So, a few new things going on with training...
I finally selected a training plan for the fall, and will go with the classic "Official training program of the NYC Marathon" by Bob Glover (the first time/casual marathoner program). It's the same training program as in his book. I like that it gets up to 20 miles a few times, unlike some of the other beginner plans. And I am indeed counting myself as a beginner this time around, since my running over the winter wasn't what it should have been.
Regardless, I'm looking forward to the program and getting into the thick of training season!
Also, a fun little twist to this... The health and wellness writer at the NY Times is training for her first marathon, and by virtue of the resources of the Times, and her column, a slew of training programs are now accessible as online programs. Same program I have printed out and tacked up on the bulletin board, but I can log my runs online, keep track of weekly mileage, how many weeks until the race, etc. And Bob Glover's beginner program is one of the ones they've included. :-) So, it's a nice little toy to play with.
17 June, 2009
04 June, 2009
and here we go!
So, for the first time EVER, drum roll please....... I got selected in the NYC Marathon lottery! 1 acceptance in 6 tries. :-) That's not to say I haven't run that race before, because I have - 5 times. But it's my first time in via the lottery. woohoo! I should have played PowerBall yesterday too, while my luck was running good LOL.
Consistency has always been my problem when it comes to running, but I'm slowly getting there. My fitness isn't exactly where it needs to be, considering my official training program starts on June 29th, but slow and steady wins *that* race.
More to follow as base-building continues, and as training season starts!
Consistency has always been my problem when it comes to running, but I'm slowly getting there. My fitness isn't exactly where it needs to be, considering my official training program starts on June 29th, but slow and steady wins *that* race.
More to follow as base-building continues, and as training season starts!
04 May, 2009
2009 New Orleans Jazz Fest recap
It's time for my 2009 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival recap, so here goes...
Thursday 30 April: We saw/heard Tulane University Jazz Ensemble. Then off to see Little Freddie King Blues Band in the Blues Tent (he played at the first Fest 40 years ago) - awesome. Then the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp band. Then New Birth Brass Band (love those horns and that brass sound!), then Michael Ward (jazz violinist). Next up, George Wein and the Newport All-Stars (also played at the first fest 40 years ago). Then Emmylou Harris.
High points of the day - the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp band, and some of Emmylou Harris' songs - she has the most amazing voice.
Clever t-shirt of the day: WTFWJD
Friday 1 May: tons of music again: Forgotten Souls Brass Band - great; BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (zydeco/cajun music - great); then Marcia Ball (great blues and funk piano/vocals, all with a Louisiana twist to it); then off to John Boutte (great jazz vocals), followed by Esperanza Spalding (24year old phenom, plays upright bass with incredible vocals - watch for this name going forward). Last but certainly not least, Tony Bennett, who was incredible.
High points of the day - Marcia Ball singing "Louisiana 1927" (that song alone was worth the price of admission for the day), and Tony Bennett singing "The Good Life" and "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" as well as many of his other standards. He also has a sense of humor, dedicating "The Good Life" to Britney Spears - the crowd was howling with laughter at that one...
Clever t-shirt of the day: Please direct all questions to my agent.
Saturday 2 May: started the day with The New Orleans-Helsinki Connection band (made up of musicians from Helsinki Finland, and New Orleans - they met through some joint gigs then the Helsinki folks came over post-Katrina to help, and the rest is history). then on to Sherman Robertson in the Blues Tent; then over to see/hear Treme Brass Band in the Economy Hall tent (the most New Orleans-centric music at Fest is there), then Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Both Treme and Pres Hall had the crowds on their feet the entire time. Economy Hall tent is the only stage at Fest with a dance floor - it was packed as usual; and the second lines were frequent - moving through the entire tent. Finished the day with a little of the Kings of Leon set at the Gentilly Stage. I saw them a few years ago when they opened for U2, and didn't think much of them, but I heard a good number of songs that I really liked.
High points of the day: seeing the usual dancers and second-liners in Economy Hall - after 11 years in a row at Fest, I know these faces and come to count on them as part of my Fest - including the little 80+ year old lady that leads the second lines, and the french couple on the dance floor (she's pregnant this year, but still dances amazingly well); tall-grey-haired guy second-lining, and middle-aged-guy who dances with little-old-lady. I don't know a single name, but they're a big part of Fest to me.
