August 18, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Role Models/Runners You Admire

At my advancing age, I admire those runners over 50 such as:

These Bloggers:

AJH from Age Groups Rock
Pam from We Run Disney
Holly from HoHo Runs
Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home
Linda from SeeLindaRun
Judy from Chocolaterunsjudy
Sherri from Adventures of a Middle-Aged Drama Queen
Shelly from My Journey to Fit
Charlotte from I Run in the Rain

(Sorry I couldn’t list all the over 50 bloggers… and yes, you younger runners are inspiring too, but let’s face it, it’s easier for you. You’ll see!))

I love to read about older women who are staying fit, being active, organizing running groups, running races from 5ks through marathons.

and of course, older runners that I have read about:

Anne Garrett, who at age 80 set a Half Marathon record and then at 81, set a 5K record

Harriette Thompson who ran a marathon at age 92.

Joan Benoit Samuelson at age 58, who can still finish a marathon in less than 3 hours.

I admire any older woman who is out there running, fast or slow, alone or in a group. I hope to be able to do the same for a very long time…

running at age 62 years young

Happy Running! Who do you admire as a runner?

August 17, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– Today was a rest day. Nothing exciting except for work and getting my nails done after work.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but it was pouring. Then I was going to run during lunch…still raining. Tennis was cancelled after work so I had no excuses. I tortured myself with 3 miles on the treadmill. Torture because it was so hot and I left my iPad home…no TV to pass the time.

Wednesday – No rain today and cooler temps so I went to the Crossings for an easy 4 mile run. My friend’s daughter was working at a nearby ice cream shop so I had to run by and buy a milkshake and then run back (which added an extra mile).

Thursday – Another rest day. Just work and met my BFF at the mall for a walk after work.

Friday – I went into work late today. I had a busy weekend planned and I wanted to get miles done in case I didn’t have time to run during the weekend. I drove to the bike path and ran 8.75 slow miles. By slow, I mean that I stopped at Starbucks and stopped many times to take photos, read my email, check on FB, etc. At least I was outdoors and the weather was great.

Saturday – I got early today because I had to proctor the MPREs at work. Afterward, we met some friends and drove to the Xfinity Center in MA to see Huey Lewis and the News and JIMMY BUFFET!! I am a proud “Parrothead.” It was a blast!

Sunday – after getting home at 2:30 am, we still got up early to head to the lake. I relaxed with some reading, hiking and dinner out.

16.75 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running.

This Week: (Week #5 of HM training)

Monday- 4 mile run before work, gym after
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – 3 mile run before work
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 mile run, weekend at Schroon River with my tennis BFFs
Sunday – rest, tennis

I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

August 14, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Running Tips

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 Running Tips

Here are 5 tips for New Runners.

1. Shoes are important.

It is essential to have good running shoes — ones that fit and that are comfortable. The first time, you should go to a running store to get fitted and try out different shoes.

my latest pair – Hokas

2. Wear comfortable clothes.

They shouldn’t chafe and should be breathable. Of course, if you look good, even better.

one of most comfortable Nike tops & ShirtSports skirts.

3. Eat properly.

That means not “running on empty.” I try to eat carbs before I run and protein after. But really, a healthy diet is the most important. If you run more than 4 miles, try different types of fuel before you use one in a race.

my pre-race breakfast of cream of wheat

4. Sign up for races.

There’s no greater motivator than running a race. The excitement of other racers is contagious. You will meet other runners. (Runners are the nicest people.) You will be surprised how much faster you run when you are racing.

5. Be proud.

Even if you are a slow runner or have a bad run, by running you have accomplished something big – Something that many people cannot do.

check out my knee – this was not a good race but I was ok with it.

Happy Running! Any other tips for new runners?

August 11, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall Race Schedule

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week, the theme is Fall Race Schedule

Here is my tentative list of races:

9-5-15 – Run for the Horses 5k

I ran this once several years ago – another race in the Saratoga park

9-12-15 – Malta 5k

this will be my 3rd time – a nice local race

9-19-15 – Arc in the Park 5K

this will be my first time

9-26-15 – Helper’s Fund 10K

I ran the 10k last year – hilly but scenic

10-03-15 – Apple Run 5K

my first time was last year – it’s on my list now

10-10-15 – Rock N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon

This is an inaugural race and my first time too

10-17-15 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K

I ran it last year and it was fun.

11-08-15 – Stockade-athon 15K

this will be my 4th time but 2nd on the new improved 15k course

11-21-15 – GOTR 5k

It’s an inaugural race – to raise $ for GOTR

11-26-15 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k

my 2nd time – loved this race last year

Happy Running! What races are on your fall schedule? Any of the ones above?

