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.

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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

Happy Running! How was your November? Anything special planned for December?

November 29, 2014 by Darlene

Run Off That Turkey 5K race report

I wasn’t planning on running a race today.

Yesterday was a beautiful day…cold but beautiful. So on my rest day, I couldn’t keep myself indoors. The problem was where to run.

The streets and sidewalks were slippery and snow-covered.

So I drove to a bike path hoping it would be clear.

It wasn’t. Just part of it was so I couldn’t run very far and had to head out onto the streets. But it was so nice out…

I came home wondering about whether or not I should go to my last Turkey Trot Group run this morning. It is at the RPI campus and it is very hilly. Would it be safe to run there?

So I did what any race-addicted runner would do, I signed up for a 5K. I assumed that for a race, the course would be clear and I could get in a good run. (The group run started at 8:30 am and the race at 10 am…. it would be warmer, as well.)

I ran this race back in 2011 and finished at 28:11.

After running 9 miles in 2 days, I just wanted to get a good run in. I had no idea what my legs would be able to do.

And it was FREEZING!!! In the single digits when I got up and it warmed up to the teens when I left but the sun went in.

The race started at 10 am and I knew where it was so I left around 9:00 am. (I was glad that I decided not to run at 8:30 and got to sleep in and wait for it to “warm” up.)

I dressed similar to what I wore for the Turkey Trot except that I wore tights instead of capris & compression socks and a warmer hat plus a fleece vest as an extra layer.

Once I arrived, I realized that it started at the elementary school not at the church as it did last time. I was hoping that the course was the same.

I remember that it was an out & back course on village and country roads and that it ended running uphill.

I hung out with some familiar faces….the 2 older women that run every weekend. We chatted since I hadn’t seen them in a while.

we got gloves instead of a shirt

I also met a 40ish women who was running her second race. She ran her first 5k with no training and finished in 27 minutes. She was wondering about the course and how she could run fast. I had a hard time relating to someone who thought 27 minutes was slow but I humored her.

Eventually we headed to the start. There were close 200 runners. And we were all freezing while waiting to start. I moved close to the front since there were no chips.

The course was pretty with the snow on the trees and the mountains (Helderbergs) in the distance. It was cold!!! I had a hard time breathing or maybe it was the weariness in my legs but I didn’t feel like I could run fast. My new “young” friend sprinted ahead but I could see her the whole time.

The course seem flatter than last time. (Maybe I am in better shape from all those hills in Troy.) The problem was that you had to keep an eye out for icy spots and you couldn’t run the tangents since the turns were covered with ice.

I couldn’t wait to finish since my face was frozen & I couldn’t feel my fingers. I ran the whole thing. I was too cold to stop for water. (There weren’t any volunteers. You had to pour your own.)

And as I suspected, this was one of my slower races of recent. I crossed at 28:16. Not too shabby. Things considered.

I went inside to warm up…there was only cookies, bananas & water. The problem with non-chipped races is that it takes forever to figure out the awards.

In the meantime, they had raffles prizes. (I was one of the few who didn’t win.)

rott

But I did win 1st in my age group! Yay!

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:54
mile 2 – 9:16
mile 3 – 9:19
.14 – 8:33

Being that I didn’t register until yesterday, I didn’t have any goals other than run a good race and have fun.

Despite the cold, I enjoyed the race and I am glad that I “ran off that turkey.”

I made these when I got home

Happy Running! Did you run off that turkey?

November 27, 2014 by Darlene

Troy Turkey Trot 10K race recap

A new turkey trot for me. And a 10K!!

To save time, I picked up my bib and shirt on Sunday.

short-sleeved tech shirt

Then yesterday, we had our first major snowstorm – almost a foot of snow dumped on us!!! I was nervous all night…wondering how much snow we would get, would I be snowed in, would the race be cancelled…?

But the snowplow came at 5 am and the race directors emailed that the roads would be cleared of snow.

It was cold…around 30 degrees but little wind. I brought extra clothes & shoes. I figured that I would take advantage of the bag check.

I got there early since I was unfamiliar with the parking situation.

I found parking in a garage about a block from the start but realized if I parked there, I would be stuck there until 11:15 so I moved my car to a lot farther away and made my way to the Atrium to stay warm.

In the Atrium, I checked my clothes, used the restroom and chatted with other runners. I met the coordinator of my STEM couch to 5k group and many members of my training group. It was nice to know so many people.

