May 28, 2014 by Darlene

Lacking training mojo

After my last 2 solo runs (and my vacation runs), I need to vent.

I don’t have any training mojo.

It’s not that I don’t run. I do. But not well.

I have to admit, I am the worst runner when I run by myself.

NOT ME!! I stop when I am tired.

I don’t want to have slow crappy runs, but I can’t seem to make myself run without stopping.

I mean I stop A LOT and my pace is around 12-13 min/mile. I may use “I want to take pictures” as an excuse but it is really that I can’t make my legs go anymore.

And I don’t do tempo runs or fartleks or hill repeats or intervals. I just shuffle along. (I have tried but I lack motivation.)

I just run to get it done.

Is it?

A mile at 8 min pace is the same as a mile at 13 min pace??

This would reinforce my lackluster training.

You and i know that it is NOT the same.

True!

But I think I am past that.

I run 3-4 times a week.

This weekend will be my 14th race this year.

I feel like I should be doing more.

Do you always?

I have some friends who hate me because when I am in a race, I run so much faster. Even if I haven’t trained, I still have a decent finish time.

I am surprised at my pace and my age group awards because I don’t deserve them.

My paces at races is now consistently in the 9’s even though I train in the 12’s.

Mom’s Day 5K – 28:13

Spring Run Off 10K – 1:00:51

Cherry Blossom 5k – 27:51

It’s not that I am blazing fast and there are women my age who are faster but I don’t train hard.

I think that where it hurts me is in the longer races like half marathons. My splits get slower and slower because I don’t have the stamina and I am not used to running and not stopping when my legs are tired.

Some people would say that if you are not getting injured, enjoying your races and winning awards, why worry.

Phew!

Glad I got that out of the way.

Thanks for listening.

Happy Running! Any advice?

May 27, 2014 by Darlene

Girls Run Fast

I almost forgot, I am now a GirlsRunFast Ambassador!

So who are GirlsRunFast™ ambassadors?

We are lovers of all things healthy. We love running… and more!
We love to exercise and make a point to make it a part of every day.
We have a passion for the good things in life like food, fun and friends!
We do not believe that you need to live to the extreme to meet a goal.
We teach and don’t preach!
We RUN!

That’s Me!!

I am looking forward to sharing their news and product information with you all!

If you didn’t know this about me, I love jewelry. GirlsRunFast sell handcrafted necklaces, earrings, charms and anklets. They also have cute tech shirts, hats and temporary tattoos. Check them out at www.girlsrunfast.com

If you are interested in becoming a GirlsRunFast ambassador, apply here.

Happy Running!

May 25, 2014 by Darlene

Clean Caffeine and LYFT Energy Stir Stick review

What are LYFT Energy Stir Sticks?

LYFT Energy Stir Sticks are a new way to add all natural caffeine to any beverage you’re drinking.

The energy is derived from all natural green coffee bean extract and has vitamins A and B complex. So there are 0 calories AND no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. The added caffeine is equal to one tall coffee (125 mg).

They are convenient. You can stash some in your gym bag or even your pocket.

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To use, just peel down the label completely off the whole stick (over your drink) and remove it. Dip the stick repeated into your drink. Then stir the stick into your drink for approximately 20 seconds.

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Click HERE to compare to other energy products.

I am not one to take any of these. Not that I don’t need energy but I never liked the idea of putting chemicals in my body for energy.

To fuel my long runs, I carry a gel in my pocket or belt. I also never carry water. I drink water before or after & stop midway.

I also have given up coffee and caffeine. However, I have started taking Salted Caramel Gu (20 mg caffeine) occasionally with no adverse effects. It has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.

So I decided to try it on my morning run yesterday. So before my run, I added Lyfte energy stick to a glass of water. I was very tired and it seemed to wake me up as coffee would. (My run was very sluggish but that had to do with my tired legs from a week of playing tennis daily.)

Positives:

The taste – I noticed no taste at all. It was just like I was drinking water.

The Ingredients – No artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. Can’t beat that.

Convenience – Very portable. Easy to use. You can add them to a variety of drinks.

Does it work ? As I said I’ve never taken any of the other energy boosters so I have no comparison but it did seem to give energy (as would coffee in the am.)

How was it on my stomach? I don’t even drink Nuun or Gatorade, just plain water. I have tried Gatorade and it makes me nauseous. However, I had no stomach issues with LYFT added to my water.

The Negatives:

Flavors – No flavor unlike Nuun or Gatorade which come in a variety. So if you want flavor, you would just add it a flavored soda, juice or a mixed drink.

