March 31, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Dream Race

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: Dream Race

This is a tough one.

First the Location…

either along the ocean…

Big Sur?

or in NYC…

or in Washington, DC…

or if we go out on a limb in Paris, France

I would love to run a race in a foreign country!!!!

Dream on….

Then the weather…

I want sunshine. No rain or snow or hail or sleet.

No wind!

And not too cold but not too hot.

And no humidity.

This was perfect.

This was not.

and most importantly, feeling good.

No injuries. No cramps. No blisters. Enough water, enough fuel. A great pace and feeling like you could run forever (that’s a little exaggeration.)

Happy Running! Do you have a Dream race?

March 30, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #9)

Monday – 4 3.5 mile group run with FRW training group

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

Thursday – ~~4 mile run~~ rest
Friday- 3 4 mile run, mah jongg

Saturday – proctor MPREs, rest, knitting group

Sunday – 5 mile race + 6 more miles

45:46 – a PR!!

6 more much slower miles with Judy

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #10)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday- rest, Passover seder with the mah jongg ladies
Saturday – 12 mile long run – may start with FRW training group and then add some more
Sunday – rest, Easter dinner with the fam

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

March 29, 2015 by Darlene

Delmar Dash Race Recap

March 29, 2015

It is nice to run a race that is only 10 minutes from your house.

This is my 4th time doing this race and my 5th 5 miler.

2011 (I wore shorts back then apparently)

2013

2014

My Delmar Dash times:

2011 – 47:08
2013 – 47:39
2014 – 48:14

So there’s a trend to get slower on this course.

But last week, I ran 5 mile race and finished at 46:29, my new PR!!

So maybe I’ve broken the get slower trend. Now only if spring would arrive.

It’s always hard at this time of year to decide what to wear. Too cold for spring clothes but with the sun, you get warm with winter clothes.

I opted for a compromise. A few shirts with a skirt, capris under, compression socks, a hat & gloves and hoped for less wind and sunshine.

It was 18 degrees when I left but the sun was shining and there was only a slight breeze.

I got there early enough to get parking in the parking lot. I knew a few people doing this race so I went inside the school to look for them.

the race started on the street but ended in front of the school entrance

I bumped into Judy first.

Then I bumped in several SRMs. I was surprised to see Gail (on the left) since she moved to California.

Then I found Barbara whom I met on FB and ran with once.

Judy, Barbara and I hung out and chatted until the race started.

So my goal for the race was to have a decent finish time. That would be under 50 minutes and faster than my 48:14 time from last year. A PR would be gravy. I’ve been lucky this year and I know that every race can’t be a PR.

I started with Judy and Barbara and was farther back than I normally would be. But it didn’t matter since this race is chip-timed.

Of course waiting for the race to begin, I was cold but I was fine as soon as I started running. My hands were cold for awhile but even they warmed up. The sun

I tried to start out fast but not too fast. Though I never know what this is.

I caught up to Elisa and Gail who normally run faster than me. But soon I passed them.

I tired with each mile but tried my best to keep it up.

But by the water stop at mile 2.5 or so, I needed to walk.

It helped a little but I never really got a second wind. Luckily this course is fairly flat.

My calves were aching and I walked during twice more before I finally saw the finish line and crossed at 46:)2. But my chip time was 45:46!!

dd15

Another PR!!! Yay me!

I watched for Barbara who crossed several minutes after me.

Then we both waited for Judy.

I went inside to get some food with Barbara and wait for Judy who went to change her clothes and get a massage. (I had talked her into running afterward so that I wouldn’t have to run more miles alone.)

I had some soup, bread, birthday and hot chocolate waiting for the times. Then Barbara left (she ran to and from the race). Hopefully we will run together again soon.

There are a lot of fast ladies who run this race so I was doubtful of an age group award.

Nope, I was 6th.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:51
mile 2- 8:58
mile 3- 9:08 – walked
mile 4- 9:31 – walked longer
mile 5- 9:11 – last walk
mile .02 – 7:92

Though my legs were very tired, I needed to run 6 more miles…ugh!!

