September 30, 2013 by Darlene

Hardest Long Run Ever

Because my weekend was so busy, I took today off from work to get in my last long run.

Little did I know that I would be SICK!!

I got little sleep last night – headache, sore throat, congested… the cold medicine did zilch!

So I woke up feeling like I got hit by a freight train. I really wanted to stay in bed not run.

What would any runner do…

Get out of bed and get ready to run.

The weather was the motivator – it was warm and sunny! I was hoping it would make me feel better.

I decided to go to the Nisky Bike Path – it’s flat and scenic, there are restrooms, bikers & runners… a great place to do a long run.

I had some water and a gel and set out for 4 miles and then looped back to my car for more water. I did bring a gel with me (and lots of tissues.)

It was warmer than I thought and I felt worse that I thought. So I just trudged along…running…walking…running.

I really wished I had brought water. The good news is that nothing hurt. I just had no energy…my back ached..my legs ached…worse than any half marathon I ever have run.

After 8 miles, I refueled at my car and then headed 2 miles in the other direction and then turned around.

I got the 12 miles done! I didn’t die! My time was slower than most of my halfs.

I’m not going to get too depressed. I attribute my disastrous performance to the heat, not enough hydration, most of all my cold.

yes, please

If I could drag myself through 12 miles today, I guess I can drag myself through 1.1 more! (Hopefully it won’t feel this bad in 2 weeks!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever experienced a terrible long training run?

September 29, 2013 by Darlene

Last but Full Adirondack Weekend

And the weather cooperated.

On Saturday, as I mentioned in my previous post, I drove up to my marina after my race to spend the day on Lake George with friends.

perfect weather for fall boating

It was a combination belated Pirates Day party and early birthday party.

so we dressed like pirates

We ate and chatted, danced, and had lots of fun.

warm enough for jet skis

Chris & her hubby, the birthday boy

Chris dancin with my hubby

On Sunday, I drove up early with friends to Chestertown to spend the day playing mah jongg.

Another picture perfect fall day. I was feeling quite under the weather at this point but I made the best of it. While they played tennis, I went for a walk. The foliage had changed more since last weekend.

In between eating, we played mah jongg. (We had breakfast, brunch, snacks and lunch. Fine for me who was carb loading for the long run the next day.)

one table inside & one on the porch

one table on the deck

As always, we had a fun time. I love these ladies.

group photo plus dog

We left around dark. When I got home I took some cold medicine and went right to bed.

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

September 28, 2013 by Darlene

Race for Hope 5K Race Report

It was a beautiful morning for a race – cool & sunny. My hubby had a cold all week and yesterday I started to get it & had a lousy night’s sleep. I woke up feeling crappy but knew that a race would make me feel better (and it did!)

I kinda wished the race started earlier than 10 am. My hubby was annoyed that I would be getting to the lake so late.

I got to the race early and just relaxed. The race is in its 5th year and had a record of about 600 participants; I didn’t know anyone which was odd but lining up, I met 2 ladies around my age and we chatted (about compression socks & running skirts.)

The race began running up a long hill. I had a hard time getting moving. Then the course continued through the neighborhoods of rolling hills (but not as bad as the beginning.) There were a lot of volunteers along the course at every turn cheering runners on, That was nice.

I felt better as the race went on and didn’t walk at all except for halfway at the water stop.

Finally the race ended going down the first hill.

heading to the finish line

As I crossed the finish line, I saw that I wouldn’t break 30 minutes. I was a little disappointed.

I finished at 30:10.

Then I realized that before any of my injuries, my time in 2009 was 30:14 and in 2010, it was 30:11. So my time today was a course PR.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:57
mile 2 – 9:50
mile 3 – 9:25
.14 – 7:32

Negative splits – woo hoo!!

and another Age Group award – 1st – getting old isn’t so bad.

Unfortunately, I rushed off after the race to drive up to Lake George and didn’t get my award.

