January 11, 2014 by Darlene

New and Improved National Running Challenge

Do you like FREE things and do you like to run RACES? Then you need to check out the National Running Challenge!

The National Running Challenge is a challenge for runners who run races. Each challenge series runs for several months. All you have to do is after each race, enter your stats to earn points. Your finishing time does not matter! The longer the race, the more points you get. However, there needs to be an official results page.

The Fall series is now over and believe it or not, I won my Age Group!

If you are leading in the standings, whether it is overall or age group, you may win prizes! The prizes can be anything from gift cards to running related items!

My prize is worth a big $5 but at least I won something. (The number of winners and prize values in your age group is dependent on the total number of participants in your age group.)

So you may win a prize even if you are not fast. That is cool!

The Spring series goes from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014. The prize pool has gone up from $575 to $1150. You can also find and register for races through Active.com from this site.

So if you sign up, be sure to put me down as your referral, Darlene Cardillo! (That’ll give me 5 more points!)

Happy Running! Did you sign up?

January 7, 2014 by Darlene

My Next Race and First of 2014

My latest excuse for a vacation is that a friend moved to Palm Springs, CA in August and she invited me to come visit.

Remember Mary, my running, ice cream buddy?

So guess where I am going January 8-13, 2014? PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA!!

It is not an ideal time to take off from work since I just had 2 weeks off and it’s is the start of a new semester. But it sounded like a nice race, Mary is still on vacation & I was able to use my frequent flyer miles.

So off I go… to run this race:

Here’s the race description:

Join the Mayor of Palm Springs for one of the most scenic runs you will ever experience. The race is part of Mayor Steve Pougnet’s commitment to health and reducing childhood obesity. See the uptown, downtown, historic buildings, parks and the scenic mountain views. There is a race for everyone of every age. Come join the fun! Every registrant receives a hot breakfast and finisher’s medal! Raffle prizes, food samples, and a fun flat course make this one of the best! Prizes for every age division. Commemorative photo and medal for every 5K and 10 Mile finisher! Breakfast is included! Join us at the Pre-Race Spaghetti Dinner the night before.

We are both running the 10 miler. My first so a PR!!

I am really excited to see Mary again. To run with Mary! To leave the cold weather!

view from Mary’s patio…she lives on the 12th hole

I am excited! My only goal for this race is to have fun and finish healthy.

Happy Running! Do you plan your vacations around races??

January 6, 2014 by Darlene

Weekly Running Update

Last Week: (Off from work ALL WEEK!)

Monday –~~rest,~~ 3 miles, tennis

in town and around the golf course

Tuesday – 4 3 miles (tennis cancelled), New Year’s Eve dinner out
Wednesday – ~~rest,~~ 3 miles, cruise on Lake George, (yoga cancelled)

in the neighborhood

on Lake George

Thursday – ~~4 miles~~ rest – too cold and snowy

we got about a foot but the temps were sub-zero

Friday – 3 miles on the treadmill at work, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, bus trip to NYC with the hubby for the Boat Show, lots of walking miles in NYC

Sunday – 8 slow slippery miles

on the Corning Bike Path – just did it slow as to not fall.

This Week: (Back to work 😦 )

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 miles on TM at lunch, tennis
Wednesday – rest, fly to Palm Springs
Thursday – 3 miles?
Friday – rest
Saturday – 10 mile race!!
Sunday – rest
Monday – rest, fly home

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races to start off the new year?

January 5, 2014 by Darlene

I am a RunNerd.

Yes, I keep track of everything…running.

Miles Run Monthly
	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Jan	0	38	72	0	67
Feb	0	44	68	0	84
Mar	0	53	90.5	0	81
Apr	12	47	83	3	66
May	19	53	57.5	21	50
Jun	12	55	59	46	3
Jul	23	54	26	64	17
Aug	33	45.5	56.5	59	56
Sept	33	59.5	76	65	79
Oct	31	68.5	106	10	70
Nov	17	66	67	9	79
Dec	29	95	86	46	86
Total	209	678.5	849	322	738

(I didn’t keep track in 2008. But it was probably around 100 since I only ran April-Oct. and very few miles at a time. Injured months are in red.)

Races Run Monthly
	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Jan	0	0	0	1	0	1
Feb	0	0	0	1	0	2
Mar	0	0	1	2	0	2
Apr	1	0	1	2	0	3
May	2	4	4	4	0	2
Jun	1	1	3	2	2	1
Jul	2	0	1	0	1	1
Aug	1	3	2	0	2	0
Sept	3	3	3	1	4	3
Oct	3	4	2	2	2	3
Nov	0	1	2	4	0	3
Dec	0	1	2	2	1	1
Total	13	17	21	21	12	22

So although I started running in April of 2008, I didn’t seriously train until 2010.

Types of Races Run Yearly
	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Total
5K	12	16	20	11	10	14	83
3.5 mi.	1	1	1	1	0	0	4
4 mi.	0	0	0	2	1	2	5
5 mi	0	0	0	1	0	1	2
10K	0	0	0	0	1	3	4
15K	0	0	0	1	0	1	2
10 mi.	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Half Marathon	0	0	0	5	0	2	7

I only ran 5ks until January 2011. After that, I added half marathons and other distances and continued to run 5ks.

I plan to continue this running/racing schedule.

At my age, I don’t see myself running over 1000 miles or running marathons or ever doing a triathlon.

I LOVE running! I LOVE racing even more!

I enjoy tennis and yoga!

I also enjoy boating and spending time with my family and friends!!!!!

Happy Running! Do you keep track of your running? Have your running goals changed through the years?

January 4, 2014 by Darlene

Long Runs

I found this on Pinterest and thought it appropriate to post here:

Long Runs…
….at times, a confidence booster,
and other times
…..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come,
or how much farther you need to go
….a chance for mental cleansing,
or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies,
or much needed “me” time
….done just as the sun is rising,
or chasing the sun to bed
….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life,
except for one
….Runner

last summer

last Saturday

Happy Running! How would you describe your long runs?

January 3, 2014 by Darlene

Foto Friday

There’s no better way to look back on the good things that happened than by looking through your blog photos.

So here’s a month by month look at the highlights of 2013:

January:

running over a bridge while on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida

February:

winning an AG award with AJH at the Polar Cap 4 mile race

March:

finishing the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

April:

running Sean’s Run 5K with Mary

May:

running the Mother’s Day 5K with my tennis buddy, MaryPat and winning lst place in my new AG.

June:

not a good month but this was taken BEFORE the Freihofer’s Run for Women (the race where I broke my foot)

July:

recovered enough to complete the Biggest Loser 5K

August:

no races this month but several trips to scenic Chestertown to play tennis and run

September:

winning an AG award at the Helper’s Fund 10k where I met a new running partner, Heidi

October:

finishing the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon and seeing a lot of familiar faces

November:

running the Stockade-athon 15K

December:

running the Last Run 5k in a snowstorm (just for fun)

It was definitely hard to choose just one memory from each month. I feel very fortunate.

Happy Running! What were some of your highlights of 2013?

January 2, 2014 by Darlene

2014 Running Goals

14 Goals for 2014:

Do not get injured.
Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.
Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.
Finish most of my 5K races under 30 minutes.
Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.
Run a race in another state or even a NEW state.
Run at least 10 NEW races.
Run in NYC.
Get an Age Group award.
Run a 10 mile race.
Run at least one half marathon.
PR in a half marathon.
Run over 800 miles.
Continue to blog almost everyday.

I think my goals are pretty conservative. I think they are ALL achievable.

The toughest will be #12. The most important will be #1. If #1 happens, then #3 and #13 can follow.

Happy Running. Happy New Year! What is your biggest goal for 2014?

January 1, 2014 by Darlene

2013 is in the books…

I must say that things were looking up until June 1 and then I broke my foot. I started getting back on track in August and the year ended pretty well.

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, except for June & July.

even ran 3 times while on vacation in May

Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – YES, until June 1. I started tennis again in Sept. I didn’t start yoga again until late Oct.

Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – YES. Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day, and Freihofer’s – all under 30 min. Post broken foot, I finished the Malta 5K, Race for the Cure, Delmar Turkey Trot and Stuff the Sleigh under 30. NO PR this year!! (I think my 5K PR days are over.)

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – YES. 3rd at the Polar Cap 4m, in the correct AG I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K, 2nd in the Biggest Loser 5K & Helper’s Fund 10k, and 1st in the Race for Hope 5K, the Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5K. Getting older rocks!

Polar Cap 4m – 3rd in 50-59

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

Mother’s Day 5K – 1st in 60-69

Helper’s Fund 10K – 2nd in 60-69

Race for Hope 5K – 1st in 60-69

Monster Scramble 10K – 1st in 60-69

Stuff the Sleigh 5k – 1st in 50+

PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – YES, both of my 10ks were faster. My PR was at the Helper’s Fund.

Helper’s Fund 10k

Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – NO (broke my foot). I hope to run my first in January.
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and/or a fall one) – YES, I ran 2 – the Sarasota Half Marathon in March and the Mohawk Hudson in October.

Sarasota Half Marathon 3/17/13

Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon – 10/13/13

Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – YES, 22 total races – at least one per month except for August (when I decided to cautiously recover from my broken foot.)

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

one of 3 September races

one of 3 November races

Run a race in another state – YES, I ran in Florida and Vermont.

Florida racing

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

running in Vermont

Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – YES, 11 out of 22 were new ones – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Sarasota Half, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, Biggest Loser 5k, Helper’s Fund 10K, Mohawk Hudson Half, Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5k. (NYC hopefully next year)

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

The Biggest Loser RunWalk (including a ride on a chair lift)

Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – YES. I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 10 healthy months.

Happy Running! How was your 2013? Do you set goals?

December 31, 2013 by Darlene

December Rundown

DECEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! YES! At least 3x week!

in the park

in town

in the neighborhood

on the bike path

Do not overdo and listen to my body…Do NOT run if foot pain gets worse. YES! Only ran 1 mile on rest days of the streak and then added my rest days back. Foot pain is much improved.
Attend at least 2 yoga classes! YES! Attended 3 classes!
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. YES on most days! Thanks to my co-worker Sherri.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out. I doubt it. It is the holiday season!

ate lots of cookies

and desserts

Start knitting again (socks or something else)

working on a pair of socks

Run before work at least once a week. Not often! Too cold!

would you run?

Run a new route. Yes, sorta. I haven’t run this route in 3 years.

in town and around the golf course

Continue to run some of my long runs with others. Nope. Just couldn’t coordinate our days. I usually run on Saturday and they run on Sunday. Definitely plan to do it next month!
Run at least one race. YES!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler) YES!

8 miles on the Corning bike trail

Complete the RW Running Streak (run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s) NO! I decided to quit after 10 days straight.

Run at least 70 miles this month. YES! 86 – my biggest month this year!

I also visited NYC with 2 friends.

I spent some time with my mentee Amanda and her sons. In fact I saw them 3 times this month.

I celebrated quite a few dinners out – 5 birthdays, 2 tennis parties, Christmas & New Year’s Eve. Holy waist line!

tennis friend Suzy’s b-day

former co-worker Cheryl’s b-day

college friend Judy’s b-day

tennis party

I went to see several very enjoyable movies: Philomena, Catching Fire, Book Thief, American Hustle, Saving Mr Banks.

I also read some good books including What Alice Forgot, the Aviator’s Wife, the Orphan Train.

JANUARY GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body!
Attend at least 2 yoga classes!
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over.
Run before work at least once a week.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others
Complete my first 10 mile race.
Run at least one other race.
Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon)
Run at least 70 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything exciting planned for January?

December 28, 2013 by Darlene

Another Destination Race

Yup, that’s me.

Our good friends that moved to Florida live not far. I visited them last January and we went to St Augustine which I loved.

St Augustine lighthouse

at the top

Anyway, I found this race and it sounds really cool:

A celebration of historic preservation, community gatherings and family outings from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Night Fest begins at 4:30 p.m. with the 5k Walk and Fun Run starting at 5:30 p.m.. Then, at dusk, the French lens comes alive with light at the top of the tower. A special presentation on navigating by the stars will be presented via the Smithsonian Institutions Affiliates Program. A local cooking contest will also be featured with voting from attendees. Plus, there will be boat building, a crafts tent and a new shipyard play area for children.

the course

The timing is not great. I have to take Feb 24 & 25 off to work at the NYS bar exam. But I am going to try to make it work (and I convinced my hubby to come along.)

Happy Running! Are you planning any destination races?

My First 5K and More…

An "Older" Runner's Blog

Races

New and Improved National Running Challenge

My Next Race and First of 2014

Weekly Running Update

I am a RunNerd.

Long Runs

Long Runs…
….at times, a confidence booster,
and other times
…..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come,
or how much farther you need to go
….a chance for mental cleansing,
or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies,
or much needed “me” time
….done just as the sun is rising,
or chasing the sun to bed
….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life,
except for one
….Runner

Foto Friday

2014 Running Goals

2013 is in the books…

December Rundown

Another Destination Race

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Long Runs… ….at times, a confidence booster, and other times …..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come, or how much farther you need to go ….a chance for mental cleansing, or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies, or much needed “me” time ….done just as the sun is rising, or chasing the sun to bed ….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life, except for one ….Runner

Share this:

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Share this:

Long Runs…
….at times, a confidence booster,
and other times
…..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come,
or how much farther you need to go
….a chance for mental cleansing,
or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies,
or much needed “me” time
….done just as the sun is rising,
or chasing the sun to bed
….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life,
except for one
….Runner