March 21, 2013 by Darlene

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon After Thoughts

The positives:

My friend Susan said that she may walk this half marathon next year. (Love being inspiring!)
My friends Pat and John have started running again. They ran 1 1/2 miles on Saturday. (Love being a motivator even more.)
I enjoyed myself on vacation and wasn’t as neurotic as I thought I would be about my upcoming race.
I finished with a smile – MY GOAL!
I finished under 2:45 – MY REAL GOAL!
I ran more of it than I thought I would or could.
My feet are no better and no worse.
I want to do another!

The negatives:

My right foot did hurt (and annoyed me) most of the time. (I don’t want to see a dr & have to stop running!)
I secretly wanted to PR. (Doesn’t everyone?)
I am not sure I will or can ever run faster.
Though my ankle did not hurt, I think it does not allow me to run hard.
I walked too much the 2nd half … I used the water stops as an excuse.

All in all, I am happy. I am relieved!

worst race photo ever … this is how I really felt at the end!!

Lessons Learned:

You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. After my broken ankle I didn’t think I could run again. Then when I thought I could, I got a stress fracture. Obviously, I had my doubts about the race but I knew that if I wanted it bad enough, I could do it.
A vacation with friends isn’t the best way to prepare for a race. I spent the day before on the beach (and got sunburned.) I didn’t eat or drink enough. I felt hungry and thirsty throughout the race.
Gu is the best race fuel for me. I ate one before the race, one at mile 4, mile 8, and mile 12. No stomach issues at all. All I drank was water (about 8 cups)
I love scenic races. I love warm weather. I love Florida (in the winter!!!)
It’s great having someone waiting for you at the finish line.
I shouldn’t compare myself as a runner with anyone else. Running is hard. All runners are different. You just have to do your best and give it your all.

More Post Race Pics:

cool fountain at the marina in Sarasota

the view from the condo that Susan & Stanley will be moving to

an artist colony in Sarasota

me & Pat taking a walk on my last day in Cape Haze (notice what shirt I am wearing)

Happy Running! What have you learned about running half marathons?

March 20, 2013 by Darlene

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Report

I hardly ever sleep the night before a big race, and it was no different this time. So after a sleepless night, I got up at 5am to have breakfast and get ready.

I was surprised to see Susan up making my coffee. So sweet! She wanted to cook me oatmeal but I declined…. I had brought my chocolate cream of wheat from home.

I left the condo at 6 am and walked across the street to the race start. It was very dark and quite chilly. I wore my knee sock arm warmers and a windbreaker. I walked around soaking up the excitement. I was just one of the almost 4000 eager runners.

anxious to start the race

I also looked for my friend Mary. Eventually I took a Gu, checked my jacket and got in line at the 11 min mile sign. Then I got a text from Mary that said that she and her sister were at 10 min. mile, but at that point, it was too crowded to move.

The gun went off and it took me almost 3 minutes to get to the start. Then I began to follow my plan: RUN slowly (between 11 and 12 min miles), walk through the water stops and walk only when I absolutely cannot run.

Secretly I hoped to finish under 2:45 but would happy with 3 hours.

And that’s exactly what I did.

the course map

The first half was tougher than the second since you had to run over the bridge twice but it wasn’t as bad as I feared. And the view was amazing. On my second time over the bridge, the sun was rising. I didn’t take any pictures because I knew there would be better ones posted. (Check out THIS BLOG for some great photos esp. the sunrise ones.)

photo of the bridge (from the day before)

Check out my arm warmers!! and the beautiful sunrise)

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner (lots of folks dressed up!!)

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner – Yup, I am in the photo!!! (right center)

still lookin happy

I was ahead of the 2:30 pacer for the whole first half of the race but then I got tired. My ankle was fine but my right foot hurt on and off throughout the race. What else is new?

faking the “happy”

So during the second half, I followed the 2:30 pacer and the good news was that I never saw the 2:45 pacer. The second half was scenic also…beautiful houses and water views.

