October 12, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 3rd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. But we varied the route this week to do 1 minute sprints so we only had to run the big hill twice. Afterwards, I met my BFF to walk around the mall and to catch up on our busy lives.

found ONE tree with color

Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk to the park was nice. Then 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work followed by dinner out.

waiting for some fall colors in the park

Wednesday – I squeezed in a walk at work. I was planning to run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) after work but the client cancelled again 😦 . Instead, I ran on my own (my last one before the race.

no more flowers in the park 😦

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then rushed home to pack. (The iffy weather is making me crazy.)

Friday – I took the day off from work and headed by bus to NYC. I took the subway to Brooklyn Bridge and walked over it to Brooklyn, took bus & dropped off my bag at the apartment where I was staying and then took another subway to the expo. After the expo, I took a subway to Prospect Park before I called it a day.

lots of walking (carrying my bag) but it was worth it

at the expo (which was one of the worst I’ve attended)

nice day for a run in the park

Saturday – Half Marathon #15 is in the books! Unfortunately an inaugural race has lots of snafus and so did this one. My race didn’t go as planned since around mile 9, my lower back started to hurt so much that I thought of quitting at mile 12 (but I didn’t.) After the race, I spent a relaxing afternoon at Coney Island before heading home.

2:25:47 – not expecting a PR but was on track to finish under 2:15 until mile 10.

just beautiful

Sunday – Recovery day spent on Lake George, where else?

our last day until next summer 😦

21 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days.

This Week:

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 10K race
Sunday – rest

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 ?

October 8, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Almost Time for Half #15

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

October 10, 2015 7:00 am

Every time, I run a half marathon, I like to look back at my previous half marathon races.

I can’t believe that this will be my 15th. And 10th after my ankle surgery. (So Dr. Ortho, I can run again!!)

My first and BEST was the Naples Half Marathon in January of 2011. My goal was just to finish and I did in 2:28:27 (gun time, no chip timing).

I immediately registered for the 1st annual Lake George Half Marathon in April of that year. Unfortunately, I had to run in sleet & freezing rain for 13.1 miles & without my Garmin. My time was 2:22:39 (gun time, no chip timing) and a PR until 2014.

Out with strained Achilles for 6 weeks during the summer of 2011 delayed my training for the Adirondack Half Marathon (so I walked the 2nd half of the race.) I finished in 2:44:59. It was still fun because I was running it with lots of friends.

I see the finish line!

Again impulsively, I decided to sign up for the inaugural Fall Foliage Half Marathon as a training run. This was my hilliest half but I finished in 2:32:50.

my 4th Half Marathon 10-23-11

My goal race of that year (2011) was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon that I was running with a friend in California. This time it only poured for half the race and I finished with a disappointing 2:30:12.

After 5 half marathons in 2011, there were NONE in 2012. (The year of the broken ankle & foot stress fracture.)

My next Half Marathon, the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, Fla came in 2013 16 months after serious ankle surgery and 5 months after a foot stress fracture. I was just glad to be running again. The course was beautiful, my friends were waiting at the end and I was happy with my 2:33:59 time.

The Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon in the fall of 2013 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and hopefully get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would have liked, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” So I did in 2:24:14. I enjoyed it since it was my first half where I slept in my own bed the night before.

Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon

For the Love Run Half Marathon in the Spring of 2014, I was injury-free for the whole training but I trained during an awfully cold, snowy winter. Despite running in monsoon rains, I managed to PR at 2:22:35. I made new running friends and we had fun during our weekend in “wet” Philly.

loverun

That summer, after running a 10 mile race, I impulsively registered for the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. This taught me to never run one in the summer. It was very humid & I felt sick so I struggled to a 2:26:00 finish.

sshm4b

Impromptu and free. I registered for the Hangover Half Marathon for New Year’s Day 2014 and ran it as a training run on a cold, windy, lonely, boring course. And it was my fastest at 2:18:33. Go figure?

hangover-059

Training in frigid temps and running in Florida in January I thought would give me problems but the stars were aligned and I had the BEST.HALF.EVER in West Palm Beach. Beautiful weather, awesome scenery, a big PR and age group win. I sprinted to a 2:09:40 finish!!!

race_697_photo_14838692

I had awesome aspirations for the Asbury Park Half Marathon this past April. But foot pain ended that and I had a disappointing 2:20:18 finish time.

