April 19, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 17, 2011 by Darlene

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!!!!!!

April 16, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 14, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 12, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 8, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 6, 2011 by Darlene

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!

April 5, 2011 by Darlene

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:

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!!!

April 4, 2011 by Darlene

Brain Exchange #32 & Goals for the Week

Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic: Building Mileage

This Week’s Question: Regardless of the distance you train for, or whether it be road racing or triathlon, training is time consuming. What are your tricks for fitting all your training into your schedule? How do you balance family, friends, work and training?

Balance is the hardest part of running, especially if you are training for a long race. I have to fit in tennis contracts, tennis matches, yoga, work, appts, mah jongg, my mentee, my friends, and my hubby.

I plan all my running for the week on Monday. I post my running schedule on my blog. It keep me accountable.

I arrange my running around my life and my life around my running.

So far, I have luckily been able to do it all.

However, you have to be realistic and flexible. So sometimes, the running part gets cut short because other things are more important.

Last week update:

My goal was 24 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of 24  miles. YAY!!
I played tennis once  and did Yoga once.
This was Week #9 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  3 weeks to go!

Goals for this week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – dentist
Wed – yoga
Thurs – meet bf at the mall
Fri – OFF from Work, mah jongg

This week’s running:

Tues – 4 miles after work
Wed – 3 miles after work
Fri – 12 miles
Sun – Delmar Dash 5 mile race

Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

April 2, 2011 by Darlene

How to get Motivated for a Half Marathon?

How do I get motivated? 3 weeks to go!!

Most people just go out and run more often or run longer.

Not me! I get pysched by planning my running outfit!

first half marathon outfit

That was my first skirt and I loved racing in it. I liked the pockets to carry my phone, camera, gu but my hubby said it made my hips look HUGE! I will wear my ASICS shoes again and the Compression Socks! Why ruin a good thing?

So here’s what I have: