December 24, 2014 by Darlene

Currently

Being off from work for more than a weekend is very strange for me. I am not used to having so much free time and yet, not getting things done.

Reading…. I want to see Unbroken tomorrow in the theaters so I am trying to finish the book. (I doubt I will finish, though.)

Watching… I heard this show was good and I am binge watching all the episodes to catch up. So far, I am enjoiying it and I think I am hooked.

Drinking… I have fallen in love with herbal teas.

Eating… out a lot.

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lots of holiday and birthday celebrations

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Anticipating… the Hangover Half Marathon on New Year’s Day…but only as a training run but still nervous.

hhm15

Wishing for… Seasonally warm temps and DRY weather… no snow, ice or rain so I can run outdoors.

Yay! Clear path.

Seeing next week… Going to MoMA in NYC to see…

and seeing the decorations that I missed on my last visit.

Loving... that I do not have to go to work and can RUN any time I want and do whatever whenever. I may even hit the gym.

have to finish knitting this scarf by tomorrow!

Feeling… Anxious. I am always nervous about running a half marathon especially a destination race where I don’t know anyone.

West Palm beach, here I come!

Happy Running? What are you currently….?

December 13, 2014 by Darlene

Bucket List for 2015

for 2015

Here are a few of the new races that I am looking forward to this coming year:

January 17, 2015

In Florida in the winter – YAY! and visiting 4 friends too!

shamrock5k

I am so excited to be running this race with my friend Mary in CA and also get to watch some of the qualifying matches at the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Championships (and maybe see some of the stars practicing.)

I DID NOT get into the

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March 15, 2015

It was a lottery so unfortunately I’ll have to try again and again and again (unless somehow I could run a sub 2 hour half.)

aphm

So I instead registered for this half marathon to keep me running through the winter. I have a friend that lives an hour from this race and it’s supposed to be the “Best Half in New Jersey – One of Best in the Country.” The best part, I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

I also did not get into the ….

in Woodstock VT

It sold out in 24 min…I was out running & came back 1 minute too late 😦 Next Year!!

so instead I registered for…

June 13, 2015

This is an inaugural race (I am running the Half Marathon) and it looks exciting. It’s in Poughkeepsie which is about 1.5 hours away. The course will include the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson as well as Marist College and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. (It is hilly – the only negative.)

jensen beach hm

November 15, 2015

Yes, another Florida Half Marathon – A good friend moved to Jensen Beach and I would love to stay with her and run but the second one is a better date (a friend of a friend lives there & has offered to house me if I come down.)

If I decide not to go to Florida in the fall, I may run this HILLY one…

September 26, 2015

I have a friend who lives nearby (in CT).

Happy Running! What races are you looking forward to in 2015?

November 13, 2014 by Darlene

A Defining Moment

As I train for my TENTH half marathon, I started to think about how my running has changed and when?

For several years, I ran 1-1 1/2 miles several times a week and then ran a 5K on the weekend. I didn’t own a Garmin but instead used a chip attached to my shoe that tracked my mileage to a Nike+ app on my iPod. It wasn’t accurate but I didn’t know it at the time and it didn’t matter. My goal in running was to break 30 minutes in a 5K and I was happy when I did. Being in my late 50s, I was faster than most in my age group so I was content. I didn’t like the cold weather so I didn’t run during the winter months and started back up in the spring each year. I wore shorts, cotton tops and never heard of compression socks.

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jailhouserock5k

Then came my Defining Moment on October 24, 2010. I was scheduled to run my FIRST 10K. I was nervous and almost changed my mind to run the 5K.

But I got a migraine and couldn’t run it. In fact, I wound up in the ER with blood pressure of 197/109. They & I feared that it would lead to a stroke. They did all kinds of tests and all were negative but it was very scary. At the time, I still played tennis a lot but as I lay in the hospital, I worried that I would be an invalid and that I could no longer run.

The next day, I signed up for my FIRST HALF MARATHON! I decided to stop being a wimp and go for it. Life is short and no one knows what the future will bring. So I decided to go from running 3.1 miles to 13.1 miles. Just like that.

I didn’t tell anyone. My friends would have thought I was nuts and I also thought that I may not be successful.

So I bought compression socks, a running skirt and a Garmin watch. And I did long runs on the weekends to train.

my first Half in Naples, Florida (1/16/11 – my wedding anniversary)

My First Half Marathon was great — the best day ever. And I haven’t looked back since.

10k

15K

10 miles

I have run 4 milers, 5 milers, 10 milers, 10Ks, 15Ks and 8 more half marathons.

I’m not sure if October 24, 2010 didn’t happen, I would have signed up for that first Half marathon????

I continue to run 5Ks and I love them but because of adding longer runs, I think my 5K times are faster. (I recently had a PR.)

Happy Running! Has your running changed? Have you had a “defining moment”?

October 30, 2014 by Darlene

Let the training begin…

Jan 17, 2015

So I have signed up for my 10th Half Marathon!!! Pretty exciting!

cool_13_1_half_marathon_sticker

Now I have to make sure that I run no matter what the weather is like.

This is a plan that I have used for my previous half marathons. I’m pretty flexible with my weekday runs. I just try to get the long runs done on the weekend.

One big difference for this year is that I just did a 10 mile race and I have a 9.3 mile (15K) race coming up so my long runs are ahead of schedule. I will probably just keep up the 6-8 mile long run and try to get more comfortable with the distance before I increase.

I also play tennis on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. So I may do some long runs on Saturdays and run 3-4 miles on Mondays.

As I said…I am very flexible with my training.

Maybe this time, I’ll even try to do some speed workouts… (probably not!)

I have only signed up for 2 races (so far) — The Turkey Trot 10k on Nov. 27 and the Last Run 5K on Dec 6. I may also do a 5k on Nov 29 and a free 15k on Dec 14.

My work is closed from Dec 20-Jan 4 which is great. That way I can be flexible with my longest runs.

Let’s hope for a warm, dry winter.

Can’t wait! Running along the ocean is on my bucket list!!

Happy Running! How do you train for a half marathon?

October 26, 2014 by Darlene

Pick Me!!

March 15, 2015

I signed up for the lottery for the NYC Half Marathon!

I wish I was good enough to gain entry with my speed but there’s no way I am going to run a sub 2 hour half marathon.

The entries available to non-guaranteed applicants are filled through three drawings this year on December 9, 2014, one in each of the following applicant pools :

1. “NYC-metro area” applicants (i.e., residents in and within 60 miles of New York City);

2. “National” applicants (i.e., U.S. residents outside of the NYC-metro area);

3. “International” applicants (i.e., non-U.S. residents, including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories).

Fingers crossed that I will be picked!!

Happy Running! Have you ever run the NYC half marathon?

September 30, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Distance

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Favorite Distance

I am torn between two..

Love AG awards!

I love 5Ks. There are so many to choose from each weekend. I can choose by location, swag, elevation, friends going, AG award possibility, time, scenery, etc.

5k in Florida

5k with a friend

I also don’t need to really train. At this point in my running, I can go out and run 3 miles and not get hurt.

a flat 5k

a scenic 5k

A 5k doesn’t take a long time and it is easy to fit into your schedule and not take a lot time away from family and friends.

a nearby 5k

If I am training for a long race, I can use the 5K as a warm up tempo run and add more miles afterward.

just a fun 5k

Half Marathon

I love Half Marathons too.

even in the rain

Running a half marathon is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.

my first!

You get a medal. Who doesn’t love bling?

It motivates you to get out the door and run several times each week. It makes you increase your miles.

It gives you an excuse to plan a vacation around a race.

in Sarasota, FL

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to finish. It is less stressful than running a 5K.

while recovering from an injury

Happy Running! What is your favorite distance?

September 27, 2014 by Darlene

Two crossed off the Bucket List

Back in March, I created a Racing Bucket List of 13 items. I had done 7 out of 13 at the time. Since then…

#13 – Run a popular race – I ran the Love Run half marathon which had almost 10,000 runners.

and I just signed up for this Half Marathon in Florida!!!

Jan 17, 2015

#8 – Running along the ocean…

Yes, I finally decided on a race to keep myself motivated to run through the cold weather.

I chose this race because you run along the ocean and because I have 5 friends who spend the winter in this area.

weat palm

#10 – Running in Central Park, NYC...

Ok, it was not a race but I do plan to do that someday…I would love to do the NYC Half (but it is a lottery) or the NYC Mini 10K.

Yesterday, I had the day off. My NYC travel friends & I had planned to take the MegaBus to NYC. However, one friend was busy and the other was away on vacation.

Since the weather was predicted to be beautiful, I had decided to go it alone.

Of course, my plan was to RUN IN CENTRAL PARK!!!

Then at the last minute, one of my friends, Eileen, was able to go. I hate to say this but I was disappointed.

I told her that I wanted to run in the park and she said that it was ok with her.

Then I said that I wanted to run for an hour and then meet her. She said “I didn’t know you were going to run for a whole hour!”

Actually I wanted to run for more than an hour. The weather was absolutely perfect…sunny and warm but not too hot and no humidity. But it was obvious that I would need to compromise.

So we took a subway to the 86th street entrance of Central Park which was near the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. There is a running track that goes around the reservoir.

I told Eileen to walk around the track once and I would run around twice and then we would spend the rest of the day walking and visiting the sites in the park together.

The run was awesome. I loved every minute of it.

I took my time the first lap and veered off the track several times.

The 2nd time around, I ran without stopping because I felt guilty making Eileen wait.

I definitely plan to come back here (alone or with another runner) to run sometime in the future.

(More about this wonderful day in the park in a later post.)

Happy Running! What places are on your running bucket list? Have you ever run in Central Park?

