daynaisin

14 miles and counting...

Hi again Folks,

For those of you who do not live in the tri-state area and do not subscribe to the Weather Channel, the weekend before last in NYC was f@#%!^g hot.  Heat can have an interesting affect on people---not the least of which can be delusional thinking.  I am certain this played a part in my decision to head out on a 14 mile training run that Saturday morning.  The clock read 6:30, the thermometer read 86.  Based on how I was feeling, I suspect it was in Centigrade.  I was wilting before I'd even started moving.  Not a pretty picture, people.  Lest any of you become concerned, I'll cut to the chase and tell you that I did not run 14 miles at that time.  I did run 6 (which was the revised, suggested distance from the coaches.)  I made it through by double-fisting at each fluid station (one cup of water down the hatch, the other over my head) and snarfing down the complimentary banana post-run (I should have grabbed a second....)

This past Saturday morning, a balmy 10 degrees cooler, the temperature was no excuse to shorten the run.  The time had come.  14 miles loomed....When I arrived at the starting point, me and my fellow Fred's Teamers were sentenced to our route--10 "Great Hill" loops.  Please take a moment to note the visual aid.*


*Simulation of Central Park's Great Hill.

The Hill is one of the highest points in the Park, rising to 135 feet above sea level.  Saturday's run incorporated a loop from the middle of the 102nd street east/west transverse, up and around the hill, and back to the midpoint on the transverse---a distance of approximately 1.4 miles.  After finishing each loop, we reversed directions.

I'd like to take a moment to share a few firsts that occurred during this, my longest run to-date.

1.)  I finished my longest run to-date

2.)  I learned that having to use the bathroom forces me to stop running for a few moments, and that this is a GOOD thing.  In my youth, I believed this was to be avoided if at all possible because a.) The public restrooms in Central Park are high on the "ick" scale and b.) The port-a-potties set up during races rate higher.  Interesting how one's perspective on cleanliness changes after 10 miles with 4 to go....

3.)  I had the pleasure of experiencing chaffing.  I'll leave it there.

4.)  Whomever created the egg and cheese on a roll was obviously a distance runner.  That s*it tastes damn good after 14 miles!

Well, folks, that's it for now.  Next Fred's Team run is a 16 miler this weekend.  As a bonus, I'll be taking part in a special run (for another charity) at Yankee Stadium.  A 5K in and around the place, with a big finish on the warning track!!  Yes, I'll take a few pictures.  No, Derek Jeter won't be in any of them (sadly.)

One step at a time,

Dayna

PS--Hi again, Folks.  I hope you're enjoying the blog thus far.  If you are (or even if you're not, but then you wouldn't be reading this), please consider making a contribution to support my fundraising efforts to fight cancer with Fred's Team/Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  You can donate at the link 
below:


http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/daynaisin


Thanks again!