July 30, 2016 by Darlene

Runfessions July – A Day Late

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

I runfess…

Remember last month, when I was playing tennis all the time. Well, the thrill is gone.

I started playing 4 times week, then 3, then 2… last week was one. This week NOT AT ALL!!

I am NOT running more … just other things have gotten in the way.

still love the game especially MY FRIENDS!!

I runfess…

It has been HOT HOT HOT…

Most of you are getting your runs in early in the morning.

Not me. I have been running at 5 pm in 90 degree heat. I have never sweat so much.

I runfess…

My National Ice Cream Day treat has turned in everyday is ice cream day.

I could justify it as a post run treat but I eat it even if I haven’t run.

I now hide the ice cream in freezer so my hubby doesn’t find it.

my new obsession!!

I runfess…

My last double digit run was June 26 and before that May 29. Yup. Too HOT, rather be boating not running.

I have the time just not the desire.

I runfess…

Not working across the street from Starbucks has saved me money but I think I spend it on races.

You see, if I pay for a race, I will RUN.

Tomorrow is a 5k.

Then the week after, I signed up for a new race. It’s one that I’ve always wanted to run. 8.4 miles on a trail racing a train. Sounds like fun.

rtt

More miles than I am ready for, in the heat, with hills, on a trail. Probably not fun!

Then I have two races that I signed up for a while ago. I have done both of them before.

a very hilly 10K

August 20,2016 – 5k that ends with a downhill

Happy Running! Anything to runfess?

July 29, 2016 by Darlene

Five Five: Take a Hike

My Friday Five topic this week is Why I Like To Hike.

By hiking, I don’t mean climbing mountains (though maybe someday and not alone). I mean doing walking trails especially ones with a view at the end.

No Pace or Distance To Worry About

You can go slow or fast. Run or Walk. You can go as far as you want and then go back to where you started. Pretty simple.

2. It’s Great Exercise.

Your legs are going up and down. Over rocks and trees. You also use your arms to help you climb or hold onto trees. It’s a workout!

3. You Get To See Nature At Its Finest.

Trees, flowers, birds, animals. Butterflies are my favorite.

4. It’s Peaceful.

I spent quite some time on my last hike just sitting and looking out.

5. It’s FREE.

Most hiking trails are well-marked, have parking and don’t cost a thing.

There are 11 trails near Lake George. I have done 2 (the easiest ones). I would only attempt some of the others with a partner.

About 15 miles north, there are 8 more trails. I plan to do the challenge above this summer. I already hiked four last Monday

Cougar Trail

Dynamite Hill

Stewart Mountain

Chester Creek

I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . 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!

Happy Running! Do you like to hike?

July 28, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: PRs, Heat and Races

thinking out loud

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

So here’s what I am thinking about:

Speed

As we are than halfway through 2016, I realize that 2016 is the first year that I have NO PRs.

I run a lot of races (40 last year) which means so many opportunities. I also run all distances: 5k, 4m, 5m, 10k, 15k, 10m and 13.1. Again lots of chances.

In 2015 and 2014, I had 4 PRs but does it get more difficult as you age?

Research says:

The first study we’re examining is a 2010 survey by Celie et al. of nearly 200,000 participants in a 15km (~9mi) road race over a period of twelve years.¹ With such a large number of participants, the authors were able to make some statistically powerful predictions. Probably the best news is that for each year over 40, the runners in this study slowed by only 0.2%. That’s about one second per mile per year.

There’s more good news if you’re a woman: As runners age, the gap between men and women shrinks significantly. By age 60, women have made up five of the ~15% difference in performance that separates the genders at age 40. While both genders slow at roughly a linear rate from 40 to 60, men’s performance decreases more sharply afterwards, while women continue on a roughly linear track.

The study also parsed runners into “trained” and “untrained” categories, presumably from something like a survey question on the race’s registration form. As you might expect, trained runners were almost 16% faster than untrained ones. If you’ve got a keen eye for math, you’ll realize there’s more good news for women: a trained woman should be able to edge out an untrained man! (from https://runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/how-much-does-age-effect-running-performance)

So you do get slower as you age. But not a lot.

