Half Marathon

by

Half Marathon Goals

Why I was super psyched for my first half marathon:

  • It was my first!!!!!!
  • It was my longest race over 5k!!
  • It took place in Florida.
  • It was in a warm climate during a very cold winter.
  • It was so easy to plan my race outfit.
  • It is a flat course!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • It was in Naples, my favorite tennis vacation spot!
  • It was scheduled on my wedding anniversary!
  • My hubby would be waiting at the finish line.
  • It could be combined with a vacation (& my hubby’s trip to visit his sister).
  • The race was followed by relaxing on the beach!
  • I didn’t tell anyone  I was running a half marathon (except bloggers) so no expectations.
  • I didn’t care about my time (unless it was over 2:45)
  • I just wanted to finish strong & get a medal!!

I am happy!!!

Why I am NOT super psyched for my 2nd half marathon:

  • It is NOT my first!!!!!!
  • I have already raced longer than 5K:  4 miles, 5 miles and 13.1
  • It is almost local.
  • It has been a cold, windy cloudy spring.
  • I cannot decide what  to wear.
  • My hubby cannot come.
  • My Lake George friends are still in Florida.
  • My running buddy who talked me into this race is injured and cannot run.
  • It is not flat.
  • What if it rains – I’ve never run in the ran, never raced in the rain (and I don’t want to)
  • My feet hurt…
  • I should try to PR.  PRESSURE!

Why I am going to GET PSYCHED for my 2nd half marathon:

  • It ‘s my second!!
  • I love racing!
  • I love Lake George!!
  • I know 2 or 3 women who are racing it.
  • I will meet some new DMers there.
  • The outlets are nearby.
  • There’s a 4 hour time limit. (No pressure)
  • I don’t have to PR. (I will have more chances to PR – Sept 25, Nov 6…)
  • I will get a medal!!

Happy Me!!

So here are my GOALS:
A – PR – faster than 2:28 (ot) or 2:26 (gt)
B – faster than 2:45
C – finish strong and have fun

Happy Running!

by

Jelly Bean Virtual Race

I signed up for the 5K which was perfect because my taper runs this week were scheduled to be 3 miles.

I am glad I am not a teacher because it is school break week and the weather has been horrible…cloudy, cold, rainy everyday!!!!!!!

Today was no different. It was nasty and raining on and off all day. 

I wore my usual capris, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, cap and ran my after work loop.

Splits:

Mile 1- 11:08
Mile 2 -10:55
Mile 3 -10:28
.1 – 8:49

Time – 32:33

This was LAST taper run before my Half Marathon on Saturday so I tried to run at the same pace as I hope to during that race.

I was happy that my splits were negative and I didn’t get too wet.

Then off to yoga class I went.  I ❤ Yoga!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! Still praying for good weather on Saturday!

by

Two for Tuesday


1. Yesterday morning I slept in so I had no choice but to run after work. I always bring outdoor running clothes & indoor running clothes (it is very hot where the treadmill is located.) It was cloudy not raining so I changed to run outside.  I got outside and it started to rain so I went back in and changed my clothes. Believe it or not, they rearranged the stage in the gym for an event and the treadmill was gone 😦  So I changed back and went outside to run in the RAIN.  I have never run in the rain (I am a wimp!) but it was only sprinkling and I ran a quick 3 miles before it started to pour. Phew! Then I was off to play tennis (indoors).

2. Yesterday’s Boston Marathon was very motivating.  I am so happy that everyone I knew did well. I am in awe of the women runners esp. Kara & Joan.

Women’s Winner:

Men’s Winner:

Love this one:

Saturday is not looking good – According to weather.com, I may be running in the rain again…

Even worse, Accuweather has predicted HIGH WINDS. (They are wicked along the lake, too)

Happy Running! Praying for a calm dry Saturday!

by

Tapering and Weather Watching

Last week update:

My goal was 19 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of  19  miles. YAY!!
I played  tennis  twice.
This was Week #11 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  Less than 1 week to go! HELP!!

Goals for this week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis after work
Tues – Passover Seder
Wed – yoga
Thurs – mall w/bf
Fri –  lunch w/friends, packet picket, pasta dinner
Sun – Easter dinner

This week’s running: (TAPER TIME!!)

Mon – 3 miles before work
Wed – 3  miles after work
Thurs – rest
Fri – rest
Sat – 131.1 – Lake George Half Marathon
 
Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles 
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

After a good run on Sat, I am antsy to run more but the weather has kept that under control.  It is cold, rainy, windy…why is Spring in the NE so late in coming??? I’ll have to remember that when I sign up for a spring Half Marathon.

I keep checking all the weather websites and they say RAIN for Sat.  There’s still time, it can change….PLEASE!

Happy Running! Good Luck to all those runners in Boston!!!!!!

by

Last Long Cupcake Run

I was thinking about racing today – there were 2 fun races going on and I knew someone running in each one.

Last night while I was playing Mah Jongg, I didn’t feel like leaving early so I decided to play it by ear.

I woke up around 7 am, went back to sleep, woke up at 8am and then went back to sleep and finally got up at 9am.

I still had time.  Dodge the Deer was at 10 am and St Peter’s 5k was at 11 am.

I looked outside and it was dark, cloudy, windy and not a nice looking day.  I checked the weather and it said it wouldn’t rain until tonight.  I wondered if they looked outside.

That decided it for me.  Why pay money & waste gas for an unpleasant run. As much as I love racing, I hate RAIN more!

So I decided to do a cupcake run. 

Last week for my 12 miler, I ate 2 cupcakes but today, I had only 8 on my schedule.  One cupcake would be enough.

I dressed in capris, one sleeve shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker, cap & gloves – yeah I was cold!!!

Instead of Gu, I decided to try the Honey Milk that I won a case of.  I HATE MILK (Never drink it) so I chose the coffee one. It seemed the most bearable.  It was ok.  I drank about half. I still felt hungry running & a little nauseous so this wouldn’t be my preferred race fuel.

I was either cold or warm depending on the wind.

I must say that this was my best training run ever! I ran at a consistent pace and much faster than usual (between 10:12 and 10:38).  I didn’t walk at all.

I passed the high school where they were having a girls track meet.  I was tempted to stop & watch but I needed to get my miles in before the rain.

I got to 4 miles and planned to loop back but I hadn’t reached the cupcake store.  Phew only 1/4 mile away.  This week I got a free chocolate one and a bottle of water. It was delish!!!!

 The way back was even winder but I finished strong!

Pre-cupcake 44:44
Post-cupcake 43:19

8.5 miles – 1:28:03
Pace 10:21

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

by

The Countdown is on… 9 Days!

Got this email yesterday:

I am getting excited.  One more long run (8 mi) on Sat or Sun. 

I took next Friday off from work. I’m having lunch with some Lake George boating friends. I have reservations for the night at Fort William Henry Hotel.  My running buddy Mary is injured (and may walk it).  My quilting friend Terry & her husband are running it as well as Cyndi who I know from DM.

My outfit is complete except that the weather may not cooperate.  It’s too early to tell but so far it looks like it will be cold, cloudy, rainy, snowy depending on which website you check.

29...ouch

Right now, I am praying for NO RAIN from 8:00-11:00 am on Saturday, April 23!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I’d prefer warm & sunny…)

Happy Running!

by

Tuesday Temptation

in California

Half Marathon #2 has not been run.  Nor has Half Marathon #3.  And I am tempted by Half Marathon #4?????

Lucky you can’t sign up until July 2011.

Why this race?

Nancy and I have been best friends since junior high or 1968 or so. She now lives in Pa. or we don’t see each other very often but chat frequently thru Facebook.

I also chat on Facebook with her sister Ellen who lives in California and runs marathons.

She suggested that I come West and run with her.  I said “Maybe if you could find me a Fall flat half marathon” and she did (Santa Clarita on Nov 6, 2011) and we invited Nancy to come too!

Nothing is definite.  I prefer to wait longer after my Sept 25 Half.  I also need to use frequent flier miles to be able to afford the trip and then break it to my tennis friends that I will not be planning our November tennis trip (and to my hubby that I am using our miles for another half marathon.)

Either way.  It’s exciting and motivating. 

 I skipped my run this am because I was exhausted after  last nite’s tennis.  I hope to squeeze in a short run before the rain and tonite’s tennis.

Happy Running!

by

The (2) Cupcake Long Run

 Enough already! It’s April 8!!

But I can see shorts in my future 🙂

Although it was in the 40s and cloudy today, I was determined to wear shorts and I did!

I took the day off from work to do my long run – the sign of a real “runner.”

I decided to the take the same route as my last run of 11 miles but continue on to the golf course for another 1/2 mile and run back home. I grabbed some Gu and a coupon for a FREE cupcake  in a new bakery that just happened to be on my route (Just a coincidence!!)

I wanted to simulate my half marathon pace which was to run without stopping except at the 2 mile water stops. I did that for the first 2 miles but then I had to stop periodically to avoid getting hit by cars crossing the street and then at 4 1/2 miles, there was the new bakery!!

I went in and got my free cupcake (vanilla with buttercream frosting and sprinkles – delish!) and a bottle of water. I ate the cupcake & drank half the water & stashed it for the way back.

It was supposed to be sunny but the sun never came out.  It was a good thing because I would have been warm.

I ran to the golf course.  It was closed because it was bought over by new owners.  They were cleaning it up and a TV station was there interviewing the new owners.  I may be on TV running by in the background.

I headed back to pick up my water by the Cupcake Shop.  You know the rest of the story.  I bought cupcake #2 – this time a lemon one with raspberry filling – even better than the first.

I would have bought a box if I could carry them!

 Cupcake fuel was even better than GU. Too bad they’re don’t have them during races and that they’re too messy to carry in your pocket!

As usual, my pace was pretty slow but as always I try to finish up strong.  And I did … My time was 2:19 – nothing to write home about but my 12 mile training run before my first and only half was 2:22.

Done at last!

Hopefully my legs hold up for my 5 mile race on Sunday!!

If you’re on Facebook, check out Women’s Running Magazine.  I am today’s “GODDESS.”

 

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

 

by

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

“The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy…It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.” – – Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

I will try to remember this when I run on April 23 —

Happy Running!

by

Virtual and Non-Virtual Races – Gotta Love Em!

Virtual Races

I love to compete in Virtual Races.  They are FREE!  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you are accountable to run that distance. There is no pressure.  It doesn’t matter what your finishing time is.  You can fit it in whenever you have time. You discover NEW blogs.  And sometimes you can win a random prize just for entering. Below are two Virtual Races coming up:

 

CantaffordVM

Non – Virtual Races

I love to compete in Non Virtual Races even more.  They are not free but most of the entrance fees do go to charity and you get a teeshirt.  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you have to TRAIN to run that distance. There is  pressure.  But that’s a good thing.   Under pressure is when I do my best running. They are scheduled so you have to organize your life and rearrange things. You meet other runners. You feel like you are part of a community that shares the same interest – racing.  And sometimes you can  even win some bling.  Below are some of the Non Virtual Races that I may run (the purple ones are definites):

  • 4-10-11 Delmar Dash 5mi
  • 4-23-11 Lake George  Half Marathon
  • 4-30-11 Great Mom’s 5-K Fun Run or YMCA 5k or St. John’s/St. Ann’s Center Spring Run-Off 5k/10k or Brink 5k  or 5-01-11 Sean’s Run 5k or Literacy 5k ??
  • 5-08-11 Mother’s Day Race (3.5 mi)
  • 5-19-11  CDPHP Workforce Challenge 3.5
  •  5-22-11 SPAC 5K Rock & Run
  •  6-4-11 Freihofer’s Run for Women
  •  6-11-11 Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
  •  6-27-11 35th Annual Adirondack Distance run (10Mi)???
  • 7-23-11 Silks & Satins 5k
  •  Fasig Tipton 5k –
  • 8-13-11  Jailhouse Rock 5K
  • 8-20-11 – New Visions 5K
  • 9-10-11 Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope 5K
  • 9-15-11 -Schenectady Arc 5k or Get Your Rear in Gear 5k
  • 9-23-11 Arensal City 5K   ??
  • 9-25-11 Adirondack Half Marathon
  • 10-01-11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 
  • Falling Leaves 5K
  • 10-22-11 Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k
  • 11-11-11 Valatie Veteran’s Run
  • 11-24-11 Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 
  • 12-03-11 Jingle Bell Run
  • 12-17-11  Albany Last Run

    • Happy Running! Sign up for some races!!!