February 8, 2015 by Darlene

My Project Repat Blanket is done!

Last month, I posted here about my excitement after ordering a blanket made from my old race shirts from Project Repat.

The first step is choosing the size blanket you wish them to make, and then picking out your shirts. I choose to have a twin blanket made and that meant picking out 24 shirts.

The hardest part of having this blanket made is choosing the shirts.

Because I had so many… close to 100. I don’t run in them but do wear some to bed or to hang out in. But most of them, just sit in a drawer (or two).

The majority of these shirts are from my beginning running days of 2008 -2010. In those days, you got cotton shirts at every race. Since then, many or most races are giving out tech shirts and if they a gender-specific and fit, I wear them to run. Also, for the past year, I have been sending all my shirts to JA my running buddy.

That being said, I surely had enough shirts for the twin blanket.

Most of the shirts that I chose were cotton but some were tech fabric shirts and when they put them together, you really don’t notice the difference in materials.

The website has a short video to help you with the cutting process.

Even though I don’t wear these shirts, I was a little emotional cutting them up. But as I did, I was remembering each race that the shirt represented.

There was one from my first 5k ever…

2008

one from a 5K walk that I did at a conference years before I thought about running…

one from one of my favorite 5ks…

one that I especially liked…

I also included the shirt from my most recent half marathon.

The next step is optional. You can decide where each shirt should be placed on the blanket and send them a photo. I chose to let let them choose the locations and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

The last step is to mail your shirts. I squeezed them into a small box and it didn’t cost much to mail at all. (But I live in NY and Project Repat is in Mass.)

As soon as they receive your box, you will get an email verifying receipt.

Then you just wait.

I only took less two weeks.

When I opened the package yesterday, I was so excited with the finished project.

Be sure to check out the Project Repat website and consider one of these blankets for your old race shirts. It is a great way to remember your races.

Happy Running! Have you had your shirts made into a blanket yet? If not, what do you do with your race shirts?

(Don’t forget to enter my Runner’s Choice giveaway HERE.)

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Disclosure: I was given a discount for my Project Repat blanket. There was no compensation for this post and the opinions stated here are my own.

February 8, 2015 by Darlene

Runner’s Choice Review and Giveaway

runners-choice-bott

If you read my blog, you know that my feet often hurt. So I was excited to try Runner’s Choice.

Runner’s Choice is made from 100% natural botanical oils of almond, eucalyptus, eucalytol, wintergreen, peppermint and spearmint.

It is designed for people who run 3 miles or more at a time.

Before and after running, simply apply it to your feet–no rubbing in needed. They recommend that you coat the bottom of your feet, in between the toes and the top & 2 inches above the ankle.

I used it before and after my 10 mile race last Sunday, after my run on Thursday and before my race yesterday.

I can’t honestly say that it has made a difference in my running. But afterward, I found it refreshing. And my feet felt restored.

TRY IT: One bottle of Runner’s Choice is free to everyone (one per household) in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia (only pay shipping charge) by ordering it here. If you have a blog and agree to review it on your site, let them know and the shipping charge will be waived.

WIN IT! 3 lucky readers from U.S., Canada, Europe or Australia will win one bottle of Runner’s Choice. To enter, click the link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Our Trusted Health Products Website!
Like Trusted Health Products on Facebook!

Happy Running!

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Dislaimer: I received this product from Trusted Health Products, but no compensation was received for this post. As always, the opinions stated here are my own.

February 7, 2015 by Darlene

Polar Cap 4m Race Report

polarcap15

I have run this race with blogger AJH several times and it was a tough hilly one but still fun.

Here we are winning AG awards in 2010

AJH got 2nd place...we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AG awards again in 2013

I ran with her last year but only she got an award.

AJH’s award in 2014

AJH was running it again and I was looking forward to seeing her.

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don’t like that hill at the end but apparently we only run half the hill at the beginning this year

during last year’s race

Also the weather was better than it has been – meaning it wasn’t snowing yet and it wasn’t sub-zero. But it was COLD!!! In the teens when I left with snow showers predicted.

So I bundled up in my usual running layers and drove the hour ride up to Lake George.

Believe it or not, the temps warmed up to the 20s (heat wave!) and I discarded one layer.

I was glad I got there an hour early because I barely got a parking spot. This new location does not have enough parking, Many runners parked elsewhere and may have had their cars towed.

When I got there, AJH was already there. (She is hard core – drove all the way from VT.)

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nice to have gender-specific shirts – short sleeved – in the winter??

I chatted with some runners that I knew who were trying to talk me into running a maathon.

Then I hung out inside with AJH until the race was about to start.

I felt a little pressure to run fast since I didn’t win an AG award last year. But you never know what will happen when you run a race and there are some fast runners in my age group. And this is a hilly course.

Previous Polar Cap Races:

2011 – 40:11
2013 – 41:40
2014 – 40:10

Runnin’ of the Green 4 milers (a flat course):

2014 – 38:07
2011 – 38:02 PR

Rabble Ramble:

2014 – 38:06

I have not been doing any 5ks or any speed work at all. My runs on the weekend have been long. So I was prepared for a slower time. Not a PR but maybe a course PR if I was lucky.

I remembered the race started going uphill and my legs felt sluggish. Luckily they felt better as the race went on.

I walked after the first mile when there was a steepish hill.

Then we went downhill for a while and it was slippery around the turns.

I just plodded along admiring the scenery and trying for a consistent pace.

This race has a very pretty course. You run past the lake (which totally frozen & snow-covered)

I really suck on the hills, I walked part of each one. On one hill, while I was walking, a woman yelled “Don’t walk! Shuffle.” I replied that I wish I could. (In the end, I did pass her!!)

heading toward the last hill

Unfortunately, the last half mile of this race is straight uphill!

polarcap 2

I think I walked twice on that hill because I wanted to finish strong. But I really had nothing left at the end.

Polar Cap 2015

I crossed according to the clock at 37:40! A NEW PR!!!!

I was generally happy with the race. I ran it faster than I thought I would.

AJH finished a little after me.

We went inside to wait for the age group awards.

There was soup and fruit and baked goods – I am a sucker for home-made stuff and ate quite a few cookies. I also had the soup and 2 cups of chocolate milk.

pc4m

And we both won awards!!! Woo Hoo!! AJH for the 8th time. She keeps her streak going!

3rd and 2nd

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:12
mile 2 – 9:31
mile 3 – 9:40
mile 4 – 9:44

(Garmin time: 37:38)

Positive splits!!. What else is new?

After AJH left, I was debating on changing my clothes and leaving or running more.

But with a big snowstorm coming, I decided to take advantage. So I decided to run to the Winter Carnival in town.

This was the first day of the event which is held every weekend in February.

I wandered a bit.

not sure what they were dressed up for?

Then I visited with friends who were volunteering.

The outhouse races were beginning but I didn’t stay to watch.

I ran around the lake and through the town and then to my friend’s house. I talked to her hubby for about 2 hours! Then I ran back to my car.

I wonder if the horses get cold?

I covered 4 miles in total.

I may have stopped here…

Next, I drove north to Bolton Landing. I ran to our marina, through town and to the Sagamore.

the marina – my happy place (in the summer)

I stopped in a few stores…

and inside the Sagamore before running back to car.

one last view of the lake

Another 2 miles covered!

You are never too old to set another goal…does this mean I should run a marathon?

I decided to call it a day and head home. (My LG friends wanted me to stop back for the car parade and the bonfire but I was pooped and wanted to drive before the snow started.)

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

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

February 6, 2015 by Darlene

Friday Five: Fitness Snapshots

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: Fitness Snapshots

1. Tennis – 1 1/2 hours of doubles this week (inside)

2. Walking – 9 1/2 laps of the building – it is still too cold to go outside.

still indoors

3. Treadmill – still too cold & icy sometimes to run outside. I ran on the treadmill TWICE this week.

this podcast is getting me through the runs

4. Yoga – I didn’t actually go to a yoga class but I am doing a few poses each day.

5. Running – yes, I did run outside in the cold too. Brrr!

Happy Running! How did you keep active this week?

February 5, 2015 by Darlene

February 5 by the 5th Virtual Race!

