September 12, 2013 by Darlene

TTT

Ugh! A five day week.

It is the first time I have worked a full week in awhile.

I didn’t defer my Oct 13 half marathon. That just means that I didn’t pay the $25. I still may run/walk it or if the weather is lousy, skip it and maybe even sign up again next year. Who knows… The jury is still out.
Tennis wasn’t so bad. I played on Monday with some friends (at my level). I wasn’t awesome but I didn’t suck. (4-6, 4-6, 2-0) Tuesday I played with women that were at a higher level. I played a little better (8-6, 3-3)
Crazy weather..how’s a girl to dress or run?

On Wed, I ran before work to avoid the heat & humidity (& possible thunderstorms). I did the same today.

Happy Running! Are you having crazy weather as well?

September 11, 2013 by Darlene

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday on 9/11

when statues imitate life (that’s my cat Honey to the left)

and can’t believe it’s been 12 years…

So much as changed in my life.

I have a different job. I am now a boater, runner and blogger but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Happy Running! Do you remember what you were doing when it happened?

September 10, 2013 by Darlene

Another Weekly Update

Last Week:

Monday – day off – ~~3-4~~ 3.75 miles at home
Tuesday – 2 – 1 mile walks during work, ~~tennis~~
Wednesday – 3 miles after work, ~~yoga~~, 2 – 1mile walks during work
Thursday – 4 2.75 miles on the track after work, 1 mile walk during work
Friday – ~~walk~~ rest
Saturday –5K race + 7 miles

after the Malta 5K

walk/run on the Mohawk Towpath

Sunday – boating + 4.5 mile hike

Black Mountain Pt on Lake George

I have a Love-Hate relationship with tennis. I love.love my tennis friends. When I am on the court I enjoy the exercise, competition, social aspect of it but I HATE having to take time away from running and I HATE that since I don’t put any priority into it, my skills are lacking. I HATE that it is expensive.

Unfortunately, you can’t just go out and play (which is why I haven’t made the effort to play since my Naples vacation in May.)

So if I want to keep it up at all, you have to join a club and pay to be part of 35 week contracts.

So I did. I will be playing in a half contract on Mondays and a half contract on Tuesdays. (Ideally only once a week not 2x and then 0x.) I don’t plan to join any teams. (Gone are the days when I played 6x a week and on 3-4 teams.)

at least I’ll get some use out of my tennis clothes and new sneakers

Next Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest
Saturday – long run of ???
Sunday – boating

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

September 9, 2013 by Darlene

Post Race Run & Boating

After my 5K, I felt energized by my performance and decided to run some more.

I still hadn’t decided about running 13.1 miles on Oct. 13 so I figured that since the weather was so nice, I should at least walk /run as many miles as my feet could handle.

I picked the Mohawk Towpath since it is on my way home and I ran there once before (but only several miles) as well as watched a Duathlon there in the rain.

Where I parked seemed to be the beginning.

stop#1 – you can listen to the tour on your phone

I ran the short way first and then back to my car. This was about .9 miles total.

along the Mohawk River

the bridge that run by from the Colonie Town Park is way in the distance

running under the bridge

this is that bridge

Then I headed in the other direction for about 3 miles. First I ran along the road along the river and then I crossed the street and ran through a trail in the woods.

part of that trail

When it ended, I crossed the street again and ran around Krause’s grounds. This is where the Duathlon started. It used to be a nice restaurant/catering facility but now it is very rundown.

for you AJH

around Krause’s

I then continued up the road of this scenic byway until I got to a marina.

view from the marina – the Mohawk is rather dirty

stop #2 on the tour

I turned around at this point. I stupidly did not bring any water and was hot & thirsty. I followed the same route back except I didn’t turn into Krause’s.

these markers keep me running – I walked for a few seconds and ran until the next one

I wanted to get to 6 miles or 10 for the day so I continued the route past my car and to Stewarts:

reward for a tough day

I should say that although I wrote “ran”, I didn’t run it all. I walked a lot. My pace was about 14. But as they say “I was lapping those people on the couch.”

Sunday, it was cooler, breezy but the sun was shining. My hubby was already at the lake with his buddies (there was a car show in the village this weekend.)

I decided to drive up. The plan was be to get a dock on an island, hang out and barbecue and hike instead of this:

last weekend – rafting & swimming in Log Bay

We left the marina and it was beautiful. We made plans with another couple to dock at Black Mountain Point

but not as calm or as warm as it looks

After we set up our site, Christine & I decided to take a hike while the men started a fire.

