mentoring

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Tuesday Tidbits – Mostly Good (and Some Bad)

Back at work after a 3- day weekend. 

Here’s a bulleted update of the weekend’s  GOOD stuff:

  • Friday & Saturday, I walked with one crutch with the boot. 
  • I went to a birthday party for a good friend Friday night.
  • Saturday I drove myself to my hair appt and then bought socks at Olympia Sports (had a $10 gift card to use)
  • Saturday night we went to the movies – If you haven’t seen Hugo, you must! It was 3D, took place in Paris and had a lot of messages in the story. Go see it!

    Love this view from the train station!

  • Sunday am, the hubby & I went wheelchair grocery shopping – not fun but necessary
  • Sunday afternoon, I got in my car and just drove (It was a beautiful sunny day and you know what I wanted to be doing) and ended up in Bolton Landing. I couldn’t do much when I got there so I sat on the beach and then had a root beer float which made me feel better for the moment.

Can you believe that it is 40 degrees in February?

 
 
  • Monday, my hubby went to work so I had the whole day to myself (and you know what I wanted to be doing).  But I did some knitting and cooking and cleaning.

    my lst sock so far but I haven't got to the hard part.

  • Monday afternoon I went to see my mentee Amandaand we went out to iHOP for lunch (did not eat healthy!).  We chatted for seveal hours catching up.

    Amanda & Matthew (who is almost 5 mos)

  • Last night, I had to listen to a webinar as part on my training to work at the NYS Bar Exam next week.

Now the Bad:

My independence got the best of me.  I walked on my boot Friday & Saturday.  By the end of the movie Sat nite, not having my foot elevated all day made so swollen that I could no longer put weight on it.  It was painful all day Sunday & Monday. Not fun at all.

I was planning on stopping at the outlets in Lake George on Sunday but I couldn’t walk with one crutch 😦  So sad.

Last night I woke up with my ankle throbbing!  Ouch!

Today, I drove myself to work and it feels much better. 

Back to baby steps! 

I am keeping my leg elevated when I can and I am using my crutch for support. This walking thing is harder than I thought.

Tomorrow I start PT…pretty scary trying to fit my FAT ankle into some kind of sneaker…

Happy Running! Did you enjoy your long weekend?

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A Recovery Run

getting ready to test the "knee"

Normally you go on a recovery run after a long run.  I decided to do one after a fall.  I  had originally planned a long run today but instead, I went out to see if I still could run.

I decided to go to some place new – the Nisky Bike Trail.  It is similar to the Corning Trail but it is on the Mohawk River rather than the Hudson River.

there's a similiar sign on the Corning Trail

Don’t let the photo fool you, it was COLD!!! In the teens but at least it was sunny!  I added an extra layer to last night’s outfit and I was fine.  Only my face was cold.

near Lock 7

I actually like the Corning Trail better  – it is more scenic.  But this one is very peaceful and a safe (a better part of town) and cleaner (less goose poop).

the peaceful path

Before the “fall” I had wanted to run 8 miles since I ran 7 last weekend.  But I played it safe and ran 5 miles.  (3 last nite + 5 today = 8 anyway)

My knee was still bleeding from my road rash and my palm & elbow were also cut up but actually as far as running, I felt great.  I am so happy.  It could have been worse.  I am lucky!!

the Mohawk River

I had also planned today to take my mentee’s son out for his 5th birthday – McDonald’s and the Lights in the Park but his mom, Amanda was sick.  Instead I went Target (love love Target) and bought them gifts.  I hope to help them move next weekend and celebrate the holiday with them.

Amanda & Richard Xmas 2010

Happy Running! How’s your holiday shopping going?

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Mentoring & HM Goals

I’ve kinda been an absentee mentor.  I’ve been working, running or boating & have seen Amanda very infrequently since May.

So today I decided to take her & her 2 sons to Ellms Family Farm. We went there 2 years ago and had a lot of fun.

It was chillier than I would have liked.  Probably walking around a farm all day was not the besy way to rest but we had a good time.  There were a lot of fun things to do:  corn maze, zipline, rides, hayride…cider donuts, etc.

Can one have goals for a half marathon that is only a training run? Sure.

  • Finish.
  • Do not get injured.
  • Beat my last (untrained one) time of 2:45.
  • ENJOY it.

Happy Running! Enjoy this fall weekend!

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The Long Run That Almost Wasn’t

Five weeks to go!!

So yesterday was supposed to be a 10 miler!

I woke up with a headache and feeling nauseous.  It was also raining! I contemplated skipping my long run.  I ran an emotional race on Saturday.  Maybe that was enough.

So I hung out on the couch and watch some Tivoed shows.

Then the rain stopped and though it was cloudy and rain predicted for the whole day, the sky brightened.

I put on my running clothes and dragged myself out the door.  I decided that if I still felt bad, I would only do 6 miles.  4 Saturday + 6 Sunday = a weekend 10 mile long run, right?

I wanted to run some place scenic like the trail along the Mohawk or the Hudson Rivers but I was  afraid to waste time with the impending rain.

So instead I ran in town along Delaware Ave.

Believe it or not, the sun came and it turned out to be a nice day.

The more I ran, the better I felt and decided to do the 10 miles. 

I ran down the main street – nothing scenic at all… some stores but they were closed…and then hit the Rail Trail.

Eventually, it will be about 9 miles and lead from Albany to Voorheesville.  Now it is only 2 miles.  I ran it once before.  It’s kinda rocky and hard to run on. 

I ran it yesterday for a bit but not the whole thing since it was very muddy.

My reward at the end of my run was a cupcake, pumpkin with cream cheese frosting, at my favorite local shop (Maybe that’s why I chose this street!!!)

I was hoping to be faster than last Sunday but I still don’t have the stamina.  I run and when I get tired, I walk.  I felt like I walked less (about once a mile) but my running pace was slower. (I always run faster with people around me to motivate me.) I finished the 10 mile run at 2:02 (lst half 00:59, 2nd half 0:63).

I ended the day with a visit to my favorite 3 people:

my mentee, Amanda & 6 wk old Matthew

Amanda's son Richard, almost 5

 and then a stop at Target…I couldn’t resist – pumpkin pop tarts, pumpkin coffee, running tights, running pants, running bra 🙂

And then the rain came….

Happy Running! Have a great week!

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Parties, Running and a New Baby

An unexpected four day weekend…I’m finally back at work and rested!

It started Friday.  I took the day off because our marina was having its annual customer appreciation party.  I got there late because I had a dr’s appt to get measured for orthotics.  It was a good thing because I missed the rain! I didn’t miss all the food!!!!!

We then went to celebrate a friend’s birthday and ended the evening with a walk to the Sagamore (& an expensive drink) to admire the view.

at the Sagamore

The next morning I went for my usual run around the Sagamore.  This time I took my camera.  Here are some of the highlights:

at Veteran's Park

beach at Veteran's park

Buggy ride anyone?

some flowers in front of the hotel

 
I ran about 5 miles – the same slow pace – still discomfort and the scenery makes it worth the pain.
 
Then we went out on our boat.  For the first time this summer, we didn’t get an island site.  We rafted with our friends on Log Bay, swam and had lunch.
 

meatballs & sausage lunch in the water

When we got back to shore, we headed to another party – this time another friend’s marina party where there was lots of food, drink & music.

dancing away to the music of Rich Ortiz

 
While at the party, we decided to go out later for a moonlight cruise.  Our friends picked us up at our marina and we decided to dock at the Sagamore (not sure if this was allowed but we did it anyway.)
 

Sagamore at night

group photo in the lobby

 We hung out for while outdoors looking at the stars, etc.

Sunday morning, I wanted to go for a run but I knew that I better not risk it so I went for a swim at the beach next to our marina.

Rogers Beach

We spent the rest of the day waiting for the rain (which didn’t come til 5 pm) and celebrating our friends’ anniversary with special bbq.

cheers to 29 years!

Yum..steak...

grilled smores for dessert

finally rain

Monday I went out for my before work run – it was nice and cool – just perfect but I only had time for 3 miles.  When I got home…guess what?  My mentee, Amanda texted me that she was in labor!!!!

Off to the hospital I sped and I got to be there for the WHOLE thing!!!  She did it all without any medication!!!  And he’s gorgeous!! (I mean the baby is…)

Amanda & baby Matthew

just love him!!
 

Now back to the normal routine…

 
Happy Running!
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New Week & Ignoring My Injury

Update from Last Week:

My goal was 12  miles and I  ran  for a total of 11 miles. (Heel still hurts so ran/walked most of my miles)
No Races  
No Tennis 
I  did yoga once.

The Weekend:

We spent Sat & Sun on Lake George.  We slept on our boat at the marina in Bolton Landing.

relaxing on the island with friends Sat.

During the day, we were on Commission Point.

playing mah jongg Sat eve.

7 of my Mah Jongg friends were staying for the weekend on Schroon River.  This is only 15 minutes from where our boat is docked.  I snuck away for a few games.

Running 5 miles around the Sagamore grounds Sun am.