Clever t-shirt of the day: This isn't the most direct route to work, but I hate my job anyway.
Sunday 3 May: started the day in the Blues Tent hearing Kenny Neal - amazing guitar; then over to the Jazz Tent for Jeremy Davenport (great trumpet, great vocals and an amazing band); stayed put to hear Ellis Marsalis next (amazing jazz pianist, and father of Wynton, Branford, Delfeyo and Jason Marsalis - all great jazz musicians in their own right). He also was Harry Connick Jr.'s piano teacher when Harry was a kid. then over to Economy Hall to hear Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band with Teedy Boutte (related to John Boutte, not sure how). Great band and great energy. The heavens opened during this set, sure was glad to be in a tent. Rain let up as it was ending but sky was still ominous, so we left for the day.
High point of the day: Jeremy Davenport's 11-year-old trumpet student playing "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans" during his set; and the Ellis Marsalis set - amazing as always.
Clever t-shirt of the day: Don't let reality ruin your day.
OVERALL: Music, food and spirit are alive and well in New Orleans - go down and spend your tourist dollars, because that's the lifeblood of this city. The post-Katrina rebuild and recovery is coming along, but again, it's a tourism-driven city. They're being hurt by this economic downturn as much if not more than any other region.
Fest dates for 2010 are: 23-25 April and 29 April - 2 May. Mark your calendars!!
Thursday 30 April: We saw/heard Tulane University Jazz Ensemble. Then off to see Little Freddie King Blues Band in the Blues Tent (he played at the first Fest 40 years ago) - awesome. Then the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp band. Then New Birth Brass Band (love those horns and that brass sound!), then Michael Ward (jazz violinist). Next up, George Wein and the Newport All-Stars (also played at the first fest 40 years ago). Then Emmylou Harris.
High points of the day - the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp band, and some of Emmylou Harris' songs - she has the most amazing voice.
Clever t-shirt of the day: WTFWJD
Friday 1 May: tons of music again: Forgotten Souls Brass Band - great; BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (zydeco/cajun music - great); then Marcia Ball (great blues and funk piano/vocals, all with a Louisiana twist to it); then off to John Boutte (great jazz vocals), followed by Esperanza Spalding (24year old phenom, plays upright bass with incredible vocals - watch for this name going forward). Last but certainly not least, Tony Bennett, who was incredible.
High points of the day - Marcia Ball singing "Louisiana 1927" (that song alone was worth the price of admission for the day), and Tony Bennett singing "The Good Life" and "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" as well as many of his other standards. He also has a sense of humor, dedicating "The Good Life" to Britney Spears - the crowd was howling with laughter at that one...
Clever t-shirt of the day: Please direct all questions to my agent.
Saturday 2 May: started the day with The New Orleans-Helsinki Connection band (made up of musicians from Helsinki Finland, and New Orleans - they met through some joint gigs then the Helsinki folks came over post-Katrina to help, and the rest is history). then on to Sherman Robertson in the Blues Tent; then over to see/hear Treme Brass Band in the Economy Hall tent (the most New Orleans-centric music at Fest is there), then Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Both Treme and Pres Hall had the crowds on their feet the entire time. Economy Hall tent is the only stage at Fest with a dance floor - it was packed as usual; and the second lines were frequent - moving through the entire tent. Finished the day with a little of the Kings of Leon set at the Gentilly Stage. I saw them a few years ago when they opened for U2, and didn't think much of them, but I heard a good number of songs that I really liked.
High points of the day: seeing the usual dancers and second-liners in Economy Hall - after 11 years in a row at Fest, I know these faces and come to count on them as part of my Fest - including the little 80+ year old lady that leads the second lines, and the french couple on the dance floor (she's pregnant this year, but still dances amazingly well); tall-grey-haired guy second-lining, and middle-aged-guy who dances with little-old-lady. I don't know a single name, but they're a big part of Fest to me.
Clever t-shirt of the day: This isn't the most direct route to work, but I hate my job anyway.
Sunday 3 May: started the day in the Blues Tent hearing Kenny Neal - amazing guitar; then over to the Jazz Tent for Jeremy Davenport (great trumpet, great vocals and an amazing band); stayed put to hear Ellis Marsalis next (amazing jazz pianist, and father of Wynton, Branford, Delfeyo and Jason Marsalis - all great jazz musicians in their own right). He also was Harry Connick Jr.'s piano teacher when Harry was a kid. then over to Economy Hall to hear Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band with Teedy Boutte (related to John Boutte, not sure how). Great band and great energy. The heavens opened during this set, sure was glad to be in a tent. Rain let up as it was ending but sky was still ominous, so we left for the day.
High point of the day: Jeremy Davenport's 11-year-old trumpet student playing "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans" during his set; and the Ellis Marsalis set - amazing as always.
Clever t-shirt of the day: Don't let reality ruin your day.
OVERALL: Music, food and spirit are alive and well in New Orleans - go down and spend your tourist dollars, because that's the lifeblood of this city. The post-Katrina rebuild and recovery is coming along, but again, it's a tourism-driven city. They're being hurt by this economic downturn as much if not more than any other region.
Fest dates for 2010 are: 23-25 April and 29 April - 2 May. Mark your calendars!!
13 April, 2009
it's been a while
I haven't posted here in a while. Guess I'm just not a talkative sort! :-)
But I do have some running-related news... I've registered, as part of a 6-person team, to run in the 100-on-100 Heart of Vermont relay on August 15th. This race starts at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT and travels 100 miles southward on scenic Route 100, ending at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, VT. The course is broken down into 18 legs, and runners 1-6 each run 3 legs over the course of the day. Total mileage per runner is somewhere between 15 and 18 miles. only other thing to note: HILLS GALORE! www.100on100.org
I'm running the race with 5 runners I know from the Runners World Online masters forum - having met 3 of them in person already - and we're running in memory of Cody, my friends Mickey and Diane's little boy, who passed away of Neuroblastoma in March at age 6. We'll also be fundraising for neuroblastoma research. I'll be fundraising for this race in conjunction with my NYC Marathon fundraising, which is also for neuroblastoma research. (see link http://tinyurl.com/dxabjt)
But I do have some running-related news... I've registered, as part of a 6-person team, to run in the 100-on-100 Heart of Vermont relay on August 15th. This race starts at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT and travels 100 miles southward on scenic Route 100, ending at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, VT. The course is broken down into 18 legs, and runners 1-6 each run 3 legs over the course of the day. Total mileage per runner is somewhere between 15 and 18 miles. only other thing to note: HILLS GALORE! www.100on100.org
I'm running the race with 5 runners I know from the Runners World Online masters forum - having met 3 of them in person already - and we're running in memory of Cody, my friends Mickey and Diane's little boy, who passed away of Neuroblastoma in March at age 6. We'll also be fundraising for neuroblastoma research. I'll be fundraising for this race in conjunction with my NYC Marathon fundraising, which is also for neuroblastoma research. (see link http://tinyurl.com/dxabjt)
01 April, 2009
I've been feeling a little directionless lately with regards to my running, so spent a little time this morning at the chalkboard (I have an old schoolhouse one on my hallway wall) mapping out my running for the next few months. Just a consistent 4 days per week, slowly increasing the weekly mileage. Need a better base than I have currently! Anyways, it was good to see a plan up on the wall.
I've got 3 months of consistency and base-building before marathon training season starts on 1 July.
I've got 3 months of consistency and base-building before marathon training season starts on 1 July.
13 March, 2009
I've got a head/chest cold at the moment, but got to the gym last night for 3 TM miles. It was REALLY hard work! But I think warming up the body, getting the blood pumping, working up a good sweat, helped my cold a bit, so back at it tonight with another 3-4 miles.
By the way, we're back to winter again. 14F today and bright blue skies.
By the way, we're back to winter again. 14F today and bright blue skies.
06 March, 2009
sigh.
I can't really say much for myself right now. Have been running fairly consistently (3-4 days per week), need to make that 4-5 days per week, and then up the mileage per run. I'll get there. The time change this weekend will help for sure.
