January 15, 2016 by Darlene

How to get motivated in the winter? Run a Virtual Race!

I don’t know about you but it’s hard to stay motivated to run in the winter.

I need to have a race scheduled and in the winter months, there are not many (unless you live in a warm climate.)

Luckily there are Virtual Races like the ones sponsored by Running On the Wall.

For $29.99, look at all you get when you sign up for their Valentine Virtual 10K Race:

affiliate pic

All you have to do is:

Register here by purchasing the package.
Find the virtual race event on their Facebook page to share your race recap
Run your race
Post your time on the event page
Be proud of yourself!

If you don’t want to run this particular virtual race, there are plenty more to choose from:

I don’t know about you but I’m going to sign up for a couple of these virtual races this winter.

Happy Running! Do you run virtual races?

January 12, 2016 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Dreams

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Running Dreams.

Do I have dreams…. (dreams as in bucket list items!)

DESTINATION RACES:

I would love to run a half marathon in California such as:

And in a National Park such as:

As a former French teacher, my dream is to run a race in France such as:

A Sub 2:00 Half Marathon

Maybe someday, I’ll wake up and be fast. As you know, dreams don’t always come true so if we’re still dreaming…

Run a race in all 50 states.

I am currently working and don’t have the time or money…. But a girl can dream.

So far: NY, NJ, PA, CA, FL, VT (44 more to go.)

Run a Marathon.

I’m not ready to commit that much time to training for one but if I were younger, stronger, faster, retired…

Happy Running! What are you dreams? Which ones if any do you think will come true?

January 11, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – First day back at work after 11 days off. And it was freezing!! No running for me, just 1 1/2 hours of doubles tennis after work

Tuesday – Another freezing day (the coldest of the winter so far) but I bundled up and ran outside after work.

Wednesday – A lot warmer today (30 vs 10). I took a quick run after work before going to a yoga class.

my legs felt great yesterday but today, very sluggish!!

lheartspaceogo

Thursday – Rode the exercise bike at work during lunch. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it (and I was able to KNIT while on it 🙂 ). Went out to dinner with an old friend.

Friday – I had planned to run today but the iffy weekend weather made me skip it. I actually walked for 15 min in the morning and rode the exercise bike for 1/2 hr (while knitting) at lunch.

just walked in circle around the lst floor with a co-worker

Saturday – I had hoped for a relaxing day but since rain was forecast for Sunday, I needed to do my long run instead. I ran 5 by myself and then Judy arrived to run the last 6. Thanks Judy.

The rest of the day was filled with housework and taking doing those holiday decorations finally.

Sunday – Another free race – I had planned to run the 10K and follow it with 3.8 more miles to complete my 10 mile long run. But I had done my long run on Saturday and since it was pouring, I DNSed.

cross-training??

17 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days. (9 miles less than last weeks. Oops)

This Week: (3 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – 4 mile run after work
Tuesday – rest, holiday brunch at work, tennis
Wednesday – holiday lunch at work, 4 mile run after work
Thursday – rest
Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K race + 1.7 more miles

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 ?

January 7, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: One Word , a New Half, Winter & Long Runs

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

What I am thinking about today is…

My One Word for 2016.

The My One Word approach is popular every year.

If you’ve never heard about it, here is a summary:

Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.

2014 was the first time that I tried it.

My word was:

In 2015, the word that I chose was:

This year, I am picking:

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is “a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.”

Why did I choose Gratitude?

Expectations lead to disappointments.

As runners, I think (myself included) we focus too much on mileage totals, PRs, bling, etc. And we expect to improve or run at a certain pace and when we don’t, we get depressed or even stressed.

Especially as we age, we need to concentrate on being thankful that we CAN run.

How will I focus on my word?

Be more positive.
Post more about the good things that happened during a race or a run.
Run & race happy.
Forget those PR and pace goals.
Volunteer more.
Thank those who make races possible.

