It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Since I am currently in France (and hopefully doing some running), my topic for today is: Five Tips for Running in a Foreign Country
1.Download maps.me
maps.me allows you to download maps for offline use – perfect for those trips where your phone stays has to stay in airplane mode. You can even mark places on the map and pull up directions to them later while you’re offline. On the map, note street names surrounding where you’re staying and major landmarks nearby so you can get back to where you started even if your language skills are limited.
In addition to maps.me, you can take screen shots of the map itself to save to your phone, and step-by-step directions of the route you’re trying to run – just in case the app won’t open or in case something else goes wrong with it or especially if WiFi access is limited.
2.Carry something with the address of where you’re staying on it.
Whether you’re staying in a hotel or an AirBNB, grab a card or key that’s imprinted with the building’s name and address. (Or just add this info to your phone). Even if you’re limited in your foreign language capability, you can show this to a friendly passer-by so that they can help you if you’re lost.
hopefully you don’t have to carry around this old-fashioned key
3.Follow an out and back route
Keep it simple. An out and back route leaves little room to get lost, since you’re following a straight line. I don’t know about you but I am directionally-challenged so I easily get lost (even on an out and bar route. LOL)
4.Do your research beforehand.
Chances are, runners before you have been to the city you’re staying in and have suggestions for running routes. Do a little Googling before you leave the your home or check out routes on Map My Run, and bookmark any routes that you want to try.
You may also want to ask locals or the hotel staff about good running routes. Take their suggestions, and then back them up with your own maps, step-by-step directions, and screenshots.
I also recommend taking a professionally-led running tour. There usually several companies that offer them in larger cities. They may be expensive but I think they are totally worth it. You get to run and learn about the city while you are running.
5.Run without headphones … but take cash and a credit card with you.
Not only is it a safety practice to run without headphones (you can hear cars and horns, etc.) but it also helps you pay more attention to your surroundings.
You should also have some local currency on you in case you need to hail a taxi. If you need to stop and purchase food or water, you may want to use your credit card instead of cash.
I will probably have a lot more suggestions when I return from my vacation…so stay tuned.
Happy Running! Have you eve run in a foreign country? If so, any other tips that you can add?
It seems like I’ve been planning to run this race forever. I signed up to run RnR Montreal as my 32th Half Marathon for several reasons:
I am a (first time) Rock n Blogger.
I enjoyed my RnR race experience in Vegas.
I love Montreal but haven’t been there in ages.
I wanted to run an International race.
I convinced some of my local runner friends to join me.
I was hoping the hot weather would be over by this time of year.
I apologize in advance that this post will be long. You may want to skip ahead to see what I liked and disliked about the race itself.
Half Marathon Training:
If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. I ran my last half marathon on May 18 in Brooklyn and since then I have completed easy weekday runs and longish runs on most weekends. I was so happy that only one of my long runs was done alone. That one was the worst one, of course.
3 instead of 10
solo 😦
Though I don’t usually care much about my short runs, I do like to get in a 10, 11 and 12 miler before each half marathon.
I skipped my 10 mile long run entirely the weekend that I was in NYC with my Russian friend Anna. I normally add extra miles to my weekend 5k races. But this summer, I skipped all my 5ks in favor of my long runs with friends.
I didn’t expect to run this half marathon at a PR pace. I was running it purely for the experience. But I hoped with the long runs done, the 13 miles would be easier and I would enjoy the race more.
However, we all know that anything can happen on race day and the weather and the course have so much impact on your results.
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
On Friday, I drove to Montreal with Jeri, Heidi & Sherry (Jeri graciously agreed to drive.) Our two other friends, Chris & her hubby Mike would be arriving the next day. After a rainy drive which took longer than expected due to some wrong turns and construction (like 5 hours instead of 3), we arrived at our hotel pleasantly surprised at how nice it was (our last race-cation hotel was not LOL). We even got adjoining rooms.
Though we were hungry, we instead headed straight to the expo. Even with a map and directions, we still went in the wrong direction but eventually found it. This was a prelude to the whole race experience. No signs, everything hard to find, no one seemed to know about anything related to the “big” race. We picked up our bibs and although the lines were not long, some runners were picking up so many bibs that it took forever. Eventually we realized that you could just go on any line even though they were marked according to bib number.
The swag bag was empty except for a note telling you to buy your subway tickets to get to the race before race day. Apparently this was the first year that they didn’t give you a free subway ticket.
