January 24, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Post-Race Report

I must say that I was on a race high the rest of my vacation in Florida.

It also helped that the weather was nice. For Floridians, it was cool. For me, it was perfect. In the high 70’s in the afternoon. No rain!!

My friend Georgette met me after the race. Someone told me about the huge outdoor market in West Palm Beach so we hung out there and bought French pastries and fish and veggies to barbecue for dinner.

love orchids!

yum yum

Then we drove to where she lives – Hobe Sound. We had some snacks and then drove to the beach.

The salt water was just what my blisters needed.

got my pants wet from a surprise wave

We went back to her house and had a lovely dinner with her husband and college roommate.

Georgette and her hubby Ruel

Monday, we got up early and went for a walk around her condo. She lives on a golf course.

florida jan 2015 (1)

Then I packed up my stuff and we drove around Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens. She pointed out all the sites and where some of our other friends lived.

Our final destination was Delray Beach where I would be staying with Fonda, another tennis friend. After getting a tour of her condo, we went to a Greek restaurant for a delicious lunch.

Georgette headed home and Fonda & I went to Nature Sanctuary — Wakodahatchee Wetlands. It was amazing. I could have stayed for hours but it was getting dark by the time we left.

Here are just a few shots:

florida jan 2015 (6)

florida jan 2015 (36)

florida jan 2015 (22)

florida jan 2015 (35)

florida jan 2015 (53)

When we got home, we walked around the area she lived, another golf course.

florida jan 2015 (61)

Since we had a late lunch, we decided to go into Delray Beach and walk around town for awhile and then have a light dinner. We chose a restaurant with a view of the water and ate outside.

I had conch chowder (I try to have local food) and for dessert:

Monday morning, I got up early again. I debated about running but decided instead to go for a walk. You can walk at the golf course after 5 pm and before 8 am.

breakfast view

We had breakfast and then headed to the beach. It was a perfect day.

I read a book and then went for a long walk on the beach.

florida jan 2015 (80)

It started to get breezy so we headed home and I needed to pack for my next destination.

Fonda drove to the other side of Delray Beach to my old friend, Michelle’s condo (on a golf course, of course.)

I went out to dinner with her and her hubby. It was a new Italian restaurant and they gave us free eggplant appetizers.

It was next door to a place called “The Girls Strawberry Patch – a very quirky place where rescued birds live and you can buy old toys.

We had the most delicious pizza.

When we got home, we vegged out in front of the TV. Michelle’s sister (a college tennis coach) was in town for a tournament so we watched the Australian Open for a bit.

Tuesday, my last day started with a 3 mile walk around another bird sanctuary (Green Cay) with Michelle and her sister.

it was cloudy

florida jan 2015 (87)

florida jan 2015 (91)

florida jan 2015 (100)

After our walk, we went out to breakfast (2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 bacon). My diet starts when I get home!!!

Then we headed back to West Palm Beach (where I flew into) to meet one of our friends, Debbie, for a late lunch. All of three of us taught together years ago. Debbie just moved to Jensen Beach.

Before lunch, we toured Worth Ave in Palm Beach, where all the rich people shop.

florida jan 2015 (107)

florida jan 2015 (106)

Then we walked around Clematis Street. Finally we headed to City Place for lunch. We ate outdoors at Brio.

florida jan 2015 (110)

The food was amazing. I had a chopped salad and chicken/sweet potato risotto.

After lunch, we killed some more time until it was time to head to airport.

I am so grateful to have been able to escape the frigid temps of the NE and to have such amazing friends to host me in SE Florida.

Happy Running! Do you combine races and vacations?

January 22, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Half Marathon Race Report

January 17, 2015 6:30 am

I was very excited to run this race. First of all, I left the frigid Northeast. Secondly, I was healthy all year and hoping for a good race.

the course

After a sleepless night, I got up around 4:00 am, had my tea & oatmeal in my hotel room and then went down to the lobby around 5:00 am to wait for the shuttle to the race start.

It was chilly and dark. I arrived early and there was hardly anyone there yet. So I just walked around and shivered. I was freezing. I don’t know why since it was probably close to 60 degrees.

Eventually a lot of people arrived and many to register on site. Apparently, they offered a Groupon to get more people to run.

