August 22, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: “I’m getting better”

This quote always makes me laugh.

Don’t forget to Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia and either meet some new bloggers or catch up with ones you already know.

This month’s topics are free so I’ve chosen: “I’m Getting Better.”

I know they say that as runners age, they get slower.

That may be true if you started running young. Of course, you are slower than when you ran in college.

But at as an adult-onset runner, I think that you can still get faster or at least become a better runner as you age.

For most of us, we think better equals faster. And yes it does since races are always timed. But we can also become better in many ways.

Here’s how:

Get Faster

Maybe it’s mental but I refuse to believe that I am getting slower. I don’t try to PR at every race. I don’t even train or do drills to PR.

But I enter each race to do my best, have a fun and if possible, have a course PR.

That helps take off the pressure because every race is different even if it is the same distance.

So in 2017 even though I turned 64, it has been the year of course PRs:

: the most satisfying because of the difficulty of the 10 miles

: this hilly 4 miler was faster than a flat one

Polar Cap 4m

2015 – 37:40, 2017 – 37:20

Shamrock 5m

2016 – 46:28, 2017 – 46:09

Bacon Hill 5K

2016 – 27:54 , 2017 – 27:32

Lake George 5K

2013 – 29:17, 2017 – 27:53

Summer Smith 5k

2016 – 28:29, 2017 – 27:26

Freihofer 5k

2016 – 28:50, 2017 – 27:48

Adirondack 10m

2016 – 1:42:21, 2017 – 1:39:35

Silks & Satins 5k

2016 – 28:27, 2017 – 27:37

Race the Train (8.4 m)

2016 – 1:28:54, 2017 – 1:28:27

Every race that I repeated, I was faster in the same race this year. I don’t expect this to happen in the coming years so I am enjoying my current success.

However, I refuse to believe that my speedy days are over.

Age Group Awards

Yes, I know it depends on how many are in your age group and who shows up. In any given race, you can win one and even if you have a PR, not win one.

As you age and enter new age group groups, your chances increase.

Entering small and less popular races, increase your chances.

I have been lucky this year to win one in almost all my races.

: impromptu vacation race

Fewer Injuries

Yes, hopefully we get smarter as we age. We take rest days when we need them. We skip or shorten our runs when we feel pain.

I (knock on wood) have not had any injuries since my broken foot in 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope it stays this way. That means running smart. Deciding when to run easy and when to go all out.

Carpe Diem

Yes as we age, we seize more opportunities. Maybe it’s because our kids are grown. Maybe it’s because we are more confident. Maybe because we have more running friends (that talk us into crazy things.)

We take race-cations, go on girls only weekends and sign up for challenges, Ragnars, and other wild running events.

I have always tried to coordinate a vacation or visit to a friend with a race. Last year, I participated in a girls weekend in Florida and one in NYC and it was so much fun, that I planned more this year:

NYC in April with Sue & Maureen (Shape Half)
NYC in August with Sue (France 8k)
Corning, NY in October with local friends (Wine Glass Half)
Las Vegas in November with blogger friends (RnR 5k & Half)
PCB in December with blogger friends ??????????

: Shape Half 2017

So what do you think? Can we become better runners as we age? Are you getting better?

August 21, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 8.14.17-8.20.17

Last Week:

Monday – Hey, a sunny day. You have to run even if you are exhausted. And that’s what I did but decided to run at UAlbany because it was close by.

all in pink 🙂

Tuesday. Had to drive to Liverpool for work. It started to rain when I headed out the door to run. I was patient and waited out the rain and was able to run along the lake before dinner.

After dinner, I went back to watch the sunset.

Wednesday – Nothing exciting happened today except for work and a long drive back afterwards. Before I left for home, I set out for a short 2 mile ice cream run.

if you’re ever in Liverpool, NY, you have to have ice cream at Vicky’s.

Thursday – I ran with Alyssa for our weekly run date. For a change, we chose the Crossings.

Guess where we ended our run?

