January 27, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: My Worst Races & What They Taught Me

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: My Worst Race(s) & What They Taught Me

Worst races can happen for many reasons. So here are a few of my worsts:

Worst Weather – this would be a tie for the Lake George Half Marathon and the Love Run Half Marathon. Both were run in a COLD downpour for the whole 13.1 miles. I was freezing and wet and very uncomfortable.

Love Run 2014

Lake George HM 2011

Worst Pain – this would be again a tie for the Runner’s World 5k and the Freihofer’s Run 2013. Both were run with foot injuries. I had a stress fracture in my right foot for the RW race and a broken bone in my left foot for the FRW.

TW 5k 2012

FRW 2013

What I learned: I am stronger than I thought. I can push through anything if it is important enough. I enjoy racing enough to run even through less than optimal conditions.

Worst Feeling (Physically) after the race – This would be after the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. I had a virus and it was hot and very humid. I felt sick the whole race but stuck it out. After the race, I almost passed out twice. UGH!

Saratoga HM 2014

What I learned: Hydration is very important. Summertime may not be the best time for me to run a half marathon.

Worst Feeling (Mentally) – This would be after the Santa Clarita Half Marathon in CA. It was my 5th half that year and I trained really well for it. I was expecting a PR. Well, it didn’t happen for whatever the reason (rain, jet lag, altitude, etc.) When I knew I wouldn’t, I kinda gave up. Afterwards, I felt very disappointed and that ruined the whole race experience for me. My friend also did not run well. So we both just wallowed in self pity.

St Clarita HM 2011

What I learned: Do not place so much importance on getting a PR. Anything can happen during a race and completing it is a victory in itself. Just enjoy every race experience.

Happy Running! What did you learn from your worst race?

January 13, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: 2015 Race Plans Part 1

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: 2015 Race Plans

I run so many races (33 last year) that I am just listing some of the races I plan to run in the first 6 months of 2015:

West Palm Beach Half Marathon – Ocean Views and in Florida in the winter. And visiting 4 friends too!

January 17, 2015

Polar Cap 4 miler – This hilly race takes in Lake George. I have done it several times before. The best part is that I get to run with fellow blogger AJH. Afterwards, I can go to the lake George Winter Carnival also.

February 7, 2015

Shamrock 5K – I would have liked to run a longer race like I did last year but this one fit. I am so excited to be running this race with my friend Mary in CA.

shamrock5k

Runnin’ of the Green – this is a very popular local 4 miler. This year, the location will be different. Hopefully, it will be as flat as the previous Green Island course.

March 14, 2015

Delmar Dash – This is a 5 miler that is very close to where I live and it is flat!!

March 29, 2015

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY. I ran this for the first time last year and loved this country race.

April 11, 2015

When I didn’t get into the NYC Half Marathon, I registered for the Asbury Park Half Marathon to keep me running through the winter. I have a friend that lives an hour from this race and I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY. Another race from last year that I enjoyed a lot.

April 26, 2015

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY. This race is run along the Hudson River and is a popular local 5k and 10K race. There is a free pasta dinner the night before. I met some awesome runners last year and hope to see them again.

May 2, 2015

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady, NY. I ran this race in 2013 and plan to run again this year. I may be mentoring a someone from the GirlsontheRun program at this race, too. This 5k is very well-organized and has a chocolate fountain afterwards. Need I say more?

md5k15

Freihofer’s Run for Women – This is the only race that I have run every year so I want to keep my streak going. This year, I signed up to be part of a training group like I did for the Troy Turkey Trot. I am looking forward to running with others.

frw15

When I did not get into the Covered Bridges Half Marathon on June 7, I registered for the first annual Walkway Half Marathon in Poughkeepsie. The course will include the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson as well as Marist College and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

HALF MARATHON – June 13, 2015

Adirondack Distance Run – It’s a 10-miler. Rolling hills from Lake George Village to Bolton Landing (where we keep our boat.) I did it last year for the first time and can’t wait to run it again!

June 20, 2015

Happy Running! What are some of your 2015 races?

January 3, 2015 by Darlene

December Recap

DECEMBER GOALS:

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

3-4 miles here a few time (unfortunately)

during Christmas break

Walk once a day while at work. YES on most days!

we’re inside now. 9 1/2 loops of the building

Run with a group when possible. Nope. Not this month. But did run twice with Judy.

