December 20, 2014 by Darlene

2014: My Year in Racing

I’m linking up with Montana from Pretty Lil Mudder and a number of other Girls Gone Sporty members to give out some awards to the races I ran. Since I ran so many, I had no problem finding a race for each category even though I only ran 2 half marathons and no marathons.

Most Scenic Course – This was a little difficult to choose…along the river, along the ocean, along a lake, in a park??? But I will pick the Mayor’s Wellness 10 Miler (in Palm Springs) because of the awesome mountain views.

Most Challenging Course – For me, challenging is hills and distance but I think I’ll choose hills. There were 2 that I ran along Lake George that were hilly but the Adirondack Distance was longer (10 miles) so more challenging.

Best Course Support (aid stations, volunteers, people cheering you on, etc) –

I would probably have give this one to the Stockade-athon. There were many water stops & volunteers. And the people of Schenectady cheered the runners throughout the course. The photo below was taken by a friend along the course.

Best Expo – It would have to be the Love Run (in Philly) since it is the only one I went to. I went with friends and we had a lot of fun – lots of booths, free shirts, hair braiding, massages, etc.

Best Swag – Another tough one. Sometimes I like the shirt, sometimes the medal, sometimes you get other good stuff. But I would have to pick the Apple Run 5K. You got a bag, shirt and a glass. Plus the AG awards were plaques.

Most Unique Medal – I guess the most unique medal was the one made out of wood from the Camp Chingachgook 10k. All of my other medals are metal.

Best Post-Race Food/Beverages – I have run a few races that have had a good selection of post race food. It is important if you spend a lot money on a race and if it is a destination race. My vote this year goes to the Camp Chingachgook 10k. They had an awesome barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc.

The Perfect 10 Miler had good post-race food as well (just too healthy for me.)

Best Race Shirt– This was easy. It was the lilac hoodie from the Perfect 10 miler (in NJ.) It is very comfortable. I have worn it several times already.

Favorite Overall Race – With running 33 races this year, it is certainly hard to pick one. But if I have to, I’d say it was the Troy Turkey Trot 10k. The weather cooperated, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the race and I saw a lot of racers that I knew there. It was just fun. The only thing that would have made it better would have been an Age Group award. At least, I had a PR.

Race You Are Most Proud of Yourself for Completing – Half Marathons are tough for me. I ran one this year in the pouring rain but my award goes to the Saratoga Half Marathon. It was very very humid and I felt sick the whole race. I wanted to quit several times but toughed it out.

Happy Running! What awards would you give to the races you ran in 2014?

December 15, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 7 of HM training)

Monday – ~~walk at work,~~ cookie party at work, ~~tennis~~ 6.5 mile run

after work instead of tennis – had to run off those cookies

Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run

AM walk – indoors

sleet, freezing rain=treadmill

Wednesday – walk at work, ~~yoga~~ ~~STEM celebration dinner~~ (cancelled – snow)

AM walk – will I ever get outside again?

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 4.5 mile run

got out of work early & found a dry road 🙂

Friday- walk at work, 3 2.5 mile run, mah jongg

AM walk

after work

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mah jongg & celebrating 2 birthdays

Saturday – ~~yoga for runners~~, rest, shopping, knitting

I need to finish this scarf by Christmas

Sunday – 15K race, dinner out, lights in the park carriage ride to celebrate my mentee’s son’s b-day

1:34:55 – my 2nd fastest 15K

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This Week: (Week 8 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, tennis
Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run, tennis dinner
Wednesday – walk at work, ~~yoga~~ STEM celebration dinner
Thursday – walk at work, dept holiday lunch, 4 mile run
Friday- walk at work, work holiday lunch, retirement party at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg (LAST DAY OF WORK)
Saturday – rest, yoga
Sunday – 10 or 11 mile run

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 ?

December 14, 2014 by Darlene

HMRRC Winter Series #1 (15k) Race Recap

winter series #1 in 2011

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 last year

This weekend, they offered distances of 3M and 15K.

The 15K distance fit right in with my long run schedule in training for my half marathon on January 17.

So I signed up and hoped the conditions would be good enough for running.

This was my 5th 15K:

2014
HMRRC #3 – 1:42:40 -same course
Stockeadeathon – 1:33:23 (PR)

2013
Stockeadeathon – 1:42:22

2011
Stockeadeathon – 1:36:08

My expectations for this one was to be around 1:40:00 and have a course PR.

My long runs had been on track until recently. I had been running 8 miles on the weekend. But then the past two weekends, I only ran 3.1 miles (in 5k races). Either it was too cold or I was too busy to add the extra miles.

