August 2, 2012 by Darlene

To 10K or Not to 10K? That is the Question.

I have never done a 10K. I almost did a 10K (but I got sick and couldn’t do it).

Last year, I ran a 15k and 5 half marathons (even one when I was recovering from an injury.)

As you well know, things have changed.

Since my injury, I have run three 5ks and many less than stellar training runs (I think they all have been crappy.) My longest run to date (with a lot of walk breaks) has been FOUR miles.

So why am I considering the HILLY

on August 11, 2012?

A. I like a challenge.

B. I run better in races than training.

C. It’s just a long run (that I pay $ for.)

D. It’s in Lake George. I love Lake George!

E. I need to burn calories (I have a wedding the next day and a tight dress to wear.)

F. I have lost my mind.

G. All of the above.

Happy Running! Did you ever compete in a race that you shouldn’t? Should I do this 10K?

July 31, 2012 by Darlene

July Recap – Where has the summer gone?

What happened in July?

The Good:

My mileage has increased. 64 miles this month!!! Woo Hoo!
I ran several 4 milers. (It’s still a struggle but it’s a start.)
I ran in a 5k race. (My pace was better than the last one. Love.Racing.)
I played tennis 4 times. (I’m rusty but enjoyed it)
The weather has been perfect for boating and relaxing on the weekends. (YAY!!)

The Not So Good:

Lunchtime hour walks have disappeared. (lazy, lazy, lazy – boo!)
Biking has been nonexistent. (no time & bike rack is on my hubby’s truck)
Stretching & icing- oops – none of that either. (Bad Girl!)
Running is still a struggle aerobically…too much walking…pace too slow…blah, blah, blah
Ankle is still painful…(almost all the time) YUCK!

Basically my plans for August are almost exactly the same as for July:

running (4 times per week)
faster running (fewer walk breaks)
longer runs (5 miles or more)
another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
tennis (once a week)
boating on weekends
reading (when not watching the Olympics)
fun times with friends & family

In addition, I should go back to stretching, to walking at lunch & to biking (on non-run days). No promises here but I will try!!!

Sorry Ankle…I’ve neglected you!

Happy Running! How was your July? Anything different planned for August?

July 24, 2012 by Darlene

TWOsday

Today is day TWO working at the NYS Bar exam. I am tech support for the exam takers using the computer to take the exam. There have been no real problems so I have been catching up on blogs.

Here are TWO photos of me during Saturday’s race:

starting the race – I’m in white top & red skirt

approaching the finish line – trying to catch the young girls in green

Having to be at work by 7:00 am has limited my morning running. After TWO days off, I hope to continue tomorrow and Thursday.

Maybe I’ll run TWO races this month. I am considering one this Saturday in Saratoga.

Happy Running!

July 23, 2012 by Darlene

Jingle Bell 5K Race Report

Yes, me and Montel ran this race at the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George.

I got up around 5:30 am and dressed as Christmasy as one could in the middle of the summer and drove about an hour north. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. No humidity and warm but not too warm. (I decided on a white tech shirt, red skirt, white socks…)

where the race began

I tried to tell myself and that I wasn’t in racing condition yet. (My goal for that is Sept.) So I should just try to have fun.

I got there early enough to get my shirt and swag and go back to the car and put it away. I am glad I decided not to wear the shirt. I would have been too warm.

race tee shirt

The atmosphere was pretty festive. Christmas music playing and a lot of excited walkers. (The serious runners were racing in Saratoga at the Silks & Satin 5k.) There were less than 150 participants.

animals cheer the runners on at the start

Montel Williams really did show up. He started the race and then left.

He looks in great shape. Too bad he didn’t run…

I found out the course in advance but wondered how hilly it would be (since it is the Adirondacks!)

course map but it didn’t indicate elevation 😦

The race started at 8:00 am in the park and then went around one side of Glen Lake and then ended at the park.

Glen lake

As I have done before, I started out too fast. The first mile was up and down hills…rolling hills and I ran without stopping.

I was planning to take it slow and walk at the water stops. However, NO WATER!! Very odd for a summer race…even if it is only 3 miles. I did not drink any water before and I was very thirsty.

As a result, I was tired during mile 2. The hills weren’t as steep but it was straight uphill. I started to walk and walked several times..too many times.

Mile 3 had some downhill but when it entered the park, it never seemed to end. We ran up one bridge and down, then another and another and another. My Garmin said we should be done but we weren’t I walked so that I could at least sprint across the finish line if there ever was one.

Finally crossed at 33:20!!! I was disappointed because I wanted to do better than my last one (32:50).

People was complaining that their times were so slow. When I looked at my Garmin, it said 3.21 miles. My last race was 3:12 miles. So actually I did better! YAY!

my splits

I am happy with my first mile. I should have pushed myself more on mile 2 but I am still worried about the ankle.

nothing flat here!!

After the race, I grabbed some refreshments and asked someone to take a picture.

Done and happy!

They posted the results but since it was a small race, they only gave out awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall.

I came in 54 out of 136 and 1st in my AG

After the race, I headed to Bolton Landing (20 minutes away). I spent the rest of day with friends on an island in Lake George.

pooped after the race

Sunday, I went on a quick 2.5 mile run/walk and then back on the lake.

new location for the book & orange chair – West Dollar #3

After some relaxing, we went to Basin Bay to meet friends. The day ended with dinner on the lake.

docking for dinner – Blue Water Manor

So I am very glad I ran a race. It is always so motivating to race rather than just run.

Yes, my time was slow compared to last year but it was better than I expected. (I will not whine about PRing until next year!!!!!)

The course was fun but too long and hilly so I may go back to Silks & Satins (I have done that one 3x in the past).

I haven’t registered for another 5K until August 18 but you never know.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?

July 15, 2012 by Darlene

Christmas in July

Yes, Christmas in July. I ran this race before but it was in December and in Albany (The Crossings). Easy to dress for… and a familiar course.

This one is on Saturday, July 21… and it’s another new 5K race location for me so I have no idea if it is hilly or not. It’s in Lake George. That’s why I chose it. (I think you know that I love Lake George.) And it should be cool to run in an amusement park.

It starts and ends in

'Jingle Bell Run' comes to Great Escape in July
My runs of late have been soooo slow… I think a race may be what I need!!

I plan to run at least One Race a Month (so far I have signed up for – July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 21, Dec 15).

Goals for this Race:

Run most of it
Beat my Strides4Strides time (32:50)
Enjoy it

Now I have to figure out what to wear that is Christmasy but cool.

Happy Running! Any races coming up for you?

June 30, 2012 by Darlene

June Recap

What happened in June?

doctor visits came to an end
PT visits came to a end
walking frequency has slowed
biking has almost been non-existant – only once
almost every weekend was spent on Lake George (4 out of 5)
same chair – different island each weekend

several books read
another ya trilogy – like Hunger Games

running has increased – 46 miles this month…yea!

running on one of the many bike paths

Racing has begun – two 5K races …whoo hoo!
are you tired of this pic yet?

Things can only get better…

What’s planned for July?

tennis
more running
faster running
longer runs
another 5K race
more boatimg
more reading

Happy Running! Anything exciting planned for July?

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: