This was my fourth year watching AJH competing in this Duathlon.
2012
The first year, it was raining and I had a stress fracture in my foot. It was not so much fun.
2013 – she’s even wearing shorts
But the second year, it was much more enjoyable. It took place near Krause’s restaurant on the Mohawk Towpath Byway and I was able to get in a run during the bike portion of the race.
However, last year, they changed the location of the race.
It started at Riverview Orchards. It is a very scenic area and a nice place to run.
2014
However, it was so COLD, windy and nasty that I decided to forego the run and just watch.
This year, it was COLD again! But at least the sun peaked out for awhile here and there (before it started to snow.)
photobombed by a dog
The runners started with a 2 mile run and then back to the transition area.
As I mentioned…it was COLD. I took advantage of the race being at the orchard and stayed inside the store while Andrea was racing.
I had some hot cider and watched them make cider donuts.
Of course, I ate one!
I decided to brave the cold and get in a run during the 17 mile bike portion of the race. (I broke my rule and dressed in winter running gear – hat, coat, capris, compression socks and even gloves.)
I began at the race start and ran the 2 mile portion of the race…though very slow and with many stops. (It was supposed to be my rest day after the 10k race the day before.)
view heading to the turn around)
It was very pretty.
this was someone’s house! with their own apple orchard!
When I was done, I waited for Andrea to be finished with the bike portion.
The bike route was very hilly and the riders had to finish uphill. I was so impressed with how AJH did.
The race ended with the same running route as it started. So after that hilly ride, they had to run 2 miles again!!
But Andrea finished strong.
When she was done, we waited inside (where it was warm) for the results to be tallied.
She won 1st in her age group! Yay, Andrea!
It was a fun experience. Everyone looked like they enjoyed the race. It’s especially nice to cheer on a friend.
maybe the next time we will be running the VCM relay together in May. (I am running a half marathon in Feb, the day of our usual race meet up).
First, my tennis friends convinced me to join No Boundaries and that’s where I took my first step and never looked back.
Then, these SRMs (Strong Running Mamas) inspired me to run a half marathon after only running 5ks for several years.
Of course, there are all the fantastic bloggers who inspire me every day to go out and run.
And those runners whom I have met at races and through running groups who motivate me to run faster and get across that finish line.
And my current running friend, Judy, who intends to run a half marathon in every state. What an inspirational goal!
Hopefully, I inspire others, too. At least I try to.
First of all, with this blog, I give candid descriptions of my races and experiences with running. Hopefully, it inspires others to run (especially us older ladies) and keep running.
I was one of the original members of the SRMs (which has grown unbelievably in size.) They ran their first 5k in 2010 and have gone on to run half and full marathons.
Last fall, I volunteered in the STEM program which helps survivors of domestic violence to run a 5k. It was such a great experience that I am doing it again now.
I was Running Buddy with the Girls on the Run program last spring and plan to do it again this spring.
I try to motivate my coworkers and friends to run. Last spring, one of the ladies in my mah jongg group ran her first 5k and has continued to run. At work, 2 co-workers are training to run their first 5k this November. It’s so exciting.
Happy Running! Who has inspired you to run? Whom have you inspired?
Monday– I squeezed in a walk at work and then after work, went to my 4th Troy Turkey Trot training group run. The hills killed me, as usual. But we varied the route this week to do 1 minute sprints so we only had to run the big hill twice.
my hubby went boating but I was working…this was the best view that I could find
Tuesday – Just a normal work day, but my lunchtime walk was postponed by rain until after work when the sun came out. Then I rushed to play 1 1/2 hours of tennis followed by dinner out.
Wednesday – I squeezed in a run at work just in case my run with the STEM program (a Couch to 5k program for survivors of domestic violence.) after work was cancelled again. But it wasn’t and I got run/walk with Kelly for the first time. She was great and so fast for a beginner.
my reward
in Schuyler Flatts Park, Watervliet
Thursday – Decided to take an unplanned rest day. Had a busy work day but still got in a late walk to the park at lunch and then had a hair appointment after work.
