Running Ragged

I AM the coach (and I love it!)

2009-05-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Last night was my 1st night coaching my new 5k group. About 20 ladies came and it was great. We had a mix of experienced exercisers and new beginners. We are using a track, which is really great. Since we go in circles, no one is first or last!! Plus I can see everyone.

Do to some very last minute scheduling issues, the kids tagged along. Being on the rack was great because they could go around or hang out. There were a couple of stray people on the track, but not many. It is also a very cushy soft track.

It is only an 8 week commitment, but it is a great opportunity for me.

Just today, I was offered an opportunity to mentor for team in training. I would start this sat. The big problem is, do I rejoin my old running group, also starting this sat and training for a fall 1/2 marathon, or join my running groups new tri team and train for a fall sprint triathlon (it would be my 1st).

I have to decide right away.

Think of me while I decide.

me, a coach...

2009-04-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am getting really excited. I just got my team roster for the 5k program I will be coaching. I have about 36 people signed up for my team. I think there will be about 10 coaches in my state. We are all spread outm which is great. The training will begin in about 1 1/2 weeks. Yahoo!!!

good news

2009-04-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

I got some exciting news this week. I was chosen to be one of 16 local 5k coaches (and one of 150 nation wide). I do not have many details yet, I will get more on a conference call this week. It is an 8 week program that ends in a 5k at the end of June. Of course my running club with be doing the 7 miler that same day, but I am still really excited. I coached marathoners a few years back, so this will be a good way to get back into it. I love coaching beginners, though I am not sure who will be part of this group yet. I am looking to get back to personal training and teaching land group exercise (I still teach aqua classes). I feel like things are starting to fall into place and I am so excited. My yougest will start kindergarten in the fall and maybe the old me will be coming back!!!

snow day

2009-03-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well March certainly has come in like a lion. We had about a foot of snow since last night. No school too, though I think they would have been fine with a delay. I got my workout in shoveling snow and I still have more to go. So, since I work at a health club, they NEVER close. I trudged in this morning, kids in tow. After I sent them to babysitting (they had the entire room plus two babysitters, all to themselves). Since my aqua classes tend to be more of an older crowd, I had a nice morning chatting with the life guard while we watched the empty pools. Two classes and no members. I left early and headed home but got stuck in my driveway. 30 minutes (more) of shoveling and I made it in the garage. I am not going back out today.

spring is coming

2009-03-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hello March,

So, I have not been running much this winter. I have however hired a personal trainer. One of the benefits of working for a health club is getting a dicount on personal training. It is actually a great benefit. Well, since it was a nice day (the calm before the storm, really...there is now snow outside and more on the way, but I was out running in my running skirt and short sleeves), my trainer got me outside running sprints, (kind of), up hill...way up hill. It was hard work, but good. It was just what I needed to jump start my pre-spring training.

race season

2008-10-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, This is what I call running weather. It is crisp and cool out and the trees are changing color. Fall in New England is really special. Race season is here too. There are races happening all around. Some of my running team buddies are thinking of doing a 1/2 marathon or a relay in Feb on Cape Cod. It is is pretty chilly in Feb around here! My worry is though, do only the super Boston marathoner, crazy, run in all temperatures and go super fast type of runners do half marathons in the winter in new England? It is interesting how many long races are actually planned for the cold New England months all over New England. Any way, if you see me out there, wave!

A great workout

2008-08-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Today I did something I have waited about a year to do. I checked out the local ladies running group. I read about it in a magazine, but since I work on wed and I usually have no child care, it has not worked out. It is mostly moms and mostly over 40 years old. (Just like me!!) The kids are both in camp all week and I found a sub to teach my aqua aerobics class.

The weather has been calling for storms, rain, cold, and other lovely summer time joys. I got an email saying the running group might cancel, even though they usually run in most weather. Luckily, it was drizzly, cloudy, and cool, but not pouring and no thunder. It actually was not bad running weather.

The track work out was great. I do not usually do track workouts, so this was just what I needed. I hope I will be able to switch my work days so I can join this group every week. In just over a month, my little one will be in preschool 4 days a week. I might actually get time for a life of my own!!!

what happened to the summer

2008-08-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Aug 1st. Sounds pretty ominous, doesn't it? School supplies have been in the stores for weeks.

As a mom, I am usually pretty excited for school to start. Not this year. It's been a fun summer. We've been to paris, Cape Cod, soon to the Jersey shore, and back to Cape Cod. I've managed to get in a few nice runs. I've dragged the kids to the beach, the pool club, my sister's pool. We've done farm camp, drama camp, swim lessons and more. Next week, both kids will actually be at the same program. Nice!!

What next? I am actually hoping to switch around my work schedule to be able to join the local ladies' running club. It is a mixed group, but mostly moms over 40! Perfect. They do their track workouts on wed am. My little one will finally be in school on wed am! I am going to try to join them for a try out session. I think the butt kicking of a coached track work out will be great, especially since they run all year (they move inside in the winter) while my current sat running club ends in oct, just as I need the group to get me through the long New England winters.

My new resolution

2008-07-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

As I was flipping around other team bolgs, I noticed that a few teams have bunches and bunches of entries. One team has none, and others are in between. Out team was pretty low on the list. I know I am as much to blame as everyone else. I am going to make it my personal mission to try to catch us up. Well, maybe not, but I will try to be better at posting more often, and not just when I am "back to running after a break".

What a great morning. Yesterday, one of the aqua aerobic subs called me to sub for her today. Most of my classes are in indoor pools, so today was a special treat to teach 2 back to back classes in the outdoor pool. It was fun and so nice to be outside. At this particular club, most of the classes move outside for the summer except for 2 that stay inside. Lucky me, I teach one of the classes that stays inside. I do teach one outside.

If any of you baystaters are in the Wellesley or Newton areas and want to try out one of my aqua classes, let me know. I teach both deep (you wear a belt and no touching the floor) or shallow (about chest depth). It is great cross training for runners. I highly recommend it to anyone. It is not just an "old lady" workout. It is great for pregnancy too.

Lisa

I made it

2008-07-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

So, my running group started up again after a slightly extended holiday break. I finshed the run. It was not pretty, but I did it. I feel good too. I think I am energized and motivated to keep going.

Registration begins this week for the big local 1/2 marathon. I did it last year, but I may pass on it this year and do a different one. It fills up super fast, so I only have a few days to decide.

Lisa

Back on course

2008-07-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

OK, my running groups resumes training tomorrow, after a very long few weeks break. If you count climbing every tower in Paris, hours of walking, and visits to every museum and tourist destination in town, then I have stayed on track. Somehow, I do not think that will be enough to get me around the river and back to our starting location.

I was doing great and began a good training routine. An extended visit from my children's great grandmother, followed by our vacation, really got me off track. I am looking forward to getting back into a routine, though my run tomorrow, in the wee morning hours, is going to feel very long.

I feel like I am starting over from the beginning. That's OK though. I have started from the beginning many times. I can do it, just like I have done it before. No worries, right!

Lisa

the new season begins

2008-04-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, this sat begins my new race season. My running group, Bostonfit, which is part of USAfit, begins their offical season that runs from May until Oct. I am hoping to join a second group that also has a weekday run and that goes all winter to keep me motivated during the cold, snowy months.

Some of my running buddies and I have been trying to continue our weekly runs, off season, but it has not alway been easy. I am actually looking forward for the new season. I am now a half marathoner. Usuaully when I join a training group, it has always been to train for a full marathon. Beginning last fall, I decided to have a half marathon as my goal. Some days I wished I was going for a full, other days I was really happy to be "only" training for a half.

This season, we will have our very own half marathon coach, instead of being tacked on with the slow full marathoners. I am really excited. He is a peer coach who trained with the group for the last 2 years. He is a fun, and super motivating guy. Just what I need in a coach.

I will let you all know how it goes on sat. I think we are only doing short run.

Wish me luck,

Lisa

Got it!

2008-02-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

I finally got our Astavita jersey and supplements in the mail yesterday. Although the jersey is extremely small I guess that is some more motivation to keep running and lose a little more weight so I can look good in it! I am also excited to start taking the supplements and see if they help my running any. Has anyone else been taking the supplements?

First run in AGES

2008-02-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

I climbed on the treadmill yesterday, for my first run in a LONG time! I've done enough stupid training in the past, to know that I have to ramp back up slowly. So, I did 30-mins of running 3 mins/walking 2 mins and I was huffin-and-puffin pretty quickly. I just have to keep thinking, "This will get easier, this will get easier..."

I've made the commitment to Team in Training, and am in the process of sending out my fund-raising requests. If anyone is interested in donating, please visit: http://www.active.com/donate/tntsonj/CarolReck

Thanks
Carol

I may have lost my mind

2008-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if I've just done something REALLY stupid, but I just signed up with Team in Training, and will be doing the Philly Tri in June. It's a .9-mile swim, 26-mile bike and then a 6-mile run. In addition to the training, I need to raise $2700. YIKES!!! I'm hoping at the kickoff meeting in early February that they give us plenty of ideas on how to do that!

Guess I need to get my butt moving!
Carol

Needing Motivation

2008-01-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

OK I am needing some motivation right now. I am in a running rut! That is why I have turned to other moms for some motivation. I haven't been able to run outside since Thanksgiving since it has been so icy and cold in Nebraska and treadmill running is getting a little old. Hopefully with the New Year Resolutions and everyone on my team I will be able to get back into it. I don't want to let anyone on the team down. Hopefully everyone else is finding the motivation also.

I'll admit it!

2007-12-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'll admit it. I am lazy. I am. I sign up to run races (marathons, half marathons, and other less crazy distances). I do it because otherwise I won't run. I ran a really hilly, 10 mile race just after thanksgiving. I will tell you all the details another time. Now that race season is over for me, I have to find another race to keep me (or do I mean GET me) running.

I teach group exercise classes. I don't do it to stand in front of the group in my shiny spandex (yeah, right), I do it to get myself moving. I am telling you, I am lazy. I even hired a personal trainer because if I have to pay him, I have to show up!

Well, now I am part of this see mommy run race team. I am commited to myself and my team! I cannot let them (or me) down. I WILL track down a new race to train for. Will it be the 1/2 marathon in Feb in Cape Cod? Maybe another 1/2 marathon in May in Boston? (That one sounds better!) I am not sure yet, but I will find one.

My running buddy will be back soon from a very long trip to Ethiopia. Hopefully she can get me back into my running shoes! We always stop for breakfast after our weekend runs. That is the best reason so far to get back to running.

Happy New year and happy running!

Lisa

It's a new start for 2008!

2007-12-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it's New Year's Eve?? So tomorrow's a fresh start, and I intend to make the best of it! I plan on putting my amazingly bad eating habits behind me, and kicking my exercise mojo back into gear for 2008!!

My goal is to lose 52 lbs in the next year. I have more than that to lose, but I'll settle for 52, which is 1 lb./week.

I'm going to start SLOWLY back into my running program, using a run/walk plan to start with. My goal by the end of the year is to complete a half marathon. I've done a full marathon in the past, and really don't have a desire right now to do another one!

Here's to a happier, healthier 2008!! "cheers"

Carol