The 10K started at 8 am followed by the kid’s one mile race & a one mile walk and then at 10 am the most popular event, a 5K.

from a previous non-snowy year

I was supposed to meet my friend Gina but I couldn’t find her. Eventually it was time to head to the start. It was very crowded and one of the runners from the training group & I squeezed in around the 10 min mile pace. We started together but it was so crowded that I lost her right away.

Well, my Garmin decided to be difficult and wouldn’t find a signal. The race began but I don’t know how long it took me to get to the start. I continued to play with my watch and it finally started midway over bridge.

It was probably a good thing because it kept my first mile slower rather than my usual burnout start pace.

The roads were a little slippery at first especially on the bridge and you had to watch out for puddles but as the race went on, it seems to get better.

Eventually, I noticed my friend Gina & another runner from the group, Deb, up ahead. They are faster and I wanted to catch up to them but I couldn’t.

I rarely looked at my Garmin because it was not accurate. I just tried to run at an even pace and to save some for the last mile.

I skipped the first water stop and even the second but I questioned my judgment because I was dying for a drink by the 3rd one.

There were timing clocks throughout the course -at roughly miles 1.5, 3, 4 and 5. I was on pace for a PR at each one but I didn’t want to get cocky since I usually run out of gas by the end.

Eventually I caught up to Gina and we chatted but she slowed and I ran ahead and then caught up to Deb.

Finally, I stopped to walk at the last water stop and take a GU. It was a little after mile 4. I walked for a while and Deb ran ahead.

This walk gave me a second wind, I think, because I was passing people all of a sudden. I caught up the runner that I started with and I even passed her.

heading to the finish line – bridge in the background – photo by TU

As usual, it seemed to take forever to run the last mile….

ttt2

but I couldn’t believe when I saw 56:XX on the clock. There was nothing left in my tank & I crossed at 57:xx. (My chip time was 57:03.)

ttt7

I was very happy!!

I saw Hollys, another runner from our group, who was running the 5K. She yelled to me: “You got a PR!”

After getting my medal, I got a bag and filled it with food and downed some chocolate milk.

happy to be done!

Soon all the others from the training group finished and we chatted. I think they all had PRs.

no I don’t know these two – photo by TU

Overall, this was a very enjoyable race. The course was mostly flat and had 2 turn arounds which let you see the faster & slower runners. It was also very well organized. I will definitely run it again next year.

Here was the course:

ttt

By the time, I went back to the Atrium to get my checked bag, it was packed. Over 5000 runners run the 5K. Although I might have gotten an age group award for the 5K (I was 5th in the 10K), I am glad that I ran the earlier and less crowded 10K.

tttag

I was able to walk to my car and escape before the 5k even started.

So here are my abbreviated stats:

mile 1- 8:59
mile 2 – 9:04
mile 3 – 9:02
mile 4 – 9:44 (walked)
mile 5 – 9:21
mile .94 – 8:26

5.94 miles – 54:36

Race Goals:

A. PR (under 58:28) – YES!!!
B. Finish under 1 hour – YES!!!
C. Finish under 1:04:54 – YES!!!
D. Finish happy and uninjured – – YES!!!

thanks

Happy Running! Did you race on Thanksgiving?

November 26, 2014 by Darlene

10 weeks over… time to race

Well, it’s come down to this. Our 10 week training program is over.

I was a little worried about enrolling in this program. I wasn’t used to running on hills. The runs were in Troy and I would have to deal with the 5 pm traffic. Would everyone be faster than me? Would I enjoy it? What if I couldn’t do the Saturday runs?

Yes, there were hills. I ran up some and walked up some. But I got better. They didn’t kill me.
I succeeded in getting to Prospect Park and RPI on time with minimal problems.
The runners were super nice. Yes, some were faster, some were slower. But you were never left behind.
I looked forward to my weekly group runs. I even went to them on my normal rest day (after my 10 mile race and 15K race on the previous day.)
Monday’s runs were more important. They included drills and speed work. Saturday runs were for distance and I usually ran more on my own. So I didn’t miss much only going on Mondays.

my first Saturday run & the last one

Even before I know how I will do on this 10K race, I can talk about the benefits of the program.

Meet new runners. New friends. Great conversations (about running, of course.)
New places to run –Prospect Park, around RPI, bike path near Knickerbocker Arena
Speed drills – I never do them on my own.
Hills – yes, they are necessary if you want to get faster and stronger.
Motivation – it’s more motivating to run with others.
Great coach (not to mention that he was young and cute.)

Coach Patrick is #2786

I am already planning to sign up for this training group challenge again as it is offered for the Freihofer Run for Women this spring.

Now the race…

It’s a big one…. it will be crowded.

