December 11, 2014 by Darlene

Year of Running 2014

It’s that time again–time to look back at how my year of running has gone. Miss Zippy has posted this the past three years and each year, the response has grown.

How you play along:

1. Grab her button

2. Answer the following questions

3. Add a Link at the bottom of her post.

Best race experience?

Well, with over 30 races this year, it is hard to pick one…so I won’t.

The Best Destination Race was the Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA. It was my first 10 miler but it was awesome because of the scenery and running with my good friend, Mary.

The Best Short Race was the Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K. This was a new race and it was also very scenic. I met Hollys who influenced me to join a training group. And I also won an apple pie for 1st in my AG. I loved the course so much that I ran 3 more miles there after the race.

5k - 28:56

The Best Long Race was the Adirondack Distance Run 10 Miler. I’ve wanted to run this race for several years but something always got in the way. It is very scenic (but hilly) and ends at the marina where we keep our boat so my hubby & boating friends were waiting for me at the finish line. And since it ends on the beach, you can soak your feet in the lake after the race.

Best run?

Actually my races are always more enjoyable than my runs but I have had a few enjoyable ones such as:

in Peebles State Park – I just discovered this area, the park has trails with views of the river & waterfalls. Nearby is a lock and there are many bridges to run over.

and

along the Schroon River – I have a tennis friend who owns a house in Chestertown and when we go up to play tennis, I love to go out and run. I have discovered many different routes in the area with views of the river and lakes.

and along the ocean in Florida – I love the ocean and the warm climate of Florida in the winter. I was fortunate to visit some friends and be able to run everyday to views of the ocean.

Best new piece of gear?

This a tough one also. It is either my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s because my feet don’t hurt and I have gotten a few PRs wearing them

Run for the Roc - September

Or a new running skirt that is very comfortable and have gotten many compliments on it.

it says RUN RUN RUN in different shades of purple

Best piece of running advice you received?

It was probably from my coach Patrick during our Turkey Trot Training Group runs. He kept telling to embrace the hills and repeat “I Love Hills.” I think it has made me into a stronger runner and now I try to run up the hills rather than whine & walk up them. He also instilled in us about the importance of speed drills. We did them once a week. I PRed at 4 distances so I guess they do work.

Most inspirational runner?

Back for a repeat performance is AJH from Age Groups Rock. She continues (at my age) to compete in triathlons (even after a disastrous experience in one.) I have watched her in a duathlon and she is one fierce biker.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Healthy. Successful.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer one or more of these questions in a comment.

November 13, 2014 by Darlene

A Defining Moment

As I train for my TENTH half marathon, I started to think about how my running has changed and when?

For several years, I ran 1-1 1/2 miles several times a week and then ran a 5K on the weekend. I didn’t own a Garmin but instead used a chip attached to my shoe that tracked my mileage to a Nike+ app on my iPod. It wasn’t accurate but I didn’t know it at the time and it didn’t matter. My goal in running was to break 30 minutes in a 5K and I was happy when I did. Being in my late 50s, I was faster than most in my age group so I was content. I didn’t like the cold weather so I didn’t run during the winter months and started back up in the spring each year. I wore shorts, cotton tops and never heard of compression socks.

100_0235

jailhouserock5k

Then came my Defining Moment on October 24, 2010. I was scheduled to run my FIRST 10K. I was nervous and almost changed my mind to run the 5K.

But I got a migraine and couldn’t run it. In fact, I wound up in the ER with blood pressure of 197/109. They & I feared that it would lead to a stroke. They did all kinds of tests and all were negative but it was very scary. At the time, I still played tennis a lot but as I lay in the hospital, I worried that I would be an invalid and that I could no longer run.

The next day, I signed up for my FIRST HALF MARATHON! I decided to stop being a wimp and go for it. Life is short and no one knows what the future will bring. So I decided to go from running 3.1 miles to 13.1 miles. Just like that.

I didn’t tell anyone. My friends would have thought I was nuts and I also thought that I may not be successful.

So I bought compression socks, a running skirt and a Garmin watch. And I did long runs on the weekends to train.

my first Half in Naples, Florida (1/16/11 – my wedding anniversary)

My First Half Marathon was great — the best day ever. And I haven’t looked back since.

10k

15K

10 miles

I have run 4 milers, 5 milers, 10 milers, 10Ks, 15Ks and 8 more half marathons.

I’m not sure if October 24, 2010 didn’t happen, I would have signed up for that first Half marathon????

I continue to run 5Ks and I love them but because of adding longer runs, I think my 5K times are faster. (I recently had a PR.)

Happy Running! Has your running changed? Have you had a “defining moment”?

November 1, 2014 by Darlene

October Recap

october-month-halloween

October Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES!

after work in the park

after work on the rail trail

Walk once a day while at work. Yes, most days.

in the morning around work

afternoon in the park

Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week. YES!

Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace. YES! Both!

Apple Run 5K – 27:47

Falling Leaves 5K – 27:46

Complete a 10K race. YES! and a PR!

Great Pumpkin Challenge – 58:28

Complete a 10 mile race. YES! and a PR!

1:38:45

Do long runs on the weekend. Yes, post races.

post race run on the towpath byway

post race

Run at least 75 miles. YES! 92.5! (The highest monthly miles since March!)

October 2014

Go to the gym twice a week. At least once a week.

Finish knitting hat #2. YES!

IMG_4256-0

Spend time with my mentee & her sons. YES!

What else?

I went to NYC with my tennis friends.

ate out and saw a show – Kinky Boots

I started volunteering with the STEM running group (Couch to 5K program for women who are victims of domestic violence)

I went to NYC for a Nice College Reunion.

I visited Grounds for Sculpture in NJ

I went bowling & out for pizza with my tennis friends.

november

Run 3-4 times each week.
Walk once a day while at work.
Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week.
Volunteer in the STEM training runs once a week.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace (if I run any.)
Complete a 10K race.
Complete a 15K race.
Do long runs on the weekend in preparation for half marathon #10
Run at least 80 miles
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Start knitting hat #3

Happy Running! How was your October? Anything special planned for November?

October 29, 2014 by Darlene

The Perfect 10 Miler race recap

10-26-14 in NJ

I had been excited about this race since last March.

I coordinated it with a visit to a college friend, Andrea, who lives in NJ.

I drove to her house on Friday. Then on Saturday, we took the ferry into NYC for a college reunion.

on the ferry

A group of 7 of us who spent our junior year abroad in Nice, France (41 years ago!!) met for brunch at a French restaurant (of course) and we chatted and chatted.

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the group outside the restaurant

Since this was a French brunch, there was no pasta on the menu so I had crepes instead. I also had creme brulee for dessert but neither seemed to be substantial enough.

After we left the restaurant, we walked around Washington Square Park and I bought a NYC pretzel (I had to carb load, right?)

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Then instead of taking the subway, we decided to walk to the High Line, walk it to end and then to the ferry. (Walking all afternoon the day before a race in uncomfortable shoes? What was I thinking???)

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I walked on the High Line last year but they have recently extended it.

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view from the High line

By the time we got back, the sun was setting.

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view on NJ from NYC

We decided to stop for pizza back in NJ (more carbs for me!!)

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our view of NYC from the restaurant in NJ

I paid extra to pick up my race packet on race day so I needed to leave earlier even earlier on Sunday.

I originally thought that my friend lived closer to the race than she did. According to Google, it would take anywhere between 1 h 5 min and 1 h 20 min. Since the race started at 8 am and I wanted to be there at 7 am, I had to leave around 5:15 am (ouch!)

With maybe 5000 runners, I was nervous about how long it would take me to into in the park and that the park would close at 7:15 am.

So of course, I couldn’t sleep at all.

I got up at 4:30 am and had my hot cereal and tea and headed out. At this hour, there was no traffic and thanks to my Garmin GPS, I had no problems finding Mercer County Park.

I arrived as one of the first cars in the parking lot.

I walked to the skating rink (still dark out!) and picked up my race packet. There were indoor restrooms (but NO toilet paper).

glad I got this photo – never saw them again – where are their speedos?

Then, I walked back to my car. I decided since there was a bag check and it was a long walk, I would get my clothes to change into for after the race.

At this point, the parking lot was filling up and there was a long line of traffic getting into the park. I was glad that I had arrived early.

I walked back to the rink, checked my bag and used the restroom. (There were single porta potties everywhere but the lines were LONG.)

Soon it was time to walk to the start (which was quite a long walk.) There were lots and lots of porta potties there …who knew?

started with my DIY arm warmers on

The weather was perfect for racing…in the 50s and sunny. It was breezy and it was supposed to get very windy later.

p10b

I lined up near the 9 min/mile pacer. I planned to stay there as long as I could.

p10c

It was very crowded at the start and I had a hard time moving. I weaved in and out through the crowd for quite a while.

As per my usual plan, I started out fast and walked through the water stops. I expected them at least every 2 miles but the first two weren’t until mile 2.5 and mile 5 and I regretted not carrying water… I was so thirsty. After that, the stops seemed to be every mile.

I was warm & ditched my cheap DIY arm warmers. It was warm enough to have worn a tank top but I was fine with what I wore.

Around mile 4, I took a Gu and then realized that I had lost my other Gu. No problem since they were giving out energy gels at one of the water stops later.

Luckily I grabbed some red licorice around mile 6 because I missed the gels around mile 8.

p10d

To sum up the race, my pace was decent for the first five miles. Then I developed blisters and they got more and more painful. As they got painful, I ran slower and walked more.

I never saw the 10 min/mi pacer which really surprised me.

The course was nice…you ran around the park and then around a college campus and back…nothing really scenic but not very hilly which made me happy.

perfect10map

The last mile seemed to go on forever. The wind had picked up and we were running into it.

p10e

I definitely didn’t have the energy to sprint like I usually do through the finish line but I was so glad to be done and take off my shoes!

p10a

I crossed at 1:38:45 (chip time).

As soon as you were done, you could go to a computer and check your time.

Then I limped to the food tent where they boasted of having “Healthy Clean Eats” …pretzels, grilled zucchini, peppers, asparagus and chicken.

I wanted a bagel, cookies or donuts and chocolate milk…wah! wah!

But I ate the pretzel and went to change my clothes. (There was supposed to be beer and mimosas but I didn’t see any.)

done with my not so perfect 10 miles

They gave out awards early. I didn’t need to stay, I was 8th in my age group. The winner ran a 7 min. miles!! At age 60!

Believe it or not, this was a PR for me (by almost 6 minutes)!! My previous 10 mile times were 1:44:39 and 1:49:55.

Race Stats:

finished 770 out of 1977
finished 8 out of 36 in my age group

Splits:

mile 1- 9:39
mile 2- 9:12
mile 3 -9:23
mile 4- 9:25
mile 5 – 10:16
mile 6 – 10:17
mile 7 – 10:27
mile 8 – 10:41
mile 9 – 10:27
mile 10 – 10:07

love the hoodie

I was happy with my time and I enjoyed racing but on the whole, the race was just so-so.

It seemed to be more hype than anything. Maybe it was because this was the first race that I have done alone…no friends or family running or watching…or that my feet hurt and I didn’t run well the second half.

When I was done, I met my friend at Grounds for Sculpture which was about 10 minutes away. We had lunch (crepes again) and walked the gardens for 5 hours (my poor footsies) looking at Seward Johnson‘s sculptures. It was wonderful.

I am wearing my race shirt.

The next day, I stopped off to visit a boating friend who also lives in NJ.

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still eating to recover from my race 🙂

I had a great time visiting my NJ friends, seeing my college friends, walking around NYC and Grounds for Sculpture and for the first time ever, my destination race was not the highlight of my weekend.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Ever run a race that didn’t meet your expectations?

