May 13, 2013 by Darlene

Lacking the Long Run Motivation

Ever since my March half marathon, I have been trying to get my speed back. As a result, I have been racing 5Ks and mostly running 3 miles with an occasional 4 or 5 miler thrown in.

I definitely feel more confident about my speed (although it isn’t or may never be totally back).

So now, I need to run longer.

And I can’t find the motivation!!

I have a 10 mile race on June 23 and a 15K on July 28. I also have a Half Marathon on October 13.

The problem is that I can’t find the time on the weekends!!

It is easy to squeeze in 3 miles and then do other things. Long runs take time!

can only spend time with Amanda & her sons on the weekend.

the boating season is too short and too expensive not to take advantage of it every weekend that the weather is nice (it is the one thing my hubby & I do together …)

I guess that’s why I usually run 5ks in the summer and train for long races in the winter.

In the meantime, I am going to have to get creative about fitting in the long runs this summer – take mornings off from work, run after work, etc. (and the weather better cooperate!!)

But I will not get injured by running a long race untrained.

Happy Running! Anyone else have the long run motivation blues??

April 24, 2013 by Darlene

U is for US (as in racing in the US)

I don’t plan to run a half or a marathon in every state but wouldn’t it be cool to run a race in every state?

As you can see that I am very far away (45 more to go) and to complete this goal, I think I would have needed to start running at a younger age!! (At my previous job of 8 years, I went to conferences annually all over the country…but I wasn’t a runner back then 😦 I remember how long the line was for signing up for the 5k race at NECC conferences and that they always filled up so quickly. I thought people were crazy. Now I know why… )

I guess it will be fun trying…

Happy Running! How many states have you run races in?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

O is for Old races vs new ones

Freihofer’s 2010

There are fun races that I love and will try to do EVERY YEAR such as the Freihofer’s Run for Women and Albany’s Last Run.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Last Run 5k 2011

And ones that I run every year because I support the charity such as Breast Cancer and Juvenile Arthritis.

Race for a Cure 2011

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Of course, there are races that I run every year just because friends are doing them.

Sean’s Run with Mary

Polar Cap with AJH

But I am always looking for New races. Here are some that I am considering (the ones in bold I have already signed up for):

3-30-13 – Ice Breaker 5K
4-21-13 – Lake George 5K
5-12-13 – Mother’s Day 5K
6-23-13 – Adirondack Distance Run – 10m
7-28-13 – Biggest Loser Run 15 K (in Killington, VT)
8-03-13 – Race the Train (8.4 mi)
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-19-13 – Great Pumpkin 10K
11-02-13 – Fall Frun 10K

Old or New…I will thinking of Boston!

Happy Running! Do you do the same old races each year or do you look for new ones?

February 12, 2013 by Darlene

Biggest Loser Inspired

The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit.

The Get Fit, Get Ready! race series is a series of 5k/10k/15k’s that is designed to get you fit and ready for your next race. This series can act as a stepping stone to a longer, more challenging race or just an enjoyable experience shared with friends and family. Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from our boat…):

July 28, 2013

Killington, VT

5K | 15K

The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along the mountain with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.

The Premier Destination races are feature races consisting of a half marathon/5k. Whether it is your first half marathon or you want to hit your next PR (personal best), this series serves as a fun and rewarding race worthy of traveling to! Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from my friend’s house in Chestertown…):

June 9, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Half Marathon | 5K

The course for The Biggest Loser RunWalk Plattsburgh, NY winds through downtown Plattsburgh and along the Saranac River which flows into Cumberland Bay

Dan & Jackie Evans were Season 5 featured contestants on the hit reality show The Biggest Loser. While on the ranch, Dan lost 136 pounds and Jackie lost 89. Since losing a combined 225 pounds, Dan and Jackie have been canvassing the country and keeping the weight off through nutrition and running. They will be at these races.

Here’s more: Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:

• Non-intimidating Environment for New Runners and Walkers (3 hour time limit for the 15k and 5 hour time limit for the half marathon!!!)
• The Biggest Loser Inaugural Finisher’s Medal (love bling!)
• Celebrity Appearances
• Commemorative Technical T-Shirt
• Race Number, Timing Tag and Goodie Bag
• Water and Sports Drink along the Course
• Food, Sports Drink and Water at Finish Lines
• Live Entertainment by former Biggest Loser Season 5 contestant & Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans, at the Finish Line Festival
• Free Downloadable Race Photos (cool!)
• Last but not Least, a Truly Unforgettable Experience

FYI: Giveaway sponsored by Running Diva Mom!!

I don’t watch the Biggest Loser TV series. I tried a few times but it was so depressing. The only part that intrigues me is the part about running. I am also not a fan of driving more than a hour for a race. And the big one…will I stay healthy?? will I be able to run longer distances??

So I didn’t register….yet!

Happy Running! Pretty tempting, don’t you think? Anyone doing one?

December 9, 2012 by Darlene

2013 Bucket List of Races

January

maybe a free HMRRC race (Albany)

February

Polar Cap 4 mi (Lake George)

March

First Watch Half Marathon (Sarasota, Fla.)

April

Delmar Dash 5 mi Race

May

Sean’s 5k Run (Chatham)
Mother’s Day Race (Schenectady)

June

Freihofer Run for Women (Albany)
Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
Adirondack Distance Challenge (Lake George-Bolton Landing)

July

Jingle Bell 5k (Lake George)
Silks & Satins 5K (Saratoga)

August

Camp Chingachgook 10k (Lake George)
Jailhouse Rock 5k (Ballston Spa)

September

5 for fiVe (Saratoga)
MBPK 5k (Malta)
Helper’s Fund 5K (Chestertown)

October

Susan Komen Race for the Cure (Albany)
Lighthouse Loop Half Marathon (Ponce Inlet, Fla.)

November

Fall Frun 10K (Clifton Park)
Stockade-athon 15K (Schenectady)
Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 5k (Delmar)

December

Albany Last Run 5K

Most of these races I’ve run before but there are a few news ones (in BOLD).

Of course, I hope to have a healthy year.

It’s good to have goals. It keeps you motivated. For me this year, it’s to cross the finish line and have fun!!!

Happy Running! What races are on your bucket list for 2013?

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 23, 2011 by Darlene

2011 Goals – How did I do?

Here are the GOALS that I set for 2011:

I was doing REALLY well until June 11 when I hurt my heel… then I rebounded!!

Lower my 5K PR – No, it still stands at 27:30 but I did have 3 races under 28 minutes and 2 just over 28!

√ Run 5ks under 28 minutes – 3 out of 9 under 28 (all 5ks under 30 minutes except for the one where I fell)

√ Win my age group – 2nd for the LG Half, (50-59), 2nd for Polar Cap 4m (55-59), 2nd for Firefighters 5K (55-59), 1st SPAC 5k(55-59) – only got prizes for the lst 2

: Polar Cap – 2nd place in AG

√ Run new races – 14 new races (Polar Cap 4m, Firefighters 5k, Naples Half, LG Half, Delmar Dash 5m, Sean’s Run 5k, Workforce Challenge 3.5m, Runnin of the Green 4m, Adirondack Half, Fall Foliage Half, Santa Clarita Half, Stockade-athon, Run Off That Turkey 5K. Hmrrc Winter Series #1 3m)

Runnin of the Green 4 miler

Run at least one race each month – 1 in Jan, 1 in Feb, 2 in Mar, 2 in Apr, 4 in May, 2 in Jun, 0 in July, 0 in August, 1 in Sept, 2 in Oct, 4 in Nov & 2 in Dec. (injured in July & August 😦 )

: Sean’s Run in May

√ Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) – over 800 miles for the year. (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & August.)

Running outside in January

√ Run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K) – 5 Half Marathons, a 15K, 2 – 4 mile races, 1 -5 mile race

: Delmar Dash 5 miler

√ Run a half marathon race – 5 Half Marathons!! Woo Hoo!

LG Half Marathon 4-11

√ Run at least 15 races – 21 races (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & Aug. I DNS for about 6 races.)

Mother’s Day Race ’11

√ Run a race in another state – 2 – a Half Marathon in Florida and a Half Marathon in California

Half in Naples, Florida

Volunteer at a race – Nope

√ Take running pics & post on FB & this blog – I have taken lots of photos (even use the timer on my camera) & post on this blog & on facebook

√ Keep track of how many miles I run this year – I record every mile I run on this blog, dailymile.com & on a tickerfactory.com ticker

Happy Running! Did you accomplish your 2011 running goals?

December 13, 2011 by Darlene

2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster. I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

First 4 mile race

Polar Cap 4 miler

First 5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

First 15K race

Stockade-athon 15K

First half marathon

Naples Half Marathon

First destination race

Naples, Florida

First race in the rain

Lake George Half Marathon

First injury 😦

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.) This is the order:

First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
First injury (Jun 2011)
First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running! What did you do for the first time in 2011?

December 1, 2011 by Darlene

It’s December!

67 MILES

November wasn’t a high mileage month since I ran my half marathon at the beginning of the month and I was not training for anything else.

Here were my goals for November:

Hope to continue to run pain-free – YES!
Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES!
Run 3-4 times a week – YES!
Santa Clarita Half Marathon
Survive Half Marathon #5 – YES (but wish I had done better)
after the Run off that turkey 5k race
Run a 5k (& finish under 30 min.) – Ran 2 5k races (finished at 27:58 & 28:11)
Join a gym & start to cross-train – Not yet….
Stockade-athon 15K