December 21, 2013 by Darlene

Snowy & Cold…Now Warm & Rainy!.. What The…?

Well, I said I hate the cold but I definitely prefer it to rain. In fact, I will run in the cold and snow…

but I will not run in the rain!!

So my 16 days of vacation started with RAIN!!!! Wah! Wah! Wah!

My running was planned for Friday, Saturday and Monday with a long run of 8 miles in there somewhere (preferably Saturday.)

However, when I looked at the forecast on Friday morning, it looked like Friday would be the best day to try to squeeze in a dry run so I did my long run then.

I went to the Corning Bike Path because I thought there was a good chance that the path would be plowed.

I was right. It was pretty dry. My run wasn’t great. I walked a lot. But that seems to be the norm these days. Unfortunately, I got rained on and the wind picked up for the last 2 miles. Not fun…but got it done.

Today, it was even warmer but drearier than yesterday. I got a lot of stuff done in the morning and then dragged myself out for a 2 mile run in town. The snow was melting and there were lots of puddles. Then it started to rain so I got my nails done and went grocery shopping.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be even warmer and rainier. I think I’ll skip my run and hope for better weather next week.

Happy Running! Anyone else having crazy weather?

June 13, 2013 by Darlene

Three Things Thursday

I have been asked to share this post- 27 Blogs With Tips For Getting the Most Out of Running. It is very informative (especially if you are a beginning runner.) Check it out!
It has been raining a lot – doesn’t bother me a bit. Sorry!
I.HATE.CRUTCHES!!

Happy Running!

May 28, 2013 by Darlene

Back on Track

Because I work, I need to schedule all my runs to make myself accountable. I used to each Monday post an update of the previous week and then plan the current week. I have not done that since APRIL 7!!

I got off track during the A-Z blogging challenge and then my birthday and of course, vacation but now I am back…..

week-in-review11-1s6ozv2

Last 2 Weeks’ Update:

8 day tennis vacation starting Wed!

Mon – rest
Tues – 3 mile run
Wed – rest – fly to Naples
Thurs – tennis
Fri – 3 mile run, tennis
Sat – rest
Sun – 3 mile run, tennis

running on vacation = hard to fit in

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – 3 mile run, tennis, fly home from Naples
Thurs – rest
Fri – 4 miles (TM), mah jongg
Sat – rest
Sun – 6 mile run

2 1/2 of tennis = ?? miles

This coming week:

Monday – rest, boating
Tuesday – 4 mile run
Wednesday – 3 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run, Mother Runner party at Fleetfeet
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race (+ 4??)
Sunday – trip to NYC

Happy Running! Do you schedule your runs?

May 27, 2013 by Darlene

Running & Boating At Last

Yesterday morning, it was cold and dreary. Not boating weather but running was indeed possible.

rain clouds overhead

It was 49 degrees so I took the opportunity to wear my new long sleeved shirt (that I was saving for my October Half Marathon), added a jacket & capris and headed to the Corning bike path.

It was windy as well. Quite different weather conditions than Florida!!!!

My plan was to take it slow…. I usually don’t skip from 3 miles to 6 miles. I didn’t want to get injured but I have to run 10 miles on June 23 so I better get training!!

The course which is usually full of dog walkers, bikers and runners was empty! Maybe because it was cold, windy and about to rain.

I ran (with some walking breaks) 3 miles out before turning around. My time was 32:32.

On the way back, I finally saw a few runners. I also decided that I would try to negative split my run. I always run slower and slower. Not this time. I finished in 31:32.

Then as soon as I got in my car. It started to rain!

Perfect timing.

Today when I got up, the sun was shining! Not warm but sunny! Hooray! Off to the marina we went.

boats starting to get ready to go out for the day

We bumped into some friends and decided to head to West Dollar Island for a BBQ.

tour boat passed by our site

After some eating, we relaxed in the sun.

the hubby & our friend Ron enjoying the view

After our friends left, we drove to Log Bay and hung out there for awhile and then went to Basin Bay where we bumped into more friends.

