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)

Monday- 4 mile run
Tuesday – rest, tennis after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, yoga?
Thursday – 4 mile run before work
Friday – rest
Saturday – 12 mile run, boating?
Sunday – rest, mah jong at the Schroon River House

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 13, 2015 by Darlene

Malta 5K Race & LSD Recap

This was my 4th time running this 5k. So you can say that I was familiar with this course.

The course is very boring…you are running around chip plants but the loops let you see the fast runners and all those runners that are behind you twice during the race. And it’s pretty flat so no complaints.

In 2012, I finished in 29:53 (recovering from a broken ankle). In 2013, I finished in 29:49 (recovering from a broken foot). Last year, I was healthy and finished 3rd in my AG with a time of 28:47.

last year getting my award

So the trend is for me to get faster. However, this year I am training for a half marathon and have been doing slow long runs on the weekend. (Even my races haven’t been fast.) So my goal was to get my splits in the 9s and finish under 30 minutes and have enough in the tank to run more miles after the race.

Luckily the hot weather that we had been having took a break.

It was in the 50s when I left the house so I dressed like this:

it was a comfortable shirt that matched my shoes but I was too warm when I was running

I got there early to get parking. This race has really grown. There was 250 runners from Global Foundries alone (where the race took place) and almost 900 total racers.

It is very well-organized – signs for the race, indoor bathrooms and waiting area, etc.

As I was waiting, my stomach started to feel the effects of the spicy food that I had eaten the day before and my legs were already tired from the walking and hiking, as well.

Soon I bumped into Holly, a friend from previous races and the Turkey Trot and Freihofer’s training group. We walked to the start together. She is now in my age group and FASTER!

They had said that they were going to have net times this year but I they did not. So Holly and I started near the front but not too close to the speedsters.

The race started and Holly took off. I knew that I couldn’t keep up with her but I tried to keep her in my sight for as long as I could.

My first mile is always my fastest. I usually give it all I got and I did today but I guess I didn’t have that much. I just couldn’t keep it under 9 minutes. (Could it be my new Nikes??)

Since I knew that I would slow that for the next 2 miles, I knew that my time would not be spectacular so I just tried to enjoy the run.

There were 2 turn arounds so you got to see the faster and slower runners. It was amazing to see how fast the leaders were running – 2 runners finished with a pace under 5 minutes.

The first water stop was around mile 1.5 and I couldn’t wait to walk. I walked longer than I should have while drinking my water slowly and then you passed the same water stop around mile. I think I walked even longer.

But the walking gave my energy that I needed to finish strong. I was determined to break 29 minutes and I did – 28:56 (28:52 (Garmin time).

I found Holly and got some chocolate milk, fruit & bagels and chatted while waiting for the results.

And no, neither of us won an award.

Still I was nice seeing Holly and I love racing. So it was all good.

Race Splits: (positive, as usual)
mile 1 – 9:08 (8:51 last year)
mile 2 – 9:27
mile 3 – 9:33
.14 – 7:22

race swag

After a 2 hour break, I was ready to continue my long run. Since I run them each weekend in a different locale, I decided on Colonie Town Park and the bike path heading toward Cohoes.

I changed into a tank top (since it had gotten so humid) and into my Hokas and headed into the park.

and then I continued the rest of the run on the bike path.

4 tunnels like this

I already see signs of fall

I had wanted to run to the end but I misjudged the distanced and had to turn around.

view of Cohoes from the trail

No water view for this route but it was still very scenic.

I had planned on 7-8 but I didn’t turn around in time and ended with 8.5 of the slowest miles I have ever run (or actually walk/run). Nothing hurt and I didn’t get blisters. I just had no energy.

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!

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

September 8, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Racing Pet Peeves

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is Racing Pet Peeves.

I ran over 30 races last year and have run 25 so far this year so I am entitled to a lot of pet peeves.

Gun times not Chip times.

I don’t like to push to the front and start with the speedsters but I don’t want my time influenced by the fact that I don’t start near the front.

So I think all races should have chips that record the start time and the finish times. I know this happens for most big races but I have even run half marathons where this wasn’t the case. And with a lot of runners lining up for a race, this can add several minutes to your finish time.

Cotton Tee Shirts.

Who wears these? At this point, I don’t even care if I get a tee shirt. If the race organizers can’t afford tech shirts, they shouldn’t give out any. Or they could charge extra for those who want a tech shirt.

No Age Group Awards.

Yes, there are some races with no awards or just 1st place. I’ve even been at a race where they were posted but not announced. And please no a group for 60-100. There are many runners over 70 these days and they deserve their own group. At my age, age group awards are my main motivator to run well.

Not enough Porta-Potties.

I think it’s great to host a race with a facility that has regular bathrooms. But if they do, they should make sure they are open. There should always be porta-potties as a back up and if there are no regular bathroom, there should be enough porta-potties for the number of runners registered for the race. Long lines are very annoying, to say the least.

Poor parking.