Laura at Mommy Run Fast hosts a virtual race called 5 by the 5th. The rules are that you have to run either 5 miles or a 5K by the 5th of each month starting February through May. There are prizes up for grab each month for those that participate and record their results.

I don’t do a lot of virtual races because I run so many actual races.

But this one is easy to fit in.

Well, yesterday we had a heat wave. It was 30 degrees. Tonight it is supposed to be -30 so I thought it best to get outside.

I drove to UAlbany where I ran last week because I thought that the path around the campus would be clear.

It was in a few spots but for the most part, it was snowy and slushy. I was slip sliding all over the place.

At every intersection, there were huge puddles. What a mess!!!

check at that huge mound of snow. More is coming this weekend.

But it was a nice night to run and a SLOOOW 5k completed!

Happy Running! Do you do virtual races? Have you been able to run outdoors?

February 4, 2015 by Darlene

January Recap

JANUARY GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.) – YES!

after work

on the TM 😦

near home

in the park and it’s staying lighter longer 🙂

uAlbany campus – a new route

Walk once a day while at work.- NOT really. Walking indoors is so boring so I have really slacked off.
Get some strength training or yoga done.- Very Little.
Run with a group when possible. No. Only in races but signed up for a group starting in March.

with Judy on Jan 3

Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon on January 17. NA. Ran a Half Marathon and a 10K race instead.
Complete a 10K race. YES!

HMRRC Winter Series #3 10K – 1:00:24

Complete a 15K race. YES!

HMRRC Winter Series #4 15K – 1:34:29

Complete my 10th & 11th half marathons. YES and YES!

#10 (Hangover Half) – a PR at the time – 1:18:33

#11 (West Palm Beach Half) – a Big PR and 1st in my AG – 2:09:40

Run at least 90 miles. Not quite. 82. (slacked off after the half)

jan15

What else?

I finished knitting a hat.

I spent 5 days in Florida as part of my Race-cation – beaches, birds and good friends

florida jan 2015 (100)

February Goals:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk several times a week while at work.
Get some strength training or yoga done.
Run with someone else when possible.
Do long runs on the weekend to start to train for half marathon on April 18.
Complete a 10 mile race
Complete a 4 mile race.
Volunteer at a race.
Run at least 80 miles.

Happy Running! How was your January? Anything special planned for February?

February 3, 2015 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Runner’s Nutrition

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: Runner’s Nutrition

I should preface this post with the fact that I do not eat healthy most of the time. I love my carbs and my desserts (esp. ice cream).

That being said, here’s what me, the runner, eats :

Pre-Race Meal (the night before) – Pizza or Pasta

I don’t like too much cheese or sauce. I prefer a thin crust.

Again, I don’t overdo on the sauce or the cheese.

Pre-Race meal (the morning of) – Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat

Sometimes I make instant and sometimes I make the real stuff. My favorite flavor is maple or brown sugar cinnamon.

Snacks before and after running – Protein Bars

If I run after work, I usually eat one of these before I run. On days off, when I run in the morning, I eat one after my run. My favorites are Balance bar (yogurt honey peanut) and Kind (vanilla blueberry). I also like Cliff bars (pumpkin & gingerbread).

Fuel during long runs or long races – Energy Gels

I love salted caramel and peanut butter. Now there are 2 new ones – chocolate peanut butter & root beer!!

I usually take one GU before a race and every 4 miles during a long run or race. I have never had any stomach issues with GU,

What I drink before run & during a race – H20

Just plain water…nothing added. And usually from the tap. I don’t like to carry water so I drink it before and after or loop back to my car. Races are perfect since they provide water.

What I drink after a run or a race – Chocolate milk

Not fuel but refuel. For some reason, after a race, this is the only thing I can eat/drink right away. It doesn’t upset my stomach.

Non-running related Nutrition:

Breakfast – Hot Cereal

I like this brand when I can find it.

Lunch (I snack throughout the day at my desk) – Bagel, Yogurt, Cheese, Apple

Dinner – Meat or Fish, Brown Rice & a Vegetable
Evening Snack – Ice cream (what else?)

My downfall is eating in restaurants and at other people’s houses. I have NO WILL POWER!

