March 21, 2014 by Darlene

Spring Time and Racing

It’s Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA

March 30, 2014

Delmar Dash in Delmar, NY

April 6, 2014

Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY

April 12, 2014

Rabbit Ramble in Guilderland, NY

April 19, 2104

Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY

May 3, 2014

Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY

May 11. 2014

Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K in Albany, NY

May 31, 2014

Happy Running? Are you excited for Spring? What races do you have planned?

March 20, 2014 by Darlene

Racing Bucket List

I am lucky to have done some amazing things in my life. Check out my Reverse Bucket List. And only 3 out of 32 involve running.

So what is on my Racing Bucket List? (Since I started running almost 6 years ago, many of the items, I have already done but not ALL):

1. Run a 5k race. CHECK.

Freihofer’s 5K

2. Run a 10K race. CHECK .

Helper’s Fund 10K

3. Run a 15K race. CHECK.

Stockadeathon 15K

4. Run a HALF MARATHON. CHECK.

Naples Half Marathon

5. Run over a BRIDGE. CHECK.

Ringling Bros Bridge (Sarasota, FL)

6. Run along a LAKE. CHECK.

Lake George (Camp Chingachgook 10K)

7. Run a DESTINATION race. CHECK.

Mayor’s 10 miler in Palm Springs

8. Run along the OCEAN.

9. Run in another COUNTRY.

10. Run in CENTRAL PARK, NYC.

11. Run on a BEACH.

12. Run with a FAMILY member (my hubby or stepson.)

13. Run a POPULAR half marathon (more than 5,000 racers.)

What’s not on my Bucket List? (nothing is written in stone…)

Run a Marathon.
Run a Disney Race.
Run a fun race (color, neon. etc.)
Run a obstacle race.
Run a triathlon.
Run an ultra.
Run a trail race.
Run a (Ragnar) relay race.

Happy Running! What’s left on your Running Bucket List?

March 18, 2014 by Darlene

The Last Long One…13 days till 13 miles

longrun

I usually do my long runs on the weekend but this was a 12 miler and I ran a 4 mile race on Saturday.

I didn’t want to add on 8 miles on Saturday after the race nor did I want to run 12 miles on tired legs on Sunday.

I wanted to run 12 miles in one shot and at my slow half pace so….

So I took Monday morning off from work.

Yes, I took time off to run!!

I had to get up early and get it done because I could only take a half day off.

To save time, I ran from my house and I planned to repeat the course that I ran for my last 11 miler but add on a mile.

I got spoiled running on Saturday in 40 degree temps.

Yesterday morning it was in the single digits with the wind chill. Brrrrrrr!

I donned my winter apparel but still froze my face off when running into the wind.

At least it was sunny and there were no puddles on the sidewalks (just ice in rare spots.)

To get the extra 1/2 mile, I added a short detour and then stopped to buy water at the coffee shop (I hate to carry anything).

photo from last week

Guess what, they had NO bottled WATER!! They also had no mini cupcakes. I was tempted to buy a larger cupcake but no one offered to give an obviously thirsty runner a cup of water, so I changed my mind. (Remember how I stashed my water there last week but forgot it….it was still there, but frozen.)

I continued down the street and stopped at Stewarts. The water was cheaper and I took a Gu (and hid the water for the way back).

passed the clock again …less snow each week,

I turned around at 6 miles and headed back.

I did another detour that was different the first and stumbled upon what might be a park with trails?

I also remembered to drink my water.

Although my pace for this run was a little better than last week’s, the first half was a lot faster than the second (the reverse of last week.) It was still slow but as I know from past experiences, my race pace is always better than my training runs.

experimenting with compression sleeves (left leg) instead of socks…$9.99 at Marshalls

I had to rush to get to work…no time to stop at Stewarts to get my $.50 ice cream cone for St. Paddy’s Day (Maybe later. 12 miles…I earned it!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken time off from work to run?

March 17, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

(It is a slow work week since the profs & students are on break, so a co-worker & I decided to walk 1 mile 2x a day.)

