April 16, 2015 by Darlene

How has running changed you?

Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

Thanks to ChocolateJudyRuns for posing the question: “How has running changed you?”

As she says, many started running to lose weight. But in the end, it is so much more to us.

2009-2012

I did not start running to lose weight.

As you may be able to tell, I gained weight once I started running.

First of all, I am eating more before and after. Secondly and more importantly, age puts on weight (esp. menopause.)

I no longer wear shorts. The shorts in that photo don’t come close to fitting. I now wear skirts. They are more comfortable and they hide more (those cottage cheese thighs).

I’ve stopped ruining my shirts by pinning bibs on them. (I now wear tech shirts. The one in the photo is cotton.) And I have a running belt that carries my cell phone and I can attach my bib to it.

I spend more money on my running shoes than my regular shoes. I plan my vacations around races. I plan my social calendar around my running. I read running magazines from cover to cover.

Those changes, however, are superficial.

How has running changed me?

I feel accomplished, strong, and capable.

I feel happy after I run.

I feel healthier and more alive.

I feel more confident.

I feel younger.

I have made some amazing friends from running.

Happy Running! Has running changed your life? If so, how?

April 15, 2015 by Darlene

261 Fearless

Each month, one of my responsibilities as a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain is to post on a particular topic.

This month it’s:

“261” and honoring the anniversary of Kathrine Switzer; the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon

Women conquering barriers

I wrote a post recently about women conquering barriers HERE – AGE being the barrier.

I can’t tell you how many times, I have heard women say:

I’m too old to run.
I used to run when I was younger…
I can’t run fast, I’m too old.
A half marathon at my age?
I don’t want to wreck my knees.
I don’t want to wind up needing a hip replaced.
Won’t you get arthritis?
Etc. etc etc

If you run, you know that none of this is true. There are so many runners at my age and older. Some are still fast and some are not. It doesn’t matter. They are out there running and enjoying life.

I met Joan Benoit Samuelson several years ago. She is so nice. She is still running marathons and she is still fast.

Kathrine Switzer is “fearless”ly still running at almost 70 years old.

You can read more about 261 Fearless on her site here.

So everyone be “FEARLESS” and run until …..

Don’t let your age be a barrier to fitness.

Happy Running!

April 15, 2015 by Darlene

Half Marathon #12

In case you are a new reader of my blog, here is a summary of my previous 11 half marathons:

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.

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 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 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.

race_697_photo_14838692

Now for #12. This winter was the coldest I’ve ever run in…sub-zero day after sub-zero day. Not ideal for training in addition to quite a few short March races and a trip to California which interfered with my long runs.

Nevertheless, I am super excited for this race.

here we are in October when I visited her for a race..

I will be visiting my college buddy, Andrea who lives about an hour north. (This time unfortunately she will have just had shoulder surgery so it won’t the best time to visit.)

The Daily Burn, an online fitness training web site just named the best half marathons across the country. In New Jersey that designation goes to the Asbury Park Half Marathon.

According to Emily Faherty, the article’s author describing the Asbury Park Half, “This flat and fast race is in the land of Bruce Springsteen, with local icon Tillie as its funny-faced mascot. You’ll run through the small area beach towns, along the historic boardwalk and finish with the “RunAPalooza” post-race party.”

view during most of the race

This race should be scenic and a good time. Fingers crossed for NO rain!

Here are my lofty goals:

Goals:

A. PR (finish under 2:09:40)

B. Win an Age Group Award

C. Finish Faster than my previous PR (under 2:18:33 )

D. Finish under 2 1/2 hours

E. Finish happy & uninjured 🙂 and wearing this medal:

And what will I wear?

SkirtSports skirt, the top will either be a tank, short or long sleeve (depending on the temps), procompression socks, Mizuno shoes

Happy Running! Anyone else running this race?

April 14, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Spring Training Update

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: Spring Training Update

My training this Spring is going to be pretty informal:

Mondays – FRW training group run – usually 3 miles with some speed work mixed in
Tuesdays – tennis
Wednesdays and/or Thursday – 3-4 easy miles
Fridays – gym – upper body machines
Saturday or Sunday – a race with some extra miles for a longish run

I am currently tapering for my half marathon on Saturday!!

half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

Then I have a recovery 5K before I start ramping up the miles for another half marathon.

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

The training begins with a 15K along the river.

yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

This is a weekday training run and a 5k.

May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

I continue my training with another 15K on my birthday.

May 9, 2015 – running the 15K, a new race for me

then a fun 5K to celebrate Mother’s Day.

GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

Hopefully, my legs will be ready for this hilly half. I am excited to visit Burlington, VT.