Happy Running! What do you eat as a runner? Do you eat healthy?

February 2, 2015 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #1)

Monday – rest, ~~walk at work,~~ ~~tennis~~ (Cancelled due to snow storm that never arrived)
Tuesday – ~~3 mile run on TM~~, 1.7 mile run (2 hour delay for work) ~~tennis~~ (cancelled, we got some snow)

Wednesday – ~~walk at work,~~ ~~3 mile mile run on TM~~, (too busy at work), dinner out with tennis friends
Thursday – ~~walk at work~~, 3 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF

new route – around the UAlbany campus

Friday- ~~walk at work~~, 4 3 mile run on the TM(too snowy, windy cold), mah jongg

except I listened to my first episode of “Serial” – hooked

Saturday – rest, errands
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #5 – 10 m race

a tough one – they can’t all be easy but at least it was sunny and less windy than last week

This Week: (AP Half Marathon Training week #2)

Oh no! 6 more weeks of winter 😦

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run on the TM at work, tennis
Wednesday – rest
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday- rest, mah jongg
Saturday – Polar Cap 4 m race + some more miles??, Lake George Winter Carnival
Sunday – rest

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

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

February 1, 2015 by Darlene

#TakeTheLeap with #Prana and #SweatPink Yoga Challenge!

Time for another Mad Lib!!!

When I think about yoga, the first thought that comes to mind is flexibility. Yoga relaxes me and makes me feel calm.

That’s why I am so determined to participate in prAna’s Take the Leap 30 days of Yoga Challenge with Sweat Pink. I plan to Warrior I my way to a more flexible and infury-free 2015!

For me, the biggest challenge when it comes to yoga is finding the time to do it! Taking the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink is a great way for me to face/conquer/achieve/find that time! My favorite place to yoga is Heartspace in Albany because it is so close to work and the instructor is great.

I am hoping this challenge will inspire me to do yoga every day. I can’t afford the time or money to go to classes. But there are so many online videos. I think I can squeeze in at least 5 minutes a day.

I doubt you see many pictures of my poses on Instagram. As I may have mentioned, I am not very flexible and so my poses are not pretty. It is also difficult to get pictures from a flattering angle.

However, I would love to see some yoga poses from my readers! Post one to Instagram and tag me!@dsc59

Come one! Take the Leap with me!

It starts tomorrow!!!

Join prAna and Sweat Pink’s Take the Leap Yoga Challenge and be eligible to win $500 worth of prAna gear and/or be the lucky winner who gets to gift $500 worth of prAna gear to one lucky winner. They just launched their new Spring collection so you best get on it!

If I win, I would gift my friend, Judy from FB, because she loves yoga!!!

Join the Take the Leap with prAna and Sweat Pink Facebook group/event which we’ll use for updates, sharing, and inspiration!And join the challenge on Instagram, Twitter, and your blog using the hashtags:
#TakeTheLeap
#prana
#SweatPink and of course tag @prana @FitApproach

And as runners, we know that yoga is great for running!!

Here are some past posts about just that –

Happy Running! Want to play? Just copy and paste the Mad Lib in fill in your own blanks! Are you taking 30 Day Yoga Challenge?

February 1, 2015 by Darlene

HMRRC Winter Series #5 Race Report

HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 15K (same course)

Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsors FREE races throughout the winter for its members. The course is pretty boring but free is free.

This weekend, they offered distances of 4M, 10M and 20M.

I usually run 8 miles on the weekend unless I need to do more for half marathon training. My next half isn’t for 11 weeks so I was tempted to take it real easy and do the 4 miler. Especially since I ran 13.1 miles and 9.3 miles the past two weekends.

But then again 10 miles is only a little more painful than 9.3 so what the hell.

during my last 10 mile race in October

So I signed up for the 10 miler and hoped my legs wouldn’t be too mad at me.

This would be my 4th 10 miler (all last year):

2014
Mayor’s Wellness 10m – 1:49:55
Adirondack Distance 10m – 1:44:39
The Perfect 10 Miler (in NJ) – 1:38:45 PR

It looks like I have gotten faster. I expected to have run a similar race to last week. I finished 9.3 miles in 1:34:39.

