Cold weather

by

Last Long Cupcake Run

I was thinking about racing today – there were 2 fun races going on and I knew someone running in each one.

Last night while I was playing Mah Jongg, I didn’t feel like leaving early so I decided to play it by ear.

I woke up around 7 am, went back to sleep, woke up at 8am and then went back to sleep and finally got up at 9am.

I still had time.  Dodge the Deer was at 10 am and St Peter’s 5k was at 11 am.

I looked outside and it was dark, cloudy, windy and not a nice looking day.  I checked the weather and it said it wouldn’t rain until tonight.  I wondered if they looked outside.

That decided it for me.  Why pay money & waste gas for an unpleasant run. As much as I love racing, I hate RAIN more!

So I decided to do a cupcake run. 

Last week for my 12 miler, I ate 2 cupcakes but today, I had only 8 on my schedule.  One cupcake would be enough.

I dressed in capris, one sleeve shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker, cap & gloves – yeah I was cold!!!

Instead of Gu, I decided to try the Honey Milk that I won a case of.  I HATE MILK (Never drink it) so I chose the coffee one. It seemed the most bearable.  It was ok.  I drank about half. I still felt hungry running & a little nauseous so this wouldn’t be my preferred race fuel.

I was either cold or warm depending on the wind.

I must say that this was my best training run ever! I ran at a consistent pace and much faster than usual (between 10:12 and 10:38).  I didn’t walk at all.

I passed the high school where they were having a girls track meet.  I was tempted to stop & watch but I needed to get my miles in before the rain.

I got to 4 miles and planned to loop back but I hadn’t reached the cupcake store.  Phew only 1/4 mile away.  This week I got a free chocolate one and a bottle of water. It was delish!!!!

 The way back was even winder but I finished strong!

Pre-cupcake 44:44
Post-cupcake 43:19

8.5 miles – 1:28:03
Pace 10:21

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

by

Two for Tuesday

1. This is good news – Put Those Shoes On: Running Won’t Kill Your Knees by Patti Neighmond – here are some excerpts from the article:

Yes, it’s true: Jogging, long thought to hurt knees with all that pounding and rattling around, may actually be beneficial for the complex and critical joint.

We know from many long-term studies that running doesn’t appear to cause much damage to the knees.

We wanted to answer the important question of whether, if you continued to run into your 50s and 60s and even 70s, you also ran the risk of damaging the knees,” she says. The answer, she says: absolutely not.

So, the message for joggers … who hope to be jogging all their lives, is a hearty two thumbs up.

2. Spring is NOT here yet.  It is still cold, windy and even snow predicted for Friday.

When can I put away the winter running clothes??

Happy Running!

by

March Winds…

Well, it looked like a beautiful day.  The sun was shining.  It was 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. So when I got home from my tennis match (which I lost and so did my team) and brunch with the team, I headed out for my long run.

I dressed similarly to yesterday.  But when I got out of the car to get gas,  I was freezing.  The wind was whipping and made it feel as cold as yesterday.

Change of plans.  I went home and added a windbreaker, thermal gloves and a winter hat. Since I was at home, I decided to run in my neighborhood. (and that also meant no Starbucks reward.)

The wind was gusting up to 30 mph and I could barely move forward.  Unfortunately, the first 3 miles of my run was into the wind and it really tired me out.  My legs were also tired from 2 hours of tennis and my 5K race yesterday.

I  opted to play it smart and not push it.  Instead of my planned 11 miles, I ran/walked 4 miles out and ran 4 miles back. So 3 yesterday plus 8 today will be my 11 mile run.

Next weekend is April.  Hopefully the wind will be gone and the warmer temps will be here. Only 4 weeks till my half marathon!!!

Happy Running!

by

Spring? and My Giveaway Winner

March 21, 2011

If you can’t tell from the photo, it is snowing hard!!! First day of Spring in the NE!! Not funny!!! More is predicted for Wed and then colder temps for the weekend…

So I guess it is appropriate to announce the winner of my Yak Trax giveaway… may be she can even use them this year 🙂

It’s Sarah from Read, Run, Conquer!!! Congrats!

Happy Running! Happy Spring!

by

Snow Day (Again)

The only thing good about snow days if that I can sleep in and then go to the gym later.  That is what I did yesterday on my surprise snow day.

My hubby drove me, waited while I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and then we went out to breakfast.

Eventually the sun came out and started melting things but left the ice hanging from all the trees. 

This morning I had planned to run a quick 3 miles on the slushy roads before work but I couldn’t get out of bed!!!! Tennis tonite…tomorrow I am gonna run!!!!!

Still hoping for an early spring!!

Happy Running!

by

Three Things Thursday

  1. I hate the cold.
  2. I hate the ice.
  3. I hate the wind.

Now that that’s clear.  I need to decide if I am running the half on Apr 23, sign up and increase my weekly mileage.

Monday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but played tennis after work. No miles!
Tuesday, I ran 3 miles outside before work dancing over the ice patches and played tennis after work.
Wednesday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but planned to run after work.

BUT I couldn’t move forward, the wind was so strong.  I went to yoga instead. No miles!

The yoga class was GREAT!! I felt so good afterwards but when I back out to my car (parked by the curb on a 4 lane street), someone had knocked the side mirror off my car!!!! My hubby took it for an estimate – almost $600 to fix.  Ouch!

Today when I got up, it was -4 with the wind chill and there was a light coating of snow on the ground.  Off to the gym I went to run 4 miles on the treadmill.

To make matters worse, they predict rain for  the weekend (My long run of 9 miles is scheduled!!) I think I’d rather be cold than wet for hours 😦  HELP!!

Happy Running!

by

Friday not as Much Fun as Thursday

before the show

Dinner was great last night- Love Italian food!  The show was good too!

And then I woke up today to SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Horrible, slippery drive to work. 

My weekly Friday evening Mah Jongg game has been cancelled due to the weather.

I skipped running Monday & Tuesday! My Wed treadmill run was less than stellar. I Skipped running yesterday.  I Skipped running today. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WILL RUN THIS WEEKEND! (I think, I hope… Albany weather, please let me do a long run outside, please!!)

But remember Hakauna Matata! Listen below:

Happy Running! TGIF!

by

Hakuna Matata

“It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy”

Wouldn’t that be nice??

My worry-free week:


Monday & Tuesday I worked for Examsoft providing tech support to those students taking the NYS Bar exam on their laptops. That meant getting up at 5:30 am (even on my day off) and sitting all day.  No worries since I was NOT taking the bar exam!!

Tuesday after work, I rushed to my tennis contract.  4 of us have a clinic for an hour and then play doubles.  Again no worries, the tennis was just for fun!

 

Wednesday morning, it was 0 degrees outside.  No worry – I headed to the gym to run on the treadmill and I got to watch Fairly Legal on my iPod Touch.

 

After work Wedsnesday, I went to Beginning Yoga with 2 friends.  Although no one seemed to be beginners, it was more relaxing than Runners Yoga.

After yoga,  we went out for coffee and dessert – even more enjoyable than the yoga!

Tonight I am going to see The Lion King with some friends.  I had always wanted to see it on Broadway and can’t wait!!

First we’re going out to dinner to Cornell’s  – it’s famous for Italian cuisine – MMMM! And I’m not worried because I’ll run it off tomorrow morning!

Happy Running! Hakuna Matata!!!

by

Winter’s Back!

So it was 60 degrees on Friday.  I ran in SHORTS after work! It felt like spring was around the corner…

bonfire on Lake George

Yesterday we went to Lake George for the Winter Carnival and it was FREEZING!!!!!! In the teens with 50 mph wind gusts! We hung out with our friends watching some of the events but got cold and went out for lunch to warm up.

my hubby on the lake

Then we took a ride up 9N to Bolton Landing.  I wanted to see the Half Marathon course.  Yes, it is hilly!!! But not as steep as the last 3 miles to Bolton Landing (my usual summer running route!)

Bolton Landing

Then we went back to the village to watch the fireworks!  Brrrrrrr!

waiting inside for the fireworks to begin

Today it was warmer and less windy.  Still while I was dong my 8 miler, I felt at times that my face would freeze off.  Thank God for the sun!! It wasn’t a great run.  I was hungry & tired & didn’t have any energy.  I also chose a hilly route.  So my 8 mile run took almost 1 1/2 hours!! At least I got it done…

before heading out

Happy Running!

by

What causes a”Runner’s High”?

According to this recent NYTimes article, studies showed that exercise causes increased levels of endocannabinoid in the bloodstream, inducing a euphoria similar to the high experienced by marijuana users.

Unfortunately, I’ve never felt this way DURING a run but I always feel this way AFTER a run. I feel relaxed.  I feel happy. I want to run again.

I never regret a run I’ve taken even those on the treadmill, even those in the extreme cold temps and especially not those in the very warm weather.

So this week:

 Wed am it was cold so I went to the gym and ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill.  Yesterday I slept in and ran 4 miles outside after work.  It was almost 40 degrees so I left off the hats & gloves.  YAY!

Today, I brought shorts with me. It’s only February but it’s supposed to be: 

I hope it stays warm. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow it’s going to get cold again – 20’s and 50 mi wind gusts!!! 😦  😦

Happy Running! Enjoy your runner’s high!