Friday – Rest day 2. Another work day with a lunchtime walk and evening mah jongg games.
Saturday – Ran a COLD 10K race in Saratoga State Park – slower than last year but won an Age Group award.
59:19 – 3rd place AG sward
Sunday – Spectated at an even colder Duathlon (for the 4th time.) I even saw my first snow flakes.
While AJH was riding 16 miles for the bike portion of the race, I ran the 2 mile section in my winter running gear: wool hat, turtleneck, jacket, capris, compression socks and GLOVES!
15 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.
This Week: (6 weeks until Half Marathon)
Monday- 3 mile run (with the Turkey Trot Training group), mall walk with my BFF
Tuesday – tennis
Wednesday – 2 mile run before or duringwork, 2 mile volunteer walk/run with STEM group, 4 mile run after work with Judy
Thursday – 4 mile run after work with Judy, 4 mile run after work
Friday – rest, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – early 7 mile run, Ellms family face with my mentee and sons, college reunion and walk across the Walkway Bridge and on the bike path
Sunday – college reunion and walk across the Walkway Bridge and on the bike path, early 7 mile run, Ellms family farm with my mentee and sons
Running a 10K a week after a half marathon? Crazy?
I did only run Monday & Wednesday and rested Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday!!!. I was hoping that would make my legs happy and my back wouldn’t act up.
I ran this race last year for the first time and really enjoyed it (despite the rain.)
last year
I know that they changed the 5k course again. The 10k course continues from the 5k and there are several hills. (The 10k part looks basically the same as last year.)
The race takes place in Saratoga State Park which is a beautiful place to run especially in the fall.
Lately we have been blessed with some beautiful weather…unseasonably warm. I wish it had stayed that way. I love Indian Summer.
Today it really cooled down. It was in the 40s and windy. I also looked like it may rain. Not knowing what the weather will do makes it hard to dress. I’m not ready to dress for winter. (I am wearing that skirt as long as I can stand it.)
As it turned out, it rained on my drive up and on my drive back but the sun was out for the race.
I left for the race early in case I had to park where I needed to get a shuttle to the start. The race was to start at 9:30 and I got there at 8:30 am. I didn’t park in my usual lot but another one which was kinda a hike but not too bad.
This is a popular race. They were hoping for 2000 runners. (I think they were about 1500.) I knew a few folks who were planning to run it but I didn’t know if I would see them.
I hung out for a while in the pavilion. There were real bathrooms and a fireplace.
Finally it was time for the race to start. It was cold but I decided to leave my jacket and pants at the bag check. It was still dry outside and I was hoping that it would stay that way.
On the way to the start, I bumped into Holly from my Turkey Trot training group. She was running the 5K. I also lined up with with some other runners in my AG (speedier than me) whom I know.
I started not too far back because I didn’t know if it were chip timed (and it was but not for awards.)
It was very crowded at first. Since I was near the front, everyone was passing me by. I was trying to run fast but my legs just wouldn’t go.
They changed the 5k so that it was pretty flat. I didn’t even have to walk.
I love running in this park. It is so pretty especially in the Fall.
The 5k ended and my time was 28:xx. Of course, that exhausted me and we hadn’t hit the hills yet.
Most the next 5k were hills. I tried to run up them but was pretty unsuccessful. So I walked many times during the second half of the race. I also walked through the water stop around mile 4 to take a GU.
That gave me some more energy and got me to the end.
I was determined cross under 1 hour. And I did – 59:19 (chip time).
Yes, slower than last year but faster than my last two 10ks so I’ll take it.
Best of all – no blisters, no foot pain, no new injuries (just tired legs)
There was a long line to get food but I waited on it for bagels, lots of homemade goodies and hot chocolate.
Though I was faster last year, this year, I won an AG award.
3rd
Holly and some older guys won 1st place awards – Hooray for us oldies.
Race Splits:
mile 1 – 9:06
mile 2 – 9:37
mile 3 – 9:13
mile 4 – 10:04 (started to walk)
mile 5 – 10:36 (walked even more)
mile 6 – 9:53 (just a little bit of walking)
.2 – 8:40
As I walked back to my car, it seemed to be getting colder and winder. I’m not ready for winter, yet!
I love this race and will be back next year. Maybe do the 5k!
I’m linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining–she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Please head over and linkup a race recap you’ve written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!
Happy Running! Did you race this past weekend? Is it getting colder where you live?
One minute, I was wondering why I run with such pain and maybe I should stick to 5ks from now on.
The next minute, I was considering a do-over.
Then, I got this email:
I have 2 vacation days to use up.
I have 4 friends who live near West Palm Beach.
I have frequent flyer miles that need to be used…
So guess who’s running this half marathon on December 6?
the course seems to be similar to this half
Can you say impulsive?
Yes. That’s me.
me this Dec!!
So here’s the Plan:
The usual 2-3 days of running 3-4 miles and then on the weekend:
Oct 17- 10k race (6.2 miles)
Oct 24 – 7 miles
Oct 31 – 5K race + 5 miles (8 miles)
Nov 8 – 15K race (9.3 miles)
Nov 14 – 10 miles
Nov 21 – 5k race + 8 miles (11 miles)
Nov 28 or 29 – 12 miles
Dec 6 – 13.1 miles
It all fits, right?
Happy Running! Do you ever register for a race on impulse?
Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC to host the Friday Five linkup. 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!
This week’s theme is Favorite Fall Foods
1. Pumpkin anything
Here are some of my recent purchases:
And I’ve lost count of how many of these, I’ve drunk:
So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Here’s what I’m thinking today…
About my last race. Don’t you always do that after a race that didn’t go well?
So it wasn’t just me!
Wow if you read FB, you’ll see what I mean:
Worst and most unorganized 1/2 marathon I have ever participated in Rock N Roll or otherwise.
the race started 30 minutes late. which was great. ONLY because it gave me 30 extra minutes to stand in line for one of the 20 bathrooms available in the corrals. seriously. 20. for 20,000 people? waited in line for the toilets for well over an hour. and for a race that calls itself rock and roll – the amount of music on the course was disappointing. because there was NO music on the course. the route itself was okay, but not nearly as much fun as the brooklyn half. all in all. poor organization, lack of toilets and the absence of music will more than likely keep me away. for $100 i was expecting better.
Sucked
I also felt it was badly organized and very uneventful. Not enough bathrooms, boring route, a mess at the corrals.
The race seemed badly organized. The expo was extremely disappointing. My timing was very off I waited almost 40 minutes to start and my time reflects it?? Our parking was cancelled the day before despite the fact that we had purchased it weeks in advance.
This race started off on a bad foot when Thursday night my parking was cancelled even though it was booked weeks ago. I was told they oversold spots by 250. How does that even happen!? This race started off late and was so over crowded with little direction, next to no signage and what 20 potties at the start?! For the money, I highly doubt I will ever do another RNR race.
Don’t judge all RnRs by this one. I have done dozens and this one was by far THE worst and most unorganized race I have attended. This race series has been around long enough, and in so many places there is no excuse for the chaos and lack of a good race that happened today.
I can say without a doubt that from expo to finish, this race had more problems and the poorest runner support that I ever hope to encounter…
You get the picture… I hope they improve things for next year but I won’t be back.
So here’s my take on the weekend:
The Good:
Before and after the race (I got to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and spend time in Coney Island)
Had a successful AirBnB experience
Got to practice my French
No transportation problems (subways, buses and cabs, all on time)
Never got lost (and my first time in Brooklyn)
GREAT WEATHER
Packed appropriately and light enough to carry my bag
Met lots of nice and interesting people
There was a lot of crowd support and saw lots of funny signs.
I didn’t need the restroom before or during the race.
The park was nice to run through at the end.
It was pretty flat (until the end)
lots of water on the course
GU at 2 or 3 water stops
No blisters!
