August 19, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fueling Options & Tips

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: Fueling Options & Tips

This is so individual. Everyone has different tastes, flavor preferences, digestion issues, fitness levels, etc.

But here is what I use for fuel when I run…

Before a Run:

I never go out for a run on an empty stomach. If it is in the morning, I eat a bowl of hot cereal (2 packets.)

unfortunately they don’t sell this flavor anymore

If it is in the afternoon, I usually eat some type of protein/energy bar.

During a run:

Gels– I usually take one gel before a race and every 4 miles during a long run or race.

I prefer peanut butter or salted caramel

I like these but you have to order them online

Chews & beans– These are not my preference but I have taken them. I find them too sweet and too much like candy.

Water supplements – I prefer just plain H2O. But I know many people like to add electrolytes to their water.

If I did, I would use Nuun.

After a run: I like carbs such as bagels and cookies and fruit especially bananas and watermelon. If I have the choice, it would be ice cream!

Tips:

Be prepared. Carry fuel with you just in case. (I have forgotten to bring something & it’s not fun.)
Never try anything new during a race. Always try new products during your training runs.
Dieting is not a good idea if you are running. Rather than skimping on food to lose weight, just eat healthier.
Do what feels right for you. Some runners don’t eat before they run, gels upset some runners’ stomachs, etc.
When you find what you like, buy in bulk. FleetFeet sells gels – buy 10, get 2 free. You can buy online.

Happy Running! How do you fuel your runs?

August 17, 2014 by Darlene

FUNday SUNday

and I wasn’t boating.

It started out a slow 3 mile run in the neighborhood.

My hubby stayed up at the lake but I came home.

I haven’t seen Amanda, the girl I used to mentor, in a while. In fact not since May.

Then I decided to take them all to Hoffman’s Playland. It’s a local amusement park that’s been around forever but is closing Sept 15.

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Richard is 7 1/2 and Matthew will be 3 on Friday.

They went on all the little kid rides.

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and one big kids’ ride that they begged me to go on with them.

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yes, I was screaming!

Then we had dinner at Subway and of course, ice cream for dessert.

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I think he liked it 🙂

It is sad that this place is closing 😦

Happy Running! Do you like amusement parks?

August 16, 2014 by Darlene

Jailhouse Rock 5K race report

The race started at 8:30 at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa (about 40 minutes away.)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve done this one 3 times before (in 2009, 2010, & 2012).

I’m the one in the pink compression socks

I know that you walk up a hill to start and you finish running down this hill.

the hill is VERY steep

It was chilly for an August race. It felt more like fall than summer. But nice weather for running. I wore my new Swirlgear tank (though it was too big) and hoped that the sun would warm me up.

I got there early enough to find parking and use the rest room (in the museum). I bumped into 2 runners from my age group – one very fast and one slower than me. We chatted and then it was time to head up the hill.

I turned on my Garmin and I realized it was almost dead. It must not have been on the charger correctly. Oh well, I was hoping that it just might last 3 miles.

The first mile was a gradual uphill but nothing steep. I tried to hold back but I am not good at that. There were no clocks on the course but someone called out 9:20 somewhere after mile 1.

I was hoping to run the whole thing but around halfway at the water stop, I was pooped already so I stopped and walked for a while.

Around 1.7 miles, my Garmin stopped. So I guess I had to run blindly.

Mile 2 seemed to be flat and then at the same point, I think someone called out 16:xx.

Without a watch, I was lost. I can’t believe how I depend on it. I like to know how far till the end of the race and what my pace is.

I knew there was that downhill at the but I found myself walking AGAIN, right before it.

Finally I got to the steep hill, I wish I was confident enough to go all out but I was afraid of falling flat on my face so I held back.

Then I saw the clock. It was 27:xx but it was too late to get a PR…those darn walks!!

I crossed at 28:25.

I was happy. It was faster than my previous two 5ks.

done!

While I was waiting for the times to be posted, I ran into another runner that I met at 2 other races. She is 59. She finished several minutes ahead of me but was 6th in her age group. I came in 2nd in my group. (I guess that will change next year when she is in my age group.)

jhr

race swag – hat for my ag prize, tech tee shirt, Xmas ornament, a package of cards

After the race, on the way back to my car, I passed the Iron Spring.

it is on the Xmas onrament

Then I noticed a trail so I took it.

It was only 1 mile out and back but very peaceful.

On one side there was brook flowing.

Although it was not warm and it was getting cloudy, I decided to drive back up to the lake.

I wanted to run some more but it was late and everyone was heading out to one of the islands.

Log Bay island on Lake George

We hung out all afternoon – eating, listening to music and watching the boats go by.

the marina gang

As for my 5K, I am satisfied with my efforts but as always, feel that I can do better.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:03
mile 1- 1.7 – 9:26
mile 1.7-3.1 – ???