Finally it was time to head back to the marina.

Such as perfect relaxing day. The only negative was that the water is still too cold to go swimming. (Not complaining…so happy that the rain stopped for one day!)

Hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day!

Happy Running! How did you celebrate the holiday weekend?

May 25, 2013 by Darlene

Rain Rain Go Away

Rainy days and Saturdays always get me down.

It hasn’t stopped raining since I got home and it is COLD!!

90 degrees not long ago

Yesterday I even resorted to the treadmill after work. You know how I hate the treadmill.

Today, indoors again – laundry, unpacking, cleaning out closets, grocery shopping…. at least I was productive.

But I’d rather be boating, gardening, running, playing tennis, biking….anything but the above.

celebrating on a Lake George Island last year

The bad news is that tomorrow doesn’t look any better. I am hoping to squeeze a long run in between the raindrops. I may have to drag out my winter running gear.

I feel sorry for all those runners who are racing! I hope the weather is better than forecasted.

If we are lucky, the sun will come out on Monday.

and Lake George here we come!

Happy Running! What are your weekend plans?

March 9, 2013 by Darlene

Time to Check the Weather…Daily

It’s less than 10 days until my Half Marathon in Sarasota, Florida.

The only thing I pray for is No RAIN and little WIND.

So I will be checking the weather everyday!! I will be checking numerous websites to find the forecast that I like.

Why?? I can’t change the weather. I will run the race no matter what.

And since I leave on Tues and the race isn’t until Sunday, I will have to pack running clothes for all weather conditions anyway. (At least it will not be snowing or freezing, right?)

13.1 miles in the freezing rain!!

7 of the 13.1 miles in the pouring rain

So far, it appears to be in the 70’s all week and CLOUDY and on

Happy Running! Do you obsess about the weather before a big race?

February 23, 2013 by Darlene

Rescheduled Long Run

My plan was:

3 miles on Tuesday
5 miles on Wednesday
REST on Thursday
4 miles on Friday
REST on Saturday
11 miles on Sunday

However, another winter storm was predicted for Saturday night into Sunday…not a lot of snow, just a wintry mix which I would not want to run in.

So I decided to change my plan and do my long run on Saturday which meant 4 miles on Thursday and REST on Friday.

Since I didn’t plan on running Thursday, I did not have my outdoor running stuff. Luckily, I do keep sneakers, shorts & a shirt at work. 4 miserable miles on the treadmill was done…and my 3rd day in a row of running which makes TIRED legs.

taken on the treadmill

Friday, of course, was the only non-windy and sunny day of the week and I was RESTING!!

So today would be my long run. I checked the weather and it wasn’t supposed to start raining until 2 pm (if you can believe the Weather Channel app.)

It was windy, of course, but not too cold…in the 30’s.

Although the long path was icy several weeks ago, I thought it might be clear so I headed for the Nisky bike path. I planned to run toward Colonie for 3.5 miles and turn around and refuel. Then go 2 miles toward Schenectady and back.

The path was clear & I was happy. My legs were tired right from the start. My foot ached. I knew this would a tough one.

clear so far

At this sign, I wanted to quit. Not a good sign (forgive the pun.)

must be used for the Marathon

I am not a quitter and I knew that I had to run 11 miles today so I continued. And then came the ice.

ice…ice..and black ice

I walked for awhile and tried to find dry spots. Eventually I realized that I had to find a detour. It was too slippery. There was no way that I was risking breaking an ankle!!

another view from the trail

So I went off the trail and continued to run on the road. My legs were even more tired but the wind had died down and my foot stopped hurting!!

Finally I had run 3.5 miles and came to the end of a road.

I turned around and returned to the trail to head back.

With 4 miles still to go, I stopped at my car for some GU and water. I didn’t get inside this time. I wasn’t really cold and my legs wanted to quit but I wasn’t going to let them… even if I had to walk the 4 miles.

The weather wasn’t getting any better. It looked like rain so I rushed back out on the trail.

dreary looking day…where is the sunshine?

I headed in the other direction which I knew was totally dry. I dragged myself 2 miles and turned around. I ran and walked and walked and ran. The wind picked up so did my foot pain and then it started to rain…just light rain.

But I FINISHED 11 MILES!!!!! It took me about 2 hours 10 minutes and it’s done.

When I looked at my pace, I realized there were more mile splits under 12 min than last week and my fastest was next to last. (The walking on the icy trail slowed me down!)

Believe it or not, I didn’t go to Target or Starbucks. I went to Shoprite to do grocery shopping and refueled with all the free food samples.

Happy Running! Do you schedule your long runs based on the weather?

January 31, 2013 by Darlene

Crazy Weather & A Mid-Week Long Run Attempt

Sunday – 18 degrees & sunny – 8 miles done
Monday – snow & sleet – tennis cancelled
Tuesday – 30 degrees & cloudy -tennis
Wednesday – 55 degrees and rain – NEED TO RUN!!
Thursday – 30 degrees & cloudy – haircut scheduled
Friday – 20 degrees – Mah Jongg scheduled (race on Sat)

As you can see, only one day free to run this week!!! And it was forecasted to RAIN!!!

With the forecast for rain/thunder & high winds after work, I set my alarm for early Wednesday morning (hoping to squeeze 4 miles in) but woke up to darkness, drizzle, and 25 mph howling winds…I went back to bed 😦

Plan B- Maybe I’ll run 4 miles outside at lunch or maybe on the dreadmill and then run 4 more miles after work…

It was drizzly and very windy around lunchtime. So I suffered through 4 miles on the treadmill (while watching an episode of Revenge on my iPad).

After work, some friends were planning a run at 6 pm at the Corning bike path.

When I got out of work at 4:30 pm, it was not raining and the wind had died down but it looked like it may not last. It was 55 degrees. I had to get outside. I hurried, got changed & took off to do 4 more miles.

I ran about 1 1/4 miles and the wind picked up and it started to pour. I mean in minutes I was DRENCHED!!! So I turned around and headed back to my car. I was dripping wet and guess what? The rain stopped. Grrrrr! (I guess I should have waited to run at 6 pm.)

Not me…it makes me feel WET.

As for my foot, it didn’t really hurt on the treadmill. I did hurt outside but not worse. I think I’ll try a few more miles tomorrow at lunch. Friday is my rest day before a race on Saturday.

Happy Running! Anyone like running in the rain?

October 30, 2012 by Darlene

What a Difference a Week Makes

Last Sunday I was in Pennsylvania visiting a friend. The weather was gorgeous.

One week later, Hurricane Sandy hit the same area in Pennsylvania.

Last Monday, I was walking around the streets of New York City. It was a perfect fall day.

One week later, New York City is cleaning up after one of the worse storms in its history.

I was lucky. Where I live, there was just some rain and some winds. My work closed yesterday at 3 pm and I don’t have to go into work until 1 pm today. We had no damage at all and we did not lose power.

I even woke up to a rainbow.

My prayers go out to all those affected by the storm.

Happy Running! Was your area hit by Sandy?

September 30, 2012 by Darlene

My Weekend of Rain, Running and Mah Jongg

I was right about the weather…rain Friday, rain Saturday, rain Sunday, rain tomorrow!!!!!!!!

If you read my last post, you know how I feel about it.

So Friday after work, I ran a slow 3 miles on the treadmill while watching the season premiere of Grey’s Anatomy.

I hated every minute of it!!!

Saturday, I headed north for my annual Mah Jongg weekend in Chestertown (on the Schroon River).

I love it there. I especially love running there (as I did last weekend.)

Well, the weather didn’t cooperate. We walked around town in the rain for a while.

at a local gallery

Then we spent the rest of the day playing Mah Jongg, eating, and socializing. Several ladies couldn’t come but we had a perfect foursome.

the Sat. group

I was actually planning to do a long run on Sunday. I got up before everyone and had coffee & oatmeal. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just raining. it was pouring!!

I was already dressed so I headed out with my camera and umbrella.