Half Marathon

by

Half Marathon Training

I am usually so anal about training that I would normally be posting about my progress week to week.

This has been my typical training plan for my previous half marathons:

However, the last 2 half marathons that I ran came after injuries so just finishing was the goal.

Well, this is where I am on the plan for Half Marathon #8:

1-3

 So I am currently on week 4  but you can see that my long runs did not start at 3 this time.

Since my last half marathon in October, I have continued long runs of 6-8 miles.  This was basically due to the fact that I wanted to be prepared for a 10 mile race on Jan 11.

I guess the rest of the plan may look something like this:

4-12

Hopefully having more long runs will make a difference in my final results at the race on 3/30/14.

I want to PR but I want to remain healthy. The 2nd being more important.

20140126-202510.jpg

PR???

Happy Running!  Do you follow a strict plan when you train for a big race?

runner-sig

by

Reverse Bucket List

I saw this on Age Groups Rock and loved it and decided to do my own.

As she explains:

Essentially, it’s a list of all the wonderful things you’ve already done. Not the ones you WANT to do.
It isn’t supposed to be a brag or a “look at me and the special things I’ve done” list. It’s just a bit of reflection and an attempt to stay focused on the positives. Sometimes, we fall short of our own expectations, or we see others who’ve far exceeded the expectations we set for ourselves. For a second, we can forget how awesome we are.
Accomplishments are something to be proud of but they do not determine your value. A Reverse Bucket List should make you feel motivated and inspired to be the person you want to be.
So here I go:
1. Spent my junior year of college in France studying French at the Universite de Nice. (I switched from being a Math major to a French major so I could do this.)
2.  Went skiing in the Alps (during my junior year abroad). It was my first time skiing EVER.
3.  Rode a jet ski in the Caribbean (on my honeymoon)
4.  Went snorkeling off the coast of the Virgin Islands (also on my honeymoon.)
5.  Went to a rain forest in Puerto Rico.
6.  Saw the Wailing Wall in Israel.
7.  Saw the Acropolis in Greece.
8.  Visited Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. (Monet is one of my favorite painters.)
9.  Went to the top of Mont Blanc.
10.  Went to a Mets baseball game (at Shea stadium, Expo Stadium and Wrigley Field)
11.  Saw the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, etc. in Paris. (I went many times with students, with my SIL but my favorite time was the one by myself on the way to visit my friend in Holland.)
12. I won a Teacher of the Year award while teaching French.
I taught French here for 22 years.
13. Went white water rafting in Jackson Hole, WY.
14.  Saw a geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
yellowstone 03Old Faithful – Aug. 2003
15.  Visited the Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
bryce 04
Bryce Canyon – Sept. 2004
16.  Went to Russia 3 times and stayed with a wonderful girl, Anna (whom I am still in contact with).
kursk 06
Family dinner in Kursk – Apr. 2006
17.  Saw Billy Joel and Elton John perform in concert.
18.  Competed in USTA Nationals (in Palm Springs).

Our 2.5 team –  Oct. 2002
19.  Started taking annual girl trips (to Naples and other places.) We’ve taken 17 trips together already.

