June 11, 2014 by Darlene

Another weekend, another race

poster

Yup, that’s me.

I’ve run a race almost every weekend since March 30:

3-30-14 – LoveRun Half Marathon
4-06-14 – Delmar Dash 5m
4-12-16 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
4-19-14 – Rabbit Ramble 4m
4-27-14 – Cherry Blossom 5k
5-03-14 – Spring Run Off 10K
5-11-14 – Mom’s Day 5K
5-17/18-14 – ON VACATION in Florida
5-31-14 – Freihofer’s Run for Women
6-08-14 – Betar Byway 5K
6-14-14 – Strawberry Festival 5K
6-22-14 – Adirondack Distance 10m

And I love it!

ME on page 2

Why do I race so much?

Racing keeps me running. I know that I cannot slack off. If I do, then the race will be painful (physically and mentally).
I usually run alone and when I run a race, I see and meet other runners. So much more enjoyable.
I am competitive so when I run a race, I don’t stop and walk as much and I run faster.
I only get that runner’s high when I cross a finish line.

Lighthouse 5K

So this weekend, I have a 5k – Strawberry Festival 5K. Supposed a fast course so I hope to have a better time than last weekend. (But you never know.)

The problem with racing every week:

It’s gets expensive.
You miss out on social activities with family and friends
You skip long training runs.
You cannot adequately prepare for a longer distance race.

Yes, and I have a 10 mile race coming up that I am NOT prepared for. Gulp!

Happy Running! Have you ever run a long race that you hadn’t trained for?

June 5, 2014 by Darlene

Summer racing

is coming!

I love to run races in the summer.

It’s always a challenge to fit them in around our weekend boating.

But I wouldn’t give either one up.

I am hoping that this summer I am free of injuries.

That hasn’t been the case in recent years:

2011 – 6 wks off for a strained achilles
2012 – slowly recovering from ankle surgery (started running too soon & wound up with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture)
2013 – 6 wks off for a broken 5th metatarsal

So far, this is my summer racing schedule:

June 8 – Betar Byway 5k
June 14 – Strawberry Festival 5K
June 22 – Adirondack Distance 10m
July 13 – Saratoga Half Marathon – doubtful but maybe
July 26 – Turning Point 5k
August 2 – Race The Train (8.4m) – maybe?
August 9 – Camp Chingachgook 10k
August 16 – Jailhouse Rock 5k
August 30 – Care For Kids 5K Run – maybe?
September 7 – MBPK 5K
September 14 – Biggest Loser 10k

I am also looking for a fall half marathon. I have a few possibilities and they are Sept 21 or 27 or Oct 5. That will mean long runs starting this summer.

Happy Running! Do you race a lot in the summer?

May 10, 2014 by Darlene

#Run50

usa1

New York -5K, 10K, 15K, 4m, 5m, 131.
Florida – 13.1
California – 10m, 13.1
Vermont – 5K
Pennsylvania – 5K, 13.1

I wish I started running earlier. I used to have a job that allowed me to go to conferences all over the country. There was a 5k at each conference. They always closed out in hours. At the time, I thought people were nuts to get up at 7 am to run. But for the last conference that I went to (2006), I registered and walked the 5k (in 45 min.) I started to see how much fun everyone was having.

I visited 8 cities/states for those conferences (San Diego, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, San Antonio, Philly, New Orleans). Too bad, I wasn’t a runner then.

Now I am 61. I have run in 5 states so far.

Run in all 50 states?! Not likely. But I will do my best to run in some more different states.

I’d say my goal is 15 states.

Many bloggers are pursuing the goal of running in ALL 50 states:

Happy Running! How many states have you run in? Do you plan to run in all 50?

April 22, 2014 by Darlene

Run the Perfect 10 Miler With Me on October 26th!

A few weeks ago, I heard about a women’s-only ten mile race at Mercer County Park, New Jersey in October, called the Perfect 10. It’s put on by CGI Racing, which also organizes the Rutgers Unite Half and the LoveRun, among other events.

Except for the rain, the Love Run was a fun event and so well organized that I wanted to run another CGI race.

I have a college friend that lives in NJ about an hour from the race so I registered and plan to stay with my friend for the weekend.

Until the end of May, it’s $50, which is pretty good compared to half marathons and other area races around that time of year. Also, there will be a chocolate fountain at the finish – how can you say no to that?!

The Perfect 10 race is an event that is not only a running competition but a celebration of our own positive image as women, both inside and out. The organization encourages you to share your inspiring stories of why you are a perfect 10, and those featured monthly will have a chance to receive the Perfect 10 Honor on race weekend.

In a Runner’s World article by Kristin Armstrong, she wrote, “you are most beautiful when you are doing what you love.” That is a message I hope runners everywhere will understand, especially those who are self-conscious when taking their first strides outside the door.

