April 30, 2013 by Darlene

Z is Zodiac signs

Originally posted on Run the Edge.

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Element: Fire
Symbol: Ram
Life Pursuit: The thrill of the moment
Secret Desire: To lead the way for others

Your desire to lead the way for others will propel you to the front of the pack in your next road race. But be careful. After you Ram your way past all the other runners and take the lead you could get caught-up in the thrill of the moment and go off course. Maybe consider a career as a rabbit if you can lead the way for others in record attempts.

Taurus: April 20 – May 20 (MY SIGN)

Element: Earth
Symbol: Bull
Life Pursuit: Emotional and financial security
Secret Desire: Have a secure and happy marriage

Winning big races might be your way to financial security. Consider hiring an Aries as a rabbit as they love to lead the way for others. To achieve your secret desire of a happy marriage, consider a Virgo runner. Virgos have a strong need to be loved and can always be counted on to do the right thing. But beware of Pisces who will do anything to attract Virgo’s attention.

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Element: Air
Symbol: Twins
Life Pursuit: To explore a bit of everything
Secret Desire: To be ahead of the crowd

Your symbol of Twins represents the two sides of your running personality. One twin wants to be ahead of the crowd and lead the race, while the other twin wants to take a path less traveled and explore new routes. Be careful which twin you are listening to in your next race. If you are ahead and then decide to explore you might lead the whole race off course with Aries!

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

Element: Water
Symbol: Crab
Life Pursuit: Constant reassurance and intimacy
Secret Desire: To feel safe

Bring as many family and friends as possible to your next race. Strategically station them throughout the course so you can be cheered on at every turn. The constant reassurance will help you feel safe and finish in personal best time. When you cross the line and see your best time ever, do a celebratory crab walk. You just might start a new trend!

Leo: July 23 – August 22

Element: Fire
Symbol: The Lion
Life Pursuit: To lead the way
Secret Desire: To be a star

Your life’s pursuit is Aries secret desire. If you really want to lead the way and be a star, you will need to harness your inner lion and know exactly when to pounce. If you wait too long and let Aries take the lead, you might find yourself a lost kitten. Take the lead at the gun in your next race and you will be well on your way to being a star!

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Element: Earth
Symbol: The Virgin
Life Pursuit: To do the right thing
Secret Desire: To love and be loved

Draw energy from the Earth under your feet in your next race but beware of runners (especially Pisces and Taurus) who appear to be in distress. They might not have your best interests in mind. Your desire to do the right thing is a great attribute, but if you are not careful you could be derailed from your best race. Your desire to love and be loved might be fulfilled by organizing a giant group hug at the finish line.

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Element: Air
Symbol: The Scales
Life Pursuit: To be consistent
Secret Desire: To live an easy and uncomplicated life

Unfortunately, your desire to be consistent and to live an easy life makes you vulnerable to running consistently slow splits. Those splits might be easy and you will have plenty of your element (Air) to fill your lungs at these slow paces, but you need to use your scales to weigh the benefits of an easy pace vs the pain of running faster. Take a chance and you will see that consistently fast is better than consistently slow.

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Element: Water
Symbol: The Scorpion
Life Pursuit: To survive against all opposition
Secret Desire: To triumph

Your element is water and you will need plenty of it if you are to survive your next road race. Keep an eye out for Aquarius the Water Bearer to help you stay hydrated. The opposition will be great but if you can save your scorpion-like sting for the final kick, you just might triumph!

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Element: Fire
Symbol: The Archer
Life Pursuit: To live the good life
Secret Desire: To make a difference in the world

Good news and bad news for runners born under this star. The good news is that you are already living the good life just by being a runner. The bad news is that if you want to make a difference in the world you will need to branch out beyond yourself. Consider running your next race for a charity and raising money for a good cause. This might just be the bullseye your inner archer is looking for.

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Element: Earth
Symbol: The Goat
Life Pursuit: To be proud of achievements
Secret Desire: To be admired by their family, friends, and the world

Don’t buy into the hype that you have to win a race to be proud of your achievements. You do not have to be a champion to be admired by your family, friends, and the world. Sometimes just finishing a race is a fantastic achievement. If that is not enough then maybe consider doing something no one has ever done like being the first person to run 50 marathons in 50 states backwards!

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Element: Air
Symbol: The Water Bearer
Life Pursuit: To understand life’s mysteries
Secret Desire: To be unique and original

Your symbol of the Water Bearer will be much appreciated (especially by Scorpios) in your next road race as you become one of the first ever moving water stations for the other athletes. Since you want nothing more than to be unique and original, you decide to carry as much water for the other runners in the race to keep them well hydrated. This is not a good strategy for running fast, so winning the race might remain one of life’s mysteries for you.

