time to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I love routines which means that I run 4 times a week and work out at the gym 3 times.
Obviously running is a priority because the past 2 weeks I did get my runs in but my gym visits slacked off. In fact, I never got to the gym at all when I was not working from home…
Yup, only on Sundays!
Sundays are for leisurely gym mornings
Hopefully, I will continue to work remotely most of the time so that I don’t have to cancel my gym membership.
2. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that speaking of running and not working from home, that also meant that my runs would have to be after work (I’m not a 5 am runner).
Not a problem, right?
after one of those painful runs…
Yes. problem this summer when it is HOT and insanely humid… sucky runs!!
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that my car may be on its last legs…
I do love my car but it is over 13 years old (168K miles) and lately the repairs have been killing my budget.
hate this nasty light
So what does this have to do with running?
Well, I find myself requiring certain things in a new car…
All wheel drive – need in the NE to get to my running routes, hikes and races in all wintry conditions.
Heated seats and steering wheel – to immediately warm up after the freezing temp runs, hikes and races.
Big enough trunk for all my running/hiking gear but an SUV is not necessary since my hubby drives a pick up truck.
Stay tuned for an update…
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I’ve been on a knitting frenzy since my granddaughter will be born in a month.
I finished the blanket and now want to make a hat and booties.
Working, running, hiking, working out… when do I knit?
Long car rides to and from the lake and also train and subway rides (when I worked in NYC).
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that sometimes I’d love to disable those memories on Facebook.
Many in July were at races
2013 – Andrea and Crista (both bloggers) at Biggest Loser 5k in VT
Silks and Satins 5k where we first met
Both of these women have since died from cancer…
Happy Running! What’s new with you? Can you identify with any of my updates? Please share.
Twice a year (February and July), I take time off from my regular 8-4 job and work for the software company that applicants use to take the NYS Bar Exam.
So that’s what I did this past week.
Last Week —
Sunday – I headed to the gym first thing in the morning.
After two rainy Sundays in a row, today was perfect.
lots of needed relaxation and reading (Hello Beautiful- any one read it?)
Monday – I had predicted a crazy work week so I decided to move my 5 miler to this morning… luckily my friend Deirdre agreed to get up early too to run.
too rushed to get a selfie but I did see some more art on the rail trail…
Then I dropped my car off at the dealer and worked a half day.
After lunch, I met my friends Heidi and Sherry for a short hike in Pittsfield, MA…
an impromptu location and we finished the hike before the skies opened up
Tuesday – Rest Day and day 1 at the Bar Exam.
7AM start
Long.Day.
7PM finish
Wednesday – Back to my regular job but not working from home… teaching a live class.
Tired from standing all day but needed to get some fresh air and some miles.
At least I had company at UAlbany but it was 90 degrees and it felt torturous…
Thursday – Day 2 at the Bar Exam with a later start and earlier finish than Tuesday.
I thought I might squeeze in a run first thing but nope I delayed it until after work. It rained on and off all afternoon but there was brief pause …
my old route as I used to work here… but so so humid!!!!
We hoped that the predicted thunderstorms would hold off so we could get in our weekly trail run/walk. But we were so indecisive about going…
Instead, we bailed and just took a walk and went out to dinner…
It poured before our walk but never rained again the entire evening… we finished off the day with ice cream sandwiches from the cookie truck.
Friday – Rest Day and similar to to Tuesday (Day 3 at the Bar exam). I did some walking laps around the building but that’s about it…
In the evening I went out to play mah jongg…
Saturday – Long Run Day! We started earlier than usual but still it was the hardest one to date… due to extreme humidity. I ran the first 4-5 miles with Barbara, Lisa, Stan and Sherry and then sprinted ahead just to get the 9 miles done before meeting the others for brunch (That was the best part of the run. LOL)
hoping for some cooler weather next weekend
It rained hard off and on the rest of the day… and temps dropped about 20 degrees…
seen in the Walmart parking lot
Sunday – I plan to return to the gym after a week off and definitely go to the lake with friends.
This Coming Week on the Run (14 Weeks until NYCM)–
Monday – run
Tuesday – GYM, rest day
Wednesday -run
Thursday –run, trail run/walk
Friday – GYM, rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run (10 mies)
Sunday – GYM, rest day, boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Favorite IG Pictures
Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races? Does the humidity bother you on your runs? 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 downloaded Hal Higdon’s Novice Marathon Training Plan.
As you can see below, I’ve already made so many changes to the plan.
Maybe I should just create my own. LOL
2. I runfess…
In my last Coffee Date, I was debating on whether or not to switch my long run to a half marathon.
Since then I talked some of my friends into running this race with me and so I did register:
I just can’t resist a local race with friends.
last year’s crew
3.I runfess…
I was also debating on switching my race-cation half marathon to the 18 miler because that distance would fit better into my plan
I guess that I debated too long:
4.I runfess…
I had to skip my recent 5k due to transportation issues.
I was only a little disappointed.
Of course, I did check the results to see if I would have won an age group award… LOL
My time for this race has ranged from 27:xx to 29:xx. So I may have won… BUT
New for 2023:
Let’s Go Green: Help us make our races financially AND ecologically sustainable! We have spiffy Prospect Park-shaped medals … however they are the same medal as in 2022. If you have already received a medal in the past, we invite you to soak in the cheers at the awards ceremony, but turn down a medal.
so here I am with that same medal last year (and I was wearing coincidentally the same outfit this year)
Hence no FOMO (and I did run 3.1 miles that evening.)
5.I runfess…
Last month I complained that the finish times in my recent 5k races were course PWs and that I needed to do some speed workouts if I wanted to get faster.
Of course, those speed workouts never happened but I am happy to report that although I didn’t PR at the recent Silks and Satins 5k, I did run it a little faster than in 2019.
2023
2019
So there’s still hope…
Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.
I was planning to post of a Recap of the PPTC 5K Race from July 19, 2023.
Instead this topic came to mind… for obvious reasons:
DNS is short hand for did not start.
In other words, you registered for the race, maybe even picked up your bib, but chose to not to actually cross the start line.
If you race often enough, eventually you may choose to DNS a race. Maybe you already have.
In fact, I was really considering one recently. And I have one future race that I may skip. (And due to transportation issues, I had to miss a 5k last week…)
Here are a few reasons why you may opt to DNS:
1.Weather
Some runners will race in any weather conditions.
But safety should always be a concern whether it be because of ice or extreme heat.
2.Injury/Sickness
It obviously depends on the seriousness of the injury but it may require you to skip the race.
broken foot = no race
Sometimes, it also may be because the injury will get worse if you do race. (Unfortunately runners are not always good listening to their body.)
Then there’s sickness. That also depends on the nature of the illness. They say above the neck is ok but below is nay.
3. Schedules/Commitments
Family or work commitments can force to you miss a race. Life happens.
Also flight cancelations or travel plans can interfere. (I’ve learned the hard way to never schedule my flight arrival the day before the race and that subways can cause arrival problems.)
4.Training Plan/Mileage Requirements
Your training calls for a long run and you signed up for a short race. You may decide, if it’s an important race that you are training for, to skip the race.
Or you should be tapering and this race is challenging. Again, it may be in your best interest to DNS this race.
5. Lack of Mojo
For whatever reason, you just don’t feel like it.
Racing should be fun!
It should never be a “have to” but always a “want to.”
or at least FUN afterward.
Once you’ve made the tough decision to DNS your race, it’s entirely normal to go through a wide range of emotions from relief, to anger, to regret. Don’t let anyone kid you. FOMO is real!!!
But hopefully those situations will be few and and you will run many races…
Happy Running! Have you ever DNSed a race? What reason influenced your decision? Please share.
Yes, NYC is my favorite place but unfortunately this trip was not for a race or a vacation… WORK!!
Still, I tried to make it fun.. explore, run, race, eat ice cream… lol
Last Week —
Sunday – Boating Sunday got rained out AGAIN!!
It rained in the morning and threatened all day but actually didn’t rain until evening.
