December 23, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: Holiday Races

I am linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!
Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Today’s Topic is: Holiday Races

I run the same Holiday race (Albany Last Run) every year so I’ll change this post’s topic to December Races I’ve run or would like to run:

1. Albany Last Run

Mid-December every year in Albany, NY. The race starts off with fireworks at the Capitol building and then you run around the lights in Washington Park ending with a downhill near where you began. Lots of costumes and holiday spirit. This is the race that I run every year.

2. EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon

Beginning of December in West Palm Beach, Fl. I ran it in 2015 and enjoyed the course and ocean views. I’d love to do it again.

I especially liked the champagne that you receive after you cross the finish line.

3. Panama City Beach Half Marathon

Beginning of December in Panama City Beach, Fl. I ran it this year and enjoyed the FLAT course and gulf views. If I got invited again, this one would be one to repeat.

Free gumbo and beer at Margaritaville after the race is a nice perk.

4. Hot Chocolate Run

5k in Northampton, MA. It raises money for an organization addressing domestic violence. I’ve never run this race but I know a few runners who have and they say good things about it.

Of course, there’s hot chocolate after the race.

5. First Night Saratoga 5k

New Year’s Eve in Saratoga Springs, NY. Again I have not run this race but it is very popular locally. It starts and ends on the Skidmore campus and is moderately hilly. You receive a commemorative medal at the finish.

Afterwards you can attend the annual First Night activities in beautiful downtown Saratoga.

Happy Running? What races do you like to run during the holidays?

December 22, 2016 by Darlene

My Year (2016) in Numbers

Miles – 1000+
Races – 43
Marathons – 0
Half Marathons – 7
10 milers – 2
15ks – 3
8.4 milers – 1
10ks – 4
5 milers – 2
4 milers – 0
3.5 milers – 1
5ks – 23
Mentoring races – 2 (of the 5ks)
Race-cations – 4 (Sarasota, FL, Vermont, NYC, Panama City Beach, FL)
DNS – 1
DNF – 0
Age Group Awards ~ 21
PRs – 1 (13.1)
Injuries – 0
New Races – 15
States – 4 (NY, VT, MA, FL)
New States – 1 (MA)
Races in the rain – 5
Ambassadorships – 1 (Skirt Sports)
Running Shoes – 4 (Nike Vomero 10)

Highlights:

Although running achievements are personal. You cross the finish line on your own and your time is what you earn yourself. However, my most memorable racing experiences this past year were those that I shared with others.

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Celebrate Life Half Marathon (& Relay) with Judy, Barbara & a whole busload of runners

Lake George Half Marathon with Barbara

Vermont City Marathon Relay with AJH

Ramblefest Half Marathon with Alyssa

Dash to the Finish 5k with the Russians, Anna, Tatiana & Julia

Panama City Beach Half Marathon with Holly, Tricia, Wendy, Karen, Mary Beth, Marcia & Judy for the #HoLottaFun weekend

Having fun is much more important than the numbers.

And 2016 was a good year for me!!

Since it is also Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Happy Running! How did your year turn out by the numbers? What were your most memorable running experiences?

December 21, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Giving

WednesdayWordScrabbleButton

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This week’s word is GIVING.

Tis the season.

Image result for seson to give

Since this is a running blog, I’ll talk about what RUNNING has GIVEN to me.

confidence
strength
self-esteem
bragging rights
good health
DOMS
medals
muscular legs (slightly LOL)
awards
ugly feet
shirts
swag
ambassadorships
excuse to eat more
injuries
free food
time to think
stress reliever
visits to interesting places
alone time
pretty scenery
race-cations
many new friends
reasons to blog
mentoring opportunities
opportunities to support charities
volunteer opportunities

1st in my AG – Palm Beach Half

If you look at the list above, you’ll notice most of the things that RUNNING has GIVEN are good things – things that has enriched my life.

So yes, running has given me so much that I believe it is important to GIVE back.

There are many different ways that you can do this:

blogging
mentoring a new runner
volunteering at a race
raising money for a charity
giving advice to other runners
running with a slower running friend
coaching a runner
running a race along side another runner
donating shirts and shoes

GOTR

Happy Running! What has running GIVEN to you? How have you GIVEN back?

December 20, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: My Running Year in Pictures

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Your year in pictures:

I’ve run 43 races and over 1000 miles. How can I limit myself??

But I’ll and only post one racing picture per month:

January:

lots of free races with friends as part of the HMRRC’s Winter Series

February:

windy and cold but I completed an awesome half marathon (Sarasota Music) in Florida while visiting friends

March:

perfect weather for the hilliest half marathon (Celebrate Life) and a fun time on the bus road trip

April:

another nice day for a half marathon along my favorite lake (Lake George) and with my running buddy Barbara

May:

loved getting to see fellow blogger AJH and survived this heat cancelled marathon relay (VCM)

June:

one of my favorite races (Adirondack Distance 10 Miler) that finishes next door to the marina where we keep our boat

July:

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not all races have had good weather but still a good time in this wet 5k (Saratoga Springs)

August:

this 8.4 mile race was on my bucket list and happy to be able to run this hilly one and win my AG

September:

Another local half marathon completed on a beautiful course (Saratoga Palio) followed by free beer and bar food

October:

Half Marathon #22 and a PR!!! Loved this race!! (Ramblefest)

November:

sharing 3 Russian young women’s first NYC racing experience was the best! (Dash to the Finish 5k)

December:

Sharing half marathon #23 with 7 amazing ladies #holottafun

Phew! That was tough! I could have posted at least 10 pics for each month. I also ignored all those running experiences that were not part of a race.

Here’s just a few:

: along the Hudson River, NYC

: along the East River, NYC

: in Central Park, NYC

: along the Rail Trail, Delmar, NY

: along the Zim Smith Trail, Round Lake, NY

: Corning Bike Path

I’ve enjoyed a great 2016 and feel so fortunate to have had zero injuries and to have been able to race often and with so many wonderful runners.

Happy Running! What is your favorite memory of 2016?

December 19, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Back in the frigid NE. I decided to squeeze in a run before tennis because the rest of the week looked even worse weather-wise. Although it snowed Sunday night, the path is always cleared at UAlbany.

it was nice until the sleet & freezing rain started- ouch!

Tuesday – I was scheduled to play tennis again so I decided to skip the run and went shopping instead.
Wednesday – Another busy day but I was able to squeeze a run into before our STEM celebratory dinner.

Thursday– Colder and windier. I wimped out and cancelled my run with Alyssa and went shopping. Good News!! The battery in my iPhone (it kept shutting off when it got cold – hello I run in the winter!!) is defective and they replaced it for free!!! 3 hours in the mall without a phone = torture!

Friday – Rest day #3. I celebrated by mentee’s birthday at Canvas, Corks & Forks. We ate (mac n cheese bar), drank, painted and laughed. Then went out for dessert.

Saturday – Rest day #4. Total slacker. Snow, sleet, rain. A day to start addressing those holiday cards and wrapping the presents.

I always make my cards – obviously there was boating theme this year

In the evening, we had our annual tennis ladies party. Always a fun time!!

Sunday – Started the day with brunch with Judy & 2 other running friends.

they may have talked me into a fall half marathon

After doing some errands, I braved the cold and wind and ran 6 miles.

my favorite rail trail has too many patches of ice 😦

Then in the evening, went out for appetizers and drinks with a friend. (Maybe I should have run more than 6 miles LOL)

12 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days (Still on a training break)

This Week:

Monday – rest day, tennis
Tuesday – 4 mile run
Wednesday – rest day, dinner with a friend
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – 6 mile run, lights in the park with Amanda & sons
Sunday – rest day, holiday with the fam

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

December 13, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Decorate

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This week’s word is DECORATE.

I love this time of year. The holiday decorations always put me in a good mood. And the best way to see them is to go for a walk or a run.

Here are some I’ve seen:

In Washington Park – Albany, NY

In Panama City Beach, FL

: never seen so many blow up items

In NYC:

Normally, I could show you pics from my house. But I am a slacker this year. I’ve been away two weekends in a row and I am way behind …on everything.

Of course as a runner, these are my favorite decorations this year:

: Sarasota Music Half – Feb

Happy Running! Do you decorate your house? What are your favorite decorated places or favorite decorations?

December 13, 2016 by Darlene

Albany Last Run Race Recap (& TOTR)

The Last Run was actually my last run of 2016.

This is a very popular local race. In fact, it always sells out (at 1900). The race starts with fireworks and then you run uphill, around the lights in the park and it ends with a downhill.

Here are some pics from a previous year:

One year, I ran this race in the rain. Another year, in a blizzard. Last year, it was cold and windy.

last year

I was hoping for better weather this year. But we ended up with the coldest weather we’ve experienced this year.

back in 2010 – I have that jacket in many colors

I normally pickup my bib & shirt beforehand to save time on race night but this year, I just forgot.

for years, we got windbreakers, then we got shirts with a logo – now this??

Of course, I debated about what to wear… I like to look festive. But it was COLD. I hate to overdress but how to stay warm and also be comfortable???

I decided to leave my car at my yoga place at work (I hate that crowded parking garage) and walk the mile or so to the race start. I wore an extra coat (that would ditch before the race) and I was still cold. At least we get to wait inside.

As I mentioned, it is a popular race and I bumped into all sorts of people that I knew– runners from my turkey trot training group, runners from work, runners from tennis and FB friends.

me & Mary Pat (my tennis pal who started me running)

We chatted until it was time to head out.

I lost MP but found Holly (my AG rival from my turkey trot group). We waited outside together and admired everyone’s crazy costumes.

from the TU

Then all of a sudden the fireworks began.

The fireworks were great but we were FREEZING and anxious for the race to begin.

About 10 minutes late, it finally did. Holly took off like a bat, as usual. I knew that I could not keep up. My legs were so stiff and it was cold. I had a hard time breathing. I felt like I was running fast but as I passed mile one at 9:46. I obviously was not.

The race started with an uphill, went through the city before we entered the park. It was very very crowded at first and I was always running with many other costumed runner throughout the whole race.

courtesy of the Times Union (last year)

My legs continued to feel really sluggish. I think it was all that standing around in the cold and starting at 5 pm (I have much more energy to run in the morning.) And maybe I was tired from having run 20 miles between Sat and Mon. Who knows?

from the TU

The hills didn’t help. Why do I not remember how hilly it was? It didn’t bother me in previous years but this year, I struggled. I even walked up them.

So I just resigned myself to just run and enjoy the lights. And I did!! I love this race!!!

I took these pics the other day when I ran through the park

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

Finally around mile 3, my hands and feet warmed up and I felt like I could run at a decent speed. (Too little, too late LOL)

Eventually we left the park and ran downhill to the finish. I wanted to finish fast but was still hesitant to run at top speed …in the dark.

It was dark so I couldn’t see my Garmin but I knew by the timing clocks that this would be my slowest 5k of the year.

I barely finished under 30 minutes. Officially I finished at 29:43.

done!

Two years, I was 3rd in my AG. This year, I was 5th. (Even if I had a great race, I wouldn’t have placed. Darn those fast old women!)

Splits:

mile 1- 9:46
mile 2 – 10:01
mile 3 – 9:07
.15 – 7:42

So not an amazing finish time but such a fun race. Sometimes, you just have to “finish fun” if you can’t “finish fast.”

So my year of racing has come to an end. 42 races!!

Looking forward to an even better 2017.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Happy Running? How was your weekend? Did you run in a holiday race?

December 12, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – My last day in Panama City Beach and I wanted to hit 1000 miles for the year here.

I loved running here!!! (The donuts were an added bonus.)

And I did.

Tuesday – Back to reality – work and cold weather and a needed rest day to unpack, do laundry, shop etc.

Wednesday – I decided to go for a run since I wasn’t scheduled for tennis except that I didn’t realize that they didn’t turn the lights on in the Crossings.

Thursday– Another cold day and I had too much to do so I bailed on my run. (I got spoiled in Fla. The cold is depressing.)

Friday – Another rest day – a holiday party at work and I hosted Mah Jongg at my house.

I forgot to take of pic of my dessert plate – so many delicious ones.

Saturday – Weather is getting colder – the coldest of the year so far and I had an evening 5k.

Had a fun time even running on tired legs.

Sunday – Annual Holiday Trip to NYC. What a great day!

11 miles done with 3 runs and 4 rest days (Taking a training break, obviously)

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run before tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run, dinner with a friend
Wednesday – rest day, STEM thank you dinner
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest day, Painting party to celebrate mentee’s b-day
Saturday – 6 mile run, tennis holiday party
Sunday – rest day

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going?

December 10, 2016 by Darlene

My Year in Running – 2016

I’ve been doing Miss Zippy’s Year in Running post for several years now. I did 2015, 2014, and 2013 and so even though Amanda has given it up, I wanted to write this post. Luckily, Courtney has taken it on, so I’ll link up with her again this year.

Best Race Experience: Hands down. Panama City Beach Half Marathon. I’ve run 42 races so far this year. I’ve enjoyed them all in different ways. But none compare to the PCB Half. It wasn’t my best finish time. It wasn’t even the most scenic course. But spending the race weekend with 7 other awesome women/bloggers/runners made it THE BEST EVER.

pre-race giggles at Pier Park, Panama City Beach

Best Run: For the first time since I started running, I’ve run over 1000 miles in one year. I’ve had many good runs. The most satisfying, however, was the one I ran along the Hudson River (in NYC) with Anna (from Russia). I inspired her to become a runner and this was the first time that we ran together. (She flew to NYC from Moscow to run with me!!)

along the Hudson River, NYC

Best new piece of gear: Not much is new this year except for my Apple Watch but I haven’t fully given it my seal of approval for running yet. I still love my Nike Zoom Vomero 10s and have added to my collection as well as my GGU skirts from Skirt Sports.

Best piece of running advice you’ve received: “Never Give Up.” Coincidentally it was on the bracelets that Wendy gave us before the PCB Half.

I thought that my speed was gone. My PR days were over! The last decent half that I had run was in January of 2015. But I didn’t give up and it took me until October 2016 to get that PR.

I hope to continue to believe that I can get faster. And if I can’t, to always do my best in my races.

Most Inspirational Runner(s): I would say the Karens. One competed her first marathon after suffering from all kinds of foot pain (and with an amazing time) and the other trained diligently for her 2nd marathon (NYC) and had a huge PR.

Lucky me. I got to meet them both!!

Favorite picture from a run or race this year: A friend took the one on the left. This is one of my favorite nearby places to run. The one on the right was taken during the hardest halfs that I’ve ever run.

: Delmar Rail Trail

: Celebrate Life HM

Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: There were many. Of course, it would be Panama City Beach but that would depend on Holly inviting me again.

So I’d have to say my half marathon PR. Everyone loves an unexpected PR. I also ran the race on a pretty course and with a friend who also had a PR. Maybe next year, it will be warmer and drier.

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

Races, Skirts and Friends.

It’s been a great year for all 3.

42 races !! 15 new ones!! 3 Race-cations!!!

: Sarasota Music Half

: April 2016 – chilly in Lake George, NY

Again I was selected as a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain. I love the company and especially their products. I am proud to represent them on every run and every race!!

Nov 13 – 15k

I ran with Judy in NYC, acquired Alyssa as a new running partner and continued to run with Barbara. I have also made many friends through running groups and races. Of course, the icing on the cake was being invited to a girls weekend and meeting 6 other running bloggers.

: 2016 – 28:24

Happy Running! Answer a few of these questions in a comment or post to your blog.

December 8, 2016 by Darlene

Panama City Beach Half Marathon Recap on TOLT

Half Marathon December 3, 2016

Half Marathon Training

I’ve never been so relaxed and excited for a half marathon. Relaxed because my last one was a PR and excited because it would be part of a Girls Weekend with seven other awesome runners/bloggers.

That being said, there was not much serious training going on.

: 10/30

: Stockade-athon 15k – 11/13

: 11/20

These three runs would have do as my long runs. I ran my usual 3-4 miles several times during the week.

Pre-Race Preparations

Holly has run this race before and she recommended it so I trusted her.

The race emails also made the race seem so fun:

Come run on the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches.

What other race has an after party at Jimmy Buffer’s Margaritaville where you’ll receive free beer and gumbo?

All runners will receive a long -sleeve t-shirt and swag bag.

I had decided to wear what I wore at my previous Florida half marathons (tank and skirt) with a possible throwaway and DIY arm warmers.

Holly graciously offered to let us stay in her cute little house on the water in Panama City Beach.

view from Holly’s house

Once everyone arrived on Friday, we took an obligatory sunset group pic and then we took off to Dave & Busters to pick up our race shirt and bib. It was super easy and took no time at all. Next we headed to a nearby restaurant to carb load for next day. We choose a pizza place and I was in heaven. (I even had gelato for dessert.)

Then we drove back to Holly’s and headed right to bed because we had a half marathon the next morning.

NOT!

We stayed up and chatted and chatted… So much fun getting to know each other. Although we had been reading each other blogs for years, I was surprised to find out all the things we had in common and how supportive, friendly, warm and fun-loving they all were. I knew already that this was going be a great weekend.

Thanks to Wendy for our Momentum bracelets

and to Holly for the fuzzy socks!!

Race Day

The race was scheduled to start at 7:30 am. So we got up around 5:30 am. I had my usual oatmeal/tea breakfast that I had brought from home.

Everyone was so excited for the race. Coach Marcia led us in some stretching and then off we went.

This was my 7th Florida half marathon. The weather has been warm, cold, windy, or humid. For this race:, it was cool (50s) but not too cool, a little breezy, with no humidity, and it was overcast. It couldn’t have been more perfect. No need for throw-away clothes for the first time in a while.

me and Holly modeling our Skirt Sports skirts

Holly lived only a few minutes away from the race start. How great was that? And there was lots of parking and real restrooms.

Before we knew it, it was time to snap a quick pic (There was lot of picture taking on this trip.) and squeeze in among the other runners and start the race.

As you can see from the map above, the route is out and back right along the beach. It is also FLAT! Woo Hoo!

The race is a blur as usual but here’s how I remember it:

Miles 1-4:

9:40, 9:46, 9:53, 9:47

Wendy started out front. Holly, Karen & I started out together. Tricia & Mary Beth were a little behind us. Judy and Marcia were behind them somewhere.

I was feeling very strong at the beginning. Holly dropped back for a while so Karen & I ran together. Eventually Karen started to slow and run at her own pace. Holly, who is much faster, sped on ahead too.

I did not try to keep up with Holly but I enjoyed watching her up ahead. I focused on running at a good yet even pace. And surprisingly, the hotels did not block the water view as much as I had feared. I always enjoy the salt water smells and views of the gulf when I run. So this race did not disappoint here.

It seemed breezy during the first few miles and of course, we were running into the wind. Did that mean that the wind would be at our backs for our last tired miles? (Nope. Didn’t happen.)

The course also had water & Gatorade stops at EVERY mile. It was not warm so I did skip the first one but after that, I thought it best to stop and I used them as a walk breaks.

Miles 5-8:

10:07, 9:47, 10:01, 10:27

Unfortunately, my usual foot pain did rear its ugly head. I had mole skin on the bottom of the foot but it seemed to have moved and the rest of race, it felt like I had a ball under my foot. UGH! It was not debilitating pain just annoying.

What I enjoyed about this race was that it was an out and back. That meant that I was able to cheer on and high five all my friends when they passed me by or when I passed them by.

I saw everyone except Marcia and was very happy to see how well they were running.

As for me, my first half time was great. I knew if I could keep it up, I would PR! Perfect weather & a flat course…why not?

Spoiler alert – it did not happen 😦

Miles 9-12:

10:19, 10:18, 10:23, 10:17

Did I go out too fast? Did I not have enough long runs during my training? Did my achy foot slow me down?

Who knows? But after 7 miles, things started going south.

I started slowing down. I could not keep my pace under 10. My lower back started bothering me. Still I was enjoying the race.

But doing the math, I realized that I could no longer PR. So I just ran and walked when I was tired. Why kill myself??

Mile 13-14:

9:52, 8:28

pcb1

After I crossed under the Pier Park arch, I saw my friends cheering me on, I tried to speed up and drag my tired legs through the finish line.

I crossed at 2:11:xx.

: Panama City Beach Half

Right after me, Karen finished and soon after that came Tricia and Mary Beth. They had all run so well. In fact, Tricia and Mary Beth had PRs. (Congrats to their coaches, too!)

Mary Beth & I made the newspaper!!

Wendy & Holly had finished earlier with amazing times. We all walked over to the computer to print our results.

Believe it or not, my chip was defective and it did not record me running the race. UGH!!!

It worked out fine, though. They were very nice and manually added my Garmin time into the computer.

Garmin Time: 2:11:18

Phew!

So we walked back to the course so we could see Judy finish. And she ran a great race and finished with a big PR.

Now it was time to head to Maragaritaville to get our free beer and gumbo.

They were also giving out awards there.

And guess what? I won FIRST in my old lady age group. Age Groups Rock!

Post Race:

Of course, we were starving after running 13.1 miles so we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. The restaurant was conveniently located so we could watch and cheer on the marathoners who were still out on the course.

We were all on a race high for the rest of the day.

the water was chilly but it felt good after running 13.1 miles!

yes, we did this on ONE take!

After numerous photo shoots on the beach, we took off our medals and resumed our celebrating at a karaoke oyster bar.

Additional race reflections:

The Good:

Organized packet pick-up.
Lots of parking at the start and close by to where we were staying
Real bathrooms before the race.
Running a race with 7 friends.
Flat course with water views.
Lots of water stops (every mile)
No major injuries (just the usual foot & back issues)
Free beer and gumbo (or chili) after the race.
Perfect weather conditions.

The Bad:

Water stop at mile 8 ran out of water.
Margaritaville ran out of gumbo and there were runners who ran 26.2 who had to settle for chili.
I didn’t push hard after I realized that I couldn’t PR.

The Ugly:

Nothing really.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes, definitely.

I have run more scenic courses with better swag. I have had better finish times. But what made this race so special was sharing the experience with these 7 amazing women – cheering them on, celebrating their success and feeling their unconditional support.

Final Stats: