Of course, I always try to squeeze in a run or some social activity in the evening.
As they say: All work and no play…
Last Week –
Sunday – I was hoping to spend the day on the lake, reading and relaxing.
I woke up to pouring rain so I went to the gym. I spent even more time there than normal (walking 15 laps on the track).
I bought sandwiches in case the rain stopped and we could spend some up on Lake George.
I know the garden and lawn needs rain but enough already…
And yes, the rain finally stopped.. a little breezy and cooler but no complaints on the views…
Monday – I took an early train to NYC (for work the next day.)
I checked into my hotel, changed into running clothes and headed out…
I planned on taking the subway uptown and then run back along the Hudson to meet my friend but there were delays so I ran there instead…
yes my running friend has a broken foot so we just spent hours chatting…
Tuesday – Long work day in Jamaica, Queens.
Instead of rushing back to Manhattan to run, I went to the theater…
it was excellent!!
Wednesday – Another long day in Jamaica.
Tonight I had dinner plans with a college friend.
Fortunately, she couldn’t meet until later so I got in a few miles near Hudson Yards and along the Hudson
my hotel went all out for Pride week
and then I met Cari (where she works) and we walked together to my college friend’s apartment…
dinner and drinks with a view
Thursday – Still working all day in Jamaica…
I had dinner plans with a friend but they fell through… so I took advantage of the extra time and took the subway to the Harlem end of Central Park…
I just ran/walked around until the sun was going down…
Friday – After work, I rushed back to Manhattan to catch my train home.
Saturday – Father’s Day Home Run 5k.
Yes, I was pooped after the week in NYC but I’ve run this race with my friend Heidi the last few years
and without thinking, I signed up again.
I dragged myself out of bed and I was so glad that I did. This small local race has so many perks: tech shirt, post race barbecue, nice age group prizes, 4 free tix to a baseball game, free ticket to the strawberry & wine festival…
And I bumped into so many runners that I knew…
though my time was a race PW, I came in 2nd in my age group… the hat was the prize
Afterward we joined our running friends (who did not race) for brunch (I only had iced coffee).
I gave Heidi my baseball tix and she gave me her festival ticket.
After I showered and changed, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the festival…
tasted so many delicious wines and spirits…
Sunday – Hopefully my regularly scheduled program: GYM, day on the lake
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – DAY OFF, run, walk with BFF
Tuesday – GYM, walk with friends
Wednesday – DAY OFF, run, pool date
Thursday – run, Trail walk charity wine tasting
Friday – GYM, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run and Brunch, Boating
Sunday – train to NYC (AGAIN!)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Summer Racing Plans
Friday – 5 Favorite Running Songs
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Any travel plans? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
I am working in NYC this week and will be back there several more times before the end of the summer.
I could go on and on about what I love about the city but the Fit Five Friday format is great for this so I will this week jump right to
MY FIVE FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES IN NYC
THE HIGH LINE
The High Line closes at dusk and it is VERY crowded at certain times of day. Though I have never done this, I would think the best time to run on it is in the early morning hours. It is a very interesting place to run/walk.
2. ALONG THE EAST RIVER
It’s quite a hike for me to get there (2 miles through the streets of the city unless I take the Crosstown bus) but it is worth it. It is lit up and many runners and bikers use this path. There are also water fountains. The views are pretty all times of day.
along the East River, NYC
along the East R
running along the East River
3. RIVERSIDE PARK
Another great place to run but not that populated in the evening. It runs parallel at points to the path along the Hudson River.
Riverside Drive
4. ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER
Another route that is lit up at night and very popular with bikers. You can combine this run with the High Line as it is nearby.
along the Hudson R
5. IN CENTRAL PARK
This is the BEST place to run. It is lit up and always filled with runners. You can choose many different paths so it accommodates any distance. I always take the subway to Columbus Circle and start there but there are a lot of other entrances to the park.
Happy Running! Anyone else run in NYC? If so, where do you like to run? Please Share.
The race took me past the highlights of the city (Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Arc de Triomphe, Bois de Boulogne, Roland Garros, Maison de la Radio, Grand Palais, Tuileries, Pont Royal, and left banks) but obviously I couldn’t stop and soak it all in.
So I’m due to go back, right?
I might even take a running tour this time.
Happy Running! Where is your dream running location? Have you run there yet? Have you ever run in Paris? Please share.
Sunday –I thought about a run since I had walked the 5k with my friends the day before…
But I decided to keep my plan of Sunday morning at the gym.