October 27, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – 2 walks at work, chili cook off at work, 3 mile group run

AM walk

PM walk to walk off the chili

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

raining today

Wednesday – STEM group run + more (4 miles)

.5 miles, 1.5 group run/walk, 2 miles

Thursday – walk at work, 4 3 mile run on the TM (rain), mall walk with BFF

raining today

watched Nashville but it was still torture

Friday-OFF from work, rest, drive to NJ
Saturday – rest, ferry to NYC, reunion lunch in NYC, walking around Washington Square Park & the High Line

Sunday – 10 mile race! walking around Grounds for Statues

This Week: (Week 1 of HM training)

Monday – OFF from work, rest , visit to a boating friend on the way home, (4 mile group run if I get home in time)
Tuesday – walk at work, rest,gym
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run at lunch, bowling with tennis friends
Thursday – walk at work, hair appt
Friday-walk at work, STEM group run + (4 miles)
Saturday – proctor MPREs at work, rest, gym
Sunday – 8 mile run

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

October 23, 2014 by Darlene

My Big Fall Race

October 26, 2014

I have been excited about this race since last March. I ran the Love Run Half Marathon by CGI racing and it was very well organized. So I assumed that this would be a great race, as well and I signed up.

This flat (and fast) course winds you along the waterside, through the shaded woods to thousands of cheering spectators waiting at the boathouse. From rock bands to acapella groups you’ll enjoy every minute (okay maybe not every minute) of the course. Oh did we mention the “Bow Tie” Guys, handsome, bow tied men who lead you out and cheer you home.

bow ties

I also like the 10 mile distance. It is long so you have to train for it but just when you are ready to be done (the last 3.1 miles), you really are.

I coordinated it with a visit to a college friend, Andrea, who lives in NJ…

Andrea is on the left.

and bunch of friends with whom we spent our junior year abroad in Nice, France (41 years ago!!) . We plan to have lunch together in NYC the day before the race.

here we are together 3 years ago

That meant that I had to pay extra to be able to pick up my race packet on race day.

I also have plans for a visit to a boating friend’s for on the way down or back (most likely on the way back.)

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Dorothy is on my left (I am in green)

I originally thought that my college friend lived closer to the race than she did. Since the race starts at 8am and I want to be there by 7am, I will have to leave by 5:00am and get up at 4:00am (OUCH!) This is a big race with over 5000 runners and they recommend 45 min to get into the parking lot.

Oh, the things we runners do!!

The weather…

forecast

It looks like at this point it will be in the 50’s and windy.

I am still not sure what to wear. I am leaning toward a short sleeve shirt with a throw away shirt or DIY arm warmers. And of course, my usual skirt and compression socks and cap.

: from 2013 Freihofer’s race

: from runningskirts.com – love the pockets

: procompression’s sock of the month

: New Balance – wore them for my last 10 mile race

As I have mentioned in a previous post, all my 5k races have made it difficult to adequately train to run 10 miles.

But I will do my best.

Supposedly it is a flat course (Don’t they always say that?)

perfect10map

So here are my goals:

A. PR – beat 1:44:39
B. Beat my first 10 miler – 1:49:55
C. Finish under 2 hours
D. Have fun and finish healthy

Ready or not…bring it on!

Happy Running! Have you ever run a 10 mile race?

October 20, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – walk at work, 4 3.5 mile group run

AM walk

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

AM walk

Wednesday – walk at work, ~~3 mile run~~ ~~at lunch~~, STEM training mentor (1.5 miles) + 2.5 miles after

AM walk

Thursday – walk at work, 4 3 mile run, dinner out with friends

after work but didn’t run enough to work off what I ate for dinner (see below:)

Beef on a Kummelweck

salted caramel cream puff

Friday- 2 walks at work, rest, gym, ~~mah jongg~~

AM walk

PM walk

Saturday – 10k race + 3 more miles

in the rain but got as PR!

baked 2 apple pies

Sunday – rest, duathlon spectating, farm with mentee & kids

made some chili

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, chili cook off at work, 3 mile group run
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, STEM group run + more (4 miles)
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday-OFF from work, rest, drive to NJ
Saturday – rest, reunion lunch in NYC
Sunday – 10 mile race!

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

October 9, 2014 by Darlene

Training or Not Training to be a Perfect 10

October 26, 2014

I think it’s more — a little bit of training!

I was so impressed by CGI’s organization of the Love Run in Philly last March that I signed up for this race right away.

I also planned to take advantage of the fact that it is in NJ and visit one of my college friends.

here we are last November

and then again in July

It is an ALL WOMENS race which is cool but it also has a lot of extra perks:

can’t wait to get this!

HOODIE (Super lightweight, dries so fast and fits (true to size) perfect, in an orchid color)
VANITY (TAGS) BIBS
FREE FINISH PHOTO
Custom Finisher Medal
Finish line party featuring our new Coffee & Hot Chocolate Bar

THE COURSE:

Enjoy your 10 mile run through beautiful Mercer County Park. This flat (and fast) course winds you along the waterside, through the shaded woods to thousands of cheering spectators waiting at the boathouse. From rock bands to acapella groups you’ll enjoy every minute (okay maybe not every minute) of the course. Oh did we mention the “Bow Tie” Guys, handsome, bow tied men who lead you out and cheer you home.

Sounds great, right?

Well, it’s already October. How did that happen?

You would think that I’ve had enough time to prepare…

Run for the Roc 5K- Sept 28

But I’ve been busy running 5k races. It didn’t happen the weekend of that race because I went boating afterward.

After a few of the 5ks, I ran more later but at a very slow pace…

Sept 13 – after Teal Ribbon 5K

Oct 4 after the Apple Run 5K

I have run only one un-interrupted long run and it was my most difficult one…

Sept 20

Time is running out.

I have another 5k scheduled for this Saturday (and the forecast is for rain!) and we have to close up our boat on Sunday.

I also have a 10k on Oct 18 but that is not enough to adequately prepare me to run 10 miles. I am busy on Oct 19.

So time’s up. The race is on OCT. 26!!

I don’t really care about a PR (though I did run 10 miles on a HILLY course in June and my finish time was 1:44:39.)

But I do want to feel good and enjoy the race.

Happy Running! Anyone else running the Perfect 10 Miler? Does it make you nervous to run a race undertrained?

October 2, 2014 by Darlene

September recap

September Goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!

after work

before work

on the weekend

Do planks. NOPE!
Walk at least once a day at work. YES for the most part!

AM walk

PM walk

Use those 5 lb weights on my desk. NOPE!
Lose those extra lbs. YES, NO, YES, NO, YES! (the yoyo lbs)
Run 5k races under 10 minutes per mile! YES! All 3 of them.

Malta 5k – 28:47

Run for the Roc 5K – 27:11 – PR!!!

Teal Ribbon 5k – 28:16

Start training for October 10 mile race. YES and NO! 2 long runs not 4

Pick a destination Winter or Spring race. YES! Winter.

January 17, 2015

Run at least 70 miles this month. YES! 74.

September 2014

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. YES!

What else?

I finished knitting a kid’s hat.

this photo does not have the pompom

I spent another weekend on the Schroon River.

and more time on Lake George.

at the beginning of the month

I started playing tennis indoors – once a week.

I RAN IN NYC!!

I have access to exercise equipment.

october-month-halloween

October Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Walk once a day while at work.
Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 10K race
Complete a 10 mile race.
Do long runs on the weekend.
Run at least 75 miles
Go to the gym twice a week.
Finish knitting hat #2
Spend time with my mentee & her sons.

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything special planned for October?

September 19, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: My five favorite races

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 My Five Favorite _____________________

Of course, I filled in the blank with races….

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

2010 – in the newspaper

2014 – Troy Record

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I run often after work.

It is convenient since I can park at work and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Spring Runoff (10K) – This 10K takes place in the spring and it a good way to kick start your racing season. It is run along the Hudson River and on the bike path that I go to often for my long runs.

The evening before, there is a free pasta dinner where I met two awesome ladies.

The course is fairly flat and is my currrent 10K PR.

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy fireplaces.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.