Chris on the trail

stopping at a campsite along the trail

We walked to Commission Point which about 2 1/4 miles and then headed back. (We had such a good time, we made plans to do it again but from Commission Pt to Shelving Rock Pt.)

relaxing while our meal is cooking

Perfect weather and great views made the hamburgers & hot dogs taste even better.

the view

We hung out as long as possible but Monday’s a work day – BOO!

Happy Running! Hope you had a nice weekend!

September 7, 2013 by Darlene

Malta 5K Race Report

I ran this race last year so I registered again on a whim.

However last summer, I had run 4 5K races and a 10K. This summer – zippo. I was hoping that a race would light a firecracker to my running.

Luckily it was beautiful weather for a race. Sunny and cool (50’s) and little humidity. I opted to wear a summer outfit with compression socks and brought my DIY arm sleeves and a windbreaker.

I left nice and early but decided to use my iPhone rather than my Garmin GPS to locate the race. BIG MISTAKE!! It told me to get off the highway an exit earlier than I thought (I shouldn’t have listened.) and then took me on back roads to who knows where. When it finally told me to turn into my destination, there was no road. I think the Google maps had not been updated since Global Foundries was built. So I wandered around and found an entrance to Global Foundries. But then I encountered a road block for the race. They told me to go out and back to the next exit and go in the other entrance. GREAT! So instead of arriving nice and early, I rushed to get my race packet and put all the stuff they gave us back in my car and got to the start with 5 minutes to spare. Phew! No time to even use the rest room (yes, there were real bathrooms!).

heading toward the start/finish line (photo from last year)

There were a lot more runners than last year. Especially those running for the sponsor, Global Foundries (where coincidentally my stepson works.) probably about 600 or so. The race was chip timed so no need to start in the front. I started with my sleeves on but quickly got warm from the sun and rolled them down.

the course: 2 loops around the campus

The course is very boring…you are running around chip plants but the loops let you see the fast runners and all those runners that are behind you twice during the race.

My goal for the race was to run as much of it as I could. There were some inclines but not what you call hills. At mile 1.5, I succumbed to walking at the water stop. Then I walked even longer at the same water stop which was at mile 2.5. In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t but who knows maybe I finished faster because of it.

I knew from the clocks and my Garmin that I could unbelievably finish under 30 minutes.

And I did… gun time 29:56, chip time 29:49

I was very happy.

I grabbed some food ..the usual food, bagels, etc and hung around talking to a nice lady who just started running a year ago and another familiar face from many races.

Did I win an award?

nope – 4th- those darn water stops!

The lady that I crossed the finish line with was in my AG but she started 6 sec. after me.

Oh well. Maybe next time.

Split times:

mile 1: 9:29
mile 2: 9:56
mile 3: 9:54
.10: 7:45

(all under 10 min. woo hoo!!)

I am happy and I met ALL my goals for the race.

Have fun – YES!
Finish uninjured – YES!
Finish faster than my last 5k run walk (39:xx) – Yes, by 10 min.!
Finish under 35 minutes – YES, under 30 min.
Run most of the race – Yes, just walked at both water stops

nice swag (and there was even more junk)

This race was just what I needed.

I was on a runner’s high so I stopped on my way home to run some more. More about that in my next post.

Happy Running! Anyone racing this weekend?

September 6, 2013 by Darlene

D-Day

Oct. 13, 2013

Tomorrow is the deadline to defer my registration for the above half marathon until next year.

I can’t decide what to do. I keep going back and forth. I have 3 choices. (see below.)

I am definitely NOT IN SHAPE to run 13.1 miles.

YES, JUST DO IT

just walk most of it … they’ll be other walkers
you have your SRM shirt to wear
you will be depressed if you don’t
you will get a medal anyway as long as you finish
you’ll be more motivated to do longer runs on the weekends in the coming weeks
you will save $25 (that you can use to register for another race)
you will be among the marathon finishers so you won’t be alone
you already paid $60
5 hours vs 2.5 hours – more for your buck
if the weather is nice, it’s a beautiful course
you can always sign up next year and train better
Carpe Diem…who knows what injuries next year will bring?

after run/walking the Adirondack HM – Sept 2011 (2:45 finish)

NO, SKIP IT

run another race that weekend
go boating or for a hike that day
you will save $25 (that you can use to register for another race)
won’t have to stress in the coming weeks about long runs & can do some shorter races instead
you can still get the race shirt
you won’t be embarrassed by your slow time
who wants to spend 5 hours walking…
you can always sign up next year and train better

last weekend for running & boating on Lake George
(our marina closes Oct 15)

NO, DEFER IT

It’s only $25?? you already spent $60
run another race that weekend
go boating or for a hike that day
won’t have to stress in the coming weeks about long runs & can do some shorter races instead
you won’t be embarrassed by your slow time
you can train properly next summer
you can even try for a PR next year

maybe beat my time from the rainy hilly Lake George HM

Happy Running! Ever have this dilemma? What would you do?