Naples, FL –  May, 2010
20.  Watched many famous tennis players play at the US Open.
cljsters 09Kim Cljsters – 2009 (the year she won)
21.  Starting running at age 55 – the best decision I ever made.
Freihofer’s 5K  – June, 2008
(with my 2 friends that started me running)
22.  Ran 7 Half Marathons.
my first – Jan. 2011
23.  Ran several destinations race (2 in California & 2 in Florida.)
20140111-205831.jpg
10 Mile race in Palm Springs – Jan 2014
24.  Climbed to the top of several lighthouses. (I love the ocean & lighthouses.)
ponce inlet 2013Ponce Inlet, FL (Jan 2013)
25.  Went back to school and switched careers from French to Technology.  (Never got burnt out as a teacher.  Love all things techie so it is perfect.)
necc06at a technology conference with Heike, one of the many techies
that  I connected with through the past 15 years
26.  Got matched with Amanda through a Mentors & Moms program.  (So now I have a pseudo daughter & 2 grandsons.)
with Richard (7), Amanda (23) & Matthew(2)
– Dec. 2013
 27. Took a carriage ride through Central Park
with friends – Dec. 2013
28.  Learned to quilt (I have completed many full-size quilts.)
2404_66564069427_6483_nthis one I made for a friend’s grandson
29.  Learned to knit. ( I have only knitted socks & hats so far.)
30.  Have seen the sunrise over the Atlantic ocean
sunriseDaytona Beach – Jan. 2013
31. Have seen the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico
sunset
Naples – Nov. 2010
32.  Learned to play mah jongg.
closed $.50 hand  (only one hand that is better)
It is amazing how many things that I am proud that I have accomplished in my lifetime so far.
I feel very fortunate that when I was younger I did a fair amount of traveling that financially I cannot do now. (If I win the lottery I will do more.)
Happy Running!  What items are on your “Reverse Bucket List”?
runner-sig
by

Throwback Thursday

3 YEARS AGO TODAY I RAN MY FIRST HALF MARATHON!

2011

15 YEARS TODAY AGO I  MARRIED MY HUBBY!

20013

2003

2003

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LOU!

&kids

January 16, 1999

 Happy Running!

runner-sig

by

Long Runs

I found this on Pinterest and thought it appropriate to post here:

Long Runs… 
….at times, a confidence booster,
and other times
…..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come,
or how much farther you need to go
….a chance for mental cleansing,
or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies, 
or much needed “me” time
….done just as the sun is rising,
or chasing the sun to bed 
….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life,
except for one
….Runner

20130914-185957.jpg

last summer

20131228-192451.jpg

last Saturday

Happy Running! How would you describe your long runs?

runner-sig

by

Foto Friday

There’s no better way to look back on the good things that happened than by looking through your blog photos.

So here’s a month by month look at the highlights of 2013:

January:

running over a bridge while on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida

February:

winning an AG award with AJH at the Polar Cap 4 mile race

March:

finishing the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

April:

running Sean’s Run 5K with Mary

May:

running the Mother’s Day 5K with my tennis buddy, MaryPat and winning lst place in my new AG.

June:

not a good month but this was taken BEFORE the Freihofer’s Run for Women (the race where I broke my foot)

July:

recovered enough to complete the Biggest Loser 5K

August:

no races this month but several trips to scenic Chestertown to play tennis and run

September:

winning an AG award at the Helper’s Fund 10k where I met a new running partner, Heidi

October:

finishing the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon and seeing a lot of familiar faces

November:

running the Stockade-athon 15K

December:

running the Last Run 5k in a snowstorm (just for fun)

It was definitely hard to choose just one memory from each month.  I feel very fortunate.

Happy Running! What were some of your highlights of 2013?

runner-sig

by

2014 Running Goals

14 Goals for 2014:

  1. Do not get injured.
  2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.
  3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.
  4. Finish most of my 5K races under 30 minutes.
  5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.
  6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state.
  7. Run at least 10 NEW races.
  8. Run in NYC.
  9. Get an Age Group award.
  10. Run a 10 mile race.
  11. Run at least one half marathon.
  12. PR in a half marathon.
  13. Run over 800 miles.
  14. Continue to blog almost everyday.

I think my goals are pretty conservative. I think they are ALL achievable.

The toughest will be #12.  The most important will be #1. If #1 happens, then #3 and #13 can follow.

Happy Running.  Happy New Year!  What is your biggest goal for 2014?

runner-sig

by

2013 is in the books…

report-card1

I must say that things were looking up until June 1 and then I broke my foot.  I started getting back on track in August and the year ended pretty well.

2013

  • Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, except for June & July.
running in Naples, Fla.

even ran 3 times while on vacation in May

  • Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – YES, until June 1. I started tennis again in Sept.  I didn’t start yoga again until late Oct.

tennis1

  • Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – YES. Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day, and Freihofer’s –  all under 30 min. Post broken foot, I finished the Malta 5K, Race for the Cure, Delmar Turkey Trot and Stuff the Sleigh under 30. NO PR this year!! (I think my 5K PR days are over.)
ice breaker

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

  • Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – YES. 3rd at the Polar Cap 4m, in the correct AG I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K, 2nd in the Biggest Loser 5K & Helper’s Fund 10k, and 1st in the Race for Hope 5K, the Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5K. Getting older rocks!

Polar Cap 4m – 3rd in 50-59

lg 5k finish

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

motherday13a

Mother’s Day 5K – 1st in 60-69

hf10k-4

Helper’s Fund 10K – 2nd in 60-69

heading to the finish line

Race for Hope 5K – 1st in 60-69

done!

Monster Scramble 10K – 1st in 60-69

20131130-133334.jpg

Stuff the Sleigh 5k – 1st in 50+

  • PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – YES, both of my 10ks were faster.  My PR was at the Helper’s Fund.
happy to see the finish line

Helper’s Fund 10k

  • Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – NO (broke my foot). I hope to run my first in January.
  • Run at least one half marathon (a spring and/or a fall one) – YES, I ran 2 – the Sarasota Half Marathon in March and the Mohawk Hudson in October.
finish

Sarasota Half Marathon 3/17/13

finish

Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon – 10/13/13

  • Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – YES, 22 total races – at least one per month except for August (when I decided to cautiously recover from my broken foot.)
at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

Helper's Fund 10K

one of 3 September races

Stockadeathon

one of 3 November races

  • Run a race in another state – YES, I ran in Florida and Vermont.
Sarasota Half Marathon

Florida racing

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

running in Vermont

  • Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – YES, 11 out of 22 were new ones – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Sarasota Half, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, Biggest Loser 5k, Helper’s Fund 10K, Mohawk Hudson Half, Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5k. (NYC hopefully next year)
Mother's Day 5K in Schenectady

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

The Biggest Loser RunWalk (including a ride on a chair lift)

  • Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – YES. I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
  • Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 10 healthy months.

Happy Running! How was your 2013? Do you set goals?  

runner-sig

by

14 in 2014

5KButton_WEB

I had no problems running 13 in 2013. In fact.  I ran 22 races even though I was out with a broken foot for 2 months.

I even ran 12 in 2012 when I was out for 5 months with a broken ankle and then 2 months with a stress fracture.

So of course, I am committing for 14 in 2014!  I usually run at least 20 races (barring injury.)

I would like this year to run 14 NEW races.

Here are the races that I am thinking about:

1.  Mayors Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA

jan11

2.  Lighthouse 5k in St. Augustine, FL
staug

3. LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

092713-loverun1

March 30, 2014

4.  Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

5.  Spring Run Off 5 K or 10k in Albany, NY

springrunoff

May 3, 2014

6.  Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

May 11. 2014

7.  Adirondack Distance 10 m in Lake George, NY

June 22, 2014

8. CARE FOR KIDS 5K Run in Chestertown, NY

August 30, 2014

9.  Flashlight 5K in Lake George, NY

flashligh5k

September 21, 2014

10.  Race the Train (8.4 mi) in North Creek, NY – if it is held

August 4, 2014

August 4, 2014??

11.  Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K or 10K in Saratoga, NY

greatpumpkin

October 18, 2014

12.  Troy Turkey Trot 5k or 10k in Troy, NY

November 27, 2014

13.  a fall half marathon (Palio in Sartagoa, NY, Smuttynose in Hampton, NH, Seacoast in Portsmouth, NH, Hartford in CT, Diva on LI, NY??????)

smuttynose

October 5, 2014

14.  a race in NYC (Melissa Fund Sun Run 5k??)

sun run

May 18, 2014 – date change

All 14 may not happen but I know that I will run 14 races where most of them will be new.

If you interested in this challenge, click here for more details.

