Month: January 2016

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Monday Running Update

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Last Week: 

  • Monday –  First day back at work after 11 days off.  And it was freezing!! No running for me, just 1 1/2 hours of doubles tennis after work
  • Tuesday – Another freezing day (the coldest of the winter so far) but I bundled up and ran outside after work.

  • Wednesday – A lot warmer today (30 vs 10). I took a quick run after work before going to a yoga class.
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my legs felt great yesterday but today, very sluggish!!

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  • Thursday – Rode the exercise bike at work during lunch.  I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it (and I was able to KNIT while on it 🙂 ).  Went out to dinner with an old friend.
  • Friday – I had planned to run today but the iffy weekend weather made me skip it. I actually walked for 15 min in the morning and rode the exercise bike for 1/2 hr (while knitting) at lunch.
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just walked in circle around the lst floor with a co-worker

  • Saturday – I had hoped for a relaxing day but since rain was forecast for Sunday, I needed to do my long run instead. I ran 5 by myself and then Judy arrived to run the last 6. Thanks Judy.

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The rest of the day was filled with housework and taking doing those holiday decorations finally.

  • Sunday – Another free race – I had planned to run the 10K and follow it with 3.8 more miles to complete my 10 mile long run.  But I had done my long run on Saturday and since it was pouring, I DNSed.
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cross-training??

17 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days. (9 miles less than last weeks. Oops)

This Week:  (3 weeks until Half Marathon #17) 

  • Monday – 4 mile run after work
  • Tuesday – rest, holiday brunch at work, tennis
  • Wednesday – holiday lunch at work, 4 mile run after work
  • Thursday –  rest
  • Friday –  3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi
  • Saturday – rest
  • Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #4  – 15K race + 1.7 more miles
I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.   See rules here.
http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

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

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LSD & a DNS

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winter series #3 in 2013

Once again the Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsored a FREE race for its members.

For Winter Series #3 today, they offered distances of 3M, 10K and 25K.

Since I have a half marathon in 4 weeks, I would have chosen to run the 10K and then add on more miles after. But due to predicted rain, I decided to do my long run yesterday and maybe just run the 3 mile option today.

I like to vary my long run routes – so far I have run on the Delmar Rail Trail…

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on the Corning Bike Trail…

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So this week, I decided on the Nisky Bike Trail.

My plan was to run 4 miles and then Judy would join me for 6 miles.

The path was clear and the temps significantly warmer than the beginning of the week (10 vs 40 degrees)

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But there were also sections that were icy… (I tiptoed over those)

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As you can see, the river isn’t frozen yet.
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Since I felt good, I wound up running 5 miles and then met Judy.

We ran most of our run in the opposite direction… turned around when there was ice.

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I got 11 miles done and I was a happy camper.

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I stopped off on my way home for my reward Starbucks and at Target (where as usual spent way too much money.)

The rest of the day was spent putting away those holiday decorations (it’s hard work.)

Today I woke early to POURING rain with high winds predicted.

I had planned on running the race.  I knew many people going and I have raced many times in the rain. And it was warm (in the 50s.)

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the Love Run

Lake George Half

Lake George Half Marathon

But for a free local race….NOPE!!

I stayed home and cooked.

The only thing I may brave the rain for today is a movie.

Here’s a pic from last week’s race – pretty much for the same course as today’s race.

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I miss racing but am glad to be home and dry.

If the weather is better, I plan to run the 15k next Sunday and the 10 miler on Jan. 31.

Happy Running! Do you run in the rain?

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Friday Five: Healthy Eating


Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My “food & drink” topic for this Friday is Five Healthy Items I have Everyday

I’m the first to admit that I don’t eat healthy.  If there is a sweet around, I will eat it.

But here’s what I eat/drink everyday:

  1. Oatmeal

I would prefer waffles, pancakes or French toast with syrup, butter and bacon!! But I do eat oatmeal everyday for breakfast.  I add raisins, cinnamon and sometimes fruit or nuts.

 

2. Herbal Tea

I drink it in the morning and sometimes in the evening.  I gave up caffeine so this was my alternative.  (I am dying for a cup of coffee as I write this.) I buy leaves in many flavors and I also have tea bags (which don’t taste as good.) But yes, I still crave a vanilla latte. (I get decaf ones in Starbucks for a treat.)