We wandered around the expo for a while. It was very disappointing. Just a few vendors and expensive Brooks race-related items. The only thing we scored was a Larabar, some yogurt and a sample piece of a Kind bar.
Since it was too late to have lunch, we went back to hotel to drop off our stuff and change for dinner. We walked to the Old City and had a delicious dinner (at Jardin Nelson) before it started to pour and necessitated an Uber ride back to our hotel.
Jardin Nelson used to be a hotel – it was where I used to stay when I brought my students to visit Montreal
The next day was my 5K race and Jeri’s 10K. (I recapped it here.) After the race, we headed back to the Old City for lunch. (Runners think about food all the time, right?)
at Place Jacques Cartier across the street from Jardin Nelson
and then walked around the Port area and eventually back to our hotel. So much for resting the legs. But it was a beautiful day in a beautiful city.
We finally met up with Chris and her hubby for dinner. Pizza, of course, to carb load for our big race! And then we walked back to our hotel discussing where to meet before the race. (The hotel lobby was the chosen spot.)
As I was setting out my clothes for the next day, I realized my strips of mole skin (that I use to prevent blisters on my feet) were missing (Jeri & both saw them on the desk). I looked everywhere and we concluded that the maid must have stolen them (lol) so we searched out a drug store and I found what I needed (plus a scissor to cut them.) $20 CAD later, I was a Happy (yet poorer) Camper.
Race Day:
Alarm set for 5:30 am. After much debate, we decided to leave for the race at 6:30 am. (It started at 7:30 am.) I had originally picked our hotel because it was close to the subway. The race used to start on the Jacques Cartier bridge but this year, they changed the course. It now started 3 minutes from our hotel!! Score!
I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and ate in the hotel room.
My original race outfit was going to be a tank and skirt. But with each weather forecast predicting colder and colder temps, I kept changing my mind.
So in additional to the above, I added DIY arm sleeves, a throw away long sleeved shirt and gloves. I even had my aluminum blanket from a previous RnR race. I have been running in such hot, humid weather that it was strange to be cold. It was windy and high 40s and predicted to be in the 50s by the start.
in our hotel
outside the hotel
We walked to the start but we were so early and COLD that we returned to the hotel lobby to hang out for awhile. We tried to plan where to meet up after the race. Texting is problematic in a foreign country. The race advertised that there was a family meet-up spot by the first initial of the runner’s last name. We had decided on the letter S (for Sole Sisters, our group name.) But there was no sign of such an area during the 5k and 10k so we ditched that plan (Good thing!) and picked an intersection not too far from the finish line.
It seemed to be getting warmer so I ditched my foil blanket. Eventually we all headed to the start line. You were supposedly given corral assignments by estimated finish time. Sherry put 2:20 and was in Corral 8, Heidi put 3:30 and was in Corral 9 and I put 2:06 and was in Corral 10. Go figure. We can add that to my long list of complaints. There were pacers (with rabbit ears) but they seemed to be in the wrong corrals as well (2:30 was ahead of 2:15??) We wanted to start together but they were strict and I had to go back to Corral 10 (The last Corral, I believe).
It turned out fine. I befriended a fellow former French teacher who went to the same college as I did and graduated with a friend of mine. They were even in the same sorority.
As I waited, I shed my long sleeved cotton shirt but kept on my gloves and arm warmers.
Each corral started with fireworks and after about 30 minutes, my Corral finally crossed the start line.
What was my plan for the race, you ask?
I enjoyed running the 5k without any pressure that I hoped to do the same in the half. I wanted to run easy and take in the scenery. I had heard that the old course had hills but no one seemed to know what the new course was like.
I had HIGH expectations of a scenic course and lots of music to distract me from looking at my watch.
Anyway, here’s how the race went. My Garmin has the splits in miles. Being in Canada, the signs, however, were only in Kilometers.
Here is the course map:
And the elevation chart:
the chart was for the full so I just cut it in half.
Miles 1-3:
10:04, 9:33, 9:42
A very crowded start so there was a lot of weaving going on. We started near ChinaTown and made quite a few turns on the way to the Port area. I tried to take it slow and of course, cut all the tangents. The water stops were frequent enough…at least every 2 miles. I stopped at each one even though I gagged the first time I tried to drink the water (Ebola??)
We eventually ran over a short bridge and ran along the water.
Miles 4-6:
9:49, 10:12, 9:52
This part of the course was an out and back so you got to see the faster runners heading back into the city. The route was lined with factories and very UGLY and BORING.
I continued drinking the disgusting water (what choice did I have?) and finally ate a GU around mile 5. The music was sporadic … just some speakers at a few turns. Maybe a band or so on the whole course!!
Miles 7-9:
9:47, 10:05, 9:43
We headed back on this ugly route but the highlight was seeing my friends running in the opposite direction. When I saw Heidi & Mike (who had decided to walk the whole choice), I ran over and high fived them.
The legs were feeling fine. The course was flat for the most part. My feet hurt as usual (but that started at mile 1) and my lower back was achy too. Nothing to prevent me from running well.
Miles 10-12
10:03, 10:21, 10:18
I eventually took my second GU but I ran past the water and there was only Gatorade. I hate Gatorade so I saw a guy with two cups of water so I boldly begged for one of his cups. He graciously gave one to me.
Finally we headed back into the city. I was hoping that we would run through St Catherine Street which was so pretty (pink balls hung across the street) but we did not.
The full marathon did continue toward the park (as the half did last year) and the botanical gardens. It would have been nice to run by the prettier parts of Montreal.
Mile 13- 13.25
10:16, 9:36
I was told (afterward) that the last water stop (1Km from the finish) has banana halfs. I just wanted to be done so this was the only water stop that I skipped. Why would you want a banana before crossing the finish line??
I walked for the first time other than a water stop. I needed energy to sprint across the finish line. As in the 5k, I could not find the time on the finish line arch (too high…too small.. don’t know where it was).
you try seeing that number in the sun!!!
Anyway, I dragged myself through the finish chute and eventually was given my metal.
And finally found a half a cup of water. What seemed like after miles of walking, I entered the Finisher Only Area. It was huge. I tried to find something to eat but all I could find was a long line to get a cup of yogurt. There were lots of vendors but NO FOOD!
So I went in search of my Re-Mix medal for running two races. None of the volunteers were any help but I finally found it on the opposite side of the area.
As I was leaving, I saw a booth with tea samples. They told me that it was contribution only (Who carries money to a race!?) But I did score a Kind bar and another flower!!
Getting out of that area was very complicated. But I needed to find my friends and I wanted to watch my walker friends cross the finish line.
I finally found Sherry (who had finished a little after me) and Jeri (who had run the 10k the day before) was not in our meeting spot but on the other side of the street. Of course, they would not let Sherry & I cross the street (during the race) so we were told to go through the shopping mall. That was a mistake. That was where thousands of angry runners were on line to get their bags. (I read on FB that it some runners hours to get their bags.)
Well, I didn’t have to get my bag because Jeri was holding our sweatshirts. I was very cold so we needed to get to her. Then we got a text from Chris who was hurting and sitting behind the stage outside the finisher area. Off we went in search of her.
To make a very long story shorter, we found Chris and wandered through the finisher area. I did see on the big screen on the far side of where we were, that an older runner was getting an award. I joked about whether or not I won one but I was too tired to go see.
Eventually we got to a spot to wait for Heidi and Mike and not a second too soon. There they were! They made the cut off walking. We were all so happy.
We texted them to meet us at the hotel. The first thing they said to me was that they heard my name and that they thought I won an award. I laughed and said I hope it wasn’t money cuz I am NOT walking back there to get it.
It looks like it was a glass model of a guitar. It would be nice if they mailed it to me. I’m not holding my breath.
Off to re-fuel!!!
Additional Race Reflections:
I don’t regret running this race. I would only regret a race if I ran it injured and made my injury worse. I love racing and especially racing with friends. I believe that for every race, you should always focus on the positives.
The Good:
Perfect weather.
Hotel located near the start and finish line
Friends!!
Montreal is a beautiful city to visit before & after the race. (Wish I had more time to see more of it.)
Great food – again before and after the race in the local restaurants.
The course was pretty flat.
Many water stops (if you could drink it).
Some freebies at the end – flower, yogurt, kind bar and socks (if you waited in a LONG line)
Bag check (if you have hours to wait on line)
Nice awards (if you got one.)
The Bad:
There was only one sign advertising the race that we saw throughout the city.
No one seemed to support the race or know it was happening. Not even the hotel or the restaurants.
Disappointing expo. They only had paper maps of the 5k and 10k and very few vendors.
Don’t advertise a family meet-up location if there isn’t one.
Corrals were supposed to be set up by estimated finish time and were NOT. Pacers were not reliable for this reason as well.
Not enough music on the course – maybe 3 bands and some recorded music at stops. No rock n roll!!
