July 23, 2013 by Darlene

Three Day Weekend

In past summers, I used to take a lot of these, that is… 3 day weekends. But this summer I have been too depressed about breaking my foot to take time off.

much more fun to boat without crutches

Eventually I did ditch the crutches and spend some time on the lake.

I could even get up and down the boat ladder with one foot

I thought my foot would be fully healed by now but it isn’t. I decided nevertheless to take a day off from work. (Things don’t always go as planned.)

On Saturday, I drove to my friend’s house in Chestertown on the Schroon River. When I arrived, no one was there yet and then they were going to play tennis. Pretty depressing to stand in the HEAT and watch so I headed south (15 minutes) and drove to the marina to spend the day on the lake. (It’s nice to have the choice!!)

It was another hot day…we decided to go cliff jumping (NOT ME!! but the others.) Unfortunately, people reserved the WHOLE island for a wedding.

this is where everyone jumps…the bride was in a white bikini and the groom black shorts and his chest painted black like a tux!

So we left and spend the rest of the day floating on tubes in the bay.

Around dinner time, we went back to the marina & I drove back to have dinner with my tennis friends at the river house. We played lots of games and laughed and laughed. So much fun.

here we are posing with a big cookie that says “tennis friends”

When they went to bed, I returned to my boat to sleep. (I am not sure my hubby noticed…he was up late playing pool with his friends…)

morning at the marina

Sunday looked like it was going to be a beautiful day…warm and sunny and not oppressively hot and humid. I immediately headed back to have breakfast with my friends.

one of the trails near the river

When they left to play tennis, I left to RUN!!! I ran mostly on trails and a little on the road.

Schroon River

I covered about 2 miles….my high post-injury mileage.

me on the road – my shirt says “Run Schroon”

Then I joined my friends on the courts. One of my friends was also coming back from an injury so we hit together for about a half hour…. It felt great to play. I tried not to move too much. My foot felt fine!!! YAY!!

group photo

After lunch, we hung out by the water reading, chatting, etc.

Then they left and I was alone!!

My hubby was still at the marina so I went back and had dinner with him & some friends and finished the day with Stewart’s ice cream (No-regretzel – my new fav)!!

view from my window…

My hubby returned home and I spent the night in the river house…me and my book and full moon…so relaxing!

coffee and oatmeal with a river view

The next morning, I had breakfast on the deck overlooking the river (and AJH, there is also a Keurig k-cup machine in addition to a percolator)

I know I shouldn’t run two days in a row…but it was soooo nice out!

on the way to Brant Lake

So I did run. I decided on a different route – a scenic trip to Brant Lake and then back.

Brant Lake

Monetesque photo

I ran there (2 miles or so) and walked back.

happy me at Brant Lake

When I got back, I had a snack while cooling off in the river.

bagel & macaroni salad

It is weird being alone. You can do what you want and not have to compromise. What to do…what to do???

Well, I decided to visit several nearby lakes.

Loon Lake

I started with Loon Lake about 4 miles away. I sat there for a while with a book.

Then I drove along the lake (which is much larger than I thought) to Schroon Lake (about 15 miles). I sat on one side for a little while and then I walked into town to browse in the shops and have another snack.

fresh fruit crepe

When it started getting warm, I walked down to the public beach. There I swam/read, etc. (This is where the Adirondack Half marathon ended in Sept 2011.)

Schroon Lake

Finally it was time to call it a day. I drove back to Chestertown, packed my stuff and headed out.

Since I knew I would be hungry before I got home, I stopped in town and had a delicious dinner (homemade potato leek soup and turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo).

black raspbery

It wouldn’t be vacation without ice cream so I bought myself a soft ice cream cone. (diet starts tomorrow!!)

So boating, tennis, friends, reading, RUNNING, no work or responsibilities = HAPPY me! 🙂

Now back to the real world. It is raining. I am working. I have laundry to do.

Happy Running! Have you ever vacationed solo?

July 22, 2013 by Darlene

The Plan

Of course, it is not the original plan.

PLAN A:

I was NOT supposed to get injured.

I was supposed to have run a 10 mile race a month ago and a 15K this weekend NOT be starting over.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TRAINING FOR A PR!!

PLAN B:

7 weeks after breaking my foot, I would have to be running 3 miles comfortably to start this plan today.

I am not!

12 week plan – the plan I used for my last injury recovering half marathon

PLAN C:

This one would start on Aug. 19 with 2 miles.

With any luck, I can follow Plan C. (I am not sold on an 8 week plan especially after an injury so there is still a chance I will not do the race.)

But if I decide to do it, I will do what I can. I will walk when I have to.

It may be my slowest time yet but I WILL FINISH!

Happy Running! Any advice on training for a half marathon after injury?

July 20, 2013 by Darlene

Change of Scenery

I love love Lake George.

what’s not to love?

But my friend has a house on Schroon River and she organizes several weekends there every summer. We play tennis, hike, swim, play games and “bond.” She is a close friend so I get invited to all her planned weekends.

view of the Schroon from her house

A few weekends ago, she invited me to “The Monday Tennis group weekend.” I used to play tennis with them and I will again in the fall but I decided instead to spend the weekend on our boat (since my foot made me miss several weekends on it.)

floated around all weekend in my “chair”

This weekend is another one – she calls it this one the “Tuesday Tennis group.” This is another group I used to play with and I will again in the fall. (In August, there will be the “Travel Tennis” group and in September, the “Mah Jongg” group.)

pic from last year

What I sometimes do is split the weekend between the boat & the river house.

I am not playing tennis yet but it is a beautiful place to run/walk.

during a run last year

So I am headed North… to a place where there is water and pretty scenery. I am playing it by ear (and trying not to think about the races I am missing ..Silks and Satins 5K is today…boo hoo)

Plus… I HAVE MONDAY OFF!

Happy Running!

July 19, 2013 by Darlene

Listen to Orville Rogers and Strive to be Above Average

Orville Rogers’ 5 Rules for Running Forever

As far as training goes, listen to your body. Don’t go too fast or too far.
When you’re upping your training, increase your speed or distance, not both. If you overtrain, you risk your next competition.
Look at the records and then make a goal for yourself that you think you can do.
Visualize, and when you visualize, picture yourself breaking those records.
Never give up.

Oh yeah—and stretch.

at age 95, he has set 7 world age group records this year

Read the complete article here.

I agree with his advice especially #1 & #2 (except that I forget to stretch).

1. It is really important when injured to know when to run, how fast, how far and how often. That means listening to your body and knowing when aches & pains are serious or just part of life. It means being patient… (I am not good at this!!)

2. I usually concentrate on distance. Being older, I need to build up my stamina and fitness level. I need to be careful about overdoing. I used to worry about speed when I only ran 5ks. I also did more speed workouts when I was injury-free. Now I seem to always be coming back and I am glad to be running.

2011 stats from http://www.runningusa.org

3. My goals in the past have been PR or win a Age Group award. Again when you are constantly in recovery mode, PRing is NOT realistic. So a realistic goal may be to be ABOVE AVERAGE. It seems that I am way above average with regards to “AGE” and I am usually above average in my 5K time. So my new goal is to be above average in my 10k and half marathon times.

and I NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Happy Running! Do you have any other running advice? Are you “Above Average?”

July 18, 2013 by Darlene

Who Wants to Run Anyway?

I do!

But is SOOOO HOT!

Now really!? This is the Northeast not Florida or California or Texas!!

But my doctor said I could try running 1 mile on the track!!

Being the impatient person I am and not having run for 45 days, I couldn’t wait…

this is what my car read when I left work

I rushed home, had dinner and waited for it to cool down to a mere 90 degrees and went back to the track at work.

I was a little nervous… my first run after an injury is always scary but I quickly forgot about my foot and concentrated on breathing in this HEAT. I stopped after each lap to grab some water and continued at an easy 11 minute pace (which did not feel easy) until I had run ONE MILE!!

Running on a track is pretty boring. But it is better than not running at all. I may try the treadmill if it cools down. I am not sure how long I can wait before hitting the road.

We’ll have to see how the foot behaves…

Happy Running!

July 17, 2013 by Darlene

X-Rays #5 with High Expectations

These are the x-rays scheduled 2 weeks early for reasons that I explained in this post.

Of course, I was the most nervous about these because of my high expectations and not wanting to look unreasonably impatient.

I am thinking …If my foot is healed, I can start running.

If I start running, I can run a race …

This one is Sept 7.

and I can start training for my October half marathon.

I can start playing tennis soon.

I can enjoy boating more!!

hiking at Log Bay

As I said— High Expectations!

So you are probably in suspense.

Good news: NO More X-rays!

Bad news: X-rays still show a FRACTURE!!!

My doc says that this is normal. A displaced fracture or one that needs surgery heals faster. A fracture such as mine will show on x-rays for a long time (even maybe until January) so there is nothing more he can do. Getting more x-rays will just make me more depressed.

So what can I do?

He says that I can return to normal activity but do it slowly. If it starts to swell or turn colors, cut back.

What does this mean for me?

I can wear shoes.
I can walk.
I can start to run but on a track for a mile (if it doesn’t hurt).
I can slowly increase the miles (on a track or treadmill).
In 3-4 weeks, I can try playing tennis.
It should heal fine if I don’t drop something on it or fall on it.
Eventually, I can run my normal schedule… (when I don’t know??)

YES, I AM DISAPPOINTED!!

Happy Running!

July 16, 2013 by Darlene

Two on Tuesday

Yesterday, I took an unplanned off-track walk. I planned to walk on the track but a field day was going on so I walked into town. It was very hot and it was also uphill on the way back (so I stopped at Starbucks as a reward).

I survived and it was a nice change from the monotonous track (hopefully my foot is no worse for wear.)

the lake in Washington Park

sunflowers, my second favorite after tulips

green tea frappuccino (minus the whipped cream)- getting addicted to these

2. I also saw a great movie last night: 20 Feet from Stardom –

In his compelling new film, director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.

Go see this movie if it’s playing in your area!! You’ll listen to songs differently.

Tonight I plan to take my first bike ride (since my last injury.) Yes, I only ride when I can’t run. I don’t hate to ride…it’s just a distant 4th after running, tennis, yoga…and there’s no time for everything.

Happy Running! Have you seen any good movies lately?

July 15, 2013 by Darlene

The Last Non-Running Weekend on the Lake?

Running soon??

Maybe?

Anyway, this past weekend was a HOT one. No better place to be but on the lake.

Blogging has introduced me to some remarkable people. One, for example, is Christa from Livin’ a Little Life. (Check out her blog if you haven’t.) She and her family camp frequently on Lake George so since I knew where she was this weekend, me & the hubby stopped to say hello on Saturday.

me & Christa

Then we spent the rest of the day on floats in the water.

some of our marina friends

me & my hubby

For dinner, we went to the same lakeside restaurant as last weekend.

Blue Water Manor

When we got back, I went for a SLOW walk to the Sagamore. It’s not far but my fitness has escaped me in the past 6 weeks. I barely made it there and back and was really tired afterwards.

We spent the rest of the evening in our air-conditioned marina watching a movie with the crew – Admissions with Tina Fey – quite entertaining!

Sunday morning would normally be this:

last summer running on 9N in Bolton Landing

But instead, I went on a friend’s boat as spotter for his daughter who wanted to go tubing.

It was another HOT humid day and we spent it the same way as Saturday – floating around in the water…eating…drinking…listening to music and goofing around.

yes, our friend’s husband caught a large SNAPPING turtle

For dinner, instead of spending a lot of money for dinner with a view, we docked at an island and cooked hot dogs.

still a nice view but a lot cheaper

Sadly, my hubby & I had to put the boat away and head home. Of course, I stopped for one last treat – ice cream at Stewart’s. (new flavor: NoRegretzel – I recommend it!!)

So will I be running soon????

taken during a run last summer…

Happy Running! How is your running going? Hope you are surviving the heat!

July 13, 2013 by Darlene

Week 6 – Making the Best of a Broken Foot

hot weather

The rainy, stormy, hot, humid weather has continued. No complaints here. (It’s cool in my air-conditioned office & house.)

I still go to the library and read real books

More reading – finished Revenge Wears Prada, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting (Mary Higgins Clark). Started Lone Wolf (Picoult)
Watched another episode of Call The Midwife while on the stationary bike at work

Wore sandals to work (have sneakers there, just in case)

need a pedicure. don’t think it’s a good idea with a broken foot…

Went to see a NY Sportimes’ WTT match – Andy Roddick was one of the players on the other team and our team won 22-21

believe it or not, he lost at singles

Walked 1 mile on Wed, 1.5 miles on Thurs and 2 miles on Friday on a track (There is brand new one at work.)

it was very tempting to “run” but I did not and will not until the broken bone has healed

Found a new tech tool – DragOnTape – you can make playlists of youtube videos:

Running Video Mix (Copy)

Another Running Video Mix

Heading back to the lake today.

It is supposed to be warm & sunny.

X-rays again next Wednesday!

Please, let my broken bone be healed!

Happy Running! How is your summer going? Hope you are having fun ( and running)!

July 12, 2013 by Darlene

My Next Half?

Well, this would work.

Oct 13, 2013

I registered for this half marathon even before I ran the Sarasota Half in March…even before I knew than I could ever run 13.1 miles again. (It always sells out right away.)

The race is local. Last year I watched with a stress fracture and vowed to run it this year.

The course is also where I do my long runs.