May 25, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: My Last Half

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

My Last Half Marathon

What else?

Did you know that I PR‘d?? LOL

There was one at my March half but not at this one unfortunately 😦

And I didn’t expect to…

Why?

My last half marathon time was 2:20:49.
I struggled to finish that race.
I ran a 5k race the past two weekends (instead of my 12 & 10 mile scheduled long runs.)
I didn’t do any LONG training runs (besides that half 3 weeks ago or any during the previous training cycle.)
I lazily did not run four days during the week preceding the race.
But I ran a 3.5 race just three days before the race.
I did not feel mentally prepared to run a fast race.
My Garmin keeps re-setting to zero after 6 miles so I would have no watch to gauge my pace.
I always walk at all the water stops.

Image result for half marathon race PR ecard

in this case, it was free beer

So insanely, I set out to run my 26th half marathon (on my hubby’s birthday no less)

It turned out to be my easiest half marathon and my fastest.

Why?

Cool weather conditions
No expectations
Ran by feel rather than staring at my watch
Paced myself behind a lady in a pink shirt
Flat course
Lot’s of rest so fresh legs
Just a fluke?

It was so effortless that….

Maybe this is my fastest time (2:06:52) or maybe not.

Time will tell.

I have a few shorter races planned for the summer.

I would love to PR in a 5K (before I’m too old to.) Unfortunately my current PR race doesn’t exist anymore so I have to find another one.

: 5k – 27:11 – PR (Sept. 2014)

: 27:26 (May 2016)

I have registered for two more half marathons before the end of the year (Girls Weekends away for both):

October 1 – Wineglass
November 12 – Las Vegas

I may squeeze in one or two more. Who knows?

For now, I’m treasuring this memory:

Happy Running! Ever wonder how you got your PR?

May 22, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 5.15.17-5.22.17

Last Week:

Monday – My legs were tired from running 2 days in a row but this might have been my last FRW Challenge group run so I went. It was great to be back after missing 2 weeks. On the schedule was a 1 mile warm-up, 2 x 2 miles at race pace, jog cool down after each one, final cool down. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to do it but I did the first one (3 laps on the trail) and didn’t die and on the 2nd one, I only ran race pace for the 3rd lap. It was tough but I survived!!

5 miles for the evening

Tuesday – Today I had to drive to Buffalo (5 hrs) for tomorrow’s training. No exercise at all.

Wednesday -After 8 hours of training, I had to drive home from Buffalo. Again no exercise whatsoever.
Thursday – Summer arrived after an abbreviated spring. After work, I participated in the Workforce Challenge – a 3.5 mile race as part of my work team (along with 10,000 other runners.) It was 98 degrees with the humidity just as high. I slogged along with everyone else and enjoyed meeting some new co-worker/runners.

33:40 (with lots of walking) 5th in my AG

Friday – Another rest day during my taper week and an hair appt. before mah jongg.
Saturday – Rest day #4 with some gardening, an nail appt, our first day on the lake and then out to dinner to celebrate belatedly my birthday and my hubby’s birthday (which was the next day.)

Sunday – Today I ran the Steel Rail Half Marathon in Mass. The course was flat, the weather was cool and my legs felt super rested. (It didn’t seem to matter that my Garmin keeps resetting after 6.2 miles.) The result: a shiny new PR!! I loved the course and enjoyed the race. Now for a training break!!

2:06:52 – PR!!!

21.5 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days

This Week:

Monday – FRW Challenge (4 miles) or solo 3 mile recovery run
Tuesday – rest, b-day dinner out & movie
Wednesday – 3 miles with Alyssa, STEM volunteer run
Thursday – rest, b-day dinner out
Friday – 3 miles, mah Jong chez moi
Saturday – 6 mile run
Sunday – rest day, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Did you race this weekend?

May 19, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Speed Drills

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.

Today’s topic is Misc. so I am choosing Five Drills to Get You Faster

I’m not a fan of workouts or any drills but when I participate in the Freihofer or Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge, on Monday nights, coach Patrick has us do drills. Why? To run a faster 5k or 10k.

I always protest and he knows that, plus sometimes they come the day after my legs have been tired out from a long run or half marathon.

However, begrudgingly I do them.

The result: the first year (2014-5), I PRed at every distance.

So here’s some of the speed drills that we do:

1. One minute strides (5 of them)

These are my favorites. After a warm up, you run as fast as you can for one minute. Then recover. As Patrick says, “You can do anything for one minute.”

2. 400 m @ 5k pace followed by 200m recovery (4-6 of them)

It’s hard to not to run these fast but you realize that you can’t halfway through the first set and then you slow down to a 5k pace (which is still fast.)

3. Hill Repeats. Incline for at least 200m.

there is a long hill in this park…but I didn’t get a picture on it.

4. 800 m @ 5k pace followed by 400 m recovery. (4-6 of them)

These are my least favorite. 800 m running fast seems like forever.

5. Race a 5k.

This one is not recommended but it’s the one I enjoy the most. Even if it is a fun run, I always try to run well and for me, it’s the best speed drill.

Happy Running! Do you do speed work? What drills do you do?

May 18, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Half Marathons. What else?

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

My Last Half Marathon.

If you read my race post, you know that it was a difficult race for me. Some things were out of my control but as I prepare for my next one, I am also thinking about things I can control.

Things you cannot control:

Weather – temperature, wind, humidity, etc.
Course – hills, loops, etc.
Injuries – unforeseen
Porta Potty stops

Things you can control:

Clothing – do not wear new items
Training – doing the work (drills, long runs, etc.)
Food – before and during
Pacing (don’t go out too fast)

Things you could control but can’t:

Clothing – when you have to wear a new item (for many reasons)
Training – when work, family, illness, vacation interrupts your training
Food – when you cannot eat what you want to eat (for whatever reason)
Pacing – when you run with a slower friend or with an injury or lack of training

The important point to remember and I have to remind myself of this often is that even if things go wrong and you don’t have the race that you want for a variety of reasons (things that you can or cannot control), you still can enjoy the experience and be proud of what you’ve accomplished.

My Next Half Marathon.

I’d love to say that I learned from all my recent pre-race snafus. But not quite. I think I have the outfit and pre-race meal under control. We’ll see about the weather. And the course is pretty flat.

mostly on the bike path

But my training is even worse. I missed my 12 mile run while on vacation in Florida. I ran a rushed 5k and spent the rest of the day like this: driving to Cape Haze, lunch on the river, driving to Fort Myers, visiting the Ford & Edison Winter Estates, dinner & drinks during sunset at the Ritz back in Naples.

And I don’t regret it.

The next weekend, I ran a special 5K and skipped the extra miles due to the rain. Then spent the afternoon with my mentee and her sons.

So what could have maybe been a half marathon PR most likely will not be. (Remember this same course was my half PR back in October.)

2:08:59 – PR!!!!!

Again. Finishing=Winning. That is my goal.

I am not that runner who puts in the work. I am that runner who has a non-running life that often takes precedence. C’est la vie!

love my friends

and the hubs too

Happy Running! What’s going in your life? Please share. Are you serious about your half marathon times?

May 16, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Mental Tips and Tricks

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Mental Tips and Tricks

I don’t pretend to have all the answers but here is some advice to make yourself a “happier” runner:

Don’t compare yourself to another runner.

Pace is such an individual thing. To some runners, I may appear fast and yet to others, I am a turtle. That’s one of the great things of running. You are competing with yourself.

not fast in this field by any means but faster than many who were running their first half.

Find something good in every race/run.

Let’s face it, some runs/races just suck. But either you got it done or the scenery was awesome or whatever. Focus on the good and try to forget about the bad.

they cancelled the race, police threatened to arrest me, I thought I might collapse from the heat, I had to fight for a medal… but the course was great and the crowd support even better.

Surround yourself with other runners. They get you.

It’s great to have non-running friends but they won’t sympathize with your positive split times, sore feet, hilly course experiences, stomach issues, DNSes, etc.

Every race will not be a PR.

Even if you run on the same course, you may finish 20 minutes slower. Just sayin’.

A bad run is better than no run.

Tough one to remember when we wanted or expected it to be a good one. More often than not, it isn’t.

Take rest days.

We feel lazy when we don’t run. We are tempted to run everyday. But our body needs time off. We often don’t realize it until it’s too late.

Stay active when you can’t run.

You will feel better about your fitness if you do something else besides running to keep moving…biking, walking, yoga, swimming, tennis, crossfit, dancing, etc.

You don’t have to look like a runner to be a runner.

Runners some in all sizes. All you have to do is run to be a runner.

I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner

Happy Running! Do you have any other Mental Tips and Tricks to share?

May 15, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 5.8.17-5.14.17

Last Week:

Monday – Another day in paradise. 3 mile run followed by a tennis lesson then doubles play. Then off to the beach. Ended the day with dinner out ❤

Lino is our cute instructor

Tuesday – It was my birthday but the day was not too much different than the previous day. I did all my favorite things: running, tennis, reading & Scrabble on the beach, dinner, drinks, dessert with a sunset view. Awesomeness!

oops – 6.4K not miles (not enough time)

at Vanderbilt Beach

dinner at the Turtle Club

Wednesday – Last day of vacation. I packed, had a tennis lesson but instead of playing tennis, I went to a Wildlife Sanctuary. We had a nice 2.5 mile walk but because of the drought, we only saw an alligator and no birds (no water in the lakes). We had our last Florida meal out and headed for the airport.

Corkscrew Nature Sanctuary

Thursday – Back to reality – cooler temps and WORK! Ugh! The highlight on my day was getting to run with Alyssa and we chose to run in the park to view the tulips. (Rain is predicted for the Tulip Fest this weekend.)

Friday – Rest day but did squeeze in a trip to the gym before mah jongg.

empty on a Friday after work??