August 10, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– It was Staff Appreciation Day so I had the day off from work. My former co-worker, Molly and I decided to have our annual breakfast at the race track day. But since I didn’t have to rush off to work, we decided to stay for the races. It was a blast especially since I won 7 out of 10 races. Too bad I only bet $1 at a time.

Tuesday -I had planned to run before work but I was too tired (after 12 hours at the track yesterday.) Then it was raining during my lunch break so I decided to forget it. I did play tennis after work for about 2 hours (but went out to dinner after & put those calories burned back on.)

Wednesday – Again I got lazy and decided to run after work rather than before. I chose the rail trail close to home. I was tired so the run was slow but the highlight was a deer in my path.

Thursday – Not much happened today except that I had a hair appointment and ate a lot of food at work. So I forced myself to stop by the gym to a few minutes of exercise.

Friday – I left work early so I could go home and change in order to run an evening 5K.

free beer & ice cream & 2nd in my AG made up for my mediocre finish time

Saturday – Another rest and boating day on the schedule. So nice that the weather has been cooperating.

Sunday – After a restless night sleeping on the boat, I dragged myself up early to run. I love to run in this area and I know that it will be ending before you know it. Unfortunately, my hubby & friends were anxiously awaiting my return but I did manage to squeeze in 7 miles.

The rest of the day was spent similar to Saturday… on the water after breakfast out and then a boat ride up north to spend time with an old friend.

14 miles for the week with 4 rest days and only 3 days running. No wonder nothing hurts.

This Week: (Week #4 of HM training)

Monday- walk at work, rest, gym
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run after work,
Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym
Friday – 8 mile run (GO INTO WORK LATE), mah jongg
Saturday – rest, work, Jimmy Buffet concert!!
Sunday – rest, 4 mile run?

I am linking up for the first time to Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

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

August 8, 2015 by Darlene

Schenectady ARC 5K Challenge Race Recap

A Friday evening race. Not an ideal time. Especially if you work all day. How and when do you fuel? And in the summer, that’s the hottest part of the day!

But I signed up. So no whining here.

I have raced in this park several times, the most recent being in May.

I wasn’t sure if the course was the same as the Mother’s Day 5k but from what I remember, it seemed very similar.

Here it is:

From the start near the Cafe, the outer loop of the Outer loop of the course proceeds out Ashmore and Fehr Aves, turning left at Central Parkway, and re-entering the park at the Rose Garden, climbing Monument Hill, and turning left at the N Elm St. before turning left again at Nora Ave. It then follows Central Park Rd., Snowden Dr. around the south side of the Park before turning right on Duck Pond Drive, and left on Iroquois Way, and turning right across gravel and Band Shell. The inner loop and final mile of the course begins at the Pavilion, as the course loops left back on to PTL Arthur Chaires Ln., Central Parkway and Iroquois Way, an right on to the foot path for the final leg around Iroquois Lake to the Finish.

So my goal for the race was to beat my 2015 Mother’s Day 5k time of 30:16 (That race, I stopped to tie my shoe, fix my band-aids and walked 2x.) or if I was lucky beat my 2013 time of 29:38.

I left work early so I could go home, eat and change into my running clothes.

If you doubted my commitment to running, you won’t now. Our marina was having an Appreciation Party this afternoon – free food and drinks while hanging out with all our boating friends. I passed it up to run. (I told everyone that I had to work.)

I decided to have a late lunch of pumpkin pancakes with blueberry syrup. (Yes, I do cook sometimes.) I left early as to avoid the traffic.

It was not a large race – about 150 runners. I had no problem getting parking behind the start (near the tennis courts.)

This was one of the few local races where I didn’t know anyone. Probably because it was a Friday evening and there were several 5ks taking place over the weekend.

neon yellow tech shirt

So I just hung out until the race start. It was in the low 80s at the start, not too humid but very sunny.

wearing my skirtsports skirt, of course

For this race, it wasn’t my legs that felt slow, it was my breathing that got in the way. Probably because my legs felt ok, I ran the first mile too fast (under 9 min.)

The 2nd mile immediately had a hill which I walked to catch my breath and then I ran again until there was a 2nd hill.

More walking until the end of mile 2 when there was water stop. In addition to having a hard time breathing, the sun was setting and it was hot and blinding.

I felt a little better for mile 3 since I was trying to slow down. But I ran out of gas again, right before the finish line and walked for a bit so that I could finish strong.

And I did!

I was determined not to have a slower time than last weekend’s 5k.

I crossed at 29:27 (gun time, not chip time). Exactly the same time as the last one.

I actually wasn’t disappointed this time. I felt that I did the best I could. It was warm and I usually run better in the morning. The good news is that my feet felt fine!!

