Races

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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!

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Virtual and Non-Virtual Races – Gotta Love Em!

Virtual Races

I love to compete in Virtual Races.  They are FREE!  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you are accountable to run that distance. There is no pressure.  It doesn’t matter what your finishing time is.  You can fit it in whenever you have time. You discover NEW blogs.  And sometimes you can win a random prize just for entering. Below are two Virtual Races coming up:

 

CantaffordVM

Non – Virtual Races

I love to compete in Non Virtual Races even more.  They are not free but most of the entrance fees do go to charity and you get a teeshirt.  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you have to TRAIN to run that distance. There is  pressure.  But that’s a good thing.   Under pressure is when I do my best running. They are scheduled so you have to organize your life and rearrange things. You meet other runners. You feel like you are part of a community that shares the same interest – racing.  And sometimes you can  even win some bling.  Below are some of the Non Virtual Races that I may run (the purple ones are definites):

  • 4-10-11 Delmar Dash 5mi
  • 4-23-11 Lake George  Half Marathon
  • 4-30-11 Great Mom’s 5-K Fun Run or YMCA 5k or St. John’s/St. Ann’s Center Spring Run-Off 5k/10k or Brink 5k  or 5-01-11 Sean’s Run 5k or Literacy 5k ??
  • 5-08-11 Mother’s Day Race (3.5 mi)
  • 5-19-11  CDPHP Workforce Challenge 3.5
  •  5-22-11 SPAC 5K Rock & Run
  •  6-4-11 Freihofer’s Run for Women
  •  6-11-11 Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
  •  6-27-11 35th Annual Adirondack Distance run (10Mi)???
  • 7-23-11 Silks & Satins 5k
  •  Fasig Tipton 5k –
  • 8-13-11  Jailhouse Rock 5K
  • 8-20-11 – New Visions 5K
  • 9-10-11 Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope 5K
  • 9-15-11 -Schenectady Arc 5k or Get Your Rear in Gear 5k
  • 9-23-11 Arensal City 5K   ??
  • 9-25-11 Adirondack Half Marathon
  • 10-01-11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 
  • Falling Leaves 5K
  • 10-22-11 Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k
  • 11-11-11 Valatie Veteran’s Run
  • 11-24-11 Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 
  • 12-03-11 Jingle Bell Run
  • 12-17-11  Albany Last Run

    • Happy Running! Sign up for some races!!!

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    Brain Exchange #32 & Goals for the Week

     

    Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

    This Week’s Topic:  Building Mileage

    This Week’s Question:  Regardless of the distance you train for, or whether it be road racing or triathlon, training is time consuming.  What are your tricks for fitting all your training into your schedule?  How do you balance family, friends, work and training?

    Balance is the hardest part of running, especially if you are training for a long race. I have to fit in tennis contracts, tennis matches, yoga, work, appts, mah jongg, my mentee, my friends, and my hubby.

     I plan all my running for the week on Monday. I post my running schedule on my blog. It keep me accountable.

    I arrange my running around my life and my life around my running.

    So far, I have luckily been able to do it all.

    However, you have to be realistic and flexible.  So sometimes, the running part gets cut short because other things are more important.

    Last week update:

    My goal was 24 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of  24  miles. YAY!!
    I played tennis once  and did Yoga once.
    This was Week #9 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  3 weeks to go!

    Goals for this week:

    This week’s schedule:

    Mon – dentist
    Wed – yoga
    Thurs – meet bf at the mall
    Fri –  OFF from Work, mah jongg

    This week’s running:

    Tues – 4 miles after work
    Wed – 3  miles after work
    Fri – 12  miles
    Sun –  Delmar Dash 5 mile race 

     
    Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles 
    April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

    Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

    Happy Running!

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    How to get Motivated for a Half Marathon?

    How do I get motivated? 3 weeks to go!!

     Most people just go out and run more often or run longer.

    Not me! I get pysched by planning my running outfit!

    first half marathon outfit

    That was my first skirt and I loved racing in it. I liked the pockets to carry my phone, camera, gu but my hubby said it made my hips look HUGE!  I will wear my ASICS shoes again and the Compression Socks! Why ruin a good thing?

    So here’s what I have:

    running skirt

    shirt if it's warm

    shirt if it's cool

    a black Spi Belt (to carry my phone, camera, gu)
    and a black baseball cap or visor.

    What do you think?

    Oh and the hair thing:

    before

    After

    Happy Running!

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    Wednesday Words

    “It’s the training that gets you to the starting line. It’s the pacing and energy management that gets you to the finish line.” – Kenneth Harkless

    So true!

    As I struggle with the weather and time commitments, I know that I must train if I want to run another half marathon. I also know that my training runs are always my worst runs.  I can’t run fast.  I can’t run without stopping. But somehow when I get to the start line of a race, I can run at a decent consistent pace and I can run without stopping.  It is this enthusiam that will get me to the finish line of my next race (first 5 miler) and my 2nd half marathon.

    Yesterday, I struggled with the wind and my weariness and ran a slow 4 miles.  At least, I had negative split times.  Before yoga, I plan to do the same today (It’s supposed to be warmer & less windy).  Then hopefully again tomorrow before our forecasted snowstorm.  Yes, I said snowstorm!!!!!!!!

    Happy Running and Happy Training!