Races

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Jelly Bean Virtual Race

I signed up for the 5K which was perfect because my taper runs this week were scheduled to be 3 miles.

I am glad I am not a teacher because it is school break week and the weather has been horrible…cloudy, cold, rainy everyday!!!!!!!

Today was no different. It was nasty and raining on and off all day. 

I wore my usual capris, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, cap and ran my after work loop.

Splits:

Mile 1- 11:08
Mile 2 -10:55
Mile 3 -10:28
.1 – 8:49

Time – 32:33

This was LAST taper run before my Half Marathon on Saturday so I tried to run at the same pace as I hope to during that race.

I was happy that my splits were negative and I didn’t get too wet.

Then off to yoga class I went.  I ❤ Yoga!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! Still praying for good weather on Saturday!

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Two for Tuesday


1. Yesterday morning I slept in so I had no choice but to run after work. I always bring outdoor running clothes & indoor running clothes (it is very hot where the treadmill is located.) It was cloudy not raining so I changed to run outside.  I got outside and it started to rain so I went back in and changed my clothes. Believe it or not, they rearranged the stage in the gym for an event and the treadmill was gone 😦  So I changed back and went outside to run in the RAIN.  I have never run in the rain (I am a wimp!) but it was only sprinkling and I ran a quick 3 miles before it started to pour. Phew! Then I was off to play tennis (indoors).

2. Yesterday’s Boston Marathon was very motivating.  I am so happy that everyone I knew did well. I am in awe of the women runners esp. Kara & Joan.

Women’s Winner:

Men’s Winner:

Love this one:

Saturday is not looking good – According to weather.com, I may be running in the rain again…

Even worse, Accuweather has predicted HIGH WINDS. (They are wicked along the lake, too)

Happy Running! Praying for a calm dry Saturday!

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Tapering and Weather Watching

Last week update:

My goal was 19 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of  19  miles. YAY!!
I played  tennis  twice.
This was Week #11 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  Less than 1 week to go! HELP!!

Goals for this week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis after work
Tues – Passover Seder
Wed – yoga
Thurs – mall w/bf
Fri –  lunch w/friends, packet picket, pasta dinner
Sun – Easter dinner

This week’s running: (TAPER TIME!!)

Mon – 3 miles before work
Wed – 3  miles after work
Thurs – rest
Fri – rest
Sat – 131.1 – Lake George Half Marathon
 
Weekly Running Goal = 19 miles 
April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

After a good run on Sat, I am antsy to run more but the weather has kept that under control.  It is cold, rainy, windy…why is Spring in the NE so late in coming??? I’ll have to remember that when I sign up for a spring Half Marathon.

I keep checking all the weather websites and they say RAIN for Sat.  There’s still time, it can change….PLEASE!

Happy Running! Good Luck to all those runners in Boston!!!!!!

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Last Long Cupcake Run

I was thinking about racing today – there were 2 fun races going on and I knew someone running in each one.

Last night while I was playing Mah Jongg, I didn’t feel like leaving early so I decided to play it by ear.

I woke up around 7 am, went back to sleep, woke up at 8am and then went back to sleep and finally got up at 9am.

I still had time.  Dodge the Deer was at 10 am and St Peter’s 5k was at 11 am.

I looked outside and it was dark, cloudy, windy and not a nice looking day.  I checked the weather and it said it wouldn’t rain until tonight.  I wondered if they looked outside.

That decided it for me.  Why pay money & waste gas for an unpleasant run. As much as I love racing, I hate RAIN more!

So I decided to do a cupcake run. 

Last week for my 12 miler, I ate 2 cupcakes but today, I had only 8 on my schedule.  One cupcake would be enough.

I dressed in capris, one sleeve shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker, cap & gloves – yeah I was cold!!!

Instead of Gu, I decided to try the Honey Milk that I won a case of.  I HATE MILK (Never drink it) so I chose the coffee one. It seemed the most bearable.  It was ok.  I drank about half. I still felt hungry running & a little nauseous so this wouldn’t be my preferred race fuel.

I was either cold or warm depending on the wind.

I must say that this was my best training run ever! I ran at a consistent pace and much faster than usual (between 10:12 and 10:38).  I didn’t walk at all.

I passed the high school where they were having a girls track meet.  I was tempted to stop & watch but I needed to get my miles in before the rain.

I got to 4 miles and planned to loop back but I hadn’t reached the cupcake store.  Phew only 1/4 mile away.  This week I got a free chocolate one and a bottle of water. It was delish!!!!

 The way back was even winder but I finished strong!

Pre-cupcake 44:44
Post-cupcake 43:19

8.5 miles – 1:28:03
Pace 10:21

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

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Friday and Race Fever

I think all this Boston talk is getting me anxious to race. (Not Boston!)

I was supposed to play in a tennis match tomorrow but I got bumped.  Then I was supposed to take my mentee’s son Easter egg hunting but she has to work.  So I am free to do my LAST LONG RUN.

This week’s running report card:

  • 3 miles squeezed in before tennis on Tues – fair
  • 3 miles squeezed in on the treadmill before a meeting on Wed – bad
  • 4.5 miles in the middle of a work party(I went to the party, left to run & then returned for food & drink) – good
  • I booked a flight to LA for Nov 4 (I guess I’m running half marathon #4 on Nov6!!!!)

Do I want to run a race tomorrow??

5K Trail Race

 

or

 

5k and/or 10K Race

or

Happy Running (or Racing!)

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The Countdown is on… 9 Days!

Got this email yesterday:

I am getting excited.  One more long run (8 mi) on Sat or Sun. 

I took next Friday off from work. I’m having lunch with some Lake George boating friends. I have reservations for the night at Fort William Henry Hotel.  My running buddy Mary is injured (and may walk it).  My quilting friend Terry & her husband are running it as well as Cyndi who I know from DM.

My outfit is complete except that the weather may not cooperate.  It’s too early to tell but so far it looks like it will be cold, cloudy, rainy, snowy depending on which website you check.

29...ouch

Right now, I am praying for NO RAIN from 8:00-11:00 am on Saturday, April 23!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I’d prefer warm & sunny…)

Happy Running!

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Tuesday Temptation

in California

Half Marathon #2 has not been run.  Nor has Half Marathon #3.  And I am tempted by Half Marathon #4?????

Lucky you can’t sign up until July 2011.

Why this race?

Nancy and I have been best friends since junior high or 1968 or so. She now lives in Pa. or we don’t see each other very often but chat frequently thru Facebook.

I also chat on Facebook with her sister Ellen who lives in California and runs marathons.

She suggested that I come West and run with her.  I said “Maybe if you could find me a Fall flat half marathon” and she did (Santa Clarita on Nov 6, 2011) and we invited Nancy to come too!

Nothing is definite.  I prefer to wait longer after my Sept 25 Half.  I also need to use frequent flier miles to be able to afford the trip and then break it to my tennis friends that I will not be planning our November tennis trip (and to my hubby that I am using our miles for another half marathon.)

Either way.  It’s exciting and motivating. 

 I skipped my run this am because I was exhausted after  last nite’s tennis.  I hope to squeeze in a short run before the rain and tonite’s tennis.

Happy Running!

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Delmar Dash 5 Mi. Race Report


I’ve always wanted to run this race because I live in Delmar.  But before this year, I only ran 5K races.  This was 5 miles so a new race and a new distance.  An automatic PR. YAY!

Let’s back track to yesterday.

I ran 12 miles on Friday at an embarrassing 11:30 pace.  I wore my Reeboks which have solved the front foot pain but these & my Asics give me pain after 3 miles on inner back side of the left foot.  Lot’s of pain.

I decided yesterday on a beautiful sunny Saturday (my rest day) to go to FleetFeet and ask for advice.  They said I pronate on my left foot and recommended a different type of running shoe – Saucony Mirage.

Just a coincidence that they matched my race outfit for today!!! I was just hoping that my feet wouldn’t hurt!!!!

Race Goals:

A: finish in under 10 min/mi
B: run the whole thing (or almost the whole thing)
C: have fun and finish pain-free and strong

The weather forecast has varied but the latest was cloudy, chance of showers but in the 50’s.

I decided on shorts (it’s April!!) and a long sleeve shirt.

The race was only 10 minutes from my house and I got the last spot in the parking lot.  I immediately bumped into so many people that I knew: 2 local bloggers (Jen and Heather), 2 profs from the law school where I work, my close friend’s hubby, and others.

I was very cold waiting for the race to begin.  Many racers were wearing tights, jackets, etc. Boy am I glad that I didn’t.

I quickly warmed up and was sweating by the end.

This race was a lot of fun.  I felt no pressure so I just ran.  I am familiar with the neighborhoods (although I don’t run here.) I was surprised at how fast my pace was and I was worried whether or not I would die.  So I kept slowing down till the last mile.

Mile 1: 9:21
Mile 2: 9:25
Mile 3: 9:28 (water stop)
Mile 4: 9:39
Mile 5: 8:58

Garmin Time: 46:53

There were a lot of spectators along the course.  I had to high five at least 5 kids.

My new Sauconys seem to have fixed my left foot problem but my right foot hurts like before.  (Does any one run in 2 different running shoes?!)

There were no chips for this race.  You just handed the bottom of your bib to someone at the finish line – I don’t know how they get an accurate time.

I was so warm after the race that I went to my car & changed into the shirt they gave us – a women’s technical tee shirt!

Then I headed back to the finish line to catch some of my friends cross.

Heather finishes her first 5 miler!

John getting back into racing after a long illness

The refreshments were pretty good.  I had some Chobani Greek yogurt and some cake.  They also had vegetable soup, bread, oranges, bananas, etc.

Unfortunately there were a lot of speedy 55-59 year old women in this race and I didn’t come close to a AG award.  (My official time was posted as 47:03) They gave out umbrellas and certificates as prizes.

I am thrilled with how good I felt at the end of the race!  ALL GOALS ACHIEVED!!!!!!!!!! (3 minutes faster than Goal A)

So the Delmar Dash is now on my list of races I have to run.

Next up – Half Marathon  in 13 days!!!

Happy Running!

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The (2) Cupcake Long Run

 Enough already! It’s April 8!!

But I can see shorts in my future 🙂

Although it was in the 40s and cloudy today, I was determined to wear shorts and I did!

I took the day off from work to do my long run – the sign of a real “runner.”

I decided to the take the same route as my last run of 11 miles but continue on to the golf course for another 1/2 mile and run back home. I grabbed some Gu and a coupon for a FREE cupcake  in a new bakery that just happened to be on my route (Just a coincidence!!)

I wanted to simulate my half marathon pace which was to run without stopping except at the 2 mile water stops. I did that for the first 2 miles but then I had to stop periodically to avoid getting hit by cars crossing the street and then at 4 1/2 miles, there was the new bakery!!

I went in and got my free cupcake (vanilla with buttercream frosting and sprinkles – delish!) and a bottle of water. I ate the cupcake & drank half the water & stashed it for the way back.

It was supposed to be sunny but the sun never came out.  It was a good thing because I would have been warm.

I ran to the golf course.  It was closed because it was bought over by new owners.  They were cleaning it up and a TV station was there interviewing the new owners.  I may be on TV running by in the background.

I headed back to pick up my water by the Cupcake Shop.  You know the rest of the story.  I bought cupcake #2 – this time a lemon one with raspberry filling – even better than the first.

I would have bought a box if I could carry them!

 Cupcake fuel was even better than GU. Too bad they’re don’t have them during races and that they’re too messy to carry in your pocket!

As usual, my pace was pretty slow but as always I try to finish up strong.  And I did … My time was 2:19 – nothing to write home about but my 12 mile training run before my first and only half was 2:22.

Done at last!

Hopefully my legs hold up for my 5 mile race on Sunday!!

If you’re on Facebook, check out Women’s Running Magazine.  I am today’s “GODDESS.”

 

Happy Running! Have a great weekend!

 

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Wednesday Words of Wisdom

“The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy…It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.” – – Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

I will try to remember this when I run on April 23 —

Happy Running!