5k

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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!

 

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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!

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3 Things Thursday

  1.           I found this quote in the December FleetFeet newsletter:

    2. “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…

  2. 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.
  3. 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!

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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!

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Parties…Parties…Run Off Those Calories?

MaryAnn's Party

Here are the stats:

  • 2 birthday parties down (Pat’s & MaryAnn’s) and 2 to go (Amanda & Richard).
  •  1 Holiday down (Thanksgiving) and 2 to go (Christmas & New Year’s).
  • 5 Holiday Parties to go (Work, Mah Jongg, Quilting, Mentors, Tennis)

There’s no way I can run off those calories so I’m just going to keep up my usual running schedule and ENJOY!!

Tis the Season!!!!

Running/Eating Stats:

  • Thurs- I ran a 5k race and then enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner & 2 desserts
  • Fri – I ran 3 miles and enjoyed my dinner & dessert at Pat’s b-day party
  • Sat – I enjoyed dinner out then dessert at MaryAnn’s b-day party
  • Today – I ran 8.5 miles

Happy Running.  Enjoy the Season!

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Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot Race Report – PR Baby!!

 Bethlehem Turkey Trot

I’ve always wanted to do the Turkey Trot in Troy but the thought of fighting the crowds of 600o racers has deterred me.  Last year I did the Cardiac Classic in Schenectady and was going to run it again until this race was announced.  It is in my town so no traveling.

Several of my friends – John, Pat, MaryPat were going to run with me so it would be fun.

I ran 4 times last week in Florida but since there wasn’t much time before or after tennis, I only ran 3 miles.  I also ran 3 miles before work on Tuesday.  I had been increasing my distance to 4 miles during the week & 7-9 on the weekend so vacation has set me back a bit.

I was hoping I would do as well as my last 5k which was under 29 minutes or at least under 30 minutes.

Since this was a first of this race, I had no idea what kind of course it would be and I also knew it would be COLD (cloudy & 28 degrees!) !!! I hate the cold!!!!!!!

So I bundled up with tights, turtleneck, jacket, gloves, headband… and arrived early to register.

unhappy about the cold

Lucky I did get there 45 min early because I was one of the last to register before they closed it.  I was so surprised that close 2000 showed up for a first annual race.

I stayed warm in my car until the race began.

I started up front because I hate to lose time and they were no timing chips.

I must say that I was cold the whole race and my hands were numb even with gloves!!

The course was flat and I felt good the whole race.  I had no idea about my time so I just ran to finish.

I got to the finish line to see 27:12!!1 I was so happy!! There was a crowd at the end and I couldn’t figure out where to go so I just stood there.  Finally they pointed to an outside lane.  I have no idea if I crossed the finish line and what time it recorded.

Bethlehem Turkey Trot 

(Official time listed as 27:30 ! BUT “Due to the overwhelming response to this event, and the inexperience and confusion of many of the finishers with a multiple chute scoring system, the results beyond the 500th position are not available.”) Interesting? 

But I have a PR!!! YAY!  Extra dessert for me today!

I hung around waiting for my friends Pat & John to cross.  Pat has just returned to running and I’m so happy! They finished close to 40 min but I ran with them encouraging Pat across the finish line!!

I hung around with some other avid 5k racers I know.  One woman who is 60 has run 25 races and won her AG in 20 – she’s an addict like me.

They gave out trophies to the lst place in each 10 year age group.  The winner in my AG finished in 23 min – DARN! I thought I had a chance since the elites were at the Troy race.

After the race, I went home to relax.  I am not cooking this year!!!!!!!!!!  Me & my hubby are going out to a friend’s for dinner and then stopping off at his mom’s for dessert.

Happy Running and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Brain Exchange #19 & Monday Goals

This Week’s Question: In the spirit of Thanksgiving…tell me what you are most thankful for; one thing, five things, or many things.  But here’s the fun part…tell me, in photos!

 

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Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 15 miles. I did 12 miles! (and I was on vacation)
I had a great vacation in Naples, Florida – played tennis for 5 days (3 hrs each day),  ran 4 times, saw 3 sunsets!!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Thurs – Thanksgiving
Fri  – time w/mentee &  Mah Jongg

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 5K Race
Fri – 3 miles
Sun  –  9  miles

Weekly Running Goal = 18 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!

 

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Valatie Veterans 5K Race Report


I’ve been going through withdrawal – no 5k races in over a month. I’ve been doing longer runs on the weekend in preparation for the 10k that didn’t happen. But this race fit right in because it was on a Thursday when I usually run 3 miles anyway.  The problem was that I work and we don’t have Veteran’s Day off like most offices.

So I asked for the morning off and contacted my runner friend Mary and asked her to run with me (& taper for her half/recover  from her 15k).  She was skeptical about the idea but finally agreed.

Another new race and a new course:

The Course: Run will begin at Glynn Square and proceed up Church St. and north onto Route 203. A right onto Garrigan Rd. and a right on County Route 28A brings the runners onto Main St. with a final right up Church St. (the only hill on the course) to the finish line.

I had decided not to have a goal for new races but just go out and enjoy the experience (even if the race ends going up a hill!)

This race also counts for
Average Adventure Virtual Race Logo

I hadn’t run since Saturday.  I can’t remember the last time I had 4 days off.  But my quads hurt so much, I thought it was best to rest them.

They felt so better this morning but not 100% and I decided I would run cautiously.

Unfortunately, my friend Mary pulled a calf muscle running on the treadmill and is out for 2 weeks.  Her friend Kelly would be there, though.

The weather was beautiful!!!! Sunny and cool (37 degrees when I left).  I wasn’t sure what to wear but decided that the sun would keep me warm and wore a running skirt and a long sleeve cool max shirt. 

Although my GPS got me to the right street in the wrong town, I managed to still arrive early. I immediately bumped into Kelly and we took a photo before the race.

This was a small race – probably about 100 racers. 

Getting ready to start the race

 

And we're off...

I was cold at first but other than my hands (which I tucked into my sleeves), my rest of me was fine after the race started.

I said that I would run the race cautiously and not try for a PR – That’s a lie!  Though Kelly immediately left me in the dust as well as did other runners, at mile 1, they called out: 8:35!  That’s fast for a 10 minute mile girl!  I tried to slow down but there were no water stops or any other timing available so I just ran.

The course was supposed to be flat but it always seemed that we were running up hill (not steep ones) until the last mile.  The last mile we had 3 real hills and then the steepest one was the END.

I yelled: “What race ends with a hill?” They replied: “This one!”

I was struggling but refused to walk and figured that my time would be slow.  I was shocked when I saw that it was under 29 minutes.  I am sometimes under 30 minutes but only once before under 29 minutes!!!

I don’t know my official time but it seemed to be around 28:53 or so.  Not a PR but close and it could have been. (At my 1 mile pace, I would have finished at 26:40)

(The official time is 28:59)

I was supposed to be working today.  Only a real runner, takes time off from work for a race!

Since my time was decent, I hung around.  There were Veteran’s Day ceremonies followed by the awards and raffle prizes.

 

 

waiting for the results

I WON FIRST PRIZE IN MY AGE GROUP!!! I got a ribbon – not a medal but it still made me feel good.

 

I love races!

 Happy Running and Happy Veterans Day!

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Two for Tuesday & My Quads

My Quads hurt…

  1. I ran 9 miles on Saturday and I felt fine.  I ran 1 mile on Sunday without my knee brace for the 1st time in 18 months and felt fine. Yesterday, I got up and my quads were very sore!!! Why?? I conclude that 1 1/2 hours of getting up & down to cut off timing chips may be the reason.
  2. I have never cross trained.  I’ve walked, run & play tennis. At the gym, I only have used the treadmill.  Do I need to cross-train to strengthen my quads??

Next race is Thurs, a 5K…quad pain go away, please!

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange Week 17 and Monday Goals


This week’s  Question: Where was the best place you have ever raced and why?  Where is your dream place to race?

I’ve only done 5ks at this point but my favorite place is race is Saratoga.  The State Park is beautiful.  I’ve run several races there.  The horse race track is very famous and the old mansions in the city are beautiful.

Silks & Satins with AJH

I also really enjoyed my 2008 Boilermaker experience.  It is a very famous race and although, I ran the 5k not the 15k, it was fun being in the midst of the festive atmosphere – the music, the beer, the food, etc.  This was the race that FleetFeet Albany’s No Boundaries program was training us for and they rented a bus for us, had a pasta party the nite before, etc.

 Dream race – I’m hoping to run a half marathon some day in another state maybe Florida. I love the warm weather.

me approaching the finish line at the Boilermaker

 

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 20 miles. I did 21 miles! Woo Hoo!

This week’s BUSY schedule:
Mon – tennis after work
Tues – tennis after work
Wed – dinner w/friends
Fri eve – Mah Jong
Sat – hair appt
Sun – leave on vacation

This week’s running:
Tues– 3 miles before work
Thurs – 5K Race
Sat –  9  miles

Weekly Running Goal = 15 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!