Monday – rest, 2 miles walked at work, tennis

1 mi 3-10-14

Tuesday – 4 miles ~~on TM~~ at lunch, 1 mile walked at work, tennis

Wednesday – 2 miles walked at work, 3 miles on the tm (rain)

Thursday – 1 mile walked at work, 4 miles on the tm (messy snow)

indoors but looking outside

TG for “Nashville”…Downton Abbey is already on hiatus

Friday – 2 miles walked at work, rest, mah jongg

indoors

Saturday – 4 m race

Sunday – rest

This Week:

Monday – 12 miles (morning off from work)
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 miles on tm during lunch, dinner out
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, movies with my mentee (Divergent)
Sunday – 8 miles

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

March 16, 2014 by Darlene

One Year Ago and Two Weeks To Go

I’m the one in front in blue

ONE YEAR AGO, I was in Sarasota, FL nervously wondering if I could run 13.1 miles after serious ankle surgery and then a foot stress fracture.

AND I DID IT!!

It made me believe that I was invincible!!!

This Strong Running Mama also attempted another half marathon. This time after a broken foot.

Of course, though I only have some minor aches and pains (foot & hip), I don’t feel confident in my ability to run 13.1 miles in TWO WEEKS!

Yes, I will finish (even if I have to crawl.) But the competitive me wants to PR. And my training runs don’t seem to indicate that it’s a possibility.

Nevertheless, I am super excited about this race. I am running with 4 others (2 that I know & 2 that I don’t). I leave Friday evening and come back Sunday night. It should be a fun quick getaway weekend.

Happy Running! How do you deal with the pressure of a big race?

March 15, 2014 by Darlene

Runnin of the Green Race Report

I ran this race 3 years ago and really liked it. It is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02). But back in 2011, I was running faster.

That is the course map. This is a very popular race. Around 800 registered and it sold out in 48 hours.

Since I have a half marathon in 2 WEEKS, I was not planning on running this race since this weekend would normally be my 12 mile long run. But I changed my mind and signed up so I ran 11 last weekend and planned to do my 12 miler Monday morning (taking time off from work.) instead.

I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early. I didn’t get a spot in the closest lot but a spot on the street behind the legion hall. I picked up my race packet and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into many runners that I knew and we chatted until it was time to start.

nice long sleeve women’s tech shirt

Here are some pics from the 2011 race:

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery. Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was breezy and cloudy. I decided to wear my green wind breaker & tights.

with some cute socks

Right before the race started, I ditched my fleece vest (that I had on underneath my jacket) and my gloves. So glad I did. I was sweating by the end of the race. (It had warmed up to the 40s and the sun even peaked out.)

Right before the start, I bumped into some more familiar faces.

SRMs – Karen, Bridget, Felice & Gail (not in photo)

We started together. Then Felice sped ahead and I ran for a short time with Bridget and Gail.

I couldn’t keep up but just trying kept my first mile fast (for me.)

rotg3

The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat. Just lots of twists and turns – it kept the course interesting. There are just a few uphills but nothing bad at all.

J. Berkley photo

In fact, I didn’t walk at all. I didn’t even stop for water. Not I didn’t want to, but I wanted a decent time more.

I was really dragging, though, during the last mile and feeling very warm & nauseous. But when I saw Felice near the finish line, I gave it all I had.

rotg4

38:07 (net time) 38:19 (clock time) (Yay! I met my under 39:59 goal time!!)

Not a PR but much better than I thought I could run.

Split times:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:36
mile 3- 9:36
mile 4 – 9:44

After you finished, you got a beer glass & a toothbrush.

In addition to age group awards, they were giving away 31 gift cards. So I stuck around chatting with some runners and munching on pizza, bagels, cookies, etc.

No chance for a AG award. This race attracts the fastest runners in the area. I didn’t win a gift card either.

I was happy with my finish time (I wish I could run this fast when I am running alone.)

Runnin of the Green is a fun race that I will probably do annually.

I almost finished in the top half (There were about 750 runners).

When I got home, I thought about running more but my Achilles felt a little tight so I decided that it would be best to wait until Monday for my long run.

I did reward myself with this:

mint/vanilla twist – Yum!

St_PatrickDay

Happy Running! How are you celebrating St. Patty’s Day?

March 13, 2014 by Darlene

Another Snowstorm and Another Race

Enough Already.

It is March!!

Work is slow since the professors and students where I work are on break.

So Tuesday, a co-worker and I walked outside in the morning for 1 mile.

