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

Well, that’s it for now.

Happy Running! Have any Runfessions to share?

March 26, 2015 by Darlene

Run with Jess’ 5th Annual Jelly Bean Race

DATES: Race begins Friday, March 27. Ends on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

LOCATION: Pick your favorite local route or just hop on a treadmill.

EVENTS: Choose the event that works best for your current fitness level. You will earn one entry into the prize drawing for each of the four events that you complete in the 10-day time window March 27-April 5. Max of 4 entries per person; each race distance may only be counted once.

Run 5K (3.1 miles)
Run 10K (6.2 miles)
Run Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Bike 21K (13 miles)

HOW THE JELLY BEAN WORKS:

No need to pre-register. Just mark your calendar, tell your friends, and organize a local group run in your area. This makes a great family event to get the kids active! Bookmark this webpage so that you can come back for updated information until race day. Join the Facebook event here to socialize with other participants.

Order an Jelly Bean finisher’s medal below (optional). Proceeds from these medals will be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital as part of my fundraising for the Bartonville-to-Peoria St. Jude run. If you don’t want a medal, but would still like to participate in the Jelly Bean, a donation of any amount to St. Jude Children’s Hospital is much appreciated here.

On race week, PRINT A RACE BIB for each person participating. (Link activated on 3/23)

Finally, complete your Jelly Bean events… Run, Bike and have FUN!! Take pictures and please share them on my Facebook wall. Hint, hint… I always award one prize to my favorite picture. Share them on social media using hashtag #JellyBeanV
REPORT RACE RESULTS for each participant before 8 pm on April 7. You will earn one entry into the prize drawing for each event that you finish (4 max per person). Each event may only be counted once. (Reporting link activated on 3/27.)
PRIZES: When the Jelly Bean results window closes, there will be a random prize drawing from all finishers. Grand Prize is a Wireless Activity & Sleep Tracker for your wrist! Other prizes include: Starbucks gift card, BondiBand headband, and more… Check back often as she will continue adding prizes!

Follow Jess on Facebook for race updates… www.FB.com/runwjess

I will do the 5k as a weekday run and since I have a 5 mile race on March 29, I will probably add on more miles for a 10K or if I am really energetic, a half marathon (as a training run for my April 18 one.)

Here’s another opportunity to run a virtual 5K leading up to the opening of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas race registration on April 1st and you get a FREE tank or tee for participating.

It’s absolutely free-just submit your time here before April 1st.

Happy Running! Do you run Virtual races? Are you are going to do the Jelly Bean Race or RnRLV Kickoff Run?

March 21, 2015 by Darlene

Spring Races

It’s almost Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

a 5 miler and a new one for me.

March 29, 2015 – in my neighborhood – my 4th time running it

April 11, 2015 – loved this last year – hope to win a pie again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time. My favorite 5k!

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

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

Happy Running? Do you have your spring races planned? Which race(s) are you looking forward to?

March 9, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #6)

Monday – 4 5 mile run on the TM

Thank God for Downton Abbey!!

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run

one day heat wave – 20 degrees warmer than last week

Thursday – 3 2 mile run on the TM, pack

this time, it was Nashville

Friday- ~~rest, flew to Palm Springs!!!~~ (flight got cancelled) 3.5 mile run
Saturday – 5k race, visit an arts festival, rest, 3 long flights to Palm Springs, CA

after work on the bike path arouond the puddles

Sunday – great run/hike with Mary in the mountains, enjoyed the warm weather 🙂

Mary on the Bump N Grind Trail

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #7)

Monday – 4 mile run, watch qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Tuesday – 4 mile run, watch qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Wednesday – ~~rest, fly home to NY~~ 4 mile run, watch women’s first round at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, hang out with Mary
Thursday – rest, fly home to NY
Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 4 mile race + ? more miles
Sunday – rest

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 ?

March 7, 2015 by Darlene

Shamrock 5K Race DNS

shamrock 5k

Come join us for a wild 5K dash in beautiful Downtown Palm Springs. Chase that pot of gold to the end of the rainbow and receive a beautiful finisher medal. Registration includes a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, festive eyeglasses, green pancakes and a free photo download! Costume contest with great prizes!

shamrock5k

Leaving the frigid NE for warm dry California weather…Running with my friend Mary again…Seeing scenery like this…

This race was just the icing on the cake.

Since it was a St. Patrick’s day race, I planned to wear as much green as I owned:

my new Runingskirts.com skirt

I got this a few years ago

these are a few years old also

with a black tank and black compression socks. Cute but not contest worthy!

Well, it never happened!!!

I got up yesterday morning at 4:30 am to find out that my first flight (to Philly) was cancelled. The weather was clear in Philly but they had had bad weather all week. So who knows why?

Needless to say, I was big time bummed!!!

The earliest that they could re-book was today and get to Palm Spring (on 3 long flights) in the evening.

Yes, miss the race!!

At least it was only a 5K and not a big race that I had been training for.

Still a bummer!

So instead I went to work EARLY and went for a run after work. Since it was earlier than usual, I went to the bike path and hoped I could find some dry spots.

not here

not here either

here’s some

Well, in two parts, I managed 3.5 miles.

Good-bye snow and ice for a while. My next running pictures should look very different.

Happy Running! Did your travel plans ever interfere with a race?

March 5, 2015 by Darlene

March 5 by the 5th Virtual Race

Laura at Mommy Run Fast hosts a virtual race called 5 by the 5th. The rules are that you have to run either 5 miles or a 5K by the 5th of each month starting February through May. There are prizes up for grab each month for those that participate and record their results.

I don’t do a lot of virtual races because I run so many actual races.

But this one is easy to fit in.

Well, yesterday we had a heat wave. It was 38 degrees.

I drove to UAlbany where I ran last week because I thought that the path around the campus would be clear.

It was for the most part, but in spots, it was snowy and slushy. I had to tiptoe around the slush.

And at every intersection, there were huge puddles. What a mess!!!

But it was a nice night to run and a 5k completed!

I had extra time and the arctic freeze was predicted to return today so I added an extra mile.

Happy Running! Do you do virtual races? Have you been able to run outdoors?

March 5, 2015 by Darlene

Heading West

My latest excuse for a vacation is that my running friend, Mary moved to Palm Springs, CA and last year I had such a good time visiting her that I decided to do it again. (Thanks Mary!!)

Remember Mary, my running, ice cream buddy?

So I am going to PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA again!! March 6-11! (leaving tomorrow – taking 3 flights and hoping for good connections.)

Of course, there had to be a race for us to run together.

after last year’s 10 mile race

With a big tennis tournament starting nearby, the only race I could find was a 5K.

Come join us for a wild 5K dash in beautiful Downtown Palm Springs. Chase that pot of gold to the end of the rainbow and receive a beautiful finisher medal. Registration includes a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, festive eyeglasses, green pancakes and a free photo download! Costume contest with great prizes!

Sounds like fun, right?

The last time I ran a 5k was in December and that was at night. My last competitive 5k was back in November. Not to mention that I am going from the frigid, snowy NE to the California desert. (Shocker!!)

So my primary goal for this race is to have fun. Of course, an age group award would make it even more special.

I am really excited to see Mary again. To run with Mary! To leave the cold weather!