goals

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Monday Goals & Brain Exchange #26

 Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic: Extreme Weather & Keeping it Fun

This Week’s Question: Do you deal with any types of extreme weather where you live?  Heat warnings, a lot of snow, frequent tornados?  How do you keep your workouts fresh and fun when you are stuck indoors?

We are having a tough winter where I live. A lot of SNOW!!! When I first started running 3 years ago, I didn’t run at all in the winter.  Then last year, I joined a gym and ran on the treadmill.  To make it bearable, I downloaded TV shows to my iPod Touch (Criminal Minds, Law & Order) and watched them while I ran.  I was only running 3 miles or 4 at most.  Then this year, I was training for a half marathon.  Impossible for me to do long runs on the treadmill.  So I braved the cold.  I don’t enjoy it but I found it not as bad as I thought. I found a route that was interesting & mostly flat.  I listen to music on my iPod Nano. I always reward myself with Starbucks when I’m done.  I recently even bought Yak Trax.  However, during the week for my short runs when it is dark or snowing or raining or windy, etc., I still go to the gym.  I am now watching The Good Wife and Fairly Legal.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 17 miles and I ran  17 miles. YAY!!

This was Week #2 of my 2nd Half Maraton training.  10 weeks to go!

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – webinar
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs or Fri – 3  miles before or after work
Sat or Sun –  8 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Monday Goals and Brain Exchange #25

It’s Back – Thanks to Finishing is Winning.

Topic: 2011 Racing

Question: What race are you most excited for in 2011?  Any destination races?  Are you trying out a new distance.  Tell us what it is in general you are looking forward to when it comes to 2011 racing.

This is an easy one for me.  I am most excited about the Naples Daily New Half Marathon (on 1/16/11) It was my FIRST half marathon so it was a new distance. It was in Florida and it was my FIRST destination race.

I am looking forward to trying new distances this year.  I have only raced 5ks (plus one 3.5 mi race).  I want to run a 4 mi, a 5 mi, a 10k, maybe a 15k, maybe a 10 mi and even 2 more Half Marathons!!! (I’d love to do another Half in Florida – Daytona Beach)

Of course, I hope to stay uninjured and run lots of races.  Even get a 5k PR.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 18 miles but  I only ran 16 miles. (Not bad considereing the weather!)
I ran my first 4 mile race and came in 3rd in my Age Group. YAY!

This was Week #1 of my 2nd Half Maraton training.  11 weeks to go!

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – Mentor mtg
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – funeral

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs or Fri – 3  miles before or after work
Sat or Sun –  7 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 17 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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A Very Cool Half Marathon

The 2011 information isn’t up yet…but I have friends who own a house in Daytona Beach and you never know…

2010 info:

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile course is unlike any other race in the world, bringing runners from the World Center of Racing, to the World’s Most Famous Beach and back!

The entire course will be run on pavement (no beach run). Unfortunately, due to the track repave, we will not be able to run on the track as in previous years. However, we will use various parts of the track in-field, running a little more than 2 miles inside the Daytona International Speedway. (In 2011, the repaving should be done!!)

Runners will start just outside the Sprint FANZONE, only steps from parking, race-day registration & packet pick-up and permanent restrooms. Proceeding north from the start, runners will then loop around a portion of the Speedway’s Go Kart track. After the Go Kart track, runners will enjoy a .6 mile stretch on the scenic boardwalk alongside Lake Lloyd. You will then make your way back past the Sprint FANZONE before exiting the track.

After exiting the track, runners will dash past DAYTONA 500 Experience, the Official Attraction of NASCAR. The course will then head east towards the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing over the beautiful Halifax River and getting a first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, competitors will soon reach the World’s Most Famous Beach at approximately the 7.2-mile mark.

At that point, runners will catch a breathtaking view of the ocean at sunrise, with an approximate .1 mile stretch along the boardwalk at Sun Splash Park, before turning around and beginning the trip back to the Speedway and the finish line. The return includes another trip over the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as a run past one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American colleges, Bethune-Cookman University.

At the 13-mile mark, runners will reenter Daytona International Speedway, cross over the track and make a final sprint towards the finish line just outside the Sprint FANZONE. One of the best post race parties around is then just a few steps away in the Sprint FANZONE with awards taking place in the adjacent Gatorade Victory Lane.

KEY FEATURES:

Daytona International Speedway
The Speedway annually hosts the Super Bowl of motorsports, the DAYTONA 500, each February. The World Center of Racing is also the home of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, held each July.

