Yup, I’ll be running my first half marathon of 2019 in one month….gulp!
Last week –
Monday – My legs felt good despite doing my long run the day before so I took advantage and ran after work in my town …for a change.
still holiday decorations around
Tuesday – No running today since I was scheduled to sub in my former tennis group. I was pretty rusty but it was fun catching up with my Tues. tennis pals and of course, at dinner after.
Wednesday – Fleet Feet again offered an after work run as part of their running club. I thought about it and I may go next Wed (It’s at Nine Pin Cider) but I decided to run locally again instead since I had errands to run. Luckily the rain had stopped but boy was it windy!!!
the rail trail was still light for the first mile at least
Thursday – An after work run at UAlbany with one of the Sole Sisters. Another windy night!! We froze. But always glad to have someone to run with.
Friday – Another rest day (even colder and still windy) and still home so I could go play mah jongg.
if case you’ve never played, this is what it looks like…just add lots of conversation and laughter…we are competitive and you can win from $.25 to $1.00 a game. High stakes.
Saturday – Long run Saturday with the Sole Sisters. This week, we met to run at the Corning Bike Path. It was VERY cold (teens) but at least the sun was out and the wind had died out. I ran my 10 miles with Judy (8 with Barbara) and I was glad for their company.
This week, our run was followed by a book club. We all read Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor and got together to eat and discuss the book. First knitting, now reading. What will our running group tackle next?
But on a sad note-
no words. just tears
Sunday – Today I ran in the Winters Series #3 Race. Usually I run the 10k distance but because I ran long the day before, I switched to the 3 miler. I’m glad that I did and it’s always a fun time (even though it was 2 with the windchill, my Garmin battery was dead and my shoe was untied for the whole race) since I get to meet up with so many familiar faces.
This Coming Week –
Monday – 3 miles, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – rest day, tennis sub
Wednesday –3 miles (FF Cider run?)
Thursday – 3 miles with SS
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 11 miles with my Sole Sisters (Feb. 10 half marathon training continues), anniversary dinner (20 years on 1/16)
It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
Healthy Miles, Quality and Successful Racing, Consistency
NEEDS TO WORK ON:
Goals, Strength Training, Speed, Leaving my Comfort Zone
Well, change is not easy.
Here’s what I have planned:
1. Run 1000 miles.
It’s just a number. But that number means two things to me. I have been running consistently all year and that I have not been injured.
2. Take some yoga classes.
I’m not good at yoga. I have zero flexibility. But it is relaxing and my life is not. So I think it will help me both mentally and physically.
3. Do some strength or cross training.
I hope to play more tennis starting in June but I do have access to a local free gym. I’d like to get there on some of my rest days. 4. Train seriously for One Race.
Not sure which one but I have already registered for five half marathons so maybe the local one. Or maybe a 5k.
5. And finally…. Finish a 26.2 mile race.
Yes, you heard that right. I haven’t registered yet (next week) but it seems crazy not to take advantage of qualifying for this year’s NYC Marathon.
I hope that I can convince some local runners to help me train and some other runners (yes, you bloggers) to meet me in NYC on Nov. 3).
I have also considered registering and then deferring until 2020.
So there you have it. My plans for 2019 are written. Now I have to execute them. Stay tuned for periodic progress reports.
Happy Running! Any goals or plans for 2019? Please share.
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.
In 2015, I ran the Hangover Half (as a training run.)
and it was a very cold one
Then in 2016, 2017 and 2018, I wasn’t that crazy and I only ran the 3.5 Miler.
It was definitely more enjoyable so I decided to run the 3.5 miler again. They call it a 3.5 miler but I realize each year after the race that it is actually 3.75 miles.
Starting at noon meant that I was able to enjoy my New Year’s Eve.
it wasn’t a late night since the entertainment was so bad…
I arrived at UAlbany early figuring that there are a lot of local runners who do these races and I wanted to get a close parking space.
The weather was so much better than last year (even the re-scheduled race date was freezing). Today it was forecast to be in the high 40s but I worried about the wind on this course. It is always windy!
I took a big risk and wore a skirt. The good thing was that there is an indoor place to hang out before and after the race.
with Judy, Sherry, Judy and Barbara – some of the Sole Sisters
This race brings out everyone I know who runs – from running groups, races, friends, etc.
So it was great seeing everyone and catching up. I immediately bumped into runners that I know from races and lots of Sole Sisters. We hung out inside and chatted until the very last moment when we had to go outside.
I was hesitant about what to wear. I was afraid that my cap would blow off with the 40 mph wind gusts or that I would be cold without a jacket (which I brought). In the end, I went with my gut and I was perfectly dressed.
Eventually we did have to leave the nice warm building and climb down the stairs and head to the start.
I just squeezed in near the front in order to keep warm and be shielded from the wind.
I told myself to have a “relaxing” race and not try anything stupid and get hurt.
This course is not flat. There are annoying hills throughout. Nothing awful until you are tired (at mile 3).
pic from last year…no snow this year but no blue skies either
This was the first year that I can remember that there was NO ice or snow.
I won’t lie. I was a little cold especially with the wind but at times, I was warm and unzipped my vest. I even eventually took off my gloves. I was happy with my clothing choice.
There were about 230 runners running the 3.5 miler (and 225 in the half). I was never running alone. I ran with someone I knew several times when they caught up to me but soon they left me behind.
I wasn’t bothered at all by my apparent lack of speed. I was just trying to get a run in. I wanted to run the race without walking too since I rarely do that during my weekday training runs. And I did for the first two miles. In fact, I was feeling pretty good.
There were no mile markers on the course but I could hear my Garmin beep. I couldn’t pay attention to my pace or time because my Garmin was under my long sleeves. (Probably a good thing.)
another pic from a previous year
As I mentioned, I was feeling pretty good until mile 3. This was the most boring part of the course as well as uphill. To make matters worse, the wind was incredible here. There were times that I felt like I was not even moving forward. I struggled and the wind seem to suck the life out of my legs. Runners were passing me by, even a runner pushing a child in a stroller. I finally gave it and walked. But it was just as hard to walk into the wind and so I started running again. At this point, I just wanted to finish.
Finally, it was over and I was surprised to see that the clock read 33:XX minutes. I knew that it would not be a course PR but I actually thought that I was even slower than that.
So I sprinted and crossed at 34:14 (according to my Garmin) and 34:15 on their clock.
I was content!!
Soon after, Karen and Alyssa finished. We chatted and then Barbara and Judy came in.
We waited for Judy and then went inside. Somehow we missed Sherry.
These free races are not chip-timed. They handed you a piece of paper and then you recorded your time.
Mile splits:
mile 1: 8:50
mile 2: 9:01
mile 3: 9:27
.75 – 9:23
Good old positive splits. Nothing has changed for 2019. LOL
Again this year, the course was long!! I was surprised that in these windy conditions I was faster than last year (35:45) and not far behind my course PR from the year before (34:04). Nevertheless, I was happy with how I ran the race. I never felt really tired or that I was pushing hard. I think if it weren’t for the wind, I could have run the whole thing and had an even better finish time.
Definitely not disappointed to not have chosen to run 13.1 miles in this weather.
For a free race, they have decent refreshments – vegetable soup, bread, fruit, cookies, hot cocoa.
And I had all of the above and many pieces of cranberry bread.
I waited around for awhile and chatted with other runners and for Barbara’s niece to finish the half marathon.
They give 10 year AG awards to the top 2 in each group. Two years ago, I won 2nd place and a free loaf of bread. Not so this year. I was 5th.
So a race and a perfect way to start off 2019!
As you know, the Tuesdays on the Run link up has been retired. There is now a new link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). The new link up is called Tuesday Topics and starts today!!
Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.
Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). and you should too.
It’s been enough time since my marathon so that I can objectively look back on the experience.
Here’s what I learned:
The marathon is more than a race.
It’s a complete experience. From the training runs to the expo to the race itself to the recovery.
training
I have so glad that I had friends to share it all.
the expo
I am so happy that I chose to run NYC as my first ’cause I believe that there is no other like it.
pre-race bagels, coffe & hats
The mind controls the legs.
I was so afraid during the second half of the race that I was injured that I could barely run. My back…my quad, my ankle. I’ll never run again, I thought.
But yet I was not injured. I felt fine the next day.
I’m not diappointed in my finish time…but geez.. if only I didn’t listen to my brain.
I was hurting here but didn’t want my freinds to worry
Everyone prepares and recovers differently.
I was worried that I didn’t do longer runs mid-week. They were on the plan but my job got in the way of the plan and so I kept them all short.
Many runners recommended that I rest after the race. One even said that she took a month off from running after her first marathon.
But my legs felt great. So I ran a 15k a week after.
Just follow your gut asnd do what works for you.
It’s worth the pain.
Yes, it hurt….it hurt a lot.
No regrets.
For a millisecond I considered running NYCM 2020.
It’s not because I think the marathon was responsible for my foot pain.
But because I feel so fortunate to have have run 6 halfs and a full without any foot pain.
What if it happened during my marathon training or even worse during the race?
Monday – For the first time ever, I had to work today. As a result, our NYE plans were last minute. Two of my running friends mentioned an event that they were going to – Eden Cafe celebrating a Brazilian New Year’s Eve (parts of Brazil celebrate midnight at our 10 pm.) with an Improvisational Comedy Troupe along with other comedians and musical entertainers and food. The hubby, his friend and I decided to join them. Definitely something different for us. I won’t go into details but we won’t be repeating this event.
at least the food and the company were good…
Tuesday – First race of 2019. Winter Series #2. A 3.5 miler or 13.1. I chose the 3.5 miles (really 3.75) which started at noon. A fun race with lots of runner friends.
yes I wore a skirt and didn’t regret it.
Wednesday – Our local Fleet Feet offered a Resolution Run so I signed up. I get tired of my after work running route (UAlbany) though I would prefer getting my run done right after work and not waiting 2 hours. I was afraid that I would know no one (Judy was not participating in the run) and that the runners would all be fast. It was not the case. I met a nice lady and we chatted before and after the run. She was much too slow to run with but I did run in the DARK with a nice bunch of ladies. Glad I went. It’s important every now and then to leave your comfort zone.
3.25 miles
Thursday – An after work run at UAlbany with 3 Sole Sisters. Always glad to have company on my runs.
dark at the end but at least light at the beginning now
Friday – A well deserved rest day and an evening home to play mah jongg.
Saturday – Long run Saturday with the Sole Sisters got rained out so a rest and errands day.
Sunday – Long run with the Sole Sisters was rescheduled. We chose to run on the Zim Smith Trail. We have been so lucky this winter with no ice or snow and almost perfect weather, Today was no exception. Runners arrived at different times and ran different distances. I ran 7 miles with Barbara, Judy and Sherry and then the last 3 by myself. During that segment, I bumped into my Patrick, my Freihofer and Turkey Trot coach and we ran together for a bit. A nice surprise.
Our run was followed by brunch at Leah’s Cakery where I consumed chocolate milk, quiche and a brownie (well, I did run 10 miles!)
This Coming Week –
Monday – 4 miles
Tuesday – rest day, tennis sub
Wednesday –4 miles
Thursday – 3 miles with SS
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 10-11 miles with my Sole Sisters (Feb. 10 half marathon training continues)
to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
And the first one of 2019!!
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I will not be travelling to NYC until February. I will definitely miss my scenic running routes and my NYC running friends.
along the East R
along the Hudson R
in Central Park
Elizabeth
with Cari
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that in addition to not traveling to NYC, I will be training mostly locally in the future (I think). That means few Enterprise miles, fewer train points, fewer free hotel rooms and airline miles, but more time for other things such as running with friends, yoga classes, movies, and tennis.
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I am enjoying knitting again and reading Deena’s book.
it will be a reversible wool beanie
Anyone else knit or have read this book? Any other running book recommendations?
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that that the Sole Sisters have expanded their run ops. In addition to Saturday long runs, they have added Tues and Thurs after work runs. Sometimes my runs are slower and sometimes faster when I am not alone but they are definitely more enjoyable with friends.
Do you need company on your runs or are you good solo?
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that my college roommate has been bugging me to visit her at her new home (on the water in RI) and run a half marathon. In 2017, her house wasn’t finished yet. I was running Montreal last year but I had no excuse for 2019.
over 40 years of friendship
Sept 8, 2019
I am weak…how about you? Can you resist temptation in signing up for new fun races?
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I am getting closer to making the decision whether or not to run 2019 NYCM (I time qualified based on my Brooklyn half time). But I still can’t wrap my head around 26.2 miles and training for such. I have from January 14 until Feb 14 to decide.
Nov 3, 2019? Still a maybe….
Anyone else running the NYC Half? or the Brooklyn Hot Chocolate 15k? Anyone signing up for or running the NYC Marathon?
Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I would normally be excited that my hubby is becoming more active. (He can be a couch potato.) He has been playing tennis more and more. Now he says he wants to go with one of his teams to the WTT National Qualifier Tournament in SC. No problem, right? Except that it’s the same weekend as my next half marathon in Florida – the race-cation that I have been planning for almost a year.
I could have picked any weekend to race (There are 150 halfs in Florida.) Grrrrrrrrrr!
He’s excited because if the team wins, they can to go to Nationals in Palm Springs. What weekend is that? Nov 2-4, 2019!!!!
Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
My Topic this week is: My Assessment of 2018
I’m a teacher at heart. (once a teacher, always a teacher.)
And you can’t grow in the future unless you assess the past.
Yes, it was a good year meaning lots of bling, miles and races. You’ve seen my pictures but do they really tell the story?
Here’s my story:
1. I ran 894.5 miles.
I didn’t have a goal of 1000 miles but it was a number than I wanted to meet and I have the past two years.
2017 – 1041.5 miles
2016 – 1046 miles
2015 – 969 miles
2014 – 911 miles
not this year
Why did my mileage drop?
I am happy to report that it was not because of an injury. Everything felt fine all year and I never stretched, taped or used a foam roller.
I did not train hard for any race. I shortened or skipped runs and long runs. Those miles add up.
I do not think any of my race times suffered. It’s just a number anyway.
2. I ran 30 races. 13 were 5k races. Ten were new races. Four of the new ones were half marathons (& one 20k).
Again fewer than previous years. I have run 40 or close to it in the past.
But it was a conscious choice not because I was injured.
I’m a social runner and racing to me is a way to run and meet up with other runners. But with the ability to run with runner friends on the weekends, I didn’t feel the need to sign up for as many races.
my BRFs
The ones I did run, I enjoyed and I always try to run different races each year. These tended to be halfs but at least 2 others were new local ones.
I ran 6 halfs in 2017, and 7 in 2016 and 2015. If you count the Paris 20k then I was close this year (with 5), as well.
3. I continued to win my age group in most of the races I entered.
This happens when you are in an old lady’s age group. But still, it makes me happy. I am most proud of winning in longer races such as RnR Montreal Half, Brew 2 Brew Half, Pelham Half and in NYC races (Brooklyn Speed Series 5ks, Ice Cream Social 5k, Governor’s Is 5k and Poland Spring 5m)
very surprised to do well on this hard course
4. Although I did have THREE PRs (5k. 5m, 15k), more important were the COURSE PRs.
I know I am slowing down. I’m not sure how much or how often. It just feels harder every time I go out there.
But I had many course PRs at races that I have run multiple times – Cherry Blossom 5k, Freihofers 5k, Stockade-athon 15k, Bacon Hill 5k, Summer Smith 5k, Delmar Dash, Shamrock Shuffle, among others.
5. My Finish times were for the most part consistent (at least for the shorter distances).
Considering my lack of training, (I run but don’t follow a plan per se nor do I do any speed drills), I did ok.
I didn’t break any speed records. But I finished 9 of my 5ks under 28 minutes. That elusive sub 27 still stands (and may stand forever.)
My half times were:
Brew 2 Brew -2:19:56
Brooklyn -2:11:23
Montreal -2:11:48
Pelham -2:20:09
Not close to my PR (2:06:52) but the important time (under 2:12:00) was Brooklyn which qualified me for NYC Half and NYC Marathon.
13.1 miles in Brooklyn
So my assessment for 2018 is:
STRENGTHS:
Healthy Miles, Quality and Successful Racing, Consistency
NEEDS TO WORK ON:
Goals, Strength Training, Speed, Leaving my Comfort Zone
Stay turned for next week when I’ll look ahead to 2019.
Happy Running! Do you assess your year of running? If so, how did you do?
One of my most favorite things to do is look back at my photos.
They remind me why I love running and racing.
Here are the highlights month by month:
JANUARY
a bunch of free local races and runs with friends
Winter Series #4
Winter Series #2
FEBRUARY
some cold temps and then some unseasonably warm temps, lots of work travel runs and two races
Polar Cap Run
Winter Series #5
MARCH
A race-cation in Florida helps get me through this long winter. Then it is back home and two local races.
Brew 2 Brew Half Marathon
Shamrock Shuffle
APRIL
Spring racing has begun with three races
Delmar Dash
a rainy Cherry Blossom race
MAY
my birthday month, an annual tennis vacation in Florida and of course races, like FIVE of them
Tropicool 5k
Workforce Challenge
Brooklyn Half Marathon
Prospect Park Track Club Summer Speed Series #1
JUNE
the racing season continues with four races as boating on the lake begins
Freihofer Run for Women
Brooklyn Ice Cream Social
Adirondack Race to the Lakes
JULY
warmer temps mean less racing (just one race) and more boating and tennis
Silks and Satins 5k
AUGUST
A few races cancelled and only one mid-week race
Hump Day 5k
our race got cancelled but we did get to run over the Brooklyn Bridge
SEPTEMBER
Finally one of the race-cations I’d been looking forward to and the re-scheduled NYC race in addition to lots of work travel to NYC
Governor’s Island 5k
RnR Montreal ( I ran the 5k and the half)
Skirt Sports Sister meet-up in NYC
another meeting with fellow blogger Cari
OCTOBER
the long awaited trip to France and another NYC race
run in Paris with Karen
Poland Spring Marathon Kick Off
NOVEMBER
The racing season winds down with a 15k and my last (and hardest) half marathon of the year
Stockade-athon
Pelham Half Marathon
DECEMBER
and so it ends with a holiday 5k and a free local race
Albany Last Run
Winter Series #1
I realized that after picking those pictures above that they had nothing to do with age group awards or finish times.
In fact, many of them were not stellar running/racing efforts yet they were memorable for many other reasons.
I ran a lot of races in 2018 and each was special in a different way. Some were new experiences and some were races that I’ve run over and over again. Many were with friends but many were solo attempts. Very few were PRs and I’m sure a few were PWs.
But I think I had a smile on my face during each and every one.
Last week, I wrote about the BEST of 2018. As you know with running, everything is not “wine and roses.”
Here are some of the not so stellar moments of 2018.
Worst Race(s)
So what determines a “bad” race? Slowest?? Hardest? Ugliest course? Most unorganized?
Any of the above.
Les 20 km de Paris
Due to the heat and lack of water, this was a very tough race.
Brew 2 Brew Half Marathon
This course was awful – around a parking lot and then on a main road with traffic.
Brooklyn Half Marathon
This was bad only because of the weather – freezing and wet for all 13.1 miles,
RnR Montreal Half Marathon
A very poorly organized race with an ugly course route and no food at the end.
Pelham Half Marathon
The hilliest course I’ve ever seen.
Worst Run(s)
Any run done on a treadmill, of course.
And probably one that I did in sub-zero temps.
There also was the time that I tripped over a dog on the streets of Manhattan. No photo of my injuries, however.
Worst Picture(s) from a Run or Race
This is hard because I usually fake smile when I see a photographer or delete the photo if it is ugly. But I found a few not so flattering ones:
Race Experience(s) you would never repeat:
The only one would be Brew 2 Brew because there are so many other half marathons in Florida in the winter. (And yes, the medal was that small.)
You can’t control the weather or the hills. I am sure with all the negative reviews, RnR Montreal will be greatly improved next year.
As you know, the Tuesdays on the Run link up has been retired. There is now a new link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). The new link up is called Tuesday Topics and will start on January 8th!
Slow week at work (everyone on vacation but me) … but lot’s of eating and partying going on…
Last week –
Monday – A little snow but not enough to prevent me from squeezing in a short run before finishing my Christmas shopping (Why yes, it was the last minute.) But when I went to change, I realized that I had forgotten my tights so the shopping won.
kitties + egg nog + Elf on TV = Christmas Eve
Tuesday – A early morning run with Jeri, followed by playing Santa, visiting my MIL for a family dinner and then a movie. One busy Christmas Day.
used my NEW Starbucks Roastery mug and convinced my RBF to do 2 loops instead of one
❤ these kids
great film
Wednesday – Still eating and celebrating. This time my BFF’s birthday (dinner and a movie). I did take a lunch walk.
not even close to the original..oh well
Thursday – An after work run at UAlbany with some Sole Sisters. Always glad to have company on my runs.
an old pic – just take away the leaves on the trees and add darkness and we only ran 3 miles
Friday – Another rest day and finally home to play mah jongg.
Saturday – Long run Saturday with the Sole Sisters. This week we chose the Nisky Bike Path. We had a big crowd this week. I ran the first 3 miles with Judy & Sherry, the next 5 with just Sherry and the final mile solo.
Our run (of all distances and paces) was followed by brunch, of course.
Sunday – Was supposed to be a rest day but I decided to take it on NYE instead and run locally followed by a visit to my MIL’s, then catch up day around the house.
chose the Crossings since my MIL lives not far – my only solo run of the week (I tried to get Judy to run with me but she chose the movies instead LOL)
This Coming Week –
Monday -rest day, NYE dinner out & movie
Tuesday – Day OFF, Winter Series #2 race (3.75m)
Wednesday –3 miles (FF Resolution Run)
Thursday – 3 miles with SS
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 miles with my Sole Sisters (Feb. 10 half marathon training continues)
My First 5K and More... 