May 4, 2015 by Darlene

Mother’s Day Giveaway

As a SkirtSports Ambassador, I am happy to offer my readers this amazing giveaway:

A BASIC LEVEL entry to the Skirt 13er/10k/5K Local or Virtual!

The beauty with all Skirt Sports races, the registrant not only receives their race packet including Finisher’s Skirt (or bra or top depending on race), race #, and sponsor swag but ALSO a gift certificate to spend right away on the Skirt Sports website, in the boutique or at an expo attended by Skirt!

The runner can run the 13er, 10k, or 5k and can use this entry for the local race on June 14th or run it virtually on the same day.

So here are the details for this giveaway:

Basic Entry ($85) which includes:
$50 gift certificate
Race #
Finisher’s Skirt (Don’t Sweat It Collection pull over skirt)

Sponsor swag

Click HERE to enter!

The giveaway ends at midnight on May 10, 2015.

Good luck!

Happy Running!

May 2, 2015 by Darlene

Spring Run Off 10K Race Report

I signed up for the 15k which was to begin at 8:30 am. The 5K would begin at 10 am. I was tempted to switch & sleep in or switch to the 10K.

I was afraid of a repeat of what happened to my foot last weekend and make my foot worse.

last year at the 10K

This is my second year running this race and I am familiar with the course. It is where I do a lot of my long training runs.

with Judy here a few weeks ago

Last night this race included a free pasta dinner & packet pick up.

The food was really good. It was catered by D’Raymonds, a local Italian restaurant. There was salad, bread, pasta, wine, and lots of homemade desserts. It wasn’t a buffet. They actually served you. I ate A LOT!!

Last year I got invited to sit with two lovely older runners. We had some great discussions….about running, of course and have seen each other several times since.

pasta dinner before the race above

This year, these ladies couldn’t come so I sat with some older runners that I know since we run many of the same races. It was fun.

Then all of a sudden I got cold feet about running the 15K. So I did it – I SWITCHED TO THE 10K!!

I know you are surprised but I didn’t want to run 9.3 miles on a sore foot. I would have switched to the 5k if it was run at the same time.

Anyway, we lucked out with the weather – sunny, no wind and warm. I even wore a tank top and brought a jacket just in case.

I wore my new shoes, thorlo padded socks, moleskin pad under my foot, etc and all other precautions against blisters and foot pain. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.)

I arrived early to make sure I got parking and to look for people who I knew. I found parking in the closer lot and then walked over to the start.

I immediately ran into Barbara whom I met on FB.

We hung out and chatted. In fact, we had to wait quite a while for the race to start.

chatting with Barbara. Valerie is on the right.

Apparently they were blasting a bridge that we would have to run under.

At least the weather was nice but THERE WERE NO BATHROOMS. There are some in 2 nearby locations but they were locked.

So we waited and were entertained by music.

and the timing workers dancing

Finally the race started (about a half hour late). The 10K and the 15k started together. Same course, the 10Kers just turned around sooner.

I started toward the front but not too near the fast runners.

I went out fast of course because I knew that I would slow down – bad attitude, right?

The course is lovely. You run along the Hudson River but unfortunately, my foot did not cooperate again.

I was already walking through the water stop at 1.5 miles.

This was a sign that the race would be going downhill.

I willed myself to keep up an even pace until the turn around of this out and back course. (In fact, I was at 28 minutes at the 3.1 mark – PR pace.)

You would think that there would be water then but nope not again until about mile 4.5. It was warm and I was thirsty.

Finally, I decided to have some Gu to get more energy around mile 4.

I walked twice during the first half but at least twice that during the second half.

My foot was hurting and it really sucked!! I hate running in pain!!

But I decided to just walk/run until I finished. I knew that I would not PR (even though it was an easier course than the one I did PR for).

As I approached the finish line, I tried to finish under 58 minutes but could not.

I crossed at 58:19

So it wasn’t a PR but it was actually my 2nd fastest 10K ever. Just think of what I could have done if my foot was not killing me?

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:53
mile 2- 9:15 (water stop)
mile 3 – 9:17
mile 4 – 9:53 (walking has begun)
mile 5 – 9:52 (water stop & lots of walking)
mile 6 – 9:38 (less walking)
.2 – 8:19

I had some refreshments and waited for the 5k to begin. Homemade cookies, brownies and cakes – YUM!

I stayed because I wanted to cheer on my new friends and some SRMs that were running it.

with Laurie from the Turkey Trot training group

I also began to feel better about my race. My time wasn’t bad. I beat my time from last year in this same race!! And now that I was done, my foot felt fine!

It was fun cheering the 5k finishers. I rarely do this because I usually only go to to races when I am running in them.

