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.)

don’t I look happy?

Oh and this half marathon is my PR.

Happy Running! What are some of your race memories?

August 1, 2014 by Darlene

July rundown

JULY GOALS:

Repeated goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!

before work

after work

during work

new trails on a day off

bike path on the weekend

Continue planks. Not often 😦
Go to Yoga at least 2x. YES! 2X
Walk at least once a day at work. YES! Everyday!

am walk

pm walk

Play tennis outdoors once a week. YES! 3X (got rained out 1x)

Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk. Not often 😦
Run any 5k or 10K races under 10 minutes per mile! Barely!

Turning Point 5k -30:49

Run at least 75 miles this month. YES!

july14

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. YES! Of course.

his reaction to the race shirts that I sent him

New goals:

Lose at least 5 lbs. NOPE!! 😦
Add weekly long runs. YES until my half.

July 5

Complete my 9th half marathon. YES!

a tough one at 2:26:00 but won 2nd in my AG

Choose a fall or winter half marathon. Nope! Still only have the 10 miler in October.

10-26-14 in NJ

Start training for a fall half. Nope!

I also spent time on our boat on Lake George.

I spent 2 days at my friend’s on the Schroon River.

I saw Jimmy Buffet in concert!!

he was awesome…

August Goals:

Repeated goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks.
Go to Yoga at least 2x.
Walk at least once a day at work.
Play tennis outdoors once a week
Continue to use those 5 lb weights on my desk.
Run any 5k or 10K races under 10 minutes per mile!
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

New goals:

See my mentee Amanda (she is no longer moving away.)
Eat healthy…lose those annoying extra lbs.
Run at least once a week before work.
Decide on a winter half.

Happy Running! How was your July? Anything special planned for August?

July 19, 2014 by Darlene

Let it go….

It’s funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can’t get to me at all!

Everyone loves this song, right?

I know you can all relate to my situation —

You have a hard/bad race and you play it over and over again in your head. You wonder what you could have done differently. Should you have trained harder or should you have tapered more? Did you eat enough or did you eat the wrong things? Did you hydrate enough or too much? Was it the weather? Are you too old for this distance? Should you stick to 5ks? Etc. Etc. Etc.

And then after a few days, you LET IT GO.

it’s over…I survived and I will do another, right?

Then you start to look for another half marathon.

Yes, I will surely run another. I am just not sure when.

In a perfect world, with no friend/family obligations and lots of money, I would run every scenic flat half in the US (and maybe around the world).

But realistically, here are a few that I may run in the next few years:

in Fla in mid January

in Fla in early Feb.

in mid March

in NH in early May – on my birthday in 2015

in RI in mid September

in Boston in late September

in NH in early October

in NJ in early October

in RI in mid October

Oh so many races and so little time…

But I am open to suggestions, if anyone wants to offer me a place to stay or wants to share a hotel room…. I may take you up on it.

Happy Running! What is you favorite half marathon ?

July 14, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – DAY OFF – 4.5 miles, movie

really liked this

Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis

AM walk

Wednesday – 3 mile run before work , walk at work, yoga

AM walk

Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out & movie for a friend’s bday

dinner at a thai restaurant

a little too dark for me

Friday –3 2.5 mile run ~~before work~~ during lunch, walk at work, rest, mah jongg

AM walk – solo

Saturday- packet pick up, boating, rest, rest, rest

Sunday –Saratoga Half Marathon!!!

a tough one..but still won 2nd in my age group

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, rest, dinner out with former co-worker
Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work , walk at work, yoga, mall walk with bff
Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, hair appt
Friday -walk at work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday- 4 mile run, JIMMY BUFFET concert!!
Sunday -rest, tennis party on Schroon River

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

July 13, 2014 by Darlene

Saratoga Springs Half Marathon report

shmlogo

This was my first impromptu half marathon. (well, may be 2nd.)

I wasn’t planning on running one in the summer. It is too hot.

Then 3 weeks ago, I registered. Crazy!

