5k

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Run Off That Turkey 5K Race Report

Another new race for me.  I knew nothing about this race except that it was a 5K. I knew I would eat a lot on Thanksgiving and running would be a good idea.  A race would motivate me to run at least 3 miles!

It turned out to be a perfect morning for a race…sunny & in the 50s. I got there early because I wasn’t sure where I was going.  No signs but eventually I located the church where it started & parked across the street in the school parking lot.

I was pleased to find out that they gave out gloves instead of shirts (I have enough race shirts!!!) But it was a small race so no chip timing again.

I waited in my car until the start…it was chilly and this time I didn’t overdress.  I left my jacket in the car.

As usual I had positive splits.  But I didn’t care.  I knew I was running fast and I said to myself “So what!”  My first 2 miles were under 9 min pace.  This is a first for me…even in my 5K PR, this didn’t happen.  But the last 1/2 mile was uphill and I slowed down a lot.  Also according to my Garmin, the race was 3.14 and Thanksgiving’s was 3.03. 

So I finished at 28:11.  I’m happy with that.  I knew it wasn’t as flat as Delmar so I didn’t expect a PR (but secretly hoped for one.)

after the race

Though I didn’t know anyone running this race, I did bump into nice people:  a DMer and someone who reads my blog (someone reads my blog?)  I hung around with 3 women that I’ve met at many races and who run even more 5k races than me.

It took forever to have the awards ceremony…like almost 2 hrs.   So we chatted about racing.  They are older than me and they all won AG awards.  Me, I came in 4th.  If I were older or young, I would have gotten an award.

I feel like I have gotten most of my speed back.  I don’t think about my injury anymore.  I am starting to like 5Ks again!

Happy Running!  Did you run off that turkey?

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Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

Nov 24, 2011

This is the 2nd year for this race. Last year, it was pretty unorganized and many more runners signed up than expected. There are several turkey trots in the area with the big one being in Troy. Most of the elites run that one.

Things have changed a lot in one year.  Last year, I was only running 5ks and my goal was to get faster.  This race was and still is my fastest 5K at 27:30.

This year,  after an achilles injury, 5 Half Marathons and a 15K under my belt, fast I am not. But that’s ok.

This race also is being run on a different course.  (It may be the same 5k course as my first race!!)

Knowing many runners who were signed up for this race and it being so close to home, I was excited to run this race!!

It was pretty chilly…in the 30s!! I decided to wear some layers and as much orange as I could find.

I was wrong about this year being more organized.  They had ONE line to pick up your bib and it took forever.  I was glad I was there early. I bumped into running friends Janis & Bridget and then I found my good friend MaryPat.

me & MaryPat

 
When it was finally time to start, we tried to squeeze into the crowd.  Unfortunately, this race was not chip timed.  When the gun went off, it took awhile to get to the start (at which point I started my Garmin) and then it was really hard to weave through the crowd.
 
Delmar is pretty flat so my mind said “PR” but my body had something else in mind.  I was fine during the first mile but then I slowed and slowed. (Yes, this seems to be a pattern.)
 
I crossed the finish line a little over 28 minutes but according to my Garmin I finished in 27:58.  (I didn’t stop it immediately so maybe a few seconds less.)
 
 
I hung around waiting for MaryPat to finish.  I bumped into 2 more tennis acquaintances also while I was waiting.
 
 

Here comes MaryPat!

  

They were only giving out awards for the top finishers and the refreshments were water & Freihofer’s cookies so we left and went to Dunkin Donuts.   It seemed that everyone there had come from the race.  We chatted for awhile over a latte & a bagel before heading home.

I was cooking a turkey dinner for my hubby & myself and then going to a friend’s for dessert.

I love starting Thanksgiving Day with a race.  I am happy with my time.  It was faster than the last 5K I did! There’s always room for improvement!! (Tomorrow is another 5K race.)

Hope you had a

Happy Running! Did you race yesterday?

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The Former 5K Racer

 

My first year of running, I ran about 13 5K races, my second year, 17 and my third over 20!!  I went from finishing in 37 minutes to finishing in 27 minutes!!

Year Four: two 4 mile races, a 5 mile race, a 15K race and 5 Half Marathons!

Since June, I have run only one 5k and I struggled to finish under 30 minutes!!!

I feel like I am no longer a 5K racer!!!

That being said, I have signed up for three 5K races before the end of the year! Nov 24, Nov 26 and Dec 17.

