Author: Darlene

by

Punxsutawney Phil, Are You Nuts?

Punxsutawney Phil gives his annual Groundhog Day weather forecast today for the  125th time.

Considering the huge winter storm on the East Coast, I doubt he will see his shadow. I guess spring temperatures are just around the corner!! Ha! Ha!

Well, I’m snowed in!

Where I work closed yesterday at 2pm and won’t open till tomorrow.

I went to the gym yesterday before work – I couldn’t run in the snowstorm (well, I could if I were crazy). I ran 3 miles on the treadmill (watched a new show – Fairly Legal).

There was a sign on the door that the gym would be closed today.  With 2 more feet of snow coming, I knew I would not be able to run outside today.

So last night, I went back to the gym and ran 3 miles (watching another episode of Fairly Legal).

I went to the gym TWICE IN ONE DAY!!

Happy Running!

by

A Very Cool Half Marathon

The 2011 information isn’t up yet…but I have friends who own a house in Daytona Beach and you never know…

2010 info:

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile course is unlike any other race in the world, bringing runners from the World Center of Racing, to the World’s Most Famous Beach and back!

The entire course will be run on pavement (no beach run). Unfortunately, due to the track repave, we will not be able to run on the track as in previous years. However, we will use various parts of the track in-field, running a little more than 2 miles inside the Daytona International Speedway. (In 2011, the repaving should be done!!)

Runners will start just outside the Sprint FANZONE, only steps from parking, race-day registration & packet pick-up and permanent restrooms. Proceeding north from the start, runners will then loop around a portion of the Speedway’s Go Kart track. After the Go Kart track, runners will enjoy a .6 mile stretch on the scenic boardwalk alongside Lake Lloyd. You will then make your way back past the Sprint FANZONE before exiting the track.

After exiting the track, runners will dash past DAYTONA 500 Experience, the Official Attraction of NASCAR. The course will then head east towards the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing over the beautiful Halifax River and getting a first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, competitors will soon reach the World’s Most Famous Beach at approximately the 7.2-mile mark.

At that point, runners will catch a breathtaking view of the ocean at sunrise, with an approximate .1 mile stretch along the boardwalk at Sun Splash Park, before turning around and beginning the trip back to the Speedway and the finish line. The return includes another trip over the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as a run past one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American colleges, Bethune-Cookman University.

At the 13-mile mark, runners will reenter Daytona International Speedway, cross over the track and make a final sprint towards the finish line just outside the Sprint FANZONE. One of the best post race parties around is then just a few steps away in the Sprint FANZONE with awards taking place in the adjacent Gatorade Victory Lane.

KEY FEATURES:

Daytona International Speedway
The Speedway annually hosts the Super Bowl of motorsports, the DAYTONA 500, each February. The World Center of Racing is also the home of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, held each July.

DAYTONA 500 Experience
The attraction is located outside turn four of the Speedway on the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Bill France Blvd., and is the official attraction of NASCAR. Guests can experience the sights, sounds and history of the DAYTONA 500 through static and interactive displays. Each Daytona Beach Half Marathon entrant receives one complimentary DAYTONA 500 Experience admission.

Mainland High School
At the 3.5-mile mark, runners will pass Mainland High School, the alma mater of NBA star Vince Carter. The school’s gymnasium is named after Carter, who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school. Carter currently plays for the hometown Orlando Magic.

Bethune-Cookman University
Runners will run past BCU twice during the race. Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, and is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities.

Daytona Beach
Competitors will reach the World’s Most Famous Beach just past the 7-mile mark. Sunrise on race day is approximately 7:35 a.m., providing a great view once runners reach the ocean. Unlike the inaugural race’s quick turnaround, the course will wind through the oceanfront Sunsplash Park and includes a one-block run on the beach boardwalk. That is where the course will turn around and head back to the start line. The course does NOT run on the sand.

How cool does this sound???

A girl can dream!!

Happy Running!

by

February is Almost Here! Will the Snow Ever End?

January Recap:

My goal was to run 50 miles and a Half Marathon. I ran 72 miles and a Half Marathon!!!!! WooHoo!
 

February Goals:

 

  • 60 miles (combo of outside & treadmill)
  • 4 mi race
  • Follow Half Marathon training schedule

 

Please warm up and stop snowing!! I can’t run in this!!!!!!!!!

 Happy Runnng!

 

by

Weekend’s Over & Half Marathon #2 Training Begins

 

The weekend started with Friday evening at the Lake George Winter Carnival Gala at the The Georgian in Lake George.  We had a great time, eating, drinking and dancing to the music of Bobby Dick & the Sundowners (our favorite band).

Saturday am I watched my favorite tennis player, Kim Clisters, win the Australian Open. Then went out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.  The sidewalks were in better condition than in Albany but there aren’t many of them so I had to run in the road.  Not too treacherous around where I live.

I did it in a little over an hour.  My pace is still slow but getting better. 

Then 2 friends that I used to work with suggested Yoga, dinner & then a movie.  Sounded like fun.  I haven’t done yoga in ages and wanted to get back into it.

The yoga session was De-Stress Yoga and it was really slow & relaxing. It was Sat night so there were only 4 people in the class.  I am really stiff & have no flexibility at all.  So I think yoga will be  good for me.

Guess what I signed up for next Thursday there-

I am psyched!

The movie we saw was “Blue Valentine.”  Although the acting was great, it was pretty depressing. Not sure I’d recommend it unless you enjoy watching a marriage gone bad.

Sunday was very low key – laundry, grocery shopping.  I did my taxes (got depressed about how much $$$ we owe the govt), watched figure skating on TV while making chicken soup.

 Next up 12 weeks away is the Lake George Half Marathon on April 23, 2011.

I haven’t signed up yet.  But I think I will. I know it won’t be as warm or as scenic as Naples, Florida. I know that it is HILLY!! I’m not proud & I can walk up the hills and now that I know I can run 13.1, I want to do another and another and another.

Crazy, huh?

I think I like not being pressured about time.  I like all the excitement.  I like the finisher medal.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 15 miles & I ran 16.5 miles

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Wed – dentist, fleetfeet workshop (good form running)
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – winter carnival in LG
Sun – time with mentee

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs – 3  miles before or after work
Sat – 4 mi Race
Sun:  4 mi

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles,  4mi race,  half marathon training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

by

I’m 44 & it’s not my age

Guess what? My blog made  Brokenhearted Runner’s list of top running blogs for the 2nd year in a row.! He has put together a comprehensive list of some of the best in the business and I’m honored to have been included.

#44 – My First 5K Blog: She writes, she listens to her readers and keeps me interested.

I may not have many followers but someone thinks my blog is worth a read.

Last year I was listed 2nd:

My First 5K Blog– A great blog from a woman who’s not afraid to share her running experiences.

Anyway, I recommend that you go check it out!!! You’ll see plenty of familiar names there and maybe even find some new ones to add to your Blogroll.

Happy Running! Happy Blogging!

by

Tagged Again

The Happy Runner has tagged me for the Stylish Blogger Award! Thanks so much!!

You should check out her blog. She is training for a Half Marathon (after just having a baby in Oct.)! On her blog, she is tracking her training and offering helpful tips for others who are also doing so.

