November 16, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a short walk at work and then after work, went to my 8th Troy Turkey Trot training group run. We met at our new meeting spot, the State Office Campus. Stan subbed for Patrick as our coach so I was able to skip the speed drills (8 1 minute sprints).

actually intervals at State Office Campus – 3 miles

Tuesday – Just a normal work day with a lunchtime walk (before the rain) and played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – Today I had the day off from work. My STEM run with Kelly got cancelled because she was off from work and could run with the group (so she didn’t need me.) I almost ran a 5k race but the rain saved me from this insanity. So I waited for the rain to stop and ran by myself, did some errands and went to a yoga class. Yes, yoga for the first time in almost a year!!!

damp and dreary and NO leaves on the trees 😦

loved it and bought a 5 class pass so I will be motivated to go again.

Thursday – Had a busy work day but walked in the rain during lunch (to get some Starbucks 🙂 ) and ran 3 miles after work on the treadmill. UGH!!

hated it!!

Friday – Rest day so only a walk at work and then an evening of mah jongg.

Saturday – I got up early to do my long run. It was cold, sleeting at times, windy…awful weather. I ran 5 miles by myself and then met Judy for 6 more miles. It was so nice to have company to make the miles less painful and the weather more bearable.

Sunday – The hubby & I took the bus to NYC. We walked the High Line (cuz he had never been) and then had lunch in Chelsea at an Italian restaurant. Walked back to 42nd St and saw Lord of the Dance – fabulous!!!

More details on the weekend in tomorrow’s post.

20.6 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (2 weeks until Half Marathon)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run with my STEM client (her last one before the race on Saturday), hair appt.
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 8 more miles.
Sunday – REST

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

November 9, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a short walk at work and then after work, went to my 7th Troy Turkey Trot training group run. We changed our meeting spot from hilly Prospect to the State Office Campus because it was getting too dark to run in the park. But only 3 people showed up for my group. Nowhere to hide, my coach made me run fast (so fast, I almost puked LOL). I cooled down with a walk around the mall with my BFF.

4 intervals of 4 min fast X 2 min jog- at the State Office Campus so no hills

Tuesday – Just a normal work day with a lunchtime walk and since I wasn’t schedule for my usual tennis after work, I did a nice easy 3 mile run. Had to take advantage of this nice weather (70 degrees in Nov?)

soo dark!

Wednesday – The weather has been so nice. I took a walk during work and after work, I ran 3 miles with my STEM client. We ran at UAlbany this week since there were no lights at our other location. It was so warm that I ran in a tee shirt!!

at UAlbany

Thursday – Had a busy work day but sneaked out at lunch for a 3 mile run. It was supposed to be a rest day but it was so warm that I had to do it. After work, I went to visit a friend that I haven’t seen in a while.

Friday – After 4 days in a row of running, I decided to take 2 days off. Besides, there was rain in the forecast. But between the raindrops, the sun came out and I took a Starbucks walk. I spent the evening playing maj jongg.

Saturday – I got up early to proctor the MPREs at work. Afterwards, I drove to pickup my race packet for the Stockade-athon. Frank Shorter was there and it was a thrill to meet him. The rest of the day was filled with errands and carb loading.

Sunday – I ran the Stockadeathon 15K race. It was my 2nd time running the new course. It was fun since I knew a lot of runners there. And I got a PR – so surprised!! That evening, we celebrated our 7th year of mah jongg with an anniversary dinner.

1:31:35 = 15K PR 🙂

mah jongg ladies minus 3

22.4 miles done with 5 runs and 2 rest days.

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF. 3 mile run with my STEM client
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 10 – 11 mile run
Sunday – day in NYC (with the hubby to see Lord of the Dance on Broadway)

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

November 8, 2015 by Darlene

Stockade-athon 15K Race Recap

This is my fourth time running this 15k race. In 2011, my first time, I finished in 1:36:08. I was injured in 2012 and then I ran it in 2013 and finished with a disappointing 142:22.

fake happy

With over 2000 runners in this race, they were forced to make some changes to the course last year.

