running

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Where I Was and Where I wanted to be

Let’s start with where I REALLY wanted to be yesterday…

This race has been on my bucket list since I started running.

First, ten miles was too long a distance (I was only running 5ks).  Then last year, I was away at a conference (& injured).

This year was going to be  the year….and then I got injured!

The race starts from the Lake George Fire Department in the Village and the course forks onto Lake Shore Drive, heading north with the lake towards Bolton Landing and concluding at the Rogers Memorial Park Beach.

That Beach is next to the marina where we keep our boat.  I am there every weekend….so convenient…so cool!

Instead, I was at the marina on our boat.  We spent the day on the lake. (I know…poor me!)

my view from West Dollar Is…

After lunch on the island, we went for a boat ride heading north…we hardly ever go in that direction any more.

kids jumping from the cliff…oh to be young again!

We looked for and found a church nestled on an island.

Just past there, we “threaded the needle.” (passed in between two islands).


Beautiful weather…relaxing day…but I’d rather have been running!!! Next year!

Happy Running! What race is on your bucket list?

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I’m a Parrothead

Not really.  But my friends are. So we went with them to the First Annual Parrothead Festival in Saratoga:

Parrot Head Festival is the official kick off to summer in the Capital Region, with a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band experience. The day kicks off with some tailgating in appropriate Buffett fashion, doors open at 2:00. Make your way in to the sounds of ROBONIC, a local reggae band and great island sound. John Frinzi and John Patti Duo kick things off with a tropical rock twist and the beverages should be flowing by this point….kids have an entire area dedicated to themselves! When the sun begins to set, CHANGES IN LATITUDES takes the stage to a tropical backdrop and the conclusion of a magical day! Inside the event will include food vendors, beer and other Margaritaville beverages…

Now remember this is the same day as my 5K race.  I rushed home and showered and changed into Parrothead garb.

me and my hubby

We only bought one VIP parking pass (where you can tailgate and drink alcohol). So we met nearby and then all piled into my hubby’s pick-up.


We had a lot of fun tailgating…


until the rain (and hail) came!


We hung out under our canopy or in the truck.

singing in the rain?

The rain was brief and stopped around the time we had to enter the fair grounds to listen to the bands.

time to let the “fin” begin

I changed into dry clothes and we hung out for several hours listening to music.

I bought a t-shirt (like I need another?)

The last band was the best – Changes in Lattiude – a Jimmy Buffet tribute band.


I did manage to drag my tired running legs out to dance quite a bit.

my friends Pat & Kathi having “fin”

Happy Running!  Did you do anything special this weekend? Do You like Jimmy Buffet?

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Stride4Stride Race Report


and

Thursday, it was 102 degrees when I got out of work according to my car thermostat.  I waiting a few hours until it went down to 95 and headed to the Corning Preserve.

No, I didn’t run the course.  I went for a bike ride. For the first time on this trail, I didn’t see any runners!!  Pretty obvious why. I am glad I decided not to run.

 

The sun looks like fire on the river

My bike ride was rather pleasant.  It was hot but there was a nice breeze off the river.  I haven’t ridden my bike since I started running again.  I actually miss it.

Back to the race.

I got up early and truthfully did not feel well – head achy & nauseous. But I ate my usual race breakfast and headed to the race because I wanted to be sure to get a parking spot. There was no problem but who knew since I had never done this race before.  It turned out to be a small race of a little over 100 runners.  It was the first race that I’ve gone to in a long time where I did not know anyone.  If I were healthier, I would have been running the Valley Cats Home Run 5k (that I have done twice before) and I would have bumped into friends there.

beautiful morning for a race though a little too hot

Anyway, I walked around to warm up – there were two area with public restrooms.

view of the city

As I waited, it was getting hotter and I was feeling not too great but anxious to RACE!!

ready to run

Finally we approached the starting line.  This race was only gun timed but I didn’t really care to start too close to the front.

start & finish line

As soon as I started running, I knew this wouldn’t be a great race.  My legs felt heavy and my calves sore. It was hot and no shade at all (we turned halfway before the bike path gets shady.)

I struggled…I walked at the water stop at 3/4 mile and then again at the 1.5 mile turn around.  It got harder and harder and I walked more and more – I think at least 4 more times.