Half Marathon #18

I am also thinking about a dear friend who had a mastectomy on Tuesday. It is her 3rd bout with breast cancer (& 2nd in 2 years.) She is strong. She is optimistic. I am confident that because of these qualities, she will beat this terrible disease.

So I made the impromptu decision to run another half marathon – one in her honor.

March 13, 2016

It is very hilly. It is only a 5 weeks after my Florida half. But these tough 13.1 miles will be nothing compared to the pain that my friend has endured.

clelevation

Winter

Dec 24:

Jan 5:

Amazing!

I HATE the cold. But I hate the treadmill more.

So yesterday after work, I braved the cold and ran outside. I was cold but I survived. It wasn’t so bad and I felt really “badass” when I was done. I warmed up at Starbucks where the barista remarked “You run when it’s this cold!?” And I responded “Yes, I do!”

Long Runs

But what do you do when the weather doesn’t cooperate?

sat-sun

I had planned to race (10K) on Sunday and add more miles on afterward to complete 10 miles total.

I don’t want to run 10 miles IN THE RAIN!!!

So I could change to do my 10 miles on Saturday (before the rain and if there is no ice and snow on the ground from Friday night). That means that I would rest on Friday (with Thursday also being my rest day) and on Sunday, skip the race or only run the 3 mile option. Or I could run on Friday and skip my long run since I did run 10 miles last Saturday and run 11 miles next weekend.

Decisions, decisions, decisions..

Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose? Anyone else running this half marathon? Do you run outside in the colder temps? Does the weather get it the way of your long runs or do you run in any conditions? What are you thinking about today?

January 4, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Ran 5 miles in the morning on the paved rail trail with my running friend Barbara. Finally felt like winter (in the 20’s) and my body was confused. Found it hard to breathe with the colder air but I think it was really that running with Barbara makes me run at a faster pace. Felt good to get out of my comfort zone.

Since I haven’t sat down since last Wednesday, I decided to purchase some toys to help me: wool to knit an infinity scarf, a puzzle and some adult coloring books.

Tuesday – Winter weather continued with our first snow fall (just an inch with some sleet so roads were a mess). I was glad to stay home near my fireplace with my new coloring books, knitting project and puzzle. (Yes, I am trying to relax…) In the evening, I played 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.

Wednesday – I had a car appointment in the morning (2 1/2 hours of knitting time) which I followed with a 5 mile run. I was happy for find some place without slush. Afterwards, I went shopping to take advantage of some of those after Christmas sales.

Thursday – A relaxing day followed by a movie and dinner out with the hubby to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Nicole’s in Albany – best dinner I’ve had in a long time!!

Friday – First race of 2016 -a popular local race where I ran the 3.5 mile race. I knew a lot of folks there so it was a fun way to start the year.

After the race, I ran 3.5 more miles around campus.

Saturday – When you’re off all week, there’s not much to catch up on…so I did some cooking and shopping. In the evening, the hubby & I went to ANOTHER movie.

don’t see it unless you like 2.5 hrs of blood.

Sunday – Another long run in preparation for my Feb. 7 half marathon. This time, I ran 10 miles on the Corning bike path. Judy was nice enough to accompany me on 3.5 of them. Afterwards I met my BFF for a walk in the mall.

26 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (4 weeks until Half Marathon #17)

Monday – rest, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run after work, yoga
Thursday – rest, dinner out with an old friend
Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #2 10K race + 3.8 more miles

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 ?

January 3, 2016 by Darlene

My Stay-cation – Part II

In a previous post, I mentioned that I was busier on vacation than when I worked.

Well, eventually things calmed down. I was determined to relax a bit before returning to work.

Day 5:

The day started with a cold 5 mile run with Barbara (who motivated to up my pace) on the paved rail trail.

Afterward, I went shopping and bought myself some toys: wool, a puzzle and some coloring books and stayed home for the evening.