Most of the course was boring…the longest part of the race was along a dilapidated factory area.
The water was almost undrinkable – metal tasting, it made you gag.
The only fruit was a half a banana 1 km before the finish line (and I missed it).
The bag check was utter chaos. A long line in a shopping mall with runners eventually just grabbing their bags. I heard it took 1-2 hours to retrieve your bag.
Finish line timer very small and hard to see. I missed it in both of my races.
No timers at all on the course.
A water spray to cool you off on the course – it was 50 degrees!!
No bottled water for finishers. You walked forever to find a half cup of water.
The volunteers were not helpful. They did not seem to know much. It took me forever to find my guitar medal.
Post race food. What food? A kind bar, some juice samples and a long line to get a cup of yogurt.
The course measured 13.3 and I cut all the tangents.
No foil blankets. It was quite chilly.
Mediocre medal. Montreal has some beautiful sites! The other RnR medals are awesome.
FB has hundreds of comments about this RnR race and almost all were negative.
Would I recommend this race?
No!! Not unless, the organizers read all the reviews (which were horrendous) and make some changes.
On Facebook, the race director apologized and promised big improvements for next year….
Final Stats:
positive splits big time..but happy with my pace. It was faster than the 5K.
Next Up:
October 14
It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:
So I unpacked my bags from my trip to NYC, packed my bags to go to Liverpool for work, unpacked those bags and then packed AGAIN to go on my big trip to France.
Last week –
Monday – My Turkey Trot Training Group run (that I missed last Mon and will miss the next two Mondays) was scheduled for tonight. But it was raining and I wanted to upgrade my phone (before my trip) so I bailed and instead walked around the mall with my BFF.
Tuesday– Another rainy day. I drove to Liverpool for work and the rain stopped when I got there. So I went for a run. It was a strugglefest – I was too tired…too hungry… and it was too HUMID (96%) and I was overdressed.
Onondaga Lake (East side)
It was still too early for dinner so I decided to explore and I finally found a way to the other side of the lake.
As soon as I got in my car, it started to rain again. Phew!
Wednesday – Finally a day without rain. As usual, I decided to squeeze in a short run before driving home. What a difference a day made. Less humidity and a new route – the west side of lake. I can’t believe it took me so long to find this trail. I loved it!!
Onondaga Lake – west side
Thursday – Rest day because I needed a haircut before my trip.
Friday – Only a short run after work because I needed to PACK for a my trip to France. I even skipped mah jongg.
Saturday – A Sole Sisters 8 mile run before a drive to JFK airport and a long flight to Paris.
Sunday – We arrived in Paris…Jet Lagged but excited. A rainy, cloudy day so I dragged myself to visit the Fondation Luis Vuitton, had out first dinner in Paris and then night view of the Eiffel Tower. Great way to start a vacation.
This Coming Week –
Monday – 3 miles (in Paris hopefully with Karen), train to Sanguinet
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday –3-4 miles (in Sanguinet and the surrounding area. Optimistic about getting in a run each day…)
to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
The leaves are changing but the temps are erratic…
Since it is Friday, here are five things that I’d like to share…
1. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I will be away SIX weekends in a row (bet Sept 22 & Oct 28) !!! FOUR out of SIX include races.
5k & Half in Montreal,
5k in NYC,
Paris,
20K in Paris,
Bridal Shower in MA
5M in NYC (& Broadway Show)
Then I’m homebound for several months!! Hooray!
Are you a homebody or do you enjoy traveling?
2.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I normally plan my big races way in advance but I haven’t signed up for any half marathons in 2019. I have a few on my radar…a Feb. Florida race, a March NYC race and a May local race.
Feb 10, 2019 (Melbourne, FL)
March 17, 2019 – if I get in??
Do you know which big races you are running in 2019?
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I am easily tempted by any race in NYC. My tennis friends & I go to a Broadway show every October. This year we are going to see Pretty Woman on Oct. 28.
last year’s group at Come From Away
Of course, I found a race in Central Park that morning and signed up to run it.
it’s the weekend before the NYM and you cross the marathon finish line. Pretty cool?
Anyone running or have run this race?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that speaking of NYC races, a Hot Chocolate 15K has always been on my bucket. I like the distance and you get a sweatshirt and other cool swag.
April 27, 2019
So as soon as I heard that one was coming to Brooklyn, I immediately signed up. I am hoping that I can convince some of my local running friends to join me.