Complete my 5k race(s) with under 10 min/mile pace. YES!

29:02 in the RAIN

Complete a 15K race. YES!

1555427_900162123328351_8089227491931633030_n

HMRRC Winter Series #1 – 2nd fastest 15K

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on January 17. The last 2 weekends.

Run at least 80 miles. YES! 91 miles.

dec14

Go to the gym at least once a week. NOT REALLY. Lazy lazy lazy. I did a few times the last week.
Start back at yoga. Went Once!

new instructor, Maria; my former instructor Lisa has lyme disease 😦

Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties). Not sure. Afraid to look at the scale!
Spend time with my mentee. YES! 3X.

celebrating Amanda’s 25th b-day

celebrating Richard’s 8th b-day

on Christmas Day

Also:

Spent 2 days in NYC!!

Dec 6 to see a Broadway show …

Dec 29 to see the Matisse exhibit

JANUARY GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk once a day while at work.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Run with a group when possible.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on January 17.
Complete a 10K race.
Complete a 15K race.
Complete my10th & 11th half marathons.
Run at least 90 miles.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything special planned for January?

December 28, 2014 by Darlene

2014 was a good year

report-card1 Yes, it was a very good year:

ZERO injuries
5 PRs
many races including three 10 mile races, four 10k races, two half marathons, three 15k races, fifteen 5k races and more…

So let’s take a closer look at my 2014 goals…

1. Do not get injured. No injuries, YAY!

happy legs

happy feet

happy body

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

in the freezing cold

in the spring

during my vacation

in the summer

in the fall

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week and upper body & core strength exercises (planks & weights). Tennis YES, Yoga Rarely, Planks & Weights SO SO, Gym occasionally starting in October.

my instructor returned from maternity leave on May 7 and then went out on leave for lyme disease in July…

when I can remember to use them

indoors except the summer

4. Finish all races (except 15ks & half marathons) at under 10 min. per mile pace. Almost all. Even a few under 9 min!!!

: 5k – 30:10

: 4 miler – 38:07

: 5 miler – 48:14

: 4 miler – 38:06

: 5k – 28:56

: 5K – 27:51

: 10k – 1:00:52

: 5K – 28:14

: 5K – 28:51

: 2014

: short 5k (2.25 m) – 20:19

: 5k – 30:47

: 5k – 28:25

: 2016 – – 28:47

: 5k – 28:16

: 5k – 27:11 – PR (Sept. 2014)

: 5K – 27:47

: 5K – 27:46

: 10K – 58:28

: 10K – 57:03 – PR

: 5K – 58:16

: 5k:29:02

5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year. Yes! 33 races.

: HMRRC 15K – January

: Polar Cap – February

: Runnin of the Green 2014

: 3rd

: Betar Byway – June

: Turning Point – July

: Camp Chingachgook – August

: Run for the Roc – September

: Apple Run 2014

: Stockadeathon – November

: Albany Last Run – December

6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state. Yes in FOUR states! Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in CA, Lighthouse 5k in FL, the Love Run Half in PA and the Perfect 10 Miler in NJ (which is a NEW state).

Lighthouse 5K in FL.

7. Run at least 10 NEW races. Yes. 20!- Mayor’s Wellness 10m, HMRRC Winter Series #3 15K, Lighthouse 5k, Love Run, Bacon Hill 5k, Rabbit Ramble 4m, Cherry Blossom 5k, Spring Run off 10k, Mom’s 5K, Betar Byway 5K, Strawberry Fest 5K, Adirondack Distance Run, Saratoga Half Marathon, Turning Point 5K, Run for the Roc 5K, Apple Run 5K, Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K , Perfect 10 Miler, Troy Turkey Trot 10k, HMRRC#1 15K

first annual Love Run

Bacon Hill 5k

Spring Run Off 10K

Strawberry Fest 5K

Saratoga Half Marathon

Run for the Roc 5K

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

Troy Turkey Trot 10K

8. Run in NYC. Yes! Not a race but I ran there.

9. Get an Age Group award. Yes! 18 of them – 3rd at Mayor’s Wellness, 1st at Lighthouse 5K, 1st at Bacon Hill 5k, 2nd at Rabbit Ramble 4m, 2nd at Cherry Blossom 5k, 3rd at Spring Run Off 10K, 1st at Mom’s Day 5k, 1st at Betar Byway 5K, 1st at Strawberry Fest 5K, 2nd at Saratoga HM, 3rd at Turning Pt 5K, 2nd at Jailhouse Rock 5k, 3rd at Malta 5k, 2nd at Run for the Roc 5k, 1st at Apple Run 5K, 1st at Falling Leaves 5K, 1st at Run off that Turkey 5K, 3rd at Albany Last Run 5K

