Tuesdays on the run

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Tuesdays of the Run: Show Off Your Bling!

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Show Off Your Bling!

With over 100 races and 9 half marathons, I have a lot of medals!

Here are some of my favorites:

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my first half marathon in Naples, FL

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another half in Florida – my first after my ankle surgery & I love dolphins – this is my heaviest medal

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a fun but wet half in Philly & a my biggest medal

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my favorite 5k – I had to buy this but little did I know at the time that this would mean that I could run again (after my serious ankle injury)

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a recent 10 miler in NJ – it was a PR

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a recent 10K – also a PR – I loved this race

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a bucket list 10 miler in Lake George

I also have a lot of Age Group awards – here are a few of the ones I like:

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And for the non-medal variety:

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it’s a rock

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Polar Cap - 2nd place in AG

Happy Running!  What is your favorite race bling?

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Tuesdays on the Run: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

I don’t normally run this often but the holidays are coming up and there will be busy weeks ahead when I may have little time to get out there.

EXERCISE:

Monday: 3 mile run

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after work with my training group

Tuesday:  3 mile run  & 1 1/2 hours tennis 

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but indoors after work

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on the track during lunch

Wednesday: home bound -SNOWSTORM!!

Thursday: 6.2 mile race

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Friday: 2.7 mile easy run

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Saturday: 3.1 mile race

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EATING:

Thanksgiving: It was just me & my hubby so we went out to dinner. Usually we go to a buffet but my hubby didn’t want to and I’m glad we didn’t — you just eat what you get and no seconds – so no overeating.

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my cat sleeps or lays around about 23 hours a day

Otherwise, I tried to be active, do errands, go to the movies because when you stay home, you snack.

And I do not have any junk food at home so when I am hungry, it’s fruit, cheese or yogurt.

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Happy Running!  How did you stay healthy over Thanksgiving?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Race Recovery

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Race Recovery

I don’t run marathons so I can only speak about recovering from a 10 mile race or a half marathon.

  • Rehydrate – I prefer just plain water.

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  • Refuel – Chocolate milk is the best…then a carb like a bagel or a pastry.

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  • Compression – If you don’t run in them, put them on after. (I always wear them to run.)

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  • Ice – I don’t do ice baths but if cold water is nearby…
aaaahhh

aaaahhh

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  • Stretch – I’m not good about this…. but I like to walk around after so my legs don’t stiffen up. When you get home, use a foam roller, if necessary or even better, get a massage.

  • Rest – Don’t run for several days. Then ease back into it slowly.

Happy Running!  How do you recover after a race?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Cold Weather Running

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Cold Weather Running

I must say that I HATE the cold.  I much prefer running in the heat but living in the Northeast, the cold arrives too soon and lasts too long.

I think that about sums things up.

Layers keep you warm but remember not to dress too warmly.  If it is 20 degrees, dress for 40. The bottom layer should be breathable.  You will sweat no matter how cold it is. My middle layer is usually a fleece vest and for the outside layer, I wear a windbreaker.

HMRRC 7K

I always wear tights with a skirt over them.

Wear wool socks, gloves and a hat.  My head, hands and feet are what gets cold first.

HMRRC 15K

The infographic below is very helpful:

or use this tool that will suggest what to wear, based on the info you input – http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

If you run when it is dark, wear light colors, carry a flashlight or wear a head lamp or run where there are lights.

Running on Nisky Bike Trail

If it is snowing, wear Yak Trax, go slower and watch for icy patches.

I usually care what I wear in the warmer months. But in the winter, not so much. I try not to spend much money on winter running clothes. I wear race shirts and windbreakers.  I buy dollar store gloves and buy my tights and skirts in Walmart and Target.

The important things is to just get out and RUN!

Remember:

beasts

Happy Running!  Do you like running during the cold weather months?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Running Product/Gear

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Favorite Running Product/Gear

Mine is my Garmin 205.

I ran with the Nike Plus sensor on my shoe and my iPod for the first first years.  I even trained with it for my first half marathon.

Then I bought my Garmin 205 right before the day of my first Half.

I know it is BIG but I love it. I don’t even feel it on my wrist.  Someday, it will break and I will have to get a new/smaller model 😦

Why do I love it?

1. It was affordable.  I paid less than $100 for and I have had NO problems with it  in 4 years.)

2. The screen can be split in four so I can see everything I need on one screen – race time, clock time, race pace, race distance (or whatever I choose) without touching a button.

3. It has a very reliable and accurate. I sometimes use my iPhone and many of its apps and none are exact.  They ALL measure less than the actual distance.

4. It can be set to beep for intervals.  It can also beep if you are running too fast or too slow.

5.  The current lap pace pops pops intermittently as you run and at the end of each lap.

6.  It is easy to see your stats after you are done – lap splits, best speed for each lap, calories, etc.

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this was my recent 5K PR – walked 3x!

7. You can also connect it to your computer so you can sync it and see even more of your stats.

I know that there are many more features that I don’t use such as the maps and I don’t use it for intervals or any kind of timed training runs (because I don’t do them) but I couldn’t race without it.

Happy Running!  What is your favorite running product/gear?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Tapering

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Tapering

Well, this topic is appropriate because I have a 10 mile race this coming weekend.

So I guess I am tapering.

What does “tapering” mean?

It is the gradual reduction of training intensity and duration as you edge forever closer to race day. It is a necessary aspect of endurance training and it starts in the last few weeks before the big day.

A few weeks in the case of a marathon.  For me, it is the last week before a half marathon.  After my long run of 12 miles, I reduce my long run to 8 miles and run several times during the last week.  Those runs are usually only 3 miles and then I rest for two days before the big event.

Why is tapering important?

  • Studies show that levels of muscle glycogen, enzymes, antioxidants, and hormones–all depleted by high mileage–return to optimal ranges during a taper.
  • The muscle damage that occurs during sustained training is also repaired.
  • And if that isn’t enough, immune function and muscle strength improve, as well, which reduces the odds you’ll catch a cold or get injured just before the race.
  • You will not lose your fitness during the tapering period.
  • If you do it properly you are likely to feel fresher on race day than you have ever felt.

What should you do during a taper (so you don’t go crazy)?

  • Obsessively check the weather for race day.
  • Plan your race outfit.
  • Make sure you have the right fuel for the race.
  • Check the race Web site for race-morning particulars such as start time, and work out the details of how you’ll get to the start on race day.
  • Also check the race Web site for the course map and study it.
  • Relax!!

Back to my tapering.

I don’t feel like I need to taper because I really didn’t train hard.

10 mile training

13 mile week included my only uninterrupted long run of 8.5 miles

Most of my long runs were interrupted by a race.

This taper will be an easy one since the forecast is for rain everyday. I hate to run in the rain and I’m not a fan of treadmills.

Happy Running!  What are your thoughts about tapering?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Distance

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Favorite Distance

I am torn between two..

  • 5K

Love AG awards!

I love 5Ks.  There are so many to choose from each weekend. I can choose by location, swag, elevation, friends going, AG award possibility, time, scenery, etc.

5k in Florida

5k with a friend

I also don’t need to really train. At this point in my running, I can go out and run 3 miles and not get hurt.

a flat 5k

a scenic 5k

A 5k doesn’t take a long time and it is easy to fit into your schedule and not take a lot time away from family and friends.

a nearby 5k

If I am training for a long race, I can use the 5K as a warm up tempo run and add more miles afterward.

just a fun 5k

  • Half Marathon

I  love Half Marathons too.

even in the rain

Running a half marathon is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.

my first!

You get a medal. Who doesn’t love bling?

It motivates you to get out the door and run several times each week. It makes you increase your miles.

It gives you an excuse to plan a vacation around a race.

in Sarasota, FL

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to finish.  It is less stressful than running a 5K.

while recovering from an injury

Happy Running!  What is your favorite distance?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Breaking through a mental wall in training

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Breaking Through a Mental Wall in Training

If you train for a long race, you will hit no doubt hit a wall at some point in your training.

Here’s my advice:

  • Have a plan and stick to it.

my typical half marathon training plan

I always use a plan. I am not strict about my mileage during the week but I am for the long runs.  It gets me through the training.  Sometimes, I have to split up my run such as running a 5K and then add extra miles.  Sometimes I am so busy that I even split up my runs over two days.  But I make sure I get them done.  Training doesn’t seem so daunting that way and I know that by doing ALL my long runs I will be able to finish the race.

  • Do not let bad runs get you down.

Bad runs happen.  I think I have more bad ones than good ones.  You don’t accomplish anything by dwelling on them.  So many things influence your run – time of day, weather, health, what you ate, injuries, etc. So you just move on and remember:

  • Accept that running is not easy.

I always think that it should get easier and I should be faster by now.  But guess what?  Running is hard!

  • Vary your route.
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running near the Schroon River

I usually run on the bike trails for my long runs.  Even though they are nice, they get boring. This past weekend I ran on a new route and it was energizing. The new scenery took my mind off the miles.

  • Find a running partner(s).

Heidi & Adrienne, my partners in crime

I usually run alone. I find it easier to fit running into my schedule that way. I could find runners to do long runs on the weekends but most are much faster than I am.  When I was training for the Love Run in March, I did several of my long runs with the ladies in the photo above.  They were training for their first half.  Because they are faster and don’t walk during their runs, it helped me a lot and running with someone else made the miles less painful.

  • Sign up for a short race.

winning my age group at the Strawberry Fest 5K

When my long runs or training isn’t going well, I run a short race.  I am one of those runners who runs better and  faster in a race.  Races for me are a big motivator.  It restores my confidence.

  • Focus on the prize

yes, I earned a medal!

Think about the medal that you will receive when you cross the finish line and how proud you will feel no matter what your time is.

Happy Running!  How do you break through a mental wall in training?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Fall race plans

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Fall Race Plans

For the first time in recent years that I have been healthy, I am NOT running a Half Marathon!

Yes, I thought about it … a lot…but it is hard to train in the hot weather and I am busy with boating on the weekends. So I decided to skip it this fall.

Instead, I am running for enjoyment and doing short races except for two longer ones:

  • The Perfect 10 miler on Oct 26.

Oct 26, 2014

It is a new race for me and supposedly flat.  I am going to combine it with a visit to a former college roommate in New Jersey.  The race is all-women and in addition to a medal, you get a hoodie.

and

  • The Stockadeathon 15K  on Nov. 9.

Nov. 9, 2014

This race is the oldest 15k in the country.  I’ve done it twice before. It is challenging but lots of fun. This year they changed the course. I’m going to miss the big fireplace in the park to warm up.  The start and finish activities will now be indoors.

Now here are some of the shorter races that I plan to run:

  • Run for the Roc 5k on Sept 28.

This is a new one for me but it’s at the race track in Saratoga and sounds like fun.

  • Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K  on Oct 4.

This 5k was recommended to me by a runner from Conn. and her friend.  I hope to see them again at the race.

  • Falling Leaves 5K on Oct. 11

I ran this one several years ago and liked it.  It was my first age group win, I think.

  • Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k on Oct 18.

 

 

I have signed up for this race but never run it.  This is the year! It takes place in Saratoga National Park which is a very pretty place to run.

  • Troy Turkey Trot 10K on Nov 27.

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This is the most popular race in my area.  I have always avoided it because it is so crowded.  The local 5k that I usually run has changed to be non-timed so I think I’ll give this one a shot this year.

These are the races that I have signed up for so far.

But you know me, I may even add a few more.

Happy Running!  What are your fall racing plans?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Dressing in Costume

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Racing in Costume.  Yay or Nay? 

I’d say: It depends on the race and if you are racing with someone who is dressing up.

For me, it’s mostly a “No.”

I haven’t done any Disney races but even so I’m not sure if I would make the effort.

Also I also always go to races alone (although I usually know people at the race.)

I did dress up for a Halloween-themed race and most runners did not.

I am a “parrot head”

I’ve added some holiday-related accessories to my racing outfits from time to time.

I do, however,  love seeing other racers who dress up.  I admire their enthusiasm and creativity.

Are they the cutest? from http://littlefruitfly.blogspot.com 


Tips on Racing in Costume:
  • Try out your costume before the race.  In other words, make sure that it is comfortable to run in. Wear breathable material.  Avoid masks & hats that fall off.
  • Wear what you are comfortable wearing.  Wear a costume because you really want to not because you think everyone else will be.
  • If possible, coordinate your costume with a friend. It’s more fun that way.
  • Be prepared to sacrifice PRs for racing costumes. You’ll want to take advantage of those photo ops.

Happy Running!  Do you race in costume?

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