October 13, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: Runner’s High and What’s Next

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

Runner’s High

I don’t get it while I’m running. Running always seems hard.

But when you get a PR when you didn’t expect it and probably didn’t deserve it, that is a Runner’s High!!

Why did it happen?

I was thrilled with my last half finish time and wasn’t stressed about having a good race. In other words, I was very relaxed!!
The course was flat. This is a biggie.
The temps were cool. This helped too however, it was humid.
It was raining and I wanted to be done. But it was never raining that hard to get soaked.

How could I have done even better?

Walk less. Yep, I walked 7 times and twice for a rather long time. (Can you drink, eat Gu & run at the same time?)
Push harder. I was never out of breath. I was able to chat with other runners. My legs never felt tired.
Warm up before. It was cold and damp. My ankle was stiff and painful for the first half of the race. Taking Tylenol would have helped. Sitting in my warm car until the race started probably didn’t help.
Follow a training plan. I never increased my mileage during the week. Just 3-4 miles of easy runs (except for one group speed drill. I did most of long runs as add-ons to my 5k races)

If you read my blog, you know that I was doubtful that I would ever run a half marathon PR again. I wondered if my January 2015 finish time was just a fluke.

Now I think, I that I am capable of running an even faster 13.1 miles.

It may never happen because as we know there are so many factors involved… but until then I am basking in my PR glory.

What’s Next?

Another half marathon in 7 weeks!!!

I think it’s flat but it could be warm and humid. It could be windy & cool. Time will tell…

I’d be lying if I said that I am going to train differently for this race.

Hey, look at this racing schedule (in red is the long run distance that I should complete):

10-15-16 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K (7 m – 6.2 is close enough)
10-22-16 – L.L. Bean Bright Night 5K (8 m – not happening)
10-29-16 – Monster Scramble 10K (possibly but not registered yet) (9 m)
11-05-16 – NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K in NYC (10 m – not happening)
11-11-16 – Veteran’s Dash 5k
11-13-16 – Stockade-athon 15K (11 m – 9.3 is close, right?)
11-19-16 – Girls on the Run 5k (volunteering with STEM) (12 m)
11-24-16 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k and 5k (10 m – 9.3 is close)

I, of course, want to run a good race on December 3. But my goal is to run well enough and have a fun vacation with some super women!!

Margaritaville, here I come…

Happy Running! What’s going on in your life?

October 11, 2016 by Darlene

Ramblefest Half Marathon Race Recap & TOTR

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Half Marathon Training

I’ve never run two half marathons so close together.

I ran the Saratoga Palio three weeks ago. So did I really need to train?

Maybe not…

So I just added some extra miles to the two 5k races that I ran on the weekends that proceeded the race.

: 5k race + 1 mile to race & from + 2 miles after = 6 miles

: 5k race + 6.9 = 10 miles.

These two runs would have do as my long runs. I ran my usual 3-4 miles several times during the week.

Pre-Race Preparations

This is a first annual race so I knew nothing about the course or the race.

This is what the website had to say:

Organized by the Berkshire Running Center, the first annual RambleFest Half Marathon will be held along the beautiful Ashuwillticook Trail from Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough, to the Visitors Center in Adams.

Not much help.

So I reached out to FB friends who ran the Steel Rail Half Marathon last May. The Steel Rail is supposed to have the same course. Here’s what they said:

I loved it. Nice flat, downhill course.
The course is great!
Loved the course! It’s fast!

I found some more info by searching online for reviews of the Steel Rail half. Here’s one:

The course is wonderful. It runs point-to-point from Lanesborough to Adams. It starts with two loops around the Berkshire Mall (both of which seem downhill all the way; I haven’t figured that out yet), then goes onto the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail for ten miles. The scenery is lovely. If you’re not trying to hold pace by fixating on the feet of the guy in front of you like I was, you can enjoy views of Mt. Greylock, lakes, and woods. And by the time you’re really hurting at mile ten, the trail starts gently sloping downhill, for real. If you want a half marathon PR, this is the course…

Amenities included easy parking, plenty of porta-potties, a post-race massage tent, food, and beer. The tech race shirt was nice and offered women’s sizing. Prizes ran deep; Kent gave out generous checks for the top three overall winners and the top three masters, plus merchandise from his running store, Berkshire Running Center in downtown Pittsfield, for the top three age group winners… After the ceremony, buses delivered participants back to the start. I’d highly recommend this race…

You also get a hoodie if you run both races. (Next year!?)

