April 20, 2013 by Darlene

R is for Racing

No better feeling that crossing the finish line…

I.Love.Racing.

If I had the time and money (and no injuries), I would run a race every weekend of the year.
Racing keeps me running. I know that I cannot slack off. If I do, then the race will be painful (physically and mentally).
I usually run alone and when I run a race, I see and meet other runners. So much more enjoyable.
I am competitive so when I run a race, I don’t stop and walk as much and I run faster.
I only get that runner’s high when I cross a finish line.

even smiling through the pain of a stress fracture

Speaking about racing, I have a 5K race scheduled for tomorrow.

April 21, 2013

I ran the Half Marathon in 2011 but this year I decided to try the 5k. I finished my last 5K under 29 minutes!!! I don’t think that’s going to happen again for awhile. And this one is a lot hillier. I just plan to have fun and run the best race that I can.

how can you not enjoy a race that has this view?

Happy Running! Do you enjoying running or racing or both?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

O is for Old races vs new ones

Freihofer’s 2010

There are fun races that I love and will try to do EVERY YEAR such as the Freihofer’s Run for Women and Albany’s Last Run.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Last Run 5k 2011

And ones that I run every year because I support the charity such as Breast Cancer and Juvenile Arthritis.

Race for a Cure 2011

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Of course, there are races that I run every year just because friends are doing them.

Sean’s Run with Mary

Polar Cap with AJH

But I am always looking for New races. Here are some that I am considering (the ones in bold I have already signed up for):

3-30-13 – Ice Breaker 5K
4-21-13 – Lake George 5K
5-12-13 – Mother’s Day 5K
6-23-13 – Adirondack Distance Run – 10m
7-28-13 – Biggest Loser Run 15 K (in Killington, VT)
8-03-13 – Race the Train (8.4 mi)
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-19-13 – Great Pumpkin 10K
11-02-13 – Fall Frun 10K

Old or New…I will thinking of Boston!

Happy Running! Do you do the same old races each year or do you look for new ones?

April 16, 2013 by Darlene

For Boston

I already posted today but Boston is the only thing I have been thinking about since yesterday afternoon.

As a runner, it is always so exciting to follow the race and listen to the enthusiasm of those before the race and stories when they return.

This year was no different.

Yes, I knew runners that were running it (from blogs and from races).

me & Colleen at the Race for the Cure 09

I work with Colleen and we started running at the same time. We ran several 5ks together and chatted about running whenever we saw each other. She is a natural runner. After I started running half marathons in 2011, she joined a running group and ran a 15k and then a marathon.

Colleen running her 1st marathon

Last October, she ran her 2nd marathon and BQed. She was in Boston yesterday running the marathon.

SRM running Group with Melissa (2nd from right) – March 2010

I met Melissa when I was part of a beginning runners’ group in 2010. She had just had a baby and was returning to running. I have since seen her at many races. She has quickly gotten back her running form and has run everything from 5ks to marathons. Her goal is to BQ and I am sure she will. She was at the Boston Marathon with her family cheering on local runners.

Melissa & her daughter at the marathon

Here is a FB comment from one of our group who ran the race: “...I did not finish. I saw the 1st explosion and then was directly across from the 2nd one. So I ran away from the craziness….”

Sisters Laura & Michelle at the 2011 Boston Marathon

When I was teaching French, I taught Laura & Michelle. They were two of my best students. Michelle was and is a runner. I see her at local races. She ran Boston last year and was running it again this year.

Thankfully everyone I knew and runners that my friends knew are fine!!!

There are no words to explain the horror of this event! 27,000 runners were there. Probably 100,000 spectators. As a runner, I know how hard it is to qualify, what it means to compete in a race, what is means to finish a race. This was taken away from about 9,000 runners. Even the ones who did finish, this senseless tragedy has taken all the joy away and has left them with memories of fatalities and injury and fear!

Here are 2 stories that I recommend reading:

I am a runner. I am not a fast runner. I will probably never run a marathon. Hence, I will never qualify for Boston. But I am a runner.

I am wearing an “I Run” necklace

Today I am wearing blue and gold. I played tennis last night & will play tonight so I had not planned to run. But I will run 2.62 miles on the treadmill at lunch in honor of the victims in Boston.

2.62 on the TM

I will wear my half marathon race shirt when I play tennis tonight. I will also dedicate my 5k race on Sunday to Boston.

Happy Running! Did you ever run the Boston Marathon? Did you know anyone who was there?

April 14, 2013 by Darlene

Delmar Dash Race Report

This is my second time doing this race and my second 5 miler. It is also the race that is the closest to where I live (2 miles away.)

Delmar Dash 2011

I looked at my splits for 2011 and they were all in the 9’s with one in the 8’s. I finished under 47 minutes!!! I wonder who that runner was… It certainly isn’t me!!

I know I should be happy that I am even able to run. I couldn’t run last year!! So yes, I am happy!!

Originally, it was forecasted to be spring-like but as the week progressed, the seasons changed and it appeared to be more like winter. So I needed to change my original outfit (short sleeves & a skirt) to something warmer but not too warm. I opted for a compromise: long sleeves & a shirt over it, my skirt with compression knee socks. Hopefully I would warm up while running.

I arrived early and the sun was out. I waited inside for my friend MaryPat to arrive. All of a sudden, I noticed that it had gotten dark out and then it started pouring. Then it started sleeting. Those arriving now were soaked!!! It had also gotten a lot colder. Luckily I had a jacket and gloves with me. But I was debating whether I would run 5 miles in this awful weather.

Finally, it stopped raining but it was colder and windier.

MaryPat & me before the race

I decided at the last moment to leave the jacket behind but wear the gloves. We both headed out to the start. This was Mary’s first race longer than a 5k. I was excited for her and told her I’d wait for her at the finish.

heading out (J. Berkeley photo)

The course was very familiar to me…it’s where I have done a lot of my runs.

course map

I said I had no goals but secretly I wanted to RUN THE WHOLE THING and finish UNDER 50 MINUTES!!!

starting the race (J. Berkeley photo)

Though I wore my Garmin, I rarely looked at it and there were clocks at all the mile markers. I was running at a fast pace for me but it seemed that everyone was passing me by…. a law school prof, a friend, someone who reads my blog. I was cold the whole race & I found it difficult to move forward when we were running into the wind. At least the course was mostly flat.

I was tempted to stop at the water stop which was halfway but since I wasn’t warm, I decided to push myself past it.

am I running? (J. Berkeley photo)

I was definitely running out of gas during mile 4 and wished that I had run slower at the beginning of the race.

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

But finally it was over and according to my Garmin, I crossed around 47:40. (officially 47:39)

I was happy!!! Not a PR but better than I expected. I am getting my confidence back and that’s what matters.

My splits:

mile 1: 8:59
mile 2: 9:37
mile 3: 9:29
mile 4: 9:56
mile 5: 9:34

I put my jacket back on and got some water (I was too nauseous to eat.) and waited for Mary to finish.

After the race, we went out to lunch…needed to put back on those burned off calories!!

I think I did!

I think MaryPat is hooked. The topic of conversation at lunch was what race should she sign up for next!! (Maybe I get get her to run a half marathon?)

Plan for the rest of the day: Season 2 of Downton Abbey!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend? If so, how were they?

April 13, 2013 by Darlene

L is Long runs

Do I miss them? Kinda.

But I do not miss the pressure of having to do them and having a certain distance to complete (and planning my weekends around them as well as obsessively checking weather forecasts…)

The long run is the most important part of a training plan for a marathon or half marathon. I can only speak for the half.

My long run starts with the longest distance I’ve covered within the last two weeks (usually 3 or 4 miles) and I increase my long run by one mile on a weekly basis. That means I run 5, 6, 7, etc. all the way up to 12 miles and then I taper down to 8 miles.

Though I am by no means fast nor do I run without walk breaks on long runs, I have been able to complete 6 half marathons. They were all difficult but after each one, I was not even sore.

after my recent half – yes, I am still savoring the moment!

My advice for long runs:

Ten miles with walk breaks equals 10 miles continuously at any speed. So walk if you have to. (You recover faster with walk breaks).
Forget about speed on long runs. Focus only on the endurance conponent.
You can’t run too slowly on the long runs. Run at least two minutes per mile slower than you could run that distance that day.
You usually won’t feel bad when you’re running too fast at the beginning of the run; you must force yourself to slow down.
The day before the long run should be a rest day.
Don’t forget fuel and water. You may be able to skip it on short runs but not on longer ones. (I don’t like to carry water or Gu so I double back to my car halfway for water & nourishment.)
Break up the miles. 10 miles all in one shot sounds so much worse than 2.5 out and back and then 2.5 out and back.
Reward yourself at the end. It gives you something to look forward to. (Mine is either Starbucks or soft ice cream depending on the season.)

a long run this past winter

Since I am not training for a race, right now I have been running 3 miles during the week and 4 – 6 miles on the weekends.

a difficult 6 mile “long” run last weekend

Tomorrow, I have a 5 mile race. It is nearby. I just plan to have fun!!! (Unfortunately, spring was only here temporarily… I need to re-assess my outfit!!)