September 5, 2013 by Darlene

Me a Model??

Sounds funny, right?

The info on Fleet Feet’s Next Top Model contest was posted by someone in my running group.

On September 25, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., Fleet Feet Sports, in conjunction with the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon, will host MARATHON NIGHT and the OFFICIAL 2013 FALL/WINTER FASHION SHOW. We need three men and three women, who are ready, willing and able to model new running apparel and Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon logo merchandise from adidas®.

STEP 1 – Submit a photo of you sporting your favorite adidas® running apparel.

STEP 2 – The top model entries will be posted on Fleet Feet Albany and the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half Marathon Facebook pages for voting. Photos will be posted starting on September 3 and voting will end on September 10 .

STEP 3 – Fleet Feet’s next top models will be announced on September 13. Each model will receive a Fleet Feet Sports Gift Card, complimentary entry into the 2014 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon or Half Marathon, as well as be a model at our Official Fashion Show 2013 on September 25, 2013.

I thought everyone would send in a picture and at the last moment, I did too. (And it was easy to find one since almost all my running clothes are Adidas.)

Well, there weren’t many entries and only one other from my group.

I don’t have a prayer…look at all those cute young women but if you are on FB and want to vote for me, click HERE!

Happy Running!

September 4, 2013 by Darlene

Just Do It

Last Saturday, I had wanted to run a 5K race. I printed out the registration form & filled it out. I picked out my outfit, set my alarm and…… chickened out.

Why? Because my running sucks. I mean my 3 mile times have been almost 40 minutes!!, Yeah, seriously sucky!

I didn’t run this 5k in Saratoga

I did what ever runner would do, checked the race results. And guess what? The winner in my age group ran it in 37:xx!! Even with my sucky running, I think in a race, I would have beat that. (I ran a 5k with a broken foot in 29:xx) I could have won an AG award.

On Monday, my 3 mile run was a sweat fest but I did it in 35 minutes. I plan to run again today and tomorrow and if I am lucky it will be less humid and I will run faster. (Actually it’s just walk less often and I will have a faster time.)

Sept 7, 2013

Yep, this time I paid for the race and I plan to run it even if I suck.

Last year, I ran this race while recovering from a broken ankle and it was my first 5k under 30 minutes since the injury. I don’t plan to repeat that feat…yet.

GOALS:

Have fun
Finish uninjured
Finish faster than my last 5k run walk (39:xx)
Finish under 35 minutes
Run most of the race

I don’t plan to go all out since I want to stop on the way home and add some more miles.

Happy Running! How competitive are you?

September 3, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – Not Much Running

Last Week:

Monday – walk at work
Tuesday ~~– 3 miles before work?,~~ walk at work, hair appt after work
Wednesday – DAY OFF, bus trip to the US Open tennis tournament

1 hour of tennis & 6 hours of rain delays

Thursday – walk ~~or run~~ – b-day dinner with friend

lunchtime walk in the park

Friday – 3 HUMID miles before work, movie (Blue Jasmine) after work
Saturday – 5 miles on the Corning Bike Path (lots of walking and HUMIDITY)

same place (previous weekend)

Sunday – ~~walk/run?~~ at the lake

a lot exercise here – NOT!

This Week:

Monday – day off – maybe 3-4 miles?
Tuesday – walk, tennis maybe
Wednesday – 3 miles, yoga?

Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – walk
Saturday –5K race + more?
Sunday – boating

Happy Running!

September 2, 2013 by Darlene

Christmas in September

As a tradition, Log Bay on Lake George celebrates Christmas on the day before Labor Day. It’s like a tailgating party but on boats. Everyone comes out and there is even a live band.

Past celebrations:

2010 – brr!

2011 – hot!

2012 – the weather was perfect

This year, the forecast was for lots of humidity and chance of thunderstorms.

Despite the forecast, there were at least 100 boats!! Lots of kayaks, jet skis, tubes, chairs, floats. There was a live band. And it was cloudy but it never rained!!