Goooaalllll!

{imagine it in your head just like it sounded during the world cup}

I sound like a an 8-year-old but : I scored my first goal last Thursday! It was like the underdog play of the night.

Spring season has definitely been a little more (ego) challenging than indoor.

April 12: Should have taken it as a sign when I was hurting during a warm up jog. Instead I had a rough time out on the field and would sulk off, internally acting like a brat. (Meanwhile my teammates only someone who was falling behind because how are they suppose to know what’s going inside my head & body?). It was not helping with my mood towards the 1/2 marathon that was that Sunday.

April 19th: The other team didn’t show but since our team rocks we were using it as practice and ended up scrimmaging the team that just played. Only they were short a few players and I ended up on their side. Funny, they were our old colors (and the first team we played). Not funny : my run turned into a hop and when I kicked with my right leg I felt it in my left. A fun game in which there was space to try out new things and I was missing the ball every chance. I had to walk off. Another reminder : you’re the only one in control of your body – you have to take responsibility.

April 26th : No game. And I’ve never been happier, desperately needing the rest.

May 3rd : Skipped. Just so happened to be our late game … in the rain …sorry team! I swear the decision was made Monday before the weather report became even slightly accurate. Our first loss.

May 10th: I SCORED A GOAL! Right through my teammates legs. It ended up being an awesome game from everyone and a solid win. I was sort of amazed during the first half when I felt no pain … anywhere! In fact it was my endurance that was hurting over anything else. I guess almost a month off from running or cardio in general will do that to ya. The game got me out of my soccer funk. Our team rocks.

I’m going to miss this team this summer.

…………

Your turn:

Did you play sports as a kid?

Do you play on a league now?

Do you remember your first goal/win?

{Weekend Recap}: Team Run & NJ

On Saturday Team For Kids had an open house  - including a fun run. I think I need a headband / arm band / t-shirt saying “I’m Diabetic” … it would save me a lot of time. Growing up in a small town where you knew most of your peers since pre-school, I forget that it’s not branded on my forehead for everyone to automatically know.

My approach : my body / my feelings / my disease/ my decisions / my responsibility. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t learn from others and it’s basic courtesy regarding liability for me to inform all of the coaches … plus it’s for my safety.  Not to mention it’s a pretty large part of why I’m doing this! My body & I have had some battles and we’re about to go up against a whole bunch more – training for this marathon (just as important as the marathon itself ) is for my body & mind to prove to each other that it can be done. Diabetes is just along for the ride.

That said, while I made a stupid move and ran my blood sugars high (I couldn’t go low on the first run – how lame would that be!) …it wasn’t the diabetes that dropped me to the last one to finish, it was my stupid hip. .::Sigh::. But moving my way to the back had me getting to know all three coaches. And now I’m even more psyched for training runs.

I ended up running in Central Park (score – a new route!), walking back through it from NYRR office to my apartment and then going back to meet a friend. Triple CP in one day.

That night I limped my way out to a girls night which took a slight detour to a girls slumber party in Hoboken when a friend had an allergic reaction.

That would mark my first stay in New Jersey. Sunday morning we laid out at the park (um Hoboken Park? I have no clue what it’s called) it was pretty looking into NYC and I saw lots of runners around the quad.

When I finally reached home (not to self: always carry extra needles & both insulins) I discovered I didn’t have my keys. After meeting the roomie in the East Village to grab hers I finally got back to the apartment at 6pm (and found my keys on my bookshelf…).

Headed to Target I decided to walk the trip … along the East River.  Definitely got my share of vitamin D and water views this weekend. Being Mother’s Day & summer weather, everyone was out to play and there were a ton of BBQs & block parties that had me smiling.

As I made my way back from Target I realized it was already 7:45pm how did that happen?!  I had one last workout due on my GymPact . My gym closes at 9pm – both locations. And I still had both set of keys. I quickly changed and booked it to the gym by 8:20  - perfect timing to get my 30 min in. The roomie made it back to the apartment at the 20m mark, so I had to hop off the elliptical to let her in. Instead of running back into the gym 10 min before they closed I decided to finish out the pact by running (jogging) a few blocks around the gym. Totally counts!

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Moral of the story: sometimes those #short&sweaty workouts that you cram in between things are the best ones. Especially when you don’t have time to debate it and you go off pure adrenaline rush.

{Weekend Recap} : Actively Eating & Outdoor Fun

  Saturday morning started off bright & early at 8am. It was my third year doing the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women in honor of a friend’s mom.  While there were a few runners in our group, the rest of us took the opportunity to slow down to a casual stroll and chat.

We ended it with the annual BBQ which included “flip flip scrabble cup” and break out dance routines :

After picking out horses (I took Take Charge Indy – it sounded powerful….and I had 2 seconds to decide)  I switched from Derby to Cinco de Mayo :

Pinata Baseball on the rooftop leaded to jumping pictures … we weren’t very good at them.  Someone made delicious cupcakes with lemon zest – perfect recovery fuel for a < 3.1 mile walk.

…………..

Sunday was the first UGS/Athelta group run of the Spring season. Over 90 girls showed up!! I recognized some faces from the fall and there were a ton of new ones. I was really impressed with how the event was organized and even noticed little ways they improved from last year (raffle ticket inside of the goody bag? Brilliant! Sometimes it’s the simplest things).

I was hesitant at first to even go because of my hip & all the silly injuries but figured I could stick with the beginners and always drop down to walkers. With indirect peer pressure I ended up jumping in the intermediate group at the last-minute – a loose estimate of 9:30 min mile.

There was so many of us that even the intermediate group broke down into 3 groups. I ended up running with 5 girls and by the end started dragging in the bag – hip wasn’t too happy,  not to mention I was feeling the few weeks off from any cardio. But it was a good run & I’m glad I went.  During the group stretch I stepped away to do a blood test … so skipped stretching my first run back – way to go for injury prevention.

RunKeeper lied again so I didn’t get stats but we ran for 39:40 minutes and I think the coach said 10:15 min mile pace … something between 3.5 – 4 miles.

I then rushed to met a friend for brunch at Elmo‘s, shopping & The High Line.

Living in the UES I don’t visit it often and it was cool to see how much it’s expanded since I last went. Need to venture over there more often.

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I over-corrected for brunch and ended up going low as we were heading back …which totally calls for 16 Handles. I tried the Greek Honey Yogurt flavor  - I’ll be sticking to Birthday Cake (my fav) & Blueberry (that makes it healthier right?).

Lots of friends, activities & carbs – the perfect weekend.

nnnnnNo!

The time a child procedure turned me into a 26 yro child:

I got tubes put in my ears today for the 5th time. It’s like chicken pox & getting your tonsils out – more likely to happen during childhood. Which it did… twice. And two more times in college.

But never in NYC….loud noisy NYC.

The first time I got it done in college I was a Freshman and was in for a bit of sensory shock. It was Easter weekend and I remember being frightened about returning to the dorm where my loving but very loud new BFFs were. By senior year I played up the adjustment memory and it ended up being no big deal.

This time I had it done right in the doctor’s office, as opposed to the hospital. It was less stressful than a dentist visit. Left ear done, no sweat. Only then I was hit with that wave of a low feeling where it hits hard & washes over you. As the doctor began on the right ear I interrupted him to grab glucose tablets. Then while he was making a note I grabbed my monitor – 98. That’s not low. Took the tablets anyways. The doctor was awesome, made sure I was ok, got me water & a cold compress. Even though Diabetes isn’t his field (and you’d be surprised – just because they’re a doctor doesn’t mean they really know about one of the biggest current epidemics) he was aware. I haven’t actually been taken care of during a low in quiet sometime & as I told him, I was glad it happened while I was sitting in a chair vs. walking around the city.

So what was up? Who knows, could have been my body’s reaction to the procedure as much as bloodsugars – stuff that “regular” people might encounter but I recognize as low symptoms.

Where does the child part come in?

After the appointment I had a meeting, which aside from wanting earmuffs for the subway, went well. I think it was the first time I wanted a cool big pair of headphones. Instead I just wore my iPhone ones to muffle some noise (that’s right NYC I wasn’t really listening to anything).

All was fine & dandy. Until I get home. And crashed. Suddenly I’m a kid….who desperately needs a nap, I’m exhausted .By late afternoon I found myself with my hands over my ears scowling at the refrigerator for humming and the airplane outside for flying. And saying “nnnnnNo!” To no one or anything in particular.

Much like this kid (he gets favorite points for switching gears at the mention of ice cream). 

I was supposed to go to a networking event but finally I realized that no one wants a cranky two-year old at a grown up function….especially when the two-year old is actually 26.

{pin}

New Beginnings

Ah life.

{source}

In the past two months I’ve:

- moved apartments

- was let go from my job

- completed my 1st 1/2 marathon 

- joined an outdoor league with my soccer team

- dealt with shin splints, groin strain, hip flexor silliness, IT Band issues & hip pain …. but not a stress fracture

- did early morning runs in Central Park

- ran a 5k on my birthday (in which I was 1st, last & only place since it was my solo birthday 5k).

- had plenty of brunches

- tried plenty of new coffee shops

- went to Hoboken for the 1st time

- exercised some serious self-control in not visiting 16 handles daily despite being closer to it

- put to use the fact that I’m now closer to Target …. but made do with the fact that I’m now further from a Trader Joe’s.

- finally used an oven (it’s only been about 2 years) and have worked on more “real” dinners.

- raised money for Team for Kids (only just begun!)

- started practicing yoga 5 day / week

- baked! (happening.right.now. vitalious chocolate muffin tops in the oven hopefully not sticking/not burning / rising  … all that usual stuff)

- signed up for my 2nd Girls on the Run 5K

- volunteered / will be volunteering at some kids activities with Urban Girl Squad

- met with a nutritionist … and started food journaling again. Sort of.

- learned how many supporters I have, even if it’s easy to forget  … and there’s quite a few!

- donated over 100 items … and got rid of almost as much

- played decorator, handyman & dyi-er … I think I’m most efficient at handyman.

- met new friends, connected with old ones and made fun dates with current ones.

I smell the chocolate tops….that mean it has to come out just as good right?!

- focused on my health … the specifics and the general.

- took a break from my magazine addiction

- started reading books….from the library

- got on the Tone It Up bandwagon (sort of)

- spent time with family

they didn’t burn! off to go see how they taste (I mean I couldn’t have screwed up a prepackaged mix that badly could I?) 

                                                   {source}

All Moved In!

I moved into my new apartment 3 weeks ago and have loved it ever since.

While training took a bit of a derail, I’ve accrued more injuries and have had some serious battles with the snooze button (oh wait that’s not new) there’s not much room for guilt – life has been busy with new & old friends, exploring the  ’hood, home adventures (cooking?!) and an overall feeling of a fresh start.

So even though dailymile sent me a sad message today:

Ok, that’s a lie, I had a solid awesome 7 mile run last sunday  - apparently I need to update DM.

It’s ok. 

 I had my soccer championships (we won! bring it on spring league).

And met with a registered dietitian to figure out how this whole “fueling for a 1/2 marathon as a diabetic” thing works (preview: more protein).

And started packing a lunch, getting some vitamin D within my 10 hour day & even tried a few lunchtime gym sessions.

Also attacked some solo central park runs (some good, some bad – but no passing out or left stranded with a low blood-sugar….I may have gotten lost but that’s no surprise).

I may regret letting the alarm clock win a few mornings & not stretching as much as I should (saying & doing are two different things) but I’m ok with the fact that I missed a run to meet up with old friends who are now new neighbors, picked playing soccer over 4 miles in fear that both would shatter my shin (it didn’t, and why yes, I picked the one where I was likely to get kicked – it was the championships!!).

That’s life. The whole “now” / living thing. 

That said, I got cleared by the doctor today (no shin stress fracture!) meaning I don’t have to abandon my training – in fact it’s time to listen to my body (equal parts running & stretching!!) and get back out there.

Said as I’m icing 4 body parts & figuring out a run between an early AM doctors apt & after work plans. 

Time to get excited about running again – channel that 7 mile run & start counting down the days until the More/Fitness 1/2 marathon!

Triple Threat Tuesday

It’s Thursday.

But let’s talk about Tuesday {as in 2 days ago}.

After my unexpected rest from exhaustion and shin splints last week, I was determined to get back on track with my run Tuesday morning.  I pulled out 4.16 miles in 43 min for an average of 10:20  …. I didn’t die but it wasn’t my best run. I wore my compression sleeves which I normally save for after and it definitely helped.

I also took my first ice bath. Sort of. With the freezer still broken {not anymore!} I haven’t been able to ice properly which is asking for trouble. And since pretty much all major points of my legs hurt, I figured an ice bath would work. Only minus the ice. Instead just really cold water. Really cold. I can’t imagine a full on ice bath. Especially since it was only enough water that a baby would be safe in it. But my shins were happier.

………..

I also knew that keeping up with yoga is a must these days. Especially since I “iced” but didn’t stretched.

So I went to my first lunchtime yoga class! It was actually my first lunchtime anything class. Or lunchtime gym session. Or lunchtime me time.

Mixed thoughts.

The teacher played music so faintly I didn’t realize that it was on until the 2nd half of class and I’ve discovered that really throws off my practice. I also had a giant clock directly in front of me which was not helpful when I knew I had to get back to the office.

While all the gym classes have mirrors, this one seemed to have twice as many.

So it seemed really hard to focus “on the mat.”

But she targeted hip flexors which was much-needed (even if she did refer to them as protagonists in books…I didn’t get it).

It’s worth it to go back but definitely not my favorite class/instructor.

{pin}

I only got 1 foot off the ground at a time {step 1 & 2} but the first time I’ve attempted headstand in a long time. 

………..

I finished up the night with soccer. In one of our more intense, well-played games.

Last week the other team forfeited and we played each other, everyone in for the entire time. It was actually the most fun game yet  - we have a good group.

So 3 different activities in 1 day … that’s a record. 

I was a little nervous that I would burn myself out after last week but having Wednesday off & being able to sleep in definitely helped.

Can’t say it will be the new routine but it’s possible!

………..

Your turn:

Do you break up workouts throughout the day?

………..

Related Links:

8 Ice Bath Dos & Donts