May 23, 2010 by Darlene

SPAC 5K Rock & Run and a PR

Another new race for me. This one sounded like fun and it was!

It was beautiful day for running – in the low 70’s and cloudy/sunny. I think there were almost 800 entries which is a lot for a new race. I arrived early and immediately bumped into my boss. I recently found out that he runs (and he’s fast!)

The course weaved through the park and there was a band playing music at each mile marker as well as time clocks posted.

I started a little ways back since they kept asking the 6 min mile runners to move to the front. I tried to start out slowly which meant that about 500 runners whizzed by me.

At mile 1, I was around 9:20 which is fast for me so I slowed down and at mile 2, I was around 18:40. So I guess I didn’t slow down. I stopped halfway for water and that was it. I ran the whole race and I felt great! It was a good feeling because now I know I could have run faster.

I crossed the finish line at 29:21!!! That is a PR!!

No chance for an award. The times of the runners were amazing. They had a free photo booth so I took some sweaty pics of myself.

and they gave out cool gifts (moisturing-wicking shirt, bag, chap stick, magnet, pen, water bottle, etc.)…

I’m definitely going to run this race again. (Watch a video HERE.)

Next one is not for 2 weeks – the Freihofer’s Run for Women…

Happy Running!

May 14, 2010 by Darlene

2nd Annual Vascular Birthmark Foundation 5K Run

I ran this race last year and I have run several races before at the Crossings so I was prepared.

I only ran once this week (Tuesday) and only 2.5 miles. Today was commencement for the law school where I work. It was held in Saratoga and I was a volunteer worker. So as a result, I was on my feet (in heels) for about 4 hours.

After the ceremony, we went out to lunch. I had a chicken parm sub & sweet potato fries (probably a mistake). I rushed home to change my clothes and get to the race.

It rained for a few minutes before the race but unfortunately it didn’t lower the humidity at all. The temperature was close to 80 degrees, as well.

Anyway, whether it was lunch, standing on my feet all day, running too fast, the humidity or what, I did not feel well at all during this race. I had stomach cramps and walked for a while during mile 1, mile 2 and mile 3. I felt I had to. Several times, I wondered whether I should quit.

I was stunned to cross the finish line at 30:00!! (3 minutes faster than last year.)

There were a small but enthusiastic group of runners in this race and they were only giving prizes to 1st place in 10 year age groups. I was 2nd by 7 seconds. So I left and treated myself to ice cream.

So still trying to PR at 5k— that means faster than 29:30. I know I can do it!?

Next race is the SPAC Rock and Run next Sunday.

Happy Running!

May 2, 2010 by Darlene

8th Annual Literacy Run

The last race I was in (just 2 weeks ago), it was cloudy, 40 degrees & windy. Today, the weather was similar to Florida – sunny, 80’s and humid!!!! A coincidence that I was just there!

This was a new race for me. It was a new course for everyone. There were about 300 runners/walkers. I got there a little early. I got my chip & number but they gave out the t-shirts at the end. Good idea! I didn’t have to run back to put it in my car. There was no food or water. Good thing I ate breakfast & brought my own water.

I bumped into a Amanda, a local runner/blogger. She has been sick so I was surprised that she was running. I also met Rosella, who was my mentor in the No Boundaries program 2 years ago. She asked me to run with her group but I declined thinking that their pace would be too fast.

I tried to line up near the start but they asked those under 6 min mile to be in front, then 7, 8, etc. My one mile time is around 10 minutes so I moved back. Then I moved up but not as far as I should have. Hence not an accurate finish time.

As I mentioned, it was HOT and HUMID!! There was not a bit of shade and to make matters worse, the course was hilly. Not bad hills but too many of them.

I tried to start at a slow pace. I ran until the water stop at around 1.5 miles. Every time we did a loop, I saw Rosella who was BEHIND me (imagine that?) and she yelled GOOD JOB! That made me feel great!!

I stopped to walk again around 2 miles and then during the 3rd mile, the heat was getting to me. I thought I was going to throw up. I think I stopped to walk once or twice more and willed myself to finish strong!!!! I crossed the finish line at 30:45.

(Story in the Troy Record – click here to read.)

I wish I had had the stamina to not walk at all. I usually don’t walk at all. I’ll chalk it up to the heat and too much fun on vacation (and not enough training)!

They gave out t-shirts after the race. I wouldn’t recommend this race for its refreshments. They gave you a bottle of water and an orange slice!

I hung around to see if my time was good enough to win a prize. NOPE! I came in 4th in my age group and they gave out prizes for the top 3 😦

I'm 56 for one more week.

My hubby & I went out to lunch and then to see Lord of the Dance. It was spectacular! We’ve seen it many times but we enjoyed it as much as the first time.

My next race is Sunday – Mother’s Day and my birthday!!!

Happy Running!

April 18, 2010 by Darlene

Saints Race for Red Cross 5k Race

This race was held at the Crossings so it was a course that I am very familiar with. Unfortunately the weather was similar to yesterday: cold (41 degrees at the start), cloudy, windy. It’s always difficult in these situations to decide what to wear. I opted for tights, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, gloves & hat. I was still cold so I put the race tee-shirt on the outside.

(I found me in a picture posted on a blog.)

The race was sponsored by Siena College and it was its first. There were about 200 racers and most were college students. I didn’t start as close to the start as I would have liked so I think time was better than published. The pace was fast since the racers were YOUNG but I tried to ignore them and do my own thing.

You should never wear something new in a race. I wore a Bondi Band and then my hat (in case it started to rain) over it. The wind kept blowing my hat off and it was so annoying. I had to stop and take off the band and put my hair in a ponytail through the back of my cap.

The sun came out about 1 km in and I took off my gloves and put them in my pocket. They fell out once (ugh!) I also stopped halfway for water.

I was surprised to see the time as I approached the finish line. I was 29 minutes…I crossed at 30:06. I may have be able to PR if I hadn’t stopped.

After the race, the dance team and a multicultural dance group from the college entertained the runners. The multicultural group was especially good!

The only prizes given out were for 1st place in 10-year age groups. I came in 3rd.

Oh well… I said I didn’t care as long as I did my best and had fun. And I did!!!

Then Heather Said also posted about this race. You can read it here and see some of her race pics.

My next 5k race is May 2 (after my vacation).

Happy Running and good luck to those Boston marathoners!

August 18, 2009 by Darlene

Fasig-Tipton 5K

At least I got to the race early but I didn’t think it would be a good one – it was hot…I bought new ear buds and an armband band for my iPod… both were uncomfortable…I had a stomach ache from Indian food eaten the day before…my shorts were too tight..wah..whah..whah.. (done whining!)

The race started at the same place as the Silks & Satins 5k but went in the opposite direction. I started near the start and was quickly passed by most of the runners. The course was hillier than I expected with no mile markers at all.

I was tired and walked for a while at the water stop – probably the halfway point and had no energy at the end so I couldn’t believe when I crossed the finish line – it said 29:30!! My fastest ever! I think I’ll buy the photo (there was a photographer at the finish line) in case I never run that fast again.

me crossing the finish line