1 mi 3-10-14

Then I took an unplanned lunchtime run OUTDOORS.

It was 54 degrees!! How could I not?

So I sneaked out to run 4 miles in the sunshine.

sunny so I could see my shadow

where I work – love that blue sky

It was so nice out that I also didn’t mind the wind and all the puddles.

Yesterday and today were predicted to either snow or rain or both.

And that’s what we got plus WIND!!

Yesterday my co-worker and I walked a mile in the morning and another mile in the afternoon but this time inside (laps around the first floor – BORING!)

And yes, I match my running shoes to my clothes (These are my old ones.)

Yesterday I also used the treadmill during work for a lackluster 3 mile run.

looking out at the courtyard during my am indoor walk today

The same is planned for today. (Maybe I can squeeze out 4.) UGH!!

Tomorrow is a REST day!

Hopefully, the snow will melt or the roads will be cleared for Saturday!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

This is a very popular race and it sold out in 48 hours. I ran this race 3 years, really liked it so I signed up again.

Then I remembered that I was training for a half marathon and I should be running 12 miles not a 4 mile race.

Oh well. I do love racing and maybe it will put some spring back in my step.

This course is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02). But that was back in 2011 when I was running faster.

My goal for this race to first, NOT TO GET HURT and second, finish at 39:59 or faster.

remember him? we met in Florida.

Since I have been running at a snail’s pace lately and focusing on distance, this finish time probably won’t happen. But it will be fun trying (unless the predicted RAIN comes 😦 )

Happy Running! Has spring arrived yet where you live? Any races St Patty’s Day races planned?

March 10, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – rest
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 3 miles (with a miserable cold)

near work but only 3 sneezy sniffly miles

Thursday – ~~rest~~, 3 miles on the tm at work, dinner out

catching up on Nashville

Friday – 4 5 miles, ~~mah jongg~~

in town – so nice that it was still light out

Saturday – rest, car appt, expo, dinner out

just passing the time when my car was bring serviced

Sunday – 11 miles

sunny but windy

This Week:

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 4 miles on TM at lunch, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 4 m race
Sunday – rest (long run postponed until Monday)

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

March 6, 2014 by Darlene

Lighthouse 5K Race Report

lh5k

Well, this race took place during my vacation in Flagler Beach, Florida.

All of my running before this trip had been in temperatures between 0 and 30 degrees. So this definitely would take getting used to, especially the humidity.

Also the race took place at 4:30 pm. Again different than I was accustomed to.

The theme was Las Vegas Nights so the racers were asked to dress in costume. Not being local, I decided to forgo the costume and wear normal running clothes.

I started the day getting up to see the sunrise. My friends live 2 blocks from the ocean so that was easy.

When I got there and it was cloudy and hazy. I feared “no sunrise” pictures.

But yes, the sunrise was stunning as usual.

Then I walked home and had breakfast. And I went out for a walk. I was tempted to run but decided to keep my legs fresh for the race since I ran 4 miles the day before.

I walked on the road along the beach. The weather was similar to the day before…cool (50s) and breezier as the day progressed…but so nice to be outdoors with NO WIND CHILL and NO SNOW!!

I stopped at the pier for awhile to watch the surfers and painters and then headed home.

In the wind, it felt chilly. Unfortunately, the back of their house which is on the water was in the shade and wind. But in the sun, it was gorgeous. So I sat outside in the front of their house knitting and soaking up some Vitamin D.

Eventually my hubby joined me and we decided to go for a walk. This time in the neighborhood where all streets bordered on the water (Halifax River.)

Then we went out to lunch. I had to carb load, right? We walked back to the ocean where I had spotted a French bakery/restaurant.

Everything looked delicious. I chose a vanilla latte and marsipone strawberry grilled cheese.

with bread pudding for dessert (I shared!)

We returned home and hung out in the sun some more (This is what happens when a race is at 4:30 pm.)

Here is when it gets interesting.

My friend’s hubby & my hubby decided to go somewhere for a little while and discovered that the car had a dead battery. So they had to call AAA to get the car started. (Lucky for me that they did since we had time to spare for the race.)

With the car now running, we left for the race which was about 30 miles away. We got a great parking spot and we were there in plenty of time.

before the race

with my hubby & our friends (taken by Daybreak Studios)

We walked around near the water but it was chilly and windy.

You can see that I am wearing a jacket and so were other racers. You also should note that people were not dressed in costume either. (Glad I didn’t spend time getting one.)

lh5k2

I decided to leave my jacket off to run the race. And I was glad I did!!

Elvis started the race (taken by Daybreak Studios)

I was actually warm running. I tried to tell myself that this was fun but if you know me, I wanted a sub-30 finish as soon as I started (At least I have given up the thought of a PR for now.)

That means that I started out fast and couldn’t keep it up.

The course was flat. And scenic. There were water views. I was getting tired as I ran. I refused to stop, even for water and just willed myself to finish strong (though I felt like I was dying & nauseous.)

I’ll blame it all on the my lack of speed work, running long and slow, the wind, etc etc.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:28
mile 2 – 9:54
mile 3 – 9:53
.14 – 8:28

So of course, when I approached the finish line and saw: 30:XX, I was disappointed. (I finished under 30 on a hilly course with a broken foot!!) The lady pushing triplets in a stroller finished 3 minutes ahead of me as well as lots of young kids. They even stopped taking photos after 29:37. So depressing!!

officially 30:17

Anyway, my friends were thrilled with my time. They are not runners (and could not understand why I would even want to be there.) When we checked the finish times, it turned out that I came in FIRST in my age group.

lh5kresults

I was happy but they were not giving out the awards until 6:30 pm. UGH! My friends were hungry and didn’t want to stick around. I didn’t want to impose so we returned to the car. And guess what?

It didn’t start!! We called AAA again and they were going to take an hour to come.

You can guess the rest.

I went back to the lighthouse to hang out with other racers. (I even met 2 men & their wives who live near me at home. And they were in my age group. Go figure!)

When it was time for awards, I asked if I could get mine first since I had to leave. They were agreeable and handed me my gold medal.

I got back to my friends just as the car was being started and off we went to get a nice dinner.

So all in all, it was an enjoyable day.

I love racing!

I love bling!

Happy Running! How have your destination races gone?

March 5, 2014 by Darlene

My Race-cation

vacation

My friends would be upset if they knew this.

Anyway, my hubby & I returned Sunday from 5 days in Flagler Beach, Florida where our friends moved and bought a new house. I was excited to see their house, spent time with them, enjoy the warm temps and RUN A RACE. (We visited them last January in their old house and did all the touristy things in the area.)

We left the polar vortex of upstate New York on Wednesday and arrived to RAIN in Florida.

Rain is better than snow.

We spent time catching up in their house – which is GORGEOUS – 5 bedrooms, multimedia room, boat house, overlooks the river & is 2 blocks from the ocean, etc. I LOVE IT!!

We went out to dinner at a restaurant on the water. I had an appetizer and dessert (of course).

shrimp and lobster risotto

delicious cannoli

Thursday morning, I went out for my first run — cool and cloudy but it felt super not to wear a jacket, gloves & tights. I ran on the path along the beach heading south and then on the bridge over the river and then back – 4 fabulous miles.

I tried running ON the beach but the sand was so soft…

view from the bridge looking North

We spent the afternoon with some other friends in St. Augustine (the location for my RACE). We strolled in and out of shops, along the water and then out for a drink.

Tini Martini Bar

creme brulee martini yum

The we went to a French restaurant for dinner.

seafood crepes & this eclair for dessert

Friday, I got up to sunshine. I went for a run again. Just had to do it. Only 3 miles but on the same path but in the opposite direction (North this time).

In the afternoon, I sat on the beach for a while but it was windy so I went back to my friends’ house and sat in the sun there. (The front of their house blocks the wind.)

In the evening, we went out to a restaurant where our friends’ favorite group was playing. The singer was a cross between Jimmy Buffet and John Prine.

our friends

me & the hubby dancing to a slow one

I’ll skip Saturday because that was RACE DAY and write about it in a separate post.

Sunday was my last day so I started it by watching the sunrise over the ocean. It was perfect!!

Then I went for a sloooooow run. My legs were tired from the race but the weather was so nice. This time I ran around the neighborhood and then over the bridge on the opposite side from Thursday’s run.

Here are some hints that I was running SLOW!