October 6, 2015 by Darlene

Apple Run 5k Race Recap

I ran this race last year because 2 ladies whom I met at a previous race raved about it.

after last year’s race

I enjoyed it so I signed up again.

Back to last year. This race came when I was running fast like finishing a 5k in 27:xx. So I finished this race in 27:47 and won 1st in my age group.

This year, it’s a different story. I am slower. Maybe it’s my age or my training. Who knows? I walk during my 5ks and my goal is to finish under 30 minutes. If I am very lucky and it’s a flat course, I can finish under 29 minutes.

But as I commented recently, I am running. I am not injured. All is good.

On a weekend where there was good number of local races, I chose to drive 45 minutes to run this race.

According to the website, it is a looped, flat course. Even though I ran it last year, I don’t remember much about the course.

Apparently we quickly switched from summer to fall in a few days.

It was chilly and windy. But at least we didn’t get the hurricane.

I was the crazy person who refuses to wear capris or tights before Thanksgiving.

wearing my peekaboo skirt and top by SkirtSports

I picked up my race packet and was surprised that they had chips for your shoe. I almost forgot to get one. It’s been awhile since I have had to use one.

nice swag – 2 pairs of sunglasses on this cloudy day. too bad we got a cotton t-shirt

I bumped into the 2 older ladies that I see at most races that I run. (They are now in the 65-69 AG). We chatted for awhile before the race. I also met some older gentlemen who were very talkative.

Finally I spotted Sue who had recommended this race. (Her Connecticut friend Ilsa couldn’t come.) We started together and she’s my competition (but she hasn’t been racing much.)

I should say that I was very cold. My neck, my hands… my whole body. I couldn’t wait to get started. I shoudl have started closer to the front since this race was using chips but I was talking instead of paying attention.

Unfortunately, the first mile was running into the wind…I felt like I was barely moving forward at times. It was a battle and I think the wind won. My first mile which is my fastest was not great.

The rest of the race was run around the neighborhood with quite a few turns.

I was so cold that I didn’t want to stop at any of the water stops.

I just wanted to be done.

I actually didn’t feel the need to stop. I was not tired or out of breath as usual. I was just not giving it everything I had.

I think that I was nervous about getting hurt before my half marathon that is in one week. I didn’t want to ruin what for 12 weeks I had trained for.

So heading to the finish line, we were so lucky to be running into that wind again! UGH!

When I saw the clock, I wasn’t surprised that I wasn’t close to a PR but I did want to finish under 28 minutes.

But I had nothing left and finished at 28:01.

Though it wasn’t the time that I had run this course last year (27:47) but it was faster than I’ve run a 5k in months.

I was happy and glad to get inside out of the cold.

Inside there was pizza, bagels, fruit, etc. I ate and waited with my friends for the awards. I won 1st last year but if you look below, you’ll see that there was a very fast runner who is now in my age group and wasn’t last year- DARN!

I didn’t win any raffle prizes but I did win 2nd.

Since they gave the awards starting with us “older” runners, I was able to head out to continue my running.

As always, I enjoyed my race and plan to run this one again next year.

My splits:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:09
mile 3 – 9:00
.14 – 7:29

8 miles was on the schedule. So I stopped on the way home to add 5 more.

still green – late color change in the NE

This time I decided to run on the Mohawk Towpath Byway.

I was still cold so I added a tee shirt over my long sleeved shirt.

I was definitely tired. This always happens when I run a race for my first few miles.

But I just walked and ran and got the miles in.

I wasn’t paying attention and ran too far.

So I ended up with 6 more sloooow miles.

And my last long run is done!! YAY!

I’m linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining–she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Please head over and linkup a race recap you’ve written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!

I’m also linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup;

Happy Running!

October 5, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed to in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 2nd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. (I had skipped Saturday.) It felt tougher this week than last. Holly was too fast to catch so I ran by myself. I had to walk many times on the hills of Prospect Park.

Tuesday – Just a work day, my lunchtime walk was rained out and no tennis this week. Had to get my steps in by grocery shopping.

Wednesday – I squeezed in a short run on the treadmill at work. (It was pouring out so I couldn’t run outside.) I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the STEM group run/walk on time after work. It’s a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence. But I could have since this new group is closer. It stopped raining 🙂 And actually, this fall, I am just running with one lady, Kelly, and her basement got flooded so she cancelled at the last minute. Since I was already dressed, I ran 2.5 more miles. After that run, I went out to dinner with my tennis friends.

2 miles of torture

2.5 miles near work

great dinner & great company

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then a run after work with Judy.

feeling like Fall

stopped at Trader Joe’s on the way home …pumpkin pumpkin everywhere you look

Friday – Another work day, with a lunch time walk and a few games of mah jongg in the evening (and I won twice!!)

Saturday – Started the day with a cold & windy 5k and then drove to run 6 more for my last long run before the half.

not a PR but No Walking for a 28:01 finish and 2nd in my AG

still chilly & cloudy at the Mohawk Towpath Byway

Sunday – Today 12 of us went to NYC. We took the bus down, walked the High Line and then had lunch in Chelsea. After lunch we went to see the show Beautiful (Carole King story) on Broadway. Afterwards, we had dinner and took the train home – long but fun day (8 miles of walking!)

19 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is one week away!!! Time to get nervous!

This Week: (Week #11 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with my BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
Thursday – rest
Friday – rest, bus to NYC, subway to Brooklyn, expo, etc.
Saturday – 13.1 miles!! recovery walk around NYC, bus home
Sunday – rest, last day of boating or spectating the local marathon??

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

October 1, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: September Recap

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Can’t believe that summer is over and it’s now Fall!

So how did this past month go?

September Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes.

I varied my runs and tried to run at different times of day and in different locations.

at the lake

in a new neighborhood before work

in the park after work

on the track

on the rail trail

Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. YES.

I have gotten up to 12 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are. Many were add-ons after races too.

Run a 5k race under 29 minutes. YES!

Just barely. But I have not done any speed work training.

28:56

Run a 10K race under 60 minutes. NO but almost.

Helper’s Fund 10K -1:00:10 – too much walking but 2nd in my AG

Take a yoga class. NO!

I now have a training group run on Mondays, tennis on Tuesday, mentor a run on Wednesdays. I guess I have to look for a Thursday class. But I did sign up for a 14 day Yoga Challenge – a video pose for each day but I only did the first 3 days.

Start doing planks again. NO!

I may have done them a few times but not often enough to call it a YES. No excuses here… just plain lazy.

Pick a spring half marathon. NO!

Still deciding. I’d like to do the Vermont City Relay again but it’s a lottery. Also would LOVE to run the NYC Half but that’s a lottery too. I am considering a few at the end of April or beginning of May as backups.

Run at least 90 miles. YES!

93 miles. Half marathon training has helped keep my mileage up. It’s the most monthly miles I’ve run since last December when I was training for half # 11.

What else?

Still lots of lake time.

We were lucky to have a warm September.

Joined the Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge for the 2nd year.

Although I will only go on Mondays since I have races on Saturdays, I enjoy it. And it’s good for me to push myself and run hills or do speed work.

Starting Mentoring the STEM running group (survivors of domestic violence training for a 5k)

The first week, I got there late due to traffic so I switched to another group in a closer location. They meet 3x a week but I will go on Wednesdays and run with one lady.

Lots of eating out in restaurants.

Not sure if that is a good thing. There’s been the after boating eat outs, my mil’s 90th birthday party and my monthly tennis get together.

OCTOBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue the long runs on the weekend.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Finish a half marathon under 2:25:00
Do some yoga.
Start doing planks again.
Continue running with a group.
Walk 70,000 steps each week.
Pick a spring half marathon.
Run at least 85 miles.
Start a knitting project.

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything interesting planned for October? What arer your thinking about today?

September 14, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Day off from work and I was recovering from my partying on the lake the day before but I did drag myself out for 4 scenic slow miles before spending the rest of the day on the lake.

Tuesday – Played tennis for 1 1/2 hours indoors and then watched the USOpen on TV with friends, pizza, wings & beer.

Wednesday – Knowing it was going to be very warm, I decided to run before work. I was tired from going to bed to late the night before but managed 3 miles in the neighborhood.

Thursday – Another warm day and forecast for storms got me and a hair appointment after work out of bed early for another before work run. This time 4 miles and I finished before the rain started.

Friday -No work today. I met my college BFF in Williamstown, MA to see the Van Gogh & Whistler’s Mother exhibit at the Clark Art Institute.

It was great and we also enjoyed a nice lunch and hike.

may have been too much walking for a day before a long run… but so worth it

Saturday – I ran one of my favorite 5Ks

28:56 – not a PR or an AG group but still fun

and then added more miles to make a total of 11.5 for the day.

may have been my slowest long run ever – tired…humid…but enjoyed the scenery

After watching a great US Open women’;s final on TV, we went out to dinner and then I ordered a new phone (iPhone 6s!!!)

Sunday – The boating season is winding down so I thought that we would drove up to spend one more day on the lake. But the weather didn’t cooperate so I spent a day catching up at home.

22.5 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 4 weeks away!!! Gulp!

This Week: (Week #9 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run
Tuesday – rest, tennis after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, yoga?
Thursday – 4 mile run before work
Friday – rest
Saturday – 12 mile run, boating?
Sunday – rest, mah jong at the Schroon River House

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

September 13, 2015 by Darlene

Malta 5K Race & LSD Recap

This was my 4th time running this 5k. So you can say that I was familiar with this course.

The course is very boring…you are running around chip plants but the loops let you see the fast runners and all those runners that are behind you twice during the race. And it’s pretty flat so no complaints.

In 2012, I finished in 29:53 (recovering from a broken ankle). In 2013, I finished in 29:49 (recovering from a broken foot). Last year, I was healthy and finished 3rd in my AG with a time of 28:47.

last year getting my award

So the trend is for me to get faster. However, this year I am training for a half marathon and have been doing slow long runs on the weekend. (Even my races haven’t been fast.) So my goal was to get my splits in the 9s and finish under 30 minutes and have enough in the tank to run more miles after the race.

Luckily the hot weather that we had been having took a break.

It was in the 50s when I left the house so I dressed like this:

it was a comfortable shirt that matched my shoes but I was too warm when I was running

I got there early to get parking. This race has really grown. There was 250 runners from Global Foundries alone (where the race took place) and almost 900 total racers.

It is very well-organized – signs for the race, indoor bathrooms and waiting area, etc.

As I was waiting, my stomach started to feel the effects of the spicy food that I had eaten the day before and my legs were already tired from the walking and hiking, as well.

Soon I bumped into Holly, a friend from previous races and the Turkey Trot and Freihofer’s training group. We walked to the start together. She is now in my age group and FASTER!

They had said that they were going to have net times this year but I they did not. So Holly and I started near the front but not too close to the speedsters.

The race started and Holly took off. I knew that I couldn’t keep up with her but I tried to keep her in my sight for as long as I could.

My first mile is always my fastest. I usually give it all I got and I did today but I guess I didn’t have that much. I just couldn’t keep it under 9 minutes. (Could it be my new Nikes??)

Since I knew that I would slow that for the next 2 miles, I knew that my time would not be spectacular so I just tried to enjoy the run.

There were 2 turn arounds so you got to see the faster and slower runners. It was amazing to see how fast the leaders were running – 2 runners finished with a pace under 5 minutes.

The first water stop was around mile 1.5 and I couldn’t wait to walk. I walked longer than I should have while drinking my water slowly and then you passed the same water stop around mile. I think I walked even longer.

But the walking gave my energy that I needed to finish strong. I was determined to break 29 minutes and I did – 28:56 (28:52 (Garmin time).

I found Holly and got some chocolate milk, fruit & bagels and chatted while waiting for the results.

And no, neither of us won an award.

Still I was nice seeing Holly and I love racing. So it was all good.

Race Splits: (positive, as usual)
mile 1 – 9:08 (8:51 last year)
mile 2 – 9:27
mile 3 – 9:33
.14 – 7:22

race swag

After a 2 hour break, I was ready to continue my long run. Since I run them each weekend in a different locale, I decided on Colonie Town Park and the bike path heading toward Cohoes.

I changed into a tank top (since it had gotten so humid) and into my Hokas and headed into the park.

and then I continued the rest of the run on the bike path.

4 tunnels like this

I already see signs of fall

I had wanted to run to the end but I misjudged the distanced and had to turn around.

view of Cohoes from the trail

No water view for this route but it was still very scenic.

I had planned on 7-8 but I didn’t turn around in time and ended with 8.5 of the slowest miles I have ever run (or actually walk/run). Nothing hurt and I didn’t get blisters. I just had no energy.

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

September 1, 2015 by Darlene

August Recap

Can’t believe the summer has gone by so quickly!!! And it’s already September…

So how did this past month go?

August Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes!

I tried to vary my runs. I get bored so I just pick different times and places for each one.

Start longer runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. Yes!

I have gotten up to 10 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are. Many were add-ons after races too.

Walk at work on days that I don’t run. No!!! Too busy at work.

I lost my walking buddy so I have to be motivated to do it on my own. I AM NOT. This is a busy time of year at work and I just can’t tear myself away.

Go to the gym at least once a week. No! Started to but that ended quickly…

I started going once a week but life just got in the way.

Run before work to avoid the heat. Yes! Often.

The summer heat has forced me into this. My neighborhood is not exciting so I have searched out some others.

Run a race or 2. Yes! Two 5ks and one 10K. Won 3rd, 2nd and 1st in my AG.

It’s no secret that I love to race. It’s the only time I can get my legs to move. Not ideal for half marathon training but I’m not one to follow traditional plans.

Run at least 75 miles. Yes! 86 miles!!

Finally some decent monthly mileage…those long runs helped here.

Spend time with my mentee & sons. Yes!

I have slacked off since she is working a lot and has a boyfriend. I hadn’t seen her since May so we were long over due. I plan to see them much more often in the fall.

What else?

Spent lots of time on Lake George

Love our boat and our boating friends. Lake George is the most beautiful lake in the country and the weekend weather has cooperated this summer. Yay!

Went to the track and actually won

For my former co-worker and I, this is an annual tradition. We have gone to breakfast at the race track for over 30 years. This year since I had the day off, we stayed for the races and I was incredibly lucky.

Saw Jimmy Buffet in concert.

Friends turned me and the hubby on to Jimmy. We went to our first concert last year and vowed to repeat this awesome experience every year. It’s even more fun with friends.

Spent a weekend with my tennis friends on Schroon River

Another annual thing. About 10 of us gather at a house on the river to play tennis and have fun every summer.

September Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Take a yoga class.
Start doing planks again.
Pick a spring half marathon.
Run at least 90 miles.

Happy Running! How was your August? Anything exciting planned for September?

August 11, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall Race Schedule

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week, the theme is Fall Race Schedule

Here is my tentative list of races:

9-5-15 – Run for the Horses 5k

I ran this once several years ago – another race in the Saratoga park

9-12-15 – Malta 5k

this will be my 3rd time – a nice local race

9-19-15 – Arc in the Park 5K

this will be my first time

9-26-15 – Helper’s Fund 10K

I ran the 10k last year – hilly but scenic

10-03-15 – Apple Run 5K

my first time was last year – it’s on my list now

10-10-15 – Rock N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon

This is an inaugural race and my first time too

10-17-15 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

I ran it last year and it was fun.

11-08-15 – Stockade-athon 15K

this will be my 4th time but 2nd on the new improved 15k course

11-21-15 – GOTR 5k

It’s an inaugural race – to raise $ for GOTR

11-26-15 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k

my 2nd time – loved this race last year

Happy Running! What races are on your fall schedule? Any of the ones above?