The weather was great again and I booked a site on another island on Lake George in advance so we could barbecue. The best part of the day (besides the food and the ice cream later) was that I was able to read a whole book (The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah)…
Monday – I had enough time to run before work…
took a different route as my neighborhood gets boring…
Tuesday – Again I started the day with a run …
a friendly cat on the rail trail
and then after work, I met friends to go for a long walk on the rail trail.
Wednesday – DAY OFF!!
I forgot that it was Global Running Day and instead of a run, I went to the gym…
A few tennis friends and I planned a day trip today to the NY Botanical Gardens to see:
transforms the Garden through the sights, settings, and scents of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
It was so beautiful there.
check out my FB page for zillions of pics
Thursday – I had to teach live today so I rushed out in order to try to get some miles done before our trail night but had to sit in my car for an hour during a torrential rainstorm.
Fortunately, it stopped in time to get in our trail walk.
Friday – Another live teaching day so nothing but mah jongg in the evening my hair appointment.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday and Brunch.
There was brunch and a run with my friends but the runs don’t get long for a few weeks.
and it rained for the last 3 miles… (if you can’t tell, that’s a wild turkey and her babies)
Sunday – Hopefully my regularly scheduled program: GYM, day on the lake (but maybe not since the forecast calls for rain…)
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – train to NYC, run
Tuesday -run?, Broadway show
Wednesday – run?, dinner with a college friend
Thursday – run?, dinner with a running friend
Friday – train home
Saturday – Valley Cats Home Run 5k Race
Sunday – GYM, boating (weather dependent)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Dream Running/Racing Location
Friday – 5 Favorite Running Routes in NYC
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Any travel plans? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
time to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
You will forget abut your finish times or your running pace but the memories that you make while running or racing will last forever!!
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I have no long races for 3 months!!
next one…
I even skipped at 10 mile race that I’ve enjoyed in the past. Of course, I had major FOMO reading everyone’s social media posts but I know I made the right decision.
racing 10 miles or this?
2. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I panicked when out of the blue, I had a sharp pain in the thigh. It hurt to run and walk up/down stairs.
I imagined abductor or quad strain and even stress fracture.
Immediately I called my chiro for an appt. and walked a practice 5k.
3. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that after a painful ART session on some trigger points around my IT band and quad, the pain disappeared.
It happened so quickly that I wondered if I really had the pain.
Would it have gone away on its own?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I almost cancelled my second chiro appointment.
My leg felt normal but I wanted to see what she said (She’s my original doctor, not the one I went to first.)
She agreed with the diagnosis and said I was good to go (IOW run the 5k the next day),
5. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I didn’t run that 5k.
In fact, it was the THIRD 5k that I’ve walked this year!
Yes, me!
One because of a sprained ankle,
another as a mentor to runner who preferred to walk
and lastly due to a case of food poisoning the night before the race.
It is definitely less stressful and lots of fun especially if you do it with friends.
7 of us walked the entire race (until we got near the finish line and then we ran)…
This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 17th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 16th in-person FRW race.)
It has always been held the Saturday after Memorial Day except in 2021, when due to COVID, the race was moved to September. In 2022, it again returned to its regular date.
on their webpage…can you spot me in the pink cap?
My first FRW was in 2008 (my first year of running). At the time, it was the farthest I’d ever run:
I mentored a beginning running group of moms in 2010 which was very rewarding:
Unfortunately, I’m the only one from this group who still runs.
In 2012, it was my first run after serious ankle surgery:
and this photo made the cover of our local paper.
I even ran it in 2013 after breaking my foot at mile 1:
And in 2019, it was the last race for my VT friend Andrea (who died of cancer).
As you can tell, there is a lot of history attached to this race for me.
In 2020, I was named an Ambassador. That honor continued through 2022.
Believe it not, I even chose to skip my high school reunion in 2022 in order to run this race!!
This year, however, I wasn’t as excited about the race as in previous years… sprained ankle, several slow half marathons and lots of doubts about fitness/racing. Especially shorter races since my last 5k were weeks ago…
And they changed the name of the race!!
It’s now called the Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women.
Nevertheless, I knew that I would do this race (no matter what they called it). I’m pretty sure I will always do this race!!
Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:
As with this race every year, I never know what will happen… I could break my foot again (as I did in 2013) or could have a course PR as I did in 2018. Most likely, it will just be a fun run with lots of women.
And this was also my ninth year participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC).
photo from 2022
This year, I decided again to become a Mentor. I wanted to support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And connect with my “past TC” buddies, as well.
I volunteered on Wednesday evenings on the rail trail near where I live.
