June 13, 2015 by Darlene

The Big Apple for a Rest

Last Saturday was my rest day.

So I rested.

NOT.

I traipsed around New York City.

I loved this movie:

So I wanted to see the real painting and its exhibit.

It was at the Neue Galerie on 86th & 5th.

Gustav Klimt and Adele Bloch-Bauer: The Woman in Gold” is an intimate exhibition devoted to the close relationship that existed between the artist and one of his key subjects and patrons. Included in the exhibition is a display of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, paintings, related drawings, vintage photographs, decorative arts, and archival material.

I did get to see the painting but you couldn’t take photos.

here I am with the fake painting

I also a big fan of Van Gogh and Impressionist art. My friends wanted to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the new Costume Institute. But I wanted to see Van Gogh’s Irises and Roses.

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) brought his work in Provence to a close with exuberant bouquets of spring flowers—two of irises and two of roses, in contrasting formats and color schemes—in which he sought to impart a “calm, unremitting ardor” to his “last touch of the brush.” Painted on the eve of his departure from the asylum at Saint-Rémy and conceived as a series or ensemble on a par with the Sunflower decoration painted earlier in Arles, the group includes the Metropolitan Museum’s Irises andRoses and their counterparts: the upright Irises from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, and the horizontal Roses from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This exhibition will reunite the four paintings for the first time since the artist’s death and is timed to coincide with the blooming of the flowers that captured his attention. It will open 125 years to the week that Van Gogh announced to his brother Theo, on May 11 and 13, 1890, that he was working on these “large bouquets,” and will provide a singular opportunity to reconsider Van Gogh’s artistic aims and the impact of dispersal and color fading on his intended results.

Irises are also one of my favorite flowers. I try to walk or run in a local park to see them in bloom.

Of course, I like roses too.

So we went to the Metropolitan. My friends are members so the tickets were free.

I got to the VanGogh’s 4 paintings and after we had lunch with a view of Central Park.

All I could see while we were eating were runners going by. I so wanted to be one of them.

Then we checked out the Costume Institute’s new exhibit on China.

This exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery.

From the earliest period of European contact with China in the sixteenth century, the West has been enchanted with enigmatic objects and imagery from the East, providing inspiration for fashion designers from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent, whose fashions are infused at every turn with romance, nostalgia, and make-believe. Through the looking glass of fashion, designers conjoin disparate stylistic references into a pastiche of Chinese aesthetic and cultural traditions.

The exhibition features more than 140 examples of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear alongside Chinese art. Filmic representations of China are incorporated throughout to reveal how our visions of China are framed by narratives that draw upon popular culture, and also to recognize the importance of cinema as a medium through which to understand the richness of Chinese history.

It was amazing.

We actually went to the Neue Galerie second and had dessert.

Afterwards, we walked back to the Metropolitan and went up to the Roof top.

I love New York City. I am already planning a return trip.

I had fun at the museums but I so wanted to be running!!!

Happy Running! How do you feel on your rest days?

June 12, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Favorite Summer Activities

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mary 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, the theme is Favorite Summer Activities.

Here are my 5:

1. Racing on the Weekends

I know I could just run for free but I only get that “Runner’s High” from races. I am lucky to have many choices. I can choose by location, course, distance, bling, etc. I pretty much race every weekend.

2. Playing Tennis Outdoors

This I can do for free. I usually play every Tuesday. If I didn’t go boating, I could also play on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ve given up playing in USTA and WTT league matches so that I can run more.

3. Boating on Lake George

This is one thing that the hubby & I do together. We both love it on the lake…whether it be docking on the islands, tying up with other boats in a bay or just hanging out at the marina.

4.Weekend getaways with friends

Schroon River

NYC

We go on day trips to museums and plays. We also go up to my friend’s who has a house on Schroon River. We love to swim, hike, play tennis, shop, eat out, play games, etc.