Parking for races should be marked. It shouldn’t be far away. If it is, there should be a shuttle. There should be enough parking for the number of runners registered for the race. No one wants to be late for a race because they can’t find a place to park.

Unhealthy or little food.

No candy or cookies please. We are athletes and it would be nice to try to offer something healthy. Fruit is good but we are hungry too. So there should be bagels and protein bars. And if you ask me, there should be chocolate milk.

Not enough Water stops.

Believe it or not, I was at a recent race where there was no water after mile 1 for a 10k. And it was hot! And there should be enough water for the slower runners. They paid the same amount to run as the fast runners. And they’ve been out there longer so are probably thirstier.

Expensive race photos.

In this day and age, everything is digital. So all photos should be free and downloadable. Races are expensive enough. Most of the time, the photos are not that great anyway.

No day of race bib pick up.

I recently ran a half where there was none. I contacted them saying that I couldn’t drive 3 hours just to pick up my bib. They said that I had to find someone then. Luckily I did but the next day, they had day of race pick up anyway. Made me so mad. Another half that I am considering charges $25 extra for day of race bib pick up. Really?? Isn’t the race expensive enough? This discourages runners from running out of town races.

Enough whining for now.

I have a 5k this Saturday and I hope it’s a good one.

Happy Running! Any racing pet peeves that I haven’t mentioned?

September 4, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall Races to Run

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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 Five Fall Races to Run:

Here are my top 5:

Oct 10, 2015

1. Brooklyn Rock N Roll Half Marathon – This will be my first Rock n Roll race and my 15th half marathon.

Oct. 31, 2105

2. NYRR Dash to the Finish Line – I am really excited about this one. Finally I will be running a race in NYC. It starts near the UN and ends in Central Park. I will get to cross the finish line of the NYC Marathon (which is the next day.)

November 8, 2015

3. Stockade-athon – This a very popular local 15K. I have run it 3 times. They changed the course last year and I enjoyed it even more.

November 26, 2015

4. Troy Turkey Trot – Last year I ran this 10K for the first time and I plan to do it again. Lots of runners and loads of fun.

October 17, 2015

5. Great Pumpkin Challenge – I ran this 10k for the first time last year. I may just do the 5k this year. We’ll see. I enjoyed running in Saratoga State Park.

Happy Running! What’s on your fall racing schedule? Anyone running any of the above races?

September 1, 2015 by Darlene

August Recap

Can’t believe the summer has gone by so quickly!!! And it’s already September…

So how did this past month go?

August Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes!

I tried to vary my runs. I get bored so I just pick different times and places for each one.

Start longer runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15. Yes!

I have gotten up to 10 miles. None were exceptional but that’s the way they always are. Many were add-ons after races too.

Walk at work on days that I don’t run. No!!! Too busy at work.

I lost my walking buddy so I have to be motivated to do it on my own. I AM NOT. This is a busy time of year at work and I just can’t tear myself away.

Go to the gym at least once a week. No! Started to but that ended quickly…

I started going once a week but life just got in the way.

Run before work to avoid the heat. Yes! Often.

The summer heat has forced me into this. My neighborhood is not exciting so I have searched out some others.

Run a race or 2. Yes! Two 5ks and one 10K. Won 3rd, 2nd and 1st in my AG.

It’s no secret that I love to race. It’s the only time I can get my legs to move. Not ideal for half marathon training but I’m not one to follow traditional plans.

Run at least 75 miles. Yes! 86 miles!!

Finally some decent monthly mileage…those long runs helped here.

Spend time with my mentee & sons. Yes!

I have slacked off since she is working a lot and has a boyfriend. I hadn’t seen her since May so we were long over due. I plan to see them much more often in the fall.

What else?

Spent lots of time on Lake George

Love our boat and our boating friends. Lake George is the most beautiful lake in the country and the weekend weather has cooperated this summer. Yay!

Went to the track and actually won

For my former co-worker and I, this is an annual tradition. We have gone to breakfast at the race track for over 30 years. This year since I had the day off, we stayed for the races and I was incredibly lucky.

Saw Jimmy Buffet in concert.

Friends turned me and the hubby on to Jimmy. We went to our first concert last year and vowed to repeat this awesome experience every year. It’s even more fun with friends.

Spent a weekend with my tennis friends on Schroon River

Another annual thing. About 10 of us gather at a house on the river to play tennis and have fun every summer.

September Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Continue the long runs on the weekend in preparation for Half marathon #15.
Run a 5k race under 29 minutes.
Run a 10K race under 60 minutes.
Take a yoga class.
Start doing planks again.
Pick a spring half marathon.
Run at least 90 miles.

Happy Running! How was your August? Anything exciting planned for September?

August 31, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Work, work, work. Busy day since it was the first day of law school.

Tuesday – Too tired to run before work so I ran after. Boy was it humid!!! I had planned to run about 3 miles but the flowers in the park were so pretty, I ended up with 4.5.

Wednesday – I was planning on going to yoga but I got out of work late so I decided to take a short run. I don’t usually run 2 days in a row so I was pooped. But I stumbled upon a new part of the rail trail that was paved so it was worth it.

Thursday – After work I met Judy at the Crossings. It is always fun to run with someone else.

Friday -Just work today and then a fun evening of mah jongg.

Saturday – Ran a 10K race and though it wasn’t great, I won 1st in my age group.

Though I was pooped and had blisters on my feet, I added 3.8 miles after to make it 10 for the day

Rushed home and visited my friend whose first grandchild was in town.

Then I took my mentee and her 2 sons to Huck Finn’s Playland to celebrate her younger son’s 4th birthday. What a full day!!

Sunday – I recuperated with a relaxing day on the lake.

21.5 miles for the week with only 3 rest days and 4 days of running. Half Marathon is 6 weeks away!!!

This Week: (Week #7 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run after work, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis after work
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 10 mile long run, boating
Sunday – boating (Xmas party on Log Bay)

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 ?

August 30, 2015 by Darlene

Trout 10K Race Recap

As I mentioned in a previous post, I only signed up for this race to boast my morale hoping that some of the speed that had been lacking in my runs would come back in a race.

There was 5k and a 10k and both started at 9:30 am which in August in a late start, in my opinion.

lots of fish-themed items everywhere

I was very tempted to run the 5K but since I am training for a October Half, the 10K would bring me closer to my 10 planned miles.

The weather wasn’t too bad considering the high temps we have had. It was in the low 70’s but with the humidity, it felt warmer.

the course was along the Hudson River

There wasn’t a large race so I didn’t think I see anyone I knew but I did spot 3 runners I knew and then I was surprised to see Helen and Sue. They were in the Turkey Trot and the Freihofer’s Training Groups. I haven’t seen them since May so we chatted catching up on our racing experiences.

before the race

Soon, it was time to begin. Helen, Sue & I started together. We quickly separated but would meet again after the race.

pretty course with river views

I wanted to have a good race and hoped that I could leave my turtle-like training runs behind and have a faster pace. My legs had a different idea. They felt sluggish right from the beginning.

Even so, my pace wasn’t too bad for the 5k but I had to keep it up for 6.2 miles and I was tired after 1 mile.

There were 2 water stops a little after mile 1. I grabbed some water and walked for a short bit but didn’t drink much thinking that there would be another water stop later for the 10k runners.

Big mistake.

No water until these same 2 stops on the way back. That meant nothing to drink for another 4 miles on a warm day!!

Anyway, I managed a decent time for the first half but I was very tired!!!

Maybe it was because the last race I ran over 3.1 miles was back in June. Who knows??

The worst part was that I felt my feet starting to get blisters (especially on my right foot). Then my toe on the left foot started getting sore. And then my lower back started aching.

Not a fun second half of the race. But I gave it my best shot. I ran and walked when I couldn’t run anymore (which was several times.)

Most of the race I was playing piggyback with a young runner (Marissa) who happens to be the Head of the Board of Directors for the GOTR program. I met her at a planning meeting for the GOTR 5K. (I tried to ignore her hoping that she wouldn’t recognize me since I haven’t gotten any sponsors for the race…)

She was ahead of me most of the race but toward the last few miles, I went ahead of her. During the last mile, I couldn’t keep up and let her go ahead.

As I approached the finish, Sue was waiting on the side. She asked me if I was going to finish under an hour. I said “No way! She ran with me for a little while which was great. (I may have walked at that point if she weren’t there.)

cute sign near the end of the race

Finally the finish line was in sight and I saw 1:00 but I also saw that Marissa hadn’t crossed yet.

And yes, my blistered old feet mustered up enough speed to pass her.

And yes, Marissa did recognize and said I helped pace her during the race.

So it wasn’t race I had hoped for. I finished at 1:00:39.

More than 3 1/2 minutes slower than my last 10k (and PR).

Sue, Helen & I hung around waiting for awards and munching on the food (cookies, cupcakes, pretzels, bagels – yup lots of carbs).

Helen won 3rd and I won first.

And yes, I was the only one in my age group!!

no medal…a blue ribbon??

Race Splits:

mile 1- 9:09
mile 2- 9:33
mile 3- 9:43
mile 4- 10:20
mile 5- 10:50
mile 6 – 10:25
.2 – 8:08

The splits were not surprising. My energy level got lower and lower with each mile.

The positives about this race. It was a good speed workout. I needed a race to get me moving and I certainly ran faster than I would have if I hadn’t been racing.

But I got spoiled about my feet not hurting all summer. I think they like slow miles, short races, no compression socks and my Hokas. (At least I still have 6 weeks to figure out what to do with my feet.)

So even though I was hot and my feet hurt with every step, I changed into my Hokas, took off my compression socks and literally dragged myself for 3.8 more miles. (I may have walked more than I ran but I got it done!)

When I got home, I wanted to collapse. But I had to go to visit my friend’s new granddaughter and then take my mentee and her 2 sons to an amusement park.