Cost – Kinda pricey. A pack of 2- $5.99, 6- $15.99, 24 – $49.99. But then again, I just drink water from the tap.

Availability – I have yet to see LYFT in any local sports stores. You can order them online. Many people order everything online. I, on the other hand, often wait until the last minute and have to drive over to FleetFeet, Olympia Sports, etc. Plus, I don’t like to pay for shipping.

So you need extra energy and you want to add something natural to your drink, I would recommend LYFT Energy Stir Sticks.

Happy Running! What do you drink to get extra energy?

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*I was sent these products free of charge. I have not been compensated for my review, my opinions are my own.

May 24, 2014 by Darlene

Running while on vacation

im_back Well, I got back late Wednesday night from my annual TENNIS vacation in Naples Florida.

The schedule was that every morning we play doubles for 1.5 hours and then have a tennis lesson for 1.5 hours.

our group with our instructor

Did I run?

Yes! I made it a priority to do so.

In order to run, I would skip part of the doubles play and run. After my run, I would change my clothes and join them to play. After playing we would have our lesson.

After the first 2 days, I realized that it was faster to run in my tennis clothes and have someone bring my racket & shoes to the court.

Often?

Yes! 5 times.

Thursday before tennis that got rained out – 3 miles halted by rain in the middle
Friday before tennis – 3 miles again
Saturday before tennis – 3 miles barely
Monday before tennis – 2.5 miles
Tuesday before tennis – 2 miles

I did not run Sunday since we were going to Longboat Key to visit friends and play tennis. I did not run on Wednesday since we moved our tennis lesson to an earlier time.

Were they good runs?

Nope. None were.

It was very humid on the first few runs and of course, much warmer than I was used to. Then it got even warmer. It was tough to breathe and run. My running got to be walking/running and slower and slower.

I also found for the first time that I was missing tennis. Everyone else was playing tennis. I wanted to be with them And I wanted to be warmed up before our lesson.

So my runs got shorter.

Did I enjoy them?

Yes. Immensely.

I loved the scenery – the trees, flowers,etc. I loved the sunshine and even the heat.

During each run I took a different route. I ran around the neighborhoods of World Tennis Center (WTC). I ran around the pool area and tennis courts. I ran outside the WTC along the main road in one direction and then another day in the other direction.

What will I do differently next year?

I could get up earlier. But it’s hard when you go out to dinner late and you are hanging out with friends after that.

I could run every other day. But you never know in Florida when it will rain. You have to take advantage of the beautiful weather.

I could just play tennis but I would have been upset with myself for NOT running.

I could run after tennis but I know I would have been too tired and would be making others wait for me to go to the beach.

So next year, I will probably do nothing different from this year.

Views from my Naples runs:

one of the bridges along themain road

path at WTC to the tennis courts

another bridge on the main road

in WTC

our villa in WTC

one more bridge along the main road

the main road in the other direction

more views of WTC

thought the SLOW sign was meaningful

Suggestions for running while on vacation:

Be prepared. Bring clothes for all weather conditions.
Schedule your runs. If you leave it to chance, it won’t happen.
Be flexible. Sometimes other persons’ needs or desires will come before your running.
Find a scenic route. Pretty views make all the difference.
Lower your expectations. Distance & speed goals will probably not happen.
Register for a race in the area, if possible. Then you will definitely run.
Have fun.

Happy Running! Do you run while on vacation?

May 13, 2014 by Darlene

Gonna get me some vitamin D

Tomorrow I leave for the tennis ladies’ 10th trip together to Naples, Florida. (For some of us, this is our 18th tennis trip – 1 Palm Springs, 5 Las Vegas, 1 Dominican Rep, 1 Delray Beach.)

There will be only 7 of us this year (usually 10) and we are renting 2 villas (from the same lady) in World Tennis Center.

This is my second trip to Florida this year. (Remember, it was cool and windy on my last trip). This purpose of this trip is to play tennis and do some female-bonding. (There are no races this time of year in Florida 😦 )

We will be playing tennis everyday from 8-11 am.

I no longer need a knee brace.

and then we will be busy the rest of the day with a variety of fun/relaxing activities.

I could never get tired of looking at this!!!

I think they will involve this view.

I am bringing my running clothes. Will I run??? I certainly hope so!!

these were my enthusiastic friends in 2008 – will I be able to get them to run with me???

I won’t have a computer so no posting for 8 days!!! (I will have my iPad & iPhone so I will be following your blogs and updating my FB status.)

I will post pics when I return.

