June 29, 2014 by Darlene

We’re halfway.

report-card1 6 months down and 6 to go. How am I doing on my 2014 Goals?

1. Do not get injured. So far, so good.

happy legs and feet!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR. Yes!

in the freezing cold

in the spring

during my vacation

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week upper body & core strength exercises (planks & weights). Tennis YES, Yoga Rarely, Planks & Weights SO SO

my instructor returned from maternity leave on May 7.

when I can remember to use them

4. Finish all races (except 15ks & half marathons) at under 10 min. pace per mile. Almost all.

: 5k – 30:10

: 4 miler – 38:07

: 5 miler – 48:14

: 4 miler – 38:06

: 5k – 28:56

: 5K – 27:51

: 10k – 1:00:52

: 5K – 28:14

: 5K – 28:51

: 2014

: short 5k (2.25 m) – 20:19

5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.Yes! 14 races so far.

: HMRRC 15K – January

: Polar Cap – February

: Runnin of the Green 2014

: 3rd

: Betar Byway – June

6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state. Yes, Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in CA, Lighthouse 5k in FL and the Love Run Half in PA. But they are not new states.

Lighthouse 5K in FL.

7. Run at least 10 NEW races. 11 already!- Mayor’s Wellness 10m, HMRRC Winter Series #3 15K, Lighthouse 5k, Love Run, Bacon Hill 5k, Rabbit Ramble 4m, Cherry Blossom 5k, Spring Run off 10k, Mom’s 5K, Betar Byway 5K, Strawberry Fest 5K, Adirondack Distance Run

first annual Love Run

Bacon Hill 5k

Spring Run Off 10K

Strawberry Fest 5K

8. Run in NYC. No, not yet.

This is as close as I have gotten

9. Get an Age Group award. Yes! 9 of them – 3rd at the Mayor’s Wellness, 1st at the Lighthouse 5K, 1st at Bacon Hill 5k, 2nd at Rabbit Ramble 4m, 2nd at Cherry Blossom 5k, 3rd at Spring Run Off 10K, 1st at Mom’s Day 5k, 1st at Betar Byway 5K, 1st at Strawberry Fest 5K

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

Cherry Blossom5k

Mom’s Day 5K

Spring Run Off 10K

Betar Byway 5K

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Strawberry fest 5K

10. Run a 10 mile race. Yes! Mayor’s Wellness 10m and Adirondack Distance Run

Mayor’s Wellness 10m

11. Run at least one half marathon. Yes! The Love Run.

12. PR in a half marathon. Yes! at the Love Run.

4 sec PR

13. Run over 800 miles. 4 miles so far. I’m on my way.

14. Continue to blog almost everyday. Yes! So I am doing pretty good so far. Things to work on the next 6 months:

Go to yoga regularly
PR in a 5K
race in a new state
run in NYC
continue to race each month
continue to sign up for new races
STAY HEALTHY

Happy Running! Do you have yearly goals? If so, how are you doing so far this year?

June 29, 2014 by Darlene

Lacking the Long Run Motivation?

Ever since my March half marathon, I have been trying to get my speed back. As a result, I have been racing 5Ks and mostly running 3 miles with an occasional 4 miler thrown in.

I definitely feel more confident about my speed (although it isn’t or may never be totally back).

Moms Day 5K

Betar Byway 5K

So now, I need to run longer.

And I can’t find the motivation!!

Luckily I decided to run the Adirondack Distance Run last Sunday. That was 10 miles. I did it and I didn’t die.

adr3

I have a Half Marathon on July 13. That’s 2 weeks away!!!!

The problem is that I can’t find the time on the weekends!!

It is easy to squeeze in 3 miles and then do other things. Long runs take time!

the boating season is too short and too expensive not to take advantage of it every weekend that the weather is nice (it is the one thing my hubby & I do together …)

I guess that’s why I usually run 5ks in the summer and train for long races in the winter. (What was I thinking when I signed up for a summer half marathon??)

In the meantime, I am going to have to get creative about fitting in long runs this summer – take time off from work, run after work, get up super early on the weekend, etc. (and the weather better cooperate!!)

In fact, I have already taken Monday, July 7 off to do my 12 mile training run.

Here are some tips for getting your long runs done:

Run somewhere scenic – a park, a bike path, along water. Beautiful scenery is motivating. Vary your routes. Running on the same road gets boring. (I never do my long runs on a treadmill!!!)

at the Peebles Island State Park

Grab a running buddy or join a running group. Chatting makes the miles go faster. Having to meet someone gets you out the door.

These guys helped me last winter. Unfortunately, this summer I am solo.

Put some new music on your phone or iPod. Playlists gets stale. It’s nice to have some new summer tunes to motivate you on these warm humid days. Good music can help make the miles less painful.

I just added some Zac Brown & some Jimmy Buffet

Eat enough. A long run is hard enough but it is much harder when you have no fuel in the tank. I always eat a good breakfast and then carry gels to eat every 4 miles.

salted caramel is now my new favorite

Wear comfortable clothes especially good running shoes. Chafing makes a long run seem even longer. I also train with my most supportive shoes. Never wear worn out shoes. And remember to dress for 20 degrees warmer than it is. The more miles that you run, the warmer you will get.

I also wear compression socks on my long runs.

Rewards! Promise yourself something good to eat when you’re done. I usually head to Starbucks for a cold frappuccino or to get some ice cream.

Stewarts – YUM!

Sign up for a summer or fall half marathon or marathon. Knowing that a race is coming up will hopefully push me through these hot months to stay in running condition. Running a long race without the proper training is a recipe for an injury.

And do as I say not as I do –

Yesterday I stayed home from the lake to do a long run – I ran solo on a boring city route, with chafing, uncomfortable shoes, an upset stomach (new fuel). I left too late so it was very hot out. I got home and collapsed – too tired & sick to reward myself. Yes, that long run SUCKED!

at least there were sidewalks

My next one will be better. I promise!

Happy Running! Anyone else have the long run motivation blues?? Any other tips on getting it done?

June 26, 2014 by Darlene

My Next Half Marathon

shmlogo

I know that I said I wouldn’t do one until the fall. But I am having trouble deciding on a fall half and I just got caught up in racing excitement of my 10 mile race last Sunday.

crossing the finish line of the Adirondack Distance Run

So what’s 3 more miles in 3 weeks??

Race info:

Flat and fast course in beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Springs Strong To Serve Half Marathon Technical Shirts to all half marathon runners
Saratoga Springs Strong To Serve Half Marathon finisher medals to all half marathon finishers
Saratoga Springs Strong To Serve Half Marathon /Pint Glasses to overall and age group champions
6 water stops of half marathon course / 1 water stop on 5K course
At least 2 Port-a-potties on the half marathon course
Fresh fruit, pastries, and more at the finish line
Packet pickup 7/12/14 Noon – 5:00 PM at iRunLocal & on race morning at Race HQ
Top notch make-your-own goodie bags
20% of all entries fees support the Strong To Serve

The Course:

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.

I have never run a race with a second full lap. This is a negative especially when you are a slow runner. Another will be if it is hot and humid. Again if you are slow, you will finish later when it is warmer out. And the third is that it is an inaugural race. I don’t think there will be a lot of runners and I could be running much of the race alone.

Nevertheless, I am excited to run my first summer half marathon. It will be purely for fun – no expectations. Especially since I have had no training plan and it is summer. Hopefully, it will be enjoyable and I can be on our boat on Lake George by noon.

The plan:

Instead of a 12 week plan, I have a 4 week plan.

I ran 10 hilly miles last Sunday.
I will attempt to get in 11 miles this Saturday (no promises)
I have Mon, July 7 off from work to run 12 miles (or not).
13.1 miles on Sun, July 13 or bust.

Goals:

Finish uninjured
Not finish last
Have fun
Finish under 2:30:00

Happy Running! Have you done a half in the summer? Have you run a half without training?

June 12, 2014 by Darlene

My next half marathon?

I started running in 2008. But 2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running a Half Marathon and I did 5 that year! Yes, I got hooked.

1st – Naples HM – 2:28:27

2nd – Lake George HM – 2:22:39

A strained Achilles delayed my training for #3 (so I walked half the race.)

3rd – Adirondack HM – 2:44:59

4th – Fall Foliage HM (No photographer) – 2:32:50

5th – Santa Clarita HM – 2:30:12

My first one was my most enjoyable and my 5th one, the least. In fact, the 5th one left me wanting an immediate do over! Unfortunately, after the 5th, I broke my ankle, then had a stress fracture so Half Marathon #6 came 16 months later in 2013 and I was just glad to finish.

6th – Sarasota HM – 2:33:59

Half Marathon #7 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.”

7th – Mohawk Hudson HM – 2:24:14

Finally, there was Half Marathon #8. Injury-free for the whole training but I trained during an awfully cold, snowy winter. Nevertheless even running in monsoon rains, I managed to PR.

8th – Love Run HM – 2:22:35

So ideally, if I stay healthy, I’d like to run two half marathons a year.

Why Do I run Half Marathons:

It is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.
You get a medal.
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.
You don’t have to be fast.
It really is doable (Anyone can! Some even are walker friendly.)
The training isn’t as time-consuming as for a marathon.

How Will I Choose My Next Half Marathons:

Not too expensive. I run a lot of races and do not want to spend more than $100 on one.
I want a medal. 13.1 miles is a big deal to me.
Run one with someone else I know, if possible. It is more fun with a friend running partner or spectator.
Stay local or use frequent flier miles and visit a friend. Again, I don’t want to spend too much money.
Not too hilly.
Pretty scenery.
I do not want to repeat a race. There are too many exciting races out there to choose from.
Not too small and not too large. (I don’t want to run alone but I don’t want deal with crowds and congestion.)

I haven’t decided on a Fall one yet. Maybe the Hogsback Half Marathon in Conn. on 9/27/14. It is hilly but I have a friend who lives nearby. I am thinking of possibly the West Palm Beach Half Marathon in Fla. on 1/17/15 because I have several friends that live near there.

Here are some of my Half Marathon Tips:

Get good running shoes
Learn to fuel (try different kinds and stick with what works on race day)
Hydrate – it may not be important on short runs but it is on long ones – use the water stops during the race
Increase your long runs gradually – I usually add one mile each week and stop at 12 – your adrenaline on race day will get you through the last mile
However, don’t cheat on long runs – some people can run 8 or 10 mile & are able to do 13 – I wouldn’t recommend it
Don’t forget to taper – you don’t want to have tired legs for that important day
Dress appropriately – that is for 20 degrees cooler than at the start (so bring throwaway clothing)
Wear a GPS when training and for the race – it helps you keep track of time, distance and most importantly pace
Start out slow – it will pay off during the second half – you’ll want to be able to run across that finish line and smile!
Don’t be embarrassed to take walk breaks – it’s better than hitting a wall at mile 10 or getting injured and having a DNF
Enjoy the experience. Soak up the atmosphere. It is supposed to be fun!
If possible, take pictures or buy a race photo – you’ll won’t regret having a visual reminder of the experience
http://thekennedyadventures.com/2011/05/10-tips-for-running-a-half-marathon-successfully-top-ten-tuesday/
http://www.halfmarathons.net/first-timers-guide.html

Click HERE to read an article about women running half marathons.

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do like them? How do you choose the one to run?

June 5, 2014 by Darlene

Summer racing

is coming!

I love to run races in the summer.

It’s always a challenge to fit them in around our weekend boating.

But I wouldn’t give either one up.

I am hoping that this summer I am free of injuries.

That hasn’t been the case in recent years:

2011 – 6 wks off for a strained achilles
2012 – slowly recovering from ankle surgery (started running too soon & wound up with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture)
2013 – 6 wks off for a broken 5th metatarsal

So far, this is my summer racing schedule:

June 8 – Betar Byway 5k
June 14 – Strawberry Festival 5K
June 22 – Adirondack Distance 10m
July 13 – Saratoga Half Marathon – doubtful but maybe
July 26 – Turning Point 5k
August 2 – Race The Train (8.4m) – maybe?
August 9 – Camp Chingachgook 10k
August 16 – Jailhouse Rock 5k
August 30 – Care For Kids 5K Run – maybe?
September 7 – MBPK 5K
September 14 – Biggest Loser 10k

I am also looking for a fall half marathon. I have a few possibilities and they are Sept 21 or 27 or Oct 5. That will mean long runs starting this summer.

Happy Running! Do you race a lot in the summer?

May 10, 2014 by Darlene

#Run50

usa1

New York -5K, 10K, 15K, 4m, 5m, 131.
Florida – 13.1
California – 10m, 13.1
Vermont – 5K
Pennsylvania – 5K, 13.1

I wish I started running earlier. I used to have a job that allowed me to go to conferences all over the country. There was a 5k at each conference. They always closed out in hours. At the time, I thought people were nuts to get up at 7 am to run. But for the last conference that I went to (2006), I registered and walked the 5k (in 45 min.) I started to see how much fun everyone was having.

I visited 8 cities/states for those conferences (San Diego, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, San Antonio, Philly, New Orleans). Too bad, I wasn’t a runner then.

Now I am 61. I have run in 5 states so far.

Run in all 50 states?! Not likely. But I will do my best to run in some more different states.

I’d say my goal is 15 states.

Many bloggers are pursuing the goal of running in ALL 50 states:

Happy Running! How many states have you run in? Do you plan to run in all 50?

April 17, 2014 by Darlene

Choosing Your Next Race

Yes, I like to run races. So I run a lot of them.

But how do you decide which race to run?

Here are some things to consider:

What is the race distance and where does it fit into your training?

Obviously a marathon and half marathon are goal races. I can only speak about half marathons. I always make sure that I have 12 weeks to train whether do I sign up for a spring, summer, winter or fall race.

So if you choose a spring one, you have to train in the winter (which was awful this year.) And if you choose a fall one, you have to train through the heat of summer. You just choose your poison. The reward is worth it.

Sarasota HM – March 2013

Mohawk-Hudson HM – October 2013

Sometimes a 5K can just be a training run and you may want to run additional miles before or after. Or the 5k can be a race where you want work on your speed and try to PR. A short race can also be a way to get back into racing after an injury. A 10k or a 15k can be just a different distance to try. Each distance accomplishes a different goal.

I am fortunate that where I live, between April and October, there are many races to choose from each weekend. Most are 5ks. So when I only ran 5ks, it was easy. Then I started training for half marathons and sometimes I just had to skip a 5K if I wanted to run long. That’s when the 10K and 15k worked out well. But there aren’t as many of those. I

So if you like to race a lot, you just have to be flexible with your running schedule.

a fun 10k to get miles in while training for a half

running a 5k (for speed work) and then adding more miles on after

Do you want a big race or a small race?

Big races offer a lot of excitement and they are a lot of fun. They are also more expensive. More expensive sometimes means more perks – medals, swag, food, photos, etc.

Small races are less hectic, it is easier to find parking and there is just less hassle. You also have a better chance of winning an age group award in a small race.

I like both. In big races, you are always running with a crowd and it is very motivating. You can feel the excitement in the air. Sometimes it is lonely in a small race. You may often be running by yourself. But then again, they are more personal and I have been lucky in winning awards & raffle prizes in some small races.

racing among 5000 women

winning a medal in a small race

Are you willing to travel and how far?

I know someone who is willing to travel for hours to a race. That’s not me. Gas is expensive and if the race is far away, you have to get up at an ungodly hour. What helps is if you can carpool or go with a friend. Even better is knowing someone who lives close to the race and staying over the night before.

Then there are destination races. Those are races that are too far away to go for the day. You may make them in a vacation or just a weekend away.

As I said, I don’t like to drive more than an hour for a race. (I’ve only done it only once.) I do like destination races. I have been lucky and been able to stay with a friend (in Florida, California, Pennsylvania, etc.) which saves money. I also save up my frequent flier miles (that I get my using my credit card) for these trips. So my vacation to visit an old friend just happens to include a race. Perfect!

this was farthest drive – 2 1/2 hours to VT

visiting an old friend in CA.

What is the course elevation?

Check it out ahead of time. No one likes to be surprised by a hilly race. I don’t like hills but sometimes you can’t avoid them. Other factors about the race may be more important.

For a half marathon, I love a flat course since even then this distance whips my butt.

Florida races are usually flat (except if they go over bridges)

hilly 4 miler in Lake George

What is the course like?

Is it on trails? Is it on roads open to traffic? It is through a park? Is it in a residential neighborhood? Do you run along the ocean or a lake or a river? In other words, will the scenery be a distraction from the struggle of running.

I love to run a race along the water and through a park. The course is important to me. That’s not to say that I haven’t run on some boring courses.

these free races run around the state office campus – so boring

scenic fall 5k in the Adirondacks

Do you get good swag?

Who needs another cotton tee shirt? At least now, most races are giving gender-specific tech shirts. Some races give bags or mugs. And some short races even give medals. We love bling, right?

free windbreakers!

a medal for a 5K!

Has it gotten good reviews?

The race’s advertising always makes the race look great. Try Googling the race name + “race recap” to pull up bloggers’ reviews. They are much more helpful. No one likes to pay for a race that doesn’t have enough parking or bathrooms or water on the course.

Most of my race experiences have been good just a few snafus here and there and I have honestly blogged about them. (I have had 2 bad experiences at 2 USRA races.)

USRA Lake George Half – poorly organized

CGI Love Run – well organized

So speaking of choosing a race, my next one is this Saturday – Rabbit Ramble 4 miler.

I chose it because it was nearby and supposedly not too hilly. 4 miles is a good distance since I am not training for a half right now but it is short enough to add on more miles if I feel like it. As far as swag — Special 20th anniversary t-shirts, door prizes, special 20th year medals and awards to all overall and age group winners and if you registered early, a pair of Rabbit Ramble running gloves. Some runners that I know have run it and said that it was a fun race.

My goals for this race are:

run the whole thing without stopping
finish under 40 minutes
keep each mile’s pace under 10 minutes
win an AG award
have fun!
stay healthy!

Happy Running! How do you decide which races to run?

April 3, 2014 by Darlene

The Love Run Half Marathon Race Report

092713-loverun1

I heard that Philly was flat but since this is a new race, who knew?

This was the course:

lr course

A post in a RW forum offered this about the course:

The course is incredibly flat and for a non-local will take you through the most scenic parts of the city, The parts along the river sometimes can be windy, but the side we are running on is a bit more protected with trees.

The water stations (7) seemed to fit in with my racing plan – walk every 2 miles (water stop) and GU every other water stop. (I hoped that they would not run out for the slower runners.)

When I signed up for this NEW race, who knew that it would be the largest half marathon in the country so far this year!!

I had never run a big race before (1500 racers was probably the largest.) There were supposed to be about 10,000 at this race.

It would have been really nice if the weather cooperated (especially for Adrienne & Heidi) and it were sunny and warm.

But it didn’t 😦 😦 😦

Anyway, we got up early & Andrea & I had what we ate yesterday for breakfast. It was really difficult to decide what to wear. It wasn’t that cold (40s) but it was windy and it was predicted to rain HARD so we would be getting wet. (The slower you are, the wetter you will be.)

I decided to wear a 3 layers: tank top, a long sleeve shirt & a wind breaker. I added capris under my skirt and also wore compression socks & a baseball cap. (I put dry clothes in my bag check bag.)

Then we all met in the lobby for a pre-race photo.

Andrea, Adrienne, Lisa, Heidi, me & Kevin

It was easy to find the race start…just followed the crowd. It was chilly & breezy but it was only raining slightly (Fingers were crossed.) I was wearing the $3 poncho that I bought at the expo trying to stay dry until the race began.

We arrived to a BIG crowd. But everything was very organized. We checked our bags, agreed on a post-race meeting spot and then it was time to line up. In the crowd, we all got separated except for me & Andrea who started around the 11 min. pace group. (I tossed my poncho in a trash can first….unfortunately others weren’t as considerate… plastic garbage bags were strewn all over the course for the few blocks.)

It took at least 6 minutes to get to the starting line. I wasn’t worried since I had my Garmin and the race was chip-timed.

1798082_684504678254632_1919006174_n

The first four miles through the city streets and the Old City area flew by. There was great crowd support, and I was feeling good. We ran past all the sites that we learned about on the trolley tour. It was really neat.

The rain was still falling lightly. I was running faster than I would have liked but decided to stay with it. I knew that I would die cuz I always do.

My informal plan to to keep my pace under 11 (preferably close to 10:30) and walk through ALL the water stops. (My pace definitely slowed the 2nd half of the race).

From miles 4-5 we started to head back out past the start to Boathouse Row and toward Fairmount Park. I thought the whole course may be flat. I was wrong here! There was some hills in the park around mile 6, and then a pretty long one. I decided to run/walk it to save my energy for the rest of the race.

