Pinterest: Motivation Station

After chatting with my dear pals, Rusty & Allyson, about new ways to showcase photograph collections or things I am interested in. That's when Allyson invited me to Pinterest, a nifty little site where one can build collections of image they like in a virtual bulletin board format. I'm working on keeping my "pinterests" related to running.

To follow up Motivation Station, I've started making its digital incarnation. Take a desk vacation and enjoy a little motivation station!

[56] Boom Boom Powerful

Race: Boomer’s Cystic Fibrosis Run to Breathe [ 01 | 02 ]
Distance: 10K (6.2 Mi) [ Course ]
Date/Time: Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Weather: 68 degrees, Fog/Mist, 93% Humidity, 5 mph

Bib#: 7562
Corral: Purple
     
[Times]
Clock Time: 1:24:35
Chip Time: 1:15:11 (12’08” Pace)
Nike+ Time/Splits: 1:15:02 (Pace: 11'48"; 726 Cal)
    •    Mile 1: 11:01 (11'01")
    •    Mile 2: 23:30 (12'29")
    •    Mile 3: 36:25 (12'55")
    •    Mile 4: 48:28 (12'03")
    •    Mile 5: 59:55 (11'27")
    •    Mile 6: 1:11:21 (11'26") + 0.21Mi 3:40 (10’16”)

[Places]
Overall: 4661/5004
Gender: 2155 / 2406
Age: F 30-34
AG (Age Graded) Stats
    •    Time: 1:15:06
    •    Place:  852 / 940
    •    Percentage:  40.3%

[Event Atmosphere/Race Packet Pickup]
This time around, my race buddy, Jen, picked up my packet,  as she was in the City and I was trapped behind my desk. It was the first time someone else picked up my packet for me, but it according to her, it was a very painless process.

[Fashion Choice]  Baltimore 5K Tech Shirt (dark gray), Nike Tempo Shorts (purple/neon yellow), and lululemon athletica visor.

[Race]
This was my first 10K race, and as I expected, I was unprepared for it. Prior to the race, training was minimal in the days after returning from my European vacation. My current PB for this distance was 1:10:20, but most likely it comes from one of my two half-marathon attempts.  I pushed hard, but with the heat and humidity (and a lack of training), I wasn't able to shake it up enough.

Jen and I started out in the corral together, but shortly after we cleared the first 1/2 mile, I waved her off. Though I was thrilled to run a race with a friend, Jen's been running for a much longer time (including marathons), so I was under no illusions that I'd be able to pace her. From the get go we had the standing agreement to start together, split up when necessary and meet up in the Finishers' Area.

The Run to Breathe is very aptly named. The race benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation, but with the heat and humidity of July, everyone's struggling to breathe in the sauna that Central Park becomes. It was my first time to run the entire length ("the big loop") of CP, and all things considered, it wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't great, but it was much easier than I originally thought. I just need to take it easy.

Though our time in the race together was relatively short, I really enjoyed our train ride, our stroll through the park, and going to victory breakfast and window shopping after the race. 

I made it into the NYRR event gallery!!

[Playlist]
I did this on my race in Ireland, and I really liked the outcome. Using my iPhone, I just picked a track I like and used the Genius function to generate a playlist. I did learn that I need to update my iTunes library as with incomplete data, it limits selection greatly.

Genius-ed Track: “Feedback (Remix)” by Janet Jackson feat. Ciara

• “Magic” by the Pussycat Dolls
• “One In a Million” by Ne-Yo
• “Run the Show” by Kat de Luna
• “Livin’ a Lie” by The Dream feat. Rihanna
• “Pretty Girl Rock” by Keri Hilson
• “One Night Only” by Jennifer Hudson
• “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” by Jennifer Lopez
• “Big Girl Now” by New Kids On The Block feat. Lady GaGa
• “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige
• “Pray (Acoustic)” by Justin Bieber
• “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna
• “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan
• “The Time (Dirty Bit)” by the Black Eyed Peas
• “Ex-Factor” by Lauryn Hill
• “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child
• “Lights, Camera, Action” by The Pussycat Dolls & NKOTB
• “Afraid” by Nelly Furtado

[Video Pick]

“Say My Name” by Destiny's Child

[2012 NYC Marathon 9+1 Progress]
A third of the way there! Next up is the Central Park Conservancy’s Run for Central Park next Saturday. The city’s heating up, so I have to remember not to push so hard and realize that times will just be slower in the summer time.