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

I will be recovering with my favorite 5K

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time.

And finally another half marathon about 1 1/2 hours south.

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

I will be traveling to Denver, CO for a conference and get back the night before for this hilly 10 mile race.

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running? How’s your spring training going? Which race(s) are you training for?

April 13, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #11 – TAPER TIME )

Monday – 4 3 mile group run with FRW training group ~~+ a few more miles~~

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run

chilly & rainy

Thursday – 4 mile run

Friday- rest, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race ~~+ 5 more miles~~ (too cold & windy)

28:01 – 1st in my AG

Sunday – ~~rest~~ 5.5 miles

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #12 – RACE WEEK)

Monday – 4 mile group run with FRW training group + a few more miles
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run at lunch, movie
Thursday -rest
Friday- rest, drive to NJ
Saturday – 13.1 miles!!
Sunday – rest, Broadway show in NYC

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

April 12, 2015 by Darlene

My Running Favorites and a Spring Run

Talented Darlin’ Rae tagged me to answer some questions about running:

1) Location: Trail, Road, or Indoors?

Definitely roads. That’s what I run on most often. I particularly like to run in parks and on bike paths where there is no traffic. I think trails are scenic but I am clumsy so I have to run slow. And I really do not enjoy the treadmill AT ALL.

2) Time of Day: Morning, Noon, or Evening?

If I didn’t work, it would be morning. I run better in the morning because I have more energy. When it’s warm, I sometimes drag myself out of bed and run before work. But I do work and it’s cold and dark in the morning and so it’s in the evening that I choose to run.

3) Weather: Sunshine, Mild or Hot?

I love sunshine. I prefer hot to cold but MILD is ideal with no humidity and no wind.

4) Fuel: Before, After, and sometimes during?

Before a run, if it is morning, I usually have oatmeal. After work, I eat a protein bar. If I am running long, I bring GU with me. Afterwards, I love to have chocolate milk.

5) Accessories: Music, Watch & More?

Sometimes I run with music but lately, it’s been just my thoughts. I always bring my iPhone and use the Nike+ app for distance. In a race, I use my Garmin 205 for time & pace.

the phone in my future

6) Rewards: Food, Wine, or …?

It depends on the time of day. But I often use a Starbucks frappuccino or soft ice cream as a reward.

7) Type of run: Long, tempo, intervals, hill repeats, progression, or recovery/easy?

I love easy runs. That’s what I do usually. When I am training, I do long runs on the weekend. Occasionally I run intervals and then I use the track.

running on the track at work

I’m supposed to tag 7 people to answer these questions, so here you go Masters Bloggers:

Today spring finally arrived. (Too bad it wasn’t here yesterday for my race.)

As I mentioned yesterday, I bailed on my post-race run because it was just too damn cold and windy.

Today the weather was perfect so I invited myself on the last 5 miles of my friend Judy’s long run.

We agreed on the Corning Bike path for a change of pace.

There were lots of bikers and runners but still a very peaceful place to run.

We have a different style but it seems to work. She runs at a steady slower pace so when I want to speed up, I stop and take pictures and then run to catch up.

I ran about 5.5 miles and felt great. I could have run more but then again, I need to have my legs fresh for my half marathon in 6 days. And I have my running group tomorrow night.

After we were done, we walked back to a scenic part of the trail so Judy could take pics of me wearing my new SkirtSports skirt. As an Ambassador, I needed one wearing their clothes.

I think Judy did great. I am undecided. I still may use one of my older race ones.

Happy Running! If you’re not tagged, pick a question to answer in the comments! Which pic of me would you choose?

April 11, 2015 by Darlene

2015 Bacon Hill Bonanza 5K Race Report

bhb

I was very tempted to sign up for 10K instead of the 5k. They were both the same price and I needed to run 8 miles before my half marathon next weekend.

10 K

Then I remembered the hills of the second half of the 10K and that the 5k was an out and back and would be mostly flat.

So I kept my decision to run the 5k and then planned to run 5 miles after.

at last year’s race (sunny & no wind)

I ran this race last year and loved it. They had great food – the usual food but also chili and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And there was chocolate milk, fresh from the dairy.

Plus, I won a homemade apple pie as first in my age group.

The race started at 10 am which was good since it would be an hour minute drive from my house.

Again the weather was tricky. What to wear? It was cool in the morning (low 40s) but cloudy and very very windy. I opted for a long sleeve shirt, skirt & compression socks. I brought a jacket, just in case. I am so tired of wearing tights and layers that I’d rather be cold.

I got to the race early and found a parking spot in a field next to the church. The race started at the church in the town of Bacon Hill, a small farming town with awesome scenery. (It reminded me of Vermont.)

It was more chilly than I thought. It was in the 30s with the windchill and the gusts were at least 40 mph.

got a nice gender-specific tech shirt with no advertising on it

I decided to keep my jacket on and I was still cold. I wished that I had worn tights and gloves.

I didn’t think I would know anyone at this run since last year, I hung out with Holly who was in the Turkey Trot training group and now the FRW training group but she had to work this year and couldn’t race.

But I did bump into someone that I recognized probably from another race. Some also recognized me because she used to read my blog. How cool is that. She is also a SkirtSports ambassador. We chatted about that and local races.

Soon it was time for the race to start. The pastor read a prayer, the church bells rang and we were off.

The 5k was an out and back. The 10k veered to the right and supposed had hills and breath taking views.

I decided to go out fast. I always have positive splits so why try not to. It isn’t as flat as the map shows. The hills are rolling throughout but not that bad. Even I could run up them.

I loved all the signs along the route.

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This one as my favorite: 14002247934_c17e330207_z

The wind was a killer. I was freezing and the gusts made it worse. There were volunteers on the course calling out times. I occasionally glanced down at my Garmin to make sure I was running in the low 9’s. Eventually we turned around and headed back… I was hoping that the wind would be at my back. But no, it was still blowing and making me miserable.

I stopped for water and walked for a while. Not because I was thirsty but because I was was out of breath. I never seemed to get into my groove. I guess I need to do more speed drills.

I thought I had gotten a second wind but then again, I was winded and stopped to walk again during the last mile.

I knew at this point, there would be no PR. That was fine because I wasn’t expecting one.

As I approached the finish line, I realized that I could still finish under 28 minutes, Unfortunately I had no gas left and I barely made it. My Gamin said: 27:57!! So I was pleased.

I immediately made a bee line for the chocolate milk. Boy was it good. I had at least 2 cups.

They had the same great food (chili, muffins, cookies, fruit) as last year plus a vegetarian dish and pizza.. I sampled it all! YUM!

They also were selling chicken dinners for $6. So tempting.

Eventually they posted the results…Mine was 28:01. That’s ok. I knew that I really crossed under 28 minutes.

baconhill15

Even though I added a heavier jacket, I was still freezing.

baconhill5k2105

And they gave out the men’s awards first. Finally they called the women’s awards.

57 out of 182

And I won a pie again!!! (Love my age group!)

I put the pie in my car and planned on running 5 more miles. But I was so chilled, I couldn’t bear to hit the wind again even though this area is so nice to run in. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.

All in all, I loved this race. I will definitely do it again…maybe even the 10K.

Goals:

Goal A: PR (under 27:11)
Goal B: Course PR (under 28:56)
Goal C: Under 30 minutes.

B & C.

and my other goals:

Keep Calm

and

Stay healthy.
Have fun.
Run 5 more miles after the race.
Win an Age Group award.
Run a course PR
Keep all miles under 10 minute pace.

All except running 5 more miles after.

Splits:

mile 1- 8:50
mile 2 – 9:17 (long walk)
mile 3 – 9:01 (short walk)
.1 – 7:55

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

Happy Running! Are you running or racing this weekend?

April 10, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Trips

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 Trips

I have no big vacations planned to any exotic or faraway places but here are my 5 trips – 3 are definites and 2 are hopefuls:

1. New Jersey

Next week, I plan to visit a friend in New Jersey whom I visited last October…

and run a half marathon in Asbury Park. I have never been there and can’t wait to run along the ocean.

2. Naples, Florida

Again this May, I plan to go to Naples with 11 of my closest tennis friends…

group photo with our instructor on our last day of lessons

We will be playing tennis, shopping, eating, sunning and just hanging out together. It will be our 10th year, I think.

on Palm Island

I hope do some running too.

running in Naples, Fla.

3. Vermont

At the end of next month, I plan to stay with AJH. I have seen pictures of the part of rural Vermont where she lives. It looks so nice.

photo by AJH

We will be running a marathon relay together in Burlington. I have never been to Burlington and I am looking forward to it and running along Lake Champlain.

4. Florida for a half marathon

I’ve run 3 here – Naples, Sarasota and West Palm Beach and loved them all.

Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner - Yup, I am in the photo!!!

W. Palm Beach Half Marathon

Naples Half Marathon

I haven’t decided where or when but it’s a definite maybe.

5. La Quinta, CA

I hope to be invited back to visit Mary. I have been twice and loved it out there.

This past year, we hiked. Maybe next time, we’ll run a race together.

1404409_10152532012779428_1568131196_o

Happy Running! What trips do you have planned? Any invites to Florida?