In Lore of Running, Tim Noakes makes the interesting observation:

that most of the best runners over age 45 are late starters. Your typical age-group record setter in the older masters divisions only started running in his or her late 20s or early 30s. A classic example of this phenomenon is Kathryn Martin, who started running at 30 and then rewrote the U.S. record book in the 50-54 and 55-59 age groups. (from http://running.competitor.com/2014/04/training/study-late-starters-run-faster-in-older-years_8283#CsWQzFlHo7SalU5L.99)

It is weird that Adult Onset Runners are defined as ones who did not run in high school or college and only started in their 30s.

But what if you only started running at age 55!!??

I guess I’m an OLDER Adult Onset Runner. And I can’t find any research on that.

So I plan to continue running – racing all distances (except the marathon) and whatever happens happens. If I stay healthy, a PR will be just gravy.

Heat

I can’t remember a summer this hot and humid.

And I like hot weather. But I just feel like doing this:

Not this:

Adirondack Distance Run

It was 93 degrees yesterday at 5 pm and I thought I was going to have heat stroke. Alyssa was understanding about my need to stop and walk.

Races

I can’t stop myself from signing up for weekend races even though I should be starting my training for my fall half marathon.

well at last $25

This Sunday is my third 5k of July.

Happy Running! What do you think about age and speed? Are you running in this heat? How about summer races? Doing any?

July 27, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Kerfuffle

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.

Today’s word is kerfuffle.

What a funny sounding word. So what does it mean?

A commotion or mess, especially one caused by conflicting views

So how does this relate to my running? Have I experienced any kerfuffles? You bet!!

The Weather Kerfuffle

The Lake George Half in 2011.

The day before, the weather was 60 degrees and sunny.

The day of the race, it was 30 degrees, snow on the ground, sleeting and hailing the whole race.

I was not at home and could not prepare for unexpected weather.

The Short Course Kerfuffle

Strawberry Fest 5k in 2014.

Strawberry fest 5K

I started to speed up during the 3rd mile and then… it was over!!!

Apparently, the police had blocked off part of the course so it was NOT 3.1 miles. It was more like 2.25 or so. I was on a PR pace too.

The Alarm Clock/ Packet Pickup Kerfuffle

Walkway Half Marathon in 2015.

It was held about 1 1/2 hrs from where I live but there was no day of race packet pick up. I contacted them and they said that I would have to get someone else to pick it up. I put out a frantic call on FB and got someone to do it.

Then we had a power outage the night before so my alarm clock did not go off. I scrambled and ran out of the house and arrived at the race to find that there was ONE entrance to college where it started. Lots of traffic so I was late meeting the runner with my bib (did find her on the porta potty line). To make matters worse, they delayed the start of the race due to the traffic and they were handing out bibs the day of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at least I got chocolate milk and a cool medal.

The Broken Foot Kerfuffle

Freihofer’s Run for Women 2013.

After being out most of 2012 with ankle surgery and a foot stress fracture, I was excited to be healthy again. At the mile 1 water stop, I hesitated on the slippery ground and turned my weak ankle and felt something scary.

Of course, I did what every smart runner does. Stop so I don’t make it worse.

NOT!

I continued to run…my gait was way off and my foot hurt with every step but I ran on….. until I crossed the finish line (and I had a fast time!)

After I finished, I headed to the Medic tent to ice my foot. The doctor there suggested I get an xray.

So I limped 1.5 miles back to my car.

I was still in denial but my foot was starting to turn purple and I knew what that meant.

Xray results: clean break of the fifth metatarsal

No Signs on the Course Kerfuffle

Monster Scramble 10K

This was a small race and a 5k plus a 10k. Even fewer runners were running the 10K and both races started at the same time. Things started out well. Everyone was in costume and the volunteers were handing out candy. However, they must have forgotten that there were runners doing the 10k. The volunteers disappeared and we had no idea where to run. So we made our own course and eventually found our way back to the finish line.

done!

Poorly Organized Half Marathon Kerfuffle

RNR Brooklyn 2015

A Rock N Roll Race should be fun, right?

Not this one.

It started with a pathetic expo but then I can live with that. But they over sold the parking so many runners had to miss the race (luckily that was not me.)

The pre-race details include: poor signage, miles of walking to check bags, more miles of walking to enter corrals, inadequate number of security guards (lines to enter took forever so they eventually discontinued it), 1 port a potty per thousand runners (one in each corral), late start.

