April 26, 2015 by Darlene

Cherry Blossom 5K Race Recap

This was the second year that I have run this race. I really liked it last year and I came in 2nd in my age group (60-99 group).

The course is very winding and pretty flat except for the last mile which is uphill.

My time last year was 27:51. Could I beat that??

And should I try? After all, I just ran a half marathon last weekend. My feet are still recovering.

Nevertheless, I was determined to give it my best shot and not to be disappointed if I sucked (like last weekend.)

The weather was iffy. Cloudy and cool but not sure how cool so I wore my skirt from last week and a long sleeved shirt. And for my feet – new insoles, compression sleeves and Feetures socks and moleskin on the sensitive spots. Fingers crossed.

The race started at 10:15 and I got there around 9:30 and parked a few blocks away on the street. It was pretty crowded – more racers than I remembered – over 500.

I bumped in many people that I knew – Sue, Helen & Brian from the Turkey Trot group, Valerie & Sue – runners in my age group that I meet often at races.

Unfortunately at this Cherry Blossom race, they were absolutely NO cherry blossoms 😦 Longest winter ever!

I wound up starting with Valerie. We moved toward the front but not too close since it was chip-timed.

Here’s Valerie. Not sure where I was?

As soon as the race started, the sun came out. I was warm.

My feet felt fine – the whole race. YAY!

But for some reason, I had trouble breathing – I was coughing and out of breath the whole time – maybe allergies? It’s always something.

I usually have a pretty fast first 2 miles and then slow down but I was tired even during the first mile.

There a small water stand after mile 1 and I stopped to catch my breath and then continued running until the next water stop at the half way point.

It was a pretty interesting course – you just wind your way around the neighborhoods. I tried to run the tangent as much as possible.

Believe it or not, I had a brief stop again at the first water stop and then tried to run non-stop to the finish.

Nope, I had to walk again!!

I wanted to make it through under 28 minutes. But I did not. It was chip-timed so I really did.

At least the refreshments were better than my half marathon – fruit, yogurt, granola, bagels, cupcakes and chocolate milk.

I had 2 milks and 2 cupcakes

Valerie & I hung out to see if we won any awards.

And I won 2nd.

cb5k

Not a PR nor a course PR but still a decent race. I was happy.

Race Splits:

mile 1- 8:57
mile 2 – 9:17
mile 3 – 8:59
.1 – 7:57

Goals:

A. Course PR (under 27:51) – NO
B. Age Group Award. – YES
C. Under 10 min pace for each mile. YES
D. No blisters. YES
E. Enjoy and finish! YES

Since I have another half marathon in a month, I had planned to run anther 6 miles with Judy on the bike path which was nearby.

my jacket did not stay on long

We decided to head 3 miles east and then turn around.

It was a nice day for running. Again the sun came out and I was too warm.

I did my usual run faster and stop and walk while Judy ran her steady pace.

It wasn’t long before I realized that the moleskin protecting my foot had come loose and the blisters on the bottom on my left foot were coming back with a vengeance.

Like with the half marathon, it hurt with each step I took.

Now they actually hurt worse but my right foot this time is fine. It may be time to rest my footsies.

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

April 25, 2015 by Darlene

No Time for Training

May 24, 2015

Yes, that’s less than a month away.

frwtraining2

But I am training for the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K with group runs on Mondays and Saturdays.

I plan Tennis on Tuesdays.

Wednesdays I volunteer with STEM, Domestic Violence Survivors Couch25K group.

Capital Region

This Thursday, I am running a practice 5K with my GOTR running buddy.

And then there are the races that I impulsively signed up for…

15K

5K – May 7, 2015

May 9, 2015 – 15k on my birthday

with my GOTR running buddy

In addition, there’s celebrating my birthday and Mother’s Day.

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with a trip to the Tulip Fest

And my 8 day tennis vacation in Naples, Florida.

group photo on our last day of tennis lessons

My hubby won’t let me forget that our marina opens and boating season will be beginning soon…

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Hopefully, my legs will remember how to run because I have no time to train!!!

Happy Running! Which race(s) are you training for?

April 20, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #12 – RACE WEEK)

Monday – 4 3.5 mile group run with FRW training group ~~+ a few more miles~~

finally warm weather but still windy – can’t win

Tuesday – rest, tennis, dinner out
Wednesday – 4 3 mile run, movie

last run

ok and it was a free preview

Thursday -rest
Friday- rest, drive to NJ
Saturday – 13.1 miles!!

painfully slow but #12 is done.

Sunday – rest, Broadway show in NYC

It’s Only a Play – loved it…so funny!