DAYTONA 500 Experience
The attraction is located outside turn four of the Speedway on the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Bill France Blvd., and is the official attraction of NASCAR. Guests can experience the sights, sounds and history of the DAYTONA 500 through static and interactive displays. Each Daytona Beach Half Marathon entrant receives one complimentary DAYTONA 500 Experience admission.

Mainland High School
At the 3.5-mile mark, runners will pass Mainland High School, the alma mater of NBA star Vince Carter. The school’s gymnasium is named after Carter, who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school. Carter currently plays for the hometown Orlando Magic.

Bethune-Cookman University
Runners will run past BCU twice during the race. Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, and is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities.

Daytona Beach
Competitors will reach the World’s Most Famous Beach just past the 7-mile mark. Sunrise on race day is approximately 7:35 a.m., providing a great view once runners reach the ocean. Unlike the inaugural race’s quick turnaround, the course will wind through the oceanfront Sunsplash Park and includes a one-block run on the beach boardwalk. That is where the course will turn around and head back to the start line. The course does NOT run on the sand.

How cool does this sound???

A girl can dream!!

Happy Running!

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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!

 

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Weekend’s Over & Half Marathon #2 Training Begins

 

The weekend started with Friday evening at the Lake George Winter Carnival Gala at the The Georgian in Lake George.  We had a great time, eating, drinking and dancing to the music of Bobby Dick & the Sundowners (our favorite band).

Saturday am I watched my favorite tennis player, Kim Clisters, win the Australian Open. Then went out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.  The sidewalks were in better condition than in Albany but there aren’t many of them so I had to run in the road.  Not too treacherous around where I live.

I did it in a little over an hour.  My pace is still slow but getting better. 

Then 2 friends that I used to work with suggested Yoga, dinner & then a movie.  Sounded like fun.  I haven’t done yoga in ages and wanted to get back into it.

The yoga session was De-Stress Yoga and it was really slow & relaxing. It was Sat night so there were only 4 people in the class.  I am really stiff & have no flexibility at all.  So I think yoga will be  good for me.

Guess what I signed up for next Thursday there-

I am psyched!

The movie we saw was “Blue Valentine.”  Although the acting was great, it was pretty depressing. Not sure I’d recommend it unless you enjoy watching a marriage gone bad.

Sunday was very low key – laundry, grocery shopping.  I did my taxes (got depressed about how much $$$ we owe the govt), watched figure skating on TV while making chicken soup.

 Next up 12 weeks away is the Lake George Half Marathon on April 23, 2011.

I haven’t signed up yet.  But I think I will. I know it won’t be as warm or as scenic as Naples, Florida. I know that it is HILLY!! I’m not proud & I can walk up the hills and now that I know I can run 13.1, I want to do another and another and another.

Crazy, huh?

I think I like not being pressured about time.  I like all the excitement.  I like the finisher medal.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 15 miles & I ran 16.5 miles

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Wed – dentist, fleetfeet workshop (good form running)
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – winter carnival in LG
Sun – time with mentee

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs – 3  miles before or after work
Sat – 4 mi Race
Sun:  4 mi

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles,  4mi race,  half marathon training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Tentative Winter-Spring Racing Schedule


It’s not written in stone but I need a plan OR I won’t get out of bed to run:

Jan 16 – Naples Half Marathon – Naples, Fla.

Feb 5 – Polar Cap 4 mi Run – Lake George, NY

Mar 12 – Runnin of the Green 4 mi Run – Green Island, NY
Mar 26 – Firefighters Run 4 Life 5K – Schenectady, NY

Apr 10 – Delmar Dash 5 mi – Delmar, NY
Apr 23 – Lake George Half Marathon

May 1 – Literacy 5k – Troy, NY
May 8 – Mother’s Day 3.5 mi Race – Delmar, NY
May 22 – SPAC 5k Rock & Run – Saratoga, NY

Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY
Jun 11 – OK 5K – Kinderhook, NY
Jun 25 – Valley Cats Home Run 5K – Troy, NY

You can see I’ve added some new races.

Once it gets warm and the days get longer…I think it will be warm by July,   I may change my long runs to during the week.  That way, if I want to do another Half Marathon, it’s won’t interfere with 5k Sat races or weekend boating plans.

There are 3 HM possibilities:

  1. Aug 6 – Camp Chingachgook Challenge Half – Lake George, NY
  2. Sept 18 – Melanie Palio Half – Saratoga, NY
  3. Oct 9 – Marine Corps Half – Colonie, NY

    4. 

Happy Running!

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What’s Next??

After 12 weeks of training and anticipation, it’s OVER!!

 I signed up for a Half Marathon, I trained for it, I ran it and met all my Goals.

What’s Next?

No, not a Marathon!!!!!!!!!

But I’m the kind of runner that needs goals. 

I have always planned my weekly runs based on an upcoming race. When you run only 5ks (I ran 21 in 3 yrs!!), it’s not too difficult.  I ran 2-3 times during the week (3 miles at a time) and ran a 5k on the weekend (almost every weekend from May-Oct).

I really enjoyed the 5ks and tried to improve each time.  I met a lot of great people. But at age 57, how much faster can I get?? (I’ve improved my PR from 37 something to 27 something)

It’s all changed!!

I ran a Half Marathon.

On the weekends, I had added a long run of 6-12 miles to my 2-3 weekly 3 mile runs.

This is my dilemma…the 5k races don’t really fit into another Half Marathon training. I can add on the extra miles from time to time but it’s not the same as a real Long Run.

What do I do???

What I am sure of is:

  • I want to run another Half Marathon or 2. (with more confidence than the first &  a little faster)
  • I want to continue to run a lot of 5ks in the summer months (fits in with our boating)
  • I want to add some other distances – 4 mi, 5 mi, 10k, 15k, 10 mi

But’s Monday and it’s time for this week’s goals:

Last week update:

 I ran only 6 miles (but I was resting after my Half Marathon)

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – FleetFeet workshop
Thurs – mall w/bff
Fri – gala in LG
Sat – tennis dinner
Sun – cards w/friends

This week’s running:

Tues– 3 miles before work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 3  miles after work
Sun:  5 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 15 miles
January Monthly Running Goal = 50 miles, a half marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Monday Goals

Last week Update:

 My goal was 19 miles and I ran 19,5  miles!!

This week’s schedule:

Mon – dinner w/friend
Tues – tennis
Wed – dentist
Thurs – help a friend
Fri – fly to Florida
Sat – pick up race packet, pasta party

This week’s running:

Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 3  miles before work
Sun: HALF MARATHON!!

Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
January Monthly Running Goal = 50 miles, a half marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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New Year, New Month, New Week

Recaps:

2010 – My goal was to run 300 miles and I ran 678.5 miles – Woo Hoo!
2011 – I have a lofty goal of 2011 miles – it’ll be fun trying!

December – My goal was 70 miles, a 5K race, half marathon training and I ran a month high total of 95 miles, ran two 5k races, hosted a giveaway, won 2 giveaways, and completed week 10 of  HM training – YAY!!

Last week – my goal was 24 miles and I ran 24 miles!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – Mentor meeting
Thurs – ChiRunning workshop at FleetFeet
Fri – Mah Jongg
Sat – dinner & cards w/friends

This week’s running:
Wed– 3 miles 
Thurs – 4 miles 
Fri – 4  miles 
Sun – 8  miles

Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
January  Monthly Running Goal = 50 miles, a half marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Welcome 2011!


First, let’s look at my 2010 Running Goals:

  1. lower my 5K PR———YES! from 29:30 to 28:42 to 27:12
  2. run a 5k under 29 minutes——-YES! 4 times
  3. win my age group at least once——YES! on 11/11/10
  4. run new races——-YES! 11 out of 21 were new races
  5. run on the treadmill all winter (3x week)——YES! (unless I could run outside)
  6. run a longer distance on the treadmill (more than 2.75 mi)——– YES! up to 6 mi.
  7. motivate some of my friends to run————YES! 2 that started with me, stopped & are now running again
  8. increase the distance of my training runs (more than 3mi) at least once a week————– YES! 6-12 mi
  9. run at least 15 races———–YES! I ran 21 races
  10. run a 5k in another state (preferably Fla next fall)————–NO!!! but I signed up for a half in Florida in 2 weeks
  11. take more running pics—————— YES!  I took a photo at almost every race.
  12. keep track of how many miles I run this year————-YES! I counted  every run on this blog, dailymile.com & tickerfactory meter

SO 11 out of 12 ain’t bad!!!

And now my 2011 Running Goals:

  1. lower my 5K PR
  2. run 5ks under 28 minutes
  3. win my age group
  4. run new races
  5. run at least one race each month
  6. run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
  7. run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K)
  8. run a half marathon race
  9. run at least 15 races
  10. run  a race in another state
  11. volunteer at a race
  12. take running pics & post on FB & this blog
  13. keep track of how many miles I run this year

I don’t think they are too ambitious… many are similar to last year’s…some are brand new.

Happy Running! Good Luck setting your goals!