Friday – A scheduled rest day. Rest was definitely needed!!

On a sad note. My cat, Billy has been missing a week. He is 12 and an outdoor cat. I fear, at our neighbor’s garage sale, he got into some stranger’s car. Although, he’s not one of our favorites and he is pretty aloof, I still miss him.

Billy is the gray one. Now we ONLY have 3 cats. LOL I’m still a “cat lady.”

Saturday – Another rest day without much rest. Sue and I took a very early morning train to NYC. We had an awesome day touring the city including walking over the Brooklyn bridge and taking a boat to Governors Island. We walked 13.1 miles the day before our race.

Sunday – Today I ran the France 8K Run in Central Park, NYC. Any race in Central Park is a challenge but I had a blast.

After the race, we walked the High Line and around Chelsea Market and Bryant Park before taking the bus home. 15.2 miles. Phew!

18.5 miles running done. (23.3 miles walking in one weekend!!)

This Week:

Monday – 3 mile run, mall walk with bff
Tuesday – 3 mile run with Judy, funeral (instead of travel for work), tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work
Thursday – rest, dinner out with tennis buds
Friday – rest, mah Jong
Saturday – long run, watch the hubby in tennis championship matches, dinner with Wineglass ladies
Sunday – watch the hubby in tennis championship match, boating after

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s Guest Host is Madhuri @ Ponder ‘N’ Wonder .

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

August 18, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Running Fuel

It’s Friday and I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!
Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

This week, the topic is: Running Fuel.

So what would someone who doesn’t cook much and whose post-run fuel is usually ice cream write about??

I am going to share what I use for energy before or during my runs:

1. GU

It works for me so why switch? They don’t upset my stomach and they are easy to carry on a run.

My favorite flavors are:

with caffeine – Salted Caramel, Caramel Macchiato, Chocolate Outrage
without caffeine – Root Bear, Peanut Butter

Here are some new flavors that I haven’t tried:

: haven’t tried

: love this one

: not a fan

2. Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars

They come in loads of flavors but I usually eat the plain fig or the blueberry.

They are made with 0g of trans fat, all natural, whole wheat, and are Non GMO, Kosher, and cholesterol-free. Some flavors are even gluten-free.

always new flavors to try

3. Bananas

runners and bananas

I love to eat them and they are a good source of potassium which is said to help prevent muscle cramping. Plus they come in their own wrapper. LOL.

4. Starbucks Chocolate Banana Smoothie

I am sure it must be heathier than a Latte or a Frappuccino, right? (This is obviously a pre or post run treat.)

It contains: A nourishing blend of mocha flavored sauce, a whole banana, milk, whey protein and fiber powder, and ice.

5. Larabar Bites

Are they healthy? Not sure but they do taste good. Here’s what their website says:

All 4 indulgent flavors are made from just 5-6 simple ingredients and are gluten free, non-GMO, vegan, and dairy free.

Happy Running! What do you eat for running fuel?

August 15, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: YOLO

Don’t forget to Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia and either meet some new bloggers or catch up with ones you already know.

This month’s topics are free so I’ve chosen: YOLO for Runners

What does it mean?

According to the dictionary:

YOLO is an acronym for “you only live once“. Similar to Latin “carpe diem” (“seize the day”), it implies that one should enjoy life, even if that entails taking risks, as if there would not be another chance for it.

For a runner, YOLO means:

Running on a new path. We (or at least I do) tend to run on routes where we are comfortable. So to get out of this rut, you have to be adventurous.

: following this unknown 2.4 mi route

: eventually led me to bridges and waterfalls

Run a race even if no one else you know is running it. Yes, it is more fun with friends but we shouldn’t not run a race just because “no friends are going.”

: a long drive and my BRF cancelled

: but worth it for a PR

Run a new distance. If it’s a longer distance, that’s pretty scary. (I mean I won’t run a full marathon.) But instead of 5ks and 10ks, try a different one. Besides, if it’s the first one, it’s automatically a PR.

: my first 8K

: Race the Train – 2016

Be spontaneous. Be open to new experiences rather than over thinking and obsessing. Usually, I just sign up and plan later. But lately, I’ve been mulling races over more. Can I afford the race? Can I take the time off from work? Do I want to go that far? Mind you, they are all valid reasons not to run a race.

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

: I am positive this race will be memorable as well

I have two more halfs this fall that I am having a tough time making decisions about. I may just postpone one until next year. And the other – TBD

This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup.

coachescorner

Happy Running! Are you a planner? Or a YOLO kind of runner?

August 14, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 8.7.17-8.13.17

Last Week:

Monday – Sometimes you have to miss a run for some fun. Today was a tradition. The 32nd time having breakfast at the Saratoga Race Track with a former coworker. In recent years, we have added on staying for the races. RaIn was forecast but lucky for us, not a drop fell until we were on our way home.

Won some races and lost some. Came out a little ahead for the day and had a lot of fun.

Tuesday. Had to drive to Rochester for work. Took advantage of the nice weather to get a run in on the Canal.

Even got to meet a fellow Skirt Sports ambassador who worked at Schoen Place. and then ran 4.5 miles (and had gelato post run)

Wednesday – Nothing exciting happened today except for work and a long drive back afterwards. Before I left for home, I was told that there was a nearby trail. So I set out for a short 2 mile run.

not much of a trail or a view but some flat grass.

Thursday – I ran with Alyssa for our weekly run date. The Thursday night concerts had ended so we were able to run at the Corning bike path on the Hudson River.

It was hot and I was TIRED but she dragged me through it.

Friday – A scheduled rest day. Unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy it since I had to go to a wake.

I’ve known Carol since college. She died after a 5 yr battle with ovarian cancer.

Saturday – Today I proctored the MPREs as a favor for a friend and then went for a run before the predicted rain (which didn’t arrive until evening.) I’d liked to say that the run was uneventful but it was far from that. I’ll just list a few things go that went wrong: forgot my socks, started at noon, sunshine, humidity, hunger, new route, unsavory neighborhood, missed the entrance to the trail, tired, no watch, phone died.

The good news was that there were bridges, dogs and a downhill mile.

still haven’t found all 20.

Oops. I meant 9 miles

Sunday – A weekend would not be complete without a trip to the lake. Perfect weather. Perfect place for a rest day.

20 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run
Tuesday – 4 mile run along the lake in Liverpool
Wednesday – rest, drive home from Liverpool
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest, mah Jong
Saturday – rest, train to NYC
Sunday – France 8k run in NYC

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s Guest Host is Michelle @Running With Attitude

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

August 12, 2017 by Darlene

Race the Train Recap

I love to race and this one sounded interesting last year so I signed up. It was lots of fun but the first 1 1/2 miles were very challenging (I apparently blocked out the hills during the rest of the race.)

Here is the course map. You can see what I mean about the long early hill..

rtt

I wasn’t sure if I was up to running it again but my friend Sue said she had signed up and also my VT friend AJH expressed an interest in running it. So you know me, it didn’t take much persuading for me to sign up as well.

The race is not nearby – about an hour 50 minutes and you have to be on time since you take the train to the race start.

I asked my friend whose house is not too far away (in Chestertown) if I could stay there and she agreed. It would be about an hour closer so I didn’t have to get up as early. But the forecast was for heavy rain and thunderstorms so I decided instead to stay home and get up early the next day.

I woke up at 4:30 to pouring rain. I seriously contemplated a DNS. But I didn’t. And I am glad that I ignored the weather forecast

It was easy to get to North Creek Railroad Station and didn’t take as long as anticipated. And the rain stopped!!! So I got there very early and parked in a parking lot next to the finish line.

It was already in the 70s and very humid when I arrived. But I was thrilled that it was not raining…

I picked my race packet (a cotton shirt, a bib, your train ticket and a raffle ticket) and walked around waiting for Sue and AJH.

I found both of them. Sue was working at registration so I hung around with AJH.

There were REAL restrooms in the gift shop and a lot of interesting things to read and look at.

some of these pics are form last year (hence the bright blue sky)

Finally everyone arrived and we lined up to get on the train.

I spotted Maureen whom I met at the Shape Half in NYC. It was cool to see her again and catch up. (She said that she had not run since but I knew that she would be speedy anyway… and she was.)

And then we sat and waited and waited. The train was supposed to leave at 8 am but it didn’t until about 8:20 and they even had a bus for the late arrival runners.

The ride was really scenic. It was an interesting experience taking the train to the start line of a race.

The train ride was along the Hudson River the whole way.

Finally we arrived at the next station – Riparius.

getting ready to beat that train LOL

We walked around and finally headed to the bridge where the race would begin.

Finally everyone got to the start. I started with AJH and Sue. The train whistle blew and off we went.

The train gave us a head start and then it took off with the friends and families of the runners.

photo from: The Sun

The goal was to beat the train. I knew that I would not and I also knew that since I don’t train on hills, it would be not be an easy race for me. Plus I was a little nervous about my ankle (which had been painful on the previous Monday and Tuesday)

The best case scenario would a course PR (faster than 1:28:54) and maybe win an age group award again. But my real goal was really just to finish pain-free and enjoy the run.

And that’s what I did.

The first mile and 1/2 was a STEEP uphill. First on asphalt and then on dirt. I attempted to run but decided that I would be better off walking. Everyone that was running was struggling. So I ran a little but mostly walked.

There was someone called out times at every mile. I was hoping to get my pace to between 10 and 11 and keep it there even if I walked the hills.

That uphill eventually turned into a downhill but after that it was just rolling hills. They never ended. (How could I have forgotten them??) They weren’t steep or as long except for maybe 2 more steepish ones (The one between mile 5 and 6 was so steep. I could barely walk up it.) That meant there were only 2 more steep downhills.

But because you were running on dirt with rocks, you couldn’t take advantage of the downhills as much as you would have liked. (I always fear a face plant.)

But my walk/run strategy on the hills seemed to work. Those running passed me on the uphill but then I passed them on the downhill. In the end, I was not as drained as they were. (Sweaty yes! It was SOOOO humid!)

The scenery was nice as you ran through the woods (and listening to the train whistle until it passed you) and toward the end, you could see the river. Eventually, you had to run through town in order to finish at the train station.

photo from: The Sun

The good news is that my ankle never hurt. I didn’t get blisters and I never felt tired. I didn’t push myself and as a result could enjoy the race. (Of course, part of me wished I had enough endurance to run up those hills but I know my legs would have been dead by the end if I did and I didn’t want to risk straining my ankle tendon.) In hindsight, I think I could have run more and walked less.. But who knew???

I had no time goals but I estimated that I would finish around 1:30:xx and I finished at 1:28:27. I was thrilled!!

everyone got a medal!

It was a course PR!!!!

I had some food (bagels, fruit, pastries) but the highlight was chocolate milk and then I waited around for the awards while trying to be creative with my medal.

Last year I won my age group but this year I was 3rd. (Sue was too!) I was happy!!! It always depends on who shows up whether or not I win…

The water bottle was the award

After the awards, they gave away raffle prizes but none of us won any.

All in all, a very challenging yet fun race. I think I’ll do it again (since I’ll probably block out any memory of those hills LOL)

My HILLY Splits:

mile 1 – 10:51
mile 2 – 10:55
mile 3 – 9:06
mile 4 – 10:15
mile 5 – 10:33
mile 6 – 11:52
mile 7 – 11:13
mile 8 – 11:00
.4 – 8:03

Afterwards, I stopped to visit the friend whose house I was supposed to sleep at the previous night. She was there with a friend and they wanted to go hiking. I decided I might as well before the DOMS set in. So we drove back to North Creek and found a hike at Gore Mountain. We chose the shortest and easiest one – 2.1 miles to a reservoir.

We never found the reservoir but saw a lot of pretty mushrooms and waterfalls. It was so much fun!! And we stopped on the way home for ice cream!!

A pretty perfect day – racing, hiking, ice cream – all done with friends!!

Happy Running! Ever race a train?

August 11, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Racing with Family and Friends

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for today is: Family and Friends

I race a lot as you know. Unfortunately, I have never raced with any family members. The closest I ever gotten was my hubby signing up for a race (and he DNFed.)

So I am going to write about my top FIVE Friend Racing Moments:

Here they are:

1.Any race with MP, my tennis buddy. These are special because MP was the one who talked me into signing up for the No Boundaries program and becoming a runner. She is not a serious runner meaning that she rarely runs and signs up for only a few races a year.

: 2016 – 5k

2. My First Race with the Strong Running Mamas (SRMs) – This started in 2010 with a small group of women who had never run a 5k. They trained and ran the Freihofer’s Race for Women. It was so emotional to be part of that day. These women continued to run and race. Several have even run marathons. The group now includes over 100 members on FB.

3. VCM Relay (with AHJ) – I met AJH (from VT) by reading her blog and then planning some local race meet-ups in my area. Then she invited me to stay with her and run the Vermont City Marathon Relay. I ran it two years in a row. Running the first 13.1 miles and then the next year, the last 13.1 miles. The experiences were totally different but so much fun.

: VCM Relay – 2015

: VCM Relay – 2016

4. Ramblefest Half Marathon (with my BRF) – This was special because although I had run with Alyssa once a week, this was our first race together. Plus we both had PRs. We hope to have a similar experience when we race again together at the Wine Glass Half on Oct 1.

5. Panama City Beach Half Marathon (with the #holottafun ladies) – This experience may never be duplicated (but we will try in Las Vegas in Nov). Spending the weekend with women whom you only knew through their blogs. Well, it was phenomenal.

: this aventure was definitely worth taking time off without pay)

Happy Running! Do you race with family or friends? What is your favorite friend/family racing moment?

August 7, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 7.31.17-8.6.17

Last Week:

Monday – A sunny day so I had to run. The warm weather returned.

On the rail trail

Tuesday – Finally got to play tennis. It was great catching up after at dinner as well.

at UAlbany courts

Wednesday – Since I was working near the Crossings, I decided to squeeze in a run there. Another warm one but I’m not complaining.

Thursday – No rain this week so far. Amazing. I ran with Alyssa for our weekly after work run.

it was warm but we celebrated our fast run with ice cream after

Friday – Another scheduled rest day. After work, I planned to drive up to Chestertown to stay at my friend’s house on Schroon River (to make my race day drive shorter) but I was pooped so stayed home and played mah jongg instead.
Saturday – Today I ran the Race the Train 8.4 mile race. I expected rain but just got humidity. And it was much hilliest than I remember.

Course PR and 3rd in my age group

Afterward I stopped at my friend’s and we decided to go hiking.

So much fun. We didn’t get as far as the reservoir but saw pretty mushrooms and waterfalls and hiked 4.2 miles

Sunday – A weekend would not be complete without a trip to the lake.

Hung out with friends, grilled a great meal and finished a book 😊

20.4 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – day off at Saratoga race track
Tuesday – 3 mile run in Rochester??
Wednesday – rest, drive home from Rochester
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest
Saturday – proctor MPREs, 9 mile run
Sunday – rest, boating

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s Guest Host is Heather @ 3 Black Cat Co.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

August 5, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – August

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in August, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

iced coffee with chocolate milk ❤

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that if you wondered why I was the Guest Blogger last week on The Weekly Wrap and why I have been commenting on blogs and posting on mine more often, it was because instead of working at my usual job, I was working at the Bar Exam for 3 days. That meant that I sat for 10 hours and waited until a student had a technical problem. Lots of downtime …. to blog.

my view for 3 long days

Of course, that won’t happen again until next February.

