I am 25 and a half

Hi everyone (or no one!!)

I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last entry! There will be a lot in this blog to update!!! Bear with me as I go through it…

First, there is still time to donate (yup yup yup!) – you know the drill: it’s easy, for a great cause and plain old good for your KARMA (hey New Year’s eve is closing in, got to stock up on good karma for next year!)
https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm
My entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Second, the winner of the France vs. US generosity contest. The competition was fierce, the donations were upped on a daily basis…but alas France proved the strongest. Ben Plaisant is the individual winner with a donation of $200. The kids (and me of course) thank you deeply J As promised, a $150 Godiva Gift Basket awaits you! I guess next time we cross paths in Paris…unless of course I “find” a ticket to go visit you in Quatar (that could happen)

Third, training and all other running considerations…
Last week was not a great week in terms of running – I only ran Monday night. I was high/super energized after the 20 mile run on Saturday September 18th. However, the crash was as hard starting Wednesday night through the end of the week. I felt exhausted and down. I made a call to stay low and rest my body before Saturday’s 12 mile run.
Saturday’s 12 mile run was amazing – see pictures attached. Vanessa kept us on pace and motivated us. We did two “speed” miles with an increased mile/min of +75%. We finished with an average of 9:30min/mile with peaks during our speed miles at 8:13 and 8:30. For those following for a while, this is OUTSTANDING! I don’t think I had pushed my running so hard since the 9mile run with Celia.
As expected, I have been hurting since then. If I had done an ice bath, that could probably have been avoided, but I am stubborn!
In parallel, I have been trying to tone down my slight running obsession. I put to rest my “intense” running books and took “what I talk about when I talk about running”. This book has been inspiring to me this week. I recommend it to all. Reading a runner’s 25year running story, I feel less stressed about the big day or even the runs coming up.
It also motivated me to give it my all (within my bodies’ limits) until October 15th. As my close friends know, I am NOT a morning person. May I proudly announce: I have been starting my runs for now 3 days in a row at 6:30AM! Yup you read that right. Seeing the sun rise on the reservoir has been the icing on the top every day. Haruki Murakami is right, the 30-50 min running alone are what is keeping me sane these days.
This coming Saturday is a landmark – the longest run I will have ever completed: 22 to 23 miles. Thanks to Haruki, I feel serene and even confident about the upcoming 4 hours.

Yoga tonight and tomorrow to get those musles nice and stretched out for the 23mile run.

It seems after all of this (that is by mid October), we are “tapering”. The only thing I understood from that whole phase is that I will no longer be allowed to run and will probably gain weight. Call me conceited, but I am not too keen on that. Running makes me a chiller person…what will happen for those 2 weeks before marathon day???? I will need all of my friend’s help to go out and cross train. I have roller blades and a gym membership that are dying to be used too!!

More to follow

So ready for the Marathon Day!

Hi everyone (or no one!!),

It's been a while! The France vs. US battle is closed now, but results will only be posted by end of week. However, there is still time to donate:

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm

Please remember to indicate my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

I would say last week was a big milestone. Here are a couple reasons:

1. I was able to run twice on my own (even one AM run). People that know me are aware of my tendency not to be a morning person. Ben's cheeks still hurt 10 years later!

2. I tried and succeeded to run the Queensboro bridge. Without my friend Heather and the gossiping, it would have been far less fun, for sure. As we cruised by, I could picture myself on running day. With only the sound of runners' shoes hitting the pavement and slowly but surely in the distance the cheers from the crowds on 1st avenue....can't wait! Queensboro, you have NOTHING on me!

3. I successfully completed the 20mile run. On average, I ran between 9:40 and 10:20 min/mile. I would love to keep the marathon at 10:15, but let's wait and see!! A couple pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Main takeaway - I need to work on pre-run attitude. Every long run has gone PERFECTLY. I talk with my friends on the first half, then listen to my ipod and just make it work. I am rarely in pain after the runs. And yet, time and time again I stress out. Last Friday was the worst. I now have a little over a month to find a way to solve for that :-)

There are only a few $286 to go until I reach my fund raising goal - get to your wallets!! Put 1$ for every mile I will run, put $26 to help fight obesity, put $50 to give kids a running start. Every donation counts and helps.

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm
Please remember to indicate my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Cheers,

Emily.

France vs. US last 2 days!!!

Hi everyone (or no one!!)

There is still time to donate! Gifts are totally over-rated, I would much prefer your support to this amazing charity. Plus, there is still the competition to win a $15o Godiva Gift Basket. Who is more generous, american or french???

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm
my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Here is a picture I found online of me during the half marathon. I am such a happy runner!!!

47 days until the race. It's the final count down (music in the background)! I am mentally very ready, but I still bought a book about running and the work on mentally preparing for a race. (and no Chris, that still does not make me a runner. I just happen to be running a lot these days...)

I am starting to get nervous about this coming weekend's 20 mile run. My converse killed my pinkie toes and I have not gotten this weekend the rest I needed.

On the bright side, I am getting my new watch this week. I will no longer need to ask my running buddies for time/pace/whatever.

Plus, I think I found a new route to try: the three bridges: bk, then manhattan, up east side/1st ave and finally queensboro. Prob head back to queensboro and run through roosevelt island.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ny/new%20york/387125289641197362

It's longer than I might do during the week, but it could be fun!!

Finally, regarding the charity (because it's really all about the kids). A couple cool facts:

• 82.6%, or .83 cents of every dollar goes to NYRR Youth Services.


• Did you know that it takes only $50 to cover the cost of one child's participation in NYRR Youth Services and Programs for an entire year? That means, that you, me, US are giving 50 kids the gift of running for one year if we meet the $2,500 goal

So, again, what are you waiting for? It's time to make a difference:

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm
my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Cheers,

There is still time to donate!

Hi everyone (or no one!!)

There is still time to donate, here is the link:
https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm

Please remember to indicate my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Couple questions came from my closes friends:
- do I feel ok : oh my god, I have never felt better

- am I physically ok: I work out 5 to 6 days a week, but when I don't feel it, I don't do it. I push myself, but stay within reason given my current condition

- isn't boring to run such long distance:
1. it's not, I always have company. I usually talk for the first 4 to 6 miles. About ANYTING!! My week, why i am doing the marathon, my weekend plans. Whatever. This is for the me the hardest part, because at that point, I am hurting. After that, I usually plug in the ipod and just zone out. I think about stupid things: what am I going to wear tonight? what my new hottest dance move will be, what my next trip will be, what I am to do for brunch. How I am going to solve carres in international. A lot of everything and nothing. It's just running. One foot ahead of the next. You just do it, make it happen, because you said you would and you will.
2. i am officially addicted on endorphines. It is not an exageration to say that I am HIGH after a run. I am already concerned with the aftermath of the marathon. How will I replace this high???? Talk to me after a run and i will tell you I love you :)

- how do I feel about the marathon, the day of: I am excited. i can't wait, the days, the training is not going fast enough. I cannot wait to see my parents, my friends, New York on the side line cheering me on. As I write these words I have chills up my spine. I have been secretely wanting to do this since I saw it the first time. I know I can do it and I just can't wait to be there.

- can my friends away follow me on the day of: of course, we are high tech now (at least not me, but the rest of the world, yes!). Just use my number (366304) on nyrr.org website, I am sure there is a link somewhere for that

I think that's all for today...Oh. I did run 12 miles today. Felt great, went really well. I feel amazing, what else can I say?

Oh I forgot, always time to donate. It's a great charity, great cause and then you have the right to give me advise on running ;)

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2009/donations.htm

Please remember to indicate my entry number 366304 and last name (Villette)

Longest run...and it was a success!

Hi everyone (or no one!!),

Running is just great, seriously!

Back track to this full week…
Tuesday was my first day of swimming. I went to the gym on 23rd street and did some back freestyle laps. The idea is for me to work on my core so as to get more lower back support when I do the long runs. It felt GREAT, especially looking at the NYC sky from the roof windows. If only I were a morning person, I’d do that more often!! It was also my second charity event for Team for kids. We met at Pat o’Brien upper east. The usual beer pong experts were there to support this great cause. Overall, it was a success “carb loading” event. Thanks to all that participated. Maybe indeed next time, I will do a cooking event…Apparently I cook better than I can play Beirout!

Wednesday we had hill training. We had 6 sprint hills to complete. Although I am a great fan of sprinting, I always find these speed trainings very hard. I completed 5 out of the 6 hills. I was having trouble breathing after each of them. I could sprint the first part. I would stand straight, slightly leaning forward; I would “pump” those arms; I would even lift those knees. Regardless, half way I would have trouble breathing. Don’t get me wrong, I think I could have probably pushed a little harder. But this is not about finishing first, it’s about finishing ALIVE.

Thursday I continued with my “core” training and went to Yoga. I still can’t say I am good at Yoga, but regardless of the class level, I try all the postures…sometimes I fall, sometimes I don’t. I have a hard head!!

Friday I rested. I considered going back for a swim, but I was starting to feel extremely nervous about the Saturday long run. 16 miles, the longest I’d ever run. AND I was in charge of the route….Mapmyrun, here I come!! Oh, I also went to the US open on Friday night (yeah, poor me!!). I saw Venus and Nadal. Good games, but I couldn’t stay till the end, I needed my beauty sleep before the long run…

Saturday am came and I was feeling really nervous. It was hot, and we only started at 9AM. With 6 other ladies running about my pace we went down east side highway, across Brooklyn bridge, through Bk into Prospect Park. Unfortunately I had a misunderstanding with mapmyrun and we needed to complete 3 loops of the park vs. the indicated 1.5. That was a big disappointment when I learned that. I thought we were almost done and I was already tired and dehydrated. Thanks to the help of Laela, Zineb and Amira, we completed the full 16miles. I felt great at the end (per usual, thanks endorphines). It was not that bad after all, I could have gone longer…Pace must have been roughly 10:27. Given the heat, I’ll take that!!

Sunday and Monday I took off to rest my body. I went to the beach, walked, but mostly rested. I feel ready for more training, more charity events and more long runs. I just really needed a rest !

Cheers,