April 9, 2015 by Darlene

5Ks are scary but wonderful

Why?

It’s only 3.1 miles and I’ve done at least a hundred of them.

It’s the expectations…. or more specifically what I expect of myself.

I expect to be fast!! (Fast for me.)

The last time I ran a 5k was in December and that was at night. My last competitive 5k was back in November.

That was 5 months ago!!

I finished that race in 28:14 and won my age group.

But not much speed has happened since then except for a few 4 & 5 mile races. I have run 2 half marathons (and another scheduled for April 18), a 10 mile race and 2 15K races.

That means a lot of long runs…slow long runs. And many slow snowy icy weekday runs.

So what am I worried about?

I signed up for a 5K on Saturday!!

At the end of half marathon training!? What was I thinking?

before last year’s Bacon Hill 5K

I ran this race last year and it was fun. I won my age group but I wasn’t training for anything. I was just running 5ks each weekend. and enjoying myself.

enjoying a AG win last spring

Here is some advice from Lauren Fleshman about running a 5K:

Run the first mile with your head, the second mile with your focus, and the third mile with your heart. In the first mile, you can’t let any emotion or excitement in at all. Start with a pace you are confident you can maintain and then relax a little bit more. Until you see that one mile marker, all you are allowed to think about is running smart. From 1-2 miles, focus on maintaining your form and start to look around you, taking a survey of which runners around you probably went out too hard, and which ones you should make your prey in the third mile. You are taking some time to strategize for the big battle, and you aren’t allowed to draw your sword until you pass the 2mile marker! The last mile, start to pick off your victims, and allow your mind to feel gratitude for how powerful and strong your body is. As soon as you can see that finish line, pretend you are Meb running down Boylston St in front of all of America and run with passion, tall and proud!

Wow! Not sure if I could do all that.

I only have accomplished the last part.

heading to the finish line in a 5K last May

I always think I am super woman and go out too fast. Then I die so I walk. I get it back and speed up and then I die again so I walk. Then I speed up through the finish line.

I am lucky that my fast segments get me through and I finish with a decent time.

She also suggests:

.. set A, B, and C goals for time. C is “meh, but acceptable, and I’m not going to let it kill my buzz.” B is “Yeah baby! That was solid! I knew I could do it!” And A is “That was out of this world insane! I thought on the perfect day it might be possible if everything went right.”

I can do that:

Goal A: PR (under 27:11)

Goal B: Course PR (under 28:56)

Goal C: Under 30 minutes.

But I found this quote from an ultrarunner about how great 5ks are despite the fact that they are hard:

The 5k race is a wonderful distance.

One of my favorite things about this sport is how it brings people together. People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, together in one place working for the same goal.

No distance does that better than the 5k.

Even at a 5k as small at this one, college elites were lining up next to runners out to complete their first race and kids barely old enough to understand the distance. 5k races are a family affair, and it’s fun and exciting to be a part of them.

How true!

That is what I will try to do. Keep Calm

and

Stay healthy.
Have fun.
Run 5 more miles after the race.
Win an Age Group award.
Run a course PR
Keep all miles under 10 minute pace.

and

Keep Calm.

Since Thursdays are for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

Happy Running! Do 5ks make you nervous?

April 8, 2015 by Darlene

“Older” Women Move

Yes, we do.

Take a lesson from 91 year old marathoner Hariette Thompson.

And Anne Garrett, who at age 80 set a Half Marathon record and then at 81, set a 5K record.

There’s also 99 year old Ida Keeling who sprinted to a 100m World record.

According to this NYTimes article:

Men, as might be expected, get slower as they age. At a recent five-kilometer race in Pine Beach, N.J., which drew nearly 1,000 runners, the fastest man was 24 years old and the men’s times increased with each five-year age group.

But the women were different — their times were all over the place with older women beating younger women in almost every age category.”

But with average runners, he said, older women may be faster because, oddly enough, they are trying harder than younger women and discovering for the first time what they are capable of.

Most middle-aged women grew up when track and cross-country teams were for men only. Some of those women, who had no opportunity to race when they were young, are just learning to be athletes and are running faster than younger women who may not care as much.

Have you read Margaret Webb’s book, Older, Faster, Stronger?

According to Joe Friel in his book, Fast After 50:

Aging doesn’t mean runners have to stop racing. It also doesn’t mean they have to slow down. High intensity workouts and strength training could be the keys to staying competitive.

Now let’s get personal.

I started running at age 55. I happily finished my first 5k at 37:36. At age 61, I PRed with a time of 27:11 and I plan to improve on that this year!

Biggest Loser 5K Run Walk