I am excited to be a Running on the Wall race ambassador and yesterday, I participated in the Challenge Yourself Virtual 10K.

Normally I run races every weekend. But in the NE during the winter months, there are very few scheduled.

I would have to just run for myself.  But this was so much more motivating.

What I like about virtual races it that they help me push myself just a bit more and this race did just that.

It was not as fast as a real race but definitely better than if I was just running on my own.

What is even cooler is the nice race bling they send you. I got a bib, a medal, a tank top, the bib, a car magnet and either choose a runners hat or arm sleeves. (I chose the arm sleeves since I don’t have any besides the DIY ones made from cheap socks.)

And the tank top, it is light weight and perfect for me! It is one I will be proud and comfortable wearing to remind myself: “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”  Yes, running is hard and it’s supposed to be hard.

Since I had planned to do my long run of 12 miles yesterday, I decided that it would be a good day to run the Challenge Yourself Virtual 10k Race.

The snowstorm hit south of us so we didn’t get a single flake but what we did get was COLD temps and wind.

It was 16 degrees when I arrived to start my race but in the single digits with the windchill. I did dress for these frigid temps and the only thing that was cold were my fingers because I kept taking off my gloves to take photos.

I started my race by running 2 miles around Colonie Town Park.  I have run here before and it’s where the Mohawk Hudson Hal Marathon starts.

There’s lots of trails but I kept running into ice and turning around.

The park is on the Mohawk River which looks to be frozen.

Heading out of the park, you run under a covered bridge.

Next I ran on the path toward the Nisky Bike Path where I run many of my long runs.

It was mostly clear but every now and then there were snowy patches.  Luckily, it was just snow not ice.

To get to the Nisky bike path, you had to run on the road.

this bridge is on the highway along the Mohawk River

you had to be careful because you couldn’t see cars coming around the curve

Finally I arrived at the entrance of the bike path.

Here there were quite a few snowy patches but they were not slippery.

a view of the Mohawk River in the distance

After 2 miles on this route, I turned around.

I have a really bad sense of direction and made a left when I should have made a right so had to back track.  (Good news is that it gave me the .2 miles that I would have needed.)

back to the path leading to my car

I was very happy to arrive at my car and thaw out.

10K completed!

Time: 1:07:55

One of my slower 10Ks but I am happy!

I can’t wait to do another Running on the Wall race!

thumbs up to Running on the Wall Virtual Races

Happy Running! Do you like virtual races? Why or why not?

Laura at Mommy Run Fast hosts a virtual race called 5 by the 5th. The rules are that you have to run either 5 miles or a 5K by the 5th of each month starting February through May. There are prizes up for grab each month for those that participate and record their results.

I don’t do a lot of virtual races because I run so many actual races.

But this one is easy to fit in.

Well, yesterday we had a heat wave. It was 38 degrees.

I drove to UAlbany where I ran last week because I thought that the path around the campus would be clear.

It was for the most part, but in spots, it was snowy and slushy.  I had to tiptoe around the slush.

And at every intersection, there were huge puddles.  What a mess!!!

But it was a nice night to run and a 5k completed!

I had extra time and the arctic freeze was predicted to return today so I added an extra mile.

Happy Running! Do you do virtual races? Have you been able to run outdoors?

I felt like this but I was on the road…

Sometimes a run just sucks. Sometimes life just sucks. But we all have to move on right? Yesterday after work, I had a no good, very bad, awful run.

I was still very congested from my cold, I hadn’t been sleeping and I had eaten a large late lunch.

I  tried to get myself in the mood to go for a run but that was just not happening.  I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed with a book.

But I had missed 2 runs while being sick so I just wasn’t going to let it happen again.  On my way to the neighborhood where I have been running lately,  I decided that I was going to run at least 3 miles (if it killed me) but I really wanted to run 4 or 5.

Once I actually got on the road though, I realized this run was going to be tough, mentally and physically.

My legs felt like lead.  My chest hurt.  My stomach was too full.  I wanted to quit after 2 miles.  I dragged myself to 3 miles and then I willed myself to do 4.

Yeah, I walked some but got it done.

Usually I get down on myself and question my running ability.  I wonder how I am ever going to 13.1 miles if I can’t run 3.  My pace is 12-13 min/mile.  How embarrassing is that?  I’m not fast but I could run 9-10 min/miles. Maybe I should give it up. Wah wah wah…

Instead, the type A me analyzed the situation:

• You’ve had 2 injuries.  The 2nd one before you totally recovered from the first.
• You’ve been sick.  It’s hard to run when you can’t breathe.
• Running on a full stomach — stupid!
• You always run better in the morning.  Gotta do an AM run soon.
• Even when you raced well, you had BAD training runs.  You need to run a race!
• What about music…gotta charge that iPod and listen to some tunes!
• 4 crappy miles are better than zero miles
• Get over it… bad runs happen!

Thanks Ryan. I don’t mind if you do!

So today is a rest day (and it is raining/sleeting)!

I haven’t decided about the weekend.  I signed up for a virtual 5K tomorrow with friends and a 10K on Sunday.

I will either do the 5k & add 3 miles afterwards or the race but not both.

I know both will be fine — running with others is always motivating.

Happy Running!  How do you deal with bad runs?

the bib

This was organized by Beth & Ben in Tampa, Fl.  For $20, you got a Bib and a Medal and you supported the school.  Plus, you ran 3.1 or 13.1 miles.

I would have done it by myself but I was lucky that The Happy Runner organized it on FB so I could run with some great ladies.

However, weather conditions (icy roads) forced Felice to cancel.

At first I was relieved so not to worry about the hills & falling on the ice.  But then, I was psyched to run.  It’s not often that I am off on a weekday. So I decided to do it on my own (just in case when they re-schedule I am not free – I will be away Jan 5 and Jan 19-23).

oops! I left my bib at work.

I chose the same route as I ran on Saturday but it was a lot more slushy and slippery!!

I had to run in the middle of the road and then move over every day a car went by in either direction.  So it was slow going but I got it  done (even had negative splits).

Now I won’t feel so guilty indulging at the dinner party that we are going to tonight!

Happy Running! Did you participate in the 5K or Half?