HMT - Day 9 (5 Miles) & I dodged a bullet (a stabber on a rampage)!

HMT Day 9 - 5 Miles (Ran 6 Miles)

Ran a total of 6.08 miles in 55:20, pace 9:06 min/mile

And the drudgery continues, hahaha!  It's actually not really that bad and my legs felt really good this morning.  On a side note, upon my return to the gym I was notified of an incident this morning that occurred right where I frequently run, although it happened uptown and this morning I had run downtown.

UWS stabbing along Hudson leaves 5 hurt:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9268831

Please careful everyone when you're out there running.  Just because it's daylight and there are others around does not mean that danger is not lurking.  We are all guilty (me included) of running with our ipods and headphones on really loud.  Please always be mindful of your surroundings and be AWARE!!!!  Thankfully the father in this situation managed to protect his son (although not without being injured himself) and still be able to help apprehend the would-be stabber with the help of a good samaritan that prevented more carnage than could have actually occurred (5 total injured this morning).

It is a call of warning to those around that ANYTHING can still happen at ANYTIME, even when we think we're in a really safe area (W 63rd St and Riverside Drive - which is a very affluent and safe neighborhood, who would have thought?!).  The westside highway is frequented by joggers, bikers, strollers, walkers, children, groups of people exercising and those just enjoying the beautiful views that it provides.

I know going forward I will run with my iPod NOT so loud and only with one bud in, so that I can still hear with the other ear.  It's so easy to forget ... please don't.

HMT - Day 6 (3 Miles), Day 7 (8 Miles) and Day 8 (OFF - Cross Train)

Day 6 - The training schedule only called for 3 miles ... but i'll tell you ... being the 6th day in a row working out ... and after my friday cross training session (I felt that for sure!), my legs weren't excited about running even something as little as 3 miles.  Thankfully I had support and motivation!  But wowza ... that was rough!  Also, I've been fighting a slight cold all week, I knew getting up and doing some small amount of cardio would be helpful to my immune system, just hoping I didn't overdo it.

Ran 3.04 miles in 28:17, pace 9:18 min/mile


Day 7 - I felt much better this morning after taking last night pretty easy.  My friend made me pastina in chicken broth for dinner, amazing how much that stuff helps!  I felt good, so I took the legs out to Central Park.  I did all right, I ran 7.5 miles in 1 hour 12 mins, I usually run it 2 minutes faster, but i'm not complaining, I felt good at the end of the run instead of dead tired, which is good.  I'll take that as an indicator that I could have gone for longer and been fine....  does that mean i could have gone for 10 miles?!?!?!  But again, I knew I had a slight cold, didn't wanna push it.  I did what felt good, hopefully my legs continue to feel good.

Ran 7.5 miles in 1:12:10, pace 9:37 min/mile


Day 8 - Feel good, eh???  Yeah, I woke up this morning and my hips and quads were tiiiiiggggghhhhhht!  I also have a 7AM TRX session with my trainer.  I had a feeling this morning was gonna HURT, and it did. HAAAA!!!!!  Thank goodness for tylenol before a workout.  Dreading tomorrow's run a little ...

Just when i was learning to enjoy a good run .... LMAO

HMT Day 5 - OFF (Cross train)

No Running!  No Running!  No Runnnnniiiiinnnnng!!!!!

Muwahahahahahahahahahaahaha!!!!! =D

After 3 days in a row of medium to long runs, I can't express just how excited I was to give my legs a day OFF from running! HA!

While long runs are important in preparing for a half marathon, so are short sprints, hills and cross training.  Your CORE is so integral to good running form as well as balance, so don't forget to work these muscles and do CORE and balance workouts in between your runs.  For my Cross Training session today, I turned to a super fitness guru, Jeanette Jenkins (personal trainer to the stars!).  She shared some great exercises in this month's FITNESS magazine.  I did this workout twice through in about an hour (one circuit should be completed in about 25-30 minutes).  Give it a whirl!  I thought it was a great cross training workout and some of the moves pushed me outside of my comfort zone!  There was plenty of abs, upper body work, balance and core work!  Enjoy!