The Vermont City Marathon Relay on Memorial Day weekend was an unplanned race. Although, my finish time of 2:25:24 was slow, I thoroughly enjoyed the race and sharing it with AJH.

The Walkway Half Marathon was my 5th of 2015. I was looking forward to running this inaugural race and especially to seeing this new and highly publicized bridge. I had not trained much since April, overslept and ran without my Garmin so I was not disappointed with my time of 2:25:53. And I enjoyed the course.

Now to my upcoming race…

The Roll N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon is an inaugural race so there are no race reports to read. I have no idea if it is flat or hilly. (I have heard that Prospect Park has hills but not as bad as Central Park. )

There will be a few first in this race:

First Rock N Roll race
First out of town race not staying near the start (have to get a bus & subway)
First time using Airbnb instead a hotel or a friend’s place
First race with waves
First really big race
First race in NYC
First race wearing Hokas

I’ve been looking forward to this race for a long time and it’s finally here. Look who else is running this race!!

my idol…

Here are my Goals:

A. Finish under 2:18:33 (making it my 2nd fastest Half)
B. Finish Faster than my previous half (under 2:25:53 )
C. Finish under 2 1/2 hours
D. Beat my slowest time (under 2:44:59)
E. Enjoy the race and Finish uninjured 🙂

And what will I wear?

baseball cap, SkirtSports skirt (Tantrum pattern), Hoka shoes, compression socks, shirt TBD (depends on the weather which seems to get worse everyday.)

anxiously awaiting…

Happy Running! Anyone else running this race? What’s on your mind this Thursday?

October 6, 2015 by Darlene

Apple Run 5k Race Recap

I ran this race last year because 2 ladies whom I met at a previous race raved about it.

after last year’s race

I enjoyed it so I signed up again.

Back to last year. This race came when I was running fast like finishing a 5k in 27:xx. So I finished this race in 27:47 and won 1st in my age group.

This year, it’s a different story. I am slower. Maybe it’s my age or my training. Who knows? I walk during my 5ks and my goal is to finish under 30 minutes. If I am very lucky and it’s a flat course, I can finish under 29 minutes.

But as I commented recently, I am running. I am not injured. All is good.

On a weekend where there was good number of local races, I chose to drive 45 minutes to run this race.

According to the website, it is a looped, flat course. Even though I ran it last year, I don’t remember much about the course.

Apparently we quickly switched from summer to fall in a few days.

It was chilly and windy. But at least we didn’t get the hurricane.

I was the crazy person who refuses to wear capris or tights before Thanksgiving.

wearing my peekaboo skirt and top by SkirtSports

I picked up my race packet and was surprised that they had chips for your shoe. I almost forgot to get one. It’s been awhile since I have had to use one.

nice swag – 2 pairs of sunglasses on this cloudy day. too bad we got a cotton t-shirt

I bumped into the 2 older ladies that I see at most races that I run. (They are now in the 65-69 AG). We chatted for awhile before the race. I also met some older gentlemen who were very talkative.

Finally I spotted Sue who had recommended this race. (Her Connecticut friend Ilsa couldn’t come.) We started together and she’s my competition (but she hasn’t been racing much.)

I should say that I was very cold. My neck, my hands… my whole body. I couldn’t wait to get started. I shoudl have started closer to the front since this race was using chips but I was talking instead of paying attention.

Unfortunately, the first mile was running into the wind…I felt like I was barely moving forward at times. It was a battle and I think the wind won. My first mile which is my fastest was not great.

The rest of the race was run around the neighborhood with quite a few turns.

I was so cold that I didn’t want to stop at any of the water stops.

I just wanted to be done.

I actually didn’t feel the need to stop. I was not tired or out of breath as usual. I was just not giving it everything I had.

I think that I was nervous about getting hurt before my half marathon that is in one week. I didn’t want to ruin what for 12 weeks I had trained for.

So heading to the finish line, we were so lucky to be running into that wind again! UGH!

When I saw the clock, I wasn’t surprised that I wasn’t close to a PR but I did want to finish under 28 minutes.

But I had nothing left and finished at 28:01.

Though it wasn’t the time that I had run this course last year (27:47) but it was faster than I’ve run a 5k in months.

I was happy and glad to get inside out of the cold.

Inside there was pizza, bagels, fruit, etc. I ate and waited with my friends for the awards. I won 1st last year but if you look below, you’ll see that there was a very fast runner who is now in my age group and wasn’t last year- DARN!

I didn’t win any raffle prizes but I did win 2nd.

Since they gave the awards starting with us “older” runners, I was able to head out to continue my running.

As always, I enjoyed my race and plan to run this one again next year.

My splits:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:09
mile 3 – 9:00
.14 – 7:29

8 miles was on the schedule. So I stopped on the way home to add 5 more.

still green – late color change in the NE

This time I decided to run on the Mohawk Towpath Byway.

I was still cold so I added a tee shirt over my long sleeved shirt.

I was definitely tired. This always happens when I run a race for my first few miles.

But I just walked and ran and got the miles in.

I wasn’t paying attention and ran too far.

So I ended up with 6 more sloooow miles.

And my last long run is done!! YAY!

I’m linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining–she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Please head over and linkup a race recap you’ve written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!

I’m also linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup;

Happy Running!

October 5, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed to in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 2nd Troy Turkey Trot training group run. (I had skipped Saturday.) It felt tougher this week than last. Holly was too fast to catch so I ran by myself. I had to walk many times on the hills of Prospect Park.

Tuesday – Just a work day, my lunchtime walk was rained out and no tennis this week. Had to get my steps in by grocery shopping.

Wednesday – I squeezed in a short run on the treadmill at work. (It was pouring out so I couldn’t run outside.) I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the STEM group run/walk on time after work. It’s a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence. But I could have since this new group is closer. It stopped raining 🙂 And actually, this fall, I am just running with one lady, Kelly, and her basement got flooded so she cancelled at the last minute. Since I was already dressed, I ran 2.5 more miles. After that run, I went out to dinner with my tennis friends.

2 miles of torture

2.5 miles near work

great dinner & great company

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk around campus at lunch and then a run after work with Judy.

feeling like Fall

stopped at Trader Joe’s on the way home …pumpkin pumpkin everywhere you look

Friday – Another work day, with a lunch time walk and a few games of mah jongg in the evening (and I won twice!!)

Saturday – Started the day with a cold & windy 5k and then drove to run 6 more for my last long run before the half.

not a PR but No Walking for a 28:01 finish and 2nd in my AG

still chilly & cloudy at the Mohawk Towpath Byway

Sunday – Today 12 of us went to NYC. We took the bus down, walked the High Line and then had lunch in Chelsea. After lunch we went to see the show Beautiful (Carole King story) on Broadway. Afterwards, we had dinner and took the train home – long but fun day (8 miles of walking!)

19 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is one week away!!! Time to get nervous!

This Week: (Week #11 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with my BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, volunteer walk/run with STEM group
Thursday – rest
Friday – rest, bus to NYC, subway to Brooklyn, expo, etc.
Saturday – 13.1 miles!! recovery walk around NYC, bus home
Sunday – rest, last day of boating or spectating the local marathon??

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 ?

October 1, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: September Recap

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Can’t believe that summer is over and it’s now Fall!

So how did this past month go?

September Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes.

I varied my runs and tried to run at different times of day and in different locations.

at the lake

in a new neighborhood before work

in the park after work

on the track

on the rail trail

Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. YES.

I have gotten up to 12 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are. Many were add-ons after races too.

Run a 5k race under 29 minutes. YES!

Just barely. But I have not done any speed work training.

28:56

Run a 10K race under 60 minutes. NO but almost.

Helper’s Fund 10K -1:00:10 – too much walking but 2nd in my AG

Take a yoga class. NO!

I now have a training group run on Mondays, tennis on Tuesday, mentor a run on Wednesdays. I guess I have to look for a Thursday class. But I did sign up for a 14 day Yoga Challenge – a video pose for each day but I only did the first 3 days.

Start doing planks again. NO!

I may have done them a few times but not often enough to call it a YES. No excuses here… just plain lazy.

Pick a spring half marathon. NO!

Still deciding. I’d like to do the Vermont City Relay again but it’s a lottery. Also would LOVE to run the NYC Half but that’s a lottery too. I am considering a few at the end of April or beginning of May as backups.

Run at least 90 miles. YES!

93 miles. Half marathon training has helped keep my mileage up. It’s the most monthly miles I’ve run since last December when I was training for half # 11.

What else?

Still lots of lake time.

We were lucky to have a warm September.

Joined the Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge for the 2nd year.

Although I will only go on Mondays since I have races on Saturdays, I enjoy it. And it’s good for me to push myself and run hills or do speed work.

Starting Mentoring the STEM running group (survivors of domestic violence training for a 5k)

The first week, I got there late due to traffic so I switched to another group in a closer location. They meet 3x a week but I will go on Wednesdays and run with one lady.

Lots of eating out in restaurants.

Not sure if that is a good thing. There’s been the after boating eat outs, my mil’s 90th birthday party and my monthly tennis get together.

OCTOBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue the long runs on the weekend.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Finish a half marathon under 2:25:00
Do some yoga.
Start doing planks again.
Continue running with a group.
Walk 70,000 steps each week.
Pick a spring half marathon.
Run at least 85 miles.
Start a knitting project.

Happy Running! How was your September? Anything interesting planned for October? What arer your thinking about today?

September 29, 2015 by Darlene

Helper’s Fund 10K Race Recap and the Rest of the Weekend

Fortunately, my friend who owns a house in Chestertown let me stay in her house so I didn’t have to drive an hour 20 minutes on race morning. . It is the same house that I spent time in last month with my tennis friends and the one with no water that I was supposed to stay in last weekend.

I took that day off from work on Friday and drove up stopping at the outlets on the way. I pass them by each weekend but never have time to stop so I was excited. Besides there were new ones – Reebok, Asics, LLBean and many more. I bought more than I should have but I haven’t had any retail therapy in a while.

Friday evening, I was able to get my race packet, have dinner in town and then sleep in on race morning.

I woke up to colder temps than I expected.

brrrrr

But it was beautiful.

fog over the river

I bundled up and ate my breakfast on the deck.

pre-race meal & a view

As I mentioned, it was cold, I even put the heat on in my car for the first time this year. I was glad that the race didn’t start until 9:30.

I wore my SkirtsSports running skirt (of course). I opted for short sleeves instead of a tank and brought a jacket to wear until the race started.

I parked in the Grand Union parking lot and walked across the street to wait until the race started.

a previous year’s start

This was a small community race – about 150 in the 5K and less than 75 in the 10K. I got there early enough to use the real restrooms and chat with some runners.

I wound up talking with a runner, Angela, who was running the 10K the day before the Schroon Lake Marathon. Yes, crazy. She lived near Bolton Landing so we chatted about the running routes in that area. She has 2 year old twins, loves belly dancing and is an undertaker – very interesting lady. (In fact, I forgot to take my Gu and drink any water before the race because we were talking.)

