January 22, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Half Marathon Race Report

January 17, 2015 6:30 am

I was very excited to run this race. First of all, I left the frigid Northeast. Secondly, I was healthy all year and hoping for a good race.

the course

After a sleepless night, I got up around 4:00 am, had my tea & oatmeal in my hotel room and then went down to the lobby around 5:00 am to wait for the shuttle to the race start.

It was chilly and dark. I arrived early and there was hardly anyone there yet. So I just walked around and shivered. I was freezing. I don’t know why since it was probably close to 60 degrees.

Eventually a lot of people arrived and many to register on site. Apparently, they offered a Groupon to get more people to run.

For a half marathon, it was small – only about 500 runners. There was also a 5k race (with about 300 runners) that would start 15 minutes after the half.

There was no bag check, just a locker than you had to pay for. I decided to just wing it and if I lost my jacket, it would be OK. So I hid it under a table. The restrooms by the amphitheatre were locked but there were many porta-potties. For some reason, I didn’t feel the need to go.

I met some nice people, as usual, to chat with while waiting. One lady was hoping to finish under 2:10. I said that I would love to do that someday too.

Soon it was time to line up. I wound up standing next 2 older women from DC who urged me to come to DC and race.

waiting to start

I was hoping that there would be chip times as well as gun times since I was some what in the middle of things. (It turned out that there were only gun times published.)

I should mention that this was the most beautiful course I have ever run. During almost the whole race, you were looking at the water.You can’t beat that!

It was still dark when we started since it was only 6:30 am. For the first mile, you ran around in the city and then looped around back to the start.

race_697_photo_14835366

From then on for a few miles, you were running along the water and watching the sun come up …awesome.

I liked the sky in this pic – and they were free to download

I glanced at my Garmin every now and then to make sure I wasn’t running too fast (and at the end, too slow).

But as usual, the first half was a lot faster than the second.

There were abundant water stops…at least every 2 miles and I stopped and walked at every one except the first (and I regretted that immediately.)

Once the sun came up, it was warm but not oppressively so until maybe the last few miles. I felt perfectly dressed in a tank top & skirt.

you can see the sun shining brightly

What was nice about the course was that for the first 7 1/2 miles, every mile or so, the course took you inside a neighborhood. It was nice to have varied scenery and then the course was curvy so you could cut the tangents (and I made sure I did just that.)

I took a Gu before the race and then again at miles 4, 8 and 12. I really felt good and knew that I would PR if I didn’t fall and break something.

I remember being at 1:07 at mile 7 and 1:38 at mile 10. I was happy about that.

The main problem was my feet. AGAIN! I started to get blisters (in the same place) around mile 6 and the one on my right foot got more and more painful as the race went on.

The last 5 1/2 miles of the race were straight along the water. (No tangents to cut.)

This was the FIRST race that I just toughed it out. Sure I was tired but I refused to walk.

I only walked through the water stops and not as long as I normally do (I need to learn to open, eat Gu & drink water quicker.)

The scenery was so beautiful that I just focused on that and how lucky I was to be there.

don’t you agree?

Finally the end was near.

this is how I felt too

I had spotted that lady that wanted to finish under 2:10 as she passed me a little while ago. I tried to keep her in my sight but she eventually vanished.

heading toward the finish line

I knew I had a good race and I was happy.

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I was hoping to finish under 2:18.

Garmin time was 2:09:20!!! Woo Hoo! and I chicked that guy!

I crossed at 2:09:40! I was shocked!!

The runner who wanted to finish under 2:10 killed it and we congratulated each other after the race.

here she is …at 2:06!

There were pizza, bagels and all the usual refreshments at the finish. I wasn’t really hungry. I found those 2 ladies from DC and we hung out waiting for the results and awards.

With all the Groupon registrations, it took quite a while to calculate the winners. That was ok since my friend Georgette was late and I had re-scheduled my hotel check out for 1 pm.