Many years ago, the day before I would walk to the Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. They used to have a really big expo with vendors and health-related exhibits. But the past few years, they have held it at a local college.
As I did last year, I signed up to volunteer on Friday evening at packet pick-up
I was able to get the bibs & shirts for 7 of my running friends
even though the race name changed, we still get Freihofer cookies (along with Sara Lee bread)
and then I skipped playing mah jongg in order to prepare my #flatme.
Cat-approved outfit
If you read my WRD, you know that I had food poisoning that night and was very doubtful about running the race the next day.
Race Day:
I hate parking garages and traffic so I usually parked on the street and walked to the start. However, with the new(er) course, it was an even longer hike. Like almost 2 miles!
But I used to love to run down Madison Avenue and see the race banners and see the giant poster on the bridge.
pics from 6 years ago…
They changed the course nine years ago. This course is supposedly faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.
course map
elevation according to my Garmin
I did run the newer course the past eight years and I also liked it better than the original..
heading downhill to the finish line
This year, my running friend, Deb, offered to drive as for work she has a nearby parking space. I gladly accepted.
As I mentioned above, this was my 17th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak. Plus, I had my friends’ bibs.
I know it sounds crazy but I decided to go to the race. If I felt sick, I would hang out in the TC tent (near the porta-potties) and if I felt ok, I would WALK the race.
Obviously, running the race was out of the question…
So we met at 7:15, Deb drove and then from the parking garage, we walked to the start area. I quickly found the TC tent…
I got there in time for the photo (missed it last year. LOL).
just the “mentors”
Though, I didn’t enjoy mentoring as much as I thought I would, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.
I still had time to chat with many runners and meet up with my local running friends.
we call ourselves the “Sole Sisters”… Barb’s daughter and Heidi’s MIL joined us.
I was scheduled to start in corral 3 but since I was walking, I headed toward the back of the pack. I was lucky that several of my friends had decided to walk too.
Mile 1:
It is usually very crowded during the first mile but this year were fewer runners than in previous years. I never really had to weave and had plenty of space to walk comfortably.
The race began with a long steep uphill. I remember it being hard when I was running but walking and chatting, I barely noticed it.
The best thing about walking was that I could take in the scenery and take lots of photos.
And we were so slow that the lead runner was heading to the finish before we hit mile 1.
Keira D’amato leading the pack
Mile 1 continued as we turned left and entered the park (and the hill ended).
There were rolling hills throughout the park. They were not bad.
The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…There were cones over the potholes but you had to weaving back n forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes pealed to ground to make sure you didn’t trip.
Then again, we were walking so much fewer issues with the state of the pavement.
1 mile done
Mile 2:
There was a water stop around mile 1.25. It was warm out and I would have stopped had I been running but today, there was no need.
More rolling hills during this mile as you went around the park circling the lake. Only one of the hills was steep but it was very short.
We tried to pick up the pace for the second mile.
But we were having so much fun that I doubt we got much faster.
Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.
2 miles down
Mile 3-3.1:
There was a second water stop around mile 2.5 but again, none of us needed to stop.
Finally we left the park and headed toward the street we started on.
always stop and pose when you see a photographer…
It was a long downhill and I remember it being longer than it looked.
notice how fast my friends walk… and the 80 something is leading the way…
Eventually I saw the 3 mile sign.
Heidi’s MIL (who was in her mid 80’s) wanted to finish under 60 minutes.
It would be close so we all started to RUN!!
And we did it!!
and since we started after 9:00, we were even faster than the clock.
Post Race Activities:
We got our medals and some water and then headed toward the refreshments.
The lines were very long so we decided just to head out and go out to brunch.
Additional Race Reflections:
Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run but I still really enjoyed myself.
It was different this year. If I had raced, I would have been chatting after the race with my racing friends and we would have discussed our finish times and age group awards..
Of course, I had FOMO. It would have been more fun to have run but sometimes life gives you lemons. And so I made lemonade.
Today was about friendship which is more important than pace.
Besides I can never remember my finish times. I looked up my recent ones after the race.
2014 – 28:51
2015 – 29:22
2016 -28:50
2017 – 27:48
2018 – 27:37 (PR)
2019 – 27:47
2021- 28:16
2022 – 28:24
2023 – 29:41
20:24 –
stiff competition
Well, there’s always next year…
Positives:
Ample parking.
Well marked course.
Lots of familiar faces.
Interesting course (through a beautiful park).
Downhill finish.
Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
Two water stops (for a 5k)
The electric atmosphere.
