March 28, 2014 by Darlene

The Important Stuff…The Outfit

Philly Forecast

Of course, I have been obsessively checking the weather and hoping for a warm up. It has been a COLD week!!

I have run 6 out of 7 of my previous half marathons in warm weather (at least 60-70 degrees except for the Lake George Half weather debacle.)

Naples, FL

Lake George, NY

Schroon Lake, NY

(black short sleeve top, pink skirt)
Rhinebeck, NY

Santa Clarita, CA

Sarasota, FL

Albany, NY

So what to wear for this half marathon in Philly?

I bought a new pink skirt:

skirt

I have another pair of black compression socks:

socks

I would love to wear my Lululemon tank:

tank

with a pink baseball cap:

cap

and my Brooks shoes:

shoes

If only it were 60-70 degrees. It looks like it will be in the 40’s with WIND and RAIN!!. (The forecast gets worse every time I check…it started out as being sunny and in the 60s.)

mar 30

Do I need to add a jacket, gloves & tights to my outfit?? Probably YES. UGH!!!

Fingers crossed. Praying that there is NO RAIN!!!!!

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

Happy Running! Is your running outfit important?

March 27, 2014 by Darlene

The Countdown is on…

092713-loverun1

My 8th Half Marathon is in THREE DAYS…gulp!

I shouldn’t be nervous, right?

Well, I never feel confident about my running.

Yes, I know I can and will finish. I knew after the first one that I could run 13.1 miles.

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

My first was the Naples Half Marathon and my time was 2:28:27 (gun time) and I was thrilled finishing under the 2:45 cut off.

1st

My second was the Lake George Half Marathon. It was pouring freezing rain the whole race and my time was 2:22:39. I didn’t wear my Garmin and there were no clocks so I was shocked at this PR.

2nd

A strained Achilles delayed my training for #3 which was the Adirondack Half Marathon. With my longest training run being 6 miles, I finished this race by walking the second half. My time of 2:44:59 was much faster than I expected.

3rd

My 4th, the Fall Foliage Half Marathon, was just a spur of the moment long training run. It was VERY hilly and I was happy with my time of 2:32:50

My supposedly PR race was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon, my 5th. It was in California & pouring for the first 6 miles. I was very disappointed with my time of 2:30:12. I felt that I trained well but I fell apart the second half of the race 😦

5th

Unfortunately, after the 5th, I broke my ankle, then had a stress fracture so when Half Marathon #6 came 16 months later, I was just glad to finish. My time for the Sarasota Half Marathon was 2:33:59. My ankle & foot held up and I was elated.

6th

Half Marathon #7 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would like, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” My time for the Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon was 2:24:14, actually my second fastest time.

7th

So for Half Marathon #8, I am trying not to put pressure on myself.

lr medal

My main goal for this half is to ENJOY it (It is the largest half marathon so far in 2014… my first BIG one.)

And though I would be satisfied with D, happy with C, I would be ecstatic with A.

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

keep-calm-it-s-only-a-half-marathon-2

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

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do you train for them or just enjoy them?

March 24, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – 12 miles (morning off from work)

Tuesday – 1 mile walk at work, rest, tennis

our new course record

Wednesday -1 mile walk at work, 4 mile run on tm during lunch, dinner out with tennis buddies

this time is was Revenge on my iPad

Thursday – 1 mile walk inside and then a 2 mile walk outside, 3 mile run

oops…the walk involved a Shamrock shake

spring? lake is still frozen but it was 40 degrees!

Friday – 1 mile walk at work, 4 3.5 mile run, mah jongg

3-21-14

Saturday – rest, lunch, movie & ice cream with Amanda

they did a good job adapting the book

kurver

Sunday – 8.5 miles

cold and VERY WINDY

10K plus virtual run (spring fling seemed more like a winter fling)

This Week:

Monday – rest, tennis
Tuesday – 4 miles
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – 3 miles on TM, hair appt.
Friday – rest, fly to Philly
Saturday – rest, LoveRun expo
Sunday – Half Marathon!!!, fly home

March 30, 2014

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

March 21, 2014 by Darlene

Spring Time and Racing

It’s Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

Delmar Dash in Delmar, NY

April 6, 2014

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY

April 12, 2014

Rabbit Ramble in Guilderland, NY

April 19, 2104

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K in Albany, NY

May 31, 2014

Happy Running? Are you excited for Spring? What races do you have planned?