This was my 2nd time running the 10k. I also ran the 5k once. Both were recovery races.

2013 – post broken ankle

2012 – my pre-skirt era (post ankle surgery)

This year, I was running healthy but with a half marathon in 2 weeks, needing to stay HEALTHY.

My time in this race 2 years ago was 1:06:10. My 10K PR is 57:03 and my most recent 10K time (on a flat course) was 1:00:39. So my hope was to finish under 60 minutes but my realistic goal was to finish around 1:02.

Both the 5k and 10K runners start together and then separate. There was no timing mat at the start so I tried to stand not too far back.

Once I started running, I was no longer cold. In fact, it was perfect running temperature.

As I mentioned the course is hilly…real hilly.

I wasn’t gunning for a PR so I just took it slow but not too slow.

The hills didn’t seem as bad as the last time I ran it. I didn’t even walk until the first water stop at around mile 2.5 (halfway for the 5kers). I was hungry at this point and walked for awhile while eating my Gu.

Besides the hills, this was a beautiful course. You ran through the back roads and it would have been awesome if the foliage was at peak.

Around mile 3, you ran into the 5k runners but actually it was the ones who were walking. Then you separated again.

I finished the first 5k around 30 minutes. I was pleased considering how I wasn’t pushing the pace. I could have run faster but I am used to running on FLAT roads and I didn’t want another injury. Besides, I wanted to add 5-6 miles to my run after the race.

I tired again around mile 3.5 but didn’t walk as long and didn’t even take any water.

Mile 4 was the only boring part of the course – a LONG uphill on a main road. This was the hill that I met Heidi 2 years ago. (We became friends and trained for the Love Run Half together in 2014.)

Believe it or not, the hill didn’t feel bad this year. (I must improving.)

The hardest part of the race was mile 4.5-5.5. Hil after hill after hill. I think I walked 3 times.

But after that, I got a second wind and felt great until close to the end.

I walked briefly before the turn into the finish line but I gathered my strength and finished strong.

I finished at: 1:10:10 which was not even close to PR but an OK time for me and better than I expected. (I beat my last 10K time.)

I was pleased. My 2nd half of the race was about the same as the first and I know that I can do better.

My Splits:

mile 1 – 9:36 (not my usual sub 9)
mile 2 – 9:46
mile 3 – 10:27 (long walk – water & gu)
mile 4 – 9:54 (short walk)
mile 5 – 10:26 (3 walks up those hills)
mile 6 – 9:25 (tiny walk)
.2 – 7:14 (sprint to the finish)

Due to the rolling hills, it seems that my splits were all over the place.

pic from FB 2 years ago

I had some refreshments (all home-made – cookies, fritters, breads, bagels, etc) and stuck around for awards (and it took forever) since there was a chance there would be NO ONE in my age group.

my kind of post-race snack

Actually there were 2 this year so I came in 2nd.

Hooray for AG awards. Another medal to my collection.

I bumped into Angela after the race. She was shocked at how old I was. She said that she thought I was 45 at most. Made my day!!! (She is in her 30s.)

Again, I thoroughly enjoyed this race. I’ll be back next year.

but not another cotton t-shirt…

I had planned to run 5-6 more miles today. Boy, did I not feel like it.

I told myself that my reward would be lunch in Schroon Lake and maybe a cool purchase at the Expo.

I drove to familiar territory – near my friend’s house and parked my car. I ran/walked admiring the scenery.

As you can see, the leaves are still pretty green. Just as I was enjoying the scenery, my hubby called. They had gotten some island sites on Lake George and our friends were going to barbecue . And he was waiting for me.

changed my shirt & shoes

Of course, I asked if he could wait until I was done. Well, you know the answer – NO!! So I only got in 2.8 miles and then rushed over the marina. (There would be no lunch in Schroon Lake and no a visit to the expo.)

our view from our picnic table

It was a beautiful day on the lake and maybe our last of the season.

Linda relaxing on a rock

We stayed as long as we could (until the sun was going down below the mountains). It was quite comfortable if you stayed in the sun.

After we put the boat away, we all headed out for dinner with some other friends. Luckily it was crowded and we didn’t end up eating until 10 pm (because we ate a big lunch on the island.)

Sunday was an even nicer day weather-wise. The original plan was to spend it on the lake, of course. But my mother-in-law who turns 90 today, had her party re-scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Since I only ran 9 miles on Saturday instead of my scheduled 12, I decided to run 3 more in the morning.

they were very slow but still got it done – 12 miles in 3 parts & in 2 days

Then I got cleaned up for the party.

Happy 90th birthday Eva.

I’m also linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup;

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing?

September 28, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my first Troy Turkey Trot training group run. I loved it. Holly & I chatted the whole run. I even ran up the hills.

Love this park’s flowers

hilly but great run

view on my way home

Tuesday – Just a work day, a lunch time walk and 1 1/2 hours of tennis after work.

flowers are here but slowly dying

Wednesday – I squeezing in a run on the track during work. I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the STEM group run/walk on time after work. It’s a Couch25k program for survivors of domestic violence.

With all the traffic, I missed the STEM run so on my way home I stopped to run some more and discovered that the Rail Trail was completed (from Delmar to Albany.) Since I had already run that afternoon, I only did 2 miles.

Thursday – A busy work day but managed a walk in the park at lunch and then a run after work on the same rail trail as yesterday.

flowers are still in bloom

finished just as it got dark – the days are getting shorter 😦

Friday -I took the day off and headed up to my friend’s house on Schroon River. (And yes, there is water there now.) I stopped off at the outlets (and bought stuff I needed and stuff I didn’t need) and then picked up my race packet. I ate dinner in Chestertown and called it a night.

Saturday -It was nice to finally have only a 5 minute ride to the start of the race. It was colder than I hoped (like 38 degrees.) The 10k was hilly as I expected but I won an age group award which is always nice.

1:00:10 – not a PR but 2nd in my AG

After the race, I drove back to my friend’s house to run some more miles (though my legs protested.)

only got in 2.8 miles

But my run was interrupted when my hubby called to say that he was waiting at the marina. I hurried there and we spent a wonderful day picnicking with some friends on one of the islands of Lake George.

We ended the day with a very late dinner out with more friends.

Sunday – We had hoped to spend another day on out boat but a party was planned for my MIL’s 90 the birthday. At least, I was able to squeeze in an easy mile run in the morning. (So my 12 mile weekend long run was in 3 parts over 2 days…)

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me the hubby

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the family

24 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 2 weeks away!!! Taper time!

This Week: (Week #11 of HM training)

Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group)
Tuesday – rest
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work,volunteer walk/run with STEM group, dinner with the tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + more miles
Sunday – rest, day in NYC (walking, eating, Broadway show)

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 ?

September 25, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Fall Activities

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!

This week, the theme is My Five Favorite Fall Activities

I love fall especially living in the Northeast.

So here they are my five:

1. Running

I love running when the temps are cool and the leaves have turned colors. These are some of my favorite places to run…

the rail trail

in Washington Park

along the Schroon River

on the bike trails

along Lake George

2. Eating & drinking anything pumpkin

Yup, I love pumpkin everything…

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No, I didn’t buy them but I was tempted

3. Racing

Racing in the cooler temps is the best! Even better is a race in a scenic locale…here are just a few that I have signed up for…

Apple Run 5k

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k

Stockade-athon 15K

4. Going to farm activities

There are several around here but Ellms Family farm is my favorite. I always take my mentee and her sons. We go on rides, do corn mazes, pick pumpkins, pet the animals, eat cider donuts…so much fun!

