August 30, 2019 by Darlene

Runfessions for August

It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…

1. I runfess…

I was raced obsessed again this month. Three races but TWO races in ONE week!

August 14, a 5k in Brooklyn
August 17, a local 5k

(I came to my senses and DNSed a one mile race on Aug 19. Good thing, I was in NYC working on Aug 21 so I couldn’t run another 5k.)

Anyone else ever run more than one race in a week?

2. I runfess…

I am still confused on the shoe/foot issue.

One day the pain is gone. One day for no reason, it is back.

I’ve gone back to wearing my neutral Nikes for short distances. Sometimes they are fine. Sometimes not.

Then I added my insoles to my new Mizunos for long runs and they felt better…sorta.

Anyone wear different shoes for different distances?

3.I runfess…

Last month I bought a new Garmin, a 230 but I have yet to try it. Still doing my weekly runs naked and my races with my Garmin 205.

Anyone else hesitate to make technology changes or when you buy a new watch, do you use it right away?

4.I runfess…

Every year, my tennis friends and I go to NYC to see a Broadway show.

I do the organizing so I picked this show:

won a Tony for best musical

and got group tix for October 5.

Yup, this 10k race is why I chose Oct. 5.

Do plan races when you visit another city? Anyone else running Grete’s Great Gallop?

5.I runfess…

I used to play tennis almost everyday and on numerous teams. Then running came into the picture and tennis no longer seemed to fit.

2010 was the last year that I seriously competed o a tennis team

I thought I didn’t miss it but I watched tennis at the Aurora Games and last weekend, I hung out with my tennis friends. And now the US Open is on TV.

Yup, I do miss it.

Has running replaced any other activity in your life? Do you think that you will ever stop running?

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.

August 27, 2019 by Darlene

Jailhouse Rock 5K Race Recap

August 17, 2019 – 8:15 am

I’ve done this race 5 times before. And I’ve always enjoyed it.

: 2012

: 2014

: 2016

My previous times were: 2009 – 31:04, 2010 – 29:49, 2012 – 30:58, 2014 – 28:25, 2016 – 28:33.

In 2010, I was recovering from an achilles injury and in 2012 from a broken ankle. And obviously healthy in 2014 and 2016.

If I ran it again this year, I would be trying for at least a course PR but with racing, you just never know how things will turn out.

I remembered that in this race, you walk up a hill to start the race and you finished running down this hill. Couldn’t be any better than that. Right?

For some reason, I haven’t run this race the past two years. This year, I signed up because it fit into my schedule

Well, sorta. I should have been running a 12 mile LSD run per my marathon training plan. And I had been in NYC working all week (ran a 5k on Wednesday night) and got back late the night before. Not ideal. But welcome to my life!

The race started at 8:15 at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa which is about 45 minutes away from my house. I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 am and left around 6:45 am.

across the street from the museum

This nice local race usually has about 200-300 runners. There’s no parking lot but it is easy to find parking on the street. There are bathrooms in the museum which is always a plus.

I got there early enough to find a close spot and use the rest room (in the museum). The temps were warm and insanely humid. (Almost as humid as Wednesday night but with sun).

instead of a shirt, you got a buff – very happy since I have enough shirts

I bumped into a few runners that I knew and chatted until it was time to walk all the way up the hill to the start.

There I found my friend Laurie, whom I knew was running this race.

We started together but I lost her quickly.

The first mile was a gradual uphill but nothing too steep. I was going to try to hold back but my legs felt like lead so I didn’t need to worry about that. Boy, was it humid!!!!

I was hoping to run the whole thing but around halfway at the water stop, I was out of breath so I stopped and walked for a while. The humidity was killing me.

Mile 2 seemed to be flat but every time I tried to speed up, I felt out of breath so I walked again and again. I knew I had to give up on hopes of a PR and just finish the race.

I walked several times during the last mile.

I knew there was that downhill to the finish… but it seemed forever in coming.

Finally I got to the steep downhill, I wish I was confident enough to go all out but I was afraid of falling flat on my face so I held back.

Then I saw the clock. It was 28:xx and I ran as fast as I could.

I crossed at 28:30. (There was no timing mat at the beginning).

Although I was dripping wet, I did not feel as bad as I did Wednesday night. Most likely because I walked several times the last mile.

I grabbed some water and a banana and chatted with some friends while waiting for Laurie.

sweaty but glad to be done

I checked the screen to see if I won an award. My name was not listed so I talked to the person doing the timing and he manually entered my time.

that is a one speedy 60 year old…glad I’m usually in the next age group

They gave awards for 10 year age groups and I won 2nd.

a big cookie – yum!

