In case you don’t read my blog often — I ran with Joan Benoit Sanuelson last Wed.
Here is some proof:
photos by: Peter Thomas (who took 100+ )
Happy Running! Enjoy your weekend!
Author: Darlene
Another 5k
on Sept 8, 2012 at 8:30 am
For this race, you run through the Saratoga Technology & Energy Park, up to GlobalFoundaries and through the Luther Forest Technology Campus. Sound exciting? NOT!
doesn’t look too bad
It is sponsored by GlobalFoundaries where my stepson works and it’s a race. And for this race, you get a hat, tee shirt, water bottle, running towel and cider donuts afterwards.
My weekday runs are SLOOOOOOOOOOW and painful. Not so much physically painful but mentally painful (and a little physical pain afterwards.)
I either need a running partner or a race.
People that I know who run live far away, don’t work, run too fast and/or too many miles. So I choose races.
So far, it seems to work.
- I run better in a race.
- I push myself.
- I don’t run alone.
- I feel better after than before.
5k races, however, do get in the way of long weekend runs. I can add on miles afterwards but in a race I don’t run my long run pace and it’s not the same when you stop in between for a long time.
For now, I’ll deal with it since my first scheduled half marathon isn’t until March.
Happy Running! Do sign up for a lot of races?
Globally Thin
The new BBC calculator can tell you if you are a healthy weight for your height and how you rank against others globally.
Try it here.
Here are my results:
Let me say that I weigh more than I have ever weighed. Every decade I gain 5 lbs. Pretty depressing! (It’s a metabolism thing. At least that’s what I tell myself.)
This just shows that the most of the US is fat 😦
They should have a BMI global calculator that compares runners around the world. My BMI then might make me diet.
Happy Running! Do you worry about your BMI?
Christmas Comes Early on Lake George
Past celebrations:
2010 – brr!
2011 – hot!
This year, on the day before Labor Day, the weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold.
boats lined up and tied together
floats tied together and pulled around the bay
This is an annual party in Log Bay on Lake George. It’s like a tailgating party but on boats. Everyone comes out and there is even a live band.
me & my hubby hanging out on top of our friend’s boat
some of our friends dressed up for the holidays
having fun on a beautiful day
There were maybe 100 boats!! Some stayed until dark.
We went back to our marina. There was live music followed by fireworks. Afterwards, we went out for dinner & drinks. A long fun day.
On Labor Day, I got up early planning to run. But we had decided that we were going to get a site on an island rather than hanging out in a bay. A little more coordination involved.
So like last year, I decided to forego the run in favor of a hike.
last year’s hike to the top of Vista
We got to the site on Commission Point early and I set off on my hike. To make a long story short, I never found the path to go up to the hike so I just continued on the trail north along the east side of the lake.
view along the trail
The trail was very flat and I could have gone forever (except that my hubby was waiting for our guests back where I started.)
another view
Eventually (2 miles later), I arrived at Black Mountain Point where several couples from our marina were picnicking.
with Mike & Chris (I’m the one with running clothes on..ha ha.)
Then my hubby called saying that our guests had arrived and they wanted to started cooking.
I had to run the 2 miles back to our site!
So I did get in a 4 mile trail run/hike!!
I was able to enjoy lots of good food (including lobster rolls) and good company (more friends showed up.)
me & the hubby on Commission Point
So the summer ends….hopefully there will be a lot fall boating adventures!!
Happy Running! How did you celebrate the long weekend?
5 for fiVe Race Report
on Sept 1, 2012 in Saratoga
I didn’t have high hopes for this race since my run on Thursday was the worst ever.
Nevertheless, I love racing and I was determined to do my best and have fun.
The weather was more summer-like than September and the race didn’t start until 10am.
I headed up to Saratoga and arrived there around 9:30. Already near 80 degrees (& humid.)
before the race
There were real bathrooms – love that! I bumped in to 2 ladies (in their 60’s) who like me ran a race every weekend.
cotton tee shirt – ick!
view from the warming hut facing the start
The course began on the trail and then went out to route 9. We were running on sidewalk (which made my ankle hurt) Then we went back into the park and ran on asphalt or trails.
I can’t say that I felt strong during this race cuz I didn’t. I was determined to just plod along as fast as I could. I knew without looking at my Garmin that I was getting slower and slower and slower.
I paced myself with a lady around my age and I am proud to say that she was ahead the whole race until mile 3 and then I finished way ahead.
I was hoping to run the whole thing but the water stop half way was too tempting and I walked.
Unfortunately the race ended on the trail and I find it very hard to run fast on trails.