Then there was the weather… it snowed/rained Tuesday & Wednesday and there was the aftermath Thursday-Saturday. Not a good week for running outdoors.

So today would be a stretch to run 9.3 miles… I was wondering if I should switch to 3 miles but then again, that would screw up my training even more.

I was nervous about going from 3 miles to 9 miles. I didn’t want to get injured.

Well, I decided to just do it and take it slow. If it felt like a strain, just walk a lot….just get it done!!

It had been freezing, snowing, raining all week but all winter races are cold & icy so I bundled up in my usual layers. Then I realized that today was a lot warmer so I revised my outfit.

It was in the 30s so I wore capris with compression socks and 2 shirts. I brought a jacket just in case.

I left early to get parking since these races are crowded and there are other events going on at UAlbany.

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

I immediately bumped into Judy, Melissa & Karen, some SRMs. I also got to chat with Judy from FB and Heidi whom I ran the Love Run in Philly last year. 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 3 miler and Judy who was coming back from an injury.

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 but as soon as I started I noticed that it said “DATA FULL.”

Great. I didn’t want to mess with it and delete stuff while I was running so I ran the race “naked.”

Yup. There were no clocks or mile markers so I had absolutely no idea where I was in the race and what time it was.

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This was early on. I am smiling. Gus in my pocket. Gloves on.

The only way I realized we were looping the State Office campus was that I passed a volunteer that I knew 4 times!!

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second loop at UAlbany

The course is very boring but it also has hills. Not steep hills, just a few rolling hills throughout. This year, I have tried to be better about hills and not walk up all of them. I think I did walk up 2 of them.

There were 2 water stops (mile 3 & 6??) and I stopped at both to take a GU and walk.

The problem with a small race of about 300 and being a middle of the packer, I ran almost all of the race by myself – no spectators, no scenery, no music, no Garmin. Every now and then, someone caught up to me, we chatted and then they passed me by.

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later on. Not so happy. Gloves off.

I dressed perfectly. I didn’t need my jacket. I was warm & took off my gloves. Toward the end of the race, it got windy & started to drizzle so I did feel a little chilled.

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.

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toward the end

Finally it was over and I sprinted across the finish line at 1:34:55.

I think I was 214th. This is a fast group. They gave awards for the top 2 in each 10 year age group. I was 4th in my age group.

ws1

I was happy with the results. With a Garmin, I might have been faster but I doubt I would have PRed. This was over 7 minutes faster than last year on this course and my 2nd fastest 15K ever.

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

And this I think is my 33rd race and my last for 2014.

Happy Running! How you are enduring the winter? Did you run this weekend?

December 13, 2014 by Darlene

Bucket List for 2015

for 2015

Here are a few of the new races that I am looking forward to this coming year:

January 17, 2015

In Florida in the winter – YAY! and visiting 4 friends too!

shamrock5k

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.)

I DID NOT get into the

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March 15, 2015

It was a lottery so unfortunately I’ll have to try again and again and again (unless somehow I could run a sub 2 hour half.)

aphm

So I instead registered for this 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!!!!!

I also did not get into the ….

in Woodstock VT

It sold out in 24 min…I was out running & came back 1 minute too late 😦 Next Year!!

so instead I registered for…

June 13, 2015

This is an inaugural race (I am running the Half Marathon) and it looks exciting. 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.)

jensen beach hm

November 15, 2015

Yes, another Florida Half Marathon – A good friend moved to Jensen Beach and I would love to stay with her and run but the second one is a better date (a friend of a friend lives there & has offered to house me if I come down.)

If I decide not to go to Florida in the fall, I may run this HILLY one…

September 26, 2015

I have a friend who lives nearby (in CT).

Happy Running! What races are you looking forward to in 2015?

December 11, 2014 by Darlene

Year of Running 2014

It’s that time again–time to look back at how my year of running has gone. Miss Zippy has posted this the past three years and each year, the response has grown.

How you play along:

1. Grab her button

2. Answer the following questions

3. Add a Link at the bottom of her post.

Best race experience?

Well, with over 30 races this year, it is hard to pick one…so I won’t.

The Best Destination Race was the Mayor’s Wellness 10 miler in Palm Springs, CA. It was my first 10 miler but it was awesome because of the scenery and running with my good friend, Mary.

The Best Short Race was the Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K. This was a new race and it was also very scenic. I met Hollys who influenced me to join a training group. And I also won an apple pie for 1st in my AG. I loved the course so much that I ran 3 more miles there after the race.

5k - 28:56

The Best Long Race was the Adirondack Distance Run 10 Miler. I’ve wanted to run this race for several years but something always got in the way. It is very scenic (but hilly) and ends at the marina where we keep our boat so my hubby & boating friends were waiting for me at the finish line. And since it ends on the beach, you can soak your feet in the lake after the race.

Best run?

Actually my races are always more enjoyable than my runs but I have had a few enjoyable ones such as:

in Peebles State Park – I just discovered this area, the park has trails with views of the river & waterfalls. Nearby is a lock and there are many bridges to run over.

and

along the Schroon River – I have a tennis friend who owns a house in Chestertown and when we go up to play tennis, I love to go out and run. I have discovered many different routes in the area with views of the river and lakes.

and along the ocean in Florida – I love the ocean and the warm climate of Florida in the winter. I was fortunate to visit some friends and be able to run everyday to views of the ocean.

Best new piece of gear?

This a tough one also. It is either my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s because my feet don’t hurt and I have gotten a few PRs wearing them

Run for the Roc - September

Or a new running skirt that is very comfortable and have gotten many compliments on it.

it says RUN RUN RUN in different shades of purple

Best piece of running advice you received?

It was probably from my coach Patrick during our Turkey Trot Training Group runs. He kept telling to embrace the hills and repeat “I Love Hills.” I think it has made me into a stronger runner and now I try to run up the hills rather than whine & walk up them. He also instilled in us about the importance of speed drills. We did them once a week. I PRed at 4 distances so I guess they do work.

Most inspirational runner?

Back for a repeat performance is AJH from Age Groups Rock. She continues (at my age) to compete in triathlons (even after a disastrous experience in one.) I have watched her in a duathlon and she is one fierce biker.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Healthy. Successful.

Happy Running! Feel free to answer one or more of these questions in a comment.

December 8, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

Monday – ~~walk at work,~~ ~~STEM group run + ( 4 miles)~~, 6.5 mile run after work

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

still indoors

Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!

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

running on the track at work

Friday- walk at work, ~~gym~~, mah jongg

too cold outside

Saturday – proctor LSATs, (congratulations to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), ~~bake cookies,~~ 5k race at night

very wet but won 3rd in my AG

Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), ~~dinner out~~, bake cookies

apple cider sangria, 4 kinds of mac n cheese & painting

pumpkin cookies, what else?

This Week: (Week 7 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, cookie party at work, tennis
Tuesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Wednesday – walk at work, STEM dinner
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday- walk at work, 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – yoga for runners, rest
Sunday – 15K run, dinner out, lights in the park carriage ride to celebrate my mentee’s son’s b-day

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 ?

December 6, 2014 by Darlene

Last Run 5K Race Report

This is a very popular local race. It starts with fireworks and then you run around the lights in the park and it ends with a downhill.

Here are some pics from a previous year:

Last year, I ran this race in a blizzard.

http://mapgraphicsphotos.smugmug.com/AlbanyEvents2013/17th-Annual-Albany-Last-Run-5k/i-7jkHxRw

This year, the forecast was for heavy, cold rain. Not very inviting but this is always a fun race…so I couldn’t bail.

gray long sleeved tech shirt

I picked up my bib & shirt yesterday to save time. Then I pondered what to wear….the rain put a damper on my festive attire.

I decided to park at work and walk the mile or so to the race. I wore boots, a long raincoat & used an umbrella to stay dry until the race.

Then I wore a windbreaker, cap & running shoes for the race and stashed my wet stuff until after the race.

As I mentioned, it is a popular race and I bumped into all sorts of people — 3 ladies from my running group, Christine, a professor from work, my FB friend Judy and Andrea, my roommate for Love Run in Philly.

me & Christine

Andrea

We chatted until it was time to head out into the rain.

Yes, it was raining but not as cold as I feared. I lined up with Judy & we watched the fireworks until we ran our separate ways.

The race started with an uphill, went through the city before we entered the park.

My legs felt really sluggish. I couldn’t make any headway in the crowd. Maybe it was that I hadn’t run much this week (not at all Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday) or just the slippery road and the dampness.

I felt better once we entered the park and it was fun looking at all the lights. There were at least two hills that I remember in the park and I was proud of myself for not walking at all. I ran up them..slow but at least I ran.

The whole time I was running, I kept looking at the ground trying to avoid the big puddles and keeping an eye out for potholes (I did fall during this race several years ago.)

Finally we left the park and ran downhill to the finish. I wanted to finish fast but for some reason, I got a side stitch and had to slow it down and breathe deep to try to get rid of it.

It was dark so I couldn’t see my Garmin but I knew by the timing clocks that this wouldn’t be a PR.

The problem with getting faster and finishing your 5ks in 27:xx or 28:xx, you get cocky and expect to have a good race every time out.

Well, in a hilly wet race, this wasn’t going to be. I struggled to finish under 29. According to my Garmin, it was 28:56 but officially I finished at 29:02.

I went inside to dry off and change into my dry clothes and wait for the results. The refreshments were nothing to write home about — just chips & apples. (In the previous years, there was Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!!)

lastrun14

Well believe it not, I won 3rd in my age group.

Splits:

mile 1- 9:26
mile 2 – 9:25
mile 3 – 9:02
.15 – 7:26

Very usual for me to have negative splits.

So I beat my time from 2010 (29:15), my first Last Run. And even in the rain, I enjoyed the race.

Happy Running? How was your weekend? Do you run in a holiday race? Have you raced in the rain?

December 5, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five – Favorites

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 Friday Favorites:

Here are my five of my running-related favorites – the cold weather version: (the last time I did this theme was in July)

1. Favorite Race(s) –

Stockade-athon – this a is a very popular local 15k race. I liked it a lot but now that it changed its course, I like it even more. The course is varied… running through a park, cemetery, bike path, historic parts of town. It is challenging but you don’t have to train as much as for a half marathon.

Troy Turkey Trot 10K – this is also a very popular local race. I’ve only run it once but it is already one of my favorites. I liked participating in a training group for the race. It is well-organized with a lot of support from the town.

10K - 57:03 - PR

2. Favorite Apparel –

Compression Socks – Still. I wear them to insure that my legs don’t get tired but now that it’s colder, I have worn them with skirts on shorter runs to keep warm and with capris so I can hold off wearing tights as long as possible.

Stockadeathon - November

Hats – in the warmer months, I wear baseball caps to keep my unruly hair off my neck and the sun off my face. Now I wear them to keep warm. And I have already had to switch to beanie hats.

ttt2

3. Favorite Shoes – it’s no secret that I am fickle when it comes to shoe brands. I have worn them all. Currently my New Balance are second to my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s. It helps that I have recently run several PRs in them.

4. Favorite Fuel –

Gu – still my favorite for before and during – peanut butter, salted caramel or root beer. It doesn’t mess with my stomach so why change.

Chocolate Milk – for after. I bring some with me to have after a long run or a race.

5. Favorite Place(s) to Run –

Nisky Bike Path is my new favorite place to run on the weekend. It is scenic with river views, flat and you usually see many walkers, bikers and runners on it.

Washington Park is my go to place after work. It has hills and scenic views of the lake. I love the gardens in the spring and the Christmas Lights right now.

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Happy Running! What are some of your favorites?

December 1, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running update

Last Week: (Week 5 of HM training)

Monday – 2 walks at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) – last one!!

AM walk

lunch time – can you believe that temp??

Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run during lunch, tennis

AM walk

lunch run on the track

Wednesday – DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~2 mile run,~~ ~~gym, yoga~~ (snowstorm)
Thursday – DAY OFF, 10K race, dinner out

and a PR!!!!

Friday- DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~gym,~~ 3 mile run, movie, ~~mah jongg~~

very good

Saturday – 5k race ~~+ 5 miles~~ (too cold)

1st in my AG!!

Sunday – rest, decorate, write out cards, mall walk with bff

This Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, STEM group run + ( 4 miles)
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!
Thursday – walk at work, lunch time run?, hair appt
Friday- walk at work, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor LSATs, (good luck to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), bake cookies, 5k race at night
Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), dinner out

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 ?

November 30, 2014 by Darlene

November Recap

november

Run 3-4 times each week.YES!

after STEM volunteering

on the track during lunchtime

when the weather is bad

after work

Walk once a day while at work. YES!

indoors when raining or too cold

Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week. YES!

Volunteer in the STEM training runs once a week. YES!

Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace (if I run any.) YES!

5K - 58:16

Complete a 10K race. YES! and a PR!

Complete a 15K race. YES! and a PR!

Do long runs on the weekend in preparation for half marathon #10. YES on most weekends!

Run at least 80 miles. YES!

nov14

Go to the gym at least once a week. YES! Most weeks.
Start knitting hat #3 YES! and finished it.

DECEMBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk once a day while at work.
Run with a group when possible.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 15K race.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #10 on January 17.
Run at least 80 miles
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Start back at yoga.
Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties)
Spend time with my mentee