My goals for the race were: remain uninjured, finish under 31 minutes, win a AG award,and most of all, have fun and I met them ALL!

I think I made the right decision about the race. The rest of the day was perfect and it was nice relaxing with friends and not have to worry about getting ready to run a night race (although I did hear it was fun – next year…)

(BTW: This also counts as participating in the Worldwide WP 5k – just a day early.)

Happy Running! Any running or races this weekend?

September 26, 2013 by Darlene

Three Things Thursday Dilemma

In this case, it is THREE RUNS. (Sound familiar?)

I have 3 choices AGAIN this Saturday. (Sunday I am going to Schroon River with the mah jongg ladies.)

1. The first is a 5K race on Saturday morning. I have done it twice before (2010 & 2009). There is a big hill at the beginning & small ones throughout. The race course is NOT scenic (around the neighborhood & a main road.) It is only a 5K so I would have to do my long run on Monday. but it is nearby and I would have time to go up to the lake afterward to go boating.

Sept. 28, 2013 – 10 am

2. The second one is a 5K race on Saturday evening. It is in Lake George and the first time for this race. Lake George is VERY HILLY. It is only a 5K so I would have to do my long run on Monday. But I could go boating during the day and do the race after. It sounds like a really cool fun race & it is followed by fireworks. It is scenic (but it will be dark). However, this race would be more fun if I ran it with someone else or had spectators (not sure if my hubby & friends would come watch.)

3. The third choice is to just get my 12 mile long run out of the way and not do a race. After the run, I could head up to the lake. On Monday the forecast is for rain so I could stay over in Schroon River and run a scenic short one there.

12 miles on the FLAT Nisky bike trail

So which one will I choose???

Most likely #1. Hopefully next year, I will do the Flashlight 5K.

I love racing. I am hoping that the rain will hold off until the afternoon on Monday for my long run. I plan to run the 5K quickly and head up to the lake for my LAST boating outing of the year.

My goals for the race are: remain uninjured, finish under 31 minutes, win a AG award, and most of all, have fun.

at the Race for Hope in 2010 ( a skinnier me)

Happy Running! Do you race when you are training for a half marathon?

September 25, 2013 by Darlene

What I Am Loving (Wednesday)

I haven’t done this since February so I thought I’d do it again.

Well, they stopped selling my Chocolate Cream of Wheat and only one store still sells my Liberte Mediterranee yogurt 😦

Here are some new ones:

1. BISCOFF SPREAD

I HATE peanut butter (Well, I’ve never eaten it) but this was in my race goodie bag at the Sarasota Half Marathon. It took me awhile to try it but it’s great. It has:

All-natural ingredients
No artifical color or preservatives
0 grams trans fat per serving and 0 cholesterol
Non-GMO ingredients
No Nuts

It’s basically crushed biscoff cookies, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar. Probably has loads of calories so I just spread a little on a bagel for a pre- or post run snack.

2. ANYTHING PUMPKIN

Ok, pop tarts are not real food but sometimes I just need something sweet and I don’t have time to bake. And Thomas bagels?? Well, someone from Long Island knows that these are not real bagels but they stay fresh for a long time (yeah, lots of chemicals) and they give me that daily carb fix. (I even eat them plain they are so soft and chewy.)

3. MY NEW RACING BELT

I holds more than my other one (a black Spi Belt). I need something to hold my car key and my phone (It has a big & a small pouch). It doesn’t move around when I run. It also holds your race bib. I hate to put safety pins through my clothes and can never pin it straight anyway.

4. RUNNING BOOKS

Not non-fiction running books but fiction ones that has a runner in it as part of the plot. I post more titles another Wednesday.

5. GEL NAILS

I hate fake nails but I want my nails to look good and not keep breaking. Hence GEL. I get a French manicure. That way, I get let them go for over a month before anyone notices. Caution, once you start (like hair dye), you won’t be able to go back to normal nails & polish.

What are you loving right now? Blog about 5 things that you are loving right now. Comment here with the link to your post!