It no longer starts and ends in Central Park. It also starts earlier – 8:30 am

This is a description of the new course:

It starts near Veterans Park in downtown Schenectady. The course travels west on State Street for 1K before entering the historic Stockade District and proceeding on a scenic bike path in Riverside Park along the Mohawk River. The course exits the Stockade District via Front Street after crossing Erie Blvd. The course then proceeds east on Nott Street past Union College before entering the historic GE Plot residential neighborhood via Lenox Ave, Douglas Rd and Rugby Rd. The course exits Rugby Road and proceeds north on Waverly Place near the 5K mark. The course turns east off Waverly and follows Grand Blvd to the city boundary with Niskayuna, then proceeds south on Dean Street to Central Parkway past 8k. After a 1K residential loop on Central Parkway, the course enters beautiful Central Park and follows a bike path around Iroquois Lake and Duck Pond before reaching its highest elevation near 12K. The final 3k is mostly downhill or flat as the course exits Central Park and proceeds west through historic Vale Cemetery and Vale Park before a final downhill section on Franklin Street to the finish at City Hall.

Well, I loved the new course and finished the race with a new PR – 1:33:23

This year, they decided to stay with the same course. YAY!

However, there has been a big difference in the my training – slower (long) runs due to a half marathon in October and an upcoming one in December.

So I didn’t expect to PR but just wanted a decent long run (and not get INJURED!!)

To save time, I picked up my race packet on Saturday at Fleet Feet in Albany.

I met Frank Shorter there and he was soooo nice!

a cotton shirt (ugh!) but I got my bib signed (as a good luck charm)

As usual, I didn’t sleep much the night before the race. I had decided what to wear but still wasn’t sure about how cold it would be. It was in the 30s when I got up and it was forecast to warm up to the high 40s. I hate this time of year. But at least there was a bag check and I could bring extra clothes for after.

Even though, I went last year, I still left extra early not knowing where exactly to park. I got there around 7:15 am and found a spot on the street a few blocks from the start of the race.

I walked to the YMCA to use the restroom and check my extra clothes. There I bumped into a few familiar faces. I also met someone new (Linda, a 70 yr old) and we spent a lot of time chatting.

I used the restroom right away and was glad that I did since the line got very very long later on. It was so nice to have some place to stay warm before the race. They even had water, coffee, donuts, fruit, etc. I didn’t eat anything since I ate breakfast before I left but did take a GU.

Soon, it was time for Linda & I to walk a few blocks and head to the starting line.

The course map:

stockade-athon

As with any big race, it was very slow going at first.

from Daily Gazette

As the map above shows, we headed west along the Mohawk River into the Stockade section of town.

photo by David Giacalone

After the bike path and the Stockade area, we ran past Union College and around various residential neighborhoods.

photo by David Giacalone

I knew a lot a runners in this race. They kept catching up to me, we’d chat and then they would go on ahead. That was ok with me. I was determined to run at my own pace and have a pain-free race.

I was trying to keep my pace under 10 but at this point I was starting to slow down. The hills were relentless. I remember last year being able to run up them. Not this year but I gave myself permission to walk if I needed to.

And I was HOT!! Yes, with the sun out, I was dying but there was nothing I could do. There were times, I felt nauseated due to being overdressed.

10479095_10204157647595890_3881613154386506276_o

Around mile 6, we entered Central Park with its rolling hills, lake, and pretty foliage.

photo by David Giacalone

I had at this point walked through both water stops and a few other times (including one long bout to take a GU).

I wasn’t concerned about my time but when I crossed the 10k mark at 1:00:xx, those PR thoughts came into my head. I tried to think about something else because I knew what was coming.

Between mile 7 and 8 is where the BIG hills were. I walked up the first one. Then I decided to run up the second because it was the last one. It was so steep that when I got to the top, my legs were jelly and I could hardly run.

At least the hills were over and I got a second wind. We proceeded to run through the cemetery and then through a park before heading DOWNHILL to the finish line at city hall.