[55] SportWatch Where You Are Going

Nike teased me with images of their next generation SportWatch+ GPS by TomTom in January with an anticipated launch date of April. April came and went and there wasn't a place I could get my sweaty mits on one. May zipped by and still remained empty handed, but some how in early June as I was preparing for my trip to the UK, I lucked out when I visited Westchester Road Runners for the first time in what felt like eternity. After walking into half of the Nike Stores in NYC only to find floor models and no available stock, I did a double take as I pressed my nose against the glass.

If I remember correctly, I had quite the Homer Simpson donut moment (possibly complete with drooling). It felt too good to be true, but I couldn't be responsible for my actions had the small stack of boxes been empty. Not only were the items in stock, but I got my 10% discount for being a member of NYRR!*

No sooner did I get home did I plug it in and start messing around with everything. I wore it to the staff BBQ and my friend and colleague who is a triathlete took one look at it and told his wife that he wanted one, too! Knowing that I wouldn't be able to use the Nike+GPS App while on my vacation in the UK and Ireland, I was relieved to have something that could track my trip races. Unfortunately, ran into a snag in Scotland and the GPS didn't register. Weeks later, and I am still fighting with Nike Maps to record the distance accurately. Luckily, everything cooperated for the longer race in Enniscorthy.

I've discovered that when I am on the treadmill, I don't mind using the iPhone apps as the majority of the critical information I desire is listed on the screen or narrated to me. While running a race, I can't be fussed to fidget with my phone too much as running the apps kills my battery quickly (and I like having my phone available in the event of an emergency). So as to avoid getting the arm band tan, I like keeping my iPod/iPhone in my pocket while running. Checking stats this way can be quite the challenge (and not in a good way).

Despite the full figure, I have rather skinny wrists, and initially the weight and heft of the SportWatch felt awkward and didn't fasten as snugly as my beloved SportBand. Also, when adjusting the band, I keep pinching my arm with the hinge and clasp. I do like how it snaps securely in place with two catches, but removal isn't nearly as switch and easy as the SportBand. I like the illuminated screen and the access to additional fun information like run history and personal records.

The only issue I had since obtaining the SportWatch was linking the WearLink+ Heart Rate Monitor to it. I will fess up and admit this time around that it was user error as the battery in my HRM sensor was flat out dead. All it took was a quick trip to the store and a new battery. Too bad I wasn't able to figure that out back in June when I was packing for my trip and getting increasingly angry at the growing pile of run tech on my desk. I have to rotate my SportBand and my Baby-G Shock watch into my fashion rotation.

Compared with other GPS watches, its rather compact and slim, but sometimes I may elect for my SportBand out of nostalgia. I will miss having the option for the interchangeable Bands. I haven't changed my SportBand since I received the RunNYC2010 one at the Nike Concierge at the NYC Marathon Expo. Whenever I look at it, I remember standing in the Expo and saying to myself, one day I'll run NYC like the rest of them.

Now look at me...

[54] Perspiration Board

I'm finally moved into my new place! I'm living out of boxes, but I couldn't stand staring at all the naked walls. In my last place, I had scraps of motivation strewn all over my apartment. Looking back at my soapbox on motivation from last month, I decided I needed to organize my personal motivation station and not subject my apartment to being overrun by running. Previously, I had things tacked to the walls and taped to mirrors, as well as things pinned on any magnetic surface and Post-it notes everywhere. Bottom line, I had no organization to my motivation station at all.

[Building a Victory]

Initially, the PB started out as single picture from the back of my first Nike+ iPod Kit (close up at the bottom). I taped it to the back of my front door at eye level, and every morning before I set out, my weight loss goal stared right back at me. It got me out the door, even in the winter, but as I started logging miles and setting personal best records (PBs), I started putting Post-Its all over the place. To avoid plummeting into a similar fate, I wanted to corral my running items into a special corner of my new place. This wall is near the back of my apartment, just past the washer & dryer, facing the bathroom, and next to my bedroom door. Instead of overwhelming every single person who visits my place and subjecting them to my "running mania" (as it's been dubbed), I've decided to rein it in a little bit.

• Race Bibs (top left): I have a growing collection of race numbers, but the ones I displayed are the races I have run for my guaranteed entry requirements for the 2012 New York City Marathon. I can't wait to see what it will look like come September 24th!
• Weight Goal (top center): That number hasn't budged for some time. I have plenty of yellow Post-Its leftover, so I need to get cracking on the remaining poundage.
• Run Card (top right): My college gal pal, Kimi, made this fantastic good luck card in honor of my running the RunDisney Princess Half-Marathon back in February. It reminds me that I am officially endurance sport royalty!
• One Tiny Word (center): Meghan inspired me to select a single word to focus my energy toward achieving in the next year. With regard to running, I intend to cultivate my running skills as well as a happier and healthier lifestyle.
• Princess Calendar (far right): A present from Meghan on Princess Half weekend! Currently lists my registered races, weigh-ins, mileage and important things like registration openings (when I remember to write them down)! I do need to start affixing photos to it.

To avoid making the whole board too heavy for the nails, I am planning to invest in a wall display rack for my medals. Not that I have that many, but some of them are heavier than I thought! I am thinking about clipping some quotes, not just by famous female runners, but other writers, actresses, activities, and other public figures. I don't want to simply focus on running with my motivational quotes, but also self-esteem, body image, and anything else that tickles my fancy.

Yes, I think I will do that! ;)

I'm keeping a journal for my detailed workouts, eating habits, measurements, and such, and I would rather not clutter the board with that. Along with my running folio, those items are being kept near my desk, so I can also access them when I am working on this. I'm debating putting up a wish list of things I could "run toward" as rewards for either logging mileage or losing weight. With respect to clothing, I am trying to hold off on investing in new duds until I can hit at least 140lbs (only 6.6 pounds to go), but sometimes its so hard.

One thing I definitely need to do is go through all my photos, hit up a photo lab, and post some pictures of the people I run with! One of my greatest inspirations and motivators are my friends, not only those who run with me, but those who also cheer me on.

What else should I tack up there...?

[53] Another Pantheon Goddess

Being F-AB-ulous in Osaka! 2007

Had I followed the United States' Track Team's success at Track and Field World Championships in Osaka, Japan (2007), I would have known who Kara and Shalane were long ago. Admittedly, at the time I had just spent four days interpreting for the Jamaican Team, so I was obsessed with watching them crush the US and Japan! The following summer, I moved to Tokyo and a week later, the Beijing Olypiad took place. Again, I followed Jamaica with wild interest and my own country and country of residence with mild interest.

Earlier in the year, I talked about Nike TC elite runner and 2010 NYC Marathon Debutane, Shalane Flanagan. While Shalane was rocking the streets of the Five Boros, Kara Goucher was reveling in her debut as a mother. However, as the Apple of the Big Apple's eye started to fade and spring rolled in with the Boston Marathon in tow, Kara's name started cropping up everywhere as the recent mom in the midst of a comeback. Looking at pictures of Kara during her pregnancy and postpartum, she still looked better than I have in years. By the time she trotted into Boston, she was in racing shape and ready to smash Bean Town to tiny bits.

Neither being an elite athlete or a mother is easy, and within weeks of giving birth to Colt, Goucher was getting back into the swing of things and now she's on the fast track to the Olympic Trials. Talk about a great way to shed baby fat! Like Shalane, Kara is a member of the Oregon Track Project by Nike, and also debuted at the New York City Marathon, but two years prior (2008). What gives Kara an extra mark or two in my books (besides having a name that starts with Kar-) is that she's only a year older than me. Granted, Kara's been running since she was a child, but I can identify with her more as she is a runner in her thirties.

Lookin' great, Girl! (c) RW

As for my obsession and quest for the Nike SportWatch+ GPS, I am completely throwing Kara under the bus with her May 2011 cover of Runner's World. Being a Nike+ geek (nearly two years running, ha ha), I've been pining for this hot ticket item, but with the mixed product reviews, I firmly remained on the fence for a months or so. Then this issue of RW found its way into my mail box, and that was the end of it. Kara, I adore you, but you owe me $179.99 + tax!

What has me really curious is what the Nike Campus in Portland is like. It isn't exactly a place one can go on a vacation or tour (or can they)? Initially, Kara was an elite track runner who later expanded her scope to included halves and fulls. I wonder how she passes her day. While I'm chained to a desk, how many miles is she running? What's her training menu like? What kind of music populates her playlists? Does she commute to work by running (or does she drive)? I've never been to Oregon. Maybe I really should have applied for that Nike Run Reporter casting after all... Hmmm..

Recently, Kara released her own take on running for women. I am so excited to delve deeper into the psyche of an elite runner, and learn to improve myself as a runner. Honestly speaker, I've always leaned toward the fiction genre over nonfiction when it came to reading. However, in the last year, I've taken to throwing non-fiction into the reading mixture. Looking over my ever evolving reading list and my goals as an individual who runs, I decided that if I am ever graduate from novice level, I need to read more books (not limit myself to magazines) about the sport. Flicking through, it looks light which is always a promising sign for summer reading. 


Read Up on Kara

• Running 101: Class is in Session (Runner's World; May 2011)
• Goucher balances motherhood, training for London (Sports Illustrated)
• Mind Gains (Runner's World; March 2010)

Love her laughing with her baby bump & hubby, Adam! (c) AMR

If I ever become a lean, mean mother runner, I hope I can an ounce or two of Kara's positivity to keep running (jogging, ambling, crawling) as much as I can!