March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.

Feel free to join … just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions.

Happy Running! How was your March? Are you participating in this challenge?

March 30, 2013 by Darlene

Ice Breaker 5K Race Report

icebreaker5k

The Ice Breaker Challenge is a one of a kind Capital District running/walking road race challenging runners and walkers against rowers from the Albany Rowing Center. Runners/walkers will travel along the Corning Preserve Bicycle Path while rowers from the Albany Rowing Center will race along side in shells on the Hudson River.

Unfortunately, we are not having an early spring (like last year at this time…when I was not running or even walking!)

80 degrees in March 2012

This was my first time running this race but I was, at least, familiar with the course (even did a race here last June.)

Stride4Stride 5k

In some ways a 5K is harder than a half marathon. It’s only 3.1 miles and you have no reason not to run fast. That’s pressure. And I felt it. (How long can I use the “recovering from an injury” excuse??)

Believe it or not, it warmed up to a 29 degrees balmy degrees when I left the house (better than the teens we have been having in the am but not the warm March temps we had last year.)

I was dragging my feet (a late night playing mah jongg, 3 days in a row running, flourless week due to Passover – pick one or more of these reasons) but perked up when I arrived at the race. I tried not to overdress (but it is hard when you are cold at the start & afterwards). I wore capris over a skirt (yes it is spring) and 2 long sleeved tech shirts, a baseball cap & light gloves.

By the time I got there, it was in the 3o’s and the sun was shining (so it felt even warmer.)

I picked up my race packet and went back to my car (since I was chilly.)

rowers getting ready

I went back out about 15 minutes before the start & bumped into someone I know from yoga. We chatted and then the race started.

I tried to focus on the scenery…the river…the rowers and not worry about my pace. I hardly glanced at my Garmin (just a few times & was pleasantly surprised.)

There was a water stop at mile 1 but I continued on and then at mile 2.

Believe it or not, I forced myself to just run. I did not walk at all … I didn’t even worry about the foot or ankle.

Shockingly I crossed the finish line at 28:47!!!

post injury 5k PR

I was happy happy happy.

I walked back to my car to put away my gloves, phone, race belt, etc.

It was too nice to leave so I ran a mile more out (slowly this time.) and one mile back.

I even bumped into some runners that I knew doing their long run. (Why couldn’t the weather be like this for my long ones?)

Elisa, Bridget & Felice (The Happy Runner)

Definitely a runner’s high! Not a PR but an encouraging race.

Splits:

mile 1: 8:54
mile 2: 9:12
mile 3: 9:08
.19: 8:17

Finished 149 out 377 (4 out 14 in AG) – only gave out prizes for Overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

swag – bag, shirt, etc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

March 29, 2013 by Darlene

Next Up?

A 5K!!

What do I expect?

Here’s some history:

Run Off That Turkey 5K (Nov 2011) – 28:11 – the last time I ran a 5K healthy
Albany Last Run 5K (Dec 2011) – 30:47 – started out healthy but tripped on a pothole & fell near the end of the race
Freihofer Run for Women (June 2012) – 35:39 – first race after 5 months off running with broken ankle
Helper’s Fund (Sept 2012)- 30:08 – making a comeback after ankle surgery
Komen Race for the Cure (Oct 2012)- 30:54 – now I am running with a foot stress fracture (but still in denial)
RW 5K (Oct 2012) – 35:32 – now I know I am running with a stress fracture
Albany Last Run (Dec 2012) – 35:25 – first race after no running for weeks and recovering from a stress fracture

Because I have been training for my recently completed half marathon since my last 5K race (Dec 2012), I have not run fast very often. Even though I have run 3 other races since my last 5K: 10K, 4 mi, & a 7K, none done were with any remarkable speed.

You get to race the rowers on the river….

So I am guessing that I will finish the race between 32 and 35 minutes. (If I am lucky under 32 minutes.) No PR hopes. And that’s ok. I love racing and I plan to just have fun.

photo from last year’s race

The race is being held here:

Corning Bike Path on the Hudson

It would be really nice if the ice and snow were gone and the sun were shining!! Oops I’m not in Florida anymore.

tomorrow’s forecast

Happy Running! Do you like 5Ks? Do you run them?

