2013 Recap- The Year of Discovery

Wow. I kind of let this blog slide while interviewing for residency, running, yoga-ing, supporting my boyfriend throughout his own travels, and taking care of our dog. But what a year it has been!

In June of 2012 I ran my first 5k since high school. I crossed the finish line in 25:19 and was happy to have just finished. Fast forward to June of 2013 and I was beginning to entertain the idea of running a half marathon (keep in mind I was running probably 2-5 miles per WEEK). I committed to running with a group that fundraises for pediatric cancer and threw myself into the training process. I had a very athletic upbringing and was able to tack on miles easily, probably too easily because I developed an overuse injury in my knee and had to take off 2 weeks from running during key training time for the half. Luckily, I bounced back and in October 2013 finished the half in 1:57:xx. I was proud of myself to throw up a sub-2 on my first half when I had really only just started running period a few months before. But the addiction to running and itch to improve was cemented with that race, as I really didn't push myself enough during the half and probably could have shaved off a few minutes.

Last .1 of my first 1/2 Marathon. I was chatting it up with the people around me and smiling away. Clearly could've pushed myself a little more...

After the half, the running bug really bit. 2 weeks after the half I ran a 5k in 23:50 (a PB at the time). I signed up for my first 10k in November 2013 and ran a 50:15 on what I can only describe as the hilliest course I will ever hope to run. To put it in perspective, with a decent size field that put me at 2nd for my AG. Honestly, that might be my favorite race of 2013 because I wanted to puke the entire time. Every time I finished climbing a hill, another one came into view. Pushing yourself to see what you can do and how you can improve is what running is all about, and this course made me so proud and pained at the same time. I continued to run 5k's too, running my last at the Turkey Trot on a 4 degree day with a time of 23:32. In one year, I had cut my 5k time by 2 minutes! 

In the center with the pom beanie and the fleece-lined Oiselle tights at the Turkey Day 4 miler. 9 degrees. BRRR!

Running has also strengthened my relationship with my boyfriend. We have lived together for over 2 years and survived medical school, licensing exams, residency applications, and a new puppy but you really get to know someone when you're pushing through mile 5 at race pace and coming up on another hill and asking each other whether to stop or keep going and encouraging each other to continue. We don't run together all the time, but when he wants to use a race as a training run or is running a new distance race (ie 10k) we will run together and pace each other. He is so supportive of all my crazy running goals and wants. New Oiselle running top? Sure, buy it, it's for your health he says (we do not have joint bank accounts yet ;) haha). Register for a race when the weather predicts 5 degrees? Sure, but you owe me a hot chocolate after. And he also listens tirelessly when I have an injury (thank god only 2 this year) and obsess about my return to running, my weight, my times, etc.

Before a 5k with the boyfriend where windchill put temps at ZERO. 

Early December 2013 I had a month off for residency interviews and decided I wanted to add some speed work to my running regimen (this is something I had never done before... tempo? intervals? progression? Baxter, you know I don't speak Spanish). Per my usual personality flaw (see: type A, future pediatric oncologist, all around pain seeker) I threw myself into intervals and repeats that I found online and was doing 2 speed workouts twice a week plus a long run for my same weekly mileage but at a much faster pace. Fast forward 3 weeks and I was hobbling around with a pulled something or other in my right lower knee/calf. This is when I decided it was time to get serious. If running is something that I really want to improve in my life, then I needed to get some professional help because clearly when I tried to make my own training plans, I was in way over my head. Enter Out for a Run Training with Glenn and Lindsey Hein. So I haven't actually started working with them yet (my training plan starts January 6, enough time to rehab this silly pulled whatever it is in my calf) but they are already so great. Super flexible with my crazy medical schedule (oh yeah, I'm going to Nicaragua for a month. See ya States, hello malaria pills!) and crazy fast to respond to my emails. I really wanted to have a coach that understood that running is not all there is to life (case in point, I work 60-70 hour weeks usually and may need to do most of my runs on a treadmill while also being a good girlfriend, dog owner, and friend). I may or may not have chosen Lindsey based on sarcastic twitter tweets and instagram pictures of her kiddo and beer glasses. Clearly, I have interesting expectations when it comes to a coach.

1/2 Marathon training... Irony.

