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.

This guy has run over 200 marathons!

We spent the rest of the afternoon lamenting over our half marathon failures. Even the “best bloody Mary in the world” only helped a little.

The day ended with a fancy gala where Ellen’s daughter was being honored.

Half Marathon #5 completed.

Happy Running! How do you deal with a bad race?

November 9, 2011 by Darlene

Santa Clarita Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

Friday night, I arrived in LA after a LONG uneventful flight. The 3 hr time gain was helpful as Ellen & I stayed up for awhile and chatted. I hadn’t seen Ellen since her sister’s wedding in 1975!!!

Ellen's house in Van Nuys

Saturday am we got up early and headed to the expo to pick up our race packets. It was a beautiful sunny day -a little cool but a perfect day for a race. Unfortunately the race was on Sunday when RAIN was predicted!!

Ellen & I with our bibs

I got a cool tech shirt & a bag

I tried to put that horrible thought out of my mind and let Ellen become my personal tour guide. She was great and drove me past all the famous sites of LA.

I even got to have a carb-loaded pasta lunch in Beverly Hills.

Of course, several times Ellen suggested that I buy something to wear in case it rains for the race. I chose to be optimistic – weather.com said 30% chance of showers. That’s 70% chance of no showers!

I ordered some more carbs – French toast – at dinner and I was set or so I thought at the time.

wearing our race shirts that we weren't racing in

Ellen and I spent the rest of the evening organizing our race outfits before heading to bed early for a early wake up…

To be continued…

Happy Running!

November 7, 2011 by Darlene

Last Week in Review & Another Half Completed

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis after work
Tuesday – 3 miles during lunch, 1.5 hours tennis after work
Wednesday – 3 miles after work, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday – REST
Friday – REST
Saturday – REST
Sunday – 13.1 miles – HALF MARATHON #5 – DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2:30:12 – the short version: rain the first half…ran too fast..died…nice course..should have done better…

(Race Report coming when I return East…)

Happy Running!

November 4, 2011 by Darlene

Half Marathon Goal Revised

I decided to not be a wimp and just GO FOR IT!

My New Goal= 2:22:38 or lower!! Yes, I plan to try to PR!!!!

Here’s why…

Lake George Half elevation
Finish time = 2:22:39

Fall Foliage Half elevation
Finish time = 2:32:50

Santa Clarita Half elevation

Looks flatter to me….

I have nothing to lose…no embarrassment if I don’t make it.

I’ll be happy to finish and grab my medal…

Correction= HALF MARATHON 11/6/11

In fact, after my last long 12 min/mi run, it doesn’t appear very likely that I will succeed … but I’m gonna try!!

(You’ll find out on Thursday when I get back….suspense………..)

Happy Running! How do you come up with your goals?

November 3, 2011 by Darlene

Goals for Half Marathon #5

As I said in yesterday’s post, I am a little nervous about this race. In addition to having a heel injury and penguin-like training runs, I also will be changing time zones (3 hour time difference) and staying with a friend’s sister, Ellen, whom I haven’t seen in 36 years.

But really, I’m excited about leaving the Northeast and heading to sunny Cali! I am also looking forward to hanging out with Ellen, her hubby & her daughter. (Ellen, stop cleaning!!!)

My Goals:

A. Have FUN!
B. Finish!
C. Do not re-injure my foot or injure any other body part!
E. Finish faster than Half Marathon #3 –under 2:45.
F. Finish faster than Half Marathon #4 –under 2:32. (This is my hope!)
G.Finish faster than Half Marathon #2 — under 2:22. (This is A DREAM & a PR!!)

Happy Running! California, here I come!

November 2, 2011 by Darlene

My Half Marathon Nerves

I am running in my 5th Half Marathon this weekend and I am VERY NERVOUS. Here’s why:

1st Half in Naples, Florida

My 1st Half was 1-16-11 (my wedding anniversary). My longest race to that point was a 5k. I trained well. I was healthy. I was so excited. My hubby was waiting at the finish line. My goal was to cross standing up and finish under 2:45 so I could get a medal. I DID in 2:28.

My 2nd Half in Lake George, NY

My 2nd Half was 4-23-11. Now I had already run a half marathon so I knew that I could. I trained well & was healthy. My goal was to run faster but not too much since I knew that it was a hilly course. It was freezing and raining hard the whole 13.1 miles (& I didn’t wear my Garmin) so I was shocked that I was faster (2:22) and won an award for 2nd in my AG.

My 3rd Half in Schroon Lake, NY

My 3rd Half was 9-25-11. Unfortunately I got hurt in June and did not run most of the summer. My goal was no goal – Just finish it in under 5 hours and not re-injure my Achilles. The course was tough but I was able to run the lst half & then I walked most of the 2nd half to finish in 2:44.

my 4th Half Marathon in Rhinebeck, NY

My 4th Half was 10-23-11. I signed up for it on a whim and planned to use it as a week 10 of 12 training run. It was scenic and a race was just the motivation I needed for a good last long run. Unfortunately, I was not prepared physically for the HILLS and although I ran a very good first half of the race, I walked a lot during the last few hills and finished around 2:31. At least I was faster than my 3rd half and I did not get injured by not pushing myself on the hills.

The Santa Clarita Half this weekend is my 5th Half. I am running with my best friend’s sister (who runs marathons.) Of course, I want to do well. My nagging achilles has prevented me from training well. My running has been very cautious for fear of re-injury. The speed has not been there and the long runs have been mixed with walking. These half marathons have been getting harder NOT easier!!

Hopefully I will do OK. Maybe it’ll be flat…

I’m nervous!

Happy Running! Heading to LA!

November 1, 2011 by Darlene

Welcome November!

Wow, October flew by! But I am happy to say that I ran my most miles ever!!! (Previously it was 95 in Dec 2010) I have also surpassed my total miles for 2010 with 2 months left to go!!!

Here were my October Goals:

Continue to run pain-free – YUP!!
Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YUP!!
Run 3-4 times a week – YUP!!
Join a gym & start to cross-train ??? NOPE. Not yet!
Increase weekly mileage by adding long runs to prepare for Half Marathon #4 – YUP! Actually ran it and now it is HM #5
Run a 5k or 10K or both – YUP! A 5K on 10-1-11
10-1-11