October 14, 2013 by Darlene

Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon Race Report

Even though this was to be my 7th half marathon, I was nervous as I was with each of the other 6. I always feel that I haven’t trained enough and that I may not be able to finish. This race was no different.

I had my usual oatmeal for breakfast and my hubby drove me to Colonie Town Park where the race began. (This worked out great…I got to sleep an extra hour than if i had to take the bus.) I got there in plenty of time to use the restroom (yeah, real ones) and look for familiar faces. Everyone felt like me – nervous & excited.

We tried to gather all the SRMss (Strong Running Mamas) for a photo. Of course, me missed a few that were in the bathroom (or running the full marathon).

here we are

The weather was perfect…cool but promised to warm up into the 60’s and be sunny. I debated about what to wear. I decided on a tank top but with my long sleeve SRM shirt over it. (In hindsight, should have ditched the SRM shirt.)

As I waited for the race to start, I contemplated my race strategy.

My plan was to run faster than my long runs for as long as I could and then run/walk the rest. I also planned to walk at every water stop (so every 2 miles) and take a gel at every other (so every 4 miles.) With any luck, I will finish under 3 hours.

Finally, it was time to start.

starting…

As you can see, this is basically a flat course. The half marathon is the second half of the marathon course. I am only familiar with the last 4 miles or so (the Corning bike trail).

As with any race, it took me a while to get in the groove. But I knew I had a while. I tried to run slow but at an even pace.

What really surprised me was the first mile had HILLS!! And I refused to walk because it was too early. it was through the park so there were potholes, loose gravel & wet leaves. (The volunteers were super calling out warnings.)

running through the park

Though I tried to run slow, I was caught up in the excitement and ran too fast.

though I look tired already

I also realized that it was way too warm to wear my shirt. After the first mile, I took it off & tied it around my waist (which annoyed me the whole race 😦 )

The course was beautiful. Sun shining through the colorful foliage. I wish I had taken pictures but it was too hard to get my phone out of my belt.

Everything was going really well until almost mile 6.

I had water at each stop and drank it while running. I had a gel around mile 4 (I still haven’t mastered holding water, opening the packet & eating it while running.)

But near mile 6 is when I realized that I had been running too fast. I was ready to be done. My legs weren’t tired. My feet didn’t hurt. What was killing me were my arms and my shoulders!! Was I tense? Was I clenching my fists? Don’t know but it was hard to move.

So I just started walking and then running and then walking more and running.

I was only at 1:03 at halfway. It seemed that I should easily PR (my PR was 2:22). Why was I thinking PR? I just wanted to finish, right?

But as I walked more, it seemed less likely that I could. It bothered me but not enough to will myself to run and not walk.

Finally we reached the river. Now I was familiar with the course. It was beautiful. But I was struggling. I just wanted it to end.

Finally about 1 mile to go, I saw a SRM cheering me on so I started to run.

Melissa’s 3-year old daughter with a sign

Then a 1/2 mile later, I saw my hubby. He took a photo (turned out to be of the ground) and then another as I was running by.

there I go…I look kinda crippled

As I approached the finish line, I heard motorcycles and people screaming!! The lead runner in the MARATHON was about to cross. They were yelling at me to run faster. I tried to run as fast as I could but I couldn’t outrun someone who had run 26.2 miles at 5 min miles!! So I just moved out of the way.

10 sec after the marathon winner…at least I was fast enough to be in the photo

And then, I crossed after him. (So no PR & I finished after a full marathoner…)

There was lots of food. I grabbed a few things but wasn’t hungry.

the end of the race at the Corning Preserve

On my way back to meet my hubby, I bumped into some SRMs & we snapped a photo.

some happy finishers

I saw many of the others & hugged them. They ALL did great.. many PRs and many firsts!!

a first half for my friend’s daughter, Courtney (on left)

Happy to be done but disappointed in my performance, we jumped in the car and drove up to Lake George.

My shoulders & upper back were killing me but my legs and feet were fresh. Go figure.

the rest of the day was spent here

Here were my race goals:

GOAL A: under 2:30
GOAL B: under 2:45
GOAL C: under 3:00
GOAL D: finish uninjured

And yes, I met GOAL A. I am happy. I had fun. And I know that I can do better. (The positive: this was my 2nd fastest half marathon.)