But, yes, I won my Age Group!! (The lady from DC came in 3rd.)

yes, TWO medals are better than ONE

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 9:31
mile 2 – 9:27
mile 3 – 9:45
mile 4 – 9:58
mile 5 – 9:59
mile 6 – 10:09
mile 7 – 10:19
mile 8 – 10:27
mile 9 – 10:38
mile 10 – 10:22
mile 11 – 10:42
mile 12 – 10:59
mile 13 – 9:36

(short according to my Garmin but I did cut every tangent)

They are mostly positive, as always. At least there no 11 minute miles and I finished strong.

my view from the end of the race

Goals:

A. Age Group Award – YES!
B. Finish under 2:15 – YES!
C. PR (finish under 2:18:33) – YES!
D. Faster than my previous PR (finish under 2:22:35 ) – YES!
E. Finish under 2 1/2 hours – YES!
F. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal – YES (with blisters):

wbphmmedal15

As you may guess, I was supper happy with how this race turned out. And then I was able to fully enjoy the rest of my time in Florida.

Happy Running! Anyone get blisters? Any advice?

January 21, 2015 by Darlene

West Palm Beach Pre-Race Report

I left the frigid Northeast and hoped for smooth flights to West Palm Beach on Friday.

And the weather cooperated. I left Albany at 6 am for Baltimore and then took another flight which arrived in West Palm at around 11 am.

I packed very light for this trip and only had a carry on and a back pack. (My hubby couldn’t believe it.)

As soon as I arrived, I found a shuttle to my hotel. On the shuttle was a couple who was also running the same race.

I checked into my room and unpacked a little.

view from my room but it wasn’t warm enough to go swimming

It was still too early to head to packet pick up so I decided to go into town to have lunch.

florida jan 2015 (110)

There was a free shuttle from the hotel to City Place. I debated on whether or not to eat or do an Aqua Duck tour of the city. I decided on lunch at Panera’s. Maybe a bad decision since the next tour was cancelled.

florida jan 2015 (112)

Oh well, instead I took the free trolley ride around the town and then got off at Waterfront park.

I sat in the sun looking at the water and the boats and it was heaven.

Hard to believe that that morning, I was in a place with temps of 10 degrees.

florida jan 2015 (116)

Soon, it was time to walk over to the Meyer Amphitheatre to pick up my race packet. I guessed this this would be a small race since there was only a small tent and hardly anyone was there.

You had 2 color choices.

I got my bib and my shirt (with no bag to carry it.)

the shirt was unisex but at least they had extra small

Then I walked back to catch the trolley with a stop at a French pastry shop.

how could I not?

When I got back to City Place, I walked around a few shops before calling for a shuttle back to the hotel.

I thought that I may go back out for dinner but I decided to eat in the hotel and then catch up on some TV on my iPad and try to go to sleep early.

Well, I never sleep well before a race and I didn’t this time either.

Spolier alert…

I HAD A GREAT RACE!!!!!!!!!! Big PR!!! and FIRST PLACE IN MY AG!!!

Recap tomorrow.

Happy Running!

January 19, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 12 of HM training)

Monday – ~~walk at work,~~ rest, dinner out with former co-worker
Tuesday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, tennis, dinner out

yup, on the tm

Wednesday – walk at work, 3.5 mile run, wake, mall walk with BFF

still indoors

a balmy 10 degrees but not dark yet at 5pm

Thursday – rest, walk at work, PACK
Friday- rest, fly to West Palm Beach, FL, pick up race packet

Saturday – RACE DAY!!! 13.1 miles!

PR and 1st place AG award!!!!

Sunday – rest, sun, relax

This Week:

Monday – rest, sun, tennis
Tuesday – rest, sun, fly home to NY from Florida
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest
Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 3m or 15k?

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 ?

January 18, 2015 by Darlene

Race Shirts

me & MaryPat at the Delmar Turkey Trot

Jingle Bell Run the schwag

Remember when every race gave you a cotton tee shirt?

Well, I have 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).

Yes, I am a quilter and I could make them into a quilt. But who has the time??

I am pretty excited for the opportunity to work with Project Repat for a blanket made of some of my race shirts. Here’s some more information.

I am having them make a twin sized quilt with 24 of my shirts. It will be soooo difficult to pick only 24. I may have to have another few made.