My next long race is a 10 miler at the end of June. A hilly one, at that.

So I guess I need to start upping miles on the weekends! Bring on those “long” runs!!

and my reward!

Happy Running! Do you plan your long runs? How? What are you training for?

April 11, 2013 by Darlene

J is for Java or Jo

I am a coffee snob!

Yes, I am.

drinking coffee out of my new Moscow mug

drinking coffee before a race

I have my own espresso machine at home and I make my own coffee and my hubby makes his own. I only drink one cup a day (in the morning) and I want it to be perfect. During the day when at work, I go across the street to Starbucks (and choose Decaf.)

mid-day treat

The facts:

I like strong coffee (in taste…my coffee has to taste like coffee)
I like flavored coffee (at home I use flavored creamers such as hazelnut, vanilla, mocha, etc.)
I use Splenda in my coffee (not real sugar).

So as you can see, it could be a problem when I am not at home.

In the summer, I bring my own coffeepress, coffee, creamer & splenda to the lake & make my coffee at the marina.

Sometimes I just have to be flexible.

not so great coffee from Stewarts

But I have to have coffee in the morning and I have to have coffee before an AM run or a race.

pre-race coffee

No better reward than a good cup of Java and a pastry!!

vanilla latte & apple scone – YUM!

Happy Running! Are you a coffee drinker? How important is it to you?

April 9, 2013 by Darlene

H is for Half marathons

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

2nd – Lake George HM

3rd – Adirondack HM

(No photographer at #4)

5th – Santa Clarita HM

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

If I stay healthy, I would like to run at least 2 half marathons each year. Maybe one in the spring and one in the fall. (There are so many out there that I will probably not repeat one.) There’s one in Portland Maine that looks really fun. But so far, I am registered for one nearby in October and one in Florida next January.

Why run Half Marathons:

It is hard and it gives you tremendous satisfaction when you finish.
You get a medal.
It motivates you to get out the door and run several times each week.
It makes you increase your miles.
It gives you an excuse to plan a vacation around a race.
You don’t have to be fast.
It really is doable (Anyone can! Some even are walker friendly.)
The training isn’t as time-consuming as for a marathon.

Some Tips:

Get good running shoes
Learn to fuel (try different kinds and stick with what works on race day)
Hydrate – it may not be important on short runs but it is on long ones – use the water stops during the race
Increase your long runs gradually – I usually add one mile each week and stop at 12 – your adrenaline on race day will get you through the last mile
However, don’t cheat on long runs – some people can run 8 or 10 mile & are able to do 13 – I wouldn’t recommend it
Don’t forget to taper – you don’t want to have tired legs for that important day
Dress appropriately – that is for 20 degrees cooler than at the start (so bring throwaway clothing)
Wear a GPS when training and for the race – it helps you keep track of time, distance and most importantly pace
Start out slow – it will pay off during the second half – you’ll want to be able to run across that finish line and smile!
Don’t be embarrassed to take walk breaks – it’s better than hitting a wall at mile 10 or getting injured and having a DNF
Enjoy the experience. Soak up the atmosphere. It is supposed to be fun!
If possible, take pictures or buy a race photo – you’ll won’t regret having a visual reminder of the experience
http://thekennedyadventures.com/2011/05/10-tips-for-running-a-half-marathon-successfully-top-ten-tuesday/
http://www.halfmarathons.net/first-timers-guide.html

Click HERE to read an article about women running half marathons.

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do like them?

April 1, 2013 by Darlene

A is for April goals

GOALS

Start back at weekly yoga (now that half marathon training is over)

Play tennis once a week

Try to eat healthy (now that half marathon training is over, there is no need to eat a lot and eat often)

Do Planks (I hate to exercise so maybe I can do this for one minute everyday.)

Lose some weight. (not a lot – 5-8 lbs – my clothes are tight and it is bugging me.) Even signed up for this challenge from Slowing Tri-ing.

thinner in 2009 or these shorts shrunk?

Run at least 3 times per week. (at least 3 miles for each run)

Run longer on the weekend (4-6 miles)

Try to get some speed back in my upcoming races (have 2-3 planned: 5 miler & 2 5Ks).

April 21, 2013

Do the A-Z Blogging Challenge (it seems pretty easy since you can schedule posts in advance….)

Pay attention to my body and do not get injured. (That means not running if there is a sign of injury)

Happy Running! Any interesting goals set for April?

March 31, 2013 by Darlene

March Update & A-Z Blogging Challenge

My goals for the month:

Complete my 6th Half Marathon (and 1st since the 2012 injuries)
Take a running break to heal my aching foot (only a week or 2…next race is a 5k on Mar 30 and then a 5 miler on April 14)
Do yoga instead each week
Continue tennis once a week
Sign up for another half marathon
Continue to eat healthier

So how did I do?

YES!!

13.1 miles on march 17, 2013!

2. Didn’t run for 2 days and then only ran a little on the treadmill to break in these:

mine have yellow laces

3. Did it once.

after an outdoor run in a nearby park

4. Played tennis 3 times (once it was cancelled due to a snowstorm)

5. YES!

13.1 miles on Oct. 13, 2013!!!

6. Kinda…. I was on vacation in Florida…. did my best!!

Aren’t martinis healthy?

What else happened in March?

81 miles for March

I ran in the snow & ice a lot. The winter in the NE never did end.

I ran in the nice weather too (obviously not in the NE).

I spent time with friends.

with Pat

Susan, me & Robin at Lido Key beach...can you guess which one of us does not live in Florida??

with Susan and Robin

I got a surprise visit from Anna from Russia.

a day together in Staten Island

I spent time with my mentee and her sons.

pre-Easter celebration

I ran a 5K race.

post injury 5k PR

I actually gave up flour for Passover (I did it as a kid but as an adult I always cheat.)

one more day & I can have my bagel, cereal, poptart, rice, pasta, etc.

The A-Z Blogging Challenge has been put on every year since 2010 by Arlee Bir d over at Tossing It Out and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.

Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st, B on April 2nd and so on) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on.

Sounded like fun!! So I signed up. I will be posting on my running and running related thoughts. We’ll see if I can keep it up.

Feel free to join … just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions.

Happy Running! How was your March? Are you participating in this challenge?

March 30, 2013 by Darlene

Ice Breaker 5K Race Report

icebreaker5k

The Ice Breaker Challenge is a one of a kind Capital District running/walking road race challenging runners and walkers against rowers from the Albany Rowing Center. Runners/walkers will travel along the Corning Preserve Bicycle Path while rowers from the Albany Rowing Center will race along side in shells on the Hudson River.

Unfortunately, we are not having an early spring (like last year at this time…when I was not running or even walking!)

80 degrees in March 2012

This was my first time running this race but I was, at least, familiar with the course (even did a race here last June.)

Stride4Stride 5k

In some ways a 5K is harder than a half marathon. It’s only 3.1 miles and you have no reason not to run fast. That’s pressure. And I felt it. (How long can I use the “recovering from an injury” excuse??)

Believe it or not, it warmed up to a 29 degrees balmy degrees when I left the house (better than the teens we have been having in the am but not the warm March temps we had last year.)

I was dragging my feet (a late night playing mah jongg, 3 days in a row running, flourless week due to Passover – pick one or more of these reasons) but perked up when I arrived at the race. I tried not to overdress (but it is hard when you are cold at the start & afterwards). I wore capris over a skirt (yes it is spring) and 2 long sleeved tech shirts, a baseball cap & light gloves.

By the time I got there, it was in the 3o’s and the sun was shining (so it felt even warmer.)

I picked up my race packet and went back to my car (since I was chilly.)

rowers getting ready

I went back out about 15 minutes before the start & bumped into someone I know from yoga. We chatted and then the race started.

I tried to focus on the scenery…the river…the rowers and not worry about my pace. I hardly glanced at my Garmin (just a few times & was pleasantly surprised.)

There was a water stop at mile 1 but I continued on and then at mile 2.

Believe it or not, I forced myself to just run. I did not walk at all … I didn’t even worry about the foot or ankle.

Shockingly I crossed the finish line at 28:47!!!

post injury 5k PR

I was happy happy happy.

I walked back to my car to put away my gloves, phone, race belt, etc.