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Running Update: 10.2.17-10.8.17

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Last Week: Recovery & Work = #HoLottaRest

  • Monday – First day volunteering with the STEM runners.  It’s a Couch to 5k so we were only running for a minute. So after work I went to get my nails done (long over due!!) and then back to run with the STEM ladies.  I guess I meant to rest because none of the runners could come.
  • Tuesday – Long drive to Buffalo for work. I was worried that I would not get in a run before dark. But I rushed and got it done.

Warm temps returned

  • Wednesday -Long day of work and a long drive home from Buffalo. I thought I might squeeze in a run before I left but it was raining 😦
  • Thursday – Had a hair appointment after work so the only time I could run was before work. Well after standing for 8 hours and driving for 5, I felt like I had been hit by a mac truck when I got up so I skipped my run?? No I went to work late and drove to a nearby trail.  Just what the doctor ordered. I felt so much better after the run (even if it was very humid out.)

Nearby park where I haven’t run in years

  • Friday – Another needed rest day and an evening with my mah Jong friends.
  • Saturday – Today I ran one of my favorite fall races, the Apple Run 5k. Another almost PR and a fun time.

27:29 and first in my age group

After the race, I needed to add more miles since next week’s weather looked rainy and I had another half in 5 weeks. So I drove to Colonie Town Park to meet Judy and run 6 more miles.

Colonie Town Park is near Judy’s favorite ice cream spot.

  • Sunday – Back up to the lake.  Could be our last boating day of the season?? Glad that the weather cooperated. A rainy morning but record temps in the afternoon.

16 miles done.

This Week: Back to Normal

  • Monday – DAY OFF – 4 miles??
  • Tuesday – rest day, tennis
  • Wednesday – 3 miles, STEM group
  • Thursday – 4 miles with Alyssa
  • Friday – rest day, mah jongg
  • Saturday – 10K race + 4 more miles
  • Sunday – boating???

https://hohoruns.blogspot.com/p/weekly-wrap.html

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.

And with Jess @ the Right Fits and @Jess Runs Atlanta

Linking up with the Jess's

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

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TOTR: Fall Race Schedule

Today is Tuesday so don’t forget to Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia and either meet some new bloggers or catch up with ones you already know.

The topic for today is: Fall Race Schedule

Believe it or not, I’ve cut back on my racing but here’s a list of those I am thinking of running:

  • 9-23-17 – Helper’s Fund 10k

I’ve done this hilly race a few times. It’s in a small town that I love to visit in the fall and summer. I’ve signed up so it’s a go….

  • 10-01-17 – Wineglass Half Marathon*

This will be my 28th half and it will be a girls weekend away so it should be a lot of fun. Can’t wait!!!

there will be at least 10 of us running the race

  • 10-08-17 – Ramblefest 8k* or 10-07-17– Apple Run 5K / ZOOMA Cape Cod Virtual 10K

I haven’t decided which one yet. I’ve done the Apple Run several times. Ramblefest is a farther drive but my last two half PRs were here. So who knows??

  • 10-15-17 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

Another fun popular local fall race that I usually try to put on my schedule each year. Maybe I’ll even wear a different shirt this year LOL

  • 10-29-17 – Goblin Gallop 5k*? / ZOOMA Amelia Island Virtual 8k

This would be a new one for me.  My friend Sue recommended it.

  • 11-11-17 – RnR Vegas 5k*

This is just for the bling and a warmup for the next day.

  • 11-12-17 – RnR Vegas Half Marathon*

Another race-cation with the ladies that I met in Panama City last December. A race down the Las Vegas strip at night.   How much fun is that?

Can’t wait to see some of these ladies again and meet Kim (Running on the Fly)!!

  • 11-18-17 – Girls on the Run 5k (volunteer with STEM) or 11-19-17 – Race to Deliver 4M* (NYC)???

If I go to NYC, I won’t be able to run the STEM runners’ first 5k on Saturday. On Sunday, I have a college reunion lunch and tix to a Broadway show with my tennis friends. So why not add a race to the day?