I can’t wait to share the finished product with you!

Happy Running! What do you do with your cotton race shirts?

January 15, 2015 by Darlene

16 on the 16th

16 YEARS TODAY AGO I MARRIED MY HUBBY!

12/31/2014

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HONEY!

1/16/1999

ALSO….

4 YEARS AGO TODAY I RAN MY FIRST HALF MARATHON!

1/16/2011

He was waiting for me at the finish line that day. For my 11th half marathon tomorrow, I am going for it alone.

Happy Running! Does your hubby or significant attend all your big races?

January 15, 2015 by Darlene

Fit Approach #NoExcuses 2015 Challenge

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Hey 2015, it’s me, Darlene.

This year I would like to stay uninjured and do more strength training.

It would also be super duper awesome if I also PRed at several distances this year. It’s not a resolution, though, just a reminder to myself to try and have the best year yet because I’m not getting any younger!

The thing I am looking forward to most this year is running as many races as I can afford.

I’ll use the one thing that truly gets me out of bed in the morning which is my alarm clock to help me get up, get dressed, and get after my #NoExcuses 2015. Speaking of excuses (ahem), my very favorite excuse is I am too busy and I have used it to get out of working out and going to yoga classes on more than umpteen occasions. I vow to move my body and be more healthy this year even if it means I have to get up earlier or re-schedule things.

Even if my alarm clock gets eaten by the cats in the middle of the night, I’ll still get up.

I will stop blaming the hubby for eating the rest of the ice cream when everyone knows it was really me.

My job is not the reason I make excuses. I will show my job who’s boss this year and get my run on

I know that any kind of run is better than no run.

I will reward myself by buying a Starbucks Frappucino.

#NoExcuses 2015 has just begun and already I am imagining myself a winner. I can’t wait to rock a Zeal Hoodie from Augusta Active. I can’t wait till my sweaty friends are jealous of how fresh, clean and energized I am between workouts with help from ShowerPill body wipes. I can see myself rocking my run in new Rock the Course Leggings from Actio926 and looking fit and fly while doing it. And of course, I’ll be taking my workouts to the next level and improving my abs with my new ActivMotion Bar to help me train for my next half marathon race with Sasquatch Racing.

Oh, and let’s not forget how amazing my running skirt will smell in my / during my race after washing with some WIN Detergent. And lastly, I’ll keep rocking my 2015 with clean eats and nutrition from Beaming with Health!

Tag, Tweet, shout-out, call, text, fax or email 3 friends to take this survey and share how they will have a #NoExcuses 2015. Remind your friends to simply fill in the underlined parts!

Tagging: HoHo Runs, AJH from Age Groups Rock,and Karen from Running Over the Hill!

January 14, 2015 by Darlene

Half Marathon #11

January 17, 2015 6:30 am

According to the map below, it looks like there will be ocean views! YAY!

My tennis friend Georgette plans to meet me at the finish line so that will be nice. She spends 4 months in Jupiter (1/2 hour north of West Palm.)

Georgette is the redhead to my right

Here is the summary version of my previous 10 half marathons:

1. My first and BEST was the Naples Half Marathon in January of 2011. My goal was just to finish and I did in 2:28:27 (gun time, no chip timing).

2. I immediately registered for the 1st annual Lake George Half Marathon in April of that year. Unfortunately, I had to run in sleet & freezing rain for 13.1 miles & without my Garmin. My time was 2:22:39 (gun time, no chip timing) and a PR until this year.

3. Out with strained Achilles for 6 weeks during the summer of 2011 delayed my training for the Adirondack Half Marathon (so I walked the 2nd half of the race.) I finished in 2:44:59. It was still fun because I was running it with lots of friends.

4. Again impulsively, I decided to sign up for the inaugural Fall Foliage Half Marathon as a training run. This was my hilliest half but I finished in 2:32:50.

no photographers on the course

5. My goal race of that year was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon that I was running with a friend in California. This time it only poured for half the race and I finished with a disappointing 2:30:12.

6. My next Half Marathon, the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, Fla came in 2013 16 months after serious ankle surgery. I was just glad to be running again. The course was beautiful, my friends were waiting at the end and I was happy with my 2:33:59 time.