 There are 4 duties to perform to accept this award:

1. Make a post + Link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!

About ME:  (Since this is my 2nd tagging, I’ll add 7 more tidbits to the original 7):

  1. I am an avid Mets fan (even when they are losing). I listen to their games whenever I can.
  2. I have been mentoring a teenage unwed mom for the past 2 1/2 years.  Her 4 year old son Richard is a joy!  I love Amanda like a daughter.  (She is pregnant again and due Aug 20.)
  3. I have NEVER eaten peanut butter. (That means I’ve never had a P & J sandwich. I don’t even eat Reese’s.)
  4. I love to play tennis although I don’t play it as much since I started running almost 3  yrs ago. I used to play everyday now it’s only a once or twice a week. I may even enjoy running more!? But some of my best friends are ones that I met through playing tennis. (And I met my hubby playing tennis.)
  5. I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France and taught French for many many years (until I discovered the world of technology – now I’m a geek). I still love anything French and would move to Paris in a heart beat.
  6. I am addicted to Mah Jongg.  I have played it for over  2 years on Friday evenings.  It’s a game my mother used to play & no one wants to be like their mother but it’s a lot of fun and it keeps your mind young (I hope).
  7.  I have seen Les Miserables (the show) at least 12 times and would see it again if it came to town. I have also read the book & seen the movies but it’s the music that I love!
  8. I am a certified “cat lady.”  I have 5 cats: Jerry, Slater, Spooky, Billy, Honey. Honey is the only female. Jerry is my fav but my hubby adores Slater.
  9. I am obsessed with photos.  I take my camera almost everywhere I go.  I post them all in Kodak Photo Gallery and a selected number on Facebook.
  10. I love desserts.  I would skip dinner and just have dessert.  Once I even went to the Mariott’s (in NYC) all you can eat dessert buffet instead of having dinner. Apple pie and creme brulee are among my favorites.
  11. I hardly ever watch TV…I am never am home.  I detest reality shows, too.  I do Tivo Grey’s Anatomy and  Brothers & Sisters (but struggle to find the time to watch.) However, my hubby would do nothing else but watch TV if he could. 
  12. I hate the cold…why do I live in the NE, you may wonder.  Sunshine and heat make me happy – (I’ve been known to go lie on a tanning bed). No vitamin D shortage here!
  13. I love having everything in my house clean and in the right place BUT I hate to clean (& I have a messy hubby & 5 cats).  What’s a girl to do?  I have a cleaning lady!  When my stepsons were living at home, she came 2x a month but now I feel guilty &  I have her come once a month. (The crazy thing is that I clean up for the cleaning lady because I don’t want her to think we’re messy.)
  14. I love to read before going to bed.  In fact, I have to to relax.  I read People magazine weekly, Runner’s Word monthly and am always in the middle of a good novel.  Just finished Little Bee (highly recommend it).

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Happy Running!

by

Virtual 5K

Another balmy 32 degree day in Upstate, NY!! Just in case, this was my last run of the month, I decided that my after work run would be my participation in Baby Weight My Fat Ass’ Virtual 5k.

I lugged all my running gear to work again:  Turtleneck, fleece, windbreaker, gloves, tights, shorts, headband, socks, sneakers, ipod, headphones, Garmin, water bottle, banana….(Did I miss anything?)

I think it took me 15 minutes to change and get the show on the road.

It was dark as it usually is when I run after work so I wore a bright white windbreaker over my fleece.  Luckily, the streets around where I work are pretty lit up.

 I was prepared after yesterday for a slow run.  Some of the sidewalks are shoveled, others are icy & slushy.  I have to weave in and out. When I have to run in the road, the snowbanks are high and I sometimes have to stop when a car goes by because there is not enough room to run.

Nevertheless, I felt that I ran at a faster pace than yesterday.  Even my splits were negative.  Final time according to my Garmin – 33:53

Still running at my half marathon pace – that’s OK because I start training again on Monday for my 2ND HALF MARATHON!! (April 23, 2011 in Lake George).

Happy Running!

by

Heat Wave


Monday, the thermometer read -14.  That’s not with the wind chill!!

I draw the line under 10 degrees!  So Tuesday morning I went to the gym and ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill.  I watched a new show on my iPod Touch called “Off the Map” – jungle version of Grey’s Anatomy.

Today, the weather was almost balmy – 32 degrees!  So I brought (winter) running clothes to work.

I had signed up for a workshop at FleetFeet on “Common Overuse Injuries to Runners: Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendonitis” but although, I have foot issues (not these per se), I decided to run instead.

For once, the snowstorm hit south of us and there was no wind.  At onr point, I was too warm to wear my hat & gloves! One thing I forgot is that in Albany, they don’t shovel the sidewalks and when you run in the road, the cars practically run you down.

Anyway, I ran a treacherous 4 miles and after went to have my nails done and they give you a free hot pad for your back and a free back massage!!

Before heading home,  I stopped at Olympia Sports & bought 2 pairs of Adidas running shorts & 2 matching tops (that I don’t need) because they were on sale.

black w/green & pink trim and black w/white & lt blue trim

pink w/white trim and white w/ lt. blue trim

A very productive evening!

Happy Running!

by

Tentative Winter-Spring Racing Schedule


It’s not written in stone but I need a plan OR I won’t get out of bed to run:

Jan 16 – Naples Half Marathon – Naples, Fla.

Feb 5 – Polar Cap 4 mi Run – Lake George, NY

Mar 12 – Runnin of the Green 4 mi Run – Green Island, NY
Mar 26 – Firefighters Run 4 Life 5K – Schenectady, NY

Apr 10 – Delmar Dash 5 mi – Delmar, NY
Apr 23 – Lake George Half Marathon

May 1 – Literacy 5k – Troy, NY
May 8 – Mother’s Day 3.5 mi Race – Delmar, NY
May 22 – SPAC 5k Rock & Run – Saratoga, NY

Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY
Jun 11 – OK 5K – Kinderhook, NY
Jun 25 – Valley Cats Home Run 5K – Troy, NY

You can see I’ve added some new races.

Once it gets warm and the days get longer…I think it will be warm by July,   I may change my long runs to during the week.  That way, if I want to do another Half Marathon, it’s won’t interfere with 5k Sat races or weekend boating plans.

There are 3 HM possibilities:

  1. Aug 6 – Camp Chingachgook Challenge Half – Lake George, NY
  2. Sept 18 – Melanie Palio Half – Saratoga, NY
  3. Oct 9 – Marine Corps Half – Colonie, NY

    4. 

Happy Running!

by

What’s Next??

After 12 weeks of training and anticipation, it’s OVER!!

 I signed up for a Half Marathon, I trained for it, I ran it and met all my Goals.

What’s Next?

No, not a Marathon!!!!!!!!!

But I’m the kind of runner that needs goals. 

I have always planned my weekly runs based on an upcoming race. When you run only 5ks (I ran 21 in 3 yrs!!), it’s not too difficult.  I ran 2-3 times during the week (3 miles at a time) and ran a 5k on the weekend (almost every weekend from May-Oct).

I really enjoyed the 5ks and tried to improve each time.  I met a lot of great people. But at age 57, how much faster can I get?? (I’ve improved my PR from 37 something to 27 something)

It’s all changed!!

I ran a Half Marathon.

On the weekends, I had added a long run of 6-12 miles to my 2-3 weekly 3 mile runs.

This is my dilemma…the 5k races don’t really fit into another Half Marathon training. I can add on the extra miles from time to time but it’s not the same as a real Long Run.

What do I do???

What I am sure of is:

  • I want to run another Half Marathon or 2. (with more confidence than the first &  a little faster)
  • I want to continue to run a lot of 5ks in the summer months (fits in with our boating)
  • I want to add some other distances – 4 mi, 5 mi, 10k, 15k, 10 mi

But’s Monday and it’s time for this week’s goals:

Last week update:

 I ran only 6 miles (but I was resting after my Half Marathon)

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – FleetFeet workshop
Thurs – mall w/bff
Fri – gala in LG
Sat – tennis dinner
Sun – cards w/friends

This week’s running:

Tues– 3 miles before work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 3  miles after work
Sun:  5 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 15 miles
January Monthly Running Goal = 50 miles, a half marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!