No injuries (back pain went away)
Finished strong after almost quitting (due to pain)
I completed my 15th half marathon
It wasn’t my slowest (#8 out of 15)
met a former student after the race
The Bad:
disappointing expo
not enough porta potties before the race
too much walking before I even started the race
the race started late
LOWER BACK PAIN
mentally giving up once I couldn’t finish at goal time.
No music on the course (It is a Roll N Roll event, right?)
mile markers were off (sometimes my Garmin beeped very early and sometimes very late)
long hill at mile 12
Not enough photographers (Not that I would but the photos but I only had 2 taken in the same stop and none crossing the finish line)
Pathetic refreshments (not even bagels – it’s NYC!)
would have been more fun sharing this race experience with someone else (first race not staying with a friend or meeting a friend at the race)
What wouldn’t I do differently:
long training runs – I think I completed the distances (6 through 12 miles) and prepared as well as I did for my 2:09 finish
5k & 10k races during training – I enjoy racing too much to give it up
staying in an AirBnB – it worked out and I didn’t spend a lot of money on a hotel room where I would have spent little time
lots of walking the day before – it may have been dumb but I wanted to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (no one wants to do that with potentially blistered feet)
racing attire – just perfect – I wasn’t hot or cold during the race
What maybe I should have done differently:
take a train rather than a bus to NYC – it bothered my back but the cost was $80 vs $10 (Nah, I would take the bus again!)
get rid of my bag rather than carrying it – this may have hurt my back but the logistics didn’t work out to do so
eat more the day before – I wasn’t hungry and it wasn’t convenient but I usually have pasta or pizza and I had neither.
run at a faster pace the first half of the race – It has worked for me in the past
not walk every mile – usually water stops are spaced out more and it wasn’t warm so I didn’t really need to walk
not wear Hokas – I have never raced in them though I have worn them to train which isn’t the same
run with the pacer – I didn’t want to start that far back but I think it would have helped.
have a more realistic goal- maybe I can’t run any faster (at my age)
There you have it.
One never knows what will happen on race day. I don’t regret running this race (though maybe I should have waited until next year to run this particular race?)
I did go to my Turkey Trot training group run on Monday night. No back pain. My legs were fine. No residual effects at all.
I have another race this Saturday – a 10K. I ran it last year (when I was speedier) and finished this hilly course in the rain at 58:28 (But I think they changed the course again.)
last year
I would feel good if I had a strong race (maybe under 60 minutes!!)
Happy Running! Do you over analyze each race, especially when you don’t meet your goal? Do you hesitate to run inaugural races? What are you thinking about today?
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.
This week’s Word is ADJUST
I wasn’t going to post today because I already did but this word just is so appropriate.
As runners, we have to ADJUST.
Adjust our running because of family, friend or work commitments.
Sometimes I’ve had to change the time of a run or miss a run. It’s not the end of the world. Other things can be more important than running.
had to cut short my run to go to my mil’s 90th birthday party
Adjust our running because of the weather.
It’s snowing or raining so we run slowly or indoors.
have to run slower when it is sleeting
And then there’s the clothes. You thought it would be warmer. Or you thought it would be colder.
One day’s it’s 80 and then it’s 40! I was cold!
Adjust our running to run with a group or another runner.
Sometimes, in a group, I struggle to run faster.
speedy turkey trot running partners
And then you run with a friend who is much slower. But you adjust because it is more important to have their company.
love running wth Judy!
Adjust our running because of race conditions (ice, snow, hills, etc.)
lots of hills at the beginning of this race
monsoon rain – an adjustment, for sure,
Adjust our running due to injuries.
We all get injured. Sometimes we run while recovering and have to adjust. Sometimes those injuries pop up in the middle of a race.
foot pain slowed me down in this race
stress fracture in my foot is making me adjust my pace
Adjust our goals due to any of the above.
We may have a goal to PR but the course is hilly or the weather is lousy. Or even worse, we are injured!
just happen to finish (post broken foot)
Happy Running! How have you had to adjust your running?
