May 26, 2016 by Darlene

TOLT: Every Picture Tells a Story

Every time, I run a half marathon, I like to look back at my previous half marathon races.

All 13.1 miles, yet all are so different.

I can’t believe that this will be my 20th. And 15th after my ankle surgery. (So Dr. Ortho, I will run again!!)

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#1 – My first and BEST was the Naples Half Marathon in January of 2011. My goal was just to finish and I did. It is one of my proudest moments. Plus it was on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there.

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#2 – I immediately registered for the 1st annual Lake George Half Marathon in April of that year. Unfortunately, I had to run in sleet & freezing rain for 13.1 miles & without my Garmin. I was happy to survive and my time was a PR until 2014.

# 3 – Out with strained Achilles for 6 weeks during the summer of 2011 delayed my training for the Adirondack Half Marathon (so I walked the 2nd half of the race.) It was still fun because I was running it with lots of friends and you got run into the lake after crossing the finish line.

my 4th Half Marathon 10-23-11

# 4 – Again impulsively, I decided to sign up for the inaugural Fall Foliage Half Marathon as a training run. This was my hilliest half but I finished injury-free. All was good.

Ellen & I with our bibs

# 5- My goal race of that year (2011) was the Santa Clarita Half Marathon that I was running with a friend in California. This time it only poured for half the race and I finished with a disappointing time. So did my friend and we lamented over Bloody Marys.

After 5 half marathons in 2011, there were NONE in 2012. (The year of the broken ankle & foot stress fracture.)

finish

#6 – My next Half Marathon, the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, Fla, came in 2013 16 months after serious ankle surgery and 5 months after a foot stress fracture. I was just glad to be running again. The course was beautiful, my friends were waiting at the end and I was so happy.

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#7 – The Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon in the fall of 2013 was supposed to be the one where I would be seriously training and hopefully get a PR. Then I broke my foot. With a late start to my training and my weekly miles not what I would have liked, again this half marathon was just “I’ll be happy to finish.” And I did. I enjoyed it since it was my first half where I slept in my own bed the night before. My hubby was waiting at the finish line and we headed right up to the lake afterwards.

# 8 – For the Love Run Half Marathon in the Spring of 2014, I was injury-free for the whole training but I trained during an awfully cold, snowy winter. Despite running in monsoon rains, I managed to PR. I made new running friends and we had a lot of fun during our weekend in “wet” Philly. We plan to re-unite in Cape Cod this September.

#9 – That summer, after running a 10 mile race, I impulsively registered for the Saratoga Springs Half Marathon. This taught me to never run one in the summer. It was very humid, I felt sick and for the first time, I struggled to finish upright.

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#10 – Impromptu and free. I registered for the Hangover Half Marathon for New Year’s Day 2015 and ran it as a training run on a cold, windy, lonely, boring course. And it was my fastest. Go figure?

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#11 – Training in frigid temps and running in Florida in January I thought would give me problems but the stars were aligned and I had the BEST.HALF.EVER in West Palm Beach. Beautiful weather, awesome scenery, a big PR and age group win.

Asbury Park Half Marathon

#12 – I had awesome aspirations for the Asbury Park Half Marathon in April 2015. But foot pain ended that and I had a disappointing finish time. Still, it was fun running along the ocean in Bruce Springsteen’s hometown.

VCM Relay

#13 – The Vermont City Marathon Relay on Memorial Day weekend was an unplanned race. Although, my finish time was slow, I thoroughly enjoyed this race in beautiful Burlington, VT and sharing it with AJH.

#14 – The Walkway Half Marathon was my 5th of 2015. I was looking forward to running this inaugural race and especially to seeing this new and highly publicized bridge. I had not trained much since April, overslept and ran without my Garmin so I was not disappointed with my slowish time. And I enjoyed the course. I have since returned to walk it with friends.

#15 – I had really been looking forward to running a RNR race. Unfortunately, the first annual RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon in October 2015 was very poorly organized plus I had a painful backache during the last half of the race. Still I unexpectedly met a former student of mine and enjoyed sightseeing during my weekend in Brooklyn.

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#16 – Another race-cation in Florida for the EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon in December 2015. It rained the whole time I was there except for during the race. But it was so warm and humid that I wished that it had. I was disappointed in that I was hoping for a great finish time like the last time I ran there. Moral: you can’t control the weather.