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

Cherry Blossom5k

Mom’s Day 5K

Spring Run Off 10K

Betar Byway 5K

10464192_905772132782587_8976828319425984868_n

Strawberry fest 5K

Turning Point 5k

Malta 5k

10. Run a 10 mile race. Yes! 3 – Mayor’s Wellness 10m, Adirondack Distance Run and Perfect 10 Miler.

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

Adirondack Distance Run

10 miler - 1:38:45

11. Run at least one half marathon. Yes! 2 – The Love Run and Saratoga Half Marathon

Saratoga Half

12. PR in a half marathon. Yes! at the Love Run.

4 sec PR

13. Run over 800 miles. Yes! Over 900 miles!

most miles ever

14. Continue to blog almost everyday. Yes!

Goal added for the second half of the year:

PR in a 5K. Yes!

Run for the Roc – 19 sec PR over 2011 PR

Achievements that weren’t goals:

PR in a 10K

Troy Turkey Trot

PR in a 10 mile race

Perfect 10 miler

PR in a 15K

Stockadeathon

Yes, at age 61, I PRed at every distance this year. I’m not getting older, I’m getting better!!

Happy Running! Do you have yearly goals? If so, how did you do this year?

December 20, 2014 by Darlene

2014: My Year in Racing

I’m linking up with Montana from Pretty Lil Mudder and a number of other Girls Gone Sporty members to give out some awards to the races I ran. Since I ran so many, I had no problem finding a race for each category even though I only ran 2 half marathons and no marathons.

Most Scenic Course – This was a little difficult to choose…along the river, along the ocean, along a lake, in a park??? But I will pick the Mayor’s Wellness 10 Miler (in Palm Springs) because of the awesome mountain views.

Most Challenging Course – For me, challenging is hills and distance but I think I’ll choose hills. There were 2 that I ran along Lake George that were hilly but the Adirondack Distance was longer (10 miles) so more challenging.

Best Course Support (aid stations, volunteers, people cheering you on, etc) –

I would probably have give this one to the Stockade-athon. There were many water stops & volunteers. And the people of Schenectady cheered the runners throughout the course. The photo below was taken by a friend along the course.

Best Expo – It would have to be the Love Run (in Philly) since it is the only one I went to. I went with friends and we had a lot of fun – lots of booths, free shirts, hair braiding, massages, etc.

Best Swag – Another tough one. Sometimes I like the shirt, sometimes the medal, sometimes you get other good stuff. But I would have to pick the Apple Run 5K. You got a bag, shirt and a glass. Plus the AG awards were plaques.

Most Unique Medal – I guess the most unique medal was the one made out of wood from the Camp Chingachgook 10k. All of my other medals are metal.

Best Post-Race Food/Beverages – I have run a few races that have had a good selection of post race food. It is important if you spend a lot money on a race and if it is a destination race. My vote this year goes to the Camp Chingachgook 10k. They had an awesome barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc.

The Perfect 10 Miler had good post-race food as well (just too healthy for me.)

Best Race Shirt– This was easy. It was the lilac hoodie from the Perfect 10 miler (in NJ.) It is very comfortable. I have worn it several times already.

Favorite Overall Race – With running 33 races this year, it is certainly hard to pick one. But if I have to, I’d say it was the Troy Turkey Trot 10k. The weather cooperated, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the race and I saw a lot of racers that I knew there. It was just fun. The only thing that would have made it better would have been an Age Group award. At least, I had a PR.

Race You Are Most Proud of Yourself for Completing – Half Marathons are tough for me. I ran one this year in the pouring rain but my award goes to the Saratoga Half Marathon. It was very very humid and I felt sick the whole race. I wanted to quit several times but toughed it out.

Happy Running! What awards would you give to the races you ran in 2014?