The race starts at 8 am so it will be cold. Hopefully the streets will be cleared from the Wednesday snowstorm.

some forecasts say 6-12 in I hope they’re wrong.

Since Troy is hilly, I assume that the race will be too and you run over the Green Island Bridge and back. That’s all I know.

ttt

Our coach says to divide the race into thirds – first 1/3 – start out strong, second 1/3 – ease back, last 1/3 – kick into high gear. We’ll see about that. I do not have the stamina to run the whole 6 miles but I’ll do my best.

Race Goals:

A. PR (under 58:28)
B. Finish under 1 hour
C. Finish under 1:04:54
D. Finish happy and uninjured

Whatever the results, it should be a fun time and I am looking forward to running it with my training group (followed by a big dinner!!)

1397058_10152269079128787_67253997_o

Happy Running! Are you running a Turkey Trot this year?

November 24, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 4 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) (cancelled – rain), 4 miles on the Treadmill

stuck doing laps indoors

caught up on Revenge

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, ~~tennis,~~ 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI)

too cold & windy outside

warm up, 9 X 1 min race pace/1 min jog(on track), cool down

Wednesday – walk at work, STEM group run + (4 miles)

view from the inside

2 miles run/walk + 2 miles run

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, ~~3 mile run at lunch~~, dinner out with tennis ladies

free hors ‘oeuvre for 10 thanks to a raffle that AJH won

Friday-walk at work, gym, mah jongg

Saturday – 5 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@Knickerbocker Arena) – my 1st & last Sat group run + 3 4 miles

Sunday – rest, pick up race packet, ~~gym~~, cooking ~~movie?~~

This Week: (Week 5 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) – last one!!
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, gym, yoga
Thursday – DAY OFF, 10K race, dinner out
Friday- DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race?
Sunday – 8 mile run, movie?

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 22, 2014 by Darlene

Turkey Trotting

There’s nothing better than a race before stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving.

I just read in this article about how popular running on Thanksgiving is:

In 2009, I ran my first turkey trot & I did it in Central Park in Schenectady. In 2010 & 2011, I did one in my hometown.

2011 in Delmar

In fact, the 2010 turkey trot was my 5K PR for 4 years until very recently. In 2011, that same race, changed its course. I was injured in 2012 and then last year, my favorite local turkey trot went NON-TIMED.

2013 in Delmar – No bib, no chip

Until this year, I ran 5Ks on Thanksgiving.

But this year, I am going for the big one…in Troy and a 10K. About 10,000 runners total with about 1,500 in the 10K.

I know nothing about the course except for the map below:

I participated in the Turkey Trot Training Challenge and enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately I could only go to the Monday training runs. Nevertheless, running with a group at least once a week, definitely improved my pace. It also was helpful to run on hills since I tend to avoid them on my own.

The best part was meeting new runners.

I doubt this race will be a PR 10k due to the crowds and the hills but I hope to have a good race.

AG award – would be nice but this race attracts the speedsters.

Here’s my 10K racing history –

2012:

Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:09:07

2013:

Hmrrc Winter Series #3 (10k) – 1:08:18
Helper’s Fund 10K – 1:06:10
Monster Scramble <10K – 1:03:18 (short course!)

2014:

Spring Run Off 10K -1:00:51
Camp Chingachgook 10k – 1:04:54
Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K – 58:28 – PR

Proof that despite getting older, I am getting faster.

Happy Running! Do you run on Thanksgiving?

November 20, 2014 by Darlene

Holiday Traditions

It’s that time of year!! I personally love the holidays. And there are things that I do EVERY year…

On the running front:

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot – when I am healthy I like to run a 5K. This year, I am running a 10K for the first time.

MaryPat & I usually run it together

me & MaryPat at the Delmar Turkey Trot

Running through the lights in the park. The lights go on at 5 pm from Nov 20-Jan 1. Cars don’t enter until 6 pm. Perfect place to run for one hour in the evening.

The Last Run in Albany – a crowded 5k that starts with fireworks and weaves around the park above.

waiting inside before the race

Running anywhere & anytime during my TWO weeks off from work!!

Non-running activities:

Thanksgiving – my hubby & I usually go out to a restaurant and then stop by his mother’s after to visit with her & his sons.

outside our favorite restaurant in Lake George

a trip to NYC – to see the decorations, etc. with friends

fun in the city

Decorating – since the kids are grown & we don’t entertain much, I have scaled it down – just a small tree and lots of snowmen (love them!)

December Birthdays – my mentee Amanda’s is Dec 9 and her son is December 14. I have friends with birthdays Dec 10, Dec 12 & Dec 17. There will be a lot of dinners out to celebrate.