So, if you’re in the NJ/NY/PA/DE area and get excited about the prospect of a mid-fall ten mile race, chocolate, or men in tuxedos, please visit the Perfect 10 website to check it out further! Also, follow their Twitter and Facebook pages for the latest information and inspiration!

Check out this video, too!

Happy Running! Anyone running this race or have run it before?

April 17, 2014 by Darlene

Choosing Your Next Race

Yes, I like to run races. So I run a lot of them.

But how do you decide which race to run?

Here are some things to consider:

What is the race distance and where does it fit into your training?

Obviously a marathon and half marathon are goal races. I can only speak about half marathons. I always make sure that I have 12 weeks to train whether do I sign up for a spring, summer, winter or fall race.

So if you choose a spring one, you have to train in the winter (which was awful this year.) And if you choose a fall one, you have to train through the heat of summer. You just choose your poison. The reward is worth it.

Sarasota HM – March 2013

Mohawk-Hudson HM – October 2013

Sometimes a 5K can just be a training run and you may want to run additional miles before or after. Or the 5k can be a race where you want work on your speed and try to PR. A short race can also be a way to get back into racing after an injury. A 10k or a 15k can be just a different distance to try. Each distance accomplishes a different goal.

I am fortunate that where I live, between April and October, there are many races to choose from each weekend. Most are 5ks. So when I only ran 5ks, it was easy. Then I started training for half marathons and sometimes I just had to skip a 5K if I wanted to run long. That’s when the 10K and 15k worked out well. But there aren’t as many of those. I

So if you like to race a lot, you just have to be flexible with your running schedule.

a fun 10k to get miles in while training for a half

running a 5k (for speed work) and then adding more miles on after

Do you want a big race or a small race?

Big races offer a lot of excitement and they are a lot of fun. They are also more expensive. More expensive sometimes means more perks – medals, swag, food, photos, etc.

Small races are less hectic, it is easier to find parking and there is just less hassle. You also have a better chance of winning an age group award in a small race.

I like both. In big races, you are always running with a crowd and it is very motivating. You can feel the excitement in the air. Sometimes it is lonely in a small race. You may often be running by yourself. But then again, they are more personal and I have been lucky in winning awards & raffle prizes in some small races.

racing among 5000 women

winning a medal in a small race

Are you willing to travel and how far?

I know someone who is willing to travel for hours to a race. That’s not me. Gas is expensive and if the race is far away, you have to get up at an ungodly hour. What helps is if you can carpool or go with a friend. Even better is knowing someone who lives close to the race and staying over the night before.

Then there are destination races. Those are races that are too far away to go for the day. You may make them in a vacation or just a weekend away.

As I said, I don’t like to drive more than an hour for a race. (I’ve only done it only once.) I do like destination races. I have been lucky and been able to stay with a friend (in Florida, California, Pennsylvania, etc.) which saves money. I also save up my frequent flier miles (that I get my using my credit card) for these trips. So my vacation to visit an old friend just happens to include a race. Perfect!

this was farthest drive – 2 1/2 hours to VT

visiting an old friend in CA.

What is the course elevation?

Check it out ahead of time. No one likes to be surprised by a hilly race. I don’t like hills but sometimes you can’t avoid them. Other factors about the race may be more important.

For a half marathon, I love a flat course since even then this distance whips my butt.

Florida races are usually flat (except if they go over bridges)

hilly 4 miler in Lake George

What is the course like?

Is it on trails? Is it on roads open to traffic? It is through a park? Is it in a residential neighborhood? Do you run along the ocean or a lake or a river? In other words, will the scenery be a distraction from the struggle of running.

I love to run a race along the water and through a park. The course is important to me. That’s not to say that I haven’t run on some boring courses.

these free races run around the state office campus – so boring

scenic fall 5k in the Adirondacks

Do you get good swag?

Who needs another cotton tee shirt? At least now, most races are giving gender-specific tech shirts. Some races give bags or mugs. And some short races even give medals. We love bling, right?

free windbreakers!

a medal for a 5K!

Has it gotten good reviews?

The race’s advertising always makes the race look great. Try Googling the race name + “race recap” to pull up bloggers’ reviews. They are much more helpful. No one likes to pay for a race that doesn’t have enough parking or bathrooms or water on the course.

Most of my race experiences have been good just a few snafus here and there and I have honestly blogged about them. (I have had 2 bad experiences at 2 USRA races.)

USRA Lake George Half – poorly organized

CGI Love Run – well organized

So speaking of choosing a race, my next one is this Saturday – Rabbit Ramble 4 miler.

I chose it because it was nearby and supposedly not too hilly. 4 miles is a good distance since I am not training for a half right now but it is short enough to add on more miles if I feel like it. As far as swag — Special 20th anniversary t-shirts, door prizes, special 20th year medals and awards to all overall and age group winners and if you registered early, a pair of Rabbit Ramble running gloves. Some runners that I know have run it and said that it was a fun race.

My goals for this race are:

run the whole thing without stopping
finish under 40 minutes
keep each mile’s pace under 10 minutes
win an AG award
have fun!
stay healthy!

Happy Running! How do you decide which races to run?

January 18, 2014 by Darlene

City of Palm Springs Mayor’s Race Report

According to the race description: this is “one of the most scenic runs you will ever experience… See the uptown, downtown, historic buildings, parks and the scenic mountain views. ..Raffle prizes, food samples, and a fun flat course make this one of the best! Prizes for every age division. Commemorative photo and medal for every 5K and 10 Mile finisher! Breakfast is included!”

Sounds perfect….except that I had to run 10 MILES!!

I hadn’t run double digits in 3 MONTHS (the day of my half marathon.) I have been loosely training by running about 8 slow run/walk miles each weekend since then. And I have been too busy to run this past week.

This was our last race together – 4/28/13

But the goal of this race was running a race with Mary and escaping the FRIGID COLD of the Northeast was just a bonus.

Secretly I wanted to finish under 1:50 but since I had never run a 10 mile race before, it was automatically a PR, anyway.

Mary & I had gotten our race packets the night before and even drove the course so we were super prepared. We even bought matching Lululemon shirts and silver bracelets for luck.

I was really psyched for the race. My first of 2014.

Getting up early was easy if you are from the East coast. My brain was awake at 4 am and I didn’t have to get up until 5:30.

I had my new race breakfast of oatmeal and herbal tea and we took off around 6:15.

I knew that it would be warm during the race but without the sun up, it was chilly so I wore a jacket.

We arrived early, found a spot in the designated lot and sauntered off to the park where the race was held. The atmosphere was very festive…lots of health-related booths.

There was a 10 mile race, then a 5 k and then a 1K. The 10 mile started at 8 am and the others starting at 8:30. In total there were about 700 runners but most were in the 5K.

Suzanne Somers was there and we got to meet her.

Suzanne with a “bag man” and race organizer

Soon, it was time to use the porta potty, take one GU, ditch my jacket at baggage check and head to the start.

just waiting…look at that BLUE sky

We were near the front and planned to start together and then Mary since she was training for a marathon would slow down.

I myself was nervous since I pulled a muscle in my right hip/glute while sitting at the pool the day before (reaching back to adjust the chair…duh) and it hurt every time I bent or twisted. I was wondered whether or not it would affect my running. (By the way, my cold was almost gone…yay!)

here we go

Well, it did. It hurt with every step. I just ran and prayed that I wouldn’t have to DNF. The views on the course were breath taking. I even stopped to take a photo which I normally don’t do during a race.

another beautiful bridge

It was warm but felt good and in the desert, so VERY VERY DRY!! I made sure that I had water at every stop. Luckily there were many, at least 5 that I can remember (miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 9).

At one point, it got hilly and my back hurt so I was walking. A lady came up behind me and pushed me up the hill. She said “You can do it. You’re almost there.”

After that, we ran and talked for a while. It was nice and I forgot about my pain. Eventually, I needed to run faster and lost her.

Believe it or not, around mile 4, the pain went away (at least until after the race.) Now, I could concentrate on my pace and enjoy the scenery.

a group of students on the course

Now that I was pain-free, I wanted to finish under 1:50:00. That meant that I had to maintain a 11 minute pace. Sounds slow and easy to do but it wasn’t it. It was very warm and very dry.

I would be under 11 minutes and then I would stop for water and go over. I ate Gu at mile 4 and mile 8 and that it is hard to do quickly and without walking.

And the only thing about the race that I didn’t like was the traffic. I was running alone for the most part and when I came to an intersection, I had to stop and wait until they stopped traffic for the runners. This happened several times. (I even witnessed a car accident.)

Anyway, I maintained my pace and felt a lot better during the last few miles of the race. I was even passing people. That felt good.

I sprinted through the finish line and crossed at 1:49:55. I was thrilled.

I grabbed my jacket and water and waited for Mary.

5 minutes later and very happy

We headed to get our free breakfast (fruit & an egg burrito) until the results were posted.

modeling our medals

Woo Hoo. I came in 3rd in my age group (Love being old!)

The Mayor who ran the race (and finished in 1:22) gave out the awards.

A two medal day. What could be better?

me & the mayor

We then headed back to La Quinta for a post race soak in the hot tub …

view from the parking lot

and a celebratory dessert:

BEST pastries ever (outside of France)

So my first race and first destination race of 2014 was a success. I had lots of fun and even won an AG award. (The pain in my hip is slowly going away.)

Race Stats:

mile 1 – 9:59
mile 2 – 10:53
mile 3 – 12:14
mile 4 – 10:51
mile 5 – 11:14
mile 6 – 10:51
mile 7 – 10:57
mile 8 – 11:32
mile 9 – 11:29
mile 10 – 9:26

1:49:30 (Garmin time)

I liked that my fastest mile was mile 10!!!

Happy Running! Have you raced this year yet?

January 17, 2014 by Darlene

Before the Mayor’s Wellness 10 Mile Race

The day before I left for California, I had a very sore throat which always means that I am coming down with a cold. Great, right? (I made sure to pack Dayquil and Nyquil.)

After 3 planes and running to catch each connection, I made it to La Quinta, CA late Wednesday afternoon. And I did have the beginnings of a cold…boo hoo!

Mary had just returned from Hawaii. I was tired (and sick) and just glad to have my luggage and have escaped the cold dreary weather of the East coast. So the first day, Mary and I just hung out, catching up since I hadn’t seen her since May. Dinner was take out – a delicious lobster burrito.

view from Mary’s apartment – she lives on the 12th hole of a golf course

The next morning, I looked outside and it looked like the photo above. I had to go for a run, right? Even my awful cold couldn’t stop me.

I hadn’t run since Sunday so I took it slow, taking in all my new surroundings. What perfect weather…sunny..warm…dry! Mountains everywhere as well as flowers and fruit trees. (Even my runny nose didn’t get me down.)

After my run, Mary toured me around la Quinta.

love the bridges here

and the mountains

We visited the school where she teaches.

outdoors with no hallways

We shopped and strolled in Rancho Mirage.

“les trois chast” statues

We bought identical Lululemon racing tops (on sale). This was my FIRST Lulu purchase ever.

I love the sayings on the inside…and it’s so comfortable…I’m hooked!

Next we headed to Indian Wells Tennis Garden where they were building a new stadium for the March BNP Paribas Tennis Open. I was so excited since I LOVE tennis.

I bought a cap (that I wore for the race) and a shirt for the hubby.

The stadium wasn’t finished and not exactly open for the public but we managed to sneak in and I was able to stand on Centre Court.

so cool to be where the pros will be playing soon..

That night, we also relaxed with take out – this time a salad bowl with beef and shrimp – yummy!

On Friday, I hung out at the pool and hot tub, reading and relaxing in the sun…so perfect. (My cold seemed to be going away… must have been the weather.)

Eleven minutes…loved this book!

In the afternoon, we headed to Palm Springs (about 30 minutes away). First we located the park where the race would start the next day and picked up our race packet.

Wellness Park in Palm Springs

We had time to kill before the Pasta Dinner so we decided to drive the Ten Mile course.

The beginning of the course was a little hilly but had awesome views. Miles 5-8 or so would be flat but monotonous as you ran through town.

mile 3

BIG Marilyn in town

All in all, it looked like it would be a fun race.

The pasta dinner consisted of plain or wheat pasta with either marinara or alfredo sauce, bread, a salad and a protein cookie. You could eat as much as you wanted and we sure did.

When we got home, we laid out all our race stuff and then went for a luxurious soak in the hot tub.

aaah…I could get used to this.

I tried to get a decent night sleep since we would have to wake up early the next day (5:30 am or so.)

To be continued…

Happy Running! Anyone else do this race or any other in Palm Springs?

January 14, 2014 by Darlene

Running Update

Just got back last night from my fabulous vacation in Palm Springs, CA. (More details in another post.)

Last Week:

Monday – rest
Tuesday – ~~3 miles~~ ~~on TM at work~~, lunch delivered at work (late holiday gift), tennis
Wednesday – rest, fly to Palm Springs
Thursday – 3 miles

Friday – rest
Saturday – 10 mile race!!

Sunday – ~~rest –~~ 3 miles

week 1 complete: 16 miles

This Week:

Monday – rest, fly home
Tuesday – 3 miles on TM at lunch, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles, yoga
Thursday – rest, haircut
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, dinner out for our 15th anniversary
Sunday – 8 miles

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races to start off the new year?

January 6, 2014 by Darlene

Weekly Running Update

Last Week: (Off from work ALL WEEK!)

Monday –~~rest,~~ 3 miles, tennis

in town and around the golf course

Tuesday – 4 3 miles (tennis cancelled), New Year’s Eve dinner out
Wednesday – ~~rest,~~ 3 miles, cruise on Lake George, (yoga cancelled)

in the neighborhood

on Lake George

Thursday – ~~4 miles~~ rest – too cold and snowy

we got about a foot but the temps were sub-zero

Friday – 3 miles on the treadmill at work, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, bus trip to NYC with the hubby for the Boat Show, lots of walking miles in NYC