December 20, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #23 & Monday Goals

This week’s question: Write a poem (any kind works) that sums up your 2010 year of racing.

Answer:

There once was a runner named Darlene
     Who at every 5k race could be seen.
            Then she started to wonder
     If at longer runs she would blunder.
            So she signed up for a 10k
     But that day she did not feel ok.
Give up, she did not
And PRed at a Turkey Trot.
Now her goal for 2011:
Run a Half at age 57!!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 22 miles. I did 22 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K. (under 30 minutes!)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Thurs – off from work
Fri – off from work, tennis, mah jongg
Sat – Xmas in LG

This week’s running:
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 4 miles
Fri – 4 miles
Sun – 11 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 23 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

December 18, 2010 by Darlene

Albany Last Run 5K Race Report

Another new race for me. My first night race also. The route features a beautiful course through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show so I thought it was be fun. Even though today was my long run day, I wanted to be fresh for the race so I’ll do it tomorrow.

My blogger friend Amanda had signed up as well as my friend Mary. The race sold out at 1200 several weeks ago and I was glad I signed up early.

My hubby came and we got there early so waited inside where it was warm.

Before the race

Yes, I look like a giant pumpkin. This was a Holiday race, why did they choose ORANGE? It was a nice wind shirt, though.

At 4:45 pm, we went outside for the fireworks display. It lasted 15 minutes which seemed like forever when you are cold and anxious to run a race.

Then all of a sudden, they ended and I heard the mayor say “Start.” I was just watching the fireworks with my hubby and nowhere near the start.

I took off like a flash and tried to fight my way through the crowd and get into the race. I even had to go on the sidewalk. Obviously I lost a lot of time here but this was such a fun race, I didn’t mind.

It wasn’t cold. In fact, I felt over dressed with my layers, hat & gloves. Many of the racers were dressed as elves, Santas, etc. We ran through the park which was decorated with light displays. I had recently seen it through my car window but this was so much better.

The route was rather hilly, not steep ones but annoying ones. I felt like I was running at a good pace all the same and taking in the scenery.

The mile 1 marker read 9:40 which wasn’t bad after the late start but mile 2 said 21:50 . That’s slow, I said to myself but there were lots of hills. Then all of a sudden, the race seem to be nearing the end. So that wasn’t really mile 2 – how deceiving!

The race which started uphill now ended downhill – Hooray! I crossed at 29:15. Two minutes slower than my recent 5k PR but still a good effort! (I came in 456 out of 1200….4th in my AG)

After the race, I had been invited online to have drinks with 2 Daily Mile.com racers. So I stopped by the restaurant. It was fun meeting them in person. We chatted about running, of course.

So my year of racing has ended. 21 races in 2010!

Happy Running!

December 16, 2010 by Darlene

Busy Time of Year

for blogger card exchange

Things have been so busy lately that I almost forgot my hair appointment for this afternoon. I was bummed when they called to remind me because I had planned to run 4 miles outside after work.

Instead I had to drag myself to the gym this morning to run on the treadmill. It has snowed last nite & I’m still nervous about slipping & falling. Actually running on the treadmill was a little better than the last 2 times but I know that I can’t do my long runs on it.

Dilemma:

I signed up for a 5k on Sat nite – it should be fun but will it be slippery??? Will everyone be wearing Yak Trax? Should I do my long run first & then do the race or wait til Sunday to do my long run?? (The weather is supposed to be better on Sat. but I don’t want to be tired for the race.)

I wish I weren’t so competitive. I would just run and have fun…

Lucky for me, it’s just me & my hubby so there’s not much to do…just a little decorating which is done…a little baking (this Sun!)… and a little shopping (next week).

My cards have been sent… (We took these photos on lake George this past summer.)

Happy Running! Stay warm! Don’t forget my Marathon Giveaway!

December 13, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #22 and Monday Goals

This week’s question: Tell readers about your 2010 Best and Worst races. What made them so great or not so great?

Answer:

Best race(s)- There are several. My Thankgiving Turkey Trot was one because it was a 5k PR – 27:12 and it was so unexpected!! Another favorite was the Freihofer Race for Women because I was part of a group of 1st time racers and it was so exciting to train with them and see them do the race. I also enjoyed the Silks & Satins 5K because I met fellow bloggert, AJH. Of course, I loved winning lst place in my age group at the Veteran’s Day 5k. Lastly, the Home Run 5k because I met Mary who I’ve raced with several times since and has become my biggest fan & she mine.

Worst race(s) – Of course, there was the Great Pumpkin 10K that didn’t happen because I got sick & ended up in the ER. It was going to be my first long distance race. Most of my races have been good experiences in some way, even if I didn’t do my best.

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 21 miles. I did 21 miles! Yay!
I ran 10 miles which is my longest EVER!
I am hosting my first GIVEAWAY!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – lights in the park w/A & R
Tues – tennis
Wed – b-day dinner w/bf
Thurs – hair appt
Fri –mah jongg
Sat – R’s b-day party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs – 4 miles before work
Sat– 5K race (5pm)
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 22 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

December 6, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #21 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: What activities do you enjoy outside of swim/bike/running? Are you a winter sports person or summer sports person? Do you enjoy team or individual sports? Do you participate in more alternative activities during the off-season?