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 10:18
mile 2 – 10:06
mile 3 – 10:05
mile 4 – 10:02
mile 5 – 10:21
mile 6 -10:59 – starting to die
mile 7 – 10:58
mile 8 – 11:15
mile 9 – 11:27
mile 10 – 11:41
mile 11 – 11:45
mile 12 – 12:02 – dying
mile 13 – 11:08
.18 – 8:42

Happy Running! Anyone else race this weekend?

October 12, 2013 by Darlene

Les Mis-acholic

Yes, I am addicted to Les Miserables.

I love the show, the characters, the story, the MUSIC…everything!

When I was a French teacher, I took my French V class every year to see it on Broadway….that was at least 12 times or more. I have also seen all the films and local productions. I have the books and soundtracks in both French and English.

My college friend calls it getting our “Les Mis fix.”

Luckily I have a former colleague, Eileen, who is addicted too.

It turns out that recently it was playing locally in 2 theatres. And yes, we got tickets for BOTH.

First one – Oct 5, 2013.

Les Miserables, Broadway’s brilliant musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love, loss, honor and redemption, will open the Theatre Institute at Sage’s fourth season.

Featured in this production are the original Les Miserables Broadway production actors Craig Schulman (Jean Valjean) and Gary Lynch (Javert). Also featured in the cast are local equity actor and Theatre Institute at Sage Artist-in-Residence, Sage alumna and Theatre Institute at Sage actors. The cast consists of 36 actors from the Capital District.

I have to say, I was shocked at how good this show was. I knew the leads would be awesome but the college students in the cast were incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was great to see it in a small local theatre. We were in the 2nd row (we could have sat in the first row as there were no assigned seats) and the tickets cost $15 (not $130 as for one on Broadway.)

Craig Schulman – 2000 performances of Jean Valjean -the best one ever!

After the show, you got to meet the cast who greeted everyone in the hall.

Second one – Oct 11, 2013.

At Cohoes Music Hall – Review HERE. All the reviews were great.

I was originally more excited for this production. But after the first one, I didn’t know how they could top the one at Sage.

Well, the cast was outstanding also. It was a mixture of local and NYC talent. The tickets were more expensive and our seats were in the balcony but nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the show.

And Guess What?

back on Broadway!

My friend Eileen says we have to go!

Les Mis has succeeded in taking my mind off of my half marathon tomorrow … for at least a few hours 🙂

Happy Running! Are there any movies or shows that you see over and over?

October 10, 2013 by Darlene

Pre-Race Checklist

PRE

1. Go to the Expo on Saturday and pick up my bib.

It is in a hotel in downtown Albany where the parking is a little crazy. I’ve never been to it who knows what I’ll pick up.

2. Check the weather for the 100th time and plan an outfit.

The weather has kept changing all week. I am just hoping for NO RAIN. So far so good.

I want to wear my SRM shirt (pictured above) but it long sleeved and I hate being hot when running. So most likely I will wear the outfit below with a different belt & shoes. (I’ll bring the shirt for the photo.)

3. Gather all the other stuff.

race belt
hat
sunglasses
roadID
Garmin
Gel (3 – miles 4, 8, 12)
water & food for before the race
jacket

4. Carb load!

I don’t do well at this especially if I am not home all day. I will try to have some pasta.

5. Coordinate getting to and from the race.

The race starts at the Colonie Town Park (where there is minimal parking) and ends at the Corning Bike Path. If I park at the start, I can take a bus back to my car but it doesn’t leave until 12:30 pm (4 hours later). I could also park my car in the pay lot near the finish and take a bus to the start (but I would get there rather early and have to hang around getting nervous). The best case would be if my hubby dropped me off at the start and then picked me up at the finish line. He would IF the weather were lousy and it weren’t the LAST day of boating season. (Most likely I will take the bus to the start.)

6. Relax.

I was thinking either a movie or going up to the lake. Out of the 6 half marathons that I have done, only 1 did I sleep in my own bed the night before (Fall Foliage HM and that was really a training run.)

Happy Running! Are you nervous or excited before a big race?

October 9, 2013 by Darlene

Yoga and the Taper

For me, it doesn’t really feel like a taper because I don’t feel that I really trained hard. I didn’t increase my mileage. It stayed around 3 miles with an occasional 4 miler thrown in. On the weekends, my long runs were mostly pieced together (a 5k or 10K with more later). I think I only did 6, 10 & 12 milers in one stretch. And even those, I walked a lot of those miles.

So I don’t feel ready but then again, I don’t feel tired or over-trained. We’ll see how it goes. I am pretty confident that I will finish. How fast? Haven’t a clue.

This week, I am just taking slow …getting some runs between the raindrops and making sure that I stay healthy.

On Monday, my day off, I squeezed in 4 miles on the rail trail before the RAINS (and I mean heavy rain & wind) came.

love the colors of fall

Yesterday, I just walked at work.

Today, I ran 2 miles on the track after work.

Wed Yoga with Lisa

I have posted several times about how much I enjoy yoga & its benefits for me.

Yet, I find it hard to fit it in. I haven’t been since May. First it was because of vacation & then breaking my foot. Then since getting back to running, I have been lazy.

This week I am tapering so I have no excuse. So tonight, I went.

I loved it. So relaxing… The stretches felt so needed!!

Happy Running! How do you feel about tapering? Do you do yoga?

October 8, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – The Taper

Last Week:

Monday – 12 miles (DAY OFF)

: tough run on NIsky bike path

Tuesday – 2 mile walk, tennis

Wednesday – 3 miles at home before work, ~~yoga,~~ 1 mile walk at work

Thursday – 3 miles at home before work, 1 mile walk at work

Friday – 3 mile walk to pick up my race packet, rest
Saturday – 5k race +5 miles, Les Mis in the evening

Race for Cure 5K

post race run in the park

Sunday – trip to NYC to see Matilda

This Week:

Monday – (DAY OFF), ~~8 mile long run~~, 4 mile run, tennis
Tuesday – REST, dinner with friends
Wednesday – 2 miles after work, yoga
Thursday – 3 miles after work
Friday – REST, Les Mis in the evening
Saturday – REST, boating one last time?
Sunday – 13.1 miles!!!!!

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

October 7, 2013 by Darlene

New York New York, My Kind of Town

Every year, my tennis friends & I go to NYC to see a Broadway show. (Some of my favs have been Wicked, Billy Elliott, Jersey Boys.) Usually it’s in June, the day after the Freihofer’s race but someone (our driver) couldn’t go so we re-scheduled to yesterday. (Fortuitous since I broke my foot at the Freihofer’s race.)

First we go out to a nice restaurant for lunch. (I loved Tavern on the Green but it closed, also Becco’s is a favorite.)

first time here

I chose this restaurant since it was nearby, I could make reservations through OpenTable and I liked their prix fixe brunch menu.

A good choice – we all enjoyed our meals. (I had the fruit, pancakes & pannecotta).

Then we walked to the theatre. Eighth Avenue was closed for a street fair. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to shop.

My first choice for a show was Kinky Boots (but someone already had tix – it’s hard planning with 10 people.) This show also was nominated for many Tonys.

Summary:

Our heroine is a precocious, somewhat mischievous bookworm named Matilda, who’s saddled with a family that just doesn’t understand her. Dad is a pompadoured oaf who dotes on his older son, a TV-fixated dolt. Mom is a competitive ballroom dancer. The outside world proves no refuge for young Matilda, either. Though she finds the sympathetic ear of a local librarian and an advocate in a pretty teacher named Miss Honey, her new school is run by a dictatorial harridan named Miss Trunchbull…

before the show

We loved it. It was so creative and the kids in it especially the lead were amazing!

the stage before

I love going to NYC. The day was too short as usual. Running in a race in NYC is on my bucket list.

Happy Running! Do you visit NYC often? Have you done a race there?

September 30, 2013 by Darlene

Hardest Long Run Ever

Because my weekend was so busy, I took today off from work to get in my last long run.

Little did I know that I would be SICK!!

I got little sleep last night – headache, sore throat, congested… the cold medicine did zilch!

So I woke up feeling like I got hit by a freight train. I really wanted to stay in bed not run.

What would any runner do…

Get out of bed and get ready to run.

The weather was the motivator – it was warm and sunny! I was hoping it would make me feel better.

I decided to go to the Nisky Bike Path – it’s flat and scenic, there are restrooms, bikers & runners… a great place to do a long run.

I had some water and a gel and set out for 4 miles and then looped back to my car for more water. I did bring a gel with me (and lots of tissues.)

It was warmer than I thought and I felt worse that I thought. So I just trudged along…running…walking…running.

I really wished I had brought water. The good news is that nothing hurt. I just had no energy…my back ached..my legs ached…worse than any half marathon I ever have run.

After 8 miles, I refueled at my car and then headed 2 miles in the other direction and then turned around.

I got the 12 miles done! I didn’t die! My time was slower than most of my halfs.

