March 21, 2015 by Darlene

Spring Races

It’s almost Spring (although it doesn’t feel or look like it) and time to fill up my racing calendar.

a 5 miler and a new one for me.

March 29, 2015 – in my neighborhood – my 4th time running it

April 11, 2015 – loved this last year – hope to win a pie again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time. My favorite 5k!

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

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

Happy Running? Do you have your spring races planned? Which race(s) are you looking forward to?

March 20, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Spring

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 Spring

Here are 5 things that I am looking forward to this spring:

1. Running in a skirt and without a jacket

I am sooo tired of layers…

Bacon Hill Bonanza

best cone ever!

2. Flowers

It’s hard to imagine the snow melted but it will happen. Seeing flowers in bloom always brightens my mood.

3. Returning to my usual running routes

My running has been restricted due to the ice, snow, puddles. I have had to run in the road or around UAlbany campus. I am looking forward to running in the parks and on the bike paths again.

4. My Next Half Marathon

I can’t believe it will be here in a month. No, I’m not training well at all but I am still excited .

5. Annual Tennis Vacation

This is female bonding at its best. We’ve been traveling together since 2002 and to Naples, Florida in May since 2005.

we always take a picture outside this restaurant each year

group photo on our last day of tennis lessons

Happy Running! What are you looking forward to this spring?

March 19, 2015 by Darlene

Thinking Out Loud Thursday

This Thursday is for thinking… so I am linking up with Running With Spoons…

And most recently I have been thinking about “what kind of runner I am”

When I was chatting on Saturday with runners around my age who run marathons, even qualify for Boston and think that an 8 minute pace is not that fast, I wondered whether I was serious enough. Could I be faster? Should I train more? Should I try to run 26.2 miles? They invited me to join them on a long run the next day. Run the day after a race? I don’t do that. I don’t run the day before a race. Give up my weekends in the summer to train for a long race? I won’t do that.

But I PRed at age 61 and I was happy.

the not so fast, not so driven but happy runner

Then Monday at the first Freihofer’s Training Group run, I was chatting again with women around my age who haven’t raced since the Turkey Trot in November and haven’t run much all winter because it was cold. In training runs, they run faster than me and were shocked when I beat them all at the Troy Turkey Trot. They were amazed that I ran all winter and how many races I ran and that I even ran a half marathon.

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This was the complete 5 pm group… I was part of the Advanced group – they gave us free water bottles

I’m the bored looking one at the left (pink shirt hanging out my black jacket)

I felt like a “rock star” and when after 20 minutes, they wanted to quit running, I made them run 10 more minutes.

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When it was over, I felt like running more but didn’t say so. Nobody wants to labelled an “overachiever.” Of course, on the way home, I decided that I may run a few miles next Monday before the training and if the weather is nice, run more after. Who cares what they think. I AM a serious runner.

Thumbs up to me…another PR and I am fast for me!

So what is serious for one runner may not be not serious for another. We all have different goals.

I am not putting down anyone who obsesses about drills, farleks, strides, intervals, hill repeats and laments about not PRing at every race.

Nor am I criticizing any runner who runs just several times a year and whose race goal to just to finish.

Just thinking out loud.

I have to remember this…

Happy Running! What are you thinking about today?

March 18, 2015 by Darlene

My California Trip Recap

The highlight of my trip was supposed to be my 5K race with Mary. But if you’ve been reading my blog, you know that my flight last Friday was cancelled and re-booked for Saturday. That meant that I missed the race!

DNS

Since Mary signed up because of me, when I didn’t arrive, she decided not to run it either.

After many delays, 14 hours later I arrived in Palm Springs!

After feeling the sunshine and warmth, I immediately changed from a bad to a good mood. And it remained that way, the whole stay.

view in Mary’s community

Saturday morning, we set out early to hike up the Bump N Grind Trail. It was forecast to be 90 degrees and was already warm when we left. Fortunately, it is the dessert and a dry heat.

on the way up

Mary climbs this all the time but me, I was doubtful that I was in good enough shape.

I struggled and we went slow but I did it!!

at the top

Then came the fun part. We ran down it!!!

It was awesome. This was the most fun I’ve ever had (almost as good as running a half marathon along the water.)

After our hike, we went to La Quinta Art Festival. it is supposed to be the best in the US.

It was really interesting. I saw a lot of beautiful art.

Then we took a drive because I wanted to see the wind turbines. There are thousands of them!!

That evening and all the rest of the evenings of my stay, we ate in, Mary cooked something healthy (followed by ice cream) and we went to bed early.

Unfortunately Mary had to work all week. She teaches Special Ed in Cochanella Valley.

So each morning, I went out for a run. On Monday, I ran 2 laps of her community which was about 3 miles.

On Tuesday, I ventured outside the community for 3 miles also.

