Is this when I start to wonder why I signed up?
Do I really want to do another?
My first one was such as great experience. Shouldn’t I just savor it?
Who wants to run up and down the rolling hills of 9N?
Maybe I should work on my 5K speed? There are a lot of those races coming up!
Ok, enough whining!!!
I’ll do it…one month of training left until I run along Lake George! I will do it! I will have fun!!!
Happy Running!
Janis, Jen M, Felice, Jen F, Bridget, Lisa & me
A year ago (actually March 14, 2010) Felice (The Happy Runner) organized a group of young mothers who had NEVER run before. She asked me and several local bloggers to help out.
I participated in the group training runs and got to follow them from the “wondering if they could run 2 minutes without stopping” stage to finally running a 5K race.
at the Freihofers Run for Women 5K
Well, they didn’t stop there!! They ran more 5ks and got faster!!! They ran a 10k!! Then they signed up to run a Half Marathon – in their first year of running!!!!!
Whoa!
I was so proud of them!! But at the same time, a little jealous… This is my 3rd year of running and I’m still entering 5ks!! (51 of them….) And I am happy when I break 30 minutes.
These ladies made me realize that I could push myself. So I did!!
I finished the Turkey Trot 5k well under 28 minutes!!
Then believe it or not, I ran a HALF MARATHON.
So thanks “Running Mamas” for lighting a fire under my feet!
Let me know when you sign up for a Marathon. I have no plans for running one…but you never know…
Happy Running!
Am I nuts? Have I been possessed by the Ides of March?
At least I will have 2 months off before training for my 3rd half marathon. I will have to change my long runs to Thursdays after work to accommodate the boating season of July & August and I will be able still fit in my Sat 5k races. Yay!!!
(On another note – I haven’t run in 3 days!!! I am recovering from Daylight Savings Time and playing tennis 3 days in a row. Running begins tomorrow or else!!!)
Happy Running!
Now that that’s clear. I need to decide if I am running the half on Apr 23, sign up and increase my weekly mileage.
Monday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but played tennis after work. No miles!
Tuesday, I ran 3 miles outside before work dancing over the ice patches and played tennis after work.
Wednesday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but planned to run after work.
BUT I couldn’t move forward, the wind was so strong. I went to yoga instead. No miles!
The yoga class was GREAT!! I felt so good afterwards but when I back out to my car (parked by the curb on a 4 lane street), someone had knocked the side mirror off my car!!!! My hubby took it for an estimate – almost $600 to fix. Ouch!
Today when I got up, it was -4 with the wind chill and there was a light coating of snow on the ground. Off to the gym I went to run 4 miles on the treadmill.
To make matters worse, they predict rain for the weekend (My long run of 9 miles is scheduled!!) I think I’d rather be cold than wet for hours 😦 HELP!!
Happy Running!
at the airport in Mechanicville, NY
It’s been a tough winter! And it just got tougher! My hubby’s plane got destroyed. The snow & ice on top of the hangar got to be too much and it collapsed and crushed the plane…no insurance either 😦
We got it 12 years ago and until we started boating on Lake George we used it a lot! And had a lot of fun!
landing on Lake Champlain
on Saratoga Lake
flying over the Hudson River
So it could be worse as my hubby said: “It could have been destroyed while I was flying in it!” But I know he is feeling a lot of pain.
While he went to his mother’s who consoled him with eggplant parm, I went out for a long run.
It was my first since the half marathon – 7.25 miles!! The weather warmed up a little – 25 degrees (but felt colder when the breeze picked up.) I followed my long run route but couldn’t run on the sidewalks (since no one shovels) and had to stop repeatedly when the road got too narrow & cars were coming at me. I discovered a hilly detour around a park & golf course which was pretty.
I can’t say it was painless. My feet continue to start to hurt after 5 miles (first left then right) and I even got my first blister ever.
Then I spent my pre-Valentine’s Day evening with my mentee – dinner & a movie – it was nice to hang out together.
Happy Running & Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mar 12 – Runnin of the Green 4 mi Run – Green Island, NY
Mar 26 – Firefighters Run 4 Life 5K – Schenectady, NY
Apr 10 – Delmar Dash 5 mi – Delmar, NY
May 8 – Mother’s Day 3.5 – Delmar, NY
Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY
I haven’t registered for my second Half Marathon yet – Apr 23 in Lake George. I want to run it but it’s hilly and I’m chicken. I’m training for it.
I like to run races & those long runs don’t seem to fit in (for example, my 12 mile run is scheduled for Apr 10!) . I work so I can’t do them during the week. I know I can add miles on after or the next day but it doesn’t feel the same as a non-stop long run. I also like to rest the day before a long run. I like to do my best in a race (I’m competitive!) so it’s hard to have it just be a training run at half marathon pace. DILEMMAS! I guess it was easy when I just ran 5ks!! But I really enjoyed that Half Marathon experience!
I’ll figure it out… What’s more important is staying healthy and enjoying life!
Happy Running!
I couldn’t resist posting this.
But you can really substitute “Runner” for “Half Marathoner.”