For a half marathon, it was small – only about 500 runners. There was also a 5k race (with about 300 runners) that would start 15 minutes after the half.

There was no bag check, just a locker than you had to pay for. I decided to just wing it and if I lost my jacket, it would be OK. So I hid it under a table. The restrooms by the amphitheatre were locked but there were many porta-potties. For some reason, I didn’t feel the need to go.

I met some nice people, as usual, to chat with while waiting. One lady was hoping to finish under 2:10. I said that I would love to do that someday too.

Soon it was time to line up. I wound up standing next 2 older women from DC who urged me to come to DC and race.

waiting to start

I was hoping that there would be chip times as well as gun times since I was some what in the middle of things. (It turned out that there were only gun times published.)

I should mention that this was the most beautiful course I have ever run. During almost the whole race, you were looking at the water.You can’t beat that!

It was still dark when we started since it was only 6:30 am. For the first mile, you ran around in the city and then looped around back to the start.

race_697_photo_14835366

From then on for a few miles, you were running along the water and watching the sun come up …awesome.

I liked the sky in this pic – and they were free to download

I glanced at my Garmin every now and then to make sure I wasn’t running too fast (and at the end, too slow).

But as usual, the first half was a lot faster than the second.

There were abundant water stops…at least every 2 miles and I stopped and walked at every one except the first (and I regretted that immediately.)

Once the sun came up, it was warm but not oppressively so until maybe the last few miles. I felt perfectly dressed in a tank top & skirt.

you can see the sun shining brightly

What was nice about the course was that for the first 7 1/2 miles, every mile or so, the course took you inside a neighborhood. It was nice to have varied scenery and then the course was curvy so you could cut the tangents (and I made sure I did just that.)

I took a Gu before the race and then again at miles 4, 8 and 12. I really felt good and knew that I would PR if I didn’t fall and break something.

I remember being at 1:07 at mile 7 and 1:38 at mile 10. I was happy about that.

The main problem was my feet. AGAIN! I started to get blisters (in the same place) around mile 6 and the one on my right foot got more and more painful as the race went on.

The last 5 1/2 miles of the race were straight along the water. (No tangents to cut.)

This was the FIRST race that I just toughed it out. Sure I was tired but I refused to walk.

I only walked through the water stops and not as long as I normally do (I need to learn to open, eat Gu & drink water quicker.)

The scenery was so beautiful that I just focused on that and how lucky I was to be there.

don’t you agree?

Finally the end was near.

this is how I felt too

I had spotted that lady that wanted to finish under 2:10 as she passed me a little while ago. I tried to keep her in my sight but she eventually vanished.

heading toward the finish line

I knew I had a good race and I was happy.

race_697_photo_14838656

I was hoping to finish under 2:18.

Garmin time was 2:09:20!!! Woo Hoo! and I chicked that guy!

I crossed at 2:09:40! I was shocked!!

The runner who wanted to finish under 2:10 killed it and we congratulated each other after the race.

here she is …at 2:06!

There were pizza, bagels and all the usual refreshments at the finish. I wasn’t really hungry. I found those 2 ladies from DC and we hung out waiting for the results and awards.

With all the Groupon registrations, it took quite a while to calculate the winners. That was ok since my friend Georgette was late and I had re-scheduled my hotel check out for 1 pm.

But, yes, I won my Age Group!! (The lady from DC came in 3rd.)

yes, TWO medals are better than ONE

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 9:31
mile 2 – 9:27
mile 3 – 9:45
mile 4 – 9:58
mile 5 – 9:59
mile 6 – 10:09
mile 7 – 10:19
mile 8 – 10:27
mile 9 – 10:38
mile 10 – 10:22
mile 11 – 10:42
mile 12 – 10:59
mile 13 – 9:36

(short according to my Garmin but I did cut every tangent)

They are mostly positive, as always. At least there no 11 minute miles and I finished strong.

my view from the end of the race

Goals:

A. Age Group Award – YES!
B. Finish under 2:15 – YES!
C. PR (finish under 2:18:33) – YES!
D. Faster than my previous PR (finish under 2:22:35 ) – YES!
E. Finish under 2 1/2 hours – YES!
F. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal – YES (with blisters):

wbphmmedal15

As you may guess, I was supper happy with how this race turned out. And then I was able to fully enjoy the rest of my time in Florida.

Happy Running! Anyone get blisters? Any advice?

January 21, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Pre-Race Report

I left the frigid Northeast and hoped for smooth flights to West Palm Beach on Friday.

And the weather cooperated. I left Albany at 6 am for Baltimore and then took another flight which arrived in West Palm at around 11 am.

I packed very light for this trip and only had a carry on and a back pack. (My hubby couldn’t believe it.)

As soon as I arrived, I found a shuttle to my hotel. On the shuttle was a couple who was also running the same race.

I checked into my room and unpacked a little.

view from my room but it wasn’t warm enough to go swimming

It was still too early to head to packet pick up so I decided to go into town to have lunch.

florida jan 2015 (110)

There was a free shuttle from the hotel to City Place. I debated on whether or not to eat or do an Aqua Duck tour of the city. I decided on lunch at Panera’s. Maybe a bad decision since the next tour was cancelled.

florida jan 2015 (112)

Oh well, instead I took the free trolley ride around the town and then got off at Waterfront park.

I sat in the sun looking at the water and the boats and it was heaven.

Hard to believe that that morning, I was in a place with temps of 10 degrees.

florida jan 2015 (116)

Soon, it was time to walk over to the Meyer Amphitheatre to pick up my race packet. I guessed this this would be a small race since there was only a small tent and hardly anyone was there.

You had 2 color choices.

I got my bib and my shirt (with no bag to carry it.)

the shirt was unisex but at least they had extra small

Then I walked back to catch the trolley with a stop at a French pastry shop.

how could I not?

When I got back to City Place, I walked around a few shops before calling for a shuttle back to the hotel.

I thought that I may go back out for dinner but I decided to eat in the hotel and then catch up on some TV on my iPad and try to go to sleep early.

Well, I never sleep well before a race and I didn’t this time either.

Spolier alert…

I HAD A GREAT RACE!!!!!!!!!! Big PR!!! and FIRST PLACE IN MY AG!!!

Recap tomorrow.

Happy Running!

January 19, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 12 of HM training)

Monday – ~~walk at work,~~ rest, dinner out with former co-worker
Tuesday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, tennis, dinner out

yup, on the tm

Wednesday – walk at work, 3.5 mile run, wake, mall walk with BFF

still indoors

a balmy 10 degrees but not dark yet at 5pm

Thursday – rest, walk at work, PACK
Friday- rest, fly to West Palm Beach, FL, pick up race packet

Saturday – RACE DAY!!! 13.1 miles!

PR and 1st place AG award!!!!

Sunday – rest, sun, relax

This Week:

Monday – rest, sun, tennis
Tuesday – rest, sun, fly home to NY from Florida
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest
Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 3m or 15k?

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

January 15, 2015 by Darlene

16 on the 16th

16 YEARS TODAY AGO I MARRIED MY HUBBY!

12/31/2014

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HONEY!

1/16/1999

ALSO….

4 YEARS AGO TODAY I RAN MY FIRST HALF MARATHON!

1/16/2011

He was waiting for me at the finish line that day. For my 11th half marathon tomorrow, I am going for it alone.

Happy Running! Does your hubby or significant attend all your big races?

January 14, 2015 by Darlene

Half Marathon #11

January 17, 2015 6:30 am

According to the map below, it looks like there will be ocean views! YAY!

My tennis friend Georgette plans to meet me at the finish line so that will be nice. She spends 4 months in Jupiter (1/2 hour north of West Palm.)

Georgette is the redhead to my right

Here is the summary version of my previous 10 half marathons:

1. My first and BEST was the Naples Half Marathon in January of 2011. My goal was just to finish and I did in 2:28:27 (gun time, no chip timing).

2. I immediately registered for the 1st annual Lake George Half Marathon in April of that year. Unfortunately, I had to run in sleet & freezing rain for 13.1 miles & without my Garmin. My time was 2:22:39 (gun time, no chip timing) and a PR until this year.

3. Out with strained Achilles for 6 weeks during the summer of 2011 delayed my training for the Adirondack Half Marathon (so I walked the 2nd half of the race.) I finished in 2:44:59. It was still fun because I was running it with lots of friends.

4. Again impulsively, I decided to sign up for the inaugural Fall Foliage Half Marathon as a training run. This was my hilliest half but I finished in 2:32:50.

no photographers on the course

5. My goal race of that year was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon that I was running with a friend in California. This time it only poured for half the race and I finished with a disappointing 2:30:12.

6. My next Half Marathon, the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, Fla came in 2013 16 months after serious ankle surgery. I was just glad to be running again. The course was beautiful, my friends were waiting at the end and I was happy with my 2:33:59 time.

7. The Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon in the fall of 2013 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and hopefully get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would have liked, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” So I did in 2:24:14. I enjoyed it since it was my first half where I slept in my own bed the night before.

Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon

8. For the Love Run Half Marathon in the Spring of 2014, I was injury-free for the whole training but I trained during an awfully cold, snowy winter. Despite running in monsoon rains, I managed to PR at 2:22:35. I made new running friends and we had fun during our weekend in “wet” Philly.

loverun

9. Last summer, after running a 10 mile race, I impulsively registered for the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. This taught me to never run one in the summer. It was very humid & I felt sick so I struggled to a 2:26:00 finish.

sshm4b

10. Impromptu and free. I registered for the Hangover Half Marathon and ran it as a training run on a cold, windy, lonely, boring course. And it was my fastest at 2:18:33. Go figure?

hangover-059

So now it’s time for #11. Since this past fall, I PRed at the 5K, 10K, 15K and 10 mile distance, should I be going for a half marathon PR??

My 15K time was 1:33:23 and my 10 mile time was 1:38:45. In both races, I suffered from blisters (which were due to old insoles.) So logically, I should PR. Right?

I am healthy and I still lack confidence at the longer distance but yes, I will try to run my fastest half marathon. But as you all know, anything can happen on race day. (Especially when training in the cold snowy NE and running in warm, humid Florida weather.)

If I don’t PR, there is still a lot of time left in 2015 to try again.

Goals:

A. Win an Age Group Award (I can dream)
B. Finish under 2:15 (going out on a limb here)
C. PR (finish under 2:18:33)
D. Faster than my previous PR (finish under 2:22:35 )
E. Finish under 2 1/2 hours
F. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal:

Weather forecast:

just a little warmer than I am used to LOL

today

And here’s the outfit:

IMG_4762-0

My Bib # is 2081

2+0+8+1 = 11 (and it’s my 11th half marathon = lucky #)

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do you always try to PR?

January 12, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 11 of HM training – The Taper)

Monday – ~~walk at work~~, 5 3.5 mile run

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, STEM celebration

dreadmill

most of the STEM group –

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, hair appt

dreadmill

Friday- party brunch, ~~walk at work~~, retirement party, 3 mile run, mah jongg

I had an omelette after this also

Saturday – rest, errands, cooking

meat loaf, broccoli quiche, beef vegetable soup – also made tuna noodle casserole

Sunday – 6.2 Mile race + 1.8 more miles

This Week: (Week 12 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, rest
Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Thursday – rest, walk at work, PACK
Friday- rest, fly to West Palm Beach, FL, pick up race packet
Saturday – RACE DAY!!! 13.1 miles!
Sunday – rest, sun, relax

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

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

January 8, 2015 by Darlene

TTT

ttt

1. It is cold. Not cold. Frigid. Like -20 with the wind chill.

1509293_10152396458377026_5265556860440395410_n

2. I still have not mastered treadmill running. I run slow. I can’t handle more than 3 miles. I ran outside Monday night and survived. I hope it warms up to 15 so I can run outside tomorrow night.

but this is really accurate:

3. I am excited and nervous about my upcoming half marathon,

I can’t wait to leave the cold weather? But will it be warm in Florida? Will my flight arrive without a delay? (I leave on Friday & my race is 6:30 am Saturday.)

How will I be on race day? Will I have a good race?

and an extra #4 & #5

4. I am racing (if it warms up) on Sunday, HMRRC Winter Series #3. It will be a 10K and my last long training run. I ran this one 2 years ago. I had finished in 1:08:18 (which was a PR at the time.) Now my 10K PR is 57:03. I hope to finish around 60 min.

5. I went to a STEM celebration dinner last night. It was for the volunteers and runners in the Domestic Violence Survivors Group. The women were so proud that they ran a 5k (in the pouring cold rain).