It was so nice to be running in the sunshine with a skirt & tank top on.

how appropriate to see this on a run

Mary lives across the street from the Indian Wells Tennis Center which was hosting the BNP Paribas Open. I love tennis so this was perfect.

The downside is that there is a wall around her community so you have to walk almost a mile to get out and then another mile to the Tennis Center. Good exercise, right? (But it was sooo hot!!)

So Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I walked over and watched the tennis pros practicing, some qualifying matches and on Wed. the women’s round one.

Kei Nishikori whose coach is Michael Chang

Stan Wawrinka

my favorite Roger Federer

cool, huh?

It was awesome!! Much bigger and better than I could have imagined.

Tuesday, it was so hot that I walked home and sat by the pool.

Mary worked until 8 pm so I walked back to watch more tennis in the evening.

On Wednesday, for my last day, Mary & I went back to the Bump N Grind Trail in the evening.

It was a little easier this time.

And we celebrated with French desserts!

Thursday, I left and it only took 8 hours to get home with no airport waiting time and no flight delays.

Despite missing the race, it was a great trip. Mary was a super hostess and I hope next time, we can run a race together.

Happy Running! Have you had any fun vacations lately? Did you run or race during them?

March 17, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Rituals for Races

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: Rituals for Races

I’m not really superstitious so I have no lucky charms but below are my must-do and must-haves on race day:

Breakfast

I always have oatmeal–2 or 3 packages with almond milk. I try to eat 2 hours before the race.

Fuel

I always eat one packet of Gu before the race and one after for each 4 miles of running and only drink plain water.

Running Skirt and Compression Socks

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race_697_photo_14838692

Apple Run - October

No matter what the season or weather, I wear a skirt. They are the most comfortable for me. And because I still worry about my ankle, I wear compression knee socks.

My Garmin

It’s big and clunky but it tells me distance, time, pace…everything I need to know on one screen during a race.

My Road ID

Half in Naples, Florida

I got it for my first Half Marathon (in case I was found passed out on the side of the road) and have worn it every since. Once I lost it so I bought another and then found the first one. So now I have 2 pink ones (one velcro, one rubber).

race_697_photo_14832070

My iPhone

iphonerun

I carry my phone everywhere. I got burned once and I will never run without it. I also use my phone to take pictures instead of a camera.

Race Belt

stock15k

I have two different ones. I don’t like to put pins in my shirts so I attach my bib to the belt. It also allows me to carry a phone.

a Hat

You’ll never see me run without one. A wool or fleece hat in the winter and a baseball cap the rest of the year. I don’t like headbands and hats keep my hair out of the way.

Run for the Roc - September

Happy Running! Do you have any lucky charms or race day rituals?

March 16, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #7)

Monday – 43 mile run, watched pros practice & qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, walked 2 miles to & from

in Mary’s community

Tuesday – 43 mile run, watched pros practice & qualifying matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, walked 2 miles to & from twice

in the neighborhood outside the community

Wednesday – rest, fly home to NY 4 mile run, watched pros practice & women’s first round at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, walked 2 miles to & from, 4 mile hike/run with Mary

Wawrinka, Federer, Murray and Nishakori

Thursday – rest, fly home to NY
Friday- rest, ~~mah jongg~~
Saturday – 4 mile race +6 3 more miles

drizzling and cool but a PR on a new course

Sunday – rest, nails, errands

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #8)

Monday – 3 mile group run with FRW training group
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 4 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run at lunch, hair appt
Friday- 3 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – GOTR orientation, rest
Sunday – 5 mile race + 5 more miles

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

March 14, 2015 by Darlene

Runnin’ of the Green Race Report

rotg

This was to be my 8th 4 mile race.

rotg

Though it’s not a new race, it is a new course.

This very popular local race used to be run in Green Island (Runnin’ of the Green) but I guess it got to be too large so they moved it this year to Schalmont (which was farther away.)

I had no idea if it were flat or hilly so I assumed that it would be a little of each.

My past 4 milers:

Polar Cap Races (hilly):

2011 – 40:11
2013 – 41:40
2014 – 40:10
2015 – 37:40 PR

Runnin’ of the Green 4 milers (flat):

2011 – 38:02
2014 – 38:07

Rabble Ramble:

2014 – 38:06

last year

So I guess, my goal for the race would be to finish under 40 minutes.

Unfortunately, the forecast was for rain or freezing rain. I was not too happy. I HATE to run in the rain.

I woke up early to rain. I was not happy especially since if it were nice, I planned to run 6 more miles after the race. It was also cold – 30’s.

I wanted to dress like this:

last Sunday – 90 degrees!

but I adapted this outfit for the East coast climate – tights, long sleeved shirt, jacket, gloves.

indoors staying warm – 33 degrees!!