3. Greek Yogurt

I have it for lunch.  I usually add granola. Would I rather have pizza?  YES!!

4. Water

I keep it at my desk.  Do I drink as much as I should?  Not at all.  The only time I really get thirsty is when I’m on the treadmill. But I haven’t had soda in years and I don’t miss it at all.

5. Apple

Sometimes, I eat one for a snack at work but mostly I eat one in the evening.  It’s my snack.  I don’t keep cookies or chips in the house so this is what I grab when I am hungry.

Of course, there are other things that sneak into my diet that aren’t so healthy.

Happy Running! What healthy things do you eat on a daily basis?

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TOLT: One Word , a New Half, Winter & Long Runs

Since it is Thursday,  I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

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What I am thinking about today is…

My One Word for 2016.

The My One Word approach is popular every year.

If you’ve never heard about it, here is a summary:

Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.

2014 was the first time that I tried it.

My word was:

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In 2015,  the word that I chose was:

This year, I am picking:

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is “a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.”

Why did I choose Gratitude?

Expectations lead to disappointments.

As runners, I think (myself included) we focus too much on mileage totals, PRs, bling, etc. And we expect to improve or run at a certain pace and when we don’t, we get depressed or even stressed.

Especially as we age, we need to concentrate on being thankful that we CAN run.

How will I focus on my word?

  • Be more positive.
  • Post more about the good things that happened during a race or a run.
  • Run & race happy.
  • Forget those PR and pace goals.
  • Volunteer more.
  • Thank those who make races possible.

Half Marathon #18

I am also thinking about a dear friend who had a mastectomy on Tuesday.  It is her 3rd bout with breast cancer (& 2nd in 2 years.) She is strong. She is optimistic. I am confident that because of these qualities, she will beat this terrible disease.

So I made the impromptu decision to run another half marathon – one in her honor.

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March 13, 2016

It is very hilly. It is only a 5 weeks after my Florida half. But these tough 13.1 miles will be nothing compared to the pain that my friend has endured.

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Winter

Dec 24:

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Jan 5:

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Amazing!

I HATE the cold.  But I hate the treadmill more.

So yesterday after work, I braved the cold and ran outside.  I was cold but I survived.  It wasn’t so bad and I felt really “badass” when I was done.  I warmed up at Starbucks where the barista remarked “You run when it’s this cold!?” And I responded “Yes, I do!”

Long Runs

But what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate?

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I had planned to race (10K) on Sunday and add more miles on afterward to complete 10 miles total.

I don’t want to run 10 miles IN THE RAIN!!!

So I could change to do my 10 miles on Saturday (before the rain and if there is no ice and snow on the ground from Friday night). That means that I would rest on Friday (with Thursday also being my rest day) and on Sunday, skip the race or only run the 3 mile option. Or I could run on Friday and skip my long run since I did run 10 miles last Saturday and run 11 miles next weekend.

Decisions, decisions, decisions..

Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose? Anyone else running this half marathon? Do you run outside in the colder temps? Does the weather get it the way of your long runs or do you run in any conditions? What are you thinking about today?

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Wednesday Word: Renewal

Deb Runs

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This week’s Word is RENEWAL

According to the dictionary, renewal is

  1. the process of starting something again after a pause
  2. a process of improving, repairing, or making something more successful

No one is perfect so we all need some kind of renewal. And the beginning of the new year is a perfect time to renew ourselves…

So here’s how I plan my “renewal” for 2016:

Physically

  • Renew my interest in yoga
  • Renew my desire to be fitter by exercising more often
  • Renew my diet by making healthier food choices
  • Start walking again during my work day

Mentally

  • Renew enthusiasm for my job
  • Be more in the moment (less multi-tasking)
  • Renew my interest in creative endeavors (quilting, knitting, sewing, needlepoint)
  • Challenge myself
  • Learn something new

Socially

  • Renew friendships that have lapsed
  • Spend more time with family members

Emotionally

  • Focus on the positive
  • Relax more

You should note that there is no mention of running. My running, I think is in a constant state of renewal.  I always try to improve, repair and be more successful where my running is concerned.  Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. But I always feel renewed when I cross the finish line.

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Happy Running! Do you plan to do any type of “renewal” in 2016?

