running

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Two and Eight

2 and 8 are my lucky running numbers so I am hoping for a good week!

Update on Last Week:

I didn’t meet my goal of 15 miles since I was rained out 2x but I did run Wed, Thurs, Sat.  for a total of 12.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis  once & did Yoga once
3  low cal root beer floats (diet root beer & lite ice cream – 100 calories)
2 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

run 17 miles
play tennis
It’s week #2 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #8 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: dinner w/friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: last PT
Thurs: hair appt
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 3.5 mi before work
Wed: 3.5 mi before work
Fri: 4 miles before or after work
Sun: : 6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running!

 
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Am I Average?

An Average Female Runner tends to enter running events, train year-round, and purchase 2-4 running shoes each year (From RunningUSA and inspired by DirtRoadRunner)

Am I Average?

Demographics:
Average Age: 38.5 – Way Older (58)
63.2% Married  – Yes
78.2% College educated –  Yes (BA in French, MA in Education, MS in Instructioanl Technology, ABD in Instructional Tech)
70.3% Earn a household income of $75,000+ – Yes (though it was more before my hubby retired)

Running History:
Average number of years running: 9.9 years  – A lot  Less (3)
Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 7.2 events  – A lot More  (21)
51.8% have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime —No (none yet)

Running Routine:
70.4% Run/Jog 4+ hours each week – Yes (but it  depends on what I’m training for)
77.7% run 12 months a year –  Yes I do now
Average number of days run per week: 4.0 – Yes (but sometimes only 3)
Average number of miles run per week: 21.9 – Less (unless I’m training for a Half)
66.1% describe themselves as ‘Frequent/Fitness Runners’ – Yes (well maybe persistent)

Running Preferences:
Favorite race distance is the Half-Marathon (39.0%)  – No, 5K ( I have only entered 2 Halfs)
Interested in entering next year: – Hope to be entering ALL but the Marathon
    Half-Marathon (77.0%)
    5K (57.3%)
    10K (56.0%)
    Marathon (43.3%)

Motivation:
Primary motivation to start running:
    For Exercise (25.0%) – Yes (Definitely)
    Weight Concerns (14.5%) – No 
    Needed a New Challenge (9.3%) – Yes
Motivation to continue to run:
    Staying in Shape (76.8%) – Yes
    Staying Healthy (74.2%)  – Yes
    Relieving Stress (64.4%)  – Yes
   
Product Preferences:
Average number of running shoes purchased in last 12 months: 2.9 pairs  – More (I’d say at least 5)
Last running shoes purchased:
        ASICS (26.4%)  – YES (have bought 3)
        Brooks (16.6%)  – (have bought 1)
        Saucony (14.2%) – (have bought 3)

       What happened to Mizuno? (have bought 3)
                                             Nike? (have bought 2)
                                            Adidas? (have bought 1)
                                             New Balance (0 but am considering)

65.3% spent $90+ on their running shoes —Yes for some (but  have bought many for less on sale)
47.9% purchased their running shoes at a specialty running store – Yes (at FleetFeet) for some but most  in other stores
Favorite brands of running apparel: 
    Nike (64.8%) – Yes (have lots)
    Under Armour (45.7%) – No (too expensive)
    Champion (34.3%) – Some (from Target)
    Adidas (30.7%) – Yes (have lots of Adidas)
80.4% spent $100+ on running apparel in the last 12 months — YES
59.6% purchased running apparel at a specialty running store —Not Often (too expensive)

Health:
Average Weight: 137.6 lbs – Less (but I’m shorter)
Average Height: 65.01 inches – Less (64 inches)
Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.9 – Less (but not much)
40.9% are content with their weight – No (lose a little but lose INCHES so my clothes fit better)
42.3% are content with their fitness level – No (I always want to get better like maybe cross train)

So am I average?

In some ways YES but I am older, less experienced, enter more races but have never run a marathon, and buy more shoes!!

Happy Running! Are you Average?

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

I’m running the NYC Marathon!

Only kidding!

On the same day, I’m doing something almost as absurd.

I’m running a Half Marathon!

In Santa Clarita, outside LA!!

I mentioned this race before and why I wanted to do it.

But that was before I was injured.  Now it’s less than 12 weeks away & I’m not fully recovered.

BUT I’M DOING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish me luck!!

Happy Running!

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Update on Half Marathon #3

If you remember, I was REALLY REALLY looking forward to this half marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My training was to have begun on July 4.  It did not.  I was injured. 😦

I feel like I am starting all over… and this half is in less than 6 weeks!!!!!!

So now what?

For Half Marathon #3 on Schroon Lake, I plan to:

  • Enjoy the weekend at my friend’s house on Schroon River.
  • Go to my 1st Expo.
  • Meet up with running friends.
  • Encourage & be happy for my running friends.
  • Take lots of pics (so I’ll be prepared for next year).
  • Run/Walk (walk a lot esp the hills) the 13.1 miles.
  • Not run it and get re-injured!
  • Cross the finish line running & smiling (without looking at the clock).
  • Get my finisher medal (so finish under 5 hrs).
  • Have fun… and not be depressed or disappointed!!

Any advice for entering a race that you haven’t trained for? 

Has anyone ever walked a race?

How do I be patient and walk when everyone else is running?

Does this count as a Half Marathon for me?

Happy Running!


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It’s Monday & I Have Goals Again

Update on Last Week:

I ran Tues, Thurs, Sat.  for a total of 13 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
No Tennis – rained out
No Yoga (PT appt ran long)
2 root beer floats
2 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

15 miles
tennis
yoga
week #1 of Half Marathon #4 training (more about that in another post)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: PT after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: yoga after work
Thurs: PT after work
Fri: Dr appt am & BBQ at the marina (OFF from work)
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:
Mon: 3.5 mi before work (rained out- moved to Tues!)
Wed: 3.5 mi before work
Fri: 4 miles
Sun: : 4 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running!

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The Perfect Day Pt 2

After my lesurely run, I headed up to our boat where my hubby was waiting patiently.  Our friends and 2 of their friends were spending the day with us.

celebrating being on the lake

 

a friendly chipmunk

 

relaxing in the lake

 

going for a boat ride

 

watch the full moon rise at the marina

These things kept my mind off the fact that there were several races I wished I were running:  Jailhouse Rock 5k (that I’ve placed 2x before) or Kiwanis Clove 10 miler (with friends) or the Warrior Dash (very popular!!)

Soon I hope!!

Happy Running!  Hope you had a great weekend!


 

 

Happy Running!

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The Fit Trail (Run) & the Perfect Day Pt 1

Yesterday was a perfect day.

On Friday, my hubby went up to Bolton landing to get a site on the lake for the weekend.  He usually comes home and we drive up together on Saturday.

I encouraged him to stay overnight on the boat & I would drive up myself.

How selfish of me!!

I played Mah Jongg Friday nite, stayed out late and got up yesterday to take a leisurely run. 

There was no one rushing me.  I didn’t feel guilty making anyone wait.

Perfect!

I headed out on my usual neighborhood route but decided to head into our local town park.   There’s a pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, kid’s play area, etc.

After 12 years playing tennis here, I discovered a Fitness Trail.  Who knew?

It includes 32 different fitness exercises at 20 labelled stops. Each stop has pictures of the exercise and suggestions for fitness or competitive levels.   You jog between each stop.

The trail isn’t that well marked and I kept taking the wrong route & back-tracking.  I finally found my way out (not the correct way out) near the tennis courts.

In total, I ran 5.5 miles!!! Not all running, of course!! Not very fast – it took me about 1 hour.  The heel is ok – which means I can feel discomfort and tightness but no real pain! (Will it ever feel normal again????)

Today I went back to figure out the trail better.  I found out that yesterday I missed #19-32 and only covered #1-18 and that  men are pictured at each stop for a reason.

I tried to do some of the exercises but didn’t even attempt most of them  Either I’m not fit or only men or gymnasts could do them.

Today I walked the trail and will definitely go back & run the trail — I think if I want to exercise I will join a gym.

Happy Running! To be continued…

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Orthotics Anyone?

Sean's Run

I was happy! I was running! I was running fast!

That ended on June 11, 2011!

Since then — one month of painful running followed by PT and no running!

Now it’s on to slow short runs…but NO RACING!!!

Everytime I read the newspaper or my e-mails or FACEBOOK, there is mention of a 5K race!!

Summer 5ks are very popular in my area.  There’s several every weekend.  I used run in them.  My hubby is probably happier since we have had more boat time and he doesn’t have to wait around for me.

I am sad!

Wednesday I went to PT and PT guy#1 wants to extend my PT 2 more weeks.  He also wants me to continue stretching, walking and running longer.

So I ran 4 miles yesterday in perfect weather.  The run was mixed with walking but I ran.

Today, I still feel good and went back to my foot doctor.  Since the real pain is gone, he said there’s nothing left to do. (I still wonder if I didn’t go to PT, stretch, not run or play tennis and ice, would the pain still be there???)

He wants me to get orthotics! I pronate and I need arch supports  to put less pressure on my Achilles.  A mere $350!!

So I have to get a letter from my insurance company stating that they will cover it, then make an appt, get measured, get them made and gradually get used to running in them…just 3 months or so!!!

Yeah, right…I have a half marathon in 6 weeks.  Well, that’s out as we know.  I WANT TO TRAIN FOR HALF #4 –that means run pain-free and it’s in 12 weeks…

On a positive note:

I’ve seen 2 good movies this week:

 

I am playing Mah Jongg tonite.

We are going up to Lake George tomorrow for a weekend of boating & relaxing.

Happy Running! Orthotics anyone?

 

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Wordless Wednesday or My New Addiction

Yup, I’m becoming a connoisseur on Root Beer Floats.  I’ve tried them in many locations and they are all different.  Sometimes it is made with A&W root beer. Sometimes it is made with soft ice cream.  Sometimes they give you the rest of the bottle of soda with your float .

My preference:

  • Soft vanilla cream
  • the rest of bottle or can so you can add to it when the foam dies down.
  • I don’t care if it is A &W or not.
  • Stewarts anywhere or LuckE Star in Warrensburg are so far my favs.

If you like Root Beer Floats, here’s some interesting trivia:

It was originally called the “Black Cow.”  The Black Cow was put together the first time on Aug. 19, 1893, by Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The tale passed down through the generations in the Cripple Creek community says that Frank got his inspiration of the snow caps on the Cow Mountain, sparking him to think of ice cream floating on top of the black Cow mountain. This vision prompted the name of the treat, The Black Cow.

August 6 each year is National Root Beer Float Day!! (If only I had know!!)

On the running front:

I am running every other day: walk stretch…run…walk stretch…run…walk stretch…run..stretch…ice

Running slowly 2-3 miles at most…in the mornings…not really painful but if I did more, I think it would be. I am listening to the PT and do not want to risk injury. 

I WILL RUN 13.1 MILES on NOV 6, 2011 or eat lots of root beer floats to drown my sorrows!!!!

Happy Running!

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Plan B

Red Rock Bay #18

Plan A:

Three days on Lake George at Red Rock Bay #18.  Swimming, boating, bbqing with friends.

View from Sagamore running route

Running around the Sagamore in the morning before heading back to the island.

Well, the forecast for ALL 3 days was showers and thunderstorms!!!!!!!!! Normally we ignore the weather reports and do our own thing. For some reason, we listened to them!! And they were wrong!!

Plan B:

Spent Saturday with my tennis buddies on Schroon River.

 

No it did not rain.  My poor hubby had stayed home.

On Sunday, I got up early and ran a sucky 3 miles in my scenic neighborhood (NOT).  My heel felt fine, but the HUMIDITY almost killed me.

Then we headed up to the marina.  We didn’t take the boat out because we thought it would rain. I walked around beautiful Bolton Landing waiting for our friends to arrive.

When our friends arrived, we had a nice barbecue on the deck of our marina. Then on our way home, we stopped for ice cream (I know I said I would give it up) and to play miniature golf.

one of my better putts

No it did not rain.

So today again the forecast is for rain which I have yet to see.  I am obviously blogging, doing laundry, weeding and eventually plan to maybe go shopping and/or see a movie. (I’d love to run but I am obeying PT Guy #1.)

The morale of the story, do not  visit:  weather.com.

Happy Running!