October 11, 2014 by Darlene

Falling Leaves 5K race recap

Believe it or not, this is NOT a NEW race. I have run it before.

I registered for this race on a whim. (No surprise there.)

photo from 2009 -the water was so much higher

It sounded scenic and it was north of my house so I could continue up to the marina if the weather cooperated.

Then I read my recap of the race from 2009:

The race started up a STEEP hill and then went down it. I thought I was done but it continued to go up and down hills throughout the course. I walked twice and said to myself: NEVER AGAIN!! Too tough a course for me…

Great, a hilly course! Maybe in 5 years, I am better with hills. (Probably not).

Oh well, I have never regretted running a race.

I did win my age group but that was 5 years ago. Now I am in the 60+ age group. (Hate that!)

Again, rain was predicted. I got lucky last weekend. And I got lucky again…just cloudy and cool.

It’s this type of weather that you don’t know what to wear. I hate to overdress. I will resist wearing tights, capris or long sleeve shirts, half zips, etc. as long as I can.

I have been running lately with a skirt, knee socks and a short sleeve shirt .(Sadly have passed on wearing tanks lately.) I have been cold at first but warm up nicely.

However, today the temps were in the 40s…brrr! So I gave in and wore a long sleeve shirt but brought a short sleeve shirt for later.

The race started at 10am so I planned to get there around 9:30am so I left my house at 8:45am.

I got there in plenty of time (got the last parking spot in the lot) and it was very chilly waiting for the race to begin. I saw my Turkey Trot Training group coach who was doing the race timing. We chatted for a bit. I told him that I was going to win my age group 🙂

Finally it was time to take off my jacket and start the race. There were about 150 runners..a nice size for a local race on this busy weekend.

Like I remembered, the race started with running up a steep hill.

Maybe it was the cold but my legs were very stiff and I had a hard time moving for the first mile. I glanced down at my Garmin and I couldn’t believe how slow I was running.

photo from 2012 race

After the downhill from the first hill, the second mile was a long long incline. I got into a groove finally and believe it or not, I never walked during the race.

Eventually we turned around but it still didn’t ever feel like we were running downhill until the end.

I finally picked up steam during mile 3 and finished with a decent time.

27:46!

That was a second faster than last week on a flat course.

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

run each mile under 10 min. YES! even mile 3 under 9 min!!!!
run the whole thing. Yes! Finally.
win a AG award. YES! 1st.
have fun & stay healthy. YES!

Splits:
mile 1 – 9:08
mile 2 – 9:18
mile 3 – 8:46
.1 – 7:01

done and happy!

I actually didn’t know anyone at this race. But the food kept me occupied.

lots of homemade pumpkin treats – yum!

And I won first in my age group (60+). I am not proud to say that I was the ONLY one in my age group.

fl5k

At the conclusion of the awards, they had raffle prizes (gift certificates to local restaurants). I have never seen so many at a race. They called bib numbers for over a 1/2 hour. I think I was the only one there not to win anything. I did eat my weight in pumpkin cookies, bread and cupcakes 🙂

After the race, like last time, with only 2 weeks until the Perfect 10 miler race, I wanted to continue running. I wanted some place not too far but scenic enough so I wouldn’t mind running extra miles. Last week’s location was perfect but I wanted something different so I chose the Colonie Town Park.

This is the starting point for the Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon tomorrow (which I ran last year.) I kinda wish I was since so many local runners are running it but I have decided to not repeat half marathons.

last year in the park

I have run on the bike path before but never through the park so I started that way.

There were a lot of trails but they were too rocky & leaf-covered to run on.

So I ran on the road.

Eventually I came to the Mohawk River.

I was right across from where I ran last weekend.

I ran back to the bike path and continued my run. But first, I stopped at my car. The sun had come out and I changed to a short sleeve shirt.

The path was pretty and not crowded but there was a fair amount of walkers, runners and bikers.

I had planned to do an out and back so that my total would be 6.9 miles.

I didn’t get to the end but took a detour to catch a view of the city of Cohoes.

Then I turned around to drag myself back to my car.

It was only in the 50s but felt warmer with the sun.

I must note that I’ve never had so many people comment to me while I was running:

One guy on a bike said: “Run Forrest, Run!”
Another old guy on foot, said: “Take it easy, young lady.”
A guy running said: “Keep your arms looser!”

Usually people just smile and wave.

This run was a lot harder than last week’s run of the same distance and it was FLATTER! Either the 5K tired me out more or it was the shoes…or who knows. But it was tough!!

I got 10 miles done for the day which made me content.

I ran a race which is always fun!

