June 28, 2012 by Darlene

Six months

Report Card

Each year I look at my yearly goals at the halfway point.

However, as you know, I had to re-write my goals after I got hurt.

~~Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)~~ Follow doctor’s orders and stay off ankle until allowed, go to PT and do the recommended exercises, and start to run when & as often as recommended. Yes, for the most part (I may have run a little sooner than allowed.)
~~Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)~~ Same as above, start tennis & yoga when allowed, join a gym to do crosstraining/machines to stay fit. NOPE, not yet.
~~Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)~~ Run a 5k race before the end of the year, if I am able to run several, get faster with each one. Yes, 2 5ks so far & the 2nd was faster than the first.
~~Get an Age Group award~~
~~Run a 10K race~~
~~Run a 10 mile race~~
~~Run at least one half marathon~~ 4. Start to train for a half marathon in 2013. Not yet but I registered for one on March 17, 2013 & I plan to start training in Dec.
~~Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)~~
~~Run a race in another state~~
5. Run a NEW race. Yes, Stride4Stride 5K was new.
6. Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get re-injured…) Yes, so far.
7. Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) Yes, definitely.
8. Volunteer at a race. Not yet, but I did spectate.
9. Bring a cell phone whenever I go running alone. Yes.

I think I am doing pretty well, considering. So I am going to add 3 more goals:

10. Run a 10 K race.
11. Finish a 5K race under 30 minutes.
12. Run 12 races.

Six months:

from here

to here

Happy Running! How is your year going? Did you set goals?

June 24, 2012 by Darlene

Stride4Stride Race Report

and

Thursday, it was 102 degrees when I got out of work according to my car thermostat. I waiting a few hours until it went down to 95 and headed to the Corning Preserve.

No, I didn’t run the course. I went for a bike ride. For the first time on this trail, I didn’t see any runners!! Pretty obvious why. I am glad I decided not to run.

The sun looks like fire on the river

My bike ride was rather pleasant. It was hot but there was a nice breeze off the river. I haven’t ridden my bike since I started running again. I actually miss it.

Back to the race.

I got up early and truthfully did not feel well – head achy & nauseous. But I ate my usual race breakfast and headed to the race because I wanted to be sure to get a parking spot. There was no problem but who knew since I had never done this race before. It turned out to be a small race of a little over 100 runners. It was the first race that I’ve gone to in a long time where I did not know anyone. If I were healthier, I would have been running the Valley Cats Home Run 5k (that I have done twice before) and I would have bumped into friends there.

beautiful morning for a race though a little too hot

Anyway, I walked around to warm up – there were two area with public restrooms.

view of the city

As I waited, it was getting hotter and I was feeling not too great but anxious to RACE!!

ready to run

Finally we approached the starting line. This race was only gun timed but I didn’t really care to start too close to the front.

start & finish line

As soon as I started running, I knew this wouldn’t be a great race. My legs felt heavy and my calves sore. It was hot and no shade at all (we turned halfway before the bike path gets shady.)

I struggled…I walked at the water stop at 3/4 mile and then again at the 1.5 mile turn around. It got harder and harder and I walked more and more – I think at least 4 more times.

I have never walked this much during a race – in fact at the FRW a few weeks ago, I only walked 2x briefly…maybe it was the heat or I ran the 1st mile faster than I should have at this point in my injury. I also have not been running a lot yet. Another problem with a small race was that after the first mile, I was running alone. The fast runners were way ahead and the slow ones way behind. I think running with others would have motivated me not to walk (just saying.)

yup, positive splits!

Anyway, I finished the last .1 mile strong – the clock registered at 32:50 (and I didn’t puke though I thought I would.)

Once I recovered with some water and ice cream (yes, they had a truck). I was very happy with my time. It was almost 3 minutes faster than the FRW on June 2.

Goals for this race:

run most of it – sorta (too much walking in my opinion)
finish faster than the FRW (35:39) – YES!!!
enjoy it – kinda (but did not feel great)

So what’s next?

I know that I have to walk less and that means getting in better running shape. The 27 minutes 5k finish times may never come back but I do not want to feel miserable throughout a 5k race. I also want to be able to run longer distances.

Patience!!

Happy Running! Any races this past weekend?

June 22, 2012 by Darlene

Un-Race #2

I say “un-race” because I was not planning to run a 5k “race” until September. I try to remember than I am still healing.

So I ran the Freihofer’s Race (FRW) and survived. My running has been less than stellar since then so I decided to sign up for another 5k. (I like to race and I can just call it a “training run.”)

This race is being held where I like to run – the Corning Bike Trail.

after my run here on June 16

It is fairly flat. However, unlike the FRW, I plan to run (not walk). Of course, I will walk if I have to especially since it may be warm!

Goals:

run most of it
finish faster than the FRW (35:39)
enjoy it

Happy Running! Ever sign up for a race as a training run?

June 8, 2012 by Darlene

Inspired by a Discount

Wednesday was National Running Day and I got an e-mail offering $10 off a variety of races so I registered for:

It’s far off but now I have to do it, right?

Happy Running! Anyone sign up for any races on Wednesday?

June 7, 2012 by Darlene

So Now What or 4 Races Thursday

What do you do when you’ve accomplished all your June goals on June 2?

Run/Walk a 5k in less than 45 min. – did FRW in 35:39
Run a mile in less than 12 min/mile – all 3 miles in FRW were less 12 min/mi
Run 3 miles (with few walk breaks) – Did FRW with only 2 water walk breaks
Sign up for a 5k- ran the FRW 5K

NEW GOALS:

Run more 5Ks!
Run faster!
Run stronger!

4 Possible 5k races:

July 21, 2012

at the Great Escape, Lake George
July 21, 2012

Aug 25, 2012

Happy Running! What summer races do you have planned?

June 4, 2012 by Darlene

The Cat is Out of the Bag

This photo was published on the front page of the sports section of our local paper yesterday.

I am the one in the purple shirt front and center.

No, my doctor did not clear me to run yet. My Pt guy told me I could only walk it.

Oops!

Happy Running? Ever ignore an injury and run in a race?

June 2, 2012 by Darlene

Freihofer’s Run for Women Un-Race Report

I got a medal

Obviously not a PR…but this medal is meaningful in a different way.

On Dec 29, 2011, I thought I may not ever run again.

Today, I know I will but I am not sure how fast I will get or how long a distance I will run

But it’s okay. I definitely appreciate being able to run a lot more.

My new favorite quote:

I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I’ve successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving. — Jenny Hadfield

So now about the race.

Yesterday, I took my daily lunch walk to pick up my bib, tee-shirt (& goodies – loaf of bread, box of cookies, lots of free samples). It’s about a 5k there and back. However, going back is UPHILL.

It was tough; my ankle HURT and I wondered how would I do this race. Why was I doing this race??

I woke up early today to RAIN!! I toyed with not going since I wasn’t racing anyway and walking in the rain would take twice as long.

But I put on pants over my skirt, grabbed a jacket and umbrella and drove to work.

The rain let up a little and the walk to race was a good warm up for my ankle.

this year’s banner along the route

I love the ENERGY of this race!! All women! Elites and first timers!

As I approached the race start, I knew I made the right decision to WALK this race.

I bumped to many people I knew…and finally some of the SRMs for our photo shoot.

some of the group

It was now drizzling but looked like it would rain at any moment. I decided to hide my pants & umbrella but tie my jacket around my waist & wear the cap. (It was very HUMID so I should have left the jacket behind too.)

I squeezed in with the other YELLOWs (though I thought that I should go to the end with the walkers but it was too far to walk!)

view from above

As soon as the gun went off, off I ran.

Yes, I ran!

I ran up the hill. I kept running and running and running.

I cautioned myself to go slow so that I would be able to finish the race.

Everyone was running. I felt that if I stopped to walk, I would be trampled. Yes, runners were passing me but for the most part I was keeping up at my slow pace.

There were timers at every mile and every K. I left my Garmin home (not on purpose – I forgot it.) My pace was consistently between 11-12 min/mile…I was happy and I was not struggling to run at that pace. My ankle did not hurt.

I stopped at both water stops to walk not because I had to but because I was thirsty and felt I should walk some.

As we approached the end…it was downhill. I slowed as to not FALL and then I sprinted (yes sprinted) across the finish line.

I had TEARS in my eyes. The last time I felt like this was after my FIRST HALF.

5th FRW

I’m not sure what the chip time was but the gun time was 35:xx. I far exceeded all my goals!!!!!!

It is my second slowest 5K time (my first 5k was my slowest) but I am SO HAPPY!!!!!!

As soon I finished, it started to rain.

I have to admit, that my ankle really hurt afterwards. I struggled to walk back to my car.

It was worth it.

So it seems that the cure for a stiff weak ankle is a RACE!!

Happy Running! Enjoy your weekend!

June 1, 2012 by Darlene

Hopping and Racing

I found out at PT why I am having trouble running. I cannot hop!

Of course, I can hop on my good foot but I can’t on the other. As a result, I can only push off on one foot and I am sorta dragging the other … so my running is slow, painful and awkward.

I was told to keep trying to hop.

I know it will come because there was a time when I couldn’t stand and couldn’t walk and couldn’t run.

So when I can hop, I think I will be able to race.

Speaking of racing, tomorrow is one of my favorite races.

Hopefully, it will not rain as predicted. The SRMs are planning a group photo. Many of the recent SRM marathoners will be cheering.

SRMs in 2011

Obviously, I cannot race it but I am doing it anyway.

Goals:

Walk fast and finish in under an hour
Run some and finish under 45 minutes
Have fun

Happy Running! Are you racing this weekend?

May 31, 2012 by Darlene

My Favorite Month Has Ended…

May was a pretty good month:

went on my tennis vacation to Florida

turned 59 on 5-9

got to visit with my Russian friend Anna

started boating on Lake George

did a lot of biking

ran my first mile

Here were my May Goals:

Continue PT 1-2x per week. Yes, except when on vacation.
Do exercises on my own, as well 1-2x per day. Yes, but not a diligently as before.
Use exercise bike and/or treadmill at work on days with no PT. Yes, when raining bcause I have been walking outside.
Go biking outdoors 1-2x per week. Yes and everyday when on vacation.
Go for walks outside. Yes, everyday at lunch.
Run outside (at least a few steps or maybe on a track.) Yes, one mile on dirt/sand 4 times so far
Hit a few tennis balls (maybe practice serving or volleying) Yes, while on vacation.
STAY POSITIVE!! Trying but it is tough!

So I think I’ve met all my goals in recent months so it’s time to switch things up.

June Goals:

Run/Walk a 5k in less than 45 min.
Run a mile in less than 12 min/mile
Run 3 miles (with few walk breaks)
Sign up for a 5k

How’s that for optimism?

Happy Running! How did you do in May?

May 30, 2012 by Darlene

Boating and Running

Two of my favorite things!!

the gang toasts the 1st boating weekend of the season

my hubby enjoying the view

enjoying a Memorial Day lunch on the island

a visitor to my chair

I am still working on running. I didn’t leave my Garmin behind as suggested. I dodged the storm yesterday and ran ONE MILE on the dirt path of Washington Park (with some walking) at an amazing pace of 12:33!!