November 02, 2012

Long runs are all relative

If my plans hadn't changed because of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, I would be writing this post from New York right now. But I am very happy with my decision not to go, and I'm grateful to be home and safe with my family this weekend. If you haven't heard, the NYC Marathon was also canceled--that is a very big deal! I've been hoping they'd make the decision to cancel. The whole thing just didn't feel right, with all the stuff going on there right now. I think they should have canceled it sooner than today, however. I'm sure a lot of people flew into NYC today for the race.

Since I would no longer be running the 5K in NYC on Saturday, I had to change up my running schedule. I took the 5K race off and added a long run for today.

Six miles.

It feels strange to call six miles a "long" run, after the marathon training I did, but I am SO happy to have my long runs be the distance that my short runs were all summer! I'll gradually build up my long runs again to 12 miles before the Ragnar Relay. Obviously, I'm capable of running 12 miles right now, but I am looking forward to a reduction in miles for the next couple of months.

I dressed in my UA Cold Gear tights and a long sleeved shirt with a (super bright yellow) t-shirt on top. I was going to be running on the shoulder of a busy road, so I wanted to be visible. It was in the mid-30's when I headed out this morning, and after a few miles, I actually wished I'd left my gloves and ear warmer headband at home.

The goal on my schedule was a 10:34/mi pace, but I just decided to run at whatever felt comfortable. There were a lot of cars on the road for the first couple of miles, and it was irritating to have to keep running onto the gravel shoulder every time a car was coming my way. A lot of cars move over into the other lane to give me some space, but I never trust a driver while I'm running, so I always play it safe and get over as far as I can when I run on the road. I do like running on the road, though--for some reason, the miles seem to go by faster.

I was feeling good for the last mile, so I picked up the pace a little. When I finished, I had that really great runner's high that I love!
When I uploaded my run, I saw that I am less than 8 miles away from reaching 1,000 miles this year. I always thought it would be cool to run 1,000 miles in a year--if you average it out, it's about 2.74 miles every single day. Reaching 1,000 miles will likely never happen again for me; I trained for and ran not just one, but two marathons this year. Since I'm not going to be doing another marathon, my mileage probably won't get up that high.
When you add up all those calories, it is the equivalent of 29 pounds of fat that I burned while running this year!

Estelle has been obsessed with Noah's trick-or-treat bag. She always loves to climb inside of everything, but she was really into this bag. We picked her up while she was in it, and hung it up on our coat rack. She thought it was SO cool to be perched up and hidden like that. It was hilarious to watch her peek her head out, and then duck back inside.


I've been watching The Walking Dead recently. I don't know how I agreed to watch it, because I absolutely HATE anything having to do with zombies (I even go out of my way to avoid watching zombie movies, because I think they're stupid). But Jerry absolutely loves the show, and I told him I'd watch the first episode of season one on Netflix.

Well, I watched it, and now I'm completely hooked! I still hate the zombie parts, but the majority of the show is more about the people that are surviving rather than the zombies; I've gotten really hooked on the story lines of the people, and I keep watching to see what happens next. Jerry cannot contain his excitement that I like the show ;)

22 comments:

  1. I think cancelling the NY marathon is a good thin too. I can see both sides of the argument, but I agree that it just doesn't feel right when so many people are struggling.

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  2. I love Walking Dead! My husband got me interested in it after introducing me to the comic which the show is based on.

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  3. I, as probably every wife, got hooked on the walking dead by my hubby. now I can't miss an episode and actually look forward to the zombie dreams I have. sick I know.

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  4. I have been watching the walking dead too, with one eye closed and the sound down during the zombie parts :::shudder::: But I do enjoy the story lines so I will keep watching.

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  5. I'm from New Orleans and my family went through Katrina, and then I moved to Galveston and Ike destroyed the island. Even being used to hurricanes, it is always hard to believe the level of devastation, even from a category 1 storm. People who are experiencing this for the first time really had no idea what they were in store for, and unfortunately they will find out just how LOOOONG recovery takes, especially with the higher population density and without the resources we already have in place down here. Not initially cancelling the marathon was part ignorance and part wishful thinking...then they got a reality check. I wish for the best for everyone affected...they have a hard road ahead. Thankfully, they have people all over the country jumping in to help out!

    And the Walking Dead is THE BEST SHOW EVER! Love it! I have been hooked since the very first episode! Zombies are the best :)

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  6. The Walking Dead is awesome! And I already know you love Dexter and of course Friends, I like you more and more everyday! What amazing taste you have ;)

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  7. As always, you inspire the heck out of me! I look forward to six miles being a "short" run someday :) (I just got home from the gym... I did two miles tonight hehehe)

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    1. That's why I said it's all relative :) Six miles IS short when you're used to 15, 18, and 20 miles!

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  8. i like the 'amount' of cals u burnt :).
    Thankyou for always inspiring me.
    I just weighed in & I weigh exactly the same as I did before my vacation.
    And who motivated me to eat wise...u:).
    Seeing ur pics makes me believe I can do it too.
    I love Friends...will have to try watchingWalking Dead

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  9. I haven't been able to watch Walking Dead since Andrew left for Afghanistan. *shudders* I can't watch it alone.

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  10. OMG i love The walking dead I just started last week and in 2.5 days i watched both seasons!!! now im starting vampire diaries (oh ya once upon a time is great too). vampire diaries seems to teenish for me lol

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    1. I love TVD(the vampire diaries) I just watched the first episode of 'walking dead' it sort of spooked me(LOL)
      U may want to check this out--->
      http://weightlosstraveletc.blogspot.in/p/addicted-to-soaps.html

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  11. Also hooked on the walking dead - not sure how it happened, as the show is SO hopeless... and I usually have some kind of scary dream after I watch it, but it's just too gripping!

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  12. I tried to watch that show w/ my hubby...I couldn't get past the stair scene where he only has matches...that's in the first episode. :) I'm such a chicken.

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    1. Hahaha, I LOOOOVE scary movies, but only if they are "realistically" scary; so that's why the zombie stuff doesn't scare me at all.

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  13. I hate zombie stuff as well but I am hooked on the walking dead. It just gets more and more crazy the further it goes. Congrats on 1000 miles (almost)

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  14. We have a marathon here next weekend (Richmond, VA) and I am doing the half that day. They are getting a lot of entries now from people who were going to do NY, so the half is now full.

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  15. Congratulations on 1,000 miles (I know you're gonna get there this week!)!!

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  16. Wanted to go for a run today but is so cold outside! Might stay in and do a Jillian Michaels workout instead. We shall see! Congrats on the miles! thats impressive! :)

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  17. Hi Katie, I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your stats. I don't have a GPS and am considering buying one in the near future, but I'm not really very techie when it comes to running. Would you consider writing a post about your GPS and how you use it? It looks kind of complicated - is it?

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  18. Thanks for the post :) Your kitties are so adorable, makes me wish I wasn't so allergic!

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  19. Haha =) Hearing about your Walking Dead experience made me smile because that is exactly what happened to me! My husband talked me into watching it, and now I'm hooked! I pretty much hate everything to do with zombies, so I still won't watch zombie movies with him.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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