After the race, they had free beer. I’m not even a big beer drinker but it tasted great.

There was also a Good Humor truck with free ice cream. Definitely a reason to run this race!

I waited around for the awards and I did win 2nd in the 60-99 age group.

Unfortunately only 1st place got a beer glass 😦

So another 5k is in the books. Not my best but it could have been worse.

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:46
mile 2 – 9:48

mile 3 – 9:47
.14 – 9:03

Now my weekend is free for relaxing on our boat.

I’m linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining–she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Please head over and linkup a race recap you’ve written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!

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

August 7, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: A Day in the Life

This week, the theme is A Day in the Life.

Here’s 5 things that happen in my life on a typical Friday:

Social Networking on my iPad

I start every day with the Today show, breakfast and reading e-mail, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin on my iPad. I get up extra early to fit it in.

2. One Minute Plank

I sometimes (when I remember) do my plank on the bathroom floor when I am waiting for my shower to heat up.

3. Work

Not the highlight of my day but it is essential – it pays the bills and pays for my races. I work in IT at a law school and help staff and faculty with technology. In other words, I spend a lot of time on the computer.

4. Walking & Running

Yes, I am sitting most of the day. When the weather is nice, I try to force myself to go for a walk…usually to the park.

Usually three times a week, I run after work. If at all possible, I run outside.

5. Mah Jongg & Reading

Every Friday night from 7-11 pm, I play Mah Jongg with a great bunch of women. If everyone showed, we’d have 12 – 3 tables but usually we have only 8 and during the winter, sometimes it’s only 4.

our 6th anniversary dinner

We play, eat, drink and chat… so much fun and “brain” exercise, too.

I cannot fall asleep at night without reading. No matter how late, I go to bed, I read. Sometimes it’s just a few pages and sometimes I read for hours.

So that’s my typical Friday.

Happy Running! What do you do on a typical day?

August 5, 2015 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Commitment

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 COMMITMENT

So what exactly is commitment?

An enthusiasm for something and a determination to work hard at it

I’ll be honest.

I am not committed to healthy eating. I do eat well from time to time but not consistently.

I am not committed to exercise. I do that less often than eating healthy.

I used to be very committed to tennis. I played often. I practiced. I wanted to play well and win.

in 2002 at the National championships – very committed

in 2010 – sectional championships – not so committed

11205043_663073593825682_6376563245371427962_n

2015 – just playing for fun

That lasted for about 10 years but has been replaced by my commitment to running. I still enjoy tennis but I am not committed to it.

Yes, I’d like to think I am committed to running.

Of course, there are times when I don’t feel like running. But I do it because I want to be a better runner.

And sometimes the hard work pays off and the commitment is all worth it.

Happy Running! What are you committed to?

August 3, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday– I had the day off from work since I was working as tech support at the NYS Bar Exam. After a long day of sitting and reading, I was anxious to go for a run. It was VERY hot but I wasn’t far from one of the places where I like to do my long runs so I drove there. I ran 2 miles in one direction, stopped for water and ran 2 miles in the other. It was not easy but glad to get some exercise. (Rewarded myself with a Starbucks Frappuccino.)

Tuesday – I again had the day off from work since I was working as tech support at the NYS Bar Exam. After another even longer day of sitting and reading, I knew that I had to go for a run. It was about 6 pm so I drove across the street to The Crossings which is a great place to run. I ran a 3 mile loop that included a water stop. Then I decided to run to the ice cream shop for a Salted Caramel milkshake (yum) and back until I added another mile.

Wednesday – Another hot day but I was indoors all day at work. It was even too hot to go for a walk. So I dragged myself to my mini-gym to use the machines and then did some weeding at home. My hubby said it was too hot to cook so he twisted my arm and we went out to Chili’s followed by soft ice cream for dessert. (This hot weather sure is flattening.)

Thursday – Today I knew it was going to be another hot day with a chance of welcomed thunderstorms so I dragged myself out of bed and ran 3 miles in the neighborhood before work. Yes, it was cooler but boy was it humid!!! After dinner, I met my BFF at the mall where we chatted and walked in circles until we tired and then stopped at Starbucks.

holy humidity

Friday – Got again early to run 3 miles before work. My neighborhood is quite boring but I try to run in different directions. It was still humid but not as bad. I only had to work until noon. We had a staff picnic (sliders and ice cream) and we played games. After dinner, I played my weekly mah jongg.

Saturday – No exercise today. We spent the day on our boat just relaxing, first a dock on an island and then in a bay. I carb loaded at a local restaurant for dinner.

Sunday – Started the day with a nearby 5k race. After the race, I added 4 more miles and then spent the day with a friend who has a house in the area. My husband was on our boat. I met him later a little boating and for dinner before heading home.