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:08
mile 2 – 9:14
mile 3 – 9:05
.14 -7:21
______________
28:30

No PR (over a minute faster in June on a harder course.) No course PR. (just a little slower.)

Coincidentally, I recently posted about slowing down. Well, maybe I am. My last two 5ks have not been stellar performances but I’m not giving up on speed. I’ll attribute it for now to the weather and weariness.

I decided after the race to go to the Zim Smith Bike Path to run 9 more miles.

UGH!! I did not want to…

It was 10 am by the time I started, sunny, still humid and I was BEAT!!!!

The run SUCKED!!! I ran, walked, dragged my feet but got it done.

The only thing that got me through it was some podcasts during and Leah’s Cakery’s chocolate milk at the end!

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Please share.

August 25, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down: 8.19.19-8.25.19 – Work Travel Woes

So work has been hectic. Even more hectic than normal (down TWO trainers and a two new trainings to learn in the mix). Not ideal conditions to train for a fall race. But it is what it is. And WEEK 8 of NYCM Training has come and gone.

Last Week –

Monday – I was supposed to go to NYC today but luckily it got changed. I had also signed up (when I was scheduled to work at home this week) for the Saratoga Track Mile. I had always wanted to run a ONE mile race. Well, it’ll have to wait until next year. The logistics of driving 45 minutes in traffic for a short race and coming home late to pack just didn’t seem right so instead, I got up early and ran before work. The temps were better than previous runs but the rain did not get rid of the humidity…at all.

Tuesday – As I already said, I was almost in NYC but I had bought tickets either my tennis friends to go to the Aurora Games, a tennis exhibition. A very late night but enjoyable.

Wednesday – So today I did take the train to NYC. I got up early to run but it started to pour so I went back to bed hoping that the weather would be better in NYC. Well it was hot (over 90) and humid. And I missed the rain which was not necessarily a good thing. 11.5 miles on the feet.

running along the East River (no shade 😦 )

Thursday – A long work day but my miles been slacking so Cari agreed to meet me in Central Park and we slogged through a run (instead of attending the Brigid Runs a Marathon preview). And I got drenched on my walk home.

the company, the ducks and turtles made this run bearable.

Friday – Rest day to returning home late after work by train.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday followed by a weekend away with my tennis friends.

14 miles were on my adapted schedule and my friend Stan agreed to meet me at 6 am to run 6 miles and then Karen & Sherry ran the remaining 8 with me too. Jan, Barbara and Judy joined us for brunch after.

perfect running weather made my longest run ever not too bad at all… `10 more weeks to go!!

Every summer we spend a weekend together at one friend’s house on the Schroon River. We play tennis, eat, swim, and just have fun. The Saturday group was large and so nice to gather everyone in one place.

swimming this year was replaced by a long walk

Sunday – Still at the River House. Only a few of us stayed overnight. I had hoped for early morning tennis but instead went for a long run/walk before the others got up.

so beautiful here!!

Afterward, we decided to take a drive to Lake Placid to visit the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge Center. We saw eagles, cougars, bears, wolves, etc and walked the trails. A great experience.

This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 9

Monday – train to NYC, run in NYC
Tuesday – run in NYC
Wednesday – rest day, train home
Thursday – last ARE trail run
Friday – rest day, day at the Race Track
Saturday – Long Run
Sunday – rest day, boating – Christmas party on Log Bay

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any races on the horizon this fall? How are you dealing with the end of summer temps and humidity? Please share.

August 23, 2019 by Darlene

Loving

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

It’s time for a What Am I Loving Now post so that’s my topic this week.

1. Before Work Monday Runs

I am usually in the office on Mondays, getting ready to travel or train the rest of the week. So all of a sudden, I decided to drag myself out of bed before work and RUN.

It is cooler in the morning and it just makes my day a whole lot better. It also frees up evenings to do other things.

2. Wednesday Ice Cream Runs

Thanks to a running friend (and former tennis team member), on Wednesday evenings, there is an organized run each week, ending at a different ice cream shop.

Yes, run some miles and re-carb load. A no brainer!

3. Thursday Trail Runs

Our local running club (ARE) organizes runs on different local trails every week. Until recently, I was too nervous to partake.

Well, I didn’t fall and wasn’t last. Trail running IS fun!