The 2011 information isn’t up yet…but I have friends who own a house in Daytona Beach and you never know…
2010 info:
The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile course is unlike any other race in the world, bringing runners from the World Center of Racing, to the World’s Most Famous Beach and back!
The entire course will be run on pavement (no beach run). Unfortunately, due to the track repave, we will not be able to run on the track as in previous years. However, we will use various parts of the track in-field, running a little more than 2 miles inside the Daytona International Speedway. (In 2011, the repaving should be done!!)
Runners will start just outside the Sprint FANZONE, only steps from parking, race-day registration & packet pick-up and permanent restrooms. Proceeding north from the start, runners will then loop around a portion of the Speedway’s Go Kart track. After the Go Kart track, runners will enjoy a .6 mile stretch on the scenic boardwalk alongside Lake Lloyd. You will then make your way back past the Sprint FANZONE before exiting the track.
After exiting the track, runners will dash past DAYTONA 500 Experience, the Official Attraction of NASCAR. The course will then head east towards the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing over the beautiful Halifax River and getting a first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, competitors will soon reach the World’s Most Famous Beach at approximately the 7.2-mile mark.
At that point, runners will catch a breathtaking view of the ocean at sunrise, with an approximate .1 mile stretch along the boardwalk at Sun Splash Park, before turning around and beginning the trip back to the Speedway and the finish line. The return includes another trip over the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as a run past one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American colleges, Bethune-Cookman University.
At the 13-mile mark, runners will reenter Daytona International Speedway, cross over the track and make a final sprint towards the finish line just outside the Sprint FANZONE. One of the best post race parties around is then just a few steps away in the Sprint FANZONE with awards taking place in the adjacent Gatorade Victory Lane.
KEY FEATURES:
Daytona International Speedway
The Speedway annually hosts the Super Bowl of motorsports, the DAYTONA 500, each February. The World Center of Racing is also the home of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, held each July.DAYTONA 500 Experience
The attraction is located outside turn four of the Speedway on the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Bill France Blvd., and is the official attraction of NASCAR. Guests can experience the sights, sounds and history of the DAYTONA 500 through static and interactive displays. Each Daytona Beach Half Marathon entrant receives one complimentary DAYTONA 500 Experience admission.Mainland High School
At the 3.5-mile mark, runners will pass Mainland High School, the alma mater of NBA star Vince Carter. The school’s gymnasium is named after Carter, who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school. Carter currently plays for the hometown Orlando Magic.Bethune-Cookman University
Runners will run past BCU twice during the race. Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, and is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities.Daytona Beach
Competitors will reach the World’s Most Famous Beach just past the 7-mile mark. Sunrise on race day is approximately 7:35 a.m., providing a great view once runners reach the ocean. Unlike the inaugural race’s quick turnaround, the course will wind through the oceanfront Sunsplash Park and includes a one-block run on the beach boardwalk. That is where the course will turn around and head back to the start line. The course does NOT run on the sand.
How cool does this sound???
A girl can dream!!
Happy Running!
The weekend started with Friday evening at the Lake George Winter Carnival Gala at the The Georgian in Lake George. We had a great time, eating, drinking and dancing to the music of Bobby Dick & the Sundowners (our favorite band).
Saturday am I watched my favorite tennis player, Kim Clisters, win the Australian Open. Then went out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood. The sidewalks were in better condition than in Albany but there aren’t many of them so I had to run in the road. Not too treacherous around where I live.
I did it in a little over an hour. My pace is still slow but getting better.
Then 2 friends that I used to work with suggested Yoga, dinner & then a movie. Sounded like fun. I haven’t done yoga in ages and wanted to get back into it.
The yoga session was De-Stress Yoga and it was really slow & relaxing. It was Sat night so there were only 4 people in the class. I am really stiff & have no flexibility at all. So I think yoga will be good for me.
Guess what I signed up for next Thursday there-
I am psyched!
The movie we saw was “Blue Valentine.” Although the acting was great, it was pretty depressing. Not sure I’d recommend it unless you enjoy watching a marriage gone bad.
Sunday was very low key – laundry, grocery shopping. I did my taxes (got depressed about how much $$$ we owe the govt), watched figure skating on TV while making chicken soup.
Next up 12 weeks away is the Lake George Half Marathon on April 23, 2011.
I haven’t signed up yet. But I think I will. I know it won’t be as warm or as scenic as Naples, Florida. I know that it is HILLY!! I’m not proud & I can walk up the hills and now that I know I can run 13.1, I want to do another and another and another.
Crazy, huh?
I think I like not being pressured about time. I like all the excitement. I like the finisher medal.
Goals for the week:
Last week update:
My goal was 15 miles & I ran 16.5 miles
This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Wed – dentist, fleetfeet workshop (good form running)
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – winter carnival in LG
Sun – time with mentee
This week’s running:
Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs – 3 miles before or after work
Sat – 4 mi Race
Sun: 4 mi
Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles
February Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles, 4mi race, half marathon training
Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles
Happy Running!
My First 5K and More... 