Much more importantly, though, I'm heartbroken to have to say that Cody, the 6-year old son of my friends Mickey and Diane, passed away from Neuroblastoma this morning. You can read more about their journey on Mickey's blog: http://deckapes.blogspot.com/.
I am so ANGRY that cancer has taken this beautiful little boy, so ANGRY that his amazing parents have to bear this loss, and so ANGRY that Cody's brother and sister have to move forward without their little brother.
Much more importantly, though, I'm heartbroken to have to say that Cody, the 6-year old son of my friends Mickey and Diane, passed away from Neuroblastoma this morning. You can read more about their journey on Mickey's blog: http://deckapes.blogspot.com/.
I am so ANGRY that cancer has taken this beautiful little boy, so ANGRY that his amazing parents have to bear this loss, and so ANGRY that Cody's brother and sister have to move forward without their little brother.
19 February, 2009
Here we go!
Again, first order of business is prayers and positive thoughts for the Johnson family!
I have a 3-4 miler on tap for tonight, however much I can fit in before rushing home to get cleaned up for a night out w/ DBF.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY! Right now, I'm doing runs of 3-4 miles at a go. 4 days a week. Will move up to 4-5 milers as my mainstay runs. stay there a while, then start lengthening one weekday run and the weekend run. By May or so, I need to be doing 20-25 miles per week, consistently. That's my base-building plan.
Because as you might have guessed by now, I have registered to run the NYC Marathon this fall. I know, I can hear the eyes rolling around in your head right now because I swore I would NEVER, EVER, run that race again.
But I'm running in Cody's name again, and will fundraise for Neuroblastoma again. And that makes it worth all the effort.
I have a 3-4 miler on tap for tonight, however much I can fit in before rushing home to get cleaned up for a night out w/ DBF.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY! Right now, I'm doing runs of 3-4 miles at a go. 4 days a week. Will move up to 4-5 milers as my mainstay runs. stay there a while, then start lengthening one weekday run and the weekend run. By May or so, I need to be doing 20-25 miles per week, consistently. That's my base-building plan.
Because as you might have guessed by now, I have registered to run the NYC Marathon this fall. I know, I can hear the eyes rolling around in your head right now because I swore I would NEVER, EVER, run that race again.
But I'm running in Cody's name again, and will fundraise for Neuroblastoma again. And that makes it worth all the effort.
18 February, 2009
Again, first things first - sending every positive thought that I can to Mickey, Diane, Cody, and family today.
Other than that, just happy that I'm enjoying my running again. It's been a long time since I've been able to say that! It's really hard work again, which isn't surprising given how much time I took off, but I finish a run feeling like I've accomplished something. :-)
Did 4 last night, TM at the gym, and am planning on 4 or 5 tonight. I need to start back up with the crunches and pushups.
Other than that, just happy that I'm enjoying my running again. It's been a long time since I've been able to say that! It's really hard work again, which isn't surprising given how much time I took off, but I finish a run feeling like I've accomplished something. :-)
Did 4 last night, TM at the gym, and am planning on 4 or 5 tonight. I need to start back up with the crunches and pushups.
16 February, 2009
Monday, Monday...
First off, I'm sending every positive thought and energy I can to Mickey, Diane, Cody and family today. Praying for a miracle that Cody's liver function improves so he can start back with his chemo again... sigh.
I'll be running my fall marathon in honor of Cody again, and will start my fundraising for Neuroblastoma research at MSKCC pretty soon as well.
Other than that, just planning on a 4-5 miler tonight at the gym. I can't believe I'm sore from the 3-miler that I did on Saturday. Just goes to show that other cardio, whether elliptical, bike or arc trainer, are no substitute for running.
I'll be running my fall marathon in honor of Cody again, and will start my fundraising for Neuroblastoma research at MSKCC pretty soon as well.
Other than that, just planning on a 4-5 miler tonight at the gym. I can't believe I'm sore from the 3-miler that I did on Saturday. Just goes to show that other cardio, whether elliptical, bike or arc trainer, are no substitute for running.
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