I had not been particularly excited about this race but after reading this review, I was looking forward to it.

I had decided to wear what I wore at a previous 10k race but then changed my mind and wore my Brooklyn Half shirt (from exactly a year ago) with a throwaway and DIY arm warmers.

Skirt Sports outfits always bring me luck or at least makes me look good

The weather was predicted to be cool and breezy with a chance of rain.

don’t believe that 20% & 5% chance of rain – should have been 100%

Rain is not my favorite weather to run in. It also ruins both the pre and post race activities. And humidity is the worst. But you can’t control the weather.

one of the 3 half marathons that I have run in the rain.

Although Saturday was my catch up day with doing stuff around the house, since I would be off on Monday, I decided to take a ride to Pittsfield, MA to pickup my bib. Race packet pick up was at a running store so in addition to getting my race shirt & bib, I bought a pair of socks. We got two plastic strips to hang off our hips for the timing. Interesting. After I left the store, I stopped and had a nice lunch in town.

long sleeved tech shirt

Probably not the best idea in the world but that night, the night before the race, I invited a co-worker to go see the speaker at my college Reunion Weekend.

ualbany

We also had dinner together beforehand. Pizza, of course!

It was a really good show but it didn’t end until after 10 pm. Needless to say, I didn’t get enough sleep before my big race.

Race Day

The race was scheduled to start at 9:30 am. I was happy about the late start.

According to Google, it should have taken about 1h 15 to get there. So I got up about 6 am and left my house at 7:15 am because I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going.

My GPS took me on the back roads and it was a really gorgeous ride. Unfortunately, it rained on and off during my ride which made me nervous. I didn’t want to run another half marathon in the rain.

I got there plenty early. The race started in the parking lot of the Berkshire Shopping Mall. Easy to get to and lots of parking.

Since the race ended in Adams, MA, they gave you a bag to check stuff which would be available at the finish line. Very convenient. I packed flip flops, sweat pants and a jacket in it.

I did some knitting while I was waiting. It was too cold to wait outside my car….around 50 and windy and damp. Brrrr!

Soon Alyssa arrived and we shivered together until it was time to line up to start the race.

A lot of the race is a blur but here’s how I remember it:

Miles 1-4:

9:15, 9:29, 9:16, 10:07

Alyssa and I decided to run together. I had never run a race with someone else but I was willing to try. I thought that it would be fun to have someone to chat with to pass the time and make the miles less painful.

The starting line was in the parking lot. I wasn’t sure if there were chip timing or gun timing (Still not.) We didn’t start as close to the front as I usually do, though.

For the first two miles, you ran around the parking lot. I had decided to ditch my cotton shirt but left on my DIY warm warmers. And it was windy and I was freezing!!!

We realized pretty quickly that we were running too fast but decided to keep it up as long as we could.

After mile 2, we left the parking lot and entered the trail. The trail was less windy and I wasn’t as cold.

I was running at a decent pace and was in the zone and all of a sudden, I realized that Alyssa was no longer next to me. I wasn’t sure if she was behind me or in front of me. I usually finish races faster than her but when we run together for training runs, she is much faster.

I thought I saw someone ahead with an orange shirt. But as it turns out, she was behind me.

A little after we entered the trail, there was the first water stop. I always stop at ALL water stops during a half marathon and even though I wasn’t warm or thirsty, I did so during this race as well.

The trail was beautiful. I wish I could have gotten out my phone from my race belt more easily so I could have taken some photos. The leaves had changed and there were views of the mountains, streams and even a lake.

My biggest problem (and it’s always something) was than my ankle (the one that has 8 screws and a plate in it from surgery almost 4 years ago) was throbbing. It has never hurt like this while running before. It was probably from the dampness and that this is the first cold run (During my last run, it was almost 80 degrees.) It hurt a lot and I wished that I had some ibuprofen.

There another water stop at almost mile 4 and I took my first Gu and walked for a while. However, my ankle hurt just as much while walking. In addition, the bottom of my foot started to hurt (like at the Asbury Park Half). Still I felt strong, I tried to ignore both discomforts.

I just focused on the scenery.

Miles 5-8:

9:39, 9:55, 10:21, 9:41

We continued on the same trail and I wasn’t as chilled anymore. I even rolled down my DIY arm warmers. My nose was running from the cold and I kept worrying that it was another nosebleed but that never happened 🙂 (I did bring tissues and tucked them under my shorts but they fell out… I did have those arm warmers LOL)

Then all of a sudden, maybe around mile 6, at another water stop, my ankle and foot stopped hurting. WTF?

I also realized that I was ahead of my time from the Palio Half.

Should I start thinking PR?

Nah! Anything can and usually does happen during the second half of a half marathon.

Around mile 7, I started getting hungry but had to wait until mile 8 for a water stop to eat my 2nd GU.

Miles 9-12:

10:25, 10:07, 9:55, 9:52

Still on the trail but remember that forecast? Around mile 8 or 9, it started raining lightly.

Throughout the course, the road was covered with wet leaves but now it was getting even more slippery.

Then it started raining harder. It wasn’t so bad because the trees were acting as an umbrella. But the weather was getting chilly again.

My back was now starting to ache. It always does toward the end of a race so I tried to watch my form and ignore it.

A little past mile 9, there was the next to last water stop. I still walked through it even though it could have ended my PR hopes.

I always doubt my strength to finish strong as well as not wanting to push myself too hard and result in an injury.

The rain lessened and at the last water stop, I decided against taking my last GU and just walked only a short bit.

Yes, I decided that I wanted that PR!!!

Mile 13-14:

9:20, 8:38

Finally we left the trail. The race ended with a series of 2 left hand turns. We turned left onto Hoosac St. and left onto Depot St. and the finish line was on Depot St. in front of the Adams Visitor Center parking lot.

I wasn’t sure that I was going to PR. My Garmin was sometimes right on with the mile markers and other times way off.

As I made the last turn, somebody yelled, “You can beat that guy.” They meant the guy in front of me.

I gave it everything I had but didn’t even come close.

I did, however, cross under 2:09 and IT WAS A PR!!!!!!!!!!! (My previous PR was 2:09:40 in January 2015.)

Gun or Chip Time: 2:08:59
Garmin Time: 2:08:47

I got my medal, some water and a banana and went to wait for Alyssa.

She didn’t finish much after me and she got a PR too!

Post Race:

We were both happy with our times. But it was raining harder and we were freezing. We decided to forgo the cold beer and get something to eat.

The race ended at a big festival (Ramblefest) with music, craft booths, many food booths, pumpkin carving for kids, etc. Too bad the weather was so lousy.

With our food ticket, we could get anything that cost $3 for free. Believe it or not, we could have had a hamburger, chili, hot dog, sausage, fried dough but we both chose grilled cheese. And it was yummy!

While we were waiting for the results, we hung out in front of a big bonfire. That felt so good!

Neither one of us did win anything. They gave out cash for top awards and gift cards to the running store for AG awards. I came in 5th and the 4 women ahead of me were each 60 years old. (If it were last year, I would have won!)

rfawards

So we headed toward the buses. We just missed the bus to return to the shopping center where we left our cars and there was going to be 40 minute wait for the next one. But the bus that brought the bags decided to take us all. By this point, I was numb and even my jacket and pants didn’t warm me up.

As soon we got back to our cars, we headed to Target to get something HOT to drink.

Even with my tired legs, I managed to spend $160 in the store. (Remember I hadn’t gotten my grocery shopping done the day before.)

I know when you run a long race, you are supposed to take an ice bath but I never do. I headed straight to my hot tub!!!!

Additional race reflections:

The Good:

Close enough to be able to sleep in my own bed the night before.
Organized packet pick-up.
Lots of parking and easy to locate.
Real bathrooms after the race.
Running a race with a friend.
Enthusiastic volunteers (even in the rain – bugle, bag pipes, music)
Scenic course especially with the fall foliage and water views.
No major injuries. (just ankle and foot pain – it’s always something!)
Nice selection of refreshments.
The festival post race was nice (and would have been even better if the sun came out.)
The bonfire was essential with the day’s weather.
PRed!! Woot! Woot!

The Bad:

The two laps around the parking lot were boring. (It did save the expense of closing roads to make up the 13.1 miles)
It was cold and rainy!!
No race photos

The Ugly:

Nothing really.

