December 22, 2013 by Darlene

14 in 2014

I had no problems running 13 in 2013. In fact. I ran 22 races even though I was out with a broken foot for 2 months.

I even ran 12 in 2012 when I was out for 5 months with a broken ankle and then 2 months with a stress fracture.

So of course, I am committing for 14 in 2014! I usually run at least 20 races (barring injury.)

I would like this year to run 14 NEW races.

Here are the races that I am thinking about:

1. Mayors Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA

2. Lighthouse 5k in St. Augustine, FL

3. LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

4. Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

5. Spring Run Off 5 K or 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

6. Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

7. Adirondack Distance 10 m in Lake George, NY

June 22, 2014

8. CARE FOR KIDS 5K Run in Chestertown, NY

August 30, 2014

9. Flashlight 5K in Lake George, NY

September 21, 2014

10. Race the Train (8.4 mi) in North Creek, NY – if it is held

August 4, 2014??

11. Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K or 10K in Saratoga, NY

October 18, 2014

12. Troy Turkey Trot 5k or 10k in Troy, NY

November 27, 2014

13. a fall half marathon (Palio in Sartagoa, NY, Smuttynose in Hampton, NH, Seacoast in Portsmouth, NH, Hartford in CT, Diva on LI, NY??????)

October 5, 2014

14. a race in NYC (Melissa Fund Sun Run 5k??)

May 18, 2014 – date change

All 14 may not happen but I know that I will run 14 races where most of them will be new.

If you interested in this challenge, click here for more details.

Happy Running? Did you participate in the 13 in 2013 Challenge? Are you going to do the 14 in 2014? Do you run new races each year?

December 16, 2013 by Darlene

Weekly Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – 3 4 miles on the TM after work, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis, dinner out after

I have a lot of friends with December birthdays. Suzy is 67…doesn’t she look great!

Wednesday – 3 miles ~~before~~ after work, then yoga

yoga is next the park – lucky me!

Thursday – 3 miles ~~before work~~ on the TM at work (too cold), haircut after
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday –4 miles + 5K race

in the neighborhood

colder and snowier

Sunday – 3 miles ~~race~~ ~~+3 miles~~, lights in the park with Amanda & kids

This Week:

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – tennis, dinner out after
Wednesday – 3 miles before work, yoga, dinner out for a b-day
Thursday – rest, birthday dinner out
Friday – 3 miles any time (Staycation Begins), tennis dinner party
Saturday – 8 miles
Sunday – day trip to Lee, MA

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races?

December 14, 2013 by Darlene

Last Run 5K Race Report

Dec 14, 2013

This race is always a lot of fun. It sells out fast so I always sign up early. I have done it in 2010, 2011 and 2012. 2010 was my best attempt. In 2011, I fell near the end and in 2012, it was my first race back after my stress fracture. Nonetheless, you do this race for fun, not time.

racing in my first last run jacket

Normally you get windbreakers (I have yellow, orange and blue ones). This year, we got a long-sleeve G-Force wicking fabric shirt.

Also the course changed for the first time. The new course route starts on Washington Ave and proceeds through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park, and ends on State Street.

As in past years, the race starts with 15 minutes of fireworks and then you run through the lights in the park.

Photos from last year:

This year, the weather was the coldest it’s been. Teens and single digits with the wind chill. Yikes! To make matters worse, a snowstorm was predicted. Snow starting in the evening. I kept my fingers crossed that it would not snow hard until I was done. (Remember I fell in this race on dry turf.)

yup – cold and snowy!

My friend Mary Pat signed up for this race and we had decided to go together. But she lives in the hill towns and was afraid to drive in this awful weather. So I begged my hubby to drive me.

Since I was afraid that the snow would prevent me from running on Saturday and on Sunday, I decided to run this morning before the snow.

colder but no snow yet!

Yes, it was freezing!! And I only ran 4 miles rather than my usual weekend 8 in case, I was going to the race in the evening. I knew my legs would be tired and then I wouldn’t be stupid enough to run fast and possibly fall. I could just walk and take photos and have fun.

And that’s what I planned.

I bundled up wearing 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of socks, 3 layers and a hat. I hoped that I would not freeze to death. I also decided on wearing my YakTrax. That way I wouldn’t worry about slipping and falling.

My hubby agreed to drive me to the race. He always does for this race since he has a free parking pass from an old job. This time it didn’t work so we drove around looking for parking. Eventually he just dropped me off at the Empire State Plaza since it was getting late. He would park the car underground and meet me after the race near the band & refreshments.

It was kinda late so I sprinted through the mall which wasn’t easy wearing YakTrax. I found the start just as the fireworks were beginning.

They were really good this year because you had a better view with the new start.

Then headed to the start. It was very crowded. I thought I was at the back but I was facing the wrong way and I was in the front. The race was crowded the whole time. It was also snowing the whole race.

I didn’t wear my Garmin and I didn’t care at all about time. I tried to run (yes run) at a steady pace and slow enough not to fall on the slippery ground.

There were clocks at miles 1, 2 and 3 so I knew that I was running at a slower pace but I was shocked that it wasn’t as slow as I thought.

The lights in the park are spectacular but it was more fun with runners dressed up in costumes and many seeing them for the first time this year. (I have run through this park several times already.)

I only walked once and I really didn’t need to. Even though I had run 4 miles earlier, I was not tired. My legs felt good.

Unfortunately, there were no fireworks while crossing the finish line like last year but I was very pleased with my time (33:16 ) considering the conditions.

I ran this race faster than last year and I was trying to run slow.

I was covered in snow by the end

I went inside to find my hubby. No ice cream this year. Maybe it was too cold. I didn’t win any raffle prizes or AG award so we left quickly and headed to Applebees – my hubby’s reward for driving me to the race in a blizzard.

happy hubby

So this was be my last race of 2013. I signed up for a free one tomorrow. I’ll see how much snow we get overnight.

Happy Running! Anyone one else running a holiday race?

December 11, 2013 by Darlene

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. (Unfortunately, several of my races did not have official results like the Delmar Turkey Trot and the Stuff the Sleigh 5k).)

The Fall series is now running, with races from September 14th to December 31st.

Well, as you can see, I’m in 48th place BUT in my age group I am FIRST (out of 2)!

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!

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

So when 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? How many points did you earn?

December 3, 2013 by Darlene

November Recap

Still running (even with a sometimes painful foot)

NOVEMBER GOALS:

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

it’s getting colder…

Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES. At least 3x a week.
Start daily planks! I should give up on these. Only did a few.
Attend 2 yoga classes! YES. Attended 4!
Complete a 15k race. YES!

15K

Run at least one other race. YES. 2 others.

Delmar Turkey Trot

Stuff the Sleigh 5K

Continue running longer on the weekends. YES. 6-8 miles.

8 miles on the Nisky bike trail

Run a new route. Nope.
Run at least 50 miles this month. YES. Ran 79 miles!!

No theatre this month but I saw several movies (Enough Said, 12 Years a Slave, Philomena – all good)
Ate out fewer times this month, I think (2 Tuesdays after tennis, NYC,with mah jongg friends, with tennis friends, Thanksgiving)

Mah Jongg Chinese dinner

tennis dinner

Ran with some new running partners

Adrienne & Heidi

I got matched with a running buddy (through IRUN4)

a 9 year old with special needs – he is now my motivation to run

Went to Central Park & saw the NYC Marathon finish line as well as hiked the High Line.

at the finish line (closest I will get)

with my college BFFs

DECEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body…Do NOT run if foot pain gets worse.
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.
Start knitting again (socks or something else)
Run before work at least once a week.
Run a new route.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others
Run at least one race.
Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler)
Complete the RW Running Streak (run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s)
Run at least 70 miles this month.

