July 9, 2013 by Darlene

DNSing

Normally I have all my summer weekends booked with 5Ks. In my healthy days, I did one every Saturday and then drove up to Lake George afterwards.

at the Silks & Satins, one of my favorite 5ks

This summer I did not book any. I was planning to do long runs and a lot of boating on the weekends.

running on the Sagamore bridge over Lake George

So I only have THREE DNSes.

June 23: Adirondack Distance Challenge 10 miler

This is the end before you turn into the park (next to my marina.)

At least I was able to pick up my race shirt.

July 28: Biggest Loser 15K in Killington, VT

The 15k course travels through the heart of the Green Mountains and ends with an exciting ride on the chairlift to the finish line. Enjoy breathtaking views of Killington Peak and the surrounding area while winding through wooded roads and Killington’s downtown with a long time limit allowing runners and walkers to complete the race at their own pace. (So this is 8 weeks post-injury. It is a long drive & my doc would probably kill me if I tried to walk 9.3 miles while recovering from a broken foot??)

Oct 13: Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon (I can defer my registration on this one to next year…)

I am very sad about this. These are 3 races that I was really looking forward to.

Happy Running! Any advice?

July 1, 2013 by Darlene

Mid-Year Report Card

We’re halfway through 2013 so it is a good time to take a look at those goals to see how I am doing.

I must say that things were looking up until June 1.

already more miles than all of 2012

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, until June 1.

even ran 3 times while on vacation

Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – Yes, until June 1.

Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day and the Freihofer’s all under 30 min.

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – Yes, in the correct AG, I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K.

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

Mother’s Day 5K – finished 1st in 60-69

PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – Yes, HMRRC #3

Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – Nope (broke my foot on June 1).
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one) – Yes, I ran the Sarasota Half Marathon in March (the fall one may not happen.)

Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – Yes, at least one per month and 11 total races already!! (However, there will probably be no races in July and August 😦 I hope to resume racing in September.)

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

Run a race in another state – Yes, I ran in Florida (Vermont was planned for next month but that one is doubtful)

Florida racing

Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – Yes, I’ve run 5 new ones so far – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, ( NYC hopefully next year)

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – 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 5 healthy months.

Let’s hope my foot heals quickly and I can add more miles and races during the rest of the year.

Happy Running! How has your 2013 been?

May 13, 2013 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 or 5 miler thrown in.

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

So now, I need to run longer.

And I can’t find the motivation!!

I have a 10 mile race on June 23 and a 15K on July 28. I also have a Half Marathon on October 13.

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!

can only spend time with Amanda & her sons on the weekend.

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.

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

But I will not get injured by running a long race untrained.

Happy Running! Anyone else have the long run motivation blues??

May 10, 2013 by Darlene

A Belated 5th Blogoversary

March 25, 2013

I’ve been blogging for FIVE YEARS!! That means I’ve been running for FIVE Years!

Year 1 – starting to run for the first time and completing many 5ks
Year 2 – after taking the winter off, running again and completing even more 5ks (Anniversary post)
Year 3 – running through the winter, completing 5ks (and a 5k PR), 4 milers and a Half Marathon (Anniversary post)
Year 4 – completing some 5ks, a 5 miler, 15k and FOUR more half marathons (plus an achilles injury and a broken ankle 😦 ) (Anniversary post)
Year 5 – recovering from a broken ankle, running my 1st 10k and some 5Ks, suffering a foot stress fracture, running my 6th Half Marathon

Freihofer’s 5K

Camp Chingachgook 10K

Sarasota Half Marathon

Year 6: ???

Optimistically speaking, I am hoping that this next year brings NO INJURIES and lots of running and racing…

Happy Running! Thanks for stopping by!!! How many years have you been blogging?

April 24, 2013 by Darlene

U is for US (as in racing in the US)

I don’t plan to run a half or a marathon in every state but wouldn’t it be cool to run a race in every state?

As you can see that I am very far away (45 more to go) and to complete this goal, I think I would have needed to start running at a younger age!! (At my previous job of 8 years, I went to conferences annually all over the country…but I wasn’t a runner back then 😦 I remember how long the line was for signing up for the 5k race at NECC conferences and that they always filled up so quickly. I thought people were crazy. Now I know why… )

I guess it will be fun trying…

Happy Running! How many states have you run races in?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

O is for Old races vs new ones

Freihofer’s 2010

There are fun races that I love and will try to do EVERY YEAR such as the Freihofer’s Run for Women and Albany’s Last Run.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Last Run 5k 2011

And ones that I run every year because I support the charity such as Breast Cancer and Juvenile Arthritis.

Race for a Cure 2011

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Of course, there are races that I run every year just because friends are doing them.

Sean’s Run with Mary

Polar Cap with AJH

But I am always looking for New races. Here are some that I am considering (the ones in bold I have already signed up for):

3-30-13 – Ice Breaker 5K
4-21-13 – Lake George 5K
5-12-13 – Mother’s Day 5K
6-23-13 – Adirondack Distance Run – 10m
7-28-13 – Biggest Loser Run 15 K (in Killington, VT)
8-03-13 – Race the Train (8.4 mi)
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-19-13 – Great Pumpkin 10K
11-02-13 – Fall Frun 10K

Old or New…I will thinking of Boston!

Happy Running! Do you do the same old races each year or do you look for new ones?

April 13, 2013 by Darlene

L is Long runs

Do I miss them? Kinda.

But I do not miss the pressure of having to do them and having a certain distance to complete (and planning my weekends around them as well as obsessively checking weather forecasts…)

The long run is the most important part of a training plan for a marathon or half marathon. I can only speak for the half.

My long run starts with the longest distance I’ve covered within the last two weeks (usually 3 or 4 miles) and I increase my long run by one mile on a weekly basis. That means I run 5, 6, 7, etc. all the way up to 12 miles and then I taper down to 8 miles.

Though I am by no means fast nor do I run without walk breaks on long runs, I have been able to complete 6 half marathons. They were all difficult but after each one, I was not even sore.

after my recent half – yes, I am still savoring the moment!

My advice for long runs:

Ten miles with walk breaks equals 10 miles continuously at any speed. So walk if you have to. (You recover faster with walk breaks).
Forget about speed on long runs. Focus only on the endurance conponent.
You can’t run too slowly on the long runs. Run at least two minutes per mile slower than you could run that distance that day.
You usually won’t feel bad when you’re running too fast at the beginning of the run; you must force yourself to slow down.
The day before the long run should be a rest day.
Don’t forget fuel and water. You may be able to skip it on short runs but not on longer ones. (I don’t like to carry water or Gu so I double back to my car halfway for water & nourishment.)
Break up the miles. 10 miles all in one shot sounds so much worse than 2.5 out and back and then 2.5 out and back.
Reward yourself at the end. It gives you something to look forward to. (Mine is either Starbucks or soft ice cream depending on the season.)

a long run this past winter

Since I am not training for a race, right now I have been running 3 miles during the week and 4 – 6 miles on the weekends.

a difficult 6 mile “long” run last weekend

Tomorrow, I have a 5 mile race. It is nearby. I just plan to have fun!!! (Unfortunately, spring was only here temporarily… I need to re-assess my outfit!!)

My next long race is a 10 miler at the end of June. A hilly one, at that.

So I guess I need to start upping miles on the weekends! Bring on those “long” runs!!

and my reward!

Happy Running! Do you plan your long runs? How? What are you training for?

April 9, 2013 by Darlene

H is for Half marathons

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

2nd – Lake George HM

3rd – Adirondack HM

(No photographer at #4)

5th – Santa Clarita HM

My first one was my most enjoyable and my 5th one, the least. In fact, the 5th one left me wanting a 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

If I stay healthy, I would like to run at least 2 half marathons each year. Maybe one in the spring and one in the fall. (There are so many out there that I will probably not repeat one.) There’s one in Portland Maine that looks really fun. But so far, I am registered for one nearby in October and one in Florida next January.

Why 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.

Some 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?

March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.