Spotlight on Steph: Running for a Cure with TNT

Meet Steph.  

She is my cousin, my best friend and a recent addition to the Team in Training NYC Chapter.  On March 17, 2013 she will run the NYC Half Marathon and complete her first half marathon.  Steph will be training and fundraising for the next three months so that she can raise money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an incredible organization that works to fight blood cancers.  I couldn't be more excited for or proud of Steph for having the courage to take on this incredible challenge.  Both the training and fundraising will certainly be tough but ridiculously rewarding!  Please join me in supporting her (both emotionally & financially) and stay tuned to continue following Steph's story here on PB&P!

For now, let's get to know Steph a little bit better:

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Stephanie Meyering, I’m a 26 year-old publicist and I live in Astoria, New York with my boyfriend, Kevin and our energetic puppy, Kirra. I love to cook, entertain, and spend time with Kim and my other amazing friends!

What’s your current level of exercise? 

I was a competitive cheerleader for about 18 years and was able to stay in shape for a few years after college. But at the moment my level of exercise is probably not as up to what it should be! I sit at a desk for probably 8-10 hours a day and I’ve been running on and off for about 6 months but have definitely not committed myself to a training program – until now!

What inspired you to sign up for a Half Marathon through Team in Training?

Believe it or not, I’ve had a few inspirations for signing up for Team in Training:

• First and foremost, in October a colleague of mine, Ellen Kushman lost her battle with blood cancer. A group of my colleagues and others that loved Ellen decided that joining Team in Training to raise money to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. 
• Secondly, as you know, my cousin and uncle are huge runners! Reading this blog alone, you come away inspired. Their love of running is contagious and I hope to catch the bug! 
•  Last June, my boyfriend participated in the Ride to Montauk with Team In Training. He fund raised about $3,000 for the cause and rode a 100-mile bike ride! Seeing Kevin meet new people and grow through the process was also a huge inspiration to sign up. 

Raising $1,600 is a big challenge!  That's a lot of money. Are you worried you won’t be able to meet your goal?

Well, yes! But Team In Training provides you with support to discuss fundraising ideas and help you plan any fundraising activities you’d like. In addition, my team has already begun planning our fundraisers and we’re ready and rearing to go! As a team we want to beat our goal of $15,400 and give LLS as much support as possible.

So, how are you feeling as you head into this crazy fitness & fundraising journey?

I’m nervous and excited about this! My first official training run is tomorrow and it kind of feels like the first day of school! This past week there was a kick-off meeting and we met our coaches and now I’m ready to go! I’m sure there will be good days and bad days but I am just going to think about who I’m running for and that by running I  will be helping others!

Besides crossing the finish line on 3/17/13, what are you hoping to get out of this experience?

Through training for this half marathon and fundraising for LLS, I hope to become a better person! This will be a challenge for me physically and mentally and I can’t wait to take it on!

Last but definitely not least...What can we help support you and TNT?

If you’re interested in supporting the cause, you can check out my Team in Training Page here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/halfnyc13/stephaniemeyering  

Because I am a part of  Team Ellen we also have a team page, you can check it out here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/halfnyc13/teamellen 

In addition to collecting donations on the site, Steph will also be documenting her training and fundraising here on PB&P.  Please donate what you can, help us spread the word and check back to see how she's doing!

Race Recap: Billy Goat 5K 2012

The Billy Goat 5K, a fall trail race at James Baird State Park in Pleasant Valley, NY is probably my favorite 3.1 miles ever.  It's hilly, rocky, sometimes muddy and definitely challenging.  Also, race registration includes a super comfy long-sleeved colored t-shirt.  This year it's maroon and I'm loving it.  This Sunday was a picture perfect fall day: sunny and a cool 60 degrees.  Dad and I arrived early and did a quick warm-up jog before lining up with the other 150ish runners.  The start line doesn't have corrals or signs...just a white line painted in the grass between two orange cones.  Hello, "small town" running.