Stockadeathon-1047

Stockadeathon-1049 unedited

Of course, the wind picked up and we were running INTO the run!!

stock7

Stockadeathon 15k

But when I saw the clock in the distance, I ran as fast as I could.

I finished at 1:31:35!!

Yes, a PR by almost 2 minutes …without even trying!

10 of 20 in my AG 1st 5k=29:44; 2nd 5k=31:02; 3rd 5K =30:56

I was happy with the results. There was no chance of an age group award. All the speedy old ladies run this race.

I really liked this course. It was so varied that it also took your mind off the hills. With the large number of runners, I felt like I was always running with others and it kept me going.

Yes, it was hilly. The first half had a lot more hills but they were manageable. The second half had fewer hills but they were steeper.

The best part of the race was that NOTHING HURT!! Not my feet, not my back…nada. I didn’t put it all out there and I just enjoyed myself.

This was a confidence booster for me. When I was done, I felt like I could still run more…

I waited around to see Judy finish.

As I was waiting, someone came over and said “I like your skirt.”

love the wind blown hair!

She was a SkirtSports ambassador too! She has since emailed me and maybe we will see each other again.

Then Judy & I walked to the YMCA. I changed into warmer clothes and then went to Proctors to get something to eat. There was vegetable soup, pizza, bagels, cider donuts, fruit, chocolate milk, yogurt, and lots more.

Then I wandered over to the indoors Farmers Market — 2 floors of local baked goods, fruits, vegetables. I just sampled the food and walked around.

I stayed around for the awards since Linda was probably getting one (there were 20 in my AG and only 1 in hers).

she was last but has such a great attitude (photo by David Giacalone)

I will definitely add this race to my must-do list. It was very well organized and I was thrilled with my time. The hills slowed me down but next year, I’ll be ready for them…maybe gun for a sub 1:30.

Splits: (2014 – 2015)

mile 1 – 8:49 – 8:57
mile 2 – 9:29 – 9:36
mile 3 – 10:03 – 10:02
mile 4 – 10:04 – 9:59
mile 5 – 9:49 – 9:33
mile 6 – 10:30 – 10:16
mile 7 – 10:35 – 10:04
mile 8 – 10:58 – 10:21
mile 9 – 10:02 – 9:38
.4 – 8:26 – 8:14

The difference was starting slower which gave me more energy for the 2nd half.

and Frank signing my bib LOL.

Race Goals:

A: Finish under 1:35 – YES!! And a PR!!
B: All miles between 9 and 11 minutes. YES!
C: Finish happy and healthy. YES YES!

The day ended with a Chinese dinner with my Mah Jongg group to celebrate 7 years of playing together.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? If so, how did it go?

October 19, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 4th Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. But we varied the route this week to do 1 minute sprints so we only had to run the big hill twice.

my hubby went boating but I was working…this was the best view that I could find

Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk was postponed by rain until after work when the sun came out. Then I rushed to play 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – I squeezed in a run at work just in case my run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) after work was cancelled again. But it wasn’t and I got run/walk with Kelly for the first time. She was great and so fast for a beginner.

my reward

in Schuyler Flatts Park, Watervliet

Thursday – Decided to take an unplanned rest day. Had a busy work day but still got in a late walk to the park at lunch and then had a hair appointment after work.

Friday – Rest day 2. Another work day with a lunchtime walk and evening mah jongg games.

Saturday – Ran a COLD 10K race in Saratoga State Park – slower than last year but won an Age Group award.

59:19 – 3rd place AG sward

Sunday – Spectated at an even colder Duathlon (for the 4th time.) I even saw my first snow flakes.

AJH won her age group too!

While AJH was riding 16 miles for the bike portion of the race, I ran the 2 mile section in my winter running gear: wool hat, turtleneck, jacket, capris, compression socks and GLOVES!