Happy Running?  Did you participate in the 13 in 2013 Challenge? Are you going to do the 14 in 2014? Do you run new races each year?
runner-sig

by

October Recap

Still running and still healthy! YAY!

october-month-halloween

OCTOBER GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!! YES
20131023-084533.jpg

in the neighborhood before work

20131017-201234.jpg

rail trail runs

post race run in the park

park runs

  • Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES, 3-4 days each week.
  • Start daily planks! NOT EXACTLY.  I did a few.
  • Attend a yoga class! YES, I went to 2…it’s a start!
  • Complete a half marathon. YES!!! Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon.

20131018-092020.jpg

  • Run at least 2 other races. YES!! Race for the Cure 5K and Monster Scramble 10K.
Race for Cure 5K

Race for Cure 5K

20131019-203238.jpg

Monster Scramble 10K

  • Continue running longer on the weekend. YES!!

    20130930-172748.jpg

    Nisky Bike Path for long runs

  • Run at least 50 miles this month. YES!! 70!
octruns

back to healthy running

Unfortunately boating season on Lake George ended.  But we had quite a few good fall weekends.

20131014-084813.jpg20131014-084611.jpg

It was also a theatre month. I went to NYC to see Matilda on Broadway and saw Les Miserables TWICE locally.

20131007-093314.jpg20131007-084443.jpg

October was also a month for eating out in restaurants. I usually do not eat out much. But this month I ate out quite an inordinate number of times and in new restaurants:

  • Helsinki in Hudson, NY

20131009-132528.jpg

  • Barrettas in Warrensburg, NY
  • Smiths in Cohoes, NY
  • Glass House Tavern in NYC
  • The View in Lake George
  • Milanos in Latham (3x)
  • Recovery Room in Albany
  • Hidden Cafe in Delmar
  • Caseys in Rensselaer, NY (this one was not new)
  • Burger King (not new obviously)

I am playing tennis on a regular basis since I am in 2 half contracts. So, it is no longer a goal. This month I played 6 times!! I find it more a social thing.  I like the ladies I play with but it is doubles so not that much of a workout.  However, I am sometimes annoyed that I have to schedule my running around it.  So far, I haven’t done both in one day.

Now that boating and half marathon training is done, I was able to get together with my mentee, Amanda and her sons. We went on our annual excursion to Ellms Family Farm.

20131027-190905.jpg

november

NOVEMBER GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!!
  • Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!!
  • Start daily planks!
  • Attend 2 yoga classes!
  • Complete a 15k race.
  • Run at least one other race.
  • Continue running longer on the weekends.
  • Run a new route.
  • Run at least 50 miles this month.

Happy Running! How was your October? Anything exciting planned for November?

runner-sig

by

Love to Run?

Yes, I do and guess what I did today??

I made an impromptu decision and registered for another race.

While running up a hill during the Helper’s Fund 10K, I chatted with a runner named Heidi.  We then became friends on Facebook and she encouraged me to register for this race.  The lowest price deadline was today so I had no time to think about it.

Hence, I will be running a half marathon in Philly on March 30, 2014!  Yikes! (At least Heidi registered too.)

092713-loverun1

ABOUT:

Philadelphia introduces The Love Run. The City’s newest, premiere Spring half marathon. Your love of running combined with all the great sights and sounds you love about Philadelphia.

NON TRADITIONAL PERKS:

  • VANITY (TAGS) BIBS
    Always wanted a vanity tag? Now you can have it. Put your message on your bib whether it’s your nickname, a cause or your name (boring). That’s the spirit!
  • COMMEMORATIVE COFFEE MUG
    Every finisher gets a celebratory coffee mug, filled with some sweet treats, to be used at the Finish Line Coffee & Hot Chocolate Bar. “I LOVE to finish”
  • FREE RACE PHOTOS
    Now that’s enough to make anyone smile.

TRADITIONAL PERKS:

  • Superior performance technical shirt
  • Unique Finish Medal
  • Free Training Plans
  • Finish line party featuring our new Coffee & Hot Chocolate Bar

My tentative plan is to fly out early Saturday, March 29 and fly back late Sunday, March 30. This destination race is just a race…no vacation!

Now I will be motivated to train in the COLD winter NE weather.

Happy Running!  Anyone want to join me?

runner-sig