It was a great race. I loved it! I would have enjoyed it even if I didn’t get a PR! But that made it just sweeter. Too bad, the sun couldn’t have come out!!!

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes. I don’t usually repeat half marathons but if I did, I would run this one again. I’m in luck. The same course can be run in May: The Steel Rail Half Marathon.

Final Stats:

my Garmin said 13.16 and I ran the tangents in the parking lot – go figure.

And I felt so good the next day that I climbed up a mountain.

Can you believe the sunshine! Wish the weather was like this on race day.

wearing my race shirt, of course.

Next Up:

A few 5ks and 10ks, a 15k and then another half marathon.

Dec. 3, 2016 with 7 other awesome bloggers and virtual friends

And since it’s Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

for

Today’s Topic is: Taper quirks/cravings/rituals

I don’t think I do anything weird before my big races but here’s what I always do:

I do my last run 2 days before my half marathon. In other words, I leave TWO days with no running at all.
I carb load the night before – I usually eat pizza.
I make sure I have the right breakfast food for the morning of – tea & cream of wheat hot cereal.
I set out my outfit (and all other items such as race belt, gps watch, fuel, etc.) the night before (and if it is a destination race, bring clothes for warmer or colder temps than predicted). If I am flying, I pack my running stuff in my carry on not my checked luggage.
I figure out in advance the race logistics – where to park, is there bag check, when I can pick up my bib, where the race starts & finishes, etc.
I scope out online race reviews to see what others have said about the race.
I do something fun the day before to take my mind off the race.

Happy Running! What do you do when you taper? Anything crazy?

October 10, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Tonight was week 3 of the Troy Turkey Trot Training group run. I didn’t run on Sunday so I couldn’t use the tired leg excuse. And Patrick was our coach this week (He’s tough but very cute.) Those 5 one minute sprints on the hills were HARD but got it done.

Tuesday – Just work with a short walk at lunch and tennis in the evening. We went out to dinner after and I had soup & salad. No dessert again!
Wednesday – The sun came out for my lunch time walk.

I met up with Alyssa and Barbara for a run before my STEM volunteering. The weather is getting warm again but it was not too bad.

so much easier with friends

The STEM group is doing the Couch to 5k walk/run and they’re up to 5/3/5/3 minutes running/walking. We had two new clients and they did great.

probably 2.5 miles total with WU & CD so I’ll say that we ran about 1.5 miles (now that’s getting dark so early, we get to see the moon on our runs.)

Thursday – It’s been looking more like fall everyday but strangely it has been getting warmer – in the 70s today.

it was a hot one!!

I got a quick run in before meeting up with a former co-worker (whom I haven’t seen in 18 years.) I ran around work so I could get back and change into my work clothes before dinner.

I had a Zombie Killer (tart cherry + hard cider), turkey sandwich & fries but we refrained from dessert (which was very difficult)

Friday – Rest day but at least I walked at lunch.

After work, I went to a class on using the Apple Watch and then, I played in my weekly mah jongg game

Saturday -Rest day #2. I drove to Mass to pick up my bib and had a nice lunch.

I went to see the founder of the “Humans of New York” photography series. Brandon Stanton was the key speaker for UAlbany’s Alumni Weekend. That meant a late night to bed (before my half the next day.) We went out to dinner before (for pizza) so at least, I carb loaded. 🙂

ualbany

Sunday – I ran the Ramblefest Half Marathon (Half #22). It was chilly, my ankle throbbed for the first 5 miles and it rained for the last 5 miles. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful and flat course and I HAD A PR!! Worth the pain and sogginess.

24 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – Day off from work 🙂 and hiking/boating or Turkey Trot Training group run (3 miles)
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 5 mile run with friends+ volunteering with STEM group
Thursday – 3 mile run, mall walk with BFF ??
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 10K race
Sunday – Spectating at a Duathlon and 2 mile run

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races?

October 2, 2016 by Darlene

September Recap

Image result for september

So Fall has finally arrived!! And very recently, we’ve even experienced some cooler temps.

So here’s how September went…

Weekday Runs:

Like the summer, the beginning of the month was still warm and humid and we had very little rain. I was able to run at least 3-4 times outdoors each week which is great because I do not have a treadmill at home.

Since I finally started working after 12 weeks off, I was limited to where I could run. I ran mostly at UAlbany (near work) or the Delmar rail trail (near home).

