October 2, 2010 by Darlene

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

This is my third time running this race. Again this year, I chose to race on a team with Albany Law School (where I work). There were about 19 of us (mostly students). We even had our own moisture wicking shirt.

I also planned to meet some friends here.

This is such an emotional race. I have so many friends who have survived a bout with breast cancer. This is why I choose to do this race each year. This is the sign I pinned to my back:

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Sunny and cool – in the 50’s. I was cold when I arrived. My hubby came to the race and I made him take a pic before I met my group. (He hates taking photos.)

I then found some of the runners from the law school and tried to get a photo before starting the race.

Then I bumped into a tennis friend (the one who started me running) and her niece (a former student of mine). We started the race together.

I tried to get them to start near the front. But while we were talking a hundred or so runners ended up in front of us.

The race began and it was crowded. It took a while to get going and I tried to cut through the crowd and run up the BIG hill.

The race continued through the streets of Albany and then around Washington Park…I always think that’s flat but it’s not.

I tried to pace myself. My first mile was about 9:55, my 2nd around 19:35 and then I got a little tired during the 3rd mile. I heard an OLD guy breathing really LOUD and tried to pace myself with him…breathe out when he did but I couldn’t keep up (I later found out that he was 76!!!!). Then I spotted a law student & ran with her for awhile but she’s 22 and ahead she went. Finally I spotted the finish line and ran as fast as I could when I saw that I would finish under 30 minutes.

The gun time was 29:31 but my chip time was 29:10!! I’ll take it. Finally under 30 minutes for a 5k! Not a PR but my 2nd best.

Race Stats:
Gun time – 29:31
825/2147
7/63 (55-59 age group)
Chip time: 29:10
Pace – 9:24

After the race, I bumped into 2 runners (Cindy P & Kritstin K) from dailymile.com and Brigid, a runner from the begining running group. I finally found my hubby who was supposed to see me finish & take pic but of course, he was still watching and waiting when I arrived…

We then went home & I left to watch my friends play in the Super Seniors tennis championship. Then I visited with my mentee, went shopping & out to dinner. A full day!!

Happy Running. Hope you all had a good day!

October 1, 2010 by Darlene

Rain Rain Go Away

I know this is an old wives tale, but it works for me.

It’s been raining for 2 days. I do not RUN IN THE RAIN!!

Luckily I did run Tues evening. It was an awful run…too humid, too tired, too hungry. After 2 miles I could barely move but managed to run/walk 2 more miles.

I ran again Wed evening and felt so much better. I did 3 miles.

Now I keep my fingers crossed that the rain will stop. Tomorrow is the Susan G. Komen Race for Cure. I am running on a team with students & staff at the law school where I work. I think there are 19 of us. We have a team tee shirt – moisture wicking one too!!

I will be running for: Judy, Mary Ann, Maria, Ava, Sally, Phyllis –my friends who have survived breast cancer and for Dottie —who did not!

What is my goal for this race?

It’s going to be very crowded – probably at least 3,000 racers. It starts up hill and it’s slow going until the park. So, it’s not a race for a PR.

My 2008 time was 32:49, my 2009 time was 31:15. Those were both gun times not chip times. My chip time this year for the Freihofers (same course) was 30:39. My goal, I guess, is under 30:39!

Happy Running! Have a nice weekend and good luck to all those racing!

September 26, 2010 by Darlene

Chili, Balloons & Running

Another perfect weekend…great weather, activities, friends, etc.

Saturday was the annual Chili Cookoff on Speaker Heck Is (Lake George). It’s always scheduled the weekend of the Adirondack Balloon Festival. We didn’t take our boat but went on our friend’s pontoon boat.

the "pirate" pontoon

It was the first time we attended but these people are serious about their chili. I did enter the contest (there were 10 chilis) but didn’t win. Truthfully, they all tasted good to me.

The "winner"

In addition to eating chili, people played games such as washers, etc.

playing washers

After the cookout, we headed back to the marina and then went to our friend’s house. He took out his boat on the lake to watch Moon Glow and then the fireworks. There were 11 of us on the boat …so much fun!!! Unfortunately it was windy so only 2 balloons participated but the moon was full and the fireworks were awesome.

watching the moon

Moon Glow

fireworks on the lake

The next morning..it was beautiful. I insisted that we sleep on our boat so I could run. It wasn’t as cool as predicted and it was even sunny. I headed out on 9N south (as I did last week). I thought I might try 10K. I forgot how hilly it was and I walked a lot of it. Around 9K, my right calf tightened up which made me nervous so I stopped at 9.4K. I was satisfied (1:04:00) but I wish I had my camera. The colors are changing fast up here.

