September 12, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – It was a holiday and I signed up at the last minute for a 5K race. Not my best nor my worst. Scored 1st in my age group and met up with a lot of runners that I knew. But missed a day on the lake. Can’t have it all.

Tuesday – I took a trip to NYC because my friend Anna (from Russia) was going to be there (on her way back from a Maine wedding). Unfortunately the early trains were sold out so I took the bus and arrived around 1:30 pm. We walked to Pier 81 and had lunch on the North River Lobster Boat. Then we walked on the High Line and ended the day with drinks and crepes on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel. The weather was windy, cloudy and drizzly but still a wonderful day.

Since I saw her 3 years ago, she has taken up running. So proud!!

Wednesday -First day on the new job. Took a walk to Starbucks at lunch. (Yes I work near Starbucks again!!) Both Alyssa and Barbara had to cancel so I had to go it alone after work at UAlbany. It seemed that summer’s humidity had returned. Ugh!!

Thursday – Today was even hotter and more humid than yesterday. Another solo run on the rail trail.

Friday – a real rest day. I was supposed to meet a friend at the gym and I didn’t even do that. Mah jongg with my friends in the evening was fun.

Saturday – 5K race and then some miles afterward. The race was good. Actually one of my fastest this year and won 2nd in my age group. The run afterward was a struggle. I had to bribe myself with food.

won a bottle of champagne & a $50 gift card to the Recovery Room restaurant

it wasn’t pretty but got it done and my reward was delish

Sunday – Spent a perfect day on the lake. It was sunny, not too warm with a breeze. None of our friends were around so we docked on an island, had champagne (the bottle that I won at my race the day before) with our lunch, I read a book and then went for a hike.

21 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run, gym, dinner out
Tuesday – rest, mall walk with BFF
Wednesday – 3 mile run with a friend+ volunteering with STEM group
Thursday – 4 mile run with a friend
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating
Sunday – Saratoga Palio Half Marathon!!

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races?

June 2, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Breaks

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Breaks

There are many reasons to take a break from running.

Injuries

This is the worst. Injuries suck. There is nothing you can do about them. You just can’t run. And you always wonder if you will again.

I have had a few. Broken foot in 2013…

Stress fracture in late 2012…

Ankle surgery for 2 broken bones in early 2012…

Weather

When I first started running, I stopped in October and began again in April. Then I realized that I could run in the cold weather, even in the snow. Running in the rain and ice. Not for me!!

Living in the Northeast, there were many days like below when I did not run.

The same can be true if you live in a warm, humid climate. It is hard to run in those conditions.

doesn’t this look inviting?

Life

Yup, sometimes life gets in the way. I work full-time and I am not a morning runner. Evening and weekend work, family and friend obligations often make running impossible.

My hubby and my friends do not run so I try not to let running interfere with my relationships.

10405437_10153756637729428_6501356606667614072_n

dinners out with friends

boating with the hubby

tennis instead of running

Sometimes, I’d rather be running but I know I always can’t choose running.

Tapering or Recovering

Also we may not want to take a break, we know we have to. Before and after a long race, I usually take at least 2 days off. I like to be active and feel like a slug when I don’t run. But I that these old bones need a rest or there will be repercussions.

best post half recovery

Lack of Mojo

This is a tough one. It’s when you just don’t feel like running.

I’ve had this feeling many times but since I sign up for so many races, I know that if I don’t run, there will be consequences.

There are many reasons for lack of mojo:

Over training
Fatigue
Pain
Poor races results

We’ve all experienced these.

I have recently felt the last two. Since my half in April, my feet have bothered me on and off. It is not fun to run when something hurts.

ouch!!

I also have been disappointed in my finish times. I am getting slower. Especially for my April half which I trained for and the course was flat. I expected to do better and I was depressed for long time afterwards.

not happy here

As a result, May was a low mileage month for me… (even though I ran a half marathon!!)

Happy Running? Do you take breaks from running?

January 12, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 11 of HM training – The Taper)

Monday – ~~walk at work~~, 5 3.5 mile run

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis

Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, STEM celebration

dreadmill

most of the STEM group –

Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 mile run, hair appt

dreadmill

Friday- party brunch, ~~walk at work~~, retirement party, 3 mile run, mah jongg

I had an omelette after this also

Saturday – rest, errands, cooking

meat loaf, broccoli quiche, beef vegetable soup – also made tuna noodle casserole

Sunday – 6.2 Mile race + 1.8 more miles

This Week: (Week 12 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, rest
Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Thursday – rest, walk at work, PACK
Friday- rest, fly to West Palm Beach, FL, pick up race packet
Saturday – RACE DAY!!! 13.1 miles!
Sunday – rest, sun, relax

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

October 21, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Tapering

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Tapering

Well, this topic is appropriate because I have a 10 mile race this coming weekend.

So I guess I am tapering.

What does “tapering” mean?

It is the gradual reduction of training intensity and duration as you edge forever closer to race day. It is a necessary aspect of endurance training and it starts in the last few weeks before the big day.

A few weeks in the case of a marathon. For me, it is the last week before a half marathon. After my long run of 12 miles, I reduce my long run to 8 miles and run several times during the last week. Those runs are usually only 3 miles and then I rest for two days before the big event.

Why is tapering important?

Studies show that levels of muscle glycogen, enzymes, antioxidants, and hormones–all depleted by high mileage–return to optimal ranges during a taper.
The muscle damage that occurs during sustained training is also repaired.
And if that isn’t enough, immune function and muscle strength improve, as well, which reduces the odds you’ll catch a cold or get injured just before the race.
You will not lose your fitness during the tapering period.
If you do it properly you are likely to feel fresher on race day than you have ever felt.

What should you do during a taper (so you don’t go crazy)?

Obsessively check the weather for race day.
Plan your race outfit.
Make sure you have the right fuel for the race.
Check the race Web site for race-morning particulars such as start time, and work out the details of how you’ll get to the start on race day.
Also check the race Web site for the course map and study it.
Relax!!

Back to my tapering.

I don’t feel like I need to taper because I really didn’t train hard.

13 mile week included my only uninterrupted long run of 8.5 miles

Most of my long runs were interrupted by a race.

: 2.8 + 10k

: 6.9 +5K

: 6.9 +5k

: 5k – 27:11 – PR (Sept. 2014)

: 8.5

: 4.5 +5k

: 7.5

: 4.5

: 5

: 5k – 28:25

: 10k

: 5

This taper will be an easy one since the forecast is for rain everyday. I hate to run in the rain and I’m not a fan of treadmills.

Happy Running! What are your thoughts about tapering?

July 7, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work

early morning run

AM walk

Tuesday –4 mile run before work, walk at work, tennis

so glad I did it in the am…a sweaty one!

AM walk

PM walk

Wednesday – ~~3 mile run before work,~~ ~~after work~~ (RAIN – should have done it before work), walk at work, yoga

AM walk

Thursday – ~~rest~~, 4 mile run before work, walk at work

Friday – DAY OFF – 3 miles, on the river, hanging with friends, mah jongg

in Williamstown, MA

Saturday- 12 miles, dinner with former college roommates

on the Nisky Bike Path & the Crossings

restaurant on the Hudson

Sunday -rest, boating

my friends first ride on the lake

This Week:

Monday – DAY OFF – 4 mile run
Tuesday -walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, yoga
Thursday – 3 mile run before work, walk at work, dinner out for a friend’s bday
Friday -walk at work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday- rest
Sunday –Saratoga Half Marathon!!!

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races ?

March 23, 2014 by Darlene

Taper Time

taper-time

For me, it doesn’t really feel like a taper because I don’t feel that I trained hard. I didn’t really increase my mileage. It stayed around 3 miles with some 4 milers thrown in. Some outdoors and some on the treadmill. (It’s been a tough winter to train.)

On the weekends, my long runs started early. After my half marathon in October, I started preparing for a 15k in November, then a 10 miler and a 15K in January. That means I had many runs of 9-10 miles. None were without excessive walk breaks. I also skipped a long run when I was in Florida. But I did 2 -11 milers and a 12 miler.

My running schedule looked something like this:

Week	Date	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total Miles
1	6-Jan	0	0	0	3	0	10	3	16
2	13-Jan	0	0	4	3	0	8	0	15
3	20-Jan	4	0	3	4	3	0	9.3	23.3
4	27-Jan	0	3	3	4	0	4 + 4	4.3	22.3
5	3-Feb	0	4	4	0	4	0	10	22
6	10-Feb	0	4	0	4	4	0	10	22
7	17-Feb	3	0	4	0	0	11	0	18
8	24-Feb	0	0	0	4	3	3.1	4	14.1
9	3-Mar	0	0	3	3	5	0	11	22
10	10-Mar	0	4	3	4	0	4	12	27
11	17-Mar	0	0	4	3	4	0	8	19
12	24-Mar	0	4	3	0	0	0	13.1	20
	races are blue							3/16 run was 3/17	240.7

So I don’t feel ready but then again, I don’t feel tired or over-trained. We’ll see how it goes. I am pretty confident that I will finish. How fast?? Haven’t a clue.

Today, I ran only 8.5 miles (yeah only 8!). It was another SLOOOOW cold WINDY one (what else is new?)

almost track season

will the snow ever melt?

last long run in Delmar…bike trails should be almost clear

This week, I am just taking slow …getting some runs between the rain and wind and the sun (and tennis & hair appt), making sure that I stay healthy.

Happy Running! Do you enjoy tapering? Any advice?

October 15, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – the Aftermath

Last Week:

Monday – (DAY OFF) 4 miles on the rail trail, tennis

pre-rain trail run

Tuesday – 1 mile walk at work, dinner with friends

dinner at Helsinki in Hudson, NY

Wednesday – 1 mile walk at work, 2 miles after work, YOGA

pre yoga run

Thursday – 1 mile walk at work, 3 miles after work on the Treadmill

thank God for Nashville

Friday – 1 mile + 2 mile walk at work, REST, Les Miserables in the evening

lunchtime walk in the park

Saturday – REST, expo, REST, boating on Lake George

Lake George

Sunday – 13.1 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!, boating on Lake George

3 happy finishers

more Lake George

This Week:

Monday – REST, mall walk with BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 miles, yoga
Thursday – 3 miles
Friday – REST, mah jongg
Saturday – 10K race
Sunday – REST, spectate at a Duathlon

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races?

October 8, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – The Taper

Last Week:

Monday – 12 miles (DAY OFF)

: tough run on NIsky bike path

Tuesday – 2 mile walk, tennis

Wednesday – 3 miles at home before work, ~~yoga,~~ 1 mile walk at work

Thursday – 3 miles at home before work, 1 mile walk at work

Friday – 3 mile walk to pick up my race packet, rest
Saturday – 5k race +5 miles, Les Mis in the evening

Race for Cure 5K

post race run in the park

Sunday – trip to NYC to see Matilda

This Week:

Monday – (DAY OFF), ~~8 mile long run~~, 4 mile run, tennis
Tuesday – REST, dinner with friends
Wednesday – 2 miles after work, yoga
Thursday – 3 miles after work
Friday – REST, Les Mis in the evening
Saturday – REST, boating one last time?
Sunday – 13.1 miles!!!!!

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any upcoming races?

March 25, 2013 by Darlene

Training Over… Recovery Over…Now What?

or rather 2 weeks in review…

Week 12 Update:

Monday – 3 mile run on the treadmill at lunch, tennis after work

Tuesday – REST – flew from Albany to Ft Myers, Fl.
Wednesday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting at the beach & pool

Thursday – 3 mile run outside, walking around Venice, sitting at the pool

Friday – REST – sitting at the beach, walking around The Meadows

Saturday – REST – walking around the Meadows, sitting at the beach

Sunday – 13.1 mile race, walking around Sarasota

The TAPER was completed nicely and I finished the race!!!!

Recovery Update:

Monday – REST – walking around Cape Haze, sitting on planes and in airports

Tuesday – REST – tennis cancelled due to snowstorm
Wednesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (Testing out my new Newtons)

Thursday – REST
Friday – 3 mile run on the treadmill after work (still testing the new sneaks)
Saturday – REST (running after a 19 mos & 6 yr old at the mall)

Sunday – 4 mile run outside

Recovery completed nicely.

Now what?

Monday – tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run on TM, Passover seder
Wednesday – 3 mile run in Albany, YOGA
Thursday – 3 mile run near home
Friday – REST, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race + 2 more
Sunday – Rest

Happy Running! Anyone else experience post training letdowns?

March 11, 2013 by Darlene

Time to Taper

Week 11 Update:

Mon- Tennis
Tues – 6 miles (3 miles on the TM at lunch & 3 miles outdoors after work)
Wed – walking around NYC

at the Chinese Scholar Garden on Staten Island

Thurs – 3 miles on TM (hair appt after work)
Fri – 4 miles on TM after work –SNOW

at least we had a 2 hour delay in the am

Sat – REST
Sun – 8 MILES

Saturday was a PERFECT day for running, of course. Sunny, no wind and 52 degrees. Since I was not scheduled to run, instead I went up to Saratoga with my hubby. He visited with a friend & I went to the Summer Expo. There were some running booths but mostly tri-related ones. I couldn’t resist buying these Newtons since they were 40% off. I am not that fond of the color but the ones in the colors I liked (blue or pink) just weren’t as comfortable.

After the expo, I walked around the town and watched this guy practicing his tightrope skills in the park.

On Sunday, I went for my last long run. It was a nice day but very breezy and not as warm as Saturday. I decided to finally go to the Corning Bike Trail on the Hudson. I figured that the snow would finally be melted off the path…and it was.

Running into the wind I was chilly and then going back the other way, I was sweating. Oh well. I can’t complain. This was the BEST weather I’ve had for any of my training runs.

I can’t say that it was a good run. I took some Gu before I started but I ran out of gas at 6 miles (even though I walked a lot.) I didn’t bring anything with me (my fault) and running back was into the wind. I even struggled with my breathing for the first time ever. UGH!!

But I finished my 8 miles!

It took me 1:35:xx. SLOOOOW!!!

Still I know even at my snail’s pace, I can finish the half under the 4 hour time limit.

I can’t wait to do it! Enjoy it! Get my medal! And then train better for the next one.

Week 12:

Mon- 3 miles on TM at work, Tennis after
Tues – REST (fly to Florida)
Wed – REST
Thurs – 3 miles in sunny warm Florida
Fri – REST
Sat – REST
Sun – 13.1 miles!!!
Mon – REST (fly home)

Happy Running! How many miles do you run while tapering?

My First 5K and More…

an "older" runner's blog

taper

Monday Running Update

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Breaks

Monday Running Update

Tuesdays on the Run: Tapering

Monday running update

Taper Time

Tuesday Update – the Aftermath

Tuesday Update – The Taper

Training Over… Recovery Over…Now What?

Time to Taper

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