September 1, 2013 by Darlene

Where Has the Summer Gone?

I cannot believe that it is September already!!

Well, August wasn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst.

AUGUST GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! Yes, I guess. I ran several times each week.

several runs after work in this park

Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES!!

plenty of resting on the lake

Play TENNIS! Only once.

Start planks! Only once 😦
Attend a yoga class! Nope!
Start training for the Oct 13 half marathon. Not sure if I am doing it yet.

did get a long run of 6 miles done here

Run a race. Nope!
Run at least 50 miles this month. YES!!

happy to be running although I am walking more than running some days.

So my running goals were not met. I feel bad about that. But I am not injured and I have run some. I did get back on the bike paths that I love.

Nisky Bike Path

Colonie Town Park Bike Path

I have spent lots of time with my hubby on our boat and also socializing with friends.

boating on Lake George

day at the US Open

more boating

Now what to shoot for in September? Well, they will look very similar…

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!!
Play TENNIS!
Start planks!
Attend a yoga class!
Decide if I am going to run the Oct 13 half marathon.
Run a race.
Register for some fall races.
Run at least 60 miles this month

Happy Running! How was your August? Anything exciting planned for September?

July 26, 2013 by Darlene

Next “Race”

If I can call this one a “race.” I may have to call it a WALK.

It’s on Sunday in Killington, Vermont.

When at least, they transferred my registration from the 15K to the 5K.

Exciting! The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains. Afterwards kick back with family and friends and celebrate at the post-race concert featuring former “Biggest Loser” contestant and Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans at Killington Resort’s Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar, or enjoy the lush landscape during a gondola ride to Killington Peak. Even Packet Pick-Up the day before the race is a party.

Sounds like fun…

AJH and Christa are supposed to be doing the 5K too. So if nothing else, it will be a blogger reunion.

Goals:

Not limp off the course.
Have fun.

I don’t know if I dare to run. If I do, I’ll hope for an injured 5K PR. Does anyone have those?

Freihofer’s – June 2012 – Recovering from broken ankle – 35:39
Runner’s World – Oct 2012 – Running with a Stress Fracture – 35:32
Last Run – Dec 2012 – Recovering from stress fracture – 35:25
Biggest Loser – July 2013 – Recovering from a broken foot – ??

Happy Running! Any races planned? Have you ever done a race while injured?

July 19, 2013 by Darlene

Listen to Orville Rogers and Strive to be Above Average

Orville Rogers’ 5 Rules for Running Forever

As far as training goes, listen to your body. Don’t go too fast or too far.
When you’re upping your training, increase your speed or distance, not both. If you overtrain, you risk your next competition.
Look at the records and then make a goal for yourself that you think you can do.
Visualize, and when you visualize, picture yourself breaking those records.
Never give up.

Oh yeah—and stretch.

at age 95, he has set 7 world age group records this year

Read the complete article here.

I agree with his advice especially #1 & #2 (except that I forget to stretch).

1. It is really important when injured to know when to run, how fast, how far and how often. That means listening to your body and knowing when aches & pains are serious or just part of life. It means being patient… (I am not good at this!!)

2. I usually concentrate on distance. Being older, I need to build up my stamina and fitness level. I need to be careful about overdoing. I used to worry about speed when I only ran 5ks. I also did more speed workouts when I was injury-free. Now I seem to always be coming back and I am glad to be running.

2011 stats from http://www.runningusa.org

3. My goals in the past have been PR or win a Age Group award. Again when you are constantly in recovery mode, PRing is NOT realistic. So a realistic goal may be to be ABOVE AVERAGE. It seems that I am way above average with regards to “AGE” and I am usually above average in my 5K time. So my new goal is to be above average in my 10k and half marathon times.

and I NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Happy Running! Do you have any other running advice? Are you “Above Average?”

June 30, 2013 by Darlene

Goals Smoals

My GOALS for June:

Continue to run at least 3 times per week.

Go for at least 5 walks per week while at work

Get up early and do some runs before work.

Return to doing a plank a day.

Lose some of those vacation pounds.

Run longer (at least 5 miles) once per week.

Run at least two races.