September 19, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: My five favorite races

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

This week, the theme is My Five Favorite _____________________

Of course, I filled in the blank with races….

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

2010 – in the newspaper

2014 – Troy Record

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I run often after work.

It is convenient since I can park at work and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Spring Runoff (10K) – This 10K takes place in the spring and it a good way to kick start your racing season. It is run along the Hudson River and on the bike path that I go to often for my long runs.

The evening before, there is a free pasta dinner where I met two awesome ladies.

The course is fairly flat and is my currrent 10K PR.

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy fireplaces.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.

The course is beautiful with many views of the Gulf.

At one point, a priest blessed runners with holy water.

I don’t plan to repeat any of my half marathon races but maybe someday I will run this one again.

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorite races? Have you run any of the above?

August 28, 2014 by Darlene

Long Runs and Half Marathon Procrastination

I usually train for 12 weeks for my half marathons. That is, I add long runs each weekend that increase one mile until I reach 12 miles and then taper to 8.

My last half marathon was July 13, 2014.

And I have no half marathons on my schedule!!

Shocking!

Actually I considered after the last one, which was very rough, to maybe just do short races.

The problem is that without a half marathon to train for, I make excuses about doing any long runs on the weekend.

(And nothing gives you the feeling that you get when you cross the finish line of a half marathon except maybe crossing the finish line of a marathon but I’m not doing that.)

So in order to be motivated to run more than 4 miles, I need a half marathon on my schedule, I guess.

Since it is almost September, it looks like a fall half marathon is out.

And it is too cold in the NE so I would need to travel.

Travel is another issue. I don’t have a lot of money to spend. I may have worn out many of my friend invites.

Santa Clarita Half Marathon with Ellen

Susan & Robin the day before my Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

It is also a lot more fun to do a big race with friends.

with Felice, Elisa, Amanda, Janis & Bridget at the Adirondack Half Marathon

Love Run with Adrienne, Lisa, Andrea & Heidi (missing from photo)

As it stands now, my fall race may be the Perfect 10 Miler in NJ.

Then if I am going to drag myself outdoors in the winter, I will need a winter and/or spring half marathon.

And I want it to be scenic and fun!!

Possibly in Florida on January 17…

and visit some friends in the area. (but flights are expensive as well as renting a car.)

or on March 15…

(I can take the bus but hotels are expensive in NYC)

or on May 9 (my birthday)…

(I can drive but it’s exam time where I work.)

So as you can see, I am procrastinating.

Any advice?

Happy Running! How do you choose your half marathons?

August 8, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Race Memories

This week, the theme is Race Memories:

I have run 124 races so that’s a lot of race memories. (And blogging helps keep them alive.)

Here are my top five (in no particular order):

1. My first Half Marathon. I didn’t tell my friends that I was running a half marathon. I had only raced 5Ks up to that point and they wouldn’t have understood. The race also took place in Naples, Fla, my favorite vacation spot (where I go annually with my tennis friends.) It took place on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting for me at the finish line. When I finished, I couldn’t believe that I had run 13.1 miles and I couldn’t wait to sign up for another.

January 2011

2. The SRM’s First 5K – Strong Running Mamas (SRM) started as a small group by The Happy Runner who wanted to encourage some friends to start running. We met once a month and ran as a group and it culminated with their first 5K. I was just as excited for them as they were.

The initial SRM group – June 5, 2010

These runners continued on to run 10ks, 15ks, half marathons and marathons. In fact, they are what motivated me to run my first half marathon. The group now has a Facebook page and has over 140 members.

more SRMs in October 2013

3. My First Race After My Ankle Surgery. I fell avoiding an ice patch in December 2011 while out running and broke my ankle in several places. I had a plate and 8 screws put in. It was a very long recovery. The doctor said that I probably would not be able to run. I didn’t for 5 months but I went to the Freihofer’s Run For Women intending to try to walk it. But when the gun went off I started running and didn’t stop until the I crossed the finish line.

I even made the first page of the local newspaper

4. My First 10 Mile and Most Scenic Race – My running buddy Mary moved away to La Quinta, CA and I really missed her so I signed up for a 10 mile race in Palm Springs and we ran it together.

January 11, 2014

The views on the course were awesome. I can’t wait to go back.

loved it here

5. My Wettest But Most Fun Half Marathon. This race was planned by a new runner friend, Heidi. She then invited her local friend Adrienne. Both Heidi and Adrienne brought their husbands (Heidi’s hubby even ran it.) It was Heidi & Adrienne’s FIRST half marathon. Heidi also invited 2 high school friends, Lisa & Andrea, who were experienced half marathoners.

Adrienne, Lisa, me & Andrea

the night before the race

We had so much fun at the expo, exploring the sites of Philly and at dinner.

the morning before the race -March 30, 2014

Unfortunately, there was a record rainfall during the whole 13.1 miles. I have never ever been so wet in my life. (Except for my 2nd half marathon in Lake George.)