March 28, 2013 by Darlene

Three Things Thursday: Run, Run, Run

1. I ran 3 miles on the treadmill on Tuesday at lunch so I could get to the Seder on time.

our Mah Jongg seder

2. I ran outside for 3 miles in the park on Wednesday after work and before my overdue return to YOGA.

It was windy but there were signs of spring & I loved yoga!!!

3. I plan to run 3 miles again today (hopefully the rain will stop & I can run outside). Yup. Three days in a row. (Tomorrow is a rest day!)

These feet are ready!

Happy Running! How many days a week do you run?

March 27, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday: Bridge at Sunrise

Sarasota Half Marathon – March 17, 2013

Me and my cool arm warmers at sunrise!!

Happy Running!

March 26, 2013 by Darlene

Healthy Eating and Passover Seders

Feb. salad

March salad

Yesterday, we had our second Salad Bowl Potluck Lunch. The first was so popular last month (due to the fact that we host a Weight Watcher’s Group here on Mondays) that we decided to have another.

I was raised Jewish and my husband is Catholic. Although I am not very religious, I love to celebrate Chanukah and Passover. My Mah Jongg group who are for the most part Jewish with Catholic husbands host an annual Seder. Everyone brings a dish as part of the meal. (I always bring charoset & wine.) It is a lot of fun.

here we are in 2011

Last night, I played tennis. Today I will try to squeeze in 3 miles on the treadmill at lunch so I can get to the Seder on time.

Happy Running!

March 25, 2013 by Darlene

Training Over… Recovery Over…Now What?

or rather 2 weeks in review…

Week 12 Update:

Monday – 3 mile run on the treadmill at lunch, tennis after work

Tuesday – REST – flew from Albany to Ft Myers, Fl.
Wednesday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting at the beach & pool

Thursday – 3 mile run outside, walking around Venice, sitting at the pool

Friday – REST – sitting at the beach, walking around The Meadows

Saturday – REST – walking around the Meadows, sitting at the beach

Sunday – 13.1 mile race, walking around Sarasota

The TAPER was completed nicely and I finished the race!!!!

Recovery Update:

Monday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting on planes and in airports

Tuesday – REST – tennis cancelled due to snowstorm
Wednesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (Testing out my new Newtons)

Thursday – REST
Friday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (still testing the new sneaks)
Saturday – REST (running after a 19 mos & 6 yr old at the mall)

Sunday – 4 mile run outside

Recovery completed nicely.

Now what?

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run on TM, Passover seder
Wednesday – 3 mile run in Albany, YOGA
Thursday – 3 mile run near home
Friday – REST, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race + 2 more
Sunday – Rest

Happy Running! Anyone else experience post training letdowns?

March 24, 2013 by Darlene

A Relaxing “Spring” Weekend

Yes, you did. There was No Early Spring!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the end of March and it is still in the 30’s and windy. Like it has been for the last few months. I am so over winter.

The only good thing about this weekend is that my half marathon was over and I did not have to worry about fitting in a long run.

During my training, I have been obsessed with my miles and I have been ignoring Amanda, the girl I mentor.

So yesterday I planned to spend the day with her and her sons. Usually we do an Easter Egg hunt, play in the park, eat ice cream…

And usually it is warm enough to do so.

Not this year!!! So we headed for the mall where there was an Easter egg hunt.

Amanda helping Matthew in the 0-3 yr old group

Richard is on his own with the 4-6 yr olds

Then I took some photos (the line was too long to have them sit on the bunny’s lap.

And we had lunch.

McDonald’s – what else?

Afterwards the kids played in the mall playground.

The tradition is to end the day with ice cream and we did. But it was too cold & windy to eat it there so we took it home to eat.

On Sunday, it seemed a little warmer (still in the 30’s) and less windy so I went for a run. Not because I had to but because I felt like it. I went to the Corning bike trail to run an easy 4 miles.

not quite like I was dressed in Florida!