This Week:

Monday – rainy drive home from NJ, 4 mile group run with FRW training group, GOTR 5K planning meeting
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run at lunch, dinner with the tennis ladies
Thursday -rest, hair appt.
Friday- 3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest, pick up race packet, errands
Sunday – 5K race + plus miles

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

April 18, 2015 by Darlene

Freihofer Run for Women Training Challenge

I have mentioned before that I enjoyed the Turkey Trot Training group so much that I signed up for the Freihofer one.

The Turkey Trot training was for a 10K race and this one is for a 5K.

I am in the Advanced group with a lot of the same women as for the Turkey Trot Training Group.

The group meets 3 times on Monday (1:30, 5:00, 6:30), once on Wednesday (6:00) and then once on Saturday (8:30).

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5 pm group

I always go to the 5 pm group on Mondays but skip the others. I run on my own on Wednesdays and either run long or have a race on Saturdays.

The group always starts out with a motivational talk by the leaders.

Patrick is greeting everyone

Then we split into our groups and do our thing.

pre-run selfie from a radio DJ (I’m in the front of the left)

We usually begin with some dynamic stretching followed by a run.

The day before, we get an email with the plan in case you can’t come to the training session.

monwk4

Even though we are one “Advanced” group, we split up into the fast ones, the middle speeds and the slow pokes. Depending on what I’ve run the day before, I fall into a different group each week but tend to hang with the middle to slow ones.

Afterwards, we stretch. Sometimes, there is a health-related talk (especially on Saturdays.)

Being that I run by myself most of the time, I look forward to running with this group of women. We chat while we run (about running, of course.)

3 of my partners in crime – Gina, Joanne & Holly

The drills are something that I should do but don’t do on my own.

The other perks are a tech shirt, discount coupons for Freihofer’s bread and sometimes even a loaf of bread.

It’s great to see so many women who are starting to run for the first time. This year’s race on May 30 is going to be really exciting.

Happy Raining! Have you ever joined a training group?

April 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Spring Training Update

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

This week’s topic is: Spring Training Update

My training this Spring is going to be pretty informal:

Mondays – FRW training group run – usually 3 miles with some speed work mixed in
Tuesdays – tennis
Wednesdays and/or Thursday – 3-4 easy miles
Fridays – gym – upper body machines
Saturday or Sunday – a race with some extra miles for a longish run

I am currently tapering for my half marathon on Saturday!!

half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

Then I have a recovery 5K before I start ramping up the miles for another half marathon.

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

The training begins with a 15K along the river.

yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

This is a weekday training run and a 5k.

May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

I continue my training with another 15K on my birthday.

May 9, 2015 – running the 15K, a new race for me

then a fun 5K to celebrate Mother’s Day.

GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

Hopefully, my legs will be ready for this hilly half. I am excited to visit Burlington, VT.

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

I will be recovering with my favorite 5K

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time.

And finally another half marathon about 1 1/2 hours south.

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

I will be traveling to Denver, CO for a conference and get back the night before for this hilly 10 mile race.

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running? How’s your spring training going? Which race(s) are you training for?

April 13, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #11 – TAPER TIME )

Monday – 4 3 mile group run with FRW training group ~~+ a few more miles~~

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run

chilly & rainy

Thursday – 4 mile run

Friday- rest, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race ~~+ 5 more miles~~ (too cold & windy)

28:01 – 1st in my AG

Sunday – ~~rest~~ 5.5 miles

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #12 – RACE WEEK)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group + a few more miles
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run at lunch, movie
Thursday -rest
Friday- rest, drive to NJ
Saturday – 13.1 miles!!
Sunday – rest, Broadway show in NYC

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

April 11, 2015 by Darlene

2015 Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K Race Report

bhb

I was very tempted to sign up for 10K instead of the 5k. They were both the same price and I needed to run 8 miles before my half marathon next weekend.

10 K

Then I remembered the hills of the second half of the 10K and that the 5k was an out and back and would be mostly flat.

So I kept my decision to run the 5k and then planned to run 5 miles after.

at last year’s race (sunny & no wind)

I ran this race last year and loved it. They had great food – the usual food but also chili and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And there was chocolate milk, fresh from the dairy.

Plus, I won a homemade apple pie as first in my age group.

The race started at 10 am which was good since it would be an hour minute drive from my house.

Again the weather was tricky. What to wear? It was cool in the morning (low 40s) but cloudy and very very windy. I opted for a long sleeve shirt, skirt & compression socks. I brought a jacket, just in case. I am so tired of wearing tights and layers that I’d rather be cold.

I got to the race early and found a parking spot in a field next to the church. The race started at the church in the town of Bacon Hill, a small farming town with awesome scenery. (It reminded me of Vermont.)

