December 1, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running update

Last Week: (Week 5 of HM training)

Monday – 2 walks at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) – last one!!

AM walk

lunch time – can you believe that temp??

Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run during lunch, tennis

AM walk

lunch run on the track

Wednesday – DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~2 mile run,~~ ~~gym, yoga~~ (snowstorm)
Thursday – DAY OFF, 10K race, dinner out

and a PR!!!!

Friday- DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~gym,~~ 3 mile run, movie, ~~mah jongg~~

very good

Saturday – 5k race ~~+ 5 miles~~ (too cold)

1st in my AG!!

Sunday – rest, decorate, write out cards, mall walk with bff

This Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, STEM group run + ( 4 miles)
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!
Thursday – walk at work, lunch time run?, hair appt
Friday- walk at work, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor LSATs, (good luck to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), bake cookies, 5k race at night
Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), dinner out

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

November 27, 2014 by Darlene

Troy Turkey Trot 10K race recap

A new turkey trot for me. And a 10K!!

To save time, I picked up my bib and shirt on Sunday.

short-sleeved tech shirt

Then yesterday, we had our first major snowstorm – almost a foot of snow dumped on us!!! I was nervous all night…wondering how much snow we would get, would I be snowed in, would the race be cancelled…?

But the snowplow came at 5 am and the race directors emailed that the roads would be cleared of snow.

It was cold…around 30 degrees but little wind. I brought extra clothes & shoes. I figured that I would take advantage of the bag check.

I got there early since I was unfamiliar with the parking situation.

I found parking in a garage about a block from the start but realized if I parked there, I would be stuck there until 11:15 so I moved my car to a lot farther away and made my way to the Atrium to stay warm.

In the Atrium, I checked my clothes, used the restroom and chatted with other runners. I met the coordinator of my STEM couch to 5k group and many members of my training group. It was nice to know so many people.

The 10K started at 8 am followed by the kid’s one mile race & a one mile walk and then at 10 am the most popular event, a 5K.

from a previous non-snowy year

I was supposed to meet my friend Gina but I couldn’t find her. Eventually it was time to head to the start. It was very crowded and one of the runners from the training group & I squeezed in around the 10 min mile pace. We started together but it was so crowded that I lost her right away.

Well, my Garmin decided to be difficult and wouldn’t find a signal. The race began but I don’t know how long it took me to get to the start. I continued to play with my watch and it finally started midway over bridge.

It was probably a good thing because it kept my first mile slower rather than my usual burnout start pace.

The roads were a little slippery at first especially on the bridge and you had to watch out for puddles but as the race went on, it seems to get better.

Eventually, I noticed my friend Gina & another runner from the group, Deb, up ahead. They are faster and I wanted to catch up to them but I couldn’t.

I rarely looked at my Garmin because it was not accurate. I just tried to run at an even pace and to save some for the last mile.

I skipped the first water stop and even the second but I questioned my judgment because I was dying for a drink by the 3rd one.

There were timing clocks throughout the course -at roughly miles 1.5, 3, 4 and 5. I was on pace for a PR at each one but I didn’t want to get cocky since I usually run out of gas by the end.

Eventually I caught up to Gina and we chatted but she slowed and I ran ahead and then caught up to Deb.

Finally, I stopped to walk at the last water stop and take a GU. It was a little after mile 4. I walked for a while and Deb ran ahead.

This walk gave me a second wind, I think, because I was passing people all of a sudden. I caught up the runner that I started with and I even passed her.

heading to the finish line – bridge in the background – photo by TU

As usual, it seemed to take forever to run the last mile….

ttt2

but I couldn’t believe when I saw 56:XX on the clock. There was nothing left in my tank & I crossed at 57:xx. (My chip time was 57:03.)

ttt7

I was very happy!!

I saw Hollys, another runner from our group, who was running the 5K. She yelled to me: “You got a PR!”

After getting my medal, I got a bag and filled it with food and downed some chocolate milk.

happy to be done!

Soon all the others from the training group finished and we chatted. I think they all had PRs.

no I don’t know these two – photo by TU

Overall, this was a very enjoyable race. The course was mostly flat and had 2 turn arounds which let you see the faster & slower runners. It was also very well organized. I will definitely run it again next year.

Here was the course:

ttt

By the time, I went back to the Atrium to get my checked bag, it was packed. Over 5000 runners run the 5K. Although I might have gotten an age group award for the 5K (I was 5th in the 10K), I am glad that I ran the earlier and less crowded 10K.

tttag

I was able to walk to my car and escape before the 5k even started.

So here are my abbreviated stats:

mile 1- 8:59
mile 2 – 9:04
mile 3 – 9:02
mile 4 – 9:44 (walked)
mile 5 – 9:21
mile .94 – 8:26

5.94 miles – 54:36

Race Goals:

A. PR (under 58:28) – YES!!!
B. Finish under 1 hour – YES!!!
C. Finish under 1:04:54 – YES!!!
D. Finish happy and uninjured – – YES!!!

thanks

Happy Running! Did you race on Thanksgiving?

November 26, 2014 by Darlene

10 weeks over… time to race

Well, it’s come down to this. Our 10 week training program is over.

I was a little worried about enrolling in this program. I wasn’t used to running on hills. The runs were in Troy and I would have to deal with the 5 pm traffic. Would everyone be faster than me? Would I enjoy it? What if I couldn’t do the Saturday runs?

Yes, there were hills. I ran up some and walked up some. But I got better. They didn’t kill me.
I succeeded in getting to Prospect Park and RPI on time with minimal problems.
The runners were super nice. Yes, some were faster, some were slower. But you were never left behind.
I looked forward to my weekly group runs. I even went to them on my normal rest day (after my 10 mile race and 15K race on the previous day.)
Monday’s runs were more important. They included drills and speed work. Saturday runs were for distance and I usually ran more on my own. So I didn’t miss much only going on Mondays.

my first Saturday run & the last one

Even before I know how I will do on this 10K race, I can talk about the benefits of the program.

Meet new runners. New friends. Great conversations (about running, of course.)
New places to run –Prospect Park, around RPI, bike path near Knickerbocker Arena
Speed drills – I never do them on my own.
Hills – yes, they are necessary if you want to get faster and stronger.
Motivation – it’s more motivating to run with others.
Great coach (not to mention that he was young and cute.)

Coach Patrick is #2786

I am already planning to sign up for this training group challenge again as it is offered for the Freihofer Run for Women this spring.

Now the race…

It’s a big one…. it will be crowded.

The race starts at 8 am so it will be cold. Hopefully the streets will be cleared from the Wednesday snowstorm.

some forecasts say 6-12 in I hope they’re wrong.

Since Troy is hilly, I assume that the race will be too and you run over the Green Island Bridge and back. That’s all I know.

ttt

Our coach says to divide the race into thirds – first 1/3 – start out strong, second 1/3 – ease back, last 1/3 – kick into high gear. We’ll see about that. I do not have the stamina to run the whole 6 miles but I’ll do my best.

Race Goals:

A. PR (under 58:28)
B. Finish under 1 hour
C. Finish under 1:04:54
D. Finish happy and uninjured

Whatever the results, it should be a fun time and I am looking forward to running it with my training group (followed by a big dinner!!)

1397058_10152269079128787_67253997_o

Happy Running! Are you running a Turkey Trot this year?

November 24, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 4 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) (cancelled – rain), 4 miles on the Treadmill

stuck doing laps indoors

caught up on Revenge

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, ~~tennis,~~ 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI)

too cold & windy outside

warm up, 9 X 1 min race pace/1 min jog(on track), cool down

Wednesday – walk at work, STEM group run + (4 miles)

view from the inside

2 miles run/walk + 2 miles run

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, ~~3 mile run at lunch~~, dinner out with tennis ladies

free hors ‘oeuvre for 10 thanks to a raffle that AJH won

Friday-walk at work, gym, mah jongg

Saturday – 5 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@Knickerbocker Arena) – my 1st & last Sat group run + 3 4 miles

Sunday – rest, pick up race packet, ~~gym~~, cooking ~~movie?~~

This Week: (Week 5 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) – last one!!
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, gym, yoga
Thursday – DAY OFF, 10K race, dinner out
Friday- DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race?
Sunday – 8 mile run, movie?

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

November 22, 2014 by Darlene

Turkey Trotting

There’s nothing better than a race before stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving.

I just read in this article about how popular running on Thanksgiving is:

In 2009, I ran my first turkey trot & I did it in Central Park in Schenectady. In 2010 & 2011, I did one in my hometown.

2011 in Delmar

In fact, the 2010 turkey trot was my 5K PR for 4 years until very recently. In 2011, that same race, changed its course. I was injured in 2012 and then last year, my favorite local turkey trot went NON-TIMED.

2013 in Delmar – No bib, no chip

Until this year, I ran 5Ks on Thanksgiving.

But this year, I am going for the big one…in Troy and a 10K. About 10,000 runners total with about 1,500 in the 10K.

I know nothing about the course except for the map below:

I participated in the Turkey Trot Training Challenge and enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately I could only go to the Monday training runs. Nevertheless, running with a group at least once a week, definitely improved my pace. It also was helpful to run on hills since I tend to avoid them on my own.

The best part was meeting new runners.

I doubt this race will be a PR 10k due to the crowds and the hills but I hope to have a good race.

AG award – would be nice but this race attracts the speedsters.

Here’s my 10K racing history –

2012:

Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:09:07

2013:

Hmrrc Winter Series #3 (10k) – 1:08:18
Helper’s Fund 10K – 1:06:10
Monster Scramble <10K – 1:03:18 (short course!)

2014:

Spring Run Off 10K -1:00:51
Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:04:54
Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K – 58:28 – PR

Proof that despite getting older, I am getting faster.

Happy Running! Do you run on Thanksgiving?

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 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 16, 2014 by Darlene

Busy Weekend Ahead

last ride

Now that boating is over, you would think I would have some free time…

Nope!

Saturday, I am running this 10K race.

It takes place in Saratoga National Park and it is a race that I’ve wanted to do since I started running but something has always gotten in the way.

photo from last year

They have a NEW flatter 5k course which is very tempting but since I have a 10 mile run in ONE WEEK, I think the longer distance would be wiser.

10K history:

2012 – Camp Chingachgook – 1:09:07 (covering from ankle surgery)
2013 – Hmrrc Winter Series #3 – 1:08:18
2013 – Helper’s Fund – 1:06:10
2013 – Monster Scramble – 1:03:18 (it was short!)
2014 – Spring Run Off -1:00:51 PR
2014 – Camp Chingachgook – 1:04:54

As you can see, I don’t run many 10ks.

I usually train for half marathons by running long on the weekend. With 5Ks, I just wing it. But for 10ks, you want to run fast but not burn out. So who knows how this will go. I will try to go out slow and save some for the second half.

comfort zone

I have been getting better at the 5K distance but I still struggle with anything over that. I know I can win my age group with the 5K… most likely not with the 10K.

A 10K will be out of my comfort zone. Sometimes a good thing.

Goals:

Run most it.
Pace under 10 min/mile for most miles.
Beat my last 10K time (1:04:54). A PR would be a real stretch. A age group award would be a bigger stretch (the speedy older women do this one).
Finish strong and uninjured.
Enjoy the race.

After the race, I hope to run a few more miles before getting home.