December 13, 2014 by Darlene

Bucket List for 2015

for 2015

Here are a few of the new races that I am looking forward to this coming year:

January 17, 2015

In Florida in the winter – YAY! and visiting 4 friends too!

shamrock5k

I am so excited to be running this race with my friend Mary in CA and also get to watch some of the qualifying matches at the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Championships (and maybe see some of the stars practicing.)

I DID NOT get into the

10850062_10152855711198329_699759829287581865_n

March 15, 2015

It was a lottery so unfortunately I’ll have to try again and again and again (unless somehow I could run a sub 2 hour half.)

aphm

So I instead registered for this half marathon to keep me running through the winter. I have a friend that lives an hour from this race and it’s supposed to be the “Best Half in New Jersey – One of Best in the Country.” The best part, I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

I also did not get into the ….

in Woodstock VT

It sold out in 24 min…I was out running & came back 1 minute too late 😦 Next Year!!

so instead I registered for…

June 13, 2015

This is an inaugural race (I am running the Half Marathon) and it looks exciting. It’s in Poughkeepsie which is about 1.5 hours away. The course will include the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson as well as Marist College and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. (It is hilly – the only negative.)

jensen beach hm

November 15, 2015

Yes, another Florida Half Marathon – A good friend moved to Jensen Beach and I would love to stay with her and run but the second one is a better date (a friend of a friend lives there & has offered to house me if I come down.)

If I decide not to go to Florida in the fall, I may run this HILLY one…

September 26, 2015

I have a friend who lives nearby (in CT).

Happy Running! What races are you looking forward to in 2015?

December 11, 2014 by Darlene

Year of Running 2014

It’s that time again–time to look back at how my year of running has gone. Miss Zippy has posted this the past three years and each year, the response has grown.

How you play along:

1. Grab her button

2. Answer the following questions

3. Add a Link at the bottom of her post.

Best race experience?

Well, with over 30 races this year, it is hard to pick one…so I won’t.

The Best Destination Race was the Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA. It was my first 10 miler but it was awesome because of the scenery and running with my good friend, Mary.

The Best Short Race was the Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K. This was a new race and it was also very scenic. I met Hollys who influenced me to join a training group. And I also won an apple pie for 1st in my AG. I loved the course so much that I ran 3 more miles there after the race.

5k - 28:56

The Best Long Race was the Adirondack Distance Run 10 Miler. I’ve wanted to run this race for several years but something always got in the way. It is very scenic (but hilly) and ends at the marina where we keep our boat so my hubby & boating friends were waiting for me at the finish line. And since it ends on the beach, you can soak your feet in the lake after the race.

Best run?

Actually my races are always more enjoyable than my runs but I have had a few enjoyable ones such as:

in Peebles State Park – I just discovered this area, the park has trails with views of the river & waterfalls. Nearby is a lock and there are many bridges to run over.

and

along the Schroon River – I have a tennis friend who owns a house in Chestertown and when we go up to play tennis, I love to go out and run. I have discovered many different routes in the area with views of the river and lakes.

and along the ocean in Florida – I love the ocean and the warm climate of Florida in the winter. I was fortunate to visit some friends and be able to run everyday to views of the ocean.

Best new piece of gear?

This a tough one also. It is either my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s because my feet don’t hurt and I have gotten a few PRs wearing them

Run for the Roc - September

Or a new running skirt that is very comfortable and have gotten many compliments on it.

it says RUN RUN RUN in different shades of purple

Best piece of running advice you received?

It was probably from my coach Patrick during our Turkey Trot Training Group runs. He kept telling to embrace the hills and repeat “I Love Hills.” I think it has made me into a stronger runner and now I try to run up the hills rather than whine & walk up them. He also instilled in us about the importance of speed drills. We did them once a week. I PRed at 4 distances so I guess they do work.

Most inspirational runner?

Back for a repeat performance is AJH from Age Groups Rock. She continues (at my age) to compete in triathlons (even after a disastrous experience in one.) I have watched her in a duathlon and she is one fierce biker.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Healthy. Successful.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer one or more of these questions in a comment.