But it was starting to rain harder. Running into the wind with the rain in your face was crappy, but I was glad that my baseball cap mostly kept of the water out of my face. I put up the hood to keep my neck warm.

lr2

Around mile 7, Andrea caught up with me. We ran together for a bit but I know she is faster so she went on ahead.

After looping around the park, it was an out and back. You ran in a straight line along the river and then you turned around somewhere around 9 and went in a straight line back the way you came for miles 9-11.

On the way out, you got to see the faster runners. I kept looking for Lisa or Adrienne or Heidi. I didn’t see anyone (Lisa said she saw me.)
On the way back, I was happy to see lots of runners behind me.

During these miles, it started to downpour. I was already wet so I just accepted being soaked. What can you do?? But I was getting colder and colder. My hands & feet were now numb.

I was surprised on how many spectators and volunteers were on the sidelines cheering in this awful weather. It was nice!

All the water stops had water & Gatorade and one toward the end had Hammer gel. One had gummy bears.

The last few miles were tough. I was cold, wet and running out of gas. I tried to plod along and thought that the sooner I finished, the sooner I could get dry.

Believe it or not, there was a short hill before the finish line. UGH!!

I got through the finish line with nothing. My feet were too frozen to sprint. The clock said 2:27:00.

Unindentified Female

I quickly grabbed my medal and immediately saw Heidi and Kevin. They finished seconds just after me but started about a minute after before me.

Kevin & Heidi

We grabbed desperately-needed Mylar sheets and walked through the MUD to the food tent to grab our bag of goodies. There were lakes of mud that couldn’t be avoided.

The little food bags we received were pretty nice – Philly soft pretzel, a banana, some PB&J, Snyder’s potato chips and butterscotch krimpet Tastycakes. There was a tent with hot chocolate but we were too cold and wet so we instead waded through the mud (that felt like quick sand) to get our checked bags.

Adrienne did great in her first half!

Then we found our friends (except for Adrienne who was with her hubby). We were all too wet to take photos or even put on any dry clothes. We made our way back in the pouring rain to our hotel. That mile walk seemed to take forever.

this is after the walk to the hotel….most of the mud got washed off… they were once pretty!!

Eventually we did all thaw out after a LONG HOT shower and dry clothes. It was funny how many people I saw during the day and at the airport wearing their finisher medals.

the “o” in Love spins

Here are my stats:

actually overall place was 5012, AG place was 11

Believe it or not, this was a 4 second PR!!! Woo Hoo!

Splits:

mile 1- 10:13
mile 2- 9:39
mile 3 – 10:48 (water)
mile 4 – 10:19
mile 5 – 10:22 (water/gu)
mile 6 – 11:39 – hills!!
mile 7 – 10:45 (water)
mile 8 – 10:16

mile 9 – 11:20 (water/gu)

mile 10 – 11:00

mile 11 – 10:53 (water)

mile 12 – 11:22 (water/gu)

mile 13 – 11:33 – tired
.23 – 9:42

So as you can see some of my miles (6, 9, 11, 12, 13) went over 11 min. My pace the first half was 10:36 but the second half, it was 11:10. I really need to work on my fitness level and not have positive splits.
My Goals were:

A: under 2:22:39
B: under 2:24:14
C: under 2:30:12
D: finish smiling and uninjured

I met them all except I don’t think I was smiling at the finish!

Here’s someone else even happier:

She said YES.

After the race, Andrea drove home, the couples took naps and I went out into the rain. I planned to visit the Barnes Foundation (I love Impressionist art). It was sold out so I had lunch there instead and then went to the Rodin museum.

mushroom quiche & cream of potato soup – YUM!!!

This was my first big race. And besides the weather, I was very happy. I thought the race was very well-organized. I loved that you didn’t have to stand in line for anything. They had lots of volunteers-even in the horrendous weather. Plenty of water and clocks at every mile. It was a pretty great race and course and if I lived closer, I might do it again.

Here is a portion of the email I just received from the organizers of the race:

March 30th, 1962 holds the record for the most rainfall with about 1.16″.

Until March 30th, 2014 that is… And Yes we put that record to shame with rainfall accumulation of 3″. But it’s going to take a lot more than that to dampen our spirits and our goal to put on an unforgettable Inaugural Love Run.

