August 9, 2015 by Darlene

I’ve Been Nominated

Liebster Award

Thanks to Karen @ Running50 for nominating this blog for a Liebster Award. (I think it’s my 3rd time. Maybe I need to recruit more followers. LOL)

Here are my answers to her 11 questions:

1.What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Running my first Half Marathon. I really wasn’t sure I could.

2. Where would you choose to live if you did not have any restrictions on where you were?

Paris, France. It’s my favorite city. I love the language, food, monuments, museums, gardens, etc.

3. Have you crossed something off of your bucket list? If so, what and if not, tell us something that is still on your list.

I have been to the Grand Canyon, Israel, France, Greece.

2004

Many things on my list involves traveling that we’can afford (Alaskan cruise, African Safari, Hawaii..)

But I still want to run a race in NYC.

4. If you could time travel, would you chose to live in a different time? When?

No, I like the time I’m in. I’m a techie and that stuff didn’t exist in other time periods.

5. What was a favorite childhood book?

I used to love those Nancy Drew mysteries.

6. Can you speak a second language? If so, what and if not, which language would you like to be able to speak?

Je peux parler francais.

Y un pocito de espanol.

7. What is your favorite holiday and why?

I’ve always liked July 4th. It’s summer and I love BBQs and fireworks.

8. What would a perfect vacation be?

I’m not sure. Either on a beach or in a place with lots of interesting sites to photograph.

9. Do you have a recipe that you are famous for making?

I make a really good apple pie.

10. I’m also going to ask a question I was asked. What blog post are you most proud of?

A guest post – https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/guest-post: You’re Not Over the Hill…Why You Should Run… Advice for women in their later years

11.Who inspires or inspired you?

All those women over 50 who are running.

Now here are 11 random facts about myself:

1. I am an avid Mets fan (even when they are losing which is most of the time). I listen to their games whenever I can.

2. I have been mentoring a young unwed mom for the past 7 years. Her 8 1/2 year old son Richard is a joy! I love Amanda like a daughter. (She also now has 4 year old son named Matthew.)

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 tennis although I don’t play it much since I started running 7 yrs ago. I used to play tennis everyday now it’s only a once a week. Roger Federer is my favorite professional player. Now I’d rather run!! But some of my best friends are ones that I met through playing tennis. They are the reasons I continue to stick with it.

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my tennis buds

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.

at NYBQ for a Monet exhibit

6. I am addicted to Mah Jongg. I have played it for 6 1/2 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 15 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 4 cats: Jerry, Slater, Billy, Honey. Honey is the only female. (I used to have 5 but Spooky died.) Jerry is my fav but my hubby adores Slater.

9. I am obsessed with photos. I take my camera or phone almost everywhere I go. I post them all online in Shutterfly and many on Facebook. (And of course on this blog.)

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.

some French patstries – yum!

11. I hardly ever watch TV… I am never am home. I detest reality shows, too. I do DVR Grey’s Anatomy, Downton Abbey, and The Good Wife (but struggle to find the time to watch.) However, my hubby would do nothing else but watch TV if he could. If I am home in the evening, I would rather read a book.

My Nominees are:

Traveling, Running and a little bit of style
See Linda Run
Darlin’ Rae
Adventures of a Middle-Aged Drama Queen
Gramma Goes Running
Running Races Coast to Coast
We Run Disney
Running Over the Hill
Running-Late
A handful of Spinach
Anyone else who qualifies…

Questions My Nominees Need to Answer:

What is your dream job?
Vacation at the beach or the city?
What is your favorite food?
Red or white wine?
What is one thing you have accomplished on your bucket list?
Morning person or night owl?
If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be?
Favorite race and why?
Favorite TV show?
How do you relax?

Happy Running! If you haven’t been nominated (maybe you have too many followers), answer one or more of my questions in a comment.

May 2, 2015 by Darlene

Spring Run Off 10K Race Report

I signed up for the 15k which was to begin at 8:30 am. The 5K would begin at 10 am. I was tempted to switch & sleep in or switch to the 10K.

I was afraid of a repeat of what happened to my foot last weekend and make my foot worse.

last year at the 10K

This is my second year running this race and I am familiar with the course. It is where I do a lot of my long training runs.

with Judy here a few weeks ago

Last night this race included a free pasta dinner & packet pick up.