Well, it seemed like it would never get here but it did.
all packed – never thought I could fit it all in this small bag!!
I left very early Friday morning by bus. I arrived in NYC and decided that since it was a beautiful warm day I would walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn. That means I took the subway to the bridge and walked over it. (That meant I had to carry the bag pictured above.)
Brooklyn Bridge Park in Manhattan
It was so awesome and worth every step.
The views were breathtaking.
It was getting late so I quickly hopped a bus to get to the apartment that I rented thru AirBnB.
it was very clean & comfortable – even had Netflix
As you can see from the pictures, it was pretty nice and my host Sylvie was great.
She was French and didn’t speak much English so as a former French teacher I got to practice my French with her. Loved it!!!
After she left for work, I quickly hopped onto a subway to get to the expo.
I got my bib & tech shirt.
It was one of the worst expos I’ve ever attended. There was nothing there. So I wound up getting a shirt (only cuz I got $10 off by test driving a Toyota) and having something to eat. Got to Carbload, right?
it’s a tank & I liked that it had the race route on it – but it still cost too much
Maple grilled cheese & free beer
When I was done with the expo, I still had time to kill so I hopped another subway and took a ride to Prospect Park. (I met a nice girl on the train who was from Mexico, a triathloner and planning to run the Great Wall of China Marathon.)
And I just sat on the bench in the sun watching the bikers and runners go by. It was heavenly.
Finally it was time to head back to the apartment and I arrived just as a thunderstorm hit.
too many steps the day before a half marathon???
Happily the rain had stopped by the next morning but it was a lot cooler. I got up at the crack of dawn (I couldn’t sleep anyway), had my oatmeal and tea and called a cab to get to the race start. (I didn’t want to deal with buses and subways in the dark.)
I arrived around 6 am with no problems.
arriving at the plaza with the other lost souls
But here’s where running an inaugural race is not a good idea. (I seem to have a knack for picking them. It’s my 5th – Lake George, Fall Foliage, Love Run, Saratoga).
It was VERY poorly planned and so unorganized. A lot of inaccurate information given out, if any.
I heard that they overbooked the parking lots so people had nowhere to park and had to miss the race.
There were no signs and thousands of runners aimlessly wandering around.
I took a cab to Grand Army Plaza per directions but then had to walk a mile to gear check (I had lots of keys and a jacket to check.) I finally found a long row of 25 trucks labeled alphabetically (starting with Z – I had to walk to the 3rd from the beginning since my last name begins with Ca.)
Then we had to figure out how to get to security to enter the corrals. You guessed it. Another mile walk. After passing through airport like security, you had to walk to arrive at corral 20. I was in corral 10. Believe it or not, there were 4 porta potties for each 4 corrals!! That means 16 porta potties for 16,500 runners. (Good thing the 27,000 projected runners didn’t sign up. I also heard that it was so backed up that they let runners in without going through security – how comforting!)
The porta potty lines were miles long. I kept walking until I got to my corral and waited online for a while. But it was almost 7 am so I got off the line (Luckily I didn’t have to go that bad. many runners waited in a line over an hour.)
I moved up to stay warm and ended up standing with runners in corral 7. And we waited and we waited and we waited. I guess the roads weren’t cleared so the race started a half hour late. I was freezing. At least I had my DIY arm warmers on and a throw away long sleeved shirt but my teeth were chattering i was so cold.
waiting for my corral to go
Eventually, it was time to move. It took about 15 more minutes for my corral to pass the starting line.
It was very crowded, of course, and very hard to get going. You had to weave in and out. First, my shoe which was double knotted got untied. (A bad omen, I guess.)
But at least, it was warming up outside. Next I ditched my throw away shirt. By mile 2, I had also thrown away my arm warmers. It was sunny but there was a nice breeze which kept you cool.
The best thing about the race was the PERFECT weather. (All that worrying for nothing.)
I think early in the race – not sure – didn’t see many photographers
My plan for the race was to race the first half conservatively. I always crash and burn. To do this, I would walk through ALL the water stops and have Gu at mile 4, 8 and 12. (I wasn’t hungry and only had one at mile 5 and 10 but did drink water at every stop.)
That’s one good thing (and maybe the only) about the race. There were water stops at every mile. Toward the end, they even gave out GU.
As you can see from the map below, the race started with was an out and back running through Brooklyn Heights. I liked seeing the other runners ahead and behind me.
Next came running along Flatbush Ave and then on Ocean Ave for a very long time.
You would think that for a Rock N Roll race, there would be music – NOPE. Just one lonely guitar player.
Things were going well until the turn around. My feet did not hurt (a miracle). My even pace kept a 2:15 finish in sight. (That was my real goal. No delusional PR hopes)
Then around mile 8-9, things started going south. My lower back started to ache. It bothers me when I sit too long but never while running. (Usually it’s my upper back & shoulders if I am tense.)
The pain got worse. I was running and massaging my back at the same time. My pace got slower and my water walks longer.
At mile 10, I saw the 2:15 pacer go by and mentally, I think I gave up.
This was also when I met the first big hill. I ran up most of it because I was looking forward to running in the park.
The park was the nicest part of the course. I would have enjoyed it more, of course, if I was in pain. There was even a small band.
Then came mile 12….the very long unending hill. I just walked most of this mile. My back hurt so much that I thought for a second about quitting.
But I forced myself to run despite the pain. I told myself that there was no way I was finishing slower than 2:30.
heading to the finish line & happy
And I didn’t 🙂
hill near the end – ugh!
If you want to run the course virtually, watch it here:
After I got my medal, I found some chocolate milk. There were also bananas and power bars. That’s it. Food fail!
thousands of finishers in a field
I took my obligatory medal pic.
Believe it or not, I then bumped into a student that I taught 20 years ago.
We chatted for a long time and then I went to search for my checked gear. I skipped the free beer and decided to find my way out of the park and to a subway.
I asked runners but no one seemed to really know so I just followed the crowd.
What was interesting was that it was after 12 pm and there were still runners out there. They were all happy. It put it all into perspective. I didn’t finish in my goal time but I did run 13.1 miles!!
I’m not going to analyze what I did and should have done in the race. I’ll leave that to a later post.
It ended up being a mile walk to the subway. But it was cool being on the subway and everyone is wearing their medals.
After changing my clothes and packing up, I decided that it was a beautiful day and I was going to spend it outside. So I took the subway to Coney Island.
I had never been and it was great.
I walked along the Boardwalk.
strolled along the beach
sat in the sun and relaxed
Of course, I had to eat…
I wasn’t hungry but you just have to if you’re in Coney Island
homemade gelato …pumpkin spice, of course
Finally, it was time to head back to Manhattan to catch a bus home.
I think this is a record high – 8 miles in addition to the race
It definitely was an experience to remember.
After 28 miles in 2 days, I did rest on Sunday.
boating with my hubby and friends on Lake George – no talk about running or races…)
I’m linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining–she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Please head over and linkup a race recap you’ve written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!
Happy Running! Did you race this past weekend? Ever have a race that’s hyped but disappoints?
This week’s topic is Balancing Running/Training with Work/Life/Family
I struggle with this …a lot.
I work full-time. I don’t have a big family but I do have a lot of friends.
How do you create a balance?
Be Flexible.
There have been times that I have wanted and preferred to run but things got in the way. I’ve had to run before work
or run during work
or sometimes not run at all.
at a family event
missed a race for this concert with my hubby
I’ve had to split my long runs into 2 parts or even 2 days.
day 2 of the long run
Prioritize.
If you are training for a big race, then you may have to miss events with your family and/or friends. Of even take a day off from work. (I have.)
there were many times that I wanted to be on our boat, but stayed home to run instead
I did not play tennis with them. I ran instead.
Be organized.
Schedule every run. Think ahead about all events and appointments that you cannot miss. If you have a busy life, runs are never last minute or on the fly.
Happy Running! How you create a balance between running and the rest of your life?
My First 5K and More... 