May 3, 2013 by Darlene

A-Z is Over … Back to Whining … I Mean Running

I loved doing the A-Z Challenge – so much fun trying to think of something to post about each day. Most of the time I naturally related the post to running. But sometimes not.

So now it’s back to race goals, training updates, 2 for Tuesday, 3 things Thursday, etc.

This is what I currently need:

In December, I finished a post-injury 5k in 35:25. Then in March, I shocked myself (and my new Newtons) in finishing a 5k in 28:49!! (A confidence booster for sure.)

So in my mind I was back and I would be getting faster with each race.

WRONG!

I finished the Lake George 5k in 29:17 (ok, it was hiller) and then Sean’s Run in 30:31 (ok, I had a nose bleed).

So my 5K times has gotten SLOWER not faster:

28:49
29:17
30:31

I know I said that my times wouldn’t matter as long as I could run again. But they do!!

Happy Running! Are you speed-obsessed?

May 1, 2013 by Darlene

April Update & May Goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over) – YES, I went every Wednesday!

I even talked a friend into accompanying me

Play tennis once a week – YES, I played every Monday and on 2 Tuesdays.

first half of the month was indoors and this place closed so then it was outdoors at UAlbany

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often) – YES, I had fruit & yogurt for lunches and salads most nights, even cut back on my nightly ice cream addiction.

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.) – Yes, I did a plank for ONE MINUTE almost eveyday.

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing. YES, I lost 5 lbs but will probably gain it back during my May vacation.

talked my friend into just sharing a cheese board after yoga

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run) – YES, I ran three times each week, 3 miles and once a week (if outdoors) even 4 miles.

66 total miles for April

love my Newtons!

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles) – YES, I ran at least 5 miles on most weekends (which was difficult with 2 5ks scheduled.)

Spring is finally here! Got to see flowers on my runs.

even wore shorts once or twice

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks). YES, I tried … finished the Lake George 5k in 29:17, Sean’s Run in 30:31 and the Delmar Dash 5 miler in 47:38 (still not as fast I had I hoped.)

crossing the finish line at the Lake George 5K

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

while running the Delmar Dash 5 miler (J. Berkeley photo)

celebrating after Sean’s Run

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….) – YES, I did not miss a day!! (You can read them all HERE)
Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury) – YES, I am still healthy (just a little twinge in the left knee and right heel).

GOALS

Continue to run regularly (outdoors unless it is raining then on the treadmill at work).

this park is near work

Continue to fit in tennis & yoga in my schedule (once per week).
Take a lunch break – we get an hour but I eat at my desk – now that the weather is nice I should go for a walk.

last year, we had a walking contest so I did do it.

Get up early and do some runs before work.

this was a few years ago so I know I can do it.

Eat healthy & keep a reasonable weight.

Soft Serve Ice Cream (esp. coffee) with sprinkles

limit the number of soft ice cream cones consumed

Don’t let my running schedule take over – make time for family and friends (and mentees).

hang out in the park with these guys

Add longer runs on the weekend with the goal being a 10 mile race in June.

the bike paths are the best place to do longer runs

Run at least one race.

this will be my first 5k in a new age group

Run several times during my tennis vacation in Florida.

I did several years ago (last year I was injured) while on vacation in Naples

De-clutter the running gear – go through clothes and get rid of those tops & shorts that don’t fit or I don’t wear.

Yes, I still own that cotton tank & shorts from 2008! I didn’t know what wicking was back then nor can I fit into those shorts.

Happy Running! How was your April? Any interesting goals set for May?

April 28, 2013 by Darlene

Sean’s 5K Run Race Report

race report aka racing with a bloody nose

There are easier and closer races than this but I do this race for Mary and for ice cream.

I ran it in 2011 and I was in great shape coming off 2 half marathons but still only finished at 29:24.

Mary & me 2011

Last year, I went to watch her run (I was injured ;( ).

me & Mary 2012…she was running, I was watching… we both ate ice cream

This year, I was excited to be healthy again and running. I hoped to finish under 30 minutes but you never know how things will go. (I should mention that yesterday my sinuses were bothering me all day…either a cold coming on or more likely allergies. I had a bloody nose in the morning and another one at night…this is a prelude to race day...)

The forecast was for sunshine and warm temps but you never know.).

forecast

The race started at noon. So you don’t have to get up early but it kinda kills the day and it’s hard to fuel properly. And it was warmer than last week’s race. (I kept changing my mind on an outfit…eventually I opted for a tank top & skirt.)