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Element: Water
Symbol: The Fish
Life Pursuit: To avoid feeling alone and feel connected to others
Secret Desire: To live dreams and turn fantasies into realities

Look for a Virgo during your next road race. Pretend to have a hurt leg to appeal to Virgo’s desire to do the right thing. You might feel like a fish out of water but this feeling will quickly fade as you avoid feeling alone and feel connected to your new companion. Your fantasy of having a life-long running partner will turn into a reality as you cross the finish line together!

Happy Running! Does your sign accurately describe you as a runner?

April 27, 2013 by Darlene

X is for X-training

What is X-Training?

According to Acefitness.org, “Cross training is typically defined as an exercise regimen that uses several modes of training to develop a specific component of fitness.”

All half marathon and marathon training schedules include at least one day of x-training.

What are the benefits of x-training?

Reduced risk of injury – People who are particularly prone to lower-leg problems from running long distances should consider incorporating low-impact activities such as elliptical training, cycling and swimming into their regimens.
Enhanced weight loss – people who need to lose weight can effectively achieve a reduction in body weight and fat stores by combining two or more physical activities in a x-training regimen. They can, for example, exercise on an elliptical trainer for 20 to 30 minutes and then cycle for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
Improved total fitness – X-training can include activities that develop muscular fitness, as well as aerobic conditioning.
Enhanced exercise adherence – X-training is a safe and relatively easy way to add variety to an exercise program.

Another benefit of X-Training is that you can explore different kinds of sports. Although, you are a runner, you may find that you enjoy biking or swimming. Also when you cannot run due to an injury, you can still x-train. When I broke my ankle, I could not run but I was able to bike and use the elliptical.

What activities are considered x-training?

1. Cycling – According to scientific studies, runners benefit the most from cycling.

(I have only biked when I was UNABLE to run. I should do it more but who has the time.)

2. Resistance Training – Recent studies haved linked resistance training with improvement in running, reducing heart rates while doing so, and improving race times at distances from shorter runs to marathons. It also protects runners against lower body injuries, and circuit training provides a great cardiovascular workout, and increasing muscle power. The gym is the best place to do this, with the help of Personal Trainers.

Unfortunately I do not belong to a gym and the closest thing I have done is using these resistance bands (when I was recovering from an injury.)

3. Swimming – It is an activity that is easy on the joints, supports your weight, builds muscular strength and endurance, improves cardiovascular health. It is also good for the lungs because of the breathing exercises you have to do while performing the activity. For runners who have sore legs, this is most recommended since it’s low impact, and it surprisingly burns a lot of calories.

I wish I were a better swimmer but I am not (and I do not have access to a pool.)

my version of lake swimming

4 . Aerobic Exercises – It provides an outstanding cardiovascular workout, boosts quadriceps and hamstring strength, improves coordination, and can make runners quicker on their feet. In addition, the upper-body movements used in aerobic dance may even tone up runners’ torsos a bit. Zumba is pretty popular and there are many videos with aerobic exercises/dancing.

When I was younger, aerobics classes were popular & used go to them. Zumba is something I want to try.

5. Other sports like Tennis, Soccer, or even Golf can also be considered as X-Training activities, as long as it benefits you in burning calories, toning muscles, building stamina, endurance.

I love to play tennis (tried golf but I stink at it.) and play doubles at least once per week.

Tips for X-training:

1. Choose what you like – Try several things to decide what’s beneficial and best for you. Also consider your resources like time, money and energy.

2. Start slow – Even if you are an experienced runner it doesn’t mean that you are already good at another activity or sport. Start at the beginner’s level of any sport or activity that you will engage into.

3. Do not strain yourself – Try to stick with your training days but use a x-training activity as an alternative of
some days allotted for running.

4. Chose the ones that will not use the muscles that you sore during running – that is why I do not play tennis and run on the same day (they both can strain your calf muscles) but I may do yoga after running.

5. Hydrate & Eat Well – Always make sure you hydrate yourself well especially if you sweat too much. Always eat healthy food. Avoid junk food and foods that are high in salt and fats. . Try to eat more carbohydrates before exercise and protein after.

5. Have Fun! – You should always enjoy what you do because if not, you will not keep it up.

Happy Running! Do you X-train? What do you do as X-training?

April 26, 2013 by Darlene

W is for Words

done with wordle.net

The most common words in my blog:

running
race
run

Makes sense to me.

Happy Running! What are the most common words in your blog?

April 24, 2013 by Darlene

U is for US (as in racing in the US)

I don’t plan to run a half or a marathon in every state but wouldn’t it be cool to run a race in every state?

As you can see that I am very far away (45 more to go) and to complete this goal, I think I would have needed to start running at a younger age!! (At my previous job of 8 years, I went to conferences annually all over the country…but I wasn’t a runner back then 😦 I remember how long the line was for signing up for the 5k race at NECC conferences and that they always filled up so quickly. I thought people were crazy. Now I know why… )

I guess it will be fun trying…

Happy Running! How many states have you run races in?

April 23, 2013 by Darlene

T is for Tennis

I have mixed feelings about tennis.

I enjoy playing tennis. I love my tennis friends!!! Watching the US Open makes me wish that I was really good at it.

I used to feel this way about tennis.

However, truthfully, it cuts into my running time. I have to schedule running around tennis because you can run at any time and you can run anywhere and you can’t just not show up and play a tennis match.

For tennis, it is different. I didn’t play tennis for 8 months and it wasn’t that difficult to play again. (I wish running were that easy to get back into.)

It’s not that it’s because I’m that good. Pros have to put in the time. I’m pretty mediocre so it doesn’t really matter. I play doubles and if my partner plays well, it is easier to win. If my partner does not, we don’t usually win even if I play great. (It’s not an individual effort like running.)

I know that when I go out there I will want to win but if I am not playing a USTA match, I don’t get down on myself if I don’t win.

the competitive me in 2010

Before I started running, I was very serious about tennis. I played all the time, took lessons, practiced, played on numerous teams, read tennis magazines, bought tennis outfits & shoes, etc.

Now, I just play for exercise and camaraderie and for fun. (They seem like good reasons to continue to me.)

Because it’s take four to play tennis, you can’t be casual about it. So last year, I organized a group of 5 women to play on Monday nights for 34 weeks. That means that everyone sits out once every 5 weeks. I am also part of a Tuesday night group in which I only play once a month. (Update: the place I play tennis indoors has just CLOSED for good!! So I will now playing outside. Next year, I may not play at all … until spring. Bummed!)

I try not to play tennis and run on the same day but sometimes I just have to run!

I have considered giving up tennis but this is the reason, I cannot:

annual May tennis vacation in Florida

Happy Running! Any tennis players out there who also run? Does another activity get in the way of your running schedule?

April 21, 2013 by Darlene

Lake George 5K Race Report

April 21, 2013 – 8:15 am

I signed up for this race on a whim.

the day before the Lake George Half Marathon in 2011

I love Lake George and this half marathon was my half PR (in the freezing rain!) but unfortunately I am NOT in half marathon shape right now.

finishing the Lake George Half in 2011

So when I got a $5 off coupon in my e-mail , I said: “what the heck.” (I also misread it and thought the race started at 9:45 am. Duh.)

Anyway, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit with my Lake George friends after the race (or maybe even shop at the Outlets.)

course map

I wasn’t sure about the course but I know it is hilly anywhere in Lake George (as was the Polar Cap race). It also may be crowded and difficult to find parking (since the half starts first at 8:00 am).

Again the dilemma of what to wear … some days it feels like spring, other days it feels like winter.

So left my house early (around 6:15 am) and it was COLD (30 degrees!!)!! I decided to wear something similar to last week (long sleeve shirt, gloves, skirt & compression socks) and hope for the best.

I planned to dedicate this race to Boston so I wore an old Boston baseball cap.

When I arrived, I started looking for parking in the hotel lot. (If it was full, I planned to check out the park or the village or my friends’ house.) I managed to find a spot and it was even colder than when I left the house and WINDY!!! Luckily I had a pair of sweat pants in my car & another jacket.

I went to pick up my race packet and bib (I had hoped it was more organized than in 2011 which was their first annual race.) I also got a large cotton tee-shirt that said half marathon on it and then headed back to the car to get rid of my pants.

Most of the runners there were racing the half marathon so there was only a small crowd doing the 5K. (This is the first time I have been at a half with 2 options & I chose the lesser one … felt strange.) But I was glad to race. There could even be an age group award possibility.

Everyone huddled together in the hotel dining room to stay warm until the last minute. The half marathon started at 8 am so most people left. About 10 minutes later, the rest of us ventured down the hill. (I decided to keep my jacket on…I was freezing & wished I had worn tights & a warmer hat.)

The race organization was not much better than last time. There was construction on Beach Road and we had to walk on the gravel road amid the bulldozers searching for the start of the race.

We walked quite a ways and then the organizer stopped us. No start line or sign. He told us to huddle around him so he could tell us the course (which turns out was totally wrong). He didn’t know the street names (he was from Florida) and there were no signs, clocks or mile markers (or people). He said just to follow the lead runner. (There was no water…luckily it was cold.)

Finally we started (about 10 minutes late) and proceeded to head up a HUGE HILL!!! Not ready for that in the first half mile. I tried to run up it and was worried that I’d tire my legs out too soon so I walked twice during the long ascent. Then we went down for a while but there was a turn around so that meant mile 2 went up hill again. This time I ran but was running as slow as a walk. Finally we hit a downhill and headed toward town (on an unstable narrow gravel path). It was very hard to run on it and I was stuck behind 2 slow runners (whom I eventually passed.) It was at this point that I saw one of my boating friends. (I had told her the race ended on Beach Rd because that’s what the course was supposed to be.)

Eventually when we hit Canada St (the main road of the town) we turned around and went back on the narrow gravel road. The race ended by running uphill on another gravel path toward the hotel.

Here are runners headng to the finish. You can see the road construction below.

check out that 90 degree turn

There was no finish line sign but at least there was a timing mat. I crossed at 29:17. I was surprised because I was not running fast at all, I walked twice and there was a head wind at times.

done!

I was still freezing! My friend caught up with me. We hung out for a bit. The food was just bunches of bananas and snack bags of crackers & cookies. (I don’t think this race is on my To DO list any more!! There was a lot of negative comments on FB about the half as well.)

I checked out the finish times & I came in 2nd in my age group (There might have only been two runners.) So we stayed for a while, and watched the fast runners finish the half marathon.

Did I mention that I was COLD!!! The awards were running late (like everything else) so I went to put back on my sweats. It turned out that because the turn out was small, they only gave out awards for 1st place in each AG. (I just looked online and they had me in the 60-99 AG!! In the correct AG, I did win!! Add that to my list of complaints!)

My friend & I quickly left and went out to breakfast. I had French toast and we chatted for an hour or so.

too cold for boats today

After she left, I decided to take advantage of being near Lake George and drove up to our marina. I had heard that they re-did the bathrooms. They did and they are beautiful!

Since the wind had died down, I decided to run some more.

I headed on my familiar summer running route…over the bridge and to the Sagamore Hotel.

I ran around the hotel grounds & even went to a condo Open House. Then I ran on the Nature Trail.

I rested on my usual lounge chair and then ran back into town.

It had finally warmed up enough to have ice cream 😉

On the way home, I stopped at the outlets. More about that in my next post!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

April 19, 2013 by Darlene

Q is for Quotes

Original artwork of Runners Feed Freelance Writer- Amanda Winslow

“Me and running don’t always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But that doesn’t mean I don’t do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good for you. Every day is the day.”

“The gun goes off and everything changes… the world changes… and nothing else really matters.” – Patti Sue Plummer

“Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?”– Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian

“I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart.” – Mike Fanelli

“I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” –Jesse Owens

“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” –Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” –Oprah Winfrey

“Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it’s all about.” –PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

“Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don’t let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself.” –John Bingham, running speaker and writer

“You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who don’t run and never will… those who run but don’t race…those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line…those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted.” – Joe Henderson

“Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re probably right.” -Henry Ford

“Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time.” -Michael Sargent

“Remember the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.” -Sarah Condor

“Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too.” – Richard O’Brien

Happy Running! What is your favorite motivational quote?

April 18, 2013 by Darlene

P is for Planks

Planks are probably the best all-around abs exercise. (Click HERE to read about their benefits.)

Check out this video for simple tips on how to check your form—and get better results faster!

Here’s how to do the basic plank:

Get in the pushup position, only put your forearms on the ground instead of your hands. Your elbows should line up directly underneath your shoulders. Toes on the ground.
Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abdominals.
Keep a neutral neck and spine.
Create a straight, strong line from head to toes
Hold that position (for as long as you can and then some)

Things to Remember:

Don’t let your hips sag down to the ground. Sagging hips makes the exercise initially easier, but it’s not a plank and it defeats the purpose of the exercise.
Look down at the ground. This is a good prompt for maintaining a neutral neck position.
When your form begins to suffer, pull the plug. You’re only benefiting from the plank by actually doing the plank.

Here is a great post about Planks for Runners.

I try to do them whenever I remember. Right now, I am trying to make them part of my daily morning routine.

use the timer on my iPad (so far 1 minute)

I use the timer on my iPad (so far for just 1 minute)

Happy Running! Do do planks?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

Join the Running Bloggers Survey

Some bloggers have been posting this so I thought I’d try it (even if it’s not part of the A-Z Challenge). In light of Boston, it somehow seems approrpriate.

Best run ever: Probably the Mother’s Day 5k 2011. It was on my birthday and I finished in 25:xx which is amazing for me. Unfortunately the course was short. But I felt almost fast for the only time ever.

Three words that describe my running: Empowering, energizing, rejuvenating (most of these describe how I feel after I’m done LOL)

My go-to running outfit is: Running skirt (my 2 favorites are from runningskirts.com), sleeveless tech top, compression socks, baseball cap in the summer (Of course, it changes as the weather gets colder to tights under the skirt & a wind shirt on top.)

I won’t run outside when it’s: Raining. I’m a wimp. I don’t like getting wet (except ONCE because it was during a Half Marathon.)

Worst injury—and how I got over it: That’s an easy one. It was a broken ankle. I wasn’t able to run for over 5 months!!!! As with any injury: rest, patience, PT, patience, re-up mileage slowly, patience.

I felt most like a badass mother runner when: Last September I chic-ed a guy. I was behind him almost the whole race and then I passed him near the finish line (I am in the purple and that guy isn’t even n the picture but this was the race).

Potential running goal for 2013: A Half Marathon. And I did already!! So I would say a PR at any distance!

Next race is: This Sunday… a 5k.

Want to join in?

Just copy the prompts below, answer to the best of your abilities, then head over and link up.

Best Run Ever

Three Words That Describe My Running

My Go-To Running Outfit

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s…

Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When…

Potential Running Goal for 2013

My Next Race Is…

Happy Running!

April 14, 2013 by Darlene

Delmar Dash Race Report

This is my second time doing this race and my second 5 miler. It is also the race that is the closest to where I live (2 miles away.)

Delmar Dash 2011

I looked at my splits for 2011 and they were all in the 9’s with one in the 8’s. I finished under 47 minutes!!! I wonder who that runner was… It certainly isn’t me!!

I know I should be happy that I am even able to run. I couldn’t run last year!! So yes, I am happy!!

Originally, it was forecasted to be spring-like but as the week progressed, the seasons changed and it appeared to be more like winter. So I needed to change my original outfit (short sleeves & a skirt) to something warmer but not too warm. I opted for a compromise: long sleeves & a shirt over it, my skirt with compression knee socks. Hopefully I would warm up while running.

I arrived early and the sun was out. I waited inside for my friend MaryPat to arrive. All of a sudden, I noticed that it had gotten dark out and then it started pouring. Then it started sleeting. Those arriving now were soaked!!! It had also gotten a lot colder. Luckily I had a jacket and gloves with me. But I was debating whether I would run 5 miles in this awful weather.

Finally, it stopped raining but it was colder and windier.

MaryPat & me before the race

I decided at the last moment to leave the jacket behind but wear the gloves. We both headed out to the start. This was Mary’s first race longer than a 5k. I was excited for her and told her I’d wait for her at the finish.

heading out (J. Berkeley photo)

The course was very familiar to me…it’s where I have done a lot of my runs.

course map

I said I had no goals but secretly I wanted to RUN THE WHOLE THING and finish UNDER 50 MINUTES!!!

starting the race (J. Berkeley photo)

Though I wore my Garmin, I rarely looked at it and there were clocks at all the mile markers. I was running at a fast pace for me but it seemed that everyone was passing me by…. a law school prof, a friend, someone who reads my blog. I was cold the whole race & I found it difficult to move forward when we were running into the wind. At least the course was mostly flat.

I was tempted to stop at the water stop which was halfway but since I wasn’t warm, I decided to push myself past it.

am I running? (J. Berkeley photo)

I was definitely running out of gas during mile 4 and wished that I had run slower at the beginning of the race.

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

But finally it was over and according to my Garmin, I crossed around 47:40. (officially 47:39)

I was happy!!! Not a PR but better than I expected. I am getting my confidence back and that’s what matters.

My splits:

mile 1: 8:59
mile 2: 9:37
mile 3: 9:29
mile 4: 9:56
mile 5: 9:34

I put my jacket back on and got some water (I was too nauseous to eat.) and waited for Mary to finish.

After the race, we went out to lunch…needed to put back on those burned off calories!!

I think I did!

I think MaryPat is hooked. The topic of conversation at lunch was what race should she sign up for next!! (Maybe I get get her to run a half marathon?)

Plan for the rest of the day: Season 2 of Downton Abbey!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend? If so, how were they?