So my expectations for this one was to be around 1:40:00 or so. Since the race last Sunday, I had only run several times and they were short ones due to our snow storm and how much I hate the treadmill.

Believe it or not, it was even colder this week than last..

feb1

It was in the teens and single digits with the wind chill….my coldest race so far this year. When I heard that, I considered not going. I was hoping that at least the wind gusts wouldn’t be like last week.

So I bundled up and I left early to get parking since these races are crowded and there are other events going on at UAlbany. I got there about 45 minutes early.

What I love about this local race is that you get to see a lot of people that you know.

I immediately bumped into my FB friend, Judy. I got to chat with Sue from Adirondack Runners and met some of her friends who tried to talk me into running a full marathon. They were all running the 4 miler. Lucky them! I also got to see Patrick, my running coach from the Turkey Trot. He was the race coordinator this week.

I stayed indoors until the very last minute and then made my out way outside.

It was COLD!!! But sunny like last week (and less wind.) But COLD!!

This is the 5th time that I have run this course (two 15ks, a 10k and a half marathon) this season. It doesn’t get any better.

The difference this time was that those running the 10 miler started near the tennis courts and the first mile was a loop around the courts before continuing on to the two loops of the State Office campus.

I’m in the pink hat

The sun made the first few miles very pleasant. I even unzipped my jacket and took off my gloves.

Usually my legs feel very stiff and sluggish for the first few miles but this time, my quads really ached. It may be time to cut back on those long weekend runs.

I trudged along and didn’t walk until the first water stop at mile 4 or so. I took a Gu and walked for awhile. It felt so good to walk but then it was hard to get going.

I just told myself that this was simply a training run and just do it. (I tried to pretend that the snow was sand and the parking lots ocean – didn’t work last week and worked less this week.)

I ran most of the race alone except at the beginning when we ran with the 4 milers for awhile. At that point, I ran into someone from an old tennis team. I hadn’t seen her since 2002 and didn’t know that she was a runner. We chatted and it was nice to be running with someone.

My lower back didn’t hurt like last week. This time it was my upper back and left shoulder. It’s always something. At least I didn’t get blisters.

I walked again and again and took at GU at second water stop around mile 8.

At this point, the wind picked up and I zipped up my jacket and put my gloves back on.

I was so ready to be done and I had the choice of either running faster to end it quicker or just walking to ease the pain of running.

Well, I got a second wind and picked up my speed for awhile. Unfortunately it didn’t last.

The last mile seemed endless and I walked several more times. (At the mile 9 sign, my Garmin said 9.2…ugh…a long 10 miles).

It didn’t seem worth struggling to run. I knew I wouldn’t PR and I didn’t really care.

winter5-384

Finally I approached the finish line and mustered up enough energy to sprint. I wanted at least to beat 1:43.

And I did, I crossed at 1:42:50.

I couldn’t wait to get inside…

and have some hot soup (vegetable), bread and then, hot chocolate and cookies.

yummy

I finished 113 out of 145. They gave awards for the top 2 in each 10 year age group.

ws5

I was 5th among the speedy old ladies.

ws5

Considering how I felt the 2nd half of the race, I was happy with the results. It was a course PR (my 1st time on this course) and my 2nd fastest 10 miler ever.

Race splits:

mile 1 – 9:39
mile 2 – 9:55
mile 3 – 9:50
mile 4 – 10:10
mile 5 – 10:41 (water stop)
mile 6 – 10:26
mile 7 – 10:30 (short walk)
mile 8 – 10:46 (water stop)
mile 9 – 9:55
mile 10 -10:26 (more walks)
.1 – 7:16

As always, the second half was slower than the first but at least I got it back temporally for mile 9.

I was glad that I ran the race. I never regret running a race. Especially a free one.

But does it ever get easier? My pace since my half marathon has gotten slower each time.

As I said before, it’s time to cut back on the long runs .

Next weekend I am going up to Lake George for a 4 mile race. I am so excited to be leaving the gray, sceneryless HMRCC race courses. (Unfortunately it is an hour north and even colder up there!!)