October 22, 2019 by Darlene

Lawson Lake Trail 5k Recap

It wasn’t much of a race for me. But I’ll review it since other runners may be interested.

I signed up to do this race the DAY AFTER my 20 miler…

Crazy, right?

It was not too far away. Only cost $10. It started at 10 am and I had the day off from work. There were a BBQ after the race. Several of my friends expressed interest in doing the race.

So why not???

I was VERY sore after the 20 miler and even my hubby doubted that I could even walk 3 miles.

But I woke up feeling NO PAIN. I mean, I felt like I had NOT run the day before. Go figure.

Even so I was planning to be smart and walk most of the race.

I wound up going with Judy since she did not want to go alone. We arrived very early and got a great parking spot (in a small lot).

We got our bibs and walked around waiting for our friends to arrive.

Eventually they did and we discussed our plans for the race. There was 5k and a 5 miler. We all had signed up for the 5k. (The 5 miler apparently had steep sections and was more technical.)

Some of us thought they may run it. Jan and I agreed that it was too treacherous to do that and we would walk most of (and try not to get lost.)

The course looped around the start and along the lake a few times at the beginning. I think Jan and I missed messed up one of the last loops. (But we didn’t care.)

For the rest of the race, we ran on the trails. They had lots of roots and leaves so we walked mostly but at times if it were clear, we ran.

It was so nice to relax during a race and look at the scenery and take pictures.

The weather was picture perfect.

And we never got lost and we weren’t LAST.

As I approached the finish line, I heard our other friends cheering.

So I had to sprint and try to beat Jan. LOL.

And we beat our goal of 1 hour!!

Everyone got a homemade medal.

As soon as we finished, we were treated to cider donuts!!

And then we went inside to get some food. There were chips, cider, hot dogs, veggie burgers, caramel apples. Not bad for only $10.

Afterward, there was a fall festival there with lots of activities for kids.

So it was fun-filled morning. I recommend the Lawson Lake Trail Race. I may do it again if I have the chance.

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies and you should too.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

Happy Running! Do you run trail races or just walk them?

August 27, 2019 by Darlene

Jailhouse Rock 5K Race Recap

August 17, 2019 – 8:15 am

I’ve done this race 5 times before. And I’ve always enjoyed it.

: 2012

: 2014

: 2016

My previous times were: 2009 – 31:04, 2010 – 29:49, 2012 – 30:58, 2014 – 28:25, 2016 – 28:33.

In 2010, I was recovering from an achilles injury and in 2012 from a broken ankle. And obviously healthy in 2014 and 2016.

If I ran it again this year, I would be trying for at least a course PR but with racing, you just never know how things will turn out.

I remembered that in this race, you walk up a hill to start the race and you finished running down this hill. Couldn’t be any better than that. Right?

For some reason, I haven’t run this race the past two years. This year, I signed up because it fit into my schedule

Well, sorta. I should have been running a 12 mile LSD run per my marathon training plan. And I had been in NYC working all week (ran a 5k on Wednesday night) and got back late the night before. Not ideal. But welcome to my life!

The race started at 8:15 at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa which is about 45 minutes away from my house. I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 am and left around 6:45 am.

across the street from the museum

This nice local race usually has about 200-300 runners. There’s no parking lot but it is easy to find parking on the street. There are bathrooms in the museum which is always a plus.

I got there early enough to find a close spot and use the rest room (in the museum). The temps were warm and insanely humid. (Almost as humid as Wednesday night but with sun).

instead of a shirt, you got a buff – very happy since I have enough shirts

I bumped into a few runners that I knew and chatted until it was time to walk all the way up the hill to the start.

There I found my friend Laurie, whom I knew was running this race.

We started together but I lost her quickly.

The first mile was a gradual uphill but nothing too steep. I was going to try to hold back but my legs felt like lead so I didn’t need to worry about that. Boy, was it humid!!!!

I was hoping to run the whole thing but around halfway at the water stop, I was out of breath so I stopped and walked for a while. The humidity was killing me.

Mile 2 seemed to be flat but every time I tried to speed up, I felt out of breath so I walked again and again. I knew I had to give up on hopes of a PR and just finish the race.

I walked several times during the last mile.

I knew there was that downhill to the finish… but it seemed forever in coming.

Finally I got to the steep downhill, I wish I was confident enough to go all out but I was afraid of falling flat on my face so I held back.

Then I saw the clock. It was 28:xx and I ran as fast as I could.

I crossed at 28:30. (There was no timing mat at the beginning).

