running

by

Wordless Wednesday

ME on page 2 of the 2012 brochure

Last May, I ran Sean’s Run for the first time.  My friend Mary talked me into it.  It was a big (1500 runners) local race but a very hilly race.

Look who is now pictured on the 2012 race brochure – http://www.seansrun.com/pdfs/2012Flyer_spread.pdf

That would be me…(at least they cut out my fat thighs!!).  I wasn’t planning on doing this race again…but maybe I should.

The funny thing is that last year’s brochure had Mary’s photo on it (from the first year she ran the race.)

Happy Running!

 

by

Last Week in Review – Holiday Staycation Begins

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis
Tuesday –  3.5 mile run at lunch, 1.5 hours tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday –  5 mile run, another birthday celebration – OFF FROM WORK UNTIL JAN 2!
Friday – REST
Saturday – 8 mile run
Sunday – REST

Happy Running!

 

by

Christmas 2011


A whole lot of eating going on..

Dinner out on Thursday to celebrate a friend’s birthday.  Lunch out on Friday with a friend from work.  Dinner out Christmas Eve with the hubby and then brunch at a friend’s on Christmas Day.  (More lunches & dinners out planned for next week also…Holy pounds gained!!)

On the running front – my knee is still painful to bend but doesn’t hurt when I run. I ran 5 miles on the Corning Trail Thursday. 50 degrees on the first day of winter!!!

bike trail on the Hudson River

On Saturday, I went to the Nisky Trail and ran 8 miles.   This time it was 25 degrees outside ….brrrr but at least the sun was out.  This was my 2nd time on the trail and I decided to go East this time.  Unfortunately I didn’t bring my camera but I like it better in this direction. I definitely need a lot of work on stamina…I am not used to running long distances and struggled.  I forced myself to run the last mile as the fastest pace of the run.

bike trail on the Mohawk River

We are closed where I work so I have next week off.  That means I don’t have access to a treadmill. I hope the weather is kind to me…

We don’t do a lot of elaborate celebrating of the holidays since the kids are grown. We have a small artificial tree.  I have a lot of snowmen around.  I also celebrate Chanukah.  I picked out my own gift – an iPad 2 & a laptop.  My hubby was thrilled since he HATES to shop. I on the other hand, love to shop & bought him a few things.  Most of my shopping & gift giving was directed at Amanda (the girl I mentored) and her sons.   She has really struggled financially this year and doesn’t even have a permanent place to live.

We started Christmas Day at a brunch with my tennis friends.

Pat, John & Catalina

 

I am wearing the cowl that Catalina knit for me

Then we went to give gifts to Amanda & her sons Richard & Matthew.

He loves those super heroes

 

Richard with his new pillow pet

 

Matthew - looking cute as ever

 

 
Next we went to my mother-in-law’s to have dinner her & my  stepsons. 
 
 
We ended the day with a trip to the movies.  We saw War Horse.  My hubby wanted to see it and I have to admit, it was very good.  I highly recommend it (and I don’t normally like war movies.)
 
Happy Running!  Hope you had an enjoyable Christmas holiday!
 
by

2011 Goals – How did I do?


Here are the GOALS that I set for 2011:

I was doing REALLY well until June 11 when I hurt my heel… then I rebounded!!

 Lower my 5K PR –  No, it still stands at 27:30 but I did have 3 races under 28 minutes and 2 just over 28!

√ Run 5ks under 28 minutes – 3 out of 9 under 28 (all 5ks under 30 minutes except for the one where I fell)

√ Win my age group  – 2nd for the LG Half, (50-59), 2nd for Polar Cap 4m (55-59), 2nd for Firefighters 5K (55-59), 1st SPAC 5k(55-59) – only got prizes for the lst 2

Polar Cap – 2nd place in AG

√ Run new races – 14 new races (Polar Cap 4m, Firefighters 5k, Naples Half, LG Half, Delmar Dash 5m, Sean’s Run 5k, Workforce Challenge 3.5m, Runnin of the Green 4m, Adirondack Half, Fall Foliage Half, Santa Clarita Half, Stockade-athon, Run Off That Turkey 5K. Hmrrc Winter Series #1 3m)

Runnin of the Green 4 miler

Run at least one race each month –  1 in Jan, 1 in Feb, 2 in Mar, 2 in Apr, 4 in May, 2 in Jun,  0 in July, 0 in August, 1 in Sept, 2 in Oct, 4 in Nov & 2 in Dec. (injured in July & August 😦 )

Sean’s Run in May

√ Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside) – over 800 miles for the year.  (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & August.)

Running outside in January

√ Run a longer race than 5k (4 mi, 5 mi or 10K) –  5  Half Marathons, a 15K, 2 – 4 mile races, 1 -5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

√ Run a half marathon race – 5 Half Marathons!! Woo Hoo!

LG Half Marathon 4-11

√ Run at least 15 races  – 21  races (It would have been more if I had not been injured in July & Aug. I DNS for about 6 races.)

Mother’s Day Race ’11

√ Run  a race in another state – 2 – a Half Marathon in Florida and a Half Marathon in California

Half in Naples, Florida

Volunteer at a race – Nope  :(

√ Take running pics & post on FB & this blog – I have taken lots of photos (even use the timer on my camera) & post on this blog & on facebook

√ Keep track of how many miles I run this year – I record every mile I run on this blog, dailymile.com & on a tickerfactory.com ticker

Happy Running!  Did you accomplish your 2011 running goals?

by

2nd Annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange

Thanks to Run with Jill for organizing this! I did it last year too. It’s fun to meet new people, pick out running gifts & of course, get gifts!

I was matched with Jenna from Corgi Pants.

This is what she got from me:

 John was matched with me (he doesn’t have a blog).  This is what I got:

It’s PERFECT! I love love love Starbucks and from the Running Warehouse, I think I’m going use the gift card toward  a running skirt.

Thanks John.

Happy Running?  Did you get any running-related gifts yet?

 

by

First Annual Secret Santa Sock Swap

Thanks to Courtney for organizing this.

I was paired with Cortney from Nerd on the Run. This what she got from me:

Erica from I Run Because I Can  got paired with me.  She obviously reads my blog and got me the PERFECT gifts.  I love Gu and snowmen & Starbucks!!

Thanks Erica!

Happy Running!  Do you participate in Secret Santa gift exchanges?

by

2011 in Photos

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I tried to select one photo for each month (which was very difficult).  Not all are running-related but of course, most are.

Highlights of the year:

  • 21 races
  • 1st Half Marathon
  • 1st 15k race
  • a great boating season in Lake George
  • yoga addiction
  • destination race to Cali
  • 2 vacations in Florida

Happy Running!  Hope you had a great 2011!

 

by

Last Week in Review – Last Race of 2011

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill – another birthday celebration
Wednesday – 3.5 mile run, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday – 4 mile run on the treadmill
Friday – REST
Saturday – 5K race
Sunday – 5 mile run

at Cheryl's bday party

Happy Running!

 

by

A Recovery Run

getting ready to test the "knee"

Normally you go on a recovery run after a long run.  I decided to do one after a fall.  I  had originally planned a long run today but instead, I went out to see if I still could run.

I decided to go to some place new – the Nisky Bike Trail.  It is similar to the Corning Trail but it is on the Mohawk River rather than the Hudson River.

there's a similiar sign on the Corning Trail

Don’t let the photo fool you, it was COLD!!! In the teens but at least it was sunny!  I added an extra layer to last night’s outfit and I was fine.  Only my face was cold.

near Lock 7

I actually like the Corning Trail better  – it is more scenic.  But this one is very peaceful and a safe (a better part of town) and cleaner (less goose poop).

the peaceful path

Before the “fall” I had wanted to run 8 miles since I ran 7 last weekend.  But I played it safe and ran 5 miles.  (3 last nite + 5 today = 8 anyway)

My knee was still bleeding from my road rash and my palm & elbow were also cut up but actually as far as running, I felt great.  I am so happy.  It could have been worse.  I am lucky!!

the Mohawk River

I had also planned today to take my mentee’s son out for his 5th birthday – McDonald’s and the Lights in the Park but his mom, Amanda was sick.  Instead I went Target (love love Target) and bought them gifts.  I hope to help them move next weekend and celebrate the holiday with them.

Amanda & Richard Xmas 2010

Happy Running! How’s your holiday shopping going?

by

Albany Last Run Race Report

This was my second time doing this race so I wasn’t as clueless as last year.  I knew that the fireworks were before the race and to get ready to run right after they ended.  They said that there was a new course but I only remember that it ended coming down a hill.  I hoped that it was still the case.

I also knew that this race would be crowded so to just have fun with it.

The race started at 5 pm.  It’s always a little tricky to run a race at night when you’re used to fueling in the morning.  So I decided to have my pasta in the morning and my cereal in the afternoon. (that may sound crazy?)

It was COLD…in the 20’s and windy.  I just wore layers… tutleneck, vest, race jacket, tights under my skirt, hat, gloves.  My hubby has a parking pass for under the mall so he drove me.  We planned to go out to dinner afterwards.

before the race

Several of my friends that wanted to run the race got closed out…this race is very popular.  But I did run into several of the SRMs (Strong Running Mamas) and we watched the fireworks outside before the race began.

Brigid & Janis

 

She is pretending to "puke"

 
The fireworks were better than they look here

As soon as the fireworks ended, the race began.  1500 runners started pushing and shoving.  It was so crowded going up the hill.  In fact it was hard to get a decent running pace for most of the race.  There was a car parked in the middle of a narrow street, there were walkers and runners  cutting in and out.

Nevertheless, I was enjoying my run and feel really good.  I even ran up ALL the hills and was continuously passing people.  The lights were awesome (even though I’ve seen them many times already.)

As I said I felt comfortable running the whole time. Probably because I was forced to start slow.  The race ended out of the park and back downtown.  It went downhill and my recurring nightmare came true.

I have dreamt that I would be running so fast down a hill that I would fall on my face.

I was running fast and I glanced at my Garmin and didn’t see a pothole/crack in the road and down I went.

I was stunned and just laid there wondering how badly I was hurt.  Several people stopped.  One guy helped me up.

Despite the shock and pain, I was determined to finish the race.  I couldn’t run fast but I crossed the finish line.  It was around 30:20 or so.

negative splits!

I  grabbed some water and looked for a seat but couldn’t find any.  Soon Brigid & Janis showed up.  My hand was bleeding (darn, I had taken my gloves off at the end) and I pulled up my tights and blood was dripping down my leg — Some really nasty scrapes on the left knee.

 We walked around looking for a paramedic and finally found some who bandaged me up.

I called my hubby who was waiting inside to tell him what happened.  He came outside to get me and asked it I wanted to go home or go out to dinner.

I think my ego was more bruised than my body.  (Tomorrow will tell).  And we did go out to dinner.

one of the holiday martinis at Applebees - recommended as a painkiller

Albany’s Last Run was hopefully not my “last” run.  It was the kind of race that you do for fun.  You can’t PR but of course, you can stupidly try!!

Happy Running! Has anyone else ever fallen during a race?