Days are getting shorter, runs are getting longer!

Today's run was awesome!  Granted, it was quite long. But awesome all the same. I ran 16 miles around the city - woohoo! Kinda can't believe it if we're being honest here. That's a long freaking way. Also kinda can't believe that I'm going to run 26 miles at one time in about a month but I guess stranger things have happened.  

So today I met my friend Diana in Central Park (again, I have great friends. Thanks buddy!). She ran the first four miles with me along the bridle path around the reservoir. She then emphatically informed me that she was done and that I was crazy. So I took off across 58th street towards the west side highway. I ran down the west side all the way to the bottom of Manhattan and then around the tip and up the east side and then looped around Stuyvesant town. You should go plot this on mapmyrun.com. I'm a little impressed with myself if you can't tell.  

I really do love New York.  One second I was running along the water with a view of the Statue of Liberty. The next I'm running by this bus stop sign.  

I made an amazing discovery today. I LOVE Gu. As I mentioned last week, Gu is an energy fuel/calorie/carb supplement thingy. I've never really gotten on board with the whole Gu thing.  Until today. Chocolate Gu tastes like chocolate cake batter. And you get to eat it while you run. So basically, I ran 16 miles today while sucking down chocolate cake batter. Could life get any better?  

Disclaimer:  I haven't actually tried the Mint Chocolate yet.  This was a prop.

Note to anyone about to start using Gu: despite it's amazing deliciousness, it does make you hella thirsty so make sure you have access to water. Thank goodness for the hot dog vendor selling water on the west side highway path. Those water fountains are too few and far between. 

After my run, I had to high-tail it to Cinema Village where Tibet in Song is currently playing (and the run has been extended until October 7!  Yay!). At this point, I was so hungry I thought I was going to die. I scarfed down some peas and cheese before I left my house but that only lasts you so long when you just burned a gajillion calories. So then I went to STAND, the burger place next to Cinema Village, where I proceeded to eat back all those gajillion calories in the form of a salmon burger with cheese, a lavender honey milkshake, and french fries. Oh well. Can't win em all I guess.  

On a more positive note (although really, the lavender honey milkshake was pretty close to being the highlight of my week) - a BIG thank you goes out to Richie for donating this weekend! You're the best!

Thanks to everyone who has donated!! I love you all! 

Just in case you've somehow missed how to donate ; ) here's the link: www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson

And in case you're wondering about my cause, visit www.witness.org or blog.witness.org to learn more.

 

Updates and Thank You's

BIG thank you's go out to Bibi and Granddad and Joe Christian for donating this week! Thanks to you guys I've raised $430! That's basically one seventh of the way there! I couldn't do it without you!


Check out my Crowdrise page if you want to donate (which I really hope you do because I have to get to $3,000!) or go to www.witness.org/donate.

Full moon?

In running updates I ran 4 miles along the river last night with Nelson. Was it a full moon? If it wasn't, it was close and way cool. 


I ran 5 miles this morning around the East Village in ridiculous humidity. I mean, seriously, what's going on here? It felt like I was wearing a muggy wet blanket. Ick. But overall both were good runs. I'm getting nervous for Sunday!! Think I'm going to try for 16 miles...yikes!

I love the city at night

Epic run, epic day, epic blog post

Sorry for the delay in posting...it's been a crazy week! So Sunday I ran 14 miles. I don't think that this distance would normally seem that long to me but it felt a little epic. I think this may have something to do with sensory overload. Sometimes that happens in New York. I biked to Central Park and on the way there I was supposed to drop something off on Madison Avenue (postcards for Tibet in Song, a film I've been doing outreach for - it premieres in NYC for one week only starting tomorrow, September 24, at Cinema Village - please come!). But back to Madison Avenue. It was insane for the Mexico Day Parade. Had to fight my way through the crowd, the dancers, and the really crazy cars to get to the building. Thank goodness some nice man watched my bike for me because there definitely wasn't any space to lock it up. I wish these pictures were better. There were some crazy costumes.

Sensory overload #1:

the Mexico Day parade

After I finished my errand, I headed up Broadway to the park. Two friends were meeting me to keep me company for various portions of my run (I have the greatest friends). On the way up there I almost got taken out by this weird group of half-dressed, really attractive men running in these strange springy outer-space looking shoes. They obviously felt that since they looked so weird/cool(?) that they didn't need to share the bike lane with me. After some extensive googling, I've just learned that Kangoo Jumps are the latest exercise craze. Who knew? (Although if these guys' bodies are any indication of the effectiveness of the shoe, I need a pair. Like, yesterday.)

So I got to the park and met my friend Amanda. Amanda, for the record, is very sweet, svelte and beautiful and does not exercise. Ever. Maybe I'm exaggerating but I don't really think I am. Not sure the rules on blog-cussing but this makes me want to call her names that rhyme with witch.  She said she would run a mile with me so that I could make a funny video for the blog but then we decided that she would borrow my bike while I ran. I think it worked out better for both of us because I'm not exactly sure where to chain a bike around Central Park and she didn't seem all that confident that she could actually run a mile.

Amanda biked and I ran. Then we met my friend Richie and Amanda went off on her own. Richie ran with me for about five miles and I discovered that despite his claims that he "doesn't run," Richie is definitely a faster runner than me. That fun fact combined with the nasty, nasty hills around Central Park (I hate hills) and the 81 degree heat (you'll never hear me complain about it being too hot in September unless I'm running 14 miles and it's a bajillion degrees out. I actually really hate when summer ends.) tired me out pretty quick. By mile six I was like, "I have to do how many more miles??"

Richie split off to head home and I continued along on my own. After looping around the park, I headed to the Bridle Path so at least I'd be running the rest of the run on dirt/gravel. My knees are thanking me. There was a Beatle's cover band playing as I ran under Strawberry Fields. I then looped around the Reservoir three times and headed back to Columbus Circle. 14 miles, voila!

Around the Reservoir

I always run to music but Sunday I didn't use my iPod. Not sure why (maybe because my friend Emily who is an awesome runner told me she hasn't used one in three years and I thought I should try it). But I have to say, I actually really enjoyed myself. I had some really nice introspective time and I think I observed a lot more of what was going on around me.  

One thing I didn't enjoy was the fact that I didn't eat enough at all. I had oatmeal before my run but around mile 11 my stomach was audibly growling. I definitely lost some steam towards the end of the run because I was so hungry. I think it's time to introduce some exercise fuel (i.e. gu, shotblocks, powerbar, etc) into my training regimen.  I've never used these before because I've always felt that I don't run far enough to justify sucking down a packet of carbohydrates. One reason I run is to lose/maintain weight and have really never wrapped my head around a bowl of pasta's worth of carbs in one little nasty packet of gu. But guess it's time to get over that.

After the run, Amanda and I went to our favorite little hummus place and devoured some food. On the way there we stopped for a few cheesy photo ops.

Lincoln Center

In front of the Empire Hotel (we work here..)

So hungry she's eating a sugar packet.

Our feast

Uhh...I was really hungry.

After dinner, I was super mad at myself for having ridden to the park because that meant I had to bike home from the park. Ugh. But oddly enough, it ended up being really nice. I biked through Times Square which normally sounds like the worst thing to do. Ever. But can't really explain what came over me...for some reason I thought the tourists were sweet. The running must be going to my head : ) 

On the way home

Donors are awesome!

Big thank you goes out to Chrysi and Tara who donated this week. You guys rock my world and I couldn't do this without you!!

Thanks for donating to my cause!!!

My fundraising total is up to $305!!  That's a little over 1/10th of the way there!  Go team WITNESS!