4. Long Run Saturdays

I love ALL my running friends and they have gotten me through quite a few long runs.

But even better than the runs, are the conversations had over brunch afterward.

5. Boating Sundays

Because they follow Long Run Saturdays, there is nothing better for the legs than

relaxing on an island

or on the boat…

or at the marina.

Happy Running! What are you loving right now? Please share.

August 20, 2019 by Darlene

Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5k #7 Race Recap

August 14, 2109 – 7:10 pm

If you follow my blog, you know that I often get sent to NYC for work.
Usually, I just try to squeeze in a run on the East River, Hudson River or in Central Park.

Well two years ago, I found a race!!!!

Apparently during the summer months on alternating Wednesdays at 7:10 pm, there is a cheap ($7.50 – if you sign up for the whole series, each race costs only $5) 5k in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. These races are organized by the Prospect Park Track Club. I ran one that July and had a great time.

I was excited that they were scheduled again last summer and the first two races coincided with the dates that I would be working in NYC. I ran both of them.

Unfortunately, this summer a few of my trainings got cancelled and I was only in NYC to run the last one of this 5K racing series.

Here are some of the perks of these races:

Bag check
Bathrooms (real ones!)
Water before, during and after the race
Chip Timing
Marker at each mile
5 year Age group awards ceremony after the race
Results immediately emailed to you
Free photos

So it seemed like a no brainer to run any of these races if I could.

Here is a cool video of the course:

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/840765?units=km

Again I had to work all day in Queens (getting up at 5:30 am and being on my feet until 4 pm). I would have to rush to take the subway, then the LIRR, walk to my hotel and change my clothes and then take a LONG subway ride to Brooklyn.

At least this year, I was pretty familiar with the route and knew that I would make the race on time (unless there were snafus with the transportation.)

The problem was the weather. Very humid and it looked like rain. I brought an umbrella just in case.

I actually for the first time exited the train station at the right exit. Right near the entrance to the park nearest the race start

But it was pouring!!!

So I entered the park and followed the signs and wondered why I was crazy enough to do this race.

I was pretty early and it wasn’t crowded at all yet. They moved moved bib pick up and bag check indoors.

As I mentioned in my previous recaps for this race, it was strange to be at a race and not know a single person.

I sat outside at a picnic table under an umbrella.

I just had a banana and some water and waited til it was time to head to the start line hoping that the rain would stop.

the race was dedicated to a runner whop recently died

Eventually runners started arriving. There were probably close to 500. And rain did stop. But it was warm still in the high 70s and incredibly humid. Felt like a sauna.

I was feeling exhausted. Sleeping in a hotel is not ideal and I had gone to bed too late the night before.

Still here I was running a 5k at 7:10 in the evening. Crazy lady, I know!

Night races are tough for me. My only goal was to run well and finish uninjured. There are not usually many older runners so I had a good chance as in previous years in winning my age group.

I noticed an older runner in a local race shirt. It was from a race that I had run several times. Yes, he was from my area and works in the city several days each week. We chatted for awhile and then headed toward the start line.

You pass the finish line on the way to the start.

We all lined up. No corrals or pace signs. Just everyone all together. It didn’t matter because believe it or not, this small local race was chip-timed.

Since I had just run a similar course in June, I knew about the big LONG hill during mile 1.

As I mentioned previously, there are usually runners of all ages who all look like “runners” and the finish times are incredibly fast. A little intimidating.

I started running the first mile. My legs felt like lead. And then I got to the hill, I tried to run up it and it was tempting to walk but I managed to drag myself through it slowly.

Mile 2 was better but I was so hot. So I stopped at the water stop and walked a bit.

Every who passed me by looked they had gone swimming. Even I was dripping wet from the humidity.

By the end of mile 3, I was crashing. I tried to finish strong but I just had to walk. And walk again.

I did not have enough energy to sprint and barely finished under 29 minutes. My slowest 5k in a few years.

But under the those miserable conditions, I was not disappointed in the least.

I was a little dizzy and went directly to get water and sit down.

Then that local runner that I met before the race finished and we walked back to bag check.

They posted the results. I did win my age group (as I was the only one in my age group.)

I really didn’t want to hang around to get a medal but I did since I think it’s rude when runners don’t.

Race Splits
mile 1- 9:31
mile 2 – 9:08
mile 3 – 9:11
.14 – 7:52

28:48

I never look at my previous race times until after the current race.

2017 – 27:52
2018 – 28:24, 28:02
2019 – 28:48

As you can see, no course PR this year.

