Month: April 2011

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Half Marathon Goals

Why I was super psyched for my first half marathon:

  • It was my first!!!!!!
  • It was my longest race over 5k!!
  • It took place in Florida.
  • It was in a warm climate during a very cold winter.
  • It was so easy to plan my race outfit.
  • It is a flat course!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • It was in Naples, my favorite tennis vacation spot!
  • It was scheduled on my wedding anniversary!
  • My hubby would be waiting at the finish line.
  • It could be combined with a vacation (& my hubby’s trip to visit his sister).
  • The race was followed by relaxing on the beach!
  • I didn’t tell anyone  I was running a half marathon (except bloggers) so no expectations.
  • I didn’t care about my time (unless it was over 2:45)
  • I just wanted to finish strong & get a medal!!

I am happy!!!

Why I am NOT super psyched for my 2nd half marathon:

  • It is NOT my first!!!!!!
  • I have already raced longer than 5K:  4 miles, 5 miles and 13.1
  • It is almost local.
  • It has been a cold, windy cloudy spring.
  • I cannot decide what  to wear.
  • My hubby cannot come.
  • My Lake George friends are still in Florida.
  • My running buddy who talked me into this race is injured and cannot run.
  • It is not flat.
  • What if it rains – I’ve never run in the ran, never raced in the rain (and I don’t want to)
  • My feet hurt…
  • I should try to PR.  PRESSURE!

Why I am going to GET PSYCHED for my 2nd half marathon:

  • It ‘s my second!!
  • I love racing!
  • I love Lake George!!
  • I know 2 or 3 women who are racing it.
  • I will meet some new DMers there.
  • The outlets are nearby.
  • There’s a 4 hour time limit. (No pressure)
  • I don’t have to PR. (I will have more chances to PR – Sept 25, Nov 6…)
  • I will get a medal!!

Happy Me!!

So here are my GOALS:
A – PR – faster than 2:28 (ot) or 2:26 (gt)
B – faster than 2:45
C – finish strong and have fun

Happy Running!

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Jelly Bean Virtual Race

I signed up for the 5K which was perfect because my taper runs this week were scheduled to be 3 miles.

I am glad I am not a teacher because it is school break week and the weather has been horrible…cloudy, cold, rainy everyday!!!!!!!

Today was no different. It was nasty and raining on and off all day. 

I wore my usual capris, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, cap and ran my after work loop.

Splits:

Mile 1- 11:08
Mile 2 -10:55
Mile 3 -10:28
.1 – 8:49

Time – 32:33

This was LAST taper run before my Half Marathon on Saturday so I tried to run at the same pace as I hope to during that race.

I was happy that my splits were negative and I didn’t get too wet.

Then off to yoga class I went.  I ❤ Yoga!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! Still praying for good weather on Saturday!

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Two for Tuesday


1. Yesterday morning I slept in so I had no choice but to run after work. I always bring outdoor running clothes & indoor running clothes (it is very hot where the treadmill is located.) It was cloudy not raining so I changed to run outside.  I got outside and it started to rain so I went back in and changed my clothes. Believe it or not, they rearranged the stage in the gym for an event and the treadmill was gone 😦  So I changed back and went outside to run in the RAIN.  I have never run in the rain (I am a wimp!) but it was only sprinkling and I ran a quick 3 miles before it started to pour. Phew! Then I was off to play tennis (indoors).

2. Yesterday’s Boston Marathon was very motivating.  I am so happy that everyone I knew did well. I am in awe of the women runners esp. Kara & Joan.

Women’s Winner:

Men’s Winner:

Love this one:

Saturday is not looking good – According to weather.com, I may be running in the rain again…

Even worse, Accuweather has predicted HIGH WINDS. (They are wicked along the lake, too)

Happy Running! Praying for a calm dry Saturday!

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Go Kara, Go Joan

Hope she wins!!

I wish that I could watch but I am at work and secretly tracking on the computer.

Hooray for "older" runners (My Idol)

I am also routing for Michelle, former student and all those bloggers (Tall Mom, SUAR, Sweaty Emily and others…) who are in Boston today!!


As for me, I stayed in bed this am 😦 and will run my 3 mile taper after work today.

Happy Running! Congrats Boston Racers!!! I know you all did your best!

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Tapering and Weather Watching

Last week update:

My goal was 19 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of  19  miles. YAY!!
I played  tennis  twice.
This was Week #11 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  Less than 1 week to go! HELP!!

Goals for this week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis after work
Tues – Passover Seder
Wed – yoga
Thurs – mall w/bf
Fri –  lunch w/friends, packet picket, pasta dinner
Sun – Easter dinner

This week’s running: (TAPER TIME!!)

Mon – 3 miles before work
Wed – 3  miles after work
Thurs – rest
Fri – rest
Sat – 131.1 – Lake George Half Marathon
 
Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles 
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

After a good run on Sat, I am antsy to run more but the weather has kept that under control.  It is cold, rainy, windy…why is Spring in the NE so late in coming??? I’ll have to remember that when I sign up for a spring Half Marathon.

I keep checking all the weather websites and they say RAIN for Sat.  There’s still time, it can change….PLEASE!

Happy Running! Good Luck to all those runners in Boston!!!!!!

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Last Long Cupcake Run

I was thinking about racing today – there were 2 fun races going on and I knew someone running in each one.

Last night while I was playing Mah Jongg, I didn’t feel like leaving early so I decided to play it by ear.

I woke up around 7 am, went back to sleep, woke up at 8am and then went back to sleep and finally got up at 9am.

I still had time.  Dodge the Deer was at 10 am and St Peter’s 5k was at 11 am.

I looked outside and it was dark, cloudy, windy and not a nice looking day.  I checked the weather and it said it wouldn’t rain until tonight.  I wondered if they looked outside.

That decided it for me.  Why pay money & waste gas for an unpleasant run. As much as I love racing, I hate RAIN more!

So I decided to do a cupcake run. 

Last week for my 12 miler, I ate 2 cupcakes but today, I had only 8 on my schedule.  One cupcake would be enough.

I dressed in capris, one sleeve shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker, cap & gloves – yeah I was cold!!!

Instead of Gu, I decided to try the Honey Milk that I won a case of.  I HATE MILK (Never drink it) so I chose the coffee one. It seemed the most bearable.  It was ok.  I drank about half. I still felt hungry running & a little nauseous so this wouldn’t be my preferred race fuel.

I was either cold or warm depending on the wind.

I must say that this was my best training run ever! I ran at a consistent pace and much faster than usual (between 10:12 and 10:38).  I didn’t walk at all.

I passed the high school where they were having a girls track meet.  I was tempted to stop & watch but I needed to get my miles in before the rain.

I got to 4 miles and planned to loop back but I hadn’t reached the cupcake store.  Phew only 1/4 mile away.  This week I got a free chocolate one and a bottle of water. It was delish!!!!

 The way back was even winder but I finished strong!

Pre-cupcake 44:44
Post-cupcake 43:19

8.5 miles – 1:28:03
Pace 10:21

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

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Friday and Race Fever

I think all this Boston talk is getting me anxious to race. (Not Boston!)

I was supposed to play in a tennis match tomorrow but I got bumped.  Then I was supposed to take my mentee’s son Easter egg hunting but she has to work.  So I am free to do my LAST LONG RUN.

This week’s running report card:

  • 3 miles squeezed in before tennis on Tues – fair
  • 3 miles squeezed in on the treadmill before a meeting on Wed – bad
  • 4.5 miles in the middle of a work party(I went to the party, left to run & then returned for food & drink) – good
  • I booked a flight to LA for Nov 4 (I guess I’m running half marathon #4 on Nov6!!!!)

Do I want to run a race tomorrow??

5K Trail Race

 

or

 

5k and/or 10K Race

or

Happy Running (or Racing!)

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The Countdown is on… 9 Days!

Got this email yesterday:

I am getting excited.  One more long run (8 mi) on Sat or Sun. 

I took next Friday off from work. I’m having lunch with some Lake George boating friends. I have reservations for the night at Fort William Henry Hotel.  My running buddy Mary is injured (and may walk it).  My quilting friend Terry & her husband are running it as well as Cyndi who I know from DM.

My outfit is complete except that the weather may not cooperate.  It’s too early to tell but so far it looks like it will be cold, cloudy, rainy, snowy depending on which website you check.

29...ouch

Right now, I am praying for NO RAIN from 8:00-11:00 am on Saturday, April 23!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I’d prefer warm & sunny…)

Happy Running!

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Tuesday Temptation

in California

Half Marathon #2 has not been run.  Nor has Half Marathon #3.  And I am tempted by Half Marathon #4?????

Lucky you can’t sign up until July 2011.

Why this race?

Nancy and I have been best friends since junior high or 1968 or so. She now lives in Pa. or we don’t see each other very often but chat frequently thru Facebook.

I also chat on Facebook with her sister Ellen who lives in California and runs marathons.

She suggested that I come West and run with her.  I said “Maybe if you could find me a Fall flat half marathon” and she did (Santa Clarita on Nov 6, 2011) and we invited Nancy to come too!

Nothing is definite.  I prefer to wait longer after my Sept 25 Half.  I also need to use frequent flier miles to be able to afford the trip and then break it to my tennis friends that I will not be planning our November tennis trip (and to my hubby that I am using our miles for another half marathon.)

Either way.  It’s exciting and motivating. 

 I skipped my run this am because I was exhausted after  last nite’s tennis.  I hope to squeeze in a short run before the rain and tonite’s tennis.

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #33 and Goals for the Week

 

Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic:  All About Boston

This Week’s Question:  What are your thoughts on the Boston Marathon?  Have you, are you or do you plan to, run the Boston Marathon?  What do you think of the new regulations? 

I love to watch, read and hear stories about this prestigious race. I have not and don’t plan to run this race.  In fact, I don’t plan to run a marathon. (I think I’ll stick to half marathons.  That training is time consuming ernough!!) If I do, ever, it will be NYC or one in Florida.

I do feel bad for those would would have qualified but now with the new regulations can’t.

Last week update:

My goal was 24 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of  25  miles. YAY!!
I ran my first 5 mile race.
I didn’t play tennis at all  and did Yoga once.
This was Week #10 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  Less than 2 weeks to go! YIKES!

Goals for this week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – Mentors mtg after work
Thurs – Dean’s farewell party
Fri –  mah jongg
Sat – USTA tennis match
Sun – File our taxes!!

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before work
Wed – 3  miles after work
Thurs – 4 miles after work
Sun – 9 miles
 
Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles 
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!