I didn’t run Wed, Thurs, Fri or Sat. 

They say: No Pain. No gain! Sun. morning was too beautiful not to run.  And even in pain, I felt better than sitting around.  My heel is the same – just a nuisance pain which I can run on but don’t want to push it until I get the diagnosis.

swimming in the lake on Sun.

playing "Washers" on the island on Sun.

A great weekend all around.  And I discovered a new soft ice cream place in Warrensburg!! (which is on our way home and near the GU where you can rent a move for #=$1)

This week’s schedule:

Tues – baby shower
Wed- yoga
Thurs – mall w/bf
Fri – ultrasound on my heel, mah jongg after work
Sat & Sun – boating on Lake George

This week’s running:
(This is tentative, of course, depending on the condition of my heel)

Mon –  3  mi  – after work
Wed – 3  mi  – before Yoga
Thurs – 4 mi – after work
Sun – 6 mi in Bolton Landing
 
Week Running Goal =  16 miles 
July Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race or 2

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

 Happy Running!

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Mother’s Day 5k Race Report

This is the 4th year that I have run this race.  That’s the most for any race!!! It is near my house and they give out great gifts!! It is a flat course, too.

My times have steadily improved – 40:43, 37:40, 33:08… but before this year, it was a 3 1/2 mile race. 

After I registered, they changed it to a 5K.  That’s odd. So I didn’t know how they changed the course. 

I was looking forward to this race since I know several women from the running group who were planning to run as well as my tennis friends.

Felice, Amanda & me after the race in 2010

with my tennis friends after the race in 2008

You can see from the photos that sometimes the weather is cold (2010) and sometimes it is hot (2008).

This year, the weather was beautiful – not too hot and not too cold!!

My goal was to beat my time from last week which was 29:45!!

My hubby dropped me off and went to visit his mom.  Iimmediately I bumped into my 2 tennis friends & snapped a pre-race pic.

me, Mary Pat & Pat

Then I found my running/blogging friends and took another pic.

Bridget, me, Felice, Amanda & Tami

Finally I found my running buddy, Mary and we headed to the start.

This was a flat course and the weather was perfect so this was my chance to have a great race. I decided to listen to Felice & just go for it the first mile and not worry about crashing & burning.

So I did.  My first mile was 8:49 and that’s with stopping to tie my shoe (yes, I do double knot them!!!)

They called out my time as 7:07 and at that point I was wondering if the course was correct…

looking strong

I slowed downed my 2nd mile & stopped for water so it was 9:04 which is still fast for me.

Still going...

I was ahead of Amanda & Bridget until the shoe lace incident and then was behind them for a long while. 

I passed them during mile 3 when I decided to pick up the pace and this mile was at 7:57.

Here we come!

According to my Garmin, I crossed at 25:51 but the clock said 25:54.

The problem is that it was NOT a 5K, the course was short – only 3 miles!!! (Now they’re saying 2.9 😦  )

Boo! Hiss!! Do I still get a PR??? My fastest 5k before this was also in Delmar – 27:30.

I am thrilled!! In my book, it’s a PR!!

Everyone else did great!! Especially Felice who came in 5th overall!! Amanda & Bridget PRed too.  Mary returning from injury finished 5 minutes faster than last week.

Bridget & Felice after the race

MaryPat & Pat after

After the race, I rushed off to pick up my mentee, Amanda & her son.  I really wanted to spend time with them today (since I don’t have kids of my own.)

 
We spent the rest of the afternoon in Washington Park for the Tulip Fest – admiring the flowers, playing on the rides, riding a pony, petting the goats, etc.
 

When I got home, my hubby & I went out for a light dinner & a drink to celebrate my birthday (with work & tennis tomorrow, no time!)

What a busy day!  I loved it all!

Happy Running! Happy Mother’s Day all!

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The Happy Runner’s Virtual Half Marathon

In honor of Amanda, Suzy, Felice, Janis & Bridget’s Half Marathon race in Queens, NY yesterday, I completed this virtual one.  Yesterday, I ran 2.1 miles. It was sunny and windy.  I was hoping that today would be calmer and beside I had plans.

I spent the afternoon with my mentee, Amanda and her 4 yr old son, Richard (She is having another boy on Aug 20.). First we went to the park to see the ducks, geese and goldfish but it was too windy to play on the playground.  Instead we went to the mall where they were having their annual  “Journey Through the Body” activities for kids.

After playing in the mall playground, we ended by having ice cream.  We shivered but it was worth it.