5.Barbecues

Nothing beats a hamburger or hot dog on a grill. Usually I do this on the lake or at a friend’s house.

Happy Running! What are your favorite things to do in the summer?

June 11, 2015 by Darlene

Half Marathon #14

So I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

June 13, 2015 7:30 am

Every time, I run a half marathon, I like to look back at my previous races. I can’t believe that this will be my 14th. And 9th after my ankle surgery. (So Dr. Ortho, I can run again!!)

1. My first and BEST was the Naples Half Marathon in January of 2011. My goal was just to finish and I did in 2:28:27 (gun time, no chip timing).

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. My time was 2:22:39 (gun time, no chip timing) and a PR until this year.

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.) I finished in 2:44:59. It was still fun because I was running it with lots of friends.

I see the finish line!

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 in 2:32:50.

my 4th Half Marathon 10-23-11

5. My goal race of that year 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 2:30:12.

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

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 happy with my 2:33:59 time.

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.” So I did in 2:24:14. I enjoyed it since it was my first half where I slept in my own bed the night before.

Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon

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 at 2:22:35. I made new running friends and we had fun during our weekend in “wet” Philly.

loverun

9. Last 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 so I struggled to a 2:26:00 finish.

sshm4b

10. Impromptu and free. I registered for the Hangover Half Marathon this past New Year’s Day and ran it as a training run on a cold, windy, lonely, boring course. And it was my fastest at 2:18:33. Go figure?

hangover-059

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. I sprinted to a 2:09:40 finish!!!

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12. I had awesome aspirations for the Asbury Park Half Marathon this past April. But foot pain ended that and I had a disappointing 2:20:18 finish time.

13. The Vermont City Marathon Relay on Memorial Day weekend was an unplanned race. Although, my finish time of 2:25:24 was slow, I thoroughly enjoyed the race.

14. This race on Saturday should be scenic and a good time. I have not trained much since April so I will not be disappointed with a slow time.

Fingers crossed for NO rain and NO pain! (The forecast is for showers & thunderstorms…)

Here are my Goals:

A. Finish Faster than my previous half (under 2:25:24 )

B. Finish under 2 1/2 hours

C. Beat my slowest time (under 2:44:59)

D. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂

And what will I wear?

A combination of the last two outfits – hat, SkirtSports skirt, shoes from Asbury Park and SkirtSports shirt, socks from VCM

Happy Running! Anyone else running this race?

June 10, 2015 by Darlene

Betar Byway 5K and Moreau Mile Race Report

I ran this race last year and remembered it being fun (even though there were hills) so I signed up again.

The 5K is a out and back and has one hill just before the 1 mile mark, with the rest being flat and the down hill at about 2.25 and a slight increase at the finish. Course is both paved (along Hudson River) and packed dirt path in wooded area, for approx 1.25 mile.

bb elevation

It is about an hour north of my house (and on the way to my boat.)

And most importantly, I love scenic. Here are some views of the course:

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finish line view

The weather was cool and cloudy. It was about 50 degrees when I left the house. It was predicted to warm up to the 70’s later. Actually perfect running weather for a change.

I left early and arrived in plenty of time. I parked nearby and got my race packet.

ready to race in purple

Then I used the restroom – yes, there were real ones.

Believe it or not, I didn’t know anyone at this race.

So I just patiently waited until it was time for everyone to walk down to the water for the start.

Of course, while waiting for the gun to go off, I wound up talking to some older runners… about future races and running shoes.

I planned to start near the front since there were no timing chips or start line but I was chatting and forgot.

I must say that this was one of the prettiest course I have ever run. It was along the water most of the time or on a paved trail through a park.

I tried to focus on the scenery since I knew that this one would be tough due to hilly course.

The first mile had a small hill which I ran up and then came the monster hill. I walked up the whole thing and had trouble doing that it was so steep. I think I did the right thing since it was early in the race.

It wasn’t warm but I walked through the first water stop anyway but very quickly.