7. The Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon in the fall of 2013 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and hopefully get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would have liked, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” So I did in 2:24:14. I enjoyed it since it was my first half where I slept in my own bed the night before.

Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon

8. For the Love Run Half Marathon in the Spring of 2014, I was injury-free for the whole training but I trained during an awfully cold, snowy winter. Despite running in monsoon rains, I managed to PR at 2:22:35. I made new running friends and we had fun during our weekend in “wet” Philly.

loverun

9. Last summer, after running a 10 mile race, I impulsively registered for the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. This taught me to never run one in the summer. It was very humid & I felt sick so I struggled to a 2:26:00 finish.

sshm4b

10. Impromptu and free. I registered for the Hangover Half Marathon and ran it as a training run on a cold, windy, lonely, boring course. And it was my fastest at 2:18:33. Go figure?

hangover-059

So now it’s time for #11. Since this past fall, I PRed at the 5K, 10K, 15K and 10 mile distance, should I be going for a half marathon PR??

My 15K time was 1:33:23 and my 10 mile time was 1:38:45. In both races, I suffered from blisters (which were due to old insoles.) So logically, I should PR. Right?

I am healthy and I still lack confidence at the longer distance but yes, I will try to run my fastest half marathon. But as you all know, anything can happen on race day. (Especially when training in the cold snowy NE and running in warm, humid Florida weather.)

If I don’t PR, there is still a lot of time left in 2015 to try again.

Goals:

A. Win an Age Group Award (I can dream)
B. Finish under 2:15 (going out on a limb here)
C. PR (finish under 2:18:33)
D. Faster than my previous PR (finish under 2:22:35 )
E. Finish under 2 1/2 hours
F. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal:

Weather forecast:

just a little warmer than I am used to LOL

today

And here’s the outfit:

IMG_4762-0

My Bib # is 2081

2+0+8+1 = 11 (and it’s my 11th half marathon = lucky #)

Happy Running! Do you run Half Marathons? Do you always try to PR?

January 13, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: 2015 Race Plans Part 1

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: 2015 Race Plans

I run so many races (33 last year) that I am just listing some of the races I plan to run in the first 6 months of 2015:

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

January 17, 2015

Polar Cap 4 miler – This hilly race takes in Lake George. I have done it several times before. The best part is that I get to run with fellow blogger AJH. Afterwards, I can go to the lake George Winter Carnival also.

February 7, 2015

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.

shamrock5k

Runnin’ of the Green – this is a very popular local 4 miler. This year, the location will be different. Hopefully, it will be as flat as the previous Green Island course.

March 14, 2015

Delmar Dash – This is a 5 miler that is very close to where I live and it is flat!!

March 29, 2015

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY. I ran this for the first time last year and loved this country race.

April 11, 2015

When I didn’t get into the NYC Half Marathon, I 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 I will be running along the ocean!!!!!

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY. Another race from last year that I enjoyed a lot.

April 26, 2015

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY. This race is run along the Hudson River and is a popular local 5k and 10K race. There is a free pasta dinner the night before. I met some awesome runners last year and hope to see them again.

May 2, 2015

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady, NY. I ran this race in 2013 and plan to run again this year. I may be mentoring a someone from the GirlsontheRun program at this race, too. This 5k is very well-organized and has a chocolate fountain afterwards. Need I say more?

md5k15

Freihofer’s Run for Women – This is the only race that I have run every year so I want to keep my streak going. This year, I signed up to be part of a training group like I did for the Troy Turkey Trot. I am looking forward to running with others.

frw15

When I did not get into the Covered Bridges Half Marathon on June 7, I registered for the first annual Walkway Half Marathon in Poughkeepsie. 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.

HALF MARATHON – June 13, 2015

Adirondack Distance Run – It’s a 10-miler. Rolling hills from Lake George Village to Bolton Landing (where we keep our boat.) I did it last year for the first time and can’t wait to run it again!

June 20, 2015

Happy Running! What are some of your 2015 races?

January 12, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 11 of HM training – The Taper)

Monday – ~~walk at work~~, 5 3.5 mile run

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, STEM celebration

dreadmill

most of the STEM group –

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, hair appt

dreadmill

Friday- party brunch, ~~walk at work~~, retirement party, 3 mile run, mah jongg

I had an omelette after this also

Saturday – rest, errands, cooking

meat loaf, broccoli quiche, beef vegetable soup – also made tuna noodle casserole

Sunday – 6.2 Mile race + 1.8 more miles

This Week: (Week 12 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, rest
Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Thursday – rest, walk at work, PACK
Friday- rest, fly to West Palm Beach, FL, pick up race packet
Saturday – RACE DAY!!! 13.1 miles!
Sunday – rest, sun, relax

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 ?

January 11, 2015 by Darlene

HMRRC Winter Series #3 (10K) Race Recap

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Winter Series #1 (15K)

Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsors FREE races throughout the winter for its members. The course is pretty boring but free is free.

winter series #3 in 2013 (10K) – I wore the same hat & gloves today

This weekend, they offered distances of 3M, 10K and 25K.

I usually run 8 miles the week before a half marathon but I didn’t want to overdo.

So I signed up for the 10K and hoped the conditions would be good enough for running and warmer than it has been.

This would be my 8th 10K:

2014
Spring Run Off 10K -1:00:51
Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:04:54
Troy Turkey Trot 10k – 57:03 PR

2013
HMRRC #3 – 1:08:18 -same course
Helper’s Fund 10K – 1:06:10
Monster Scramble 10K – 1:03:18 (it was SHORT)

2012
Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:09:07

My expectations for this one was to be around 1 hour and have a course PR.

I ran a half marathon on New Year’s Day but haven’t run much since then.

I got lucky with the weather. It was no longer sub-zero but a balmy 15 degrees. Probably single digits with the wind chill.

I left early to get parking since these races are crowded and there are other events going on at UAlbany. I think I got the last spot in the parking lot and I was 45 minutes early.

What I love about this local race is that you get to see a lot of people that you know.

I immediately bumped into Bridget & Elisa, some SRMs. I also got to chat with Judy from FB and Sue from Adirondacxk Runners. I even saw some runners from the STEM group, the Turkey Trot group, my coach from that group as well as other familiar faces from races.

We stayed indoors until the last minute and then made out way outside.

I lined up with Judy who was running the 10K also.

The race is very informal – no bibs, no starting mat, no timing chips, etc.

I just told myself that this was simply a training run and just do it.

My Garmin actually found the satellite right away for a change. Judy & I lined near the back. So it was slow going for a while weaving in and out of the crowd. It took me about a 1/2 mile to get a rhythm.

Do they look cold?

And it was cold especially with the wind blowing in your face. The hands, as usual, were frozen for the first 2 miles.

The course is very boring but it also has inclines. Nothing steep, just enough to keep it interesting. This year, I have tried to be better about hills and not walk up them. And I didn’t.

There were 1 water stops (mile 4) and I stopped to take a GU and walk. This is where I actually caught up to Elisa & Bridget. They are much faster than me and I quickly lost them as I was trying eat a frozen GU and not choke on the ice in my water.

The problem with a small race of about 200 and being a middle of the packer, I usually ran almost all of the race by myself – no spectators, no scenery, no music. However this race since I was not running the longest distance, there were people running with me. I even passed a few guys.

I dressed perfectly. My hands warmed up and I wasn’t really cold.

The amazing thing was that I felt great the whole race. No aches and pains. No blisters. I actually felt stronger as the race went on.

Eventually I did catch back up to Elisa and sprinted across the finish line right behind her at 1:00:24.

I think I was 161st out of 205. This is a fast group as usual. They gave awards for the top 2 in each 10 year age group. I was 6th in my age group.

I was 6th

I was happy with the results. Though it was over 3 minutes slower than my last 10K (and PR), it was my 3rd fastest 10K and almost 6 minutes faster than my 2013 on this same course

I went inside to warm up and have some soup (red pepper & quinoa), bread, cookies, fruit, hot chocolate. Not a bad spread for a free race .