Run more total miles than in May.

me, Courtney and her aunt MaryPat my friend)

June 1

also June 1

total miles for the month

A BIG FAT “NO” for ALL GOALS.

I am a goal oriented person so here they are for July:

Continue to heal the broken foot
Follow doctor’s orders and don’t overdo
Ditch the crutches
Wear 2 of the same shoes
Walk
Bike
Run a little (yes, I am being optimistic)

Happy Running! How was your June? What is one of your July goals?

May 30, 2013 by Darlene

May Update and June Goals

Unfortunately, this was a low mileage month.

MAY GOALS UPDATE —

Continue to run regularly (outdoors unless it is raining then on the treadmill at work). YES! 3-4x each week for at least 3 miles

one of my favorite routes = Washington Park

Continue to fit in tennis & yoga in my schedule (once per week). YES (did yoga weekly except when on vacation & then I played tennis)

played tennis for 7 days in a row!

Take a lunch break – we get an hour but I eat at my desk – now that the weather is nice I should go for a walk – Not exactly but I have been walking 1 mile in the morning and 1 mile in the afternoon with a co-worker (on some days). She is diligent about taking her breaks!

Get up early and do some runs before work. YES I have been running once or twice a week before work – prefer it, too.
Eat healthy & keep a reasonable weight. Not exactly – birthdays, vacations, etc.
Don’t let my running schedule take over – make time for family and friends (and mentees). YES.

Add longer runs on the weekend with the goal being a 10 mile race in June. Not exactly – I only ran more than 3 once and that was last weekend (6 miles).
Run at least one race. YES. Ran two 5ks.

Mother’s Day 5K

Run several times during my tennis vacation in Florida. YES, Ran 3x!!

during one of my 3 mile runs

De-clutter the running gear – go through clothes and get rid of those tops & shorts that don’t fit or I don’t wear. Yes. I could do some more but it was a start.

My goals are getting pretty boring but I want goals that that are achievable and relevant so here they are my GOALS for June:

Continue to run at least 3 times per week.

Go for at least 5 walks per week while at work

Get up early and do some runs before work.

Return to doing a plank a day.

Lose some of those vacation pounds.

Run longer (at least 5 miles) once per week.

Run at least two races.

Run more total miles than in May.

Happy Running! How was your May? Any interesting goals set for June?

May 1, 2013 by Darlene

April Update & May Goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over) – YES, I went every Wednesday!

I even talked a friend into accompanying me

Play tennis once a week – YES, I played every Monday and on 2 Tuesdays.

first half of the month was indoors and this place closed so then it was outdoors at UAlbany

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often) – YES, I had fruit & yogurt for lunches and salads most nights, even cut back on my nightly ice cream addiction.

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.) – Yes, I did a plank for ONE MINUTE almost eveyday.

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing. YES, I lost 5 lbs but will probably gain it back during my May vacation.

talked my friend into just sharing a cheese board after yoga

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run) – YES, I ran three times each week, 3 miles and once a week (if outdoors) even 4 miles.

66 total miles for April

love my Newtons!

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles) – YES, I ran at least 5 miles on most weekends (which was difficult with 2 5ks scheduled.)

Spring is finally here! Got to see flowers on my runs.

even wore shorts once or twice

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks). YES, I tried … finished the Lake George 5k in 29:17, Sean’s Run in 30:31 and the Delmar Dash 5 miler in 47:38 (still not as fast I had I hoped.)

crossing the finish line at the Lake George 5K

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

while running the Delmar Dash 5 miler (J. Berkeley photo)

celebrating after Sean’s Run

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….) – YES, I did not miss a day!! (You can read them all HERE)
Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury) – YES, I am still healthy (just a little twinge in the left knee and right heel).

GOALS

Continue to run regularly (outdoors unless it is raining then on the treadmill at work).

this park is near work

Continue to fit in tennis & yoga in my schedule (once per week).
Take a lunch break – we get an hour but I eat at my desk – now that the weather is nice I should go for a walk.

last year, we had a walking contest so I did do it.

Get up early and do some runs before work.

this was a few years ago so I know I can do it.

Eat healthy & keep a reasonable weight.

