One week until Half Marathon #3 and 7 weeks until Half Marathon #4!!
Happy Running? Have you ever had to choose between training & tapering?
We listened to jazz from out boats last year and it was fun so we thought we’d do it again. The weather cooperated. It was sunny but cool so we decided not to listen from our boat but to drive to Lake George Village and meet our friends and listen there.
First we walked around the Boat Show that was at the public docks.
Then we went out to lunch at The Lookout restaurant which has a great view of the lake as well as great burgers. Then we headed to the Jazz Fest to listen for awhile.
Afterward, we headed up to Bolton Landing to put our boat in the water (that’s where we would be sleeping) and then back to our friends in the village for an evening of cards and watching the fireworks from their deck.
The next morning I headed out for my long run. Unfortunately, my energy level was low (I hadn’t had dinner the nite before & didn’t get a lot of sleep).
I decided to repeat my 9N South route and but to take a different detour than last week. The weather couldn’t have been better – sunny & cool (& not as cool as I was dressed for.)
Route 9N So
photo stop
and a tree house
the beautiful lake
heading back to 9N
The run was fun because of the beautiful scenery. I covered about 8.5 miles in total with a lot of stops for photos. I was fine until around 6 miles & then the lack of food & sleep took over and my pace slowed.
It is Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept 19 but we decided to celebrate a day early.
When I returned from my run, we headed out to Commission Pt Island to meet our friends.
waiting for the "Pirates"
Here we are - Aaaargh!
me & the hubbs
the party's over
Good-bye "Pirates"
As usual, it was a fun-filled day! Lots of fun, food, drink, laughter, etc…
One week until my Half Marathon – gulp!
Happy Running! Are you sad to see summer end?
Yes, I am trying to rest my heel and not do too much racing. But there are a few on my radar for various reasons:
1. Adirondack Half Marathon – Signed up for this one before the injury.
Oct 1, 2011
2. Race for the Cure 5k – We have a team where I work & I am one of the coordinators. Besides it’s an important cause. There’ll be too many runners to worry about my time.
3. Santa Clarita Half Marathon – Signed up for this one too before the injury.
Nov 24, 2011
4. Our Town Turkey Trot – This 5K is near my house and it is my PR race.
Dec 17, 2011
5. Albany Last Run 5k – For this race, you get to see the Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show.
A few more may squeak in…
Happy Running! Are you racing this fall?
No, I’m not…but this site was e-mailed to me and it is really cool!
You can compare or look for marathons based on number of racers, temperature, elevation change…
You can get a slide show or graphs.
Here I compared 2 NY Marathons:
I am at the Half Marathon stage (barely) but if I’m ever looking for a full, I will check it out here.
Happy Running? Anyone looking for a marathon?
This was a busy week:
Monday I had dinner with a running friend that I haven’t seen the infamous heel injury. Tuesday was my last tennis with my Tuesday tennis group so we went out to dinner after. Wednesday, I spent the day at the US Open.
with my friend Catalina at the Open
We watched some amazing tennis matches – some veterans, some up and coming players, some upsets, some predictables- all in all, it was a long HOT day (got up at 4:15 am and went to bed at 11:00 pm).
Since I hadn’t run since Monday, I forced myself to do 4.5 miles after work on Thursday- it wasn’t pretty and I finished & got in my car seconds before the rain came down.
Saturday for the 2nd time this summer, I stayed home from the lake to do my LONG run. I ran 6 miles which was my longest distance since April 23 (my half marathon). It was tough – it took me 1:11 to do it with 2 water stops & some walking. (My friends kept texting me: we miss you…what are you dong home on such as nice day?…They are NOT runners!!)
Then I rewarded myself with a movie – I saw Sarah’s Key. I read the book and I must admit, it was very true to the book. A sad story but I highly recommend it.
Sunday am, I headed up to the lake with my friend Cheryl. My hubby & other friends were already there waiting. It was the annual Christmas in September on Log Bay. Everyone hangs out on the lake. There’s a band, a parade & fireworks at night.
with Cheryl & Kathi
going for a ride
Unfortunately, it started to rain in the evening and the parade & fireworks were canceled. We headed home.
This morning, I decided to enter my own 5K – Darlene’s Virtual 5k.
I finished in 33:38. No water stops. I ran straight through for the first time since my last 5k on June 11 (which I finished in 27:45!!!!!). I placed 1st in my age group. In fact, I came in first overall. It was incredibly humid. I was drenched in sweat (I am not a sweater) when I was done. It started to rain as soon as I finished too.