I finished in 30:55. Not near a PR but a post injury PR by 3 seconds.
There was lots to eat after the race: water, gatorade, bananas, apples, donuts, bagels, crumb cake, granola bars & brownies (I ate 3!)
I hung around for awhile. I came in 8th in my age group (50-59) but I was one year away from 1st in the next age group. The also raffled away some great gifts but I didn’t win.
So what about my race goals:
- Have fun. Of course.
- Finish. Yes.
- Feel good during the race. Not too bad.
- Run the whole thing. Walked once.
- Only walk at water stop(s). Yes and good thing, there was only one.
- Run faster than my previous 5Ks this year (beat 30:58 ). Yes, 30:55
- Run faster than my RFTH 5k time (beat 30:40) . Nope.
After the race, I didn’t drive up to Lake George as I usually do. It is a 3 day weekend so I decided to go up later and spend Sunday & Monday there.
On the way home, I felt like running more so I stopped in Crescent along the Mohawk River. I always wondered if it was a nice trail.
It was definitely scenic but my legs didn’t agree with my brain. They wre shot. So I ran/walked them only 2 miles.
Mohawk River
the bridge that I run by on the Nisky trail (in the distance)
I will defintely try this run again. The river views are nice and you are running on soft ground.
Happy Running! Any exciting plans for the Labor Day weekend?
Why Does Summer Go By So Quickly?
I can’t believe it’s September already!!
Here is what I had planned for August:
- running (4 times per week)
- faster running (fewer walk breaks)
- longer runs (5 miles or more)
- another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
- tennis (once a week)
- boating on weekends
- reading (when not watching the Olympics)
- fun times with friends & family
oops…ran less than July
How did I do?
- I have been running 3-4 times each week.
- I am not sure if I am running faster but I am worrying about it less. It will come or it won’t (and I’ll deal with it.)
- My runs are not necessarily longer since I have been running before work (to avoid fatigue & heat) which means I usually run only 3 miles. On the weekend, I have run 4 miles and I did complete my FIRST 10K RACE!!
- I ran another 5K race and I finished under 31 minutes!!
- I played tennis 3 times.
- I have been boating most weekends — the weather has been perfect!
- Yes, I have been reading my YA trilogies (Divergent & Delirium)
- Yes, there have been fun times
and I ran with Joan Benoit Samuelson!!
What new goals do I have for September?
- Higher weekly and monthly mileage totals. I ran fewer miles in August than July. If I stay healthy, I want to gradually increase. If the weather cools down, I should be able to add some after work runs that are longer (though it will also get darker earlier.)
- Lower my 5K time.
- Lower my 10K time
- Start yoga.
- Join a gym and work out. (If I keep saying this, maybe it’ll happen.)
Happy Running! Do you have any new goals?
5K Number 5
on Sept 1, 2012 in Saratoga
So I continue on my quest to do at least one 5K each month. And I plan hope to get faster with each one.
I actually only signed up for this one because it had a Groupon and only cost $10. I have never run this race but have run many in Saratoga (though the courses are all different.)
This one starts at the Warming Hut in the park so the route may be similiar to the Run for the Horses 5K that I did several years ago.
(Course Description: Starts at Warming Hut, travels down Avenue of Pines, let up route 9 passing the Dance Museum. Then course continues through a back trail in Saratoga State Park, exiting at Gideon Putnam Road. Loop around Theater, then head back towards Route 9 trail with nursery on your right. Ends at Warming Hut.)
Ave. of the Pines
MY RACE GOALS:
- Have fun.
- Finish.
- Feel good during the race.
- Run the whole thing
- Only walk at water stop(s).
- Run faster than my previous 5Ks this year (beat 30:58 ).
- Run faster than my RFTH 5k time (beat 30:40)
(And they are in order of importance.)
Happy Running! Do you have any racing plans for the weekend?
The Elusive “P”
At Joan Benoit Samuelson‘s talk Tuesday night, she mentioned that there were several P words that were important in order to be a successful runner. She asked the audience to guess them. And we did except one.
Here are the ones I remember:
- PASSION
- PERSEVERANCE
- PURPOSE
She was surprised that no one said one important one.
What is it??? Can you guess?
If not, it’s:
Yup, PATIENCE!!
As I was running this morning and my running was not good, I berated myself that almost 3 months ago, I ran 3 miles for the first time and today, I am still struggling to run 3 miles!!!
Shouldn’t I be farther along? Should I try harder?? If patience is a virtue, I don’t have it!!
Then I found the above quote.
I remember saying while I was injured and not running: “I just want to run again. I don’t care how far or how fast, just run!”
So I am going to try to remember that.
And another “P” word.
“Don’t push it. You were injured. You are still healing!”
Happy Running! Are you patient?
Running With Joanie
First I used my free ticket to see this film last night. The room was filled with women runners, of course – many of whom I recognized from races. I sat with some women from the SRMs. I also chatted with a professor that I work with, someone in my tennis contract and a former student at the law school. The room was mostly full but I am sure that many more people would have come if they had known about it.
Joanie & the winners before the movie (photo by Peter Thomas)
They announced the 3 grand prize winners and they were on stage to tell their stories:
- a women who runs to raise money for LLS in memory of her young daughter who had died from the disease
- a women who beat depression & breast cancer through running
- a young women who had a serious brain injury…was in a coma, thought not to live, not to speak and of course, never walk…she is training for her 1st 5K
Everyone was moved including Joanie.
The movie was just as inspiring. Joanie has a great story to tell. I highly recommend seeing it if it comes to your town.
They gave out Nike water bottles randomly to some of the attendees. I got one and it had a $25 gift card to Hannaford supermarkets. Yay me!
And yes, I was inspired by the women on stage and by Joanie’s movie. I couldn’t wait to go out and run!!
The next morning, I headed out for my RUN with Joanie. It was held at the Corning Bike Trail (where I run often.) The weather was sunny and in the 60’s – PERFECT!!
They said to get there at 8:00 am for the event. I arrived a little early and walked around to stretch my legs.
early morning sun on the Hudson river
perfect weather for a run
Joanie was warming up before the run
I followed the signs for the run and waited for all the runners to arrive.
Joanie signing autographs
ME and Joanie!!
Eventually we started the run. There were a lot of photographers and videographers.
waiting to begin (photo by Hazel)
starting our run (photo by Peter Thomas)
I had wanted to run the whole thing! It was supposed to a flat out and back 3 miles.
Unfortunately, my body disagreed. My first mile was too fast and the 3rd mile turned into 3.27 miles with an ending UP over a bridge and back UP over it.
my splits
As you can see, I ran until about 2.75 miles and walked and then after mile 3, I walked up the hill over the bridge so that I could finish strong. (I finished the 3 miles in 30:59 and the run in 33 minutes)
The best part was that Joanie tried to run with each of us. And she did. She ran up to me and said “Your stride is really strong” and then she commented on my Freihofer shirt. So I told her about my injury and that shirt was symbolic of my return to running.
waiting for everyone to finish (photo by Hazel)
In the end, Joanie finished with Abby, the runner who had suffered a brain injury. It brought everyone to tears as we watched her complete her longest run ever!
Abby & Joanie
They took a lot of group photos (individual ones also at the finish)
Abby (nicknamed Bambi) gets a stuffed Bambi (photo by Hazel)
And I am so glad I had this opportunity. It was worth missing the US Open.
Happy Running! Have you ever run with someone famous?
The Running – Tennis Weekend
Running – Tennis…in that order.
This past weekend was my 2nd weekend with the tennis ladies this summer at my friend’s house on the Schroon River. These ladies are the ones we call our travel team. Since 2002, we go away together 1-2x a year to play tennis.
I had planned to get there early (as I did last time) and run before they got there and then play tennis.
Well, this group got there earlier than me.
I should have gone to play tennis with them but I ran instead. (There were 6 women there & 2 more coming…. need 8 for 2 courts of doubles, anyway)
picture perfect day along the Schroon R.
running down my favorite road
now the waterlilies have bloomed
I enjoyed my run, too.
When I got back, I changed and planned to join them on the courts…but they were hot & tired and didn’t want to play any longer 😦 (I think they were a little annoyed that I went for a run rather than playing tennis with them.)
Oh well.
We had lunch, spend the rest of the day by the river, playing scrabble, reading, gabbing. The evening including more eating, laughing and playing cards. So nice to be among friends.
Some women had to leave but there were 4 of us who stayed overnight.
The next morning, I didn’t make the same mistake. I got up early and went for a run.
sunflowere in bloom as well
looks like fall is peaking through
over to the bridge & back home
When I got back, we played tennis! Right, that’s why I was there. It was fun.
me after playing tennis
The afternoon played out just like yesterday. I relaxed in the shade in an Adirondack chair looking at the river with my friends. Perfect!
When everyone left, I hung out with my book (Pandemonium, sequel to Delirium). Then I went for a long walk (& of course, had my mandatory ice cream cone.)
Remember, my dilemma? My tennis friends convinced me to choose running, not tennis.
I am running with Joanie on Wednesday!
Happy Running! How was your running this weekend?
My First 5K and More... 