3 SRMs

Being a small race, it seemed that almost everyone got age group medals.

I was glad that I switched from the 15K. Since it was a new race, they didn’t give out medals for the 15K- just trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. I would have been pissed if I ran 9.3 miles and got nothing.

waiting for the results (with Laurie)

Last year. I got 3rd. This year, I got FIRST place!

In the 5K, Valerie got 2nd and Laurie got third – We were all winners!

All in all, not a bad race but not what I hoped. I wished that my foot was feeling better.

Because it was such a nice day, I decided to test my foot further. I walked back to my car and then ran/walked 2 miles, rested my foot and then ran/walked back to my car. My pace was about 13 min/mile. But I got the miles in and I went home and iced my foot. Hopefully it is not worse and I can find a way to heal quickly!

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

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

May 1, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Race Day

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 Race Day.

If you are a runner, who doesn’t love “race day.”

Here are 5 important things in my race day:

1. Have a good breakfast

For me, it’s oatmeal or cream of wheat with flax or raisins added in.

2. Get dressed in a cute but comfortable outfit.

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Yes, I am matchy matchy but I try to wear clothes that I’ve worn before so I know they will be comfortable.

3. Bring all the extra stuff you need

Fuel for before and during.

My Garmin, my iPhone, my RoadID, my belt for attaching my bib…

Change of clothes for after.

4.Get to the race early.

So you can find parking, get your race packet, use the restrooms and meet up with friends. And then relax (Is that possible?)

5.Cross that finish line and smile.

Be proud of your accomplishment even if it wasn’t a PR. You finished a race!!

Happy Running! What important things go on on your race day?

April 30, 2015 by Darlene

April Recap

April Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. Yes!

on the treadmill

Get some strength training or yoga done. I have gone to the gym twice. (It’s a start.)
Continue running with a training group. Yes! On Mondays.

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on April 18. One.

Complete a 5K race. Yes! Two!

Bacon Hil 5K – 28:01 – 1st in my AG

Cherry Blossom 5K – 27:56 – 2nd in my AG

Complete Half Marathon #12. Yes!

very painful feet made this not my best attempt but finished – 2:20:18

Run my 5k races under 10 min. mile pace. Yes both!

Bacon Hill 5K – 9 min pace

Cherry Blossom 5K – 9 min pace

Win an age group award. YES! 2!

2nd place

Run with my GOTR running buddy. Yes! And she’s FAST!

Run at least 85 miles. Yes.

apr15

I had a nice visit with my college buddy.

We started a walking challenge at work. We are on teams and we track our steps weekly.

May Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Go for a walk everyday at work.
Continue running with a training group.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on May 24
Complete a 15K race.
Win an age group award for a 15k.
Run a 5K with my GOTR running buddy.
Run while on my tennis vacation in Florida.
Complete Half Marathon #13.
Complete a 5K race.
Run my 5k race under 10 min. mile pace.
Run at least 85 miles.

May is my favorite month! The tulips are in bloom and my birthday is in this month!!!

Happy Running! How was your April? Anything special planned for May?

April 29, 2015 by Darlene

Too Many Options

This race which is Saturday offers a 5k, 10k and a 15k.

That is too many options!!

Last year, I ran the 10K and won 3rd in my AG. It was also a PR at the time.

I registered awhile back for the 15K thinking that it would be a good idea. I am preparing for a half marathon in several weeks and technically I should be running 11 miles.

But that was before I had a foot issue at my half marathon and the same issue last weekend.

A normal person would rest their feet.

I am a crazed runner person.

I am seriously thinking of running the 10K instead and then adding on some more miles depending on how my foot feels.

But maybe I should just play it safe and run the 5K?

Next weekend I also have a 15k to run. That one also has a 5K option.

Boy, it sucks when something hurts.

I am hoping it’s nothing serious – Dr Google says everything from calluses to capsulitis…

So first I skipped my training group run on Monday – the first one I’ve missed and I hated to do it.

And then I bought these on sale in DSW

Mizuno Wave Inspire 10s

Yesterday, I put a thick moleskin pad on my foot and ran on the track.

It felt fine for the first 2 miles, then I moved the pad and it felt better. I even played 1 1/2 hours of tennis later that evening.

We’ll see how the rest of the week goes…

But don’t be surprised if I stupidly tackle (limp through) the whole 9.3 miles.

And even try to beat my 1:33:23 time from last November…

2014: HMRRC #3 – 1:42:40, Stockeadeathon – 1:33:23 (PR), HMRRC #1 – 1:34:55
2013: Stockeadeathon – 1:42:22
2011: Stockeadeathon – 1:36:08

Stockadeathon 2014

And if I choose the 10K…

2015: HMRRC #3 – 1:00:24
2014: Spring Run Off -1:00:51, Camp Chingachgook – 1:04:54, Great Pumpkin – 58:28,Troy Turkey Trot – 57:03
2013: HMRRC #3 – 1:08:18, Helper’s Fund – 1:06:10, Monster Scramble – 1:03:18 (SHORT)
2012: Camp Chingachgook – 1:09:07

Turkey Trot 2014

Happy Running! What would you do? Do you race through injuries?

April 27, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – drive home from NJ, 4 2.5 mile group run with FRW training group, GOTR 5K planning meeting

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 3 mile run at lunch, dinner with the tennis ladies

catching up on “Revenge”

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ate too much Italian food!!

Thursday -rest, walk at work, hair appt.

motivated by free coffee – it has been free all month but took me until April 23 to drag my lazy butt there.

Friday- 3 mile run, mah jongg chez moi

another cold windy day and another episode of Revenge

Saturday – rest, pick up race packet, errands
Sunday – 5K race + 5 6 miles

27:56 – 2nd in my Age Group award

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday -GOTR practice 5K
Friday- rest, race, pasta dinner, mah jongg
Saturday – 15K race
Sunday – rest

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

April 26, 2015 by Darlene

Cherry Blossom 5K Race Recap

This was the second year that I have run this race. I really liked it last year and I came in 2nd in my age group (60-99 group).

The course is very winding and pretty flat except for the last mile which is uphill.

My time last year was 27:51. Could I beat that??

And should I try? After all, I just ran a half marathon last weekend. My feet are still recovering.

Nevertheless, I was determined to give it my best shot and not to be disappointed if I sucked (like last weekend.)

The weather was iffy. Cloudy and cool but not sure how cool so I wore my skirt from last week and a long sleeved shirt. And for my feet – new insoles, compression sleeves and Feetures socks and moleskin on the sensitive spots. Fingers crossed.

The race started at 10:15 and I got there around 9:30 and parked a few blocks away on the street. It was pretty crowded – more racers than I remembered – over 500.

I bumped in many people that I knew – Sue, Helen & Brian from the Turkey Trot group, Valerie & Sue – runners in my age group that I meet often at races.

Unfortunately at this Cherry Blossom race, they were absolutely NO cherry blossoms 😦 Longest winter ever!

I wound up starting with Valerie. We moved toward the front but not too close since it was chip-timed.

Here’s Valerie. Not sure where I was?

As soon as the race started, the sun came out. I was warm.

My feet felt fine – the whole race. YAY!

But for some reason, I had trouble breathing – I was coughing and out of breath the whole time – maybe allergies? It’s always something.

I usually have a pretty fast first 2 miles and then slow down but I was tired even during the first mile.

There a small water stand after mile 1 and I stopped to catch my breath and then continued running until the next water stop at the half way point.

It was a pretty interesting course – you just wind your way around the neighborhoods. I tried to run the tangent as much as possible.

Believe it or not, I had a brief stop again at the first water stop and then tried to run non-stop to the finish.

Nope, I had to walk again!!

I wanted to make it through under 28 minutes. But I did not. It was chip-timed so I really did.

At least the refreshments were better than my half marathon – fruit, yogurt, granola, bagels, cupcakes and chocolate milk.

I had 2 milks and 2 cupcakes

Valerie & I hung out to see if we won any awards.

And I won 2nd.

cb5k

Not a PR nor a course PR but still a decent race. I was happy.

Race Splits:

mile 1- 8:57
mile 2 – 9:17
mile 3 – 8:59
.1 – 7:57

Goals:

A. Course PR (under 27:51) – NO
B. Age Group Award. – YES
C. Under 10 min pace for each mile. YES
D. No blisters. YES
E. Enjoy and finish! YES

Since I have another half marathon in a month, I had planned to run anther 6 miles with Judy on the bike path which was nearby.

my jacket did not stay on long

We decided to head 3 miles east and then turn around.

It was a nice day for running. Again the sun came out and I was too warm.

I did my usual run faster and stop and walk while Judy ran her steady pace.

It wasn’t long before I realized that the moleskin protecting my foot had come loose and the blisters on the bottom on my left foot were coming back with a vengeance.

Like with the half marathon, it hurt with each step I took.

Now they actually hurt worse but my right foot this time is fine. It may be time to rest my footsies.

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

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

April 25, 2015 by Darlene

No Time for Training

May 24, 2015

Yes, that’s less than a month away.

frwtraining2

But I am training for the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K with group runs on Mondays and Saturdays.

I plan Tennis on Tuesdays.

Wednesdays I volunteer with STEM, Domestic Violence Survivors Couch25K group.

Capital Region

This Thursday, I am running a practice 5K with my GOTR running buddy.

And then there are the races that I impulsively signed up for…

15K

5K – May 7, 2015

May 9, 2015 – 15k on my birthday

with my GOTR running buddy

In addition, there’s celebrating my birthday and Mother’s Day.

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with a trip to the Tulip Fest

And my 8 day tennis vacation in Naples, Florida.

group photo on our last day of tennis lessons

My hubby won’t let me forget that our marina opens and boating season will be beginning soon…

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Hopefully, my legs will remember how to run because I have no time to train!!!

Happy Running! Which race(s) are you training for?

April 23, 2015 by Darlene

April Fabulous Fit Gear Swap and the Race Aftermath

I signed up last month and got some cool gear so I decided to participate again in the #FabulousFitgear Swap with Renee from Bendiful Blog.

This is how the program works: you register by the 5th of the month, Renee will send you another blogger, you check out their blog, get to know them and you send them some fabulous fit gear ($20 value) by the 15th of the month.

I love new gear and I love meeting new bloggers. A win-win.

This month, I got paired with Laura at Fit4Me.

I got her a tank top, a car magnet and some fuel (GU & Nuun). I hope she liked her package.

This is what I got:

perfect after my last half

warm weather is coming…I should try this

Thanks Laura for the gifts!!!

It is also Thursday and

so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

My random thoughts this week mostly center around my last race, of course.

I am trying not to be a Debby Downer about it anymore and focus on the positives ..

I finished and did not quit.
The weather was perfect…a great day to spend at the beach
The course was flat with ocean views.
The volunteers and the crowd were super.
I had a great visit with my college roommate.

and the lessons learned…

Anything can happen. I couldn’t have predicted the blisters so I wouldn’t have done anything different.
Bad races happen. They can’t always be a PRs.
I am human and even got my first bruised toenail.
Some runners have problems with their hips, IT bands, knees,…Me, it’s the feet.
There will be other races. There may even be worse races.

ap hm1

And believe it or not, I have races every weekend including another half marathon on May 24.

Hopefully, my feet have healed sufficiently to run this 5k. Being the crazy type A runner that I am, I have goals for this race:

A. Course PR (under 27:51)
B. Age Group Award.
C. Under 10 min pace for each mile.
D. No blisters.
E. Enjoy and finish!

At this point, I would be happy with D & E and to be able to run some extra miles after.

5K - 27:51 Last year

Happy Running! Have you participated in this swap? What are you thinking about today? Any races comng up?

April 22, 2015 by Darlene

Asbury Half Marathon Race Report

Yup, I raced where Bruce Springsteen used to play!

And no, he wasn’t in town. 😦

As I mentioned in a previous post, my college buddy lives in NJ and for the 2nd time, I planned a visit around a race.

The race started at 8:30 am. Not knowing the area, I left my friend’s house at 6 am. I arrived in Asbury Park around 7 am and found parking easily in a lot next to:

where Bruce used to play

From there I walked to Convention Center to pick up my bib. And of course, passed many closer places to park. But that was ok.

very organized..there were real restrooms but no bag check

I had been stalking the weather for the past week. It went from 40 degrees, windy and rain to 75 degrees and sunny. I was giddy with excitement to run in the sunshine along the boardwalk with views of the Atlantic ocean. But as they say “Careful what you wish for.” More about that later.

So when I arrived it was in the 50s, sunny and no wind.

I had time to kill so I walked around a little before it was time to meet Kim and Jessica, fellow SkirtSports ambassadors.

Then I walked to the Berkeley Hotel to meet them. It wasn’t too far away. Kim and I took photos and waited for Jessica.

wearing our new skirts

When it looked like she wouldn’t be coming, we started walking to the start line. And then she called out names.

all together

Kim & Jess headed to the restrooms and I made my way to the start since I had already used them when I was in the Convention Center.

They were about 3000 racers total for the 5k, marathon relay and the half but only about 1600 in the half.

race_929_photo_16433261

I lined up near the front but not too close and chatted with a couple about races, etc.

As I’ve mentioned, I wasn’t very confident about this race. My training was just not up to par….cold weather, short races on the weekends, vacation in California, etc. Nevertheless, I planned to give it my best shot but also try not to overdo and get injured. (I still have 2 more half marathons to run in the next 2 months.) But of course, I really wanted a good finish time. Who doesn’t?

My usual half marathon plan is to walk through all the water stations which means at least every 2 miles and eat a GU at every 4 miles.

I am not a runner that can run the whole 13.1 miles. I have a problem running 3.1 miles without stopping. I have decent speed (for my age) but I do WALK.

Soon we were off. Starting in the front means everyone is passing you by. But that was fine, I was determined to start slow and keep my pace around 10 minute miles.

As you can see from the map, we left the start and ran for a mile and then ran back to the start before heading north.

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By the time the race started, it was in the 60s and probably approaching 70. But it felt warmer because of the sun. Quite a contrast from what I have been running in. It was even warmer than during my Florida half marathon.

After that race where I had blisters for the second half, I have been wearing 2 pairs of socks – one compression and one thin regular. I haven’t had any blisters since.

Well, it didn’t work this time. Before we reached mile 1, I started getting a blister on the ball of my left foot. It was difficult to not run on it and every step made it feel worse. Then, I got a burning pain on the top of my right ankle. Nice.

I was still determined to forget the pain and keep up a decent pace and look at the views. We passed amazing houses and it was lovely.

thumbs up for the cameraman early in the race

I also made sure that I kept hydrated. (Maybe I should carry water?) I stopped for water at mile 1 and mile 2 and then we ran along the ocean (but on the road and sidewalks) until around mile 6 where we turned around. (They played Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run – very cool.)

I was trying to stay positive but it is very hard to run when your feet hurt.

I walked again at mile 4 and took a Gu and then again at mile 6. Each mile, I was running (or more like shuffling) slower.

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We passed the start and again. I took another Gu. (They actually gave some at the water stop.)

race_929_photo_16433202

The crowd support was great especially since the rest of the race (miles 8-13) would be run on the boardwalk.

I was looking forward to running on the boardwalk. Well, not anymore. It hurt my feet…a lot!!!

And the craziest part and we did this twice was running through the soft sand for about 6 feet. Everyone was complaining. It was really hard to keep your footing. I and almost everyone had to stop and walk.

I hate to keep whining but I thought I would never get to the mile 11 turn around.

But I did and I took my last Gu at mile 12.

That’s a fake smile!

Then I literally dragged myself to the finish, walking more and more often.

here I come!!

I did sprint, at least, through the finish line.

Done!!

I grabbed my medal and limped around in a daze. (Believe it or not, the TV cameras caught me.)

I took some water (The bananas were already gone) and walked toward the beach. I took off my shoes and socks and ran into the water.

The warm sand felt good but the water was freezing. Ice baths are supposed to help but it made my toes cramp so I left.

The strange part was that I was never out of breath and my legs were never tired during the race. My feet just HURT!!

race_929_photo_16433216

Now I headed into the Convention Center. There was an expo (the usual stuff). I picked up my race shirt and got some food.

long sleeved tech shirt

All they had was potato salad, pasta salad and macaroni salad. I had some but it didn’t really hit the spot. What happened to bagels, fruit, etc?

race_929_photo_16433274

I sat for a while and chatted with a lady who had completed her 2nd half and discussed the race.

Then I decided to drag my achy feet to find something else to eat.

I walked in town a little and then back to the boardwalk and settled for a Nathan’s hot dog and some chocolate milk. I sat on a bench looking at the ocean.

It was so beautiful! I had never run a race on the ocean, so I can check that off my list! (The closest I had gotten was along the Intercoastal in West Palm Beach, Florida.)

I was annoyed with myself that I let the pain get the best of me. I ran a race on a beautiful sunny day (at this point it was in the 80s) and I didn’t enjoy it.

Anyway, here are the gory details:

mile 1 – 9:18
mile 2 – 9:38
mile 3 – 9:26
mile 4 – 9:53
mile 5 – 10:35
mile 6 – 10:40
mile 7 – 10:48
mile 8 – 11:19
mile 9 – 11:30
mile 10 – 11:07
mile 11 – 12:02
mile 12 – 11:43
mile 13 – 11:03
.2 – 8:58

positive splits and the blister/boardwalk blues

9th in my AG

I knew after mile 6 that I couldn’t PR so I just stopped trying to run fast through the pain. Running is such a mind game.

So how did I do on my GOALS?

A. PR (finish under 2:09:40) – NO

B. Win an Age Group Award – NO

C. Finish Faster than my previous PR (under 2:18:33 ) – NO

D. Finish under 2 1/2 hours – YES!!!

E. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing a medal – Got the Medal.

After my last half marathon, I was on a runner high until… well until this one. I know I have to get past it. It’s only a race and I did run 13.1 miles…

I knew my string of PRs had to end…

Well, at least the rest of the weekend went well. I had a fabulous time with my college buddy and her husband.

Saturday night, we went to a potluck dinner and house concert. The music and food were great.