April 29, 2015 by Darlene

Too Many Options

This race which is Saturday offers a 5k, 10k and a 15k.

That is too many options!!

Last year, I ran the 10K and won 3rd in my AG. It was also a PR at the time.

I registered awhile back for the 15K thinking that it would be a good idea. I am preparing for a half marathon in several weeks and technically I should be running 11 miles.

But that was before I had a foot issue at my half marathon and the same issue last weekend.

A normal person would rest their feet.

I am a crazed runner person.

I am seriously thinking of running the 10K instead and then adding on some more miles depending on how my foot feels.

But maybe I should just play it safe and run the 5K?

Next weekend I also have a 15k to run. That one also has a 5K option.

Boy, it sucks when something hurts.

I am hoping it’s nothing serious – Dr Google says everything from calluses to capsulitis…

So first I skipped my training group run on Monday – the first one I’ve missed and I hated to do it.

And then I bought these on sale in DSW

Mizuno Wave Inspire 10s

Yesterday, I put a thick moleskin pad on my foot and ran on the track.

It felt fine for the first 2 miles, then I moved the pad and it felt better. I even played 1 1/2 hours of tennis later that evening.

We’ll see how the rest of the week goes…

But don’t be surprised if I stupidly tackle (limp through) the whole 9.3 miles.

And even try to beat my 1:33:23 time from last November…

2014: HMRRC #3 – 1:42:40, Stockeadeathon – 1:33:23 (PR), HMRRC #1 – 1:34:55
2013: Stockeadeathon – 1:42:22
2011: Stockeadeathon – 1:36:08

Stockadeathon 2014

And if I choose the 10K…

2015: HMRRC #3 – 1:00:24
2014: Spring Run Off -1:00:51, Camp Chingachgook – 1:04:54, Great Pumpkin – 58:28,Troy Turkey Trot – 57:03
2013: HMRRC #3 – 1:08:18, Helper’s Fund – 1:06:10, Monster Scramble – 1:03:18 (SHORT)
2012: Camp Chingachgook – 1:09:07

Turkey Trot 2014

Happy Running! What would you do? Do you race through injuries?

January 27, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: My Worst Races & What They Taught Me

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: My Worst Race(s) & What They Taught Me

Worst races can happen for many reasons. So here are a few of my worsts:

Worst Weather – this would be a tie for the Lake George Half Marathon and the Love Run Half Marathon. Both were run in a COLD downpour for the whole 13.1 miles. I was freezing and wet and very uncomfortable.

Love Run 2014

Lake George HM 2011

Worst Pain – this would be again a tie for the Runner’s World 5k and the Freihofer’s Run 2013. Both were run with foot injuries. I had a stress fracture in my right foot for the RW race and a broken bone in my left foot for the FRW.

TW 5k 2012

FRW 2013

What I learned: I am stronger than I thought. I can push through anything if it is important enough. I enjoy racing enough to run even through less than optimal conditions.

Worst Feeling (Physically) after the race – This would be after the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. I had a virus and it was hot and very humid. I felt sick the whole race but stuck it out. After the race, I almost passed out twice. UGH!

Saratoga HM 2014

What I learned: Hydration is very important. Summertime may not be the best time for me to run a half marathon.

Worst Feeling (Mentally) – This would be after the Santa Clarita Half Marathon in CA. It was my 5th half that year and I trained really well for it. I was expecting a PR. Well, it didn’t happen for whatever the reason (rain, jet lag, altitude, etc.) When I knew I wouldn’t, I kinda gave up. Afterwards, I felt very disappointed and that ruined the whole race experience for me. My friend also did not run well. So we both just wallowed in self pity.

St Clarita HM 2011

What I learned: Do not place so much importance on getting a PR. Anything can happen during a race and completing it is a victory in itself. Just enjoy every race experience.

Happy Running! What did you learn from your worst race?

November 5, 2014 by Darlene

How to avoid blisters?

not mine but this is where I get them

I have gotten blisters after 5 miles during my last two long races. And it sucks!

Saratoga Half Marathon – July 2014

I am wearing my RunningSkirts compression socks and Brooks Adrenaline shoes.

Perfect 10 Miler – Oct 2014

I am wearing ProCompression socks and New Balance running shoes.

So different shoes, different socks but the SAME blisters.

However, I did not get blisters during the two long races before that.

Adirondack Distance Run – June 2014

I am wearing RunningSkirts socks and the same shoes as during the Perfect 10 Miler. But NO BLISTERS!

Love Run – March 2014

I am wearing ProCompression socks and the same shoes as during the Saratoga Half Marathon but NO BLISTERS!

So the same shoes, same socks and NO BLISTERS!

I am thinking that maybe my shoes are fine only when they are new or that I need new insoles.

I do have 2 new pairs of Mizuno Wave Riders (which I got to test for FREE). I have been wearing them for training and short races. I LOVE the Wave Rider 18s but they are neutral not stability shoes and I am nervous about them having enough support for a long race.

my Wave Rider 18s at a 5K

Wave Rider 17s

I need to find a solution before my next Half Marathon in January.