Although I was dripping wet, I did not feel as bad as I did Wednesday night. Most likely because I walked several times the last mile.

I grabbed some water and a banana and chatted with some friends while waiting for Laurie.

sweaty but glad to be done

I checked the screen to see if I won an award. My name was not listed so I talked to the person doing the timing and he manually entered my time.

that is a one speedy 60 year old…glad I’m usually in the next age group

They gave awards for 10 year age groups and I won 2nd.

a big cookie – yum!

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:08
mile 2 – 9:14
mile 3 – 9:05
.14 -7:21
______________
28:30

No PR (over a minute faster in June on a harder course.) No course PR. (just a little slower.)

Coincidentally, I recently posted about slowing down. Well, maybe I am. My last two 5ks have not been stellar performances but I’m not giving up on speed. I’ll attribute it for now to the weather and weariness.

I decided after the race to go to the Zim Smith Bike Path to run 9 more miles.

UGH!! I did not want to…

It was 10 am by the time I started, sunny, still humid and I was BEAT!!!!

The run SUCKED!!! I ran, walked, dragged my feet but got it done.

The only thing that got me through it was some podcasts during and Leah’s Cakery’s chocolate milk at the end!

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Please share.

August 20, 2019 by Darlene

Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5k #7 Race Recap

August 14, 2109 – 7:10 pm

If you follow my blog, you know that I often get sent to NYC for work.
Usually, I just try to squeeze in a run on the East River, Hudson River or in Central Park.

Well two years ago, I found a race!!!!

Apparently during the summer months on alternating Wednesdays at 7:10 pm, there is a cheap ($7.50 – if you sign up for the whole series, each race costs only $5) 5k in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. These races are organized by the Prospect Park Track Club. I ran one that July and had a great time.

I was excited that they were scheduled again last summer and the first two races coincided with the dates that I would be working in NYC. I ran both of them.

Unfortunately, this summer a few of my trainings got cancelled and I was only in NYC to run the last one of this 5K racing series.

Here are some of the perks of these races:

Bag check
Bathrooms (real ones!)
Water before, during and after the race
Chip Timing
Marker at each mile
5 year Age group awards ceremony after the race
Results immediately emailed to you
Free photos

So it seemed like a no brainer to run any of these races if I could.

Here is a cool video of the course:

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/840765?units=km

Again I had to work all day in Queens (getting up at 5:30 am and being on my feet until 4 pm). I would have to rush to take the subway, then the LIRR, walk to my hotel and change my clothes and then take a LONG subway ride to Brooklyn.

At least this year, I was pretty familiar with the route and knew that I would make the race on time (unless there were snafus with the transportation.)

The problem was the weather. Very humid and it looked like rain. I brought an umbrella just in case.

I actually for the first time exited the train station at the right exit. Right near the entrance to the park nearest the race start

But it was pouring!!!

So I entered the park and followed the signs and wondered why I was crazy enough to do this race.

I was pretty early and it wasn’t crowded at all yet. They moved moved bib pick up and bag check indoors.

As I mentioned in my previous recaps for this race, it was strange to be at a race and not know a single person.

I sat outside at a picnic table under an umbrella.

I just had a banana and some water and waited til it was time to head to the start line hoping that the rain would stop.

the race was dedicated to a runner whop recently died

Eventually runners started arriving. There were probably close to 500. And rain did stop. But it was warm still in the high 70s and incredibly humid. Felt like a sauna.

I was feeling exhausted. Sleeping in a hotel is not ideal and I had gone to bed too late the night before.

Still here I was running a 5k at 7:10 in the evening. Crazy lady, I know!

Night races are tough for me. My only goal was to run well and finish uninjured. There are not usually many older runners so I had a good chance as in previous years in winning my age group.

I noticed an older runner in a local race shirt. It was from a race that I had run several times. Yes, he was from my area and works in the city several days each week. We chatted for awhile and then headed toward the start line.

You pass the finish line on the way to the start.

We all lined up. No corrals or pace signs. Just everyone all together. It didn’t matter because believe it or not, this small local race was chip-timed.

Since I had just run a similar course in June, I knew about the big LONG hill during mile 1.

As I mentioned previously, there are usually runners of all ages who all look like “runners” and the finish times are incredibly fast. A little intimidating.

I started running the first mile. My legs felt like lead. And then I got to the hill, I tried to run up it and it was tempting to walk but I managed to drag myself through it slowly.

Mile 2 was better but I was so hot. So I stopped at the water stop and walked a bit.

Every who passed me by looked they had gone swimming. Even I was dripping wet from the humidity.

By the end of mile 3, I was crashing. I tried to finish strong but I just had to walk. And walk again.

I did not have enough energy to sprint and barely finished under 29 minutes. My slowest 5k in a few years.

But under the those miserable conditions, I was not disappointed in the least.

I was a little dizzy and went directly to get water and sit down.

Then that local runner that I met before the race finished and we walked back to bag check.

They posted the results. I did win my age group (as I was the only one in my age group.)

I really didn’t want to hang around to get a medal but I did since I think it’s rude when runners don’t.

Race Splits
mile 1- 9:31
mile 2 – 9:08
mile 3 – 9:11
.14 – 7:52

28:48

I never look at my previous race times until after the current race.

2017 – 27:52
2018 – 28:24, 28:02
2019 – 28:48

As you can see, no course PR this year.

Though it was very late by the time I got back to my hotel, I did enjoy my Brooklyn 5k!! And I felt better after the race than before.

I plan to run these races again next year if my work dates match the race dates.

There is now a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Ever fun a race while you are traveling for work? Do you try to improve your times on the same course?

August 19, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.12.19-8.18.19 – The Daily Double

WEEK 7 of NYCM Training included TWO races in one week (both 5ks)

Last Week –

Monday – Well I really didn’t feel like getting up early and running. But the weather has been so unpredictable and I wasn’t sure what the week would bring besides work. So I dragged myself out of bed and actually did 6 miles. The temps were wonderful and I discovered a preserve and hiking trail just 3 miles from my house.

After work I headed to NYC for work. It was late when I arrived so just had dinner and went for a walk.

Tuesday – A long work day in Queens followed by meeting Cari for a walk. Haven’t seen her in awhile and it was great to catch up. It seems to always rain when we meet. Today was predicted to have heavy rain in the evening. Lucky for us, it never happened. So we took the subway to the GW bridge because I wanted to see the Little Red Lighthouse, walked over 100 blocks along the Hudson at sunset and then I took the subway back to my hotel. What a great way to spend the evening with a friend.

Wednesday – Another work day but as I’ve done in summers past, I took the long subway ride to Brooklyn to run a 5k. Crazy I know but it was enjoyable.

It rained until the start of the race and then 100% humidity!! Tough race but at least I won my age group.

Thursday – Met up with Cari again after work but this time it was to actually run. Instead of our original plan of running in Central Park, we headed to the pier on the Hudson to catch up with fellow Skirt Sports ambassador Elizabeth. Then caught the sun setting as we ran.

we may have walked and talked more than we ran but who cares?

Friday – Rest day due to returning home late after work by train.
Saturday – Today I ran the Jailhouse Rock 5k with my friend Laurie. After a hard work week and a late arrival home the night before, it wasn’t the best laid plans.

another tough one due to the heat and extreme humidity.. Came in 2nd in the 10 year age group.

Still fun and then ran 9 miles after to complete a long run. That was not fun.

don’t recommend starting a long run at 10 am when it is hot and humid and after a 5k…one of the worst ones ever.

Sunday – It’s Sunday and that means boating on Lake George. It was a gorgeous day and we got off the lake before the storms arrived 🙂

This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 8

Monday – ~~Saratoga Track Mile race~~, 3 miles before work
Tuesday – rest day, dinner out, Aurora Games at Times Union Center after work
Wednesday – train to NYC, 6 miles in NYC
Thursday – 3 miles in NYC, preview of Brigid Runs a Marathon??
Friday – rest day, train home
Saturday – long run 14 miles, tennis ladies weekend at Schroon River
Sunday – rest day, tennis on the Schroon River.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any races on the horizon? How are you dealing with the summer temps/humidity? Please share.

July 16, 2019 by Darlene

Silks and Satins 5K Race Recap

July 13, 2019 8:00 am

When I first started running, this race was one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, 2010.

in 2008 – my first year of running

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race. Since then I have completed 37 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years off (from this race), I ran it again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things hadn’t changed that much (but I started to wear running skirts instead of shorts).

I enjoyed this race so much that I re-added it to my summer racing list and ran it again in 2016, 2017 and 2018, lowering my finish time each year. (28:27, 27:37, 27:28)

Would I again this year???

: 2016

: 2017

: 2018

Here is the map for the course that I ran the past 3 years:

The race started at 8 am. That meant that I had to get up at 5:30. (And I was out late with friends the previous evening.)

Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep well and woke up with a stiff neck, headache and nausea. I really didn’t feel like racing but I had told my friend Laurie that I would meet her there so I felt like I had to go.

I felt better after my coffee but still not great. But off I went around 6:15-30.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not, there was already a lot of traffic at 7 am. I was glad to have left early and found parking in a nearby lot. (I was careful this year to park in the correct lot. A few years ago, I almost got towed.)

The pick-up area was behind the barn on the corner of Case & Mitchell. I picked up my bib and shirt and then went back to my car and watched the horses work out for a bit.

There were close to 500 runners at this race (I think there had been more in previous years.). So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces. This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.

The weather was warm … around 70 at the start but not quite as warm and humid as it has been earlier in the week. I just hung around and waited for Laurie. In the meantime, I bumped into another Skirt Sports ambassador and my neighbor.

Laurie eventually arrived and we headed to the start together.

We stood not too far back and waited.

And then we were off. Laurie took off fast. I did not.

It seemed like everyone was passing me by…because they were. My legs felt dead. Well I had run 6 miles on Wednesday and a hilly trail run on Thursday. Oops. My plan was to have negative splits anyway. Besides, I really felt lousy.

But my biggest problem was the SUN. There was very little if any shade on the course.

By the second mile, I was starting to struggle with my breathing. It was warm but I have run in higher temps. It was the sun. And it was sucking the life out of me. Plus, I felt like throwing up.

I tried to run in the shade when there was shade and run the tangents (all 15 of them). I had planned to walk at the one water stop at the halfway point. And I did but for probably too long. At this point, I knew that I was not having a great race. And it didn’t matter.

By mile 3, I was really fading. I walked one more time but only briefly.

I tried to get up enough energy to sprint through the finish line. My Freihofer and Turkey Trot coach was at the finish line (his company timed the race) and he would be expecting me to finish strong.

I crossed at 28: XX.

I felt very shaky and grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.

I was not even hungry (which is odd for me after a race).

They posted the results pretty quickly. I was shocked that I won in my age group (You know, it’s not speed but who shows up).

Laurie waited with me for the awards ceremony, I got a nice medal. It always feels great when you win an award (even if you didn’t run well.)

All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat. It is well-organized. You get a free ticket to the race track (I hope to use it later this summer). Plus it raises money for a great cause (Special Olympics). So I plan to run this race again next summer.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:46
mile 2 – 9:09
mile 3 – 9:19
.14 – 8:02

28:18

Positive splits. And almost a minute slower than last year.

After the race, I would normally have driven to Saratoga State Park and add some more miles for a long run. But as I mentioned, I had run my 6 mile long run on Wednesday so I drove to join my running friends at brunch (after their long run).

There is now a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Please share.

July 14, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 7.8.19-7.14.19: Just work, running and a 5k

I did not have to do any of my runs solo this week. Woo Hoo! And it was also WEEK 2 for NYCM Training. 16 more to go but who’s counting? LOL

Last Week –

Monday – I was excited today to have company on my after work run. The rail trail was the most convenient for the four of us who chose to come. In order to run with my slower friends, I ran fast and then circled back. I was able to get an extra mile in that way and not be running alone the whole time.

that stretching was just for the pic lol

Tuesday – Had a hair appointment so scheduled a rest day instead of a run.

Wednesday – A post work run at the Corning bike path. Since I had a 5k planned for Saturday, I decided to switch things around and run 6 miles today rather than my usual 3. I was very tempted to do some social running. There were several opportunities but with my work location and the traffic, I thought better of it. So glad my running friend Heidi joined me on this sweaty (90 degrees and HUMID) slogfest.

Thursday – Since I did not run with the running groups the day before, I decided to participate in a group (ARE) trail run today. Several of my running friends were planning to go as well. It rained most of the day and I hesitated plus I was a little nervous since I am not comfortable on trails.

I got there early and hiked around a bit. It was so pretty.

Eventually everyone arrived. I got introduced as a newbie to the trail run series this year. I also bumped into a old friend from tennis. Susie & I ran together for about half of the course and then I lost her but made a new friend, Melanie, whom I chatted with and ran the rest. Yes I ran. I planned to walk but it was so fun. I can’t wait to go next week.

Afterwards a bunch of friends went out to dinner nearby.

my friend Chris’ pic

Friday – My usual rest day before a race day. Also my usual Friday night mah jongg game.
Saturday – Race Day. Silks and Satins 5k – one of my favorite summer races. Unfortunately I was not feeling great but I had committed to go and so I went. I was glad that I did. However, the lack of shade and warm temps made me feel really nauseous the whole race. But I did my best (and didn’t puke 🙂 ) and even won my age group.

met up with a friend, made a new friend…looking forward to a re-do with my next 5k in August.

When the race was over, I was happy that I had already done my long run on Wednesday and could join my running friends for brunch.

Sunday – And of course, it was Boating Sunday on Lake George. And again the weather was perfect.

This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 3

Monday – 4 miles at UAlbany or rail trail
Tuesday – rest day, work webinar
Wednesday – 2 miles in Washington Park, book talk
Thursday – 3 miles at Three Rivers (ARE trail run series)
Friday – rest day, chiro appt, mah jongg evening
Saturday – 8 miles at Corning bike path, running book club and pool/birthday party
Sunday – rest day, boating with the fam

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any races on the horizon? How are you dealing with the summer temps? Did you run with friends this week or alone? Please share.

June 25, 2019 by Darlene

Building Brooklyn 5k Race Recap

Another trip to NYC for work and a 5k in Brooklyn. This was my first one this year. Usually I run the cheap ones organized but the Prospect Park Track Club (Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series).

But this week, NYCRuns offered a 5k on a similar course and you know how I feel about racing.

This race was the first annual Building Brooklyn 5K. I raced their first annual Ice Cream Social 5k here last June. The course map seemed to indicate that this race was on the SAME course.

I was familiar with the route and knew that I would make the race on time (unless there were snafus with the transportation.) So I got off at the same subway stop in Brooklyn as usual (which was not the closest one but one that I knew) and made my way through the park looking for signs indicating a race.

No signs but I bumped into a fellow runner from SC and we chatted about our work travel and racing obsession.

We asked volunteers and found the gathering area and bib pick up. It was a different location than the Al Goldstein 5ks. There were port-a-potties instead of real restrooms (but actually real ones were not too far away, if needed.)

I got my bib and race shirt and hung out at one of the many picnic tables.

NYC seems to like green. My 3rd one.

It was warm – in the 70s and humid. I checked a bag with a jacket (not sure why?) and the race shirt at bag check.

tables organized by the last # on your bib

It was still fairly early. As in my other Brooklyn races, I did not know a single person. So I ate a banana and some cookies and chatted with my hubby on my phone.

Then they had a yoga session. It was pretty fun.

Soon it was time for everyone to walk down to the start. There were corrals set up according to pace. I lined up in the 8-8:59 min group. But it didn’t really matter since this race was also chip-timed. There were serious runners as in the PPTC-sponsored 5ks but there seemed to be many more “regular” runners in this “team” race. About 500 in total.

This race was like a mini Workforce Challenge. The goal being having teams from Brooklyn and NYC businesses out there running or walking together. I just love this idea. I bet they will have even more participants next year. And all the proceeds go to charity.

Since I had run the course before, I knew about the big LONG hill during mile 1. In fact, I ran up that hill THREE times during the Hot Chocolate 15k in April.

I was beat from a long day’s work on my feet. Otherwise I felt fine, was not hungry and the weather was warm and humid but I’ve run in much worse conditions. So I decided that I would try to RUN up the whole hill. In fact, if possible RUN the whole race. I know it is only a 5k, but I often walk even during my shorter races. I find that often finish faster if I do than when I don’t walk at all.

So how did that work???

Mile 1 was hard. My legs felt like lead. (Probably should have warmed up before the race.) I tried to not walk. But that stupid hill won. I caved and walked/ran up it.

my new SC friend…he finished in 18:XX

Mile 2 was better and I wanted to skip the water stop. But I was really thirsty and decided I’d better stop. This walk was briefer than the first. I then tried to make the time lost during mile 1. And I did.

I tried to keep with that old guy…never could

As a result, I was crashing during mile 3. I willed myself not to walk until the mile 3 marker. Then I decided to just finish…

I tried to sprint and finish under 28 minutes. I did NOT!! But I was close and was actually winded when I finished. So I promptly grabbed some water. Pretty rare since I never put it all out there unless I am trying for a PR.

I walked back to bag check to get my jacket and race shirt (which I put on). On the way, I grabbed some refreshments (banana and Chex mix) and then headed immediately to get my free ice cream.

Delish! Perfect on a a warm night.

They don’t post the results. But I did get an email with my time and it indicated that I won my age group (see above). I was not surprised this time since I did not see many older racers.