August 28, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: What I Did This Summer

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 What I Did This Summer

Here are my 5 favorites things:

1. Boating on the lake

2. Running in scenic places

3. Weekend on the Schroon River

4. Trip to NYC

5. 5K Races

Happy Running? What did you do this summer?

August 27, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: The Turtle Races

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

So here’s what I’m thinking…

As you may know, I have been whining about how pathetically slow my runs have been.

It’s hard to believe that someone who runs in the 9s and sometimes under 9 minute pace is currently running at a 12-13 min pace.

Well, I am.

They’re only training runs.

So it’s all good.

But I think my ego needs to get some speed back and for me, the only way is to race.

So I signed up for a race – a 10K this Saturday.

August 29, 2015

I was planning to run 10 slow miles but I guess I’ll try to run 6 fastish miles and crawl for 4 more after.

I have never run this race before but I have run on this course (like 2 weeks ago in the picture above) and have even run a 10k here last year.

At the time, it was my 10K PR but since then I have run faster twice.

I finished at 57:03 in the Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving which was my last 10K.

I was in a running group at the time and training for that race so I don’t expect to beat that right now. I’ll be happy with anything near 1 hour.

Training for a half marathon in the summer and keeping up any semblance of speed is tough!!!

Anyone else having the same problems?

Do you ever use a race as a (expensive) speed workout?

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

August 26, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Ambitious

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 AMBITIOUS

Someone who is ambitious is “eagerly desirous of achieving or obtaining success, power, wealth, a specific goal, etc.“

Everyone is ambitious but about different things.

With my career, I have always been ambitious. I started out as a French major/Spanish minor. I got my Masters in Education and taught for 22 years at a private all girls school.

Then in my 40’s, I decided to change careers. I got another Masters in Instructional Technology and completed my coursework for a PhD in the same area.

For 8 years, I was the Director of Technology for a Diocesan School District. I LOVED THAT JOB!!! I got to work with teachers and students and every day was something different.

Unfortunately when 1/2 of the 40 schools closed, I decided that I needed to prepare for retirement and I got a new job. It is the job I have now (at a law school) and I hope to work there until I am 70.

Yes, I said 70. I am not the Suzy homemaker, stay at home type.

However, about earning money…not so ambitious.

I preferred to work at a job that I enjoyed rather than earn a lot of money. So for my first 2 jobs, I had a very low salary and no retirement. As a result, even though I want to work now, I actually have to in order to be able to do the things I want.

As far as running, I am ambitious in so far as I make goals.

I make them for every race and every month and every year.

My goals could be more ambitious like run a marathon or an 8 minute mile but since I strive to be successful, I think I set realistic goals.

My most ambitious one was running a half marathon when the farthest I had raced was a 5k.

Now, my ambition rests at getting out there and running several times a week, no matter what and signing up for races with a few each year being a half marathon. In other words, I will be persistent.

I have no ambitions on running a half marathon in all 50 states (too expensive) but I plan not to repeat any halfs. There are so many that I don’t think I’ll run out of choices.

Now if only I could be ambitious about cleaning my house…

Happy Running! Are you ambitious?

August 21, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: 5 Years from Now

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 5 Years From Now

This may be kinda boring because hopefully there will not be any changes in my life in 5 years (as long as I remain healthy).

Working at the same job – I am too old to change careers. I would like to afford to be retired but I doubt I will be able be.

2. Tennis – I love my friends and enjoy playing this sport on a limited basis. I won’t be playing seriously on a team but I plan to plan socially with my friends at least once a week.

and continue our annual tennis vacations.

3. Weekly mah jongg games

I play with a great bunch of women and I love the game.

4. Boating in the summer on the weekends

hanging out in the bays or on the islands.

5. Running and racing

I hope to be still running the occasional half marathon.

I hope to continue winning awards in my new age group.

If I lose my mind and someone trains with me, I may have run a full marathon…but that’s not in the plan!!

I don’t think I have any of these …

Happy Running? What about you? Any changes planned in the next 5 years?

August 11, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall Race Schedule

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

This week, the theme is Fall Race Schedule

Here is my tentative list of races:

9-5-15 – Run for the Horses 5k

I ran this once several years ago – another race in the Saratoga park

9-12-15 – Malta 5k

this will be my 3rd time – a nice local race

9-19-15 – Arc in the Park 5K

this will be my first time

9-26-15 – Helper’s Fund 10K

I ran the 10k last year – hilly but scenic

10-03-15 – Apple Run 5K

my first time was last year – it’s on my list now

10-10-15 – Rock N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon

This is an inaugural race and my first time too

10-17-15 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

I ran it last year and it was fun.

11-08-15 – Stockade-athon 15K

this will be my 4th time but 2nd on the new improved 15k course

11-21-15 – GOTR 5k

It’s an inaugural race – to raise $ for GOTR

11-26-15 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k

my 2nd time – loved this race last year

Happy Running! What races are on your fall schedule? Any of the ones above?

August 10, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It was Staff Appreciation Day so I had the day off from work. My former co-worker, Molly and I decided to have our annual breakfast at the race track day. But since I didn’t have to rush off to work, we decided to stay for the races. It was a blast especially since I won 7 out of 10 races. Too bad I only bet $1 at a time.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but I was too tired (after 12 hours at the track yesterday.) Then it was raining during my lunch break so I decided to forget it. I did play tennis after work for about 2 hours (but went out to dinner after & put those calories burned back on.)

Wednesday – Again I got lazy and decided to run after work rather than before. I chose the rail trail close to home. I was tired so the run was slow but the highlight was a deer in my path.

Thursday – Not much happened today except that I had a hair appointment and ate a lot of food at work. So I forced myself to stop by the gym to a few minutes of exercise.

Friday – I left work early so I could go home and change in order to run an evening 5K.

free beer & ice cream & 2nd in my AG made up for my mediocre finish time

Saturday – Another rest and boating day on the schedule. So nice that the weather has been cooperating.

Sunday – After a restless night sleeping on the boat, I dragged myself up early to run. I love to run in this area and I know that it will be ending before you know it. Unfortunately, my hubby & friends were anxiously awaiting my return but I did manage to squeeze in 7 miles.

The rest of the day was spent similar to Saturday… on the water after breakfast out and then a boat ride up north to spend time with an old friend.

14 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running. No wonder nothing hurts.

This Week: (Week #4 of HM training)

Monday- walk at work, rest, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym
Friday – 8 mile run (GO INTO WORK LATE), mah jongg
Saturday – rest, work, Jimmy Buffet concert!!
Sunday – rest, 4 mile run?

I am linking up for the first time to Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

August 8, 2015 by Darlene

Schenectady ARC 5K Challenge Race Recap

A Friday evening race. Not an ideal time. Especially if you work all day. How and when do you fuel? And in the summer, that’s the hottest part of the day!

But I signed up. So no whining here.

I have raced in this park several times, the most recent being in May.

I wasn’t sure if the course was the same as the Mother’s Day 5k but from what I remember, it seemed very similar.

Here it is:

From the start near the Cafe, the outer loop of the Outer loop of the course proceeds out Ashmore and Fehr Aves, turning left at Central Parkway, and re-entering the park at the Rose Garden, climbing Monument Hill, and turning left at the N Elm St. before turning left again at Nora Ave. It then follows Central Park Rd., Snowden Dr. around the south side of the Park before turning right on Duck Pond Drive, and left on Iroquois Way, and turning right across gravel and Band Shell. The inner loop and final mile of the course begins at the Pavilion, as the course loops left back on to PTL Arthur Chaires Ln., Central Parkway and Iroquois Way, an right on to the foot path for the final leg around Iroquois Lake to the Finish.

So my goal for the race was to beat my 2015 Mother’s Day 5k time of 30:16 (That race, I stopped to tie my shoe, fix my band-aids and walked 2x.) or if I was lucky beat my 2013 time of 29:38.

I left work early so I could go home, eat and change into my running clothes.

If you doubted my commitment to running, you won’t now. Our marina was having an Appreciation Party this afternoon – free food and drinks while hanging out with all our boating friends. I passed it up to run. (I told everyone that I had to work.)

I decided to have a late lunch of pumpkin pancakes with blueberry syrup. (Yes, I do cook sometimes.) I left early as to avoid the traffic.

It was not a large race – about 150 runners. I had no problem getting parking behind the start (near the tennis courts.)

This was one of the few local races where I didn’t know anyone. Probably because it was a Friday evening and there were several 5ks taking place over the weekend.

neon yellow tech shirt

So I just hung out until the race start. It was in the low 80s at the start, not too humid but very sunny.

wearing my skirtsports skirt, of course

For this race, it wasn’t my legs that felt slow, it was my breathing that got in the way. Probably because my legs felt ok, I ran the first mile too fast (under 9 min.)

The 2nd mile immediately had a hill which I walked to catch my breath and then I ran again until there was a 2nd hill.

More walking until the end of mile 2 when there was water stop. In addition to having a hard time breathing, the sun was setting and it was hot and blinding.

I felt a little better for mile 3 since I was trying to slow down. But I ran out of gas again, right before the finish line and walked for a bit so that I could finish strong.

And I did!

I was determined not to have a slower time than last weekend’s 5k.

I crossed at 29:27 (gun time, not chip time). Exactly the same time as the last one.

I actually wasn’t disappointed this time. I felt that I did the best I could. It was warm and I usually run better in the morning. The good news is that my feet felt fine!!

After the race, they had free beer. I’m not even a big beer drinker but it tasted great.

There was also a Good Humor truck with free ice cream. Definitely a reason to run this race!

I waited around for the awards and I did win 2nd in the 60-99 age group.

Unfortunately only 1st place got a beer glass 😦

So another 5k is in the books. Not my best but it could have been worse.

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:46
mile 2 – 9:48

mile 3 – 9:47
.14 – 9:03

Now my weekend is free for relaxing on our boat.

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 is your running going? Any races ?

August 6, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Breaking All the Rules

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

And here’s what I am thinking…

You bloggers may hate me, but I don’t follow the rules:

Stretching.

I don’t stretch. If I am at home, I open the door and start running. Otherwise, I drive to my route, get out of the car and start running.

in my driveway and ready to go

After my run, I just hop in the shower and go to work or hop in my car and drive home or to wherever.

done and time to go home

Gadgets and Running-Related Stuff.

Besides not stretching, I don’t even own a foam roller, or a stick or KT tape.

I will use one if it will make my body look like this

Knock on wood, I haven’t needed them yet.

Chafing.

I have never experienced it. So I don’t have Body Glide and don’t use anything like that to prevent chafing.

Running Plans.

I have never really used one. That’s not to say that I don’t plan my runs. I do.

But I don’t use a formal plan which means I don’t do hill repeats, intervals, temp runs, etc.

I run several times during the week, usually 3-4 miles and do whatever I feel like. (It’s usually pretty slow with lots of walking.) If I am training for a half marathon, I try to run longer on the weekend, increasing each week’s distance by one mile until I get to 12. I also run races which tends to mess up my training.

Voila – this got me to a PR

Healthy Food.

I’ve never had a protein shake nor have I made a smoothie.

Before a race, I eat 3 packets of this:

I don’t want to look at the ingredients. I am sure they are all artificial

After a run, I love this:

oh so healthy, I know.

or something similar to this:

is there protein in this?

Electrolytes.

Just plan H2O for me. I don’t add Nuun to my water nor do I drink Gatorade. So far, water works for me.

an old pic like circa 2010. I am thinner and wearing shorts!

Solo Runner.

I usually run alone. It’s easier because I can run wherever and whenever it is convenient for me. I can run at whatever pace and distance I feel like. (I do like to run with others, though.)

getting it done at lunch

Ok, I’m not a total running loser.

I have a Garmin GPS watch. I wear it to all my races and check my paces on it.

I eat Gu as fuel whenever I run more than 4 miles.

I have lots and lots of running shoes.

my latest…still looking for THE pair…

I wear running skirts and love them.

my newest skirt from SkirtSports

I have a race belt that holds my bib and carries my phone.

I read running magazines.

but why do they always wear skimpy running shorts on the cover?

I have joined Running Groups.

I have enjoyed them. Running with others makes the time go by faster. It also motivates you to run at a faster pace.

Freihofer’s training group

I run a lot of races each year.

Last year it was 31. It may be even more this year.

finishing my last 5k

Speaking of races, I have another 5k tomorrow night.

August 7, 2015 6:30 pm Central Park, Schenectady

I’m not a fan of evening races so we’ll see how it goes. Just hoping for NO PAIN and a finish under 30 minutes. Would be extra happy with an Age Group Award!!

Happy Running! What are you thinking about? Are you a rule breaker?

August 4, 2015 by Darlene

Care For Kids 5K Race Recap

in Chestertown, NY

I signed up for this race because I didn’t feel ready to “Race the Train,” a hilly 8.4 mile trail race. I also have run in this area and love the scenery.

I have friend who lives nearby. I could sleep at her house the night before if I didn’t want to sleep on our boat (which is 15 minutes away.)

Because I have run here before, even though it said that it was mostly flat, I know that there are hills.

You could park near the finish and take the shuttle to the start or vice versa.

Suse Q’s Sunshine Cafe – the finish. I have eaten here. They have awesome breakfasts.

So the day before the race, I spent a relaxing day on Lake George with my hubby and friends.

at a dock on a island

then in the bay

We got back to the marina late and then went out to dinner. I ate way too much (chicken parm & pasta) and ate it too late. I was planning to go to sleep at my friend’s house but was too pooped so I slept on our boat.

Race day morning, I woke up early and had breakfast with this view:

Then I drove the the race start.

I was pretty early so I just hung out watching everyone arrive.

Yes, these racers were dressed at the Mario Bros.

Little did I know then every camp in the area was participating…lots and lots of KIDS!!

the campers were wearing the green race shirt

I bumped into a runner from my area that I had never met. We became fast friends since we run most of the same races. She may even run more than me (if that’s possible.)

So we started together but I quickly lost her.

I should say that I couldn’t even eat a GU before the race. I was still full from last night’s dinner. I also wore my old running shoes (I am not uncomfortable racing in my new Hokas.)

Both of those things may have contributed to my lackluster performance in this race. It was also hot and humid.

Running behind a bunch of inexperienced runners (namely the campers) got me off to a slow start. And my legs felt like cement. Immediately, my foot that hasn’t hurt in weeks started to hurt (Damn those old shoes!!).

But the course was very pretty. You ran along the Schroon River for most of the race.

It was a slight uphill but nothing terrible. It was warm and I already needed a break before mile 1 so I stopped at the first water stop.

Then we ran over a bridge with more river views to follow. I never felt like I could move fast. Maybe it was the heat but I stopped to walk again before mile 2.

By mile 3, my legs were absolutely dead. I walked several more times and was glad to finally reach the finish line standing.

I crossed at 29:27 – my slowest 5k this year (except the GOTR one with my running buddy.)

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:16
mile 2 – 9:24
mile 3 – 9:48
.14 – 8:24

Believe it or not, I still won 3rd in my age group. It’s great being old sometimes.

I had an ice pop which tasted refreshing and decided not to take the bus back to the start but to run instead.

It was a slow one but I didn’t care. I just ran to enjoy the scenery. I got back to my car, ate a jelly donut (now I was starved) and ran a little more so I could end the day with 7 miles (I had planned for 8 but decided to quit anyway.)

I then drove to my friend’s house nearby, had lunch and spent several hours with her.

I ended the day back on our boat on Lake George to make a full circle for the weekend.

Running + boating = a great weekend.

It wasn’t the race that I wanted and I’m not sure this course merits a repeat but I never regret a race.

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

I’m also 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!

Since this week is a free topic, I am linking to Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

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

August 3, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I had the day off from work since I was working as tech support at the NYS Bar Exam. After a long day of sitting and reading, I was anxious to go for a run. It was VERY hot but I wasn’t far from one of the places where I like to do my long runs so I drove there. I ran 2 miles in one direction, stopped for water and ran 2 miles in the other. It was not easy but glad to get some exercise. (Rewarded myself with a Starbucks Frappuccino.)

Tuesday – I again had the day off from work since I was working as tech support at the NYS Bar Exam. After another even longer day of sitting and reading, I knew that I had to go for a run. It was about 6 pm so I drove across the street to The Crossings which is a great place to run. I ran a 3 mile loop that included a water stop. Then I decided to run to the ice cream shop for a Salted Caramel milkshake (yum) and back until I added another mile.

Wednesday – Another hot day but I was indoors all day at work. It was even too hot to go for a walk. So I dragged myself to my mini-gym to use the machines and then did some weeding at home. My hubby said it was too hot to cook so he twisted my arm and we went out to Chili’s followed by soft ice cream for dessert. (This hot weather sure is flattening.)

Thursday – Today I knew it was going to be another hot day with a chance of welcomed thunderstorms so I dragged myself out of bed and ran 3 miles in the neighborhood before work. Yes, it was cooler but boy was it humid!!! After dinner, I met my BFF at the mall where we chatted and walked in circles until we tired and then stopped at Starbucks.

holy humidity

Friday – Got again early to run 3 miles before work. My neighborhood is quite boring but I try to run in different directions. It was still humid but not as bad. I only had to work until noon. We had a staff picnic (sliders and ice cream) and we played games. After dinner, I played my weekly mah jongg.

Saturday – No exercise today. We spent the day on our boat just relaxing, first a dock on an island and then in a bay. I carb loaded at a local restaurant for dinner.

Sunday – Started the day with a nearby 5k race. After the race, I added 4 more miles and then spent the day with a friend who has a house in the area. My husband was on our boat. I met him later a little boating and for dinner before heading home.