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

November 28, 2013 by Darlene

Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

November 28

This is the 2nd year that I have run this race. I did it 2 years ago and enjoyed it. There are several turkey trots in the area with the big one (10,000 runners) being in Troy. Most of the elites run that one. But the best thing about this race is that it is so close to home and it is flat.

photo from the start in 2012 – bibs are just printed on the shirt…no timing

Last year, they changed the race to be informal in that there are no chips or bibs and only prizes for the winners of the race (No AG awards or any timing.) I didn’t realize that when I signed up and the competitive me was a little disappointed.

My last 3 races have been two 10Ks and a 15K. It has been awhile since I have run a 5K race (like Oct 5) . I wasn’t sure that I would remember how to run fast. I definitely was not expecting the 27:xx that I ran this course 2 years ago but I was hoping for something around 30 minutes.

Unfortunately it was VERY COLD and WINDY (8 degrees with the windchill) and I am a weather wimp. I wanted to wear a skirt and compression socks but probably not too smart when the temps are in the teens. So I put on my tights under my skirt and bundled up as much as I could.

This was the short-sleeved cotton tee shirt which I didn’t wear, of course. I picked it up last night during the fireworks display on my way hone from yoga.

I got to the race early and got a great parking spot. But I had a long wait.

Eventually it got very crowded – about 2000 runners. I waited inside until the the very last minute. I was even cold waiting inside. I never found my friend MaryPat who called me but I didn’t hear the phone.

you can see my head to the right in this pic

With no timing, there was no pressure. Just run and get it done. And that’s what I did. I just started my Garmin and stopped it at the finish line.

I won’t lie, it was cold but the wind died down a bit and the sun was shinning. My face and hands were cold but the rest of me was fine. I am glad I didn’t add on as many layers as others.

I had done NO speed work and I felt it. I was dying by mile 2 but I willed myself to continue and not walk at all.

So although it is not official, I finished at 29:38.

(My Positive) Splits:

mile 1 – 9:28
mile 2 – 9:38
mile 3 – 9:48
.1 – 8:32

Afterward, I texted MaryPat and we met up inside for a donut and pic.

I think this is the first race that I have done without timing. I am not sure if I will do it again. When I pay for a race, I want to be timed. Otherwise, I can just run for fun for free. (That’s just me.)

But I do love starting Thanksgiving Day with a race. And I am happy with my time. I finished under 30 minutes!! All my splits were under 10 minutes!!

There’s always room for improvement!! (On Saturday I have another 5K race and it is timed.)

To celebrate Thanksgiving, my hubby & I went out to the same restaurant as last year. (It has a great view of Lake George and a nice buffet.)

The food was good…not as good as home-cooked and no leftovers but it was relaxing not having to shop, cook and clean-up.

I had 2 plates like this plus 2 desserts!!!!!

What happens with a buffet is that you eat too much…and I did.

great view from the window while eating dinner

Afterwards, we drove up to Bolton Landing to our marina & the Sagamore… just needed to walk around a bit. Then on the way home, we promised to stop by some boating friends’ house.

with the hubby and our friends Chris & Mike

Believe it or not, I turned down dessert there!

Hope you had a

Happy Running! Did you race today? Would you run a race that is not timed?

November 14, 2013 by Darlene

Back to 5ks

My next 3 races are 5Ks.

When all I did was race 5Ks, I used to love them.

Now I have a love/hate relationship with them.

I love them because there is no pressure to run lots of miles on the weekends.You don’t have to be out in the cold for a long time.

I hate them because there is pressure to run fast. I always want to PR.

November 28

November 30

December 14

So how do I cope?

I am going to try to run long on some weekends so I am ready for a 10 mile race on January 11. Then continue to train for my half marathon on March 30.

For now, I am going to try and relax and not stress out about how slow I am. My 5K times will not be where they were for these races in 2011.

Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot – 27:58
Run Off That Turkey 5K – 28:11
Albany Last Run 5K – 30:47 (with a fall)

I want to be smiling like in this 5K (even though I finished in 39 minutes)

I will just try to get as close to 30 minutes as I can and stay HEALTHY.

Happy Running! Do you enjoy 5Ks?

November 12, 2013 by Darlene

Weekly Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – DAY OFF, movie, tennis

very enjoyable!

Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles before work, yoga after work
Thursday – hair appt after work
Friday – 3 miles before work, mah jongg after
Saturday – REST
Sunday – 15K race, movie

disturbingly violent & sad but well done

This Week:

Monday – rest, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles before work, yoga after work
Thursday – 4 miles after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 6 miles
Sunday – rest, mah jongg anniversary dinner

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races?

November 10, 2013 by Darlene

The Stockade-athon 15k Race Report

15K
Nov 10, 2013

To save time, I picked up my bib yesterday.

we got a bag rather than a shirt

I was there early so I was able to take advantage of the sales.

last year’s long sleeve tech shirt for $5

Brooks jacket marked $55 for $25

As indicated in a previous post, this is a new course for me. It changed last year.

The race course starts in front of the Rose Garden and finishes at the Casino Restaurant overlooking Iroquois Lake in Central Park. Race participants follow park perimeter roadways for the first 1.5 miles of the course, and retrace this section of the course when they return to the park after their tour of the historic city. Runners follow a new course that proceeds through the historic GE Realty Plot neighborhood of 19th and 20th century homes laid out in a park like setting near the stately grounds of Union College prior to “Storming the Stockade”, an annual tradition for nearly 4 decades. After a brief half mile tour of downtown Schenectady, the course exits State Street at Clinton St. near Proctor’s Theater and head up Franklin Street to the newly constructed bike path in Vale Park. The Vale Park and Vale Cemetery corridor is part of an inner city greenway initiative between the city and the county to encourage safe recreational opportunities for walkers, runners and cyclists while highlight the city’s remarkable history.

This is my first fall-weather race. So it is always a challenge to be warm but not overdress. Plus, it looked like it might rain. I just wore layers and planned to leave them off. Hopefully, I would not be too cold for a skirt.

I left early. There were supposedly 2000 runners and not enough parking. I found a spot, used the rest room (real ones!) and then stayed warm near the fireplaces in the pavilion and chatted with some runners that I knew. There were some SRMs but we waited too long and didn’t get a photo.

It was cold…in the high 30’s and cloudy (no wind yet). I hesitated but left my jacket and pants behind. I kept my gloves. We had to walk quite a ways to get to the start and by the time we got there, they were already singing the anthem. It was very CROWDED. I was in the middle somewhere and even when the race began, it took a while to get moving.

photo by A. Bradley

I should mention that I had many stomach issues this morning. Not sure if it was something I ate yesterday or what. I was worried about needing a rest room during the race (there are NONE).

And the whole race I felt nauseous…ugh!

starting out in the park

The first 5 miles weren’t too bad. It was supposedly flat but there were at least 2 hills (what I would call hills.) I tried not to walk and to run at a constant pace. My annoying foot was annoying but it didn’t really hurt a lot until I started walking.

photo from last year

That was the water stop around 5 where I had a gel and then there was the HUGE hill around mile 5.5. After that there were rolling hills in the cemetery and on the bike trail.

running through the cemetery

I walked whenever I needed to. I ran for a while with a girl who recognized me from the Monster Scramble 10K.

someone I know posted this on FB…next to me is that girl from the Lake George race (This photo was late in the race…she got way ahead of me & I thought I never saw her again but I guess I did & passed her.

I knew from my Garmin that this would not be a PR so I just tried to enjoy it (which was tough with an upset stomach & foot pain.)

view of the pond after the race

Finally you come back into the park. At least here I got a second wind. You run around the duck pond and it seemed to take forever to get to the finish line (according to my watch it was 9.4 not 9.3) and I was able to sprint through it.

Here are some race photos taken as I was approaching the finish line:

finish line after

There was a long line to get back into the pavilion. I wasn’t that hungry but I needed to get my clothes. While on line I chatted with a nice older runner who took my pic.

happy to be done!! (my skirt was a hit…got at least 20 compliments from spectators!!

There was lots of food – bagels, fruit, candy, pudding, bars, soup, pizza, chocolate milk….

I took a little but I was freezing and anxious to leave and get into a hot shower.

Race Stats:

2013 Garmin time: 1:42:23 (2011 time: 1:35:31)

mile 1 – 10:18
mile 2 – 10:16
mile 3 – 10:25
mike 4 – 10:18
mile 5 – 11:00 – gel/water stop
mile 6 – 11:01 – hills begin
mile 7 – 11:48 – more hills & water stop
mile 8 – 11:58 – dying
mile 9 – 11:12
.4 – 10:09

(Official time:1:42:22)

Race Goals:

A: under 1:37
B: under 1:40
C: finish happy and healthy

So I didn’t meet my goals 😦 but I am glad that pushed through it and finished in spite of not feeling my best. This is a well-organized race with lots of enthusiastic spectators. The course is difficult but interesting. I will definitely try it again.

pretty park in the fall (photo by A. Bradley)

Realistically, I am not the runner I was 2 years ago. I am not sure I ever will be. I am running. I am racing. And that makes me happy.

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

PS.

I wasn’t aware at the time but there was a bomb scare. Apparently there was an unattended backpack at the start/finish line with wires. They considered cancelling the race. But they didn’t. It turned out to be nothing.

police pondering the situation (photo by A. Bradley)

November 8, 2013 by Darlene

My 2nd 15K

15K
Nov 10, 2013

I did this race 2 years ago. Then I was in peak running shape – before broken ankle, stress fracture and broken foot. I had run 5 half marathons that year. And it was a week after I had run my 5th.

Stockade-athon 2011

My Official Time: 1:36:11 (5k time = 32;40, 10K time = 1:03:32, 10:20 pace). My pace was in the 9s the first half and 10’s the second half (and that was with a blister.)

Who knows what will happen this year but I doubt it will be a PR. The course is hilly and I am just not strong enough to run that fast (mentally & physically.)

The Stockade-athon is popularly recognized as the oldest “major” 15K road race in the USA. Starting in 1976 this classic 9.3 miler has become the highlight event on the fall racing season in upstate New York. New England Runner selected the Stockade-athon as its 2005 “Race of the Year.”

The course starts and finishes in beautiful Central Park, Schenectady NY. The course leaves the park at 1.5 miles and follows city streets until reaching the historic Stockade district near the half-way point. The loop course returns to the park after touring Schenectady’s revitalized downtown arts and entertainment district then taking a brief detour through Vale Cemetery before re-entering Central Park for a dramatic finish around Iroquois Lake.

Vale Cemetery

Last year:

The Stockade-thon made significant changes to its traditional course by moving off major city streets where possible while continuing to highlight Schenectady’s historic neighborhoods, parks and inner city greenways.

city streets

A record turnout for the 7th consecutive year also saw runners introduced to changes at the start, as men and women lined up separately for the first time on the divided roadway. “Women have fueled the growth within the sport for several years now, and the talent level at the top has also increased so we decided to seed runners and have them line up according to gender. Women deserve their own space” says director Vince Juliano.

The revised 9.3 mile course passes through two historic neighborhoods before a brief tour of the downtown arts district. The loop course then enters a newly constructed bike path through Vale Park and the historic cemetery before returning to Central Park.

Post race reviews of the course change were positive as 6-time champion Tom Dalton, 53 commented “I liked it, it’s a good solid course. Yeah, there are more turns, but that’s fine”.