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#17 – I decided to try Florida again in February 2016. This time it was for the Sarasota Music Half Marathon. This is, so far, my favorite race, despite the cold windy weather. If I ever repeat a half marathon, it will be this one!!

Celebrate Life HM

#18 – I ran the Celebrate Life Half Marathon in March because the money went to victims of cancer and their families. The course were horribly hilly but the weather was perfect. It was fun taking a bus to the race with other local runners.

#19 – The Lake George Half Marathon in April was almost a repeat race except that the finish was different and it was run by a different company. So I expected the hills. The weather was perfect and I enjoyed Barbara’s company.

#20…. Vermont Marathon City Marathon Relay

I’m excited to run this race again. I will be running the second half of the marathon course instead of the first (like last year.). I don’t feel prepared at all to run 13.1 miles so we’ll see how I do. Just hoping for good weather, no injuries and I’m sure I’ll have a fun weekend in Burlington.

thinking out loud

Since it is Thursday, I’m also linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Happy Running! What are thinking about today? Please share.

May 25, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Freedom

Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is FREEDOM.

Isn’t that what running gives us?

Freedom to run WHEREVER we choose.
Freedom to run ALONE or with a GROUP.
Freedom to run WHENEVER we can.
Freedom to run for FUN or in a RACE.
Freedom to do DRILLS or just run.
Freedom to run SLOW or FAST.
Freedom to run to RUN/WALK or RUN or WALK.
Freedom to run LONG or SHORT.
Freedom to run on ROADS or TRAILS or TRACKS or TREADMILLS.
Freedom to run with MUSIC or our THOUGHTS.
Freedom to run in any WEATHER.
Freedom to run in COSTUMES.
Freedom to run in FASHIONABLE running attire.
Freedom to run for a CHARITY.
Freedom to run for a PR.
Freedom to run …..

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I think you can substitute “Running” for “Freedom.” What do you think?

Happy Running!

May 24, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Ideal Racing Conditions

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Racing window of comfort. What are your ideal temperature/conditions for race day?

Sunshine
No Wind
50 degrees
Awesome Scenery and minimal hills

Celebrate Life HM
Perfect weather conditions…but those HILLS!!

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Great course but TOO HOT and TOO HUMID!!

Happy Running! What are your perfect racing conditions?

May 23, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – The warm weather has left. It was chilly and so windy. I walked to the park to catch my last glimpse of the tulips

After work, I went to my last Freihofer Challenge Training group run. On the schedule was 800m repeats. I’ve never done more 400m so I was hesitant but I did it. 6 of them!! It was tough but I know it was good for me. My fastest was 4:01 and my slowest 4:20. Most of them were around 4:10 which is a 8:20 pace. Not that I could run that for more than a mile.

Tuesday – A little warmer today but cloudier and muggy. I had time for a short run because after work, I needed to go home to pack and prepare for my 3 am wake up the next morning.

Wednesday – Got up at 3 am for an early flight to Florida. We arrived without any issues. We started off our vacation with a wonderful lunch. Then spent the afternoon relaxing at the pool. In the evening, we went to a concert…lots of fun.

so nostalgic

Thursday – I got up early for a steamy run. Then I played tennis which was followed by a tennis lesson. As we always do, we packed a lunch and headed to the beach. In the evening, we went out to another lovely dinner.

post lesson pic

Friday – Today was pretty much a repeat of Thursday except we went out to a Comedy Club for dinner. Another awesome day.

dinner at a comedy club

Saturday – Another vacation day in Florida – running, playing tennis, tennis lesson, beach. For dinner, we went to the Ritz (yes, the Ritz!!) and watched the sunset over the Gulf.

living the good life…

Sunday – Running and playing tennis but instead of a tennis lesson today, we drove to Marco Island to take a boat ride – saw umpteen dolphins, walked along a private beach and then had dinner on the water.

slower everyday but still lovely

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19.5 miles done with 6 runs and 1 rest day.

This Week: (1 week until Half Marathon #20 – Taper Time)

Monday – Wednesday – running, tennis, sunning, fun with friends
Thursday – rest
Friday – STEM run, mah jongg
Saturday – drive to VT, VCM expo, pasta dinner
Sunday – VCM Relay (13.1 miles)

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

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races? Did you have a nice Mother’s Day?

May 20, 2016 by Darlene

Friday Five: Enjoying a Non-Running Vacation

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC . Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!) They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

My Friday Five topic is Five Ways to Enjoy a Non-Running Vacation.

Right now I am in Naples, Florida for 8 days with 9 NON-RUNNING friends. You know how much I love to run and still I always have a great time.

Find another sport that gets you moving.

We usually play tennis for at least two hours every morning. Not many miles on the legs when playing doubles but I’m still moving (and sweating.)

2. Get those miles in however you can.

isn't this even more inviting??

No better place to walk than along the water.

bike riding every morning around World Tennis Center

I also have access to a bike to ride around the neighborhood.

3. If possible, squeeze in a few short runs.

It’s tough when you stay out late every night and you get up early to play tennis. So the runs are short but rewarding.

4. Do other things you enjoy that you usually do not do.

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We go to the theater.

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We visit gardens & parks.

during our sunset cruise
We go on sunset cruises.

5. Eat healthy during the day but in the evening, do some no-guilt splurging.

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I eat my usual oatmeal in the morning, yogurt & fruit at the beach for lunch and then…. No limits!

We go out to dinner every night. It is always a blast.

Happy Running! Do you take non-running vacations? What do you do to for fun instead of run?

May 19, 2016 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

Here’s what I’m thinking about today…

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Happy Running! I am not. I am ON VACATION! Woo Hoo!

May 18, 2016 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Encourage

Today’s word is ENCOURAGE.

What does it mean to “encourage?”

to give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).
to give support and advice to (someone) so that they will do or continue to do something.
to help or stimulate (an activity) to develop.

This easily applies to running. We can encourage others to become runners, to complete their first 5k, to run faster or to run farther.

I am always looking for opportunities to encourage/mentors other runners. It may be due to the fact that I was a teacher for so many years and that I think running is a great thing.

There’s the STEM (domestic violence survivors) program which I have been active in.

and GOTR (for girls in grades 3-5) where I have been a running buddy.

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I’ve also mentored SRMs (Strong Running Mamas), a beginning runner’s group.

FRW - 2010

Even when I run with a friend, I try to be encouraging.

However, I think encouraging others is easier than encouraging yourself.

I think we tend to expect a lot of ourselves and we are also over critical of our performances….

“I should have run faster.”
“Why did I start out so fast”
Why did I walk up all those hills?”
What can’t I finish under XXX?
“I’ll never be that fast.”
“I’m so slow. No one will want to run with me.”
“Why am I always injured?”
Will I ever win an age group award?”

Have you ever said to yourself any of the above?

Happy Running! How do you encourage others? Do you encourage yourself?

May 17, 2016 by Darlene

TOTR: Picking your races

with Erika @ MCM Mama Runs,
Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice
and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Racing. Are you a one-and done type? Or do you run the same ones over and over?

Well, both.

For half marathons, I have decided not to repeat. There are so many to choose from. I don’t feel the need even though I am tempted to re-do the ones I’ve loved. There are still many local ones that I haven’t run.

my favorite destination race

my favorite local race

For other distances, if I like a race, I do run it every year. I won’t list them all since as you know, I run a lot of races. The ones below, I try to put on my racing calendar every year.

I will be running the Freihofer’s 5k for the 9th time this year.

the Spring Run Off is my favorite 10k

I love the Stockadeathon 15K

Delmar Dash wins for a 5 mile race

and the Polar Cap for 4 milers

My favorite 10 mile race is the Adirondack Distance Run

Happy Running! Do you repeat races?

May 16, 2016 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Finally some sunshine. I’ll take it even though it was cool and very windy.

free Starbucks and some tulips to celebrate my special day

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It was my birthday and I could have gone out to dinner with a co-worker but I opted to run with my Freihofer Training group. Since I had run a 15k & a 5k over the weekend, I thought that I would run with the Intermediate but they were doing 800m intervals so I stuck with the Advanced group – 8 400m intervals at 5k pace. My legs weren’t feeling it at first and they got stronger as I ran. I even finished the last one at 2 min.

Tuesday – Yes – two sunny days in a row but I decided after 3 days of speedy runs, I would rest and just play tennis after work. Of course, I couldn’t miss my walk to the tulips.

Wednesday – Let’s go for 3 days of sunshine. Such as busy work day. I just had time for a very short run after work and then instead of running with the STEM group, I had an hair appt. (priorities!)

more walking than running but I did throw in a few strides

Thursday – Summer has arrived and we skipped spring. I had time today for my lunch walk to the park.

many of the tulips have died but still some nice ones left

Then after work I ran a 5k race in 80 degree, humid weather. It wasn’t pretty but it was for a good cause.

struggled to 29:31 finish (3rd in my AG but awards only to 1st)

Friday – Back to clouds and showers so I took a true rest day. No running or tennis just mah jongg in the evening.

Saturday – Another 5k race, the 2nd one this week. It wasn’t as warm as Thursday but it was more humid. Such an emotional race. I was glad I ran it and supported Summer’s mom and the STEM runners.

improved to 28:29 and won 1st in my age group

I had thought that I would run 9 more miles afterward but my legs disagreed. I ran (& walked) until I could do no more.

so so tired and hot… could barely pick my feet up

Sunday – A well-deserved rest day. We had planned to take our boat out but it was too chilly and windy. So we just drove to Lake Luzerne and had lunch with a view of the Hudson River then went for a long walk.

15 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week: (2 weeks until Half Marathon #20)

Monday – FRW Challenge Training Group (4 miles)
Tuesday – 3 mile run at lunch, pack
Wednesday – Sunday – tennis, sunning, fun times with good friends in Naples, FL. 🙂

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

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

May 15, 2016 by Darlene

Summer Smith 5k Addiction Awareness Race Recap

This is a new race and is organized by the mother of one of the STEM runners who died of an overdose after completing her first 5k. This is her story – https://www.gofundme.com/Summer5k4addiction

I just ran a (sucky) 5k on Thursday and would have preferred to just do my long run today.

But I just had to do this race. I knew that there would be many other runners and volunteers from the STEM program. I wanted to support this cause and I am fortunate to have known and run with Summer.

I have run a 4 mile race around Guilderland HS where this race took place. I remember it as NOT being flat.

It wasn’t as warm as it had been this past week and at least yesterday’s awful rain had stopped. But there was rain, hail and wind predicted for later in the day so it was pretty humid.

The route was described as:

Start/Finish of this out-and-back 5 km course is on West Dr on the south side of Guilderland High School. The course proceeds out West Dr to turn L onto School Rd, continues across the intersection with Depot Rd onto Meadowdale Rd, then bears L at Frederick Rd to Mile 1 on Meadowdale Rd and continues to the Turnaround point. The inbound route retraces the outbound route of the course to Mile 2 on Meadowdale Rd and Mile 3 on West Dr just after the turn off School Rd, and continues to the Finish.

I did take off that shirt and wear a tank to run in – it was the right move!

I arrived early and immediately bumped into those purple shirted runners. All the ones that were in Summer’s STEM group were there. It was pretty emotional. I still get teary-eyed when I think about her.

This race was one of the most organized races I’ve run. After you got your bib, you got a bag labelled with your name with a shirt and other swag. There were tables with representatives from relevant organizations (alcohol & drug abuse) also giving out freebies. And there were great raffle prizes – all running-related.

In addition to the STEM runners and volunteers, some members of Team “BadAss” were there.

just practicing our pose

Now for the real pose:

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There was a dedication ceremony followed by a balloon release.

Then it was time to proceed out to the road to start the race.

my BFF stopped by and got this picture of the beginning of the race

As in my last few races, my legs felt so dead the first mile. And it was warm (so glad I took off my t-shirt). I was very happy that there was water at mile 1. I walked for a bit and then continued on to the turn around where I walked again. My pace was slowing down. I didn’t have to look at my Garmin to know that. I tried to pick speed for the last mile but I just couldn’t. I walked at least twice more until I saw the finish line and sprinted through it. (My Freihofer coach was watching so I knew I better run fast.)

I crossed around 28:xx which was faster than Thursday 5k so that was good.

I waited to catch some of the STEM ladies finishing.

Then I went inside to get some food and check the results.

Well, again my time didn’t record so I had to talk to my coach (he was the timing person) and he added me in at 28:29. (My Garmin said 28:27 but I wasn’t going to complain.)