Half Marathon

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The Impromptu Half Marathon

Yeah, so where did this come from?

  • Last Saturday, I passed through Rhinebeck on my way to LI and I remarked to myself that “the foliage was really BEAUTIFUL here!”
  • On Tuesday, my friend said to me: “I went to the Sheep & Wool Fest in Rhinebeck last Sunday.  Rhinebeck is such a nice place to visit.”
  • Yesterday, I was on Facebook and an ad for the half marathon above appeared on my screen.
  • I clicked on the site and you could still register until tomorrow.
  • I checked weather.com and Sunday is supposed to sunny & in the high 50’s.
  • I have to run 12 or 13 miles for my last long training run this Sunday.
  • I hate trying to find a scenic place to do a long run. 
  • I also hate to carry water.

Voila! 

Half Marathon #4, a (expensive)  training run (with water stops) for the Santa Clarita Half Marathon in Cali on Nov 6 (which is now Half Marathon #5).

Just think, a year ago, I had never run more than a 5K and had no plans to do so ever.

Happy Running!  Have you ever signed up for a race on a whim?

 

 

 

 

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Update on Half Marathon #4

This year the Santa Clarita Marathon Race Committee will be using the newly open trails along the San Francisquito Creek to be part of the 2011 Half Marathon. The new trail system will be used for the majority of the race and will reduce the amount of street closure on McBean Parkway.

Uh oh.


I’ve never run on trails! Will that be a problem?

Happy Running!

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Last Week in Review

Monday – Tennis 1.5 hrs
Tuesday – 4 miles
Wednesday – 3 miles on treadmill, Yoga 1.25 hrs
Thursday – 5 miles
Friday – REST
Saturday – 12  miles
Sunday – REST

3 weeks to go… until Half Marathon #4!

(Will post about my High School Reunion tomorrow 🙂 )

Happy Running!

 

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Santa Clarita Half Marathon Recap

FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s what some people say about this race:

This is a great race.  The start of race is at the Mall, so there is plenty of parking.   Access from the 5 FWY to parking lot is also fast and efficient.  A big plus is that there is  access to Hyatt Hotel’s convention hall bathrooms before the race starts, which is definitely an upgrade waiting in a long line in the cold for portable toilets.  There are water stations every mile, and the volunteers that are working are plenty enthusiastic.  Size-wise, it’s definitely smaller than Long Beach, Surf City and other SoCal Marathons.  This means everyone starts at once, and the course is definitely not crowded.The Course winds it’s way thru some commercial areas before spending several miles on a trial besides the dry riverbed.  There are a few minor hills, but nothing major, a pretty fast course.  Santa Clarita is a well-planned city, which is well highlighted in the course.   The PA announcer at the end of the race was one of the more enthusiastic announcers I’ve heard. He made sure every racer got their due applause by the crowd, especially the seniors. Finally, the tech T-Shirts included are not loaded with ads like other races, so that’s plus. Overall, one of the best half marathons in SoCal, both operationally as well as the overall race experience.

One of my favorite half marathon experiences.  The parking was easy and it was easy to get to the start line.  The Hyatt restrooms near the start line were a big plus.  The course was mostly flat.  Somehow, impossibly, it felt like there was more downhill than uphill.  Maybe this is because the uphills were very gradual, while the downhills were a little steeper.  Anyway, the course felt fast and energizing.  The spectator support was a little sparse, but this was compensated by the fact that the course was mostly narrow and the runners energized each other.  The spectator support that was out there was much appreciated — especially the cheerful kids and a dude playing guitar outside his apartment.  The water and gatorade stations were excellent.  You know what else was great?  The “Whole Foods Market Recovery Zone” didn’t interfere unduly with my ability to get to my car.

This is my second time running the half-marathon here and I loved it!!! A little rain at the beginning was encouraging but it got really hot after mile 8 😦 Great water and gatorade stations throughout the course and visible mile marks. It can get lonely on the trail but its also very relaxing. If you feed on the fans energy, this is probably not the race for you….lol

This was the 2nd time I have run this race. Last year I hit a new PR on this course. The half marathon had about 1300 people start the race. The race is run on some city streets but mostly on the Santa Clarita Trail, which is a paved path that runs along the dry river bed. Lots of course support and spectators cheering you on. Post race food and drink is average. All in all, a fun race to run…very hometown feel.

FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!

Anyone else ever run this race?

Happy Running!

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End of the Boating Season & Last Long Run in BL

Today was bittersweet.  We have had the best weather this summer (& fall) for boating.  But you never want it to end…Do you think the sign above was for me??