The race itself had no music except at the end. Yes, this was a RNR race. The post race refreshments were blah (No bagels. hey, we’re in NYC!!)

And then more miles of walking to get out of the park to get to the subway (no signage = lots of clueless tired wandering runners).

The Canceled Race Kerfuffle

Vermont City Marathon 2016

I ran the relay. But I ran the second leg so I didn’t start until around 11 am. Due to the heat and humidity, the race started at Red alert. (The highest before they had to cancel.)

waiting to begin

So by the time I had run 4 miles, the race was cancelled.

I didn’t have a problem with that but the race officials were encouraging runners to quit and get on buses by lying to them. We were being told that there were be no water, no medical support, no timing, no photos, no finish line and to quit would be the only way to get your medal.

I and many others kept running and found none of what they said to be true. Except that I had to walk a significant distance to the buses to get my medal.

But if you run as many races as I do, you are bound to experiences some kerfuffles.

Happy Running! How about you? Any racing snafus?

July 26, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Summer Runs

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Summer Scenes From My Run

In the summer, I try to run in different places. Here are few of my favorites:

Peebles Island – there’s a park with a trail and lots of bridges to run over in the surrounding area.

Zim Smith Bike Path – a nice peaceful trail plus you can park in a bakery’s parking lot.

Central Park in NYC – only ran there once unfortunately

Delmar Rail Trail – I run here the most often because it’s nearby.

Bolton Landing – I love running here in the summer especially for the views of Lake George (We keep our boat here so I only get to run here in the summer.)

The Crossings – another local park where I run.

Colonie Town Park – a park and a bike path

Corning Bike Path – nice flat route along the Hudson River

Chestertown/Brant Lake Along the Schroon River – another summer only spot (My friend has a house here and it’s not far from our boat.)

I am not really training for anything right now. My next half is on September 18. I have just been running short distances. Besides it’s hot and I am enjoying my scenery. But soon I will have to increase those weekend miles. Very soon!

Happy Running! Where is your favorite spot to run in the summertime?

July 25, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Another trip to NYC with two friends on a steamy day. We went on a history/eating tour of Nolita (Northern Little Italy). It was a lot of fun and boy was the food good. Then we took a tour of the Tenement Museum which was very interesting.

Tuesday – I skipped my AM tennis in favor of a run. It wasn’t great but I needed to burn off of some calories. I did play tennis in the evening.

on the Corning Bike Path

Wednesday – Went for a walk and out to lunch with my BFF. Spent hours catching up and then I met Alyssa for a run. I haven’t run this well in a while. We are a good match because we push each other.

Thursday – I played tennis early in the am and then had a hair appointment. I went for a short run in between the two.

Friday – Lots of gardening today which tired me out. So no tennis, no walking, no running. But since I was hosting mah jongg I had to shop and clean.

Saturday – Very hot day and I ran a 5k. Even stopped on the way home to drag myself through 3 more miles.

met lots of friends and placed 3rd in my AG

it was slow…I didn’t want to do it…it was 90 degrees but it’s done

Sunday – Spent the whole day on the water. (Except for a long hike on land along the lake. Had to get my 10k steps.)

17 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run, hiking in the Adirondacks
Tuesday – work at the bar exam, rest, theatre in the park
Wednesday – country club tennis, 4 mile run with a friend
Thursday – rest, work at the bar exam
Friday – work at the bar exam, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating or garage sale
Sunday – 5k race + 4 more miles, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

July 23, 2016 by Darlene

Silks & Satins 5K Race Recap

July 23, 2016

This used to be one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

in 2008 – my first year of running

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race. Since then I have completed 20 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years, I ran this 5k again last year. And my time was 28:41. So things haven’t changed that much.

except that now I always run in skirts….

The course had changed for 2015. I assumed that it would be the same this year.

Here is the new course map:

15 turns in this course!!

The race started at 8 am. That meant that I had to get up at 5:30.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not there was already a lot of traffic at 7 am. I was glad to have left early and found parking in a nearby lot. (I was careful this year to park in the correct lot. Last year, I almost got towed.)

obligatory pre-race pic

I picked up my bib and shirt and then went back to my car and watched the horses work out for a bit.

tech shirt but it is uni-sex

There were about 1000 runners at this race.So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces: Judith, fellow blogger & Skirt Sports Ambassador, Christine, law professor where I used to work, Michele, a former student of mine, Sue who I used to play tennis with among many others.