Happy Running! I will miss you all! Stay healthy!

May 11, 2014 by Darlene

Mom’s Day 5K Race Report

I always like to race on Mother’s Day. It usually falls around my birthday so I feel I am celebrating that as well.

This is the first year that I was not running in the HMRRC’s Mother’s Day race. I liked it when it was close by and then it moved to Schenectady.

2011 in Delmar

Mary Pat & I at last year’s race in Schenectady

This race has great swag – bag, rose, chocolate fountain, etc. I would have done it again if there wasn’t a closer race and beside, this is the year of running NEW races.

So today I ran a familiar course (same as last weekend’s) but a new race.

I convinced my friend, Mary Pat to run with me again this year. (She has been injured so wasn’t that enthusiastic.) Coincidentally, we both pulled into the parking lot at the same time so we walked over to get our bibs. And I was still debating on whether or not to do the 5k or the 10K.

look at our bib numbers

The weather was picture perfect. Blue skies and sunshine. A little warmer than I would have liked but I am not complaining. The sunshine was delightful. There was quite a breeze so that kept you cool.

I finally decided on the 5K. It looked like there were very few running the 10K so I didn’t feel like running alone and it was warm. Also I left my Gu home and I don’t like to run over 5 miles without fuel. So I stuck with my original registration.

I bumped into Valerie again (a runner in my age group who runs many of the same races). She said her goal is to someday “beat me.” Great! Now I feel pressure!.

This race was low key. No chips and timing devices. A line on the sidewalk where you started and finished.

The race also started about 15 minutes late while they were marking the course.

Getting ready & starting my watch

As usual, I started off fast and waited to peter out.

beautiful day on the river…lots of fisherman

It was warmer than I was used to. This was my first summer-like temp race. It was exactly the same course as last weekend.

I was very very thirsty and held out until the turn around to stop for water and walk for awhile. Ugh! I hate when I do that.

Then I continued slower than before. On the way back, we were running into the wind. But it felt good. I am not sure if it was the heat or that I was running too fast, but I found it hard to breathe. I stopped and walked at least two more times. And this is only a 5K!!

Finally the finish line was in sight. I sprinted and tried to finish under 28 minutes but could not muster up enough energy.

heading to the finish line

Final time was 28:14 (23 out of 134)

Splits: (Garmin time – 28:10)

mile 1 – 8:59
mile 2 – 9:16
mile 3 – 9:23
.14 – 8:05

Done!

Positive splits! No surprise there. Not a bad time considering the walking.

The food was just banana halfs and apples. I missed the HMRRC race’s chocolate fountain, pizza, soup and delicious pastries, etc.

We waited around for awhile but my friend Mary Pat had to leave. So I hung out with Valerie and some others waiting for the awards. There were some older women that finished ahead of me but it turned out that they were younger than me. Yay!

mom 5k

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I won first in 60+. (I hate that age group. Feel ancient!)

I dropped off my swag in my car and continued to run some more.

Unfortunately it was getting late so I only had time for 2 more miles. Better than nothing. (My hubby was home waiting to leave.)

The course was nice but I think next year I will return the HMRRC Mother’s Day race in Central Park. (Good food & tech shirts are important.)

the marina where we keep our boat..many of our friends were out on their boats

I continued my Mother’s Day/Birthday celebration with dinner with my hubby at one of my bucket list restaurants. It’s in the town where we keep our boat in the summer so it’s on the lake (but pretty pricey.)

view from the restaurant – Chateau on the Lake

Our friends stopped by on their boat and snapped our pic:

The meal was great and so was the day!

Happy Running! Did you run or race today? If not, how did you celebrate?

May 10, 2014 by Darlene

#Run50

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New York -5K, 10K, 15K, 4m, 5m, 131.
Florida – 13.1
California – 10m, 13.1
Vermont – 5K
Pennsylvania – 5K, 13.1

I wish I started running earlier. I used to have a job that allowed me to go to conferences all over the country. There was a 5k at each conference. They always closed out in hours. At the time, I thought people were nuts to get up at 7 am to run. But for the last conference that I went to (2006), I registered and walked the 5k (in 45 min.) I started to see how much fun everyone was having.

I visited 8 cities/states for those conferences (San Diego, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, San Antonio, Philly, New Orleans). Too bad, I wasn’t a runner then.

Now I am 61. I have run in 5 states so far.

Run in all 50 states?! Not likely. But I will do my best to run in some more different states.

I’d say my goal is 15 states.

Many bloggers are pursuing the goal of running in ALL 50 states: