October 19, 2013 by Darlene

Monster Scramble 10K Race Report

The Monster Scramble 5K, 10K, and 1 mile family-fun stroll is just what you’ve been waiting for – a Halloween themed, chip-timed course through one of our spooky sites. It’s sure to make your heart (and feet) race!

As I already mentioned, I signed up for this race after I broke my foot and I thought that I would defer my half marathon until next year.But I didn’t defer and ran 131. miles last Sunday.

This race took place in Lake George and started at 12:15 pm. I decided to dress like a Parrot Head and have fun with this race. I knew nothing about the course other than Lake George races are always hilly.

My hubby wanted to go up to the marina and winterize our boat, So he offered to drop me off and then continue up to Bolton Landing and pick me up on his way home.

I planned to run the race, change my clothes and hang out in the village with my friend Kathi.

I had no goals for this race. Just enjoy the day!

When I got up, the weather was chillier and windier than I hoped. I changed my outfit several times but settled on the first outfit – a skirt and shirt with compression socks. Hopefully it would warm up.

My hubby was itching to leave so I got to the race about an hour early. The race began and ended at the Conference Center by Fort William Henry. I got my bib & chip and walked around a little looking at the beautiful lake.

I bumped into a lady who seemed to be by herself also. We chatted. She hadn’t raced in a while. Though it was a small crowd. Everyone was in costume and very enthusiastic.

Me as a “parrot head”..it may look cute but I could hardly see out of those glasses, the hat kept falling off & the lei kept choking me…

Around noon, we lined up and about 5 minutes later (while I was chatting), the race started. (Early??)

The first mile looped around the fort and the Conference Center. And yes, I encountered my first hill. I decided to be smart and take it slow so I could finish stronger than I did at the half marathon last week.

During mile 2 is when things started to go bad. The course was poorly marked. There were few volunteers on the course. Just a few passing out candy. They didn’t know the course either. So I and everyone else just followed the flow. And then we were told that we went the wrong way so had to go bad and turn around. Great …did I really want to run longer??

Next the course headed uphill… gradually but then it got very STEEP. I mean I had a hard time walking up it. Instead of looping around and going down it, they wanted you to go up it a second time.

That was fine except that many people were only doing it once. (The lady I was chatting with before the race claimed that she wasn’t as well others who had made the wrong turn.)

But I did and then headed back toward the start.

Then the 5kers turned right to finish and the 10kers turned left. I so wanted to quit and do the 5k.

But I didn’t and continued on. I ran the rest of the race with two young girls. The rest of the race was a repeat of the 5k we had just run.

However at this point, the volunteers had all quit. Just one at around mile 4.5 who had water. (It was warm and boy was I thirsty. I also ate a gel.) The volunteer also told us that there were only 8 runners ahead of us. (Really there were 5.) But there were NO runners behind us!! (Actually there was 1 that I never saw.)

The 3 of us stayed together so we wouldn’t get lost. When we got to the top of the BIG hill, they said they weren’t doing it twice and just turned around and started running down.

I looked at my Garmin and realized that if we did the 2 loops, we would be way over 6 miles, more like 7. If I didn’t, we would just be a little short.

So not wanting to be last and run by myself, I followed them and ran/walked to the finish line.

well, I crossed around 1:03:18. I ran almost 6 miles. I’ll not count this a 10K PR – just exercise and money given to fight MS.

done!

My friend Kathi was waiting for me at the finish. We hung around for awards and had some cider and donuts.

And yes, I won for my age group. (and I was the only one in my AG!!)

race swag

So this will be a race that I won’t repeat. Next year, I’ll do the Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K in Saratoga.

After the race, Kathi & I walked around the village and then back to her house.

Kathi & I & Lake George

My hubby had finished winterizing our boat and was there with Kathi’s hubby. It was a nice day so we decided to take a drive to the top of Prospect Mountain.

my & the hubby at the first stop

We stopped at the all the viewing stops for pics .

Then we took a bus to the top (because cars weren’t allowed.)

We decided to end the day with dinner at a restaurant called the View (because you have a great view of the lake.) The food was great too.

So I am glad that I ran that race so that I could spend a delightful day with my hubby and friends.

Happy Running! Have you ever run a race just for fun?