I’m not going to get too depressed. I attribute my disastrous performance to the heat, not enough hydration, most of all my cold.

yes, please

If I could drag myself through 12 miles today, I guess I can drag myself through 1.1 more! (Hopefully it won’t feel this bad in 2 weeks!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever experienced a terrible long training run?

September 28, 2013 by Darlene

Race for Hope 5K Race Report

It was a beautiful morning for a race – cool & sunny. My hubby had a cold all week and yesterday I started to get it & had a lousy night’s sleep. I woke up feeling crappy but knew that a race would make me feel better (and it did!)

I kinda wished the race started earlier than 10 am. My hubby was annoyed that I would be getting to the lake so late.

I got to the race early and just relaxed. The race is in its 5th year and had a record of about 600 participants; I didn’t know anyone which was odd but lining up, I met 2 ladies around my age and we chatted (about compression socks & running skirts.)

The race began running up a long hill. I had a hard time getting moving. Then the course continued through the neighborhoods of rolling hills (but not as bad as the beginning.) There were a lot of volunteers along the course at every turn cheering runners on, That was nice.

I felt better as the race went on and didn’t walk at all except for halfway at the water stop.

Finally the race ended going down the first hill.

heading to the finish line

As I crossed the finish line, I saw that I wouldn’t break 30 minutes. I was a little disappointed.

I finished at 30:10.

Then I realized that before any of my injuries, my time in 2009 was 30:14 and in 2010, it was 30:11. So my time today was a course PR.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:57
mile 2 – 9:50
mile 3 – 9:25
.14 – 7:32

Negative splits – woo hoo!!

and another Age Group award – 1st – getting old isn’t so bad.

Unfortunately, I rushed off after the race to drive up to Lake George and didn’t get my award.

My goals for the race were: remain uninjured, finish under 31 minutes, win a AG award,and most of all, have fun and I met them ALL!

I think I made the right decision about the race. The rest of the day was perfect and it was nice relaxing with friends and not have to worry about getting ready to run a night race (although I did hear it was fun – next year…)

(BTW: This also counts as participating in the Worldwide WP 5k – just a day early.)

Happy Running! Any running or races this weekend?

September 25, 2013 by Darlene

What I Am Loving (Wednesday)

I haven’t done this since February so I thought I’d do it again.

Well, they stopped selling my Chocolate Cream of Wheat and only one store still sells my Liberte Mediterranee yogurt 😦

Here are some new ones:

1. BISCOFF SPREAD

I HATE peanut butter (Well, I’ve never eaten it) but this was in my race goodie bag at the Sarasota Half Marathon. It took me awhile to try it but it’s great. It has:

All-natural ingredients
No artifical color or preservatives
0 grams trans fat per serving and 0 cholesterol
Non-GMO ingredients
No Nuts

It’s basically crushed biscoff cookies, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar. Probably has loads of calories so I just spread a little on a bagel for a pre- or post run snack.

2. ANYTHING PUMPKIN

Ok, pop tarts are not real food but sometimes I just need something sweet and I don’t have time to bake. And Thomas bagels?? Well, someone from Long Island knows that these are not real bagels but they stay fresh for a long time (yeah, lots of chemicals) and they give me that daily carb fix. (I even eat them plain they are so soft and chewy.)

3. MY NEW RACING BELT

I holds more than my other one (a black Spi Belt). I need something to hold my car key and my phone (It has a big & a small pouch). It doesn’t move around when I run. It also holds your race bib. I hate to put safety pins through my clothes and can never pin it straight anyway.

4. RUNNING BOOKS

Not non-fiction running books but fiction ones that has a runner in it as part of the plot. I post more titles another Wednesday.

5. GEL NAILS

I hate fake nails but I want my nails to look good and not keep breaking. Hence GEL. I get a French manicure. That way, I get let them go for over a month before anyone notices. Caution, once you start (like hair dye), you won’t be able to go back to normal nails & polish.

What are you loving right now? Blog about 5 things that you are loving right now. Comment here with the link to your post!

Happy Running! Ever try any of my above favorites?

September 24, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – tennis, 1 mile walk at work
Tuesday – ~~3 or~~ 4 miles ~~before~~ after work

Delmar Rail Trail

Wednesday – rest, movie

a silly movie

Thursday – 4 3 miles after work on the track (200 x 200 repeats – my version of speed work)
Friday – rest, 2 mile walk at work
Saturday – 10K race + 5 miles