Virtual option.
Free finish and start photos
Immediate results
Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
Cool medal
All women – all ages, all paces…
Many free photo stations
Negatives:
Uphill first mile.
Uneven pavement in the park
Long line for the refreshments
Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer race)
Would I recommend this race?
Yes. Yes. It’s a great local race. And having it be ALL WOMEN makes it even more special.
Final Stats:
So FRW #17 is in the books!
The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running or walking it. Can’t wait to do it again next year and RUN it.
Next Up:
June 15
Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? Do you have a favorite race that you run every year? Do you prefer 5ks or longer races? Ever walk a race? Please share.
With my half marathon training over, I thought that I would work on some speed…
But then I had some mysterious thigh pain (which luckily was short-lived).
And yesterday my favorite 5k took place.
So was I fast? What do YOU think?
Last Week –
Sunday – First day of boating season. The weather was great and I booked a site on an island in advance so we could barbecue.
Of course, I had FOMO as I was hoping to have run a 10 mile race that morning but we had a nice day and rain was predicted for the next day.
Monday – It threatened rain but I went out for a run anyway.
It didn’t rain but I was hoping it would as it was sooo humid.
I did more gardening (never ending, it seems) and still no rain (even the sun came out) but it was quite windy.
Since I thought it would be a rainy day, I had made plans to meet a friend for a late lunch and then go to the movies. Perfect planning as it poured while we were in the theater..
it’s about tennis, love, friendship, competition and more…
Tuesday – First thing was a gym visit and then after work, I met friends for a walk on the rail trail (we are trying to make this a weekly date.) since my walk got rained out, I visited with my granddaughter.
she’s getting so big… crawling everywhere
After that walk, I met my BFF for a walk at the mall.
Wednesday – I actually ran before work…
a pink day!!
and then after work, I went to a dinner that was held to thank the race volunteers.
Thursday – Early work stuff forced me to postpone my run until lunch.
channeling the roses to get me moving…
In the evening, the first ARE Trail run of the season was held. It’s supposed to be a run but as you know I am NOT a trail runner so I enlisted a friend to walk it with me.
a perfect night on the trails… the cider was great too.
Friday – Back at the gym before work and then a trip to see my chiro.. My thigh felt normal but I figured I’d go one more time.
Instead of mah jongg, I volunteered at the race expo after work and into the evening.
And then I went home to get together my outfit for the race:
#flatme + my cat
It was too late to order pizza (my usual pre-race meal) and I heated up one that I had in the freezer.
It seemed fine until around 2am when I got deathly ill. I won’t go into details but it was the sickest I’ve ever been.
Food poisoning!?
Saturday – Race for Women 5k.
Year #17 for me!!
I really wanted to keep my streak and I had the bibs for 7 of my friends.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt better but I was nervous about my stomach.
Most people would have called it a day but I decided to go. I met the friends that I was carpooling with.
If felt too sick, I’d wait in the TC tent until my friends finished. If not, I would just walk. There are a lot of walkers in this race and several of my friends had decided to walk too.
It was a beautiful day to run but I thought it was too dangerous to try.
And so I walked 3.1 miles, chatted with my friends, took lots of photos and ran through the finish line.
not as much fun as running the race but better than staying home
Sunday – Hopefully my regularly scheduled program: GYM, day on the lake
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – run
Tuesday -run, walk with friends
Wednesday – Day at the NYBG
Thursday – Trail run/walk
Friday – GYM, hair appt.
Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
Sunday – GYM, boating (weather dependent)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Run for Women 5k Race Recap
Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Do you like 5ks? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…
1.I runfess…
I had planned to seriously train for my recent half marathon but I skipped too many long runs and I felt guilty signing up for one the weekend before the race.
10 painful miles… at least I had company.
There was serious FOMO since there were TWO races that weekend that I wanted to run.
Prospect Mountain Run
Summer Smith 5k
2. I runfess…
It’s a work in progress but I’m still struggling with accepting my slow(er) pace for short races.
I thought some speed would return…
PW but still had fun… and won my age group
3. I runfess…
Back to #1, I am happy that I did run those short races instead of those long runs.
Bacon Hill 10k
Races are much more fun than 11 & 12 mile runs (esp. if you win your age group.)
4. I runfess…
Now that I’m done with half marathons until September, I can relax…
NYC
Brooklyn
That is only until July 9 when marathon training officially starts.
5. I runfess…
Yes, marathon training starts but there are so many short races that I want to run.
I already signed up for three four.
Help!! There are so many more…
Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.
My First 5K and More... 