As many of you gathered on the start line on Sunday, we were thinking “Wow now this is strong community of runners”. It’s hard enough to run 13.1 miles in ideal conditions but to do it in a monsoon…takes a very strong, motivated person. The mental courage it took all of you to step up to that line is something you should remember for the rest of your life.

You are in a small minority of people who could ever accomplish what you did this past Sunday at the Love Run.

**Last day! Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Ever run in a big race? Ever run a race in the rain?

April 2, 2014 by Darlene

The Pre-Love Run Half Marathon Race Report

This race was planned last fall by my new runner friend, Heidi. She then invited her local friend Adrienne (whom I have met & run with). Both Heidi and Adrienne were bringing their husbands (Heidi’s hubby was even running.) It was also Heidi & Adrienne’s FIRST half marathon. (How exciting!)

Heidi, Adrienne & me back in January

Then Heidi invited 2 high school friends, Lisa & Andrea. I had met neither of them. They were experienced runners and were traveling solo. Lisa got her own room so Andrea would be my roommate.

Everyone was driving out except me & Lisa. We were flying.

On Friday, I worked a half day and then flew out to Philly.

Nothing on this trip was easy or went smoothly. My flight was supposed to leave at 5:15 pm. It was delayed then we sat on the tar mat for 2 HOURS!!

I finally arrived in the Philly airport around 8 pm. I reserved my shuttle ahead (Big Mistake!). I don’t want to go into all the details but they got mixed up on the flt time & number and after many calls of hearing “He’s on his way” and waiting 2 hours, I arrived at my hotel at 10:30 pm. LONG DAY!!

The hotel Heidi picked was the Sheraton Downtown – not the race hotel (which was more expensive.) But the accommodations were fine (clean, comfy bed unfortunately no microwave, fridge or hot tub)

I met my roommate Andrea for the first time. She was awesome. We got along great.

we had a great view from our room

This hotel was about a mile away from the start of the race which was at the art museum.

map phillyPNG

The hotel is, however, just a few blocks from the Convention Center where the expo was being held.

The next morning, Andrea (who has lots of food allergies) & I made breakfast in our room (I had tea & oatmeal made creatively with a coffee maker). Then we met Lisa and walked over to the expo. (I was also meeting Lisa for the first time…just loved her.) Adrienne and her hubby were going out to breakfast (They have young kids & were savoring every kid-free moment.) and would meet us there. Heidi & her hubby Kevin has decided at the last moment to arrive today rather than last night.

Andrea, me & Lisa entering the expo

First we got our bibs, then our shirts (tech short sleeved) and a coffee mug.

Then we met up with Adrienne and walked around the expo together.

Adrienne, Lisa, me & Andrea with our bibs

The expo was a typical expo. Lots of running stuff to buy at good prices. But I really didn’t need a thing so I didn’t buy anything (I was tempted to buy shoes, though!!) They were giving away free tech shirts from past events so I took 2 of those.

Adrienne got her hair braided…

while Lisa & Andrea got massages.

Then Lisa, Andrea & I walked across the street to have lunch at Reading Terminal Market. It was great. You could find anything you wanted to eat.

Lisa & Andrea having a healthy vegetarian lunch

I forgot to mention that it was raining. Well, pouring. So we decided to take a trolley tour around town.

So we stayed dry and it was really informative. I learned a lot about the city (I want to go back!) We had planned to get out at each stop but it was too cold and raining too hard.

We did get out at the museum to run up the steps and snap a picture of Rocky.

And also to see the Liberty Bell.

We actually spent the whole day on the trolley.

We decided to go out to dinner as a group since even Kevin & Heidi had arrived.

me, Adrienne, Lisa, Kevin, Heidi & Andrea

Of course we chose a place that served pasta and we walked there (in the rain.)

left side: Kevin, Heidi, Adrienne & Dan. Right: Andrea, me & Lisa

After a lengthy wait, we got our food and it was very good. We chatted about the upcoming race, of course, and what to wear with the weather forecast being cold and rainy.

We got back to the hotel rather late but who sleeps the night before a big race anyway? (More about the actual race in tomorrow’s post. Spoiler: got very very wet!)

**Don’t forget to enter my PocketFuel giveaway!

Happy Running! Have you ever been to or run in Philly?