GREETINGS FROM VACATIONLAND!

Hi there! I'm writing you from VACATIONland and it is awesome.

Today is Day 2 of a workless week for L.A. That means I just woke up after snoozing through a morning alarm for the gym, the coffee is brewing in the Keurig, and I'm spending my morning hanging with my best friends, talk show hosts.

Last week I tied up everything at work and prepared for one FULL week out of the office. FREEDOM! My cousin from California was coming to visit and I was happy to take a much needed break. 

My cousin arrived Sunday and we have been bopping around town ever since. She has a very acute sense of smell so naturally walking around NYC with her is a trip.

Once we've stuffed ourselves to the brim with NYC food fun we'll take off for Philly. It's a wild wedding weekend with both my cousin and one of my best friends from college getting married. No, they are not marrying each other but that I would be cool.

I'm a bridesmaid in N's wedding so I just have one wedding on my personal agenda but Mom and Dad are making the rounds. Good luck guys!

Now let's chat marathon training. It's about to get real. Last week was the first week that I felt like I was training for a marathon, not just trying to get in a good running workout.

All week my short runs were 6 miles. 6 miles used to be the number I would run in a morning if I overindulged in Bareburger the night before. Not anymore. 6 miles is the standard and by Thursday I was mentally preparing myself to accept it.

Thanks to my first weekend in NYC all month, I was around Saturday morning to take part in the ING NYCM Long Training Run #1 in Central Park organized by NYRR. I was pretty psyched to run it with people from Team for Kids but not psyched to be running 13 miles in the park. I love running Central Park but one loop is usually enough for me. The scenery is gorgeous and often provides much needed shade but the route is filled with lots and lots and lots of rolling hills. This is fine for 6 miles but not for 13.

I woke up bright and early to meet up with M, a fellow TFK runner.  M is in town from Dallas and we had never actually met before Saturday morning. She is a friend of a friend and we were put in touch thanks to someone spotting my (obnoxious) fundraising posts on social media. We've been emailing back and forth sharing fundraising and training sagas. She was finally going to be in town this weekend so we got to meet up!

We slowly made our way to the TFK area where the team was waiting to warm up. Warm up? Oh that's something new but probably a good idea. We did a light jog and some stretching before jumping into our corrals for the run.

The corrals were based on your pace group. I jumped in with my ideal pace group expecting to fall back. Between the hills and humidity (95% HELLO) I didn't know how this long run would play out. There was also not a set distance for this race. You could run any amount of miles you wanted up to 20. Did I run 20? Not a chance, but some other lunatics did.

I set off for my first loop. They had it positioned so we hit the Harlem Hill first and only in one loop. Thank you somebody with a brain!

All along the run, pace keepers or coaches were running with us. I had a superstar coach in the 9 minute pace group who ran backwards checking on us while providing words of wisdom along the way. 

"Keep this up and on November 4th you'll finish..." 

"Head up, look forward, your muscles will remember how to take this hill..."

"STAY IN THE LINES..."

Okay, the last one was not as fun but he was awesome. It was nice to let someone else play the motivation game on a run for once. Usually my internal dialogue does the work but this time I just turned down my Katy Perry tunes and listened to my coach.

By the second loop, I went to the beginning of the pace group. I wanted to hang with the boys and see if I could keep up. Running with the mass group was definitely an experience. At times, we were a little close for comfort but the conversations overheard were quite entertaining. I was looking for anything to distract me from the fact that I was running 13 miles willingly.

In the middle of mile 9, I was starting to feel a trifecta of pain. My right hip was tight, my left knee ached, and the left ankle was not thrilled at this amount of activity. Don't worry team, we only have 4 miles to go? Luckily, I got a quick phone call which interrupted my iphone music and pain pity party.

"Of course you would call me at this hour..."- L.A.

"Did you run yet?"- Dad

"I'm on mile 9 of 13. "- L.A.

"Oh. Call me after."- DAD

No good luck? Hope you make it? How are you feeling? He was just calling to brag about his morning miles and because no one else wakes up before 9am at home. It was 8am and that's like noon in our time clocks. 

The pain somewhat subsided and I was thrilled to stop once my Garmin beeped at 13, not a mile more. I grabbed some Gatorade to replenish (yuck) and headed back to the TFK spot to stretch. I was pretty proud of myself for running a casual half marathon on this Saturday morning. I was also quite offended by myself and the amount of sweat that accumulated on my clothes. Sorry but it was humid (95% HELLO) and it looked like I went for a swim in the pool.