MaryPat & me before the Delmar Dash

This year, my tennis friend, MaryPat, decided that she wanted to run this race too. (However, at the last minute, she cancelled…due to a sore knee.)

It’s about 45 minutes from my house but I left extra early in order to get parking, get my bib, and locate Mary.

After I picked up my race packet, I watched Meghan’s Mile and the amazing fast kids!! Then Mary texted me and we met up and headed to the start.

this was the race shirt – very thin breathable cotton)

The race was dedicated to the Boston Marathon. They asked how many racers ran it, watched it, qualified etc. I was surprised at how many BQers were in this race.

the finish line (to the left of the start)

After an emotional “Sweet Caroline” and national anthem, the 5k started.

There is a big hill at the start which I managed to run up (slowly). Actually the whole race was rolling hills and of course, you have to go up a hill toward the end.

It was warm & I was very thirsty but choose not to stop at the 1st water stop.

Then the race took a turn for the worse. My nose started running but I quickly realized that it was another nose bleed…ugh and no tissues (yes, STUPID). What’s a runner to do? Yup, wipe with one hand and then the other. It was gross. I thought about quitting but I am too stubborn. I just hoped that the photographer did not catch how disgusting I looked. Only one guy stopped me to ask if I was ok (probably there was blood all over my face) and told me that I should go the EMT in the nearby ambulance. I said that it was only a nose bleed and I was fine.

Of course, it was hard to run and wipe my the blood dripping from my nose but I did manage to finish. I crossed at 30:26 (Garmin time) and 30:31 official time.

I immediately went to get napkins and water to clean up and by that time, Mary had finished too (and my nose had stopped bleeding.)

Unlike my last 5k, there was a lot of food – bagels, Greek yogurt, cookies, donuts, fruit, chocolate milk, Propel water, etc.

But we headed to the Stewart’s ice cream stand:

best cone ever!

We looked at the results since they were giving out medals to the top 3 in each AG. I think I was 13th out of 89 in the 10 yr AG. (but this time 3rd in the next AG)

checking out the results board (photo by David Lee/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers )

Race Stats:

finished 384 out of 964

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:16 (pre-nose bleed)
Mile 2: 10:06
Mile 3: 10:06
.12: 8:17

Sean’s Run is a very fun race. Lots of community support. (Read the story here.) But not an easy course…hills. (I hate hills!)

check out this hill at the beginning…. there’s a hill at the end too

On the way home, I stopped at the Corning Bike Trail to run more but I was too hot and tired … walked/ran another 2 miles.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running?

April 24, 2013 by Darlene

U is for US (as in racing in the US)

I don’t plan to run a half or a marathon in every state but wouldn’t it be cool to run a race in every state?

As you can see that I am very far away (45 more to go) and to complete this goal, I think I would have needed to start running at a younger age!! (At my previous job of 8 years, I went to conferences annually all over the country…but I wasn’t a runner back then 😦 I remember how long the line was for signing up for the 5k race at NECC conferences and that they always filled up so quickly. I thought people were crazy. Now I know why… )

I guess it will be fun trying…

Happy Running! How many states have you run races in?

April 21, 2013 by Darlene

Lake George 5K Race Report

April 21, 2013 – 8:15 am

I signed up for this race on a whim.

the day before the Lake George Half Marathon in 2011

I love Lake George and this half marathon was my half PR (in the freezing rain!) but unfortunately I am NOT in half marathon shape right now.

finishing the Lake George Half in 2011

So when I got a $5 off coupon in my e-mail , I said: “what the heck.” (I also misread it and thought the race started at 9:45 am. Duh.)

Anyway, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit with my Lake George friends after the race (or maybe even shop at the Outlets.)

course map

I wasn’t sure about the course but I know it is hilly anywhere in Lake George (as was the Polar Cap race). It also may be crowded and difficult to find parking (since the half starts first at 8:00 am).

Again the dilemma of what to wear … some days it feels like spring, other days it feels like winter.

So left my house early (around 6:15 am) and it was COLD (30 degrees!!)!! I decided to wear something similar to last week (long sleeve shirt, gloves, skirt & compression socks) and hope for the best.

I planned to dedicate this race to Boston so I wore an old Boston baseball cap.

When I arrived, I started looking for parking in the hotel lot. (If it was full, I planned to check out the park or the village or my friends’ house.) I managed to find a spot and it was even colder than when I left the house and WINDY!!! Luckily I had a pair of sweat pants in my car & another jacket.

I went to pick up my race packet and bib (I had hoped it was more organized than in 2011 which was their first annual race.) I also got a large cotton tee-shirt that said half marathon on it and then headed back to the car to get rid of my pants.

Most of the runners there were racing the half marathon so there was only a small crowd doing the 5K. (This is the first time I have been at a half with 2 options & I chose the lesser one … felt strange.) But I was glad to race. There could even be an age group award possibility.

Everyone huddled together in the hotel dining room to stay warm until the last minute. The half marathon started at 8 am so most people left. About 10 minutes later, the rest of us ventured down the hill. (I decided to keep my jacket on…I was freezing & wished I had worn tights & a warmer hat.)

The race organization was not much better than last time. There was construction on Beach Road and we had to walk on the gravel road amid the bulldozers searching for the start of the race.

We walked quite a ways and then the organizer stopped us. No start line or sign. He told us to huddle around him so he could tell us the course (which turns out was totally wrong). He didn’t know the street names (he was from Florida) and there were no signs, clocks or mile markers (or people). He said just to follow the lead runner. (There was no water…luckily it was cold.)

Finally we started (about 10 minutes late) and proceeded to head up a HUGE HILL!!! Not ready for that in the first half mile. I tried to run up it and was worried that I’d tire my legs out too soon so I walked twice during the long ascent. Then we went down for a while but there was a turn around so that meant mile 2 went up hill again. This time I ran but was running as slow as a walk. Finally we hit a downhill and headed toward town (on an unstable narrow gravel path). It was very hard to run on it and I was stuck behind 2 slow runners (whom I eventually passed.) It was at this point that I saw one of my boating friends. (I had told her the race ended on Beach Rd because that’s what the course was supposed to be.)

Eventually when we hit Canada St (the main road of the town) we turned around and went back on the narrow gravel road. The race ended by running uphill on another gravel path toward the hotel.

Here are runners headng to the finish. You can see the road construction below.

check out that 90 degree turn

There was no finish line sign but at least there was a timing mat. I crossed at 29:17. I was surprised because I was not running fast at all, I walked twice and there was a head wind at times.

done!

I was still freezing! My friend caught up with me. We hung out for a bit. The food was just bunches of bananas and snack bags of crackers & cookies. (I don’t think this race is on my To DO list any more!! There was a lot of negative comments on FB about the half as well.)

I checked out the finish times & I came in 2nd in my age group (There might have only been two runners.) So we stayed for a while, and watched the fast runners finish the half marathon.

Did I mention that I was COLD!!! The awards were running late (like everything else) so I went to put back on my sweats. It turned out that because the turn out was small, they only gave out awards for 1st place in each AG. (I just looked online and they had me in the 60-99 AG!! In the correct AG, I did win!! Add that to my list of complaints!)

My friend & I quickly left and went out to breakfast. I had French toast and we chatted for an hour or so.

too cold for boats today

After she left, I decided to take advantage of being near Lake George and drove up to our marina. I had heard that they re-did the bathrooms. They did and they are beautiful!

Since the wind had died down, I decided to run some more.

I headed on my familiar summer running route…over the bridge and to the Sagamore Hotel.

I ran around the hotel grounds & even went to a condo Open House. Then I ran on the Nature Trail.

I rested on my usual lounge chair and then ran back into town.

It had finally warmed up enough to have ice cream 😉

On the way home, I stopped at the outlets. More about that in my next post!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

O is for Old races vs new ones

Freihofer’s 2010

There are fun races that I love and will try to do EVERY YEAR such as the Freihofer’s Run for Women and Albany’s Last Run.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Last Run 5k 2011

And ones that I run every year because I support the charity such as Breast Cancer and Juvenile Arthritis.

Race for a Cure 2011

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Of course, there are races that I run every year just because friends are doing them.

Sean’s Run with Mary

Polar Cap with AJH

But I am always looking for New races. Here are some that I am considering (the ones in bold I have already signed up for):

3-30-13 – Ice Breaker 5K
4-21-13 – Lake George 5K
5-12-13 – Mother’s Day 5K
6-23-13 – Adirondack Distance Run – 10m
7-28-13 – Biggest Loser Run 15 K (in Killington, VT)
8-03-13 – Race the Train (8.4 mi)
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-19-13 – Great Pumpkin 10K
11-02-13 – Fall Frun 10K

Old or New…I will thinking of Boston!

Happy Running! Do you do the same old races each year or do you look for new ones?

April 16, 2013 by Darlene

For Boston

I already posted today but Boston is the only thing I have been thinking about since yesterday afternoon.

As a runner, it is always so exciting to follow the race and listen to the enthusiasm of those before the race and stories when they return.

This year was no different.

Yes, I knew runners that were running it (from blogs and from races).

me & Colleen at the Race for the Cure 09

I work with Colleen and we started running at the same time. We ran several 5ks together and chatted about running whenever we saw each other. She is a natural runner. After I started running half marathons in 2011, she joined a running group and ran a 15k and then a marathon.

Colleen running her 1st marathon

Last October, she ran her 2nd marathon and BQed. She was in Boston yesterday running the marathon.

SRM running Group with Melissa (2nd from right) – March 2010

I met Melissa when I was part of a beginning runners’ group in 2010. She had just had a baby and was returning to running. I have since seen her at many races. She has quickly gotten back her running form and has run everything from 5ks to marathons. Her goal is to BQ and I am sure she will. She was at the Boston Marathon with her family cheering on local runners.

Melissa & her daughter at the marathon

Here is a FB comment from one of our group who ran the race: “...I did not finish. I saw the 1st explosion and then was directly across from the 2nd one. So I ran away from the craziness….”

Sisters Laura & Michelle at the 2011 Boston Marathon

When I was teaching French, I taught Laura & Michelle. They were two of my best students. Michelle was and is a runner. I see her at local races. She ran Boston last year and was running it again this year.

Thankfully everyone I knew and runners that my friends knew are fine!!!

There are no words to explain the horror of this event! 27,000 runners were there. Probably 100,000 spectators. As a runner, I know how hard it is to qualify, what it means to compete in a race, what is means to finish a race. This was taken away from about 9,000 runners. Even the ones who did finish, this senseless tragedy has taken all the joy away and has left them with memories of fatalities and injury and fear!

Here are 2 stories that I recommend reading:

I am a runner. I am not a fast runner. I will probably never run a marathon. Hence, I will never qualify for Boston. But I am a runner.

I am wearing an “I Run” necklace

Today I am wearing blue and gold. I played tennis last night & will play tonight so I had not planned to run. But I will run 2.62 miles on the treadmill at lunch in honor of the victims in Boston.

2.62 on the TM

I will wear my half marathon race shirt when I play tennis tonight. I will also dedicate my 5k race on Sunday to Boston.

Happy Running! Did you ever run the Boston Marathon? Did you know anyone who was there?

April 1, 2013 by Darlene

A is for April goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over)

Play tennis once a week

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often)

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.)

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing.

thinner in 2009 or these shorts shrunk?

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run)

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles)

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks).

April 21, 2013

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….)

Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury)

Happy Running! Any interesting goals set for April?

March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.

Feel free to join … just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions.

Happy Running! How was your March? Are you participating in this challenge?

March 30, 2013 by Darlene

Ice Breaker 5K Race Report

icebreaker5k

The Ice Breaker Challenge is a one of a kind Capital District running/walking road race challenging runners and walkers against rowers from the Albany Rowing Center. Runners/walkers will travel along the Corning Preserve Bicycle Path while rowers from the Albany Rowing Center will race along side in shells on the Hudson River.

Unfortunately, we are not having an early spring (like last year at this time…when I was not running or even walking!)

80 degrees in March 2012

This was my first time running this race but I was, at least, familiar with the course (even did a race here last June.)

Stride4Stride 5k

In some ways a 5K is harder than a half marathon. It’s only 3.1 miles and you have no reason not to run fast. That’s pressure. And I felt it. (How long can I use the “recovering from an injury” excuse??)

Believe it or not, it warmed up to a 29 degrees balmy degrees when I left the house (better than the teens we have been having in the am but not the warm March temps we had last year.)

I was dragging my feet (a late night playing mah jongg, 3 days in a row running, flourless week due to Passover – pick one or more of these reasons) but perked up when I arrived at the race. I tried not to overdress (but it is hard when you are cold at the start & afterwards). I wore capris over a skirt (yes it is spring) and 2 long sleeved tech shirts, a baseball cap & light gloves.

By the time I got there, it was in the 3o’s and the sun was shining (so it felt even warmer.)

I picked up my race packet and went back to my car (since I was chilly.)

rowers getting ready

I went back out about 15 minutes before the start & bumped into someone I know from yoga. We chatted and then the race started.

I tried to focus on the scenery…the river…the rowers and not worry about my pace. I hardly glanced at my Garmin (just a few times & was pleasantly surprised.)

There was a water stop at mile 1 but I continued on and then at mile 2.

Believe it or not, I forced myself to just run. I did not walk at all … I didn’t even worry about the foot or ankle.

Shockingly I crossed the finish line at 28:47!!!

post injury 5k PR

I was happy happy happy.

I walked back to my car to put away my gloves, phone, race belt, etc.