February 15, 2011 by Darlene

Random Tuesday

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Financially we are not doing so great so I told my hubby to get me JUST a card and NO Gifts! Tough love because I love GIFTS. I got him a cute card & some chocolate (He loves candy!!). He got me a card & a stuffed teddy bear with candy (I gave him the candy.) It’s the thought that counts!! Unfortunately he’s hates shopping & I always have to tell him what to get me (like a Garmin for Christmas, etc.) Next year, I’ll tell him to get me a Starbucks gift card instead of candy!!

What do you think of these?

I’m running smart. I keep hearing about running injuries and I don’t want it to be me! I’m no spring chicken! Since my foot is not great…I am NOT running on days that I play tennis. I will run on the treadmill 3 times before work or outside after work (when I have nothing scheduled) Wed, Thurs & Friday. I will then do my long run on Sunday outside. When I don’t play tennis on Mon and/or Tuesday, I will run and then take Friday off and do my long run on Saturday. That’s the plan!

Yesterday it was 52 degrees outside in the morning. Today it is 12 degrees!! Crazy weather! I hope the worst of the winter is over and the snow melts! I can’t wait for SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running!

February 13, 2011 by Darlene

R.I.P. Little Plane

at the airport in Mechanicville, NY

It’s been a tough winter! And it just got tougher! My hubby’s plane got destroyed. The snow & ice on top of the hangar got to be too much and it collapsed and crushed the plane…no insurance either 😦

We got it 12 years ago and until we started boating on Lake George we used it a lot! And had a lot of fun!

landing on Lake Champlain

on Saratoga Lake

flying over the Hudson River

So it could be worse as my hubby said: “It could have been destroyed while I was flying in it!” But I know he is feeling a lot of pain.

While he went to his mother’s who consoled him with eggplant parm, I went out for a long run.

It was my first since the half marathon – 7.25 miles!! The weather warmed up a little – 25 degrees (but felt colder when the breeze picked up.) I followed my long run route but couldn’t run on the sidewalks (since no one shovels) and had to stop repeatedly when the road got too narrow & cars were coming at me. I discovered a hilly detour around a park & golf course which was pretty.

I can’t say it was painless. My feet continue to start to hurt after 5 miles (first left then right) and I even got my first blister ever.

Then I spent my pre-Valentine’s Day evening with my mentee – dinner & a movie – it was nice to hang out together.

Happy Running & Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 3, 2011 by Darlene

Three Things Thursday

The snowstorm was a bust. We didn’t get 2 feet of snow yesterday. In fact, I think we got more snow Tuesday. The gym and everyplace else did not need to close.
In fact, I went out and bought myself a pair of Yak Trax. There is a lot of snow and it’s not going anywhere soon. I ran a quick 1 mile around the neighborhood when I got home to try them out. I was surprised how light they were. They definitely give you more confidence to run on these slushy slippery sidewalks & roads. This morning, I ran with them again for 3 miles.

I am undecided if I will wear the Yak Trax in my race on Saturday. The race is in Lake George. They did get a lot of snow yesterday. The race will be hilly. It’s my first 4 mile race but I’m not worried. It’s an automatic PR.

Sorry I have 4 things –

I am really excited about my first Yoga for Runners class tonight!!

Happy Running!

February 2, 2011 by Darlene

Punxsutawney Phil, Are You Nuts?

Punxsutawney Phil gives his annual Groundhog Day weather forecast today for the 125th time.

Considering the huge winter storm on the East Coast, I doubt he will see his shadow. I guess spring temperatures are just around the corner!! Ha! Ha!

Well, I’m snowed in!

Where I work closed yesterday at 2pm and won’t open till tomorrow.

I went to the gym yesterday before work – I couldn’t run in the snowstorm (well, I could if I were crazy). I ran 3 miles on the treadmill (watched a new show – Fairly Legal).

There was a sign on the door that the gym would be closed today. With 2 more feet of snow coming, I knew I would not be able to run outside today.

So last night, I went back to the gym and ran 3 miles (watching another episode of Fairly Legal).

I went to the gym TWICE IN ONE DAY!!

Happy Running!

January 31, 2011 by Darlene

February is Almost Here! Will the Snow Ever End?

January Recap:

My goal was to run 50 miles and a Half Marathon. I ran 72 miles and a Half Marathon!!!!! WooHoo!

February Goals:

60 miles (combo of outside & treadmill)

4 mi race

Follow Half Marathon training schedule

Please warm up and stop snowing!! I can’t run in this!!!!!!!!!

Happy Runnng!

January 26, 2011 by Darlene

Heat Wave

Monday, the thermometer read -14. That’s not with the wind chill!!

I draw the line under 10 degrees! So Tuesday morning I went to the gym and ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill. I watched a new show on my iPod Touch called “Off the Map” – jungle version of Grey’s Anatomy.

Today, the weather was almost balmy – 32 degrees! So I brought (winter) running clothes to work.

I had signed up for a workshop at FleetFeet on “Common Overuse Injuries to Runners: Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendonitis” but although, I have foot issues (not these per se), I decided to run instead.

For once, the snowstorm hit south of us and there was no wind. At onr point, I was too warm to wear my hat & gloves! One thing I forgot is that in Albany, they don’t shovel the sidewalks and when you run in the road, the cars practically run you down.

Anyway, I ran a treacherous 4 miles and after went to have my nails done and they give you a free hot pad for your back and a free back massage!!

Before heading home, I stopped at Olympia Sports & bought 2 pairs of Adidas running shorts & 2 matching tops (that I don’t need) because they were on sale.

black w/green & pink trim and black w/white & lt blue trim

pink w/white trim and white w/ lt. blue trim

A very productive evening!

Happy Running!

January 23, 2011 by Darlene

One Week Later…

Sun, Jan 23

Sun, Jan 16

The pictures tell it all!!!

I haven’t run all week. I got back late Wed. eve. Too tired to get up Thurs, it snowed 5 in Fri am. Thurs eve, I had signed up for a Garmin class at Fleet Feet & Fri eve, I played Mah Jongg.

Yesterday, it was freezing but I had no excuse so I dragged myself to the gym and ran 3 sweaty slow miles while watching the latest episode of The Good Wife.

Today although, it was 10 degrees and below 0 with the wind chill, I got dressed with a multitude of layers and planned to run a race at UAlbany, the HMRRC Winter Series #4. I was hoping to see fellow blogger AJH who was running there. I got dressed and went into the garage and saw that my car was gone. My stepson’s car had died & my husband lent him his truck and so my husband went to play tennis & took mine!!! Sorry AJH!

Since I was dressed and ready to run, I went out in my neighborhood and ran 3 miles. No sidewalks and the roads were not heavily traveled on so it was quite slippery. Maybe I need to buy Yak Trax. Anyway, I tried to run in the middle of road where there were tire tracks, however every time a car came, I had to stop & move off the road into several inches of snow. I didn’t fall and even with all the stopping, it was still faster and more enjoyable than the treadmill.

Happy Running!

January 9, 2011 by Darlene

Last Long Run and a Windy One

Yesterday I woke up to 8 inches of snow so I decided to postpone my last long run till today.

I had signed up for the HMRRC Winter Series 10k but I was debating whether or not I wanted to do it.

Yes:

It’s free
I know a lot of runners who are doing it
I missed my last 10K
I’ve never done a 10K (so it’ll be a PR)
Snowless running route
Free refreshments

No:

I don’t know the course or its difficulty
I’ll run faster than my long run pace (because I’m competitive)
If I don’t run fast, my time will suck (& I’ll be bummed)
I’ll have to run at 10am
I’m supposed to do at least 8 miles today
What if I get injured?

I got up and got dressed to run it but…

I checked my e-mail and my husband who is leaving for Florida tomorrow had a flight through Charlotte. Charlotte is expecting a blizzard & it was recommended that passengers switch flights. Well, I spent over an hour on the phone with USAir and finally got him booked on a flight thru DC that leaves at 5:50 am.

Yup, I missed the race but instead I went out and did my LAST LONG RUN!!!

It was supposed to be 8 miles but I only ran 10 miles this week instead of 13 so I decided to stretch the run to 9.5 miles.

It’s not getting easier. It was cold and it was very WINDY!!! Half of the route, I was running into the wind and felt like I was getting no where and it made me tired. Another factor, I chose to go straight and wound up with a hILLY route. I walked up all the hills so that I could have the energy to run the rest.

I love my Garmin! It tells me exactly what my pace is and what it is for each mile. I have it set to beep when I’m running fast (under 9 min/mi) and also when I’m running slow (over 12 mi/min). Of course, it beeped when I was running down the hills and when I was walking. Whenever,my pace near the end of a mile was slow, I just sped up.

My feet still hurt, but my legs and knees feel great. I finished the 9.5 miles in about 1 hr 45 min – I was very SLOW but my half marathon goal is to finish under 2 hr 45 min. So I think even if I walk a lot, I can do it.

This week I taper – just two 3 mile runs. I think I will use the treadmill since in Naples, it will be warm & humid (like the gym!).

Happy Running!

December 29, 2010 by Darlene

Wednesday Winning & Buying

Look what I won from Running to Health! The BondiBand will be perfect to wear during my 2 Dec races next year. The Sports Beans are something I’ve wanted to try during my long runs. Thanks Stephanie.

I returned the Garmin Forerunner 110 that my husband bought me for Christmas. It was $265 at Dick’s and it wasn’t what I wanted. I bought the Garmin Forerunner 205 from Walmart.com for $114.

Unlike AJH, I do not like the cold or running in the snow. So yesterday I went to the gym and ran 4 slow miles on the treadmill. It was nice not to have to rush out before work. It was 10am before I got going!! I watched The Good Wife on my iPod. I decided to rent episodes from the lst season of Glee to watch next. I feel out of the loop not having ever watched the show.

Today, it is warmer and I hope the sidewalks are shoveled because I’m heading outside…

Happy Running! I can’t wait to try my Garmin!!!!

December 27, 2010 by Darlene

Monday Goals & I’m on Break!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 23 miles. I did 23 miles! Yay!
I won a giveaway – an iPod Shuffle

This week’s schedule: (off all week)
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – tennis party
Thurs – movie w/friend
Fri – tennis, New year’s eve in LG
Sat – New Year’s in LG