The weather was quite warm …near 80 at the start and HUMID. So not ideal running conditions. I wasn’t planning to PR anyway.

Soon we headed to the start. It wasn’t chip-timed but it was too crowded to get closer to the front and I didn’t really want to.

And so we were off.

It seems like everyone was passing me by…because they were. As usual, my first mile was too fast. My plan was to have negative splits and but it never happened.

It was HOT. It was HUMID. I tried to run in the shade when there was shade and run the tangents (all 15 of them). Unlike my last 5k, I only walked at the one water stop at the halfway point. And as it turned out, my legs were tired and I probably should have walked at each mile.

I spotted a guy I knew who passed me at the water stop. I tried to keep up with him..in vain but finally crossed the finish line at 28:27.

It was actually a little faster than last year so that’s a plus but slower than two weeks ago when I ran a much hillier 5k.

I searched for my friends but Sue was the only one I could find.

Last year, the refreshments consisted of bagels & chocolate milk. This year, watermelon & bananas. I had several.

watermelon on a hot day – yum!

They posted the results pretty quickly. I was shocked that I came in third in my age group. I guess it depends on who shows up. (Last year, I was 6th.)

and I got a nice medal.

Besides all the turns, it was a pretty flat course. The race is well-organized. I will do this race again.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:45
mile 2 – 9:22
mile 3 – 9:27
.1 – 7:19

28:23 (Garmin time)

I was not going up to the lake until tomorrow. So I took advantage of this opportunity to get some more miles in. I drove to Saratoga Spa Park for a change of scenery. It is such as beautiful park but it was 90 degrees now and I was tired. I walked/ran/walked/ran/stopped to eat/walked/ran..DONE!

Avenue of the Pines

Eew. check the possum on the right side of the road

Hall of Springs

so tempting…

So I survived the heat and can’t wait to spend Sunday on the lake.

my hubby today… me tomorrow

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

July 22, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: NYC

My Friday Five topic this week is My Favorite Things To Do in NYC

It’s no secret that I love NYC and I try to visit as often as I can. When I go, I like to be active. So here are my 5 favorites:

Run In Central Park

You can either take a City Running Tour where you have a guide who tells the history of what you are seeing while you run….

our tour guide

or you can get a map and run around the park on your own. You do have to go back many times. The park is HUGE!!!

Jackie O Reservoir

Either way, you must do it.

2. Take a Food Tour

There are quite a few that your can take. I have done Greenwich Village and Little Italy with Best Tours (2 hour tours) and NoHo/Nolita with Foods of New York (3 hour tours). All were excellent. You walk, learn about the history and culture of the area and EAT!! I can’t wait to do another.

Italian pastries – yum!

bagels 🙂

best pizza ever

sorry no pic of the black out cupcake but it was delish!!

3. Run a Race

There are so many to choose from. Check out NYCRuns.org or NYRR.org for the schedule.

after the Dash to the Finish 5k

4. Visit a Museum

Don’t worry, the museums are large and you will get a lot of walking in.

My favorites are:

MOMA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

NY Botanical Gardens

Here is a complete list of ALL the NYC museums – https://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html

5. Take a Boat Ride

Okay, you don’t get a lot of exercise on the boat but you can walk around when you get off.

The most popular one is the Circle Line Cruise to see the Statue of Liberty and or Ellis Island.

I love taking the Staten Island Ferry (and it’s FREE).

There are also boats that you can eat on such as the North River Lobster Company.

I could keep on going and going but I’ll just add one more:

6. Walk the streets or the High Line and people watch.

You never know who you will see on the street. Anyone recognize him?

my BFF on The High Line

I even made my hubby walk it

Happy Running! Have you done any of the above in NYC? Anything else to add as your favorite?

July 20, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Pragmatic

Today’s word is PRAGMATIC.

This is how the word is defined:

Pragmatic people have their feet on the ground and their heads there, too. No time for dreaming! They’re realistic. A pragmatic approach to something is the sensible one.

In life and with my running, I am NOT very pragmatic.

I am impulsive!

That’s not to say I do not plan. I do. A Lot.

But I make decisions and afterward, plan and think about them.

Is that good for a runner? Probably not.