  • 11-23-17 – Troy Turkey Trot 5k and Troy Turkey Trot 10k

Yes, two races in one morning so I can eat a lot food later.

Happy Running! Which race(s) are you looking forward to this fall. Do share.

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Silks & Satins 5K Race Recap

July 22, 2017

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 26 half marathons.

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

After 5 years, I ran this 5k again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things haven’t changed that much (but now I wear running skirts instead of shorts).

I’ve enjoyed this race so much that I have re-added to my summer racing list.

28:27 finish, a course PR and a 3rd place AG award in 2016

The course had changed for 2015 and I assumed that it would be the same again this year.

Here is the current course map:

15 turns in this course!!

The race started at 8 am. That meant that I had to get up at 5:30.

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. Two years ago, I almost got towed.)

unisex tech shirt – too big, of course

I picked up my bib and shirt and then went back to my car and watched the horses work out for a bit.

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There were about 1000 runners at this race. So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces: Sue, my Shape half roommate, Laurie from the Turkey Trot group several years ago, Holly and Nancy from the Freihofer’s group, Patrick, the director for this race  and coach for my running groups, to name a few.

The weather was quite warm … over 70 at the start and HUMID. So not ideal running conditions but I wasn’t planning to PR anyway.

Soon we headed to the start. It wasn’t chip-timed so Holly, Nancy & I tried to get as close to the front as we could but not get in the way of the speedy runners.

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And so we were off.

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Nancy is super fast and Holly is fast as well.  I tried to keep Holly in my sight during the first mile but she kept getting further and further ahead.

It seemed like everyone was passing me by…because they were. But as usual, my first mile was too fast. My plan was to have negative splits and but that never happened.

By the second mile, I had completely lost Holly and I was starting to struggle with my breathing.

It was warm but I have run in higher temps.  It was the HUMIDITY.  And it was sucking the life out of me.  I don’t sweat much but I was dripping…

I tried to run in the shade when there was shade and run the tangents (all 15 of them). I only walked at the one water stop at the halfway point. And as it turned out, my legs were tired and I probably should have walked at each mile.

It was during mile 3 that I saw Holly again.  She had slowed down so much that I caught up to her.

She beat me during our last two races together and I tried to encourage her to run  faster but she replied “Go ahead, I’m done!!”  Her super speedy pace for the first two miles had killed her.

So I ran ahead and tried to get up enough energy to sprint through the finish line.

I crossed at 27:37 (Gun time).

It was actually over a minute faster than last year so I was thrilled. But boy, did I feel crappy – nauseous, dizzy.  I got some water and sat down until I felt human.

Then I searched for my friends and found them on the food line.  It was a long line but moved quickly.

Two years ago, the refreshments consisted of bagels & chocolate milk. This year like last year, there was only watermelon & bananas. I had at least four pieces of watermelon, a banana and a granola bar.  And I felt much better.

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watermelon on a hot day – yum!

They posted the results pretty quickly. I was shocked that I again came in third in my age group. (Unfortunately, Holly was 5th.)


While waiting for the awards ceremony, I bumped into more runners that I knew and they all got awards, as well.

I taught Michelle French 25 years ago!! She is super speedy – finished in 20 minutes at age 42.

I got a nice medal. It always feels great when you win an award.

All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat.  It is well-organized. I plan to run this race again next summer.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:34
mile 2 – 8:56 (walk at the water stop)
mile 3 – 9:06
.1 – 7:26

27:35 (Garmin time)

I was not planning on going up to my friend’s at the Schroon River house until Sunday morning. So I took advantage of this opportunity to get some more miles in. I drove back to the Zim Smith Trail and ran in the opposite direction from last weekend.  It was warm, I was tired but I got it done.

 I survived the heat and drove home to get ready to go to a dinner party with some of the runners who will be racing the Wineglass Half Marathon on Oct. 1.

and if you are wondering, that is a Skirt Sports dress.

Racing, Running and talking about Running – what a great day!!

And since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

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I decided not to run a race this weekend (I was tempted by one in Chestertown).  My next race will be a hilly one – Race the Train on Aug 4.  I will be meeting up with Sue (NYC roommate) and VT running pal, AJH so I plan to, as usual, have a great time.

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Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races? What are you thinking about today?

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TOTR: July Report Card

Image result for goodbye july hello august
Summer has arrived. But actually it hasn’t been a hot one so far  – just a few humid days and lots of rain!!
Here’s how July turned out for me:

Weekday Runs:

I was able to run at least 3 times outdoors each week which is great because I do not have a treadmill at home. I prefer to run 4 times but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

I ran at UAlbany (near work), near home, in a local park and even at the Corning Bike Path. I even ran while in NYC and in Rochester for work. My weekday runs are usually 3-4 miles.

I ran alone some of the time. But Alyssa was able to accompany me often. I also ran once with Judy. It’s definitely more fun running with friends.

I can’t wait until my Turkey Trot running group starts up again in September.

Long Runs:

No half marathons to train for yet (but soon) so my weekend runs were not very long or very productive.

Total Mileage:

I have run 67 miles this month so far (with a goal of 84 by the end of the month.)  Some skipped runs and no half marathon this month can be blamed for the low mileage. Still healthy so all is good.

Races:

I had several races on my schedule this month but only ran 2 – both 5ks. The Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series was an evening 5K in Brooklyn, a unique experience where I won my age group. I also ran the Silks & Satins 5k for the 6th time, set a course PR and placed 3rd in my age group. 

Cross Training:

I can play tennis outdoors on Tuesdays. And this month, work got in the way EVERY week!!!! But I got to play two days in a row during a weekend on the Schroon River. (This made me realize how much I love playing tennis.)

I did go to work out at the gym several times. My goal was twice a week but barely made it once.

I did walk occasionally at lunch – around the outdoor shopping mall or the nature trail. Not everyday like I used to.  I find it hard to tear myself away from my desk.

Other News:

I went to NYC for work once.  Of course I ran twice and saw another Broadway show (Bandstand). With friends, I went to NYC  (Bronx) to see the Chihuly exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens.

The hubby and I continued our boating on the weekends. I also convinced a friend to accompany me hiking on my day off.

If you remember from last summer’s blog posts, I have a good friend who has a house on the Schroon River.  She has several gatherings there to play tennis, hike and play mah jongg. Of course, I did take advantage of the scenery while I was there to squeeze in a run.

Running is not my whole life. I think it is important to make time for other things that bring you pleasure.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

No more half marathons planned until October 1 in Corning, NY. (But you never know…)

I have quite a few shorter races planned. My race season has kicked into high gear. I am even planning another race in NYC!!

This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

  • 8-05-17 – Race the Train (8.4 m)
  • 8-12-17 – Camp Chingachgook 10k working instead
  • 8-14-17 – Monday Night Mile??
  • 8-20-17 – Paris Run 8K (in NYC)
  • 9-09-17 – Malta 5k or 9-10-17 – Surftown Half Marathon (in RI) – still undecided
  • 9-17-17 – Palio 5k
  • 9-23-17 – Helper’s Fund 10k

I am linking to Deb at DebRuns for her July Race Linkup:

Deb Runs

No monthly goals.

This motto worked for 2016 so I’m sticking with it in 2017!

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

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Give your running month a letter grade.

I’d say overall a B.

You know, fewer weekly miles, sporadic gym attendance, skipping lunch time walks, slacking on those long runs, easy lackluster weekday runs. I know I can do better.

As for my social life, I’d give myself an A. LOL

This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

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Running Update: 7.17.17-7.23.17

So excited to be this week’s host of the Weekly Wrap!!

As usual, last week was busy. Take a read below:

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Last Week:

  • Monday –  If you read my previous week’s update, you know that I spent the weekend with my tennis friends at a house on the Schroon River.  Well, I convinced one of my friends to stay over Sunday night so we could go hiking the next day. The forecast was for thunderstorms but we got lucky and it didn’t rain until we were done.