I started the day at the gym and was able to take my time (no need to rush home)…
and there were actually people running the indoor track (due to the inclement weather) and I even walked about a mile
Because I was going to miss my Thursday evening hike at Thacher park this week, I decided head up there to do some hiking (that was after I got stung several times in the nose by a wasp – OUCH!!)
Paint Mine trail was my first stop and the creek (and the humidity) were wild…
When it looked like the rain would hold off, I decided to walk the Indian Ladder Trail… it had been years since I had done it…)
the rain has been good for something I’ve never seen so much water in both falls!!
On the way home, I stopped for ice cream and my car started acting up AGAIN… (it’s back at the dealer !!! 😦 )
Monday – Because I skipped my long run on Saturday in favor of a 5k race, I got up early and ran 7 miles on the rail trail before work.
I parked at that barn and ran some humid foggy miles with my friend Deirdre (who had to run 10) … the bottom right is a new bridge that collapsed while under construction)
Tuesday – I got up very early to get to the gym and then my hubby drove me to the train station to catch my train to NYC.
I checked into my hotel and then had to decide what to do until Cari got out of work… I decided to head to the World Trade Center area to explore.
I was greeted by lots of wall art…
and more:
Unfortunately the 911 Museum is closed on Tuesdays so I just walked around..
upper right is the Survivor tree
I walked toward the river and discovered Brookfield Place
Soon it was time to head back and meet Cari for dinner and…
Wednesday – Early morning subway ride to Queens, worked all day and then the subway back to the hotel.
Decisions, decisions. 5K in Brooklyn OR a 3 mile run around Central Park??
You know me, even though I was exhausted and it was humid and threatening to rain, I chose to run the 5k.
pic from last year’s race
I quickly changed my clothes and hopped on the subway… Q or the B? I chose the B.
Wrong choice as there was a delay on the line and we sat on the bridge for over an hour (as I watched the many Q trains go by.)
By the time we got to the next station, I would be too late to run the 5k (which started at 7:10 and it was already 6:45)
So what to do? Continue on and run 3 miles in the Prospect Park?
Nope… I got off the subway and went back one stop and then got off…
It was 3.1 miles back to my hotel and so I ran a leisurely route back through Soho, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, etc.
always interesting sights to see in NYC
Was I disappointed in missing the race?
Just a little. I love to race but the conditions were not ideal anyway and I did get the miles in (and beat the rain.)
Thursday – I checked out of my hotel but left my bag, then there was a LONG subway ride to Queens, worked all day and then took the subway back to the hotel. Finally I headed to Penn Station to catch my train home! (LONG DAY!!!)
treated to this view of the Hudson
Friday – Back home and back to the gym before work and mah jongg after work in the evening. In between, work and unpacking!!
Saturday – Long Run Day!
I was lucky to have some amazing friends to share 8 miles with
on the Corning bike path (which is along the Hudson R)
and others who joined at brunch.
Sunday – Gym first thing.
Will the weather allow us to go on our boat??
This Coming Week on the Run (15 weeks until NYCM)–
Monday – run, hike (PM off from work)
Tuesday – rest day, walk with BFF?
Wednesday -run after work
Thursday –run after work, trail run/walk
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run (9 miles)
Sunday – GYM, rest day, boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – PPTC 5K Race Recap When to DNS a Race
Friday – Runfessions
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races? How are you dealing with the weather where you live? DNS any races lately? 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 wrote about the 5 reasons why I am running the NYC Marathon again in November 2023. (Read that post here).
But there are at least FIVE more reasons for this decision:
1.As one of the World Majors and a NYRR race, it is so well organized.
I found it easy to get information on every aspect of the race.
2. As a huge race with more than 50,000 runners, I will be middle of pack and not have to worry about a cut-off time.
I can relax and run as slow as I want and walk as often as I want. I have no BQ aspirations and just want to finish standing (and hopefully before dark.)
3. The expo is amazing.
It is held at the Javitz Center and it is overwhelming but packet pick-up was very organized. And I was able to find products (such as fuel) that I had not seen anywhere else before.
4. Repeating this race allows me not to worry about the pre and post race logistics and just concentrate on the race itself.
Even with all the information provided, it was still stressful to figure out how to get to the start and where to exit after race.
5. NEW YORK F###ING CITY!
You get to run over FIVE bridges and through all FIVE boroughs with thousands along the course screaming your name.
Happy Running! Ever repeat a race? When and why? Please share.
When I first started running, this race was one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, 2010.
in 2008 – my first year of running
in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)
It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race than a 5k. Since then I have completed over 60 half marathons.
My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.
After 5 years off (from this race), I ran it again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things hadn’t changed that much (but I started to wear running skirts instead of shorts).
I enjoyed this race so much that I re-added it to my summer racing list and ran it again in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18)
2016
2017
2018
2019
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this races for 3 years.
This year, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.
Here is the map for the course that I ran in past years:
15 turns in this course!!
Here’s the 2023 course:
pretty similar… except it is not certified
Race Day:
The race started at 8 am.
This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not, there would already be a lot of traffic at that hour.
My running friends Deirdre and Kevin were running the race too so we planned to meet at Leah’s so we could have brunch there after the race (and maybe meet up with other friends.)
I got up at 5:15 am (after a sleepless night thanks to my cat….) and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.
Kevin drove us and we left at 6:40 in order to get there early enough to get parking and pick up our bibs.
view on the way to park
We got the last spot in a nearby lot, picked up our bibs/shirts and then left the shirts in the car.
we parked not far from the finish
There were about 500 runners at this race (I think there had been more in previous years.). So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces. This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.
my local running friends
The weather was warm … around 70 at the start and VERY humid, I just hung around and chatted with other runners that I recognized.
one of my former students (who is very speedy)
obviously we like the same Skirt Sports pattern…
Soon it was time to line up.
I stood somewhere in the middle. This race attracts many speedy runners and I didn’t want to get run over…
Mile 1:
I always feel like I start out fast but it still seemed like everyone was passing me by…because they were. My legs felt dead.
But my biggest problem again was the humidity (and yes, I know that it’s like this in most places and worse in Florida)..
At least it was mostly cloudy because there was very little if any shade on the course.
Mile 2:
By the second mile, I was really wanting to walk… I was hoping to wait until the water stop which was about half way.
nothing exciting about the course…just around the neighborhood – pic from 2109’s Saratogian
Now that they changed the course by having an out and back on one street, I was able to cheer on Kevin (who was way ahead) and then Deirdre who was behind me.
I did appreciate those folks who put sprinklers out… I ran through each one!
I made it to the water stop and walked (for probably too long)… but I felt a lot better after.
Mile 3-3.1:
By mile 3, I was really fading but I continued to make sure to hit the tangents (there were 15 of them!!)
Finally we turned the last corner…
I tried to get up enough energy to sprint through the finish line. I had hoped to finish under 28 minutes… but nope..
I crossed at 28: XX.
Post Race Activities:
I felt very shaky and grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.
I was not even hungry (which is odd for me after a race). There were only donuts and cookies. I nibbled at a donut but threw most of it away.
They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 2nd in my age group.
Kevin had already finished but went out to run more miles… Soon Deirdre finished.
We waited for the awards ceremony. I got a nice medal. It always feels great when you win an award (even if you didn’t run well.)
Holly (middle) also got an award (in my former age group.)
Then we left to return to Leah’s for brunch (now I was starved) and met up with a friend who had walked there.
Additional Race Reflections:
Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive. And yes, it should have been a 7 mile long run as part of my marathon training.
But races challenge me and I think it’s important to challenge oneself.
Otherwise, my runs are slow and easy and I squeeze them in whenever I can. I also run with friends, some faster, some slower and always with run walk intervals.
So I don’t regret running this 5k. Though it wasn’t a 5K PR or course PR, it actually was a faster finish than 2019! That makes me happy.
Positives:
Well organized race
Well marked course with many course marshals
Flat course
Lots of familiar faces.
Immediate results
5 year age groups for awards
Negatives:
No longer get free tickets to the race track
Not sure it raised money for a charity (used to be for Special Olympics)
Last minute course change and so it was not certified
15 turns!!
Hot and Humid!
Only cookies and donuts post race (no bagels or fruit)
Unisex shirts
Would I recommend this race?
Maybe…
All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat. It is well-organized.
Not sure if I would run it again because it is not nearby.
In past years, I added more miles after the race a nearby park (and so at least it counted as a long run.)
Final Stats:
no surprise that there were positive splits…
gee, I only remember walking once?
Next Up:
Maybe another 5k or two.
Then:
Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big races coming up? Do you run short races even when you are training for a big long race? Please share.
I started Marathon training but still I have a few 5ks on my schedule… I keep saying that these races are my speed workouts. However, it would be nice if I did some speed drills to prepare for them…
Last Week —
Sunday – Another Sunday where rain and thunderstorms were predicted.
I went to the gym first thing
and then we decided to skip boating. I went for a two very muggy hikes (while my hubby did yard work).
I returned to Tivoli Lake (where I had a tour recently) because the animals (sheep & alpacas) were supposed to return from NYC today.
the wildflowers were in bloom but no sign of the animals!?
Then I stopped to walk at Normanskill Farms (sorry no pix).
Of course, the rain held off until later but boy did it rain…
I got caught up around the house, binged watched “Never Have I Ever” (someone mentioned it on their blog) and knit (I need to finish that blanket before the grandbaby is born…)
Monday – My Day off!
And we cancelled our hiking plans since AGAIN the forecast was for rain!
Of course, when I woke up the rain had stopped. I decided to risk getting wet and went out for a run.
lots of interesting scenery and NO rain, just high humidity.
I had 3 miles planned but when I didn’t have to rush to just it done before work, I wound up with over 4 miles!
Again it didn’t rain much and not until later.
So made a trip to TJ’s, continued binge watching Never Have I Ever and knitting.
Finally I decided that I needed that hike. We’ve had so much rain that it was quite muddy but I love the sound of flowing water.
Tuesday – Back to work but I decided to postpone my rest day and run on the rail trail before the heat and with a friend.
4 miles with some cat sightings.
After work, I returned to the same trail to walk with a friend whom I hadn’t seen in a while.
Wednesday – After a night of poor sleep, I decided against getting up early for a run.
Instead, I went to the gym and felt so much better afterward.
At lunch, I decided to give that run a go (despite the sun and heat.)
that was painful.. back to early morning runs!
After work, the brief rain shower had ended so my BFF and I hit the outdoor mall for a walk/chat.
friends for almost 50 years…
Thursday – Finally a rest day (from running) and I even skipped the gym.
After work, I planned to join my friends for a trail run/walk. Sorry to be a broken record but again rain/thunderstorms were predicted. I don’t mind rain but thunderstorms in the woods would be no bueno. And I was planning to just walk.
So a few of us decided to meet to just walk. Yes it did rain and who knows if its timing coincided with the event??
our view from the porch while eating delicious ice cream sandwiches
Friday – Another rest day (from running) but I did get to the gym before work.
After work, I had a hair appt and then got ready for the my race the next day.
Saturday – Silks and Satins 5k Race!! (Maybe this should have been a long run but it’s still early in my marathon training so I’ll call it a big cut back week.)
I met up with friends to run the race (and came in 2nd in my AG) and then after, we met up with other friends for brunch.
yup, another HUMID morning but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…
Sunday – My plans for today include the gym followed by a day on the boat (unless the weather gets in the way AGAIN.)
This Coming Week on the Run (16 weeks until NYCM)–
Monday – GYM, run
Tuesday – train to NYC (for work), walk around NYC & meet Cari
Wednesday -run
Thursday – rest day, train home
Friday – GYM, rest day
Saturday – Long Run
Sunday – GYM, rest day, boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Silks and Satins 5k race Recap
Friday – Sometimes Once is Not Enough (Part 2)
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races? 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.
My First 5K and More... 