The race starts out with a short flat stretch until you enter the woods, where the fairly narrow path follows a steady uphill, so it's tough to get past anyone.  Every year I've done this race, I've been frustrated when people take off fast from the start line only to slow down or WALK once the uphill climb starts. And this year was no different. UGH.  When will people learn?  I just want to shout "Move out of my way so I can dominate this crazy climb!"  As expected, this first mile killed me.  I kept my head down, which is smart on a trail run anyway so as to keep your footing and avoid twisting an ankle or tripping over a root.  I spent most of the race talking to myself, repeating "breathe" on the uphills and "slow down" on the downhills.  I also had the new Florida Georgia Line song "Cruise" stuck in my head, which I sang to myself during the few flat stretches. 

I didn't see the second mile marker and wasn't wearing my watch, so pretty much had no idea how fast (or slow) I was running.  I knew that last year I finished in 34:01 (a solid 10:57 pace!) so I guess the plan was to beat that.  I really didn't have super high hopes for a race PR for a few reasons.  First, my running has been lacking this month (especially for the last two weeks since the SI Half).  Also, I've done exactly no hill training.  But I gave it my best and really enjoyed pushing myself the whole race.  There's something so great about running in the (mostly) quiet woods, just focusing in on your own body, breath and heartbeat. 

At Mile 3, I exited the woods and gave it my all for the last tenth of a mile to the finish.  And my official finish time was 32:45!  Boom.  Not fast by any means, but I still feel great about it!

And Dad? 

He once again kicked my butt and finished in 27:00 flat.  What the heck?! He is just getting faster with every race this year.  I'd watch out though, Dad--one of these days I'm going to catch up!

The Billy Goat 5K had 165 finishers this year, and as always had great organization, volunteers and post-run snacks (the donuts won't get my seal of approval, but bagels & apples were great!).  See ya next year, Baird Park! :)

My Road to R.D.

It's official! I'm a Registered Dietitian!!

This past Saturday, I took and passed my R.D. exam! Eight long years after I started out on this career path, I'm finally here.  I'm so thrilled to join the ranks of so many fantastic nutrition professionals that are working to make our world healthier! 

{If you're not sure what type of work R.D.'s do or if you're interested in becoming an R.D. yourself...check out the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics site here.}

Let's take a look back at the long and winding road that has gotten me to this point...

In the fall of 2004, I started working towards a B.S. in Dietetics at the SUNY College at Oneonta.  During my four years there, I made lifelong friends and partied a tad.  Oh, I also took courses in Medical Nutrition Therapy, Foodservice Management, Biochemistry, Community Nutrition and more.  By the time graduation came, I honestly wasn't sure I was going to continue on this path to become a Registered Dietitian.  So I didn't apply to Dietetic Internship programs.  

In the summer of 2008, I began working for Nutrition Energy, a private nutrition practice in Manhattan.  It may sound cheesy but I consider this one of the best things to happen to me in terms of my career path.  I was able to get first-hand experience with nutrition counseling and was introduced to some of the absolute best dietetic professionals out there.  I found myself in awe of the incredible R.D.'s at Nutrition Energy and was reassured of the amazing impact nutrition has on people.   It was my inspiration to finish what I'd started.

I applied to Dietetic Internship programs for 2010 and was not selected.  The internship process is extremely competitive and frustrating.  The DI is a requirement for exam eligibility, and yet so many intelligent and experienced dietetics students get denied every year.  And then have to wait until the following year to apply again.  Which I did.  In the meantime, I went back to school and began working toward my M.S. in Nutrition.  

Finally, in April of 2011 I was matched with the North Shore LIJ Health System DI program.    This intensive 10-month program included rotations in long-term care, community nutrition, foodservice, and a main focus on clinical nutrition in the acute-care setting.  It was ridiculously challenging but I gained so much clinical knowledge...and a few fantastic friends. 

After graduating from the DI in June and successfully landing a job in a long-term care facility, I still had one more hoop to jump through!

I think the R.D. Exam might have been the most frustrating part for me, because I don't really feel that it is an accurate measurement of one's ability to be a good dietitian.  Hopefully that will change in the future.  As for me, I passed and that's all that matters!