Happy Running! Ever try any of my above favorites?

September 24, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – tennis, 1 mile walk at work
Tuesday – ~~3 or~~ 4 miles ~~before~~ after work

Delmar Rail Trail

Wednesday – rest, movie

a silly movie

Thursday – 4 3 miles after work on the track (200 x 200 repeats – my version of speed work)
Friday – rest, 2 mile walk at work
Saturday – 10K race + 5 miles

Helper’s Fund 5K – a PR and 2nd in my AG award

Sunday – rest

This Week:

Monday – 4 miles
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – rest
Saturday – boating, 5K night race or 5k am race
Sunday – mah jongg at Schroon River house
Monday – DAY OFF -long run of 12 miles

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races?

September 23, 2013 by Darlene

Soup(er) Sunday

This was the first weekend since the beginning of May where neither my hubby or went boating on Lake George.

Sorry – it was to windy to go out 😦

My hubby went to play tennis and I played Suzy Homemaker.

I put out our fall flags and then went to a local farm to buy some mums, a pumpkin and some freshly picked apples (I had wanted to go pick them but my mentee & my hubby were busy & it’s no fun alone.) Then I went to the grocery store to buy fixings for two homemade soups. The cool temps just made me want soup.

I’ll say this up front: I like to cook but I rarely do cook. I prepare something to eat but I wouldn’t call it cooking. Since the kids are gone and my hubby could care less what he eats, my priorities are pretty selfish – work, running, friends, tennis, mah jongg, etc.

First I made your basic chicken soup – water, a whole chicken, carrots, celery, spices & noodles later.

Then, I made vegetable beef soup. I got lazy on this one – stew beef, frozen vegetables, frozen potatoes, organic beef broth, spices, barley later.

Well, I hope my hubby enjoys those soups. Who knows when I will get motivated again to make another homemade meal.

After work this week, I plan to make an apple pie with those apples. (Warm homemade apple pie with vanilla ice cream is one of my favorite desserts.)

a picture of my pie from last year

The weather so far looks good for next weekend.

There will be NO COOKING – just racing, boating …

and mah jongg at the Schroon River house.

Happy Running! Do you cook often?

September 21, 2013 by Darlene

Helper’s Fund 10K Race Report

Unfortunately, my friend who owns a house in Chestertown had someone staying there (her son on his honeymoon) so I couldn’t stay there last night as I did last year.

imagine…the honeymooners got preference over me!

So I got up early this morning and headed up North.

It was cloudy, chilly, breezy and very HUMID. At least it wasn’t raining. As I drove, the sky brightened.

I wore my new running skirt & compression socks. I opted for short sleeves but brought a jacket & a long sleeved shirt, just in case.

I parked in the Grand Union parking lot and walked across the street to get my racing packet.

a previous year’s start

This was a small community race – about 200 in the 5K and less than 100 in the 10K. I got there early enough to use the real restrooms and chat with some runners.

Both the 5k and 10K runners start together and then separate. There was no timing mat at the start so I tried to stand not too far back.

I started with the lady was chatting with but soon realized that she was slower than me (there were only a few others that slow.)

me at the beginning

As I mentioned the course is hilly…real hilly.

I wasn’t gunning for a PR so I just took it slow.

I ran until the first hill and then walked up it and the others as well as through the water stops. Besides the hills, this was a beautiful course. You ran through the back roads and it would have been awesome if the foliage was at peak.

Around mile 3, you ran into the 5k runners but actually it was the ones who were walking. Then you separated again.

I finished the first 5k around 33 minutes. I was pleased considering how much I walked. I could have pushed myself but I am used to running on FLAT roads and I didn’t want another injury. Besides, I wanted to add 5 miles to my run after the race.

Around mile 4, when I was walking, a runner caught up to me and we started chatting. This was the only boring part of the course – a LONG uphill on a main road. I ran because she was and she thanked me for getting her through it. (She also thought we were in the same age group. She was 45 & I 60. Made me feel good.)

