December 6, 2014 by Darlene

Last Run 5K Race Report

This is a very popular local race. It starts with fireworks and then you run around the lights in the park and it ends with a downhill.

Here are some pics from a previous year:

Last year, I ran this race in a blizzard.

http://mapgraphicsphotos.smugmug.com/AlbanyEvents2013/17th-Annual-Albany-Last-Run-5k/i-7jkHxRw

This year, the forecast was for heavy, cold rain. Not very inviting but this is always a fun race…so I couldn’t bail.

gray long sleeved tech shirt

I picked up my bib & shirt yesterday to save time. Then I pondered what to wear….the rain put a damper on my festive attire.

I decided to park at work and walk the mile or so to the race. I wore boots, a long raincoat & used an umbrella to stay dry until the race.

Then I wore a windbreaker, cap & running shoes for the race and stashed my wet stuff until after the race.

As I mentioned, it is a popular race and I bumped into all sorts of people — 3 ladies from my running group, Christine, a professor from work, my FB friend Judy and Andrea, my roommate for Love Run in Philly.

me & Christine

Andrea

We chatted until it was time to head out into the rain.

Yes, it was raining but not as cold as I feared. I lined up with Judy & we watched the fireworks until we ran our separate ways.

The race started with an uphill, went through the city before we entered the park.

My legs felt really sluggish. I couldn’t make any headway in the crowd. Maybe it was that I hadn’t run much this week (not at all Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday) or just the slippery road and the dampness.

I felt better once we entered the park and it was fun looking at all the lights. There were at least two hills that I remember in the park and I was proud of myself for not walking at all. I ran up them..slow but at least I ran.

The whole time I was running, I kept looking at the ground trying to avoid the big puddles and keeping an eye out for potholes (I did fall during this race several years ago.)

Finally we left the park and ran downhill to the finish. I wanted to finish fast but for some reason, I got a side stitch and had to slow it down and breathe deep to try to get rid of it.

It was dark so I couldn’t see my Garmin but I knew by the timing clocks that this wouldn’t be a PR.

The problem with getting faster and finishing your 5ks in 27:xx or 28:xx, you get cocky and expect to have a good race every time out.

Well, in a hilly wet race, this wasn’t going to be. I struggled to finish under 29. According to my Garmin, it was 28:56 but officially I finished at 29:02.

I went inside to dry off and change into my dry clothes and wait for the results. The refreshments were nothing to write home about — just chips & apples. (In the previous years, there was Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!!)

lastrun14

Well believe it not, I won 3rd in my age group.

Splits:

mile 1- 9:26
mile 2 – 9:25
mile 3 – 9:02
.15 – 7:26

Very usual for me to have negative splits.

So I beat my time from 2010 (29:15), my first Last Run. And even in the rain, I enjoyed the race.

Happy Running? How was your weekend? Do you run in a holiday race? Have you raced in the rain?

December 5, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five – Favorites

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 Friday Favorites:

Here are my five of my running-related favorites – the cold weather version: (the last time I did this theme was in July)

1. Favorite Race(s) –

Stockade-athon – this a is a very popular local 15k race. I liked it a lot but now that it changed its course, I like it even more. The course is varied… running through a park, cemetery, bike path, historic parts of town. It is challenging but you don’t have to train as much as for a half marathon.

Troy Turkey Trot 10K – this is also a very popular local race. I’ve only run it once but it is already one of my favorites. I liked participating in a training group for the race. It is well-organized with a lot of support from the town.

10K - 57:03 - PR

2. Favorite Apparel –

Compression Socks – Still. I wear them to insure that my legs don’t get tired but now that it’s colder, I have worn them with skirts on shorter runs to keep warm and with capris so I can hold off wearing tights as long as possible.

Stockadeathon - November

Hats – in the warmer months, I wear baseball caps to keep my unruly hair off my neck and the sun off my face. Now I wear them to keep warm. And I have already had to switch to beanie hats.

ttt2

3. Favorite Shoes – it’s no secret that I am fickle when it comes to shoe brands. I have worn them all. Currently my New Balance are second to my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s. It helps that I have recently run several PRs in them.

4. Favorite Fuel –

Gu – still my favorite for before and during – peanut butter, salted caramel or root beer. It doesn’t mess with my stomach so why change.

Chocolate Milk – for after. I bring some with me to have after a long run or a race.

5. Favorite Place(s) to Run –

Nisky Bike Path is my new favorite place to run on the weekend. It is scenic with river views, flat and you usually see many walkers, bikers and runners on it.

Washington Park is my go to place after work. It has hills and scenic views of the lake. I love the gardens in the spring and the Christmas Lights right now.

960090_10152426928399428_2134523640_n

Happy Running! What are some of your favorites?

December 4, 2014 by Darlene

I Love New York!

It’s no secret. I love New York.

I have been lucky to get down to the city several times this past year –January, June, September & in October twice (Oct 4 & Oct 25).

But, of course, I had to visit during the holiday season.

Last year, my friends, Mary Pat, Eileen & I did the typical tourist things.

nyc 12-413 (7) nyc 12-413 (13)

This year, our group grew and there were six of us.

We took the Megabus down. It was drizzly and cloudy but not that cold so we walked to the restaurant with a detour to Bryant Park.

IMG_4448-0

Then we had a nice lunch – I had a delicious soup, half a sandwich and a awesome pumpkin gelato for dessert.

IMG_4450-0

Then we went to a show. (It was raining and a perfect time to spend a few hours indoors.)

The show was very enjoyable. Idina Menzel was awesome. It was a little redundant and long but still very good.

photo op at Times Square

After the show we walked around trying to see all the window displays – Sak’s, Macy’s etc. before catching our train home. The rain had stopped and it was warmer than before the show,

But it was the night of the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and it was soooooo crowded so we skipped Saks and walked down 6th Ave on our way to Macys.

IMG_4457-0

We had dinner in Penn Station while we waited for our train home. We all lamented about how fast the day went and how we can’t wait to come back to NYC.

It was a great day. (Almost as much fun as my day running in Central Park.)

Happy Running! What is a must-do during the holidays for you?

December 3, 2014 by Darlene

Lights in the park & My Next 5K

litp

I usually run fairly often around the park this time of year to view the lights. I can get in a full hour run before the cars come. But this year, with my turkey trot training group run on Mondays and my volunteer Couch to 5K runs on Wednesdays, Monday night was my first run through the lights.

There are more than 125 displays. Here are just a few samples:

704790_10151562926529428_1879621912_o

704312_10151562923624428_973591593_o

478120_10151562924459428_128754320_o

960090_10152426928399428_2134523640_n

Here’s a virtual tour:

So now you know what my Dec 6 race course will look like?

Although the course changes from year to year, there are always fireworks at the start and you always run through the lights in the park.

I usually dress somthing like this.

This is a very popular race and sells out early. This will be the 5th time I am running this race:

2010 – 29:15
2011 – 30:47 (fell during the race)
2012 – 35:25 (1st race after stress fracture)
2013 – 33:16 (during a blizzard)

As you can see, anything can happen, especially with a race at night during December. If the weather is good, I am hoping for a course PR.

Until work’s out on Dec 19, this will be my favorite after work place to run.

Happy Running? Does your town have a festive place to run?

December 3, 2014 by Darlene

A Tale of Two Training Groups

I went from being a solo runner to running with TWO groups for 9 weeks.

And they couldn’t have been more different.

In one I struggled to run fast enough and in the other I struggled to run slow enough.

On Mondays, I ran in Troy with the Turkey Trot Challenge group. I was part of the “advanced” or 10K group which meant that these were runners who had run before..some even half marathons, I was probably in the middle, speed-wise but you know me, I wanted to keep up. And I think the drills and hills helped me get stronger and faster.

On Wednesdays, I ran in Schenectady with the STEM training group. These were women who are living in a shelter & are victims of domestic violence. They are out of shape and have never run before. Each of the volunteers usually paired up with one of the clients and started running for one minute up to 30 minutes. The ultimate goal for them to complete a 5K on Dec. 6.

Truthfully, it was hard to run that slow. I did my best, I ran circles, gave them pep talks and walked a lot. I had to forget about my own running and focus on their running. (I couldn’t think about how this 20 min pace is wrecking my training.)

So after each workout, I just ran by myself around the campus using the group run as my warm up. That worked out well.

IMG_4262-0

It was really rewarding to see how far theses ladies had come and the joy it brought them to be successful. I wish I could be there Saturday to see them at the race. (I have to work 😦 )

So both groups were enjoyable and valuable but in different ways.

One group helped and motivated me to become a better runner. In the other, I hope I did the same for others.

I plan to repeat both groups in the spring.

37th this year

There will a training challenge group for the Freihofer’s Run for Women that starts in March. And they hope to repeat the STEM program with the Troy or Albany shelter.

Happy Running! Have anyone of you volunteered in a Couch to 5k group or trained with a running group? If so, have you had similar experiences?

December 2, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

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: How You Stayed Healthy Over Thanksgiving

I don’t normally run this often but the holidays are coming up and there will be busy weeks ahead when I may have little time to get out there.

EXERCISE:

Monday: 3 mile run

after work with my training group

Tuesday: 3 mile run & 1 1/2 hours tennis

but indoors after work

on the track during lunch

Wednesday: home bound -SNOWSTORM!!

Thursday: 6.2 mile race

Friday: 2.7 mile easy run

Saturday: 3.1 mile race

EATING:

Thanksgiving: It was just me & my hubby so we went out to dinner. Usually we go to a buffet but my hubby didn’t want to and I’m glad we didn’t — you just eat what you get and no seconds – so no overeating.

my cat sleeps or lays around about 23 hours a day

Otherwise, I tried to be active, do errands, go to the movies because when you stay home, you snack.

And I do not have any junk food at home so when I am hungry, it’s fruit, cheese or yogurt.

Happy Running! How did you stay healthy over Thanksgiving?

December 1, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running update

Last Week: (Week 5 of HM training)

Monday – 2 walks at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI) – last one!!

AM walk

lunch time – can you believe that temp??

Tuesday – walk at work, 3 mile run during lunch, tennis

AM walk

lunch run on the track

Wednesday – DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~2 mile run,~~ ~~gym, yoga~~ (snowstorm)
Thursday – DAY OFF, 10K race, dinner out

and a PR!!!!

Friday- DAY OFF, ~~STEM group run~~, ~~gym,~~ 3 mile run, movie, ~~mah jongg~~

very good

Saturday – 5k race ~~+ 5 miles~~ (too cold)

1st in my AG!!

Sunday – rest, decorate, write out cards, mall walk with bff

This Week: (Week 6 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, STEM group run + ( 4 miles)
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – DAY OFF, trip to NYC!!
Thursday – walk at work, lunch time run?, hair appt
Friday- walk at work, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – proctor LSATs, (good luck to the STEM group on their 1st 5k), bake cookies, 5k race at night
Sunday – 4 mile run?, paint & sip with my mentee (to celebrate her b-day), dinner out

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 ?

November 30, 2014 by Darlene

November Recap

november

Run 3-4 times each week.YES!

after STEM volunteering

on the track during lunchtime

when the weather is bad

after work

Walk once a day while at work. YES!

indoors when raining or too cold

Participate in Turkey Trot Training Group Runs at least once a week. YES!

Volunteer in the STEM training runs once a week. YES!

Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace (if I run any.) YES!

5K - 58:16

Complete a 10K race. YES! and a PR!

Complete a 15K race. YES! and a PR!

Do long runs on the weekend in preparation for half marathon #10. YES on most weekends!

Run at least 80 miles. YES!

nov14

Go to the gym at least once a week. YES! Most weeks.
Start knitting hat #3 YES! and finished it.

DECEMBER GOALS:

Run 3-4 times each week (no matter how cold it gets.)
Walk once a day while at work.
Run with a group when possible.
Complete my 5k races with under 10 min/mile pace.
Complete a 15K race.
Do long runs on the weekend to train for half marathon #10 on January 17.
Run at least 80 miles
Go to the gym at least once a week.
Start back at yoga.
Avoid gaining weight (while attending holiday parties)
Spend time with my mentee

Happy Running! How was your November? Anything special planned for December?

November 29, 2014 by Darlene

Run Off That Turkey 5K race report

I wasn’t planning on running a race today.

Yesterday was a beautiful day…cold but beautiful. So on my rest day, I couldn’t keep myself indoors. The problem was where to run.

The streets and sidewalks were slippery and snow-covered.

So I drove to a bike path hoping it would be clear.

It wasn’t. Just part of it was so I couldn’t run very far and had to head out onto the streets. But it was so nice out…

I came home wondering about whether or not I should go to my last Turkey Trot Group run this morning. It is at the RPI campus and it is very hilly. Would it be safe to run there?

So I did what any race-addicted runner would do, I signed up for a 5K. I assumed that for a race, the course would be clear and I could get in a good run. (The group run started at 8:30 am and the race at 10 am…. it would be warmer, as well.)

I ran this race back in 2011 and finished at 28:11.

After running 9 miles in 2 days, I just wanted to get a good run in. I had no idea what my legs would be able to do.

And it was FREEZING!!! In the single digits when I got up and it warmed up to the teens when I left but the sun went in.

The race started at 10 am and I knew where it was so I left around 9:00 am. (I was glad that I decided not to run at 8:30 and got to sleep in and wait for it to “warm” up.)

I dressed similar to what I wore for the Turkey Trot except that I wore tights instead of capris & compression socks and a warmer hat plus a fleece vest as an extra layer.

Once I arrived, I realized that it started at the elementary school not at the church as it did last time. I was hoping that the course was the same.

I remember that it was an out & back course on village and country roads and that it ended running uphill.

I hung out with some familiar faces….the 2 older women that run every weekend. We chatted since I hadn’t seen them in a while.

we got gloves instead of a shirt

I also met a 40ish women who was running her second race. She ran her first 5k with no training and finished in 27 minutes. She was wondering about the course and how she could run fast. I had a hard time relating to someone who thought 27 minutes was slow but I humored her.

Eventually we headed to the start. There were close 200 runners. And we were all freezing while waiting to start. I moved close to the front since there were no chips.

The course was pretty with the snow on the trees and the mountains (Helderbergs) in the distance. It was cold!!! I had a hard time breathing or maybe it was the weariness in my legs but I didn’t feel like I could run fast. My new “young” friend sprinted ahead but I could see her the whole time.

The course seem flatter than last time. (Maybe I am in better shape from all those hills in Troy.) The problem was that you had to keep an eye out for icy spots and you couldn’t run the tangents since the turns were covered with ice.

I couldn’t wait to finish since my face was frozen & I couldn’t feel my fingers. I ran the whole thing. I was too cold to stop for water. (There weren’t any volunteers. You had to pour your own.)

And as I suspected, this was one of my slower races of recent. I crossed at 28:16. Not too shabby. Things considered.

I went inside to warm up…there was only cookies, bananas & water. The problem with non-chipped races is that it takes forever to figure out the awards.

In the meantime, they had raffles prizes. (I was one of the few who didn’t win.)

rott

But I did win 1st in my age group! Yay!

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:54
mile 2 – 9:16
mile 3 – 9:19
.14 – 8:33

Being that I didn’t register until yesterday, I didn’t have any goals other than run a good race and have fun.

Despite the cold, I enjoyed the race and I am glad that I “ran off that turkey.”

I made these when I got home

Happy Running! Did you run off that turkey?

November 28, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Gratitude

This week’s theme is: Gratitude

I am thankful for…

1. My hubby – he allows me the freedom to be me. That means patiently waiting for me to run or race before we go boating during the summer months and scheduling our activities around my running. I am grateful that he is there to support me.

lh5k

2. My Health – of course that means being healthy enough to do the activities I enjoy — RUNNING, tennis, walking/hiking, occasional yoga class. I don’t take it for granted. I have been NOT able to do it too many times. I am so grateful to be healthy all of 2014!!

first race after breaking my foot (July 2013)

This was taken in the courtyard below our room (on the 3rd fl).

first run after foot stress fracture (Dec 2012)

first race after ankle surgery (June 2012)

first race after strained achilles (walked half of it) – Sept. 2011

3. My Friends – I am still in contact with a few friends from high school and college. It is great to connect with them and reminisce (about the good old days.) I have also made a bunch of GREAT friends as an older adult from the activities that I do…tennis friends, boating friends, quilting friends, mah jongg friends, running friends, etc. And I also have several from work (all 3 of my careers.) All of these people are precious to me and I am grateful to have them in my life.

my friends from my junior year of college in France

my friend from my teaching job

my mah jongg friends

we always take a picture outside this restaurant each year

my tennis friends

my boating friends

me, Linda, Don, Sue, Joyce & Nancy 20 years later

my friends from high school

my work buddy who motivates me to walk every day

4. Social Networking – Facebook, Instagram, Blogs, etc. The people I connect with are my virtual friends. I have met new people and can connect with ones that live too far away to see. I have learned a lot from Facebook and from my fellow Bloggers. Sometimes I have been lucky enough to meet them in the flesh. So I guess I am grateful for the Internet and those smart folks who have invented software that can connect people.

I met Judy through FB

I met Andrea through blogging

I met Elisa through FB

I met Jen & Felice through FB & blogging

5. Running! Running has changed me. I discovered it late in life (at age 55). It has made me more confident, independent and I feel healthier and younger than ever. I am most grateful to this sport and what it has given me.