September 24, 2015 by Darlene

Thining Out Loud Thursday: All’s well that ends well

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Sometimes things happen for a reason.

Yesterday was supposed to be my first run mentoring the STEM group (a Couch25k program for women who are victims of domestic violence). I volunteered last fall and it was a very inspiring experience. It’s amazing how you bond with these women after only 9 weeks.

I said I that I would help again on Wednesdays but they changed the location and time. I tried but with the traffic, I arrived too late and the group was gone.

I was bummed so I drove home and then on a whim, I stopped at Stewarts to get bread and got the run urge (or maybe it was that my FitBit hadn’t buzzed yet.)

That’s where I usually park for my runs on the rail trail. I always run toward Voorheesville which is 1.9 miles. The other direction has been under construction for years.

Guess what? It’s done. It’s a beautifully paved path that goes all the way to Albany. That should add another 3 miles.

So I wouldn’t have discovered this new route (near where I live) if I ran with STEM.

This morning, I was about to apologize for missing the run when I got a message that they needed someone to run with the Albany STEM group. I said that I would do Wednesdays and it is closer so it should work out better.

And another thing…

There are two 10ks that I considered signing up for this weekend.

There’s a local one that my tennis friend is doing. I actually owe her since she got me started running. But it’s a boring 5k loop done twice.

Then there’s a scenic one in Chestertown along the Schroon River. My friend has a house there where I could stay the night before and it is 10 minutes away from our boat.

I choose the scenic one. However, my friend got the dates mixed up and offered her house to someone else.

Darn! I had already taken Friday off from work but I could drive up that morning or do the local race.

But it was another lucky day for me. My friend called to tell me that her friend changed his mind and won’t be staying in her riverhouse. I can stay there!

What else?

The race…. maybe I’ll get lucky here too.

I ran this race 2 years ago and my time was 1:06:10. I was recovering from a broken foot and it is a hilly course.

still won 2nd in my AG

My 10K PR is 57:03 and my most recent 10K time (on a flat course) was 1:00:39.

So my hope is to finish under 60 minutes but my realistic goal is to finish around 1:02 and win a AG award.

And hopefully have enough left in the tank to finish my long run here in the Adirondacks:

photo from this weekend 2 years ago

Happy Running! What’s on your mind this Thursday?

September 17, 2015 by Darlene

Think Out Loud Thursdays: Weekend Plans

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

How can I fit it all in this weekend?

My friends have scheduled a Mah Jongg weekend at a house on Schroon River.

Unexpectedly, we have summer weather in mid-September.

So boating season continues. It’s so short and the winter so long that I really want to be out on the lake one last time.

And then there’s half marathon training…3 weeks to go before my race.

I was planning to run 11-12 miles….

I even considered running a local half marathon on Sunday but quickly decided that it was stupid to spend $65 for the company of other runners (and there was also a chance of rain on Sunday.)

So what am I going to do?

All three!!!

Get up early on Saturday and do my long run.
Drive up to the lake and spend the day on our boat.
Afterwards, head up to Schroon River and join the ladies for mah jongg.
Spend Sunday with the mah jongg ladies.

Yup, it should be a busy, fun weekend!

last year’s Sunday group

Happy Running! What are you thinking about this Thursday?

September 3, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursdays – Shoes

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Why do I have so many Running Shoes.?????

It’s no secret that I have crappy feet. No other part of my body hurts – not my calves, not my quads, not my hamstrings, not my knees, not my IT band, etc. JUST MY FEET.

I have pain on the sides, on the bottom,… I get blisters. My achilles gets tight. I have bunions.

I’ll use my feet as an excuse to buy new running shoes often.

Here are my latest pair – Nikes. The verdict is still out but I think that will probably keep them for short races and short runs.

The reason for the purchase was the blisters and foot pain from Saturday’s race.

These were Mizuno Inspires that I wore for my last half and that I got on sale.

So far, my most comfortable shoes to date are these Hokas.

They are wide and have lots of cushion and so far, my feet don’t hurt when I run in them.

But look at the bottom after 100 miles or so. The midsole is very worn as well.

Warning.. I will probably buy another pair for my long and recovery runs and half marathon. The Hokas are great for problem feet like mine.

(But they are clunky and I have a hard time getting any speed in them…hence the other pair of running shoes needed.)

These are my most recent purchases. In the past year, I have run in many different pairs of Mizunos.

Mizuno Wave Rider 18s – I got these free as a tester

Mizuno Wave Rider 17s – they were cheap and PURPLE

those same Mizunos Inspires

Mizuno Wave Ride 18s in a different color

Running down the Bump N Grind Trail in CA

a 3 yr old pair of Mizuno Inspires – didn’t want to get newer ones dirty on the trails

Mizuno Wave Rider 17s (that I got free as a tester)

Then there are some others that I may have gotten on sale and are still in my closet from past years.

So do I have a problem?

I need to have comfortable shoes. Shoes that look good are a plus. Shoes that match my outfits a even bigger perk.

So true!!

Happy Running! Do you have a lot of pairs of running shoes? What are you thinking about today??

August 27, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: The Turtle Races

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

As you may know, I have been whining about how pathetically slow my runs have been.

It’s hard to believe that someone who runs in the 9s and sometimes under 9 minute pace is currently running at a 12-13 min pace.

Well, I am.

They’re only training runs.

So it’s all good.

But I think my ego needs to get some speed back and for me, the only way is to race.

So I signed up for a race – a 10K this Saturday.

August 29, 2015

I was planning to run 10 slow miles but I guess I’ll try to run 6 fastish miles and crawl for 4 more after.

I have never run this race before but I have run on this course (like 2 weeks ago in the picture above) and have even run a 10k here last year.

At the time, it was my 10K PR but since then I have run faster twice.

I finished at 57:03 in the Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving which was my last 10K.

I was in a running group at the time and training for that race so I don’t expect to beat that right now. I’ll be happy with anything near 1 hour.

Training for a half marathon in the summer and keeping up any semblance of speed is tough!!!

Anyone else having the same problems?

Do you ever use a race as a (expensive) speed workout?

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

August 13, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Why Blog?

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I was thinking on Tuesday…

I was looking at my blog links and realized that so many of the blogs that I used to read when I started running are extinct … meaning, these runners don’t blog anymore.

Is it that they don’t run anymore?

Or is it that they have run out of things to say?

When I first started, you had to be creative and pick a topic.

I often did Two for Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Three Things Thursday or even Foto Friday. And I always recapped my races.

Now linking to other blogs is cool such as Tuesdays on the Run, Wednesday Word, Thinking Out Loud Thursdays, Friday Five, Saturday Coffee Clubs, etc. etc.

So I have switched and link most of my posts to linkups.

Why?

It’s easier than deciding what to write about myself. And you get to connect with other runners who are writing about the same thing. It also attracts readers to my blog.

That’s another thing.

I’ve been blogging since 2008 and I still have less than 200 followers.

I’m ok with that because I work full-time and I don’t have the time to comment on everyone’s blog and push mine out to other readers.

The real reason I blog is personal.

To motivate myself to run
To track my progress toward my goals
To review my races to help plan each year’s schedule.
To inspire others to run

There are so many excellent running blogs that it could be a full-time job reading them all. I read a select few while I eat breakfast. But even if I had more time, shouldn’t I be doing something else? Like exercising? Running? It’s another sedentary activity.

Like now.

I am writing this post. I could be at the gym or running on the treadmill (It’s raining.)

But I’m not.

Instead I’m thinking about if I should continue this blog. And why?

These are all things that I enjoy.

So I guess, I will…

for now.

But I’ll end this post here because I am going to get on that treadmill at work and maybe stop at the gym after too. (Tennis for today is cancelled due to the rain.)

Happy Running! Why do you blog? Do you ever think about quitting?

August 6, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Breaking All the Rules

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I am thinking…

You bloggers may hate me, but I don’t follow the rules:

Stretching.

I don’t stretch. If I am at home, I open the door and start running. Otherwise, I drive to my route, get out of the car and start running.

in my driveway and ready to go

After my run, I just hop in the shower and go to work or hop in my car and drive home or to wherever.

done and time to go home

Gadgets and Running-Related Stuff.

Besides not stretching, I don’t even own a foam roller, or a stick or KT tape.

I will use one if it will make my body look like this

Knock on wood, I haven’t needed them yet.

Chafing.

I have never experienced it. So I don’t have Body Glide and don’t use anything like that to prevent chafing.

Running Plans.

I have never really used one. That’s not to say that I don’t plan my runs. I do.

But I don’t use a formal plan which means I don’t do hill repeats, intervals, temp runs, etc.

I run several times during the week, usually 3-4 miles and do whatever I feel like. (It’s usually pretty slow with lots of walking.) If I am training for a half marathon, I try to run longer on the weekend, increasing each week’s distance by one mile until I get to 12. I also run races which tends to mess up my training.

Voila – this got me to a PR

Healthy Food.

I’ve never had a protein shake nor have I made a smoothie.

Before a race, I eat 3 packets of this:

I don’t want to look at the ingredients. I am sure they are all artificial

After a run, I love this:

oh so healthy, I know.

or something similar to this:

is there protein in this?

Electrolytes.

Just plan H2O for me. I don’t add Nuun to my water nor do I drink Gatorade. So far, water works for me.

an old pic like circa 2010. I am thinner and wearing shorts!

Solo Runner.

I usually run alone. It’s easier because I can run wherever and whenever it is convenient for me. I can run at whatever pace and distance I feel like. (I do like to run with others, though.)

getting it done at lunch

Ok, I’m not a total running loser.

I have a Garmin GPS watch. I wear it to all my races and check my paces on it.

I eat Gu as fuel whenever I run more than 4 miles.

I have lots and lots of running shoes.

my latest…still looking for THE pair…

I wear running skirts and love them.

my newest skirt from SkirtSports

I have a race belt that holds my bib and carries my phone.

I read running magazines.

but why do they always wear skimpy running shorts on the cover?

I have joined Running Groups.

I have enjoyed them. Running with others makes the time go by faster. It also motivates you to run at a faster pace.

Freihofer’s training group

I run a lot of races each year.

Last year it was 31. It may be even more this year.

finishing my last 5k

Speaking of races, I have another 5k tomorrow night.

August 7, 2015 6:30 pm Central Park, Schenectady

I’m not a fan of evening races so we’ll see how it goes. Just hoping for NO PAIN and a finish under 30 minutes. Would be extra happy with an Age Group Award!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about? Are you a rule breaker?

July 30, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursdays: Racing, What Else?

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

I’ve been thinking and I’ve made my decision.

Next year, I will be racing the train.

I just don’t feel ready to tackle 8.4 miles on a hilly trail in the heat. I don’t want to get injured since I have a half marathon in October.

If I weren’t signed up for RnR Brooklyn, I would risk it. It sounds like fun and it’s a challenge that I would like to take sometime. Hopefully, it will fit into my schedule better next year,

Instead, I signed up for a 5k on Sunday.

in Chestertown, NY

Not as interesting as Race the Train but certainly easier. At least, there will be lots of pretty views.

I have friend who lives nearby. I can sleep at her house the night before if I don’t want to sleep on our boat (which is 15 minutes away.)

After the race, I may be able to squeeze in more miles in this beautiful area.

Because I am crazy that way, I signed up for another 5k.

Friday, August 7, 2015 6:30 pm in Schenectady’s Central Park

It’s on a Friday night so it won’t interfere with any weekend plans. I’m not crazy about an evening race especially in the summer. But we’ll see.

