Cold weather

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My First Giveaway Winner & My Unscheduled Running

and the winner is….

Bikini Mommy – Congratulations!! E-mail me (dsc59@nycap.rr.com) your address so I can mail your items to you.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am on vacation til Jan 3, 2011!  I can leisurely RUN whenever and wherever I want! No schedules!!

What the forecast for today doesn’t show is: Wind: NW 20-30 MPH but I am planning to run 4-5 miles outdoors in Delmar today, 3-4 miles in Albany tomorrow, rest on Christmas Day and do my long run (9-11 miles) in Albany on Sunday —at whatever time I feel like it…

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #23 & Monday Goals

This week’s question:  Write a poem (any kind works) that sums up your 2010 year of racing. 

Answer:

There once was a runner named Darlene
     Who at every 5k race could be seen.
            Then she started to wonder
     If at longer runs she would blunder.
            So she signed up for a 10k
     But that day she did not feel ok.
Give up, she did not
And PRed at a Turkey Trot.
Now her goal for 2011:
Run a Half at age 57!!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 22 miles. I did   22 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K. (under 30 minutes!)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Thurs – off from work
Fri – off from work, tennis, mah jongg
Sat – Xmas in LG

This week’s running:
Wed – 4 miles  after work
Thurs – 4 miles
Fri – 4 miles 
Sun – 11 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 23 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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Busy Time of Year

for blogger card exchange

Things have been so busy lately that I almost forgot my hair appointment for this afternoon.  I was bummed when they called to remind me because I had planned to run 4 miles outside after work. 

 Instead I had to drag myself to the gym this morning to run on the treadmill.  It has snowed last nite & I’m still nervous about slipping & falling.  Actually running on the treadmill was a little better than the last 2 times but I know that I can’t do my long runs on it.

Dilemma:

I signed up for a 5k  on Sat nite – it should be fun but will it be slippery??? Will everyone be wearing Yak Trax?  Should I do my long run first & then do the race or wait til Sunday to do my long run?? (The weather is supposed to be better on Sat. but I don’t want to be tired for the race.)

I wish I weren’t so competitive.  I would just run and have fun…

Lucky for me, it’s just me & my hubby so there’s not much to do…just a little decorating which is done…a little baking (this Sun!)… and a little shopping (next week).

My cards have been sent… (We took these photos on lake George this past summer.)

Happy Running!  Stay warm! Don’t forget my Marathon Giveaway!

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Rain, then Snow..What’s a Runner to do?

I must report I suffered NO ills effects from my 10 miler.  I felt fine on Sunday! YAY!

Sunday was my REST day & I went to our annual Mentors & Mom Holiday Party. (I was so lucky that I did my long run on Saturday since I rained all day Sunday.)

Amanda & Richard by the tree

Moms all made fleece blankets for their kids

Monday I woke up to POURING RAIN!!!  I’m a wimp.  Off to the gym I went and I ran 3 miles on the TREADMILL.  It took my one whole episode of THE GOOD WIFE! (That’s 43 min!!)

Last night, I took Amanda & Richard to Holiday Lights in the Park (Today Richard turns 4!)

I will run a 5K here Saturday night

Richard admires the tree

then gets his face painted as "Spiderman"

We decided to forgo Santa (It was $8 and last year, he wouldn’t sit on his lap!!)

Today, I woke up to SNOW!! Not a lot but enough to make it slippery.  I wasn’t planning on running until tomorrow anyway. 

So what are my running plans for the rest of the week???

Tomorrow if possible, I want to run outside before work. (If it is very slippery, I’ll go to the gym).  Thursday, I want to run a little longer and hope to run on the sidewalks around where I work.  Saturday night is the Albany Last Run in the Park – no PR goals if it is slippery. Sunday will be a long run!

Happy Running! Don’t forget about my Marathon Giveaway!

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Brain Exchange #22 and Monday Goals

This week’s question: Tell readers about your 2010 Best and Worst races.  What made them so great or not so great?

Answer:

Best race(s)- There are several.  My Thankgiving Turkey Trot was one because it was a 5k PR – 27:12 and it was so unexpected!! Another favorite was the Freihofer Race for Women because I was part of a group of 1st time racers and it was so exciting to train with them and see them do the race. I also enjoyed the Silks & Satins 5K because I met fellow bloggert, AJH. Of course, I loved winning lst place in my age group at the Veteran’s Day 5k. Lastly, the Home Run 5k because I met Mary who I’ve raced with several times since and has become my biggest fan & she mine.

Worst race(s) – Of course, there was the Great Pumpkin 10K that didn’t happen because I got sick & ended up in the ER. It was going to be my first long distance race. Most of my races have been good experiences in some way, even if I didn’t do my best.



Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 21 miles. I did   21 miles! Yay!
I ran 10 miles which is my longest EVER!
I am hosting my first GIVEAWAY!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – lights in the park w/A & R
Tues – tennis
Wed – b-day dinner w/bf
Thurs – hair appt
Fri  –mah jongg
Sat – R’s b-day party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs – 4 miles before work
Sat– 5K race (5pm)
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 22 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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Brrrrrr…Running & the Cold

Ok, on Tuesday I did brave the cold after work.  I bundled up and headed out on the lighted sidewalks of Albany.  It was windy and I thought of quitting several times since my face felt like it would fall off.  I also was tempted to stop at several food venues such as Dunkin Donuts but I didn’t. 

I ran 2 miles out and then back and ended my run (which was warmer on the way back) at Starbucks with a sugar cookie & a hot Latte 🙂

Today it is even colder (They said this am it was 0 degrees with the wind chill!!!).

I am planning the same route as Tuesday.

I may have to rethink the outdoor running and do at least my shorter runs on the treadmill 😦

At least on Saturday it’s supposed to warm up to the 30’s…

I really wonder how a runner can live in the Northeast…I miss Florida!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running and Stay Warm!

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Running in the Snow!

7 am on Dec 6, 2010

I got up yesterday and planned to run 3 miles outside. Then I looked outside and it was SNOWING!!! It was too late to go to the gym & run on the treadmill & get to work on time. 

So out I went. I was 25 degrees (& 14 with the wind chill) but I didn’t feel cold at all!! The problem was that it was slippery.

I ran slowly so I wouldn’t fall and closed my eyes since the snow was blowing into my contacts!

It was actually quite refreshing.  The only time it was treacherous was when I saw a big dog running at me and when I tried to stop, I started to fall.  The dog broke my fall. (Lucky he was friendly.) The owner laughed.

This morning the weather was the same so I am opting to wait til after work since I want to run more than 3 miles.

I brought outdoor clothes so I can run near work (I think there’s sidewalk & lights). I also brought indoor clothes in case I decide to go to the gym and run on the treadmill.

Which will it be?

Outside

OR

Inside

 

Happy Running!  Inside and Out!

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Jingle Bell 5K Race Report Plus More


This was my 2nd year running this race.  Last year it was 9 degrees and I FROZE!! I knew it had to be better.

Today was my long run day since I had a work Holiday party last night and I am going to NYC with my Mah Jongg friends tomorrow. I was torn on how to get it in but I decided to run the race and then add 6 miles to it later.

 
 

the party "look"

 

Though I didn’t drink last night, I danced for 2 hours in HIGH heels and my legs felt it this morning!!

Ready to "Race"

The weather seemed to be similar to my Turkey Trot so I dressed accordingly but added some accessories to go with the spirit of the race.

Before the race I bumped into some old running friends – Amanda (the amazing recent marathoner), Felice (the speedy new Mom), and Jen, Brigid & Janis (the news runners from the spring).

Jen, Janis, Brigid & Felice

 

with Santa & me

We all started the race together.  It was very crowded at the beginning and it was very difficult to get going and get by a Grinch, do, &   lady with a cap. 

Felice flew ahead.  She didn’t seem rusty after just having a baby just 2 mos ago.  I knew I couldn’t keep up.  Then the rest of the group eventually passed me but Amanda & Brigid were always in sight.

I found the course more difficult than I remember.  The hills kept coming and I battled the wind was in my face.

I didn’t have the energy to PR and something in my brain kept repeating that “You’ve got to run slow because you have 6 more miles to do when this is done.”  But I really wanted to run fast!!!!

The clock flashed 29:31 when I crossed the finish line.  At first I was disappointed but then I remembered that all my times at races on this course have been over 30 minutes.

Everyone did well.  Felice finished under 26 minutes!!!! We hung around and had pizza and chatted about racing.  Everyone was encouraging about my half marathon plans.  In fact, Janis & Brigid plan to run one in April.  I know Amanda will also.

No one won an award since they only gave out medals for the top 3 finishers.  No age group awards! Darn!  I would have won 3rd or 1st!!

After everyone left, I took off my bells and exchanged my Santa cap for a beanie.  I grabbed my ipod/Nike + and set it to 3 miles.

I decided not to do the race course because of the hills but to head out and run for 3 miles and then head back.  

 

Glad to be done with 6 mi!

 

Stats:

lst 3 mi = 31:24
2nd 3 mi = 33.29

9 miles= 1:34:24

So that’s positive splits but I didn’t walk so that’s an improvement. Actually I felt better during the 6 mile run than during the race.

Happy Running!

 

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3 Things Thursday

  1. I definitely prefer running outdoors to running on the treadmill. Unless it rains I’m going to try to run in my neighborhood.  The past 2 mornings, I searched out my capris, gloves & fleece vest and ran 3 miles. On the treadmill, it took me 40 minutes to run 3 torturous miles.  Outside in the chilly air, it took 29 minutes.  Unfortunately it doesn’t get light early enough to do more.  So I’ll reserve my longer runs for the weekend or after work (if I ever am free.)
  2. Yes, I said longer runs.  Saturday is my 1st 10K…if it goes well, who knows???
  3. Tomorrow I will carb load and try not to think about if I will crash & burn running more than 3 miles.  I’M NERVOUS!!!!!!

    4. 

Happy Running and good luck to any weekend racers!

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3 Things Thursday

  1. Fall is here!  It was 40 degrees this morning…I had to look for my gloves and I wore them for most of my run.  I’m still wearing shorts, though…not giving in yet.
  2. A friend that I went to college with is coming to visit Oct 8-10.  That is the UAlbany Alumni weekend.  My other college friend said that we have to check out some of the events on campus.  (The 3 of us lived together for several years. We graduated 35 years ago!!!!!!!!) I said that I had a 5k race that day in Ballston Spa.  Of course, she said “You can’t do it!!”  Guess what, UAlbany is having a 5k that day…I registered for it! Now everyone is happy (except that I’m out $25 for the other race.)
  3. Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s my new running shoes but I’ve had TWO great morning runs in a row- 3 miles today and 3.5 miles yesterday. I love running before work.  If only it weren’t getting darker and colder…

Happy Running! Is it starting to feel like fall where you live?