June 28, 2016 by Darlene

Adirondack Distance Run Recap

Sunday, June 26, 2016 – 7:30 a.m.

A ten mile race consisting of rolling hills from Lake George Village to Bolton Landing.

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I was looking forward to this race.

I’ve wanted to run this race ever since I started running.

Except for 2014, something has always come up: work conference, strained achilles, broken ankle, broken foot, flight cancelled & stuck in Baltimore.

2014 race

As usual, I was not really prepared. I had been racing 5ks (two last weekend) and working on my speed. Plus my running had been on mostly flat surfaces. My last long run was my half marathon on May 29.

So yes, I decided to run this race but not as a race but just as a hilly long run….take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

The race started at 7:30 am in the village of Lake George and ended in Bolton landing (next door to the marina where we keep our boat.)

the beach on the right is the end of the race

I had a few options. There was a bus leaving Bolton Landing the morning of the race at 6-6:20 am so I could have spent Saturday on the lake with my hubby & friends and sleep on the boat. But I decided instead to stay home and drive up very early Sunday morning. I wanted to get a good night’s sleep and get things done around the house.

So I got up around 4:30 am on Sunday and was on the road by 5:30 for my one hour drive to the race start.

It was already warm – in the 70’s and humid. I guess I need to get used to running in the summer heat.

I got there and found parking in the same small lot as two years ago and walked to the fire station to pick up my bib. Then I walked back to my car to get rid of the race tee shirt.

long sleeve cotton shirt – ugh! usually you get a sleeveless tech shirt

Back at the fire station, I used the rest room (there were real ones) and waited outside until it was time to line up. I was surprised at how many people were racing – over 300 and all the fast runners were there (from the local running clubs.)

I bumped into some runners whom I haven’t seen in a while and we ran together for a short while and chatted (They are much faster!)

As I mentioned, this course is hilly but it is also very scenic. I tried to focus on the scenery to take my mind off the hills.

I made a conscious effort to run conservatively. I felt great and I felt strong but I was worried about overdoing in the heat and hills.

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not me! I wish… (photo by Donald Yeaton)

So I think I walked a little during every mile except for the first. I especially took it easy on the uphills.

If you remember my complaint from the Lake George Half Marathon about running on the uneven pavement on the side of the road, it wasn’t as bad for this race. It was early and not much traffic until the end of the race and since it wasn’t an out and back race, you could run in the road and the cars were able to move over (as in the photo below.)

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(photo by Donald Yeaton)

I kept glancing at watch and even with all the walking, I was still running around a 10 minute pace for the first 5 miles.

Then the foot pain set in. No surprise here! I started getting a painful blister on the right foot (even with the moleskin) and my toe hurt on the left foot.

The hills were steeper the first half but the second half seemed harder. The hills kept coming and coming. But I think it was really that my feet hurt with every step.

I knew by the last few miles that I would not have a PR so I kinda lost my motivation to push on. I could have run harder but didn’t see the point. I walked more and more. The surprising part was that when I was running, I was passing guys. Super cool.

I really loved running this race. (Even with the foot pain and the heat.) It is the road that I drive every weekend during the summer to go boating. I know every inch of the route.

Anyway, I finally made it to where you turn to get to the finish line. I was surprised to see my hubby and a boating friend there cheering me on.

Of course, at that point I ran as fast as I could.

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notice the clock says 1:42:06 and I was already past the line

The official results say that I crossed at 1:42:21. Not close to my 1:38:45 PR but 2 1/2 minutes faster than 2 years ago. I’ll take it!

gun time – no chip times

Everyone got medals which is always a plus.

I was so happy to have finished.

I bumped into some friends again.

That’s our boating friend photobombing.

We headed straight to the water to soak my feet in the cold lake water.

A great end to a great race.

Then I grabbed several pieces of watermelon and some pastry. The watermelon really hit the spot.

For this race, they gave out awards to first place in EVERY age. I looked at the results and saw that there were two 63-year old women faster than me so I didn’t stick around.

I walked next door (how convenient) where my hubby and our friends were waiting to head out on the lake. I spent the rest of the day relaxing in the sun on the water.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:38
mile 2 – 10:10
mile 3 – 10:08
mile 4 – 9:44
mile 5 – 10:42 (took a GU)
mile 6 – 10:23
mile 7 – 9:57
mile 8 – 10:22
mile 9 – 10:25
mile 10 – 10:16

Garmin time – 1:41:48

The race had only gun times. I had no miles over 11 minutes so that’s consistent in a long race for me. I’m pretty happy. Maybe next year, I’ll actually train for it and race it.