So with all of that behind me, I'm officially Kimberly Hoban, RD.  I'm extremely proud of myself for setting a goal, finally achieving it...and doing something I'm passionate about.  In addition to patting myself on the back, I think it's important to thank the people who supported me along the way and made this all possible.  Bear with me as I give my best cheesy "acceptance" speech:

Thank you...

...to my parents and my family.  They have given me so much unconditional love and support over the years and I'll never be able to repay them. Thank you isn't enough.

...to my roommate.   She allowed me to borrow her wardrobe when I was working full-time for free.  She let me vent my endless frustrations over the past 8 years.  She let me and my laptop, internship modules, study-guides and flash cards take over the coffee table for way too long.  She's put up with my studying techniques (a.k.a. walking around the apartment talking to myself about adult diarrhea or the proper temperatures for cooking and storing meat).  Couldn't have done it without her! Thanks, LP.

...to my mentors, preceptors and peers.  The nutrition community is truly amazing and I'm excited to continue being inspired by and learning from these people.  

...to my friends.  I have put a lot of people on the back-burner during this process due to time and money constraints, yet every hoop I jumped through I was met with reassurance, support and love.  Thanks dudes. 

...to my running shoes, hot tea and dark chocolate.  Every girl needs outlets and "me" time.  

...to anyone still reading this post.  Thanks for listening.  It's been a long road and I'm psyched for the rest of my journey ahead.  Let's do this.

Signing off,

Kimberly Hoban, R.D.

My Sunday Runday

 Today was awesome.  So awesome I feel like writing about it.  After skipping my runs earlier in the week due to that silly head cold, I was more than ready to get in some mileage this morning.

Before I write about my stellar run, let me quickly say how proud I am of my dad!  This morning he ran the Heads Up Half Marathon in Concord, NH...finishing in 2:04:45! Way to go Dad! Looks like I'm going to have to pick up my pace to stay with him during the Staten Island Half next month! 

And now, back to me. :)

My alarm went off at 6:45am and I spent a few minutes trying to convince Rocky to spoon with me.  He wasn't having it, so I got up and had oatmeal with peanut butter and a big glass of water. I strapped on my fuel belt and Asics and headed out.  

The weather was absolutely perfect: mid-60s and sunny.

To get 12 miles in, my plan was to run down to Queensboro plaza, over the bridge, add 1.5 miles in Central Park and turn around and run back.  

I'm not exactly sure what's going on with the QB Bridge construction, but half of the bike path is torn up and with the storms this weekend, it was a puddly (not a word...) mess.  I quickly decided to scrap my original run plan.  

I knew I could easily add 6ish miles in Central Park and hop on the subway back to Astoria.  As soon as I crossed over 5th Ave, I got excited about my new plan.  I've run a few races in CP but rarely get over there for training.  

In a city where everyone is always in a big stinkin hurry, it's really nice to slow down and take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Central Park.  So I did.

I ran infamous Cat Hill.

And around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.  Twice.  Smiling the whole way. I really got distracted by the beauty of this city and it was awesome.

When I finally snapped out of my happy place, I finished the last few miles on the Bridle Path. 12 miles at 10:16 pace.  Other than a tight quad and achy hip, I felt great on this run.  

After my run, it was time for weekly grocery shopping.  And football.  And of course an afternoon nap!

Finally, after some studying and more football, I cracked a Dogfish Head Punkin Ale.  It's the perfect taste-of-fall beer and is a great ending to my awesome day!

Monday Motivation

I don't know about you, but I've been totally wrapped up in the Olympics this past week.  It's incredibly inspiring to watch these athletes who have worked SO hard finally get to compete and make their dreams come true.  I can't get enough of the running, swimming and gymnastics events in particular.  They're definitely motivating me to get off my butt and get my workouts in! 

I do agree with everyone that NBC is cutting the coverage with WAY too many commercials, which can get really frustrating because I might miss something awesome! However, some of these commercials are amazing and motivating in and of themselves.  The VISA commercials narrated by Morgan Freeman literally give me chills.  And this one from Nike Running:

That kid is no Olympic athlete...but he is out there moving.  I love it.  So when you find yourself lacking motivation...turn on the Olympics! Or check out some of these commercials. And then get your butt in gear!

Tell me: what motivates you? Which Olympic events are you loving?!