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/lose-weight/burn-fat/burn-500-calories-circuit/

HMT (Half Marathon Training) Day 4 - 8 Miles

Day 4 Mission - Run 8 miles

I ran a total of 8.7 miles in 1:21:48, with a 9:24 pace... or that's what my ipod said anyways.

It's not my best, not my worst, but i'm OK with that.  This run was so much better than the last 2 runs and they were shorter!  Maybe my body's just getting used to running outside.  That would be ... AWESOME! =)

Conversation in my head:
Mile 1 - Seriously?!  I have atleast 7 more miles to go?????????

Mile 2 - that seemed like it took a really long time ...

Mile 3 - Really???  I think my ipod needs to be recalibrated.

Mile 4 - ....

Mile 5 - Light as a feather, light as a feather ... you got this Chang ...

Mile 6 - Owwwwww......

Mile 7 - OMG!!!!!!!! Don't quit now!  Look!  A golf cart, maybe I can ask the guy for a lift????

Mile 8 - Damn tourists and rude new yorkers!!!!!!!  OMG there's the gym!  Last sprint Chang! Last sprint Chang!!!!!

Today was grueling, especially when I started in on Mile 6.  Thankfully tomorrow is a cross training day, NO RUNNING, THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I'm saying that ...

Half Marathon???

This time last year, if you had told me that I was going to be signing up for a half marathon, I probably would have died of laughter.

Fast forward from last year to this past Monday (9/23/2013), my gchat conversation with my friend Nelly:

sherry chang

nelly!!!!! how are you feeling girl???

Nelly Baez

My quads are cursing me out :)

I got tons of bruises but I am a TRIFECTA woman aroooo10:54 AM

the Super has nothing compared to this one Sherry

this race was the hardest thing I have done in my life so far

i told u that Laura hurt her knee right :(

sherry chang

all those mountains

so i'm guessing you don't wanna do the half marathon then???

LOL!!!!

Nelly Baez

Oh I am doing it :)

i be good next week

i can do anything now lol

sherry chang

lol are you serious?

Nelly Baez

when we were in mile 10 of mountains f$%^&* dying i was like ok if they give me a choice to run right now i will run 10 miles instead lol

sherry chang

ok ... i'm down i promised you i'd do it with u, if you were up to it

Nelly Baez

my quads are hurting right now but they will be ok .. i will start running again Friday

awww thanks Sherry :)

sherry chang

but the half marathon is on oct 6

that's in 2 weeks!

Nelly Baez

yeah i be good in two weeks for it

sherry chang

really!?

okie dokie ... so are we signing up then?

Nelly Baez

yeah we are :)

Awesome.  Just awesome.  So i'm doing this ... i'm on day 3 of training and my legs aren't liking me very much.

Now, if you can believe it I only started running last year, April 2012.  I remember when ONE mile was too much for me.  I can hardly believe that I regularly clock 6-8 miles now when I run.  But believe it!  I'm doing it and if I can do it, anyone can.  I NEVER EVER ran until April 2012.

As a matter of fact, I did 2 Spartan Sprints (NY Tristate, June 1 and PA Spring July 13) and a Super Spartan (Sept 7 - as a 33rd birthday gift to myself) and the Run 10 Feed 10 - 10K on September 22nd.  Looks like I got bit by the "racing bug".  I never thought I would be here.  But here I am.  

I'm going to blog my training for this Half Marathon ... it's for a really good cause that's close to my heart so I couldn't say no ...

http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2013/memorial-sloan-ketterings-freds-team-presents-gretes-great-gallop-131m

Here's my 2-week training plan for the half marathon (from runner's world):

Day 1 - OFF (Crosstrain - did TRX with Alex)

Day 2 - 5 Miles (It's clear that I have not been training for long runs and that I've only been practicing sprints ... this was a struggle, I wanted to quit at mile 3 (on the treadmill!).  It's discouraging when your legs don't have the stamina to go, but if i'm going to run this marathon then, I gotta keep going)

Day 3 (TODAY) - 5 Miles (I actually ran 6.38 miles today.  While I didn't struggle as much as I did yesterday, I was still intensely frustrated with my run.  I've run 10 miles before and not been as tired as I was on this run.  My stamina sucks, gotta get back on track, tomorrow is 8 miles, but I plan on going for somewhere between 8-10 miles if I can.)

I ran 6.38 miles in 58:32, pace 9:10 min/mile

Wish me luck.

See you tomorrow for a report on Day 4.

xo

Information: BULIMIA

This is a problem many women in the world face today.  I wanted to take some time to highlight this particular eating disorder that strikes more women (and some men) than we can possibly imagine and is a lifetime problem that others may never notice because unlike other eating disorders, such as Anorexia ... there isn't a horrific tell-tale obvious sign.

There is lots of information surrounding this particular issue.  If you know someone or think someone is bulimic, please remember that it is generally an extremely personal and private issue and take time to discuss it with the person (if you feel comfortable enough to) in private.  Please do not shame, blame or guilt the person for any reason, it is already a self destructive habit that doesn't need additional fuel for the fire.  Remember to lend support, they will probably need it more than you know.  Thanks.

Information taken from - http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm

What is bulimia?

Bulimia nervosa (buh-LEE-me-ah nur-VOH-suh), often called bulimia, is a type of eating disorder. A person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (binging) and then tries to prevent weight gain by getting rid of the food (purging). Purging might be done by:

• Making yourself throw up
• Taking laxatives (pills or liquids that speed up the movement of food through your body and lead to a bowel movement)

A person with bulimia feels he or she cannot control the amount of food eaten. Also, bulimics might exercise a lot, eat very little or not at all, or take pills to pass urine often to prevent weight gain.

Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. But like people with anorexia, bulimics:

• Fear gaining weight
• Want desperately to lose weight
• Are very unhappy with their body size and shape

Return to top

Who becomes bulimic?

Many people think that eating disorders affect only young, upper-class white females. It is true that most bulimics are women (around 85-90 percent). But bulimia affects people from all walks of life, including males, women of color, and even older women.  It is not known for sure whether African American, Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native people develop eating disorders because American culture values thin people. People with different cultural backgrounds may develop eating disorders because it's hard to adapt to a new culture (a theory called "culture clash"). The stress of trying to live in two different cultures may cause some minorities to develop their eating disorders.

Return to top

What causes bulimia?

Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety. There is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some factors that may play a part.

• Culture. Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies.
• Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to also have bulimia. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia. 
• Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as well as stressful things (like starting a new job), can lead to bulimia.
• Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like herself, hate the way she looks, or feel hopeless. She may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling impulsive behaviors.
• Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia.

Return to top

What are signs of bulimia?

A person with bulimia may be thin, overweight, or have a normal weight. Also, bulimic behavior, such as throwing up, is often done in private because the person with bulimia feels shame or disgust. This makes it hard to know if someone has bulimia. But there are warning signs to look out for. Someone with bulimia may use extreme measures to lose weight by:

• Using diet pills, or taking pills to urinate or have a bowel movement
• Going to the bathroom all the time after eating (to throw up)
• Exercising a lot, even in bad weather or when hurt or tired

Someone with bulimia may show signs of throwing up, such as:

• Swollen cheeks or jaw area
• Calluses or scrapes on the knuckles (if using fingers to induce vomiting)
• Teeth that look clear
• Broken blood vessels in the eyes

People with bulimia often have other mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse problems

Someone with bulimia may also have a distorted body image, shown by thinking she or he is fat, hating her or his body, and fearing weight gain.

Bulimia can also cause someone to not act like her or himself. She or he may be moody or sad, or may not want to go out with friends.

Return to top

What happens to someone who has bulimia?

Bulimia can be very harmful to the body. Look at the picture to find out how bulimia affects your health.

Return to top

Can someone with bulimia get better?

Is it safe for young people to take antidepressants for bulimia?