The food was really good. It was catered by D’Raymonds, a local Italian restaurant. There was salad, bread, pasta, wine, and lots of homemade desserts. It wasn’t a buffet. They actually served you. I ate A LOT!!

Last year I got invited to sit with two lovely older runners. We had some great discussions….about running, of course and have seen each other several times since.

pasta dinner before the race above

This year, these ladies couldn’t come so I sat with some older runners that I know since we run many of the same races. It was fun.

Then all of a sudden I got cold feet about running the 15K. So I did it – I SWITCHED TO THE 10K!!

I know you are surprised but I didn’t want to run 9.3 miles on a sore foot. I would have switched to the 5k if it was run at the same time.

Anyway, we lucked out with the weather – sunny, no wind and warm. I even wore a tank top and brought a jacket just in case.

I wore my new shoes, thorlo padded socks, moleskin pad under my foot, etc and all other precautions against blisters and foot pain. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.)

I arrived early to make sure I got parking and to look for people who I knew. I found parking in the closer lot and then walked over to the start.

I immediately ran into Barbara whom I met on FB.

We hung out and chatted. In fact, we had to wait quite a while for the race to start.

chatting with Barbara. Valerie is on the right.

Apparently they were blasting a bridge that we would have to run under.

At least the weather was nice but THERE WERE NO BATHROOMS. There are some in 2 nearby locations but they were locked.

So we waited and were entertained by music.

and the timing workers dancing

Finally the race started (about a half hour late). The 10K and the 15k started together. Same course, the 10Kers just turned around sooner.

I started toward the front but not too near the fast runners.

I went out fast of course because I knew that I would slow down – bad attitude, right?

The course is lovely. You run along the Hudson River but unfortunately, my foot did not cooperate again.

I was already walking through the water stop at 1.5 miles.

This was a sign that the race would be going downhill.

I willed myself to keep up an even pace until the turn around of this out and back course. (In fact, I was at 28 minutes at the 3.1 mark – PR pace.)

You would think that there would be water then but nope not again until about mile 4.5. It was warm and I was thirsty.

Finally, I decided to have some Gu to get more energy around mile 4.

I walked twice during the first half but at least twice that during the second half.

My foot was hurting and it really sucked!! I hate running in pain!!

But I decided to just walk/run until I finished. I knew that I would not PR (even though it was an easier course than the one I did PR for).

As I approached the finish line, I tried to finish under 58 minutes but could not.

I crossed at 58:19

So it wasn’t a PR but it was actually my 2nd fastest 10K ever. Just think of what I could have done if my foot was not killing me?

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:53
mile 2- 9:15 (water stop)
mile 3 – 9:17
mile 4 – 9:53 (walking has begun)
mile 5 – 9:52 (water stop & lots of walking)
mile 6 – 9:38 (less walking)
.2 – 8:19

I had some refreshments and waited for the 5k to begin. Homemade cookies, brownies and cakes – YUM!

I stayed because I wanted to cheer on my new friends and some SRMs that were running it.

with Laurie from the Turkey Trot training group

I also began to feel better about my race. My time wasn’t bad. I beat my time from last year in this same race!! And now that I was done, my foot felt fine!

It was fun cheering the 5k finishers. I rarely do this because I usually only go to to races when I am running in them.

3 SRMs

Being a small race, it seemed that almost everyone got age group medals.

I was glad that I switched from the 15K. Since it was a new race, they didn’t give out medals for the 15K- just trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. I would have been pissed if I ran 9.3 miles and got nothing.

waiting for the results (with Laurie)

Last year. I got 3rd. This year, I got FIRST place!

In the 5K, Valerie got 2nd and Laurie got third – We were all winners!

All in all, not a bad race but not what I hoped. I wished that my foot was feeling better.

Because it was such a nice day, I decided to test my foot further. I walked back to my car and then ran/walked 2 miles, rested my foot and then ran/walked back to my car. My pace was about 13 min/mile. But I got the miles in and I went home and iced my foot. Hopefully it is not worse and I can find a way to heal quickly!

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you run or race?

March 22, 2015 by Darlene

Shamrock Shuffle Race Recap

This was my 4th 5 mile race.

My Delmar Dash times:

2014 – 48:14
2013 – 47:39
2011 – 47:08 PR

The Delmar Dash which is next Sunday is the only 5 miler that I have run. As you can see my times have gotten slower. I’d like to turn that around.

I was hoping that the weather would be a little more springlike and I could wear my new green skirt. But it was not. It was COLD, even colder than last week. So I just wore tights under my skirt and the usual layers.

ss15

Not knowing anything about the course (though it claims to be fast and flat) and Delmar is absolutely flat, I was hoping to finish under 50 minutes and maybe beat last year’s 5 mile time (48:14).

I also wanted to have enough energy to run 5 more miles afterward since I did not do my long runs the last 2 weekends.

The race was about an hour drive from my house and again I left early not knowing exactly where I was going.

Well, when I left it was around 20 degrees. The winds were 25 mph and it was predicted to get up 40 mph wind gusts. Did not sound like fun to me.

Yesterday, it was nice out. All day long, I felt like doing my 10 mile long run and DNSing this race. So I went into this race with a crappy attitude.

My attitude changed as soon as I arrived. Although the parking lot was full, I found a spot on a nearby street. Everyone hung out in the gym waiting for the race to start.

cold short sleeved tees shirt (that I will send to my running buddy)

I chatted with a runner about the Schroon Lake Half Marathon. She noticed my jacket.

I though I was going to wear my Schroon Lake Half jacket

Then I bumped into Laurie from my Turkey Trot training group. We talked for a while being entertained by bag pipes.

With a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began so I took a GU.

Soon, we headed for the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the cold.

I changed my mind several times about what to wear. Eventually I settled on a fleece vest under my 2 shirts instead of the windbreaker. I was hoping that the sun would keep me warm.

Well, this supposedly fast flat course was not flat for the first 2 miles.

And as usual, I went out too fast thinking I was Super Woman.

over the highway bridge

By the first water stop around mile 1.75, I was pooped. The wind, the hills and my fast pace had killed me so I walked for a bit.

Then I slowed it down until we got the downhill portion. Mile 3’s downhills gave me a boost but again at the second water stop around mile 4, my speed caught up to me. This time I walked for even longer.

The bad thing about wearing a watch is that I knew my pace was faster than last week and fast enough to PR. So I felt comfortable walking instead of pushing myself to do even better.

the course went down main roads as well as old neighborhoods

Finally, I saw the finish line and tried to sprint but I didn’t have much left.

iI wish someone had mentioned that my skirt was tucked into my belt

I crossed at 46:29. A PR! This made me very happy!!

other runners heading to the finish line

happy to be done..ignore my skirt that is scrunched up into my belt

I went inside and I must say the refreshments left a lot to be desired…bananas and some stale cookies.

So I went back into the gym and waited for Laurie to finish and the results to be posted.

When I looked at the results, I noticed that my name was not listed!!! I was pissed…my fastest 5 miler and a probable age group award!!

So I talked to the director when they were reading the men’s awards and she remembered me and asked for my name and my time.

I hoped my Garmin was correct and it turned out to be.

Yup, I got third. Some of the fast women did not run this race…YAY!

And I got a beer glass.

out of 338

Splits:

mile 1- 8:55
mile 2- 9:31 (walk #1)
mile 3- 8:58
mile 4- 9:35 (walk #2)
mile 5- 9:19
.04 – 8:17

I enjoyed the race (I enjoy them all) and was happy about how I did considering the wind and my walking. I’m not sure if it was worth the hour ride so I may not do this one again especially if I am training for a spring half marathon.

I get another shot at a 5 miler next Sunday – the Delmar Dash!!

Though I was tired and cold, I drove back and stopped along the way to run some more miles.

First I stopped at Colonie Town Park but the bike path in both directions was snow/ice covered so I drove the Nisky Bike Path.

It was clear.

clear for 2.25 miles

But it seemed to have gotten colder and the wind gusts were incredible. I almost quit several times.

out of luck…can’t get to Blatnik Hill

I really struggled to get 5 more miles done. I walked a lot. In fact, it took me over one hour!! (That’s over a 12 minute pace.)

Oh well, at least I got my 10 mile long run done. It just had a 2 hour break in the middle.

When I got home, my friend called and wanted to know if I wanted to go get soft ice cream.

how could I say “no”…another mint cone..yum!!

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing?

February 15, 2015 by Darlene

DIY Medal & Bib Hanger and Giveaway Winner

Yes, I could have ordered one like this:

But it was more fun to make my own (and cheaper).

I bought a wood shelf at Joann’s (with a 50% off coupon). I also bought some adhesive letters there.

Then I bought 4 long screws & 2 cup hooks at Lowe’s.

I spray painted everything white (cuz I had white paint). I added the letters when dry and VOILA:

It’s not awesome but definitely functional and cost less than $10 to make.

Of course, it seemed bigger until I put stuff on it. I only hung bibs with race names on them (& one per race). But all my bling fit…for now.

In the future, I would like to make a separate one for my half marathon medals and keep this one for all the age group awards.

And the winners of my Runner’s Choice giveaway are:

Stacey R
HoHo Runs

Send an e-mail to dsc59@nycap.rr.com) with your mailing address.

Since I can give away one more bottle, comment here if you want it.

Happy Running! What do you do with your race medals & bibs?

February 7, 2015 by Darlene

Polar Cap 4m Race Report

polarcap15

I have run this race with blogger AJH several times and it was a tough hilly one but still fun.

Here we are winning AG awards in 2010

AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AG awards again in 2013

I ran with her last year but only she got an award.

AJH’s award in 2014

AJH was running it again and I was looking forward to seeing her.

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don’t like that hill at the end but apparently we only run half the hill at the beginning this year

during last year’s race

Also the weather was better than it has been – meaning it wasn’t snowing yet and it wasn’t sub-zero. But it was COLD!!! In the teens when I left with snow showers predicted.

So I bundled up in my usual running layers and drove the hour ride up to Lake George.

Believe it or not, the temps warmed up to the 20s (heat wave!) and I discarded one layer.

I was glad I got there an hour early because I barely got a parking spot. This new location does not have enough parking, Many runners parked elsewhere and may have had their cars towed.

When I got there, AJH was already there. (She is hard core – drove all the way from VT.)

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nice to have gender-specific shirts – short sleeved – in the winter??

I chatted with some runners that I knew who were trying to talk me into running a maathon.

Then I hung out inside with AJH until the race was about to start.

I felt a little pressure to run fast since I didn’t win an AG award last year. But you never know what will happen when you run a race and there are some fast runners in my age group. And this is a hilly course.

Previous Polar Cap Races:

2011 – 40:11
2013 – 41:40
2014 – 40:10

Runnin’ of the Green 4 milers (a flat course):

2014 – 38:07
2011 – 38:02 PR

Rabble Ramble:

2014 – 38:06

I have not been doing any 5ks or any speed work at all. My runs on the weekend have been long. So I was prepared for a slower time. Not a PR but maybe a course PR if I was lucky.

I remembered the race started going uphill and my legs felt sluggish. Luckily they felt better as the race went on.

I walked after the first mile when there was a steepish hill.

Then we went downhill for a while and it was slippery around the turns.

I just plodded along admiring the scenery and trying for a consistent pace.

This race has a very pretty course. You run past the lake (which totally frozen & snow-covered)

I really suck on the hills, I walked part of each one. On one hill, while I was walking, a woman yelled “Don’t walk! Shuffle.” I replied that I wish I could. (In the end, I did pass her!!)

heading toward the last hill

Unfortunately, the last half mile of this race is straight uphill!

polarcap 2

I think I walked twice on that hill because I wanted to finish strong. But I really had nothing left at the end.

Polar Cap 2015

I crossed according to the clock at 37:40! A NEW PR!!!!

I was generally happy with the race. I ran it faster than I thought I would.

AJH finished a little after me.

We went inside to wait for the age group awards.

There was soup and fruit and baked goods – I am a sucker for home-made stuff and ate quite a few cookies. I also had the soup and 2 cups of chocolate milk.

pc4m

And we both won awards!!! Woo Hoo!! AJH for the 8th time. She keeps her streak going!

3rd and 2nd

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:12
mile 2 – 9:31
mile 3 – 9:40
mile 4 – 9:44

(Garmin time: 37:38)

Positive splits!!. What else is new?

After AJH left, I was debating on changing my clothes and leaving or running more.

But with a big snowstorm coming, I decided to take advantage. So I decided to run to the Winter Carnival in town.

This was the first day of the event which is held every weekend in February.

I wandered a bit.

not sure what they were dressed up for?

Then I visited with friends who were volunteering.

The outhouse races were beginning but I didn’t stay to watch.

I ran around the lake and through the town and then to my friend’s house. I talked to her hubby for about 2 hours! Then I ran back to my car.

I wonder if the horses get cold?

I covered 4 miles in total.

I may have stopped here…

Next, I drove north to Bolton Landing. I ran to our marina, through town and to the Sagamore.

the marina – my happy place (in the summer)

I stopped in a few stores…

and inside the Sagamore before running back to car.

one last view of the lake

Another 2 miles covered!

You are never too old to set another goal…does this mean I should run a marathon?

I decided to call it a day and head home. (My LG friends wanted me to stop back for the car parade and the bonfire but I was pooped and wanted to drive before the snow started.)

’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

January 22, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Half Marathon Race Report

January 17, 2015 6:30 am

I was very excited to run this race. First of all, I left the frigid Northeast. Secondly, I was healthy all year and hoping for a good race.

the course

After a sleepless night, I got up around 4:00 am, had my tea & oatmeal in my hotel room and then went down to the lobby around 5:00 am to wait for the shuttle to the race start.

It was chilly and dark. I arrived early and there was hardly anyone there yet. So I just walked around and shivered. I was freezing. I don’t know why since it was probably close to 60 degrees.

Eventually a lot of people arrived and many to register on site. Apparently, they offered a Groupon to get more people to run.

For a half marathon, it was small – only about 500 runners. There was also a 5k race (with about 300 runners) that would start 15 minutes after the half.

There was no bag check, just a locker than you had to pay for. I decided to just wing it and if I lost my jacket, it would be OK. So I hid it under a table. The restrooms by the amphitheatre were locked but there were many porta-potties. For some reason, I didn’t feel the need to go.

I met some nice people, as usual, to chat with while waiting. One lady was hoping to finish under 2:10. I said that I would love to do that someday too.

Soon it was time to line up. I wound up standing next 2 older women from DC who urged me to come to DC and race.

waiting to start

I was hoping that there would be chip times as well as gun times since I was some what in the middle of things. (It turned out that there were only gun times published.)

I should mention that this was the most beautiful course I have ever run. During almost the whole race, you were looking at the water.You can’t beat that!

It was still dark when we started since it was only 6:30 am. For the first mile, you ran around in the city and then looped around back to the start.

race_697_photo_14835366

From then on for a few miles, you were running along the water and watching the sun come up …awesome.

I liked the sky in this pic – and they were free to download

I glanced at my Garmin every now and then to make sure I wasn’t running too fast (and at the end, too slow).

But as usual, the first half was a lot faster than the second.

There were abundant water stops…at least every 2 miles and I stopped and walked at every one except the first (and I regretted that immediately.)

Once the sun came up, it was warm but not oppressively so until maybe the last few miles. I felt perfectly dressed in a tank top & skirt.

you can see the sun shining brightly

What was nice about the course was that for the first 7 1/2 miles, every mile or so, the course took you inside a neighborhood. It was nice to have varied scenery and then the course was curvy so you could cut the tangents (and I made sure I did just that.)

I took a Gu before the race and then again at miles 4, 8 and 12. I really felt good and knew that I would PR if I didn’t fall and break something.

I remember being at 1:07 at mile 7 and 1:38 at mile 10. I was happy about that.

The main problem was my feet. AGAIN! I started to get blisters (in the same place) around mile 6 and the one on my right foot got more and more painful as the race went on.

The last 5 1/2 miles of the race were straight along the water. (No tangents to cut.)

This was the FIRST race that I just toughed it out. Sure I was tired but I refused to walk.

I only walked through the water stops and not as long as I normally do (I need to learn to open, eat Gu & drink water quicker.)

The scenery was so beautiful that I just focused on that and how lucky I was to be there.

don’t you agree?

Finally the end was near.

this is how I felt too

I had spotted that lady that wanted to finish under 2:10 as she passed me a little while ago. I tried to keep her in my sight but she eventually vanished.

heading toward the finish line

I knew I had a good race and I was happy.

race_697_photo_14838656

I was hoping to finish under 2:18.

Garmin time was 2:09:20!!! Woo Hoo! and I chicked that guy!

I crossed at 2:09:40! I was shocked!!

The runner who wanted to finish under 2:10 killed it and we congratulated each other after the race.

here she is …at 2:06!

There were pizza, bagels and all the usual refreshments at the finish. I wasn’t really hungry. I found those 2 ladies from DC and we hung out waiting for the results and awards.

With all the Groupon registrations, it took quite a while to calculate the winners. That was ok since my friend Georgette was late and I had re-scheduled my hotel check out for 1 pm.

But, yes, I won my Age Group!! (The lady from DC came in 3rd.)

yes, TWO medals are better than ONE

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 9:31
mile 2 – 9:27
mile 3 – 9:45
mile 4 – 9:58
mile 5 – 9:59
mile 6 – 10:09
mile 7 – 10:19
mile 8 – 10:27
mile 9 – 10:38
mile 10 – 10:22
mile 11 – 10:42
mile 12 – 10:59
mile 13 – 9:36

(short according to my Garmin but I did cut every tangent)

They are mostly positive, as always. At least there no 11 minute miles and I finished strong.

my view from the end of the race

Goals:

A. Age Group Award – YES!
B. Finish under 2:15 – YES!
C. PR (finish under 2:18:33) – YES!
D. Faster than my previous PR (finish under 2:22:35 ) – YES!
E. Finish under 2 1/2 hours – YES!
F. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal – YES (with blisters):

wbphmmedal15

As you may guess, I was supper happy with how this race turned out. And then I was able to fully enjoy the rest of my time in Florida.

Happy Running! Anyone get blisters? Any advice?

December 30, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Wrap-up – A Look Back at 2014

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Wrap-up – A Look Back at 2014

2014 was probably my best year of running. NO INJURIES!!!!!!!!

Here are some highlights:

4 Destination races in 4 different states

10 miler in CA.

5k In FL.

a Half Marathon in PA.

10 miler in NJ

PRs at 5 distances

half marathon PR in March

10 mile PR in October

15K PR in November

10K PR in November

5K PR in September

Many many Age Group Awards (18, I think):

one of my favorites

$50 gift card to a restaurant

Ran lots of races (over 30) of which 20 were new races. Most of these I want to run again next year.

Troy Turkey Trot 10K

Great Pumpkin Challenge

Run for the Roc 5K

Adirondack Distance Challenge

Ran in some new places and met new faces

Uncle Sam’s Bikeway & RPI Campus in Troy

Blatnik Hill (part of Nisky bike trail)

Union college campus & the STEM group members

Prospect Park with the Turkey Troy Training group members

ran in Central Park, NY for the first & hopefully not the last time

new running buddy, Judy that I met on FB

Happy Running! How was your 2014?

December 20, 2014 by Darlene

2014: My Year in Racing

I’m linking up with Montana from Pretty Lil Mudder and a number of other Girls Gone Sporty members to give out some awards to the races I ran. Since I ran so many, I had no problem finding a race for each category even though I only ran 2 half marathons and no marathons.

Most Scenic Course – This was a little difficult to choose…along the river, along the ocean, along a lake, in a park??? But I will pick the Mayor’s Wellness 10 Miler (in Palm Springs) because of the awesome mountain views.

Most Challenging Course – For me, challenging is hills and distance but I think I’ll choose hills. There were 2 that I ran along Lake George that were hilly but the Adirondack Distance was longer (10 miles) so more challenging.

Best Course Support (aid stations, volunteers, people cheering you on, etc) –

I would probably have give this one to the Stockade-athon. There were many water stops & volunteers. And the people of Schenectady cheered the runners throughout the course. The photo below was taken by a friend along the course.

Best Expo – It would have to be the Love Run (in Philly) since it is the only one I went to. I went with friends and we had a lot of fun – lots of booths, free shirts, hair braiding, massages, etc.

Best Swag – Another tough one. Sometimes I like the shirt, sometimes the medal, sometimes you get other good stuff. But I would have to pick the Apple Run 5K. You got a bag, shirt and a glass. Plus the AG awards were plaques.

Most Unique Medal – I guess the most unique medal was the one made out of wood from the Camp Chingachgook 10k. All of my other medals are metal.

Best Post-Race Food/Beverages – I have run a few races that have had a good selection of post race food. It is important if you spend a lot money on a race and if it is a destination race. My vote this year goes to the Camp Chingachgook 10k. They had an awesome barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc.

The Perfect 10 Miler had good post-race food as well (just too healthy for me.)

Best Race Shirt– This was easy. It was the lilac hoodie from the Perfect 10 miler (in NJ.) It is very comfortable. I have worn it several times already.

Favorite Overall Race – With running 33 races this year, it is certainly hard to pick one. But if I have to, I’d say it was the Troy Turkey Trot 10k. The weather cooperated, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the race and I saw a lot of racers that I knew there. It was just fun. The only thing that would have made it better would have been an Age Group award. At least, I had a PR.

Race You Are Most Proud of Yourself for Completing – Half Marathons are tough for me. I ran one this year in the pouring rain but my award goes to the Saratoga Half Marathon. It was very very humid and I felt sick the whole race. I wanted to quit several times but toughed it out.

Happy Running! What awards would you give to the races you ran in 2014?

December 9, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays of the Run: Show Off Your Bling!

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Show Off Your Bling!

With over 100 races and 9 half marathons, I have a lot of medals!

Here are some of my favorites:

my first half marathon in Naples, FL

another half in Florida – my first after my ankle surgery & I love dolphins – this is my heaviest medal

a fun but wet half in Philly & a my biggest medal

my favorite 5k – I had to buy this but little did I know at the time that this would mean that I could run again (after my serious ankle injury)

a recent 10 miler in NJ – it was a PR

a recent 10K – also a PR – I loved this race

a bucket list 10 miler in Lake George

I also have a lot of Age Group awards – here are a few of the ones I like:

And for the non-medal variety:

it’s a rock

Polar Cap - 2nd place in AG

Happy Running! What is your favorite race bling?

December 6, 2014 by Darlene

Last Run 5K Race Report

This is a very popular local race. It starts with fireworks and then you run around the lights in the park and it ends with a downhill.

Here are some pics from a previous year:

Last year, I ran this race in a blizzard.

http://mapgraphicsphotos.smugmug.com/AlbanyEvents2013/17th-Annual-Albany-Last-Run-5k/i-7jkHxRw

This year, the forecast was for heavy, cold rain. Not very inviting but this is always a fun race…so I couldn’t bail.

gray long sleeved tech shirt

I picked up my bib & shirt yesterday to save time. Then I pondered what to wear….the rain put a damper on my festive attire.

I decided to park at work and walk the mile or so to the race. I wore boots, a long raincoat & used an umbrella to stay dry until the race.

Then I wore a windbreaker, cap & running shoes for the race and stashed my wet stuff until after the race.

As I mentioned, it is a popular race and I bumped into all sorts of people — 3 ladies from my running group, Christine, a professor from work, my FB friend Judy and Andrea, my roommate for Love Run in Philly.

me & Christine

Andrea

We chatted until it was time to head out into the rain.

Yes, it was raining but not as cold as I feared. I lined up with Judy & we watched the fireworks until we ran our separate ways.

The race started with an uphill, went through the city before we entered the park.

My legs felt really sluggish. I couldn’t make any headway in the crowd. Maybe it was that I hadn’t run much this week (not at all Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday) or just the slippery road and the dampness.

I felt better once we entered the park and it was fun looking at all the lights. There were at least two hills that I remember in the park and I was proud of myself for not walking at all. I ran up them..slow but at least I ran.

The whole time I was running, I kept looking at the ground trying to avoid the big puddles and keeping an eye out for potholes (I did fall during this race several years ago.)

Finally we left the park and ran downhill to the finish. I wanted to finish fast but for some reason, I got a side stitch and had to slow it down and breathe deep to try to get rid of it.

It was dark so I couldn’t see my Garmin but I knew by the timing clocks that this wouldn’t be a PR.

The problem with getting faster and finishing your 5ks in 27:xx or 28:xx, you get cocky and expect to have a good race every time out.

Well, in a hilly wet race, this wasn’t going to be. I struggled to finish under 29. According to my Garmin, it was 28:56 but officially I finished at 29:02.

I went inside to dry off and change into my dry clothes and wait for the results. The refreshments were nothing to write home about — just chips & apples. (In the previous years, there was Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!!)

lastrun14