I was also chosen to be a Nuun Hydration Ambassador for the 2014 calendar year. Hydration and nutrition were a big focus of my half marathon training and are in my career (hello childhood obesity and my strong hatred of soda and gatorade for children <10 years old). I love Nuun and I love what the company stands for. It was SUCH an honor to be chosen and I can't wait to rock some tattoos in races where it's actually warm enough to show some skin.

My favorite water bottle from Nuun, supports the LLS!

I dislike new year resolutions, but I love goals. And my 2014 goals are, not surprisingly, focused around running and career. I've already completed one (find a race coach) so I am well on my way to success before the new year even starts!

Running goals: 22:00 5k and 1:49 half marathon. Cross/strength train (including yoga) consistently to prevent injuries. Listen to Lindsey/Glenn and be honest with them if I start to feel an injury/overwhelmed.
Career goals: Be a good doctor and girlfriend. Take criticism constructively and not personally. Don't eat at the hospital's Midnight Hot Meal bar (nothing good comes from that many carbs and cheese).


What are everyone's goals for the New Year?

Things I Love Right Now 9/24/13

Do you ever go through phases where you really, really love something and you wear/eat/use/love it everyday? Those things for me right now are:

1. Happy Baby Spinach, Mango, Pear Smoothie. Baby food you ask? I know, weird. BUT it's a perfect fast blend of fruits to have with my english muffin in the morning before a long run.

2. My foam roller. My quads have been hard like rocks after long runs and stretching does NOT do them justice. I have a plain blue PT roller and I adore it. Now if only rolling could help this awful knee pain...

3. "On Top of the World" - Imagine Dragons. This song is my long run jam right now! Oh my gosh it just warms my soul.

4. My Oiselle Flyte LS shirt. I wore it for the first time for an outdoor run (I do not count the hotel gym nor casual wear) and it was AMAZING. Kept me warm and cool/dry (if that makes sense) and the thumb holes kept me from fidgeting with my shirt. I'm debating ordering it in another color or waiting/praying that they bring the onyx jacket back.

5. My bright orange CEP calf sleeves! I love neon and usually I go with green but with the darker nights a-coming I wanted something that really stands out (before I start running in my obnoxiously bright green Brooks jacket which will probably end up on a favorite list in mid-November).

6. RESIDENCY INTERVIEW INVITES. I'm gonna be a pediatrician ya'll!!!

Type A personality

If there is one thing that running forces me to do, it is to be less type A. While I still track my mileage obsessively and highlight "Runner's World" articles (oh boy did I just admit that on the internet?) I am learning to be more flexible with my schedule and training. My knee was still bothering me yesterday (feels fine today) but I am making myself take a full pain-free day off. Which means I am pushing back my long run again (12 miles) to Monday instead of the original day Saturday. That's still 13 days before race day so in terms of proper mileage I am not worried but as an almost physician and all around overachiever, breaking from my planned schedule makes anxious.

So what did I do with my extra rest day? We went to the beach this morning with the puppy and it began to DOWNPOUR. And of course Charlie wouldn't get out of the water til we threw his ball and let him swim so we were the only ones on the beach, once again proving we are true Mainers. We then stopped at a local bakery, stocked up on bagels and goodies, and hid inside on our comfy couch. I took the time to register for ALL my upcoming fall races ($$$). I've got a good mix of 5k to half marathons with the most frequent distance being 10k's. I will NOT allow myself to go to Brooks/Oiselle/LuluLemon websites to prep for cooler weather workouts because nothing good comes from lazy day online shopping except my awesome flyte LS (see below).

Hotel pre-run FLYSTYLE!

This Week's Training Plan (start taper):
Monday: 12 mile run
Tuesday: rest day
Wednesday: 4 miles
Thursday: power yoga
Friday: 4 miles
Saturday: rest day/SUP if nice weather
Sunday: 7 miles and volunteering at Soup Kitchen!

Stormy SUP! Core work :)

Fast Friday Motivation

Those who know me, know that I love Oiselle. I love their gear and what they stand for. So when they posted a tweet about the best #fastfriday inspirational quotes, I couldn't help but think of my favorite. Not only did he break the 4 min mile but he did it as a junior doctor and was also a neurologist... awesome!

“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ The human spirit is indomitable.”
-Sir Roger Bannister