It was more chilly than I thought. It was in the 30s with the windchill and the gusts were at least 40 mph.

got a nice gender-specific tech shirt with no advertising on it

I decided to keep my jacket on and I was still cold. I wished that I had worn tights and gloves.

I didn’t think I would know anyone at this run since last year, I hung out with Holly who was in the Turkey Trot training group and now the FRW training group but she had to work this year and couldn’t race.

But I did bump into someone that I recognized probably from another race. Some also recognized me because she used to read my blog. How cool is that. She is also a SkirtSports ambassador. We chatted about that and local races.

Soon it was time for the race to start. The pastor read a prayer, the church bells rang and we were off.

The 5k was an out and back. The 10k veered to the right and supposed had hills and breath taking views.

I decided to go out fast. I always have positive splits so why try not to. It isn’t as flat as the map shows. The hills are rolling throughout but not that bad. Even I could run up them.

I loved all the signs along the route.

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This one as my favorite: 14002247934_c17e330207_z

The wind was a killer. I was freezing and the gusts made it worse. There were volunteers on the course calling out times. I occasionally glanced down at my Garmin to make sure I was running in the low 9’s. Eventually we turned around and headed back… I was hoping that the wind would be at my back. But no, it was still blowing and making me miserable.

I stopped for water and walked for a while. Not because I was thirsty but because I was was out of breath. I never seemed to get into my groove. I guess I need to do more speed drills.

I thought I had gotten a second wind but then again, I was winded and stopped to walk again during the last mile.

I knew at this point, there would be no PR. That was fine because I wasn’t expecting one.

As I approached the finish line, I realized that I could still finish under 28 minutes, Unfortunately I had no gas left and I barely made it. My Gamin said: 27:57!! So I was pleased.

I immediately made a bee line for the chocolate milk. Boy was it good. I had at least 2 cups.

They had the same great food (chili, muffins, cookies, fruit) as last year plus a vegetarian dish and pizza.. I sampled it all! YUM!

They also were selling chicken dinners for $6. So tempting.

Eventually they posted the results…Mine was 28:01. That’s ok. I knew that I really crossed under 28 minutes.

baconhill15

Even though I added a heavier jacket, I was still freezing.

baconhill5k2105

And they gave out the men’s awards first. Finally they called the women’s awards.

57 out of 182

And I won a pie again!!! (Love my age group!)

I put the pie in my car and planned on running 5 more miles. But I was so chilled, I couldn’t bear to hit the wind again even though this area is so nice to run in. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.

All in all, I loved this race. I will definitely do it again…maybe even the 10K.

Goals:

Goal A: PR (under 27:11)
Goal B: Course PR (under 28:56)
Goal C: Under 30 minutes.

B & C.

and my other goals:

Keep Calm

and

Stay healthy.
Have fun.
Run 5 more miles after the race.
Win an Age Group award.
Run a course PR
Keep all miles under 10 minute pace.

All except running 5 more miles after.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:50
mile 2 – 9:17 (long walk)
mile 3 – 9:01 (short walk)
.1 – 7:55

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! Are you running or racing this weekend?

April 9, 2015 by Darlene

5Ks are scary but wonderful

Why?

It’s only 3.1 miles and I’ve done at least a hundred of them.

It’s the expectations…. or more specifically what I expect of myself.

I expect to be fast!! (Fast for me.)

The last time I ran a 5k was in December and that was at night. My last competitive 5k was back in November.

That was 5 months ago!!

I finished that race in 28:14 and won my age group.

But not much speed has happened since then except for a few 4 & 5 mile races. I have run 2 half marathons (and another scheduled for April 18), a 10 mile race and 2 15K races.

That means a lot of long runs…slow long runs. And many slow snowy icy weekday runs.

So what am I worried about?

I signed up for a 5K on Saturday!!

At the end of half marathon training!? What was I thinking?

before last year’s Bacon Hill 5K

I ran this race last year and it was fun. I won my age group but I wasn’t training for anything. I was just running 5ks each weekend. and enjoying myself.

enjoying a AG win last spring

Here is some advice from Lauren Fleshman about running a 5K:

Run the first mile with your head, the second mile with your focus, and the third mile with your heart. In the first mile, you can’t let any emotion or excitement in at all. Start with a pace you are confident you can maintain and then relax a little bit more. Until you see that one mile marker, all you are allowed to think about is running smart. From 1-2 miles, focus on maintaining your form and start to look around you, taking a survey of which runners around you probably went out too hard, and which ones you should make your prey in the third mile. You are taking some time to strategize for the big battle, and you aren’t allowed to draw your sword until you pass the 2mile marker! The last mile, start to pick off your victims, and allow your mind to feel gratitude for how powerful and strong your body is. As soon as you can see that finish line, pretend you are Meb running down Boylston St in front of all of America and run with passion, tall and proud!

Wow! Not sure if I could do all that.

I only have accomplished the last part.

heading to the finish line in a 5K last May

I always think I am super woman and go out too fast. Then I die so I walk. I get it back and speed up and then I die again so I walk. Then I speed up through the finish line.

I am lucky that my fast segments get me through and I finish with a decent time.

She also suggests:

.. set A, B, and C goals for time. C is “meh, but acceptable, and I’m not going to let it kill my buzz.” B is “Yeah baby! That was solid! I knew I could do it!” And A is “That was out of this world insane! I thought on the perfect day it might be possible if everything went right.”

I can do that:

Goal A: PR (under 27:11)

Goal B: Course PR (under 28:56)

Goal C: Under 30 minutes.

But I found this quote from an ultrarunner about how great 5ks are despite the fact that they are hard:

The 5k race is a wonderful distance.

One of my favorite things about this sport is how it brings people together. People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, together in one place working for the same goal.

No distance does that better than the 5k.

Even at a 5k as small at this one, college elites were lining up next to runners out to complete their first race and kids barely old enough to understand the distance. 5k races are a family affair, and it’s fun and exciting to be a part of them.

How true!

That is what I will try to do. Keep Calm

and

Stay healthy.
Have fun.
Run 5 more miles after the race.
Win an Age Group award.
Run a course PR
Keep all miles under 10 minute pace.

and

Keep Calm.

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

Happy Running! Do 5ks make you nervous?

April 1, 2015 by Darlene

March Recap

March Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) YES!

a few on the treadmill 😦

on vacation in CA 🙂

at work

Get some strength training or yoga done. No trips to the gym but occasional planks and lifting weights.
Start running with a training group. YES! My group started on Mar. 16. I’ve run 3 Mondays with them.

Do long runs on the weekend to start to train for half marathon on April 18. Sorta. I missed 2 and ran the other 2 in 2 parts.

after a 5 mile race

6 miles after a 5 mile race

Complete a 5K race. No! My flight got cancelled so I got to Palm Springs too late.
Complete a 5 mile race. YES! Two.

and a 34 sec. PR at 46:29 & 3rd in my AG award

45:46 – another 43 sec. PR

Complete a 4 mile race. YES!

and a 13 sec. PR at 37:27

Run all my races under 10 min. mile pace. YES!

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:22

Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:18

Delmar Dash 5m – 9:10

Volunteer at a race. YES! At the HMRRC Winter Series Marathon

3 hours in the freezing cold!!

Run at least 80 miles. YES! 82!!

mar15

However, since this is the month before my half marathon, I should have run more miles. I’ll blame the cold weather and my trip to California.

82 three months in a row – how did that happen?

So this month, I was lucky to get to spend 4 sunny warms days in California where I ran, hiked and watched tennis.

I started knitting again.

it’s a hat for my friend’s new grandson

April Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Continue running with a training group.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on April 18.
Complete a 5K race.
Complete Half Marathon #12.
Run my 5k race under 10 min. mile pace.
Win an age group award.
Run with my GOTR running buddy.
Run at least 85 miles.

Happy Running! How was your March? Anything special planned for April?

March 28, 2015 by Darlene

Runfessions March

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions. This my third Runfessions post. I think will continue to do this monthly. Many of my Runfessions from last month repeated themselves… Here are this month’s Runfessions:

1. I did not go to the gym nor did I go to any yoga classes. I had good intentions. But I always seem to have something more important to do. Yeah, I know that’s not a good excuse. If I really wanted to, I could find the time.

2. Last month, I was good about not buying ice cream This month, not so much. I got addicted to this in California and it was on sale so I bought some more. I’ve also had soft ice cream. as well. Several times!!

3. I added 2 more races to my spring schedule.

May 7 – 6:30 pm

This was too tempting. I work at a law school and it is 2 days before a race so it will be a training run.

May 24

I got in the lottery so I had to do it, right? And I have been whining about not being able to do my long runs on the weekend because of too many races.

4. I bought more running clothes that I don’t need.

$9.99 at Marshalls and I can wear them for tennis

No more…my drawers are bulging!!

5. I’ve been skipping long runs. I am casual about my week day run distances but when I am training fora half marathon, I always have a schedule and try to keep to it. I increase my long runs every weekend by 1 mile until I get to 12 and then I taper to 8. It’s got me through so far and I even PRed on my 11th in January. My next one is April 18th.. week 7 – 8 miles – Nope – in California, too busy, too hot… only hiked week 8 – 9 miles – Nope – 4 mile race, too tired, rained…after ran/walked 3 more so only ran 7 week 9 – 10 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ran/walked 5 more slow ones week 10 – 11 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ???- hopefully 6 more