On the way home, I stopped at Target.

but I didn’t buy the pumkin Oreos or the pumpkin chips or any candy!!!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

October 6, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile group run

sort of did intervals … it was humid & hilly…met some more nice people to run & chat with 🙂

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

PM walk

Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, 4 6 mile run

Thursday – ~~3 mile run~~, ~~walk at work~~, gym ~~orientation,~~ 2 mile run

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

AM walk

Saturday – 5k race + 6 7 more miles

Sunday – NYC for lunch & to see Kinky Boots with the tennis ladies

I won a blog giveaway!

winner

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, 3 mile group run, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, yoga
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday- walk at work, rest, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + 6 more miles
Sunday – gym, rest, last day of boating for the season 😦

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

October 5, 2014 by Darlene

Apple Run 5K race report

apple run

I continue on my streak of running new races. This was another. It was recommended to me by the ladies that I met at the Spring Run Off 5k/10k race.

Ilsa & Sue at the Spring Run Off pre-race dinner

All I knew from the website was that it was a looped, flat certified course.

apple run course

I have been very lucky with weather. All of my races have had nice weather (except for the Love Run monsoon). It was bound to happen. Rain was predicted for the morning of this race.

Sue won our age group last year (with 28:02) so she is my competition. On a good day, I may beat her but who knows. Not every race can be as good as my last one (27:11).

here is Sue at last year’s Apple Run

I was still on a high from the PR in my last race so I didn’t care if I got another….yet.

I just wanted to have a fun race.

I worked all day yesterday and didn’t have time to eat much, then I did some machines at the gym, rushed home and went to play mah jongg. I went to bed much too late and woke up hungry and TIRED!! Oh well, not every race can be a fast one…

It rained all night and was pouring when I got up. I really didn’t want to run in the rain but I knew I would at least go to the race.

It took about 45 minutes to get there and it was raining the whole way. I contemplated just getting my shirt, waiting inside and then going out with an umbrella to cheer on the die hard runners.

But as soon as I arrived, IT STOPPED RAINING!

I hoped that this dry spell would last until the race ended…

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I went inside the school to get my race packet… quite a nice bit of swag for a local race.

glasses are so practical…there was a bunch of other stuff too.

I immediately bumped into Sue and Ilsa…the nicest ladies. We chatted for awhile. Isla invited me to do a race with her in Fairfiled, CT some time (You know I may do it!!)

I also saw Alice & Nancy, the runners in my AG that I meet at many of the races I run. Again, it was nice to run a race that has real bathrooms!

Soon, it was time to line up outside with the 300 or so other runners to start the race. And it was still dry!! I had worn a jacket because it was chilly when I arrived but decided to leave it behind. (Good move!)

I started with Sue & Ilsa but didn’t stay with them very long. Sue yelled to me: “Go ahead!” so I did.

The course was pretty flat. I don’t remember much about it so I guess it wasn’t scenic or very memorable.

I wasn’t feeling very fast and my plan was to run slower than last week and try to run the whole thing without stopping.

I managed to pass the first water stop and then tried not to walk until mile 2 but when I got there, I was still running. The weather was the perfect temperature but still very HUMID!

I felt myself slowing down and probably should have walked since it worked for me last week. Eventually I did walk…close to the mile 3 sign. I thought it would give me a boost to finish strong.

happy to be done!

I crossed at 27:47. Not a PR but a decent time. I definitely didn’t feel as sick as last week… I was even hungry.

Sue cheering on the runners

Sue finished about a minute later and we waited for Ilsa to finish.

she’s 70 and beating a guy half her age…go Ilsa!

Then we went inside to get something to eat…there was fruit, bagels and even pizza.

We waited for the results. I won first, Sue second and Isla first, as well. We were Happy Ladies 🙂

my first plaque

We said out good-byes and hoped to run again together.

I am happy that I ran this race…very happy that it didn’t rain. I think this race has been added to my favorite races list.

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. I walked once.
win a AG award. YES! 1st.
have fun & stay healthy. YES!

Race Splits:

mile 1- 8:49
mile 2 – 9:02
mile 3 – 9:07 (walked)
.14 – 7:34

After the race, since it still wasn’t raining, I decided to run some more miles. I drove to the closer place that I do my long runs – Mohawk Towpath Byway.

IMG_3907-0

It was very cloudy and seemed like it could rain at any moment. I kept my fingers crossed that I could at least run 5 more miles.

IMG_3903-0

It was still pretty despite the clouds. In a few more weeks, the foliage will be peak. I ran in the short direction and turned around.

Then I ran on the road, taking my detours…through a park and then around the grounds what used to be a restaurant (Krause’s) that catered large events.

It is now boarded up and closed. Last year, a duathlon took place here.

I ran as far as the marina taking my time since if it started to rain, I would have to run without stopping.

I was at 4.25 miles before I turned around and it still wasn’t raining.

I continued back without the detours and completed 6.9 miles. That made 10 miles for the day! This was one contented runner.

Finally it was starting to rain. I had a coupon for a free cider donut and a free apple at Fo-Castle Farms so I headed back there now that I was finished running. I used to go here all to time to pick apples but haven’t been in years.

As they expected. I also bought a bag of apples, some fresh cider and …

I love pumpkin everything, Downton Abbey & tea…perfect!

At this point, it was raining hard so I headed home.

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

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…

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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.