Races

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Run 4 Your Life 5k Race Report

Another new race but in a location where I have run a 5k before (Cardiac Classic on Thanksgiving 2009). I haven’t run a 5K since December and I have had problems running with any speed. (Longer distances do that to you!!) I was lazy about my runs this past week. (I cut my 3.5 mi  to 1.5 and my 3 mi  to 2) So I had no idea how this would come off.  Unfortunately it was colder than it should have been this time of year too.


I had the same dilemma as my last race.  Do I try to PR or do I save some energy to run 8 more miles after the race????????????

So I did the same thing as my last race – run my fastest but be realistic about the results…

It was 23 degrees when I left the house. I tried not to over dress because it was sunny.  I left behind my thermal gloves & hat and wore thin gloves, baseball cap, tights, shorts, a turtleneck, vest and a red fleece .   Red because this race was to raise money for heart disease.

I got to the race about a 1/2 hour early. It was freezing!!!! It felt a lot colder because of the WIND! Luckily the pavilion in Central Park had 4 fireplaces where everyone was huddling to keep warm.

Then we had to walk almost a mile (at least it seemed that way) to get to the start of the race and wait in the freezing cold.  There were  almost 600 runners in the race – a lot of firemen and a lot of young runners.

I started out fast.  The first mile wasn’t as hilly as the 2nd & 3rd.  The course is pretty scenic but the hills weren’t fun and the WIND was a killer.  My hands didn’t thaw out til the 3rd mile.

I wanted to run a good race but also I wished that I could PR.  However, I ran out of steam at the end. When I saw 29 minutes on the clock, I was disappointed but I ran as fast as I could — I did  not want to finish over 30 minutes!!

Official time: 29:22  Pace – 9:27
Place – 270
2nd in AG (55-59)
6th in AG (50-59)

Splits (according to my Garmin):
mile 1 – 9:16
mile 2 – 9:54
mile 3 – 9:33
.1 – 6:48

Not even close to a PR but on this same course in 2009, I finished in 30:12.

I hung around for a little while.  There was soup, pizza, bagels, fruits, etc. They only gave awards (trophies) to first place in each 10 year age group. No hope there!

after the race

 I was debating on where or not to add more miles to make today my long run day but I was too COLD!!!  It was still 23 degrees when I left.

I called my hubby and we decided to go take pics of his plane (the one that was destroyed when the hangar collapsed from the snow).

before

Now

 To cheer ourselves up, we went to a boat show and then to Lake George and out to dinner.

Tomorrow am I am subbing in a USTA tennis match. I hope to win this time.

Then I am going to do my long run.  I haven’t decided if I am going to run 11 miles or just 8 (since I ran 3 today).  Maybe  it will be warmer and less windy!! One can hope!!!

Where is spring???

Happy Running!

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One Month From Today

Is this when I start to wonder why I signed up?

Do I really want to do another?

My first one was such as great experience.  Shouldn’t I just savor it?

Who wants to run up and down the rolling hills of 9N?

Maybe I should work on my 5K speed? There are a lot of those races coming up!

Ok, enough whining!!!

I’ll do it…one month of training left until I run along Lake George! I will do it! I will have fun!!!

Lake George 3

Happy Running!

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Happy Anniversary “Running Mamas”

Janis, Jen M, Felice, Jen F, Bridget, Lisa & me

A year ago (actually March 14, 2010) Felice (The Happy Runner) organized a group of young mothers who had NEVER run before.  She asked me and several local bloggers to help out.

I participated in the group training runs and got to follow them from the “wondering  if they could run 2 minutes without stopping” stage to finally running a 5K race.

at the Freihofers Run for Women 5K

Well, they didn’t stop there!! They ran more 5ks and got faster!!! They ran a 10k!! Then they signed up to run a Half Marathon –  in their first year of running!!!!!

Whoa!

I was so proud of them!! But at the same time, a little jealous… This is my 3rd year of running and I’m still entering 5ks!! (51 of them….) And I am happy when I break 30 minutes.

These ladies made me realize that I could push myself.  So I did!!

 I finished the Turkey Trot 5k well under 28 minutes!! 

 Then believe it or not, I ran a HALF MARATHON.

So thanks “Running Mamas” for lighting a fire under my feet! 

Let me know when you sign up for a Marathon. I have no plans for running one…but you never know…

Happy Running!

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Two (Half Marathons) for Tuesday

  1. I finally registered for the Lake George Half Marathon yesterday that I have been training for for the past 6 weeks…(it’s on April 23)
  2. I haven’t run my 2nd half yet and I signed up for a 3rd Half Marathon (Adirondack Half Marathon)- it’s on September 25, 2011 and it goes half way around Schroon Lake. (The Half Marathon will begin at the 13.1 mile marker and will end at the Full Marathon Finish Line. The runners will run on the easier section of the marathon course.  The first five to six miles are flat; then there are long, gentle hills on Route 9. Time to complete this race will be 5 hours.)

Am I nuts? Have I been possessed by the Ides of March?

At least I will have 2 months off before training for my 3rd half marathon. I will have to change my long runs to Thursdays after work to accommodate the boating season of July & August and I will be able still fit in my Sat 5k races. Yay!!!

(On another note – I haven’t run in 3 days!!! I am recovering from Daylight Savings Time and playing tennis 3 days in a row. Running begins tomorrow or else!!!)

Happy Running!

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Runnin’ of the Green Race Report and More

Another new race for me.  Not a new distance because I already ran a 4 mile race last month.  So I was hoping to have a better time.

That is the course map – but had no idea if it would be hilly or flat.  This is a very popular race.  Around 800 registered which was a record.

The forecast was: Cloudy periods with scattered wet snow and/or rain showers. Nothing heavy. Highs 43-48

I was hoping for an hour of dry weather. (I’m a wimp about rain!!)

It was a challenge to decide what to wear and not be over dressed. I decided to wear tights, shorts, a turtle neck under my lime green half marathon shirt and bring a green sweatshirt, hat, gloves, just in case.

 I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early.  I got a spot in the closest lot and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into several runners that I knew.

I took some pics before the race and didn’t have a pocket to carry my camera during the race.

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery.  Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was damp and cloudy.  I decided to wear my green sweatshirt, cap & gloves  for the race.  I was fine – just a little warm toward the end.

The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat.  I thought that I would not race since I had planned to run 10 miles today.  But as soon as the race started, I wanted to do well. I also wanted to do better than my last and 1st 4 mile race.  So I just ran!!!

When you finished, there was a screen with the LIVE results – mine said: 37:56.

My splits according to my Garmin were:

mile 1 9:06
mile 2 9:46
mile 3 9:40
mile 4 9:24

I got nervous after the 1st mile than I would run out of gas so I slowed down.  Then I wanted to PR so I sped up during the last mile.

My Garmin time was 37:56 but the clock time was 38:02.  I’ll take it.  It’s a PR by 2 minutes 9 sec.!!

You can watch me cross the finish line on video (at 2:35):

I grabbed some food and water and left to complete my long run.

I parked my car at work and ran into Albany and ran around Washington Park and through the streets for 6 more miles.

The St Patrick’s Day parade had ended and there were a lot of drunk people and people wearing funny green outfits & accessories! Pretty entertaining.

I didn’t continue at my race pace, of course. (The 6 miles were all over 11 min/mi) But it is my best long run ever.  I didn’t need to walk much.  I think the 4 mile race was just what I needed.

Last week I ran 9 miles in 1:54.  Today I ran 10 miles in 1:45!!

To celebrate, I stopped at Starbucks.  A cocoa cappuccino and a tiramisu cake pop – YUM YUM!!!

On the way home, I stopped to watch my USTA tennis team play its first match of the season.  We lost 3-2 (in a tie breaker). I play next Sunday.

Now it’s time to spend time with the hubby – restaurant and maybe a movie.

Happy Running!

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Just Felt Like Running Virtual 5k

I signed up for Detroit Runner’s Virtual 5k which was supposed to be run on Saturday, March 5.  Saturday I did my long run and then Monday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

So yesterday I ran my 5K race.

I was tired of the treadmill at the gym so I braved the 14 degree temps at 7 am in the morning. I dressed in my usual winter layers and hoped that the roads wouldn’t be too icy.

They weren’t  – just here and there you had to slow down and walk over the icy patches.

Ever since October when I started training for my first half marathon, my pace has slowed to a crawl – sometimes over 12 min/mile. Always over 11 min.  That’s OK for long runs but not for a 5K.

Even when I was training for 5ks, my runs were slower than my actual race pace. I can’t seem to motivate myself to not stop when I get tired. In a race, I can push myself because I am very competitive.

So on this cold morning, with teary eyes and runny nose, I finished at 32:19. Not even close to my 27:20 PR but under 11 min/mi is a good run for me these days.  (The last mile was 10:15)

Today it was raining!! I stayed after work and used the treadmill.  For the first time!! Yes, we have 2 treadmills at work.  They are on the stage in the gym.  Lucky the curtain is closed.  It is dark and there are no TVS and no people.  Kinda creepy.  I watched an episode on “The Good Wife” on my iPod and ran my usual SLOOOOOW 3 miles.

Tomorrow is a REST DAY!  I have a race on Saturday — Runnin of the Green – 4 miles. A new race for me!! I’m excited!

Happy Running!

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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!