July 27, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- OFF FROM WORK, rest, trip to NYC (8 miles of walking)

lobster restaurant cruise, walk on the High Line & in Chelsea Market

Tuesday – 3 mile run after work, ~~tennis~~ (work webinar), rest
Wednesday – 5 4 mile run after work, dinner out

definitely not feeling it – lots of walking

Thursday – ~~rest~~, 2 mile run at work, dinner out with tennis BFFs

bad food & bad service but great company

Friday – rest, walk at work, gym, ~~mah jongg~~

Saturday – 5k race+ 4 miles, graduation party

28:33 or so – 7th in my AG (a fast crowd)

a new place for me – very scenic

Sunday – rest, boating

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This Week: (Week #2 of HM training)

Monday- OFF FROM WORK, proctor NYS Bar Exam, 4 mile run after
Tuesday – OFF FROM WORK, proctor NYS Bar Exam, 4 mile run after
Wednesday – rest, walk at work, gym
Thursday – 4 mile run after work, mall walk with BFF
Friday – rest, walk at work, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating
Sunday –5k race + 5 mile run, boating

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

July 25, 2015 by Darlene

Silks & Satins 5K Race Recap

This was once one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

in 2008 – my first year of running and I was skinnier

But I haven’t run it since 2010.

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

I met Mary at many races back then including this one in 2010.

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race. Since then I have completed 14 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34 so things haven’t changed that much.

According to the web site, the course had changed for 2015.

Here is the new course:

I hoped that it was still flat.

They also give out cool medals now as AG awards:

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Yup. I wanted one!

The race started at 8 am (an hour earlier than my last one). That meant that I had to get up at 5:30. (That is earlier than when I work. The things we runners do!)

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not there was already traffic at 7 am. I was glad to have left early and found parking in a nearby lot.

I saw a lot of familiar faces. There was over 1000 runners at this race. The weather was nice…in the 60s at the start but pretty humid.

pre-race pose with my new skirt

Judith, a blogger and fellow SkirtSports ambassador recognized me by my skirt. We hung out and started the race together.

She reminded me that this new course would have 15 turns and not to expect a PR. And she was right. Plus, it was not chip timed from the start.

photo by Stan Hudy

This cost me some time since it was very congested from the start with lots of kids in front of me. All of a sudden, Holly, from my Turkey Trot & Freihofer group caught up to me. We talked for a few seconds and then she sped ahead.

I tried to keep up with her but I just don’t have her speed and she kept getting farther and farther ahead.

So I just did my thing. I felt fine…no aches or pains…just not able to push myself to run fast.

I only walked at the the water stop which was around the halfway point…not because I had to but because I was very thirsty.

I continued to trudge along…until I saw the finish line. I sped up because I was determined not to finish over 29 minutes.

According to my Garmin, I crossed at 28:33 but 28:41 gun time. I was happy with that.

Done!

Besides all the turns, it was a pretty flat course. I would do this race again.

photo by Stan Hudy

I immediately found Holly after I finished. We chatted until the results went up. She finished 6 out 24 and I finished 7th. There was some pretty speedy ladies in our age group.

No AG award this time (even if I PRed)

Splits:

mile 1- 8:59
mile 2 – 9:26
mile 3 – 9:25
.1 – 7:37

Since I wasn’t getting an award, I had a bagel and some chocolate milk and left. I got to my car just as they were towing others in the same lot. Oops, I guess I didn’t park in the right lot. And If I had gotten an award, my car would have been towed. (I guess things happen for a reason.)

since I was in Saratoga, I should post a picture of some horses

I was not going up to the lake because we had to go to a graduation party later. So I took advantage of this opportunity to get some more miles in. I drove to Saratoga Spa Park for a change of scenery. I’ll post pics tomorrow.

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!

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

July 23, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Racing and Training

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

I’ve been thinking about racing and training.

How do you do both? Should you?

It’s no secret that I love to race! I have a hard time not signing up for a race every weekend.

There are a few problems with this besides that it’s expensive.

It’s hard to train for a long race such as a half marathon.

There would be no problem if I just ran shorter races but I like to run half marathons too.

What I have done in the past is add more miles after my races.

I guess it works. But I am not sure if it is the best way to train.

It’s like running a speed workout and taking a break, eating and then running some slow miles. Not quite the same as you would do when you run a actual half marathon.

So I am going to run lots of races before my next half (on Oct 10): 7-25, 8-1, 8-7, 8-17, 9-5, 9-12, 9-19, 9-26, 10-03 because I like to race.

This decision means that I have to be satisfied with a good or mediocre half marathon performance but maybe not a great one. I think if I want to run my best half, I will have to cut back on racing. Right now, I don’t want to do that.

I’m also thinking about my next race.

It’s summer. Summer is a time to kick back and relax. Enjoy the sunshine and time with family and friends.

So I have been doing that…a lot!

That means that I have had to skip weekday runs or shorten weekend distances.

My next race is Saturday – another 5k.

I was hoping to get back some speed. My last 5k was under 29 minutes. I’d love to do that again. I’d love to win a age group award too. We’ll see.

I’m debating about the race after that – either a difficult hilly longer but fun one or another 5k in a scenic area?

The train leaves at 8 am. It takes you to the start and you run back on the wooded hilly trail to the station. Sounds like fun but it is a longer distance than I have been running.

Not as interesting but certainly easier. There will be lots of pretty views.

Happy Running! Do you run many races while you are training for a long race? Do vacations and the heat tempt you to skip runs?

July 20, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- rest, ~~walk at work,~~ gym

my usual 15 min max

Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, tennis after work (guest SkirtSports Instagrammer)

1.5 hours of doubles

Wednesday – rest, ~~walk at work~~, dinner out, movie

a fun film for women

Thursday – 4 mile run ~~after work~~ before work, 3 mile run after work, errands

Friday – 3 mile run before work rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest, boating

Sunday – 5 mile run, boating

This Week: (Week #1 of HM training)

Monday- OFF FROM WORK, trip to NYC (lots of walking)
Tuesday – 3 mile run after work, ~~tennis~~ (work webinar)
Wednesday – 5 mile run after work
Thursday – rest, walk at work, dinner out
Friday – rest, walk at work, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + miles, graduation party
Sunday – rest, boating

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

July 17, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Race Swag

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 Favorite Race Swag

I personally like things that are useful. Here are my 5 favorites:

1. I still use this lunch bag that I won as an Age Group award

2. I love socks.

3. Glasses are cool. It came with a green tooth brush.

4. Wind breakers are practical. I have them in green, blue, yellow and orange. (Unfortunately they stopped giving them out.)

5. And gloves are handy.

Happy Running! What is your favorite race swag?

July 13, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- 3 mile run

Tuesday – walk at work, ~~tennis~~ (rain), nails, gym

my usual 15 minute workout

Wednesday – 3 3.5 mile run

Thursday – 3 mile run with Judy after work

Friday – rest, walk at work, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race, boating, dinner out

Sunday – 5 mile run, breakfast out, boating

deck overlooking the lake

This Week:

Monday- rest, walk at work, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis (guest SkirtSports Instagrammer)
Wednesday – rest, walk at work, dinner out, movie
Thursday – 4 mile run after work
Friday – 3 mile run after work, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating
Sunday – 6 mile run, boating

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

July 12, 2015 by Darlene

TEAM Sarcoma 5K Race and Weekend Recap

I wasn’t planning on racing this weekend.

But my runs have been so sluggish lately that I thought I needed a pick me up and I signed up on a whim.

The weather was predicted to be good (but maybe a little too warm). I had never run this race but have done several in this park. And more importantly, it took place in Saratoga which is halfway to the marina.

I almost signed up for one on Sunday but it was at the same time as a half marathon (so would be more crowded).

It was really tough to set any goals. I had not run a 5K in about 6 weeks but if I wanted to push myself, this would be this:

Finish under 29 minutes.
Run all splits under 10 minutes.

But with the heat and my unpredictable feet, it was this:

Finish under 30 minutes.
Total pace under 10 minutes.

I got up and had my usual breakfast of oatmeal and tea and headed north for my 45 minute ride. The start was at the Warming Hut in Saratoga State Park. It is a big park and always confusing on where to enter.

There was a sign luckily and I found a parking spot in a lot not far from the start. I got there about 8:15 and the race was to start at 9 am. Just the right amount of time to get my race packet, hit the restrooms and look for familiar or unfamiliar faces to chat with.

waiting…

I immediately bumped into Jackie who I knew from the Troy Turkey Trot and Freihofers training groups. We hung out and lined up together.

the start area

It was a small race – about 400 runners, many of which were walking for the cause.

I’ve run over a 100 races and I still get nervous before each one. Will I suck? Will I get injured? Once the race starts, I relax and enjoy it.

The start line was confusing. It was just a mass of runners on the grass. So the race started and we were running on the grass. The grass was very wet so it was slow going. I tried to keep up with Jackie but she is faster. So I just tried to keep her in my sight up ahead.

Next we were running through a gravel trail. You know how clumsy I am especially with wet feet so I was very careful here.

Finally we were on concrete and the crowd finally thinned out.

I haven’t run fast in quite a while and my legs felt like lead. But I just trudged along and decided that I wouldn’t stop until the first water stop.

I made it. It was a little past the 1 mile point. It was quite warm and in the 70s already. So I drank the water and walked and then tried to make up time.

I still was dragging but willed myself not to walk until mile 2. Luckily, running through the park was mostly shady and I was enjoying the course.

The last mile went on forever and I really wanted to walk again but I didn’t and managed to sprint across the finish line. I was happy to finish under 29 minutes.

In fact, it was 28:38 (and really a little less since it wasn’t chip timed.)

The race was exactly what I needed.

I never pushed myself and I know I could have run faster.

It was very warm and humid and my time was not a PR but it was still faster than my last few 5ks! Happy. Happy.

Jackie and I hung around for awhile. We were hoping that they would give out awards. But they did not…only for the top teams who raised money.

Yup. I would have won my AG

Oh well. We don’t race for bling, do we?

My Positive Splits:

mile 1 – 9:06
mile 2 – 9:23
mile 3 – 9:34
.14 – 8:03

So my next 5k is in two weeks – it will be hillier and there will be more runners. Hopefully, I will be more confident.

After the race, I headed up to the marina and spent the rest of the day on our boat tied up to our friends’ boats.

We spent the whole day relaxing in the sun and then went out to dinner.

The next morning, I got up early and went for a hilly 5 mile run. It was perfect. I felt great.

Then I returned to the marina, everyone wanted to take our boats out fro breakfast. I had already eaten but a 5 mile run deserves a 2nd breakfast, right?

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Then we spent the rest of the day on an island where we hung out in the shad and grilled an early dinner.

After we left the island, we rode around the lake for a while and then headed back to put our boat away until next weekend. I ended my weekend with a homemade soft ice cream sandwich (I ate it too fast for a photo.)

I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.

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

I am also linking up with Jessica from The Silvah Lining for the Race Recap Link Up.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race?

July 9, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday: That Elusive Speed

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

I have been thinking about running goals and speed.

I was getting faster for awhile..

and then things slowed down for whatever reason.

Of course as we age, we slow down.

But what if we started running when we were old. Do we still slow down?

So it seems that if we don’t slow down then it’s a Win-Win.

After a few months of running, my 5k finish times went down to a consistent 29-30 minutes.

Then all of a sudden, I was able to run 27-28 minute 5ks.

Now, I am back to finishing at 29-30 minutes.

Did I slow down or is that where I should be for my age??

Am I going to get even slower? If so, I need to adjust my goals!!

The same thing happened with Half Marathons.

I finished my first one in around 2:26.

Of course, eventually I got faster and finished one in 2:09

Now, I am back to finishing close to 2:26.

So will I continue to run at this speed? Or can I get faster? Or as I age will I get even slower?

Just food for thought.

On another related topic….

I decided to run some 5ks this summer.

TEAM Sarcoma 5k on July 11 (this Saturday)
Silks & Satins 5k on July 24 (in 2 weeks)

Both take place in Saratoga – the first one in the park and the second in town starting at the race track.

How fast will I be? Who knows?

Happy Running! Do you struggle with race goals related to speed?

July 8, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Humble

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 HUMBLE

I looked up the definition of HUMBLING and this it what I found:

causing awareness of your shortcomings
making you realize that you are not as good as you thought

I have not found anything as humbling as running!!!

RUNNING IS HARD!!

Running up hills is humbling!

This was at the beginning of my last half marathon (and at the end)!!

Running injured is humbling!

I hadn’t been diagnosed yet but I was in pain and it turned out to be a stress fracture in my right foot. I ran 2 races with that injury. I have also run with a broken foot in addition to other less serious injuries.

Running in adverse temps (cold, hot, rain, etc.) is humbling!

I ran the Love Run Half Marathon in Philly in cold monsoon-like rain. I also ran 2 other halfs in the rain, one in the freezing temps of January and one in the heat and humidity of July. All were very tough, to say the least.

Running after a long layoff is humbling!

This photo was taken after finishing a half marathon in March 2013. It was 16 months after serious ankle surgery. My previous half had been in November 2011. It was definitely harder than I thought it would be.