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TOTR: 2016 – The Year of No Goals

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life! 

This week’s topic is GOALS FOR 2016.

What NO GOALS!!

Who me?

The person who has individual race goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and  yearly goals.

Well, no more! You will no longer see that G word.

Goals are like checking off a to-do list.

Yes, I did  it.

No, I did not.

It really doesn’t change you.

I want to impact lifestyle changes and setting goals, I don’t think will help me.

I don’t even think about my goals until at the end of week or the month or the year when I write about how I achieved some and failed at others.

I also want this blog to be less about me and more about running.

Of course, I will recap my races, my week, my month, etc.

Hopefully by posting about my running experiences (both successes and failures), I will motivate other runners (especially us older ones) to run and keep running.

That being said, I do have hopes and dreams (not goals) for 2016:

I hope to…

  • To improve my running

For me, it’s to get stronger and be a more confident runner.  To have more quality training runs.  To maintain my current speed and if I am very lucky PR at some distance. To run lots of races (both long ones and short ones.)

  • To run with others

With my schedule, it is easier to run solo.  But running with others is more fun.  I often shy away from running groups (like Fleet Feet, ARE, etc) because I feel that I am too slow.  I hope to take advantage of more group running opportunities.

  • To volunteer and give back

I had great experiences with this in 2015 and I hope to continue with STEM, GOTR and any others opportunities that present itself.  My specials needs buddy is awesome. I hope to connect with him more.  And to make time to see my mentee Amanda & her kids more often.

  • To eat healthier

I am addicted to carbs and sweets.  I can justify the carbs for running but I hope to substitute more fruits and veggies into my diet. This also includes drinking more water.

  • To get physically on track

I may not weigh myself but I know for a fact that the excess pounds have moved to an ugly place (my waist & butt).  My excuses have been that it is an age thing (Sorry, the meni pot is a fact.) But I think it is important for me to exercise (not just run and play tennis).  Sit less, walk more? Gym time? Planks? Yoga? Whatever it takes to look better.

  • To spend quality time with family and friends

Running is important but not more important than those I care about.  Skipping a run to be with them…it should happen.

Happy Running! Are you goal setter?  What do you hope for in 2016?

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Monday Running Update

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Last Week: 

  • Monday –  Ran 5 miles in the morning on the paved rail trail with my running friend Barbara. Finally felt like winter (in the 20’s) and my body was confused.  Found it hard to breathe with the colder air but I think it was really that running with Barbara makes me run at a faster pace.  Felt good to get out of my comfort zone.

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Since I haven’t sat down since last Wednesday, I decided to purchase some toys to help me: wool to knit an infinity scarf, a puzzle and some adult coloring books.

  • Tuesday – Winter weather continued with our first snow fall (just an inch with some sleet so roads were a mess). I was glad to stay home near my fireplace with my new coloring books, knitting project and puzzle. (Yes, I am trying to relax…) In the evening, I played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

  • Wednesday – I had a car appointment in the morning (2 1/2 hours of knitting time) which I followed with a 5 mile run.  I was happy for find some place without slush. Afterwards, I went shopping to take advantage of some of those after Christmas sales.

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  • Thursday – A relaxing day followed by a movie and dinner out with the hubby to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Nicole’s in Albany – best dinner I’ve had in a long time!!

  • Friday – First race of 2016 -a popular local race where I ran the 3.5 mile race. I knew a lot of folks there so it was a fun way to start the year.

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After the race, I ran 3.5 more miles around campus.

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  • Saturday – When  you’re off all week, there’s not much to catch up on…so I did some cooking and shopping. In the evening, the hubby & I went to ANOTHER movie.

don’t see it unless you like 2.5 hrs of blood.

  • Sunday – Another long run in preparation for my Feb. 7  half marathon.  This time, I ran 10 miles on the Corning bike path. Judy was nice enough to accompany me on 3.5 of them. Afterwards I met my BFF for a walk in the mall.

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26 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:  (4 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

  • Monday – rest, tennis
  • Tuesday – 4 mile run after work
  • Wednesday – 3 mile run after work, yoga
  • Thursday –  rest, dinner out with an old friend
  • Friday –  3 mile run, mah jongg
  • Saturday – rest
  • Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #2 10K race + 3.8 more miles
I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.   See rules here.
http://hohoruns.blogspot.com

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

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My Stay-cation – Part II

In a previous post, I mentioned that I was busier on vacation than when I worked.

Well, eventually things calmed down.  I was determined to relax a bit before returning to work.

Day 5:

The day started with a cold 5 mile run with Barbara (who motivated to up my pace) on the paved rail trail.

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Afterward, I went shopping and bought myself some toys:  wool, a puzzle and some coloring books and stayed home for the evening.

Day 6:

Since the weather was nasty, I stayed home and cleaned out the refrigerator, started knitting a lace infinity scarf, started my puzzle and did some coloring.  In fact, I didn’t get dressed until it was time to leave to play tennis.  Staying home to me  is very strange but it felt therapeutic.

Day 7:

I did a lot more knitting while waiting for my car to be done and then ran 5 miles on a surprisingly clear bike path.  Afterwards, I walked around the mall and bought things that I didn’t really need but bought cause they were on sale.  (Does anyone else do that?)  I was planning on either yoga or a movie but decided to stay home for the 2nd night this week.  (Am I becoming a homebody?)

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didn’t go this way

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phew -they cleared it this direction

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ducks hanging out in the cold river

Day 8:

Another day of cleaning and playing with my new toys.

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But since it was New Year’s Eve, my hubby & I went out to dinner and then to a movie (Spotlight).  I stayed up until midnight (cause I always do) watching TV and drinking eggnog.

Day 9:

I spent a lazy morning and then ran a (free) 3.5 mile race which started at noon. I saw a lot of runners that I knew and it was fun.

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After the race, I decided to run some more… it was Friday and I was on vacation.  What else would I do?

I ran around campus and even discovered a new trail.

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Even saw my first snowflakes.

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Afterwards, I did some errands and then went out to play mah jongg.

Ok,  so this day was not so restful.

Day 10:

Lot’s of cooking then errands and then yes, relaxing!!! But in the evening, my hubby wanted to go see a movie and so we did.   I wouldn’t recommend The Hateful Eight unless you like lots of blood and gore!!

Day 11:

My last day of vacation and a long run.  I decided to go to the Corning Bike Trail since I hadn’t run there in a while. Unfortunately, the weather turned colder but it was still bearable considering what is predicted for the next few days.

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a cloudy day but not as windy or cold as I had feared.

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I had planned on 5.5 miles before meeting Judy but I was early so I ran 6 miles,

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got work on the timer thing

Then I ran 3.5 miles with Judy starting in the opposite direction.

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It’s great to have company on those boring long runs

Then ran another .5 miles for a whopping total of 10 miles.

And so it was over.

This is my only stay-cation of the year.

I take days off during the year but  it’s always to go somewhere or do something.

Happy Running! Do you take stay-cations?  Or do you take off work to go away?

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December Recap & Ultimate Coffee Date December

 Since today is the first Saturday in January,  I am joining up with Coco, Deborah, and Lynda for their ultimate coffee date.
The Ultimate Coffee Date

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that December just flew by. It seems like I was just writing my goals and now it’s January.

Over coffee…

As I have done every month, I would tell you how I did on my December Goals.

December Goals:

  • Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) YES!

I continue to run 3-4 miles during the week trying to vary my running courses.

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near work

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  • Walk while at work especially on rest days. NOT REALLY.

I got lazy! And we had a warm December too.

  • Continue long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #17 on February 7. YES!
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12-13

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  • Complete a 5k race under 29 minutes. One YES and one NO.
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28:16

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29:54 😦

  • Complete a half marathon under 2:20. NOPE!
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2:29:14 (heat, wind & humidity – UGH!)

  • Run at least 85 miles. YES!

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  • Continue going to yoga. YES!

I went to Heartspace twice.

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  • Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties) ??? Doubtful.
  • Spend time with my mentee. YES!

I saw her & the kids on Christmas Day and we also went to Canvas, Corks & Forks to celebrate her birthday.

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  • Start knitting again. YES!

I started knitting a lace infinity scarf.

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Over coffee…

I would update you on all the other things that I have done this past month (that don’t relate to running.)

  • I had a great time in Florida visiting my friends as part of my race-cation. I spend time in both Delray Beach and Jupiter seeing the sites (despite the awful weather.)

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  • I went to NYC with my friends  We saw all the store windows decorated for the holidays and did walking tour of the best food in Greenwich Village.

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Over coffee…

I normally would now outline my January goals.

January Goals:

None.

I’ll write about my NO GOALS 2016 in a later post.

Happy Running! How was your December?  Anything exciting planned for January? What would you share with me over coffee?

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Friday Five & HMRRC Winter Series #2 Race Recap

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup.  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My “fitness” topic for this Friday is Five Reasons I decided to start the year off with a race

  1. I ate too many holiday treats. Didn’t you?
  2. My New Year’s Eve was not that exciting.  No partying this year. Barely stayed awake til midnight.
  3. The race was free. It is for all HMRRC members.
  4. I needed to get in a weekday run anyway.
  5. I haven’t run a 3.5 mile race since 2010. This race could potentially be a PR?

That being said, I did race today… and here’s my recap:

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January 1, 2016

Every year, the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club puts on the Winter Series, a series of free races for its members ($5 for non-members). On New Year’s Day, starting at noon, they offer the Hangover Half or 3.5 mile Bill Hogan Run as Winter Series #2.

Last year, I ran the Hangover Half (as a training run.)

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and it was a very cold one

This year, I wasn’t that crazy.

I decided to run only 3.5 miles.

For New Year’s Eve, my hubby and I had a quiet evening – just dinner out and a movie. We usually go Lake George on New Year’s Day and to a party but my hubby didn’t want to and I was fine with it (cuz I secretly wanted to do this race.)

We had been enjoying unseasonably warm winter weather. Well, that ended. But it still wasn’t that cold today.  (I just wore a shirt, vest and NO jacket.)

I arrived at UAlbany early and was surprised at how many people were running on New Year’s Day. It helped that the race didn’t start until noon so even if you did party for New Year’s Eve, you could still race this one.

There were over 300 running the half marathon and a little less running the 3.5 miler.

I bumped into many runners that I knew from racing and my running friends, Judy & Barbara.

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We hung out inside and chatted until the race began.

Judy went out to warm up and Barbara & I started the race together.

We wound up chatting with another runner that was doing her first half marathon.  Not paying any attention, we started way in the back (and the race was not chip timed.)

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at the beginning

I weaved in and out to get past the slower runners.  I left Barbara behind (but not for long.)

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This course is not flat.  There are annoying hills throughout.

I did pass Judy (who started in front) but she wasn’t paying attention to me when I waved at her.

I kept up a decent pace for the first 2 miles.

Barbara quickly passed me and got farther and farther ahead as the race progressed.  But I did try to keep her in my sight.

There were no mile markers but I could hear my Garmin beep.  I really didn’t pay attention to my pace or time.

By mile 3, I was losing steam. So I started to walk in order to maintain some kind of decent pace.  I walked several times including up the last hill.

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near the end

Finally, it was over and I was surprised to see that I only barely beat 35 minutes.  (My PR was 33:08 on a flat course in May 2010.)

Mile splits:

mile 1: 9:10
mile 2: 9:05
mile 3: 9:25
.75 – 9:42

Yes, the course was long!! 3.75 not 3.5 miles. My time according to my Garmin was 34:44.

I waited at the finish line for Judy.

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I think she had a PR!! As you can see, they hand you a piece of paper and you write down your time.

Then we went inside where I found Barbara.

For a free race, they have great refreshments – vegetable soup, pizza, bread, fruit, cookies, hot cocoa.

And I had all of the above.

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I waited around for awhile with some other runners.  They give 10 year AG awards to the top 2.  I think I was 6th.

Since I was dressed to run and not tired, I decided to do my usual campus loop.

Well, I usually run it in the dark.  It is so different during the day.

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never noticed this path & stripe

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I found a new path – the Indian Lake trail (It’s not lit up at night.)

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Then I continued on my normal path but it had started to snow.

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I enjoyed running with the flakes falling on my head and finished up 3.5 more miles.

7 miles complete and off to do some grocery shopping before my weekly mah jongg game.

So a race and a run – what a perfect way to start off 2016!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, RUNNERS!!

Happy Running! Did you race today?  If not, when is your first race of 2016?

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