I ran with Alyssa several times. Like Barbara I met her through FB. These were, no doubt, besides my 5k races my faster runs. I struggle when I run with her but she gets me to run faster. She says that I make her faster . Win-Win. I also ran with Barbara a few times and she is even faster than Alyssa. In addition, I shared a run with Natalie (my mah jongg buddy) who is a beginning runner.

It’s definitely more fun running with friends.

Long Runs:

There were three of these!!!. One was a half marathon and one was just added miles to a 5k race.

: Sept 3

: Sept 10

: Sept 18

Total Mileage:

I ran 83 miles this month – 6 miles less than last month even though I ran a half marathon and am training for another this coming Sunday!! I guess I was slacking off. (I’ll blame it on work and my social life LOL)

sep16

Races:

I ran four races this month – a half marathon and three 5ks.

: Sept. 5 – 1st AG – 28:35

: Sept 10 – 2nd AG – 27:30

: Sept 18 – 3rd AG – 2:11:56

: Sept 25 – 1st AG – 28:39

I was generally happy with how they went. I did not have PR goals and of course, I would have been thrilled if I got one. I won age group awards in all three. I guess that’s an achievement.

For a change, none of the races were super hilly. I knew runners at all of them and they were all super fun. As you can guess I LOVE RACING!!

Cross Training:

The tennis season has moved indoors and that means that I have be a member of a club and join a contract. $$$$$ So I don’t play as often as I did in the summer (when it was free and I was unemployed.) I am scheduled to play two Tuesdays a month but do get called to sub on the other weeks.

I DID NOT go to a single yoga class!! Someday I will do, I think.

Miss you, Maria!

I did NOT workout at the gym at all. Total slacking here!!

I did not go hiking. I hope to do some this month. It is so beautiful around here in the fall. But fitting it in (now that I work) is very challenging.

I did walk every day at lunch for 30 minutes – Either around the outdoor shopping mall to get a Starbucks coffee or around a short nature trail.

Other News:

My favorite running groups started up again. The Troy Turkey Trot Challenge group meets on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings. I only go on Mondays. I am running with my friends in the 10k group. It will be the one day of the week where I may have to do speed drills.

The STEM group meets on M, W, F and I volunteer on Wednesday evenings. We are doing the Couch to 5K program with some new and returning runners (who are domestic violence survivors). We are training them for a 5k race on Nov. 19.

I took a day trip to NYC to meet up with my Russian friend, Anna, who stopped off there on the way back from Maine. We had lunch on a lobster boat, walked the High Line and then had drinks on the top of the Standard Hotel. What a full but exciting day!!

I took one last visit to the Saratoga Race Track with a former co-worker. This time, we only went for the last few races (and I won at each one), headed to the Casino and then out to dinner.

I spent a lot of time (maybe too much) going out to dinner and meeting up with friends and family.

: out with a former co-worker

: MIL’s 91st b-day

: monthly tennis friends meet-up

Boating season continued and the weather was great. I love it at the lake. It’s my “happy place.” I am sad that it will be ending very soon.

Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.

I am now employed so I guess I have $$ to sign up for more races!!

Looking Ahead:

My next half marathon is October 9 and I am (slightly) excited. Is the thrill gone???

I do have a lot of races coming up. Fall is my favorite time to race. This is my list so far for the next 2 months:

10-01-16 – Apple Run 5K
10-09-16 – Ramblefest Half Marathon
10-15-16 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K
10-22-16 – L.L.Bean Bright Night 5K
10-29-16 – Monster Dash 10K???? (not signed up yet since I am out of town for work Oct 24-28
11-05-16 – NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K (in NYC)
11-11-16 – Veteran’s Dash 5K
11-13-16 – Stockade-athon 15K
11-19-16 – Girls on the Run 5k (STEM volunteer which is good because I’m out of town for work Nov 14-18)
11-24-16 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k and then the 5k

I may have a racing addiction!!!

No monthly goals.

my motto for 2016

I am linking up with a Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup hosted by Ilka from Ilka’s Blog and Angela from Marathons & Motivation

Happy Running! How did your September turn out? Anything exciting planned for October?

October 1, 2016 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – October Edition

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in October, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

And since it’s late evening, it would probably be more appropriate to be having a glass of wine…but maybe you’re having some decaf coffee or herbal tea: