Races

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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?

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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 

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

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

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

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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!

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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??

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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?

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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:

  1. Hope to continue to run pain-free – YES!
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week – YES!
  3. Run 3-4 times a week – YES!

    Santa Clarita Half Marathon

  4. Survive Half Marathon #5 – YES (but wish I had done better)

    after the Run off that turkey 5k race

  5. Run a 5k  (& finish under 30 min.) – Ran 2 5k races (finished at 27:58 & 28:11)
  6. Join a gym & start to cross-train – Not yet….

    Stockade-athon 15K

I did run my first 15K race & I am pleased with how I did!!!

December Goals:

  1. Play tennis & do yoga once a week
  2. Run 3-4 times a week
  3. Run at least 15 miles per week
  4. Finish the year with 800 miles
  5. Run a 5k  (& finish under 30 min.)
  6. Choose a Half Marathon for the spring
  7. Join a gym & start to cross-train

Happy Running! What are your goals for December?


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Pace or Time?

Awards at races are given out based on the TIME that you cross the finish line.

Personally if you want to improve your running speed, shouldn’t you be looking at PACE not time. After all, some 5ks are calculated at 3.03 miles and others at 3.15 miles.  The same goes for 10Ks, 15ks and Half Marathons.

Naples Half

Santa Clarita Half

Obviously, the longer the course, the slower your finish time will be.

So I thought that I ran faster for my 5K  on Nov. 24 than for my 5K on Nov, 26.  I finished in 27:58 on Nov 24 and in 28:11 on Nov. 26.

As you can see my PACE was faster on Nov 26 (8:57/mi) even though my time was slower.  The 5K course was longer!

So maybe I should re-calculate my PRs and revise my future racing goals!!

Happy Running!  What’s more important to you – time or pace?

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Run Off That Turkey 5K Race Report

Another new race for me.  I knew nothing about this race except that it was a 5K. I knew I would eat a lot on Thanksgiving and running would be a good idea.  A race would motivate me to run at least 3 miles!

It turned out to be a perfect morning for a race…sunny & in the 50s. I got there early because I wasn’t sure where I was going.  No signs but eventually I located the church where it started & parked across the street in the school parking lot.

I was pleased to find out that they gave out gloves instead of shirts (I have enough race shirts!!!) But it was a small race so no chip timing again.

I waited in my car until the start…it was chilly and this time I didn’t overdress.  I left my jacket in the car.

As usual I had positive splits.  But I didn’t care.  I knew I was running fast and I said to myself “So what!”  My first 2 miles were under 9 min pace.  This is a first for me…even in my 5K PR, this didn’t happen.  But the last 1/2 mile was uphill and I slowed down a lot.  Also according to my Garmin, the race was 3.14 and Thanksgiving’s was 3.03. 

So I finished at 28:11.  I’m happy with that.  I knew it wasn’t as flat as Delmar so I didn’t expect a PR (but secretly hoped for one.)

after the race

Though I didn’t know anyone running this race, I did bump into nice people:  a DMer and someone who reads my blog (someone reads my blog?)  I hung around with 3 women that I’ve met at many races and who run even more 5k races than me.

It took forever to have the awards ceremony…like almost 2 hrs.   So we chatted about racing.  They are older than me and they all won AG awards.  Me, I came in 4th.  If I were older or young, I would have gotten an award.

I feel like I have gotten most of my speed back.  I don’t think about my injury anymore.  I am starting to like 5Ks again!

Happy Running!  Did you run off that turkey?

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Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

Nov 24, 2011

This is the 2nd year for this race. Last year, it was pretty unorganized and many more runners signed up than expected. There are several turkey trots in the area with the big one being in Troy. Most of the elites run that one.

Things have changed a lot in one year.  Last year, I was only running 5ks and my goal was to get faster.  This race was and still is my fastest 5K at 27:30.

This year,  after an achilles injury, 5 Half Marathons and a 15K under my belt, fast I am not. But that’s ok.

This race also is being run on a different course.  (It may be the same 5k course as my first race!!)

Knowing many runners who were signed up for this race and it being so close to home, I was excited to run this race!!

It was pretty chilly…in the 30s!! I decided to wear some layers and as much orange as I could find.

I was wrong about this year being more organized.  They had ONE line to pick up your bib and it took forever.  I was glad I was there early. I bumped into running friends Janis & Bridget and then I found my good friend MaryPat.

me & MaryPat

 
When it was finally time to start, we tried to squeeze into the crowd.  Unfortunately, this race was not chip timed.  When the gun went off, it took awhile to get to the start (at which point I started my Garmin) and then it was really hard to weave through the crowd.
 
Delmar is pretty flat so my mind said “PR” but my body had something else in mind.  I was fine during the first mile but then I slowed and slowed. (Yes, this seems to be a pattern.)
 
I crossed the finish line a little over 28 minutes but according to my Garmin I finished in 27:58.  (I didn’t stop it immediately so maybe a few seconds less.)
 
 
I hung around waiting for MaryPat to finish.  I bumped into 2 more tennis acquaintances also while I was waiting.
 
 

Here comes MaryPat!

  

They were only giving out awards for the top finishers and the refreshments were water & Freihofer’s cookies so we left and went to Dunkin Donuts.   It seemed that everyone there had come from the race.  We chatted for awhile over a latte & a bagel before heading home.

I was cooking a turkey dinner for my hubby & myself and then going to a friend’s for dessert.

I love starting Thanksgiving Day with a race.  I am happy with my time.  It was faster than the last 5K I did! There’s always room for improvement!! (Tomorrow is another 5K race.)

Hope you had a

Happy Running! Did you race yesterday?

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Good News and Bad News

This past weekend was the Philly Marathon. My running friend Mary was running it as HER FIRST MARATHON!!  We have a lot in common & have run many races together.  She ran the Stockade-athon the week before & had a terrible run.  So I was a little worried.  But…she did it!!! And she did great!!! I met her for coffee yesterday to hear all about it.  Her excitement almost makes me want to do one…I said almost!!!

 

 

Now the not so good news: 2 runners died during this race. One was from my area. Read the story here.

He was only 40.  He was an experienced marathon runner.  He even had completed 3 Ironman races (including the one in Lake Placid this past July). I know they said he died doing something he loved but it is still so sad esp for his family and friends…

 

Happy Running! Do you ever worry that running is dangerous?