December 10, 2015 by Darlene

TOLT: EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

So I’ll keep you in suspense about my recent half marathon a few days longer….

Last Friday, I left the not so frigid Northeast and hoped for smooth flights to West Palm Beach, Fla.

And the weather cooperated. I left Albany at 5:30 am for DC (my co-worker’s daughter was on the same flight) and then took another flight which arrived in West Palm at around 11:30 am. Both flights were on-time. (This isn’t normal for me.)

I packed very light for this trip and only had a carry on and a back pack. (My hubby couldn’t believe it.)

As soon as I arrived, I found my friend F who was picking me up.

It has been raining all night and all morning (and was predicted to do the same for my 4 days in Fla.) but miraculously, the rain had stopped.

We immediately headed to the expo so I could pick up my bib.

It was outdoors. There wasn’t much to buy but a lot of health-related booths with freebies & raffles – rain poncho, sunglasses, band aids, tape measure, etc.

loved that we got champagne and a gender-specific tech shirt

I was tempted to buy a race cap but it was $25 and I decided to wait to see if I had a good race. (Spoiler alert: I DID NOT!!)

Since it still hadn’t started raining yet, we went to the beach. This is a priority with me when I go to Florida.

wearing my new free glasses & my travel clothes

It was warm but cloudy so I just walked along the beach with the feet in the water while F collected shells.

Next stop was to have lunch. We drove back to Delray Beach where F lives and chose a restaurant with a view of the water where we could eat outside.

we shared fish tacos & flatbreads

Our meal was delicious. I loved being outdoors watching the big boats go by.

After lunch, we walked around the town of Delray Beach and eventually returned to F’s condo where I would be spending the night.

F had dinner plans but that was perfect because I wanted to visit with another good friend who lived nearby.

The rain finally arrived (and lasted all night) but I didn’t care at this point.

My friend M picked me up and took me to her house. We ordered pizza & salad and spent the whole evening chatting. Since M has retired, she has taken up jewelry making and she is really good. (I just had to buy 3 bracelets!!)

I got up early the next morning and it was only drizzling. I took advantage and went for a long walk around her community. F lives on a golf course and it is a very pretty place to walk.

foreboding skies

some friendly ducks…there are swans too.

As soon as I finished my walk, the skies open up and it continued to rain all day.

What did we decide to do?

Shop, what else?

F lives near a huge flea market.

yay! mah jongg store!

We spent hours there walking around. And I only bought one thing.

It was still raining when we left and we were starved (I am supposed to be carb loading, right?) so we found (an indoor) restaurant. It was about 3 pm when we actually had lunch.

All of sudden, the rain stopped.

I love animals and the wildlife sanctuaries are also on my list of things to do while in Fla so we quickly headed to at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

umbrella in hand, just in case

photographer extraordinaire

We saw lots of birds but apparently the alligators and turtles like the sun. And we didn’t see any. My friend F has a great camera and took really nice photos:

Since it still wasn’t raining (though it looked like it would at any moment), we headed to wildlife refuge #2 – Green Cay. More birds!!

another one of F’s photos

12308065_10207146180946776_1012368104880446510_o

an iguana in a tree – how cool!

We had to leave since the sun was setting and it was getting dark.

As soon as we were done, it started to pour again. I was very lucky. And I really enjoyed walking through both parks.

Off to West Palm we went so I could check into my hotel.

Hotel Biba

I picked this hotel because it was very cheap. No sense paying for a hotel that I would only sleep in.

It was a very old hotel that was completely redone – ultra modern on the inside. But it had all the basics – clean, shower, wifi, TV, free breakfast, pool, etc.

lobby

I had the hotel call me a cab for 5:15 am the next morning. (I could have walked but in the dark not knowing where I was going made it seem like a bad idea.)

My room was small so I hung out in the lounge for a while. Since I had a late lunch, I wasn’t hungry at all. So I made some oatmeal and then went to bed early.

Stay tuned for the race recap…

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

Happy Running! What are you thinking about this Thursday? Any interesting pre-race-cation experiences to share?

December 9, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Celebrate

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 CELEBRATE.

I love this song!!

There’s a lot of reasons to celebrate..

Special occasions

my MIL turns 90!

7 years playing mah jongg together

my mentee’s 21st birthday

some of my tenis friends & me before the wedding

a wedding

Holidays

New Year’s Eve

Passover

Accomplishments

I am not athletic. I never played any sports growing up.

In my late 40’s & early 50’s, tennis was my biggest accomplishment and a reason to celebrate. Playing, forging great friendships and of course, winning.

3rd place at 2002 Nationals

1st place 2010 Regionals

But my biggest reason to celebrate *(and my biggest accomplishment) has been being able to RUN. Finishing Races. Winning the occasional age group award. Making friends – virtual and face-to-face. Most importantly, being healthy to experience it all.

this was a horribly difficult race and yet I am still smiling.

Happy Running! What do you celebrate?

December 8, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update a Day Late & Giveaway Winner

Last Week:

Monday– Taper week has begun. Ran 3 miles at UAlbany and then met my BFF at Starbucks (instead of our usual mall walk).

Tuesday – Played 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – Planned to run before work but it was raining so ran 3 miles after work instead…on the treadmill. UGH!!

Thursday – Did my last run before my race – 3 miler after work through the lights in the park.

Friday – Got up at the crack of dawn for a 5:30 am flight. No travel delays and arrived in West Palm at 11:30 am. My friend F picked me up at the airport and we went straight to the expo to pick up my bib.

champagne & lots of freebies at the outdoor expo

Rain was predicted for the whole weekend and had rained before I arrived, we drove straight to the beach and then we went out to lunch. I spent the evening reminiscing with beer & pizza with my good friend M.

Saturday – Got in a walk before the rain. Since it was raining, we went to a flea market and then out to lunch. When the rain stopped, we visited 2 wildlife sanctuaries. Then my friend F drove me to West Palm to my hotel.

Sunday – A miracle! None of the predicted rain arrived. Instead, gusty winds, heat & humidity. Nothing hurt yet it was still one of my slowest half marathons ever. But I finished upright and happy inspite of having a difficult race.

Met my friend G after the race and we drove to her place in Jupiter. Then we decided (my idea) to visit a lighthouse and climb to the top. Afterwards we had lunch and then returned to her house in Jupiter. Spent the evening hanging out with one of her friends.

Monday – Got up early and went to a short run/walk around the neighborhood. Then G & I walked along the beach (windy, cloudy but no rain), visited a turtle refuge and a thrift shop. After a late lunch, G drove me to the airport in West Palm.

23 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (8 weeks until Half Marathon #18)

Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 miles after work, yoga
Thursday – 4 miles after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 4-5 miles
Sunday – trip to NYC

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

And I am linking up with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for:

This week’s topic is: Expos.

As you read, I went to one over the weekend. (I didn’t buy anything. I was going to buy myself a hat after the race if I ran well, but I didn’t. 😦 )

And most importantly, the winner is…

Sharon Mooney

Congrats!!!!!

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

December 6, 2015 by Darlene

2015: My Year in Running

I’ve been doing Miss Zippy’s Year in Running post for several years now. Since Amanda has started focusing on other things, Courtney has taken it on, so I’ll link up with her instead this year. (If you read my blog, I hope you won’t this repetitive.)

Best Race Experience:

I have always wanted to visit Burlington, VT and to run VCM. Since I don’t run marathons, I was excited when AJH won us an lottery entry into the relay. I had a great time visiting and staying with AJH. Now I know why everyone raves about this race. I hope I can to do it again.

It is also more fun to run a half marathon with someone else.

Honorable Mention goes to running the Dash to the Finish 5k in NYC. I have always wanted to run a race in Manhattan. I have never gotten into the NYC Half and I don’t plan to run the NYM. This was the next best thing. I had a blast. And I got to cross the finish line of the NYC Marathon!

Best Run:

I hadn’t PRed in a race since March and was training for a half so I didn’t expect to have a good run. But I did. I felt great and beat my Stockade-athon 15k time by over 2 minutes!!

Best new piece of gear:

That’s easy. I love my SkirtSports tops, skirts and capris. They are so comfortable and stylish that I hardly run in anything else.

Best piece of running advice you’ve received:

My Turkey Trot Training coach scolded me one night saying that I wasn’t trying hard enough. He made run so fast that I could hardly breathe and then told that I was a strong runner. I never thought of myself as a good runner, never mind a strong one. And when I felt like dying in my recent half marathon, I remembered this. I told myself that I was “strong” enough to finish the race and even finish fast. And I was able to dig deep. Thanks Patrick for the compliment.

Most Inspirational Runner:

Pam from WeRunDisney is amazing. She’s exactly my age but so much stronger and faster. She ran the Boston Marathon this year (even after having food poisoning).

She also just ran the NYC Marathon (& I almost got to meet her.)

Favorite picture from a run or race this year:

I love this photo because I remember how emotional I felt at the end of the Palm Beach Half Marathon. I had a huge and unexpected PR and I was very happy!

Honorable Mention goes to this one from the Mastodon Challenge. It was on my birthday. I had taken a bad fall but still I got up and finished strong (Both of my hands and knees were bleeding and my Garmin watch strap broken.)

Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat:

Seeing someone finish their first race. It’s even better than a PR.

I got to see Kelly train for and finish her first 5k.

And I watched 2 of my co-workers cry as they crossed the finish line of their first 5k.

I can’t wait to be part of someone’s first racing experience again.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?

Connections – I met many new running friends at races and running groups. I made new virtual friends through becoming a SkirtSport Ambassador Captain and through reading blogs.
Racing – Races make me happy. I don’t like to do drills so I run races instead. And I completed 38 races this year. Inconsistency – Last year, my times consistently improved through the year. This year, not so much. I started out well but then my times slowed down. I would have a few good races and then a bad one would sneak in. But it’s all a part of life. Ups and downs.
Good Health – No illnesses. No injuries. Life is good.

Happy Running! How would you describe your year?

December 4, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Dream Vacations

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!

This week, the theme is Five Dream Vacations:

Of course, all these vacations should include a race!!

1 Paris

This is my favorite city in the world and I haven’t been there in many years. I love everything about the French culture.

2. Alaska

I’d love to take a cruise there. I’ve heard wonderful things about Alaska.

3. Hawaii

Another place that seems so beautiful that I want to experience it in person.

4. African Safari

I love animals!!! Lions, Tigers, Giraffes….oh my!

5. Iceland or Vietnam

I’d love to visit either or both.

Iceland

Vietnam

I’m not sure I’ll get to any of these places but a girl can DREAM!

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Running! What is your dream vacation?

December 3, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking out Loud Thursday: Half Marathon #16

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

The only thing on my mind is my half marathon on Sunday!!!

Of course, there are many things to worry about…

Travel delays… (and I’ve had my share.)

I leave tomorrow at 5:30 am and arrive in West Palm around 11:30 am. My friend F. will meet me at the airport. We’ll go to the expo and pick up my bib. Then we’ll drive back to her place in Delray. I’ll spend Friday & Saturday in Delray relaxing.

last January in Delray but I relaxed POST race which is much more desirable

bird watching at Wakodahatchee

On Saturday evening, I am meeting my friend M. & her hubby for dinner and they’ll drive me to my hotel in West Palm.

at dinner last January

Logistics of getting to the race

My hotel is 1.6 miles from the race. I’m not sure if I am walking or catching a cab. The race begins at 6:30 am. I am excited that someone I know is also running this race. I’ll be glad to see a friendly face, Judith. (At least before & after. During. Nope. She will smoke me if though she’s just doing it as a training run for her upcoming marathon.)

Weather on Race Day

I was very lucky on my 3 previous Florida races. For all 3, the weather was PERFECT (dry, cool & sunny). Usually Florida is very humid and it could be warm. Or it could be rainy and windy. It’s out of my control. Fingers crossed on this.

However, so far, it’s looking like WARM, HUMID, WINDY & WET!!!! (for all 4 days that I’m there 😦 )

In fact, I was listening to the weather today and they said that there would a front stalled over the east coast of Florida and would drop as much rain there this weekend as they normally get in the whole month. Lovely thought!

My friends here say DON’T GO!! Would you bail?

What to wear?

First World Problem, right?

Well, it depends on the weather.

I’ll be checking a jacket (& umbrella) from before the race. Most likely, I’ll wear a tank & skirt. No Hokas this time but my Nikes.

tough decision but chose exotic print & peekaboo skirt from Skirtsports (for the next one in Feb, I’ll wear the tantrum print)

How I feel during the race itself

Will my lower back hurt? How long will it take for my feet to hurt?

I will try to relax and enjoy the race no matter what how long it takes me to finish.

My friend G. will meet me after the race at the finish line or hotel and we’ll drive to her place in Jupiter. I will spend the rest of Sunday & then Monday recuperating in Jupiter.

last January walking along the beach in Jupiter

G. will drive me to the airport in West Palm. My flight leaves around 5 pm on Monday. (If it is cancelled, I will not be sad.)

Race Goals?

I won’t go into my past half marathon experiences again. You can read about them HERE.

This race was a spur of the moment decision. I got an email and it fit into my 15k training schedule.

And now the time has arrived. So here’s what I hope for:

A. Finish under 2:18
B. Finish faster than Brooklyn (2:25:47)
C. Finish under 2:30
D. Finish upright and wanting to do another.

I hope that I am this happy when I am done 🙂

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

Have a nice weekend. I’ll be back posting again on Tuesday.

December 2, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Tradition

This week’s Word is TRADITION.

Of course, a song comes to mind (from Fiddler on the Roof):

I could talk about family traditions…

Holiday dinners, birthday celebrations.

my MIL’s 90th birthday

There are also religious/holiday traditions.

I am Jewish and my hubby is Catholic so I get to celebrate both if I wish.

I love to decorate the house each year with snowmen

the lighting of the candles at Chanukah

opening gifts every Christmas morning with my mentee and sons

I have traditions that I share with my friends.

our annual Broadway show

our annual vacation

our annual holiday party with a Chinese auction/grab bag

annual weekend at the Schroon River house

But since this is a running blog, what are my running traditions?

a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

a Holiday Lights Race

a race on my Birthday

a race-cation in the winter somewhere warm

the Freihofer’s Run for Women

this is the only race that I have run every year

Happy Running! Any traditions?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

December 1, 2015 by Darlene

November Recap

Time is flying by. I can’t believe that it is December already!!

So here’s my end of the month recap.

I’m linking it with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life (instead of posting on their TMI theme. I have none of those embarrassing things to write about…yet!)

November Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES!

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

near work

in the park

at UAlbany

on the rail trail

Continue long runs on the weekend. YES!

Though some have been part of shorter races.

11/14

11/21

6 with Judy 11/29

Run a 5k race under 29 minutes. NOPE!

I helped my STEM runner finish her first 5k instead of racing.

I ran an impromptu 5K on Thanksgiving after I finished the 10K.

Run a 10K race under 60 minutes. YES! But barely.

Run a 15K race under 1:35. YES!

I even got a PR.

1:31:35

Start going to the gym once a week. NO! Someday…
Do those planks! NOT REALLY! Probably only 2 or 3 times…

But I did go to yoga twice!!!

Continue running with a group. YES!

I have gone every Monday and have enjoyed running with the other group members.

Walk 70,000 steps each week. YES!

On the days that I don’t run, my total steps are significantly lower but I make it up on the running days.

Run at least 80 miles. YES! 90 miles!!!

pretty consistent running

What else?

I ran with Kelly from the STEM program twice and helped her finish her first 5k. She did great!!

I went to NYC with my hubby, We walked the High Line and saw Lord of the Dance on Broadway. So much fun!

I brought my mentee and her sons to see the Lights in the Park. We go every year but we still enjoy it.

December Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk while at work especially on rest days..
Continue long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #17 on February 7.
Complete a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Complete a half marathon under 2:20.
Run at least 85 miles
Continue going to yoga.
Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties)
Spend time with my mentee
Start knitting again.

Happy Running! How was your November? Anything exciting planned for December?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

November 30, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was my last 3 mile run with my Turkey Trot Challenge Group. Neither of coaches showed up so we were on our own. Instead of intervals, we ran a SPEEDY 3.3 miles (Boy, those ladies are fast I struggled big time to keep up.)

3.3 fast miles – race pace for me (not the others)

Tuesday – Just a normal work day with a lunchtime walk and played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – I had the day off from work. I used it to cook for the holiday and squeezed in a yoga class in the middle.

2nd yoga class this month! WooHoo!

Thursday – First I ran a 10K race and then for fun I did the 5k after with friends. I spent the rest of the day cooking since I was bringing Thanksgiving dinner over to my MIL’s that evening.

59:33 – not one of my best

31:28 – one of my slowest

this was happening in my house & I ran 9.3 miles and had to cook

and squash leek soup

gotta have pumpkin pie for dessert

Friday – Another day off and I did NOT go shopping. I rested from my 9.3 miles the day before (except for a quite 1 mile cuz it was 65 degrees outside) and made turkey soup (what else?) I did go out in the evening to play mah jongg .
Saturday – I did debate going to a 5K race but decided against it and to rest another day. Besides it was cold and rainy. I did decorate the house for the holidays so it wasn’t so restful. In the evening, I went to the movies with a friend.

snowmen everywhere

Sunday – Today I did my last long run. I ran 2 miles and then Judy & I ran 6 miles together on the rail trail. And in the evening, I took Amanda (my mentee) and her sons out to dinner and then to the Holiday Lights in the Park.

21.6 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.

This Week: (taper time – race week)

Monday- 3.1 miles after work
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3.1 miles before work
Thursday – 3.1 miles before, pack
Friday – rest, fly to Florida
Saturday – rest
Sunday – 13.1 miles!!!
Monday – rest, fly home

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!

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

November 28, 2015 by Darlene

‘Tis the Season

Yes, 5 days off from work in a row… To me that’s a vacation or in this case a “staycation.”

Here are the highlights:

I cooked Thanksgiving dinner. (This is important because I don’t cook often.)

and some squash/leek soup

pumpkin pie

I ran a 10k and a 5K race.

10K

My house is decorated.

I don’t go all out but it still takes time… a small fake tree & a menorah plus snowmen everywhere!!

I even made and wrote out my holiday cards. I always make a photo collage card.

this isn’t it but I made one that is similar

I finally got to the movies. I love going to the movies but really don’t go until winter when there’s nothing else to do.

It was good…Next on my list is Brooklyn, Room, the Danish Girl

I did some online shopping for my hubby and together we went shopping for a joint anniversary gift.

We’ve had a hot tub on our decks for years but it died. Of course, it hasn’t worked since I started running. My hubby really wanted it. So I said yes. I do have 2 race-cations planned for Florida. I can’t be greedy.

Speaking of the winter holidays…

Winter weather is back. Just on Friday, the temperature was in the 60’s and this morning, it was in the 20’s!!! Brrrr!

I haven’t really run since Thursday (except a slow 1 miler on Friday) and I wanted to get in one more longish run before my half marathon next Sunday.

I waited until it warmed up to the 30’s but the sun made it feel even warmer. I ran on the street parallel to the rail trail and ventured off to some other trails.

a path leading to the rail trail

a path going under the rail trail

on the other side

enjoying some sunshine

After 2 miles, I went back to my car where Judy was waiting. She was nice enough to oblige and join me for the next 6 miles.

We did the same route as the last time – 3 miles out on the rail trail and then 3 miles back.

Although it was cold, the sun made it very pleasant. Our pace was actually the same as last time. So 8 easy miles – my last long run is done!!

Thanks Judy for the company!!

Then in the evening, I took my mentee, Amanda and her 2 sons to see the Capital Lights in the Park. We go every year. It’s mostly the same but the kids still enjoy it. We have dinner before & hot chocolate after. They get balloon animals and their faces painted.