Patiently waiting...

I know you're all just dying to know all the gory details of last Sunday's NYC Marathon, but I'm waiting for the pictures to come in! So just hold your horses.

Still Standing

See?

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=32322&ID=49923618&FROM=photos&BIB=6505

I made it to the finish and managed to stay on my feet the entire time. Thanks to Robyn for keeping me from hyper-ventilating and to Luis for keeping me from puking and for making me finish. No PR and a nasty cold made worse, but the photo was worth it.

A Different Kind of PR

Saturday's race did turn out to be a personal record for me: Worst Race EVER. By Far.

I found out that although they say say it's ok to run if you are sick from the neck up, they don't mean it's a good idea to try to race a half-marathon. My body did not have the energy to do what I wanted it to do. I should've tried the matzoh ball soup & Dr. Pepper remedy.

All is not lost, however. I stayed on my feet the entire time. I even mustered a smile and fist-pump for the finish-line photos.

Confessions of a Glamour Girl

After finishing my runs, I sometimes get the comment, "You don't look like you just ran 10 miles!" Not so much in the summer when I pour water over my head and end up with Gatorade stains all over my shirt, but I did win the "glamour girl" award during my first Team in Training season. I have certain tricks that help keep that fresh, just-starting-my-run look, even after a 15 miler, which is important, not only for sparing others the utter grossness of which I am capable, but also because, as previously discussed, it's all about the pictures.

1. Revlon Colorstay Light Make-Up - ColorStay Active® Light Makeup provides smooth, natural, light coverage that lasts up to 16 hours. Patented SoftFlex® formula provides a lightweight, comfortable feel. Makeup is sweat proof, sun proof, and rub-off proof*, even during exercise. Designed for all skin types in 10 just-won't-quit shades. Oil-free. Non-pore-clogging. Non-irritating. SPF 25. Yes, it actually does all that. Love it. Available at drugstore.com

2. Tinted Chap Stick -Regular lipstick gets cakey. Lip Smackers work great. The Cherry Coke and Dr. Pepper flavor, among others, have a slight reddish tint. For slightly more intense color, I like Neutrogena Moistureshine Tinted Lip Balm. Someone also recommended Kiehls once, but it's a bit much for something I'm using while I run.

3. A hat - It really covers a multitude of hair sins. In the summer I have my favorite TNT hat, that I love because it's all mesh and I look the least bucket-heady in it. In the winter, I use a fleece headband. Keeps the bangs in place, all side-swept to offset the big forehead.

4. Baby Wipes - For after the run. I use them for wiping salt off my face. Also useful for Gatorade and energy gel drips and dirty ankles in the summer. I suppose you could use those fancy face wipes, but these are cheaper. And regular hand wipes are too harsh for my face.

A few goals for the Brooklyn Half

This afternoon, I logged another 4.5 miles for the week, and I started to think about this half-marathon I'm training for and what might be a realistic goal. I looked at some pace calculators and such, and I also thought back to the first time I ran the Brooklyn Half - almost 2 years ago. I realized that I have a goal I want to accomplish this year that is equally, if not more, important than my time and pace. This time around, I would like to remain upright at the finish line. Worthy goal, no?

So yes, my first trip from Coney Island to Prospect Park ended with a rolling motion, not typically seen at finish lines. It certainly made for interesting photos:
picture 1: spreadeagle
picture 2: brush it off, brush it off

I can't post the actual photos because I didn't want to pay the arm and a leg Brightroom charges, but it's worth it to click on the links. The photographer really captured the moment well, including the embarassed "I'm ok, I'm ok!" smile afterwards. I also love the guy swerving to avoid me.

So at this year's Brooklyn Half, I'm aiming for something more like the pic below (minus the soaking wet saggy shirt). You'd never know I had a mediocre race on one of the crappiest race courses ever (sorry Queens). It's all about the pictures.