I was so happy that Judy was going to keep my company. My run last week was pretty lousy. I had no motivation to keep from walking and the wind gusts were insane.

I left my car in the parking lot and we headed into town in one direction and then turned around and headed in the other direction. Our route was similar to the race but less twists and turns so we wouldn’t get lost.

Slow slow slow but at least it was warmer and less windy than last Sunday. And it was so much nicer to have someone to talk to. It made the run seem less painful. Eventually we completed our 6 miles and arrived back at our cars.

happy to be done – 11 miles for the day!

To celebrate, my hubby and I went out for a late lunch at the diner. Geez, running makes me so hungry!!

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

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

March 28, 2015 by Darlene

Runfessions March

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions. This my third Runfessions post. I think will continue to do this monthly. Many of my Runfessions from last month repeated themselves… Here are this month’s Runfessions:

1. I did not go to the gym nor did I go to any yoga classes. I had good intentions. But I always seem to have something more important to do. Yeah, I know that’s not a good excuse. If I really wanted to, I could find the time.

2. Last month, I was good about not buying ice cream This month, not so much. I got addicted to this in California and it was on sale so I bought some more. I’ve also had soft ice cream. as well. Several times!!

3. I added 2 more races to my spring schedule.

May 7 – 6:30 pm

This was too tempting. I work at a law school and it is 2 days before a race so it will be a training run.

May 24

I got in the lottery so I had to do it, right? And I have been whining about not being able to do my long runs on the weekend because of too many races.

4. I bought more running clothes that I don’t need.

$9.99 at Marshalls and I can wear them for tennis

No more…my drawers are bulging!!

5. I’ve been skipping long runs. I am casual about my week day run distances but when I am training fora half marathon, I always have a schedule and try to keep to it. I increase my long runs every weekend by 1 mile until I get to 12 and then I taper to 8. It’s got me through so far and I even PRed on my 11th in January. My next one is April 18th.. week 7 – 8 miles – Nope – in California, too busy, too hot… only hiked week 8 – 9 miles – Nope – 4 mile race, too tired, rained…after ran/walked 3 more so only ran 7 week 9 – 10 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ran/walked 5 more slow ones week 10 – 11 miles – Sorta – 5 mile race and after ???- hopefully 6 more

Well, that’s it for now.

Happy Running! Have any Runfessions to share?

March 26, 2015 by Darlene

Run with Jess’ 5th Annual Jelly Bean Race

DATES: Race begins Friday, March 27. Ends on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

LOCATION: Pick your favorite local route or just hop on a treadmill.

EVENTS: Choose the event that works best for your current fitness level. You will earn one entry into the prize drawing for each of the four events that you complete in the 10-day time window March 27-April 5. Max of 4 entries per person; each race distance may only be counted once.

Run 5K (3.1 miles)
Run 10K (6.2 miles)
Run Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Bike 21K (13 miles)

HOW THE JELLY BEAN WORKS:

No need to pre-register. Just mark your calendar, tell your friends, and organize a local group run in your area. This makes a great family event to get the kids active! Bookmark this webpage so that you can come back for updated information until race day. Join the Facebook event here to socialize with other participants.

Order an Jelly Bean finisher’s medal below (optional). Proceeds from these medals will be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital as part of my fundraising for the Bartonville-to-Peoria St. Jude run. If you don’t want a medal, but would still like to participate in the Jelly Bean, a donation of any amount to St. Jude Children’s Hospital is much appreciated here.

On race week, PRINT A RACE BIB for each person participating. (Link activated on 3/23)

Finally, complete your Jelly Bean events… Run, Bike and have FUN!! Take pictures and please share them on my Facebook wall. Hint, hint… I always award one prize to my favorite picture. Share them on social media using hashtag #JellyBeanV
REPORT RACE RESULTS for each participant before 8 pm on April 7. You will earn one entry into the prize drawing for each event that you finish (4 max per person). Each event may only be counted once. (Reporting link activated on 3/27.)
PRIZES: When the Jelly Bean results window closes, there will be a random prize drawing from all finishers. Grand Prize is a Wireless Activity & Sleep Tracker for your wrist! Other prizes include: Starbucks gift card, BondiBand headband, and more… Check back often as she will continue adding prizes!

Follow Jess on Facebook for race updates… www.FB.com/runwjess

I will do the 5k as a weekday run and since I have a 5 mile race on March 29, I will probably add on more miles for a 10K or if I am really energetic, a half marathon (as a training run for my April 18 one.)

Here’s another opportunity to run a virtual 5K leading up to the opening of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas race registration on April 1st and you get a FREE tank or tee for participating.

It’s absolutely free-just submit your time here before April 1st.

Happy Running! Do you run Virtual races? Are you are going to do the Jelly Bean Race or RnRLV Kickoff Run?

March 24, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Spectator/Race Signs

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: Favorite Spectator/Race Signs

Here are a few that I remember seeing:

sign

Happy Running! Do you have any favorite running signs?

March 23, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #8)

Monday – 3 mile group run with FRW training group

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run on the TM

too windy outside – 1st half of last episode of How to get away with murder

Thursday – ~~3 mile run~~ ~~at lunch~~ (too busy at work), hair appt
Friday- 3 4 mile run on the TM, mah jongg

snowing – 2nd half of last episode of How to get away with murder

Saturday – GOTR orientation, rest
Sunday – 5 mile race + 5 more miles

46:29 = PR & 3rd in my AG

so hard…so slow = 1:02

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #9)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run at lunch, dinner out with tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday- 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor MPREs, rest, knitting group
Sunday – 5 mile race + 6 more miles

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

March 22, 2015 by Darlene

Shamrock Shuffle Race Recap

This was my 4th 5 mile race.

My Delmar Dash times:

2014 – 48:14
2013 – 47:39
2011 – 47:08 PR

The Delmar Dash which is next Sunday is the only 5 miler that I have run. As you can see my times have gotten slower. I’d like to turn that around.

I was hoping that the weather would be a little more springlike and I could wear my new green skirt. But it was not. It was COLD, even colder than last week. So I just wore tights under my skirt and the usual layers.

ss15

Not knowing anything about the course (though it claims to be fast and flat) and Delmar is absolutely flat, I was hoping to finish under 50 minutes and maybe beat last year’s 5 mile time (48:14).

I also wanted to have enough energy to run 5 more miles afterward since I did not do my long runs the last 2 weekends.

The race was about an hour drive from my house and again I left early not knowing exactly where I was going.

Well, when I left it was around 20 degrees. The winds were 25 mph and it was predicted to get up 40 mph wind gusts. Did not sound like fun to me.

Yesterday, it was nice out. All day long, I felt like doing my 10 mile long run and DNSing this race. So I went into this race with a crappy attitude.

My attitude changed as soon as I arrived. Although the parking lot was full, I found a spot on a nearby street. Everyone hung out in the gym waiting for the race to start.

cold short sleeved tees shirt (that I will send to my running buddy)

I chatted with a runner about the Schroon Lake Half Marathon. She noticed my jacket.

I though I was going to wear my Schroon Lake Half jacket

Then I bumped into Laurie from my Turkey Trot training group. We talked for a while being entertained by bag pipes.

With a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began so I took a GU.

Soon, we headed for the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the cold.

I changed my mind several times about what to wear. Eventually I settled on a fleece vest under my 2 shirts instead of the windbreaker. I was hoping that the sun would keep me warm.

Well, this supposedly fast flat course was not flat for the first 2 miles.

And as usual, I went out too fast thinking I was Super Woman.

over the highway bridge

By the first water stop around mile 1.75, I was pooped. The wind, the hills and my fast pace had killed me so I walked for a bit.

Then I slowed it down until we got the downhill portion. Mile 3’s downhills gave me a boost but again at the second water stop around mile 4, my speed caught up to me. This time I walked for even longer.

The bad thing about wearing a watch is that I knew my pace was faster than last week and fast enough to PR. So I felt comfortable walking instead of pushing myself to do even better.

the course went down main roads as well as old neighborhoods

Finally, I saw the finish line and tried to sprint but I didn’t have much left.

iI wish someone had mentioned that my skirt was tucked into my belt

I crossed at 46:29. A PR! This made me very happy!!

other runners heading to the finish line

happy to be done..ignore my skirt that is scrunched up into my belt

I went inside and I must say the refreshments left a lot to be desired…bananas and some stale cookies.

So I went back into the gym and waited for Laurie to finish and the results to be posted.

When I looked at the results, I noticed that my name was not listed!!! I was pissed…my fastest 5 miler and a probable age group award!!

So I talked to the director when they were reading the men’s awards and she remembered me and asked for my name and my time.

I hoped my Garmin was correct and it turned out to be.

Yup, I got third. Some of the fast women did not run this race…YAY!

And I got a beer glass.

out of 338

Splits:

mile 1- 8:55
mile 2- 9:31 (walk #1)
mile 3- 8:58
mile 4- 9:35 (walk #2)
mile 5- 9:19
.04 – 8:17

I enjoyed the race (I enjoy them all) and was happy about how I did considering the wind and my walking. I’m not sure if it was worth the hour ride so I may not do this one again especially if I am training for a spring half marathon.

I get another shot at a 5 miler next Sunday – the Delmar Dash!!

Though I was tired and cold, I drove back and stopped along the way to run some more miles.

First I stopped at Colonie Town Park but the bike path in both directions was snow/ice covered so I drove the Nisky Bike Path.

It was clear.

clear for 2.25 miles

But it seemed to have gotten colder and the wind gusts were incredible. I almost quit several times.

out of luck…can’t get to Blatnik Hill

I really struggled to get 5 more miles done. I walked a lot. In fact, it took me over one hour!! (That’s over a 12 minute pace.)

Oh well, at least I got my 10 mile long run done. It just had a 2 hour break in the middle.

When I got home, my friend called and wanted to know if I wanted to go get soft ice cream.

how could I say “no”…another mint cone..yum!!

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

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

March 21, 2015 by Darlene

Spring Races

It’s almost Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

a 5 miler and a new one for me.

March 29, 2015 – in my neighborhood – my 4th time running it

April 11, 2015 – loved this last year – hope to win a pie again

half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

May 9, 2015 – My Birthday – running the 15K, a new race for me

GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time. My favorite 5k!

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running? Do you have your spring races planned? Which race(s) are you looking forward to?

March 17, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Rituals for Races

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: Rituals for Races

I’m not really superstitious so I have no lucky charms but below are my must-do and must-haves on race day:

Breakfast

I always have oatmeal–2 or 3 packages with almond milk. I try to eat 2 hours before the race.

Fuel

I always eat one packet of Gu before the race and one after for each 4 miles of running and only drink plain water.

Running Skirt and Compression Socks

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race_697_photo_14838692

Apple Run - October

No matter what the season or weather, I wear a skirt. They are the most comfortable for me. And because I still worry about my ankle, I wear compression knee socks.

My Garmin

It’s big and clunky but it tells me distance, time, pace…everything I need to know on one screen during a race.

My Road ID

Half in Naples, Florida

I got it for my first Half Marathon (in case I was found passed out on the side of the road) and have worn it every since. Once I lost it so I bought another and then found the first one. So now I have 2 pink ones (one velcro, one rubber).

race_697_photo_14832070

My iPhone

iphonerun

I carry my phone everywhere. I got burned once and I will never run without it. I also use my phone to take pictures instead of a camera.

Race Belt

stock15k

I have two different ones. I don’t like to put pins in my shirts so I attach my bib to the belt. It also allows me to carry a phone.

a Hat

You’ll never see me run without one. A wool or fleece hat in the winter and a baseball cap the rest of the year. I don’t like headbands and hats keep my hair out of the way.

Run for the Roc - September