How I started Running
I’ve been wanting to post for awhile now but couldn’t find the time/words to put this together. This past Thanksgiving I ran in a local 5K. To many people this may not seem monumental but any means but to me it meant the world. Rewind back to February 18th, the first day I laced up my old Nike Shocks and went running with my brother (thanks RunKeeper). My sole purpose for beginning to run was so I could race in the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving. Actually, let me be honest my sole purpose to wanting to run in that race was so I could finish it with my college roommate and at the time best friend. Of course after watching my brother race and crush our High Schools records inspired me too but I really wanted to be able to run with her and prove to myself that I could do it. I remember asking/bothering my brother ” Do you really think I can run 4mi after training for 9 months??!”. Next thing you know, I’m running not 1mi straight but 2mi! What an accomplishment I thought. The first night I ran 4miles straight it was a cold March night and I told my brother I was going out for a run. Forty minutes later I come running into the house and both my parents and brother have these worried looks on your faces “where were you, you were gone for so long”. I didn’t even realize it, but I had done my first “long run” and beat my 4mile goal prematurely by 7.5 months. Four months after that I raced in my first 5K and then ran in a half marathon two months later. What can I say, I like to challenge myself. I became addicted to running, the same girl that couldn’t run a mile in high school and faked being sick in gym.
Clearly I was hot and took my clothes off and threw them on the ground.
Unfortunately, I didn’t run in the Manchester Road Race this past Thanksgiving because my brother was running at the Nike XC Nationals the day after. Instead, I ran in a local 5K race with one of my best friend’s since 5th grade. It was sort of bittersweet in a way. This race marked the reason why I started running yet I rarely talk to my college roommate anymore and instead I was running with someone who’s gone in and out of my life since I was 10, yet still consider a best friend. The race was great, Kailey totally kicked my ass. How could she not? Growing up she was always the athlete and I was the dancer. She’d teach me how to play lacrosse, which was more of a work out for her than anything- sorry kay!, and I’d teach her how to do body rolls and pirouettes. Clearly we were meant for each other. It’s funny, I remember being in 6th grade and she would make me go to “early morning sports” with her and I would try to sit out 1/2 way through but nope Kailey wouldn’t let me.
The siren went off and Kailey and I took off running/weaving through the crowd. It was such a rush. I kept up with her for about 3/4 of a mile before my stomach started to tighten. I figured oh it’s just a cramp run through it. Mile 1- 8:42, shit, shit, crap, I thought to myself. You see, I hadn’t done any speedwork since before my half in October. I was enjoying my runs and letting them take me wherever I wanted them to, which usually is an average 5-6 mi a day at a 10:00 pace and a nice long run around 10mi at a 10:30 pace on the weekends. This 8:42 freaked me out. How could I hold this pace? I knew I’d PR from my last and only 5k prior mainly from the amount of endurance training I had been doing, but in my head I thought I’d be PRing by yanno’ a minute or so, not 5 minutes. Mile 2 came and went I was still cruising when my stomach tightened up more. I slowed down, figured I’d massage the cramp out. Before I knew it I was at the long straight away– in my head I pictured myself sprinting down this long-ass stretch, so I tried( why not right). Nope, wasn’t happening. My stomach dropped and I felt like I was going to puke. I slowly jogged to the last 100 meter when I saw my Dad screaming ” Get up there!! You can do it!!”. Crap, I thought now I gotta try and sprint. I start sprinting and then before I knew it, I’m crossing the finish line throwing up. Literally dry-heaving across the finish line. What can you say, I’m classy. I staggeringly look for a garbage can, none in sight. So I just started throwing up where I am and Kailey comes to the rescue. I guess you kind of have the bond with someone who you’ve known for 13 years that they don’t care that your puking and still rub your back. Shortly after my parents and brother find us. It was pretty embarrassing since I’m standing there puking after a 30 minute 5K( which was still a PR) when my brother holds one of the top 5 fastest XC 5k times in New York. I still don’t know what happened, but I’m pretty damn pissed that I could of had an insane PR of 5 minutes if my lovely stomach would’ve held up.
The next day, Kailey and I went for our first trail run together and had a blast. It was awesome to run with someone since normally I run solo. The miles flew by and I think we kicked ass in the trails. We proceeded to some drills on the track and made plans to do another race together in the near future. Did I mention she moved 45 minutes away, boo Kailey boo!! It totally sucks that we’ve rekindled our friendship when she lives far away, but everyday we’ve been pushing each other to stick through the Runner’s World Run Streak! I even got her to say YES to a half-marathon.
Why Kailey & I are twins/meant to be together
1. We became BFF’s b/c she asked me to go to safety patrol with her (clearly we were cool)
2. We were born a day apart from each other
3. We really like sour cream and onion dip
4. We made theme songs to our friendship while jumping on a trampoline.
5. Kailey thought I looked/danced like Britney Spears, If that doesn’t make someone a best friend than I don’t know what does.
6.We ended up majoring in the same field. Ironic?
7. We love running, especially together.
The end of the year is near (oops didn’t mean to rhyme) and I’ve been thinking about what my goals are for 2012. What are yours? Let me know, I need some inspiration on some cool new races I’d like to do!
Read MoreMy NYCM Recap
Alright, so I lied. I didn’t run in the New York City Marathon and I don’t have a recap. Instead on Sunday I drove, well I didn’t drive I was the FRONT passenger–sitting the back makes me nauseous, 26.2 miles and tasted wine along the North Fork of Long Island. I did plan on checking in on the marathon numerous times throughout my adventures BUT unfortunately I only did this twice because umm the wine kinda took over… woops.
Wine + Nicole + Me = Best friends
Sunday started out a little slow because as usual, I thought I knew exactly where we were going when in actuality I never do and just think everything looks familiar. hehe. So my friends and I finally arrived at Pindar, my favorite. We had a great time and before I knew it I was drunk. Yes I know pathetic. This is what happens when you don’t drink for 7 months due to training/running. You see I’m THAT dedicated that I would risk my tolerance to alcohol for running. We left and headed towards Duckwalk. I think we ended up staying here for a lot longer than we planned but whatever it was FUN. Did you know if you tell people it’s your birthday they give you massive amounts of FREE wine, yes FREE. At this point, I was telling my friends to call me Bella Swan and I wanted to talk in a British accent. Embarrassing I know. Apparently I’ve been watching too much Twilight for my own good. SIDENOTE: I’ve finally got my boyfriend into Twilight–SCORE. Next on our list, well I guess my list b/c apparently I’m demanding of mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and cheese fries when I’m drunk. Training say what? So we headed to the only place the would have all that– The Harbour Front deli in Greenport. YUMMY. I ate so much that I sobered up… Just a little. We left and our DD, Jenna, was the one that fell. The word “fell” is even being nice, she ate shit. I couldn’t stop laughing my cheekbones hurt so bad. Two little old ladies luckily were there and grabbed each side of her and lifted her up. SORRY JENNA. I wish I had a picture of it, if you were wondering she was a trooper and survived with no bruises. Next we headed to the Carousel ride. Yup, I’m 23 years old and wanted to ride on the Carousel– mainly because A. I was drunk and B. If you catch the golden ring you get a free ride. Apparently the Carousel gods didn’t know my I didn’t get a golden ring. Darn. We must have made the ticket seller’s day because she asked if I could bring all my friends back. ALL my friends? Didn’t she know they were all there with me… LOL After running around, literally I have a thing with racing people everywhere now that I’m a RUNNER, we left and jammed out to great music. First on the playlist was Leather and Lace– which was played approximately 30 times followed by some of my 10th grade favorites, Glass Jaw, The Early November, At the Drive In, Underoath, and Finch. Good times. We all sang along and I made up words as I went along– what can I say I’m a natural born free-styler. All in all, 23 you’ve been good to me. I had a great day and even better friends. I’m so thankful for them. It’s crazy how just in one year so many things can change. I’m looking forward to 2012 and all the PR’s it will bring me 
Since I’m not an early riser I get to do all my runs at night. I love running at night it’s the best feeling. Tonight, I will be doing a much needed speed work out. I feel like I’ve lost all my speed from training for the half marathon- I know I’m being dramatic but seriously when I go out for a few miles I feel so sluggish. I just want to be fast damn it! For my cool down, my good friend Ashley will be joining me! I’ve recruiting her to becoming a runner 
I’m looking forward to having someone with me!
DEAR LONG ISLAND, I need more running friends! Love, Me
See Ashley? The girl second from the left? She's going to become a runner today.
Some last running accomplishment’s I’d like to achieve are:
1. Run another half marathon in under 2:15
2. Volunteer at a local race– runners are so inspiring.
3. Run a mile in 6:45– I know this migh
t be a tough one.
4. Redeem myself in a 5K- 31 minutes is not going to cut it anymore
5. Suck it up and run at one of the local runs Sayville Running Company hosts. I don’t know why I have such anxiety over this. I think I’m still in the mindset of I’m not a runner and will be in the back straggling by myself. See what 22 years of not running can do to a person
What are your last-minute 2011 fitness goals? I want to hear it!
Read MoreLets Connect
Get Invited
For Advertising Click Here for Info & Guidelines
 |  |
 | |