15 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (6 weeks until Half Marathon)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with my BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 mile run before or during work, 2 mile volunteer walk/run with STEM group, 4 mile run after work with Judy
Thursday – 4 mile run after work with Judy, 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – ~~early 7 mile run, Ellms family face with my mentee and sons~~, college reunion and walk across the Walkway Bridge and on the bike path
Sunday – ~~college reunion and walk across the Walkway Bridge and on the bike path~~, early 7 mile run, Ellms family farm with my mentee and sons

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

October 12, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 3rd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. But we varied the route this week to do 1 minute sprints so we only had to run the big hill twice. Afterwards, I met my BFF to walk around the mall and to catch up on our busy lives.

found ONE tree with color

Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk to the park was nice. Then 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

waiting for some fall colors in the park

Wednesday – I squeezed in a walk at work. I was planning to run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) after work but the client cancelled again 😦 . Instead, I ran on my own (my last one before the race.

no more flowers in the park 😦

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then rushed home to pack. (The iffy weather is making me crazy.)

Friday – I took the day off from work and headed by bus to NYC. I took the subway to Brooklyn Bridge and walked over it to Brooklyn, took bus & dropped off my bag at the apartment where I was staying and then took another subway to the expo. After the expo, I took a subway to Prospect Park before I called it a day.

lots of walking (carrying my bag) but it was worth it

at the expo (which was one of the worst I’ve attended)

nice day for a run in the park

Saturday – Half Marathon #15 is in the books! Unfortunately an inaugural race has lots of snafus and so did this one. My race didn’t go as planned since around mile 9, my lower back started to hurt so much that I thought of quitting at mile 12 (but I didn’t.) After the race, I spent a relaxing afternoon at Coney Island before heading home.

2:25:47 – not expecting a PR but was on track to finish under 2:15 until mile 10.

just beautiful

Sunday – Recovery day spent on Lake George, where else?

our last day until next summer 😦

21 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.

This Week:

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 10K race
Sunday – rest

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

September 21, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It almost felt like Fall. Went for a windy 3.5 miles after work and then met my BFF to walk around the mall (over 15,000 steps on my newly acquired Fitbit)

Tuesday – Temps were warming back up. Went for a walk to the park at lunch. Played tennis after work for 1 1/2 hours indoors.

still lots of flowers in the park ❤

Wednesday – Knowing it was going to be warm again, I decided to run before work. I was tired from going to bed too late the night before but managed 3 miles in the neighborhood. It was even kinda chilly.

In the afternoon, I went for another walk to the park.

feeling more like summer than fall

Thursday – More warm weather predicted for the afternoon (mid 80s for Sept??) got me out of bed early for another before work run. This time for 4 miles. I took a new route but there was so much traffic that it wasn’t a good choice for this time of day.

so foggy

Took of advantage of the sunshine and warm temps for a walk in the park. Those flowers will eventually be replaced by snow.

Friday -Just a normal work day. My Fitbit (and the weather) has succeeded in getting me out of my chair with a walk to the park.

Saturday – I was really torn on what to do today. I ended up getting up early and running 11.5 miles. Judy was nice enough to accompany me. Then since the boating season is winding down, I drove up to spend one more day on the lake with my hubby. Afterward I headed up to Schroon River to spend time with my mah jongg friends. (Unfortunately, there was no water at the house so they headed home and I headed back to the lake.)

best long run of this training session!!

Sunday – Spent the day on Lake George with friends. Starting to feel like fall… sad to see the summer go!!

22 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 3 weeks away!!! Getting excited!

This Week: (Week #10 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (first run with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – rest, tennis after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run after work (first time mentoring the STEM -survivors of domestic violence group)
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, DAY OFF from work
Saturday – 10K race + more miles
Sunday – rest, boating

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

September 17, 2015 by Darlene

Think Out Loud Thursdays: Weekend Plans

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

How can I fit it all in this weekend?

My friends have scheduled a Mah Jongg weekend at a house on Schroon River.

Unexpectedly, we have summer weather in mid-September.

So boating season continues. It’s so short and the winter so long that I really want to be out on the lake one last time.

And then there’s half marathon training…3 weeks to go before my race.

I was planning to run 11-12 miles….

I even considered running a local half marathon on Sunday but quickly decided that it was stupid to spend $65 for the company of other runners (and there was also a chance of rain on Sunday.)

So what am I going to do?

All three!!!

Get up early on Saturday and do my long run.
Drive up to the lake and spend the day on our boat.
Afterwards, head up to Schroon River and join the ladies for mah jongg.
Spend Sunday with the mah jongg ladies.

Yup, it should be a busy, fun weekend!

last year’s Sunday group

Happy Running! What are you thinking about this Thursday?

August 21, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Years from Now

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is 5 Years From Now

This may be kinda boring because hopefully there will not be any changes in my life in 5 years (as long as I remain healthy).

Working at the same job – I am too old to change careers. I would like to afford to be retired but I doubt I will be able be.

2. Tennis – I love my friends and enjoy playing this sport on a limited basis. I won’t be playing seriously on a team but I plan to plan socially with my friends at least once a week.

and continue our annual tennis vacations.

3. Weekly mah jongg games

I play with a great bunch of women and I love the game.

4. Boating in the summer on the weekends

hanging out in the bays or on the islands.

5. Running and racing

I hope to be still running the occasional half marathon.

I hope to continue winning awards in my new age group.

If I lose my mind and someone trains with me, I may have run a full marathon…but that’s not in the plan!!

I don’t think I have any of these …

Happy Running? What about you? Any changes planned in the next 5 years?

August 17, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was a rest day. Nothing exciting except for work and getting my nails done after work.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but it was pouring. Then I was going to run during lunch…still raining. Tennis was cancelled after work so I had no excuses. I tortured myself with 3 miles on the treadmill. Torture because it was so hot and I left my iPad home…no TV to pass the time.

Wednesday – No rain today and cooler temps so I went to the Crossings for an easy 4 mile run. My friend’s daughter was working at a nearby ice cream shop so I had to run by and buy a milkshake and then run back (which added an extra mile).

Thursday – Another rest day. Just work and met my BFF at the mall for a walk after work.

Friday – I went into work late today. I had a busy weekend planned and I wanted to get miles done in case I didn’t have time to run during the weekend. I drove to the bike path and ran 8.75 slow miles. By slow, I mean that I stopped at Starbucks and stopped many times to take photos, read my email, check on FB, etc. At least I was outdoors and the weather was great.

Saturday – I got early today because I had to proctor the MPREs at work. Afterward, we met some friends and drove to the Xfinity Center in MA to see Huey Lewis and the News and JIMMY BUFFET!! I am a proud “Parrothead.” It was a blast!

Sunday – after getting home at 2:30 am, we still got up early to head to the lake. I relaxed with some reading, hiking and dinner out.

16.75 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running.

This Week: (Week #5 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run before work, gym after
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – 3 mile run before work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 mile run, weekend at Schroon River with my tennis BFFs
Sunday – rest, tennis

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

August 7, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: A Day in the Life

This week, the theme is A Day in the Life.

Here’s 5 things that happen in my life on a typical Friday:

Social Networking on my iPad

I start every day with the Today show, breakfast and reading e-mail, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin on my iPad. I get up extra early to fit it in.

2. One Minute Plank

I sometimes (when I remember) do my plank on the bathroom floor when I am waiting for my shower to heat up.

3. Work

Not the highlight of my day but it is essential – it pays the bills and pays for my races. I work in IT at a law school and help staff and faculty with technology. In other words, I spend a lot of time on the computer.

4. Walking & Running

Yes, I am sitting most of the day. When the weather is nice, I try to force myself to go for a walk…usually to the park.

Usually three times a week, I run after work. If at all possible, I run outside.

5. Mah Jongg & Reading

Every Friday night from 7-11 pm, I play Mah Jongg with a great bunch of women. If everyone showed, we’d have 12 – 3 tables but usually we have only 8 and during the winter, sometimes it’s only 4.

our 6th anniversary dinner

We play, eat, drink and chat… so much fun and “brain” exercise, too.

I cannot fall asleep at night without reading. No matter how late, I go to bed, I read. Sometimes it’s just a few pages and sometimes I read for hours.

So that’s my typical Friday.

Happy Running! What do you do on a typical day?