October 18, 2013 by Darlene

Foto Friday

Of course, here are some pictures from my half marathon last Sunday:

Fake smiling at mile 10:

Done and really happy:

Happy Running! $24.95 for ONE photo!? Do you buy your race photos? Do you think they should all be free downloads? I do.

October 17, 2013 by Darlene

Next Race

The Monster Scramble 5K, 10K, and 1 mile family-fun stroll is just what you’ve been waiting for – a Halloween themed, chip-timed course through one of our spooky sites. It’s sure to make your heart (and feet) race! If running isn’t your speed, choose to stroll along our family fun one-mile route, collecting Halloween goodies along the way. We encourage participants to dress up and have fun. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers, the best in each age category, and the best costume.

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013
Time: 12:15 p.m. start
Location: Fort William Henry,
48 Canada Street,
Lake George, NY 12845

I signed up for this race after I broke my foot and I thought that I would defer my half marathon until next year. I also love Lake George and the race is there.

Well, I ran the half marathon on Sunday and now I have another race on Saturday.

This sounds like a fun race. I signed up for 10K. I want to keep up my weekend miles so I’ll be ready for the 15K on Nov 10.

I’ll probably dress like a “ParrotHead” because it is easy & I can run in some version of it

here we are as “parrot heads” a few years ago.

I have no goals for this race. It will be hilly I am sure. I will be running in a costume & my legs may be tired. I hope to relax and have fun.

Happy Running! Have you ever run in a costume?

October 15, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – the Aftermath

Last Week:

Monday – (DAY OFF) 4 miles on the rail trail, tennis

pre-rain trail run

Tuesday – 1 mile walk at work, dinner with friends

dinner at Helsinki in Hudson, NY

Wednesday – 1 mile walk at work, 2 miles after work, YOGA

pre yoga run

Thursday – 1 mile walk at work, 3 miles after work on the Treadmill

thank God for Nashville

Friday – 1 mile + 2 mile walk at work, REST, Les Miserables in the evening

lunchtime walk in the park

Saturday – REST, expo, REST, boating on Lake George

Lake George

Sunday – 13.1 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!, boating on Lake George

3 happy finishers

more Lake George

This Week:

Monday – REST, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 miles, yoga
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – REST, mah jongg
Saturday – 10K race
Sunday – REST, spectate at a Duathlon

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

October 14, 2013 by Darlene

Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon Race Report

Even though this was to be my 7th half marathon, I was nervous as I was with each of the other 6. I always feel that I haven’t trained enough and that I may not be able to finish. This race was no different.

I had my usual oatmeal for breakfast and my hubby drove me to Colonie Town Park where the race began. (This worked out great…I got to sleep an extra hour than if i had to take the bus.) I got there in plenty of time to use the restroom (yeah, real ones) and look for familiar faces. Everyone felt like me – nervous & excited.

We tried to gather all the SRMss (Strong Running Mamas) for a photo. Of course, me missed a few that were in the bathroom (or running the full marathon).

here we are

The weather was perfect…cool but promised to warm up into the 60’s and be sunny. I debated about what to wear. I decided on a tank top but with my long sleeve SRM shirt over it. (In hindsight, should have ditched the SRM shirt.)

As I waited for the race to start, I contemplated my race strategy.

My plan was to run faster than my long runs for as long as I could and then run/walk the rest. I also planned to walk at every water stop (so every 2 miles) and take a gel at every other (so every 4 miles.) With any luck, I will finish under 3 hours.

Finally, it was time to start.

starting…

As you can see, this is basically a flat course. The half marathon is the second half of the marathon course. I am only familiar with the last 4 miles or so (the Corning bike trail).

As with any race, it took me a while to get in the groove. But I knew I had a while. I tried to run slow but at an even pace.

What really surprised me was the first mile had HILLS!! And I refused to walk because it was too early. it was through the park so there were potholes, loose gravel & wet leaves. (The volunteers were super calling out warnings.)

running through the park

Though I tried to run slow, I was caught up in the excitement and ran too fast.

though I look tired already

I also realized that it was way too warm to wear my shirt. After the first mile, I took it off & tied it around my waist (which annoyed me the whole race 😦 )

The course was beautiful. Sun shining through the colorful foliage. I wish I had taken pictures but it was too hard to get my phone out of my belt.

Everything was going really well until almost mile 6.