As I already mentioned, this race was on my bucket list and now it is on my race to run every year list.

It was well-organized – lots of volunteers, plenty of water stops, someone calling out times at each mile, bikers warning you of oncoming cars, buses to the start before & after the race and you can’t beat the scenery.

It’s also Tuesday so I’m linking up with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for:

This week’s topic is How often do you race?

And my answer is AS OFTEN AS I CAN!!!

Last year I ran 40 races.

Happy Running! Do you have a bucket list race? Do you have an important race coming up? How often do you run?

June 21, 2016 by Darlene

Firemen’s 5k Race Recap

Sunday, June 19 9 am

Yes, I did run a 5k the day before.

But if you know me, it’s not odd for me to run 2 races in 1 weekend.

This is a new race so I knew nothing about it. I only chose it because it was being held in Lake George.

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I LOVE Lake George and I had planned to join my hubby on our boat so the race was on the way.

I arrived early and found a place to park on a side street.

I hung out by the water for a while because NO ONE was there yet. Finally the volunteers arrived and were setting up raffle prizes…

The start/finish line was right along the lake.

It was getting pretty warm but at least there was a breeze from the water.

it was cool watching a float plane land

Soon it was time to start the race. And yes, there were runners…but not many!!!

I chatted with a few older women and we wondered where everyone was and would they hold a race with so few people.

Yes, they did.

We started on the road and then turned into the bike path.

I didn’t know that there was a bike path here and I definitely plan to return and run it.

It was very pretty. It looks shady but it didn’t feel as shady as it looks.

With a small race (of about 20 runners), you often run alone. And I did the all race. The course wasn’t marked and at mile 1, I stopped and wondered which way to go. I decided to go left and continue on the bike path. I was correct and soon I came upon the water stop.

The important thing to mention about this course was that it was an out and back but out was UPHILL…long gradual uphill for 1.6 miles. I walked at the water stop and then a few times more but for the most part I ran. I wasn’t running fast. My legs were tired from the previous day’s 5k race and it was HOT!!!

Soon it was time to turn around and then hooray, it was all DOWNHILL!

I arrived at the finish line and gave it all I had to finish at 29:00! Phew, not over 29 minutes for the 2nd day in a row.

I hung around chatting with the older ladies waiting for everyone to finish and for the awards.

I finished as SECOND WOMAN overall!

5kf

Okay so there were only 10 women!

Then I also won my age group.

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So it was a 2 medal kind of a day!

The refreshments were bananas, apples and water. I wish I had brought money for the raffles because your chances to win were pretty good.

Would I run this race again?

Maybe. I liked the course and the location. But there are many other races with more perks.

After the race, I raced up to our marina. My hubby and friends had reserved 4 docks on one of the islands. We spend the rest of the day relaxing by the water and eating. So much fun!

Eventually, everyone had to leave because they had to go to work the next day.

Not moi!

I decided to stay and sleep on our boat and spend a Me day in Bolton Landing: a long run and 2 hikes. It was fabulous. (More about that in another post).

Because it’s Tuesday, I’m linking with:

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

Happy Running! Anyone else run 2 races in one weekend?

June 14, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Scenes Along the Roadside

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

This week’s topic is Interesting stuff you find along the roadside,

Well, I must say that other than a rabbit or too, nothing too exciting has been spotted during my runs.

So instead, I’ll show you interesting views along the roadside.

a new bench to rest on

a new sign on my favorite route ( a paved rail trail)

the Hudson River

Lake George

Saratoga National Park

Peebles Park

Schroon River

Five Rivers Park

Zim Smith Trail

Washington Park

The Crossings

Nisky Bike Path

Colonie Town Park Trail

Mohawk Towpath Byway

Happy Racing! What interesting things have you seen on your runs?

June 7, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Race Gear – How much is too much?

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

This week’s topic is: Are you a race gear hoarder or a minimalist?

Hmmm…my hubby would probably say that I am a hoarder but when I read other blogs & FB posts, I realize that many of you (and I don’t need to mention names) have many more running clothes than I do.