It may be safe for young people to be treated with antidepressants. However, drug companies who make antidepressants are required to post a "black box" warning label on the medication. A "black box" warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription medicines.
It may be possible that antidepressants make children, adolescents, and young adults more likely to think about suicide or commit suicide.
The FDA offers the latest information, including which drugs are included in this warning and danger signs to look for, on their website athttp://www.fda.gov.

Yes. Someone with bulimia can get better. A health care team of doctors, nutritionists, and therapists will help the patient recover. They will help the person learn healthy eating patterns and cope with their thoughts and feelings. Treatment for bulimia uses a combination of options. Whether or not the treatment works depends on the patient.

To stop a person from binging and purging, a doctor may recommend the patient:

• Receive nutritional advice and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Be prescribed medicine

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. CBT that has been tailored to treat bulimia has shown to be effective in changing binging and purging behavior, and eating attitudes. Therapy for a person with bulimia may be one-on-one with a therapist or group-based.

Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), which is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating bulimia, may help patients who also have depression and/or anxiety. It also appears to help reduce binge-eating and purging behavior, reduces the chance of relapse, and improves eating attitudes. ("Relapse" means to get sick again, after feeling well for a while.)

Return to top

Can women who had bulimia in the past still get pregnant?

Active bulimia can cause a woman to miss her period sometimes. Or, she may never get her period. If this happens, she usually does not ovulate. This makes it hard to get pregnant. Women who have recovered from bulimia have a better chance of getting pregnant once their monthly cycle is normal. If you're having a hard time getting pregnant, see your doctor.

Return to top

How does bulimia affect pregnancy?

If a woman with active bulimia gets pregnant, these problems may result:

• Miscarriage
• High blood pressure in the mother
• Baby isn't born alive
• Baby tries to come out with feet or bottom first
• Birth by C-section
• Baby is born early
• Low birth weight
• Birth defects, such as blindness or mental retardation
• Problems breastfeeding
• Depression in the mother after the baby is born
• Diabetes in the mother during pregnancy

If a woman takes laxatives or diuretics during pregnancy, her baby could be harmed. These things take away nutrients and fluids from a woman before they are able to feed and nourish the baby. It is possible they may lead to birth defects as well, particularly if they are used regularly.

Return to top

What should I do if I think someone I know has bulimia?

If someone you know is showing signs of bulimia, you may be able to help.

1. Set a time to talk. Set aside a time to talk privately with your friend.  Make sure you talk in a quiet place where you won't be distracted.
2. Tell your friend about your concerns. Be honest. Tell your friend about your worries about his or her eating or exercising habits. Tell your friend you are concerned and that you think these things may be a sign of a problem that needs professional help.
3. Ask your friend to talk to a professional. Your friend can talk to a counselor or doctor who knows about eating issues. Offer to help your friend find a counselor or doctor and make an appointment, and offer to go with him or her to the appointment.
4. Avoid conflicts. If your friend won't admit that he or she has a problem, don't push. Be sure to tell your friend you are always there to listen if he or she wants to talk.
5. Don't place shame, blame, or guilt on your friend.  Don't say, "You just need to eat." Instead, say things like, "I'm concerned about you because you won't eat breakfast or lunch." Or, "It makes me afraid to hear you throwing up."
6. Don't give simple solutions. Don't say, "If you'd just stop, then things would be fine!"
7. Let your friend know that you will always be there no matter what.

Adapted from "What Should I Say? Tips for Talking to a Friend Who May Be Struggling with an Eating Disorder" from the National Eating Disorders Association.

Venting ...

I don't really have a title for what I'm about to write.  I just know that I need to vent somehow, somewhere.

Why do people feel like they have to do things to other people?  To upset them?  Because they think that their supposed victims/targets will care enough to be upset by their action?  In my youth ... my impetuous youth, I would say that would have been an inevitability upsetted.  In my 30s ... I'd say no.  I've learned to cut people out, and it sounds terrible to say, but just not to care that much anymore.

It's mostly comical to think that there are other people out there who are 30 something going on 13.  It's childish and they derive some sort of sick pleasure (only for themselves might I add) in thinking that they are causing others anguish.  It's mostly ridiculous and utterly deluded, but ... carry on.