Day 6:

Since the weather was nasty, I stayed home and cleaned out the refrigerator, started knitting a lace infinity scarf, started my puzzle and did some coloring. In fact, I didn’t get dressed until it was time to leave to play tennis. Staying home to me is very strange but it felt therapeutic.

Day 7:

I did a lot more knitting while waiting for my car to be done and then ran 5 miles on a surprisingly clear bike path. Afterwards, I walked around the mall and bought things that I didn’t really need but bought cause they were on sale. (Does anyone else do that?) I was planning on either yoga or a movie but decided to stay home for the 2nd night this week. (Am I becoming a homebody?)

didn’t go this way

phew -they cleared it this direction

ducks hanging out in the cold river

Day 8:

Another day of cleaning and playing with my new toys.

But since it was New Year’s Eve, my hubby & I went out to dinner and then to a movie (Spotlight). I stayed up until midnight (cause I always do) watching TV and drinking eggnog.

Day 9:

I spent a lazy morning and then ran a (free) 3.5 mile race which started at noon. I saw a lot of runners that I knew and it was fun.

After the race, I decided to run some more… it was Friday and I was on vacation. What else would I do?

I ran around campus and even discovered a new trail.

Even saw my first snowflakes.

Afterwards, I did some errands and then went out to play mah jongg.

Ok, so this day was not so restful.

Day 10:

Lot’s of cooking then errands and then yes, relaxing!!! But in the evening, my hubby wanted to go see a movie and so we did. I wouldn’t recommend The Hateful Eight unless you like lots of blood and gore!!

Day 11:

My last day of vacation and a long run. I decided to go to the Corning Bike Trail since I hadn’t run there in a while. Unfortunately, the weather turned colder but it was still bearable considering what is predicted for the next few days.

a cloudy day but not as windy or cold as I had feared.

I had planned on 5.5 miles before meeting Judy but I was early so I ran 6 miles,

got work on the timer thing

Then I ran 3.5 miles with Judy starting in the opposite direction.

It’s great to have company on those boring long runs

Then ran another .5 miles for a whopping total of 10 miles.

And so it was over.

This is my only stay-cation of the year.

I take days off during the year but it’s always to go somewhere or do something.

Happy Running! Do you take stay-cations? Or do you take off work to go away?

January 2, 2016 by Darlene

December Recap & Ultimate Coffee Date December

Since today is the first Saturday in January, I am joining up with Coco, Deborah, and Lynda for their ultimate coffee date.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that December just flew by. It seems like I was just writing my goals and now it’s January.

Over coffee…

As I have done every month, I would tell you how I did on my December Goals.

December Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) YES!

I continue to run 3-4 miles during the week trying to vary my running courses.

near work

Walk while at work especially on rest days. NOT REALLY.

I got lazy! And we had a warm December too.

Continue long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #17 on February 7. YES!

12-13

12-20

12-26

Complete a 5k race under 29 minutes. One YES and one NO.

28:16

29:54 😦

Complete a half marathon under 2:20. NOPE!

2:29:14 (heat, wind & humidity – UGH!)

Run at least 85 miles. YES!

dec15

Continue going to yoga. YES!

I went to Heartspace twice.

Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties) ??? Doubtful.
Spend time with my mentee. YES!

I saw her & the kids on Christmas Day and we also went to Canvas, Corks & Forks to celebrate her birthday.

Start knitting again. YES!

I started knitting a lace infinity scarf.

Over coffee…

I would update you on all the other things that I have done this past month (that don’t relate to running.)

I had a great time in Florida visiting my friends as part of my race-cation. I spend time in both Delray Beach and Jupiter seeing the sites (despite the awful weather.)

I went to NYC with my friends We saw all the store windows decorated for the holidays and did walking tour of the best food in Greenwich Village.

Over coffee…

I normally would now outline my January goals.

~~January Goals:~~

None.

I’ll write about my NO GOALS 2016 in a later post.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything exciting planned for January? What would you share with me over coffee?