Saturday – Rain was predicted so I wasn’t looking forward to this 5k race. But it is an important cause (memorial to a former STEM runner) so I was planning on going no matter what. And it poured!!!

27:26 – 1st in my AG

I had hoped to run 7 more miles after the race but I was too wet so I bailed on my long run. Instead I went to the movies (Boss Baby) and dinner (milkshakes and burgers at Johnny Rockets) with my mentee and her sons.

my favorite super heroes

Sunday – The forecast was for rain so I didn’t sign up for a race. But it never rained. So instead I celebrated Mother’s Day with a run on the unpaved rail trail followed by a big dinner at my MIL’s.

23 miles done with 5 runs and 2 rest days

This Week:

Monday – FRW Challenge (3-4 miles)
Tuesday – rest, work travel (to Buffalo)
Wednesday – rest, out of town work and travel home
Thursday – Corporate Challenge race (3.5 miles)
Friday – rest, hair appt, mah Jong
Saturday – rest
Sunday – Steel Rail Half Marathon

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

May 9, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Happy B-day to Me

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

For Today’s Topic, I’m choosing: How to Celebrate Your Birthday as a Runner

It’s an appropriate topic because today is my birthday.

And I happen to be celebrating on vacation in sunny Florida!!

So when it’s your b-day, here’s what I recommend:

Run a race.

Of course that depends on the time of year. You can always run a virtual race if none is scheduled.

Mastodon Challenge 5K

I ran the Mastodon Challenger two years on my birthday. I love the race and the photo. Yes, I fell (what else is new) but continued on to finish with blood dripping down my legs and arms and broken watch in my hand (I felt badass especially when I came in 2nd in my AG)

Run your age.

You can run it in miles or kilometers.

I’m pretty old so I think this year, it will in Ks. How many Ks do you think I’ll run??

Do something that makes you happy.

For me, it’s the tulips in the park and spending time with my mentee and her sons. Tulip Fest weekend is always held around my birthday. Lucky me!

Forget the healthy eating and indulge.

You can run it off the next day! LOL.

I love to go out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants. It has to have a water view and great desserts!!

It’s usually a restaurant on Lake George but this year, I’ll have to settle for the Gulf.

birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant in Naples, Fl- The Turtle Club (2012)

Happy Running! How do you celebrate your birthday?

May 8, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 5.1.17-5.7.17

Last Week:

Monday – Since I had run a half marathon the day before, I decided to skip our FRW Challenge Group training today. I ran an easy 3 miles and went home to pack.

No foot pain or DOMS. Amazing

Tuesday – It was raining off and on so instead of a run and tennis, I went to the gym. Then I packed and prepared for my 3:00 am wake up.
Wednesday – 6 am flight to Florida. We landed in Ft Myers and picked up a rental car to drive to Naples. This is our 12th tennis trip here so we have a routine and it felt like coming home – unpacking, grocery shopping, relaxing by the pool, dinner out, chatting, sleep?…
Thursday – My first Florida run – holy humidity! My goal is to run 3.5 miles most days before my tennis lesson and doubles play. Then we pack a lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach, soaking up vitamin D, reading, playing Scrabble or strolling along the water – heavenly!

Friday – Rain interfered with our morning tennis plans so we went shopping and out to lunch. I did manage get in a run before dinner Rather than dinner out, we stayed in and had our annual book club night while celebrating cinco de mayo.

Saturday – No running today, just a walk, tennis, the beach and dinner out before going to a show. Another day in paradise.

Sunday – Today I ran a 5K race. It warm and humid but still a fun time. Found out that those older Floridians are fast! After the race, I rushed home to get ready for our day trip to Cape Haze and Fort Myers.

27:31 and 3rd in my AG

We had lunch and then visited the Ford and Edison winter estates. We ended the day with dinner and drinks at the Ritz watching sunset.

13 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 3 mile run, tennis, beach, dinner out
Tuesday – 4 mile run, tennis, beach, dinner out
Wednesday – rest, tennis, pool, fly home
Thursday – 6 miles with Alyssa
Friday – rest, gym?, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race (+ 7 more miles)
Sunday – rest, gym?, Mother’s Day

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

May 6, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – May

Confessions of a Mother Runner

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

Over coffee or tea…

I’d tell you that since I signed up for my free 6 month gym membership, I’ve used the machines at least once a week…sometimes even twice. That’s impressive for me!

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am currently in Naples, Florida trying to figure out how to run in the heat. It is not as hot as it as it normally is when I visit each year (we are here 2 weeks early). Only 80s rather than 90s but it is the humidity that is tough to get used to.

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I am thinking of actually running a 5k race while I’m here on vacation. (No surprise.)

May 7 – 7:30 am

The problem is transportation. The rental car is not in my name. I would have to either drive it illegally or get someone in my house to drive me at 6:30 am….

Stay tuned…

Over coffee and tea…

I’d tell you that I wish I were more motivated to train well. I know I can run faster and PR but…. I’m not putting the work in. But maybe having fun is more important…