We then headed back to Speaker Heck Island for a relaxing day with our friends.

Speaker Heck Island

Another 5k on Saturday coming up — The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I’m running on a team with those I work with.

Happy Running (Hope you had a great weekend, too!)

September 25, 2010 by Darlene

Arsenal City 5k Race Report

The Arsenal City Run is not only an opportunity for residents to get some exercise, but it is also a nationally designated USA Track & Field Adirondack Association Masters 5k Men’s and Women’s Road Race Championship. Cash prizes worth $1,500 were awarded for this year’s Masters Championship after the race.

This year, about 500 people were expected to participate in the run. After the race, activities, such as live music, an awards ceremony, $1 menu food vendors, and complimentary beer, were held at the Dome in Watervliet.

This was my 2nd year running this race. I normally am really tired at the end of the day on Fridays, but I remember this race as being flat so I signed up again.

After our last 5k together, Mary agreed to sign up too since I told her the race was flat.

Well, Fall came and left. Summer returned. It was near 90 degrees when I arrived at the race. I quickly found Mary and her husband snapped a photo before we started.

We both wanted badly to beat 30 minutes on this race. We started near the start. The cannons went off to begin the race (It is the Arsenal after all!!). I was ahead of Mary at the start.

When I stopped to tie my shoe, she got ahead and stayed there until the 3rd mile.

The first mile marker said- 9:25 (much faster than the last 5k). The second mile marker said – 19:21 (still faster than last time). During the 3rd mile, I was so HOT, I felt nauseous so I slowed down. Mary was even more tired and fell behind.

I saw the finish line and sadly realized I would not finish under 30 minutes.

My official finish time was 30:07. Not embarrassing but slower than this same race last year.

Mary’s husband snapped another photo of us.

Mary & her husband headed home but we made plans to meet on Saturday at the Susan Komen Race for the Cure.

I headed to the dome to grab a beer and pizza before heading home to join my friends to play mah jongg. (This was a race for all the ELITE runners & I knew there was no chance for an award.)

Happy Running! Good luck on any weekend races!

September 19, 2010 by Darlene

Awesome Weekend of Fun & Runs

The weekend started with the CRSS Race for Hope 5k. After the race, my follower colleague, Cheryl, picked me up and we drove up to Bolton Landing where my hubby was waiting to take us on the boat to meet up with our others friends (we had 5 boats tied together) to listen to jazz on the lake.

The weather was perfect and so was the music and the company!!

The next morning, it was cool (but not as cool as they predicted) and cloudy. I decided that my days on the boat were limited so I headed out for a LONG run. I always head up 9N and run around the Sagamore grounds. Today I went the other direction. It was hilly (maybe more like mountaneous) but I could see the lake on the left the whole way. I felt like I could run forever. I discovered some hidden roads & beaches and really enjoyed it — in all, I ran almost 5.5 miles!!!

Eventually the clouds turned to sun and we spent an enjoyable afternoon picnicking on Speakerheck Island.

Happy Running!

September 18, 2010 by Darlene

CRSS Race for Hope 5k Report

This is the 2nd year of the race and the second year for me. I planned to meet my running friend Mary at the race. I have met her at 2 previous 5ks but in the meantime, she has been running long distances (She even did a 1/2 marathon).

I remember this race as being hilly but my time last year was pretty good at 30:14. Again, my goal was to PR or at least come close.

The weather for this race couldn’t have been more perfect – sunny, high 50’s. Mary & I met in the parking lot and took some photos. I also bumped into the tennis friend who introduced me to running but she was walking the race.

The race wasn’t chipped timed so Mary & I started near the beginning. We were both hoping to finish under 30 minutes.

The race started with a BIG HILL!!! I was out of breath at the end and it took me the next mile to get my breathing in sync. I am usually several minutes ahead of Mary but she has more stamina now that she is running longer distances. Every time I looked she was on my right. I was struggling to stay ahead.

The rest of the race was hilly as well as we winded around the Slingerlands neighborhoods. At mile 1, the electronic timer said: 10:03. That was slow but the first hill slowed me down.

I tried to pick up the pace but at mile 2: the electronic timer said: 20:05 – not much improvement.

Now I was determined to run faster. At mile 3: there was no timer, but a volunteer yelled: 28:45 which made me happy though I had picked up speed but I knew it would not be a PR.

The last .15 mile was finally downhill. I saw the finish line in the distance read :29:5.. so I ran as fast as I could and crossed at 30:11 (at least that’s what the results said..I think I was faster!) Mary crossed 5 seconds after me.

Again I was disappointed because I felt great throughout the race and wasn’t tired at all at the end.

Mary & I took some post race photos. They had a band but were only giving award for the lst place in each age group so we took off.

My next 5k race is Friday after work. I remember it being flat so Mary has agreed to join me again on our quest to PR.

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Happy Running and Enjoy the Weekend!

September 16, 2010 by Darlene

3 Things Thursday

Fall is here! It was 40 degrees this morning…I had to look for my gloves and I wore them for most of my run. I’m still wearing shorts, though…not giving in yet.
A friend that I went to college with is coming to visit Oct 8-10. That is the UAlbany Alumni weekend. My other college friend said that we have to check out some of the events on campus. (The 3 of us lived together for several years. We graduated 35 years ago!!!!!!!!) I said that I had a 5k race that day in Ballston Spa. Of course, she said “You can’t do it!!” Guess what, UAlbany is having a 5k that day…I registered for it! Now everyone is happy (except that I’m out $25 for the other race.)
Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s my new running shoes but I’ve had TWO great morning runs in a row- 3 miles today and 3.5 miles yesterday. I love running before work. If only it weren’t getting darker and colder…

Happy Running! Is it starting to feel like fall where you live?

September 14, 2010 by Darlene

I’m a “Frunner”

http://blog.timesunion.com/running/frunner-meet-darlene-cardillo/

This is part of a running blog series in the Times Union (local newspaper, online edition). Each week, they profile a local runner.

Runner? So I guess I need to be one…This morning I wimped out. It was dark and foggy. I played tennis last nite and am playing evening. My body said “no.” Tomorrow am I have no excuse as well as Thursday after work.

Next 5k race is Saturday!!!

Happy Running!

September 4, 2010 by Darlene

Run For the Horses 5k Race Report

This was a new race for me but I love races in Saratoga – It’s my 4th of the season. It was also the first year of this race.

I haven’t been running as much as I should so this race was in a sense just training and I wanted to have fun (At least, that’s what I told myself.)

The race was supposed to be starting at the Race Track but at the last minute, they changed to the Warming Hut in Saratoga State Park.

I left early and thought if I entered the park, I could find the Warming Hut. Well I went in the first entrance and I saw lots of runners, I could not find the race start. I ended up leaving and going in the 2nd entrance & found it right away.

There were about 125 racers. They only expected 100 since this was the first year and they ran out of tee-shirts.

The weather was absolutely perfect!!! High 60’s, sunny and breezy!!

Though the race was small, there were a lot of fast runners that I recognized from previous races. The race left the Warming Hut and went down Ave of the Pines (uphill but not steep) and then down to the Gideon Putnam hotel and back .

As usual, the runners passed me by. I tried to keep an even pace. When we turned at the hotel, I happily saw a lot of women behind me.

Unlike the last race, I felt good the whole race and did not stop.

When I approached the finish line, I heard them say “You can finish under 31 minutes!”

I was upset – that’s TOO Slow!!! Too late now. I guess that’s why I felt so good. I wasn’t running fast enough.

I finished in 30:24. I haven’t run that slow since last summer!!!!!

Oh I forgot, this was supposed to be fun and it was. They gave out prizes in 10 year age groups and I was 6th! (see below).

Next race is in 2 weeks!! I better get out there and train!!!

Happy Running!

September 2, 2010 by Darlene

A HOT Day at the US Open

Yesterday I went on my annual bus trip to the US Open. I had to get up at 4:30 am and didn’t get home until 11 pm. It was sunny and about 100 degrees. All in all, we saw GREAT tennis!!