Though it was very late by the time I got back to my hotel, I did enjoy my Brooklyn 5k!! And I felt better after the race than before.

I plan to run these races again next year if my work dates match the race dates.

There is now a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! Ever fun a race while you are traveling for work? Do you try to improve your times on the same course?

August 19, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.12.19-8.18.19 – The Daily Double

WEEK 7 of NYCM Training included TWO races in one week (both 5ks)

Last Week –

Monday – Well I really didn’t feel like getting up early and running. But the weather has been so unpredictable and I wasn’t sure what the week would bring besides work. So I dragged myself out of bed and actually did 6 miles. The temps were wonderful and I discovered a preserve and hiking trail just 3 miles from my house.

After work I headed to NYC for work. It was late when I arrived so just had dinner and went for a walk.

Tuesday – A long work day in Queens followed by meeting Cari for a walk. Haven’t seen her in awhile and it was great to catch up. It seems to always rain when we meet. Today was predicted to have heavy rain in the evening. Lucky for us, it never happened. So we took the subway to the GW bridge because I wanted to see the Little Red Lighthouse, walked over 100 blocks along the Hudson at sunset and then I took the subway back to my hotel. What a great way to spend the evening with a friend.

Wednesday – Another work day but as I’ve done in summers past, I took the long subway ride to Brooklyn to run a 5k. Crazy I know but it was enjoyable.

It rained until the start of the race and then 100% humidity!! Tough race but at least I won my age group.

Thursday – Met up with Cari again after work but this time it was to actually run. Instead of our original plan of running in Central Park, we headed to the pier on the Hudson to catch up with fellow Skirt Sports ambassador Elizabeth. Then caught the sun setting as we ran.

we may have walked and talked more than we ran but who cares?

Friday – Rest day due to returning home late after work by train.
Saturday – Today I ran the Jailhouse Rock 5k with my friend Laurie. After a hard work week and a late arrival home the night before, it wasn’t the best laid plans.

another tough one due to the heat and extreme humidity.. Came in 2nd in the 10 year age group.

Still fun and then ran 9 miles after to complete a long run. That was not fun.

don’t recommend starting a long run at 10 am when it is hot and humid and after a 5k…one of the worst ones ever.

Sunday – It’s Sunday and that means boating on Lake George. It was a gorgeous day and we got off the lake before the storms arrived 🙂

This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 8

Monday – ~~Saratoga Track Mile race~~, 3 miles before work
Tuesday – rest day, dinner out, Aurora Games at Times Union Center after work
Wednesday – train to NYC, 6 miles in NYC
Thursday – 3 miles in NYC, preview of Brigid Runs a Marathon??
Friday – rest day, train home
Saturday – long run 14 miles, tennis ladies weekend at Schroon River
Sunday – rest day, tennis on the Schroon River.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any races on the horizon? How are you dealing with the summer temps/humidity? Please share.

August 16, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fall 2019

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

As the days are getting shorter (sigh), it reminds that Fall is right around the corner. I am a planner. I mean, I already booked my half marathon hotel and flight for February months ago.

So what are my plans for the Fall?

1. NYCM Training

Nov. 3, 2019

11 weeks to go!!!

I have a loose plan and so far so good. 12 miles are scheduled for this weekend. But it’s doesn’t get crazy until September.

2. Weekday Runs with Friends

In addition to mileage getting crazy, work travel will be picking up this Fall. I will be traveling around NYS 6 weeks from August – October. So when I am in town, I hope to be able to coordinate after work runs with friends.

3. Weekend Boating

The marina does not close until after Columbus Day. So hopefully, the weather will cooperate so I can squeeze some fall weather boating on the weekend (when I am not running.)

4. Two Half Marathons as Training Runs

How can you make marathon training less painful?

The first one will be in September for my 13 miler and the next one be in October for my 20 mile training run.

Mohawk Hudson Marathon

5. Spending Quality Time with Friends

Sometimes, you can forget that running is not the most important thing in your life. Especially when you are training for your first marathon.

So I made sure I scheduled time away with my friends.

I will be visiting my college roommate in RI in September.

I will be spending the weekend on the Schroon River with my mah jongg friends.

And I also will be going to NYC with my tennis friends.

Happy Running! Do you have exciting plans for the Fall? Please share.

August 13, 2019 by Darlene

Yes, You Will Get Slower…

Illustration: Christoph Hitz

It’s inevitable.

Those PRs will stop coming.

When?

That depends.

