February 21, 2013 by Darlene

Sick of Winter

This is what happens when you sign up for a March half marathon. You have to deal with winter in the Northeast.

I am sick of the words: WIND CHILL, BLACK ICE, SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, WINDY, COLD, FREEZING…

running during a snowstorm 😦

I am also tired of looking for places to run that are plowed, have no ice.

nope…not plowed

I hate having to plan my runs around the weather…esp. long runs. Do I do my long run on Saturday or Sunday!!! UGH!!!!!!!

so they say..but I’d rather not do it outside in this!!!

And I HATE THE TREADMILL!!

So next year, my half marathon will be Jan 5, 2014 so I will be done training by the worst of the NE winter weather!!!!

This is my preferred running weather!!!

Happy Running! How do you feel about training in the winter?

February 19, 2013 by Darlene

Two for Tuesday – 100 Miles & My Weird Foot

1. Last week, I hit 100 miles for the year. And it’s only February. Yeah, I know a lot of you run that in a week or a month but last year, I didn’t hit 100 miles until July!!

2. My foot is acting weird. (The one with the bunion thing…) Sunday night, I had this burning pain ALL night (It kept me up). I got up the next morning, it went away. I walked around the mall, played tennis…NO PAIN! So last night, I couldn’t sleep. I think I was waiting for the pain and the pain NEVER came!! So what’s up with that? Today I am going to run a little on the TM. We’ll see. Not sleeping is more frustrating than running with pain.

Now on a good note: Facebook keeps posting these awesome photos of the Sarasota Half Marathon course!!

Doesn’t it look inviting?

Happy Running! Aren’t 4-day weeks great?

February 13, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

hopefully this year’s shirts & medals will be just as cool!

How’s this for motivation? March 17…bring it on!!!

Happy Running! What motivates you to keep at it?

February 12, 2013 by Darlene

Biggest Loser Inspired

The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit.

The Get Fit, Get Ready! race series is a series of 5k/10k/15k’s that is designed to get you fit and ready for your next race. This series can act as a stepping stone to a longer, more challenging race or just an enjoyable experience shared with friends and family. Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from our boat…):

July 28, 2013

Killington, VT

5K | 15K

The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along the mountain with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.

The Premier Destination races are feature races consisting of a half marathon/5k. Whether it is your first half marathon or you want to hit your next PR (personal best), this series serves as a fun and rewarding race worthy of traveling to! Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from my friend’s house in Chestertown…):

June 9, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Half Marathon | 5K

The course for The Biggest Loser RunWalk Plattsburgh, NY winds through downtown Plattsburgh and along the Saranac River which flows into Cumberland Bay

Dan & Jackie Evans were Season 5 featured contestants on the hit reality show The Biggest Loser. While on the ranch, Dan lost 136 pounds and Jackie lost 89. Since losing a combined 225 pounds, Dan and Jackie have been canvassing the country and keeping the weight off through nutrition and running. They will be at these races.

Here’s more: Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:

• Non-intimidating Environment for New Runners and Walkers (3 hour time limit for the 15k and 5 hour time limit for the half marathon!!!)
• The Biggest Loser Inaugural Finisher’s Medal (love bling!)
• Celebrity Appearances
• Commemorative Technical T-Shirt
• Race Number, Timing Tag and Goodie Bag
• Water and Sports Drink along the Course
• Food, Sports Drink and Water at Finish Lines
• Live Entertainment by former Biggest Loser Season 5 contestant & Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans, at the Finish Line Festival
• Free Downloadable Race Photos (cool!)
• Last but not Least, a Truly Unforgettable Experience

FYI: Giveaway sponsored by Running Diva Mom!!

I don’t watch the Biggest Loser TV series. I tried a few times but it was so depressing. The only part that intrigues me is the part about running. I am also not a fan of driving more than a hour for a race. And the big one…will I stay healthy?? will I be able to run longer distances??

So I didn’t register….yet!

Happy Running! Pretty tempting, don’t you think? Anyone doing one?

February 11, 2013 by Darlene

Half Marathon Training Continues

Week 7 Update:

Mon – ~~stationary bike~~, tennis
Tues – ~~stationary bike~~, 5 miles after work
Wed – ~~stationary bike,~~ 3 miles after work
Thurs – ~~stationary bike~~, mall walk with a friend
Fri – ~~stationary bike~~, 4 3 miles on the TM
Sat – rest
Sun – 9 9.5 miles

taken during Wednesday’s 3 mile run

during Sunday’s 9.5 mile run

This is the first week that I almost followed the plan. However, I did not use the exercise bike at work at all…I did not take a break (ate lunch at my desk 😦 )

The running shoe addict did it again. I bought these – on sale $50 off. (I had no choice!)

I also signed up for another race…Delmar Dash on April 14, 2013.

I am thinking of signing up for this 10 miler.

Week 8:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 3 miles after work
Wed – 5 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike at lunch
Fri – 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 10 miles (yikes!! 1st double digit run since Nov 6, 2011) – May hook up with the Hmrrc Marathon Relay (the 1st leg is 10 miles)

how cool is this t-shirt!

Happy Running! What are you training for?

February 9, 2013 by Darlene

Running after the Snowstorm

my hubby clearing the driveway on Sat.

The snowstorm was kinda a bust here. Schools closed on Friday and I even ran on the treadmill at lunch but not much snow came until overnight and then only about 6-8 inches. CT and LI did get 30-40 inches.

So Sunday I went back to the Nisky bike trail hoping to get in 9 miles. When I got up in the morning, it was 0 degrees so I waited until it warmed up to 15.

unplowed for snowshoers or skiiers?

It was a beautiful sunny day. As you can see from the photo, the trail was not clear…even with yaktrax, you couldn’t run on it.

it was clear in the other direction..yay!

So I headed toward lock 7 which was perfectly clear. No runners were on the path just some walkers with dogs (on leashes).

pretty empty but peaceful

As I mentioned before, my right foot is bothering me. There’s not much to do about it…I’ve changed shoes but it seems that my bunion will hurt until it wants to stop hurting.

Unfortunately, this part of the trail ends at lock 7 which is only 2.25 mikes away so in order to get a long run in, I have to do it TWICE!!

So I ran it and then had some Gu & water and then did it again. My foot was ok and not really bothersome until around mile 7. Then I had to stop and start because of the pain.

I wound up with 9.5 miles in 2 hours. I am not focusing on time. I just want to get my legs used to the distance.

Happy Running! Did the snow affect your running this weekend?

February 8, 2013 by Darlene

Snow …Oh No!

Though Forecast Is Tricky, Northeast Could Face Record-Breaking Snow Storm!!

In Albany, we may get a 12-20 inches of snow… starting this morning and ending tonight.

I bought this in Florida and put it up at home but the weather is obviously not listening.

So I see the treadmill for my run today. (There’s a new episode of Grey’s Anatomy and Smash to watch!!)

Tomorrow will be a rest day and for my 9 miles on Sunday???

I can’t image a long run on the treadmill. I like to run on the bike paths for those. Will they be plowed?? If not, then it’s Yak Trax.

No matter how hard it is to run 9 miles on dry pavement, it is slower and takes more effort in the snow. That’s fact!!

I will just have to go slow, stay upright & enjoy the scenery.

Happy Running! Any tips for running in the snow?

February 7, 2013 by Darlene

Running on the Rail Trail

Albany County will eventually have 9 miles (from a former rail line) cleared to run (from Albany to Voorheesville.) On Tuesday I was looking for a 4 -5 mile location to run so I chose the rail trail.

Stewarts parking lot – beginning of the rail trail and where I often start my neighborhood runs

I have run here in the spring, summer and fall but never in the winter. There are no lights so I run in the neighborhood.

Cherry Avenue Extension Bridge Over Rail Trail (in the fall)

It is now light for awhile when I get out of work so I thought I would attempt this route. (There are no lights.)

rail trail in the summer

I at first headed east (toward Albany) but the trail was icy so I turned around and headed the other way. I figured at my speed I would hit darkness before I was done so I could hit the streets at mile 1, mile 2, and then mile 3 or mile 4 on the way back.

As predicted, I got to mile 2 and turned around as it was getting dark but still light enough to run. (I was actually worried about it being light enough to not step in dog poop. yeah, it seems that this is what the trail is used for in the winter.) Then all of a sudden, two BIG DOGS were running down the trail at me. No owner(s) in sight!!!

I just stood still (in shock) and they ran by me like I wasn’t even there. Bizarre! I was really frightened!!! I took off down the trail. I never saw the dogs again & I never saw any people on the trail.

As soon as I got to mile 3, I headed onto the street and finished my run. My legs were beat and my right foot/bunion was hurting but I dragged myself through one more mile to make it 5 for the day.

I think I’ll NOT choose this route until spring 🙂

photo from fall 2011

Yesterday I ran 3 slow windy miles in Washington Park where there lights and dogs on leashes.

Washington Park lake around 6 pm

Happy Running! Have you ever run into loose dogs while running?

February 4, 2013 by Darlene

Six More to Go

I’m halfway….

Week 6 Update:

Mon – stationary bike, ~~tennis~~ (cancelled – snow/ice)
Tues – ~~stationary bike~~ (cancelled – soup potluck at lunch), tennis
Wed – 4 miles on treadmill at lunch & 2.5 miles in the rain after work (6.5 miles total)
Thurs – 1.75 miles on treadmill at lunch, haircut
Fri – ~~stationary bike~~ (cancelled – farewell lunch for boss)
Sat – 4 mile race
Sun – 7K race + .6 miles

AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

after Saturday’s race

after Sunday’s race

Week 7:

Mon – stationary bike, tennis
Tues – stationary bike, 5 miles after work
Wed – stationary bike, 3 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike, mall walk with a friend
Fri – stationary bike, 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 9 miles

I hate running on the treadmill so I hope the weather cooperates. I don’t mind the cold…it’s the snow/sleet/freezing rain/rain that I hate.

Though I am starting week 7, I really haven’t been looking at the plan…

and when I do, I realize that I am running less than I should (except for my vacation week) but then again, I would rather run less than be injured and not run at all…

Week Totals: Long Runs:

1 – 11                             5
2- 6                               3
3- 14                              6
4 – 14 75 6
5 – 26.5 8
6 – 17.25 6.5

So for week 7, I added an extra day of running. My next race is March 17…gulp!

Happy Running! Do you strictly follow a running plan?

February 3, 2013 by Darlene

Hmrrc Winter Series #5 Race Report

Since I ran 4 miles yesterday, I decided to run the 4 miler. To me these are just training runs with lots of people and free food.

It seemed that the runners I knew were running at 7 am or sick/injured but I decided to go anyway. The weather was similar to yesterday … COLD.

I left early enough this time to get a parking space in the nearest lot.

Well, it turns out that the race was really a 7K or 4.34 miles.

While waiting I did run into folks that I knew. One was a former student of mine (from about 20 yrs ago) whom I kinda recognized. But as she reminded me, she was fat in high school and now she is NOT!! She has been running for 15 yrs and is quitting after this race to have bunion surgery. (Bunions…a sore subject…literally.)

Anyway, the sun was shining very strongly so though it was cold, it seemed a lot warmer. The 4 milers and the 10 milers started and finished together (though in between they ran a different course). While I was slowly running my race, the 20 milers (the fast ones) were speeding by me. Very interesting.

I think this was early on.

As I was running, I was reminded about how much I hate this course. Besides being all concrete and parking lots, it seems that you are constantly going uphill but never enjoy a downhill.

The biggest problem was my fault, I wore new running shoes and non-breathable clothes. I WAS HOT!!!!! I wore a turtle neck, a vest and then a fleece (instead of a cool max top & a windbreaker like yesterday.)

By the end of mile 4, I was dying and stopped for water & then walked awhile so that I could at least run through the finish line.

I crossed at 45.15 which was about 106 out 129. (My first 7k so it’s PR!!)

Mile 1: 10:16
Mile 2: 10:43
Mile 3: 10:39
Mile 4: 10:56 (walked)
Mile 5: ???

Not at bad as I felt. All miles under 11…will I ever be fast again???

After I was done, I slowly ran around the track to make it 5 miles for the day! (I was hoping to have enough energy for 8 but I was too sweaty…in fact, I even had a heat rash which I’ve never experienced even in the summer!)