October 2, 2014 by Darlene

September recap

September Goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!

after work

before work

on the weekend

Do planks. NOPE!
Walk at least once a day at work. YES for the most part!

AM walk

PM walk

Use those 5 lb weights on my desk. NOPE!
Lose those extra lbs. YES, NO, YES, NO, YES! (the yoyo lbs)
Run 5k races under 10 minutes per mile! YES! All 3 of them.

Malta 5k – 28:47

Run for the Roc 5K – 27:11 – PR!!!

Teal Ribbon 5k – 28:16

Start training for October 10 mile race. YES and NO! 2 long runs not 4

Pick a destination Winter or Spring race. YES! Winter.

January 17, 2015

Run at least 70 miles this month. YES! 74.

September 2014

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. YES!

What else?

I finished knitting a kid’s hat.

this photo does not have the pompom

I spent another weekend on the Schroon River.

and more time on Lake George.

at the beginning of the month

I started playing tennis indoors – once a week.

I RAN IN NYC!!

I have access to exercise equipment.

october-month-halloween

October Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Walk once a day while at work.
Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 10K race
Complete a 10 mile race.
Do long runs on the weekend.
Run at least 75 miles
Go to the gym twice a week.
Finish knitting hat #2
Spend time with my mentee & her sons.

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything special planned for October?

October 1, 2014 by Darlene

Run for the Roc 5k race recap

I’ve never run this race before. I signed up because it was a new race for me and it was on Sunday (I had to work & had a party on Saturday). It also took place in Saratoga where I wanted to run in the park there afterward. And I love the race track.

this past August

When I was a teacher and off for the summer, I used to go to the races often. Now I just go once for breakfast.

roc5k

As you can see from the map above, the race is run around the race track. It should be pretty flat.

Unfortunately, it was very warm especially for this time of year and the race started at 11 am.

It was sunny and in the 70s. Very warm for this time of year!!

I knew that this would be a crowded race and the kids race and team photo ops would be first so I planned to arrive early. I got there about an hour early, found parking in a big lot and picked up my race packet.

I had forgotten that you could personalize your bib. JA is my running buddy. You also got a long sleeve lime green tech shirt. It was nice that they had (many) real bathrooms, massages and a bag check. So I checked my shirt, walked around and watched the kids race.

finish line for the kids race

It was getting warmer so I tried to drink more water and stay in the shade.

(While I was waiting, my hubby called saying he and my friends were waiting for me on an island in Lake George. I guess he forgot that the race started so late and of course said “Can’t you just skip it?” You know what my response was and he agreed to come get me at the marina in a few hours.)

pre-race photo

Then we had to line up. There were signs for paces and I stood with the 8-9 min milers. I think there were about 800 runners.

you can see me on the right

The course was very winding. So I tried to run the tangents but if you did, you were in the sun.

As usual, I went out fast. It was warm and I found it hard to breathe but I willed myself to not stop until at least the halfway point. I even skipped the water.

Eventually, I did stop and walk for a while. I hated to do it but when I do, I get a second wind.

I tried not to look at my Garmin but when I did glance at it around mile 2, I got PR thoughts in my brain.

But again during the last mile, I felt the need to walk AGAIN! I knew I couldn’t finish strong unless I did.

I figured my PR hopes were over and tried to just finish without puking.

As I approached the finish line, I saw 26:XX. I was shocked but couldn’t muster up enough energy to break 27 minutes.

I am coming …

a little closer

Needless to say, I was happy.

I wasn’t very hungry unfortunately because the post-race refreshments were great – the usual bars, yogurt, bananas, apples but also CHOCOLATE MILK, string cheese, homemade PUMPKIN muffins and hot dogs, etc.

I had 2 chocolate milks and took a muffin to go.

I checked the results and saw that I won 2nd in my age group…engraved rocks (run for ROC, get it?)

there were a lot of fast runners in this race.

I took a photo of the award but didn’t stay because they said they would mail it to me.

