Author: Darlene

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Happy National Running Day

Actually, I RUN because it feels great when I’m done!

And it did today….I squeezed  in 3 miles before work and 2 miles before yoga & after work.

In honor of National Running Day, let’s talk “running.” (questions borrowed from Sweat Once a Day)

1. What is your favorite distance to run?

For me, it’s definitely the 5K and I have run about 50 in 3 years!! There are so many of them to choose from. They’re easy to train for.  They don’t take a lot of time to run.

Mother's Day 5k Race '11

2. What is the best race you ever did?

 I would have to say that it was the Naples Daily News Half Marathon.  The weather and the scenery were awesome and it was my lst half which I never thought I could do. I also like running in the Freihofer’s Run for Women.  It’s a BIG local race and I always envied women that ran it and now I can!

3. What is your favorite running attire?

My clothes have to be color coordinated (and if possible, the same brand).  That’s very important.  I like running skirts (and need to get more.)

4. What is your favorite running gear?

I can’t believe I ran for so long without one. It’s my Garmin!!  I got it for my first half marathon.

5. Biggest Running Accomplishment Ever?

That’s easy – finishing my first half marathon and finishing my 2nd (rainy, cold) half marathon.

6. Favorite thing to eat after a run?

I have a big sweet tooth.  Donuts or cupcakes or ice cream!!

 

Happy Running!  Did you run today?

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June already?

May Recap:

Goals:

  • 60 miles  – ALMOST – 57.5  (This is my lowest mileage month this year but also the lst month without half marathon training and I was on vacation for a week.)
  • running 3-4 times per week  – YES!
  • a 5k race (finishing under 30 min) or 2 or 3 or 4 – YES! 3 5ks – all under 30 min and a 3.5 mi race – that’s 4 races!!

Highlights of May:

My Tennis Vacation in Naples, Florida:

after a run one morning

Memorial Day Weekend on Lake George:

on the marina dock after a morning run

Goals for June:

  • 70 miles
  • running 3-4 times per week
  • adding some longer runs
  • a 5k race or 2 (finishing under 29 min)

Happy Running!

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Monday Goals on Tuesday

Update for Last Week:

My goal was 15  miles and I ran 6 times for a total of  15.5 miles. YAY!
No races.
I played tennis 1x and did yoga 1x.

Goals for next week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – boating on the lake
Tues – tennis after work
Wed –yoga
Thurs – belated b-day dinner
Fri –  mah jongg
Sun – NYC to see Memphis on Broadway

This week’s running:

Mon – 3 mi near the marina
Wed – 4 mi after work
Thurs – 3 miles before work
Sat – Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k + 4 more
 
Week Running Goal = 17 miles 
June Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race or 2

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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First Lake Weekend

Today I am leaving for Lake George…. I hope we have decent weather and not too much rain!!!!

our boat at the island dock (last July)
eating at our site (last July)
Log Bay Island #3 is where we’ll be docked for 3 days…so no blogging…but when we go into Bolton Landing for supplies I hope get get in a run.
Bolton Landing (Sagamore) running route

9N running route

Happy Running and Happy Memorial Day weekend!

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Work and Racing

On June 22, I am going to a conference in Milwaukee, WI.

Look what is going on in Milwaukee at 7pm on June 22:

Wouldn’t it be cool to run this race?

The problem is that my flight (if it is on time) doesn’t arrive until 5pm and then I have to take a (20 min) shuttle to the hotel, check-in and grab a cab to the race…

I still say: Wouldn’t it be cool to run this race?

My conference is at the Marquette University Law School and I’m staying 15 min from there at the Hyatt City Center.

I think it’s not too far from the river. I’m hoping I can squeeze in a run in the evenings.  Anyone ever been to Milwaukee?

Happy Running! TGIF!

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Wordless Wednesday

Me during all my training runs (taken during my recent trip to Fla.)

Me during a recent 5k RACE

How do you motivate yourself when it doesn’t count?  Or does it matter?

Happy Running!

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Lucky Numbers?

The bib numbers for my last 3 races were:

May 8 (Mother’s Day Race) – 82
May 19 (Workforce Team Challenge) – 288
May 22 (SPAC Rock & Run) – 82

Coincidence?

Apparently in China, the number 8 is considered a very lucky number since it sounds like the word for prosper when it is pronounced.

My next race is June 4 – Freihofer’s Race for Women.  I wonder what my number will be?

[Update:  My FRW # is 2984!!]

Happy Running!

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Monday, Monday, Monday

Update for the Last 2 Weeks:

My goal was 21.5  miles and I ran 7 times for a total of  21.5  miles. YAY!
I ran  a 3.5 mile race and a 5K race. (almost PR in both)
I played tennis 8x and had 5 clinics.

Goals for next week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis after work
Tues – mentor mtg
Wed –yoga
Thurs – belated b-day dinner
Fri –  mah jongg
Sat – boating on the lake
Sun – boating on the lake

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 mi after work
Wed – 3 mi after work
Thurs – 4  miles after work
Sun – 5 mi in Bolton Landing
 
Week Running Goal = 15 miles 
May Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race or 2 or 3 or 4

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

42.590990 -73.831099
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SPAC 2nd Annual Rock & Run 5k Race Report

I ran this race last year and it was my fastest 5k at the time.  I have since gotten faster so I was excited to have a good race. PR?  Maybe?

I remember the course being shady & flat with music and timing clocks along the course. It was also predicted to be the first dry day in over a week.  YAY!

at home before I left

The race was scheduled to begin at 10:30 but I headed up to Saratoga early to avoid the crowds. It was sunny when I left but it turned cloudy with a slight breeze and temps in the 60’s.  My boss Chris was supposed to be there but I didn’t see him but I did bump into Dede, a professor that I work with (She was supposed to race Thurs but didn’t).

I was a little chilly but opted to leave my jacket behind and run with just my tanktop. (I was glad I did since it was very humid.)

There were over 700 runners at the race. I started near the front.  The problem with trying to PR is that I knew I had to run faster than 8:51/mi.  I started fast but couldn’t keep it up.  Then when you know you can’t PR, you get depressed.

photo from The Saratogian

The course was a fun one.  There were local bands playing all throughtout the park.  There were electronic timers at  each mile and 3 water stops  (I drank at all 3!).

Although I was running faster than usual, everyone was passing me by including Dede who finished in 23 min.  (Who knew she was a runner?) I crossed the finish line at 27:48!!

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:46
mile 2 – 9:22
mile 3 – 9:04
           .1 – 7:15

Not a PR but a good race.  I am very happy with it.  Last year I ran this course in 29:12 and I thought that was awesome.

They had bars, bananas and donuts (I ate 2!) but most of the good stuff (cupcakes, ice cream, pizza) cost money & I didn’t bring any.

They had the same photo booth as last year and I took some ugly pics of myself.

I stuck around the the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, the awards were given for 10 year age groups not 5.  I came in 6th for 50-59 but 1st for 55-59.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and I then added another (slooow) run of 2.9 miles before a belated birthday celebration with my BF- Blue Spice, Thai for dinner and then a movie – Water for Elephants.

Happy Running! Hope you enjoyed a good weekend of running/racing!

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Foto Friday

As promised, here are some photos from my wonderful vacation in Naples, Florida:

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Now that vacation is over, I’m back to running!

3.5 mile race last night and a 5k race on Sunday. 

Next half marathon training does not start until July 4 but I have to decide whether or not I am going to do the 10 miler on June 26.  If so, I need to start running more than 3 miles!!

Happy Running!  Good luck on any races you are doing this weekend!