Answer:

I am definitely a summer sports person! I LOVE the sunshine and warm weather.

I am an avid tennis player. I’ve been playing on a team and with friends for about 10 years. I have made some very awesome friendships through tennis that have led to permanent friendships outside of tennis.

But what I like about running is that it is an individual sport where you can have personal goals!!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 19 miles. I did 21 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K !! (not my best but under 30 min.)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Wed – movie w/friends
Thurs – mall w/friend
Fri – bday dinner
Sat – quilting party
Sun- Mentor party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Tues – 5 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 10 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

December 4, 2010 by Darlene

Jingle Bell 5K Race Report Plus More

This was my 2nd year running this race. Last year it was 9 degrees and I FROZE!! I knew it had to be better.

Today was my long run day since I had a work Holiday party last night and I am going to NYC with my Mah Jongg friends tomorrow. I was torn on how to get it in but I decided to run the race and then add 6 miles to it later.

the party "look"

Though I didn’t drink last night, I danced for 2 hours in HIGH heels and my legs felt it this morning!!

Ready to "Race"

The weather seemed to be similar to my Turkey Trot so I dressed accordingly but added some accessories to go with the spirit of the race.

Before the race I bumped into some old running friends – Amanda (the amazing recent marathoner), Felice (the speedy new Mom), and Jen, Brigid & Janis (the news runners from the spring).

Jen, Janis, Brigid & Felice

with Santa & me

We all started the race together. It was very crowded at the beginning and it was very difficult to get going and get by a Grinch, do, & lady with a cap.

Felice flew ahead. She didn’t seem rusty after just having a baby just 2 mos ago. I knew I couldn’t keep up. Then the rest of the group eventually passed me but Amanda & Brigid were always in sight.

I found the course more difficult than I remember. The hills kept coming and I battled the wind was in my face.

I didn’t have the energy to PR and something in my brain kept repeating that “You’ve got to run slow because you have 6 more miles to do when this is done.” But I really wanted to run fast!!!!

The clock flashed 29:31 when I crossed the finish line. At first I was disappointed but then I remembered that all my times at races on this course have been over 30 minutes.

Everyone did well. Felice finished under 26 minutes!!!! We hung around and had pizza and chatted about racing. Everyone was encouraging about my half marathon plans. In fact, Janis & Brigid plan to run one in April. I know Amanda will also.

No one won an award since they only gave out medals for the top 3 finishers. No age group awards! Darn! I would have won 3rd or 1st!!

After everyone left, I took off my bells and exchanged my Santa cap for a beanie. I grabbed my ipod/Nike + and set it to 3 miles.

I decided not to do the race course because of the hills but to head out and run for 3 miles and then head back.

Glad to be done with 6 mi!

Stats:

lst 3 mi = 31:24
2nd 3 mi = 33.29

9 miles= 1:34:24

So that’s positive splits but I didn’t walk so that’s an improvement. Actually I felt better during the 6 mile run than during the race.

Happy Running!

December 3, 2010 by Darlene

Tis the Season…

Tonight is my first Holiday Party – my work party – it is always very lavish & lot’s of fun (even more if I didn’t have a race tomorrow morning.)

I also signed up for Run With Jill’s Blogger Gift Exchange (deadline 12/8)

and Finishing is Winning’s Blogger Card Exchange (deadline 12/6).

My house is decorated…with snowmen everywhere! I plan to work on card writing this weekend.

unedited card pic1

unedited card pic2

Happy Running! Good Luck to Those Racing This Weekend!

December 2, 2010 by Darlene

3 Things Thursday

I found this quote in the December FleetFeet newsletter:

“You’ve got to have goals in life or you wither away.
It’s no disgrace to fail, only not to try.” – — Jon Mendes Age 90, on his plan to run/walk the 2010 NYC Marathon

Need I say more…

I definitely HATE the treadmill. It’s so stuffy in the gym and I run so slow, it takes forever. I also am not motivated to not walk when I get tired. SO my plan is to get up early and run outside before work. But if I can’t (or it rains like yesteray), I’ll have to do the dreadmill after work.
Tomorrow is a rest day because I have a 5K on Saturday – the Jingle Bell Run which I did last year. It’s The Happy Runner’s return to running after having a baby – YAY! The problem is that I signed up before I was training for a half. What do I do? Do the 5k and then add 6 more miles??

Happy Running! It’s snowing on my Blog!

November 29, 2010 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #20 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: How do you manage diet and exercise during the holidays?

Answer:

I basically continue my usual running schedule. I try not indulge other than at the Parties – I have 7 holiday celebrations and 2 birthdays. YIKES!!

Recap of last week:
My weekly goal was 18 miles. I did 18 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K and had a PR!! WooHoo!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Fri – work Xmas Party
Sun – NYC

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Wed – 4 miles after work
Thurs – 3 miles after work
Sat– 5K race + 6 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles
November Monthly Running Goal = 65 miles, a 5k race, a PR
Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, I even passed 500 – New Goal is 600)

Happy Running!