While my friend was sleeping, I snuck out for coffee and an early morning run.

It was wonderful. Love the sights and sounds of the Adirondacks.

Then we decided to hike Pinnacle Point and Cat and Thomas Mountains in Bolton Landing. I had hiked them before but it was much more fun with company. It started to rain on our way down Thomas so we did not climb Cat Mountain as planned.

top = view from lunch bottom left = top of Pinnacle Pt, bottom right = top of Thomas Mt.

Afterwards, we drove into town (the rain had stopped) and had lunch overlooking Lake George before heading home.  What a fun way to spend a day off from work.

  • Tuesday –  I also took today off from work. Some of my friends and I decided to go to the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx to see the Chihuly sculptures. It was fantastic.

the sculptures were amazing and mixed throughout the gardens

a busy day that ended with an Italian dinner and pastries in Little Italy of the Bronx

  • Wednesday – Back to work on a very hot, humid day.  Alyssa and I sweated out 3.5 miles. To do something different, we decided to run through downtown Albany looking for the Nipper miniature dog statues.

we found 5 out of 20 and ended our run back on the bike path

  • Thursday – Another work day.  It was warm and humid with a threat of rain but I stayed dry during my post-work run. From the rain not the sweat!!

Not easy in this heat. Lots of walking during this one.

  • Friday – A busy work day and a scheduled rest day.  I did stop off at the gym on my way home to use the machines before I had to rush off to s farewell party for a coworker.

view from the bar

  • Saturday – Today I ran the Silks and Satins 5k (for the 6th time). It was warm and humid but still a fun time.  I met up with a lot of runners that I knew and even came in 3rd in my age group.

27:37 (gun time) = course PR

Afterwards, I stopped off at the Zim Smith Trail and ran in the opposite direction from last weekend to get in some more miles before heading home.

It was cloudier than during the race but warmer. I struggled to get these miles in but rewarded myself nicely afterwards.

In the evening, one of the ladies who is running the Wineglass Half on Oct 1 organized a get-together for the runners participating. It was a fun evening.

  • Sunday – Mah jongg weekend at the Schroon River house got postponed.  (I wasn’t disappointed because I went there last weekend.) My hubby talked me into coming up to the lake.  (It didn’t take much arm twisting.)

19 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
  • Tuesday – 3 mile run
  • Wednesday – rest, hair appt
  • Thursday – 4 mile run
  • Friday – rest, gym, mah jongg
  • Saturday – 9 mile run, boating
  • Sunday – rest, boating

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Click the link below to Wrap Up With Us:

 Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

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Running Update: 7.3.17-7.9.17

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Last Week:

  • Monday – My hubby and friends were still at the lake but I was working.  I made the best of it by meeting Alyssa after work to run in the park and then my BFF to walk in the mall.

  • Tuesday – 4th of July Holiday = day off from work.  Yay! Back up to the lake, of course.

Perfect weather for a BBQ with friends, a short hike and fireworks at the marina.

view from sitting on the back of our boat

  • Wednesday – Got home very late the night before due to watching the fireworks but had a short day at work before catching the train to NYC.  After I arrived, I rushed to my hotel, changed my clothes and took the subway to Brooklyn.  I had signed up for an evening 5k.

it was quite an interesting experience running with the Brooklyn “elites” but I managed to win my AG (27:52) & got my award from the 96 yr old race founder.

  • Thursday – Stuck indoors all day for work.  As soon as I was done, I changed into running clothes and ran a few miles along the river.

Then I ran back to the hotel to change and set out again in hopes of getting cheap seats to a show.

I had the best NYC pizza for dinner and the play was good too!!

  • Friday – Another work day in the Big Apple and a rainy one. At least I had a planned rest day.  I went for a walk at lunch (In the rain) but after work had to get my luggage at the hotel and then catch the train home.

it stopped raining by the end of my walk

  • Saturday – I had planned on a 5k on Sunday but hadn’t registered and decided to skip it and run for fun. But my mistake was believing the weather forecast which said rain early then clearing. Well it was clear early and then stormed on and off ALL day.  I did all my errands but at 5 pm I gave up trying to run.
  • Sunday – Instead I ran up at the lake before we went out on the lake.

I forgot how hilly this route was but at least it was not humid


just what the doctor ordered – a restful day with friends and a view followed by pizza & ice cream

16 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – 4 mile run, dinner with an old friend
  • Tuesday – rest, driving 4 hrs to Rochester, NY
  • Wednesday – work in Rochester, driving home
  • Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
  • Friday – rest
  • Saturday – 7 mile run, tennis, fun with friends on the Schroon River
  • Sunday – tennis, fun with friends on the Schroon River

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s guest host is Christine @ Into the Glimmer

Happy Running! How is your running going? Are you have a fun summer?

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Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5K #4 Race Recap

Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series #4 – July 5, 2017 –  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.

run from my last visit to NYC

For this trip, I found a race!!!!

Woo Hoo!

So apparently during the summer months on alternating Wednesdays at 7:10 pm, there is a cheap ($7.50 – in past years it was $5) 5k in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Here’s all I could find out about the race from the NYCRuns website:

We’re gearing up for another great summer of evening 5K races! You don’t have to be fast to enter, but these races will help you find out how fast you can be!
Big news for 2017: we now have chip timing! All runners will receive their actual race time.
Races will start and end at the Bluestone Cafe at Lakeside Center.
There, we will offer:

  • Bib pickup starting at 6pm
  • Bag check
  • Lockers available for a fee
  • Bathrooms (real ones!)
  • Water after the race
  • 5 year Age group awards ceremony after the race

Plus some free photos off their site (from the last 5k):

Sounds like fun, right?

There were almost 600 runners at the last race!!! (but only 3 in my age group 🙂 )

So all I had to do is take a 2h45 hour train ride to Manhattan, check into my hotel, figure out what subway to take and get to Prospect Park by 6:30 pm or so.

suffering from a back ache during this inaugural poorly planned race (10/10/15)

I have run in Prospect Park once before for the RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon and I remember it being very hilly – like Central Park.

Below is the course map. However, I didn’t remember where the hills were…

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But no worries. This was purely for another racing experience and hopefully a fun one.

So this time, there were no snafus in getting to the city from Albany. No problems with the hotel.  All I had to do was figure out how to get to the race.  No one at the hotel was helpful.  I wanted to run over the Brooklyn Bridge and then go to the race.

F train to the B train

Unfortunately there didn’t seem to be a way if I did that I could also get to the correct subway (at least I wasn’t sure how to) to get to Prospect Park.

So I played it safe and took 2 subways and arrived at the entrance of Prospect Park.  Very Early.

I walked over to the Botanical Gardens across the street but they were already were closed so I just walked into the park.

I had no idea how to get to the race start in this huge park but luckily I bumped into a race volunteer whom I followed.

I did a little exploring before I got my bib.

those are turtles (I hoped that I would not be running like one LOL)

yes, that algae is pretty disgusting

Finally I headed to the Lakeside Center (where there were local kids cooling off in the pool/fountain) to get my bib.

I was able to check a bag, use the (real) restroom, get some water and relax at a shady picnic table.

It was still an hour before the race was scheduled to start so that’s exactly what I did.  It was very warm (in the mid 80s) and I made sure to drink water to remain hydrated.

Little by little, the runners arrived.

Definitely an interesting experience running in a new place where I knew NO ONE!  The runners all seemed to look like the stereotyped “serious runner”.  You know what I mean.  (Later I would notice that 25 of them finished with less than average 6 min pace per mile!!)

Finally it was time to migrate toward the start in the park.  It was quite a walk (close to a mile, I bet)

heading to the start

This year for the first time, the race provided chip timing. I still lined up not too far away from the starting line.  Then chatted with some runners about the race. I found out that it started with a long uphill (but not steep like CP), then there were rolling hills and eventually it looped back to finish.

looking bored while waiting to begin

I should have warmed up but I didn’t And after sitting on the train for almost 3 hours, 45 min on the subway and then sitting at the café, my legs were stiff.

and I’m off…

I started running the first mile and I just couldn’t get going. Or maybe it was the heat or the uphill, but I was running so slow.

Mile 2 was better but there were no water stops.  You had to stop at a water fountain in the park.  I did not and by mile 3, I was crashing.

I had a walk a few times but when I saw the clock at the finish line, the competitive me came out.

I got up enough energy to sprint and finish a few seconds over 28 minutes (which turned out to be 27:52 chip time.)

No water at the finish line.  You had to walk back to the café.  So I just sat in the shade for a while to catch my breath.

Once I felt better, I started walking following the runners.

Well, it turned out they were leaving the park.  I was walking in the WRONG direction.

I had to return to get my bag and I wanted to check the race results.

By this point, I got a second wind and ran back to the finish and to the café.

I checked the results and was surprised that I was FIRST in my age group.

27:52 – finished 250 out of 378

I didn’t have to wait long before they started the awards ceremony.  The finish times were amazing!!

And the founder of the race, Al Goldstein was there and took a photo with each winner.

BTW: He is 96 years old!!

A nice lady took my photo and I hers.  She won her 65-69 age group.

We chatted for a while.  It was her first summer series race. She was babysitting her daughter’s apartment nearby. And she was nice enough to walk me to the subway.  (A much shorter walk if you entered at the right entrance.)

It was late by the time I got back to my hotel. (And I got to see the Brooklyn Bridge from the subway as we rode outside over the East River!)

But I did enjoy my first Brooklyn 5k!!


Race Splits
mile 1- 9:15
mile 2 – 8:45
mile 3 – 9:04
.14 – 7:09

Yes, my Garmin finally  recorded my lap times!!

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for this Friday is: Why Run an Impromptu Race is a New City

  1. It gets you moving (running.)
  2. You don’t have to figure out a safe running route.
  3. You run in a new place.
  4. You meet new people.
  5. It gets you out of your comfort zone.

Of course, I was tempted to relax in my hotel room, enjoy a nice meal in a restaurant, visit a museum or even take in a show.

But I am glad that I took on this new adventure.  (Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?)

Happy Running! Ever run a race solo in an unfamiliar place?

 

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TOTR: June Report Card

Goodbye June, Hello July
So sporadic spring weather continued and even at times, it appeared to be summer-like. But there was also a lot of rainy days!!
Here’s how June turned out:

Weekday Runs:

I was able to run at least 3 times outdoors each week which is great because I do not have a treadmill at home. I prefer to run 4 times but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

I ran at UAlbany (near work), at the Crossings, near home, in a local park and even at the Corning Bike Path. I even ran 3 times while in NYC for work and once while in Liverpool, NY for work.

I ran alone some of the time. But Alyssa was able to accompany me often. It’s definitely more fun running with friends.

My Freihofer training group runs ended and I had only one STEM volunteer run.  So my running schedule was freed up which allowed me to run where, when and with whom I chose.

My co-workers decided to get together once a week to run after work – either Wednesday or Thursday. But for the most part, I was unavailable.

Long Runs:

No half marathons to train for so my long runs were not very long or very good.

Total Mileage:

I ran 67 miles this month so far (will probably end up with 77-78).  Some skipped runs and no half marathon this month can be blamed for the low mileage.  Still healthy so all is good.

yes, a slacker even with a half in May and 10 mile race in June

Races:

I had four races on my schedule this month – three 5ks and a ten miler. The Freihofer 5k is my favorite race and I had fun and a course PR.  I ran the Run for Help 5k to help a STEM runner complete his first 5K and it was such as rewarding experience. The Whipple City 5k was a new one that I enjoyed.  As usual, the Adirondack Distance Run was a challenging 10 miler but a annual favorite and I had a course PR!!

Cross Training:

I now play tennis outdoors on Tuesdays (when I am able.)

I did go to work out at the gym several times. My goal was twice a week, though. I didn’t quite achieve that.

I did walk several times a week at lunch – around the outdoor shopping mall or the nature trail. Not everyday like I used to. 

Other News:

I went to NYC for work twice.  I took advantage of the fantastic places to run while I was there. I also saw two Broadway shows (War Paint and Ground Hog Day).

The hubby and I continued our boating on the weekends. I even got to squeeze in hiking one day.

Running is not my whole life. I think it is important to make time for other things that bring you pleasure.

yes, family and friends take priority!

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

Looking Ahead:

No more half marathons planned until October 1 in Corning, NY.  (But you never know…)

I have quite a few shorter races planned. My race season has kicked into high gear. I am even planning on two new races in NYC!!

This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

  • 7-05-17 – PPTC Al Goldstein Summer Series #4 5k (in NYC)
  • 7-09-17 – Saratoga Strong to Serve 5k
  • 7-22-17 – Silks n Satins 5k
  • 8-05-17 – Race the Train (8.4 m)
  • 8-12-17 – Camp Chingachgook 10k working instead
  • 8-14-17 – Monday Night Mile??
  • 8-20-17 – Paris Run 8K (in NYC)

I am linking to Deb at DebRuns for her June Race Linkup:

Deb Runs

No monthly goals.

This motto worked for 2016 so I’m sticking with it in 2017!

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

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Give your running month a letter grade.

I’d say overall an B+.

You know, fewer weekly miles, sporadic gym attendance, slacking on those long runs, skipping weekday runs.  I can do better.

What do you think?

This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

coachescorner

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Running Update – 6.12.17-6.18.17

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Last Week:

  • Monday – I had the day off and I planned to run. But I changed my mind and decided to spend Sunday night on our boat and do some hiking the next morning.

First I planned to hike Thomas and Cat Mountains. But it was too hot humid and buggy so I skipped Cat.


The hike to the top of Pinnacle was shadier and shorter so I did that one. It was so worth it.


The rest of the day, I hung out at the beach with a book.

  • Tuesday – after a long day at work, it was brutally warm and humid so I decided to skip my run and just play tennis outdoors. It was fun and we got two sets in before the rain. Then we went out for pizza.

  • Wednesday – another long stressful work day but finally a run after two days off.

at UAlbany

  • Thursday – Another warm humid day and I got to run with Alysa which is always a good thing. We decided on the Corning Bike trail for a change of pace. Things were great until it started to pour. Just made us run faster.

4 wet but speedy miles in my favorite SkirtSports tank

Afterward I met my bff for a walk in the mall.

  • Friday – A scheduled rest day (and a rainy one) with a trip to the gym before my weekly mah Jong game.
  • Saturday – Today I ran the Whipple City 5k race which was a new race for me.  There were quite a few to choose from but I had heard about this one and two of my running group friends were doing it. It was fun although the humidity almost killed me.

27:30 – 2nd in my age group

Afterward 2 cups of chocolate milk and 2 donuts, I headed to Saratoga Spa State Park with the intention of running 6 miles. My legs said no way so I ran and walked about 5.

  • Sunday – I spent Fathers Day with the hubby up on the lake. We went out on our friend’s new bigger boat rather than ours. And I got a surprise when I found out that my college roommate and her husband were in the area for a wedding. Great day.

15 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days

This Week:

  • Monday – run in NYC?
  • Tuesday – run in NYC?
  • Wednesday – run in NYC?
  • Thursday – rest, hair appt
  • Friday – 3 miles, mah jongg
  • Saturday – rest, gym, errands, nails
  • Sunday – 10 mile race, boating

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s guest host is the lovely Tara @ Run and Live Happy.

WWGuest-Tara

 Happy Running! How is your running going?

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Whipple City 5K Race Recap

June 17, 2017 8:30 am

There were several different race options for today. Some I had run before and some I had not.

I decided on Whipple City in Greenwich because I had heard good things about the race and it was north so I could possibly continue up to the lake afterward. Also two of my running group friends usually run the 5k.

There was also a hillier 10k option but I decided to run the 5k and then add more miles after (if my legs and the weather cooperated.)

As I may have mentioned many times, I recently PR’d for the half marathon but my 5ks have stagnated for years… Most of 5ks times have been 27:XX and in cool weather on flatish courses.  If I didn’t have those conditions (like today), my times would be slower but hopefully faster than 30 minutes.

So today, I planned to run at a consistent pace and enjoy the course. I hadn’t done any speed drills in about month so no PR goals for this race. Depending on who showed up, I may have even been able to snag an age group award.

I probably wasn’t thinking clearly because going to this race, which started at 8:30 am, meant that I had to leave my house at no later than 6:45 am.  According to Google, it was going to take 1h 9min.  There were local races that started later and only 15 minutes away. (Crazy lady I am!)

So I got up earlier on a Saturday than I do on a normal work day (Oh, the things we runners do…) and found the location with no problem.

race started in front of the middle school

The weather was cloudy, warm and very humid with showers/thunderstorms forecast for later in the day. I wore my normal summer running outfit of a skirt and a tank. We got a gender-specific tech shirt which I went back to store in my car.

In no time at all, I spotted my two running group friends, Holly and Jackie. They wanted to do a warm up run but I declined.  (Gotta save my legs for the race and after, right?.)

So I hung around the school and chatted with a few other women that I knew.  It was a fairly small crowd. About 100 running the 5k and only about 15, I think, in the 10k.

race start and finish

The race was described as “a scenic course past village homes and beautiful countryside in Greenwich, NY” and the course (see map below) as out & back, mixed flat & hills, roads.

 

Both Holly and Jackie, who have run it, before confirmed that the 5k started out uphill and then there were rolling hills but a pretty course.

We started near the front since it was not chip timed and soon after the rifles (above) were fired, we were off.

Whenever I run with Holly, I know not to try to keep up.  She always starts out fast and she beat me by 3 seconds in the Freihofer;s 5k but I have beaten her in the past.

And true to form, out ahead she went.  My legs felt like I was running in cement.  Maybe I should warm-up??  Uphill I dragged myself and tried to keep Holly in view.

Then I realized I never started my watch.  Oh, well. Another naked race!

It seems to bother me more not knowing my pace in a short race for some reason.  There’s not a lot of time and I don’t know if I should slow down or speed up.

The worst part of the race was the humidity…UGH!!

There was water around mile 1.25 and I took a quick drink.  But when I passed it the water again on the way back, I stopped and walked for a while.

I wasn’t far behind Holly until that walk. But I knew that she usually loses some steam toward the end (which she did).

I caught up to her but didn’t have enough left to pass her.


She beat me by 3 seconds!  Again!!

My time was 27:30. (No split times to share 😦 )


I was pleased.  It was faster than I thought I would run this race. And I thank Holly for pacing me.

We hung around waiting for the 10kers to finish and then watched the kids run the 1K.

Of course, I treated myself to two cups of chocolate milk and two donuts.

Battenkill brand, my favorite!!

Holly and I are in the same age group. She got first and I got second.

All in all, it was an enjoyable race.  I’m not sure I will run it again because of the driving distance (and the awards are only a ribbon) but maybe.

My hubby decided to not go boating until the next day so I had all the time in the world to do more running. Besides,  I did have a 10 mile race in a week (and lots of rain forecast for the coming week.)

So I drove to Saratoga Spa State Park and planned on running at least 6 miles.

Unfortunately, my legs did not agree with the plan.   They were soooo tired. That is very unlike me.  I don’t even feel that way after a half marathon.

I’m not sure why…humidity? lack of sleep? stress at work?  fast 5k???

Anyway, I tried to run.  But I had to walk…a lot and quit after 5 miles.  I guess it was better than driving home and taking a nap.

Isn’t the park beautiful?  Mineral springs, waterfalls, trails, etc.

Happy Running! Anyone race this weekend?