December 8, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

Monday – ~~walk at work,~~ ~~STEM group run + ( 4 miles)~~, 6.5 mile run after work

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

still indoors

Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, hair appt

running on the track at work

Friday- walk at work, ~~gym~~, mah jongg

too cold outside

Saturday – proctor LSATs, (congratulations to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), ~~bake cookies,~~ 5k race at night

very wet but won 3rd in my AG

Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), ~~dinner out~~, bake cookies

apple cider sangria, 4 kinds of mac n cheese & painting

pumpkin cookies, what else?

This Week: (Week 7 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, cookie party at work, tennis
Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Wednesday – walk at work, STEM dinner
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – yoga for runners, rest
Sunday – 15K run, dinner out, lights in the park carriage ride to celebrate my mentee’s son’s b-day

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 ?

December 6, 2014 by Darlene

Last Run 5K Race Report

This is a very popular local race. It starts with fireworks and then you run around the lights in the park and it ends with a downhill.

Here are some pics from a previous year:

Last year, I ran this race in a blizzard.

http://mapgraphicsphotos.smugmug.com/AlbanyEvents2013/17th-Annual-Albany-Last-Run-5k/i-7jkHxRw

This year, the forecast was for heavy, cold rain. Not very inviting but this is always a fun race…so I couldn’t bail.

gray long sleeved tech shirt

I picked up my bib & shirt yesterday to save time. Then I pondered what to wear….the rain put a damper on my festive attire.

I decided to park at work and walk the mile or so to the race. I wore boots, a long raincoat & used an umbrella to stay dry until the race.

Then I wore a windbreaker, cap & running shoes for the race and stashed my wet stuff until after the race.

As I mentioned, it is a popular race and I bumped into all sorts of people — 3 ladies from my running group, Christine, a professor from work, my FB friend Judy and Andrea, my roommate for Love Run in Philly.

me & Christine

Andrea

We chatted until it was time to head out into the rain.

Yes, it was raining but not as cold as I feared. I lined up with Judy & we watched the fireworks until we ran our separate ways.

The race started with an uphill, went through the city before we entered the park.

My legs felt really sluggish. I couldn’t make any headway in the crowd. Maybe it was that I hadn’t run much this week (not at all Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday) or just the slippery road and the dampness.

I felt better once we entered the park and it was fun looking at all the lights. There were at least two hills that I remember in the park and I was proud of myself for not walking at all. I ran up them..slow but at least I ran.

The whole time I was running, I kept looking at the ground trying to avoid the big puddles and keeping an eye out for potholes (I did fall during this race several years ago.)

Finally we left the park and ran downhill to the finish. I wanted to finish fast but for some reason, I got a side stitch and had to slow it down and breathe deep to try to get rid of it.

It was dark so I couldn’t see my Garmin but I knew by the timing clocks that this wouldn’t be a PR.

The problem with getting faster and finishing your 5ks in 27:xx or 28:xx, you get cocky and expect to have a good race every time out.

Well, in a hilly wet race, this wasn’t going to be. I struggled to finish under 29. According to my Garmin, it was 28:56 but officially I finished at 29:02.

I went inside to dry off and change into my dry clothes and wait for the results. The refreshments were nothing to write home about — just chips & apples. (In the previous years, there was Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!!)

lastrun14

Well believe it not, I won 3rd in my age group.

Splits:

mile 1- 9:26
mile 2 – 9:25
mile 3 – 9:02
.15 – 7:26

Very usual for me to have negative splits.

So I beat my time from 2010 (29:15), my first Last Run. And even in the rain, I enjoyed the race.

Happy Running? How was your weekend? Do you run in a holiday race? Have you raced in the rain?

November 30, 2014 by Darlene

November Recap

november

Run 3-4 times each week.YES!

after STEM volunteering

on the track during lunchtime

when the weather is bad

after work

Walk once a day while at work. YES!

indoors when raining or too cold

Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week. YES!

Volunteer in the STEM training runs once a week. YES!

Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace (if I run any.) YES!

5K - 58:16

Complete a 10K race. YES! and a PR!

Complete a 15K race. YES! and a PR!

Do long runs on the weekend in preparation for half marathon #10. YES on most weekends!

Run at least 80 miles. YES!

nov14

Go to the gym at least once a week. YES! Most weeks.
Start knitting hat #3 YES! and finished it.

DECEMBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk once a day while at work.
Run with a group when possible.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 15K race.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #10 on January 17.
Run at least 80 miles
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Start back at yoga.
Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties)
Spend time with my mentee