But I am 63, still running and winning age group awards so here is my take on the benefits of NOT being pragmatic.

You take risks and find out that you are capable of more than you thought.

2f1c4-napleshm

After only running 5k races, I signed up for a half marathon. I didn’t tell anyone because I wasn’t sure I was could do it. Best decision ever. I can say that now after running 19 more halfs.

You meet super people that you never would have.

I agreed to help 2 runners whom I barely knew run their first half in Philly (I met one during a race running up a long hill) and I roomed someone else that I had never met before. We had a great time and I have stayed in touch with them ever since.

You create memorable experiences.

frw12tu

I had ankle surgery and hadn’t run in 5 months. I had signed up for the race and planned to walk it but when the gun went off, I started to run and didn’t stop until the end. This photo made the cover of the local newspaper. Yes, it was stupid and I could have experienced a serious set back but I will never forget crossing the finish line with tears running down my face. The ortho told me that I wouldn’t run again and this meant that I would.

Things never turn how how you plan anyway.

I ran a half in April and then ran some 5ks and went on vacation to Florida. So I never got around to training for this May half marathon. I decided to run it anyway and it turned out fine. The race got canceled due to the heat. And the non-pragmatic me ran the 13.1 miles rather than getting the bus.

You face your fears and become more confident.

I signed up for the RNR Brooklyn without any idea about the logistics. I didn’t have a place to stay, the hotels were too expensive and I hadn’t been to Brooklyn since I was 5. I wound up staying in a AirBNB, navigating the subways and being a solo tourist in a new place. It was scary at first but since then I have run a 5K in NYC and plan to do it again in November. The subways don’t scare me anymore nor do walking the streets alone.

Being spontaneous is more fun.

denver2

I was in Denver at a conference. I wanted to run. I also wanted to see the city. So I skipped the workshops on the last day and signed up for a City Running Tour. I had never done one. It was about 100 degrees and my guide was young and fast. But it was awesome. Who knew?

Many of you will think me crazy. And I urge you to continue stretching, planning and doing whatever has made you a successful runner.

Happy Running! Are you a Pragmatic runner?

July 18, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I was planning on playing inter-club tennis but it had rained all night and the courts were too wet to play on. Instead I went to the gym and then on a long walk on the trail trail. No running despite the good weather.

perfect weather on my rest day – darn!

Tuesday – I played tennis in the AM with my Troy Tennis Group and afterwards we had a barbecue. Then did some errands which included a trip to Target.

I couldn’t resist

all natural ingredients – who needs to bake when you can buy these?

I had planned to run with Alyssa in the evening but she had to cancel. So I went to UAlbany to run alone. My hubby was playing an important tennis match there. (But I got done running right after the finished and he had lost 😦 )

Wednesday – A lazy hot day. I did drag myself to the gym which was nice and cool. Ran 1 mile on the treadmill.

Then went for a short sweaty run.

Thursday – I played tennis early in the am and then since my good friend from Florida was in town, a few of us decided to go on a day trip.

We went to The Mount in Lenox, Mass. We took a tour of Edith Wharton’s house, had lunch and then a tour of her gardens. We also strolled around the town of Lenox afterwards.

Friday – A run before AM tennis, lunch with old friends and then I took off for the lake.

teaching & quilting buddies

afternoon on the beach with a good book and then evening with friends at the marina

Saturday – Today began my tennis weekend with my besties at a house on the Schroon River. Got in a short run before everyone arrived. The day included lots of tennis, eating, swimming, laughter and more….

Sunday – I had slept on my boat at the marina (it’s not from the Schroon River house) and got a great run in before returning to the river house..

The rest of the day was spent with my friends…playing tennis, eating, swimming, relaxing, chatting, eating …

Great to get away and spend time with these wonderful women.

Celebrated National Ice Cream Day 3 days in a row.

After everyone left, I went back to the marina and went out to dinner with my hubby and some boating friends.

Yes, diet starts tomorrow. Wait…I’m going to NYC. Diet starts Tuesday!!!

15.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday -rest – day in NYC
Tuesday – tennis Am, tennis PM
Wednesday – mall walk with BFF, 4 mile run
Thursday – AM tennis, 4 mile run, rest, hair appt
Friday – AM tennis, rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5K race + more miles
Sunday – rest, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races? How are you celebrating July 4th?