How long have you been running? They said you only improve during the first 10 years of running.
How old are you now?
How hard do you train? Do you even train?
Are you a natural athlete? Does running come easy to you?
Do you race often or just run for fun?
What kind of races do you run? Short ones or endurance races?
Have you had many chronic injuries?
Have you had a serious injury?
Do you participate in other fitness activities besides running?
How many miles do you run each week?
How many rest days do you take each week?

In other words, there’s really no way to predict when or how fast or even how much you will SLOW down.

But unfortunately, it will happen.

So how do you know it is happening?

You struggle to keep an even pace.
Your race finish times are slower.
You positive split your races.
You walk more often in a race.
It’s just feels harder.
It takes longer to warm up.
It’s takes longer to recover.
You need more rest days.
You shorten your runs.
You choose flat races or running routes.

Of course, even if you are noticing some of the things above, you should still RUN!

But what are some things that you can try when you do start SLOWING down.

TRY TO STOP SAYING YOU ARE SLOW or APOLOGIZING FOR BEING SLOW.

We all know that pace is relative. You may feel slow but you are not the slowest runner out there. In addition to making you think too much about your own pace, it may make others (who ARE slower) uncomfortable.

TRY A LONGER DISTANCE.

5ks naturally make you focus on speed. Pick an endurance event like a half marathon or marathon or even a 50k where you will be just glad to finish.

This hilly 15k had me just looking forward to the ice cream and the view after the finish line.

TRY A SHORTER DISTANCE.

If you run half marathons and a decent pace is getting harder to maintain in the latter miles, try training for a 5k or 10k. Maintaining a faster pace may be less intimidating in a shorter race.

after training for 4 half marathons in 4 months, this 5k was a welcome relief.

TRY INTERVALS.

Many runners find that adding timed walk breaks help them get faster finish times.

My friend Elizabeth in NYC belongs to a Galloway group and loves her intervals.

TRY RUNNING BY HEART RATE.

Monitoring your heart rate as you run can also in the long run help you get faster.

My friend Deirdre is getting faster with heart rate training.

TRY TRAIL RUNNING.

You will not run faster on trails. You will most likely focus on not falling and on your surroundings. (Trails tend to be more scenic than the road.) As a result, your slower pace will bother you less.

TRY ADDING OTHER TYPES OF FITNESS EVENTS.

What about adding biking or swimming or obstacles to your running? As with trails, your running pace will become less important.

not me but my friend AJH

TRY HAVING A GOAL THAT IS NOT RELATED TO YOUR FINISH TIME.

Forget about trying to finish under a certain time. Maybe your goal can be a course PR or consistent pace or negative splits or running up the hills or walking less often. Just make sure that you choose a realistic goal.

finishing a half marathon STRONG!

TRY MENTORING A BEGINNER RUNNER.

Besides, being very rewarding, you will not be able to worry about your own pace. You will be trying to help another runner finish their first race.

TRY TO FIND YOUR TRIBE.

If the runners that you normally run with are not slowing down and they make you feel slow when you run with them, then you need to seek out another group of runners. Check out the local running clubs or training groups. Try to find another runner or runners that you feel more comfortable running with.

always someone to share the miles with in this wonderful group of ladies – my Sole Sisters.

TRY TAKING A BREAK FROM RACING AND RUN JUST FOR FUN.

If racing is making you stress out about your slower pace, stop signing up for races. Run for fun and maybe after a while, you’ll miss it and want to race again. But remember, you are still runner even if you never race.

So you may be wondering where this topic fits into my running life….

I’m in that limbo stage. I am probably past my PR days but haven’t come to terms with it yet. In other words, PRs are harder to come by but I haven’t completely given up hope yet.

I’ve stopped having finish time goals. They are now to finish uninjured. Though, I’d love to run ONE 5k and finish under 27 minutes. (An old runner can dream).

I am very content that my finish times at my age often earn me age group awards and that I qualified for both the NYC Half and NYC Marathon.

I do all my runs for fun, without a watch and on mostly flat surfaces. I have started participating in trail runs and humbly enjoy running with the BOTPers.

I do plan to keep on running as long as I am able…even at a turtle’s pace.

Happy Running! Anyone else approaching or have approached that inevitable slow down period in their running? If so, any other recommendations? Please share.

August 11, 2019 by Darlene

Weekly Run Down for 8.5.19-8.11.19 – Avoiding the Rain

The theme of the week was looking at the forecast and finding a time to run. And WEEK 6 of NYCM Training, of course.

