February 20, 2013 by Darlene

Pinterest for Motivation

Pinterest is a great place to find motivational sayings. There are so many that it was hard to choose. But here are a few of my favorites:

Happy Running! What is your favorite motivational saying?

February 18, 2013 by Darlene

Double Digits..Oh yeah!

The last time I ran at least 10 miles was November 6, 2011!!!

I was debating whether or not to run on my own or as part of the HMRRC Marathon Relay. The 1st leg of the relay was 9.7 miles so I would have company running (well, maybe not because I would probably be last..) on this boring course. There would be water on the course and refreshments at the end. Or choose a scenic bike path and run solo at my leisure.

When I got up, it was cold (in the teens) and VERY WINDY!. UAlbany tends to be windy even when it’s not windy so that decided it for me.

Instead I drove to the bike path that starts at the Colonie Town Park –I figured I would run 2.5 mi in one direction & back and then 2.5 mi in the other direction and back.

I headed toward Cohoes and quickly found that the path in this direction was not plowed and icy so I turned around and went the other way. I didn’t head in the direction that I usually go (toward Niskayuna) but in the other direction. It was about 20 degrees but the wind made it feel a lot colder. Not pleasant running weather at all.

I ran 2.5 miles and then turned around and headed back or at least I thought. Somehow I wound up in a neighborhood that I didn’t recognize & had no idea where I was.

I did find my way back to my car but not the way I had planned and had also added an extra mile to my run.

With 4 more miles to go, I got some GU & water from my car and warmed up inside.

The problem with that is that it’s hard to get going again.

I told myself that I had to do 10 miles so I headed out and this time I went in the direction that I was familiar.

bridge over the frozen Mohawk R.

My foot had bearable discomfort until mile 7. Then it started to hurt (bunion pad & new sneakers were failing me). I pushed on because I will do it during the half marathon…pain or no pain, I am running 13.1 miles.

Actually the pain got bearable again and I finished the 10 miles.

It was not a great run or a fun one. It took me 2 hours which is what I tried for (It was faster than last week’s 9.5) I walked from time to time and all but 3 of my miles were over 12 min/mi. The first and last were the fastest at 11:30.

But I am very happy that I got it done.

My cool down was the usual grocery shopping at Target with a Starbucks latte & cheese danish thrown in 🙂

Week 8 Update:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 3 miles after work (on the sloppy sidewalks & streets of Albany)
Wed – 6 miles after work (in less traveled cleaner neighborhoods of Delmar)
Thurs – walk at lunch
Fri – 3.5 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest (proctored the LSATS, went to a funeral, went out to dinner)
Sun – 10 miles

4 weeks to go!!

Week 9:

Mon – day off, tennis in the evening
Tues – 3 miles after work or before or at lunch (webinar at 6 pm)
Wed – 5 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike at lunch
Fri – 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 11 miles

Happy Running! Are you enjoying your day off?

February 14, 2013 by Darlene

TTT: Bad Run, Good Run, Shopping

1. Tuesday, I had the worst run… I decided to run in the city of Albany. The sidewalks were slushy, icy and covered with puddles! The streets were the same except with cars parked and traffic. Three miles was a struggle and felt like 26!!

Washington Park was even slushy…

2. Wednesday, I had the best run…I abandoned the Albany plan and drove to Delmar and ran around the neighborhoods…the roads were clean, there was little traffic and although I planned to run 5 miles, I ran 6 miles and felt like I could run more.

new shoes, toe spacer, bunion pad.=a little relief

3. I can’t resist a bargain or buying running apparel. I had 3 $10 off coupons for Olympia Sports so I bought these:

these were on clearance, too

also on clearance

I love the hat and the shirt (I also bought another mint green tank from the clearance rack). The shorts are so…so. I prefer skirts for races. But my half marathon is on St Patrick’s Day so these may come in handy!

Happy Running! Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 13, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

hopefully this year’s shirts & medals will be just as cool!

How’s this for motivation? March 17…bring it on!!!

Happy Running! What motivates you to keep at it?

February 12, 2013 by Darlene

Biggest Loser Inspired

The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit.

The Get Fit, Get Ready! race series is a series of 5k/10k/15k’s that is designed to get you fit and ready for your next race. This series can act as a stepping stone to a longer, more challenging race or just an enjoyable experience shared with friends and family. Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from our boat…):

July 28, 2013

Killington, VT

5K | 15K

The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along the mountain with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.

The Premier Destination races are feature races consisting of a half marathon/5k. Whether it is your first half marathon or you want to hit your next PR (personal best), this series serves as a fun and rewarding race worthy of traveling to! Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from my friend’s house in Chestertown…):

June 9, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Half Marathon | 5K

The course for The Biggest Loser RunWalk Plattsburgh, NY winds through downtown Plattsburgh and along the Saranac River which flows into Cumberland Bay

Dan & Jackie Evans were Season 5 featured contestants on the hit reality show The Biggest Loser. While on the ranch, Dan lost 136 pounds and Jackie lost 89. Since losing a combined 225 pounds, Dan and Jackie have been canvassing the country and keeping the weight off through nutrition and running. They will be at these races.

Here’s more: Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:

• Non-intimidating Environment for New Runners and Walkers (3 hour time limit for the 15k and 5 hour time limit for the half marathon!!!)
• The Biggest Loser Inaugural Finisher’s Medal (love bling!)
• Celebrity Appearances
• Commemorative Technical T-Shirt
• Race Number, Timing Tag and Goodie Bag
• Water and Sports Drink along the Course
• Food, Sports Drink and Water at Finish Lines
• Live Entertainment by former Biggest Loser Season 5 contestant & Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans, at the Finish Line Festival
• Free Downloadable Race Photos (cool!)
• Last but not Least, a Truly Unforgettable Experience

FYI: Giveaway sponsored by Running Diva Mom!!

I don’t watch the Biggest Loser TV series. I tried a few times but it was so depressing. The only part that intrigues me is the part about running. I am also not a fan of driving more than a hour for a race. And the big one…will I stay healthy?? will I be able to run longer distances??

So I didn’t register….yet!

Happy Running! Pretty tempting, don’t you think? Anyone doing one?

February 11, 2013 by Darlene

Half Marathon Training Continues

Week 7 Update:

Mon – ~~stationary bike~~, tennis
Tues – ~~stationary bike~~, 5 miles after work
Wed – ~~stationary bike,~~ 3 miles after work
Thurs – ~~stationary bike~~, mall walk with a friend
Fri – ~~stationary bike~~, 4 3 miles on the TM
Sat – rest
Sun – 9 9.5 miles

taken during Wednesday’s 3 mile run

during Sunday’s 9.5 mile run

This is the first week that I almost followed the plan. However, I did not use the exercise bike at work at all…I did not take a break (ate lunch at my desk 😦 )

The running shoe addict did it again. I bought these – on sale $50 off. (I had no choice!)

I also signed up for another race…Delmar Dash on April 14, 2013.

I am thinking of signing up for this 10 miler.

Week 8:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 3 miles after work
Wed – 5 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike at lunch
Fri – 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 10 miles (yikes!! 1st double digit run since Nov 6, 2011) – May hook up with the Hmrrc Marathon Relay (the 1st leg is 10 miles)

how cool is this t-shirt!

Happy Running! What are you training for?

February 9, 2013 by Darlene

Running after the Snowstorm

my hubby clearing the driveway on Sat.

The snowstorm was kinda a bust here. Schools closed on Friday and I even ran on the treadmill at lunch but not much snow came until overnight and then only about 6-8 inches. CT and LI did get 30-40 inches.

So Sunday I went back to the Nisky bike trail hoping to get in 9 miles. When I got up in the morning, it was 0 degrees so I waited until it warmed up to 15.

unplowed for snowshoers or skiiers?

It was a beautiful sunny day. As you can see from the photo, the trail was not clear…even with yaktrax, you couldn’t run on it.

it was clear in the other direction..yay!

So I headed toward lock 7 which was perfectly clear. No runners were on the path just some walkers with dogs (on leashes).

pretty empty but peaceful

As I mentioned before, my right foot is bothering me. There’s not much to do about it…I’ve changed shoes but it seems that my bunion will hurt until it wants to stop hurting.

Unfortunately, this part of the trail ends at lock 7 which is only 2.25 mikes away so in order to get a long run in, I have to do it TWICE!!

So I ran it and then had some Gu & water and then did it again. My foot was ok and not really bothersome until around mile 7. Then I had to stop and start because of the pain.

I wound up with 9.5 miles in 2 hours. I am not focusing on time. I just want to get my legs used to the distance.

Happy Running! Did the snow affect your running this weekend?

February 8, 2013 by Darlene

Snow …Oh No!

Though Forecast Is Tricky, Northeast Could Face Record-Breaking Snow Storm!!

In Albany, we may get a 12-20 inches of snow… starting this morning and ending tonight.

I bought this in Florida and put it up at home but the weather is obviously not listening.

So I see the treadmill for my run today. (There’s a new episode of Grey’s Anatomy and Smash to watch!!)

Tomorrow will be a rest day and for my 9 miles on Sunday???

I can’t image a long run on the treadmill. I like to run on the bike paths for those. Will they be plowed?? If not, then it’s Yak Trax.

No matter how hard it is to run 9 miles on dry pavement, it is slower and takes more effort in the snow. That’s fact!!

I will just have to go slow, stay upright & enjoy the scenery.

Happy Running! Any tips for running in the snow?

February 7, 2013 by Darlene

Running on the Rail Trail

Albany County will eventually have 9 miles (from a former rail line) cleared to run (from Albany to Voorheesville.) On Tuesday I was looking for a 4 -5 mile location to run so I chose the rail trail.

Stewarts parking lot – beginning of the rail trail and where I often start my neighborhood runs

I have run here in the spring, summer and fall but never in the winter. There are no lights so I run in the neighborhood.

Cherry Avenue Extension Bridge Over Rail Trail (in the fall)

It is now light for awhile when I get out of work so I thought I would attempt this route. (There are no lights.)

rail trail in the summer

I at first headed east (toward Albany) but the trail was icy so I turned around and headed the other way. I figured at my speed I would hit darkness before I was done so I could hit the streets at mile 1, mile 2, and then mile 3 or mile 4 on the way back.

As predicted, I got to mile 2 and turned around as it was getting dark but still light enough to run. (I was actually worried about it being light enough to not step in dog poop. yeah, it seems that this is what the trail is used for in the winter.) Then all of a sudden, two BIG DOGS were running down the trail at me. No owner(s) in sight!!!

I just stood still (in shock) and they ran by me like I wasn’t even there. Bizarre! I was really frightened!!! I took off down the trail. I never saw the dogs again & I never saw any people on the trail.

As soon as I got to mile 3, I headed onto the street and finished my run. My legs were beat and my right foot/bunion was hurting but I dragged myself through one more mile to make it 5 for the day.

I think I’ll NOT choose this route until spring 🙂