Lately I am having trouble running fast. I am trying but my breathing is labored and my legs just won’t go. ( guess that’s why runners do speed drills!)

Eventually the course looped around and you headed back to the start. I passed through the second water stop and then finally came the big hill. This time you were running down. These hills always scare me so I hold back especially with my falling history.

Then I think I walked once more before the final hill which led to the finish line.

can I catch her?

nope. she’s too fast

I tried unsuccessfully to pass a 10 year old.

but I will beat 30 minutes!

yes, I will!

But at least I finished under 30 minutes! 29:25

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:38
mile 2 – 9:44
mile 3 – 9:06
.14 – 8:43

At least, I was 24 seconds faster than last year but slower than last week’s 5k.

After the 5K, there was a one mile race. Not for kids but for everyone. It looked like fun last year so I signed up for this one too (I am crazy like that.)

Of course after the hilly 3.1 miles, my legs were too tired to run even ONE mile but I wanted to give it my best shot.

However, I never ran it before and I didn’t know where they would start the race. I was chatting with an older runner about injuries (what else?) and I noticed that they were not starting the second race and it was almost time.

So I asked and they said, the it started a mile into the course and finished in the same spot as the 5k. Well, that made sense.

Would I have enough time to get to the start? Probably not but I started running.

I ran and ran but unfortunately I wasn’t there yet when I heard the gun go off to start the race. So I moved over and let the runners go by and then continued to the start and started running.

I was last, of course, and tired since I just race a 5k plus an additional mile getting to the start.

But I did pass a few people.

relaxed…

now serious!

Garmin time was 9:46.

Then they gave out the awards and I won third place in my age group in both races.

betar byway 5k

moreau mile

Even a faster time wouldn’t have gotten me ahead the speedier ladies.

I will definitely do this race again. I loved the course and the scenery. Next time, maybe I’ll try to run up that hill and now I know where the Moreau Mile race starts.

One of the reasons for choosing this race was that it was on the way to our marina so I could join my hubby who was patiently waiting.

my hubby on our boat

This was my view from a lounge chair for most of the rest of the day.

in my happy place

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with lots of post race snacks

Several boating friends joined us.

and an insect friend

Very relaxing.

We ended the day with a nice dinner at a new restaurant in town.

Racing+Boating=Perfect Sunday

I’m linking this post up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for her Weekend Update!

I am also linking up with Jessica from The Silvah Lining for the Race Recap Link Up.

Happy Running! What did you do this weekend? Did you run or race?

June 9, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Hot Weather Running Tips

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Hot Weather Running Tips

What to wear:

Skirts, of course. You stay cooler in them than capris or shorts and they just look good.

Especially SkirtSports skirts!

Tank tops or tech tee shirts

lighthouse 5k mother-147

Baseball caps – they keep the hair off my neck and the sun off my face

biggest-loser-5k

Cool Max socks – I am blister prone so this is important for me.

Sunglasses – I wear contacts so my eyes are really sensitive. I wear sunglasses all the time (even if it is not sunny) except when it is dark out.

sshm2

Other essentials:

Nathan Hand-held water bottle – I don’t usually carry water (I just loop my runs) but when I do, I love this.

Don’t forget that if you chafe, in the summer when you sweat, you chafe even more.

And the sunscreen and bug spray (especially if you run in areas where there are ticks)

Where to run:

Shady areas like bike paths or parks

Trails

Where there is a breeze off the water

On the treadmill where there is air-conditioning

not my favorite place

When to run:

In the morning before it gets warm

before work

In the evening when it cools down

after work

Of course, remember, you will run SLOWER when it is hot.

I think I was hot here LOL

And don’t forget those warm weather rewards!!!!

Happy Running! Any additions that you can add to my hot weather running tips?

June 8, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday- 4 mile run on the TM (rain!)

Tuesday – rest, tennis, dinner out

last nite of indoor tennis for he season

Wednesday – 4 mile run

Thursday – rest, walk at lunch

Friday – 3 mile run, mah jongg

Saturday – rest, day trip to NYC

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to the Metropolitan Museum of Art & the Neue Galerie

Sunday – 5k race & 1 mi race + 1 more mile, boating

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3rd place AG awards in both races

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my happy place = on the lake

This Week:

Monday- rest, conference, proctor LSATs, tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run, movie
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – rest, walk at lunch
Friday – rest, walk at lunch
Saturday – HALF MARATHON
Sunday – rest, boating (weather permitting)

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

June 5, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: National Running Day

This week, the theme is National Running Day.

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running.

Here are my 5 reasons to run:

1. JA is my running buddy. He cannot run, cannot walk, cannot go to school, cannot digest his food but he is my BIGGEST SUPPORTER.

2. There were times that I couldn’t – broken ankle, stress fracture, broken foot. There may be times in the future when I cannot. So when I CAN, I RUN. I will never take this gift for granted.

3. I am a goal-driven person. I want to get better. I also know if I don’t run often, then it will not happen. So I keep running and hope that my finish times reflect my efforts.

4. It’s no secret that I love ice cream. I would eat it every day especially soft ice cream in the summer. As I get older, my metabolism must be slowing down because I have to watch what I eat for the first time. If I run, I hope that I can watch it less.

5. I actually feel younger now than before I started running. People say that “I don’t look my age.” (I love those people.) But I respond that I don’t feel my age. I credit running for that. (I am 62 btw.)

Happy Running! How did you celebrate National Running Day?

June 4, 2015 by Darlene

May Update

May Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week. YES!

Get some strength training or yoga done. Nope! Maybe someday…
Go for a walk everyday at work. Not everyday but many days.

Continue running with a training group. Yes on most Mondays but not all.

even ran with the mayor

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on May 24. Just one.

10K followed by 4 miles

Complete a 15K race. NO!! Ran a 10K and a 5k instead (due to a sore foot)

Spring Run Off 10k instead of 15k

Mastodon Challenge 5k instead of 15k

Win an age group award ~~for a 15k~~. Won for Spring Run Off 10K and for Mother’s Day 5K

1st for the Spring Run Off 10k

3rd for Mother’s Day 5k

Run a 5K with my GOTR running buddy. YES!

Run while on my tennis vacation in Florida. YES! 4 times (13 miles)

Complete Half Marathon #13. YES!!

Vermont City Marathon Relay

Complete a 5K race. YES. Four of them!

Mastodon Challenge 5K

Mother’s Day 5K bRUNch

Run my 5k and 10k races under 10 min. mile pace. YES! (Note: the 10k was the fastest.)

Spring Run Off 10k – 9:22 pace

Albany Law Day 5k – 9:25 pace

Mastodon Challenge 5k – 9:25 pace

Mother’s Day 5K – 9:45 pace

Freihofer Run for Women – 9:28 pace

Run at least 85 miles. Nope. Not even close!

What else?

We went boating for the first time this season.

I celebrated my birthday.

dinner with my former co-worker, Michele

cake with the mah jongg ladies

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dinner with my hubby

I went the annual tulip fest with Amanda & her sons.

I spent 8 wonderful days with friends in Naples, Fla.

June Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Go for a walk several times a week at work.
Run a 5K.
Complete Half Marathon #14.
Complete a 10 mile race.
Lose at least 5 lbs.
Run at least 80 miles.

Happy Running! How was your May? Anything special planned for June?

June 3, 2015 by Darlene

National Running Day

In honor of National Running Day, I am linking up with Kristen and several other bloggers and answering questions about my running!

1. Why do you run?

Because it makes me feel healthier, younger and happier.

2. How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?
By running of course!!! Probably 4 miles after work. On the rail trail

or maybe join a group run at FleetFeet.

3. How many miles have you run so far this year?
I’ve run 352 miles so far this year!

4. What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?
I have already run some big ones: Hangover Half, West Palm Beach Half, Asbury Park Half, VCM Relay.