Race Goals:

Run the whole thing (haven’t been very successful at this lately.) – NOPE – walked twice
Under 10 min mile splits – YES!
Finish under 30 minutes – YES!
Win an age group award – YES – 2nd
Finish happy & uninjured – YES!

My next 5k is Sept 7. After that, I need to prep for my 10 miler in October.

Happy Running! Any racing plans this weekend?

August 15, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Freebie

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 a Freebie so I chose to write about the 5 reasons “Why I Run”:

1. because it makes me feel healthy

I do not healthy most of the time. I do not follow any special diets. I don’t make smoothies or eat kale. I eat meat, I eat carbs and I love my sweets especially ice cream. Running is one of the few healthy things that I do.

running + ice cream = 🙂

2. because it makes me feel active

I have a sedentary job. I sit at a computer most of the day. Some days, I don’t even leave my desk. Running gets me up early in the morning or out after work.

running in the park after work

3. because it gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment

Even after a poor race, I know that I have done more than those who have stayed home. When I say that I ran 13.1 miles, people who are not runners are “in awe.” Every time I cross that finish line, I feel proud!

finishing a 5K

at my first half marathon

4. because it makes me feel young

At 61, I may not be the fastest and PRs are getting harder to come by, but I still finish faster than a lot runners that are younger than me.

see those younger ones behind me LOL

this recent picture is featured on the race website – springrunoff.com

5. to be party of a community

Runners are awesome people. Even when I go to a race where I don’t know anyone, I always end of chatting with someone. I have met so many people because of running, many of whom I now consider my “friends.” And then there are the bloggers…you are my “virtual friends.”

before the Adirdondack Half Marathon

pre-Love Run Half dinner

at a recent 5K

at one of several races with fellow blogger AJH

recent race with Judy, Facebook friend

Happy Running! Why do you run?

August 14, 2014 by Darlene

Three Day Weekend Coming

well not really finally…I’ve had quite a few this summer but it’s never enough

Our marina is having a party on Friday for all its boating customers…free food and drink. Of course, I have to go.

Then I am heading back home because….

I have another race on Saturday! No surprise there.

This time, it’s a 5K.

It starts at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa (about 40 minutes away.)

I’ve done this one 3 times before (in 2009, 2010, & 2012).

just found this pic online from 2012 (I’m wearing the pink compression socks)

I know that you walk up a hill to start and you finish running down this hill.

the hill is VERY steep

JHR Stats:
2009 – 31:04
2010 – 29:49
2011 – injured
2012 – 30:58 (recovering)
2013 – injured

I won 1st in my AG in 2009 and 3rd in my AG in 2010 – SOCKS both times!

Last year, I entered a new age group so anything can happen.

Race Goals:

Run the whole thing (haven’t been very successful at this lately.)
Under 10 min mile splits
Finish under 30 minutes
Win an age group award
Finish happy & uninjured.

If the weather cooperates (and warms back up), I hope to spend the rest of the weekend boating and hopefully my second Bolton Landing run on Sunday.

Happy Running! Any racing plans this weekend?

August 13, 2014 by Darlene

First Bolton Landing run of the summer

How is that possible? On August 10???

Since I started running in 2008, my favorite place to run has been Bolton Landing where we go boating every weekend.

I used to go up every Saturday, sleep on the boat and then run there Sunday morning. Sometimes I would take Friday or Monday off and we would spend two nights on the boat and I could run two mornings in Bolton Landing. (In the beginning, we used to stay on the islands and I would make my hubby go back into town in the morning so I could run.)

This summer, however, I have been boating only for one day each weekend and not sleeping on the boat. Many reasons….long runs, races, other things to do on the weekend, etc.

So I was really excited to spend the WHOLE weekend here this past weekend. And the weather could not have been better.

After my 10K race on Saturday, I drove around the lake to the marina and spent the rest of the day floating around and reading on the boat.

We barbecued dinner by the moonlight.

And then I got up bright and early the next morning.

After some breakfast, I headed out to run.

First I ran north to the public beach and then back out toward the Sagamore.

Unfortunately, it was too early in the morning for the waterlilies to be open.

I ran around Sagamore Island for a bit.

Then I ran on the nature trail.

Soon it was time to head back to the marina.

I only ran 3.8 miles and I stopped often to take pics. After Saturday’s hilly 6.2 miles, it was nice to take it easy.

My hubby was patiently waiting when I got back to marina so we could take the boat out for brunch.

Maybe if it is nice next weekend, I’ll get to sleep on the boat and take another run in Bolton Landing. Like the good old days.

Happy Running! Where is your favorite place to run?

August 10, 2014 by Darlene

Camp Chingachgook Challenge race recap

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I was looking forward to another Lake George race because I love the scenery. This race is even more scenic than the Adirondack Distance Run and just as hilly.

