5k

by

2012 Goals – Prematurely Posted

I think it’s important to have goals but not let them run your life.  So here are my 12 running goals for the year:

  1. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
  2. Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
  3. Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
  4. Get an Age Group award
  5. Run a 10K race
  6. Run a 10 mile race
  7. Run at least one half marathon
  8. Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
  9. Run a race in another state
  10. Run a NEW race
  11. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
  12. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Happy Running!  Did you set any interesting running goals for 2012?

by

Wordless Wednesday

ME on page 2 of the 2012 brochure

Last May, I ran Sean’s Run for the first time.  My friend Mary talked me into it.  It was a big (1500 runners) local race but a very hilly race.

Look who is now pictured on the 2012 race brochure – http://www.seansrun.com/pdfs/2012Flyer_spread.pdf

That would be me…(at least they cut out my fat thighs!!).  I wasn’t planning on doing this race again…but maybe I should.

The funny thing is that last year’s brochure had Mary’s photo on it (from the first year she ran the race.)

Happy Running!

 

by

2011 Goals – How did I do?


Here are the GOALS that I set for 2011:

I was doing REALLY well until June 11 when I hurt my heel… then I rebounded!!

 Lower my 5K PR –  No, it still stands at 27:30 but I did have 3 races under 28 minutes and 2 just over 28!

√ Run 5ks under 28 minutes – 3 out of 9 under 28 (all 5ks under 30 minutes except for the one where I fell)

√ Win my age group  – 2nd for the LG Half, (50-59), 2nd for Polar Cap 4m (55-59), 2nd for Firefighters 5K (55-59), 1st SPAC 5k(55-59) – only got prizes for the lst 2

Polar Cap – 2nd place in AG

√ Run new races – 14 new races (Polar Cap 4m, Firefighters 5k, Naples Half, LG Half, Delmar Dash 5m, Sean’s Run 5k, Workforce Challenge 3.5m, Runnin of the Green 4m, Adirondack Half, Fall Foliage Half, Santa Clarita Half, Stockade-athon, Run Off That Turkey 5K. Hmrrc Winter Series #1 3m)

Runnin of the Green 4 miler

Run at least one race each month –  1 in Jan, 1 in Feb, 2 in Mar, 2 in Apr, 4 in May, 2 in Jun,  0 in July, 0 in August, 1 in Sept, 2 in Oct, 4 in Nov & 2 in Dec. (injured in July & August 😦 )

Sean’s Run in May

√ Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) – over 800 miles for the year.  (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & August.)

Running outside in January

√ Run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K) –  5  Half Marathons, a 15K, 2 – 4 mile races, 1 -5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

√ Run a half marathon race – 5 Half Marathons!! Woo Hoo!

LG Half Marathon 4-11

√ Run at least 15 races  – 21  races (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & Aug. I DNS for about 6 races.)

Mother’s Day Race ’11

√ Run  a race in another state – 2 – a Half Marathon in Florida and a Half Marathon in California

Half in Naples, Florida

Volunteer at a race – Nope  :(

√ Take running pics & post on FB & this blog – I have taken lots of photos (even use the timer on my camera) & post on this blog & on facebook

√ Keep track of how many miles I run this year – I record every mile I run on this blog, dailymile.com & on a tickerfactory.com ticker

Happy Running!  Did you accomplish your 2011 running goals?

by

Albany Last Run Race Report

This was my second time doing this race so I wasn’t as clueless as last year.  I knew that the fireworks were before the race and to get ready to run right after they ended.  They said that there was a new course but I only remember that it ended coming down a hill.  I hoped that it was still the case.

I also knew that this race would be crowded so to just have fun with it.

The race started at 5 pm.  It’s always a little tricky to run a race at night when you’re used to fueling in the morning.  So I decided to have my pasta in the morning and my cereal in the afternoon. (that may sound crazy?)

It was COLD…in the 20’s and windy.  I just wore layers… tutleneck, vest, race jacket, tights under my skirt, hat, gloves.  My hubby has a parking pass for under the mall so he drove me.  We planned to go out to dinner afterwards.

before the race

Several of my friends that wanted to run the race got closed out…this race is very popular.  But I did run into several of the SRMs (Strong Running Mamas) and we watched the fireworks outside before the race began.

Brigid & Janis

 

She is pretending to "puke"

 
The fireworks were better than they look here

As soon as the fireworks ended, the race began.  1500 runners started pushing and shoving.  It was so crowded going up the hill.  In fact it was hard to get a decent running pace for most of the race.  There was a car parked in the middle of a narrow street, there were walkers and runners  cutting in and out.

Nevertheless, I was enjoying my run and feel really good.  I even ran up ALL the hills and was continuously passing people.  The lights were awesome (even though I’ve seen them many times already.)

As I said I felt comfortable running the whole time. Probably because I was forced to start slow.  The race ended out of the park and back downtown.  It went downhill and my recurring nightmare came true.

I have dreamt that I would be running so fast down a hill that I would fall on my face.

I was running fast and I glanced at my Garmin and didn’t see a pothole/crack in the road and down I went.

I was stunned and just laid there wondering how badly I was hurt.  Several people stopped.  One guy helped me up.

Despite the shock and pain, I was determined to finish the race.  I couldn’t run fast but I crossed the finish line.  It was around 30:20 or so.

negative splits!

I  grabbed some water and looked for a seat but couldn’t find any.  Soon Brigid & Janis showed up.  My hand was bleeding (darn, I had taken my gloves off at the end) and I pulled up my tights and blood was dripping down my leg — Some really nasty scrapes on the left knee.

 We walked around looking for a paramedic and finally found some who bandaged me up.

I called my hubby who was waiting inside to tell him what happened.  He came outside to get me and asked it I wanted to go home or go out to dinner.

I think my ego was more bruised than my body.  (Tomorrow will tell).  And we did go out to dinner.

one of the holiday martinis at Applebees - recommended as a painkiller

Albany’s Last Run was hopefully not my “last” run.  It was the kind of race that you do for fun.  You can’t PR but of course, you can stupidly try!!

Happy Running! Has anyone else ever fallen during a race?

by

It’s December!

67 MILES

November wasn’t a high mileage month since I ran my half marathon at the beginning of the month and I was not training for anything else.

Here were my goals for November:

  1. Hope to continue to run pain-free – YES!
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES!
  3. Run 3-4 times a week – YES!

    Santa Clarita Half Marathon

  4. Survive Half Marathon #5 – YES (but wish I had done better)

    after the Run off that turkey 5k race

  5. Run a 5k  (& finish under 30 min.) – Ran 2 5k races (finished at 27:58 & 28:11)
  6. Join a gym & start to cross-train – Not yet….

    Stockade-athon 15K

I did run my first 15K race & I am pleased with how I did!!!

December Goals:

  1. Play tennis & do yoga once a week
  2. Run 3-4 times a week
  3. Run at least 15 miles per week
  4. Finish the year with 800 miles
  5. Run a 5k  (& finish under 30 min.)
  6. Choose a Half Marathon for the spring
  7. Join a gym & start to cross-train

Happy Running! What are your goals for December?


by

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?

by

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?

by

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?

 

by

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?

by

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?