I wanted to run outside for the first time in my new Newtons.

mine have yellow laces

I also wanted to run the course for my 5k next weekend.

path is clear but still snow on the grass.

So far I really like the Newtons. At least for short distances. This was the first time since last September that I tried to run at a faster pace. And it seemed easier with these shoes. I walked at least 3 times and still I had a decent time (at least for me).

splits were 9:51, 10:37 and 9:49 for 3 miles.

I walked several more times but finished 4 miles (last lap was 9:50). A far cry from my 12 min. miles. Definitely a morale booster even if it is a short distance.

After I got home, my hubby & I went to a boat show. It makes us think summer is around the corner.

It cost $8 each to get in but I had $2 off coupons but they didn’t take credit cards. Neither my hubby or I had enough cash 😦

Guess what? They let us in for FREE!

It gets even better. I filled out 2 raffle coupons and we both won!

a “Go Boating on Lake George” long sleeved shirt

and a “Pirate Girl” flag for our boat

We climbed in and out of boats for fun & I picked up some good freebies.

All in all, a no-stress weekend.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you run or race?

March 22, 2013 by Darlene

Spring Training

But I don’t mean baseball! Here are the races that I hope to run in the next few months.

A new race. It’s on my familiar bike path along the Hudson. I ran its route frequently last summer and for my 8 mile training run recently.

April 14, 2013

It’s run in the Delmar neighborhoods that I have run all winter. I ran this in 2011 (before all my injuries…)

5k at 8am, 10k at 9am – $20 for both or one

Not sure about this one but maybe. I have run races in this park many times.

I haven’t signed up for this one but Mary & I usually do it together (and they have ice cream cones!!)

May 5, 2013 9am

Another maybe. I did run this 5K several years ago.

I ran this race 3x when it was held in Delmar. The last 2 years, I was on vacation. Now it has moved to Schenectady’s Central park. There’s another 5K in Clifton park. I will definitely run a 5k on this holiday.

This will be my 6th time running this race – I haven’t missed it since I started running in 2008.

I haven’t signed up yet but this race has always been on my bucket list. Hope to finally do it this year (as long as I am healthy.)

Happy Running! What races are you training for this spring?

March 21, 2013 by Darlene

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon After Thoughts

The positives:

My friend Susan said that she may walk this half marathon next year. (Love being inspiring!)
My friends Pat and John have started running again. They ran 1 1/2 miles on Saturday. (Love being a motivator even more.)
I enjoyed myself on vacation and wasn’t as neurotic as I thought I would be about my upcoming race.
I finished with a smile – MY GOAL!
I finished under 2:45 – MY REAL GOAL!
I ran more of it than I thought I would or could.
My feet are no better and no worse.
I want to do another!

The negatives:

My right foot did hurt (and annoyed me) most of the time. (I don’t want to see a dr & have to stop running!)
I secretly wanted to PR. (Doesn’t everyone?)
I am not sure I will or can ever run faster.
Though my ankle did not hurt, I think it does not allow me to run hard.
I walked too much the 2nd half … I used the water stops as an excuse.

All in all, I am happy. I am relieved!

worst race photo ever … this is how I really felt at the end!!

Lessons Learned:

You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. After my broken ankle I didn’t think I could run again. Then when I thought I could, I got a stress fracture. Obviously, I had my doubts about the race but I knew that if I wanted it bad enough, I could do it.
A vacation with friends isn’t the best way to prepare for a race. I spent the day before on the beach (and got sunburned.) I didn’t eat or drink enough. I felt hungry and thirsty throughout the race.
Gu is the best race fuel for me. I ate one before the race, one at mile 4, mile 8, and mile 12. No stomach issues at all. All I drank was water (about 8 cups)
I love scenic races. I love warm weather. I love Florida (in the winter!!!)
It’s great having someone waiting for you at the finish line.
I shouldn’t compare myself as a runner with anyone else. Running is hard. All runners are different. You just have to do your best and give it your all.

More Post Race Pics: