March 27, 2016 by Darlene

Ice Breaker 5K Challenge Recap

The Ice Breaker Challenge is a one of a kind Capital District running/walking road race challenging runners and walkers against rowers from the Albany Rowing Center. Runners/walkers will travel along the Corning Preserve Bicycle Path while rowers from the Albany Rowing Center will race along side in shells on the Hudson River.

This was my second time running this race. I ran it in 2013 and I do my long runs here often so I am very familiar with the course.

There were many races to choose from this weekend, but I choose this one based on its location (close to home) and I could easily add more miles on after the race.

In some ways a 5K is harder than a half marathon. It’s only 3.1 miles and you have no reason not to run fast. That’s pressure. But I tried not to succumb it. Besides, I planned to run another 7 miles afterward to complete my 10 mile long run.

I was dragging my feet (a late night playing mah jongg with a lot of junk food consumed) but perked up when I arrived at the race. I tried not to overdress (but it is hard when you are cold at the start & afterwards). I wore capris attached to a skirt, a long sleeved tech shirt, and a baseball cap.

That’s because the weathermen had predicted a nice day – 50’s and sunny. So I thought. I should have checked before I left the house. Because it was overcast, very windy and in the 30’s (20’s with the windchill.)

So I was frozen. I found a windbreaker in my car and light gloves. Thank God. But my ears and legs were very cold.

from 3 years ago – it was too cold to take pictures

I grabbed my bib and sat in my car with the heat until it was time to line up.

rowers getting ready to race (again from 3 years ago when it wass unny)

I went back out about 15 minutes before the start & bumped into Ingrid, from my running group. We chatted and then the race started. She took off and left me in the dust. (She is super fast.)

I tried to focus on the scenery…the river…the rowers and not worry about my pace. I hardly glanced at my Garmin (just a few times & was pleasantly surprised.)

The first half of the race was running into the wind. At least today, my hat stayed on but it was tough going.

There was a water stop at the turn around. I wasn’t really thirsty but was tired so I stopped and walked.

don’t get fooled by the sunshine. I took this on my way back from my post race run.

At least on the way back, the wind wasn’t a problem. Although, it din’t appear to be at our back either.

Shockingly I crossed the finish line at 27:55.

No chips. You tore off the bottom of your bib. There were two lines, who knows how they kept things straight.

(I got a text with 27:55 and it was posted with that time. However, now it is listed as 28:03. My Garmin has the faster time so I’m sticking with that.)

Splits:

mile 1: 8:59
mile 2: 9:31
mile 3: 8:58
.14: 7:20

I had some food – There were cookies, bagels, fruit, etc.

two of my former students – so cool to see them here

Then I walked back to my car to put away my race belt, etc. They also gave away boxes of Freihofer cookies

I was hoping to have company for the rest of my miles. I got used to having a buddy along on my long runs. Both Judy and Barbara were unavailable. Thanks to FB, someone responded to my plea and agreed to run with me. All I knew about her was her name, Alyssa. We agreed to meet at 10:00 am.

Then I checked my phone and it turns out that her son was sick and she had cancelled.

I was disappointed but it gave me time to hang around and see if I won an age group award.

And I did!! First in the 60-99 category. Gee, that made me feel old. And they only gave out first place (no 2nd & 3rd – so lucky me!)

another pretty picture from 3 years ago

I didn’t feel like it but I had to continue running. I was freezing so I added another skirt under my jacket and off I went. I ran 1.5 miles toward downtown Albany and back.

Suddenly, the sun came out and I wasn’t so cold. I stopped back at my car and grabbed some Gu chomps and shed my jacket.

Then I ran 2 miles in the other direction and back. My legs were dragging. I tried to get distracted by my surroundings.

Yes, NOW it is sunny!

Brrrr! Fishing!?

this annoying goose actually chased me

a hawk in the tree

I misjudged my turn around so I wound up with 7.4 miles instead of 7.

I’m not sure how long I sat on this bench…it was a while LOL

10.5 miles done for the day and tomorrow I can enjoy a relaxing Easter. My mother-in-law is cooking!!

My daffodils have bloomed too. Spring is here???

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend? What did you on Easter Sunday?

March 26, 2016 by Darlene

Runfessions March

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

I runfess…

I can’t seem to motivate myself to run in the morning before work. It’s not that I sleep in but I am lazy. I sit around watching the Today show, eating breakfast and reading email/blogs. Then all of a sudden, it’s time to go to work.

I did once this month and found it a great way to start the day but only ONCE it was…

I runfess…

Speaking of doing things only once. I went to the gym ONCE. And it wasn’t bad. It barely took any time out of my busy schedule. But I haven’t repeated the gym experience.

I runfess…I am injured. Not a running injury.It’s tennis elbow. But I treated it the same as a running injury.

I got my racket restrung. I knew from the first swing that something was wrong. I ignored it. It was sore and I ignored it and I continued playing each week. Eventually, it was more than sore, it hurt. So I wore an arm band and played. Now it really hurts so I am taking some time off and having my racket strung correctly.

Tennis is costly and I hate taking time off. Yes, I know that if I took care of it right away, it would be better by now. I am stubborn that way. (At least it doesn’t hurt when I run 🙂 )

on the sidelines now…hoping to be cured by my May tennis vacation

I runfess…I started caring more about my lack of sleep than my steps.

The first thing I do in the morning is check my FitBit to see how bad my night’s sleep was.

I usually get 5 hours…sometimes 6. Never enough!!!

I runfess…

So I’ve decided that I need to do 10,000 steps a day again. This is easy when I run but on the days that I don’t run, I am lazy. So I turned to walking around the mall.

This is great for my legs but not my pocketbook.

I wind up adding bills to my credit card in addition to steps on my FitBit.

But I only buy items ON SALE and/or with COUPONS.

I got it at the Gap in grey striped for $3.50

I got it at Macy’s for like $9.

And there was more but I’ll spare you.I runfess…

I used to do all my long runs alone.

But I got spoiled. Most of them lately have been run with Judy or Barbara. I have enjoyed the company and it made the miles much less painful.

However, today both of them were busy…

I was going to have to run alone. So I asked on FB and found someone that I have never met to run with me. I have no idea if we run at the same pace. So we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty adaptable unless she runs at an 8 minute pace or a 14 minute pace.

I runfess…

I don’t like hills. I walk rather than run up them. And I don’t train on hills.

So why do I sign up for hilly races?

Decal-13.1-Celebrate-Life-e1446773610315

Mar 13- the hillest EVER

April 9 – a quite hilly 10K

April 24 – rolling hills for all 13.1 miles

rolling hills – but I still have time to back out of this one…

So I should do some hill repeats or stop whining about the hills!!!Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month?

March 22, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: When To Wear Your Race Shirt

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Race shirt controversy: Wear TO the race or only AFTER the race?

AFTER!!!

They say it’s bad luck but it’s not that. First of all, most of the time I don’t get my race shirt until the day of the race. If it’s a destination race, even if I get it the day before, I have already planned my outfit. Plus I wouldn’t know whether it is comfortable to run in or not. Believe it or not, I still sometimes get cotton shirts. And many are unisex and even the small is too big.

After a big race, however, I usually can’t wait to wear my shirt.

after my Oct 2013 half while at the lake

hanging out in Sarasota after my Feb 2016 half

after my Sarasota half in March 2013

Many times, I wear them on runs after the race.

my Walkway half shirt

I also wear race shirts from a previous race at another race.

Bacon Hill Bonanza

stock3

And those cotton shirts. I give them away and use the long sleeved ones as throw aways in races.

Nope. I’ve never worn my race shirt TO a race.

Happy Running! What about you?

March 21, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Rainy miserable day but at least it cleared up so I could take a short recovery run after work.

only thing bright about the day was my shoes

Followed my run with a soak in the hot tub. Aaahhh!

Tuesday – DOMS arrived to my quads today. Otherwise, just a work day with 2 walks followed by tennis in the evening (and despite my sore quads, I played better than ever.) Instead of dinner out, we had wine and popcorn at the club.

Wednesday – Another normal work day with an afternoon walk to the park. Quads felt better so I went for a run after work. It was quite warm so I didn’t mind when I got caught in the rain twice.

After my run, I stopped at the gym to use the machines. Yes, first time since August!!!!

Thursday – A busy work day but got in a walk in the afternoon for my 50 cent cone at Stewarts.

Mint Marcy – yum

Since this was my rest day, in the evening, I just went for a walk with a friend in the mall instead of a run.

Friday – Spring has temporarily left us. I didn’t feel well when I woke up so took a needed day off from work. By the afternoon, I was feeling better but it was insanely windy. Not being at work, I had no option of a treadmill so out I went and battled the wind for a few miles. Then played mah jongg all evening.

actually wine and mah jongg

Saturday – My rest day!! I proctored the MPREs at work in the morning and then the afternoon, there was the usual catch up stuff – errands, housework, cooking… and it was cold!!! In the evening, I talked my hubby into getting a sub for tennis so we could go out to dinner. Then I remembered that I was supposed to go out to dinner and a movie with 3 friends …Ooops! Senior brain!! Anyway, I ate eggplant parm, pasta & a cannoli to carb load for my race the next day.

Sunday – Ran the Shamrock Shuffle 5 Mile Race for the 2nd time. I was pleased with my time considering it was a week after my hilly half and my legs were still in recovery mode.

Afterwards, I ran on a new trail with Judy for 4 more miles. The trail was conveniently located next to a bakery…

18 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (5 weeks until Half Marathon #19)

Monday – Freihofer Challenge Group Run (3 miles), STEM Orientation
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, yoga?
Thursday –4 mile run
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – 5k race + 7 miles
Sunday – rest, Easter dinner

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races?

March 20, 2016 by Darlene

Shamrock Shuffle 5 Mile Race Recap

ss5

This was my 6th 5 mile race. Here are my previous stats:

Delmar Dash:
2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 – 45:26 (PR), 48:14, 47:39, 47:08

Shamrock Shuffle:
2015 – 46:29

But as you know if you read my blog, I am not focusing on times this year. And besides, my quads have been sore due to that insanely hilly half marathon. I wasn’t expecting even to finish under 50 minutes. It was more important not to get hurt and have to miss any upcoming races.

Being the second time that I’ve run the race, I was more prepared on how the course went uphill for the first mile, some rolling hills before it went downhill. See below:

ss15

I was a bit nervous about those hills and trying to run fast. Plus I also wanted to have enough energy to run 4 more miles afterward as I am training for another half marathon in 5 weeks.

I was hoping that the weather would be a little more springlike and I could wear a green skirt. But it was not. It was COLD, much colder than last week. So I just wore capris under a skirt, compression socks and several layers.

The race was about an hour drive from my house. Although the parking lot was full, I found a spot on a nearby street. Everyone hung out in the gym waiting for the race to start.

another cotton shirt to give to my buddy

I chatted with some runners that I recognized Sue and then Lara. I also met some new faces.

Then I bumped into Laurie from my Turkey Trot training group. We talked for a while being entertained by bag pipes.

With a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began so I took a GU.

I was undecided about what to wear, as usual. It was cold and breezy but sunny. In the end, I decided on a baseball cap, 2 long sleeved shirts and a fleece vest plus gloves. (I left the jacket inside for later.)

Soon, we headed for the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the cold.

It was not chip timed so I lined up close to the front. Lara inside had told me that she really wanted to run an 8 min pace. So she left me in the dust at the beginning. I told myself to just “run your own race.”

As I mentioned, the beginning of the race went uphill. I took it slow.

over the highway bridge (pic front last year)

Although it was in the 20’s, the sun made it feel a lot warmer, I took off my gloves and unzipped my vest. I could have gone with one less layer.

Eventually I caught up with Lara. Those 8 minute miles were not happening for her. We ran together for awhile.

At first water stop around mile 1.75, I walked. Then I continued running until we got the downhill portion. However, the wind picked up and my hat blew off. I got it and put it back but not well (Wardrobe fail – new hat). It annoyed me and eventually I stopped and made it tighter.

Mile 3’s downhills gave me a boost but again at the second water stop around mile 4, I walked again and even longer than the first time. My legs were feeling last week’s hilly half.

But I just plugged along and refused to walk until I was done.

ss16a

ss16b

Finally, I saw the finish line and tried to sprint but I didn’t have much left.

I crossed at 46:28. (I didn’t know at the time that like last year, my chip did not record my time.)

other runners heading to the finish line (last year’s pic too)

I went inside to the school cafeteria to get something to eat with Lara and her mother and then Laurie. I had a nice BIG jelly donut. (I ate it too fast to take a pic.)

We then waited in the gym for the results to be posted. Last year, I got 3rd. I doubted that I would win again but you never know when you’re in the old ladies group.

Well, my name was not listed with the results and I would have gotten third again.

You got a medal and I have enough of those so I didn’t care. (In my mind, I won an AG award!!!)

But I did go back outside to talk to the timing people and sure enough the runner who crossed at 46:28 did not have a bib # attached to his/her time. They said they would fix it.

and they did

Splits:

2015 / 2016

mile 1- 8:55 / 9:10
mile 2- 9:31 / 9:30
mile 3- 8:58 / 8:52
mile 4- 9:35 / 9:24
mile 5- 9:19 / 9:27

s5m

I enjoyed the race (I enjoy them all) and was happy about how I did considering my sore quads and the course. It was not a PR but it was 1 second faster than last year. I was expecting to be a lot slower. I was glad that I didn’t push myself because I had planned more miles for the day…

Though I was tired and cold, I drove to the Zim Smith Trail to meet Judy.

Originally I had though of the Betar Byway since it was nearby. But it is hilly and I wasn’t sure that it was long enough. I had always wanted to run on the Zim Trail so it seemed like today would be a good time to try it. Judy was nice to start her long run later and do 4 of her 9 miles with me.

As you can see, the sun went in but the wind died down so it was a nice afternoon to run. Judy’s run/walk style was perfect for my tired legs.

I like the trail. It is 9 miles in total and I definitely plan to return and run more of it.

One of the perks of the trail is that you can park next to a bakery.

So yes, I’ll be back to the run on the trail and back to sample more of Leah’s baked goods.

homemade peach blueberry pie – yummy

So I got my 9 mile training run done. It just had a 1 1/2 hour break in the middle.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing? Ever have your bib not record your time?

March 17, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: DOMS, Weather, More Races, Group Runs, etc.

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking today…

Who knew?

When you run a hilly races and your quads aren’t used to downhill running, you can get DOMs.

After the hilly half on Sunday, I felt fine. I felt good the next day. So good that I went for a short easy run.

Then Tuesday morning, DOMS set in.

In case you’ve never had them, DOMS is “dull, aching pain, soreness, tenderness, stiffness of muscles and joints, swelling, loss of strength, and reduced range of motion. Typically, symptoms appear 24 – 48 hours after we run.”

I’m not to the point that I’m hobbling, but my quads ached going up and down stairs and my left one was sore.

I, of course, Googled the treatment and discovered that the Sunday hot shower and the Monday hot tub were not highly recommended. You should ice your sore muscles. I knew that but they weren’t sore at the time. And take NSAIDS to reduce inflammation before you hurt. I knew that too. Too late now.

Treatment?

Time cures all. Light running doesn’t help or hinder DOMS. So I plan to continue that…just with NO downhills.

I played tennis Tuesday night and actually played better than I have in a long time. I iced afterwards. On Wednesday, my quads felt so much better. Today, they don’t hurt at all. Phew!

Speaking of running…

I have races scheduled for almost every weekend.

What was I thinking?

I love to race and I need to run long. There you go.

This Sunday I have a 5 mile race.

ss5

Hopefully, my quads will be healed and I can run. Reading over my review from last year, the first 2 miles are uphill… Oh no!

at last year’s race

Afterward, I hope to find the Betar Byway and run 4 more miles. I ran a race there last summer and it was very pretty (though maybe a flatter location would be wiser.)

10295224_10202200045743430_818599984312150476_o

at the Betar Byway park along the Hudson

In the weeks to follow, I have a 5k, a 5 miler, a 10K and another Half Marathon (a hilly one.)

It’s nice that it is light enough to run after work. But what happened to those spring-like temps? It was 80 degrees last week.

me no likey

On Monday, I start my 10 week Freihofer Training Challenge group runs.

There are beginning, intermediate and advanced groups that meet on Mondays to run at 6:30 am, noon or 6 pm. For the second year, I joined the advanced 6 pm group. They also meet on Saturdays (which I don’t go to.)

frwtraining3

I’m looking forward to seeing my friends again and running regularly with a group. The speed drills, however, I am not looking forward to.

Happy Running! Have you ever had DOMS? Are you having spring-like weather? Do you run with a group? What are you thinking about this St. Patrick’s Day?

March 16, 2016 by Darlene

Celebrate Life Half Marathon Recap

Decal-13.1-Celebrate-Life-e1446773610315

Half Marathon Training

Lucky for me, I was able to train well since we had a rather mild winter here in the Northeast. In other words, I was able to fit in ALL my long runs. Since I ran a half marathon 5 weeks ago, I only needed to run 10, 11, 12, 8 miles and I ran 10, 12, 12, 10 so I should have been ready.

As I have mentioned many times before, I don’t ever follow a serious training schedule. I don’t do sprints, hill repeats, intervals and all those things a runner is supposed to do. I just make sure than I do my long runs on the weekends and run a few times during the week (usually for 3 miles.)

For this race, I should have trained on hills. But I didn’t so I suffered the consequences.

And of course, I planned my race outfit keeping my fingers crossed that it would be warm enough to wear it.

Skirt Sports tank & new skirt, compression socks, Nike shoes

I mean it had been 80 degrees several days before the race. But in March, you never know.

Pre-Race Preparations

This half marathon was certainly different.

I usually run my half marathons alone. Most are destination races too.

But this time, I took a bus down to the race with a bunch of old friends/new friends/strangers.

I had even convinced my running friends Judy and Barbara to come on the bus even though they were only running the relay. (It was supposed to be my friend Mary Pat but she got injured at the last minute.)

Last year, it was cold and it snowed so we were fortunate to have better weather this year. It was actually pretty perfect – 50’s, a little sun the first half, no wind.

Below is a map of the scenic course:

cl map

More importantly this was the elevation:

HILLY HILLY HILLY – the hilliest one I’ve ever run

Race Day

I got up early (like 4:30 am) and had my usual race breakfast of cream of wheat and tea. It was nice to sleep in my own bed for a change before a big race.

I met Barbara at the Park n Ride and we drove together to the bus. We were early and the bus left late but I knew people on the bus and before you knew it, we were there.

I had a hard time deciding what to wear. In the end, I shed my long sleeved shirt and just wore a tank and my DIY arm sleeves.

in front of our bus – that’s the driver behind me

We got our race packets – a sweatshirt, a bag, etc. and then went in search of a restroom.

There were real bathrooms there but the line was very long so we used the one on our bus and then patiently waited for the race to start.

clhm

A lot of the race is a blur but here’s how I remember it:

Miles 1 -4:

10:13, 10:35, 9:59, 10:49

There were pacers so I lined up between the 2:15 and 2:30 group.

the start – pic from FB

We began running on a country road. None of the roads were closed to traffic so you had make sure you ran on the right and moved out of the way when a car drove by. (In fact one runner actually got hit by a car and was air lifted to a local hospital.)

Me toward the beginning of the race – pic from FB

Most of these pics are screen captured from GoPro video posted on youtube – Thanks 100 Half Marathon Club member

Soon we passed the stretch of road with all the signs dedicated to persons who battled and/or battling cancer.

I had one for my friend Ava.

And then we started up the biggest hill of the race. It was early on and I didn’t want to zap all my energy so I walked up it as fast as I could.

Soon we entered the part of the course that resembled a park. Lots of trees. And rolling hills, of course.

Next came the part of the course with lake views. But the hills kept coming and coming and coming. It was pretty and the views of the lake helped take my mind off the fact that I hate hills.

My legs are not used to hills and I didn’t feel prepared to run up them so I walked. I wasn’t alone, many of the runners were doing the same. And the ones who struggled up the hills weren’t going much faster than me with my fast paced walk. Many times, I caught and passed them on the downhill.

In addition to the hills, I also stopped at each water stop. There were at least every 2 miles in the first half and every mile the second.

just posing for the photographer

Miles 5-8:

10:24, 10:42, 11:14, 10:35

Although I took a Gu before the race, my breakfast was at 5 am and I was getting hungry, So I took another around mile 5.

We ran around Wolf Lake for several miles. In addition to the lake, there were a lot of interesting houses and cottages. But the hills continued and continued. UGH!

And I was walking more and more but still happy to not have any pain. I had quite a few conversations with fellow runners. It’s easy to do when you are walking so much.

Finally around mile 7.5, I came to the relay exchange. There I saw Barbara who was waiting for Judy. She cheered me on.

Right after that, came another huge hill.

my favorite sign

And then there were more. The hills never seemed to end.

again posing for the photographer

Miles 9-13:

11:54, 10:55, 11:09, 11:14

Around this time, I took another Gu hoping that it would give my legs some pep to power up those hills.

Nope, the legs still wanted to walk up those hills. Even Barbara who started about 7 minutes behind me passed me by. But at least, I had the energy to run down the hills.

wine, beer and donut holes here!

Soon we were passing those motivational signs again and heading toward the finish.

Every time, I thought that it would be “downhill from here,” there was yet another uphill.

Mile 14:

7:37

finish

Eventually, I did see the finish line and gave it everything I had and sprinted across it.

can you see me? behind the guy…

Garmin time: 2:22:40
Gun Time: 2:23:15 (no chip time)

earned this one!!

Both Judy and Barbara were waiting for me at the finish line. We headed inside where there was a barbecue sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. We made the mistake of having pasta outside. With our food band cut off, we couldn’t eat the food inside (which had a much bigger selection.) So I just chatted with some runners that I knew and then headed back to the bus.

Although we were supposed to leave at 1 pm. We didn’t leave until after 2 pm. I’ll know for next year not to rush. Somebody made cupcakes and passed them around the bus so I was a happy camper.

12841435_10207871058513108_6107397730146669028_o

group pic – we got a trophy for having the largest group

Additional race reflections:

The Good:

No rain!!
Perfect running weather – cool, no humidity or wind.
I knew lots of people at the race.
Nice sweatshirt as race swag
Warm place to wait before and after.
Real bathrooms.
Pacers (at 15 min intervals.)
People calling out times at each mile.
Decent crowd support. A lot of kids high fived me.
Many Gatorade & water stops
Unlimited Gu packets at one water station
Scenic course with lake views
Early start for slower runners and walkers
Relay option for those who didn’t wait to run 13.1 miles
The Bus – nice not to have to drive & find parking
No injuries. Nothing hurt.
I finished.

The Bad:

Pacers were for both early and regular starters so it was confusing to know which was which
Unorganized regarding rides to and from the relay transfer spot
Uneven refreshment options – pasta did not include what the barbecue did such as bread, salad, etc.
I wasn’t sure how much I should push myself on the hills so I walked them ALL…probably could have pushed myself more

The Ugly:

the Hills
the Hills
the Hills

So there are many more positives than negatives!!! Overall, it was a good race!! Running with friends is great. Supporting an important cause is the best!

Would I recommend this race?

Definitely. But you better train on hills. I suck at hills and next year, if I run this race, I will only do the relay.

Final Stats:

4th in my AG (top 3 were under 2 hours)

And I definitely walked more and slowed down (as usual) during the 2nd half of the race.

I wasn’t thrilled with my results. But I wasn’t unhappy. After all, I didn’t train for hills. It was far from my slowest time. In fact, it was faster than the one in December on a flat course.

Every time, my lower back started to ache, I fixed my form and stopped hunching over my shoulders. And my awful feet only received some minor blisters.

The day after, I felt great and was even able to go for an easy run.

However, if I want to run another hilly course, I’ve got some work to do…

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This week’s word is Shenanigans.

The only “silly, high-spirited, mischievous or deceitful behavior” I can think of are those goofy poses during my races (even when I feel at my worse) or racing in a costume (which I have only done a few times.)

Eau Palm Beach Half

This photo was taken during that horribly, hot, humid race in Florida. I felt like crap and my time sucked yet I gave the victory sign to the photographer…. deceitful or mischievous???

I’m dressed as a “parrot head”

Above are my costumes for Halloween, Christmas and St Patrick’s Day races. Silly or high-spirited? Barely…

Happy Running! Have you ever run a race just for the cause? How do you handle a hilly race? Any shenanigans you’d want to share?

March 14, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – I took my daily 15 min walk with a co-worker. (I can now say that since we have walked everyday for ONE week).

on the track

After work, I went for a run on the rail trail. I was so excited that it was light enough to do so…getting sick of my work neighborhood.

must have been running fast – that’s why it is blurry LOL

Tuesday – Just a work day followed by tennis in the evening (followed by dinner out)

Wednesday – Another normal work day. 80 degree temps meant 2 walks and a run in a skirt!!

new pre-run drink – Chocolate Banana Smoothie with protein powder & coconut milk – from Starbucks, where else?

Thursday – Rainy rainy day. I could have run on the treadmill but decided against it. Instead, I got some steps and retail therapy in at the mall. (bought 2 caps & a tank in Burlington Coat Factory.)

Friday – My first before work run in forever. Last one before Sunday’s half. It was a little chilly and windy but it is the best way to start the day. Why don’t I do it more often?

My normal walks at work and then an evening of mah jongg.

Saturday – My rest day!! Errands, housework, cooking… the usual stuff.

Sunday – Celebrate Life Half Marathon. Hilliest race ever.

I walked up ALL the hills so my time wasn’t great but I did it for the cause and the weather was pefect.

23 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (6 weeks until Half Marathon #19)

Monday – 3 mile run
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, yoga?
Thursday -rest
Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, proctor MPREs at work
Sunday – 5 mile race + 4 miles after

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races?

March 11, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Racing

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

stock3

Since I am racing this weekend and many weekends to come and I don’t cook much or eat healthy, my Friday Five topic is: Five Reasons to Race A Lot.

Here ‘s why I run so many races:

1. Cool Swag

Sometimes, it’s just a shirt but lots of times, it is a bag, water bottle, food samples, key chain, and other running-related goodies.

2. Free Food

I love to eat especially to replenish the calories burned during running.

Sean's Run with Mary

3. Gets you out there during the week.

When it is cold, windy and just plain nasty and I don’t feel like running, if I have a race scheduled for the weekend, I will make myself get out there and run. I know if I don’t run during the week, then my finish time will suffer, I may get injured and/or the race will be unpleasant. It takes a long time to get in shape and such a short time to feel out of shape.

4. Meet new and old running friends.

Many of my running friends, I have met at races. It is so fun to see a familiar face at a race and chat…about running, of course.

5. Replaces Speed Workouts.

I am the first to admit it. I know that I should, but I don’t do speed drills, tempos, intervals, hill repeats, strides, etc. So for me, I guess my workout happens during a race. I’ll do those hills, run sprints and then, if I am scheduled for a long run, I’l continue my miles after the race at a slower pace.

hf10kc

Happy Running! Do you run a lot of races? If so, why?

March 10, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: The Next One with be the Hardest

Celebrate Life Half Marathon

Yes, it will be hilly.

Take a look:

But that’s not why it will be hard.

I will be running it for a close friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer…for the third time (2nd in 2 years.) She has recently had a mastectomy and should be fine but it is still scary.

A whole busload of runners from my area are going down for the race. They are all probably racing because they know someone who has had cancer.

12743778_10207628147240478_2583129469409625044_n (1)