January 16, 2012 by Darlene

Hope and 2 Anniversaries

Today I cannot walk. Today I cannot run. Eventually I will walk. Evenutally I will run.

1 year ago today, I ran my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!!

Half in Naples, Florida

I had doubts about my ability to do it but I gave it a shot even though my longest race before that was a 5K. And I did it. I also ran 4 more during last year. And I hope to run another in the future. Boy am I glad, that I took on this challenge!!!

13 years ago, I married my current hubby.

I also had doubts since both of us had been married before. Both marriages ended poorly. But we did it. And I couldn’t get through this injury without him! I am glad that I took on this challenge too!

Happy Running! What challenges have you taken on that have changed your life?

December 31, 2011 by Darlene

2012 Goals – Prematurely Posted

I think it’s important to have goals but not let them run your life. So here are my 12 running goals for the year:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award
Run a 10K race
Run a 10 mile race
Run at least one half marathon
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Happy Running! Did you set any interesting running goals for 2012?

December 23, 2011 by Darlene

2011 Goals – How did I do?

Here are the GOALS that I set for 2011:

I was doing REALLY well until June 11 when I hurt my heel… then I rebounded!!

Lower my 5K PR – No, it still stands at 27:30 but I did have 3 races under 28 minutes and 2 just over 28!

√ Run 5ks under 28 minutes – 3 out of 9 under 28 (all 5ks under 30 minutes except for the one where I fell)

√ Win my age group – 2nd for the LG Half, (50-59), 2nd for Polar Cap 4m (55-59), 2nd for Firefighters 5K (55-59), 1st SPAC 5k(55-59) – only got prizes for the lst 2

: Polar Cap – 2nd place in AG

√ Run new races – 14 new races (Polar Cap 4m, Firefighters 5k, Naples Half, LG Half, Delmar Dash 5m, Sean’s Run 5k, Workforce Challenge 3.5m, Runnin of the Green 4m, Adirondack Half, Fall Foliage Half, Santa Clarita Half, Stockade-athon, Run Off That Turkey 5K. Hmrrc Winter Series #1 3m)

Runnin of the Green 4 miler

Run at least one race each month – 1 in Jan, 1 in Feb, 2 in Mar, 2 in Apr, 4 in May, 2 in Jun, 0 in July, 0 in August, 1 in Sept, 2 in Oct, 4 in Nov & 2 in Dec. (injured in July & August 😦 )

: Sean’s Run in May

√ Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) – over 800 miles for the year. (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & August.)

Running outside in January

√ Run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K) – 5 Half Marathons, a 15K, 2 – 4 mile races, 1 -5 mile race

: Delmar Dash 5 miler

√ Run a half marathon race – 5 Half Marathons!! Woo Hoo!

LG Half Marathon 4-11

√ Run at least 15 races – 21 races (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & Aug. I DNS for about 6 races.)

Mother’s Day Race ’11

√ Run a race in another state – 2 – a Half Marathon in Florida and a Half Marathon in California

Half in Naples, Florida

Volunteer at a race – Nope

√ Take running pics & post on FB & this blog – I have taken lots of photos (even use the timer on my camera) & post on this blog & on facebook

√ Keep track of how many miles I run this year – I record every mile I run on this blog, dailymile.com & on a tickerfactory.com ticker

Happy Running! Did you accomplish your 2011 running goals?

December 14, 2011 by Darlene

Half Marathon Dilemma

Hot or Cold??? Two half marathon choices. I have until Dec 31 to decide!!

Sun, Feb 5 - 7 am

The Positives:

Melbourne

warmer
warmer
my hubby would go
can see my sister-in-laws new house
beautiful course (over 2 bridges)
music

Hamptons

closer, won’t have to take time off from work
have the next day off already
2 weeks more training time
know some bloggers who may be running it
pretty flat
starts at 10am
new state – NH

The Negatives:

Melbourne

will use up my frequent flier miles
have to take time off from work
my hubby has to take time off (& not get paid)
2 weeks less training time
large race (includes a marathon)
have to rent a car
starts at 7am
don’t know anyone running it
have already run a half in Fla

Hamptons

cold
cold
have to stay in a hotel the night before

There’s also the possibility of neither and waiting until spring….

Happy Running! Which one would you pick?

December 13, 2011 by Darlene

2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster. I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

First 4 mile race

Polar Cap 4 miler

First 5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

First 15K race

Stockade-athon 15K

First half marathon

Naples Half Marathon

First destination race

Naples, Florida

First race in the rain

Lake George Half Marathon

First injury 😦

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.) This is the order:

First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
First injury (Jun 2011)
First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running! What did you do for the first time in 2011?

December 9, 2011 by Darlene

Half Marathon Envy

All the talk about the Las Vegas RnR Half Marathon last weekend makes me want to do one again sooooon!

2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running one and I did 5! (No photopgraper at #4)

1st

2nd

3rd

5th

Unfortunately, my first one was my most enjoyable and my last one, the least. In fact, the 5th one leaves me wanting a do over! I am hoping that I can do better or at least feel better doing it.

It’s not easy to choose one. There are many things to consider: date, weather, travel distance, time off from work, elevation, etc.

Some possibilities:

2/5/12 – Melbourne Half (Fla.) – my sister-in-law lives nearby but would need to take time off from work
2/19/12 – Half at the Hamptons (NH)- 3 3/4 hrs – cold?? (but have 2/20 off)
2/25/12 – Lake Effect Half (Syracuse, NY) – 3hrs – snow, cold – new race but flat
2/26/12 – Hyannis Half (Mass) – 3.5 hrs away – too cold?
3/11/12 – Celebrate Life Half – 1.5 hr away – hilly – no finisher medal
3/24/12 – 13.1 NY Half (Queens, NY) – 3 hrs away – boring course
4/7/12 – Race the Runways (Brunswick, Maine) – 5 hrs away – too cold? – supposed to go to Pa for Passover
4/29/12 – Lake George Half – 1 hr away – hilly, did it last year
6/17/12 – New Paltz Challenge – 1.5 hr away- but it’s Father’s Day

Gotta decide so I can start training…

Happy Running! Any suggestions? Housing invitations??

December 1, 2011 by Darlene

It’s December!

67 MILES

November wasn’t a high mileage month since I ran my half marathon at the beginning of the month and I was not training for anything else.

Here were my goals for November:

Hope to continue to run pain-free – YES!
Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES!
Run 3-4 times a week – YES!
Santa Clarita Half Marathon
Survive Half Marathon #5 – YES (but wish I had done better)
after the Run off that turkey 5k race
Run a 5k (& finish under 30 min.) – Ran 2 5k races (finished at 27:58 & 28:11)
Join a gym & start to cross-train – Not yet….
Stockade-athon 15K

I did run my first 15K race & I am pleased with how I did!!!

December Goals:

Play tennis & do yoga once a week
Run 3-4 times a week
Run at least 15 miles per week
Finish the year with 800 miles
Run a 5k (& finish under 30 min.)
Choose a Half Marathon for the spring
Join a gym & start to cross-train

Happy Running! What are your goals for December?

November 17, 2011 by Darlene

Tentative Races for 2012

Some oldies but goodies and some new ones on the horizon:

*HMRRC Winter Series Run – 1/?
Polar Cap 4m – 2/2
Runnin of the Green 4m – 3/17
Delmar Dash 5m – 4/8

*Spring Run Off 10K – 4/28

*NY-VT Champlain Bridge Race 5K – 5/20
Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – 6/2

*New Paltz Challenge Half Marathon – 6/17 (REVIEW)

*Adirondack Distance Run 10m – 6/24
Silks & Satins 5K – 7/?
*Jingle Bell Run (5k) in Lake George – 7/28
Camp Chingagook 10K in Lake George – 8/?
Jailhouse Rock 5K – 8/?

*Helper’s Fund 10K – 9/21
Komen Race for the Cure (5K) – 9/29

*Divas Half Marathon on LI – 10/7
Falling Leaves 5K – 10/14
*Great Pumpkin 5k or 10K – 10/21

*Frun Run 10K -11/3
Stockadeathon 15K – 11/11
Our Towne Turkey Trot – 11/22
Run Off That Turkey 5K – 11/24
Albany Last Run – 12/15

* = NEW races
in RED = pretty definite
in black = tentative (could be deleted or substituted for another)

Happy Running! Do you have 2012 racing planned yet?

November 11, 2011 by Darlene

Santa Clarita Half Marathon Post Race Report

Unfortunately my host, Ellen, had to work the next day. In fact, she had to work until 10pm.

That left me with the whole day free. After a leisurely breakfast combined with blog reading, I put on my running shoes. Nope. I didn’t go running… My legs felt ok but my feet were a little sore. I decided instead to go for a walk…a long walk it turned out to be – with periodic stops for nourishment…cafe latte and a bagel…pumpkin yogurt.

roses in bloom in Nov!

tempting pastries

self serve yogurt

When I got home I spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool with my feet in the cold water while reading a book.

aaaahhh

I couldn’t put it down!!!

I forgot to mention that the weather was gorgeous … Unlike race day!!!!

Before I left for CA, thanks to Facebook, I discovered that 2 of my former French students lived nearby so we planned to meet. Actually I let them make the plans. Maeghan picked me up and drove to Long Beach to meet Erin. We decided that it would be a propos to eat in a French restaurant. Erin’s pick of La Creperie was perfect! We hadn’t connected in 18 years so we spent several hours catching up and eating delicious crepes. We even shared a huge dessert crepe among the 3 of us.

me, Maeghan & Erin

The next morning, I did don my running clothes but that’s all. I didn’t run although I seriously considered it. I decided it was more important to go sightseeing on my last day. Google maps helped me plan my trip to Santa Monica. Yeah, I didn’t have a car and Ellen had to work but as a capable adult, I could take 2 buses by myself and safely get to & from Santa Monica.

And I did! It was fun.

I had lunch on Santa Monica pier, walked around & even watched students in the trapeze school.

tribute to Forest Gump

I took a long walk along the beach. It was cool but sunny. PERFECT!!

Then sat near Muscle beach and watched all the runners on the bike path. I even made friends with an iguana named “Green.”

lots of hunky guys exercising

Yeah, I got the running urge. So I bought an ice cream cone and walked into town to catch my bus back.

Oh, did I mention that the weather was gorgeous except for race day.

The day ended with dinner in a Mexican restaurant. I was told that you have to eat Mexican when in CA. They were right. Dinner was great so was the Cadillac margarita and fried ice cream.

yum!

So now, I’m back East … Home from my destination race vacation.

Yes, everything didn’t go as planned. But I’m glad that I went.

Happy Running! Happy Veteran’s Day!

November 10, 2011 by Darlene

Santa Clarita Half Marathon Race Report

I got up at 4:30 am and had my traditional race breakfast of coffee and hot cereal. Ellen quickly informed me that weather.com was wrong… it was already raining!! After uttering a few obscenities, I got dressed and tried to remain positive. I secretly wished I had some rain gear.

I was also COLD – yes it was warm before I got here! In fact it was 80 last weekend for LA RNR Half.

I decided to wear a short-sleeved tee, arm warmers (cut off knee socks), skirt, cap, gloves, windbreaker. I added a jacket & sweats that I would ditch at the start. Ellen (an experienced racer in the rain) also brought an umbrella.

We left about 5:30 to get to the race early. As we drove, it was raining harder & harder. WE WERE NOT HAPPY CAMPERS!

We parked in the Hilton lot and hung out there until the start. Hotel bathrooms YAY! Everyone seemed to be putting on plastic bags YUCK!

getting ready to head out into the rain

As planned, I hid my jacket, sweats & umbrella and we headed out in the rain to start the race.

the start

Ellen & I had hoped to have our best half finishes for this race but since we run different styles & at different paces, we separated and planned to meet again at the finish.

It was raining very hard. I had nothing on that was waterproof & I got soaked! Nevertheless I was running at a good pace… In fact probably too fast, but I thought I has trained well and could keep it up.

There was water at every mile but I grabbed a cup and walked at every two & took a GU at every four miles.

Unfortunately, this half panned out like the last two. I had no energy for the second half so my pace got slower and slower. When a PR was no longer possible, I started to walk.

The good news is that the rain did stop around mile 7. It was cool out and I was wet so even when the sun peeked out, I was never sweaty. I finally took off my jacket and wrapped around my waist toward the end.

pic from last year, obviously

The course was great – scenic, varied, rolling hills but very doable and many downhills. I should have been able to have a better finish time… I was very disappointed!

Official time: 2:30:13

The infamous photos that I will not buy:

heading to the finish

crossing the finish line

Done!

After I finished, I was cold but waited for Ellen to cross. I was hoping that one of us had a good day. NOPE! She also did not have a good race.

at least I got a medal!

I found my discarded stuff & went to car to get a dry shirt and socks. It didn’t feel so great over WET underwear. Then we went back out to cheer on the marathon finishers.