Races

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Things Happen For a Reason

When I planned our annual tennis trip last fall, I thought Mother’s Day was May 6 so being away May 8-15 wouldn’t be a problem.

On Mother’s Day:

  • I run one of my favorite races: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
  • I celebrate my birthday.
  • I go to the annual Tulip Fest in Washington Park.

Guess what?  I am missing Mother’s Day this year.

Not to worry…

They moved the race. It is no longer run nearby.

  • I am injured and not running 😦
  • The race is not in Delmar as it had been for 31 years.  They used to give away awesome schwag but the sponsorship has changed also.
  • I will celebrate my birthday with Anna & my hubby on May 6 and then on May 9 with my friends in Florida.
  • Due to the warm winter, the tulips will most likely be gone by May 13.   I have already seen them several times in full bloom last week:

So things happen for a reason…

(Maybe I broke my ankle so that _(fill-in-the blank: I could start knitting, cook dinner every night, spend more time with my hubby, become a biker, do some cross training, spend my race entrance fees on PT co-pays OR come back a stronger runner!)

Happy Running!

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Spectating at Sean’s Run

I was on this year’s race brochure so of course, I would have run this race.

me on the front of the mailing

I decided that the race was late enough (1 pm) to be able to drive to Chatham and watch my friend Mary run this race. 

Mary & I enjoying a post-race ice cream cone last year

Friday’s RW quote also came to mind:

Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too.–Richard O’Brien

The last 17 weeks have been all about me.  I have been feeling sorry for myself cuz I can’t run.  I have been jealous of everyone running, training and racing. Everday I wake up and curse Dec 29 and wish I never went for that run.

So yesterday was a perfect running day (just a little too windy) but cool & sunny.  I got to the race early enough to wish Mary luck before the race.

She's ready!

Then I was able to do what I have never been able to do.  I watched the runners start.

They're off!

I got to see all the runners go by.

I even watched the winner (at an amazing time) cross the finish line.

Chuck Terry wins for the 3rd time!

Mary, who is tapering for her marathon next weekend, did great.

Here she comes!

Of course, we had to have our free ice cream cone together again.

the spectator & the runner

I think it’s supposed to be a reward for racing but it still tasted good.

So my first spectating experience wasn’t half bad.  It’s fun if you know someone racing.  Of course, I prefer to be in the race….and I will be next year!

Afterwards we went out for coffee and talked about my comeback –whenever that may be.  Hopefully we will race together in the near future.

Happy Running!  Have you ever spectated at a race when you’ve been injured?

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Change or No Change

I thought things had changed a lot since last April and then I went to the hairdresser.

Change:

Last April, I was getting excited to run my second half marathon (13.1 miles).
This April, I am excited to run 2 minutes on a treadmill and I look forward to biking on the weekends.

April 2011

April 2012

 

Last April, my hair was long (and then I cut it.)
This April, I have continued to keep it shorter.

April 2011

April 2012

No Change:

I got my hair cut before going on my annual Florida vacation.
I am wearing the  SAME OUTFIT. (What are the odds of that??)

Happy Running!  What has changed with you since last year?

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The Weekend of Almosts

I almost lost my wallet…I almost bought a new bike…I almost couldn’t file my taxes…I almost volunteered at a race…I almost got to see my mentee and her sons.

Saturday was a gorgeous day.  My hubby & I decided to go for a bike ride on the Nisky Bike Path.

getting to ready ride

Almost immediately I spotted some running friends who had just finished running 20 miles –  their last training run for their May 6 Marathon. We hugged and wished each other well – me to recover & them to complete their FIRST marathon.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Then my hubby bumped into someone he plays tennis with and we rode the first half of our ride with someone who boats on Lake George like us — small world!

my hubby riding & chatting with our "new" boating friend

When we were done, we stopped off to get some lunch.

yum!

In my haste or absentmindedness, I left my wallet on the table. I realized it halfway home.  We went back & someone had turned it in and everything was still in it – PHEW!!!

One problem I have with biking is that my butt hurts!! So I decided that I wanted to buy a new bike seat.  We stopped off at a bike shop and I bought a cruiser seat (I saw some cool cruisers there which were tempting.) Then we heard that another shop was having a tent sale on bikes.  I fell in love with a purple cruiser.

kinda looks like this but prettier

It was $349 – on sale for $319 & they said I could have it for $300…pretty tempting but I decided that biking is temporary until I can run.

My hubby was drooling over this in the parking lot:

an Italian-made motorcycle - Ducati...good thing it wasn't for sale

Finally on this April 14, it was time to file our income taxes. I’m not a procrastinator but since we have to pay a lot why give the IRS my money early.

I was done and hit e-file, and an error popped up about a missing payer id – Great, the banks arer closed Sunday & I have to work Monday & Tuesday.

It turns out that my stepson has an account in the same bank & had the payer ID so I was able to file today!!  Yay!