I ran this race 2 years ago as my first 10k ever. I finished at 1:09:07 but I was still recovering from ankle surgery.

Since then I have run 3 more 10ks – each one faster than the previous one. My PR was the Spring Run Off 10k this year with a time of 1:00:51.

I expected to improve upon my first Camp Chingachgook Challenge time but not PR due to the hills.

The course is out and back – which means hills both ways.

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along the lake most of the way

no flat sections!

The weather was perfect for running – warm but not too warm, sunny and low humidity.

I had my usual breakfast of hot cereal and left around 7 am. I got there with no problems around 8:15 am, found parking, used the (real) restrooms and wandered around for a while exploring the grounds.

before the race

I bumped into Judy whom I met on Facebook and then our boating friend, Ron. Ron was there because his daughter’s boyfriend, Josh, was running the half marathon (which ends at the same place as the 10k but starts an hour earlier) and J0sh’s father was running the 10k.

I lined up with Josh’s father and made the mistake of trying the keep up with him for the first 2 miles or so. (He is fast!)

As I mentioned, although you run along the lake for the whole way, it is HILLY, I mean very HILLY. I have run 2 races on the other side of the lake and this side, the hills are a lot steeper.

I started out too fast, of course, and I even tried to run up the hills. But since I don’t train for hills and hate them, I soon tired and realized that if I wanted to finish upright, I better walk them and so I did.

Walking during a race does not make me happy but at times, the hills were so steep that I had trouble walking up them. The only good thing was that many runners were walking and even those who did not, were running slow and I could pass them on the downhills.

With all the walking, my PR hopes were gone and then I wondered if this would be my slowest 10k ever.

I planned to pick up the pace the second half of the race but my right shin started to ache. I didn’t want to wind up injured so I just walked more often. Now I was only running on the downhills.

Finally the race ended and I was happy it was on a downhill plus my friend, Ron was there cheering me on. I mustered up enough strength to sprint and pass two runners. I crossed at 1:04:54.

Both Josh and his father had already finished and ran very well.

I got some food…there were hotdogs, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, bagels, and watermelon – quite a spread.

food pavillon

Then I wandered around waiting for friends to finish.

beautiful facilities on the lake

I got to see Judy finish.

She was happy with her race.

me & Judy

Then I found a bunch of the SRMs who had done the half marathon.

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they were smart to cool off in the lake

Eventually it was time to leave this beautiful place. My friend Ron had his boat and was going back to the marina. My hubby was waiting for me there so I hopped in my car and drove back around the lake to the other side.

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I did come in 2nd in my age group but I didn’t stick around for the awards. (I think they were only giving out awards for 1st.)

Splits:

mile 1- 9:09
mile 2- 10:29
mile 3 – 9:47
mile 4 – 11:42
mile 5 – 11:14
mile 6 – 10:53
.22 – 9:11

As you can see, the second half of the race got ugly.

Goals:

Run more than walk – Not sure about his one.
Pace under 10 min/mile for most miles – Nope – Only miles 1 &3!!
Course PR (under 1:09) – YES!
Finish strong and uninjured – YES!
Enjoy the race – YES!

So was I disappointed? Of course. I am pretty hard on myself. I didn’t like how I handled (or didn’t handle) the hills. But then again, I don’t train on hills. At least I beat my time on this course from two years ago and I know I can do better.

race swag – nice tech shirt

I enjoyed the race. I never regret a race. And my legs felt fine after. I was even able to run the next morning.

Happy Running! Any advise for running hilly races?

August 6, 2014 by Darlene

I guess I’m “inspiring”

I’ve been tagged by Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete. Thanks Tiffany.

The Rules:

Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
List the rules and display the award.
Share seven facts about yourself.
Nominate 15 other blogs you enjoy, then comment on their posts to let them know that you have nominated them.

I have been blogging for a while so if you read my blog, you probably know everything about me already but if you are new, here are
Seven Things About Me:

1. I started running in April 2008 at the age of 55!! Since then I have run 124 races. In January 2011, I ran my first of 9 half marathons.

my first half in Naples, Fla.

my 9th in Saratoga, NY

2. Second to running is my love for tennis. I started playing seriously about 15 years ago. The best thing about tennis is the friends that I have made. Now we do lots of things together that doesn’t even involve playing tennis.

group photo with our instructor Billy Bob

at a Broadway show

3. My first profession was that of a French teacher. I did that for 22 years. I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France. I love anything and everything French – art (Monet), music (Celine Dion), food (pain au chocolat), drinks (kir), cafe au lait, Les Miz, etc.

4. I play mah jongg once a week with a great group of ladies. My favorite game, however, is still Scrabble.

playing mah jongg by the Schroon River

5. I love to travel. I would do it more if I had the time and the money. I have been to most countries in Europe (except Ireland) & Israel, Greece & Russia. China and an African safari are on my bucket list as well as Alaska.