5. Hiking

I don’t hike a lot but I do enjoy it and plan to do more this year. These are some places that I go…

Thatcher Park

Five Rivers

Prospect Mountain

Peebles State Park

I haven’t done this hike in Lake George in a few years…hope to do it again.

view from Buck Mountain

Happy Running! What are your favorite fall activities?

September 24, 2015 by Darlene

Thining Out Loud Thursday: All’s well that ends well

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

Sometimes things happen for a reason.

Yesterday was supposed to be my first run mentoring the STEM group (a Couch25k program for women who are victims of domestic violence). I volunteered last fall and it was a very inspiring experience. It’s amazing how you bond with these women after only 9 weeks.

I said I that I would help again on Wednesdays but they changed the location and time. I tried but with the traffic, I arrived too late and the group was gone.

I was bummed so I drove home and then on a whim, I stopped at Stewarts to get bread and got the run urge (or maybe it was that my FitBit hadn’t buzzed yet.)

That’s where I usually park for my runs on the rail trail. I always run toward Voorheesville which is 1.9 miles. The other direction has been under construction for years.

Guess what? It’s done. It’s a beautifully paved path that goes all the way to Albany. That should add another 3 miles.

So I wouldn’t have discovered this new route (near where I live) if I ran with STEM.

This morning, I was about to apologize for missing the run when I got a message that they needed someone to run with the Albany STEM group. I said that I would do Wednesdays and it is closer so it should work out better.

And another thing…

There are two 10ks that I considered signing up for this weekend.

There’s a local one that my tennis friend is doing. I actually owe her since she got me started running. But it’s a boring 5k loop done twice.

Then there’s a scenic one in Chestertown along the Schroon River. My friend has a house there where I could stay the night before and it is 10 minutes away from our boat.

I choose the scenic one. However, my friend got the dates mixed up and offered her house to someone else.

Darn! I had already taken Friday off from work but I could drive up that morning or do the local race.

But it was another lucky day for me. My friend called to tell me that her friend changed his mind and won’t be staying in her riverhouse. I can stay there!

What else?

The race…. maybe I’ll get lucky here too.

I ran this race 2 years ago and my time was 1:06:10. I was recovering from a broken foot and it is a hilly course.

still won 2nd in my AG

My 10K PR is 57:03 and my most recent 10K time (on a flat course) was 1:00:39.

So my hope is to finish under 60 minutes but my realistic goal is to finish around 1:02 and win a AG award.

And hopefully have enough left in the tank to finish my long run here in the Adirondacks:

photo from this weekend 2 years ago

Happy Running! What’s on your mind this Thursday?

September 14, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Day off from work and I was recovering from my partying on the lake the day before but I did drag myself out for 4 scenic slow miles before spending the rest of the day on the lake.

Tuesday – Played tennis for 1 1/2 hours indoors and then watched the USOpen on TV with friends, pizza, wings & beer.

Wednesday – Knowing it was going to be very warm, I decided to run before work. I was tired from going to bed to late the night before but managed 3 miles in the neighborhood.

Thursday – Another warm day and forecast for storms got me and a hair appointment after work out of bed early for another before work run. This time 4 miles and I finished before the rain started.

Friday -No work today. I met my college BFF in Williamstown, MA to see the Van Gogh & Whistler’s Mother exhibit at the Clark Art Institute.

It was great and we also enjoyed a nice lunch and hike.

may have been too much walking for a day before a long run… but so worth it

Saturday – I ran one of my favorite 5Ks

28:56 – not a PR or an AG group but still fun

and then added more miles to make a total of 11.5 for the day.

may have been my slowest long run ever – tired…humid…but enjoyed the scenery

After watching a great US Open women’;s final on TV, we went out to dinner and then I ordered a new phone (iPhone 6s!!!)

Sunday – The boating season is winding down so I thought that we would drove up to spend one more day on the lake. But the weather didn’t cooperate so I spent a day catching up at home.

22.5 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 4 weeks away!!! Gulp!

This Week: (Week #9 of HM training)