Last Week –

Monday – Since I wanted to get my nails done after work (priorities, right?), I got up early to run before work. I was treated to perfect temps (in the 50’s – woo hoo!!) Glad to have done it.

Tuesday – I had plans after work to meet a friend at the gym and then go to dinner. Since the weather for the next few days seemed iffy, I got up early AGAIN and ran a few miles before work. It was nice to enjoy those cool temps two days in a row but it’s challenge to keep the run interesting in my neighborhood. I do choose different routes but still…boring (Thank God for good podcasts). And the forecast was right, it did rain on and off in the afternoon.

Wednesday – There were several choices for today’s after work run – either SOAR on the same trails as last week or a run on the rail trail and then have ice cream. I chose the later for several reasons. The trail was a longer drive and I had run it last week. Trail running isn’t really running (for me) and more of my friends were doing the ice cream run. And then they both were cancelled due to predicted thunderstorms. So I went out for ice cream with my co-workers. And the rain never came. On my way home, I stopped at the rail trail and ran a few humid miles. Is it an ice cream run if you eat the ice cream before the run? Lol

Thursday -Thursdays have been for trailing running for the last 4 weeks but the location was pretty far, the trail more technical and most of my friends were not going. So I thought I would instead run on the Corning Bike Path which is not far from where I was working. Then I realized that I can run local anytime so I chose the trail run. Running friends Heidi and Deirdre did too.

Heidi and I drove together and it RAINed hard the whole drive. But when we arrived, it actually stopped (Yep lots of mud on the trail). This trail was the prettiest of all the trails I’ve done but too slippery to run so we walked most of it. That means we were BOTP, out in the dark and the trail markers were hard to see. Yes, we had fun even though we got lost several times. There was even food (turkey, beans, etc) left when we finally found our way back. The drive home was even more eventful because of the detours and no cell service. So it was much longer drive and a lot of laughs along the way.

Friday – Finally a rest day and my usual evening with the mah jongg ladies.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday with my Sole Sisters. As usual, I am running longer than the others so I started earlier, ran 2 miles and then ran with Sherry for 9. The weather was perfect and it’s always easier running with a friend. Afterwards, we all went to our favorite brunch place.

Sunday – Boating Sunday. Can you believe, that it has not rained all summer on the weekend. It would really suck if we could not enjoy the lake and our boat.

relaxed and read and then had our first BBQ of the season

This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 7

Monday – 6 miles (before work), later train to NYC for work
Tuesday – rest day, walk around NYC with Cari
Wednesday – Al Goldstein 5k (in Brooklyn)
Thursday – 3 miles (in CP) with Cari
Friday – rest day, train home
Saturday – Jailhouse Rock 5k + 9 miles (at Zim Smith Bike Path)
Sunday – rest day, boating

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any races on the horizon? How are you dealing with the summer temps? Please share.

August 9, 2019 by Darlene

Friday Five: Trail Running

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am clumsy. I have fallen when running on the road and have fallen even during races.

check out the blood streaming down my leg

So who would have guessed that this summer, I am running (NOT racing) on trails.

Obviously after five trail runs, I am not an expert but here are some of my tips to enjoy your time running on the trails:

1. Wear Proper Running Shoes.

You can run with normal running shoes but wearing shoes made for trail running will give you more grip on the uneven rocky or muddy ground. It will also give you peace of mind.

we got muddy but no one fell

2. Use Bug Spray/Tick Repellent.

Yes, trails especially in the summertime are buggy. I even spray insect repellent on my clothes. I also wear compression calf sleeves to protect my legs from ticks.

sweaty but smiling because we had no bug bites

3. Never Run Alone.

Because on the trails there is a greater possibility of either getting lost or falling, I think it is always best to run with a buddy. If you are alone (or get separated from your friend), make sure you have a charged cell phone with you!

hanging with my buddy Deirdre at Lawson Lake

4. Run on Different Trails.

Even running on the SAME trails can get boring. If you are not fortunate to be part of group-organized trail runs, explore the Internet and the AllTrails app to find trails within driving distance of where you love or work. You’ll be surprised at how many hidden treasures you’ll discover.

at Five Rivers minutes from where I live

5. Slow Down and Enjoy the Scenery

In other words, look around. Listen to the different sounds. Don’t miss a distant lake or not stop at an overlook. Trail running definitely gives you the opportunity to appreciate nature more. It’s ok to walk. It’s not the time to work on speed. I recommend not even wearing a watch!!