Anyone else ever run a Hot Chocolate race? Want to join me?
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I am leaving tomorrow for France. The beginning of my vacation will be at my friend’s friends’ house in Sanguinet (near Bordeaux). I have no idea if I will get any running in but…
I am very excited to run a race in Paris on Oct. 14. It’s a dream come true!!
running past all the monuments and famous sights of Paris with over 30,000 other runners
Ever run in Paris?
It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
I signed up to run the Half Marathon ages ago and then convinced some friends to join me. Then on a whim, I signed up to run this 5k the day before. I figured why not? Instead of one medal, I could get three!!
reward for racing two races
However, that meant that I had to spend two nights in Montreal but my friends were agreeable and we all stayed in the same hotel (and even had adjoining rooms.)
Things worked out even better when my roomie got injured and switched to the 10k. We both would be racing on Saturday and could go to the start together.
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
So on Friday, we all drove to Montreal (two others would be joining us on Saturday). A 3 hour drive that took 5 LOL. We checked into our hotel and though we were hungry, we instead headed straight to the expo.
(I’m going to more details about the whole RnR Montreal experience in my half marathon recap.)
We picked up our bibs and wandered around the expo.
Since it was too late to have lunch, we went back to hotel to drop off our stuff and change for dinner. We walked to the Old City and had a delicious dinner (at Jardin Nelson). I ate as if I was running 13 miles the next instead of 3!! (But it was worth every calorie!)
Back at the hotel, I set out my racing outfit and tried to get to sleep early.
Race Day:
Alarm set for 6:00 am. After much debate, we decided to leave for the race at 7:00 am. (The 5k race started at 8:00 am and the 10K at 8:30 am.) I had originally picked our hotel because it was close to the subway. They changed the course from past years and it now started about a 10 minute walk from our hotel!! 🙂
I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and ate in the hotel room.
I debated about what to wear due to the chilly predicted temps and wind and eventually changed from the cute tank (in the above pic) to a short-sleeved shirt, added DIY arm warmers, and a throw away long sleeved shirt.
We made plans with the others on where to meet after the race (The Family Meet-up section by the letter S).
Jeri & I posing at the finish line
Then we wandered down to the start line. I tossed my long-sleeved shirt but Jeri decided to take it since she didn’t have anything to keep warm. (My DIY arm warmers worked great – just $1 knee socks cut down).
We also noticed that there didn’t seem to be any meet up area. The only letters we could see were in the starting area and they spelled M O N T R E A L. Jeri texted the others a new spot to meet-up (not far from our hotel & the finish line).
Then all of a sudden, I looked up and saw a runner (Tina) that I knew from home. She said that she just looked for a skirt (I may have been the only one LOL). We hung out until almost start time. She drove all the way to Montreal just for the 5k.
I was actually listed to be in Corral 1 (who knows why?) but I decided since I was planning to walk to move back a coral or two.
Below is the course map:
My plan for this race was just get a medal. I didn’t wear a watch — on purpose! I wanted to not know my time/pace and actually enjoy the race and look at the scenery.
Mile 1
So I waited in the crowd until my Corral actually moved. It was very crowded (about 2000 runners) which was great. I started to run slowly weaving in and out so that I could get some space to walk. Well, as you may have guessed, I never walked. But I did run slowly.
I looked at EVERYTHING on the course!!! The first mile was through the theatre district on a street that was unfamiliar to me. The sun came out and I pulled down my arm warmers but just shoved them under my skirt rather than tossing them.
You could hear music the entire time.
Mile 2
Unfortunately I don’t remember a lot of the course. We did take several turns during mile 2 and I do remember seeing the Bio Dome in the distance. The view was pretty.
There was a water stop during this mile but I didn’t even stop. Music continued for this mile as well.
water stop for the 5k
Miles 3
The last mile was down Ste Catherine Street, It was decorated with pink balls strewn across the street. I wish I had taken a picture (found the one below so you get the idea).
Finally I approached the finish line. It was kinda anti-climactic since I was running so slowly. I crossed in a sprint, of course. I had no idea what my time was and didn’t care.
I felt like it was my best race ever because I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was wishing that I could run every race that way. But I knew that I could not. I am too competitive.
You were ushered through the crowd and eventually were handed your medal and then eventually, I found a cup of water. No big deal since I wasn’t thirsty or drown in sweat. I was cold.