Obviously, since my hubby was patiently waiting for me, I couldn’t go to the park and finish my long run 😦 That will have to wait until next weekend.

My race goals were almost the same as all my other 5Ks:

run each mile under 10 min. YES! even mile 1 under 9 min!!!!
run the whole thing. NO! but I had a PR!!!!!!!!!!
win a AG award. YES! 2nd.
have fun & stay healthy. YES!

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:46
mile 2 – 9:05 (walk #1)
mile 3 – 9:05 (walk #2)
.1 – .7:19

27:09 according to my Garmin and officially 27:11 – a PR by 19 seconds!!!! My last 5K PR was set 4 years ago.

Even though I had positive splits (as usual), I had a faster time than 2 weeks ago when I ran without stopping!?

My day ended as wonderfully as it began. My hubby picked me up at the marina and we spent the afternoon with friends.

They had a “Low country boil.”

fish, shrimp, clams, corn, chicken, suadage, etc.

We listened to music, danced and played a trivia game.

visitor to the island

After they left, we hung around for a while and I went to a run/walk on the trail…I think I covered about 2 miles.

trees are still green here

Then it was time to head back home 😦

Hopefully this won’t be our last time on the Lake for the season (2 more weekends left.)

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing to report?

September 30, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Distance

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: Favorite Distance

I am torn between two..

Love AG awards!

I love 5Ks. There are so many to choose from each weekend. I can choose by location, swag, elevation, friends going, AG award possibility, time, scenery, etc.

5k in Florida

5k with a friend

I also don’t need to really train. At this point in my running, I can go out and run 3 miles and not get hurt.

a flat 5k

a scenic 5k

A 5k doesn’t take a long time and it is easy to fit into your schedule and not take a lot time away from family and friends.

a nearby 5k

If I am training for a long race, I can use the 5K as a warm up tempo run and add more miles afterward.

just a fun 5k

Half Marathon

I love Half Marathons too.

even in the rain

Running a half marathon is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.

my first!

You get a medal. Who doesn’t love bling?

It motivates you to get out the door and run several times each week. It makes you increase your miles.

It gives you an excuse to plan a vacation around a race.

in Sarasota, FL

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to finish. It is less stressful than running a 5K.

while recovering from an injury

Happy Running! What is your favorite distance?

September 29, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – walk at work, 3 mile group run
Tuesday – walk at work, ~~rest,~~ 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest, hair appt
Friday- ~~walk at work~~, DAY OFF, 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor LSATs, party, rest
Sunday – 5K race + 6 more miles, boating

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, 3 mile group run
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, yoga
Thursday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, gym orientation
Friday- walk at work, 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 6 more miles
Sunday – NYC to see Kinky Boots with the tennis ladies

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

September 26, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Five favorite fall activities

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is My Five Favorite Fall Activities

I love fall especially living in the Northeast.

So here they are my five:

1. Running

I love running when the temps are cool and the leaves have turned colors. These are some of my favorite places to run…

the rail trail

in Washington Park

along the Schroon River

on the bike trails

along Lake George

2. Eating & drinking anything pumpkin

Yup, I love pumpkin everything…

10386289_10152510794573323_8932969421581902594_n

No, I didn’t buy them but I was tempted

3. Racing

Racing in the cooler temps is the best! Even better is a race in a scenic locale…here are just a few that I have signed up for…

Apple Run 5K

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k

Stockade-athon 15K

4. Going to farm activities

There are several around here but Ellms Family farm is my favorite. I always take my mentee and her sons. We go on rides, do corn mazes, pick pumpkins, pet the animals, eat cider donuts…so much fun!

5. Hiking

I don’t hike a lot but I do enjoy it and plan to do more this year. These are some places that I go…

Thatcher Park

Five Rivers

Prospect Mountain

Peebles State Park

I haven’t done this hike in Lake George in a few years…hope to do it again.

view from Buck Mountain

Happy Running! What are your favorite fall activities?

September 22, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – 2 walks at work, rest

AM walk

PM walk

Tuesday – 3 4 mile run, 2 walks at work, rest, ~~exercise class at work~~ (hated it last week, ran instead)

after work

Wednesday – 2 walks at work, ~~4 mile run~~ work event

AM walk

PM walk to the park

Thursday – ~~3 mile run~~ (there was a party at the track where I was going to run at lunch), ~~walk at work~~, ~~exercise class at work??~~ running group meeting
Friday- ~~walk at work~~, rest, mah jongg at my house
Saturday – 8.5 miles

a tough one on the Nisky bike path

Sunday – rest, ~~boating~~ (too windy) BBQ on the river

relaxing

and there was some eating of these… YUM!

Yes, I bailed on 2 runs this week!! 😦

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, 3 mile group run
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, exercise class at work??
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest, hair appt
Friday- walk at work, 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor LSATs, party, rest
Sunday – 5K race + 6 more miles

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

September 19, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: My five favorite races

This week, the theme is My Five Favorite _____________________

Of course, I filled in the blank with races….

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

2010 – in the newspaper

2014 – Troy Record

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I run often after work.

It is convenient since I can park at work and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Spring Runoff (10K) – This 10K takes place in the spring and it a good way to kick start your racing season. It is run along the Hudson River and on the bike path that I go to often for my long runs.

The evening before, there is a free pasta dinner where I met two awesome ladies.

The course is fairly flat and is my currrent 10K PR.

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy fireplaces.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.

The course is beautiful with many views of the Gulf.

At one point, a priest blessed runners with holy water.

I don’t plan to repeat any of my half marathon races but maybe someday I will run this one again.

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorite races? Have you run any of the above?

September 15, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 4 mile run, 2 walks at work, rest, tennis

AM walk

PM walk

Wednesday – 2 walks at work, 4 3.7 mile run

AM walk

PM walk

after work run

Thursday – walk at work, rest, exercise class at work (YUCK!!)

AM walk with my co-worker

finished knitting a hat for my mentee’s 3-year old son for Christmas

Friday- 2 walks at work, 4 3 mile run, mah jongg

AM walk

PM walk

legs too tired to do 4

Saturday – rest
Sunday – 5K race+ 5.5 miles, dinner out

officially 28:16 – 2nd in AG

+ .5 to & .5 from race

10629807_10153142686944428_2640999329698526271_n

great dinner out with friends & an old tennis teacher who was visiting

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, exercise class at work??
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, exercise class at work??
Friday- walk at work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 miles
Sunday – rest, boating?

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

September 14, 2014 by Darlene

Teal Ribbon 5K race recap

I decided to run this race instead yesterday’s Race for the Cure.

This race was closer, smaller and just different. (I have run the Susan Komen race for the past 6 years.)

lake house

The course was two loops in Washington Park (where I run often).

I did run this race back in 2008, my first year running, but didn’t enjoy running a loop TWICE. I finished in 30:46 which at the time was my fastest 5K time. (So you see, I haven’t really improved much since I started running.)

Moses Statue

Since I hadn’t registered ahead of time (This is a first.), I left early. I parked at work and jogged/walked to the start. It is nice to run a race 20 minutes from where you live.

When I got there, I ran into quite a few runners that I knew.

these crazy SRMs had run 10 miles to get to the race

Then I ran into someone I went to college with.

Carol (on the right) has had 2 bouts with ovarian cancer

10635971_10202518967675569_3138774442138291211_n

I also bumped into someone I used to work with when I taught French. I didn’t recognize her and I was shocked that she was a runner.

Gina is to my right. I also met 2 former students.

Two ladies from where I currently work were there volunteering and I saw them too.

Soon it was time to line up. There were more walkers than runners and we started in different locations and had a different course.

The weather was cool & breezy which was perfect for running. I actually wore a jacket until the race started.

I wound up chatting with a runner in my age group for awhile (about races). The race started 20 minutes LATE since the registration line was holding things up

My quads were getting very cold and stiff waiting…

Eventually we were off to a congested start. I tried to keep up with the lady that I had been chatting with but NO WAY! She was fast. The first mile was tough. My quads were stiff. It was the first time that I had felt like that. By mile 2, they has loosened up.

The course is basically flat with some rolling hills but none too terrible to handle (and I hate hills.)

The weather was cool enough that I decided to skip the water stop which was at the halfway point.

As I mentioned you had to run the course twice. That meant that I saw my volunteer friends twice. It was nice to have people cheering me on. I tried to run fast when I passed them, of course.

Believe it or not, I willed myself not to stop at all during the race. I wanted to during the last mile but I didn’t. I can’t remember the last time I ran a race without stopping…years ago!

The race end with a downhill which was very nice.

I was pooped but sprinted to try to finish under 28 minutes…

Nope, I couldn’t muster up the strength.

There was no chip so you handled in the bottom of your bib to record your time.

Officially, it was listed as 28:16. Strange. I know I crossed much sooner than that.

While I waiting for them to post the race results, I checked to see if I won any raffle prizes…No luck! Then I had banana and 2 delicious home-baked muffins.

It turned out that the runner that I had been chatting with before the race start won 1st in my age group and by over 2 minutes. I came in second place. They gave out handmade mugs but only for first place. Darn!

teal5k

Even so, I was happy to have run this race. They raised over $100, 000 to support ovarian cancer ! My friend Carol raised the 2nd largest amount!

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:07
mile 2 – 9:20
mile 3 – 9:17
.1 – 6:32

My race goals were almost the same as my last 5K:

run each mile under 10 min. YES!
run the whole thing. YES!
set a course PR. YES!
have fun & stay healthy. YES!

Since they were only awarding first place in each age group, I omitted an age group award from my goals. (Good thing since I didn’t get one.)

After the race, I jogged back to my car. The wind has picked up and the sun went in and I was really cold. I stopped for a cup of hot coffee at Starbucks, put on my DIY arm sleeves and then headed out for more miles. I really didn’t feel like it but I knew that I have been slacking off and that 10 mile race will be here before you know it.

I decided to run around where I work and in some new neighborhoods. It was slow but fairly enjoyable.

apples -a sign that fall is coming!

I covered 4.5 miles and if you count the .5 to the race, the .5 from the race, and the race itself, that’s 8.5 miles for the day! YAY!

Now I can go out out to dinner with friends and not feel guilty!

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you run or race?

September 11, 2014 by Darlene

Pink or blue?

No, I am NOT having a baby or at my age, a grandchild.

It’s about racing for a charity.

This Saturday, there is a 5k that I have done for the past 6 years. I even ran it with a stress fracture. The race used to take place the first weekend in October. Many years I ran it as part of a team.

at the Race for the Cure in 2013

‎1 in 8 women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime. In fact, I have 9 friends who have all battled this horrible disease (if you read my blog, you may recognize them):

Top Row: Judy, Mary Ann, Mary M. Ava
Middle Row: Sally, Phyllis, Maria, Sue
Bottom Row: Mary W.

The Komen Northeastern New York Race for the Cure® raises money to fund education, screening & treatment programs for these women & supports the national search for a cure.

On Sunday, there is the Teal Ribbon 5k Run/Walk, coordinated by Caring Together, Inc. which seeks to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and raise funds in support of research toward developing an early detection test as well as more effective treatment options for women with recurrent ovarian cancer.

I ran this race my first year of running but not since.

I have a college friend who has had 2 bouts with ovarian cancer and has a team walking in this race. Two people from work are volunteering and I know some others who are running it.

yes, I do have teal-colored running clothes

Both races support causes that I feel strongly about. (There are at least 6 other races that also support important charities this weekend.)

The races both take place in Albany. The Race for the Cure has the same course as the Freihofer’s and will probably have 4000 runners. The Teal race will have much fewer (about 300) and the course is 2 loops in Washington Park.

So I haven’t decided yet. I’m leaning toward the Teal Ribbon….

I forgot to mention that the reason that I am free this weekend is that a race that I signed up for in Lake George was cancelled.