Half Marathon

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Too Early to Plan 2014?

I was playing with InstaCollage and missing the warm weather and my friends in Florida.

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So I started looking for races near their new house.

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they hope to buy this amazing house in Flagler Beach

Guess what I found?

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HALF MARATHON TRAVERSES BEAUTY OF PALM COAST

On Sunday, January 5th, hundreds of runners will participate in a rigorous event that will cross a magnificent route that invigorates the soul as well as the body.

The City of Palm Coast will host its annual Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk and one mile Fun Run on January 5th, 2014, beginning at 8:00 a.m. All events will take runners/walkers through the natural beauty and peace that has become Palm Coast’s trademark: the interpretive preservation areas of Linear Park/St. Joe Walkway trails; the exciting Intracoastal Waterway and canals; the beautiful beaches.

The 4th Annual Palm Coast Half Marathon, 5K and Fun Run has the same start and finish – the World Class Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida as the 2103 race.

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Event Schedule:

  • 8:00 a.m. – Half Marathon
  • 8:15 a.m. – 5K Run/Walk
  • 9:45 AM- 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
  • 10:00 a.m. – 5K Awards Presentation
  • 11:00 a.m. – Half Marathon Awards Presentation

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RACE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Half Marathon / 5K / Fun Run
  • Chip Timing
  • Tech Shirts to Half-Marathon Runners
  • Commemorative T-Shirts to 5K Fun Runners
  • Post Race Celebration featuring Music & Refreshments
  • Finisher Medals to Half-Marathoners
  • ALL Events open to Walkers
  • Hydration stations, medical support throughout the course
  • Results printed online

FINISH LINE CELEBRATION: Once you cross the finish line, the real fun begins. Join with friends and family to celebrate your accomplishment with refreshments and live music!

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Blog posts about this race –

http://www.fit2flex.com/2013/01/palm-coast-half-marathon.html

http://bostonorbust330.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/palm-coast-half-marathon-starting-the-new-year-on-the-right-fast-foot/

Only 153 runners competed in 2013. With such a small field, I could be running alone. I could finish last.

But I REGISTERED!!! (It was only $40 so if I don’t go, I won’t be losing that much $.)

Happy Running?  Anyone else plan this far ahead??

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Week 6 – Almost Halfway

at the top of St Augustine Lighthouse

after climbing 219 steps

Week 4 update:

  • Mon – tennis
  • Tues – 4 miles
  • Wed – stationary bike, yoga
  • Thurs – 6 miles
  • Fri – stationary bike
  • Sat – rest
  • Sun – 4.75 miles, 438 steps
someone took my pic to prove that I duid run over the bridge.

after running 3 miles to this bridge

Week 5 update:

  • Mon – 6 miles, 406 steps
  • Tues – 5.75 miles
  • Wed – 3.75 miles
  • Thurs – stationary bike
  • Fri – stationary bike, 3 miles
  • Sat – rest
  • Sun – 8 miles
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running 8 miles on the Nisky bike trail

Week 6:

  • Mon – stationary bike, tennis (cancelled – snow/ice)
  • Tues – stationary bike (cancelled – soup potluck at lunch), tennis
  • Wed – stationary bike, yoga or 8 miles?? (depends on the weather)
  • Thurs – stationary bike , haircut
  • Fri – stationary bike (cancelled – farewell lunch for boss)
  • Sat – 4 mile race (& add some if 8 not run on Wed)
  • Sun – 4 mile race (if 8 wasn’t run Wed or Sat)

So here are my issues:

Running in the cold dark morning hours is not appealing!!!

But energy-wise, I run better in the morning.

Running on the same day as tennis is not good for the foot & ankle.

Running a race infers with long runs but I love racing!

Weather such as snow and ice impacts my running.

But as Miss Zippy says: I signed up for this!! A March Half Marathon means training in the winter!!!

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I need to believe this!!!

Happy Running! Do you have any of these issues?

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I’m Not In Florida, Sigh

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Wish I was still in warm, sunny Flordia

Instead I ran on the street after work on Friday.  It was a dark 16 degrees.  I could only muster 3 miles.

Today I set out on my long run.  I headed for the Nisky bike trail.  I got there and forgot that it had snowed and they didn’t shovel the path.

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YakTrax to the rescue!!

It was sunny but only 18 degrees. I had all my layers on and felt pretty good.

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I headed west toward Lock 7.  As you can see, it was very deserted.

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Mohawk River is frozen…

I wasn’t slipping or sliding but I felt like I was running very slow and it seemed to take more effort running in fresh snow.  I turned around and headed back to my car to get some Gu and water.  I had run (with some walking) about 4.5 miles.

I had planned on 7 miles so I headed in the other direction.

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the scene of the crime

I wanted to go to where I fell & broke my ankle on Dec 29, 2011.  It looked quite different.  That day, there was no snow.  I ran a little further and then turned around.

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my friend said to pretend that it was white sand & that I was still in Florida

All in all, I ran 8 miles.  Not bad for a COLD sunny Sunday.

Of course, I had to reward myself with a trip to Target (and a HOT Starbucks latte.)

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YakTrax tracks

Happy Running!  Do you run in the snow?  Is it is harder (or my imagination)?

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Vitamin D Part 2 = Best Vacation Ever

Daytona Beach, Fla in the summer (it was not this warm when I was there)

Last year our best boating friends moved to Daytona Beach. My hubby & I decided to visit them for a few days. (Since we are closed for Martin Luther King Day, I only had to take 2 days more off from work).

me, my hubby with Fla friends Mary Ann & Bob upon our arrival

me, my hubby with Fla friends Mary Ann & Bob upon our arrival

Of course, this was not convenient in terms of my half marathon training schedule but I tried to be flexible.  (I brought running shoes, just in case).

20.25 miles with views of the river or ocean

20.25 miles with views of the river or ocean

Why was this the best vacation ever??

In addition to climbing to the top of two lighthouses, going out to dinner and/or lunch everyday, seeing umpteen alligators on an airboat ride, seeing umpteen manatees in a blue spring/sanctuary, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in the oldest city in the US, seeing the sunrise over the ocean and the sunset over the river…. I RAN EVERYDAY!!!

Our friends live in Holly Hill, Florida, a block from the Halifax River and 4 miles from the ocean.  The first day I ran south toward the Seabreeze Bridge and back.

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The path is paved and along the river with many parks along the way.

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photo stop at one of the docks in the park

The second day I went in the other direction (north) and back.  I wanted to run over the Granada bridge and to the ocean. The road is very similar as running south.

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However, the distance to the bridge was farther than I thought (remember I am not running everyday…haha…the weather was too perfect to follow my injury-free running plan!!) so I turned around after crossing the bridge.

someone took my pic to prove that I duid run over the bridge.

someone took my pic to prove that I did run over the bridge (you can see the ocean in the distance).

On the third day, I ran the same direction as the first day but decided to run over the Seabreeze Bridge and back. The distance was little shorter than the previous day but it was quite windy.

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as you can see it was a cool day but who can complain (60 rather 10 degrees)

On my last day, I ran toward the Granada bridge and back but not over it as I had to get back to pack for my return to FRIGID Albany, NY.

sunshine has returned...bumped into Bob 7 my hubby walking the dogs

sunshine had returned… even bumped into Bob & my hubby walking the dogs

So I was in running heaven!!!  The river views, no traffic, wearing shorts, no schedule…just run when and where I wanted and as far as I wanted (6 miles is my limit with 7 scheduled for this weekend.)  I was a little worried about running 4 days in a row but I took it easy and I feel great.

Our hosts were so easy-going.  They did their errands in the morning and we were both ready to embark on our daily adventure around 11 am. (I’ll post more vacation/non-running pics soon.)

Stay tuned for Vitamin D – Part 3 – March 12-18 and my attempt at a HALF MARATHON!!!!!

Happy Running!

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A Re-Do Run

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Remember my “Bad Runs Happen” post?

Tuesday I scheduled a “re-do run.”

Same time.  Same distance but I decided to change things to see if I could have a “good one.”

  • I didn’t wear my Garmin. (I accidentally left it home in the charger.)
  • I picked an out and back route where I know the distance.  (From the parking lot at work down the street 2 miles & back.  I used to run this route all the time. Unfortunately you have to stop for traffic at the lights.)
  • I listened to music. (My hard drive crashed so I lost some running songs so I hesitated to re-set my iPod but I finally did and randomly filled it with songs.)
  • I ate a Gu before running. (I tend to be hungry by the end of the day but don’t want to eat dinner before running.)
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happy me…4 miles done. (Same outfit…just erase the snow & add traffic & it will be accurate)

It was a good one.  Without a Garmin, I have no idea of my pace but I felt like I was running faster.  I felt energized rather than beat up.

It may have been a coincidence or maybe changing it up worked.  Who knows?  But I’ll take it!

Tues am

Wed. 7 am

Unfortunately, we had a snowstorm yesterday and there is snow everywhere.

Tonight I am going out to dinner with a friend.  She agreed to wait until I was finished running (even though I may be a sweaty mess.)

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YakTrax to the rescue?  How far do I run?  Since it’s my last run until next Thurs…so do I attempt a long run of 6 miles??  Will I have time?  I cannot run fast in the snow & ice… so we’ll see.

Darn winter!!!

Happy Running!  What have you done to turn a bad run into a good one?  Any tips for running in the snow?

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Age is a State of Mind

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Jim & Terry at Disney 1/13/13

These two people who are MY AGE* just completed the Goofy Challenge!! That is 13.1 miles followed by 26.2 miles.

This is Terry’s motto:

There may come a day when we can’t do this anymore. Today is not that day.

They both have struggled with physical problems but have never given in to them and seem to get better with age!

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Way to go, Terry & Jim!!

(*I know that Terry is 59 & her hubby is even older & has MS.  It seems to run in the family.  Her son completed the Lake Placid Ironman with a broken collarbone!!)

I guess I have no excuse – At least the “I am too old” excuse:

  • I am too old to run that far.
  • I am too old to run that fast.
  • I am too old to run that often.
  • I am too old to run.

Yes, there will come a day when I can’t do this and today is not that day!!

in 12 weeks!!! Yikes!

Bring it on!!

Happy Running!  Do have a role model or someone who inspires you?

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Bring On Week 4

This has to be a good week. Why?

my hubby with MaryAnn who flew in from Florida as a surprise

my hubby with MaryAnn

I’m going with my hubby to visit friends, MaryAnn and Bob, in Daytona Beach, Fla next Saturday though Wednesday. So this week will be short as well as next week.

  • Week 1 – 3, 3, 5 =11 miles
  • Week 2 – 3, 3, 0, 0 =6 miles
  • Week 3 – 4, 4, 6 =14 miles
  • Week 4 –
    • Monday – tennis (only have played once since Oct 1.)
    • Tuesday – run 4 miles
    • Wednesday – rest (dinner with a friend)
    • Thursday – run 6 or 7 miles ???
    • Friday – pack, go to bed early
  • Week 5 –
    • Thursday – run 4 miles
    • Sat or Sun – run 7 or 8 miles??

I am a little nervous that I am only running 3x a week when I used to run 4x.  But I am more nervous about getting injured again.  I am also worried about training in the winter with snow/ice!!  Treadmills don’t work for me on long runs.

The reality is that I will be in Florida with 3 non-running adults … it will be hard to run and not piss people off.

Happy Running!  Do you keep up your training when on vacation?

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2013 So Far..So Bad

The one thing about blogging is that I can keep track of things.

So I know that since March 2008, I had a cold in Sept 2009 and in July 2011.  That’t it.  Until now…

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I started feeling a sore throat on New Year’s Eve.  Then Thursday evening, it started appearing…A COLD!  It was in full force at work on Friday.  No one wanted to be near me.  So I skipped my run and Mah Jongg Friday eve and went to bed early.  Saturday I was supposed to go to NYC with 2 friends to spend the day with a girl I met in Russia.

I woke up Saturday am feeling even worse & knew I couldn’t go (I did have to drive to the train station at 7 am cuz I had all the tix.)

Sunday was supposed to be my long run –  5 miles.  My mega cold had progressed to adding a headache and nausea…Great!  No running for me!!!

As I write this, I am on the road to recovery and will go to work tomorrow.  Tomorrow nite, I go back to playing tennis and hopefully I can go back to running on Tuesday!!!

So this Half Marathon training thing is not off to a good start:

  • Week 1 – 3, 3, 5 – 11 miles
  • Week 2 – 3, 3, 0, 0 – 6 miles

I will try not to stress about it.

What ever happens, happens.

I had planned not to run 2 days in a row so I don’t get injured but we’ll see.  I also want to increase my long runs gradually so that means 6 miles this Sat or Sun.

That’s enough of being a Debbie Downer.  My injuries and illnesses are over for 2013!!!!

Happy Running!  Any advice for injury-free training for a Half Marathon?

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2013 Running Goals

This may be cheating but I had some great goals for 2012 but with two injuries, I didn’t get a chance to see if I could accomplish them.

So here they are again:

  1. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
  2. Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
  3. Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
  4. Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!)
  5. PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.)
  6. Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List)
  7. Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one)
  8. Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
  9. Run a race in another state
  10. Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC)
  11. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
  12. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Hope I have better luck this year.

However, my real 2013 goal is to be HEALTHY and HAPPY!!!

Happy Running! Do you set new running goals each year?

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Week 1 & My Anniversary

Yes, half marathon training has begun and 2 snowstorms have happened as well.

  • Sun – 4 miles
  • Tues – 3 miles
  • Thurs – 3 miles
  • Today, Sat – 5 miles

But I successfully ran every other day… 11 weeks to go!!

Last night was my annual tennis party…it was fun but I over ate again!!

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several entertained us by playing the piano

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one of our friends moved to Florida so we skyped with her

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lots of appetizers and desserts!!

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we had a Chinese gift exchange which is always fun

This morning I slept in and barely made it through my run before the snowstorm.  I had planned to go the Nisky bike trail (the scene of the accident) but decided to stay local due to the impending snowfall.

I went to the same neighborhood but ran in a different direction.  I didn’t wear my Yak Trax but stayed in the road looking for dry turf and watching for black ice.

And I succeeded but after 3 miles my stomach started growling.  I haven’t done a long run in a year so I need to remember to drink water and bring some Gu.

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4.5 miles done and off for some nourishment

I went back to my car and got some money and headed off to the coffee shop.

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this did the trick!

But I left the coffee shop to this:

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SNOW!!

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glad I only had .5 mile to run/slide.

and today is my ONE YEAR Anniversary…a year ago today, I fell during a 10 mile run.  I slipped on the ice and broke my ankle in several places & had surgery.  I didn’t run for 5 months.

I wasn’t sure I would get through it but I did.

Yes many people said to give up running.  I knew that I would not.

I am running again.  I may never get the speed back but I am running again!!

To celebrate, I ran today and I even wore almost the same outfit.

Happy Running! Have you ever had a run-threatening injury?

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