running

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Back to Tennis & Creating a Balance

playing tennis

In my forties, I started something athletic.  It was tennis. I played ALL THE TIME!!!  Ladders, coed teams, womens teams, tournaments, etc. I was obssessed.

In my fifties, I started running. 50 5k races in 3 years. I was obsessed.

Do you see a trend?

This summer, it was easy. I was injured and I didn’t run or play tennis.  In the summer, tennis is free and casual.  No problems. No races signed up for. No problems there. Just relaxing on our boat.

Last night was my first night of my indoor tennis contract.  I have 4/5 slot on Mondays and a 1/8 slot on Tuesdays. I switched tennis facilities and no longer play with my tennis friends (They play at another facility which is farther away & more expensive or are retired & play during the day).  We are close & will see each other socially and on vacations. 

dinner at "Pure"

 Now I am playing with new players and it is just tennis. But because it is a paid doubles contract, I have a playing schedule.

Back to running – I want to continue running several short runs during the week and a longer run on the weekend.

I do not want to re-injure my heel (which may be still injured?). As a result, I don’t  want to run & play tennis in the same day.  This sometimes means I have to skip runs because I cannot skip tennis.

Happy Running! Anyone else have “Balance” problems?

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Boating & My Running Mojo

The Boating season is winding down and the Running season is gearing up.

Although I am running again, the heel pain still persists.  Not so much while I am running but before & after.  This fact allows me to run but makes me be very cautious when I run.   It also makes me sad as I cross off races from my calendar 😦  But at least I AM RUNNING!

The sunshine came out finally on Friday after a week of rain.  After work, I had to choose between my weekly Mah Jongg game (which I LOVE)  or a longish run. 

Yes, my Running Mojo is back – I ran 5 miles around the park.  I hadn’t run there since Mother’s Day when the park boasted thousands of beautiful tulips.  I was surprised at how nicely it was landscaped & wished I had brought my camera.

Saturday, we headed up to Bolton Landing to spend the weekend on Lake George.  It wasn’t going to be warm but it was going to be dry!!

We spend the day with lots of boating friends at a new spot – near the Ranger Station on Long Island. We didn’t swim but had lots of fun!!

In the evening we headed to the village to watch the Car Show parade (There were thousands of vintage cars on display this weekend) and fireworks.  I could care less about the cars but the guys were in their glory oohing and aahing.

Afterwards we battled the traffic & returned to the marina to sleep on the boat.  Mind you it was 53 degrees & I could have sleep at 3 different friends’ houses in Lake George village.  Well, you know why I returned to the boat.

Sunday morning, I woke up early to go on a long run.  Long run for me is only 7 miles but I knew it still would be a challenge.

I wanted to take a new route as I always run around the Sagamore hotel.  I decided to run south on  9N. It was a little chilly so I put on a  jacket (Big mistake, I was warm in 5 min) and took along my camera.

photo stop on Huddle Bay

I ran the rolling hills for a few miles.

9-11

pretty painted building

When I passed a cemetery, I decided to take a detour toward the lake. Boy am I glad I did!

road less travelled by

lst sign of fall

I stumbled into roads in all directions with awesome houses, tennis courts, new home construction, cottages, beautiful lake views.

nice home, huh?

my reflection in the mirror

my new house LOL

one of several tennis cts

 

like this house too

 

view of the Sagamore in the distance

 Another road brought me to the Rainbow Association (lots of camps, docks, beach, etc.)

this is a cute one

Finally after probably getting photographed in many surveillance videos, it was time to head back to the marina.

 

shortcut through the cemetery

 
In Bolton Landing, I had my own mini car show.
 

I got back just in time to go out on our boat with friends.

Lake George Kayak Co.

 
 

beautiful day on the lake

Happy Running!  Are you looking forward to Fall?

 

 

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TTT + 1

  1. It has rained THREE Mornings in a row!! I think I mentioned several times that I don’t run in the rain!! So my running has been slacking off 😦
  2. My hubby (MR. I never exercised in my life cuz I can play any sport well) suggested that we join a gym. There’s a new Planet Fitness nearby – only $10 amonth!
  3. My problem is that I work and it is crowded when I can go…  But I think I will join but not for the treadmill on rainy days but to crosstrain (which I should start doing).  Optimistically Tues, Thurs (after work) & Sat or Sun.

+1 So here’s my new OPTIMISTIC plan for exercise:

  • Running – before work  2-3x and 1 long on the weekend
  • Tennis – once a week after work (Mon)
  • Yoga – once a week after work (Wed)
  • Crosstrain – 2x after work (Tues, Thurs) and 1x on the weekend

Yes, there’s the hubby, friends, movies, dinners, meetings squeezed in there too…If only I didn’t have to work…There’d be time for everything!!

Happy Running! Do you belong to a gym?  How often do you go?

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Two for Tuesday

  1. Rain – It rained Sun eve, most of the day Monday and it is raining now.
  2. Rain – It is forecasted for the next few days. I do not run in the rain

I know I am a wimp! I also work so I need to run before or after work.  It may be time to join a gym.

A Quick Update on Last Week:

My goal was to run 18 miles.  I did not.  I ran Mon, Thurs & Sat for a total of 14.5 miles. My long run was 6 miles. I played tennis once.

Goals for this Week:

run 18 miles
DO YOGA
It’s week #4 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #10 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: OFF  from work
Tues: HMRRC seminar
Wed: Yoga
Thurs: Mentor mtg
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 3.5 miles
Wed: 4 miles
Fri:  3.5 miles
Sun:  7 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running! Do you run in the rain??

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Staying on Track?

It is difficult for me to stay on track.

When I am not using the pain excuse, I have:

  • Tues am – I ran yesterday & don’t want to run 2 days in a row. I am playing tennis after work.
  • Wed am – I am going to the US Open.
  • Thurs am – I got up at 4:15 am & went to bed at 11:30 pm on Wed.  I am TOOO  tired 😦

Three mornings without running… and it wasn’t even raining.  We won’t go there.  (I think I need to join a gym to stay on track during the rainy, snowy, icy mornings. )

Does it matter if we do not stay on track?

Maybe not.  As long as we get back on track?

I ran 4.5 miles after work yesterday!!  It wasn’t pretty.  I was TIRED.  Today’s quote from RW:

Relish the bad training runs. Without them it’s difficult to recognize, much less appreciate, the good ones.

 I hope next week and the weeks to come bring some good ones.

Happy Running!  Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

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Where has the summer gone?

The end of August always makes me sad. The days get shorter.  The temps get cooler.  We start thinking about putting our boat away for winter. This year, however, I’m hoping that the fall brings healing to my heel and more pleasant running conditions. 

August update:  My goals were…

I am hoping to be pain-free!  Nope! But not worse…

I am hoping to start running again! Yup but slowly…

I am hoping to gradually increase my mileage. Yup up to 16.5 miles weekly and a long run of 5.5 miles…

I am hoping to start training for Half Marathon #4. Sorta …see above…

I am hoping to run a 5k before the end of the month. Nope…not until I am pain-free!

More in August:

  • I have played tennis.
  • I finished my PT sessions.
  • I’ve ordered orthotics.
  • I have continued yoga.
  • The weekends on Lake George have been great. 🙂
  • My mentee had a baby boy!!!
  • We survived Irene & a mini quake

So what’s in store for September??

  1. Hope to run pain-free
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week
  3. Spend a few more weekends on Lake George.
  4. Run 3-4 times a week
  5. Increase weekly mileage by adding longer runs
  6. Prepare for Half Marathon #4 by doing 4 & 5
  7. Survive Half Marathon #3
  8. Run a 5k or 10K race (only if #1)

Happy Running!

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Hurricane’s Over. Back to Normal.

Update on Last Week:

I almost met my goal of 17 miles.   I ran Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat.  for a total of 16.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis  once but did NOT do Yoga 
0 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

run 18 miles
play tennis
It’s week #3 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #9 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: dinner w/ running friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: all day trip to the US Open
Thurs: dentist am
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

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

Happy Running!

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Rescheduled Run

I could have been with my hubby & friends on Lake George doing this:

hanging out in Log Bay

Instead I chose to stay home by myself and run here:

Elm Ave Park Fit Trail

I know I shouldn’t be running 2 days in a row.  BAAAD!!!

But the hurricane today got in the way of my plans.

It was very BUGGY & HUMID.  My legs were tired so I walked quite a bit.  I wanted to do 6 miles but the route was only 5 miles and my body had enough anyway…


How do you spell “relief”? Root Beer Float!!

Happy Running!

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My Top 10 Running Essentials

Everyone’s doing it so why not…

Here’s what I consider Essential for Running:

1. Comfortable Running Shoes – This is very important!! I’m currently wear either  ASICS  or Saucony. When they hurt, I buy a new pair.

2. Comfortable (and Cute) Running Outfit – Being comfortable when I run is the most important and I like to look good, too.

3. A Hat – I always wear a hat.  My hair is thick and unruly so a hat keeps it in place.  It also keeps the sun off my face.

4. My Garmin – I am lost without it.  I like to know my pace and my distance.  I upload all the data to my computer and it tells me when I ran fast, when I stopped and all that good stuff.

5. My Road ID – After my high blood pressure incident in October, I always wear it. It is also important because I always run alone. So if something happened to me, it has my hubby’s phone #.

6. My IPod  – I don’t carry it during a race.  But it is essential when I run alone.  The music helps me keep a decent pace.  When I run on the treadmill, I use my iPod Touch to watch TV shows.  I couldn’t get through my run without it.

7. GU – If I am running more than 45 minutes, I carry one. For over 1 1/2 hours, two, etc.  My favorite is vanilla.  I also like chocolate outrage. I’ve tried beans, chews and really like GU!!

8. Breakfast – I have to eat before a race or morning run.  My preference is oatmeal/cream of wheat (2 packages of instant w/milk) with raisins and COFFEE! Sometime I have a banana also.

9.  My Health – This should have gone first.  I took being injure-free and healthy for granted. Being healthy, which means listening to your body, taking rest days, stretching, eating well, staying hydrated, is essential!!

on the bridge heading to the Sagamore

10.  The Scenery – This is not always possible because I have to run in the city after work or in my neighborhood before work but it is better  to have beautiful surroundings.  It is definitely more motivating to run when there’s something to look at.

Happy Running?  What do you need when you run?

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TTT: Tennis, Tempo & Therapy

  1. Tennis – Tuesday I played my first real tennis since my injury on June 12.  2 set of doubles: 8-6, 5-7.  Over 2 hours & I was sore…sore everywhere….hip…shoulder…legs…knee..HEEL – out of shape or old age??
  2. Tempo – Wednesday before work  regardless of my soreness and fatigue…I ran 4 miles!!!  It was my type of a tempo run…I ran as fast as I could for as long as I could and then walked.  It was the first time and I attempted to run with any pace.  I must admit that it felt good!!!!!!!!!!  Most of my runs in the last few weeks have been in the 13-15 min pace.  Most of the time this morning, I was in the 10s and that was with walking. YAY!!
  3. Therapy – I mean the Physical type. Yesterday was my last session.  They gave me an cortisone patch to keep on my heel for 2 hours and wished me luck. I wish I could continue but my insurance won’t pay for any more time!!!  So now I’m on my own for stretching, icing, resting when necessary and ORTHOTICS.  Who knows when my orthotics will arrive?? And will they help?

Happy Running! Happy Thursday!