I think I am smiling as I cross!

another view (the proofs cover your face to make sure that you buy them)

I’d be lying if I said that this race was easy. It was the hardest one I have done. (not the course, but my running pace, stamina, foot pain, etc…) I wasn’t sure that I would finish but I just willed myself to run and keep running. I couldn’t run fast but I ran through the finish line smiling. Ecstatic to be done and proud that I did it.

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner – love this one!

Done!

My friends Susan and Stanley were waiting at the finish line with a camera. I was so happy to see them there. The volunteers put the medal over my head (boy, is it heavy!). Then, I saw my friend Mary who was waiting for me as well.

Isn’t she adorable? She had a great race!

I grabbed a water and waited on line for refreshments. While you were online, they handed out yogurt parfaits. The food was the usual muffins, fruit and bagels. There was also a beer tent.

half marathon #6 completed

I must say that this was the most beautiful course I have ever seen. The race was well organized. There were clocks at every mile, water at every 2 miles for the first half and at every mile the second half…even had Gu at mile 8. There lots of funny motivational signs, music and crowd support. They even handed out frozen grapes around mile 12. I highly recommend this race. I would do it again if I lived in Florida.

I really lucked out on the weather too. Just perfect…not too hot…. Not too cold….mostly cloudy until the race was over.

Race Stats:

finished 1935 out of 2541 (1590 were women), 50th in AG

Race Splits

So my average pace was 11:45. I did better than I thought but I wished I had done better. It was slower than my first half marathon (2:26). Then again, I have been injured. I am happy but at the same time, can’t wait for another chance. I think I can do better!! Or can I?

We are our own worst critic! But if we are satisfied with our efforts then we won’t try harder next time.

Happy Running! Are you hard on yourself also?

March 19, 2013 by Darlene

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

Though I would have preferred to run my half marathon and go on vacation after, that’s not how it worked out. So, of course, the race was on my mind all week. But I did have an enjoyable yet relaxing time.

I arrived in Fort Myers, Fl. on Tuesday and after a tour of the Cape Haze resort where my friends Pat and John now live, we went out to a nice dinner.

John & Pat in their new condo

Pat & I having Florida martinis

view from the restaurant at dinner

On Wednesday, Pat and I went for a walk in a nearby park and then went to a beach in Boca Grande. It wasn’t real warm and was quite windy. But I certainly couldn’t complain. The weather was still winter-like where I live. So after a while, we had lunch at a restaurant on the beach and then drove around the area. The wind died down a bit so we sat by the pool where Pat lives. We went out to dinner, of course. I did a lot of eating on this trip. Who cared… I was gonna run a half marathon soon!

in the park

relaxing in the sun at Boca Grande beach

view from lunch at Boco Grande beach

pretending to miss New York

On Thursday, I thought that I better run a little. So I headed to a pretty neighborhood along the canals for a leisurely 3 miles. Again it was cool and windy so instead of the beach, we went to Venice, walked in and out of the shops and had lunch. We finished the day at the pool again before going out to dinner.

view of the canal during my run

running in a Cape Haze neighborhood

painted turtles & dolphins everywhere in Venice

On Friday, it had warmed up a little so we went to Englewood beach. We couldn’t stay too long because I needed to drive up to Sarasota. But we did have a great lunch out before I left.

Pat & I at Englewood Beach

Love seashells!

lobster bique, frozen chai latte, chicken, apple, cranberry croissant for lunch

Then I drove about an hour to my friend Robin and husband Tom’s rented condo in Sarasota. (My friend Pat was nice enough to loan me her car for the weekend.) The first thing we did was go the pick up my race packet. Always so exciting! Pick up was held at Fit2Run, a running superstore (luckily I did not bring any money!!!)

if you re-arrange the numbers, you get 03-17, the date of the race!

Then we took a walk around The Meadows where they live before getting ready to go to the theater. It was opening night at the Asolo and afterwards there was huge buffet. (The buffet is the reason it is crowded on opening night.)

During our stroll around The Meadows in Sarasota

Tom, Robin & I at the Asolo theatre.

Caviar, smoked salmon, cheese cheese & avocado dip at the buffet

The next day, Saturday, while Robin went to play tennis (I was tempted to play but thought better of it because of the race.) I took a very long walk around the Meadows.

The Meadows – about 7000 condos

an ibis … I also saw alligators, herons, turtles and many different kinds of birds

When she got back, we packed a lunch (yay, no restaurant) and headed to Lido Key beach to meet Susan and her husband Stanley.

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

Watching a wedding taking place at the beach

I could never get tired of looking at this!!!

We spent the rest of the day relaxing and going to a craft fair before of course, going out to dinner. They asked where I wanted to go and I replied “with a water view” so we found a small restaurant on the gulf. The downside was that there was no pasta on the menu. So no carb loading for me for this race.

View: Yes, Pasta: No

After dinner, I took my suitcase to its third location, Susan and Stanley’s condo. It was quite different than the other two. It was in a high rise and seemed more like a hotel. The best thing about it was that it was across the street from the start/end of the race. So we walked there. There were lots of porta-potties set up but not much else. We hung around watching the pelicans driving for food and got to see an awesome sunset over the gulf before turning in early for my 5 am wake up.

Susan & Stanley at the marina…taking a walk & waiting for sunset

Waiting for dinner…

sun setting over the Gulf

Almost down…

Race report in my next post.

Happy Running! Hoping we get spring weather at some point. Are you getting a snowstorm today?

March 17, 2013 by Darlene

I Did It!

More details when I return…

March 12, 2013 by Darlene

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Vitamin D Part 3

Yep, I am leaving Albany, NY today (where it is raining & chilly) and flying to Fort Myers, Florida (where I hope it will be sunny & warm.)

I will be playing catch up with my good friend Pat for a few days who now lives in Placida.

Pat is on the right. We started running together. I hope to motivate her to start up again.

Then I plan to drive up to Sarasota to visit another friend, Robin (who is renting a condo there for the winter).

Robin is on the right. She plays tennis & I play mah jongg with her.

I will do dinner & show with her Friday and stay at her place. On Saturday, she is playing tennis, then mah jongg. I plan to go to the beach.

Siesta Key beach is calling me!!

Afterwards, I will probably pick up my race packet and then head to my mah jongg friend, Susan. Susan owns a condo in Sarasota that is located across the street from the start/finish line. (She has since sold it and is moving to another on April 1 – boy did I luck out!!)

So Sunday morning, I can walk to the race and then limp back afterwards wearing this:

I will most likely spend the rest of the day at the pool or beach before heading back to Placida.

I fly home to Albany on Monday. Hopefully when I arrive the snow will be gone…

Happy Running! Full race report when I return…

March 11, 2013 by Darlene

Time to Taper

Week 11 Update:

Mon- Tennis
Tues – 6 miles (3 miles on the TM at lunch & 3 miles outdoors after work)
Wed – walking around NYC

at the Chinese Scholar Garden on Staten Island

Thurs – 3 miles on TM (hair appt after work)
Fri – 4 miles on TM after work –SNOW

at least we had a 2 hour delay in the am

Sat – REST
Sun – 8 MILES

Saturday was a PERFECT day for running, of course. Sunny, no wind and 52 degrees. Since I was not scheduled to run, instead I went up to Saratoga with my hubby. He visited with a friend & I went to the Summer Expo. There were some running booths but mostly tri-related ones. I couldn’t resist buying these Newtons since they were 40% off. I am not that fond of the color but the ones in the colors I liked (blue or pink) just weren’t as comfortable.

After the expo, I walked around the town and watched this guy practicing his tightrope skills in the park.

On Sunday, I went for my last long run. It was a nice day but very breezy and not as warm as Saturday. I decided to finally go to the Corning Bike Trail on the Hudson. I figured that the snow would finally be melted off the path…and it was.

Running into the wind I was chilly and then going back the other way, I was sweating. Oh well. I can’t complain. This was the BEST weather I’ve had for any of my training runs.

I can’t say that it was a good run. I took some Gu before I started but I ran out of gas at 6 miles (even though I walked a lot.) I didn’t bring anything with me (my fault) and running back was into the wind. I even struggled with my breathing for the first time ever. UGH!!

But I finished my 8 miles!

It took me 1:35:xx. SLOOOOW!!!

Still I know even at my snail’s pace, I can finish the half under the 4 hour time limit.

I can’t wait to do it! Enjoy it! Get my medal! And then train better for the next one.

Week 12:

Mon- 3 miles on TM at work, Tennis after
Tues – REST (fly to Florida)
Wed – REST
Thurs – 3 miles in sunny warm Florida
Fri – REST
Sat – REST
Sun – 13.1 miles!!!
Mon – REST (fly home)

Happy Running! How many miles do you run while tapering?

March 10, 2013 by Darlene

Getting Ready!

EVENT DETAILS:

Sunday, Mar. 17, 2013
7:00 am Start (B-Tag timing)
Start/Finish at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

I am lucky!! One of the women that I play mah jongg with on Fridays eves owns a condo that is across the street from the start/finish of the race. She was supposed to be moving but it has been delayed until April 1 and she invited me to stay with her!!! One less thing to worry about.

COURSE INFO:

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay Race features a fast and scenic course filled with Personal Record (PR) opportunities for both runners and walkers.

Yes, I have been to Sarasota and it is beautiful. But I know that you have to run across the bridge which is uphill and windy and then back over the bridge again so it will not be fast for the first 5 miles. Hopefully, it’ll get easier after that. (I am not looking for a PR in this race anyway!)

RUNNER & WALKER FRIENDLY EVENT:

Truly walker friendly with the course open for 4 hours (approximate 18 minutes/mile pace), allowing all ages and experience levels to take part in the fun-filled activities throughout the event.

Even I can handle that pace. If my foot and/or ankle starts to hurt a lot and I have to walk, I know that I will finish under 4 hours and get my MEDAL. No pressure!

RACE PERKS:

All participants receive a gender specific tech t-shirt, giant finisher’s medal, goodie bag, aid stations with Lemon-Lime Gatorade, medical support, a post-race refueling party sponsored by First Watch Restaurants (including Siesta Key Cocktails for all participants) and awards ceremony.

Who can argue with that? Sounds perfect! Provided that the weather cooperates. No rain, please!

RACE GOALS??

Pretty Simple: FINISH with a smile on my face!!

Happy Running! Ever run a race with NO FINSH TIME GOALS??

March 9, 2013 by Darlene

Time to Check the Weather…Daily

It’s less than 10 days until my Half Marathon in Sarasota, Florida.

The only thing I pray for is No RAIN and little WIND.

So I will be checking the weather everyday!! I will be checking numerous websites to find the forecast that I like.

Why?? I can’t change the weather. I will run the race no matter what.

And since I leave on Tues and the race isn’t until Sunday, I will have to pack running clothes for all weather conditions anyway. (At least it will not be snowing or freezing, right?)

13.1 miles in the freezing rain!!

7 of the 13.1 miles in the pouring rain

So far, it appears to be in the 70’s all week and CLOUDY and on

Happy Running! Do you obsess about the weather before a big race?

March 8, 2013 by Darlene

The Outfit

: Should I match the bling

: and the bib?

That means wearing BLUE.

Do I wear GREEN cuz it’s St. Patrick’s Day?

The outfit is important, right?

Here are my choices:

OUTFIT A: blue multi-colored skirt from runningskirts.com & a Nike tank (that I have worn to play tennis) & blue argyle compression socks from procompression.com (that I have worn many times)

OUTFIT B:green Nike shorts & mint Champion top (have worn for yoga) & black compression socks from runningskirts.com (have worn these many times)

Happy Running! Cast your vote now: Outfit A or Outfit B?