May 28, 2013 by Darlene

Back on Track

Because I work, I need to schedule all my runs to make myself accountable. I used to each Monday post an update of the previous week and then plan the current week. I have not done that since APRIL 7!!

I got off track during the A-Z blogging challenge and then my birthday and of course, vacation but now I am back…..

week-in-review11-1s6ozv2

Last 2 Weeks’ Update:

8 day tennis vacation starting Wed!

Mon – rest
Tues – 3 mile run
Wed – rest – fly to Naples
Thurs – tennis
Fri – 3 mile run, tennis
Sat – rest
Sun – 3 mile run, tennis

running on vacation = hard to fit in

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – 3 mile run, tennis, fly home from Naples
Thurs – rest
Fri – 4 miles (TM), mah jongg
Sat – rest
Sun – 6 mile run

2 1/2 of tennis = ?? miles

This coming week:

Monday – rest, boating
Tuesday – 4 mile run
Wednesday – 3 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run, Mother Runner party at Fleetfeet
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race (+ 4??)
Sunday – trip to NYC

Happy Running! Do you schedule your runs?

May 13, 2013 by Darlene

Lacking the Long Run Motivation

Ever since my March half marathon, I have been trying to get my speed back. As a result, I have been racing 5Ks and mostly running 3 miles with an occasional 4 or 5 miler thrown in.

I definitely feel more confident about my speed (although it isn’t or may never be totally back).

So now, I need to run longer.

And I can’t find the motivation!!

I have a 10 mile race on June 23 and a 15K on July 28. I also have a Half Marathon on October 13.

The problem is that I can’t find the time on the weekends!!

It is easy to squeeze in 3 miles and then do other things. Long runs take time!

can only spend time with Amanda & her sons on the weekend.

the boating season is too short and too expensive not to take advantage of it every weekend that the weather is nice (it is the one thing my hubby & I do together …)

I guess that’s why I usually run 5ks in the summer and train for long races in the winter.

In the meantime, I am going to have to get creative about fitting in the long runs this summer – take mornings off from work, run after work, etc. (and the weather better cooperate!!)

But I will not get injured by running a long race untrained.

Happy Running! Anyone else have the long run motivation blues??

May 12, 2013 by Darlene

Mother’s Day 5K Race bRUNch Report

This race was advertised to have chocolate fountains and mimosas – can’t beat that!

photo from last year’s

As I mentioned before, it used to be held near my house and they gave out phenominal bling but when attendance declined they moved to Schenectady. Last year, I wasn’t running so this is my first year running this race in its new location.

Felice, Amanda & me after the race in 2010

Felice, Amanda & me in 2010

me, Mary Pat & Pat in 2011

I have run two 5k races in this park so I know that it has some hills but nothing too bad. I finished one in 2010 at 30:13 and one in 2011 at 29:22 so I had hoped to be in this general range. My tennis friend MaryPat said she would run it with me (but she’s not that dependable). I have a mah jongg friend, Bev, also who planned to be there. Originally rain was in the forecast but that has changed. It was cloudy and cooler.

cooling trend

I must admit that I felt very sluggish when I got up in the am. I definitely should have gone to bed earlier and skipped the creme brulee at dinner last night.

I had picked up my race shirt and bib yesterday so there was no need to rush to the race.

I had my usual breakfast and decided to wear the race shirt since it was the same color as the shirt I was going to wear and grabbed a jacket (just in case).

The race was in Central Park and there are a lot of places to park but I followed someone in and wound up parking in a new great spot (right across from the start line) that I never knew about.

ready to run!

I immediately found my friend MaryPat.

Then I bumped into Bev and introduced her to Mary.

Soon the race began. At this point the sun was in and out and it was warm. But there were ominous clouds overhead.

As usual, I started near the front but quickly the fast ladies sped by me. My legs felt really heavy and I thought I was running very slow but I actually wasn’t.

at the beginning

passing the pond

The course was pretty nice, you ran around the duck pond and through the woods and ended back at the pavilion. (It was different than the course I ran here previously.)

cute mile markers

As was my last race, this race was a long 5K – at least 3.2 miles. Oh well. As with the my last race, I really tired during mile 2 and then got some energy back at the end.

pretending not to be tired

happy to see the end

According to my Garmin, I finished at 29:37. I think the official results said 29:38. Under 30 minutes – I was pleased. After you crossed, they handed you a rose:

By this point, the wind had picked up, it was starting to drizzle and the temps had dropped almost 10 degrees – brrrr!

a fire in May but a welcome site

I grabbed my jacket and went back to watch Mary cross.

we are done!

Then we went to get food…the best post-race food I have seen lately. In addition to cookies, bagels, bars, pastries, bananas, chocolate milk, etc

mimosas (minus the champagne)

chocolate fountain with pretzels and fruit for dipping

donuts

As I was about to leave, I glanced at the race results and saw that I had won first in my Age Group! Hooray for a new age group!

I won a potted rose bush

I was happy! What a surprise!

Race Stats:

finished 51 out 148

Splits:

mile 1: 9:09
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 9:24
.2: 8:13

Now I am taking a race break … my next one is’t until June 1 – the Freihofer’s Run for Women.

Happy Running! How did you spend your Mother’s Day?

May 10, 2013 by Darlene

A Belated 5th Blogoversary

March 25, 2013

I’ve been blogging for FIVE YEARS!! That means I’ve been running for FIVE Years!

Year 1 – starting to run for the first time and completing many 5ks
Year 2 – after taking the winter off, running again and completing even more 5ks (Anniversary post)
Year 3 – running through the winter, completing 5ks (and a 5k PR), 4 milers and a Half Marathon (Anniversary post)
Year 4 – completing some 5ks, a 5 miler, 15k and FOUR more half marathons (plus an achilles injury and a broken ankle 😦 ) (Anniversary post)
Year 5 – recovering from a broken ankle, running my 1st 10k and some 5Ks, suffering a foot stress fracture, running my 6th Half Marathon

Freihofer’s 5K

Camp Chingachgook 10K

Sarasota Half Marathon

Year 6: ???

Optimistically speaking, I am hoping that this next year brings NO INJURIES and lots of running and racing…

Happy Running! Thanks for stopping by!!! How many years have you been blogging?

May 5, 2013 by Darlene

Literacy 5K Race Report

I need to run long.

I love to race.

I shouldn’t spend the money.

Races make me run better.

I could sleep late.

I won’t have to run alone.

These are the thoughts that run through my brain every weekend.

So I had decided that since I raced 3 Sundays in a row and I have a race next Sunday that I would skip this one.

Then someone posted in Fb asking if anyone was running this race.

And you can guess the rest of the story.

I ran this race 3 years but don’t remember much about it other than it was a little hilly (and a very hot, humid day) and I finished in 30:45 (despite walking many times).

My goal for this race was to reverse this trend:

28:49
29:17
30:31

That means I hope to finish faster than 30:31 and then maybe run some more miles after on the bike trail.

The weather was perfect …warm and sunny. I didn’t have any Mexican looking outfit but I wore what I could find with red, white & green (the shirt from my Santa Clarita Half in Calif.)

The race started at 10 am but I arrived early to get parking and my bib. I was also hoping to see someone I knew. None of my friends were there but I did see a few familiar faces. It was a little chilly but I knew I would warm up as soon as the race began (and I was right.)

There were about 200 runners and the course was quite winding – in and out of the cul-de-sacs of the Rensselaer Tech Park. It started with a downhill but after that it seemed that you were running up hill – not steep hills – just long ones.

There was one water stop but though tempting I passed it by. I barely glanced at my Garmin but I knew that my first mile was too fast and that I was slowing down.

I finally looked at my watch when it beeped for mile 3 and saw that my time was really good… so I sped up.

The problem was that it took longer than I thought to cross the finish line. I am sure the clock said 29:58 when I crossed and I stopped my Garmin which said 29:59.

But the course was long – 3.22 miles. Everyone agreed. Most of the runners were complaining. My time was posted as 30:01.

I was still pleased and felt I ran a good race.

After the race, they gave out those ugly cotton tee-shirts and the only refreshments were orange slices.

Although I am still 4 days away from the next age group, that’s where I was put and this time I did better in this group. I came in 2nd (missed first by 1 second.)

They, however, only gave out awards for 1st in each AG.

Oh well, at least I met my goal of finishing faster than my last race and at the correct distance I did finish under 30 minutes.

Race Stats:

finished 80 out 195
2nd in AG (6th in correct AG)

Splits:

mile 1: 9:01
mile 2: 9:56
mile 3: 9:33
.2: 8:30

As always, I love to race and am glad I did but I don’t think I’ll do this one again.

I had hoped to run more miles afterward but I was tired and I had plans to spend the rest of the rest with my mentee and her sons.

Happy Running! Do you have the Run vs Race dilemma?

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.