I had water at each stop and drank it while running. I had a gel around mile 4 (I still haven’t mastered holding water, opening the packet & eating it while running.)

But near mile 6 is when I realized that I had been running too fast. I was ready to be done. My legs weren’t tired. My feet didn’t hurt. What was killing me were my arms and my shoulders!! Was I tense? Was I clenching my fists? Don’t know but it was hard to move.

So I just started walking and then running and then walking more and running.

I was only at 1:03 at halfway. It seemed that I should easily PR (my PR was 2:22). Why was I thinking PR? I just wanted to finish, right?

But as I walked more, it seemed less likely that I could. It bothered me but not enough to will myself to run and not walk.

Finally we reached the river. Now I was familiar with the course. It was beautiful. But I was struggling. I just wanted it to end.

Finally about 1 mile to go, I saw a SRM cheering me on so I started to run.

Melissa’s 3-year old daughter with a sign

Then a 1/2 mile later, I saw my hubby. He took a photo (turned out to be of the ground) and then another as I was running by.

there I go…I look kinda crippled

As I approached the finish line, I heard motorcycles and people screaming!! The lead runner in the MARATHON was about to cross. They were yelling at me to run faster. I tried to run as fast as I could but I couldn’t outrun someone who had run 26.2 miles at 5 min miles!! So I just moved out of the way.

10 sec after the marathon winner…at least I was fast enough to be in the photo

And then, I crossed after him. (So no PR & I finished after a full marathoner…)

There was lots of food. I grabbed a few things but wasn’t hungry.

the end of the race at the Corning Preserve

On my way back to meet my hubby, I bumped into some SRMs & we snapped a photo.

some happy finishers

I saw many of the others & hugged them. They ALL did great.. many PRs and many firsts!!

a first half for my friend’s daughter, Courtney (on left)

Happy to be done but disappointed in my performance, we jumped in the car and drove up to Lake George.

My shoulders & upper back were killing me but my legs and feet were fresh. Go figure.

the rest of the day was spent here

Here were my race goals:

GOAL A: under 2:30
GOAL B: under 2:45
GOAL C: under 3:00
GOAL D: finish uninjured

And yes, I met GOAL A. I am happy. I had fun. And I know that I can do better. (The positive: this was my 2nd fastest half marathon.)

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 10:18
mile 2 – 10:06
mile 3 – 10:05
mile 4 – 10:02
mile 5 – 10:21
mile 6 -10:59 – starting to die
mile 7 – 10:58
mile 8 – 11:15
mile 9 – 11:27
mile 10 – 11:41
mile 11 – 11:45
mile 12 – 12:02 – dying
mile 13 – 11:08
.18 – 8:42

Happy Running! Anyone else race this weekend?

October 13, 2013 by Darlene

Last Boating Weekend of 2013

Yup. This was it. Our marina closed today.

Lucky for us, the weekend weather was just PERFECT.

My hubby went up early yesterday. I had other things to do like picking up my race packet at the expo.

I actually didn’t buy anything tough I was tempted. Then I went grocery shopping & did some laundry.

The weather was too beautiful to waste so I drove up to the marina. I was hoping to relax and take my mind off my race. (I did relax.)

We went to Commission Point and hung out with another couple & their daughter.

Linda & daughter Rachel

We barbecued shish kebabs and sat in the sun.

Ron & hubby cooking & dancin

A great way to spend the day.

hubby & me (yes I am wearing my half marathon shirt)

When we got back to the marina, we decided to go out to dinner. (I needed to carb load, right?) We went to a great restaurant that the other couple always go to. I shared escargots, had tortellini marsala with chicken (enough for 2) and shared creme brule. Yes, I was stuffed.

Since we had two cars, my hubby decided not to sleep on the boat but to drive home with me and take me to my race the next day. YAY!

spoiler alert – I finished – more about it tomorrow

My hubby was waiting for me near the finish line. As soon as I was done, we took off for the lake.

leaving the marina

Yes, another perfect day. Today we decided to go for a picnic on West Dollar Island. It is my hubby’s favorite spot.

The same couple joined us. We cooked sausage & burgers and had pumpkin cream roll for dessert.

my view (I still had my compression socks on…)

We hung out for a while even after Ron & Linda left.

there we sat.

Well, I guess all good things must end. Back in 7 months!

October 11, 2013 by Darlene

Half Marathon #7

I started running in 2008. But 2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running a Half Marathon and I did 5 that year! Yes, I got hooked.

1st – Naples HM – 2:28:27

2nd – Lake George HM – 2:22:39 PR

A strained achilles delayed my training for #3 (so I walked half)

3rd – Adirondack HM – 2:44:59

4th – Fall Foliage HM (No photographer) – 2:32:50

5th – Santa Clarita HM – 2:30:12

My first one was my most enjoyable and my 5th one, the least. In fact, the 5th one left me wanting a do over! Unfortunately, after the 5th, I broke my ankle, then had a stress fracture so Half Marathon #6 came 16 months later in 2013 and I was just glad to finish.

6th – Sarasota HM – 2:33:59

Half Marathon #7 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and hopefully get a PR. Then last summer I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would like, again this half marathon is just “I’ll be happy to finish.”

Maybe that’s what they all should be. I don’t have any more half marathons planned. I now know that I much prefer training in the fall/winter but that would mean a destination half marathon again (any warm climate invites??) or a late spring one in the NE (any recommendations?)

Oct. 13, 2013

My main goal for this half is to ENJOY it. And though I would be happy with D, I would be ecstatic with A.

GOAL A: under 2:30
GOAL B: under 2:45
GOAL C: under 3:00
GOAL D: finish uninjured

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do you train for them or just enjoy them?

October 10, 2013 by Darlene

Pre-Race Checklist

PRE

1. Go to the Expo on Saturday and pick up my bib.

It is in a hotel in downtown Albany where the parking is a little crazy. I’ve never been to it who knows what I’ll pick up.

2. Check the weather for the 100th time and plan an outfit.

The weather has kept changing all week. I am just hoping for NO RAIN. So far so good.

I want to wear my SRM shirt (pictured above) but it long sleeved and I hate being hot when running. So most likely I will wear the outfit below with a different belt & shoes. (I’ll bring the shirt for the photo.)

3. Gather all the other stuff.

race belt
hat
sunglasses
roadID
Garmin
Gel (3 – miles 4, 8, 12)
water & food for before the race
jacket

4. Carb load!

I don’t do well at this especially if I am not home all day. I will try to have some pasta.

5. Coordinate getting to and from the race.

The race starts at the Colonie Town Park (where there is minimal parking) and ends at the Corning Bike Path. If I park at the start, I can take a bus back to my car but it doesn’t leave until 12:30 pm (4 hours later). I could also park my car in the pay lot near the finish and take a bus to the start (but I would get there rather early and have to hang around getting nervous). The best case would be if my hubby dropped me off at the start and then picked me up at the finish line. He would IF the weather were lousy and it weren’t the LAST day of boating season. (Most likely I will take the bus to the start.)

6. Relax.

I was thinking either a movie or going up to the lake. Out of the 6 half marathons that I have done, only 1 did I sleep in my own bed the night before (Fall Foliage HM and that was really a training run.)

Happy Running! Are you nervous or excited before a big race?

October 9, 2013 by Darlene

Yoga and the Taper

For me, it doesn’t really feel like a taper because I don’t feel that I really trained hard. I didn’t increase my mileage. It stayed around 3 miles with an occasional 4 miler thrown in. On the weekends, my long runs were mostly pieced together (a 5k or 10K with more later). I think I only did 6, 10 & 12 milers in one stretch. And even those, I walked a lot of those miles.

So I don’t feel ready but then again, I don’t feel tired or over-trained. We’ll see how it goes. I am pretty confident that I will finish. How fast? Haven’t a clue.

This week, I am just taking slow …getting some runs between the raindrops and making sure that I stay healthy.

On Monday, my day off, I squeezed in 4 miles on the rail trail before the RAINS (and I mean heavy rain & wind) came.

love the colors of fall

Yesterday, I just walked at work.

Today, I ran 2 miles on the track after work.

Wed Yoga with Lisa

I have posted several times about how much I enjoy yoga & its benefits for me.

Yet, I find it hard to fit it in. I haven’t been since May. First it was because of vacation & then breaking my foot. Then since getting back to running, I have been lazy.

This week I am tapering so I have no excuse. So tonight, I went.

I loved it. So relaxing… The stretches felt so needed!!

Happy Running! How do you feel about tapering? Do you do yoga?