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.

It was too nice to leave so I ran a mile more out (slowly this time.) and one mile back.

I even bumped into some runners that I knew doing their long run. (Why couldn’t the weather be like this for my long ones?)

Elisa, Bridget & Felice (The Happy Runner)

Definitely a runner’s high! Not a PR but an encouraging race.

Splits:

mile 1: 8:54
mile 2: 9:12
mile 3: 9:08
.19: 8:17

Finished 149 out 377 (4 out 14 in AG) – only gave out prizes for Overall 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

swag – bag, shirt, etc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

March 29, 2013 by Darlene

Next Up?

A 5K!!

What do I expect?

Here’s some history:

Run Off That Turkey 5K (Nov 2011) – 28:11 – the last time I ran a 5K healthy
Albany Last Run 5K (Dec 2011) – 30:47 – started out healthy but tripped on a pothole & fell near the end of the race
Freihofer Run for Women (June 2012) – 35:39 – first race after 5 months off running with broken ankle
Helper’s Fund (Sept 2012)- 30:08 – making a comeback after ankle surgery
Komen Race for the Cure (Oct 2012)- 30:54 – now I am running with a foot stress fracture (but still in denial)
RW 5K (Oct 2012) – 35:32 – now I know I am running with a stress fracture
Albany Last Run (Dec 2012) – 35:25 – first race after no running for weeks and recovering from a stress fracture

Because I have been training for my recently completed half marathon since my last 5K race (Dec 2012), I have not run fast very often. Even though I have run 3 other races since my last 5K: 10K, 4 mi, & a 7K, none done were with any remarkable speed.

You get to race the rowers on the river….

So I am guessing that I will finish the race between 32 and 35 minutes. (If I am lucky under 32 minutes.) No PR hopes. And that’s ok. I love racing and I plan to just have fun.

photo from last year’s race

The race is being held here:

Corning Bike Path on the Hudson

It would be really nice if the ice and snow were gone and the sun were shining!! Oops I’m not in Florida anymore.

tomorrow’s forecast

Happy Running! Do you like 5Ks? Do you run them?

March 27, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday: Bridge at Sunrise

Sarasota Half Marathon – March 17, 2013

Me and my cool arm warmers at sunrise!!

Happy Running!

March 25, 2013 by Darlene

Training Over… Recovery Over…Now What?

or rather 2 weeks in review…

Week 12 Update:

Monday – 3 mile run on the treadmill at lunch, tennis after work

Tuesday – REST – flew from Albany to Ft Myers, Fl.
Wednesday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting at the beach & pool

Thursday – 3 mile run outside, walking around Venice, sitting at the pool

Friday – REST – sitting at the beach, walking around The Meadows

Saturday – REST – walking around the Meadows, sitting at the beach

Sunday – 13.1 mile race, walking around Sarasota

The TAPER was completed nicely and I finished the race!!!!

Recovery Update:

Monday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting on planes and in airports

Tuesday – REST – tennis cancelled due to snowstorm
Wednesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (Testing out my new Newtons)

Thursday – REST
Friday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (still testing the new sneaks)
Saturday – REST (running after a 19 mos & 6 yr old at the mall)

Sunday – 4 mile run outside

Recovery completed nicely.

Now what?

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run on TM, Passover seder
Wednesday – 3 mile run in Albany, YOGA
Thursday – 3 mile run near home
Friday – REST, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race + 2 more
Sunday – Rest

Happy Running! Anyone else experience post training letdowns?

March 22, 2013 by Darlene

Spring Training

But I don’t mean baseball! Here are the races that I hope to run in the next few months.

A new race. It’s on my familiar bike path along the Hudson. I ran its route frequently last summer and for my 8 mile training run recently.

April 14, 2013

It’s run in the Delmar neighborhoods that I have run all winter. I ran this in 2011 (before all my injuries…)

5k at 8am, 10k at 9am – $20 for both or one

Not sure about this one but maybe. I have run races in this park many times.

I haven’t signed up for this one but Mary & I usually do it together (and they have ice cream cones!!)

May 5, 2013 9am

Another maybe. I did run this 5K several years ago.

I ran this race 3x when it was held in Delmar. The last 2 years, I was on vacation. Now it has moved to Schenectady’s Central park. There’s another 5K in Clifton park. I will definitely run a 5k on this holiday.

This will be my 6th time running this race – I haven’t missed it since I started running in 2008.

I haven’t signed up yet but this race has always been on my bucket list. Hope to finally do it this year (as long as I am healthy.)

Happy Running! What races are you training for this spring?

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.