But I still have some more planned: Walkway Half, Adirondack Distance Run, Brooklyn Half, Stockadeathon, Turkey Trot 10k and many more…

5. Before you leave for a run you must have:
iPhone for music, distance and photos, baseball cap, sunglasses if it’s sunny out, running skirt, and running shoes of course!

6. Do you have one favorite app to track your runs?
I always carry my iPhone so I use the Nike+ app for distance. In races, I wear my Garmin to keep track of time and pace.

it’s old and big but I love it

7. Who is your favorite running partner?

Me.

I usually run by myself out of convenience.

But I do enjoy running with some women (Barbara & Judy) whom I have met online. That reminds me that I should schedule some runs with them soon.

8. What races have you ran so far this year?
18 race so far:

1-1-15 – HMRRC Winter Series #2 – Hangover Half*
1-11-15 – HMRRC Winter Series #3 – 10K
1-17-15 – West Palm Half Marathon* (Fla)
1-25-15 – HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K
2-01-15 – HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 10M*
2-07-15 – Polar Cap 4m
3-14-15 – Runnin of the Green* 4 m
3-22-15 – Shamrock Shuffle 5m*
3-29-15 – Delmar Dash 5m
4-11-15 – Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
4-18-15 – Asbury Park Half Marathon* (in NJ)
4-26-15 – Cherry Blossom 5k
5-02-15 – Spring Run Off 10K
5-07-15 – Albany Law Day 5K against DV*
5-09-15 – Mastodon 5k*
5-10-15 – Mother’s Day 5K (for GOTR)
5-25-15 – Vermont City Marathon Relay*
5-30-15 – Freihofer’s Run for Women

9. If you had to give someone one piece of advice about running what would it be?
If you’re just starting out, don’t try to run too fast too soon. Don’t give up. You will get faster. Believe in yourself. No matter what your finish time is, you area winner.

10. Describe your relationship with running in one word:
Perseverance.

No matter what, I don’t plan to give up.

Happy Running! How are you going to celebrate National Running Day? Answer the interview questions in a comment.

June 2, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Running Breaks

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Breaks

There are many reasons to take a break from running.

Injuries

This is the worst. Injuries suck. There is nothing you can do about them. You just can’t run. And you always wonder if you will again.

I have had a few. Broken foot in 2013…

Stress fracture in late 2012…

Ankle surgery for 2 broken bones in early 2012…

Weather

When I first started running, I stopped in October and began again in April. Then I realized that I could run in the cold weather, even in the snow. Running in the rain and ice. Not for me!!

Living in the Northeast, there were many days like below when I did not run.

The same can be true if you live in a warm, humid climate. It is hard to run in those conditions.

doesn’t this look inviting?

Life

Yup, sometimes life gets in the way. I work full-time and I am not a morning runner. Evening and weekend work, family and friend obligations often make running impossible.

My hubby and my friends do not run so I try not to let running interfere with my relationships.

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dinners out with friends

boating with the hubby

tennis instead of running

Sometimes, I’d rather be running but I know I always can’t choose running.

Tapering or Recovering

Also we may not want to take a break, we know we have to. Before and after a long race, I usually take at least 2 days off. I like to be active and feel like a slug when I don’t run. But I that these old bones need a rest or there will be repercussions.

best post half recovery

Lack of Mojo

This is a tough one. It’s when you just don’t feel like running.

I’ve had this feeling many times but since I sign up for so many races, I know that if I don’t run, there will be consequences.

There are many reasons for lack of mojo:

Over training
Fatigue
Pain
Poor races results

We’ve all experienced these.

I have recently felt the last two. Since my half in April, my feet have bothered me on and off. It is not fun to run when something hurts.

ouch!!

I also have been disappointed in my finish times. I am getting slower. Especially for my April half which I trained for and the course was flat. I expected to do better and I was depressed for long time afterwards.