December 31, 2011 by Darlene

2012 Goals – Prematurely Posted

I think it’s important to have goals but not let them run your life. So here are my 12 running goals for the year:

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)
Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training)
Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!)
Get an Age Group award
Run a 10K race
Run a 10 mile race
Run at least one half marathon
Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible)
Run a race in another state
Run a NEW race
Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…)
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…)

Happy Running! Did you set any interesting running goals for 2012?

December 28, 2011 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

ME on page 2 of the 2012 brochure

Last May, I ran Sean’s Run for the first time. My friend Mary talked me into it. It was a big (1500 runners) local race but a very hilly race.

Look who is now pictured on the 2012 race brochure – http://www.seansrun.com/pdfs/2012Flyer_spread.pdf

That would be me…(at least they cut out my fat thighs!!). I wasn’t planning on doing this race again…but maybe I should.

The funny thing is that last year’s brochure had Mary’s photo on it (from the first year she ran the race.)

Happy Running!

December 23, 2011 by Darlene

2011 Goals – How did I do?

Here are the GOALS that I set for 2011:

I was doing REALLY well until June 11 when I hurt my heel… then I rebounded!!

Lower my 5K PR – No, it still stands at 27:30 but I did have 3 races under 28 minutes and 2 just over 28!

√ Run 5ks under 28 minutes – 3 out of 9 under 28 (all 5ks under 30 minutes except for the one where I fell)

√ Win my age group – 2nd for the LG Half, (50-59), 2nd for Polar Cap 4m (55-59), 2nd for Firefighters 5K (55-59), 1st SPAC 5k(55-59) – only got prizes for the lst 2

: Polar Cap – 2nd place in AG

√ Run new races – 14 new races (Polar Cap 4m, Firefighters 5k, Naples Half, LG Half, Delmar Dash 5m, Sean’s Run 5k, Workforce Challenge 3.5m, Runnin of the Green 4m, Adirondack Half, Fall Foliage Half, Santa Clarita Half, Stockade-athon, Run Off That Turkey 5K. Hmrrc Winter Series #1 3m)

Runnin of the Green 4 miler

Run at least one race each month – 1 in Jan, 1 in Feb, 2 in Mar, 2 in Apr, 4 in May, 2 in Jun, 0 in July, 0 in August, 1 in Sept, 2 in Oct, 4 in Nov & 2 in Dec. (injured in July & August 😦 )

: Sean’s Run in May

√ Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) – over 800 miles for the year. (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & August.)

Running outside in January

√ Run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K) – 5 Half Marathons, a 15K, 2 – 4 mile races, 1 -5 mile race

: Delmar Dash 5 miler

√ Run a half marathon race – 5 Half Marathons!! Woo Hoo!

LG Half Marathon 4-11

√ Run at least 15 races – 21 races (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & Aug. I DNS for about 6 races.)

Mother’s Day Race ’11

√ Run a race in another state – 2 – a Half Marathon in Florida and a Half Marathon in California

Half in Naples, Florida

Volunteer at a race – Nope

√ Take running pics & post on FB & this blog – I have taken lots of photos (even use the timer on my camera) & post on this blog & on facebook

√ Keep track of how many miles I run this year – I record every mile I run on this blog, dailymile.com & on a tickerfactory.com ticker

Happy Running! Did you accomplish your 2011 running goals?

December 17, 2011 by Darlene

Albany Last Run Race Report

This was my second time doing this race so I wasn’t as clueless as last year. I knew that the fireworks were before the race and to get ready to run right after they ended. They said that there was a new course but I only remember that it ended coming down a hill. I hoped that it was still the case.

I also knew that this race would be crowded so to just have fun with it.

The race started at 5 pm. It’s always a little tricky to run a race at night when you’re used to fueling in the morning. So I decided to have my pasta in the morning and my cereal in the afternoon. (that may sound crazy?)

It was COLD…in the 20’s and windy. I just wore layers… tutleneck, vest, race jacket, tights under my skirt, hat, gloves. My hubby has a parking pass for under the mall so he drove me. We planned to go out to dinner afterwards.

before the race

Several of my friends that wanted to run the race got closed out…this race is very popular. But I did run into several of the SRMs (Strong Running Mamas) and we watched the fireworks outside before the race began.

Brigid & Janis

She is pretending to "puke"

The fireworks were better than they look here

As soon as the fireworks ended, the race began. 1500 runners started pushing and shoving. It was so crowded going up the hill. In fact it was hard to get a decent running pace for most of the race. There was a car parked in the middle of a narrow street, there were walkers and runners cutting in and out.

Nevertheless, I was enjoying my run and feel really good. I even ran up ALL the hills and was continuously passing people. The lights were awesome (even though I’ve seen them many times already.)

As I said I felt comfortable running the whole time. Probably because I was forced to start slow. The race ended out of the park and back downtown. It went downhill and my recurring nightmare came true.

I have dreamt that I would be running so fast down a hill that I would fall on my face.

I was running fast and I glanced at my Garmin and didn’t see a pothole/crack in the road and down I went.

I was stunned and just laid there wondering how badly I was hurt. Several people stopped. One guy helped me up.

Despite the shock and pain, I was determined to finish the race. I couldn’t run fast but I crossed the finish line. It was around 30:20 or so.

negative splits!

I grabbed some water and looked for a seat but couldn’t find any. Soon Brigid & Janis showed up. My hand was bleeding (darn, I had taken my gloves off at the end) and I pulled up my tights and blood was dripping down my leg — Some really nasty scrapes on the left knee.

We walked around looking for a paramedic and finally found some who bandaged me up.

I called my hubby who was waiting inside to tell him what happened. He came outside to get me and asked it I wanted to go home or go out to dinner.

I think my ego was more bruised than my body. (Tomorrow will tell). And we did go out to dinner.

one of the holiday martinis at Applebees - recommended as a painkiller

Albany’s Last Run was hopefully not my “last” run. It was the kind of race that you do for fun. You can’t PR but of course, you can stupidly try!!

Happy Running! Has anyone else ever fallen during a race?

December 14, 2011 by Darlene

Half Marathon Dilemma

Hot or Cold??? Two half marathon choices. I have until Dec 31 to decide!!

Sun, Feb 5 - 7 am

The Positives:

Melbourne

warmer
warmer
my hubby would go
can see my sister-in-laws new house
beautiful course (over 2 bridges)
music

Hamptons

closer, won’t have to take time off from work
have the next day off already
2 weeks more training time
know some bloggers who may be running it
pretty flat
starts at 10am
new state – NH

The Negatives:

Melbourne

will use up my frequent flier miles
have to take time off from work
my hubby has to take time off (& not get paid)
2 weeks less training time
large race (includes a marathon)
have to rent a car
starts at 7am
don’t know anyone running it
have already run a half in Fla

Hamptons

cold
cold
have to stay in a hotel the night before

There’s also the possibility of neither and waiting until spring….

Happy Running! Which one would you pick?

December 13, 2011 by Darlene

2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster. I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

First 4 mile race

Polar Cap 4 miler

First 5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

First 15K race

Stockade-athon 15K

First half marathon

Naples Half Marathon

First destination race

Naples, Florida

First race in the rain

Lake George Half Marathon

First injury 😦

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.) This is the order:

First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
First injury (Jun 2011)
First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running! What did you do for the first time in 2011?

December 11, 2011 by Darlene

HMRRC Winter Series #1 Race Report & a Birthday Celebration

This was my first HMRRC Winter Series race so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it was informal and that you could sign up for either distance.

I considered doing the 15K but I HATE the cold so I signed up for the 3 mile one.

Well, it was I good thing since yesterday, I had a headache and was really nauseous all day. I stayed in bed til about 5 pm and forced myself to get up and eat something.

I got up this morning still feeling under the weather but at least my headache was gone. So I decided to tough it out and go to the race.

It was cold (like 20 degrees) but the sun was out.

I was surprised at how many people showed up for this race. I guess the weather and the cost had something to do with it. I bumped into many runners that I knew. Most were doing the 15k.

This race was as I said pretty informal – no bibs or timing chips. It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to get through it.

Both the 3 milers & the 15kers run the same course for 3 miles & then the 15kers continue running.

Immediately after I started, my knee brace popped off. I tried to pick it up without getting trampled. It was hard. No one would stop & help so I just waited.

That kinda killed my 1st mile time but who cares. I put my brace in my jacket pocket and then during mile 2, it fell out. I stopped and heard someone yelling, “Indian Orange!” I guess she meant me because she had found my knee brace.

The course was quite boring – around the campus and office buildings but no major hills, at least.

me running wearing "Indian Orange"

When I approached the end, I saw 29 minutes on the clock. I then poured on the speed. There was no way I was finishing 3 miles in over 30 minutes – sick or not!

My Garmin said 29:11 but the official clock was 29:21 and I finished 102 out of 175.

I stayed around for a little while. I checked the times & saw that the fast women in my age group were there – no chance for an award even if I ran my fastest.

The refreshments were decent: cake, bread, fruit, soup…not bad for a free race. I hope to run more of the HMRRC Winter Series Races.

I definitely needed to run more since today was my long run but still felt nauseous. So I headed back home and to the Rail Trail. There I dragged myself through a slow slow 4 more miles for a total of 7 for the day.

It has been a tradition to celebrate my mentee, Amanda’s birthday at the Melting Pot. This is the 4th year we have done this.

Amanda turns 21

Here we are again a year older.

Unfortunately, my 7 miles today only burned off the calories in the Smores martini.

Happy Running!

December 9, 2011 by Darlene

Half Marathon Envy

All the talk about the Las Vegas RnR Half Marathon last weekend makes me want to do one again sooooon!

2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running one and I did 5! (No photopgraper at #4)

1st

2nd

3rd

5th

Unfortunately, my first one was my most enjoyable and my last one, the least. In fact, the 5th one leaves me wanting a do over! I am hoping that I can do better or at least feel better doing it.

It’s not easy to choose one. There are many things to consider: date, weather, travel distance, time off from work, elevation, etc.

Some possibilities:

2/5/12 – Melbourne Half (Fla.) – my sister-in-law lives nearby but would need to take time off from work
2/19/12 – Half at the Hamptons (NH)- 3 3/4 hrs – cold?? (but have 2/20 off)
2/25/12 – Lake Effect Half (Syracuse, NY) – 3hrs – snow, cold – new race but flat
2/26/12 – Hyannis Half (Mass) – 3.5 hrs away – too cold?
3/11/12 – Celebrate Life Half – 1.5 hr away – hilly – no finisher medal
3/24/12 – 13.1 NY Half (Queens, NY) – 3 hrs away – boring course
4/7/12 – Race the Runways (Brunswick, Maine) – 5 hrs away – too cold? – supposed to go to Pa for Passover
4/29/12 – Lake George Half – 1 hr away – hilly, did it last year
6/17/12 – New Paltz Challenge – 1.5 hr away- but it’s Father’s Day

Gotta decide so I can start training…

Happy Running! Any suggestions? Housing invitations??

December 6, 2011 by Darlene

Free Races

I am a member of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club and for $15, you get a monthly newsletter, discount on their sponsored races as well as these FREE races.

I have never done them before even though I have been a member.

However, this year, since I’m not training for anything, I think I will unless it is too cold, too icy or too snowy. I am a winter wimp!

So it looks like this Sunday, I will run a 3 mile race.

Happy Running! Do you belong to a running club? Do run non competitive fun races?

December 1, 2011 by Darlene

It’s December!

67 MILES

November wasn’t a high mileage month since I ran my half marathon at the beginning of the month and I was not training for anything else.

Here were my goals for November:

Hope to continue to run pain-free – YES!
Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES!
Run 3-4 times a week – YES!
Santa Clarita Half Marathon
Survive Half Marathon #5 – YES (but wish I had done better)
after the Run off that turkey 5k race
Run a 5k (& finish under 30 min.) – Ran 2 5k races (finished at 27:58 & 28:11)
Join a gym & start to cross-train – Not yet….
Stockade-athon 15K