February 1, 2011 by Darlene

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!

January 31, 2011 by Darlene

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!

January 31, 2011 by Darlene

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!

January 28, 2011 by Darlene

Virtual 5K

Another balmy 32 degree day in Upstate, NY!! Just in case, this was my last run of the month, I decided that my after work run would be my participation in Baby Weight My Fat Ass’ Virtual 5k.

I lugged all my running gear to work again: Turtleneck, fleece, windbreaker, gloves, tights, shorts, headband, socks, sneakers, ipod, headphones, Garmin, water bottle, banana….(Did I miss anything?)

I think it took me 15 minutes to change and get the show on the road.

It was dark as it usually is when I run after work so I wore a bright white windbreaker over my fleece. Luckily, the streets around where I work are pretty lit up.

I was prepared after yesterday for a slow run. Some of the sidewalks are shoveled, others are icy & slushy. I have to weave in and out. When I have to run in the road, the snowbanks are high and I sometimes have to stop when a car goes by because there is not enough room to run.

Nevertheless, I felt that I ran at a faster pace than yesterday. Even my splits were negative. Final time according to my Garmin – 33:53

Still running at my half marathon pace – that’s OK because I start training again on Monday for my 2ND HALF MARATHON!! (April 23, 2011 in Lake George).

Happy Running!

January 25, 2011 by Darlene

Tentative Winter-Spring Racing Schedule

It’s not written in stone but I need a plan OR I won’t get out of bed to run:

Jan 16 – Naples Half Marathon – Naples, Fla.

Feb 5 – Polar Cap 4 mi Run – Lake George, NY

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
Apr 23 – Lake George Half Marathon

May 1 – Literacy 5k – Troy, NY
May 8 – Mother’s Day 3.5 mi Race – Delmar, NY
May 22 – SPAC 5k Rock & Run – Saratoga, NY

Jun 4 – Freihofer’s Run for Women (5K) – Albany, NY
Jun 11 – OK 5K – Kinderhook, NY
Jun 25 – Valley Cats Home Run 5K – Troy, NY

You can see I’ve added some new races.

Once it gets warm and the days get longer…I think it will be warm by July, I may change my long runs to during the week. That way, if I want to do another Half Marathon, it’s won’t interfere with 5k Sat races or weekend boating plans.

There are 3 HM possibilities:

Aug 6 – Camp Chingachgook Challenge Half – Lake George, NY
Sept 18 – Melanie Palio Half – Saratoga, NY
Oct 9 – Marine Corps Half – Colonie, NY

Happy Running!

January 21, 2011 by Darlene

Naples Half Marathon Post-Race Report

The next day I had to pinch myself because I was not sore. Did I really run a Half Marathon? I found my medal and smiled!!!

my bling

We decided that we would go for a long walk while the weather was good. (They had predicted showers for the afternoon).

First we headed down 9th St No (or Rte 41) to the Porsche/Bentley/Mazerati car dealer. My hubby LOVES cars!!

Then we turned down a street that went toward the Gulf and walked through the neighborhoods.

It started to cloud up so I decided that it would be a good idea to take a trolley tour so my hubby could see ALL parts of Naples and learn about the history of the town (and stay dry in case it started to rain.)

We bought lunch in Tin City while we were waiting. I even found a bar that sold my favorite drink, a CHELADA!!! (it’s Bud light & clamato juice – sounds gross but I love it!)

We had a really nice time and when we got back to the hotel, it started to rain. So we sat on the balcony and chatted with our neighbors (from Ohio.)

Tonite I made reservations to go out to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. (It actually was yesterday but I was afraid I would be dead after the race!!)

We went to my favorite spot on the Gulf, the Turtle Club, at Vanderbuilt beach). It was still raining and overcast when we got there so it wasn’t crowded and they gave us a table looking out onto the beach.

Then suddenly, it cleared up and the sunset was awesome!!!

After the sun had set, we enjoyed our dinner.

a turtletini - yum!

anniversary key lime pie

After dinner, we walked around Fifth Avenue and even, had ice cream.

When I got up the next day, I though about running but opted to be cautious and REST!!

We decided to go to the Naples Dock, walk around the Bayfront area and eat in Tin City and then take a boat ride on the Naples Princess.

Bayfront area

After the boat ride, we headed to the beach to soak up the sun on our last day.

On the way to the airport, we drove through some more sections of the city for one last look.

Pelican Bay

Fifth Ave

When we got to the airport, I found out that our flight from Charlotte to Albany was cancelled due to an ice storm. We ended up getting a beautiful suite at the Hilton (distressed rate of $89) for the night and then had a huge breakfast at the hotel.

We arrived home that night to snow and frigid temps!!!!

But all is good. I AM A HALF MARATHONER!!!

Happy Running!

January 21, 2011 by Darlene

Naples Half Marathon Race Report

I jumped up at 5 am. I microwaved the oatmeal that I bought the nite before & had a frappuccino. Then I took a long hot shower and got dressed.

The start of the half marathon was only a few blocks away so around 6 am I walked over to Fifth Avenue. It was still dark outside but around 50 degrees so I wore a jacket that I planned to ditch before the race. My hubby stayed in bed but planned to meet me at the finish line.

the starting line at around 6:30 am

I picked up my timing chip and still had a lot of time to kill. I hung out in Starbucks for a while, walked around the block, talked to lots of racers and waiting anxiously (or nervously.)

waiting outside Starbucks

About 6:45 am, music started playing and racers started lining up. The chip only records the finish time but I felt funny being at the front for my first half marathon so I chose a middle spot.

waiting to begin the race

I felt so emotional that I almost cried during the National anthem. I couldn’t believe that I was actually running a HALF MARATHON!!

The horn sounded and off we went. I pressed start on my Garmin when I crossed the starting line. I decided not to bring my iPod and to fully enjoy the race and the beautiful scenery. I also decided to bring my camera & my cellphone. I stuffed one in each side pocket of my running skirt as well as 3 packets of Gu. (Looking at the photos, I may reconsider next time or are my hips really that wide?!)

The race is said to be a very flat out-and-back course through the area known as the “Olde Naples” section of town. It takes you through the city streets, residential neighborhoods and waterfront districts.

and we’re off!

From the starting line on Fifth Avenue, we began heading first west and then southward along Gordon Drive, which we followed for the next three and a half miles all the way down to the turnaround point at the lands’ end spot at the end of the road. There, we turned around and headed back along the course we just ran until we hit Kings Town Drive, where we turned and headed into the Champrey Bay and Galleons Cove neighborhoods.

It was breath-taking. On one side you could view the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the other, Naples bays. You wouldn’t believe the multi-million dollar homes we passed by. I was in awe.

I was tempted to stop and take photos (& I did a few times) but then again it was a race and I was supposed to be running!

running in Port Royal neighborhood

Because of the race’s multiple turnaround points, at the end of Gordon Drive and inside the neighborhoods, you got a chance to view the elite runners multiple times and to see any runners who are running behind you.

I couldn’t believe how fast the elites were running and I was relieved to see that there were runners slower than me!!

Interesting sites: a guy (fast guy) who ran the whole race holding up a pizza box and 2 women dressed as zombies (white makeup, blood, torn clothes).

The runners were very friendly. Many of them started talking to you as you ran along side of them. I chatted with a couple from Pa, a young girl who runs hs track (who called me ma’am!) and another women who was complaining about her knees.

One of the race’s really interesting and unique traditions takes place along the stretch on Galleon Drive, where a clergyman at Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church blesses the runners passing by (all runners pass by the church twice during the race) with holy water.

As I felt the water, I yelled: “Thanks! I needed that!”

After the stretch of the race along Galleon Drive and the turnaround, we then head back out of the neighborhood and onto Gordon Drive once again for the reverse route back toward Cambier Park and the finish line festivities.

The race had water/Gatorade stops every 2 miles. My plan was to run the whole thing but walk at the water stops. That’s what I did!! I stuck to water since I’ve never drunk Gatorade. I also planned to have a Gu packet every 4 miles (every other water stop).

Luckily I didn’t need a porta potty – I only saw 2 and there were lines.

I frequently glanced at my Garmin. This was the first race that I used it. It really helped. Whenever I was going under 11 min/mi, I slowed down. I was paranoid about not finishing under 2:45 and hitting the wall.

It never happened. The wall never came because I was running slow and really enjoying the experience.

I called my hubby at mile 10. He was at the finish line. I told him I felt great would be there in about 30 minutes or so.

My legs felt great. My foot didn’t hurt where it usually did (Thank you Asics!!). Yes, the bottoms of my feet were screaming “Enough already!” but I ignored them.

Approaching the finish line, I saw some photographers. I gave them the thumbs up sign and ran as fast as I could through the finish line (I couldn’t believe that I was not tired!!)

The clock read 2:28:37 but when I pressed stop on my Garmin, it read: 2:26:49. Which do I use for my PR??

I quickly found my hubby and grabbed some water, a cookie, banana & a bagel but really was not hungry.

He parked close by (In case I couldn’t walk), I retrieved my jacket and we headed back to the hotel.

The hotel pool was not heated and I used it as an ice bath to soak my feet before we headed to beach.

All in all, I was really happy with my race!!! I’m pretty competitive so of course, I wish I had more confidence in myself & wasn’t so cautious so I could have had a better time!!

It was my first half marathon. I never thought I could do it! I accomplished all 3 of my goals!!! YAY!!!!!!!

I finished under 2:45 and got a medal
I had run more than walked
I enjoyed the race!!!!

Now I want to do another!!

I really enjoyed running a half marathon because there was no pressure to run fast. So much different from running a 5k and obsessing about PRs. Who knew??

Happy Running!

January 21, 2011 by Darlene

Naples Half Marathon Pre-Race Report

After spending 4 hours in the Philadelphia airport, I finally arrived in Fort Myers, Florida Friday at 11pm. My hubby was patiently (not really) waiting and we drove to the hotel in Naples.

I booked this motel because it was within walking distance to the race and cheap ($79/night!). I called them and told them I would be arriving late & they said they would leave the room open!?

Anyway, we found the hotel. It was quaint (polite term) with few of the comforts of home (but how much time would we spend in the room, anyway?)

After a restless night, I got up and noticed that there was a Starbucks across the street. Hooray and off I went for a vanilla latte and oatmeal.

When I got back, my hubby had made friends with the owner (and her 4 feral cats) and got us a new larger room with a balcony, overlooking the pool. (The owner thought it was just me, a runner renting the room & gave our room to someone else who hadn’t arrived yet.)

After we moved our stuff, we headed out to Naples on the Run, the store that was handing out the race packets. So exciting!!

Next, we drove to World Tennis Center so I could show my hubby where I rent with my tennis buds every year, and introduce him around (esp to Billy Bob, our tennis instructor & Annie, our landlord.)

Then we spent the rest of the day at Lowdermilk Beach. It was warm and sunny. I was in heaven. We even saw 4 dolphins swimming by.

For dinner, we went to the race-sponsored free pasta party & I carb loaded on zita & rolls.

After dinner, I continued the Naples tour. We went to Naples pier. Unfortunately, the clouds came out for sunset. Then on to the Naples Dock & Tin City and down Fifth Avenue.