January 1, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five & HMRRC Winter Series #2 Race Recap

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!

My “fitness” topic for this Friday is Five Reasons I decided to start the year off with a race

I ate too many holiday treats. Didn’t you?
My New Year’s Eve was not that exciting. No partying this year. Barely stayed awake til midnight.
The race was free. It is for all HMRRC members.
I needed to get in a weekday run anyway.
I haven’t run a 3.5 mile race since 2010. This race could potentially be a PR?

That being said, I did race today… and here’s my recap:

January 1, 2016

Every year, the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club puts on the Winter Series, a series of free races for its members ($5 for non-members). On New Year’s Day, starting at noon, they offer the Hangover Half or 3.5 mile Bill Hogan Run as Winter Series #2.

Last year, I ran the Hangover Half (as a training run.)

and it was a very cold one

This year, I wasn’t that crazy.

I decided to run only 3.5 miles.

For New Year’s Eve, my hubby and I had a quiet evening – just dinner out and a movie. We usually go Lake George on New Year’s Day and to a party but my hubby didn’t want to and I was fine with it (cuz I secretly wanted to do this race.)

We had been enjoying unseasonably warm winter weather. Well, that ended. But it still wasn’t that cold today. (I just wore a shirt, vest and NO jacket.)

I arrived at UAlbany early and was surprised at how many people were running on New Year’s Day. It helped that the race didn’t start until noon so even if you did party for New Year’s Eve, you could still race this one.

There were over 300 running the half marathon and a little less running the 3.5 miler.

I bumped into many runners that I knew from racing and my running friends, Judy & Barbara.

We hung out inside and chatted until the race began.

Judy went out to warm up and Barbara & I started the race together.

We wound up chatting with another runner that was doing her first half marathon. Not paying any attention, we started way in the back (and the race was not chip timed.)

at the beginning

I weaved in and out to get past the slower runners. I left Barbara behind (but not for long.)

Hangover_Half-002-L

This course is not flat. There are annoying hills throughout.

I did pass Judy (who started in front) but she wasn’t paying attention to me when I waved at her.

I kept up a decent pace for the first 2 miles.

Barbara quickly passed me and got farther and farther ahead as the race progressed. But I did try to keep her in my sight.

There were no mile markers but I could hear my Garmin beep. I really didn’t pay attention to my pace or time.

By mile 3, I was losing steam. So I started to walk in order to maintain some kind of decent pace. I walked several times including up the last hill.

near the end

Finally, it was over and I was surprised to see that I only barely beat 35 minutes. (My PR was 33:08 on a flat course in May 2010.)

Mile splits:

mile 1: 9:10
mile 2: 9:05
mile 3: 9:25
.75 – 9:42

Yes, the course was long!! 3.75 not 3.5 miles. My time according to my Garmin was 34:44.

I waited at the finish line for Judy.

I think she had a PR!! As you can see, they hand you a piece of paper and you write down your time.

Then we went inside where I found Barbara.

For a free race, they have great refreshments – vegetable soup, pizza, bread, fruit, cookies, hot cocoa.

And I had all of the above.

ws2

I waited around for awhile with some other runners. They give 10 year AG awards to the top 2. I think I was 6th.

Since I was dressed to run and not tired, I decided to do my usual campus loop.

Well, I usually run it in the dark. It is so different during the day.

never noticed this path & stripe

I found a new path – the Indian Lake trail (It’s not lit up at night.)

Then I continued on my normal path but it had started to snow.

I enjoyed running with the flakes falling on my head and finished up 3.5 more miles.

7 miles complete and off to do some grocery shopping before my weekly mah jongg game.

So a race and a run – what a perfect way to start off 2016!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, RUNNERS!!

Happy Running! Did you race today? If not, when is your first race of 2016?

December 31, 2015 by Darlene

TOLT & Goals for 2015, An Update Report

GOALS
FOR

So how did I do on my 15 goals for this year??