Post stretching I ran out of the park in desperate need of my shower. It was the first time that I got in a cab and felt that I was dirtier than the cab. I felt a little bit guilty but the subway would be a confined space with strangers and even I knew that was just mean.

I got home and turbo showered to run out next for my best friend's birthday brunch. The bride to be was also celebrating a birthday and wanted to blow it off due to the week's upcoming festivities. No way. We all like mimosas and you way too much.

I rested for the rest of Saturday and then went out again that night. Wow, being in town and social is a lot of fun. Note to self, do this more often!

This week is a little bit of a challenge on the training front. There are SO many exciting events going on with family coming in town and a duo of wedding festivities. My days on Friday and Saturday are booked which don't really allow time for a long run. Sunday is out of the question because Saturday will be a day full of celebrations. You follow my lead.

I am going to attempt to do my long run tomorrow or Thursday. Tomorrow I can run it in the park or throughout the city but if I run Thursday it will have to be somewhere in Philly. I kind of like the idea of exploring new territory on the run so we'll see. I guess I need to make a decision later today? In the meantime, I will just indulge in carbohydrates. Don't judge, I am training for a marathon AND on vacation.

The rest of my weekly miles will be shifted around based on the long run. I am going to do my very best to hit my total mileage for the week. Fingers crossed!

LAST WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total	Total (FLEX)
TFK Plan	6	REST	6	6	REST	13	5	31	36
L.A.	6	Strength	6	REST	6	13	0	31

THIS WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total	Total (FLEX)
TFK Plan	6	REST	6	6	REST	14	6	32	38
L.A. Plan	6	REST/ Strength	6 (or 14)	14 (or REST)	REST/ 6	REST/ 6	REST	32	38

Last but not least, FUNDRAISING! I guess I have hit a little bit of a stalemate on this front. I took a little break from harassing people for money to be social and focus on my training plan. Now, I am going to get serious because the fundraising deadline is October 5th. I know that sounds like a ways away but really it's just 66 days! 

The rest of my morning will be spent sending THIS LINK to all of my super generous friends and family. 

Coffee's ready and it's almost time for Live with Kelly. Chat with you later L.A. land!

Lots of love and laughs.

XOXO

L.A.

L.A.'s Team for Kids Fundraising Page

NOMAD SUMMER CONTINUES

As I mentioned in my last post, after working a week at Comic-Con I found out that a last minute event in Tampa was next up on my agenda. I eagerly volunteered and flew down Friday morning to work an event at the Sun Dome that night.  I didn’t bother to put away the suitcase from San Diego. Instead, I threw some clean clothes in with the dirty ones and was packed for my next journey.

Disclaimer: I didn't take out the dirty ones in hopes that my mom would feel generous upon my impromptu visit home. My plan worked! I landed in NYC last night with a suitcase full of clean clothes for a new week of running and work. She’s the best, I know.

My human alarm clock and running partner woke me up fully dressed in his running gear at 6:45am Saturday morning asking if I was ready to go. Umm no? But an hour later I was dressed and attempting to motivate myself out the door. I planned to run the 11 miles from San Diego that I skipped since I'd felt guilty about them all week. The original TFK schedule had 7 miles on the agenda for this weekend but adding the extra 4 gave me some peace of mind and a feeling of penance.

Dad joined me for the first 4 ½ and I spent the remainder 6 ½ cruising through the neighborhood. I passed by my old softball fields, the house on Sleepy Hollow, and various other spots of hometown memories.

Thankfully as the temperature outside reached 95 degrees my Garmin reached 11 miles and I was more than happy to return home. I quickly swapped the sweaty running clothes for a swimsuit and took off for the pool. I spent the rest of the afternoon recovering in the water while working on the dreaded runners tank tan lines. Mission impossible.

While many of you got ready for wild nights out on the town Saturday, I snagged samples at Costco and peer pressured my sister into awkward situations for my entertainment (see photos below). I also helped Mom and Dad pick out new frames for their glasses. After hearing all of this, who wouldn't want to come home?!?!



Look K, the bear is your size.



Jump in K, it will be funny.





We ended our day with dinner at Ella's. If you live in Tampa, you MUST check out this quirky and charming restaurant.  The food was fantastic and it’s not a chain. In Florida, that’s a novelty.

The sister bonding time on Saturday was just a pregame for our main event on Sunday. We woke up bright and early to catch a 9am showing of "Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D". Yes, movies are shown at 9am on a Sunday and I highly recommend them. We made up 50% of the audience and were quite a sight in tie dye shirts and yoga pants. Get in line fellas!



Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst!


But seriously, Katy Perry 3D was AMAZING! I know I have a well-deserved reputation of being an adult teenybopper but really, it was awesome! I walked out joking (or not) about leaving my job to join her crew of BFFs and backup dancers. I mean who wouldn't want to run around a stage wearing a tutu and sneakers while rocking out to "Firework"? Okay, I will focus on my first goal of running a marathon and but this one is next. Katy P on November 5th I am calling you!

Back to running soon, I promise…

Post movie we picked up frozen yogurt and I soaked up my last hours of Tampa time. We had a great dinner before I unhappily made my way to the airport.

After a jam packed month of unprecedented stress and travel, this unexpected trip home (and movie) was just what I needed. My travel plans were made very last minute and my agenda had very little on it. I enjoyed just being in the moment and spending time with the people I care about. Oh yeah, and running some quality miles too.  

Back to running now, I really promise…

Last week's training went well. I felt pretty guilty after my San Diego skips so I tried to make up for them on Monday and Saturday. Thursday's miles were painful (mentally and physically) and on a treadmill but thanks to Anger Management and The Real Housewives of OC reunion, I got through them. As expected, I felt much better after because you never regret a workout. Blah, blah, blah.

This week I want to try to make a TFK team training run or two. They're such an asset to marathon training and finally my work and personal schedules should give me the chance to join in the fun. Saturday is the ING New York City Marathon Long Training Run #1 in Central Park. I have a hot date with some fellow November 4th runners at 7am in the morning. That's going to be fun?

This week I am going to try to run ALL of the scheduled training miles on ALL of the scheduled training days. For the first time in July, I’m going to be home in New York for the ENTIRE week and want to capitalize on this stability in my training schedule. Next week might be a little bit crazy with out of town guests and my best friend’s wedding festivities in Philly so I am going to make this week a good one in case next week goes to the birds.

LAST WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total	Total (FLEX)
TFK Plan	6	REST	6	5	REST	7	5	24	29
L.A.	7	REST	6	5	REST	11 (San Diego Makeup)	REST	29

THIS WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total	Total (FLEX)
TFK Plan	6	REST	6	6	REST	13	5	31	36
L.A. Plan	6	REST/ Strength	6	6	REST	13	5	31	36

BIG NEWS! I am almost half way to my fundraising goal ($2,620)! I can’t say thank you enough to all of the superstar readers, friends, family members, and colleagues that have followed one of the many hidden TFK links and donated. I am aware that I’m totally nuts for wanting to run 26.2 miles on a Sunday morning in November but thank you for appreciating the crazy and supporting my dream.

Next up, I will be home in NYC for 10 straight days! I know, it's a miracle. Now it's time to sleep, eat clean, and run with the TFK program.

Lots of love and laughs.

XOXO

L.A.

My Team for Kids Fundraising Page

I CAME. I SAW. I COMIC-CONQUERED.

Below is a list of reasons why my time at Comic-Con reminded me of college spring break…

NO SLEEP- I didn’t sleep more than 3/4 hours a night mainly because of my east coast internal clock and 12+ hour work days.

LOTS AND LOTS OF FOOD- Thanks craft services, Café 21, Ghirardelli ice cream and Katsuya. I am coming back to you Clean Program!

NO VOICE- It’s impossible to compete with the noise of the costumed masses while assisting a street team. Free stuff is apparently the key to any Comic-Con attendee's heart. Have you ever been caught in a mini mob for a high demand portable fan? It's a sight.  

EXHAUSTION- Did I mention that I slept 4 hours a night and worked the other 18? I know that doesn’t equal 24 but it equals a tired L.A.

DETOX ME PLEASE- What didn't we overindulge in? Oh right, sleep.

A KILLER HEADACHE- Saturday night was fun. My head hurt on Sunday. Enough said.

The best part is that I would do it all again. Not tomorrow, but I hope soon.

I landed Tuesday night for my first trip to San Diego and adventure at Comic-Con. Being a true east coast girl, I woke up super early on Wednesday (4:45am actually) to get a jumpstart on my morning miles. I was determined not to let a week on the road interrupt my TFK training plan. I didn’t really know where I was going on this run but set out with my Garmin and hoped for the best.

I stumbled upon a fantastic route that went all along the San Diego harbor, past the Convention Center (Comic-Con headquarters), and finally brought me right to the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. I ran through the streets checking out all the San Diego spots for my upcoming week. I really enjoyed this morning run and couldn’t wait to do it again.

San Diego's morning miles

Morning miles were on the agenda again for Thursday but this time I had fabulous company in not one but TWO running partners! My work friends G and P wanted to get their sweat on bright and early too.

I proudly guided the girls along my stellar new route.  We chatted, laughed and even got referred to as Charlie's Angels. I am sure the sight of three ladies running in sync along the San Diego harbor would give anyone that impression? Or maybe we were just special.

A morning run with these two girls was the perfect way to start a hectic and exciting work day. We also gave ourselves a pat on the back for making use of our sneakers, often forgotten on crazy trips like this.



The CHAOS that was the Gaslamp Quarter



The rest of my days were filled with delicious dinners, long hours standing in the sun, trips to the excitement overloaded Comic-Con convention floor, and dodging any and every costumed character you can imagine.



Meet my favorite friend from Comic-Con!

Unfortunately after Thursday work kicked into high gear. As if 12 hour work days weren’t enough, Friday we upped it to 18 hours which prevented any and every hope of time for a run. No sweat because I needed the rest.



Hanging at the lounge with G and P, the very best running partners and Comic-Con companions.

I wanted to wake up early on Saturday to complete my long run and cruise around my new hood, San Diego. However, an early morning call time and team breakfast put a damper on those plans. We finished our work event in the afternoon which would have been a perfect time to finally run those 11 miles but again team bonding and celebratory spirits were calling my name! The training schedule took a back seat to my pressing work agenda and even more pressing social obligations.

WE SURVIVED!

I was disappointed in myself for skipping the long run but a reassuring marathoner friend told me that this would not be catastrophic to my TFK training schedule. Plus, I had a pretty good excuse. Have you had a Café 21 sandwich and margarita? If so, you’d understand.

Living out the phrase "work hard play hard" is how we ended our trip. The week concluded with a party Saturday night where I got my final San Diego work out in… dancing!  I hope the attendees all enjoyed the signature L.A. hair flips. You'll have to wait for the holiday party for that move to come out again.

At the party we all cut lose on the dance floor, at smile booth, and beyond. I've said it before but I really mean it. I am lucky to work with some amazing people. We spent a week running around San Diego working our tails off but treated ourselves to Saturday night.



Smilebooth antics with P

Sunday morning I woke up feeling very fresh (sarcasm) and began my journey back to NYC. I was scheduled to land at 9p ET that night so I figured I could drop my bags at my apartment and get in one last run for the week. However, the higher beings of travel had different plans for me. Apparently an hour delay on the runway, seven plus hours of flying, and an unexpected stop in upstate New York to refuel were on my travel agenda. I walked in the door to my apartment at 2am. I chose to sleep instead of run. Monday was a new day and a new week. 

This week back has been an adjustment. I spent Monday attempting to recover from the pandemonium that was Comic-Con. Oddly enough, there are moments that I really miss it. I miss the people I met, the people I worked with and most importantly the people that were the objects of my people watching. 

Now that I am back to reality, the week has gone well with training runs. I am back on track and heading out after work tonight to keep the momentum going.

This weekend I was scheduled to travel to DC with A to visit two of my very favorite cousins. However, A got strep throat and I found out Tuesday that I would be traveling for another work event this weekend. We had to postpone but not cancel. DC and your cupcakes, I am still coming for you!

The best part about this weekend's event is that it is happening in TAMPA! I called my mom on Tuesday to inform her I would be working at the venue where I went to basketball camp and saw my first concert (NSYNC and Britney, duh).

I leave tomorrow morning and will be hanging around until Sunday night. I know that there is no better place to rest and recover than at home. I will hopefully get some Florida sunlight and perhaps a pedicure for my running damaged feet. My feet could audition for the next Flintstones movie. TMI?

While I am home, I want to try to make up my missed long run from last week.  My Florida marathoner friend sent me a great route. I am going to wake up early Saturday morning, put on the sneaks and get out the door.

LAST WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday (flex)	Total	Total (w/flex)
TFK Plan	5	REST	6	5	REST	11	5	27	32
L.A.	5	REST	6	4	REST	REST	REST	15

THIS WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday (flex)	Total	Total (w/flex)
TFK Plan	6	REST	6	5	REST	7	5	24	29
L.A. Plan	7	REST	6	5	REST	11	5	29	34

NOW let's talk about the dolla dolla bills! Thank you SO much to everyone that has donated to my Team for Kids fundraising thus far. I hit a huge milestone this past week. I've officially raised over $1,000 for Team for Kids. Yay! 

There is still plenty of time to donate to my NYC Marathon fundraising! The deadline is October 5th but for my mental sanity, just go ahead and donate today if you are feeling generous.

L.A.'s Team for Kids NYC Marathon Page

What's on your weekend agenda? Make use of your sneakers if you can!

Lots of love and laughs.

XOXO

L.A.