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?

March 21, 2014 by Darlene

Spring Time and Racing

It’s Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

Delmar Dash in Delmar, NY

April 6, 2014

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY

April 12, 2014

Rabbit Ramble in Guilderland, NY

April 19, 2104

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K in Albany, NY

May 31, 2014

Happy Running? Are you excited for Spring? What races do you have planned?

March 20, 2014 by Darlene

Racing Bucket List

I am lucky to have done some amazing things in my life. Check out my Reverse Bucket List. And only 3 out of 32 involve running.

So what is on my Racing Bucket List? (Since I started running almost 6 years ago, many of the items, I have already done but not ALL):

1. Run a 5k race. CHECK.

Freihofer’s 5K

2. Run a 10K race. CHECK .

Helper’s Fund 10K

3. Run a 15K race. CHECK.

Stockadeathon 15K

4. Run a HALF MARATHON. CHECK.

Naples Half Marathon

5. Run over a BRIDGE. CHECK.

Ringling Bros Bridge (Sarasota, FL)

6. Run along a LAKE. CHECK.

Lake George (Camp Chingachgook 10K)

7. Run a DESTINATION race. CHECK.

Mayor’s 10 miler in Palm Springs

8. Run along the OCEAN.

9. Run in another COUNTRY.

10. Run in CENTRAL PARK, NYC.

11. Run on a BEACH.

12. Run with a FAMILY member (my hubby or stepson.)

13. Run a POPULAR half marathon (more than 5,000 racers.)

What’s not on my Bucket List? (nothing is written in stone…)

Run a Marathon.
Run a Disney Race.
Run a fun race (color, neon. etc.)
Run a obstacle race.
Run a triathlon.
Run an ultra.
Run a trail race.
Run a (Ragnar) relay race.

Happy Running! What’s left on your Running Bucket List?

January 3, 2014 by Darlene

Foto Friday

There’s no better way to look back on the good things that happened than by looking through your blog photos.

So here’s a month by month look at the highlights of 2013:

January:

running over a bridge while on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida

February:

winning an AG award with AJH at the Polar Cap 4 mile race

March:

finishing the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

April:

running Sean’s Run 5K with Mary

May:

running the Mother’s Day 5K with my tennis buddy, MaryPat and winning lst place in my new AG.

June:

not a good month but this was taken BEFORE the Freihofer’s Run for Women (the race where I broke my foot)

July:

recovered enough to complete the Biggest Loser 5K

August:

no races this month but several trips to scenic Chestertown to play tennis and run

September:

winning an AG award at the Helper’s Fund 10k where I met a new running partner, Heidi

October:

finishing the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon and seeing a lot of familiar faces

November:

running the Stockade-athon 15K

December:

running the Last Run 5k in a snowstorm (just for fun)

It was definitely hard to choose just one memory from each month. I feel very fortunate.

Happy Running! What were some of your highlights of 2013?

January 1, 2014 by Darlene

2013 is in the books…

I must say that things were looking up until June 1 and then I broke my foot. I started getting back on track in August and the year ended pretty well.

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, except for June & July.

even ran 3 times while on vacation in May

Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – YES, until June 1. I started tennis again in Sept. I didn’t start yoga again until late Oct.

Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – YES. Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day, and Freihofer’s – all under 30 min. Post broken foot, I finished the Malta 5K, Race for the Cure, Delmar Turkey Trot and Stuff the Sleigh under 30. NO PR this year!! (I think my 5K PR days are over.)

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – YES. 3rd at the Polar Cap 4m, in the correct AG I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K, 2nd in the Biggest Loser 5K & Helper’s Fund 10k, and 1st in the Race for Hope 5K, the Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5K. Getting older rocks!

Polar Cap 4m – 3rd in 50-59

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

Mother’s Day 5K – 1st in 60-69

Helper’s Fund 10K – 2nd in 60-69

Race for Hope 5K – 1st in 60-69

Monster Scramble 10K – 1st in 60-69

Stuff the Sleigh 5k – 1st in 50+

PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – YES, both of my 10ks were faster. My PR was at the Helper’s Fund.

Helper’s Fund 10k

Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – NO (broke my foot). I hope to run my first in January.
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and/or a fall one) – YES, I ran 2 – the Sarasota Half Marathon in March and the Mohawk Hudson in October.

Sarasota Half Marathon 3/17/13

Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon – 10/13/13

Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – YES, 22 total races – at least one per month except for August (when I decided to cautiously recover from my broken foot.)

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

one of 3 September races

one of 3 November races

Run a race in another state – YES, I ran in Florida and Vermont.

Florida racing

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

running in Vermont

Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – YES, 11 out of 22 were new ones – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Sarasota Half, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, Biggest Loser 5k, Helper’s Fund 10K, Mohawk Hudson Half, Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5k. (NYC hopefully next year)

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

The Biggest Loser RunWalk (including a ride on a chair lift)

Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – YES. I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 10 healthy months.

Happy Running! How was your 2013? Do you set goals?

December 22, 2013 by Darlene

14 in 2014

I had no problems running 13 in 2013. In fact. I ran 22 races even though I was out with a broken foot for 2 months.

I even ran 12 in 2012 when I was out for 5 months with a broken ankle and then 2 months with a stress fracture.

So of course, I am committing for 14 in 2014! I usually run at least 20 races (barring injury.)

I would like this year to run 14 NEW races.

Here are the races that I am thinking about:

1. Mayors Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA

2. Lighthouse 5k in St. Augustine, FL

3. LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

4. Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

5. Spring Run Off 5 K or 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

6. Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

7. Adirondack Distance 10 m in Lake George, NY

June 22, 2014

8. CARE FOR KIDS 5K Run in Chestertown, NY

August 30, 2014

9. Flashlight 5K in Lake George, NY

September 21, 2014

10. Race the Train (8.4 mi) in North Creek, NY – if it is held

August 4, 2014??

11. Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K or 10K in Saratoga, NY

October 18, 2014

12. Troy Turkey Trot 5k or 10k in Troy, NY

November 27, 2014

13. a fall half marathon (Palio in Sartagoa, NY, Smuttynose in Hampton, NH, Seacoast in Portsmouth, NH, Hartford in CT, Diva on LI, NY??????)

October 5, 2014

14. a race in NYC (Melissa Fund Sun Run 5k??)

May 18, 2014 – date change

All 14 may not happen but I know that I will run 14 races where most of them will be new.

If you interested in this challenge, click here for more details.

Happy Running? Did you participate in the 13 in 2013 Challenge? Are you going to do the 14 in 2014? Do you run new races each year?

October 31, 2013 by Darlene

October Recap

Still running and still healthy! YAY!

october-month-halloween

OCTOBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! YES

in the neighborhood before work

rail trail runs

park runs

Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES, 3-4 days each week.
Start daily planks! NOT EXACTLY. I did a few.
Attend a yoga class! YES, I went to 2…it’s a start!
Complete a half marathon. YES!!! Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon.

Run at least 2 other races. YES!! Race for the Cure 5K and Monster Scramble 10K.

Race for Cure 5K

Monster Scramble 10K

Continue running longer on the weekend. YES!!
Nisky Bike Path for long runs
Run at least 50 miles this month. YES!! 70!

back to healthy running

Unfortunately boating season on Lake George ended. But we had quite a few good fall weekends.

It was also a theatre month. I went to NYC to see Matilda on Broadway and saw Les Miserables TWICE locally.

October was also a month for eating out in restaurants. I usually do not eat out much. But this month I ate out quite an inordinate number of times and in new restaurants:

Helsinki in Hudson, NY

Barrettas in Warrensburg, NY
Smiths in Cohoes, NY
Glass House Tavern in NYC
The View in Lake George
Milanos in Latham (3x)
Recovery Room in Albany
Hidden Cafe in Delmar
Caseys in Rensselaer, NY (this one was not new)
Burger King (not new obviously)

I am playing tennis on a regular basis since I am in 2 half contracts. So, it is no longer a goal. This month I played 6 times!! I find it more a social thing. I like the ladies I play with but it is doubles so not that much of a workout. However, I am sometimes annoyed that I have to schedule my running around it. So far, I haven’t done both in one day.

Now that boating and half marathon training is done, I was able to get together with my mentee, Amanda and her sons. We went on our annual excursion to Ellms Family Farm.

NOVEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!!
Start daily planks!
Attend 2 yoga classes!
Complete a 15k race.
Run at least one other race.
Continue running longer on the weekends.
Run a new route.
Run at least 50 miles this month.

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

October 24, 2013 by Darlene

Taking a Race Break

Check this out:

9-07-13 – MBPK 5k
9-21-13 – Helper’s Fund 10K
9-28-13 – Race for Hope 5k
10-05-13 – Susan Komen Race for the Cure
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-20-13 – Monster Scramble 10K

Yes, that has been my recent racing schedule. I had a drought due to a broken foot this summer so I made up for it.

I need to do a long run of 7 miles but though I was tempted …NO RACE this weekend or next weekend!

Can I? Without a race on the weekend??

Next race is in 2 weeks – a 15K. Then a 5k on Thanksgiving Day and a 5K in December.

Happy Running! Do you race often? Are you still motivated to run when you are not training for a race?

October 22, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – REST, 2 miles walked at work, mall walk with BFF after work

Tuesday – 3 miles walked at work, tennis after work, dinner out after tennis

park during lunch walk

Wednesday – 2 mile walk at work, 2 miles after work, YOGA

Thursday – 2 mile walk at work, 4 miles after work on the rail trail

Friday – 4 mile walk at work, REST, mah jongg in the evening

Saturday – 10K race, hanging out with hubby & friends, dinner out

Monster Scramble 10K

ride to the top of Prospect Mountain

Sunday – spectating at a Duathlon, 2.75 mile run during it

AJH crossing the finish line

running along the Mohawk Towpath Byway

This Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles before work, dinner out with a friend
Thursday – 3 or 4 miles after work
Friday – REST
Saturday – 7 miles
Sunday – REST, day at Ellms farms with my mentee & her sons

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races? Do you like running in the cooler weather? (I miss summer already.)

October 19, 2013 by Darlene

Monster Scramble 10K Race Report

The Monster Scramble 5K, 10K, and 1 mile family-fun stroll is just what you’ve been waiting for – a Halloween themed, chip-timed course through one of our spooky sites. It’s sure to make your heart (and feet) race!

As I already mentioned, I signed up for this race after I broke my foot and I thought that I would defer my half marathon until next year.But I didn’t defer and ran 131. miles last Sunday.

This race took place in Lake George and started at 12:15 pm. I decided to dress like a Parrot Head and have fun with this race. I knew nothing about the course other than Lake George races are always hilly.

My hubby wanted to go up to the marina and winterize our boat, So he offered to drop me off and then continue up to Bolton Landing and pick me up on his way home.

I planned to run the race, change my clothes and hang out in the village with my friend Kathi.

I had no goals for this race. Just enjoy the day!

When I got up, the weather was chillier and windier than I hoped. I changed my outfit several times but settled on the first outfit – a skirt and shirt with compression socks. Hopefully it would warm up.

My hubby was itching to leave so I got to the race about an hour early. The race began and ended at the Conference Center by Fort William Henry. I got my bib & chip and walked around a little looking at the beautiful lake.

I bumped into a lady who seemed to be by herself also. We chatted. She hadn’t raced in a while. Though it was a small crowd. Everyone was in costume and very enthusiastic.

Me as a “parrot head”..it may look cute but I could hardly see out of those glasses, the hat kept falling off & the lei kept choking me…

Around noon, we lined up and about 5 minutes later (while I was chatting), the race started. (Early??)

The first mile looped around the fort and the Conference Center. And yes, I encountered my first hill. I decided to be smart and take it slow so I could finish stronger than I did at the half marathon last week.

During mile 2 is when things started to go bad. The course was poorly marked. There were few volunteers on the course. Just a few passing out candy. They didn’t know the course either. So I and everyone else just followed the flow. And then we were told that we went the wrong way so had to go bad and turn around. Great …did I really want to run longer??

Next the course headed uphill… gradually but then it got very STEEP. I mean I had a hard time walking up it. Instead of looping around and going down it, they wanted you to go up it a second time.

That was fine except that many people were only doing it once. (The lady I was chatting with before the race claimed that she wasn’t as well others who had made the wrong turn.)

But I did and then headed back toward the start.

Then the 5kers turned right to finish and the 10kers turned left. I so wanted to quit and do the 5k.

But I didn’t and continued on. I ran the rest of the race with two young girls. The rest of the race was a repeat of the 5k we had just run.

However at this point, the volunteers had all quit. Just one at around mile 4.5 who had water. (It was warm and boy was I thirsty. I also ate a gel.) The volunteer also told us that there were only 8 runners ahead of us. (Really there were 5.) But there were NO runners behind us!! (Actually there was 1 that I never saw.)

The 3 of us stayed together so we wouldn’t get lost. When we got to the top of the BIG hill, they said they weren’t doing it twice and just turned around and started running down.

I looked at my Garmin and realized that if we did the 2 loops, we would be way over 6 miles, more like 7. If I didn’t, we would just be a little short.

So not wanting to be last and run by myself, I followed them and ran/walked to the finish line.

well, I crossed around 1:03:18. I ran almost 6 miles. I’ll not count this a 10K PR – just exercise and money given to fight MS.

done!

My friend Kathi was waiting for me at the finish. We hung around for awards and had some cider and donuts.

And yes, I won for my age group. (and I was the only one in my AG!!)

race swag

So this will be a race that I won’t repeat. Next year, I’ll do the Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K in Saratoga.

After the race, Kathi & I walked around the village and then back to her house.

Kathi & I & Lake George

My hubby had finished winterizing our boat and was there with Kathi’s hubby. It was a nice day so we decided to take a drive to the top of Prospect Mountain.

my & the hubby at the first stop

We stopped at the all the viewing stops for pics .