Now it’s back to normal… squeezing blogging into my busy life. (I don’t know how those of you who work get it done.)

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I worked at my old job site for the Bar Exam. It made me very nostalgic (I worked there for 10 years.)

Yes, I missed my friends and the work itself but what I really missed was running-related.

There was a (free) treadmill (not that I loved it but it was handy), a nearby track, close to the park and it was easy to squeeze in runs before, during and after work.

Over coffee…

I’d tell tell you that after my success at my last two 5ks, I contemplated not signing up for so many long races. I almost Pr’d with zero speed work. Maybe I should work on my speed before I get too old.

27:35 at age 64!! Can I go faster? My PR of 27:11 is 3 years old.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that today I have a HILLY 8.4 race. I am a little nervous since I do not train on hills and I remember it being a very challenging course. I didn’t know anyone at the race last year so I am looking forward this year to running with my friends Sue and AJH.

Stay tuned for the hopefully “happy” recap.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am the WORST running buddy ever. I signed up for the RUN4 program almost 4 years ago. I was paired with John Anthony and in the beginning, I posted all runs and dedicated them to him. I also sent him medals and running shirts.

10687124_858840804128698_4771329018836976952_n

Then I got lazier and only posted and dedicated my races to him. I still mailed him race shirts (the cotton and unisex ones.)

Now, I am sad to say that I do think about him all the time when I run but I can’t remember the last time I posted to the FB site. And I have a pile of shirts waiting to be mailed.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I love running in NYC. (You probably know that.) This month I am running my 4th race there in 10 mos.

: Nov – Dash to the Finish 5k

: Shape Half 2017

: July – Brooklyn 5k

I am super psyched because I am running it with Sue, it’s in Central Park and it’s called the France 8k Run. (I’m trying to forget that I’ll have to run up Cat and Harlem hills.)

Um, what should I wear?

Yup. FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember I was French teacher for over 20 years and I love anything French (esp. food and art).

what do you think?

Glad I signed up early.

Image may contain: text

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I kinda had an injury. If you don’t write about it, it doesn’t exist, right?

Last Saturday afternoon, I think I tweaked my peroneal tendon …in my GOOD ankle. I’m not sure when…either carrying laundry down the stairs or while gardening. I just remember hearing something snap/pull. I ignored because it didn’t hurt. It didn’t bother me on Sunday (but I didn’t do anything.) and then on Monday when I went to run, it hurt. Did I stop running? Of course not. I tried to not bend my ankle and run in a way that it didn’t hurt and walk often.

Yes, I was bummed.

So on Tuesday, I didn’t run but I wore my hubby’s ankle support and played tennis. And it hurt so did I stop? No way but I only played one set and then sat out.

So now I was really bummed.

Not enough to take a running break. I wore the ankle support and ran on Wednesday. And guess what? It didn’t hurt AT ALL!!!!!

3.5 pain-free miles

I ran again with Alyssa on Thursday.

More miles with zero pain

I’m not convinced that it is perfectly fine.

my new work attire (with a dress)

We’ll see how the ankle reacts to 8.4 hilly miles.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here! Anyone ever race the France 8k? Ever ignore an injury and it gets better?

August 4, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: My Favorite Races

My topic for today is: Five Favorite Races

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

: FRW – 2017

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I often run after work.

The location is convenient since I can park in town and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Troy Turkey Trot (10K) – This 10K takes place on Thanksgiving Day and it a good way to burn some calories before your big meal. It’s the most popular race in the area and so there are lots of runners and even more in the 5k that follows the 10k (10,000 total). This is also the race that got me involved in a running group. I have joined the training group each year and it convinced me that participating in a group is a great thing and have since joined a training group for the Freihofer’s race.

: 2016 – 10K

The course is fairly flat and is my current 10K PR. 🙂

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

: 2015

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy indoor seating at Proctors Theatre.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

: 2016

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.