My Body Survived My First Snowboarding Trip - 2/18/08

After many months of asking by one of my friends, I finally tried snowboarding on Friday (2/22). We ended up going to Hunter Mountain which is only about a couple hours away. I felt that I was somewhat prepared due to my strong legs and loads of stability exercises. Once we got there, my friend gave me a few lessons on how to get on the board, how to turn, how to slow down, and how to fall properly. So after about a half hour or so, I figured I was ready for my first try (although I was a bit nervous). As long as I was going slow, I was doing alright. The falls don't hurt that much if you are going slow down the mountain. The problems started happening after I began to pick up speed on the board. I was having a hard time slowing down and I had little confidence in my ability to make a quick turn if I was about to hit a pole. Therefore, in order to slow down, I had to induce a fall which is where the hurting began. Falling on my butt, falling on my hips, and falling on my wrists (thank god for wrist gurard or my hands probably would have cracked off). As I am going down the mountain each time, what is the one thing that always crosses my mind - just don't hurt your legs!!! (I am a runner at heart after all). I took a hard fall on my knees, but other than that I feel that I got away with just some expected soreness that will go away in a few days (hopefully). My hip flexors took the brunt of the soreness. Keeping balance on the board puts alot of pressure on your hips.

Since the only run I went on before snowboarding was on Thursday, I knew that I would have a hard time getting in my runs this week. I was pretty sore on Saturday, but was able to get in a four mile run at the gym on the treadmill. Since that run felt OK, I figured I would try to get in a long run on Sunday. The pace of the run really didn't matter. I wanted to just made sure that I got a longer run in. The weather was good and I was able to run 9.1 miles (one lower five loop and one four mile loop). Unfortunately, the long run prevented me from going to the Yoga for Runners class that I was looking forward to going to. I really want to incoporate more Yoga into my routine and it was a great class the last time I went. I heard from some friends that it was good once again.

Weekly recap: Mon - off, Tues - spinning, Weds - off, Thurs - 6 miles, Fri - off, Sat - 4 miles, Sun - 9.1 miles

Week of 2/11/08

Another uneventful running week - just plugging along at the usual events:

Monday - off
Tuesday - spinning
Wednesday - weights and leg exercises
Thursday - 6 miles
Friday - off
Saturday - 10.0 miles on the Westside trail partially with JM (she was doing a 20 miler that day) - it was good to have a partner to run with even for only half of the run. I really like the West Side route. Total time - 1:28:26 (pace of 8:51 per mile). The second half of the run was quicker than the first half and it felt pretty good.
Sunday - 5 miles in the gym (ugh!)

I seem to be almost all set for the Lehigh Valley Half. I got my hotel room booked and I am registered for the race and pasta party. I'll decide whether to rent a car or take a bus as the event gets closer. Joan Benoit Samuelson is scheduled to be a speaker at the pasta party. It should be cool to hear from a living legend.

I'm pondering at the moment - do I take the Yoga for Runner class again on Feb 24th, whether to step it up and start going to speedwork (either through the Flyers or otherwise), other out of Manhattan half marathons to run, whether or not a marathon is in my future in 2008 (although that doesn't have to be decided right now - I have a couple months)

Back on Track - Week of 2/4/08

I'm already way past the end of last week regarding my recap, so I will just be brief. After a week off regarding my longer runs, I am back on track. I did a 9.1 mile run - one of the five mile lower loops and one 4 mile loop. In addition, although I have not been back to an abs class yet, I've made a point to carve out some time each week to get in my leg exercises and keep up a maintenance level. Recap of the week:

Monday - 6.2 mile run with the downtown group
Tuesday - spinning
Wednesday - off
Thursday - 6 mile run with the Thursday group
Friday - weights and stretching (legs only)
Saturday - 9.1 mile (one lower loop and one 4 mile loop: total time - 1:18:50 for an 8:40 pace not including a 2:00 break after the first loop)

Light Running - Week of 1/28/08

Due to several factors (my continuing jazz class on Wednesdays, a doctor's appointment on Weds and Saturday, the Millrose Games on Friday, etc.), this was a bit of a light running week and was the first week since November that I didn't incorporate a long run. I was only able to run two days, in addition to my spinning class. I guess this isn't too bad since I just ran the half marathon the week before, so I'll give myself a free pass. I just want to make sure that I jump back into my usual schedule starting this week, including adding back my longer run. I don't want a one week break in my routine to turn into two or three weeks (which is very easy to do).

Also, I need to get back on the horse regarding my leg/glute strengthening exercises and additonal stretching. I usually do those exercises after abs class, but I have not been able to make one over the past three weeks and therefore my lower half is suffering. My quads and hamstrings are feeling a bit tighter and uncomfortable than usual, so I have to make time to concentrate on those areas even if I am not at abs class. Maybe a massage will be in my future to work out a couple kinks. My last one was at the end of July. I figure that having one every 6 months or so could definitely be useful.

Now that the Manhattan Half Marathon is over, I need another half to keep me motivated doing my long weekly runs. So, I signed up for the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon at the end of April to keep me focused. Hopefully, I'll be able to get others to come with me. I ran it a couple of years ago and it is a fun course that is well organized. Plus the shirt is usually very cool.

For the past week:

Mon - off, Tues - spinning, Weds - off, Thurs - 6 miles, Fri - off, Sat - off, Sun - 6 miles

CONGRATS TO THE GIANTS - SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!!