February 27, 2015 by Darlene

Runfessions February

This month I’m linking up again with Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions. This my second Runfessions post. Maybe I will continue to do this monthly.

Most of my Runfessions from last month repeated themselves except that I didn’t eat ice cream this month.

This month has been very very cold. In fact, the coldest, ever!!!

Here are my Runfessions:

1. I was not very good about the Take the Leap 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

I had good intentions and I love yoga.

So I started out well but it went down from there.

I watched some videos, I downloaded some apps.

But I really prefer going to classes and I didn’t get to any. The one I like is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I always seem to have something more important to do.

Some days, I have just done a one minute plank and a few quick stretches.

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Finally, I quit it all. Nada.

2. I hate the treadmill so much that yesterday, I suffered rather than use it.

I had planned to run on the treadmill so I didn’t bring my warmest outdoor running clothes.

Luckily I forgot my clothes at work (and you know that I have no qualms about re-wearing running clothes.)

The day before it was almost 30 degrees so I didn’t bring my fleece-line tights nor did I have an extra shirt or warmer hat.

Yesterday, it was 18 and single digits with the wind chill. Out I went. I thought that it wouldn’t be so bad.

The good news is that it was my fastest run in a long time. The bad news is that I froze. I was cold the whole time. I couldn’t feel my face or my fingers by the time I was done.

Still… better than the treadmill.

3. I can’t stop myself from signing up for races.

If I am supposed to training for a half marathon in April and then one in June, why am I signing up for short races???

It messes up my weekend long runs… but I love racing, I guess.

3-07-15 – Shamrock 5K (Palm Springs, CA)
3-14-15 – Runnin of the Green 4 m
3-22-15 – Shamrock Shuffle 5m
3-29-15 – Delmar Dash 5m
4-04-15 – Rabbit Ramble 4m ?? (if I’m not away for Passover)
4-11-15 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
4-18-15 – Asbury Park Half Marathon* (in NJ)
4-26-15 – Cherry Blossom 5k
5-02-15 – Spring Run Off 15K
5-09-15 – Mastodon 15k
5-10-15 – Mother’s Day 5K (for GOTR)
5-30-15 – Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k
6-07-15 – Betar Byway 5K
6-13-15 – Walkway Half Marathon*
6-21-15 – Adirondack Distance 10m

Well, that’s it for now.

Happy Running! Have any Runfessions to share?

February 26, 2015 by Darlene

TTT

ttt
1. I am sick of this cold weather. It’s sad when 20 degrees feels like a heat wave.

I will run outside in the winter but below zero, I draw the line.

As a result, there has been very little running since the weekend. (It was -11 when I left for work on Tuesday.)

I’ve had enough. Elsa, “Stop!!!!”

Just a side note…

no surprise that this February is the coldest

2012 was the winter that I broke my ankle and could not run!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. I am at the age where more of my friends are retired than not.

just 2 of us here are not

just 3 of us here are not

Guess where they spend the winter?

Florida!

Guess where I want to be?

Florida!

January 19, 2015 =Heaven!

3. To make myself feel better about the weather, I have been registering like crazy for spring races.

3-07-15 – Shamrock 5K (Palm Springs, CA)
3-14-15 – Runnin of the Green 4 m
3-22-15 – Shamrock Shuffle 5m
3-29-15 – Delmar Dash 5m
4-04-15 – Rabbit Ramble 4m ?? (if I’m not away for Passover)
4-11-15 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
4-18-15 – Asbury Park Half Marathon* (in NJ)
4-26-15 – Cherry Blossom 5k
5-02-15 – Spring Run Off 15K
5-09-15 – Mastodon 15k

The snow will be gone by then, right?

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love this pic!

Happy Running! What’s going on with you these days?

February 20, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Races to Run in 2015

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 Races to Run in 2015.

I run so many races (33 last year) that I am listing 5 NEW races that I am looking forward to running in the first 6 months of 2015:

West Palm Beach Half Marathon – Ocean Views and in Florida in the winter .YAY! and visiting 4 friends too!

January 17, 2015

This one would have been #1 but I already did it!!

