April 5, 2015 by Darlene

Last Long One

Saturday or Sunday, depending on a race or the weather.

This past weekend, I was tempted but decided NOT to race.

I thought I might run the Rabbit Ramble 4 miler like I did last year. You get a shirt and gloves & I won my age group. But I have raced the past 3 weekends and I felt that I should relax and run 12 miles. (Ha ha..relax & 12 miles in the same sentence.)

4 miler - 38:06

I also could go to my FRW Training Group run on Saturday which I have missed the past 3 weekends that I was racing and then continue running until I completed 12 miles.

Then there was the weather forecast.

ap4-5weather

Will winter ever end??

So I went back and forth and finally decided to do my long run on Sunday.

Well, Saturday was not rainy or snowy as predicted but it was cold and so windy…40 mph wind gusts.

Instead of running, I spent the afternoon with my mentee, Amanda and her 2 sons. I hadn’t seen them since Christmas. They played on the playground in the park and then we went to an Easter Egg hunt. I was soooo cold!

Matthew, 3, on the swings

Richard, 8, climbing a rock wall

lots of kids hinting for eggs

Today I was determined to get my 12 mile run done. I asked Judy who I ran with last weekend to accompany me on part of it.

It was cold in the 30s but 20s with the windchill (Yes, It is April!!) but not as windy as yesterday. I got to the bike path early to run 4 miles before she arrived.

I headed west toward lock 7. It was sunny but boy was it windy.

Then I turned around at mile 2 and I was actually warm running with the sun in my face.

I actually had a decent run despite the wind and the walking at about a 10 minute/mile pace.

When I got back to my car, I changed my hat, gloves and took off my fleece vest.

Judy was already there waiting, I’m glad she came. I did not feel like running 8 more miles alone.

We tackled 8 miles slowly. 4 miles out and then back heading in the opposite direction from my earlier run.

It was a nice to have someone to chat with while running. Judy may run slower but she runs at a more steady pace. I, on the other hand, run faster and tire myself out and have to walk. In the end, we finished together and stayed together most of the run.

The sun started to go in but the wind had died down quite a bit. I made the right decision running those 4 mile earlier.

The opened a new Starbucks nearby – my reward!

12 miles done! After a long hot shower, I enjoyed a nice Easter dinner with my hubby, mil and 2 stepsons.

2 weeks to go!!! Ready or not, Asbury Park, we I come!

Happy Easter!

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

Happy Running! Does the weather influence when you do your long runs? Did you run this past weekend?

April 3, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Good Things

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 Good Things

Here are my 5 “Good” things:

1. My Health

Nothing is injured!!! I feel fine when I play tennis as well as run.

happy legs and happy feet

2. My Racing

Not my training but I have been racing every weekend and that’s been going well.

Runnin’ of the Green – 37:27 – 4 mile PR

Shamrock Shuffle – 46:29 – 5 mile PR

Delmar Dash – 45:46 – new 5 mile PR

This weekend I am taking a racing break so I can get one decent long run in before my half in 2 weeks.

3. Winter is over.

The sidewalks and paths are mostly clear.

Nisky Nike Path

If only, it would warm up!

4. My FRW Running Group

I have been running with them every Monday night. I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, racing and long runs have prevented me from attending any of the Saturday training runs.

11060303_573497442753146_4725648863226627838_n

5. My new GOTR running buddy.

I attended the orientation and am paired up with Rebecca, a 5th grader at an elementary school in my town. I send her weekly motivational messages as she trains for a 5K on May 10. I will run the practice 5k with her on April 30, as well as the Mother’s Day 5K on May 10.

Happy Running! What “good” things are happening in your life??

April 1, 2015 by Darlene

March Recap

March Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) YES!

a few on the treadmill 😦

on vacation in CA 🙂

at work

Get some strength training or yoga done. No trips to the gym but occasional planks and lifting weights.
Start running with a training group. YES! My group started on Mar. 16. I’ve run 3 Mondays with them.

Do long runs on the weekend to start to train for half marathon on April 18. Sorta. I missed 2 and ran the other 2 in 2 parts.

after a 5 mile race

6 miles after a 5 mile race

Complete a 5K race. No! My flight got cancelled so I got to Palm Springs too late.
Complete a 5 mile race. YES! Two.

and a 34 sec. PR at 46:29 & 3rd in my AG award

45:46 – another 43 sec. PR

Complete a 4 mile race. YES!

and a 13 sec. PR at 37:27

Run all my races under 10 min. mile pace. YES!

Runnin’ of the Green 4m – 9:22

Shamrock Shuffle 5m – 9:18

Delmar Dash 5m – 9:10

Volunteer at a race. YES! At the HMRRC Winter Series Marathon

3 hours in the freezing cold!!

Run at least 80 miles. YES! 82!!

mar15

However, since this is the month before my half marathon, I should have run more miles. I’ll blame the cold weather and my trip to California.

82 three months in a row – how did that happen?

So this month, I was lucky to get to spend 4 sunny warms days in California where I ran, hiked and watched tennis.

I started knitting again.

it’s a hat for my friend’s new grandson

April Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Continue running with a training group.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on April 18.
Complete a 5K race.
Complete Half Marathon #12.
Run my 5k race under 10 min. mile pace.
Win an age group award.
Run with my GOTR running buddy.
Run at least 85 miles.

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

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.