I can’t tell you how hard this was. I felt that I needed to run without stopping & stretching & worrying about my heel. The pace was slow but I couldn’t do it any faster. I felt so out of shape, so tired… I wanted to stop a hundred times but I wouldn’t let myself.
Now I know I can do it. I think that in a real 5K race I will have more adrenaline & will eat better the day before so hopefully my time will get back to where it was before the injury.
Afterwards, my hubby & I headed back to Lake George for a great lunch with friends at a restaurant overlooking the lake.
Happy Running! Happy Labor Day!
The end of August always makes me sad. The days get shorter. The temps get cooler. We start thinking about putting our boat away for winter. This year, however, I’m hoping that the fall brings healing to my heel and more pleasant running conditions.
August update: My goals were…
I am hoping to be pain-free! Nope! But not worse…
I am hoping to start running again! Yup but slowly…
I am hoping to gradually increase my mileage. Yup up to 16.5 miles weekly and a long run of 5.5 miles…
I am hoping to start training for Half Marathon #4. Sorta …see above…
I am hoping to run a 5k before the end of the month. Nope…not until I am pain-free!
More in August:
So what’s in store for September??
Happy Running!
Update on Last Week:
I almost met my goal of 17 miles. I ran Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat. for a total of 16.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis once but did NOT do Yoga
0 lbs lost
Goals for this Week:
run 18 miles
play tennis
It’s week #3 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #9 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)
This Week’s Schedule:
Mon: dinner w/ running friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: all day trip to the US Open
Thurs: dentist am
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)
Running for the Week:
Mon: 4 mi before work
Thurs: 4 miles after work
Fri: 4 mi before or after work
Sun: 6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)
Happy Running!
Plan #1: Run a Half Marathon in April and then cut back on mileage and work on speed until July. Start training in July for a Half Marathon in Sept. Run another in LA in November.
I ran the Lake George Half in April and then reduced my miles. I ran several successful 5ks – several under 28 minutes!! Life was good. Then on June 12…pain in the heel!
Plan #2: Stop working on speed and running 5Ks until pain goes away.
I rested and then ran slowly and did not run any races…pain persisted so I went to the doctor. X-rays revealed no fracture or bone spur. MRI showed inflammation & swelling where the heel bone meets the Achilles tendon. PT & rest prescribed.
Plan #3: Stop running all together and go to physical therapy until you are allowed to run again. No 5k races or training for Half in September.
I did not run or play tennis for 4 weeks. I went to PT 2x a week. Did all the stretches, took anti-inflammatory drugs and iced several times a day. Gained 8 lbs.
Plan#4: Start running again. Build up the miles slowly. Continue to stretch & ice. Run some 5k races. Walk/run Half Marathon in September but run the November Half.
I continued PT until insurance stopped paying. I started running at a slow pace with a lot of walking. I went back to the doctor to order orthotics. The pain still persists.
Plan #5: Continue running and building up the mileage. No 5 or 10K races (except the Half in September) until after the Half in November.
I considered stopping running (for a minute.) But it will be hard enough not to race. If I enter a race, I know I will try to run fast, not stop, not stretch. Running on my own, there will be no pressure. So if it hurts, I can stop. Maybe the orthotics will help. Maybe the pain will disappear!!
Plan #6: TBA
4 days old!
Happy Running! Stay safe (if you are hit by Irene)!
2 and 8 are my lucky running numbers so I am hoping for a good week!
Update on Last Week:
I didn’t meet my goal of 15 miles since I was rained out 2x but I did run Wed, Thurs, Sat. for a total of 12.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis once & did Yoga once
3 low cal root beer floats (diet root beer & lite ice cream – 100 calories)
2 lbs lost
Goals for this Week:
run 17 miles
play tennis
It’s week #2 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #8 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)
This Week’s Schedule:
Mon: dinner w/friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: last PT
Thurs: hair appt
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)
Running for the Week:
Mon: 3.5 mi before work
Wed: 3.5 mi before work
Fri: 4 miles before or after work
Sun: : 6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)
Happy Running!
I’m running the NYC Marathon!
Only kidding!
On the same day, I’m doing something almost as absurd.
I’m running a Half Marathon!
In Santa Clarita, outside LA!!
I mentioned this race before and why I wanted to do it.
But that was before I was injured. Now it’s less than 12 weeks away & I’m not fully recovered.
BUT I’M DOING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wish me luck!!
Happy Running!
My First 5K and More... 