Posts tagged ‘run’
Developments
Loyal haulers, how I’ve missed you. Both of you. (No, I’m kidding. There are probably three or four of you, not counting my mom. Hi Momma!)
So much has happened since last we met! A highlight reel:
The Boyfriend is now The Fiance. (Insert girly sounds of joy here.)
Photo credit: Stephanie Pinsdorf
I attempted two triathlons this summer, one of which became a duathlon due to poor river conditions. . .
Photo credit: The Fiance
… and one of which caused me to have a sobbing breakdown one mile into the run. Gory details to follow in another post.
Not crying here... because it's over. Photo credit: The Fiance
I ran a PR (personal record) at this year’s Boston Half Marathon, which left me sore for days but happy to run with old and new friends!
Cez and David, meet Rose and Steph. Photo credit: The Fiance
The good news, which is making me just about as happy as the sparkler TF put on my finger, is that the nagging plantar fasciitis that was keeping me from running and teaching step has calmed a bit. (Thanks, physical therapy and yoga!) This means I can finally run again, which means I’m no longer feeling frustrated and insane. Yay! Thank you to everyone who offered kind words or sent healing vibes into the universe.
The bad news, which is making me really quite bummed, is that my physical therapist and doctor have decided that step classes aggravate my chronic injury in a way that running doesn’t. In step, there’s just too much bouncing on the heel, which tightens the calf and inflames the fascia—a thick band of tissue that inserts at the heel. Not wanting to believe my doctor, I secretly snuck in a step class at a friend’s gym two weeks ago. Though I got through the class all right, I could barely walk when I woke up the next morning.
For now, at least, my step days are done. I won’t be returning to teach the Wednesday evening Intro Step/Step I class at Feminine Fitness, and my Thursday morning FemFit class is going to remain a Spinning class. I don’t know who will teach the Intro class from here on out. Please know that step didn’t cause my injury—that happened when I was dumb enough to try to text and walk at the same time a few years ago, breaking my foot as a result.
You’ll still see me around the gym. Karla, one of the cool chicks who reads this blog, is whipping my tush into shape for my big day. I’ll still sub for body sculpting classes when I’m needed. And you know I’d love to see you haul your buns to my Feminine Fitness Spinning class at 6:30 on Thursday mornings, or my New York Sports Club Spinning class at 5:45 on Monday mornings. Come on down, and give it a whirl! At the very least, bookmark www.haulbuns.com and visit it often. I promise to update it on a much more regular basis.
Teaching the Wednesday night intro class has been my extreme pleasure for the past five years. I will miss working out with all of you intro steppers, but I know you’ll keep on showing up, putting in the hard work, and supporting each other like you always have. Ladies, you’re awesome.
Hasta la vista.
You got frostbite WHERE?
With an arctic blast turning most of the eastern U.S. into a Popsicle as of late, just thinking about this news story makes me want wrap myself head-to-toe in fleece and sip steaming cocoa from a mug the size of my desk. But naked running is always funny, so I humbly present this tale of a scantily clad sprint — in the prez’s backyard, nonetheless. (Though the headline is Onion-esque, I assure you, it’s a legit story.)
Don’t try this at home. And for the love of chafing, definitely don’t try it without bathing in Body Glide first.
Do Or Not Do: This Is My Tri!
Barefoot and dripping, I peeled off my swim cap and speedwalked to the transition site where Bertha awaited. “Have some water! Wash the Hudson out of your mouth!” volunteers cheerfully shouted, handing my fellow racers and I cups as we made our way to our bikes. I was smiling, laughing, giddy for no other reason than the fact that I hadn’t drowned in the river.
And despite the fact that I was jogging in a bathing suit.
I dried off as best as I could and donned my running shorts and tank top. It felt so weird to have my clammy suit stuck to my skin underneath everything, and I gave myself a few liberal swipes of Body Glide in an effort to avoid chafing and blisters. It should be noted that triathletes generally try to get in and out of the transition area as quickly as possible; good transition times can make up for slowness during the legs of the race. But I just really didn’t care. I wasn’t drinking mimosas and lounging around, but I also wasn’t freaking out when I temporarily couldn’t find one of my socks (like a woman was in the next row over).
So many bikes!
That's my girl, Bertha Blue. (Photo credit: The Boyfriend)
Helmet on, I walked Bertha out onto the course and hopped aboard. In the next two hours, I had one of the most fun bike rides of my life. I charged up a hill and sped out onto the 79th Street entrance to the West Side Highway. With the Hudson on my left, I pedaled north on a road normally reserved only for cars. (The city had shut it down just for us.) The uphills weren’t horrible, and the downhills were heaven. I felt like I was flying, going faster than I’d ever gone before with no turns or traffic to slow me down. People passed me, I passed people. Just like the swim, it didn’t matter. My only concern was not beating up my legs too much; I still had a 10K to run when the biking was done. I breezed through the tolls at the Henry Hudson Bridge — no EZ-Pass required — and continued north to the Moshulu Parkway exit, the turnaround point.
I saw people of all body types on bikes of all price points just doing their thing. I tried to keep my shoulders loose and made a mental note, as I stood up and stretched during a flat section of the course, that next time I’d wear shorts with a chamois in them. When I spotted race photographers out along the road, I sucked in my gut and grinned.
And then it was over. We turned again and re-entered the transition area, where I traded my helmet for a cap and basted myself with sunblock before bidding Bertha adieu. I started the run with legs that felt so heavy and feet that felt like they were barely moving. I followed all the other participants onto 72nd Street, also closed to traffic just for us. And when I crossed Broadway, The Boyfriend was right where he’d promised he’d be.
At the corner of Broadway and 72nd Street (Photo credit: The Boyfriend)
It was humid and sticky. It was still early. He’d been up as long as I had, and he’d been waiting in his spot for a while because we had no idea how to gauge my time. His face was so happy, so proud, so genuinely excited for me as he snapped photos of my approach.
I love this man.
I stopped to kiss him, and he did what he always does in this situation: He asked how I was feeling and then told me not to waste time with course-side PDAs. So I was off again, doing a slow lope into Central Park. The course snaked north through the park’s hilliest section, and I told myself that it was just a little more than six miles, a distance I’d run many times before. So I focused on picking up one foot and putting the other down. I thanked as many volunteers as I could at the water stations. And I laughed out loud when a random woman on the sidelines, after seeing that I happened to be running among a pack of men, sang out, “You just stay strong, sister!”
The beautiful thing about a 10K is that just when you want it to be done, it is. And when I crossed the finish line, I felt like I did at the end of my first marathon. I can’t believe I did this. It’s impossible that I did this.
Dazed but happy at the finish (Photo credit: The Boyfriend)
And then, the best prize, better even than the subway token medal placed around my neck as The Boyfriend hugged my sweaty, sandy, salty self tight: I totally did this. I am a triathlete.
Little did I know, half of the Hudson's mud was still in my bathing suit... (Photo credit: The Boyfriend)
Oh, and lest I forget…
This is where my buns have been! (Photo credit: The Boyfriend)
In Your Off-Hours…
Hmm… When it’s rainy and blech outside — as it is at this very moment in northern New Jersey — how does a Haul Buns girl pass the time? After all, you can’t be running/walking/swimming/biking/dancing/sculpting/group fitnessing every moment of the day…
Shopping can provide something similar to that exercise high, especially when you take advantage of the fabulous online discount Reebok is offering to its friends and family until Sunday. And since you’re all my friends, go ahead and use code REBOKFF at discount to receive 30 percent off your entire order PLUS free shipping! I may or may not have been checking out their hot pink yoga bag, or this classic blue number…
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, watch Spirit Of The Marathon, which is now available for free online at Hulu.com. This awesome documentary is all about the Chicago Marathon and a few runners — some amateur, some elite — who are preparing for it. Really cool, totally inspirational. And best of all, it’s free!
A good diversion at work way to spend your time is to calculate your health footprint at the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield site. Answer a bunch of questions about your lifestyle and your fitness routine, and the site will tell you how many people you affect through your healthy choices and activities — similar to a carbon footprint, but this one won’t make you feel guilty for opting out of the work carpool. Even The Biggest Loser’s Trainer Bob is doing it!
That should keep you occupied until the sun shows its rays again…
Haul Buns Run!
In honor of National Running Day, I’m going to go for a little run before class at Feminine Fitness tonight. I’d love some company! If you’re interested, meet me at Feminine Fitness (34 Commerce Way, Hackensack – across from Applebee’s) at 6 p.m. And if you’re a FemFit member, stay for Intro Step/Step I at 7!
If you want to give me a heads-up that you’re coming, that would be cool. Or you can just show up. Either way, hope to see you tonight!
Words To Work Out By
I’m loving The New York Times’ online Running Voices series, in which ordinary people share their thoughts on running. And by far, my favorite observation posted to the series’ comments section so far is this pearl by a viewer named Allison, who describes herself as going “from couch potato to runner:”
“Always remember that Dead Freakin’ Last is better than Did Not Finish which is way better than Did Not Start.”
Amen, sister!
It’s Not Father’s Day Yet, But…
It’s never a bad time for an inspiring story. So when you have a minute, check out Team Hoyt. This father-son team participates in marathons and triathlons and turns in awesome times. So it’s an extra kick in the head when you realize that the dad, Dick, pushes or pulls his adult son, Rick — who can’t walk or talk — along every inch of every course.
I’m a big fan of Team Hoyt and I’ve sung their praises in the past, so I’ll just point you toward their site and let you see for yourself. Because everyone needs a little inspiration every now and then…
Ooh, Racy!
Here’s two more great events to motivate you in the coming months:
Revlon Run/Walk For WomenWhen: Saturday, May 2
Where: Begins in Times Square and ends in Central Park
What: A 5K (3.1-mile) run and/or walk for people of all abilities that benefits research to end women’s cancers
Three reasons why you should do it: 1. You get to walk around Times Square like you own the place (it’s shut down to traffic for the entire morning, which is pretty cool). 2. It’s really inspiring to see all of the cancer survivors who take part in the event, and it’s really sobering to see all of the people who run and walk in memory of someone they’ve lost. 3. Because it’s co-sponsored by Revlon, there’s free make-up in the goodie bags. Score!
The American Cancer Society’s George Washington Bridge Challenge
When: Sunday, June 14
Where: Fort Lee, N.J.
What: A 5K (3.1-mile) walk/run OR a 10K (6.2-mile) walk/run OR a 4-, 10-, 25-, 33- or 63-mile bike ride. (You have so many choices!) The event is a salute to local cancer survivors and their families.
Three reasons why you should do it: 1. All routes cross the George Washington Bridge, which is closed to traffic during the event. When else are you going to be able to walk or run down the middle of that thing? 2. With so much variety available in the courses, there’s got to be a route that’s good for you! 3. After all of your hard work, refuel at a catered post-race picnic at Allison Park. (Psst: Haul Buns also hears that some former contestants from NBC’s The Biggest Loser will be on hand to take part. (ETA: Thanks to a Haul Buns source, we now know that Ryan Rodriguez, Maggie King, Jenn Widder, Jay Krueger, Nicole Brewer and Damien Gurganeious are scheduled to appear.)
Haul Buns 