5k

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Jailhouse Rock 5K Race Report


As I said in my previous post, I had run this race before & was familiar with the course.

Though I am still recovering, I prepared for this race like it counted…rested and carb loaded on Friday.  I even skipped a marina party & mah jongg to go to bed early (sans alcohol.)

The race was about 40 minutes away but unfortunately I left later than I wanted to.  I still got there 15 minutes early and got my race (tech) shirt & bib.

Brookside Museum & runners before the race

The weather was absolutely perfect…sunny, in the 60s and low humidity.  There were only 300 or so runners.  I recognized many faces but didn’t know anyone personally.

Me before the race

I was prepared to give it my best shot (but not risk getting injured).

We walked up the hill to the start and I stood near the front but not too close.

jjh12 jhr12

The first mile was rolling hills (I hesitate to even call them hills after the last race.) I glanced at my Garmin and it said 9:06…whoa…too fast…so I slowed down.  The course was an out and back and there was a water stop a little beyond the turn around.

I walked through the water stop but that was it… I ran the rest.  I actually felt strong the whole time.

Throughout the race, it seemed that everyone was passing me by.  I was relieved after the turn about to see that there was runners behind me…whew!  I started at that point to play leap frog with a gray haired runner.  I thought that she must be in my age group and I wanted to beat her.  She looked familiar but I wasn’t sure if she was fast or not. When she walked, I ran past her and then she ran past me.  (In the end, I did beat her but I was disappointed to see that she was not as fast as I thought.)

When it came to the end and the big downhill…I was very afraid to run all out…I took it slow and then sprinted across the finish line.

My official finish time was 30:58 (30:55  Garmin time)

the finish

I was pleased to break 31 minutes…not fast or  a PR but a post-surgery PR!

I realized that I didn’t even break a sweat and that I probably could have run faster but:

  • miles 1 & 3 were under 10 minutes
  • I only walked once
  • I felt good

Unfortunately no AG award for me. (Next year, I hope.)

So I had some refreshments and visited the quilt exhibit at the museum before heading up to Lake George to spend the rest of the weekend.

quilt poster

How did I do on my race goals?

  • Have fun. YES!
  • Finish. YES!
  • Run faster than my previous 5Ks this year (beat 33:30 or 32:50). YES!!
  • Run faster than my JHR 5k times (beat 31:04 or 29:49) – this is a real reach! Beat my 2009 5K time!!

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

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Next Up?


I have another race on Saturday! This time,  it’s a 5K.

I’ve done this one twice before (in 2009 & 2010) so I know that you walk up a hill to start and you finish running down this hill.

I won 1st in my AG the first time and 3rd in my AG the second time – SOCKS!

No lofty goals this time.

Have fun.

Finish.

Run faster than my previous 5Ks this year (33:30 or 32:50).

Run faster than my JHR 5k times (31:04 or 29:49) – this is a real reach!

Happy Running! Any racing plans this weekend?

 

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3rd Annual Sweat Your Thorns Off 5k

Every loves a race…and a free one is even better.

I sweat yesterday morning running 3.5 miles (and I mean sweat). So I wasn’t going to run today but I decided to stop off on my favorite bike trail on the way up to Lake George.

The original plan was to run long.  For me, long means 4-5 miles.

Those plans got derailed when I had to work yesterday.  My hubby went up to the lake and I was left to pack everything.  I also got home late from playing Mah Jongg.

So by the time I got up, packed and got to the bike trail, it was almost 10 am. (And I promised my hubby that I would be at the marina around 11:30 am.)

It was also almost 90 degrees with 90% humdity!  Yikes!!

Well, at least the trail was shady.  I felt really energetic for the first time in a long time!  (Darn it…if only my boating friends weren’t impatiently waiting for me…).

The run was a nice one inspite of the heat. I’m no Usain Bolt but finished my virtual 5K race at 33:48!  A respectable post ankle injury finish time.

I then drove up to the lake in record time!

Relief!

Thanks to the Boring Runner for motivating me to  “Sweat my thorns off)!!

Happy Running!

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July Recap – Where has the summer gone?

What happened in July?

The Good:

  • My mileage has increased. 64 miles this month!!! Woo Hoo!
  • I ran several 4 milers. (It’s still a struggle but it’s a start.)
  • I ran in a 5k race. (My pace was better than the last one. Love.Racing.)
  • I played tennis 4 times. (I’m rusty but enjoyed it)
  • The weather has been perfect for boating and relaxing on the weekends. (YAY!!)

The Not So Good:

  • Lunchtime hour walks have disappeared. (lazy, lazy, lazy – boo!)
  • Biking has been nonexistent. (no time & bike rack is on my hubby’s truck)
  • Stretching & icing- oops – none of that either. (Bad Girl!)
  • Running is still a struggle aerobically…too much walking…pace too slow…blah, blah, blah
  • Ankle is still painful…(almost all the time) YUCK!

Basically my plans for August are almost exactly the same as for July:

  • running (4 times per week)
  • faster running (fewer walk breaks)
  • longer runs (5 miles or more)
  • another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
  • tennis (once a week)
  • boating on weekends
  • reading (when not watching the Olympics)
  • fun times with friends & family

In addition, I should go back to stretching, to walking at lunch & to biking (on non-run days).  No promises here but I will try!!!

Sorry Ankle…I’ve neglected you!

Happy Running!  How was your July?  Anything different planned for August?

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TWOsday

Today is day TWO working at the NYS Bar exam.  I am tech support for the exam takers using the computer to take the exam. There have been no real problems so I have been catching up on blogs.

Here are TWO photos of me during Saturday’s race:

starting the race – I’m in white top & red skirt

approaching the finish line – trying to catch the young girls in green

Having to be at work by 7:00 am has limited my morning running.  After TWO days off, I hope to continue tomorrow and Thursday.

Maybe I’ll run TWO races this month.   I am considering one this Saturday in Saratoga.


Happy Running!

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Jingle Bell 5K Race Report


Yes, me and Montel ran this race at the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George.

I got up around 5:30 am and dressed as Christmasy as one could in the middle of the summer and drove about an hour north.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. No humidity and warm but not too warm. (I decided on a white tech shirt, red skirt, white socks…)

where the race began

I tried to tell myself and that I wasn’t in racing condition yet. (My goal for that is Sept.) So I should just try to have fun.

I got there early enough to get my shirt and swag and go back to the car and put it away.  I am glad I decided not to wear the shirt.  I would have been too warm.

race tee shirt

The atmosphere was pretty festive. Christmas music playing and a lot of excited walkers.  (The serious runners were racing in Saratoga at the Silks & Satin 5k.) There were less than 150 participants.

animals cheer the runners on at the start

Montel Williams really did show up.  He started the race and then left.

He looks in great shape. Too bad he didn’t run…

I found out the course in advance but wondered how hilly it would be (since it is the Adirondacks!)

course map but it didn’t indicate elevation 😦

The race started at 8:00 am in the park and then went around one side of Glen Lake and then ended at the park.

Glen lake

As I have done before, I started out too fast. The first mile was up and down hills…rolling hills and I ran without stopping.

I was planning to take it slow and walk at the water stops.  However, NO WATER!! Very odd for a summer race…even if it is only 3 miles.  I did not drink any water before and I was very thirsty.

As a result, I was tired during mile 2.  The hills weren’t as steep but it was straight uphill.  I started to walk and walked several times..too many times.

Mile 3 had some downhill but when it entered the park, it never seemed to end.  We ran up one bridge and down, then another and another and another.  My Garmin said we should be done but we weren’t  I walked so that I could at least sprint across the finish line if there ever was one.

Finally crossed at 33:20!!! I was disappointed because I wanted to do better than my last one (32:50).

People was complaining that their times were so slow.  When I looked at my Garmin, it said 3.21 miles.  My last race was 3:12 miles.  So actually I did better! YAY!

my splits

I am happy with my first mile.  I should have pushed myself more on mile 2 but I am still worried about the ankle.

nothing flat here!!

After the race, I grabbed some refreshments and asked someone to take a picture.

Done and happy!

They posted the results but since it was a small race, they only gave out awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall.

I came in 54 out of 136 and 1st in my AG

After the race, I headed to Bolton Landing (20 minutes away).  I spent the rest of day with friends on an island in Lake George.

pooped after the race

Sunday, I went on a quick 2.5 mile run/walk and then back on the lake.

new location for the book & orange chair – West Dollar #3

After some relaxing, we went to Basin Bay to meet friends.  The day ended with dinner on the lake.

docking for dinner – Blue Water Manor

So I am very glad I ran a race.  It is always so motivating to race rather than just run. 

Yes, my time was slow compared to last year but it was better than I expected.  (I will not whine about PRing until next year!!!!!)

The course was fun but too long and hilly so I may go back to Silks & Satins (I have done that one 3x in the past).

I haven’t registered for another 5K until August 18 but you never know.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

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Christmas in July


Yes, Christmas in July. I ran this race before but it was in December and in Albany (The Crossings).  Easy to dress for… and a familiar course.

This one is on Saturday, July 21… and it’s another new 5K race location for me so I have no idea if it is hilly or not. It’s in Lake George. That’s why I chose it.  (I think you know that I love Lake George.) And it should be cool to run in an amusement park.

It starts and ends in

'Jingle Bell Run' comes to Great Escape in July
My runs of late have been soooo slow… I think a race may be what I need!!

I plan to run at least One Race a Month (so far I have signed up for – July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 21, Dec 15).

Goals for this Race:

  • Run most of it
  • Beat my Strides4Strides time (32:50)
  • Enjoy it

Now I have to figure out what to wear that is Christmasy but cool.

Happy Running! Any races coming up for you?

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June Recap

What happened in June?

  • doctor visits came to an end
  • PT visits came to a end
  • walking frequency has slowed
  • biking has almost been non-existant  – only once
  • almost every weekend was spent on Lake George (4 out of 5)

    same chair – different island each weekend

  • several books read

    another ya trilogy – like Hunger Games

  • running has increased –  46 miles this month…yea!

 

running on one of the many bike paths

  • Racing has begun – two 5K races …whoo hoo!

    are you tired of this pic yet?

Things can only get better…

What’s planned for July?

  • tennis
  • more running
  • faster running
  • longer runs
  • another 5K race
  • more boatimg
  • more reading

Happy Running!  Anything exciting planned for July?

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Six months


Report Card

Each year I look at my yearly goals at the halfway point.

However, as you know, I had to re-write my goals after I got hurt.

  1. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) Follow doctor’s orders and stay off ankle until allowed, go to PT and do the recommended exercises, and start to run when & as often as recommended. Yes, for the most part (I may have run a little sooner than allowed.)
  2. Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) Same as above, start tennis & yoga when allowed, join a gym to do crosstraining/machines to stay fit. NOPE, not yet.
  3. Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) Run a 5k race before the end of the year, if I am able to run several, get faster with each one. Yes, 2 5ks so far & the 2nd was faster than the first.
  4. Get an Age Group award
  5. Run a 10K race
  6. Run a 10 mile race
  7. Run at least one half marathon 4.  Start to train for a half marathon in 2013. Not yet but I registered for one on March 17, 2013 & I plan to start training in Dec.
  8. Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
  9. Run a race in another state
  10. 5. Run a NEW race. Yes, Stride4Stride 5K was new.
  11. 6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) Yes, so far.
  12. 7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) Yes, definitely.
  13. 8. Volunteer at a race. Not yet, but I did spectate.
  14. 9. Bring a cell phone whenever I go running alone. Yes.

I think I am doing pretty well, considering.  So I am going to add 3 more goals:

10. Run a 10 K race.
11.  Finish a 5K race under 30 minutes.
12. Run 12 races.

Six months:

from here

 

to here

Happy Running!  How is your year going?  Did you set goals?

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Un-Race #2

I say “un-race” because I was not planning to run a 5k “race” until September. I try to remember than I am still healing.

So I ran the Freihofer’s Race (FRW) and survived. My running has been less than stellar since then so I decided to sign up for another 5k. (I like to race and I can just call it a “training run.”)

This race is being held where I like to run – the Corning Bike Trail. 

after my run here on June 16

It is fairly flat.  However, unlike the FRW, I plan to run (not walk).  Of course, I will walk if I have to especially since it may be warm!

Goals:

  • run most of it
  • finish faster than the FRW (35:39)
  • enjoy it

Happy Running!  Ever sign up for a race as a training run?