March 20, 2014 by Darlene

Racing Bucket List

I am lucky to have done some amazing things in my life. Check out my Reverse Bucket List. And only 3 out of 32 involve running.

So what is on my Racing Bucket List? (Since I started running almost 6 years ago, many of the items, I have already done but not ALL):

1. Run a 5k race. CHECK.

Freihofer’s 5K

2. Run a 10K race. CHECK .

Helper’s Fund 10K

3. Run a 15K race. CHECK.

Stockadeathon 15K

4. Run a HALF MARATHON. CHECK.

Naples Half Marathon

5. Run over a BRIDGE. CHECK.

Ringling Bros Bridge (Sarasota, FL)

6. Run along a LAKE. CHECK.

Lake George (Camp Chingachgook 10K)

7. Run a DESTINATION race. CHECK.

Mayor’s 10 miler in Palm Springs

8. Run along the OCEAN.

9. Run in another COUNTRY.

10. Run in CENTRAL PARK, NYC.

11. Run on a BEACH.

12. Run with a FAMILY member (my hubby or stepson.)

13. Run a POPULAR half marathon (more than 5,000 racers.)

What’s not on my Bucket List? (nothing is written in stone…)

Run a Marathon.
Run a Disney Race.
Run a fun race (color, neon. etc.)
Run a obstacle race.
Run a triathlon.
Run an ultra.
Run a trail race.
Run a (Ragnar) relay race.

Happy Running! What’s left on your Running Bucket List?

March 18, 2014 by Darlene

The Last Long One…13 days till 13 miles

longrun

I usually do my long runs on the weekend but this was a 12 miler and I ran a 4 mile race on Saturday.

I didn’t want to add on 8 miles on Saturday after the race nor did I want to run 12 miles on tired legs on Sunday.

I wanted to run 12 miles in one shot and at my slow half pace so….

So I took Monday morning off from work.

Yes, I took time off to run!!

I had to get up early and get it done because I could only take a half day off.

To save time, I ran from my house and I planned to repeat the course that I ran for my last 11 miler but add on a mile.

I got spoiled running on Saturday in 40 degree temps.

Yesterday morning it was in the single digits with the wind chill. Brrrrrrr!

I donned my winter apparel but still froze my face off when running into the wind.

At least it was sunny and there were no puddles on the sidewalks (just ice in rare spots.)

To get the extra 1/2 mile, I added a short detour and then stopped to buy water at the coffee shop (I hate to carry anything).

photo from last week

Guess what, they had NO bottled WATER!! They also had no mini cupcakes. I was tempted to buy a larger cupcake but no one offered to give an obviously thirsty runner a cup of water, so I changed my mind. (Remember how I stashed my water there last week but forgot it….it was still there, but frozen.)

I continued down the street and stopped at Stewarts. The water was cheaper and I took a Gu (and hid the water for the way back).

passed the clock again …less snow each week,

I turned around at 6 miles and headed back.

I did another detour that was different the first and stumbled upon what might be a park with trails?

I also remembered to drink my water.

Although my pace for this run was a little better than last week’s, the first half was a lot faster than the second (the reverse of last week.) It was still slow but as I know from past experiences, my race pace is always better than my training runs.

experimenting with compression sleeves (left leg) instead of socks…$9.99 at Marshalls

I had to rush to get to work…no time to stop at Stewarts to get my $.50 ice cream cone for St. Paddy’s Day (Maybe later. 12 miles…I earned it!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken time off from work to run?

March 16, 2014 by Darlene

One Year Ago and Two Weeks To Go

I’m the one in front in blue

ONE YEAR AGO, I was in Sarasota, FL nervously wondering if I could run 13.1 miles after serious ankle surgery and then a foot stress fracture.

AND I DID IT!!

It made me believe that I was invincible!!!

This Strong Running Mama also attempted another half marathon. This time after a broken foot.

Of course, though I only have some minor aches and pains (foot & hip), I don’t feel confident in my ability to run 13.1 miles in TWO WEEKS!

Yes, I will finish (even if I have to crawl.) But the competitive me wants to PR. And my training runs don’t seem to indicate that it’s a possibility.

Nevertheless, I am super excited about this race. I am running with 4 others (2 that I know & 2 that I don’t). I leave Friday evening and come back Sunday night. It should be a fun quick getaway weekend.

Happy Running! How do you deal with the pressure of a big race?

March 4, 2014 by Darlene

February Rewind

FEBRUARY GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES! (though there were more 3 times than 4 times.)

around the park

around my town

around work

Start back at planks (Do it at least once per week.) YES, several times a week (1 minute before getting in the shower in the am)
Take the stairs at work rather than the elevator. Yes, most of the time.
Finish knitting another pair of socks. No but I finished one sock of the pair.

Continue to run some of my long runs with others. NO. Hard to coordinate so I have done them solo.
Run while on my mini-vacation to Florida. YES!

Feb 27

Feb 28

Run at least one race. Yes, 2 races!

Feb 1

Feb 2

Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my March half marathon. YES! Every weekend.

10 miles on the Nisky bike path

10 miles on the Corning bike path

Run at least 75 miles this month. YES! 82 miles!

feb14miles

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

MARCH GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Continue planks (Do it at least once per week.)
Finish knitting that pair of socks.
Spend some time with my mentee, Amanda. (I haven’t seen her since Christmas)
Run a 5k race under 30 minutes!
Run a 4 mile race under 40 minutes!
Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my half marathon.
Complete my 8th Half Marathon.
Run at least 80 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your February? Anything different planned for March?

February 20, 2014 by Darlene

My Next Half Marathon?

I haven’t even run my March Half Marathon and I am planning more.

So many to choose from.

I have decided that running a half marathon is HARD and I want it to be special so I am NOT going to run the same one more than once.

That’s makes my choice a little easier.

I will not run the Lake George (in April) or the Adirondack (in Sept) or the Fall Foliage or Mohawk Hudson (in Oct) again. Tough decision because they are all local.

There are a few more that are nearby:

not this year – too close to the March half

would love love to do this one- it is in my town but I am away on vacation on this weekend every year

will it be too hot to train for & to run??

Sept 27, 2014 – a possibility but it would mean summer training

As you can see I have not decided.

Maybe a destination half marathon in the fall?

NYC? California? Florida??????

Happy Running! Do you repeat big races?

February 1, 2014 by Darlene

January Update

JANUARY GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! Yes!
Do not overdo and listen to my body! Yes!
Attend at least 2 yoga classes! Nope.
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. Some days but not every.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over. I think so (except for in California.)
Run before work at least once a week. Nope.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others. I did once.

8 miles with Adrienne

Complete my first 10 mile race. YES!!!!

1:49:55 and 3rd in my AG

Run at least one other race. Yes!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon) Yes! Ran at least 8 miles each weekend.

Run at least 70 miles this month. Yes! 78!

January 2014

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. Yes!!

What else?

I spent New Year’s Day on Lake George.

cruise with my hubby & friends

I went to NYC for a day.

to the NY Boat show & other holiday sites (with my hubby)

I visited La Quinta, CA to see my friend Mary.

at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

I went to an Ice Bar in Lake George.

I read many good books including Wild, Eleven Minutes, the Alchemist, Gold, My Husband’s Secret…
I played tennis at least once or twice each week and went out to dinner with some of the tennis ladies (that I don’t get to play with regularly.)

I finally finished knitting this pair of socks!

FEBRUARY GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Start back at planks (Do it at least once per week.)
Take the stairs at work rather than the elevator.
Finish knitting another pair of socks.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others.
Run while on my mini-vacation to Florida.
Run at least one race.
Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my March half marathon.
Run at least 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your January? Anything different planned for February?

My First 5K and More…

An "Older" Runner's Blog

Half Marathon

The Important Stuff…The Outfit

The Countdown is on…

Monday Running Update

Spring Time and Racing

Racing Bucket List

The Last Long One…13 days till 13 miles

One Year Ago and Two Weeks To Go

February Rewind

My Next Half Marathon?

January Update

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