MBE (Monday Brain Exchange)

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Monday Goals and Brain Exchange #25

It’s Back – Thanks to Finishing is Winning.

Topic: 2011 Racing

Question: What race are you most excited for in 2011?  Any destination races?  Are you trying out a new distance.  Tell us what it is in general you are looking forward to when it comes to 2011 racing.

This is an easy one for me.  I am most excited about the Naples Daily New Half Marathon (on 1/16/11) It was my FIRST half marathon so it was a new distance. It was in Florida and it was my FIRST destination race.

I am looking forward to trying new distances this year.  I have only raced 5ks (plus one 3.5 mi race).  I want to run a 4 mi, a 5 mi, a 10k, maybe a 15k, maybe a 10 mi and even 2 more Half Marathons!!! (I’d love to do another Half in Florida – Daytona Beach)

Of course, I hope to stay uninjured and run lots of races.  Even get a 5k PR.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 18 miles but  I only ran 16 miles. (Not bad considereing the weather!)
I ran my first 4 mile race and came in 3rd in my Age Group. YAY!

This was Week #1 of my 2nd Half Maraton training.  11 weeks to go!

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – Mentor mtg
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – funeral

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs or Fri – 3  miles before or after work
Sat or Sun –  7 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 17 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Monday Goals & I’m on Break!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 23 miles. I did   23 miles! Yay!
I won a giveaway – an iPod Shuffle

This week’s schedule: (off all week)
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – tennis party
Thurs – movie w/friend
Fri – tennis, New year’s eve in LG
Sat – New Year’s in LG

Monday am - 14" snow

This week’s running:
Tues– 4 miles 
Wed – 5 miles 
Fri – 4  miles 
Sun – 12 miles?? New Month & New Year!

Weekly Running Goal = 25 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running! Did you get any snow??

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Brain Exchange #23 & Monday Goals

This week’s question:  Write a poem (any kind works) that sums up your 2010 year of racing. 

Answer:

There once was a runner named Darlene
     Who at every 5k race could be seen.
            Then she started to wonder
     If at longer runs she would blunder.
            So she signed up for a 10k
     But that day she did not feel ok.
Give up, she did not
And PRed at a Turkey Trot.
Now her goal for 2011:
Run a Half at age 57!!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 22 miles. I did   22 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K. (under 30 minutes!)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Thurs – off from work
Fri – off from work, tennis, mah jongg
Sat – Xmas in LG

This week’s running:
Wed – 4 miles  after work
Thurs – 4 miles
Fri – 4 miles 
Sun – 11 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 23 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #22 and Monday Goals

This week’s question: Tell readers about your 2010 Best and Worst races.  What made them so great or not so great?

Answer:

Best race(s)- There are several.  My Thankgiving Turkey Trot was one because it was a 5k PR – 27:12 and it was so unexpected!! Another favorite was the Freihofer Race for Women because I was part of a group of 1st time racers and it was so exciting to train with them and see them do the race. I also enjoyed the Silks & Satins 5K because I met fellow bloggert, AJH. Of course, I loved winning lst place in my age group at the Veteran’s Day 5k. Lastly, the Home Run 5k because I met Mary who I’ve raced with several times since and has become my biggest fan & she mine.

Worst race(s) – Of course, there was the Great Pumpkin 10K that didn’t happen because I got sick & ended up in the ER. It was going to be my first long distance race. Most of my races have been good experiences in some way, even if I didn’t do my best.



Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 21 miles. I did   21 miles! Yay!
I ran 10 miles which is my longest EVER!
I am hosting my first GIVEAWAY!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – lights in the park w/A & R
Tues – tennis
Wed – b-day dinner w/bf
Thurs – hair appt
Fri  –mah jongg
Sat – R’s b-day party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs – 4 miles before work
Sat– 5K race (5pm)
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 22 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #21 & Monday Goals


This Week’s Question:  What activities do you enjoy outside of swim/bike/running?  Are you a winter sports person or summer sports person?  Do you enjoy team or individual sports?  Do you participate in more alternative activities during the off-season?

Answer:

I am definitely a summer sports person!  I LOVE the sunshine and warm weather.

I am an avid tennis player.  I’ve been playing on a team and with friends for about 10 years.  I have made some very awesome friendships through tennis that have led to permanent friendships outside of tennis.

