And I am off!

Ok guys I am off on my vacation this Sunday...so this will be my last blog until I come back on the 13th. This one is a short one...just something I stole from a friend ;). Enjoy!

Thought I would share the following which I stole from Vane Runs NYC: This was posted on Flotrack (think Facebook for runners)


You know your a runner when:
• your first thought when you look at the weekly weather forecast is, “When can I fit in my runs?”
• you have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile.
• you’ve lost a toenail. And you tell people, “It’s not that bad.”
• you smirk when non-runners ask you, “So how long is this marathon?”
• you have a drawer full of medals and other race souvenirs that you’re not sure what to do with.
• you go into Starbucks more often to use the bathroom than to actually buy coffee.
• you no longer make fun of fanny packs because your running belt looks very similar (although cooler) to one.
• you’ve used an old race T-shirt to wash your car, dust furniture, or clean something else.
• your treadmill has more miles on it than your car.
• you get an invitation to a wedding and you automatically think about what race the date will conflict with.
• you have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes.
• you’re not embarrassed to wear spandex.
• the salespeople at your local running shop know you by name.
• you’re always hungry.
• you know how to take a cup of water from a water stop without choking on it or spilling it all over yourself.
• at least one of your web site usernames or email addresses has the word “run” or “runner” in it.
• you know where your illiotibial band is located.
• you no longer hate port-a-johns. In fact, there have been times when you’ve been very happy to see one.
• you wear your running watch even when you’re not running. (”It matches, right?”)
• you’ve had your running shoes for three months and you know it’s already time to replace them.
• you spend more time researching running routes than local restaurants when traveling to a new city.
• your physical therapist’s receptionist knows you by the sound of your voice on the phone.
• you know where exactly one mile from your front door is (in any direction).
• you know how to correctly spell and pronounce plantar fasciitis.
• you own more pairs of running socks than dress socks.
• when you hear PR, you automatically think “personal record”, not “public relations”.
• you pack more running clothes than bathing suits when going on a beach vacation.
• you have running clothes and an extra pair of running shoes in your car, “just in case.”
• your holiday wish list can be fulfilled at any running or sporting goods store.
• one of the first things people ask you when they haven’t seen you in a while is,”What race are you training for now?”
• you have several drawers dedicated to running shirts.
• you get excited when the new Runner’s World comes in the mail.
• your Facebook or Twitter updates frequently involve running.
• your only recent photos of you alone are race photos.• you always have your next race on the calendar.
• your runs are sometimes longer than your commute to work or school.
• your running partners know more about your bodily functions than your significant other.

WOW! What a week!!!

First off, thank you thank you, thank you to all of you who came out to our event on Thursday at Katwalk. It was awesome! We had so much support from our fellow TFK'ers, co-workers, kickball team and friends and family!!














In case you missed it, we had Blondie and Katia bartending and they did a great job!! The owner didn’t think we were going to do as well as we did, but we rocked it out! Ok, many of you are wondering why Marathon Madrigal wasn’t behind the scene…well, that’s because the owner only let two people back there…and some of you might know that my drink making abilities are not the best *cough* (too strong), which could be a good thing, but I let the professionals behind the bar. Either way, thanks to Ren's persistence, I finally got behind the bar and served up a couple of drinks with Blondie's help…she was so in her element. The event was a huge success and we made about $300.00 each so that put each of us a lot closer to our donation goal. In case you are looking to still donate, please feel free to do so!! :)

Personally I would like to shout it out to our fellow TFK crew that showed up to our event and partied like rock stars: Dimitri, Ren, Vanessa, Stephanie and of course, our team mascot, Nacho!














This past Saturday, the 23rd, we had to run another 14 miles. Ha ha, I chuckle to myself because now 14 miles seems like a weekly thing. For those in NY, you guys are aware that the last couple of weeks the humidity has been a killer! As we ran on Saturday we had about 95% humidity, I thought to myself... Is it even safe to run? We started off at 7:10 a.m. and we ran on our favorite "BRIDAL PATH", please note the sarcasm. As we got it going, it was drizzling but I welcomed the rain because it was cooling me off. After our third loop around the path I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I still had to jog down to our meeting spot and then come back to the top of the path and go around for another two loops.

When I got to our meeting location I saw my friend Maggie, who usually runs with Blondie, stretching out her legs. I asked her if she was ok, and she just looked at me and said she was done, she had nothing left. Its amazing how the humidity can get to you. Mel and I kept it moving along but it was hard, so hard that I had to walk a bit. I told Mel to go on without me, but she didn’t (such a great pacer buddy). As we were heading back to the top to finish our last two loops I see Eric and Matt heading back towards the "base camp". I was floored at how fast they are!! Granted, they run fast, but on Saturday I was still so surprised that they were going that fast, and that they were so positive! They gave both of us words of encouragement as they ran right past us.

So it was now or never, we had to get this done! We made the loops and as we headed back to "camp", I didn’t know if I was going to make it…seriously. This run had to be one of my worst, I felt like crap at the end I didn’t know if I was going to make it, but I did….barely. After the run a couple of us went to a diner to refuel, then I went home took a shower and I am happy to say NO CHAFING!!! Whoot Whoot! That in itself had to be the best part of my run. After my shower I laid down for a bit. It was only 1:00, I felt that I deserved a nap. Well, I woke up THREE hours later. Can you tell I was super tired?! I still had to go get supplies for my trip that I leave for this Sunday the 30th to Greece and Turkey!

Oh so for all my Gossip Girl peeps reading this... While I was at the Bed, Bath and Beyond, I literally ran into Georgiana ok her real name is Michelle Trachtenberg. She was very nice and we both apologized for not paying attention. Ok that is the second member of GG that I ran into this summer. First there was Serena and now Georgiana. Who will be next??

I will try to put up one last post before vacation. Don’t miss me too much... I will return on the 13th of September! :) (which is also the first day of the Miami Dolphins' regular season….Let's Go Fins!!!)

Pictures will be uploaded later on tonight.

MM

OMG I did it!

On Sunday, August 16th, I completed one of my many goals for 2009…. I ran the NYC Half Marathon! It was a hot (and I mean HOT) day in NYC as I walked into Central Park at 5:30 a.m. I was amazed at how many runners were up and ready to get this race started. I felt the energy and I loved it! Blondie and I found our TFK group and we began to talk about how excited we were and how funny it was to see the whole city sleeping, but as soon as you enter Central Park, 10,000 runners are up and ready to run 13.1 miles.

As our team gathered to do our stretching I kept telling myself "take it easy in the park, Harlem can kill you", I didn’t want to go too fast in the park because the hills are tough and it was so hot. I needed to make sure that I didn’t over-do it within the first 7 miles. As we headed to our corrals I went right to the front. Again, my pacing buddy Melissa was not there….she was partying it up in Canada while I ran 13.1 miles ;). As I waited, I was calm. Wearing my TFK jersey I felt so proud and ready to do this. I knew the course. I had run it a thousand times before, so I knew that I had it in the bag. The only thing I was worried about was the heat, but I knew if I kept myself cool I would be good to go.

Once the gun went off it was about 9:28 before I even crossed the starting line, but once I did it was on! As I ran I took it all in…. the park, the people and most importantly... me. I had to make sure that I paid attention to my body. Miles 1 through 4 were great! The only thing that sucked was that at the fluid stations there was no water!! Yes, you read right... they didn’t have enough water out so people had to stand around and wait to get the water poured. At mile 6 I took my other GU (GU is an energy gel that provides exercise fuel). As soon as I took it I felt great! I poured more water on me than I actually drank because I needed to stay cool and hydrated, and my plan worked because throughout the whole run I never felt too tired. As I ran out of the park and down 7th avenue, I was amazed at the sight I saw. People out at 8:00 a.m. in the morning cheering us on. I saw a huge group of kids from Team for Kids, and as they yelled and cheered, it made me keep going. On 54th and 7th I saw my dear friend Michelle, and seeing her made a world of difference. She even had a poster for me! As soon as I saw her I said to myself "YOU OWN THIS!!!" I turned down 42nd street and I could see the West Side Hwy. Part of me wanted to stop. My legs were so heavy and my body….well, I think I left my body in the park. As I tried to slow down I heard "Madrigal what's up?" I turned around and it was Vanessa. As soon as I saw her I knew I had to keep going, and I did. I ran with her for awhile, but she didn’t feel well. But can I say that she was so awesome--she had a stomach bug from her travels to Ecuador and lets just say had to make a total of 6 unexpected stops to either the port of potty's or medical and she still killed the race so I must say "GO VANESSA GO!"

As I passed Chelsea Piers I knew I didn’t have much to go and I was hoping to make it in my predicted time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Once I saw the 12 mile marker I knew I was so close. 1.1 mile to go! I pushed it... I pushed it hard. All the people cheering made such a difference. I got closer and closer to the finish line and the people kept getting louder and louder and before I crossed the finish line I heard "GO JACKIE GO" I turned and it was Cristina, I was so happy to see her and especially there. I pushed it a little harder and crossed the finish line at 2:30:28, and I was so excited about my time. At brunch I later found out that my actual time was 2:21:00 I beat my time by 9 minutes WOOHOO!! That totally made my day!

The rest of the day was great. A bunch of the mini Sherks' aka TKF'ers went to brunch with Blondie's dad and my friend Cristina. It was great to celebrate our accomplishment and we also celebrated Dimitri's birthday. All in all, Sunday was great and now I cannot wait for November 1st…bring it on New York, bring it on!!






MM

This Sunday is one of my big races---- The NYC Half Marathon

I cant believe the time for that is already here. Yes, I have run more then 13 miles before, but for some reason, I am a little nervous. I cant help it. My stomach is in knots and my knee has been bothering me this whole week. Is it all mental? Am I going to crack under pressure? I hope not. I feel that I will be able to complete the race and hopefully complete it with a good time.

So here is the plan for this weekend:
Friday go to the gym, work on my knee and take it easy, stay off my feet.
Saturday take the day slow again stay off my feet per Coach Frank. Then I will be going to sleep early, probably around 8:00pm, which is going to be so hard.
Then Sunday morning oh Sunday morning I will be up by 3:30 a.m.!! I cant even believe it! Once my alarm goes off I will get up and start to get ready. I will eat my toast with peanut butter and a banana, I know I will be stuffing it down my throat, because seriously who is hungry at 3:30 a.m.!? Once I am done I will continue getting ready by adding body glide all over my body to avoid the chafing!!! Then I, along with my Blondie, will head out to Central Park. I am not sure how our New York City Transit system will be running at 4:00 a.m., but since I know that around 10,000 people will be running the Half Marathon, I know we will not be alone.

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed their donations!! I thank you, Team for Kids thanks you also. I will be updating you guys on Monday because I know once I am done I will be super excited. Thank you in advance to my dear friends who will get up early to watch me run on Sunday. Oh yeah, and if you're interested, the race starts at 7:00 a.m. and I am hoping to be in Battery Park City by 9:15 a.m. Hope to see you on the course…I will be the girl wearing the bright green TFK jersey and a HUGE SMILE!!

MM

14 miles! What?! What?!

It was 10:15 on a Friday night and I had fallen asleep after eating a wonderful, fresh, homemade lasagna that my lovely roommate "Blondie" made.

So, why was I in bed so early? Well, we had our usual Saturday Run and I had to be up by 5:30 a.m. (ouch). As I got up and got ready, I wondered if the trains would be empty. I mean, who would be up at such an ungodly hour on a Saturday?! Well, to my surprise, as my roommate and I walked to our Wall Street stop there were actually a lot of people waiting for the train. Do you know who most of them were?... Runners! They were heading to Central Park as well. Funny how you can just see people at 6:10 a.m. in the morning and smile because you know they are just as crazy as you are.
We got on the train and by the time we hit 86th street, it was 6:30. Crap! We were running late. Alicia and I jumped out and took a cab to 103rd. Once we got to the park we have a very excited Eric (TFK coach) tell us to go sign up, almost everyone had registered for the race. We ran over and got our numbers for our first 14 mile run.

As always I look for my running partner Melissa because we keep each other entertained and we both run a good 10 minute mile. I found her and saw that she was just as frantic to register for the race. We line up in our time zone 10:00 minute mile pace. As we are in the group, all the TFK's stick together and it’s a pretty awesome feeling.

By the time that 7:30 rolls around we are up and getting ready to go. As our first time running 14 miles in Central Park, we did a the whole loop of 6.2 miles and saw my lovely friend HH (Harlem Hill). Lucky for me, I only saw her once. When we hit 103rd again, we cut across the park for our 5 mile loop and still Melissa and I were going strong at a good 10 minute pace. Along the way I got water at almost every stop, but I poured more water on me than I actually drank. When we hit the third mark, it meant that we were almost at the home stretch, which was only 3 miles away! I could hear my body rejoicing and at the same time saying…GIRL YOU NEED TO STOP!! But I kept going on the bridal path in Central Park. We usually run this Monday and Wednesday, so I knew the track and I thought no problem. Well, I thought wrong. I hit the bridal path and it was going well until….a TFK we will call her "Satan" (only because of the news she was going to deliver) at Engineer's Gate told us to make a whole loop then come back to her and then turn around and head back to our site. WHAT! You want me to do what!! At that point I couldn’t do it. I thought I was going to pass out!! My legs felt like logs and I was getting the worst and I mean WORST case of chafing. What is chafing you ask? Well according to www.time-to-run.com, "the major contribution to chafing is from sweating and rubbing". Which means that I will be investing in Body Glide ASAP! Doesn’t the name just sound cool?

By the time I finished our 14 miles, I was done. I went to medical and they wrapped my knee in ice. (See Danielle, I even have pictures). :)

After that a couple of went to a diner, only because most brunch places do not open until 11, and it was only 10:15. As we all ordered food we spoke about our experiences and how we felt. It was great to share this run with so many people and now I am looking forward to the Half Marathon on the 16th. Hope you can all make it out to cheer me on!!!