If you're reading my blog and wondering where the heck to donate (which I know you are all actually frantically wondering as you dig for your checkbooks) - never fear - here's the link:

http://www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson

Heading out for my long run in just a bit.  It was a late night at work last night so I'm hoping a good 14 miles around Central Park will rejuvenate me.  Anyone want to join?  : )

First lil video

Calm after the storm

Whew, it's been a busy week for me. I must confess that running may have fallen a bit to the wayside. I got in a couple short runs but nothing major. I'd like to blame that on my new lack of a toenail but in all honesty, it doesn't hurt at all it just looks really freakish. Just was crazy busy!  

In exciting new news, I got the iPhone 4 this week! For those of you who hadn't seen my phone recently, it was pretty cracked to the max. Evidently I'm rough on phones. But this relates to running because the iPod on my phone had started skipping. And the phone had started just randomly turning off.  And when you're running 10+ miles you really rely on that music to keep you going.  

Now all that's left for me to dream about is a Garmin watch. Sigh.  

View of the Brooklyn Bridge

So last night I ran six miles along the East River during a beautiful sunset. I'd let you watch my cheesy little video to learn more but blogger isn't letting me upload it right now. It'll have to come in a later post. grrr. FYI, with my new iPhone comes better video capability, so get ready for lots of these guys. Here's a few pictures of the sunset to tie you over until the video:

More Brooklyn Bridge

Rainy early fall run

Today's Mileage: 9 miles

It's one of the first days of fall and it is drizzling and cool in the city. Was feeling a little blue today until my friend Rimma decided to join me on my run.  We had an awesome run down the East River, around the bottom of Manhattan and up the West Side highway. Coming around the south-west tip of Manhattan it was so quiet and completely calm...it's so rare to experience the city like that. Runs are always better for me with a friend - thanks for the company Reems!

Yes... 

...we stopped for a photo shoot under a willow tree.

View through the fog of the Hudson and NJ

After our run we went to Yuca Bar in the East Village which was so delicious. Their tuna ceviche is bangin - I should've taken a picture.  It's marinated in coconut and lemongrass and served in a coconut. Mom, you'd be proud of me...I took the coconut home so it didn't go to waste. It's going to be my snack tonight.

In other running news, I downloaded the new iPhone Nike Run app today which I'm stoked to use.  Rimma used it for our run and it color codes your route according to your pace. Way cool.  

I'm also experiencing something new as a runner which will probably be TMI for everyone, but I'm about to lose a toenail. Ick. Don't worry, I won't include pictures.   

Nelson

So yesterday I only ran about three miles because Nelson needed a workout and lately he hasn't been up for running more than three.  I think he got out of shape this summer.

Time to whip his butt back into shape...

I want to give a big thank you to Bobby, Angie, and Peter for their generous donations this week! Thanks to you guys I've raised $250 which means I'm one twelfth of the way to reaching my goal! Thank you!!!

You can donate on my Crowdrise page here.

Playlist update

Today's Mileage: 4.5 miles

So I'm probably the world's worst person to be blogging about playlists. For those of you who know me, my musical taste sometimes (okay most of the time) leaves much to be desired. But lately I've been making an effort to broaden my horizons a bit....although it might not be evident at first glance of my playlist.

I have a new song that I'm OBSESSED with.  I owe a shout-out to my friend Diana. She's amazing and sent it to me recently accompanied with the recommendation to listen to it really loud with headphones to help get me out of my dark and twisty place. I think her exact words were "It will change your life." I don't know about life changing but I do really love it and it's definitely been added to my playlist.


Florence and the Machine "DOG DAYS ARE OVER" Music Video from LEGS MEDIA on Vimeo.

I do however still listen to the same playlists over and over and over and over. I really could use some help beefing up my running mixes. Below I'm listing my most recent playlist (which has been pretty much the same since the Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 22.  Sad, I know). Check out the songs, maybe there will be something you like. And please feel free to leave me a recommendation - I'm always open to suggestions!

-Painted Hatred, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Southern Lord, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Species American, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Once vs. Again, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Yawn, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Silence To Burn, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-One Less Crutch, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Crosses, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-The Pillage & The Plunder, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Cowboys & Indians, The Amplification of Self Gratification, ASG
-Fire and Rain, James Taylor: Greatest Hits, Vol 1 (gotta be honest, I usually skip the James Taylor songs...love em but don't know how they ended up on my freaking running play list.  Must do something about that stat.)
-Carolina In My Mind, James Taylor: Greatest Hits, Vol 1
-Since U Been Gone, Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
-Behind These Hazel Eyes, Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
-Bulletproof, La Roux (Bonus Track Version), La Roux
-Bad Romance, Single, Lady GaGa
-King of the Bongo, Duoaufnahmen, Los Tequila Sharks
-Vodka N Tequila, The Gravity EP, Tina Brown
-Bleeding Love, Single, Leona Lewis
-Just Dance, The Fame, Lady GaGa & Colby O'Donis
-Dog Days Are Over, Lungs, Florence + The Machine - NEW FAVORITE!
-Venus, The Very Best of Bananarama, Bananarama
-ABC, The Ultimate Collecion, The Jackson 5

Running in 'Hot'lanta...though it wasn't so hot, thank goodness

This past weekend, I had a great little mini-vacay to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see my family (aside from some minor heckling about when I was going to get married...). Sometimes it just feels good to get away from the city for a few days.

I decided it'd also be a perfect opportunity to ramp up my mileage a bit (have I mentioned that I signed on to do the marathon a bit late in the training game? Not to worry though...gulp).

Saturday morning I set out to run 12 miles along the Chattahoochee River.  That just has such a nice southern ring to it, doesn't it?  Alan Jackson anyone?







Well, the way my route ended up, I actually only ran 11 miles but felt pretty good about it. My dad joined me for the first three miles, which was awesome, but he wasn't quite up for 12 so I took off on my own.  Poor guy ended up tripping and falling after I left him (although as he later proudly described it, he "caught himself in an 'ai ki do roll' and everyone around him was quite impressed").

People in Atlanta are SO NICE.  I was hella thirsty on my run and all the Team in Training people kept offering me water at the water stations they had set up for their training run, even though I have a guilty conscience so I kept telling them I wasn't with them.  Not only that but people smile and wave at you when you pass them.  Ah, the things I miss about the south.

The next day, with some pretty sore hamstrings, I went back with more of the family to do a much shorter, more relaxing run. My brother and I ended up paired off and he took off at something pretty darn close to a sprint in my book (he used to play college soccer). So much for relaxing. I summoned up my energy and willed myself to ignore the throbbing in my head (a result of Saturday night's festivities - although, seriously, I went to sleep before my parents).

Long story short - I schooled him. The four mile run ended with him in the dust and me doing a victory dance.  How about them apples?

Reenactment (we're big on these in the south)

Version of my victory dance

Overall, I call it a successful weekend with a total milage of about 15.

Brother and I after I kicked his butt.

The boys...Dad doesn't look like the fall did too much damage

Dashley

Hi all! Welcome to my inaugural blog post (and inaugural blog for that matter...yikes!). This is me:

Before the Brooklyn half marathon (before being the key word...I don't know that I was quite this peppy afterwards)

I'm currently training to run the ING New York City Marathon. For those of you who don't know - that's 26.2 miles. Yep, 26.2. Slightly nervous, but super excited. Most of my friends think I'm crazy.

I'm running the marathon to raise money for WITNESS, a human rights organization founded by Peter Gabriel that uses video to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations.  I actually also work at WITNESS - it's an amazing organization comprised of dedicated individuals who work really hard to create positive change worldwide.

More details to come later, but over the next few months, this blog is where you can follow both my running and my fundraising (or "fundracing" - haha) progress.

Catch you later ; )