But what I like about running is that it is an individual sport where you can have personal goals!!

 


Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 19 miles. I did  21 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K !! (not my best but under 30 min.)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Wed – movie w/friends
Thurs – mall w/friend
Fri  – bday dinner
Sat – quilting party
Sun- Mentor party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Tues – 5 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 10 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

 

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Brain Exchange #20 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: How do you manage diet and exercise during the holidays?

Answer:

I basically continue my usual running schedule.  I try not indulge other than at the  Parties – I have 7 holiday celebrations and 2 birthdays. YIKES!!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 18 miles. I did 18 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K and had a PR!! WooHoo!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Fri  – work  Xmas Party
Sun – NYC

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 5K race + 6 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #19 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: In the spirit of Thanksgiving…tell me what you are most thankful for; one thing, five things, or many things.  But here’s the fun part…tell me, in photos!

 

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Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 15 miles. I did 12 miles! (and I was on vacation)
I had a great vacation in Naples, Florida – played tennis for 5 days (3 hrs each day),  ran 4 times, saw 3 sunsets!!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Thurs – Thanksgiving
Fri  – time w/mentee &  Mah Jongg

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 5K Race
Fri – 3 miles
Sun  –  9  miles

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)
 
Happy Running!

 

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Brain Exchange Week 17 and Monday Goals


This week’s  Question: Where was the best place you have ever raced and why?  Where is your dream place to race?

I’ve only done 5ks at this point but my favorite place is race is Saratoga.  The State Park is beautiful.  I’ve run several races there.  The horse race track is very famous and the old mansions in the city are beautiful.

Silks & Satins with AJH

I also really enjoyed my 2008 Boilermaker experience.  It is a very famous race and although, I ran the 5k not the 15k, it was fun being in the midst of the festive atmosphere – the music, the beer, the food, etc.  This was the race that FleetFeet Albany’s No Boundaries program was training us for and they rented a bus for us, had a pasta party the nite before, etc.

 Dream race – I’m hoping to run a half marathon some day in another state maybe Florida. I love the warm weather.

me approaching the finish line at the Boilermaker

 

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 20 miles. I did 21 miles! Woo Hoo!

This week’s BUSY schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – dinner w/friends
Fri eve – Mah Jong
Sat – hair appt
Sun – leave on vacation

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 5K Race
Sat –  9  miles

Weekly Running Goal = 15 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)
 
Happy Running!

 

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Brain Exchange is Back (Week 16)

     

This Week’s Question: 

What do you miss most when you are in the heat of training or gearing up for a race?  Do you skip late nights out?  Do you give up goodies and alcohol?  What is the first thing you crave when training is over?

Answer:

I really haven’t done a lot of training but I hope to start.  However, the day before a race (even a 5k), I try to eat pasta and drink a lot of water, go to bed early.  If I go out, I don’t drink alcohol.  This is a little tough, since I play mah jongg on Friday evenings.  My friends play until late & I always go home early. Sometimes, I don’t go at all. They drink wine & I drink water. It’s worth the sacrifice!!

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #16 & Monday Running Goals

Topic: Pre-Race Rituals

Question: Do you have pre-race rituals?  Bizarre OCD’s?  If so, what are they?

The night before: I try to go to bed early.  I do not drink any alcohol. I try to eat carbs (pasta, if possible) & drink water.
The morning of:  I eat 2 hours before the start of the race. I have hot cereal and coffee.  I drink water on the way. My clothes have to be comfortable and be color coordinated.  I wear my best sneakers.  I bring my iPod for music.

Nothing too bizarre!


Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 16 miles. I did 16!!! YAY!
IT WAS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!

This week’s schedule:
Monday – USTA tennis playoffs after work
Tuesday – seeing John McEnroe playing NYBuzz (WTT tennis)
Wed –  tennis after work
Thurs – theatre in the park w/ friends after work
Friday, Saturday & Sunday- boating on Lake George island

This week’s running :
Monday or Tues  – 3 miles  before work
Wed or Thursday – 3 miles  before work
Saturday – 4 miles at the marina
Sunday – 4 miles at the marina

Weekly Running Goal = 14 miles
Monthly Running Goal = 55 miles
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it!!)

Happy Running and enjoy the weather!