I have never walked this much during a race – in fact at the FRW a few weeks ago, I only walked 2x briefly…maybe it was the heat or I ran the 1st mile faster than I should have at this point in my injury. I also have not been running a lot yet.  Another problem with a small race was that after the first mile, I was running  alone.  The fast runners were way ahead and the slow ones way behind.  I think running with others would have motivated me not to walk (just saying.)

yup, positive splits!

Anyway, I finished the last .1 mile strong – the clock registered at 32:50  (and I didn’t puke though I thought I would.)

Once I recovered with some water and ice cream (yes, they had a truck).  I was very happy with my time.  It was almost 3 minutes faster than the FRW on June 2.

Goals for this race:

  • run most of it – sorta (too much walking in my opinion)
  • finish faster than the FRW (35:39) – YES!!!
  • enjoy it – kinda (but did not feel great)

So what’s next?

 I know that  I have to walk less and that means getting in better running shape.  The 27 minutes 5k finish times may never come back but I do not want to feel miserable throughout a 5k race. I also want to be able to run longer distances.

Patience!!

Happy Running! Any races this past weekend?

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Mezamashii Run Project

 

In the quest to deliver more brilliant running, Mizuno has recently launched the  Mezamashii Run Project. Over the course of the remainder of the year, Mizuno will give away thousands of  shoes and exclusive invitations to join the Mezamashii Run Project to runners who are looking to experience more euphoric, brilliant, mezamashii running.

I know I am!!  I have worn Mizunos for many of my runs and races and I hope I win a pair!!!

racing in my Mizunos

still in my Mizunos

If you are interested in the Mezamashii Run Project, please click HERE for more info.

Happy Running!

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Sunday Repeat

I think I’d like to have all my Sundays like this:

  1. go for a run
  2. relax on the lake

That’s what I did last Sunday and I enjoyed it so I thought I’d do it again.

This time I chose a different bike path.  I had already biked on it (when I couldn’t run).  I had wanted to go back there and run on it. It doesn’t have the water views but it is pretty flat and shady.

I ran about 3/4 mi in one direction.

heading toward Cohoes

I knew right away that it wasn’t going to be a great run.  I just tried to go slow and have negative splits if possible.

heading in the other direction toward Niskayuna

I stopped for a drink and then headed another 3/4mile in the opposite direction before turning around.

3 miles done!

The weather was perfect – little humidity, a slight breeze and it was even cloudy at the start. And I am happy to say that I pushed myself into finishing it well.

Not speedy but negative splits, yay!

I can’t help but focus on pace. That’s how I am.  I am happy to be running.  It is  A LOT OF WORK at this point. I don’t plan to be in racing shape until the end of September.  So I won’t be depressed until then.  The book is still out on whether or not, I will regain full mobility with all that hardware in my ankle.  I hope so because I don’t want to have to decide whether to leave it in and run slow or get it out (and face a repeat of 6-8 wks non-weight-bearing followed by PT.)

Again after my run, I headed up to Lake George.

boat left over from the French-Indian War Re-Enactment

My hubby (who had been there since Friday) & I hung out on a different island than last Sunday but the effect was the same. TOTAL RELAXATION (good food, good views, good company, good book to read, perfect weather)!!

Life is good!

Happy Running!  Have a great week! 

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The Good and the Bad

Let’s start with the bad.

Thursday after work I had the worst run.  Not the worst run since being injured.  I mean, the worst run ever. Maybe it was the hunidity or the fact that I had walked 3 miles at lunch or maybe it was the day after a hard PT session.  But I could not run…my legs felt like I had just run 26.2 miles.

So yesterday, I took the day off from running.

Today I got up early and went to the Corning Bike  Trail.

view of the Hudson looking south

It was a perfect day. Very little humidity, a slight breeze. I ran a 1/2 mile south and then ran back.

now heading north

Then I ran 1 mile north (and was passed by the speedy Happy Runner) and then back. I tried not to focus on pace but just distance.

happy to be done

What a difference!  I felt great!

Both of my runs were 3 miles but today’s was  9  minutes faster!!!! It’s a new post surgery PR!!! YAY!

run on 6-16-12

run on 6-14-12

What was the difference – I prefer to run in the morning and I just felt like I had more energy.

Unfortunately I had to rush home to go to work at a memorial service for a professor who had died. (My hubby was up on our boat on Lake George – where I plan to be tomorrow).

Happy Running!   Any running or racing for this weekend?

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5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

Again inspired by SUAR – Here is my list:

1.  Pro Compression Marathon Socks

I have them in argyle blue and hot pink.  They were on sale for half price.  I got them while I was injured.  I plan to wear them a lot.  My right calf is sore because I am favoring my dominant leg.  Also my left ankle still swells.  I hope these socks help me continue to run, run faster, run stronger.

2. Chocolate Cream of Wheat

I ALWAYS eat hot cereal for breakfast.  It is also my pre-race breakfast.  I use 2 packages, add water and cook in the microwave.  Then I add some milk to cool it.  The chocolate feeds my sweet tooth.  It says  that it includes 9 essential vitamins so it is semi healthy, right?

3.  Archer Farms Bottled Lattes

They are basically bottled Frappuccinos with the word “latte” slapped on the label. Regardless of the name, they taste very similar to Starbucks brand Frappuccinos.  You can buy them at Target and they are much cheaper than the Starbuck’s brand.  I’ve tried many of the flavors – vanilla, pumpkin, mocha, chai, etc. I love them.  And they’re only 100 calories.

4.  Watching TV on my iPad

I think I watch TV on it more than I do on a regular TV.  Recently, I have been catching up on episodes of Revenge.   It has been a Godsend for the exercise bike and the treadmill at work when I couldn’t walk or run – I would watch Smash, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Good Wife – one episode at lunch and one after work. (Now you know what kinds of shows I watch.)

5. Liberte Mediterranee Yogurt

I started eating yogurt for the first time when I spent my junior year abroad in France.  I have been looking ever since (and it’s been a LONG time) for yogurt as good as the kind they make in France.  I finally found it!!  Coconut is my favorite. YUM!!

6. (just one extra) Running Skirts

I have quite a few running skirts but these two (from runningskirts.com) are my favorites by far.  The top one has compression shorts underneath.  It’s a little longer and it has a pocket on each side.  I was lucky to have received a gift card  for Christmas so I splurged on the top one and I won the bottom one in a raffle.

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?

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Wordless Wednesday: Happy Feet

3 miles for the 3rd day in a row:

before

 

After

Happy Running! How do you make your feet happy?

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A Weekend of Running

My running shoes missed me!! Can’t even tell which ankle was broken…

Yes, running!

After my last post of whining about my lack of running, I decided to “Just Do It!”

I ran Three days in a row.

Friday I squeezed in 3 humid  miles …slow ones… In my neighborhood. ..in 37 minutes! (Just ran a 5k in 35 min. – I just need an audience!!)

Saturday, my hubby went up to do work on the boat and I did errands and in between 3 more humid slow miles on the Corning bike trail… in 39 minutes! (getting slower!)

Not as shady as I thought

Then  yesterday on my way up to Lake George, I ran 3 miles on the Nisky (scene of broken ankle)  Bike Trail… in 36 minutes (and negative splits)!!!

I am hotter than I look

Is 3 days in a row too much?

here’s how my feet spent the rest of the day – yes it’s the left one…

Maybe but I am running slow and walking when necessary.

I may go for run number 4 today since I may not have time before the weekend and rain is on the way…

another look at my Sunday afternoon view…I did ice my ankle in the cold lake water

Happy Running! Do you run more often than you should?

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Getting Back into Running


When I was running regularly (pre-broken ankle), I managed to fit in running 4 times a week, tennis, mah jongg, yoga, friends, family, WORK….  In other words, I could be busy as a bee and still find time to run!!

How?

Every Monday, I used to post my week’s schedule and my running schedule.  I also included an update on the previous week. Writing down a schedule kept me accountable.  Then I started just posting a review of the previous week.

So it seems that running isn’t happening without a schedule.  I can’t seem to find the time.

After my surprise 5k on Saturday, you would think this would be a big running week.  NOT!

Sunday, I went to NYC with my friends.  Monday & Tuesday, I had a bad cold and could only manage 40 min on the exercise bike.  Wednesday I had to go to PT (at least I got 1.5 miles on the treadmill done). Thursday, I had a farewell dinner to go to.  Friday I played mah jongg.  Today I have to set up stuff at work and then we’re probably going up to the lake.   UGH!!!

Yes, I am still recovering but that’s no excuse.  If I can run a 5k race, I can squeeze in 3-4 miles at some point in my day.

So next week, I will start a schedule with the goal of running regularly (and slowly adding mileage and speed).

Happy Running!  Do you schedule your runs?