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.

would love to see this…

Maybe I will try to squeeze in some time with the hubby (dinner & a movie?)

On Sunday, I plan to watch AJH compete in a duathlon.

last year during the running portion

I did it for the past two years and really enjoyed it.

2 years ago (in the rain) during the biking part

This year it will take place at a new location. I have never been there so it should be fun.

After the duathlon, I am taking Amanda (my mentee) and her sons on our annual visit to Ellms Family Farm.

Ellms actually posted this pic on their fb pag this week – https://www.facebook.com/ellmsfamilyfarm/photos/pb.88544375487.-2207520000.1413489756./10152476286645488/?type=3&theater

It is always a good time for all.

Happy Running! Anything exciting planned for the weekend?

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 26, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Five favorite fall activities

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 Fall Activities

I love fall especially living in the Northeast.

So here they are my five:

1. Running

I love running when the temps are cool and the leaves have turned colors. These are some of my favorite places to run…

the rail trail

in Washington Park

along the Schroon River

on the bike trails

along Lake George

2. Eating & drinking anything pumpkin

Yup, I love pumpkin everything…

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No, I didn’t buy them but I was tempted

3. Racing

Racing in the cooler temps is the best! Even better is a race in a scenic locale…here are just a few that I have signed up for…

Apple Run 5K

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k

Stockade-athon 15K

4. Going to farm activities

There are several around here but Ellms Family farm is my favorite. I always take my mentee and her sons. We go on rides, do corn mazes, pick pumpkins, pet the animals, eat cider donuts…so much fun!

5. Hiking

I don’t hike a lot but I do enjoy it and plan to do more this year. These are some places that I go…

Thatcher Park

Five Rivers

Prospect Mountain

Peebles State Park

I haven’t done this hike in Lake George in a few years…hope to do it again.

view from Buck Mountain

Happy Running! What are your favorite fall activities?

September 24, 2014 by Darlene

My First Group Run

I haven’t participated in a training group since 2008 when I started training for my first 5k with the No Boundaries program.

I’ve talked to Hollys at several races and she recommended this group.

maybe that’s what we were talking about here?

Then at my last race when I bumped into Gina, an old colleague, she encouraged me to join too.

Here is the schedule:

Monday, September 22 – Monday November 24

Mondays: 5:30 p.m. at Prospect Park, Troy (Note: From November 10th on, Monday night workouts will be at RPI in Troy. Meeting time is 5:30p.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. at Knickerbocker Park, Troy

Prospect Park is about a half hour from my work. I was worried about getting caught in rush hour traffic. But I got there plenty early.

It was quite chilly and breezy. I was freezing waiting for the training to start. (I even switched to capris from a skirt and added a jacket.)

I talked with Hollys and her friends while we waited.

Everyone started together. There were 3 groups: 5k beginners, 5k intermediate and 10K.

After some dynamic stretches, we took off in our separate groups. Gina got there just in time and I wound up running with her and her friends the whole time.

We chatted so it made the running go by quickly.

We ran 2 loops of the park which happens to be very hilly. I didn’t wear a watch so I have no idea about my pace or distance but I would guess that it was close to 3 miles. I even warmed up and took off my jacket and tied it around my waist.

I ran most of run. I just walked a little up one of the hills but then I passed them on the downhill.

I thoroughly enjoyed the run.

Unfortunately, I have races almost all the Saturdays so I can only do the Monday runs.

Looking forward to my next group run!

Happy Running! Have you trained for a race as part of a group?

September 19, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: My five favorite races

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.

The course is beautiful with many views of the Gulf.

At one point, a priest blessed runners with holy water.

I don’t plan to repeat any of my half marathon races but maybe someday I will run this one again.

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorite races? Have you run any of the above?

September 9, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall race plans

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Fall Race Plans

For the first time in recent years that I have been healthy, I am NOT running a Half Marathon!

Yes, I thought about it … a lot…but it is hard to train in the hot weather and I am busy with boating on the weekends. So I decided to skip it this fall.

Instead, I am running for enjoyment and doing short races except for two longer ones:

The Perfect 10 miler on Oct 26.

Oct 26, 2014

It is a new race for me and supposedly flat. I am going to combine it with a visit to a former college roommate in New Jersey. The race is all-women and in addition to a medal, you get a hoodie.

and

The Stockadeathon 15K on Nov. 9.

Nov. 9, 2014

This race is the oldest 15k in the country. I’ve done it twice before. It is challenging but lots of fun. This year they changed the course. I’m going to miss the big fireplace in the park to warm up. The start and finish activities will now be indoors.

Now here are some of the shorter races that I plan to run:

Run for the Roc 5k on Sept 28.

This is a new one for me but it’s at the race track in Saratoga and sounds like fun.

Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K on Oct 4.

This 5k was recommended to me by a runner from Conn. and her friend. I hope to see them again at the race.

Falling Leaves 5K on Oct. 11

I ran this one several years ago and liked it. It was my first age group win, I think.

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k on Oct 18.

I have signed up for this race but never run it. This is the year! It takes place in Saratoga National Park which is a very pretty place to run.

Troy Turkey Trot 10K on Nov 27.

ttt

This is the most popular race in my area. I have always avoided it because it is so crowded. The local 5k that I usually run has changed to be non-timed so I think I’ll give this one a shot this year.

These are the races that I have signed up for so far.

But you know me, I may even add a few more.

Happy Running! What are your fall racing plans?

August 31, 2014 by Darlene

August Rundown

August Goals:

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

Continue planks. Not often.
Go to Yoga at least 2x. Nope! Not at all (but my yoga instructor is out with Lyme disease.)
Walk at least once a day at work. YES!

Play tennis outdoors once a week YES! (got rained out 2x)
Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Not often!
Run any 5k or 10K races under 10 minutes per mile! Yes and No!

Jailhouse Rock 5K – 28:25 = 2nd in AG

Camp Chingachgook 10K – 1:04:54 = 2nd in AG

Run at least 70 miles this month. NOT QUITE! My lowest monthly total this year 😦

aug2014

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

See my mentee Amanda (she is no longer moving away.) YES! We went to an amusement park.

Eat healthy…lose those annoying extra lbs. No! 😦
Run at least once a week before work. Yes!

Decide on a winter half. Not yet!

What else?

I spent two days in Connecticut where I went hiking and played a lot of tennis.

I went for breakfast at the race track with Molly for the 30th summer.

I went to another tennis weekend on the Schroon River.

Also I spent some more time boating on the lake with my hubby.

I went to the US Open.

September Goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Do planks.
Walk at least once a day at work.
Use those 5 lb weights on my desk.
Lose those extra lbs.
Run 5k races under 10 minutes per mile!
Start training for October 10 mile race.
Pick a destination Winter or Spring race.
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

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

August 29, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall Preview

This week, the theme is Fall Preview.

Here are the 5 things that I am looking forward to this fall:

1. Fall Foliage and Cooler Temps

along the Schroon River

along Lake George

The fall colors are beautiful in the Northeast. I hope to get to do some running in the Adirondacks and some on the local bike paths and trails.

Washington Park

Nisky Bike path

2. The Perfect 10 race.

on Oct 26 in NJ

10 miles is less to train for than a half marathon. It is a new race for me and supposedly flat. I am going to combine it with a visit to a former college roommate. The race is all-women and in addition to a medal, you get a hoodie. YAY!

3. Fall activities with my mentee and her sons

2013

Ellm Family Farms is one of our favorite places to go with the kids. There’s a lot of things to do there – rides, ziplines, mazes, pumpkin picking, etc. Plus they have great cider donuts.

2012

4. Stockade-athon 15K

This race is the oldest 15k in the country. I’ve done it twice before. It is challenging but lots of fun. This year they changed the course. Hope it is easier.

The new course generally follows the course layout of the previous few years in a clockwise loop versus counter clockwise as in years past. The new course, adds approximately 1.5 miles of new sections, including a short section in Riverside Park in the Historic Stockade, and two new residential loops.

I’m going to miss the big fireplace in the park to warm up. The start and finish activities will now be indoors.

5. A new 5K & 10K

It’s no secret that I love to race and I love trying new races. As the cold weather approaches, I will try to run as many as possible.

Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K on Oct 4. was recommended to me.

Great Pumpkin Challenge 5k and 10k on Oct 18. was one that I have signed up for but never run. This is the year!

Happy Running! What are you looking forward to this fall?

August 10, 2014 by Darlene

Camp Chingachgook Challenge race recap

ccc14

I was looking forward to another Lake George race because I love the scenery. This race is even more scenic than the Adirondack Distance Run and just as hilly.

I ran this race 2 years ago as my first 10k ever. I finished at 1:09:07 but I was still recovering from ankle surgery.

Since then I have run 3 more 10ks – each one faster than the previous one. My PR was the Spring Run Off 10k this year with a time of 1:00:51.

I expected to improve upon my first Camp Chingachgook Challenge time but not PR due to the hills.

The course is out and back – which means hills both ways.

10473168_305908679574878_277771612731589142_n

along the lake most of the way

no flat sections!

The weather was perfect for running – warm but not too warm, sunny and low humidity.

I had my usual breakfast of hot cereal and left around 7 am. I got there with no problems around 8:15 am, found parking, used the (real) restrooms and wandered around for a while exploring the grounds.

before the race

I bumped into Judy whom I met on Facebook and then our boating friend, Ron. Ron was there because his daughter’s boyfriend, Josh, was running the half marathon (which ends at the same place as the 10k but starts an hour earlier) and J0sh’s father was running the 10k.

I lined up with Josh’s father and made the mistake of trying the keep up with him for the first 2 miles or so. (He is fast!)

As I mentioned, although you run along the lake for the whole way, it is HILLY, I mean very HILLY. I have run 2 races on the other side of the lake and this side, the hills are a lot steeper.

I started out too fast, of course, and I even tried to run up the hills. But since I don’t train for hills and hate them, I soon tired and realized that if I wanted to finish upright, I better walk them and so I did.

Walking during a race does not make me happy but at times, the hills were so steep that I had trouble walking up them. The only good thing was that many runners were walking and even those who did not, were running slow and I could pass them on the downhills.

With all the walking, my PR hopes were gone and then I wondered if this would be my slowest 10k ever.

I planned to pick up the pace the second half of the race but my right shin started to ache. I didn’t want to wind up injured so I just walked more often. Now I was only running on the downhills.

Finally the race ended and I was happy it was on a downhill plus my friend, Ron was there cheering me on. I mustered up enough strength to sprint and pass two runners. I crossed at 1:04:54.

Both Josh and his father had already finished and ran very well.

I got some food…there were hotdogs, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, bagels, and watermelon – quite a spread.

food pavillon

Then I wandered around waiting for friends to finish.

beautiful facilities on the lake

I got to see Judy finish.

She was happy with her race.

me & Judy

Then I found a bunch of the SRMs who had done the half marathon.

10547058_10202619623039602_8653910389637537026_o

they were smart to cool off in the lake

Eventually it was time to leave this beautiful place. My friend Ron had his boat and was going back to the marina. My hubby was waiting for me there so I hopped in my car and drove back around the lake to the other side.

ccc14

I did come in 2nd in my age group but I didn’t stick around for the awards. (I think they were only giving out awards for 1st.)

Splits:

mile 1- 9:09
mile 2- 10:29
mile 3 – 9:47
mile 4 – 11:42
mile 5 – 11:14
mile 6 – 10:53
.22 – 9:11

As you can see, the second half of the race got ugly.

Goals:

Run more than walk – Not sure about his one.
Pace under 10 min/mile for most miles – Nope – Only miles 1 &3!!
Course PR (under 1:09) – YES!
Finish strong and uninjured – YES!
Enjoy the race – YES!

So was I disappointed? Of course. I am pretty hard on myself. I didn’t like how I handled (or didn’t handle) the hills. But then again, I don’t train on hills. At least I beat my time on this course from two years ago and I know I can do better.

race swag – nice tech shirt

I enjoyed the race. I never regret a race. And my legs felt fine after. I was even able to run the next morning.

Happy Running! Any advise for running hilly races?

August 7, 2014 by Darlene

Another Race!

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When you run half marathons, a 10k shouldn’t be a big deal.

But it is.

These days even a 5K seems like a lot of work. Maybe it’s the heat and humidity but 6.2 hilly miles won’t be a picnic.

I ran this race 2 years ago as my first 10k ever. I finished at 1:09:07 but I was still recovering from ankle surgery. (My current 10K PR is 1:00:51)

The course is out and back – which means the same hills both ways.

along the lake most of the way

no flat sections!

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.

Anyway, I am looking forward to this race because you run along Lake George. There is a great BBQ at the end and you can swim in the lake at the beach if you want. I also know lots of women who are running the Half Marathon as a training run for an upcoming marathon. (Since the half marathon starts an hour before the 10k, they may finish before me.) It will be fun to see them again.

Goals:

Run more than walk
Pace under 10 min/mile for most miles
Course PR (under 1:09)
Finish strong and uninjured
Enjoy the race

Happy Running! Do you run 10ks often? Do you train for them?

My First 5K and More…

An "Older" Runner's Blog

10k

Busy Weekend Ahead

September recap

Friday Five: Five favorite fall activities

My First Group Run

Friday Five: My five favorite races

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall race plans

August Rundown

Friday Five: Fall Preview

Camp Chingachgook Challenge race recap

Another Race!

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