3rd trip to Kursk, Russia

6. I’m a computer geek. Luckily I went back to school and got another Masters and I have been working as an Instructional Technologist for the past 16 yrs. Digital photography is my passion. I never leave the house without a camera.

7. Finally, Dec 29, 2011 was one of the worst days in my life. I fell avoiding an ice patch while out running and broke my ankle in several places. I had a plate and 8 screws put in. It was a very long recovery. The doctor said that I may play tennis again but probably would not be able to run. But I proved him wrong!! I started running after 5 months and starting playing tennis after 8 months.

then

now

Here are some “inspiring” bloggers (in no particular order):

Happy Running! Please tag yourself if you are reading this post & I haven’t tagged you.

August 4, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – walk around the hotel, work at the bar exam, 4 mile run after

Tuesday – walk around the hotel, work at the bar exam, rest

Wednesday – 3 5 mile run ~~before~~ after work, walk at work, ~~yoga after~~

Thursday – walk at work, staff picnic, ~~5 mile run~~(rain)

Friday & Saturday- tennis. hiking (in CT)

3.5 mile hike

Sunday – ~~5K race + 3 more miles~~, ~~boating~~, 6 mile run

Hot, Hilly & Humid

This Week:

Monday – breakfast at the track, rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, yoga
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday- walk at work, rest
Saturday –10 K race, boating
Sunday – rest

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

August 3, 2014 by Darlene

Tennis, Hiking, 5K DNS

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a busy weekend planned visiting a friend in Connecticut.

Positives:

played tennis better than ever
it didn’t rain except at night
hiked and walked a lot
had lots of fun with my friends

Negatives:

didn’t run for 3 days
ate a lot (and not healthy)
did not run my 5K race
my car is dead & will cost a lot to fix

So let’s start with the good stuff.

My friend Linda & I left for our 2 hour drive to Torrington, CT early Friday am. It was raining when we left but cleared up quickly. The place where our friend, Fonda, lives (Lakeridge) is amazing:

18 outdoor tennis courts
3 indoor courts
outdoor pool
indoor pool & hot tub
gym
small lake with beach
large lake with trails
horseback riding
skiing
gardens
and more…

front of her condo

As soon as we arrived, we went to play tennis. Fonda’s friend was our 4th for doubles and it was so much fun.

me, Linda & Fonda

After tennis, we all went to the pool and then Linda & decided to do the 3 mile hiking trail that went around Burr Lake. It wasn’t a difficult trail just lots of rocks and branches so you had to go slow.

just starting

The view were really nice and it wasn’t too hot (just buggy).

taking a break

We were warned to pay attention to the blue markingson the trees or we would leave the trail and end up on the blue/white trail.

And yes, that’s what happened. We continued on the wrong trail for a while hoping it would lead us back toward the lake but it didn’t so we had to retrace our steps until we found the spot where we had gone wrong.

Eventually we made our way back to the pool where we had started – 2 hour hike!!

refreshing after a long sweaty hike

Soon it was time to head out to dinner (and it had started to rain.) We ate in a nice Italian restaurant and spent the rest of the evening playing Scrabble.

In the morning, the rain had stopped so we went out for a walk. Lakeridge is ALL hills. I could have run but it wouldn’t have been pleasant.

it is steeper than it looks

We decided to walk to the gardens and the stables.

the poor horses were all indoors because of the rain.

We walked around until we got a call that the rest of our group had arrived.

After a quick lunch, we headed to the courts to play more tennis.

Tennis was my life for about 10 years. All I did was play, think and talk about tennis. Then I discovered running. And running has replaced tennis as my “love.” As a result, I don’t play tennis much and when you don’t play much, you don’t play as well. Well, this is the first time in a long time that I played 2 days in a row. And I played GREAT!

our happy group minus the 4 couldn’t couldn’t come

Afterwards, we went to the pool and the hot tub before heading out to an Italian restaurant again for dinner.

After dinner, Linda & I headed home when the rest went to a play and would stay overnight.

Sounds good so far…

Now for the bad part:

Thursday night, on the way to the store, my car just died!! So I called AAA and had it towed to the dealer. It sat at the dealer all day Friday because they were too busy to look at it. On Saturday, I found out that it needed a new fuel pump which they may be able to get on Monday…

Plan A – get up early on Sunday morning, drive up North to my 5K race and then head to the marina (which was nearby) to join my hubby and friends to go boating on Lake George.

point-to-point race in Chestertown that I was excited to run

Plan B – clean up the house, do laundry, run 6 miles locally, weed, relax, read & watch TV

Plan A sounds like so much more fun… but since I was carless, I had to choose Plan B. I was bummed but there will be other races and at least I didn’t DNS because of injury.

Happy Running! Ever DNS a race?