1. Shamrock 5K – I would have liked to run a longer race like I did last year but this one fit. I am so excited to be running this race with my friend Mary in CA and also get to watch some of the qualifying matches at the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Championships (and maybe see some of the stars practicing.)

shamrock5k

2. Shamrock Shuffle – This is a new one. I love new races and it is 5 miles.

3. I didn’t get into the NYC Half Marathon so I instead registered for the Asbury Park Half Marathon to keep me running through the winter. I have a friend that lives an hour from this race and it’s supposed to be the “Best Half in New Jersey – One of Best in the Country.” The best part, I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

aphm

4. Mastodon Challenge– It is hilly so it will be a challenge and it is on my birthday. How could I not race on my birthday?

May 9, 2015

5. I also did not get into the Covered Bridges Half Marathon on June 7 (sold out in 24 min.) so instead I registered for the first annual Walkway Half Marathon. It’s in Poughkeepsie which is about 1.5 hours away. The course will include the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail and the Walkway Over the Hudson as well as Marist College and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. (It is hilly – the only negative.)

HALF MARATHON – June 13, 2015

Happy Running! What are some of your favorite 2015 races? Are you running any new ones?

February 15, 2015 by Darlene

DIY Medal & Bib Hanger and Giveaway Winner

Yes, I could have ordered one like this:

But it was more fun to make my own (and cheaper).

I bought a wood shelf at Joann’s (with a 50% off coupon). I also bought some adhesive letters there.

Then I bought 4 long screws & 2 cup hooks at Lowe’s.

I spray painted everything white (cuz I had white paint). I added the letters when dry and VOILA:

It’s not awesome but definitely functional and cost less than $10 to make.

Of course, it seemed bigger until I put stuff on it. I only hung bibs with race names on them (& one per race). But all my bling fit…for now.

In the future, I would like to make a separate one for my half marathon medals and keep this one for all the age group awards.

And the winners of my Runner’s Choice giveaway are:

Stacey R
HoHo Runs

Send an e-mail to dsc59@nycap.rr.com) with your mailing address.

Since I can give away one more bottle, comment here if you want it.

Happy Running! What do you do with your race medals & bibs?

February 9, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #2)

Monday – rest (SNOW DAY), yoga at home

Tuesday – 3 mile run on the TM at work, tennis

too cold & snowy – episode 2 of “serial”

Wednesday – rest, 3 mile run

snowy slushy path but a heat wave at 30 degree

Thursday – 4 3 mile run on the TM

back on the TM – sub zero temps – ugh! episode 3 of “Serial”

Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – Polar Cap 4 m race + 6 more

37:40 = PR and 2nd in my age group

Sunday – rest, nails, cooking

chili, corn bread

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #3)

Monday – 4 mile run
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run, webinar
Thursday – rest, hair appt
Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – car appt, 8 mile run
Sunday – rest, volunteer at HMRRC Winter Series #6

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

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

(Don’t forget to enter my Runner’s Choice giveaway HERE.)

February 8, 2015 by Darlene

My Project Repat Blanket is done!

Last month, I posted here about my excitement after ordering a blanket made from my old race shirts from Project Repat.

The first step is choosing the size blanket you wish them to make, and then picking out your shirts. I choose to have a twin blanket made and that meant picking out 24 shirts.

The hardest part of having this blanket made is choosing the shirts.

Because I had so many… close to 100. I don’t run in them but do wear some to bed or to hang out in. But most of them, just sit in a drawer (or two).

The majority of these shirts are from my beginning running days of 2008 -2010. In those days, you got cotton shirts at every race. Since then, many or most races are giving out tech shirts and if they a gender-specific and fit, I wear them to run. Also, for the past year, I have been sending all my shirts to JA my running buddy.

That being said, I surely had enough shirts for the twin blanket.

Most of the shirts that I chose were cotton but some were tech fabric shirts and when they put them together, you really don’t notice the difference in materials.

The website has a short video to help you with the cutting process.

Even though I don’t wear these shirts, I was a little emotional cutting them up. But as I did, I was remembering each race that the shirt represented.

There was one from my first 5k ever…

2008

one from a 5K walk that I did at a conference years before I thought about running…

one from one of my favorite 5ks…

one that I especially liked…

I also included the shirt from my most recent half marathon.