So yes, I have a lot of running outfits. Almost all have been bought on sale or at Target, Marshalls or with my Skirt Sports discount.

I run 4 times a week. I don’t do laundry often and I have this thing about being matchy matchy!!

: FRW – 2016

: VCM Relay – 2016

My essentials are skirts (or tights & capris with skirts), tops (tech tanks, short & long sleeved), socks (compression & not), jackets for cooler weather and baseball caps & winter hats.

: Apple Run 2015

Since I have run almost 200 races, you can imagine how many race shirts I have. I’ve made some into a blanket and given many many away but I still have quite a few (only tech ones are worn now.)

I also have many pairs of running shoes. Of course, I’ve thrown some away but I have ones that I am attached to even though I don’t race in them. Right now I race in Nike Zoom Vomeros and I have 4 pairs of those.

As far as other running gear, I am more a minimalist.

I have my original Garmin 205 watch. It works fine and I only wear it for races.

Almost there!

I don’t own any sticks or foam rollers or head lamps or any other gadgets. I don’t even own a treadmill or belong to a gym.

So I’m a clothes hoarder but minimalist with the other running stuff.

Happy Running! What about you? Do you hoard running gear?

May 31, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Best Local Races

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

This week’s topic is: Be our running concierge! Tell us the best races in your area/state. Any distance, any time of year.

Well, this is a real tough one for me. I love racing. I have run 195 races!!!

So I’ll just pick one at each distance and tell you when and where. You can contact me if you want more details.

Half Marathon

Walkway Half Marathon in Poughkeepsie, NY (mid June). You run over the largest pedestrian bridge, along a bike path and get a cool medal.

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Walkway Half Marathon

10 Miler:

Adirondack Distance Run in Lake George, NY (Late June). – You run along Lake George and end in Bolton Landing in a park on the lake.

15k:

Stockade-athon in Schenectady, NY (Early November). – You run through the oldest parts of the city, through the park, bike path, etc. and finish with a downhill.

Stockadeathon-1049 unedited

10K:

Spring Run-Off in Albany, NY (Late April/Early May). You run on a flat course along the Hudson River.

5 miler:

Delmar Dash in Delmar, NY ( Early April). You run through the neighborhoods on a very flat course.

delmar dash2

4 Miler:

Polar Cap in Lake George, NY (Early February). You run a pretty but hilly course with views of the lake.

Large 5k:

Freihofer Run for Women in Albany, NY (Late May/Early June). You run with all women in the city and around the park, ending with a downhill.

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AB-3066-XL

Small 5k:

Bacon Hill Bonanza in Bacon Hill, NY (April). – You run a beautiful course in the country with great post-race refreshments.

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Happy Running! What are some of the races that you recommend in your area??

May 24, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Ideal Racing Conditions

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

This week’s topic is: Racing window of comfort. What are your ideal temperature/conditions for race day?

Sunshine
No Wind
50 degrees
Awesome Scenery and minimal hills

Celebrate Life HM
Perfect weather conditions…but those HILLS!!

bazu-7532702

Great course but TOO HOT and TOO HUMID!!

Happy Running! What are your perfect racing conditions?

May 17, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Picking your races

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

This week’s topic is: Racing. Are you a one-and done type? Or do you run the same ones over and over?

Well, both.

For half marathons, I have decided not to repeat. There are so many to choose from. I don’t feel the need even though I am tempted to re-do the ones I’ve loved. There are still many local ones that I haven’t run.

my favorite destination race

my favorite local race

For other distances, if I like a race, I do run it every year. I won’t list them all since as you know, I run a lot of races. The ones below, I try to put on my racing calendar every year.

I will be running the Freihofer’s 5k for the 9th time this year.

the Spring Run Off is my favorite 10k

I love the Stockadeathon 15K

Delmar Dash wins for a 5 mile race

and the Polar Cap for 4 milers

My favorite 10 mile race is the Adirondack Distance Run

Happy Running! Do you repeat races?

May 3, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Where to Buy Running Gear

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

This week’s topic is Where do you buy your gear?

Since I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador, I buy my skirts online at www.skirtsports.com (Use the code SSMFK20 to get 20% off the regular price.)

skirt & top from Skirt Sports

I love a bargain so I buy the majority of my running stuff at TJ Max, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory or Target.

jacket & hat from Target

For running shoes, I buy a new pair at FleetFeet and if I like them, I buy additional pairs online (where ever it is the cheapest.)

finishline.com – 1/2 the price of Fleet Feet

I buy most of my Compression socks online from procompression.com. They have monthly sales. I have also bought some from Target and at expos.

pro compression socks

Here are some other places to check out:

shoekicker.com – just put in the name of the shoe and size and they will email you where to get the lowest price
6pm.com – they have cheaper prices and older styles that are no longer sold online.
amazon.com – same as above
Clearance on any of the name sites including Lululemon.com – click on “We made too much.”
Old Navy has good deals.
So does Kohls.

Happy Running! Where do yo buy your running gear?

April 26, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Race Swag

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

This week’s topic is Dream race swag. What’s the best thing you ever got? What would you love?

I personally like things that are useful.

Here are some of my favorites:

I still use this lunch bag that I won as an Age Group award

I love socks.

Glasses are cool. It came with a green tooth brush.

Wind breakers are practical. I have them in green, blue, yellow and orange. (Unfortunately they stopped giving them out.)

Coffee mugs are great.

And gloves are handy.

I recently got a sweatshirt that I really like.

I’ve also gotten rain ponchos, ice packs, water bottles, food samples, baseball caps, sunglasses, towels, etc.

In addition to useful items, food is another swag item that I appreciate:

I have gotten gift cards for free ice cream and free donuts. I’ve won restaurant gift cards.

I’ve run 180 something races. That’s a lot of swag. (Mostly junk but some good stuff.)

So what would be the perfect swag?

A jacket or sweatshirt, Starbucks or ice cream gift card, coupon for a free massage or gym membership, samples of energy bars or gel. (I could list other things but they would be cost prohibitive 🙂 )

Happy Running! What would be your perfect swag?

April 19, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Goals Update

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

This week’s topic is “How are your 2016 goals coming along?“

Well, in case you don’t remember, 2016 is my year of NO GOALS!!

Instead of GOALS, I wrote about Hopes and Dreams:

I hope to…

To improve my running

For me, it’s to get stronger and be a more confident runner. To have more quality training runs. To maintain my current speed and if I am very lucky PR at some distance. To run lots of races (both long ones and short ones.)

It’s still early in the year and we are our own worst critic so it’s hard to say whether or not, my running has improved.

I’ve run 10 races – three of which were half marathons.

I’ve won three age group awards and 2 of my 5ks under 28 minutes. There were no PRs but no real disappointing races.

To run with others

With my schedule, it is easier to run solo. But running with others is more fun. I often shy away from running groups (like Fleet Feet, ARE, etc) because I feel that I am too slow. I hope to take advantage of more group running opportunities.

I have made good progress here. I have run several long runs with Judy. I have also run with Barbara and Denise.

I recently joined the Freihofer Training Challenge (advanced group) for the 2nd time.

To volunteer and give back

I had great experiences with this in 2015 and I hope to continue with STEM, GOTR and any others opportunities that present itself. My specials needs buddy is awesome. I hope to connect with him more. And to make time to see my mentee Amanda & her kids more often.

I am again volunteering with the STEM training group. I am also a GOTR buddy.

I haven’t spent as much time with Amanda as I would have liked (due to her work schedule.)

spent last Saturday with them 🙂

I dedicate all my runs to JA but only post once a week and have a few tee shirts to mail to him.

he just turned 12!!

To eat healthier

I am addicted to carbs and sweets. I can justify the carbs for running but I hope to substitute more fruits and veggies into my diet. This also includes drinking more water.

There’s a lot of room for improvement here.

too many of these!

To get physically on track

I may not weigh myself but I know for a fact that the excess pounds have moved to an ugly place (my waist & butt). My excuses have been that it is an age thing (Sorry, the meni pot is a fact.) But I think it is important for me to exercise (not just run and play tennis). Sit less, walk more? Gym time? Planks? Yoga? Whatever it takes to look better.

Hmmm…

Well, I have been going for a walk everyday. But that’s it – no gym, no yoga, no exercises…

To spend quality time with family and friends

Running is important but not more important than those I care about. Skipping a run to be with them…it should happen.

I do spend time with my friends. I walk in the mall with my BFF every other week. I also go out with my tennis friends and work friends once a month.

My hubby has started playing tennis several times a week but we try to fit in dinner out once week. Soon we will be spending a lot of time together on our boat.