I wore my Wave Rider 18s during my 8 mile long run last Saturday and I didn’t get any blisters.

I think I am going to wear my Wave Rider 17s for my 15K race on Nov 9 and use something like this:

Happy Running! Have you gotten blisters? What do you do to prevent them?

July 6, 2014 by Darlene

SF Scare and Boating

After my long long run on Saturday, the top of my left foot was sore. It hurt to walk and it was sore to the touch.

Of course, my first thought was 2nd Metatarsal STRESS FRACTURE!

I am not a hypochondriac. But I am unlucky when it comes to getting running injuries. I seem to get one that puts me out of commission every year.

And I had a similar injury in October 2012 from overuse. So I was trying to remember how it felt. At that time, I ignored the pain and ran on it for 3 weeks until I went to the doctor.

I put ice on it and took ibuprofen and relaxed for the rest of the day.

went out to dinner with old roomies to take my mind off of my foot

Of course, it was on the back of mind. But I did remember that the tongue of my shoe kept moving so I tightened my laces on the that shoe. Maybe my foot was sore because of that!?

The next day after a sleepless night (I kept thinking about my half marathon and all my upcoming races…), my foot was still a little sore but I had no problems walking on it.

Luckily it was a planned rest and the plan was to take my friends on our boat.

our boat & my hubby

it was a windy day for their first boat ride

We gave them a little tour.

And then went out to lunch at a restaurant that we could dock at.

at our table

Finally we bid them farewell

and continued our day on the lake with our boating friends.

hanging out in the bay

And my foot was fine all day.

I think I am okay.

However, I plan to have a very easy week… fingered crossed!!

Happy Running! Do you freak out at every ache and pain?

June 24, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesday on the Run: Injuries

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is “injuries.”

Certainly not a pleasant topic but I am happy to say that I AM NOT INJURED!!!! Yay!

So I will re-post from when I was recovering from a serious injury. Hopefully it will help some runner out there who is injured now.

11 Good Things About Being Injured

If you are new to my blog, this was me during my 10 mile training run on Dec 29, 2011:

and then this was me for 2 months after that day (note the surgically repaired raised ankle on the left):

Five months later, I am on the road to recovery (I can walk without limping) and I want to say that it hasn’t been all bad:

Less laundry – no running clothes or tennis clothes or yoga clothes (and sometimes all 3) to wash each day
Fewer bags to carry to work – no running gear bag or tennis gear bag or yoga clothes bag to lug into work
Easier to park your car – my handicap sticker came in handy cuz it’s free to park with it at the beach
More time with friends and family – I now eat dinner with my hubby every evening
Save money – no race fees, no gels to buy, my running shoes are not wearing out
Learn something new – I now know how to knit
Discover other ways to exercise – I walk at lunch and ride my bike on weekends (I never did this before…)
Eat healthier – in order for my ankle to heal faster, I started taking vitamins, eating more fruits & veggies- I didn’t have to carb load so although I haven’t run in 5 mos, I haven’t really gained weight
Get more sleep – no getting up early to run before work or to race on Sat, no coming home wired from tennis & staying up too late
Teaches patience – I am NOT a patient person…I do things right away and I want instant results so I guess this was a test (I may have still failed, though)
Find out who your friends really are – I am truly blessed…I have received many cards, gifts, meals, loads of support, etc.

Happy Running! If you have been injured, can you add anything to the list?

January 3, 2014 by Darlene

Foto Friday

There’s no better way to look back on the good things that happened than by looking through your blog photos.

So here’s a month by month look at the highlights of 2013:

January:

running over a bridge while on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida

February:

winning an AG award with AJH at the Polar Cap 4 mile race

March:

finishing the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

April:

running Sean’s Run 5K with Mary

May:

running the Mother’s Day 5K with my tennis buddy, MaryPat and winning lst place in my new AG.

June:

not a good month but this was taken BEFORE the Freihofer’s Run for Women (the race where I broke my foot)

July:

recovered enough to complete the Biggest Loser 5K

August:

no races this month but several trips to scenic Chestertown to play tennis and run

September:

winning an AG award at the Helper’s Fund 10k where I met a new running partner, Heidi

October:

finishing the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon and seeing a lot of familiar faces

November:

running the Stockade-athon 15K

December:

running the Last Run 5k in a snowstorm (just for fun)

It was definitely hard to choose just one memory from each month. I feel very fortunate.

Happy Running! What were some of your highlights of 2013?

January 1, 2014 by Darlene

2013 is in the books…

I must say that things were looking up until June 1 and then I broke my foot. I started getting back on track in August and the year ended pretty well.

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, except for June & July.

even ran 3 times while on vacation in May

Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – YES, until June 1. I started tennis again in Sept. I didn’t start yoga again until late Oct.

Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – YES. Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day, and Freihofer’s – all under 30 min. Post broken foot, I finished the Malta 5K, Race for the Cure, Delmar Turkey Trot and Stuff the Sleigh under 30. NO PR this year!! (I think my 5K PR days are over.)

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – YES. 3rd at the Polar Cap 4m, in the correct AG I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K, 2nd in the Biggest Loser 5K & Helper’s Fund 10k, and 1st in the Race for Hope 5K, the Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5K. Getting older rocks!

Polar Cap 4m – 3rd in 50-59

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

Mother’s Day 5K – 1st in 60-69

Helper’s Fund 10K – 2nd in 60-69

Race for Hope 5K – 1st in 60-69

Monster Scramble 10K – 1st in 60-69

Stuff the Sleigh 5k – 1st in 50+

PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – YES, both of my 10ks were faster. My PR was at the Helper’s Fund.

Helper’s Fund 10k

Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – NO (broke my foot). I hope to run my first in January.
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and/or a fall one) – YES, I ran 2 – the Sarasota Half Marathon in March and the Mohawk Hudson in October.

Sarasota Half Marathon 3/17/13

Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon – 10/13/13

Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – YES, 22 total races – at least one per month except for August (when I decided to cautiously recover from my broken foot.)

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

one of 3 April races

one of 3 September races

one of 3 November races

Run a race in another state – YES, I ran in Florida and Vermont.

Florida racing

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

running in Vermont

Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – YES, 11 out of 22 were new ones – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Sarasota Half, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, Biggest Loser 5k, Helper’s Fund 10K, Mohawk Hudson Half, Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5k. (NYC hopefully next year)

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

The Biggest Loser RunWalk (including a ride on a chair lift)

Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – YES. I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 10 healthy months.

Happy Running! How was your 2013? Do you set goals?

November 7, 2013 by Darlene

New Old Pain

I have that familiar feeling again…pain on the inside of my right foot. (I even got interviewed for Good Housekeeping about it.)

Although I have a bigger bunion on my left, it never hurts. Just the right foot.

it feels worse than it looks

The first time it hurt was while training for the FIRST half marathon (in January 2011). I started feeling pain once I went over 6 miles. It gets inflamed and then needs to be rested.

For some reason after that race, it didn’t hurt again (and I ran 4 more halfs) until last January. Then it quickly went away and now it hurts AGAIN!

It started to hurt toward the end of my run last Friday. It hurt a lot for the first 4 miles of my 8 mile run on Sunday. I didn’t run on Monday or Tuesday and it hurt less yesterday morning but it still is sore!!!

This really annoys me.(I am super happy that it didn’t bother me during my recent half marathon or the training leading up to it.)

I would rest it but I have a 15k on Sunday!

Happy Running! Anyone else suffer from bunion pain?

October 21, 2013 by Darlene

Just Sharing

I got this e-mail:

Hi Darlene,

I really like your running blog — one of the few ones really worth reading (you have to sift through lots of chaff to find the wheat). You write with warmth and humour, both engaging and informing the reader. (I am sure that this is sent to every woman blogger over 40.)

I’m Bennett Cohen, President of the International Association of Women Runners (IAWR) and Running Coach to Women Over 40.

Our objective is to exponentially increase the number of women that are positively transformed through reaching their goals for running and racing. Please check out the IAWR website at www.iawr-connect.com

Our resources for women runners include:

The only weekly newsletter for specifically for women runners over 40
Personalized Coaching Programs
The “Injury-Free Running For Women Over 40” ebook

I thought you may be interested in an interview we conducted with Nancy Clark, sports nutritionist, author and runner. The interview is titled “Women, Weight and Running: Myth, Truth and Gender Differences.” (Does this mean I need to lose weight?)

Here’s the link to the mp3 audio recording of the Nancy Clark interview:

http://www.iawr-connect.com/audio/NancyClark_113010.mp3
To download: Right-click (Command+click on a Mac) and choose “Save Target As”

I have Nancy’s permission to distribute the interview. I hope you find the interview informative.

Let’s keep in touch.

*****************************************************************************

Regards and Happy Running

Bennett Cohen
President
International Association of Women Runners
Running Coach to Women Over 40

Anyway, I looked over his site. And it is very informative. There is a lot of useful information (beyond books & coaching programs.). So if you are over 40 (or even if you are not), take a look.

Happy Running! Are you familiar with this site? Do have another site to share?

August 1, 2013 by Darlene

July – Gettin Better All the Time…

I usually hate to rush the summer. But this year, the faster the time goes, the sooner I am running & racing again!!

July Goals:

Continue to heal the broken foot – YES but this is really out of my control.
Follow doctor’s orders and don’t overdo – YES for the most part.
Ditch the crutches – YES but I really did this last month.
Wear 2 of the same shoes – YES!

wore 2 running shoes all month

even wore sandals

Walk – Yes, started with the treadmill, then the track, then the road…

Bike – YES, started with the stationary bike and then ended with a regular bike
Run a little (yes, I am being optimistic) – YES, 1 mile, then 2 miles, then 3 miles… 🙂