Runderella - Page 4 of 19 - Journey through my love for running and everything in between

Vacationing in Puerto Rico

April 1, 2015 By Lindy Leave a Comment

I’ve returned from a beautiful week in sunny Puerto Rico, to chilly temps (it actually snowed 3″ the day after I came back, so imagine how mad I was). I’ve been back for 2 weeks now, just slacking on the blogging! I had so much energy and went to bed each night, anxious and excited to go running the next day. I can’t recall a time when I felt that way, and it was truly wonderful to run alongside the ocean, in my hometown. I was emotional the entire time; it is my home and sadly I can’t stay. So along with feeling rejuvenated and happy, I had the best runs in a long time.

Running through Condado Beach

The cool ocean breeze was refreshing! No wonder there were so many runners at all hours of the day, running along the ocean.

Puerto Rico is rich in history, art and culture. Below is a path for walkers and runners to access the San Geronimo Fort, which was built in the 17th Century.

Road from Condado that leads to San Geronimo Fort

Post-run treats included fresh, raw juice from the juice bar across from my hotel as well as good, old piraguas, or snow-cones, which can be found in little carts all across the island.

Piraguas in Old San Juan

So, back to reality, but at least it is April, and warm weather is on its way. I have two runs pending (Hot Chocolate 5K and the Bucks County Half Marathon). I’m excited for both. With the help of my running coach, I have trained for these runs and I have trained on hilly terrain, crucial for the Bucks Half. I have been angry with my calves because they’ve pained me, and in return, I’ve given them a good foam rolling. It hurts like hell, but I can honestly say that during Sunday’s 12-miler, they didn’t really bother me, so yay for painful foam rolling!

More updates on their way, including a race giveaway you won’t want to miss 🙂

Lindy x

Spring Training

March 11, 2015 By Lindy Leave a Comment

It’s Spring race training time!!!

I love how race training is coming thus far. Because my last run was in November, my running coach slowed down my running pace, enabling the building of endurance while avoiding injury. This was important but more so because I had IT band issues last year. I think I decided to work with a running coach a bit late, and I say that because that would mean my training for Bucks County Half Marathon would be short and will not allow me to reach my goal finish time, but that’s okay. My running coach has been great and we both agreed that while my PR will not be at next month’s Bucks County Half, we will work together to have that happen in May during the Brooklyn Half. I love the feedback I get from her and look forward to her comments after I upload my assigned runs.

I swear if it wasn’t for having someone there holding me accountable, I’d just sit on the couch, catch up on House of Cards or whatever else on Netflix, and run the next race completely untrained. I’ve come home from a 12.5-13 hour shift tired as ever, lacing up and getting out of the house. And guess what? I’m enjoying it.

This is what I’ve done so far.

Week 1: (Completed)

Monday: 3 miles

Tuesday: 3 miles

Friday: 7 miles (Treadmill miles, damn snow!)

Week 2: (Completed)

Wednesday: 3 miles

Friday: 9 miles (these were treadmill miles due to the ice storm. It was awful!)

Saturday: 3 miles

Week 3: (Completed)

Monday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 6 miles (Outside!!! Thank God for 60 degree weather in March)

Then I leave for a week’s vacation and hope to keep up with running while I’m away. I plan to meet up with family I haven’t seen in decades, so I can imagine my aunt or cousin saying, “You have to go run 4 miles? But I haven’t seen you in years!!” I hope they understand that a runner girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do 🙂

I’m already seeing more progress in just three weeks with Coach Kristy, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what I’m capable of achieving.

Have a great week, friends!

Lindy x

P.S. New York didn’t love me again this year, so I entered my name for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Someday, NYC, someday…

Running Coach

February 24, 2015 By Lindy 2 Comments

One of my goals over the past year was to work with a running coach. Anyone can go ahead and search the web for running plans but I wanted a running plan that of course, was catered to ME and help me reach my running goals. My short-term goal is to finish a half marathon sub-2:30. Long-term goals? We can talk about that later…much later! 🙂

I searched the web and followed several coaches on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and finally settled on a coach – Coach Kristy from Run the Long Road.

I know I mentioned wanting to work with a coach for what seems like forever. Part of the reason I held back was not only the expenses involved but the thought that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t believe in myself, and that’s sad. Tonight I got home from working almost 13 hours on my feet and thought about how tired I was feeling and almost decided not to make the run. But I have to do this for me, and now I have someone holding me accountable. I like that.

Upon speaking with Coach Kristy, we went over our questionnaire (which I filled out on her website) as well as my short term running goals. I love how realistic she was in telling me this is what I have to do, that some things aren’t going to happen now but together we will get me to that goal. I’m a dreamer but I’m more of a realist, so I enjoyed talking with her.

Tonight was my first training run: an easy 3-mile run. Nothing about it felt easy, although the pace was slower than I’m accustomed to. Mind you, I have not run consistently since November, so these three miles were darn painful.

I’ll have to keep reminding this to myself.

Heck, even power walking three miles would be painful at this point! Anyway, I had to keep the Pandora station on the hip-hop/rap station to at least get me going. I felt tired physically, but the determination in my mind is what kept me going. I’m not a quitter but I sure felt like I was going to die tonight. Ok, I’m being dramatic, but my legs ached and my mouth was dry like a desert. Still, I made it. It can only get better from here, right?

QOTD: Have you worked with a running coach? Which races are you currently training for?

Lindy x

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon

February 22, 2015 By Lindy Leave a Comment

It’s Official!

Source: Disneyland Paris

runDisney announced during this morning’s Princess Half Marathon that there will be a half marathon scheduled for September 2016 at Disneyland Paris.

This is exciting news indeed! It’s too early for me to even consider it, but I’d love to go to Paris again! Paris is a gorgeous, charming city full of excitement, and rich in art and history. I’ve visited in 2005 and just had the most amazing time and ate the most amazing food in the world. Seriously, I just crave going back.

Click on the image above to be transferred to Disneyland Paris where you can sign up for their mailing list and receive updates including when registration will open.

Will you be running the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon in 2016?

Motivation and Training Tips from Jeff Galloway

February 9, 2015 By Lindy 1 Comment

Happy News!!

I have been chosen as a Jeff Galloway blogger! I will be sharing running tips from Olympic runner Jeff Galloway with you.

In case you don’t know who Jeff Galloway is, he’s a former US Olympian and founder of the Run Walk Run method that has allowed thousands to achieve their running goals. He is also the official training consultant for runDisney races.

This week’s tips are on motivation and training, two huge factors when it comes to running.

Lindy with Jeff Galloway

My first encounter with Jeff was in 2013 at the Disneyland Half Marathon. I had been chosen to attend the Disneyland Half Meetup, a wonderful opportunity to meet with Jeff Galloway and other celebrities (Sean Astin, Joey Fatone, to name a few!) and run across Magic Kingdom, followed by breakfast and a Q&A session. I was surprised at how approachable Jeff was – he gave me a hug, we posed for a pic and I told him that my goal was to complete a marathon. The problem? I was lacking motivation.

Mental Training for Runners – Jeff Galloway

Jeff asked me what my last race finish time was and gave me pointers on how to train for my marathon.

Here are this week’s Galloway tips on motivation and training:

When paced correctly, running delivers the best attitude boost you can get. Sustain this by pacing yourself gently during the first mile or three.

A well-paced run enhances vitality for the rest of the day. Start each run at least 30 seconds a mile slower than you will run at the end.

If you have a Run Walk Run strategy that is right for you on that day, it’s possible to feel good after every run-even the marathon.

Running is the best stress reliever I’ve found. Research shows that running tends to activate the conscious brain which over-rides the emotional subconscious brain and manages the negative and anxiety hormones during and after the run.

Research shows that as runners get faster, their stride length shortens. A quicker cadence is the mechanical key to faster running.

The finishing of a run that is longer than you’ve run in the last 3 weeks can bestow a sense of achievement that is unique and empowering-due to positive brain circuits that are turned on.

You can’t run a long run too slowly or take too many walk breaks. You’ll get the same endurance based upon the distance covered.

Using the Jeff Galloway run-walk method, I have been able to complete 8 half marathons and a full marathon.

QOTD: Have you used the Galloway run walk run method to train and/or on your races?

Lindy x

Running New York

January 28, 2015 By Lindy 2 Comments

New York holds a special place in my heart.

I’m lucky that I’m less than a 90-minute train ride to New York City and can go to that lovely city on a whim. I love the city of lights and excitement, and now I get to spend more time in NY 🙂

I’m running New York!

I wasn’t planning on entering the lottery for the United Airlines NYC Half but when registration closed and I found my friends entered and got in, I immediately regretted the decision to not enter. I’ll still be there, volunteering as a medical professional, which is great. They are in need of volunteers for their upcoming races, so be sure to check it out here.

NYC Half Medical Volunteer

I’m happy to be helping out, but knowing how I felt after not registering for the NYC Half, I decided I wasn’t going to let another opportunity pass me by. I registered for the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, which starts out in Prospect Park and ending in Coney Island at the boardwalk. I can’t wait to run through one of my favorite cities in the world! Hotel is already booked and time from work is scheduled off.

Airbnb Brooklyn Half – May 16, 2015

I’m also registered for the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon lottery. I didn’t get in last year and I hope I get in this year and run through all five NYC boroughs. A few of my running buddies got in through guaranteed entry so I hope I get to join them.

I’m really, really excited! As I learn more details from volunteering at the NYC Half, I’ll share them with you. If you’re running or spectating, stop by and say hi.

Hope to see you in New York!

Lindy x