The next step is optional. You can decide where each shirt should be placed on the blanket and send them a photo. I chose to let let them choose the locations and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

The last step is to mail your shirts. I squeezed them into a small box and it didn’t cost much to mail at all. (But I live in NY and Project Repat is in Mass.)

As soon as they receive your box, you will get an email verifying receipt.

Then you just wait.

I only took less two weeks.

When I opened the package yesterday, I was so excited with the finished project.

Be sure to check out the Project Repat website and consider one of these blankets for your old race shirts. It is a great way to remember your races.

Happy Running! Have you had your shirts made into a blanket yet? If not, what do you do with your race shirts?

(Don’t forget to enter my Runner’s Choice giveaway HERE.)

______________________

Disclosure: I was given a discount for my Project Repat blanket. There was no compensation for this post and the opinions stated here are my own.

February 7, 2015 by Darlene

Polar Cap 4m Race Report

polarcap15

I have run this race with blogger AJH several times and it was a tough hilly one but still fun.

Here we are winning AG awards in 2010

AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AG awards again in 2013

I ran with her last year but only she got an award.

AJH’s award in 2014

AJH was running it again and I was looking forward to seeing her.

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don’t like that hill at the end but apparently we only run half the hill at the beginning this year

during last year’s race

Also the weather was better than it has been – meaning it wasn’t snowing yet and it wasn’t sub-zero. But it was COLD!!! In the teens when I left with snow showers predicted.

So I bundled up in my usual running layers and drove the hour ride up to Lake George.

Believe it or not, the temps warmed up to the 20s (heat wave!) and I discarded one layer.

I was glad I got there an hour early because I barely got a parking spot. This new location does not have enough parking, Many runners parked elsewhere and may have had their cars towed.

When I got there, AJH was already there. (She is hard core – drove all the way from VT.)

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nice to have gender-specific shirts – short sleeved – in the winter??

I chatted with some runners that I knew who were trying to talk me into running a maathon.

Then I hung out inside with AJH until the race was about to start.

I felt a little pressure to run fast since I didn’t win an AG award last year. But you never know what will happen when you run a race and there are some fast runners in my age group. And this is a hilly course.

Previous Polar Cap Races:

2011 – 40:11
2013 – 41:40
2014 – 40:10

Runnin’ of the Green 4 milers (a flat course):

2014 – 38:07
2011 – 38:02 PR

Rabble Ramble:

2014 – 38:06

I have not been doing any 5ks or any speed work at all. My runs on the weekend have been long. So I was prepared for a slower time. Not a PR but maybe a course PR if I was lucky.

I remembered the race started going uphill and my legs felt sluggish. Luckily they felt better as the race went on.

I walked after the first mile when there was a steepish hill.

Then we went downhill for a while and it was slippery around the turns.

I just plodded along admiring the scenery and trying for a consistent pace.

This race has a very pretty course. You run past the lake (which totally frozen & snow-covered)

I really suck on the hills, I walked part of each one. On one hill, while I was walking, a woman yelled “Don’t walk! Shuffle.” I replied that I wish I could. (In the end, I did pass her!!)

heading toward the last hill

Unfortunately, the last half mile of this race is straight uphill!

polarcap 2

I think I walked twice on that hill because I wanted to finish strong. But I really had nothing left at the end.

Polar Cap 2015

I crossed according to the clock at 37:40! A NEW PR!!!!

I was generally happy with the race. I ran it faster than I thought I would.

AJH finished a little after me.

We went inside to wait for the age group awards.

There was soup and fruit and baked goods – I am a sucker for home-made stuff and ate quite a few cookies. I also had the soup and 2 cups of chocolate milk.

pc4m

And we both won awards!!! Woo Hoo!! AJH for the 8th time. She keeps her streak going!

3rd and 2nd

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:12
mile 2 – 9:31
mile 3 – 9:40
mile 4 – 9:44

(Garmin time: 37:38)

Positive splits!!. What else is new?

After AJH left, I was debating on changing my clothes and leaving or running more.

But with a big snowstorm coming, I decided to take advantage. So I decided to run to the Winter Carnival in town.

