Half Marathon

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Half Marathon Training Begins…

in 12 weeks!!! Yikes!

I will be in Sarasota, Florida to run this in 12 weeks!! Yikes!!

Half Marathon Training Program _3
I was googling “Half Marathon” and found this training schedule.  I like it because it is simple and flexible.

Although this is technically my 6th half marathon, it feels like the first.

I am actually more nervous because I know more.  I was very naive regarding my first.  I didn’t even have a Garmin during the training.

my first half in Naples, Fla.

don’t I look calm?

Now I have experienced injuries (3 to be exact) and know how quickly things can go wrong.

I have to go slow and be conservative but yet instinctively I want to do well. (Well for me, that is…)

So to keep things in perspective, I will try to remember this:

i-run-because-i-can-women-s-performance-running-t-shirt_design

Running is a gift.  Not everyone can.  I will remember the times I could not.  I wil not take any step I take for granted.

Happy Running! Any other motivating thoughts for this returning runner?

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2013 Bucket List of Races

bucketlist1

January

  • maybe a free HMRRC race (Albany)

February

  • Polar Cap 4 mi (Lake George)

March

  • First Watch Half Marathon (Sarasota, Fla.)

April

  • Delmar Dash 5 mi Race

May

  • Sean’s 5k Run (Chatham)
  • Mother’s Day Race (Schenectady)

June

  • Freihofer Run for Women (Albany)
  • Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
  • Adirondack Distance Challenge (Lake George-Bolton Landing)

July

  • Jingle Bell 5k (Lake George)
  • Silks & Satins 5K (Saratoga)

August

  • Camp Chingachgook 10k (Lake George)
  • Jailhouse Rock 5k (Ballston Spa)

September

  • 5 for fiVe (Saratoga)
  • MBPK 5k (Malta)
  • Helper’s Fund  5K (Chestertown)

October

  • Susan Komen Race for the Cure (Albany)
  • Lighthouse Loop Half Marathon  (Ponce Inlet, Fla.)

November

  • Fall Frun 10K (Clifton Park)
  • Stockade-athon 15K (Schenectady)
  • Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 5k (Delmar)

December

  • Albany Last Run  5K

Most of these races I’ve run before but there are a few news ones (in BOLD).

Of course, I hope to have a healthy year.

It’s good to have goals.   It keeps you motivated.  For me this year, it’s to cross the finish line and have fun!!!

Happy Running!  What races are on your bucket list for 2013?

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Wordless Wednesday – The Plan

I have a plan:

(The white cells are when I am on vacation in Florida. CT or Cross Training is tennis.)

Happy Running! Do you have a half marathon training plan or do you wing it?

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Vitamin D Needed

With 2 broken bones in my ankle and a stress fracture within 9 months, I questioned my doctor about why this happened?  He first asked: “Have you had a bone scan?”   I replied that I had and it was normal.  Then he said: “No one in the Northeast gets enough Vitamin D.”

Since then I have started taking a Calcium with Vitamin D supplement every morning.

However, sunshine is my preferred source of Vitamin D.

Blue Tree resort in Orlando Fla.

A tennis friend won 8 days at this Orlando resort in December (Dec 8-15) and invited 3 of us to go.  Unfortunately,  it is during exam week at the law school.  But I am going to try to go for 4 days (if my boss oks it.)

Last year our best boating friends moved to Daytona Beach. My hubby & I may visit them for a few days in January (around Martin Luther King Day).

Last summer one of my close tennis friends moved to Sarasota.  I also have 2 mah jongg friends that vacation there in the winter.  I am definitely going March 12-18.  And if things work out I will run a half marathon there on March 17!!

Naples Fla

For the 8th spring, 10 of us are spending a week playing tennis in Naples.  The projected dates this year are: May 15-22.

So there you have it … my plans for an increased source of Vitamin D until boating season starts in June.

Happy Running!  Do you worry about getting enough Vitamin D?

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DNSing

I have never DNFed a race. (Knock on wood!)

I have DNSed several times. The first time in Oct 2008, I was too sick to go. The 2nd time in Oct 2009 because it was raining and the 3rd time in 2010, I arrived at the race and was too sick to run. All were for the Great Pumpkin Challenge in Saratoga. (This race was last weekend so I may have had a 4th DNS.)

I have since then become tougher. Or maybe more stubborn. Or maybe I have a higher pain threshold. Or just plain stupid!

When I broke my left ankle last December, I had only registered for one future race – the Freihofer’s and I DID IT (against the advice of all drs, pts & friends).

Freihofer’s – 1st run 5 mos after broken ankle

When my right foot started hurting, I had already registered for FIVE races. I have run two of them (Susan Komen and the Runners World 5ks). Both took place before the actual diagnosis.

5k finisher with a stress fracture

So I have three left that I have already registered for:

  • Fall FRUN 10K on November 4

  • Albany Last Run 5K on December 15

  • First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, Fla on March 17

Obviously, my boot will make me DNS for the Fall FRUN 10k (but I will show up to grab my $25 shirt.)

I was planning on the Stockade-athon 15K but since I didn’t sign up, I think I will volunteer.

I am really hoping that I can run/walk the Last Run (that’s 10 wks post injury) and I am really really really hoping that I can run/walk the First Watch Half.

I HATE TO DNS!!

Happy Running! How did you feel about DNSing? Have you done it much?

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Destination Races

Half Marathon in Naples, Florida

My first Destination Race was in January 2011.  It was my first half and I was VERY NERVOUS.  I went with my hubby and arrived late Friday for the Sunday race.  Saturday, we got settled, picked up my bib, and went to the Pasta dinner.  After the race on Sunday and until Wed, we were able to relax and leisurely enjoy the sites of Naples.

My second Destination Race was last November in California. I was staying and running it with a friend.  So we stressed out together before and after whined about how we did.  PERFECT!

Ellen & I with our Santa Clarita Half Marathon bibs

I decided to do a third Destination Race.  This one is March 17 in Sarasota, Florida.  It is my first half marathon since my ankle injury and I am VERY NERVOUS.  I am traveling alone for this one.  I arrive on Tuesday for the Sunday race and leave on Monday.  I am staying with a good friend who lives about 1/2 hour away and I have 2 other friends who live closer whom I may stay with the night before & after the race.

The problem is that I will be nervous the days preceding the race and those who do not run probably will not understand my anxiety, my need to run and rest and eat properly.  Poor planning on my part (but it was due to work scheduling & cost.)

What is the solution?

Schedule another half marathon before the one in Sarasota.  If I am successful, at least I will be less nervous, right?

So I thought I may run this one:

Our good friends recently moved there (Flagler Beach – 11 miles away) so we will get the chance to see them.  My hubby & I would arrive Saturday (the day before the race) and leave Wednesday. (I even have Jan 21 off from work.)

But…good thing I checked before making the plane reservations.

THEY CHANGED THE DATE!!

 

I am totally bummed.  Jan 6 is not a good time for me to take off work.

Here is another possibility:

Half Marathon & 5K on Jan 19, 2013 in Amelia Is, Fla.

But it is not as convenient and is more expensive..

Change the date or change the race… or skip it????

Happy Running! Do you do destination races?  Any advice?

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Wordless Wednesday


This is my motivation! Six months to go!

Happy Running!  What race are you looking ahead to?

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Inspired by a Discount

Wednesday was National Running Day and I got an e-mail offering $10 off a variety of races so I registered for:


It’s far off but now I have to do it, right?

Happy Running!  Anyone sign up for any races on Wednesday?

 

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What’s the Plan, Stan?

Gotta have a plan, right?

  • June – WALK
  • July – RUN
  • August – RUN MORE
  • September – 5K
  • October – 10K
  • November – 15K
  • December – RUN LONG
  • January – Half Marathon!!!

January 13, 2013 or 1-13-13 (lucky 13?)

Well I may be overly optimistic since I haven’t started running outside yet. But my 6 month injury anniversary is June 29 and I’ve had enough!!!

 The worst case scenario is that I walk the races.  Even the Palm Coast allows walkers (if you can finish under 4 hrs).

Happy Running!  Do you plan ahead?  How far?

 

 

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Change or No Change

I thought things had changed a lot since last April and then I went to the hairdresser.

Change:

Last April, I was getting excited to run my second half marathon (13.1 miles).
This April, I am excited to run 2 minutes on a treadmill and I look forward to biking on the weekends.

April 2011

April 2012

 

Last April, my hair was long (and then I cut it.)
This April, I have continued to keep it shorter.

April 2011

April 2012

No Change:

I got my hair cut before going on my annual Florida vacation.
I am wearing the  SAME OUTFIT. (What are the odds of that??)

Happy Running!  What has changed with you since last year?