Eventually the hills got steeper and I let her go ahead. But I stayed behind her and finished right behind her.

I stopped at all the water stops but I had no fuel and I definitely needed it around mile 5. But I gathered my strength and finished strong.

I wasn’t last and finished at: 1:06:10 which was a PR by over 2 minutes. This is my 3rd 10K. The 1st was while I was recovering from my broken ankle and the 2nd was last winter on a pretty flat course.

happy to see the finish line

I was pleased. My 2nd half of the race was about the same as the first and I know that I can do better.

My Splits:

mile 1 – 9:56
mile 2 – 10:37
mile 3 – 11:41 – water stop
mile 4 – 10:59
mile 5 – 11:41 – water stop
mile 6 – 10:50
.2 – 7:42

pic from FB

I had some refreshments (all home-made – cookies, fritters, breads, bagels, etc) and stuck around for awards (and it took forever) since there was a chance because last year, there was NO ONE in my age group.

Actually there were 2 this year so I came in 2nd. Hooray for AG awards.

race swag

I had planned to run 4.8 more miles today. Boy, did I not feel like it.

I told myself that my reward would be lunch in Schroon Lake and maybe a cool purchase at the Expo.

I drove to familiar territory – near my friend’s house and parked my car. I ran/walked 5 more miles admiring the scenery.

As you can see, the leaves are still pretty green. My run was painful…my feet & back ached but I got it done.

When I was done, I drove to Schroon Lake. There were marathoners and half marathoners everywhere.

I went to the expo but only bought some energy gels and a race belt. (I saw many familiar faces from the race I just did. In fact, the women who won the 10K was going to be running the marathon tomorrow.)

it has 2 pouches, holds 4 gels and your bib

Then I ate at my favorite restaurant a French creperie.

apples, walnuts, raisins & maple cream – yum!

On the way home, I stopped at our marina but no one was out on their boats – TOO WINDY! And then at my friend’s house in Lake George (her hubby just had back surgery.).

A long full day. The highlight was my race, of course.

I think I made the right decision about the race. I love scenic courses, The weather turned out to be great (just a little windy but there was hazy sunshine all day and NO RAIN!) I had a PR and got an award plus got in my miles.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing?

September 20, 2013 by Darlene

My Fall Race Schedule

6469844-cartoon-of-a-woman-reaching-the-finish-line-in-a-running-event

I love racing.

September:

Sept 7

Sept 28, 2013 (that’s me with my mouth open LOL)

October:

5K
Oct 5

13.1
Oct 13

Oct 19 in Lake George

November:

15K
Nov 10

5K
Thanksgiving Day

December:

Dec 14

There may be even more…

Happy Running! Are you racing a lot in the fall?

September 19, 2013 by Darlene

Three Things Thursday

In this case, it is THREE RACES.

I have 3 races that I can do this weekend.

1. The first is on Friday night. I have done it twice before (2010 & 2009) and it is flat. The race course is NOT scenic (highway and rundown apts.) It is only a 5K so I would have to do my long run on Sunday.

Sept. 20, 2013

2. The second one is on Saturday morning. It is in Chestertown (1.5 hrs away) and I did the 5K last year. It is VERY HILLY. It is a 5K or a 10K so I could add miles to the 10K and get in my long run. it is scenic and I could go to nearby Schroon Lake to go to the expo for the Adirondack marathon. I would have Friday night for mah jongg and Sunday free to go boating. (The weather forecast is iffy too 😦 )

3. The third one is on Sunday morning. It is nearby and flat. I did the 5K several years ago. I could do the 10K and add miles to get in a long run. The course of the 10k is 2 loops of the 5k and not too interesting.

Sept 22, 2013

So which one will I choose???

Most likely #2. Why do something something close & flat where the weather is nice??

I love a challenge. I am hoping that the rain will hold off until the afternoon. I plan to run a nice slow race and add additional scenic miles to complete 11 miles for the day.