Soft Serve Ice Cream (esp. coffee) with sprinkles

limit the number of soft ice cream cones consumed

Don’t let my running schedule take over – make time for family and friends (and mentees).

hang out in the park with these guys

Add longer runs on the weekend with the goal being a 10 mile race in June.

the bike paths are the best place to do longer runs

Run at least one race.

this will be my first 5k in a new age group

Run several times during my tennis vacation in Florida.

I did several years ago (last year I was injured) while on vacation in Naples

De-clutter the running gear – go through clothes and get rid of those tops & shorts that don’t fit or I don’t wear.

Yes, I still own that cotton tank & shorts from 2008! I didn’t know what wicking was back then nor can I fit into those shorts.

Happy Running! How was your April? Any interesting goals set for May?

April 1, 2013 by Darlene

A is for April goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over)

Play tennis once a week

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often)

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.)

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing.

thinner in 2009 or these shorts shrunk?

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run)

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles)

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks).

April 21, 2013

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….)

Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury)

Happy Running! Any interesting goals set for April?

March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.

Feel free to join … just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions.

Happy Running! How was your March? Are you participating in this challenge?

March 10, 2013 by Darlene

Getting Ready!

EVENT DETAILS:

Sunday, Mar. 17, 2013
7:00 am Start (B-Tag timing)
Start/Finish at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

I am lucky!! One of the women that I play mah jongg with on Fridays eves owns a condo that is across the street from the start/finish of the race. She was supposed to be moving but it has been delayed until April 1 and she invited me to stay with her!!! One less thing to worry about.

COURSE INFO:

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay Race features a fast and scenic course filled with Personal Record (PR) opportunities for both runners and walkers.

Yes, I have been to Sarasota and it is beautiful. But I know that you have to run across the bridge which is uphill and windy and then back over the bridge again so it will not be fast for the first 5 miles. Hopefully, it’ll get easier after that. (I am not looking for a PR in this race anyway!)

RUNNER & WALKER FRIENDLY EVENT:

Truly walker friendly with the course open for 4 hours (approximate 18 minutes/mile pace), allowing all ages and experience levels to take part in the fun-filled activities throughout the event.

Even I can handle that pace. If my foot and/or ankle starts to hurt a lot and I have to walk, I know that I will finish under 4 hours and get my MEDAL. No pressure!

RACE PERKS:

All participants receive a gender specific tech t-shirt, giant finisher’s medal, goodie bag, aid stations with Lemon-Lime Gatorade, medical support, a post-race refueling party sponsored by First Watch Restaurants (including Siesta Key Cocktails for all participants) and awards ceremony.

Who can argue with that? Sounds perfect! Provided that the weather cooperates. No rain, please!

RACE GOALS??

Pretty Simple: FINISH with a smile on my face!!

Happy Running! Ever run a race with NO FINSH TIME GOALS??

March 1, 2013 by Darlene

Bring on March!

March is supposed to be the windy month but it seemed to me that it was February this year!

February Update:

2 Races – one 4 miler and one 7K

AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AJH got 2nd place…and I got 3rd!!

I finished knitting a pair of socks

so what if it took almost a year…

I played tennis every Monday…that’s 4 times in one month!

I did a better job of following my half marathon training plan by adding an extra day of running…

in Jan, I was worried about my foot & only running every other day

This month I ran 84 miles! The most miles in a month since 2011!

Nisky Bike Trail – one of my favorite places to run

I tried to eat fruit and vegetables everyday!

love mandarin oranges & craisins in my salad

I even used the treadmill several times when the weather wouldn’t cooperate.

ipad & water required

I read quite a few books. In addition to my YA fixation (I finished Insurgent & started Matched), I read 3 Joy Fielding mystery thrillers.

I did not do any yoga…I did not use the exercise bike during lunch…I did not see my mentee… oh well, there’s March!

Hope we have nicer weather in March (and an early spring!!!)

GOALS

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 or a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

Happy Running! How was your February running? Anything new planned for March?

My First 5K and More…

An "Older" Runner's Blog

goals

Where Has the Summer Gone?

Next “Race”

Listen to Orville Rogers and Strive to be Above Average

Goals Smoals

May Update and June Goals

April Update & May Goals

GOALS

GOALS

A is for April goals

GOALS

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

Getting Ready!

Bring on March!

GOALS

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