Races

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Brain Exchange #29 & Monday Goals

 

Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic: Music Montage

This Week’s Question: If you had a soundtrack for your training and racing, what songs would appear on it?  

  1. I Run for Life – Melissa Etheridge
  2. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
  3. Running on Empty – Jackson Brown
  4. Stronger – Britney Spears
  5. Don’t Stop – Rolling Stones
  6. Don’t Stop Believin – Journey
  7. Strong Enough – Cher
  8. Just Dance – Lady GaGa
  9. Harder to Breathe – Maroon 5
  10. Runnin Down a Dream – Tom Petty
  11. I Gotta Feeling – Black-Eyed Peas
  12. Help – The Beatles
  13. How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox 20

and many more…
 

Goals for this week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 20 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 19 miles.
I played tennis twice and did yoga once.

This was Week #5 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  7 weeks to go! (Although I haven’t registered yet.)

This week’s schedule:

Tues – tennis after work
Wed – USTA dinner
Fri – mah jongg

This week’s running:

Tues – 3.5  miles before work
Wed– 3.5  miles before work
Thurs – 4  miles after work
Sat  –  4  mile Race (my 2nd ever)
Sun – 6 miles

 
Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles 
March  Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Three Things Thursday

  1. I hate the cold.
  2. I hate the ice.
  3. I hate the wind.

Now that that’s clear.  I need to decide if I am running the half on Apr 23, sign up and increase my weekly mileage.

Monday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but played tennis after work. No miles!
Tuesday, I ran 3 miles outside before work dancing over the ice patches and played tennis after work.
Wednesday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but planned to run after work.

BUT I couldn’t move forward, the wind was so strong.  I went to yoga instead. No miles!

The yoga class was GREAT!! I felt so good afterwards but when I back out to my car (parked by the curb on a 4 lane street), someone had knocked the side mirror off my car!!!! My hubby took it for an estimate – almost $600 to fix.  Ouch!

Today when I got up, it was -4 with the wind chill and there was a light coating of snow on the ground.  Off to the gym I went to run 4 miles on the treadmill.

To make matters worse, they predict rain for  the weekend (My long run of 9 miles is scheduled!!) I think I’d rather be cold than wet for hours 😦  HELP!!

Happy Running!

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R.I.P. Little Plane

at the airport in Mechanicville, NY

It’s been a tough winter!  And it just got tougher!  My hubby’s plane got destroyed.  The snow & ice on top of the hangar got to be too much and it collapsed and crushed the plane…no insurance either 😦

We got it 12 years ago and until we started boating on Lake George we used it a lot!  And had a lot of fun!

landing on Lake Champlain

on Saratoga Lake

flying over the Hudson River

So it could be worse as my hubby said: “It could have been destroyed while I was flying in it!” But I know he is feeling a lot of pain.

While he went to his mother’s who consoled him with eggplant parm, I went out for a long run.

It was my first since the half marathon – 7.25 miles!! The weather warmed up a little – 25 degrees (but felt colder when the breeze picked up.)  I followed my long run route but couldn’t run on the sidewalks (since no one shovels) and had to stop repeatedly when the road got too narrow & cars were coming at me.  I discovered a hilly detour around a park & golf course which was pretty.

I can’t say it was painless.  My feet continue to start to hurt after 5 miles (first left then right) and I even got my first blister ever. 

Then I spent my pre-Valentine’s Day evening with my mentee – dinner & a movie – it was nice to hang out together.

Happy Running & Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Three Things Thursday

  1. Boy, this has been a really long week!  At least it has seemed that way. Maybe because there have been no snowstorms and I’ve had to work everyday! I played tennis Mon & Tues evenings and bailed on my morning runs!!! I did return to the treadmill yesterday & today 🙂
  2. I’ve also had some bad news.  A good friend’s father died and another good friend’s younger sister was diagnosed with a rare rapidly spreading form of breast cancer (3-5 yrs to live even with mastectomy, chem & radiation). So I’m NOT going to complain about my left foot (last time it was the right one) that started hurting Sat and hurt Sun & Mon. The pain is gone now and it seems pretty trivial. It also reinforces my decision to go from running a 5K race to completing a Half Marathon.  You never know what life will bring. CARPE DIEM!!
  3. My credit card was burning a hole in my pocket so I registered for some races.

Mar 12 – Runnin of the Green 4 mi Run – Green Island, NY
Mar 26 – Firefighters Run 4 Life 5K – Schenectady, NY
Apr 10 – Delmar Dash 5 mi – Delmar, NY
May 8  – Mother’s Day 3.5 – Delmar, NY
Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY

 I haven’t registered for my second Half Marathon yet – Apr 23 in Lake George. I want to run it but it’s hilly and I’m chicken.  I’m training for it. 

I like to run races & those long runs don’t seem to fit in (for example, my 12 mile run is scheduled for Apr 10!) .  I work so I can’t do them during the week.  I know I can add miles on after or the next day but it doesn’t feel the same as a non-stop long run.  I also like to rest the day before a long run.  I like to do my best in a race (I’m competitive!) so it’s hard to have it just be a training run at half marathon pace.  DILEMMAS!  I guess it was easy when I just ran 5ks!!  But I really enjoyed that Half Marathon experience!

I’ll figure it out… What’s more important is staying healthy and enjoying life!

Happy Running!

 

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Wordless Wednesday

I  couldn’t resist posting this. 

But you can really substitute “Runner” for “Half Marathoner.”

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Polar Cap 4 Mi. Race Report

A new race and a new distance for me.  I love Lake George (in the summer!) But it is hilly.  And it’s cold and snowy!!

What the heck, it’s a PR.

So I got up early on a Saturday morning to run a race! 

My husband remarked, “You’re gonna drive over an hour for a race!?” I replied that I know someone who drove 3 hours for a race.

It was a beautiful morning.  The predicted snowstorm was postponed until  the afternoon.  It was about 15 degrees, sunny, very little wind. I was very tired because I went to bed too late. (Friday is Mah Jongg night.)

I was almost there when fellow blogger, AJH, texted me that she was there!  I didn’t know she was going to run it but I know she has run this race several times before.  I was thrilled to have the company.  (My friend Mary has a hip stress fracture 😦 )

I thought it was going to be cold so I dressed in 3 top layers, hat, gloves, tights shorts, wool socks.

AJH & me before the race

I was wrong.  It was sunny.  I was overdressed.  I immediately took off my gloves & unzipped my jacket.

pic taken by AJH

The course was very scenic.  There were views of the snow covered mountains as well as the lake. 

It was not an easy course.  At first there were some small hills.  I was running well.  Under 10 min/mi.  That was until the last killer unending hill.   I walked and then I walked again and then I walked.  I hate that! Until my half marathon, I never walked during a race.

 

heading for the finish

happy to be almost done

All of a sudden, I became competitive and regained my strength and sprinted through the finish line.  The walking killed my time but I at least made up some at the end and crossed at 40:09. (Official results say: 40:11)

AJH took this of me finishing

(I didn’t take any pics during the race but I snapped a few after.)

AJH at the finish line

It was my first 4 mile race so I have a PR.  I love racing so I am happy!  I will do better at the next one.

my split times

I was so sweaty that I quickly got chilled so we went inside to change clothes and wait for the awards.  (There were under 200 people in this race so the chance for an award was pretty good.)

The refreshments consisted of chicken soup and lots of baked goods but I really wasn’t hungry.

Guess what?  AJH & I both won Age Group awards (We are in the same group.)  Although AJH finished way ahead of me, she won 2nd and I won 3rd. Cool!

We won soup bowls with spoons

 AJH left & I stayed in Lake George for a while.  I hope that we get a chance to race together again.  I think we will because she’s the one I was referring to when I said I “I know someone she drives 3 hours for a race.”

I headed into town because there was a lot going on.  It’s the first weekend of the 50th Lake George Winter Carnival.

 But first, I had my running reward:

vanilla latte & apple scone

Then I met my friends (who are chairpersons of the Carnival) and watched some of the events – skydiving, dogsled races,  etc.

I stopped off at the outlets on my way home but my wallet was saved by the snowstorm.  It started to snow hard and I left.  As I drove south, the snow turned to sleet, then to freezing rain and then to just rain. (At least the salt got washed off my car.)

So now it’s back to training. I don’t have a race planned until March & I think it’s another 4 miler 🙂

Happy Running!

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Three Things Thursday

  1. The snowstorm was a bust. We didn’t get 2 feet of snow yesterday.  In fact, I think we got more snow Tuesday. The gym and everyplace else did not need to close.
  2. In fact, I went out and bought myself a pair of Yak Trax.  There is a lot of snow and it’s not going anywhere soon. I ran a quick 1 mile around the neighborhood when I got home to try them out.  I was surprised how light they were.  They definitely give you more confidence to run on these slushy slippery sidewalks & roads.   This morning, I ran with them again for 3 miles.

    3.      

  3.   I am undecided if I will wear the Yak Trax in my race on Saturday.  The race is in Lake George.  They did get a lot of snow yesterday.  The race will be hilly.  It’s my first 4 mile race but I’m not worried.  It’s an automatic PR.

    4. Sorry I have 4 things –

  4. I am really excited about my first Yoga for Runners class tonight!!

 

Happy Running!

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A Very Cool Half Marathon

The 2011 information isn’t up yet…but I have friends who own a house in Daytona Beach and you never know…

2010 info:

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile course is unlike any other race in the world, bringing runners from the World Center of Racing, to the World’s Most Famous Beach and back!

The entire course will be run on pavement (no beach run). Unfortunately, due to the track repave, we will not be able to run on the track as in previous years. However, we will use various parts of the track in-field, running a little more than 2 miles inside the Daytona International Speedway. (In 2011, the repaving should be done!!)

Runners will start just outside the Sprint FANZONE, only steps from parking, race-day registration & packet pick-up and permanent restrooms. Proceeding north from the start, runners will then loop around a portion of the Speedway’s Go Kart track. After the Go Kart track, runners will enjoy a .6 mile stretch on the scenic boardwalk alongside Lake Lloyd. You will then make your way back past the Sprint FANZONE before exiting the track.

After exiting the track, runners will dash past DAYTONA 500 Experience, the Official Attraction of NASCAR. The course will then head east towards the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing over the beautiful Halifax River and getting a first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, competitors will soon reach the World’s Most Famous Beach at approximately the 7.2-mile mark.

At that point, runners will catch a breathtaking view of the ocean at sunrise, with an approximate .1 mile stretch along the boardwalk at Sun Splash Park, before turning around and beginning the trip back to the Speedway and the finish line. The return includes another trip over the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as a run past one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American colleges, Bethune-Cookman University.

At the 13-mile mark, runners will reenter Daytona International Speedway, cross over the track and make a final sprint towards the finish line just outside the Sprint FANZONE. One of the best post race parties around is then just a few steps away in the Sprint FANZONE with awards taking place in the adjacent Gatorade Victory Lane.

KEY FEATURES:

Daytona International Speedway
The Speedway annually hosts the Super Bowl of motorsports, the DAYTONA 500, each February. The World Center of Racing is also the home of NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, held each July.

DAYTONA 500 Experience
The attraction is located outside turn four of the Speedway on the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Bill France Blvd., and is the official attraction of NASCAR. Guests can experience the sights, sounds and history of the DAYTONA 500 through static and interactive displays. Each Daytona Beach Half Marathon entrant receives one complimentary DAYTONA 500 Experience admission.

Mainland High School
At the 3.5-mile mark, runners will pass Mainland High School, the alma mater of NBA star Vince Carter. The school’s gymnasium is named after Carter, who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school. Carter currently plays for the hometown Orlando Magic.

Bethune-Cookman University
Runners will run past BCU twice during the race. Bethune-Cookman was founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, and is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities.

Daytona Beach
Competitors will reach the World’s Most Famous Beach just past the 7-mile mark. Sunrise on race day is approximately 7:35 a.m., providing a great view once runners reach the ocean. Unlike the inaugural race’s quick turnaround, the course will wind through the oceanfront Sunsplash Park and includes a one-block run on the beach boardwalk. That is where the course will turn around and head back to the start line. The course does NOT run on the sand.

How cool does this sound???

A girl can dream!!

Happy Running!

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February is Almost Here! Will the Snow Ever End?

January Recap:

My goal was to run 50 miles and a Half Marathon. I ran 72 miles and a Half Marathon!!!!! WooHoo!
 

February Goals:

 

  • 60 miles (combo of outside & treadmill)
  • 4 mi race
  • Follow Half Marathon training schedule

 

Please warm up and stop snowing!! I can’t run in this!!!!!!!!!

 Happy Runnng!

 

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Weekend’s Over & Half Marathon #2 Training Begins

 

The weekend started with Friday evening at the Lake George Winter Carnival Gala at the The Georgian in Lake George.  We had a great time, eating, drinking and dancing to the music of Bobby Dick & the Sundowners (our favorite band).

Saturday am I watched my favorite tennis player, Kim Clisters, win the Australian Open. Then went out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.  The sidewalks were in better condition than in Albany but there aren’t many of them so I had to run in the road.  Not too treacherous around where I live.

I did it in a little over an hour.  My pace is still slow but getting better. 

Then 2 friends that I used to work with suggested Yoga, dinner & then a movie.  Sounded like fun.  I haven’t done yoga in ages and wanted to get back into it.

The yoga session was De-Stress Yoga and it was really slow & relaxing. It was Sat night so there were only 4 people in the class.  I am really stiff & have no flexibility at all.  So I think yoga will be  good for me.

Guess what I signed up for next Thursday there-

I am psyched!

The movie we saw was “Blue Valentine.”  Although the acting was great, it was pretty depressing. Not sure I’d recommend it unless you enjoy watching a marriage gone bad.

Sunday was very low key – laundry, grocery shopping.  I did my taxes (got depressed about how much $$$ we owe the govt), watched figure skating on TV while making chicken soup.

 Next up 12 weeks away is the Lake George Half Marathon on April 23, 2011.

I haven’t signed up yet.  But I think I will. I know it won’t be as warm or as scenic as Naples, Florida. I know that it is HILLY!! I’m not proud & I can walk up the hills and now that I know I can run 13.1, I want to do another and another and another.

Crazy, huh?

I think I like not being pressured about time.  I like all the excitement.  I like the finisher medal.

Goals for the week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 15 miles & I ran 16.5 miles

This week’s schedule:

Mon – tennis
Wed – dentist, fleetfeet workshop (good form running)
Thurs – yoga
Fri – mah jongg
Sat – winter carnival in LG
Sun – time with mentee

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 miles before or after work
Wed– 4 miles before work
Thurs – 3  miles before or after work
Sat – 4 mi Race
Sun:  4 mi

Weekly Running Goal = 18 miles 
February  Monthly Running Goal = 60 miles,  4mi race,  half marathon training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!