So what is my goal for my 5Ks?

  • Have fun!
  • Finish under 30 minutes!
  • Get faster with each one…

Happy Running!  How do you choose between distance and speed? Can you do both?

 

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Tentative Races for 2012

Some oldies but goodies and some new ones on the horizon:

*HMRRC Winter Series Run – 1/?
Polar Cap 4m – 2/2
Runnin of the Green 4m – 3/17
Delmar Dash 5m – 4/8


*Spring Run Off 10K – 4/28

*NY-VT Champlain Bridge Race 5K – 5/20
Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – 6/2


*New Paltz Challenge Half Marathon – 6/17 (REVIEW)

*Adirondack Distance Run 10m – 6/24
Silks & Satins 5K – 7/?
*Jingle Bell Run (5k) in Lake George – 7/28
Camp Chingagook 10K in Lake George – 8/?
Jailhouse Rock 5K – 8/?

*Helper’s Fund 10K – 9/21
Komen Race for the Cure (5K) – 9/29


*Divas Half Marathon on LI – 10/7
Falling Leaves 5K – 10/14
*Great Pumpkin 5k or 10K – 10/21


*Frun Run 10K -11/3
Stockadeathon 15K – 11/11
Our Towne Turkey Trot – 11/22
Run Off That Turkey 5K – 11/24
Albany Last Run – 12/15

* = NEW races
in RED = pretty definite
in black = tentative (could be deleted or substituted for another)

Happy Running! Do you have 2012 racing planned yet?

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Two (Races) for Tuesday

Ok, I got my racing mojo back after Sunday’s 15K so I signed up for TWO more (in addition to the 2 I had already signed up for).

November 20 – HMRRC Turkey RafFAL Run:

Runners run about a mile loop for an hour. Every time they go through ‘finish’ line, they are given a raffle ticket. Admission to run is a baked item. Items are raffled off.

November 24 – Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot 5K

November 26 – Run Off That Turkey 5K

Benefit Event for ALTAMONT COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY Please bring an unexpired dry good food item or paper product. Running gloves to the 1st 175 registrants, limited to 300 entrants, door prizes, refreshments and more.

December 17  – Albany Last Run 5K

Happy Running! Do you sign up for more races after you have a good one?

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Half #5 is Done! Now what?

I survived Half Marathon#5 — the pressure is off.

I had been worried since June 11 (when I injured my heel) that I would be going to LA to run with an old friend and I wouldn’t be able to.

Now what?

It’s getting cold…but I have to stay motivated because I have two 5ks scheduled:

Our Town Turkey Trot on Nov 24. – This 5K is near my house and it is my PR race (although they changed the course from last year.)

Albany Last Run on Dec 17 – For this race, you get to see the Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show.
 
Happy Running! Any holiday races on your schedule?
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Welcome November!

Wow, October flew by!  But I am happy to say that I ran my most miles ever!!! (Previously it was 95 in Dec 2010) I have also surpassed my total miles for 2010 with 2 months left to go!!!

Here were my October Goals:

  • Continue to run pain-free :) – YUP!!
  • Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YUP!!
  • Run 3-4 times a week – YUP!!
  • Join a gym & start to cross-train ??? NOPE. Not yet!
  • Increase weekly mileage by adding long runs to prepare for Half Marathon #4 – YUP! Actually ran it and now it is HM #5
  • Run a 5k or 10K or both – YUP! A 5K on 10-1-11

    10-1-11

10-10-11


10-16-11


10-22-11

10-23-11

10-30-11

 


GOALS

  1. Hope to continue to run pain-free
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week
  3. Run 3-4 times a week
  4. Survive Half Marathon #5
  5. Run a 5k  (& finish under 30 min.)
  6. Join a gym & start cross-train

Happy Running!

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Random Things on a Thursday

Since I work in a law school, the image above seems appropriate.

1.  I have my high school reunion this weekend (my 40th cough cough).  Thanks to Facebook for planning this event and that there’s no hiding how we’ve aged…  I will not post our high school photos but here’s one of the 6 of  us at the last (20 year) reunion:

 

2.  My diet isn’t going so well.  First I had to carb load for my 3rd half Marathon and now I have to carb load for my 4th Half Marathon.  What’s a runner girl to do?  Wear loose clothing, I guess.

3. I hate being sick!! I’m not real ill but just have that annoying stuffed nose, sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes kind of cold.  It makes it hard to run when you feel crappy.  But better now than on Nov. 6, I say.

4. Thanks to all those slow runners who commented on my last post.  I’m glad I’m not alone.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy reading blogs by those runners who want to PR every race, run the NYC Marathon, qualify for Boston, etc.  Unfortunately it’s not me.  I’m jealous, of course.  But we, penguins, still go out there and run and compete at our own pace.

5. I can’t believe it’s mid October.  The end of 2011 is right around the corner. Almost time to think about racing in 2012.  Unless Nov 6 goes horribly, I will want to do another Half Marathon. I definitely want to try a 10k and maybe get back some 5K speed (speed is relative here).

6. The running community where I work is growing!!!  Two more just completed their first half marathons last weekend.  YAY!  There are quite a few casual runners but now we have at least 7 serious runners.  It’s fun to talk running with them and have something in common beside work.

Happy Running!  Happy Thurday!

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TTT: Tennis, Orthotics, Racing

This week, I was scheduled to play tennis both Monday & Tuesday.  As a result, I did not run those days.  I’m okay with that since I put in 14 miles over the weekend. I am trying to put my heart into tennis.  Tennis used to be everything to me.  Now all I can think about is running.

I got my orthotics last Friday.  They were pretty uncomfortable at first but are getting better.  I’m supposed to wear them for one hour and then add one extra hour each day.  Today I’m up to 7 hours so that means I bring them to work & wear them all day at my desk. The Dr says it’ll take a month to get used to them!!! I may try to run in them after work & see if they cure all…

After my race on Saturday, I just wanted a re-do.  I didn’t do poorly.  It’s just that I have done better in the past and others who are usually slower, ran faster than me.  It’s an ego thing. 

I’ve been wrestling with running a race every Saturday (there are at least 4 possible 5ks this Sat) until my Half Marathon…

Pros:
Races make me feel good.
Races are good speedwork.
I could do my long run on Sunday.
I could add on miles after the race on Saturday.

Cons:
Races cost money.
I should focus more on my Half Marathon training.
I could re-injure my heel.
I’ll be depressed if I don’t do well.

Right now, I’m leaning toward fitting running in with my hubby’s plans…he may have to work, we may go up to the lake…we’ll see.

Happy Running! Do you do short races while training for a long race?

 

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Susan Komen Race for Cure Report

I woke up to cool temps and RAIN.  It was just sunny and 80 degrees on Sunday!!

I parked my car at work as I usually do for this race since there will be so much traffic & confusion. I planned to jog a mile or so to meet up with my team for a group photo.

However, a friend from work who was walking the race was there and convinced me to ride with her friend who had a private parking space near the race.  Reluctantly I agreed because it was raining.

I left my camera behind because of the weather but I wore the same outfit as last year but added white compression socks & had a jacket.

Race 4 the Cure '10

After we parked underground, we  headed up the stairs to the museum and waited where it was dry for all 80 members of the team to arrive. It was raining but it seemed to be raining less. I chatted about half marathons with a professor that just ran one and another who will be racing her first next week.  Finally we took the group picture and I headed down to the start line.

most of our team

 

closer up

What a crowd!  I just squeezed in and tried to get a signal on my Garmin.

The race began and the rain was just a drizzle.  YAY!!  I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist.  The rain never started up again until after the race.

I am very familiar with this course.  It  is my 8th time racing it.  It starts with an uphill and it is also very crowded.

I didn’t plan to PR it but as I glanced at my Garmin, I secretly wanted to run fast again. 

However,  my legs didn’t agree with my mind and they are tired from Sunday’s Half.  I even stopped for water and I wasn’t thirsty??

I saw my friend Mary who whizzed by me near the end…she had her fastest 5K ever and she is training for a marathon!! So proud of her!

Unfortunately, I ran out of steam and finished with my slowest 5K time in over a year…

Garmin Time: 29:39 (Official time: 29:53-gun, 29:47, chip)

Mile 1: 9:40 (uphill)
Mile 2: 9:51 (waterstop)
Mile 3: 9:18 (downhill)
         .1: 9:56

I hung around for awhile with some profs and then jogged a mile back to my car debating on whether to do my 10 miler today or tomorrow.  It started raining harder so I put it off until tomorrow.  Now the sun is out… Oh well.

I am glad that I did this race.  It is such an important cause!!!

Our team did great…those young speedy runners…and we raised almost $4000.  I raised over $700 myself. 

 Happy Running! Have a great weekend!