I knew nothing about this inaugural race except for what the website said:

The Half Marathon course starts in with a lap around the Peerless Pool Parking Lot, turns right on East West Road, and then right onto Geyser Loop Road. The course then turns left to run a lap around the SPAC Parking Lot and returning to Geyser Loop Road. The course then turns left on East West Road, left on North South Road, and continues onto Roosevelt Drive. The course then turns onto the path on Avenue of the Pines, turning right on the path to head south beside Route 9. At Crescent Avenue the course moves out to the breakdown lane of Route 9 and continues south to East West Road. The course turns right on East West Road returning to the front entrance of the Peerless Pool Parking Lot. The course then continues for a 2nd full lap. After the 2nd lap the course turns right into the Peerless Pool Parking Lot finishing with a lap around the parking lot.

And I wasn’t happy about running a repeat lap. It also seemed that you were running around parking lots too much. Not very appealing!

Anyway, I got my 10, 11 and 12 miles training runs in and but not the taper. I just hoped that I would finish and it wouldn’t be too painful.

I also was a little nervous because my foot was bothering me this past week and prayed that this race wouldn’t make it feel worse.

As a result, I knew I would be taking it easy.

bright orange shirt tech shirt

Yesterday after picking up my race packet, I decided to continue north to spend the day on our boat and hang out on the lake in hopes of taking my mind off the race.

I had a good time and relaxed but I did think about the race… a lot.

Everyone hung out having dinner by the water, watching the full moon and FIREWORKS!! I, on the other hand, drove home. Racing does cut into one’s social life.

This was the first race that I have ever run that I considered not going.

I had been feeling under the weather for the past few days. (It’s virus like a cold sore that I get on my arm periodically & when I get it, you’ll have a fever & feel like you have the flu. So that’s what I had, Great timing, huh?)

So I felt lousy when I got up but I felt guilty about paying and not going so I went.

The race was to start at 7:30 am so I left around 6:00 am. I got there early enough and since it started in the park, there were real restrooms. (Always a plus.)

Rain was in the forecast for later in the day today. That meant that there would be a lot of humidity – Not my favorite weather for running.

But I hate rain worse so I was not complaining (yet.)

I bumped into Jen, a fellow local blogger, Christine, a professor when I work and another runner, Valerie, that I know who was running the 5K. It’s always good to see a familiar face.

There were about 500 racers so not a big one. The race started on the grass and then proceeded to wind around the park.

sshm1a

It was advertised as “fast and flat.” It was not. There were several hills and they repeated. At first I ran up the hill but that didn’t last.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel well the whole race. By the first 1/2 mile, I was walking and that continued the whole race.

sshm4b

I drank water at all 6 water stops. Unfortunately, the water had a weird after taste which made me VERY nauseous. I also ate a GU at miles 4, 8 and 12…that made me feel worse.

for some reason, this photographer took about 20 photos of me. too bad it wasn’t a good race!

The course was pretty nice…the park is pretty and shaded for most of it. It wasn’t even as bad I thought having to repeat the loop.

photo from Jen’s instgram

The biggest problem was the humidity and even though the race started at 7:30 am, it was already over 70 degrees.

Yes, I though of quitting many many times but I just took it one step at a time. But when you are not running with the faster runners, you see a lot of them walking which was not motivating me to run.

this is deceiving…I actually look better than the other (younger) runners.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, I developed a blister around mile 5…ouch!

I finished the first half of race at 1:06:00 which wasn’t too bad considering how I felt.

If I could finish strong, I could PR.

Well, that didn’t happen.

this was a fake smile!

The whole second half of the race, I was running near a tall athletic looking guy who was doing the Galloway run/walk thing. And in the end, I did beat him. Also I was running near a very enthusiastic young lady who tried to motivate me to run saying we could finish together. We did not. She just beat me.

heading to the finish line and chicking 2 guys!

So I dragged myself across the finish line at 2:26:00.

Christine & Valerie were there cheering me on.

relieved to be done!

It’s not my worst half marathon finish time but it is slower than my last 2 halfs and I am not injured!!

After I was done, I hung around for awhile because I started to feel dizzy…like I could pass out.

I was beginning to think that I was going to get sick. But I didn’t and eventually I felt well enough to drive home.

Believe it or not, I won 2nd in my age group. ( I am not proud to admit that there were only 2 of us!)