This was the first day of the event which is held every weekend in February.

I wandered a bit.

not sure what they were dressed up for?

Then I visited with friends who were volunteering.

The outhouse races were beginning but I didn’t stay to watch.

I ran around the lake and through the town and then to my friend’s house. I talked to her hubby for about 2 hours! Then I ran back to my car.

I wonder if the horses get cold?

I covered 4 miles in total.

I may have stopped here…

Next, I drove north to Bolton Landing. I ran to our marina, through town and to the Sagamore.

the marina – my happy place (in the summer)

I stopped in a few stores…

and inside the Sagamore before running back to car.

one last view of the lake

Another 2 miles covered!

You are never too old to set another goal…does this mean I should run a marathon?

I decided to call it a day and head home. (My LG friends wanted me to stop back for the car parade and the bonfire but I was pooped and wanted to drive before the snow started.)

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

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

February 5, 2015 by Darlene

February 5 by the 5th Virtual Race!

Laura at Mommy Run Fast hosts a virtual race called 5 by the 5th. The rules are that you have to run either 5 miles or a 5K by the 5th of each month starting February through May. There are prizes up for grab each month for those that participate and record their results.

I don’t do a lot of virtual races because I run so many actual races.

But this one is easy to fit in.

Well, yesterday we had a heat wave. It was 30 degrees. Tonight it is supposed to be -30 so I thought it best to get outside.

I drove to UAlbany where I ran last week because I thought that the path around the campus would be clear.

It was in a few spots but for the most part, it was snowy and slushy. I was slip sliding all over the place.

At every intersection, there were huge puddles. What a mess!!!

check at that huge mound of snow. More is coming this weekend.

But it was a nice night to run and a SLOOOW 5k completed!

Happy Running! Do you do virtual races? Have you been able to run outdoors?

February 4, 2015 by Darlene

January Recap

JANUARY GOALS:

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

after work

on the TM 😦

near home

in the park and it’s staying lighter longer 🙂

uAlbany campus – a new route

Walk once a day while at work.- NOT really. Walking indoors is so boring so I have really slacked off.
Get some strength training or yoga done.- Very Little.
Run with a group when possible. No. Only in races but signed up for a group starting in March.

with Judy on Jan 3

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on January 17. NA. Ran a Half Marathon and a 10K race instead.
Complete a 10K race. YES!

HMRRC Winter Series #3 10K – 1:00:24

Complete a 15K race. YES!

HMRRC Winter Series #4 15K – 1:34:29

Complete my 10th & 11th half marathons. YES and YES!

#10 (Hangover Half) – a PR at the time – 1:18:33

#11 (West Palm Beach Half) – a Big PR and 1st in my AG – 2:09:40

Run at least 90 miles. Not quite. 82. (slacked off after the half)

jan15

What else?

I finished knitting a hat.

I spent 5 days in Florida as part of my Race-cation – beaches, birds and good friends

florida jan 2015 (100)

February Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk several times a week while at work.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Run with someone else when possible.
Do long runs on the weekend to start to train for half marathon on April 18.
Complete a 10 mile race
Complete a 4 mile race.
Volunteer at a race.
Run at least 80 miles.

Happy Running! How was your January? Anything special planned for February?

February 2, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #1)

Monday – rest, ~~walk at work,~~ ~~tennis~~ (Cancelled due to snow storm that never arrived)
Tuesday – ~~3 mile run on TM~~, 1.7 mile run (2 hour delay for work) ~~tennis~~ (cancelled, we got some snow)

Wednesday – ~~walk at work,~~ ~~3 mile mile run on TM~~, (too busy at work), dinner out with tennis friends
Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF

new route – around the UAlbany campus

Friday- ~~walk at work~~, 4 3 mile run on the TM(too snowy, windy cold), mah jongg

except I listened to my first episode of “Serial” – hooked

Saturday – rest, errands
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 10 m race

a tough one – they can’t all be easy but at least it was sunny and less windy than last week

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #2)

Oh no! 6 more weeks of winter 😦

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run on the TM at work, tennis
Wednesday – rest
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – Polar Cap 4 m race + some more miles??, Lake George Winter Carnival
Sunday – rest