August 11, 2012 by Darlene

Camp Chingachgook Challenge 10k Race Report

The tee shirt (I didn’t get one cuz they ran out)

(Note to self: don’t eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s the night before a race. It kept me up most of the night with an upset stomach.)

Anyway, I got up at 6am hoping not to see rain. It was overcast, 70 degrees with 97% humidity but at least it wasn’t raining.

I ate my usual breakfast (coffee & oatmeal) and headed out. It was about 1 hour 15 minute ride up to Lake George. The Camp Chingachgook Challenge was held on the eastern side of the lake. My boat is on the western side so this was a new view of the lake for me. The Half Marathon starts in town and ends at the camp. The 10k is an out and back route starting and ending at the camp.

the 10K route

I arrived early (and it still wasn’t raining but it looked like it had rained) and immediately bumped into Christine, a law professor whom I work with. It’s nice to see a familiar face at a race.

The course is beautiful (nice views of the lake) but it is HILLY… rolling hills and at some points they resembled mountains. This was definitely the hardest course I have ever run.

No flat parts!

I started running up the hills during mile 1. Then I got worried that I would die so I walked up several of the steeps during the first half. There were 2 water stops each way & I walked through those as well.

Though it wasn’t a big race, you got to see the fast half marathoners go by and run along side the slower ones.

hills and more hills

The second half, I walked up 2 of the hills but tried to run more. My ankle didn’t really start to hurt until mile 5 and I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would (considering my injury and my lack of long runs).

It never rained (though everyone looked drenched from the humidity). The sun never came out either.

I crossed the finish line at 1:09:07. A PR!! (Of course, it was my first 10K.)

everyone got a medal.

Christine was waiting for me and we headed to the food line…a barbecue with hotdogs, chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, pasta salad, watermelon. YUM!!

We waited for the awards. We both came in 2nd in our age group (but they only gave out prizes for 1st).

My hubby was on our boat. I debated going up but it looked like rain so I stopped at the outlets instead. I was right because the skies opened up and it rained on and off for the rest of the afternoon and then the sun came out.

I never posted my goals because I wasn’t even sure that I would run this race. But here they are:

Not finish last
Beat my practice 10k time (1:16:00)
Beat half my PR half marathon time (1:11:18)
Finish wanting to do another 10K

Woo Hoo! I met all my goals. I’m pretty pleased! (I left my camera home…hopefully the photographer got a picture of me.)

splits

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

August 10, 2012 by Darlene

Impromptu 10K

My favorite quote of the moment:

“The most powerful time to persist is when you don’t feel like it. Keep going, and the persistence itself will make you feel better.” – Ralph Marston.

So I had been feeling guilty about not running Tuesday or Wednesday am but it was 93 degrees when I left work on Wednesday.

I put on my running clothes and went to the Corning Bike Trail. I wanted to run 3 miles at least. I decided to run 3 miles out because the farther you run, the shadier it gets and then walk back.

I ran 3.1 miles slowly in 35 minutes and then turned around and headed back. Then I saw a very old lady running VERY VERY slowly but running (without walking). I felt guilty walking so I started to run and passed her. Then I walked and she passed me. We played leap-frog for a while until I tired and walked more (and she turned and headed back to where she started her run – the opposite direction as me). I was impressed with how slow she was running. I can’t run that slow and how she kept that consistent pace (even in the heat).

I ended up finishing my 2nd 5k in 41 minutes. Total time for the 10K was 1 hour 16 min.

Last year, I would have been discouraged in finishing in over ONE hour. Last week, I would only have attempted 3 miles.

But now, I realize that I can push myself through the pain. And yes, I did feel better afterwards.

Will I run the 10K on Saturday?

Yes (unless it is raining/thunderstorms)!

13.1 miles in the pouring rain…never again!

Happy Running!

August 9, 2012 by Darlene

Weather Wimp

Check out the humdity!

Still on the fence about Saturday’s 10K.

Tuesday, I skipped my morning run because I would be playing tennis after work.

Tennis went poorly. I was tired, hungry, thirsty, my foot hurt, whine, whine, whine. So I bought new tennis sneakers as a motivator.

Wednesday, I was too tired to run before work. A mistake since it was cool and 90 degrees after work.

Today, I had an very early meeting at work and a hair appt after work…NO time for RUNNING!!

I have Friday off so I could run but don’t want to run the day before a 10K. Besides, the weather does not look great…if it isn’t raining, it will be very humid! (If I were a REAL runner, it won’t matter, right?)

I’m not there yet!

Happy Running! Are you a weather wimp?

August 2, 2012 by Darlene

To 10K or Not to 10K? That is the Question.

I have never done a 10K. I almost did a 10K (but I got sick and couldn’t do it).

Last year, I ran a 15k and 5 half marathons (even one when I was recovering from an injury.)

As you well know, things have changed.

Since my injury, I have run three 5ks and many less than stellar training runs (I think they all have been crappy.) My longest run to date (with a lot of walk breaks) has been FOUR miles.

So why am I considering the HILLY

on August 11, 2012?

A. I like a challenge.

B. I run better in races than training.

C. It’s just a long run (that I pay $ for.)

D. It’s in Lake George. I love Lake George!

E. I need to burn calories (I have a wedding the next day and a tight dress to wear.)

F. I have lost my mind.

G. All of the above.

Happy Running! Did you ever compete in a race that you shouldn’t? Should I do this 10K?

June 28, 2012 by Darlene

Six months

Report Card

Each year I look at my yearly goals at the halfway point.

However, as you know, I had to re-write my goals after I got hurt.

~~Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)~~ Follow doctor’s orders and stay off ankle until allowed, go to PT and do the recommended exercises, and start to run when & as often as recommended. Yes, for the most part (I may have run a little sooner than allowed.)
~~Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)~~ Same as above, start tennis & yoga when allowed, join a gym to do crosstraining/machines to stay fit. NOPE, not yet.
~~Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)~~ Run a 5k race before the end of the year, if I am able to run several, get faster with each one. Yes, 2 5ks so far & the 2nd was faster than the first.
~~Get an Age Group award~~
~~Run a 10K race~~
~~Run a 10 mile race~~
~~Run at least one half marathon~~ 4. Start to train for a half marathon in 2013. Not yet but I registered for one on March 17, 2013 & I plan to start training in Dec.
~~Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)~~
~~Run a race in another state~~
5. Run a NEW race. Yes, Stride4Stride 5K was new.
6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) Yes, so far.
7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) Yes, definitely.
8. Volunteer at a race. Not yet, but I did spectate.
9. Bring a cell phone whenever I go running alone. Yes.

I think I am doing pretty well, considering. So I am going to add 3 more goals:

10. Run a 10 K race.
11. Finish a 5K race under 30 minutes.
12. Run 12 races.

Six months:

from here

to here

Happy Running! How is your year going? Did you set goals?

May 22, 2012 by Darlene

What’s the Plan, Stan?

Gotta have a plan, right?

June – WALK
July – RUN
August – RUN MORE
September – 5K
October – 10K
November – 15K
December – RUN LONG
January – Half Marathon!!!

January 13, 2013 or 1-13-13 (lucky 13?)

Well I may be overly optimistic since I haven’t started running outside yet. But my 6 month injury anniversary is June 29 and I’ve had enough!!!

The worst case scenario is that I walk the races. Even the Palm Coast allows walkers (if you can finish under 4 hrs).

Happy Running! Do you plan ahead? How far?

December 31, 2011 by Darlene

2012 Goals – Prematurely Posted

I think it’s important to have goals but not let them run your life. So here are my 12 running goals for the year:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award
Run a 10K race
Run a 10 mile race
Run at least one half marathon
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Happy Running! Did you set any interesting running goals for 2012?

November 17, 2011 by Darlene

Tentative Races for 2012

Some oldies but goodies and some new ones on the horizon:

*HMRRC Winter Series Run – 1/?
Polar Cap 4m – 2/2
Runnin of the Green 4m – 3/17
Delmar Dash 5m – 4/8

*Spring Run Off 10K – 4/28

*NY-VT Champlain Bridge Race 5K – 5/20
Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – 6/2

*New Paltz Challenge Half Marathon – 6/17 (REVIEW)

*Adirondack Distance Run 10m – 6/24
Silks & Satins 5K – 7/?
*Jingle Bell Run (5k) in Lake George – 7/28
Camp Chingagook 10K in Lake George – 8/?
Jailhouse Rock 5K – 8/?

*Helper’s Fund 10K – 9/21
Komen Race for the Cure (5K) – 9/29

*Divas Half Marathon on LI – 10/7
Falling Leaves 5K – 10/14
*Great Pumpkin 5k or 10K – 10/21

*Frun Run 10K -11/3
Stockadeathon 15K – 11/11
Our Towne Turkey Trot – 11/22
Run Off That Turkey 5K – 11/24
Albany Last Run – 12/15

* = NEW races
in RED = pretty definite
in black = tentative (could be deleted or substituted for another)

Happy Running! Do you have 2012 racing planned yet?

October 13, 2011 by Darlene

Random Things on a Thursday

Since I work in a law school, the image above seems appropriate.

1. I have my high school reunion this weekend (my 40th cough cough). Thanks to Facebook for planning this event and that there’s no hiding how we’ve aged… I will not post our high school photos but here’s one of the 6 of us at the last (20 year) reunion:

2. My diet isn’t going so well. First I had to carb load for my 3rd half Marathon and now I have to carb load for my 4th Half Marathon. What’s a runner girl to do? Wear loose clothing, I guess.

3. I hate being sick!! I’m not real ill but just have that annoying stuffed nose, sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes kind of cold. It makes it hard to run when you feel crappy. But better now than on Nov. 6, I say.

4. Thanks to all those slow runners who commented on my last post. I’m glad I’m not alone. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy reading blogs by those runners who want to PR every race, run the NYC Marathon, qualify for Boston, etc. Unfortunately it’s not me. I’m jealous, of course. But we, penguins, still go out there and run and compete at our own pace.

5. I can’t believe it’s mid October. The end of 2011 is right around the corner. Almost time to think about racing in 2012. Unless Nov 6 goes horribly, I will want to do another Half Marathon. I definitely want to try a 10k and maybe get back some 5K speed (speed is relative here).

6. The running community where I work is growing!!! Two more just completed their first half marathons last weekend. YAY! There are quite a few casual runners but now we have at least 7 serious runners. It’s fun to talk running with them and have something in common beside work.

Happy Running! Happy Thurday!