Today was my scheduled long run of 11 miles. It was sunny again but even windier than yesterday.

flag blowing in the wind

I overdressed because it was so breezy with gloves & a windbreaker.

before my run

with Slater, one of my cats

This was a run of firsts:

  • wearing my new Spi Belt (to carry water & GU)
  • wearing Reebok sneakers (that I got for free last summer)
  • a new route  – down the bypass, past the high school, down Delaware Ave, to the golf course and back)

The wind was brutal at first since I was running into it and it was hard to move forward.  After 3 miles, it got better since I turned right but then I got very WARM.  I stopped to take off the jacket & gloves.  Even my legs were warm – I wish I had worn  shorts or capris.

Interesting sightings:

  • a hawk (2 men pointed it out)
  • a hearse
  • someone running around the HS track (Tempted? Nope)
  • 2 runners (wearing the Albany Last Run orange jacket)
  • several joggers (could be runners)
  • several bikers
  • boys playing baseball

Around 7 miles into the run, I got tired.  My legs felt like lead.  I started to slow down.  I took walk breaks…this is always when I start to doubt my ability to run a half marathon. I took another Gu but it didn’t help.

I did finish strong.  But it wasn’t a very good run.

Done!

Positives – I love this new running route.  I will take it again for the next and last long run – 12 miles (YIKES!!) The spi belt didn’t move around though if you put a lot in, you feel pregnant.  I guess if looks better than bulging pockets. The front sides of my feet (where they always hurt) didn’t hurt at all with these cheap Reeboks(???)

So here’s the stats on my virtual (2 day) Half Marathon:

2.1 – 19.37
11 – 2:07:40
13.1 – 2:27:17

I still burned a lot of calories so my hubby took me to get this:

Coffee & Cream

at the Jericho Drive-in which incidentally is only 3.1 miles from my house… (I see a 10k run in my future!!)

By the way, Suzy, Amanda, Felice, Bridget and Janis all ROCKED their Half Marathon in Queens yesterday 🙂


Bridget, Felice, Amanda, Suzy, Janis

Happy Running!

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Why Not Have Some FrUN?

Today is the Albany Running Exchange’s second annual Group FRUN Day! In 2010, members of the ARE held 64 events that day! In fact,  the city of Albany passed a resolution marking a date as “FRUN DAY” in the city of Albany.

I really wanted to do this!! There was even a group running at the Crossings at my speed.

But sometimes life gets in the way.

I had played tennis or ran 13 days in a row!!!

I needed a REST day!!!!

So I did laundry, cleaned out some more closets, went out to breakfast with my hubby.

Then I spent the afternoon with Amanda, my mentee, and her 4 yr old son Richard.  We went to the Crossings so he could play on the playground.

It was cool but sunny. I had to go to the mall and buy Richard a toy in order to get him to leave the park.  Then we went to Kurver for ice cream.

When I got home, I immediately left with my hubby to go see Lord of the Dance 3D.

Michael Flatley is amazing.  He is almost 53 years old!!!! Hooray for us”older” folks still in good shape and keeping up with the kids!!  We’ve seen the show many times and it is still better to see the performance live on the stage than in a movie.

Afterwards we went out to eat – PIZZA!!!!!!! I had fig, goat cheese & broccoli pizza.  My hubby had pepperoni!! This explains perfectly our eating preferences…

That was my REST day – no tennis, no running– just family time!!

Tomorrow is my first USTA tennis match and at least a 10 mile run!!

Happy Running! Good Luck Ellen!

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R.I.P. Little Plane

at the airport in Mechanicville, NY

It’s been a tough winter!  And it just got tougher!  My hubby’s plane got destroyed.  The snow & ice on top of the hangar got to be too much and it collapsed and crushed the plane…no insurance either 😦

We got it 12 years ago and until we started boating on Lake George we used it a lot!  And had a lot of fun!

landing on Lake Champlain

on Saratoga Lake

flying over the Hudson River

So it could be worse as my hubby said: “It could have been destroyed while I was flying in it!” But I know he is feeling a lot of pain.

While he went to his mother’s who consoled him with eggplant parm, I went out for a long run.

It was my first since the half marathon – 7.25 miles!! The weather warmed up a little – 25 degrees (but felt colder when the breeze picked up.)  I followed my long run route but couldn’t run on the sidewalks (since no one shovels) and had to stop repeatedly when the road got too narrow & cars were coming at me.  I discovered a hilly detour around a park & golf course which was pretty.

I can’t say it was painless.  My feet continue to start to hurt after 5 miles (first left then right) and I even got my first blister ever. 

Then I spent my pre-Valentine’s Day evening with my mentee – dinner & a movie – it was nice to hang out together.

Happy Running & Happy Valentine’s Day!