I left early since I didn’t know what the parking situation would be. But as it turned out, they didn’t get the attendance that they expected. There were half as many. I think many runners thought the new location was too far.

We got a short sleeved tech shirt which was unisex so too big,

I bumped into the usual folks that I see at the HMRRC races. We chatted and then it was time to go outside.

I made the wise decision to ditch the fleece vest because the rain had stopped (Hooray) and it was humid.

not a pretty sight

I made the obvious mistake of thinking I could keep up with these speedy ladies. I could not. But trying tired me out during mile 1.

There were timers at each mile and I finished the first mile a little over 9 minutes.

The course was not as flat as the old course but it was not too bad. By mile 2, I was exhausted. I crossed a little over 18 minutes but I was having a hard time breathing. I am not used to running fast. It has been quite a while since I have run a short race – like November!!

So I walked at the water stop and then continued.

At mile 3 which was around 28 minutes, I was done! I walked for quite a while. Secretly I wanted to finish under 37 minutes but that dream had faded.

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I struggled to finish and crossed at 37:27.

I didn’t know it at the time but that was a PR for me!!!

It never rained and I even got warm enough to unzip my jacket and take off my gloves.

done!

The refreshments, as usual, were decent – 2 kinds of soup, pizza, pudding, fruit, cookies, hot chocolate. I ate everything while waiting for the awards.

I hung out with those speedy ladies again. They are my age but much faster and they run marathons and the Boston Marathon!! Anyway, they are super nice and all live near me.

I didn’t win anything. I think I was 8th.

those speedy old ladies ahead of me!!

Considering that I have done no speed work and not much running lately, I was pleased with my time.

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:58
mile 2 – 9:05
mile 3 – 9:40
mile 4 – 9:23
.06 – 7:08

I drove home and decided that if it was not raining, I would run 6 more miles – 2 loops around UAlbany. I ran one very slow one and then it started to rain so I quit.

I planned on 10 miles but only got in 7. Maybe I’ll have better luck next weekend.

St_PatrickDay

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

Happy Running! How are you celebrating St. Patty’s Day?

March 13, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Day in the Life

This week, the theme is 5 Things in My Day/Day in the Life

Obviously I do more than five but here are the main things I do on a typical Friday:

1. Social Networking on my iPad

I start every day with the Today show, breakfast and reading e-mail, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin on my iPad. I get up extra early to fit it in.

2. One Minute Plank

I always (almost always) do my plank on the bathroom floor when I am waiting for my shower to heat up.

2. Work

Not the highlight of my day but it is essential – it pays the bills and pays for my races. I work in a law school in IT and help staff and faculty with technology. In other words, I spend a lot of time on the computer.

Yes, I am sitting most of the day. When the weather is nice, I go for a 15 minute walk outside in the morning and often walk at lunch. In the cold weather, I SIT!!

3. Running

Usually three times a week, I run after work. If at all possible, I run outside. This has been a very snowy, icy winter so my most popular route is been around UAlbany campus. They keep the path that goes around the perimeter pretty clear.

Once the snow melts, I will return to my other running routes in town and the park.

4. Mah Jongg

Every Friday night from 7-11 pm, I play Mah Jongg with a great bunch of women. If everyone showed, we’d have 12 – 3 tables but usually we have only 8 and during the winter, sometimes it’s only 4.

a mah jongg anniversary dinner – 6 years together

We play, eat, drink and chat… so much fun and “brain” exercise, too.

4. Reading

I cannot fall asleep at night without reading. No matter how late, I go to bed, I read. Sometimes it’s just a few pages and sometimes I read for hours.

So that’s my Friday.

Happy Running! What do you do on a typical day?

Wordless Wednesday

Running down the Bump N Grind Trail in La Quinta, CA

March 10, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Weight Loss or Maintenance While Distance Running

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: Weight Loss or Maintenance While Distance Running

I signed up for 4 half marathons – one in January, one in April, one in May, and one in June. That means I am running long on the weekends from October-June.

My goal is to maintain my weight although losing 5 lbs would be nice.

Each mile you run burns, on the average, 75-125 calories. For me, I think it’s around 100 calories. So you need to eat but not overeat. Seems pretty logical.

However, I realize that everyone’s metabolism is different.

But here’s what works for me:

Eat breakfast

Yes, it’s the most important meal of the day. I never run on an empty stomach. I always have oatmeal–2 or 3 packages with almond milk.

Supplement your runs.

You need energy to run. I always eat one packet of Gu for each 4 miles of running and only drink water.

Reduce your cravings.

I am a dessert person. I crave sweets.

During the day if I need something sugary, I’ll eat a protein bar or if I want a treat, I’ll buy a latte or frappuccino at Starbucks but I’ll have it non-fat and without whipped cream.