virtual race

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Let the Parties Begin…

Friday they let us out of work at 3:30 pm to get ready for a 7 pm party.  Cool!  Just enough time to squeeze in a 3 mile run.

The State Room

The party was fun.  I love a chance to get dressed up (which my hubby just hates!) The food was good & the DJ played just the right music to dance to. (Ouch…the feet…)

Yesterday was a rest day but I did visit a friend and we hiked around the lake where she has a house.

me on our chilly hike

Lake Elizabeth

Today before party#2, I did run 6 miles (in the wind!!!) The first 3.1 miles (with the wind at my back) was done for Courtney (and my former student Erin).  Courtney lost her daughter Ashlyn 3 years ago and Erin lost her daughter Angelina last year.

Then my mah jongg friends & I went out to celebrate our 3 year anniversary.

Since Mah Jongg originated in China, we always go to a Chinese restaurant. Our group started with 6 and now we have 12. 

most of the group at PF Changs.

We shared 4 appetizers, 7 main dishes and 2 desserts. Holy calories!!

 

1400 cal Great Wall of Chocolate

Happy Running! Do you worry about eating too much during the holidays?

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Hotter Than Hades Virtual Half Marathon

This is a free event!! Join us and other athletes from all over the world to embrace our crazy, wild side to run a virtual half marathon during the hottest part of the summer?!?

July 15th thru August 15th (you have the whole month to complete 13.1 miles, there is no need to complete it all in 1 run)

PERFECT!

Take a month to run 13.1 miles and that’s what I needed!

Results:

8/9/2011 3.5 0:39:53 0.00791336
8/11/2011 4.1 0:50:01 0.008471658
8/13/2011 5.5 0:59:56 0.00756734
Hotter Than Hades Virtual Half Marathon 2011 Totals 13.1 2:29:50 0:11:26

Like a real half marathon, I combined running & walking. Yes, it took 4 days…

Hopefully I’m be back in shape and be able to do it in one day!!

Thanks to the Fitness Collaborative for hosting!

Happy Running!

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Chips Are Down Virtual Race

 Thanks to Amanda from Run to the Finish who is hosting this virtual race to celebrate her 30th birthday.

I posted on her blog that I planned to run 3 miles in 34 minutes.  Pretty slow, right?  But then again I’m not racing while I’m injured.

So this is cool that I can race without racing!

I got up early to run before work.   The weather was perfect — not too warm and not too hunid.

I followed my PT’s instructions – walk…stretch…run…walk…stretch…run…walk… stretch…ice.

In total, I did 4 miles but only 3 miles were done running. Total time = 48 minutes.  Total running time = 34 minutes.

Still some discomfort…but so happy to be out there running!!

PT continues for at least one more week… Dr appt tomorrow.

Thanks Amanda!

Happy Running!

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My Virtual Marathon

CantaffordVM

This marathon took me 6 days:

4/18 – 3 miles – 31:55
4/20 – 3.1 miles – 32:33
4/23 – 13.1 miles – 2:22:39
4/26 – 3.25 miles – 39.55
4/27 – 2.25 miles – 23-50
4/28 – 1. 5 miles –    16.29

       26. 2 miles – 4:47:21

Not too bad considering it was a mixture of tapering, half marathon & recovery running and cold temps, rain and warm temps…

Happy Running!

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Jelly Bean Virtual Race

I signed up for the 5K which was perfect because my taper runs this week were scheduled to be 3 miles.

I am glad I am not a teacher because it is school break week and the weather has been horrible…cloudy, cold, rainy everyday!!!!!!!

Today was no different. It was nasty and raining on and off all day. 

I wore my usual capris, long sleeve shirt, windbreaker, cap and ran my after work loop.

Splits:

Mile 1- 11:08
Mile 2 -10:55
Mile 3 -10:28
.1 – 8:49

Time – 32:33

This was LAST taper run before my Half Marathon on Saturday so I tried to run at the same pace as I hope to during that race.

I was happy that my splits were negative and I didn’t get too wet.

Then off to yoga class I went.  I ❤ Yoga!!!!!!!!!

Happy Running! Still praying for good weather on Saturday!

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Virtual and Non-Virtual Races – Gotta Love Em!

Virtual Races

I love to compete in Virtual Races.  They are FREE!  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you are accountable to run that distance. There is no pressure.  It doesn’t matter what your finishing time is.  You can fit it in whenever you have time. You discover NEW blogs.  And sometimes you can win a random prize just for entering. Below are two Virtual Races coming up:

 

CantaffordVM

Non – Virtual Races

I love to compete in Non Virtual Races even more.  They are not free but most of the entrance fees do go to charity and you get a teeshirt.  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you have to TRAIN to run that distance. There is  pressure.  But that’s a good thing.   Under pressure is when I do my best running. They are scheduled so you have to organize your life and rearrange things. You meet other runners. You feel like you are part of a community that shares the same interest – racing.  And sometimes you can  even win some bling.  Below are some of the Non Virtual Races that I may run (the purple ones are definites):

  • 4-10-11 Delmar Dash 5mi
  • 4-23-11 Lake George  Half Marathon
  • 4-30-11 Great Mom’s 5-K Fun Run or YMCA 5k or St. John’s/St. Ann’s Center Spring Run-Off 5k/10k or Brink 5k  or 5-01-11 Sean’s Run 5k or Literacy 5k ??
  • 5-08-11 Mother’s Day Race (3.5 mi)
  • 5-19-11  CDPHP Workforce Challenge 3.5
  •  5-22-11 SPAC 5K Rock & Run
  •  6-4-11 Freihofer’s Run for Women
  •  6-11-11 Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
  •  6-27-11 35th Annual Adirondack Distance run (10Mi)???
  • 7-23-11 Silks & Satins 5k
  •  Fasig Tipton 5k –
  • 8-13-11  Jailhouse Rock 5K
  • 8-20-11 – New Visions 5K
  • 9-10-11 Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope 5K
  • 9-15-11 -Schenectady Arc 5k or Get Your Rear in Gear 5k
  • 9-23-11 Arensal City 5K   ??
  • 9-25-11 Adirondack Half Marathon
  • 10-01-11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 
  • Falling Leaves 5K
  • 10-22-11 Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k
  • 11-11-11 Valatie Veteran’s Run
  • 11-24-11 Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 
  • 12-03-11 Jingle Bell Run
  • 12-17-11  Albany Last Run

    • Happy Running! Sign up for some races!!!

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    The Happy Runner’s Virtual Half Marathon

    In honor of Amanda, Suzy, Felice, Janis & Bridget’s Half Marathon race in Queens, NY yesterday, I completed this virtual one.  Yesterday, I ran 2.1 miles. It was sunny and windy.  I was hoping that today would be calmer and beside I had plans.

    I spent the afternoon with my mentee, Amanda and her 4 yr old son, Richard (She is having another boy on Aug 20.). First we went to the park to see the ducks, geese and goldfish but it was too windy to play on the playground.  Instead we went to the mall where they were having their annual  “Journey Through the Body” activities for kids.

    After playing in the mall playground, we ended by having ice cream.  We shivered but it was worth it.

    Today was my scheduled long run of 11 miles. It was sunny again but even windier than yesterday.

    flag blowing in the wind

    I overdressed because it was so breezy with gloves & a windbreaker.

    before my run

    with Slater, one of my cats

    This was a run of firsts:

    • wearing my new Spi Belt (to carry water & GU)
    • wearing Reebok sneakers (that I got for free last summer)
    • a new route  – down the bypass, past the high school, down Delaware Ave, to the golf course and back)

    The wind was brutal at first since I was running into it and it was hard to move forward.  After 3 miles, it got better since I turned right but then I got very WARM.  I stopped to take off the jacket & gloves.  Even my legs were warm – I wish I had worn  shorts or capris.

    Interesting sightings:

    • a hawk (2 men pointed it out)
    • a hearse
    • someone running around the HS track (Tempted? Nope)
    • 2 runners (wearing the Albany Last Run orange jacket)
    • several joggers (could be runners)
    • several bikers
    • boys playing baseball

    Around 7 miles into the run, I got tired.  My legs felt like lead.  I started to slow down.  I took walk breaks…this is always when I start to doubt my ability to run a half marathon. I took another Gu but it didn’t help.

    I did finish strong.  But it wasn’t a very good run.

    Done!

    Positives – I love this new running route.  I will take it again for the next and last long run – 12 miles (YIKES!!) The spi belt didn’t move around though if you put a lot in, you feel pregnant.  I guess if looks better than bulging pockets. The front sides of my feet (where they always hurt) didn’t hurt at all with these cheap Reeboks(???)

    So here’s the stats on my virtual (2 day) Half Marathon:

    2.1 – 19.37
    11 – 2:07:40
    13.1 – 2:27:17

    I still burned a lot of calories so my hubby took me to get this:

    Coffee & Cream

    at the Jericho Drive-in which incidentally is only 3.1 miles from my house… (I see a 10k run in my future!!)

    By the way, Suzy, Amanda, Felice, Bridget and Janis all ROCKED their Half Marathon in Queens yesterday 🙂


    Bridget, Felice, Amanda, Suzy, Janis

    Happy Running!

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    Marathon Completed

    I finished my first Marathon!!! My goal was under 5 hours and I did it!!

    My time was 4:48:45!!

    So what if it took me 6 days.

    Day 1: before work – at the gym on  the treadmill
    Day 2: after work – outside around Albany – nice out, actually felt warm
    Day 3 – after work – outside around Albany – another nice evening
    Day 4 – after tennis & in the afternoon – outside around Albany – cool but sunny, beautiful day
    Day 5 – before work – outside in my neighborhood in Delmar – nasty, drizzly, windy
    Day 6 – before work – outside in my neighborhood in Delmar – cold, cloudy, windy, snow on the way?

    Day 6

    Miles Time
    3 0:33:40
    4.5 0:48:30
    4 0:44:20
    10.5 2:00:50
    3 0:31:55
    1.2 0:09:30
    26.2 4:48:45

     

    Done!!

    Thanks to Jason from Cook Train Eat Race  for organizing this marathon. Now all I need is a CUPCAKE!!!!!!!!

    Happy Running!

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    Tennis & Running

    Yes, both in one day!

    I got up at 6 am in order to get to my first USTA tennis match.  I was acting captain so I had to set the lineup, collect the money, etc.  Our team is the defending champs but we lost our first match.  However, no one really wants to play at 8am on a Sunday (not even the captains) so we didn’t have our best players.  I paired myself up with someone I didn’t know (I’m too nice, I know).  The first thing she said to me was: “Did the captain tell you about me? I ‘m the weak link on the team.  I’m not very good.” Well, that wasn’t good way to start things off. Unfortunately although I tried to boost her confidence.  She was right.  She wasn’t very good and we lost.  I hate to lose!!!!!

    After tennis, I went out to breakfast with some friends on the team.  I couldn’t wait to get home and go for a run to clear my head.

    My hubby had other plans.  He wanted me to go to Lowes to help him pick out a new mailbox.  So I did.

    Finally I got out there.  It was a gorgeous day.  In the 40s but felt warmer because of the sunshine. 

    before my run

     I decided to just run straight for 5 miles or so and then run back to my car (that was parked at work).  I was fine for 4 miles until I hit a huge hill.  I could barely walk up it but it was fun running down it on the way back.  I ran my half marathon pace (11-12 min/mi) and was pleased that my first and last miles were the fastest. 10 miles in 1:48— I added on another 1/2 mile to get some coffee at Starbucks.

    after my run

    One thing I love about running is that you set your own goals.  You don’t have to depend on someone else to reach them.  I wanted to run 10 miles today.  I wanted to to do it in under 2 hours.  I wanted to finish it with a lot of energy and without any aches or pains.  So although at my tennis match I was a loser, at running, I won!!! (I decided to use today’s run for the 13K of the Shake Your Shamrock Virtual Race since I was wearing “Green.”)

    On another note – I want to congratulate my best friend’s sister, Ellen who ran the LA Marathon today in the pouring rain!! (1000s were evaluated for hypothemia!!!)

    Happy Running!

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    Shake Your Shamrock Virtual 7k Run (for Ice Cream)

    Thanks to My Running Bucket and Beyond Destination 26.2 for sponsoring this race.

    What a beautiful day in the NE!!! Finally…

    Albany, NY

    I wish I had the day off but I had to wait until 5 pm to run my race.

    Here’s my bib:

    The only green shirt I could find my the race shirt from last Saturday’s race (which was much too big):
     

    I took my usual out and back 2 mile route from work with a little extra to make it 4.35 miles or 7K. I can’t remember the last time I ran and there was no ice or snow on the sidewalks or street. I had to push up my sleeves because I was warm. I could have even worn shorts instead of capris.

    So I had no excuses for running slow and stopping and walking except that it wasn’t a real race just a virtual one. My time was 48:36.  (A far cry from last week’s race).  I ran a little more to make it an even 4.5 miles.

    It was totally enjoyable.  I’m glad that My Running Bucket and Beyond Destination 26.2 got me out there.

    Afterwards I headed to FleetFeet where I bought my Mizunos a few months back.  That was the period when my feet really hurt so I bought them in a size larger.  They still hurt and I never wore them.  Instead I bought a pairs of Asics that I wore to run my half marathon and every run since. Well, FleetFeet refunded my money (over $100).  I love FleetFeet!! (Thanks Mary for telling me to go back there.) While I was in the store, I stocked up on some more Gu.

    Today was also the opening of Kurver Kreme, my favorite soft ice cream place (not far from FleetFeet) – you know where I’m going with this…

    You wouldn’t believe how long the line was for ice cream…Instead I went to Stewarts – 50 cents for a cone if you are wearing green.

    My 7K cone!!

    Happy Running and Happy St Patty’s Day!!