Two years ago I volunteered at a 15K race & really enjoyed it. Last year, I got selfish.  I ran all the races that I was able t and didn’t volunteer at all.

I also ran THIS race for the first time last year. I loved it…it was nearby and flat and my first  and only 5 mile race.

April 10, 2011

Truthfully, if I weren’t injured, I wouldn’t be volunteering.  I would be racing.

I had planned on helping with packet pickup at 7am.  But that greasy cheese burger & fries that went down so good, kept me up all night so volunteering this morning didn’t happen.

By 11 am, I felt better and I had planned on going to the park with Amanda & her sons.  My cell phone rang and Amanda said that she & her sons were sick 😦

park play re-scheduled for next weekend

My hubby was out playing tennis so plan B – test out my new bike seat and go for a ride.  I decided to go to the Corning Bike trail.

headed south this time - toward the city & the port

tulips close up

It was a cloudy warm day but there were plenty of bikers and boats on the Hudson – mostly fishing.

this view is looking north

This time, I took the path as far north as you could go. It ends and then you have go into town and eventually can pick up the other bike trail. (I think)

my bike is resting - like my new seat?

I finished my ride before the rain and headed to Target!

Happy Running!  Anyone have a cruiser? Should I get one?

 

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(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday – The Brochure

Guess what just came in the mail – the brochure for 2012 Sean’s Run –  http://www.seansrun.com/pdfs/2012Flyer_spread.pdf

ME on page 2

2011 was the first year I ran this race.  This year, I can’t run in it because of my injury.

The funny thing is that the 2011 brochure had my friend Mary’s photo in it (from the first year she ran the race.)

Mary in the 2010 race and on the 2011 brochure

 

And then last year at race time she was coming back from a serious injury.

So I think it is bad luck to have your photo on the Sean’s Run brochure!! It leads to injury LOL!

Happy Running!

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Two for Tuesday and My Epic Comeback

1.  From wheelchair to running a 5K – check out the story HERE. In 10 months, Kimberly Sheerin went being a paraplegic to running 3.1 miles.  AMAZING!!

2.  This past weekend, I put on a running shoe and I kinda walked (walk is a loose term – I moved slowly and didn’t fall).

Those two events prompted me to start planning my running future!!

  • 2 months – bones healed – CHECK!
  • 3 months – walk without crutches
  • 5 months – walk in a race
  • 6 months – start to run
  • 9 months – race in a 5k
  • 12 months – run a half marathon

So there you have it…my planned comeback!  More details to come!

Happy Running! 


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Half Marathons (in my dreams)

Last year, I ran FIVE Half Marathons!!

2nd

I got hooked on this long distance thing so would probably have done the same this year barring any injury.

Injury struck big time. 

So here are my dream events for 2012:

If any of you are running these halfs, think of me.  I am there IN SPIRIT!! (and cheering you on!)

Happy Running!

 

 

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Why I Love Running

I meant to write this on Valentine’s Day but for the last 7 weeks I have been kinda depressed.  I can’t run and I don’t know if I will again.  But I did run and I do ❤ running so here’s my list (in no particular order):

  1. the new friends I have made
  2. guilt-free carb-loading (before & after a run or race)
  3. the best way to end a bad day (or start off a tough day)
  4. an excuse to shop – buy new running clothes, shoes, gear, etc.
  5. setting your own goals (run your “own” race)
  6. how you feel when crossing the finish line in a race
  7. feeling healthy & active & alive
  8. sense of pride & accomplishment (I’m 58 and running half marathons!!)
  9. being alone and getting lost in one’s own thoughts
  10. the bling 🙂

Happy Running!  Anything to add about why you love running?



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Nostalgia

When you can’t run, do you constantly lament: “Last year at this time...”?

Yup, I do…

So …last year this weekend I was running my first 4 miler…The Polar Cap Race in Lake George with AJH.

pic taken by AJH

It was cold but I was happily running a new race.

happy to be approaching the finish line

We both won Age Group awards.

Polar Cap - 2nd place in AG

That was last year… AJH is running that race again.  I know she will do well and win another award. 

I was there in spirit!  I hope to be there running it next year!!

Happy Running! 

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One Race I Will No Longer Run

It was just announced that Susan G. Komen for a Cure, America’s largest charity to fight breast cancer, will no longer fund a program that provides free or low-cost breast cancer screenings for millions of women who get their health care from Planned Parenthood. This is a huge blow.

In abruptly pulling nearly $1,000,000 in funding for breast cancer screenings, the Susan G. Komen foundation cited a sham “investigation” into Planned Parenthood launched by Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns, one of the most militant anti-choice members of Congress…

You can get more information and sign the petition at the link below:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/komen_2/?r_by=-5081570-GmSoeyx&rc=paste1


I have run this 5k four times

with the law school team each year

 

NO MORE!

Unless Susan G. Komen restores its funding!!!

Happy Running?  Have you run a Race for the Cure?  Will you again?