Up until Tuesday night of this week, I hadn’t thought of that moment in quite some time. Caryn, one of my Girls on the Run co-coaches, and I were on the train talking upcoming races. When the More/Fitness 1/2 marathon was mentioned her eyes lit-up and she told me her “I felt like a runner moment.”

The day Caryn first felt like a runner was April 25, 2010 at the More/Fitness Magazine 1/2 Marathon. She waited out in the rain to run 6 miles of that race with a friend. After standing for some freezing her booty off waiting for her friend, she ran 6 miles. The longest distance she had ever run.

Often, I hear people saying, “I just ran this 1/2 marathon last month, but I’m not a runner”. To which I always respond, “Sure sounds like you ARE a runner!” Usually I don’t get what they are saying and look at them like they’re crazy, but as I look back at my own running history I get why they feel that way.

I ran track and cross country in high school. During that time, I ran my first 5k road race, ran 6 miles without stopping on weekends by myself while my mom followed me in her car with her headlights beaming so I could see the road after dark, and was always one of the faster girls on my xc team. During those years I still didn’t feel like a runner.

The moment I felt like a runner was the year I completed my undergraduate studies. Much like Caryn’s “I’m a runner moment” mine happened at a 1/2 marathon I wasn’t running.

I drove out of town about an hour with a seasoned runner friend to a half marathon they were running. I signed-up for the race with the intention of running as much as I could without stopping (note: a lot of races were not productions like they are now. it actually resembled a group run more than a race). I ran nine miles, the longest distance I had ever run.

After the run, I chowed down on a  homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie that someone from the neighborhood had made for the racers and thought to myself for the very first time, “I’m a real runner!”

Did you have an “I’m a real runner moment”? What was the one thing that stood out to you that made you feel different during/after that run that made you finally realize that you are in fact a runner? Why do you think it took so long?

Did you learn anything from that race?

What made that race stand out from other “bad races” that made it your worst?

Thanks Jess, for such a positive start to this blog post.

If you’ve ran a number of races you probably have one race that stands out as being “the bad one”.

My bad run happened on April 25, 2010 at the More/Fitness Magazine 1/2 Marathon. You can read all the glories details here or spare yourself with a quick summary: It was raining and cold. I felt like $#!T. I complained a lot, then I cried and cried some more.

When you ran that bad race, did you plan revenge or swear that specific race off forever?

I don’t know about you, but I did the mature thing… I swore that race off for good.

That was until a few weeks ago. When in my inbox was a lovely email from someone at Fitness Magazine asking if I was interested in covering the race (for FCITC) or running the race.

To me, that email was a call to action. I could hit delate and pretend I never saw it. Or I could take it on as a sign that this was a race that was meant to be conquered once and for all.

Guess what I did?

I didn’t hit delete. Instead I said “sign me up, cause I’m going to own the More/Fitness 1/2 marathon and teach Central Park a thing or two.”

You’re right, those weren’t my exact words, but those are my exact thoughts.

I’m planning revenge and it happens on April 15, 2012.

{FTC: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary entry to the race from Fitness Magazine.}

“We envision a world where every girl knows & activates her limitless potential & is free to boldly pursue her dreams”

A few years ago I found this video of Shalane Flanagan on Flotrack and ever since I’ve been a huge fan. Watching the Olyimpic trials today, really got me fired up for the 2012 running season. I’ll never be as fast or as fit as those ladies out there running today, but I can still work hard.

This video is kinda long, but it’s a holiday weekend so take the time to check out Shalane’s workout from back when she was training for the 2008 Olympic trials.

Watch more videos on Flotrack

Let’s make this year the year we worked our hardest and achieved things we’ve only dreamed of in the past. Sound like a plan?

Now that we’ve settled that, go do some burpees!

Running a perfectly even paced run isn’t always a necessary goal, but learning to tune in to your body and know when you’re speeding up and when you’re slowing down is an important skill to have.

To some people this comes really natural while others struggle constantly to know if they are running at the right pace (obviously this means sans Garmin). I think I had forgotten how hard trying to keep a steady pace was until, Rick and I started running together occasionally. He has a really hard time telling when our pace has changed.

When it comes to pacing, I’m pretty good at maintaining certain speeds and noticing when I’ve slowed down or sped up.

*Photos courtesy of Caryn Leigh Photography (one of my team’s coaches).

Run without a planned route.

Run without knowing where you’re going.

Maybe even run without your watch.

I dare you.

While I love challenging myself to run further and faster, it’s also nice to get back to the heart of why I’ve been running for over 20 years. I run because it sets me free. I run because it does something for my sanity that nothing else can do.

Since I’ve lost most of my fitness level over the course of the last few months, I’m focusing on running for time. I realize this means I am running with my watch. However, it sets me free from running a specific path. It sets me free from all other related numbers while still giving me a goal for my workout.

Every time I’ve started a running program I always focus on time. Decades ago that mean running 5 minutes and walking two for a total of 50 minutes. Eight years ago while training for the Chicago marathon that mean running for 3 hours and 40 minutes instead of running for 20 miles. Today while recovering from a multitude of injuries, it means running for 20 minutes or occasionally 30 minutes.

Running for time instead of for pace or distance allows me to feel less frustrated with the fact that I’m huffing and puffing during every step. Setting a time goal and reaching it also helps me feel accomplished instead of discouraged about my current running pace and fitness level.

Tell me, do you ever run for time?

I did not set a one mile p.r. as expected.

I did not set a 1/2 marathon p.r.

I will not be running the NYCM tomorrow.

But, I did learn that I love running more than ever, that people were right when they say that everything changes in your 30′s, and I learned that running is no longer easy for me. However, the biggest lesson learned is that no matter whether I’m running the main event or not, I’m convinced that the running community is one of the best communities to belong to.

Thanks to Nissan, an official sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon, I’ve been smiling ear to ear for the past 24 hours. First off was the Runner’s World NYCM party.

Could we be bigger dorks?

Theodora and I spent the night playing “eye spy” and geeking out over all the running celebrities. We spotted David Wiley (EIC of Runner’s World), Dean Karnazes, Lauren Fleshman, Mary Whittenberg (President of the New York Road Runners), Amby Burfoot, and Bart Yasso.

The most exciting part was listening to Bart’s tips for Theodora. He even estimated what time she would finished based off of her 1/2 marathon p.r. time and long run pace. I immediately turned a bright shade of green and wished that I too was running.

When I grow up I want to be like Bart Yasso. I mean is there a better title than “Chief Running Officer”?

This morning I walked over to Central Park to meet up with Ryan Hall, Theodora, and the Fit Bottomed Girls for a short run through Central Park.

Ryan is a part of Nissan’s Innovation for Endurance Team. This morning we did a runmute of sorts. We ran part of the lower loop and ended up at our brunch spot. I love destination runs.

The runnerd in me really comes out at stuff like this. He politely answered all my geeky questions. I learned that he prefers out of the box Asics instead of his custom made ones. He does little to no strength training unless he’s recovering from an injury. He also weighs out his pasta the night before a race and loves sardines.

The Nissan Leaf is the official pace car of the marathon. This year Biggest Loser’s Olivia and Hannah from Season 11 of the Biggest Loser will be live tweeting from inside the car as they ride in the car in front of the lead runners.

{FTC: I was not compensated for this post. I was provided with a gift bag, a complimentary brunch and invitation to the Runner’s World party. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.}

Yesterday, was part one of my Q&A session with Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World. Today he tackles two more questions that you submitted.

Question #3: What are your tips for tapering for a marathon? What’s considered too much rest?

BY: Most people don’t taper enough for the marathon. You want to rest and store up energy to be able to perform at your highest level. You will not loose any fitness during this time. There’s not a lot you can do to improve your fitness level, but there is a lot you can do to screw up. Enjoy the rest, have confidence in your training and do tons of mental training. Also remember doing nothing isn’t good. You want to “rest not rust”.

• Three weeks before a marathon you should reduce your milage by 20%
• Two weeks before a marathon you should reduce your milage by 30%
• The final week before the race you should reduce your milage by 50% and cut back on pace

Question #4: What’s your recommended strategy for running the NYCM course?

BY: Your strategy for the course should be to run negative splits (meaning run the second 1/2 faster than the first half). For example if your goal is to finish the race in four hours the first 13.1 miles should be ran in 2:03 and the second 13.1 miles should be ran in 1:57.

This will physically and mentally help you run a good race. You’ll mentally feel good when after the half way point you begin passing everyone around you by picking up your pace and running stronger. You will feed on the positive thoughts that flood your mind.

A classic tip for the NYCM course is to not let the crowds on First Avenue whisk you away. After coming off the quiet 59th street bridge and onto 1st Avenue it can be difficult to not let the energy of the crowd carry you away. The runners around you are most likely going to be picking up their pace, so keep an eye on your watch to make sure you don’t run too fast.

The course isn’t the easiest course but the diversity of the neighborhoods and the participants truly make it a race like no other.

Thank you, Bart!

If you would like to see Bart in person you can catch him at the NYCM Marathon expo at the Runner’s World booth at these times:

• Thursday: 12:00-3:00
• Friday: 1:00-3:00
• Friday: 1:00-3:00
• Saturday: 12:00-2:00

“Running is not about how far you go but about how far you’ve come.” Bart Yasso