So running a half marathon in the summer may not have been the smartest idea for me.

I think next year, I’ll do the 5k. They got the same medal and beer glass!!!

Race Splits:

mile 1- 9:50
mile 2 – 9 :39
mile 3 – 10:25
mile 4 – 11:04
mile 5 – 10:57
mile 6 – 11:03
mile 7 – 11:43
mile 8 – 11:06
mile 9 – 12:22
mile 10 -11:57
mile 11 -12:00
mile 12 -12:04
mile 13 -11:25
.10 – 7:22

You can see the downward spiral.

Goals:

Finish uninjured. YES! My foot felt fine 🙂
Not finish last. YES!
Have fun. Well, that’s debatable.
Finish under 2:30:00 – YES!

half marathon #9

Happy Running! Are you running a half this summer?

July 7, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work

early morning run

AM walk

Tuesday –4 mile run before work, walk at work, tennis

so glad I did it in the am…a sweaty one!

AM walk

PM walk

Wednesday – ~~3 mile run before work,~~ ~~after work~~ (RAIN – should have done it before work), walk at work, yoga

AM walk

Thursday – ~~rest~~, 4 mile run before work, walk at work

Friday – DAY OFF – 3 miles, on the river, hanging with friends, mah jongg

in Williamstown, MA

Saturday- 12 miles, dinner with former college roommates

on the Nisky Bike Path & the Crossings

restaurant on the Hudson

Sunday -rest, boating

my friends first ride on the lake

This Week:

Monday – DAY OFF – 4 mile run
Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, yoga
Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out for a friend’s bday
Friday -walk at work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday- rest
Sunday –Saratoga Half Marathon!!!

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

July 5, 2014 by Darlene

The Longest Long Run Ever

I had planned to do my long run on Monday and I took the day off from work to do it.

However, the weather on Monday was predicted to be hot and humid and it would only be 6 days before the half marathon.

So I decided not to go boating and to run 12 miles.

The weather was perfect… breezy and not too warm (but sunny).

I got up early but still got a late start.

But finally headed to the Nisky bike path where I like to do my long runs.

I intended to run 6 miles out and then 6 miles back. I even carried water and put 2 Gus in my belt.

hint?? – this is the race I am training for.

I was feeling very sluggish. My legs were already dragging during the first mile. I knew this was going to be a long day. (At the time I didn’t know how long!)

view of the Mohawk

Then around 2.5 miles, I looked down at my belt. My Gus were gone!!

I have carried them like this during my last 2 half marathons and never lost one. I guess I didn’t put them in all the way.

So what was I to do?

Run 12 miles with no fuel?
Run back to my car, go home and do my long run instead on Monday like originally planned?
Run back to my car, go buy more Gu and finish the 12 miles today.

I decided on the last option since FleetFeet was only 15 minutes away.

As I ran back to my car, I was hoping to find my Gus on the road so I could just continue my run here.

No such luck. Someone must have found them and taken them. Boo!

So I bought more Gu in FleetFeet and was offered their new flavor Salted Watermelon for free. (I didn’t particularly like it but it was one less Gu to replace.)

After chatting with my friend’s daughter-in-law who works there, I headed to the Crossings to continue my long run – 7 more miles to go!

My luck, there was a Farmer’s Market and book sale going on and it was packed.

Luckily I found a spot on the lawn to park and I started running again.

It was warmer than before and my mojo was almost gone but I persisted. It was a beautiful day.

As it got warmer, I tried to find shady paths.

I love this park. I don’t know why I don’t run here more.

After about 4 miles, I got thirsty so I went back to my car to get a drink. (I hate carrying water so I didn’t.) This was a mistake because I looked at the time and realized that I was running so slow and the farmer’s market would close before I was done running. So I decided to take another running break and check out the market.

There were lots of fruit, plants and healthy food. I bought a gluten-free cookie and then went to the book sale where I bought 6 books for $3. (It was worth the run break.)

Enough of that, I needed to drag myself through 3 more miles.

So I went back to my car and found it alone on the grass. Kids were playing football nearby so I though best to more it to the parking lot since many people had left.

I finished running (or run-walking) on the other side of the park.