TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

I am too blessed to be stressed.

Work was crazy for the first half of last week. Back and forth emails until 10pm and an outrageous to-do list weighed on my mind. Plus, it was a high mileage week which added some training stress as well.

After missing my morning run on Wednesday I passed on TFK practice after work for some alone time. I left my blackberry at home and hoped to run away the stress kinks in my shoulders. I ran up to Central Park (my happy place) for some fresh air.

Thursday night I met up with K, a college friend spending the month in NYC. We shared weekend plans while catching up at dinner and she told me she was going to the Bruce Springsteen concert the next night. How cool?!?!? I’ve always wanted to see him in concert but never get my act together to buy tickets.

Lying in bed that night I got a phone call from K. They had an extra ticket for tomorrow and she wanted to know if I was interested. Interested???? I didn’t care what plans I had, they would move for The Boss. I tried to fall asleep that night but kept hearing “Born to Run” in my head amidst this insane surge of excitement. I WAS GOING TO SEE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IN CONCERT! Wow, my Friday night certainly took a turn for awesome.

I don’t even remember work on Friday. I was blinded by the light of my post work plans so I plowed through. K and I rushed to get on the train to Jersey to join her family for the Bruce festivities. The train was a cultural experience filled with Springsteen fans of all walks of life. Once at the Meadowlands we tailgated with our crew before heading inside. I was really going to a Bruce concert! Glory days!

Opening act? No way, Bruce doesn’t need that.

How was the concert? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!? It was out of this world.

The Boss.

We danced and sang for over three hours as Bruce entertained his hometown crowd. I felt incredibly blessed to be in that moment.  I thought Justin Timberlake put on a good show but Bruce was on another level.  

Merry BRUCEmas!

I got home after 1am and slept for a few hours before waking up to jump on my early morning bus to Philly. The 7am bus seemed like a good idea when my Friday night plans consisted of takeout and housewives reruns. Dad met me at the train station with coffee and took me back to Nana’s to get ready.

Saturday was a much needed running rest day. I made the day trip to Philly to watch the home opening game of my brother’s last football season. I might be marathon training but I am NOT missing a home game, tailgate, or a chance to wear this pin while being an overly supportive sister. Family first, always.



Player pin. Pageant hair. Phootball.


Pre and post-game tailgating along with the rest of the day's activities might not have been the best idea for the day before a long run but quite frankly I didn’t care. I would do my best and I could handle it. I passed on any and all beverages that were not water and carb loaded with a soft pretzel and a cake pop. Don’t judge.

The post-game tailgate was cut short thanks to rain which was a sign that I should take my 9pm bus home that night instead of blowing it off for a later Amtrak. I DID have a 20 mile run the next morning even though I was trying my best to forget about it.

I arrived home Saturday night and went right to bed. I was NOT thrilled about waking up Sunday morning but hoped the enthusiasm would kick in once race morning arrived.

My alarm went off as expected at 5am on Sunday. I snoozed for a half hour (oops) and then dragged myself out of bed to start up the Keurig. From the moment I got out of bed I lamented this race. I really wasn’t in the mood but thought I would feel better once I got there. Plus, this race was part of the NYRR 9+1 program so I didn’t want to waste the entry fee or miss a chance to get some marathon cred.

I simply wasn’t in the mood to “race.” The past two weekends had fabulous running events where I pushed myself to the brink and set PRs. That was fun. A third weekend wouldn’t be a charm.

I told myself to just get out there and not worry about my time. Yeah, okay…

To add to the blah party, I was beyond exhausted. This whirlwind weekend had been amazing start to finish but I did travel to NJ, Philly and back to NY in simply 36 hours. If you’re wondering, that takes a lot out of a girl.

I made my coffee but poured too much out. Fail.

I neglected to buy fuel for the long run so I grabbed an old fig newton and shotblok sleeve with 2 left over. Fail.

I didn’t lay out my clothes the night before and couldn’t decide how to dress for 58 degree running weather. Fail.

The start was at 102^nd St so I had to take a cab ($$$) since I didn’t get up early enough for the subway. Fail.

I didn’t pick up my bib beforehand but planned to grab it at the race. This time bib pick up was at the NYRR offices 10 blocks away, not at the starting line.  Fail.

I knew that I could overcome all of my Sunday morning “fails” thus far. I didn’t want to quit this race just because something stupid got in the way. As I was leaving the course to grab my bib I noticed this…

One thing is not like the other...

I was wearing two completely different sneakers. One was my running sneaker while the other was a 3 year old Nike. The greatest FAIL of all FAILS.

As I was leaving the park I called M in a panic. I stressed about getting to NYRR and back in time to warm up that I didn’t fully comprehend my shoe situation. I told her the saga as she was getting out of the cab to join me at the race. Like a good TFK training partner she made a brilliant observation that my sleep deprived marathon brain missed.  

“LA, wearing two different sneakers worries me…”

And then the light bulb went off. I was looking for a reason to blow off this race and there it was, ON MY FEET!

I realized immediately that running 20 miles in improper footwear was not a good idea. Plus, the foot with the vintage Nike was also the foot that I self-diagnosed with plantar fasciitis this week. 20 miles was my longest training run thus far and at this point in the schedule I didn’t need any stupid hiccups to send me injured to the sidelines. I worked way too hard to get here and Nike Shox were not going to set me back.

How did this shoe fiasco happen? I am not a complete moron I swear there is a story.

After my first attempt to leave the apartment I went back inside to change. It was way too cold for my running shorts so I ran back upstairs to throw on capris. In the midst of changing in the dark room and simply sliding on and off the sneakers apparently I slid on the Nike Shox before leaving for real. I wish you saw my face when I looked down to notice my feet at 6:30am. I honestly didn’t believe it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Thank you M for the level headed thinking!!!  I left the Park feeling slightly relieved. Once home, I threw on my sweats and made coffee (round 2). I bopped around my apartment for an hour or two until I was ready to get out the door. 20 miles were looming and still really scared me. I know I just did 19 but 20 sounded so much more serious. I was looking for a final push to put some pep in my step and get me out the door. So I decided to throw on this…

So bright! So beautiful!

My TFK marathon experts told me to wear my race outfit at least once before the big day. This was absolutely out of character for me. I am incredibly superstitious and initially didn’t want to wear the TFK jersey before November 4^th. However, it was pretty fun to put it on and go run. Between my golden jersey and new Bruce playlist, I was ready to go.

I ran the full 20 miles all by myself. I actually enjoyed the solitude and peace. After a stressful week and whirlwind weekend, I needed some alone time.

I didn’t care about my pace, I just ran.

I wasn’t eager to finish and can honestly say that I enjoyed the ride.

I listened to my new Bruce playlist as I cruised down to the South Street Seaport along the East River. I turned around and then ran through the city streets up to Central Park where I took on the Harlem Hill. I did a full loop while adding in some Bridle Path action and even a trip around the Reservoir. With two miles left, I ditched the Park to head home. I couldn’t believe how much I was enjoying this.

Physically, I felt pretty good too.

Is running 20 miles actually fun? Yeah, I guess so.

My week started off very stressed, but I ended it feeling insanely blessed. I had one of the best weekends ever and could not believe all of the awesome events that just took place.

I went to my first Bruce Spring concert with K and her amazing family.

I spent the day cheering on my brother with my dad and other Philly football favorites.

I ran 20 fantastic miles and I enjoyed every step. Okay, maybe not every step but definitely 90%.

How did I get so lucky for a weekend like this? See you never Monday blues!  

I’m excited to kick off this new week. I will be in NYC and can’t wait to take on the training. My bag is packed for TFK practice tonight and I might even join them for my long run on Saturday. I only have 13 miles on the plan. Yes, I did just say “only.”

I even feel pretty good physically today. I was in much more pain the last two Mondays when I really pushed myself the days before. I know that I pushed myself yesterday but maybe my muscles are still feeling yesterday’s endorphins? Is that even possible?

LAST WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday (flex)	TOTAL
TFK Plan	8	REST	8	6	REST	20	4	42
LA  Plan	7	REST	8	REST / 30 min yoga	8	REST	20	43

THIS WEEK

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday (flex)	TOTAL	TOTAL (w flex)
TFK Plan	7	REST	7	6		13	7	33	40
LA  Plan	7	REST	7	6	REST	13	7	33	40

I don’t want to jinx it but I might try to hit my flex miles this week… if my body can handle it.

I’m going to the doctor on Friday morning to get my self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis checked out by a medical professional instead of WebMD. Fingers crossed!

Oh yeah there’s one other detail of this marathon preparation… FUNDRAISING!

The deadline is next Friday so if you are looking for a chance to donate, here you go!

L.A.'s Team for Kids Homepage

Lots of love and laughs.

XOXO

L.A.