I got up this morning very tired…not enough sleep but the weather was perfect…(well, maybe a little warm for this time of year, but who’s complaining?)

breakfast at the marina before my run

I was planning 11 miles but would settle for 10.

I decided to do the first half around the Sagamore Hotel.

view from the bridge heading to the Sagamore

 

waiting for customers...I was tempted

 

view of the lake & a little fall foliage

 

View from the Nature Trail at the Sagamore

With only one frost, most of the leaves were GREEN.  Definitely not peak colors…

Then I ran through the town of Bolton Landing which was very CROWDED…garage sales…crafts fair, etc. I did stumble upon some interesting sights.

Yes, he's real

 

a bufferfly among the mums

As I passed the marina, I was pooped already and it was hot…I ate some gu & took a swig of water and continued down 9N south for the rest of my run.  I was running SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.  I told my hubby I’d be done in 2 hours… oh no…

I ran down through the cemetery and then headed toward the lake.  It was beautiful, as usual.  I just had no energy.

along my running route

 

me running in one of the neighborhoods on the lake

 
The time forced me to head back to the marina as not to be late.  Unfortunately, it is UPHILL on the way back. 
 
I did 10.5 miles instead of 11 at a snail’s pace but got it done!!
 
My hubby was waiting so I hopped on the boat and we spent the rest of the day on Commisssion Pt Island with a whole group of friends and friends of friends.
 
 

the gang toasting our last island picnic of the season

And I was able to drink, finally.  I discovered a way to add alcohol to my Root Beer Float addiction.

whipped cream vodka & root beer

Awesome!! You can use orange soda & it tastes like a creamsicle..

We hung out as late as possible … I have to work tomorrow 😦

view of the Sagamore & the moon from our marina

Of course, we stopped on the way home for a  real (ice cream) Root beer Float!!!

Until next year….

Happy Running! Happy Columbus Day!

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TTT: Tennis, Orthotics, Racing

This week, I was scheduled to play tennis both Monday & Tuesday.  As a result, I did not run those days.  I’m okay with that since I put in 14 miles over the weekend. I am trying to put my heart into tennis.  Tennis used to be everything to me.  Now all I can think about is running.

I got my orthotics last Friday.  They were pretty uncomfortable at first but are getting better.  I’m supposed to wear them for one hour and then add one extra hour each day.  Today I’m up to 7 hours so that means I bring them to work & wear them all day at my desk. The Dr says it’ll take a month to get used to them!!! I may try to run in them after work & see if they cure all…

After my race on Saturday, I just wanted a re-do.  I didn’t do poorly.  It’s just that I have done better in the past and others who are usually slower, ran faster than me.  It’s an ego thing. 

I’ve been wrestling with running a race every Saturday (there are at least 4 possible 5ks this Sat) until my Half Marathon…

Pros:
Races make me feel good.
Races are good speedwork.
I could do my long run on Sunday.
I could add on miles after the race on Saturday.

Cons:
Races cost money.
I should focus more on my Half Marathon training.
I could re-injure my heel.
I’ll be depressed if I don’t do well.

Right now, I’m leaning toward fitting running in with my hubby’s plans…he may have to work, we may go up to the lake…we’ll see.

Happy Running! Do you do short races while training for a long race?

 

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The Long Run That Almost Wasn’t

Five weeks to go!!

So yesterday was supposed to be a 10 miler!

I woke up with a headache and feeling nauseous.  It was also raining! I contemplated skipping my long run.  I ran an emotional race on Saturday.  Maybe that was enough.

So I hung out on the couch and watch some Tivoed shows.

Then the rain stopped and though it was cloudy and rain predicted for the whole day, the sky brightened.

I put on my running clothes and dragged myself out the door.  I decided that if I still felt bad, I would only do 6 miles.  4 Saturday + 6 Sunday = a weekend 10 mile long run, right?

I wanted to run some place scenic like the trail along the Mohawk or the Hudson Rivers but I was  afraid to waste time with the impending rain.

So instead I ran in town along Delaware Ave.

Believe it or not, the sun came and it turned out to be a nice day.

The more I ran, the better I felt and decided to do the 10 miles. 

I ran down the main street – nothing scenic at all… some stores but they were closed…and then hit the Rail Trail.

Eventually, it will be about 9 miles and lead from Albany to Voorheesville.  Now it is only 2 miles.  I ran it once before.  It’s kinda rocky and hard to run on. 

I ran it yesterday for a bit but not the whole thing since it was very muddy.