1. Do not get injured.

No major injuries just some nagging foot issues early in the year.

ouchy!

2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.

Yes, I ran mostly 3 times a week after work (only occasionally before) and once longer on the weekends.

before work in the warmer weather

at the Crossings

3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.

I played tennis once a week indoors (except in the summer when I played outside and it seem to rain often on Tuesdays.) I didn’t do much yoga until recently when I went a class 2x in November and 2x in December

4. Do some upper body exercises.

I’ve done planks every now and then. Not often enough. I rarely went to the gym.

went a few times in July

5. Finish all of my races under 10 minutes per mile (except half marathons)
Yes, I finished almost all of my shorter races under 10m/m except for a 15k, a 10 miler and one 5k.

Cherry Blossom 5k – 8:59
Bacon Hill 5K – 9:00
Apple Run 5k – 9:01
Winter Wonderland 5k – 9:05
Delmar Dash 5m – 9:09
Dash to the Finish 5k – 9:10
Malta 5k – 9:11
Team Sarcoma 5k – 9:12
Silks n Satins 5k – 9:13
Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:17
Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:21
Spring Run Off 10k – 9:22
Polar Cap 4m – 9:24
Albany Law Day 5k – 9:25
Mastodon Challenge 5k – 9:25
Freihofer Run for Women 5k – 9:27
Betar Byway 5k – 9:28
ARC Challenge 5k – 9:28
Care 4 Kids 5k – 9:28
Betar Byway 5k – 9:28
Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K – 9:32
Troy Turkey Trot 10K – 9:34
Albany Last Run 5k – 9:37
Helper’s Fund 10K – 9:40
Stockade-athon 15K – 9:44
Trout 10K – 9:45
Mother’s Day 5K – 9:45
HMRRC Winter Series #3 10K – 9:48
West Palm HM – 9:52
Turkey Trot 5k – 10:08
HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K – 10:08
HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 10m – 10:16
Hangover Half – 10:29
Asbury Park HM – 10:37
RNR Brooklyn HM – 11:03
VCM Relay – 11:05
Walkway HM – 11:08
EAU Palm Beach HM – 11:21

6. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.

Yes. I ran 38 races this year, the most since I started running

January – 4

February – 2
March – 3
April – 3
May – 6

June – 2
July -2
August – 3
September – 2
October – 4
November – 4
December – 3

: 2015

: Fishy Frolic 10K

: 2nd

: Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

: Stockeade-athon 15K

: Troy Turkey Trot 10K

7. Run a race in another state.

Yes. I ran in Florida twice, (almost California), New Jersey and Vermont.

West Palm Beach Half in FL

Asbury Park Half in NJ

VCM Relay in VT

EAU Palm Beach Half in Fla.

8. Run in NYC.
Yes!! And I crossed the NYC Marathon finish line.

Dash to the Finish 5K

9. Get several Age Group awards.

Yes. I won 15 AG awards – one of the perks of being OLD. My favorite bling was the bridge & the pie.

: West Palm – Jan 2015

: 2015

: 3rd

: 1st

: 2015 – 27:56

: 1st

: 3rd

: 3rd

: 3rd

: 2nd

: 1st

: 2nd

: 2015 – 59:19

10. PR in a half marathon.

Yes. This was the hardest and the most rewarding!!!!

West Palm Beach Half – 2:09:40

11. PR at another distance.

Yes. I had my fastest times for 4 mile, 5 mile and 15K.

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 37:27

Delmar Dash 5m – 45:26

Stockadeathon 15k – 1:31:35

12. Join a running group or two.

Yes. I participated in the Freihofer Training Challenge and the Troy Turkey Trot Challenge. I enjoyed training with the other runners in both.

13. Volunteer.

Yes. I was a course marshall at the frigid HMRRC Winter Series Marathon. I was a GOTR running buddy in the spring & I coached a runner in the STEM program in the fall. Running has given me so much. It is important to give back.