Here’s a surprise… I think that there will be no more racing in August.

I have a concert the weekend after…

We’re going on Saturday, August 15 to Xfinity Center in Mass.

and I have to work that morning. Unfortunately, I will miss 2 of my favorite races (that this year have been scheduled on the same day.)

10k

I would have chosen this one if I could run

I will be at my friend’s house on the Schroon River the weekend after that..

We will be playing tennis (though I hope to be able to run at some point.)

Happy Running! So what’s on your mind this Thursday?

July 23, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Racing and Training

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

I’ve been thinking about racing and training.

How do you do both? Should you?

It’s no secret that I love to race! I have a hard time not signing up for a race every weekend.

There are a few problems with this besides that it’s expensive.

It’s hard to train for a long race such as a half marathon.

There would be no problem if I just ran shorter races but I like to run half marathons too.

What I have done in the past is add more miles after my races.

I guess it works. But I am not sure if it is the best way to train.

It’s like running a speed workout and taking a break, eating and then running some slow miles. Not quite the same as you would do when you run a actual half marathon.

So I am going to run lots of races before my next half (on Oct 10): 7-25, 8-1, 8-7, 8-17, 9-5, 9-12, 9-19, 9-26, 10-03 because I like to race.

This decision means that I have to be satisfied with a good or mediocre half marathon performance but maybe not a great one. I think if I want to run my best half, I will have to cut back on racing. Right now, I don’t want to do that.

I’m also thinking about my next race.

It’s summer. Summer is a time to kick back and relax. Enjoy the sunshine and time with family and friends.

So I have been doing that…a lot!

That means that I have had to skip weekday runs or shorten weekend distances.

My next race is Saturday – another 5k.

I was hoping to get back some speed. My last 5k was under 29 minutes. I’d love to do that again. I’d love to win a age group award too. We’ll see.

I’m debating about the race after that – either a difficult hilly longer but fun one or another 5k in a scenic area?

The train leaves at 8 am. It takes you to the start and you run back on the wooded hilly trail to the station. Sounds like fun but it is a longer distance than I have been running.

Not as interesting but certainly easier. There will be lots of pretty views.

Happy Running! Do you run many races while you are training for a long race? Do vacations and the heat tempt you to skip runs?

July 9, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: That Elusive Speed

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

I have been thinking about running goals and speed.

I was getting faster for awhile..

and then things slowed down for whatever reason.

Of course as we age, we slow down.

But what if we started running when we were old. Do we still slow down?

So it seems that if we don’t slow down then it’s a Win-Win.

After a few months of running, my 5k finish times went down to a consistent 29-30 minutes.

Then all of a sudden, I was able to run 27-28 minute 5ks.

Now, I am back to finishing at 29-30 minutes.

Did I slow down or is that where I should be for my age??

Am I going to get even slower? If so, I need to adjust my goals!!

The same thing happened with Half Marathons.

I finished my first one in around 2:26.

Of course, eventually I got faster and finished one in 2:09

Now, I am back to finishing close to 2:26.

So will I continue to run at this speed? Or can I get faster? Or as I age will I get even slower?

Just food for thought.

On another related topic….

I decided to run some 5ks this summer.

TEAM Sarcoma 5k on July 11 (this Saturday)
Silks & Satins 5k on July 24 (in 2 weeks)

Both take place in Saratoga – the first one in the park and the second in town starting at the race track.

How fast will I be? Who knows?

Happy Running! Do you struggle with race goals related to speed?

July 2, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Our Loud Thursday: Becoming a Morning Runner

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

A Morning Runner???

Who me?

I like to run in the morning but I just can’t get motivated to get out of bed early enough.

I like read at night instead of going to bed early. Then morning is my watch the Today show, read blogs, and relax time of day before having to go to work. Yup, work gets in the way of everything!!