My reward at the end of my run was a cupcake, pumpkin with cream cheese frosting, at my favorite local shop (Maybe that’s why I chose this street!!!)

I was hoping to be faster than last Sunday but I still don’t have the stamina.  I run and when I get tired, I walk.  I felt like I walked less (about once a mile) but my running pace was slower. (I always run faster with people around me to motivate me.) I finished the 10 mile run at 2:02 (lst half 00:59, 2nd half 0:63).

I ended the day with a visit to my favorite 3 people:

my mentee, Amanda & 6 wk old Matthew

Amanda's son Richard, almost 5

 and then a stop at Target…I couldn’t resist – pumpkin pop tarts, pumpkin coffee, running tights, running pants, running bra 🙂

And then the rain came….

Happy Running! Have a great week!

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Foto Friday

Warning – there are lots of photos on this page.

First on Wednesday, our Komen Race for the Cure team which has almost 70 runners on it was interviewed for the TV news.

running for the photographer

getting interviewed

 

just part of the 70 member team

 
Click HERE to watch the news clip. Click HERE to read the story in the newspaper.
 
I did run 3 miles on Tuesday & Wednesday.  The runs were not great but my training runs never are.  They were slow (12 min pace) with frequent walking…will I ever be fast???
 
Anyway, I am excited for Saturday’s race.  It is always such an emotional event. (Unfortunately, it’s supposed to RAIN!!)
 
Next, the official Adirondack Half Marathon photos (why do my thighs look huge or maybe they are & I should wear capris?) are out.
 

looks like I'm having fun

thumbs up pose

running cuz I see a camera

 

pretending like it's a not a hill

I see the finish line!

 
Happy Running! Have a nice weekend & Good Luck if you are racing!
 
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September’s Almost Over. Bring On October!

I ran the whole month of September and haven’t run this many miles in a month since April!!

Here’s what I planned for September:

  1. Hope to run pain-free – Almost (still sore from time to time)
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES
  3. Spend a few more weekends on Lake George. – YES
  4. Run 3-4 times a week – YES
  5. Increase weekly mileage by adding longer runs – YES,  got up to 8 miles
  6. Prepare for Half Marathon #4 by doing 4 & 5 – YES
  7. Survive Half Marathon #3 – YES
  8. Run a 5k or 10K race (only if #1) – NO but I have one Oct 1.

running by Huddle Bay on Lake George

 
 

running my 3rd Half

 

So now what’s planned for October?

  • Continue to run pain-free 🙂
  • Continue tennis & yoga once a week
  • Run 3-4 times a week
  • Join a gym & start to cross-train ???
  • Increase weekly mileage by adding long runs to prepare for Half Marathon #4
  • Run a 5k or 10K or both

Happy Running!  What are you planning for October?

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The Aftermath & Plans for the Future

the end of the Adirondack Half Marathon

 
 Looking back, here were my possible plans for this race:

A. Run the whole damn thing (and hope I don’t make my heel injury worse).
B. Walk the whole thing (under 5 hours, of course so I can get a medal).
C. Run until I get tired and then walk.
D. Walk one mile, run one mile, etc.
E. Walk up the hills, run down the hills.
F. Pretend that it’s a training run for Half Marathon #4 instead of a race.
G. Play it by ear. Do whatever feels right.
H. Have lots of fun and take lots of photos.

I didn’t do A or B or D or F.  I got caught up in the excitement and ran most of the the first 7 miles.  After mile 8, I was done and walked up the hills and would have run down the hills if I had the chance. It makes sense since my longest training run was 8 miles.  I had fun and did take photos. So I did C, E, G, & H.

Here were my goals:

  • Have fun.
  • Run a lot of it.
  • Walk when necessary.
  • Finish under 5 hours (but really I want to finish under 4 hours or maybe even in 3 hours)

ALL GOALS ACCOMPLISHED!!! YAY!!!

In 6 weeks, I have another Half Marathon.

I hope to continue training and get in better running shape.  If I don’t have to walk the last few miles, my time will improve.  I have no idea if this course is flat or hilly…so who knows.  But I know I will have fun since I will be in LA and staying with an old friend.

After that, I will do a few 5ks and look for another Half Marathon for the spring.  Yes, I said “Another Half.”

I think I prefer to train in the winter when there’s nothing else to do on weekends and it is not so hot & humid.  There are also not many 5ks races to enter.  I also want to run in a  flat half marathon.

After that, I hope to run many 5ks in the summer as I did before except for the 10 miler in Lake George and maybe a 10k or 15k at some point.

Then who knows…

Happy Running! Anyone know of a FLAT half marathon in the spring in the NE?