March 19, 2014 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

preferably in the sun!

Happy Running! Spring will be here soon….

March 18, 2014 by Darlene

The Last Long One…13 days till 13 miles

longrun

I usually do my long runs on the weekend but this was a 12 miler and I ran a 4 mile race on Saturday.

I didn’t want to add on 8 miles on Saturday after the race nor did I want to run 12 miles on tired legs on Sunday.

I wanted to run 12 miles in one shot and at my slow half pace so….

So I took Monday morning off from work.

Yes, I took time off to run!!

I had to get up early and get it done because I could only take a half day off.

To save time, I ran from my house and I planned to repeat the course that I ran for my last 11 miler but add on a mile.

I got spoiled running on Saturday in 40 degree temps.

Yesterday morning it was in the single digits with the wind chill. Brrrrrrr!

I donned my winter apparel but still froze my face off when running into the wind.

At least it was sunny and there were no puddles on the sidewalks (just ice in rare spots.)

To get the extra 1/2 mile, I added a short detour and then stopped to buy water at the coffee shop (I hate to carry anything).

photo from last week

Guess what, they had NO bottled WATER!! They also had no mini cupcakes. I was tempted to buy a larger cupcake but no one offered to give an obviously thirsty runner a cup of water, so I changed my mind. (Remember how I stashed my water there last week but forgot it….it was still there, but frozen.)

I continued down the street and stopped at Stewarts. The water was cheaper and I took a Gu (and hid the water for the way back).

passed the clock again …less snow each week,

I turned around at 6 miles and headed back.

I did another detour that was different the first and stumbled upon what might be a park with trails?

I also remembered to drink my water.

Although my pace for this run was a little better than last week’s, the first half was a lot faster than the second (the reverse of last week.) It was still slow but as I know from past experiences, my race pace is always better than my training runs.

experimenting with compression sleeves (left leg) instead of socks…$9.99 at Marshalls

I had to rush to get to work…no time to stop at Stewarts to get my $.50 ice cream cone for St. Paddy’s Day (Maybe later. 12 miles…I earned it!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken time off from work to run?

March 17, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

(It is a slow work week since the profs & students are on break, so a co-worker & I decided to walk 1 mile 2x a day.)

Monday – rest, 2 miles walked at work, tennis

1 mi 3-10-14

Tuesday – 4 miles ~~on TM~~ at lunch, 1 mile walked at work, tennis

Wednesday – 2 miles walked at work, 3 miles on the tm (rain)

Thursday – 1 mile walked at work, 4 miles on the tm (messy snow)

indoors but looking outside

TG for “Nashville”…Downton Abbey is already on hiatus

Friday – 2 miles walked at work, rest, mah jongg

indoors

Saturday – 4 m race

Sunday – rest

This Week:

Monday – 12 miles (morning off from work)
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 miles on tm during lunch, dinner out
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, movies with my mentee (Divergent)
Sunday – 8 miles

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

March 16, 2014 by Darlene

One Year Ago and Two Weeks To Go

I’m the one in front in blue

ONE YEAR AGO, I was in Sarasota, FL nervously wondering if I could run 13.1 miles after serious ankle surgery and then a foot stress fracture.

AND I DID IT!!

It made me believe that I was invincible!!!

This Strong Running Mama also attempted another half marathon. This time after a broken foot.

Of course, though I only have some minor aches and pains (foot & hip), I don’t feel confident in my ability to run 13.1 miles in TWO WEEKS!

Yes, I will finish (even if I have to crawl.) But the competitive me wants to PR. And my training runs don’t seem to indicate that it’s a possibility.

Nevertheless, I am super excited about this race. I am running with 4 others (2 that I know & 2 that I don’t). I leave Friday evening and come back Sunday night. It should be a fun quick getaway weekend.

Happy Running! How do you deal with the pressure of a big race?

March 15, 2014 by Darlene

Runnin of the Green Race Report

I ran this race 3 years ago and really liked it. It is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02). But back in 2011, I was running faster.

That is the course map. This is a very popular race. Around 800 registered and it sold out in 48 hours.

Since I have a half marathon in 2 WEEKS, I was not planning on running this race since this weekend would normally be my 12 mile long run. But I changed my mind and signed up so I ran 11 last weekend and planned to do my 12 miler Monday morning (taking time off from work.) instead.

I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early. I didn’t get a spot in the closest lot but a spot on the street behind the legion hall. I picked up my race packet and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into many runners that I knew and we chatted until it was time to start.

nice long sleeve women’s tech shirt

Here are some pics from the 2011 race:

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery. Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was breezy and cloudy. I decided to wear my green wind breaker & tights.

with some cute socks

Right before the race started, I ditched my fleece vest (that I had on underneath my jacket) and my gloves. So glad I did. I was sweating by the end of the race. (It had warmed up to the 40s and the sun even peaked out.)

Right before the start, I bumped into some more familiar faces.

SRMs – Karen, Bridget, Felice & Gail (not in photo)

We started together. Then Felice sped ahead and I ran for a short time with Bridget and Gail.

I couldn’t keep up but just trying kept my first mile fast (for me.)

rotg3

The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat. Just lots of twists and turns – it kept the course interesting. There are just a few uphills but nothing bad at all.

J. Berkley photo

In fact, I didn’t walk at all. I didn’t even stop for water. Not I didn’t want to, but I wanted a decent time more.

I was really dragging, though, during the last mile and feeling very warm & nauseous. But when I saw Felice near the finish line, I gave it all I had.

rotg4

38:07 (net time) 38:19 (clock time) (Yay! I met my under 39:59 goal time!!)

Not a PR but much better than I thought I could run.

Split times:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:36
mile 3- 9:36
mile 4 – 9:44

After you finished, you got a beer glass & a toothbrush.

In addition to age group awards, they were giving away 31 gift cards. So I stuck around chatting with some runners and munching on pizza, bagels, cookies, etc.

No chance for a AG award. This race attracts the fastest runners in the area. I didn’t win a gift card either.

I was happy with my finish time (I wish I could run this fast when I am running alone.)

Runnin of the Green is a fun race that I will probably do annually.

I almost finished in the top half (There were about 750 runners).

When I got home, I thought about running more but my Achilles felt a little tight so I decided that it would be best to wait until Monday for my long run.

I did reward myself with this:

mint/vanilla twist – Yum!

St_PatrickDay

Happy Running! How are you celebrating St. Patty’s Day?

March 14, 2014 by Darlene

Foto Friday

Three out of 4 of my cats:

Honey

Slater

Jerry

and 2 beach pics:

They all make me smile 🙂

Happy Running! What has you smiling today?

March 13, 2014 by Darlene

Another Snowstorm and Another Race

Enough Already.

It is March!!

Work is slow since the professors and students where I work are on break.

So Tuesday, a co-worker and I walked outside in the morning for 1 mile.

1 mi 3-10-14

Then I took an unplanned lunchtime run OUTDOORS.

It was 54 degrees!! How could I not?

So I sneaked out to run 4 miles in the sunshine.

sunny so I could see my shadow

where I work – love that blue sky

It was so nice out that I also didn’t mind the wind and all the puddles.

Yesterday and today were predicted to either snow or rain or both.

And that’s what we got plus WIND!!

Yesterday my co-worker and I walked a mile in the morning and another mile in the afternoon but this time inside (laps around the first floor – BORING!)

And yes, I match my running shoes to my clothes (These are my old ones.)

Yesterday I also used the treadmill during work for a lackluster 3 mile run.

looking out at the courtyard during my am indoor walk today

The same is planned for today. (Maybe I can squeeze out 4.) UGH!!

Tomorrow is a REST day!

Hopefully, the snow will melt or the roads will be cleared for Saturday!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

This is a very popular race and it sold out in 48 hours. I ran this race 3 years, really liked it so I signed up again.

Then I remembered that I was training for a half marathon and I should be running 12 miles not a 4 mile race.

Oh well. I do love racing and maybe it will put some spring back in my step.

This course is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02). But that was back in 2011 when I was running faster.

My goal for this race to first, NOT TO GET HURT and second, finish at 39:59 or faster.

remember him? we met in Florida.

Since I have been running at a snail’s pace lately and focusing on distance, this finish time probably won’t happen. But it will be fun trying (unless the predicted RAIN comes 😦 )

Happy Running! Has spring arrived yet where you live? Any races St Patty’s Day races planned?

March 12, 2014 by Darlene

The No Caffeine Challenge

Last July, I was having some minor medical problems. Nothing serious but just annoying.

After much Googling, I decided to treat myself with changes to my diet rather than drugs (with too many possible side effects.)

These are some of the foods that I eliminated:

all caffeine (no coffee or chocolate)
all alcohol (no wine or mixed drinks)
most fruits especially citrus
tomatoes and spicy foods
artificial sweeteners
carbonated beverages

The hardest: coffee.

I LOVE my coffee especially lattes.

miss this!

Instead I am drinking peppermint herbal tea with sugar in the morning. (After a several days, you really don’t need the caffeine to wake up. Really.)

I like chocolate but I can do without. There are many desserts out there that I enjoy.

bread pudding , apple pie, pastries, etc.

I am not a big drinker and not ordering drinks when out sure is a money saver. But I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening before bed.

Instead, I have been ordering water at meals and drinking camomile tea with sugar in the evening.

As far as fruits, I have been eating a lot of pears and apples. I can eat blueberries and watermelon too. I am ok with that.

homemade apple pie!

I do love pasta and pizza but I have been eating white versions of both.

How does this relate to running?

It is really difficult to find protein bars without chocolate. All my favorites do.

here is one of the few

And try to find an energy gel without caffeine?? Almost impossible. My favorite vanilla & chocolate outrage GUs are out. I did find a few vanilla flavored in other brands (but do not like them as much.)

the only flavor GU without caffeine

I was worried about running without my cup of coffee before a race and fueling during without caffeine.

But I did run a half in October, a 15K in November and a 10 miler in January. So I guess I can survive. (Not sure if it had an negative effect.)

Giving up certain foods is tough. But if your health is involved, you just do it.

I didn’t feel better right away but eventually, I did. In the beginning when I cheated on my diet, the symptoms returned.

Now I feel perfectly fine. I have even been adding my forbidden foods back in…little by little.

a DECAF one when I was proctoring the bar exam

a creme brulee martini during my recent vacation

a salted caramel Gu during Sunday’s run

Since I am not sure which foods actually will cause me symptoms, I am leery about jumping back to eating all my favorites foods.

But don’t be surprised if I start drinking coffee again (with Splenda) instead of tea.

Happy Running! Have you ever given up caffeine or any of your favorite foods?

March 11, 2014 by Darlene

Carbs and the Long Run

There were a lot of carbs going down this past weekend.

On Saturday, I brought my car in for its 50K mile check up.

Instead of sitting around in the waiting room, I decided to go for a walk.

I headed toward this restaurant that I pass all the time when I go for my long run at the Nisky bike path but have never stopped.

It seemed close but not when I started walking. It turned out to be 3/4 mile.

First I had some delicious tea. (They had so many kinds to choose from.

Then it was too tempting not to eat… the problem was picking something. Everything was made with tea and sounded delicious. I chose pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter. YUM!

Then I walked back (and wished it were longer than 3/4 mile) and picked up my car.

A Summer Sports Expo was being held in Saratoga so I decided to drive up since I was half way there anyway.

Not that I need anything, but I love sales. Last year, I wound up buying a pair of Newtons for 40% off.

There were more biking, swimming and kayaking stuff than running. Most of the running booths were clubs or advertising summer/spring races. Since I run so many races, I was familiar with most of them. The expo would be really useful for a beginner runner or someone new to the are.

I didn’t buy anything but entered a ton of raffles. Fingers crossed.

Afterwards, I walked arond the town a bit. I love Saratoga and I needed to walk off those pancakes.

I rushed home because I was going out to dinner (yes, another meal out) to celebrate a friend’s retirement.

We went to Delmonicos which happens to be my favorite restaurant.

I usually order steak (their specialty) but since I had a long run planned for the next day, I ordered pasta (with chicken, mushrooms & broccoli) – Yes, more carbs! And I shared a cannoli for dessert. (I could have eaten the whole thing.)

On Sunday, I took my long run. I ran (ran is a loose term) 11 miles two weeks ago, only 4 during my Florida trip so I planned to repeat the 11 mile long run.

I knew it would be hard. I have been slacking off on my mileage. I have been skipping runs…combination of the weather and just too many weeks of long runs.

The question was where to go…

I hate running a route more than once. There is still snow and ice since the temps have been so cold. I wasn’t sure if any of the bike paths would have 5 1/2 mile clear path. (Oh, Florida- how I miss you!!)

So I decided to run into town and then back home. (I used to run this route when training for my first few half marathons.) Definitely not scenic but clear.

I got up at 8 am and believe it or not, it took me until noon to get out of the house. Reading blogs…putting away laundry…reading email..watering plants..etc. etc.

heading into town

It turned out to be a beautifully sunny day (in the 30s). Unfortunately, it was WINDY. It seems to be windy for all my long runs.

Maybe it’s me, but the wind just zaps my strength and I find it hard to move.

We still have a lot of snow but the roads are clear for the most part.

this is a sidewalk!!

The problem is that with all the traffic on this main road, it’s best to run on the sidewalks. But they are full of puddles and often have icy spots.

It’s exhausting dodging the water and trying to not slip.

Eventually I arrived around 4 miles at a coffee shop. I wanted to take my Gu but I didn’t have water so I stopped to buy some.

lemon, raspberry cupcake and salted caramel Gu – both delish!

On the counter was a mini cupcake…I was eyeing it so the cashier gave it to me.. I couldn’t refuse another carb, could I?

finally a sunny day for my town clock pic

I hid my water for the way back and more gu at mile 8 and continued into town.

On the way back, so tired of those sidewalk puddles, I detoured and ran back on a street parallel that doesn’t have much traffic.

Unfortunately, I missed the water that I had stashed and had to take my gu solo.

My run wasn’t great. It was slow and I walked when I was tired but I actually had more energy the 2nd half of the run. And as bad as it was, it was better than my 11 miler 2 weeks ago.