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.

It was too nice to leave so I ran a mile more out (slowly this time.) and one mile back.

I even bumped into some runners that I knew doing their long run. (Why couldn’t the weather be like this for my long ones?)

Elisa, Bridget & Felice (The Happy Runner)

Definitely a runner’s high! Not a PR but an encouraging race.

Splits:

mile 1: 8:54
mile 2: 9:12
mile 3: 9:08
.19: 8:17

Finished 149 out 377 (4 out 14 in AG) – only gave out prizes for Overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

swag – bag, shirt, etc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

March 29, 2013 by Darlene

Next Up?

A 5K!!

What do I expect?

Here’s some history:

Run Off That Turkey 5K (Nov 2011) – 28:11 – the last time I ran a 5K healthy
Albany Last Run 5K (Dec 2011) – 30:47 – started out healthy but tripped on a pothole & fell near the end of the race
Freihofer Run for Women (June 2012) – 35:39 – first race after 5 months off running with broken ankle
Helper’s Fund (Sept 2012)- 30:08 – making a comeback after ankle surgery
Komen Race for the Cure (Oct 2012)- 30:54 – now I am running with a foot stress fracture (but still in denial)
RW 5K (Oct 2012) – 35:32 – now I know I am running with a stress fracture
Albany Last Run (Dec 2012) – 35:25 – first race after no running for weeks and recovering from a stress fracture

Because I have been training for my recently completed half marathon since my last 5K race (Dec 2012), I have not run fast very often. Even though I have run 3 other races since my last 5K: 10K, 4 mi, & a 7K, none done were with any remarkable speed.

You get to race the rowers on the river….

So I am guessing that I will finish the race between 32 and 35 minutes. (If I am lucky under 32 minutes.) No PR hopes. And that’s ok. I love racing and I plan to just have fun.

photo from last year’s race

The race is being held here:

Corning Bike Path on the Hudson

It would be really nice if the ice and snow were gone and the sun were shining!! Oops I’m not in Florida anymore.

tomorrow’s forecast

Happy Running! Do you like 5Ks? Do you run them?

March 22, 2013 by Darlene

Spring Training

But I don’t mean baseball! Here are the races that I hope to run in the next few months.

A new race. It’s on my familiar bike path along the Hudson. I ran its route frequently last summer and for my 8 mile training run recently.

April 14, 2013

It’s run in the Delmar neighborhoods that I have run all winter. I ran this in 2011 (before all my injuries…)

5k at 8am, 10k at 9am – $20 for both or one

Not sure about this one but maybe. I have run races in this park many times.

I haven’t signed up for this one but Mary & I usually do it together (and they have ice cream cones!!)

May 5, 2013 9am

Another maybe. I did run this 5K several years ago.

I ran this race 3x when it was held in Delmar. The last 2 years, I was on vacation. Now it has moved to Schenectady’s Central park. There’s another 5K in Clifton park. I will definitely run a 5k on this holiday.

This will be my 6th time running this race – I haven’t missed it since I started running in 2008.

I haven’t signed up yet but this race has always been on my bucket list. Hope to finally do it this year (as long as I am healthy.)

Happy Running! What races are you training for this spring?

February 12, 2013 by Darlene

Biggest Loser Inspired

The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit.

The Get Fit, Get Ready! race series is a series of 5k/10k/15k’s that is designed to get you fit and ready for your next race. This series can act as a stepping stone to a longer, more challenging race or just an enjoyable experience shared with friends and family. Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from our boat…):

July 28, 2013

Killington, VT

5K | 15K

The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along the mountain with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.

The Premier Destination races are feature races consisting of a half marathon/5k. Whether it is your first half marathon or you want to hit your next PR (personal best), this series serves as a fun and rewarding race worthy of traveling to! Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from my friend’s house in Chestertown…):

June 9, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Half Marathon | 5K

The course for The Biggest Loser RunWalk Plattsburgh, NY winds through downtown Plattsburgh and along the Saranac River which flows into Cumberland Bay

Dan & Jackie Evans were Season 5 featured contestants on the hit reality show The Biggest Loser. While on the ranch, Dan lost 136 pounds and Jackie lost 89. Since losing a combined 225 pounds, Dan and Jackie have been canvassing the country and keeping the weight off through nutrition and running. They will be at these races.

Here’s more: Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:

• Non-intimidating Environment for New Runners and Walkers (3 hour time limit for the 15k and 5 hour time limit for the half marathon!!!)
• The Biggest Loser Inaugural Finisher’s Medal (love bling!)
• Celebrity Appearances
• Commemorative Technical T-Shirt
• Race Number, Timing Tag and Goodie Bag
• Water and Sports Drink along the Course
• Food, Sports Drink and Water at Finish Lines
• Live Entertainment by former Biggest Loser Season 5 contestant & Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans, at the Finish Line Festival
• Free Downloadable Race Photos (cool!)
• Last but not Least, a Truly Unforgettable Experience

FYI: Giveaway sponsored by Running Diva Mom!!

I don’t watch the Biggest Loser TV series. I tried a few times but it was so depressing. The only part that intrigues me is the part about running. I am also not a fan of driving more than a hour for a race. And the big one…will I stay healthy?? will I be able to run longer distances??

So I didn’t register….yet!

Happy Running! Pretty tempting, don’t you think? Anyone doing one?

January 11, 2013 by Darlene

Bad Runs Happen

I felt like this but I was on the road…

Sometimes a run just sucks. Sometimes life just sucks. But we all have to move on right? Yesterday after work, I had a no good, very bad, awful run.

I was still very congested from my cold, I hadn’t been sleeping and I had eaten a large late lunch.

I tried to get myself in the mood to go for a run but that was just not happening. I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed with a book.

But I had missed 2 runs while being sick so I just wasn’t going to let it happen again. On my way to the neighborhood where I have been running lately, I decided that I was going to run at least 3 miles (if it killed me) but I really wanted to run 4 or 5.

Once I actually got on the road though, I realized this run was going to be tough, mentally and physically.

My legs felt like lead. My chest hurt. My stomach was too full. I wanted to quit after 2 miles. I dragged myself to 3 miles and then I willed myself to do 4.

Yeah, I walked some but got it done.

Usually I get down on myself and question my running ability. I wonder how I am ever going to 13.1 miles if I can’t run 3. My pace is 12-13 min/mile. How embarrassing is that? I’m not fast but I could run 9-10 min/miles. Maybe I should give it up. Wah wah wah…

Instead, the type A me analyzed the situation:

You’ve had 2 injuries. The 2nd one before you totally recovered from the first.
You’ve been sick. It’s hard to run when you can’t breathe.
Running on a full stomach — stupid!
You always run better in the morning. Gotta do an AM run soon.
Even when you raced well, you had BAD training runs. You need to run a race!
What about music…gotta charge that iPod and listen to some tunes!
4 crappy miles are better than zero miles
Get over it… bad runs happen!

Thanks Ryan. I don’t mind if you do!

So today is a rest day (and it is raining/sleeting)!

I haven’t decided about the weekend. I signed up for a virtual 5K tomorrow with friends and a 10K on Sunday.

I will either do the 5k & add 3 miles afterwards or the race but not both.

I know both will be fine — running with others is always motivating.

Happy Running! How do you deal with bad runs?

January 3, 2013 by Darlene

2013 Running Goals

This may be cheating but I had some great goals for 2012 but with two injuries, I didn’t get a chance to see if I could accomplish them.

So here they are again:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!)
PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.)
Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List)
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one)
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC)
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)