I wandered around the finish area looking for food. I found a line to get free socks so waited on it. Then I found a Kind bar sample and the Kind reps gave everyone a flower.
with my medal, flower and free socks
I finally left the area in search of my friends so we could watch my roomie finish her 10K. I walked to our chosen meet up and they weren’t there but I bumped into my friend Tina again. I texted my friends to see where they were and it turned out they were on the other side of the street. Eventually they got daring enough to run across the race course LOL.
They completely missed me approaching the finish line but then again, I told them around 45 minutes in because I would be walking. My fault.
Soon we saw Jeri pass on her way to finish the 10k.
I laughed when I saw her since she was wearing my throw away shirt.
I won’t go into all the details but after many texts, we located Jeri and we all went back to the hotel together to plan the rest of our day.
FOOD, of course…
The next day was the big race.
Additional Race Reflections:
I was glad that I did this 5K race. I am also happy that I didn’t race it. Of course when I saw that I was 4th, I did regret it..a teeny bit.
The course was flat and you ran down parts of the city that were different from the half or full. You got a medal for a 5k (that is rare where I live) and it enabled me to get a third medal for running the half as well as the 5k.
Music played for the whole 3 miles and a different band for each mile. That made the miles more enjoyable.
No food at the finish but I did get free socks and a flower. ‘ll reserve all my critique for the organization of the race series and the post-finish experience for my half marathon race recap.
Final Stats:
official results now say 31:26 overall: 622/1916 and gender: 285/1198
It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:
Post Race depression with a trip to Liverpool for work and another trip to NYC for a re-scheduled 5k.
Last week –
Monday – I was surprised that my legs were not tired but my back was real achy. Took a slow run after arriving in Liverpool.
the sun was nice but boy was it windy
Tuesday– It rained all day but stopped by the time I was done with work. My lingering cold made me want to skip my run but again rain was predicted the next day too so I decided to seek out a new route. I entered Onondaga Lake State Park at a different entrance and ran from the opposite direction.
saw a red-tailed hawk and Christmas decorations but didn’t have enough energy to get my my planned 4 miles in (even with walking)
Wednesday – I decided on a rest day because it was raining but then it stopped so I decided to finish yesterday’s run and then drive home…in the rain (it started to rain again once I finished my short run.)
Thursday – Today was a rest day. Still hadn’t had time to unpack from trip to Montreal or my trip to Liverpool and then I had to re-pack for my short trip to NYC the following day…. Oy!
Friday – Rest day again since I had to hop the bus after work to get to NYC. I headed right to my hotel (I still had my bib from when the race was cancelled.)
Saturday – Race Day. Governors Island 5K –This time thunderstorms were not predicted and my hotel was close enough to walk to the ferry. It turned out to be a beautiful day to run and the race was so much fun. I got to spend a lot time in the island (in the sunshine) and even place FIRST in my age group.
might have had a 5K PR if I tried – tied my Gun time one with this Chip timed one – a big surprise!!!!
After the race, I headed back to Manhattan, checked out of my hotel and met Cari to stroll around the Village. We spent a few hours together and it was so nice to have the company.
met at Union Sq, walked around Washington Sq, visited Jefferson Market Library, AIDS Memorial and more…
Still had a few hours to kill before my bus home so I took in a movie (Crazy Rich Asians 🙂 )
Sunday – Still needed a long run for the weekend (another big race in 2 weeks!) so three of my running friends agreed to meet me.
Only had enough time for 7.. .it was nice catching up with Barbara & running part of the miles with Sherry. First time in capris – 40s at the start!! Is Fall here to stay?
Of course, It was also Boating Sunday. Sadly, since I am away the next two weekends, this was our LAST time on the lake. We went for a ride and then had lunch with friends.
By Bye Lake George. See you next May!
This Coming Week –
Monday – rest day (probably skipping my Training Group run)
Tuesday – drive to Liverpool for work, 4 miles
Wednesday – 2 miles (in Liverpool), drive home
Thursday -rest day, hair appt
Friday – 3 miles, PACK
Saturday – 8 miles, drive to JFK and fly to Paris
Sunday – rest day, arrive in Paris, recover from jet lag
It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest about my most recent race-cation in Montreal with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…
1. I runfess…
I signed up for the 5k only because if I ran both the 5k and the Half Marathon, I got THREE medals rather than ONE.
2:11:48
2. I runfess…
Even though I was planning to walk the 5k, I still carb loaded the night before the race…manicotti and an apple crepe. I ate more than before the half marathon.
This is Sunday’s dessert but Sat’s was similar
3. I runfess…
And after that 5k, I ate lunch as if I had just run an ultra -marathon….squash soup, bread and bagel & lox and salad.
This is Sunday’s soup too but you get the idea.
4. I runfess…
So as I said, I planned to walk that 5k. I didn’t wear even wear my Garmin but… I DID NOT walk the race. No surprise there.
I didn’t actually race the 5k. I ran it slowly non-stop taking in every bit of the scenery. Boy, is that the best way to race.
My pace was actually slower than for the half. (6:19 vs 6:16 – that’s kilometers).
5. I runfess…
During my half marathon, I planned to take a GU at one of the water stops but I ran past the water and there was only Gatorade. I hate Gatorade and I can’t take a GU without water. So I saw a guy holding two cups of waters. So I said “Are you going to drink both of those?” And he replied “No, take it.”
good but only with water!!!!
Yup, I drank someone else’s water. I didn’t even care if he drank out of the cup first. Don’t judge. LOL
And one more for good measure:
6. I runfess…
You know how I love getting age group awards. I mean it validates that “old ladies can still fun fast.” Well, I saw on the big screen that they were giving out awards to the older folks but decided that I was too tired to walk all the way to the stage to see if I got one.
And of course, I did place 2nd!
I hope the award wasn’t anything good.
It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.
This month was a mixture of everything. Cool, rainy, hot, humid. The leaves have started to change and the days have gotten shorter. Fall has arrived.
Here’s how the month went:
Weekday Runs:
I was able to run at least 3 times outdoors most weeks which is great because I HATE the treadmill. I traveled three out of five weeks.
I ran a few times while working in NYC and while on working in Rochester and Liverpool. Otherwise I ran locally. My weekday runs were usually around 3 miles (occasionally more and occasionally less).
Peebles Is
Colonie Town Pk
Central Park, NYC
Roosevelt Is
Erie Canal
Lake Ontario
UAlbany
Long Runs:
I did my best to get my long runs in to prepare for my 32nd half marathon. It helped that I have great running friends.
Total Mileage:
I ran 88.5 miles so far this month. It was an improvement over last month. I am still behind on my 1000 mile yearly goal. But the important thing is that I am feeling healthy so all is good.
Races:
I tentatively had several races on my schedule this month but I decided that my long runs were a priority. So I skipped some of my standards like the Malta 5k and the Teal Blue Ribbon 5k. I ran both the Rock n Roll Montreal 5k and Half Marathon. (Actually slogged the 5k) and surprisingly placed 2nd in my age group for the half. I also plan to run my re-scheduled Governors Island 5k in NYC this coming Saturday.
RnR Montreal Half
Cross Training:
Due to my work schedule, I had cancelled my tennis club membership but I got asked to sub in my former contract so I did play tennis indoors twice.
I did not work out at the gym at all.
I did walk at lunch once or twice. Of course, I got a lot of steps in during my time in NYC.
Other News:
Despite all my work travel, I was able to squeeze in some friend and hubby time.
The hubby and I took our boat out on the lake on the weekends that I was in town.
As you see in the photo above, I convinced/begged my hubby to go hiking with me. It was his first hike ever. I think that he enjoy the walk to the top of Pinnacle and the view of lake George but afterward, we continued on another trail that took us in the wrong direction. (He may never hike with me again LOL).
I went out to the movies and dinner with my tennis friends and spent the day at the Schroon River with my mah jongg friends.
Mah Jongg with a view
pre-movie tennis dinner
I also got to meet up with a fellow Skirt Sports ambassador, Elizabeth, while I was in NYC. We ran, talked, walked and had wine and dinner together. I can’t wait to do it again. I also got to chat with an ambassador (Kim) when I was working in Rochester.
with Elizabeth
with Kim
Although I went to Montreal to run a race, the best part of the weekend was the time spent with my running friends.
Montreal
Feeling healthy so Life Is Good.
Looking Ahead:
My 20K is October 14 and Half Marathon #33 is November 24.
This is my tentative list so far for the next 2 months:
10-14-18 – Les 20km de Paris
10-28-18 – Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off (5M)
11-11-18 – Stockade-athon
11-17-18 – Girls on the Run 5K?
11-22-18 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k
11-24-18 – Pelham Half Marathon
I am linking to Deb at DebRuns for her October Race Linkup:
No monthly goals.
This motto worked for 2016 & 2017 so I’m sticking with it in 2018!
My Topic is: Give your running month a letter grade.
I’d say overall a A-
Despite the work travel, I did my best to get in my weekday runs in. I actually completed all my weekend long runs. I did play tennis a few times but did not go to the gym at all. I ran my 32nd half marathon and a 5k race and even placed in the half.
I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner linkup
Happy Running! How did your September turn out? Anything exciting planned for October? What grade would you give your running month?
An exciting week because I did not have to travel except for going to Montreal for my big race(s).
Last week –
Monday – FOMO had me signing up for the Troy Turkey Trot Training Challenge. I cannot go every Monday (due to work) and will probably never go to the Saturday runs but I enjoy the drills when I do go and love my running pals. Last night was the first night and though it was humid and the run hilly. I loved it!!
Tuesday– I got scheduled to sub on my former tennis contract. I was hoping to also get in a short run in before (if the rain stopped.) Holy heat and humidity but I did get in a short one at the town park but I was as wet as if it rained (from sweat.)
Wednesday – Rest day due to my monthly tennis ladies meet up (of course, the weather was perfect for running.) This month we went to the movies followed by dinner. As usual, lots of laughs. Love these ladies!!
Thursday – Last run before my mini race-cation to Montreal and then rushed home to pack.
the uAlbany loop
Friday – Drive with 3 of my running buds to Montreal. No major problems besides the torrendous rain and getting lost LOL. We checked into the hotel, visited the expo and walked to Old City to have dinner. More rain so we ubered back to the hotel.
Saturday – I signed up for the 5k today and my roomie signed up for the 10k. Mine started at 8 am and hers at 8:30. But we walked to the start together. The weather was cool and absolutely perfect. I had planned to walk the 5k but instead I ran it slowly and took in the sights. The best way to run a race in a new city. I need to do this more often,
After I was done, we all got to cheer my roomie in. The rest of the day was spend having lunch, walking around town and then carb-loading in the evening with the whole group to get ready for big one.
Sunday – Race Day!! Another perfect weather day. We were all so excited to run this race. Unfortunately, the weather and friends were the only good things I could say about this race. But Half Marathon #32 is done. I actually won 2nd in my age group but was too tired to pick up my award.
Afterward, we had a delicious lunch in the Old City and then drove home. Another short race-cation has come to an end. And it was a fun one (even though the race experience was not what we hoped.)
This Coming Week –
Monday – drive to Liverpool for work, 3 recovery miles.
It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
Since this week, it happened to the Skirt Sports’ 14th birthday, this is my topic:
Five Reasons to Wear Skirt Sports
1.ALL women can wear them.
I mean it. They were designed for this reason. There is a skirt for all body shapes and all ages and all preferences.
2. They are practical.
Who doesn’t need pockets? I always carry ID, my phone, fuel, tissues etc. And if you wear a skirt, the pockets (or bulges) are hidden 🙂
spent the whole day walking around NYC in that my gym girl ultra skirt. Pockets full.
There are skirts for all temps. Cool It skirts for the summer, capris for the fall and spring, Wonder Wool and tights for the winter.
Lotta Breeze capris and Peek-a-Boo top
Go the Distance tights under my reflective skirt
Tough Girl skirt (built in tights)
3. They are not just for running.
You can wear them to work and to dress up. You can also wear them for hiking, biking, playing tennis, yoga, etc.
Lotta Breeze capris for hiking
Wonder Girl tank and Gym Girl Ultra skirt for tennis
Mod Quad skirt (and Wonder Girl tank) for a walk with my girl friends
Elizabeth is wearing her Take Five tank (under a blazer) and Wonder Wool skirt on an evening out
4. They sell not only skirts.
You can buy their dresses, jackets, capris, tights, shorts, caps and more!!
Wonder Girl dress
Wonder Wool jacket
5. They are cute and make us look good!!!
If you look good, you feel good. It’s just that simple.
Wonder Girl and Take Five tanks with Gym Girl Ultra skirts 🙂
Whenever I race, I always get compliments on my skirt.
Lioness skirt and Free Flow tank
It was hard limiting myself to FIVE reasons.
And Skirt Sport offers many sales. In fact there’s one that ends this weekend.
If you miss it, there will be another or you can use my code 128card for 15% off any item.
Happy Running! Do you wear Skirt Sports? If not, why not? If you do, what is your favorite item?
Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Rock ‘N Roll Montreal 5k and Half Marathon as part of being a Rock n Blogger.
This motto worked for 2016 & 2017 so I’m sticking with it in 2018!
My First 5K and More... 