August 10, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It was Staff Appreciation Day so I had the day off from work. My former co-worker, Molly and I decided to have our annual breakfast at the race track day. But since I didn’t have to rush off to work, we decided to stay for the races. It was a blast especially since I won 7 out of 10 races. Too bad I only bet $1 at a time.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but I was too tired (after 12 hours at the track yesterday.) Then it was raining during my lunch break so I decided to forget it. I did play tennis after work for about 2 hours (but went out to dinner after & put those calories burned back on.)

Wednesday – Again I got lazy and decided to run after work rather than before. I chose the rail trail close to home. I was tired so the run was slow but the highlight was a deer in my path.

Thursday – Not much happened today except that I had a hair appointment and ate a lot of food at work. So I forced myself to stop by the gym to a few minutes of exercise.

Friday – I left work early so I could go home and change in order to run an evening 5K.

free beer & ice cream & 2nd in my AG made up for my mediocre finish time

Saturday – Another rest and boating day on the schedule. So nice that the weather has been cooperating.

Sunday – After a restless night sleeping on the boat, I dragged myself up early to run. I love to run in this area and I know that it will be ending before you know it. Unfortunately, my hubby & friends were anxiously awaiting my return but I did manage to squeeze in 7 miles.

The rest of the day was spent similar to Saturday… on the water after breakfast out and then a boat ride up north to spend time with an old friend.

14 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running. No wonder nothing hurts.

This Week: (Week #4 of HM training)

Monday- walk at work, rest, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym
Friday – 8 mile run (GO INTO WORK LATE), mah jongg
Saturday – rest, work, Jimmy Buffet concert!!
Sunday – rest, 4 mile run?

I am linking up for the first time to Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

August 8, 2015 by Darlene

Schenectady ARC 5K Challenge Race Recap

A Friday evening race. Not an ideal time. Especially if you work all day. How and when do you fuel? And in the summer, that’s the hottest part of the day!

But I signed up. So no whining here.

I have raced in this park several times, the most recent being in May.

I wasn’t sure if the course was the same as the Mother’s Day 5k but from what I remember, it seemed very similar.

Here it is:

From the start near the Cafe, the outer loop of the Outer loop of the course proceeds out Ashmore and Fehr Aves, turning left at Central Parkway, and re-entering the park at the Rose Garden, climbing Monument Hill, and turning left at the N Elm St. before turning left again at Nora Ave. It then follows Central Park Rd., Snowden Dr. around the south side of the Park before turning right on Duck Pond Drive, and left on Iroquois Way, and turning right across gravel and Band Shell. The inner loop and final mile of the course begins at the Pavilion, as the course loops left back on to PTL Arthur Chaires Ln., Central Parkway and Iroquois Way, an right on to the foot path for the final leg around Iroquois Lake to the Finish.

So my goal for the race was to beat my 2015 Mother’s Day 5k time of 30:16 (That race, I stopped to tie my shoe, fix my band-aids and walked 2x.) or if I was lucky beat my 2013 time of 29:38.

I left work early so I could go home, eat and change into my running clothes.

If you doubted my commitment to running, you won’t now. Our marina was having an Appreciation Party this afternoon – free food and drinks while hanging out with all our boating friends. I passed it up to run. (I told everyone that I had to work.)

I decided to have a late lunch of pumpkin pancakes with blueberry syrup. (Yes, I do cook sometimes.) I left early as to avoid the traffic.

It was not a large race – about 150 runners. I had no problem getting parking behind the start (near the tennis courts.)

This was one of the few local races where I didn’t know anyone. Probably because it was a Friday evening and there were several 5ks taking place over the weekend.

neon yellow tech shirt

So I just hung out until the race start. It was in the low 80s at the start, not too humid but very sunny.

wearing my skirtsports skirt, of course

For this race, it wasn’t my legs that felt slow, it was my breathing that got in the way. Probably because my legs felt ok, I ran the first mile too fast (under 9 min.)

The 2nd mile immediately had a hill which I walked to catch my breath and then I ran again until there was a 2nd hill.

More walking until the end of mile 2 when there was water stop. In addition to having a hard time breathing, the sun was setting and it was hot and blinding.

I felt a little better for mile 3 since I was trying to slow down. But I ran out of gas again, right before the finish line and walked for a bit so that I could finish strong.

And I did!

I was determined not to have a slower time than last weekend’s 5k.

I crossed at 29:27 (gun time, not chip time). Exactly the same time as the last one.

I actually wasn’t disappointed this time. I felt that I did the best I could. It was warm and I usually run better in the morning. The good news is that my feet felt fine!!

After the race, they had free beer. I’m not even a big beer drinker but it tasted great.

There was also a Good Humor truck with free ice cream. Definitely a reason to run this race!

I waited around for the awards and I did win 2nd in the 60-99 age group.

Unfortunately only 1st place got a beer glass 😦

So another 5k is in the books. Not my best but it could have been worse.

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:46
mile 2 – 9:48

mile 3 – 9:47
.14 – 9:03

Now my weekend is free for relaxing on our boat.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

August 6, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Breaking All the Rules

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And here’s what I am thinking…

You bloggers may hate me, but I don’t follow the rules:

Stretching.

I don’t stretch. If I am at home, I open the door and start running. Otherwise, I drive to my route, get out of the car and start running.

in my driveway and ready to go

After my run, I just hop in the shower and go to work or hop in my car and drive home or to wherever.

done and time to go home

Gadgets and Running-Related Stuff.

Besides not stretching, I don’t even own a foam roller, or a stick or KT tape.

I will use one if it will make my body look like this

Knock on wood, I haven’t needed them yet.

Chafing.

I have never experienced it. So I don’t have Body Glide and don’t use anything like that to prevent chafing.

Running Plans.

I have never really used one. That’s not to say that I don’t plan my runs. I do.

But I don’t use a formal plan which means I don’t do hill repeats, intervals, temp runs, etc.

I run several times during the week, usually 3-4 miles and do whatever I feel like. (It’s usually pretty slow with lots of walking.) If I am training for a half marathon, I try to run longer on the weekend, increasing each week’s distance by one mile until I get to 12. I also run races which tends to mess up my training.

Voila – this got me to a PR

Healthy Food.

I’ve never had a protein shake nor have I made a smoothie.

Before a race, I eat 3 packets of this:

I don’t want to look at the ingredients. I am sure they are all artificial

After a run, I love this:

oh so healthy, I know.

or something similar to this:

is there protein in this?

Electrolytes.

Just plan H2O for me. I don’t add Nuun to my water nor do I drink Gatorade. So far, water works for me.

an old pic like circa 2010. I am thinner and wearing shorts!

Solo Runner.

I usually run alone. It’s easier because I can run wherever and whenever it is convenient for me. I can run at whatever pace and distance I feel like. (I do like to run with others, though.)

getting it done at lunch

Ok, I’m not a total running loser.

I have a Garmin GPS watch. I wear it to all my races and check my paces on it.

I eat Gu as fuel whenever I run more than 4 miles.

I have lots and lots of running shoes.

my latest…still looking for THE pair…

I wear running skirts and love them.

my newest skirt from SkirtSports

I have a race belt that holds my bib and carries my phone.

I read running magazines.

but why do they always wear skimpy running shorts on the cover?

I have joined Running Groups.

I have enjoyed them. Running with others makes the time go by faster. It also motivates you to run at a faster pace.

Freihofer’s training group

I run a lot of races each year.

Last year it was 31. It may be even more this year.

finishing my last 5k

Speaking of races, I have another 5k tomorrow night.

August 7, 2015 6:30 pm Central Park, Schenectady

I’m not a fan of evening races so we’ll see how it goes. Just hoping for NO PAIN and a finish under 30 minutes. Would be extra happy with an Age Group Award!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about? Are you a rule breaker?