November 14, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Cold Weather Running Tips

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 Cold Weather Running Tips.

It’s starting to get cold. (In fact, there was a dusting of snow on the ground when I got up today.) I know it’s going to get worse. So there are decisions to be made:

that’s a fake smile. I hate cold weather!

1. Run in the morning. It is may be colder in the morning but it is lighter outside. I try to drag myself out of bed and run in my neighborhood before I go to work. You will definitely wake up when there’s a chill in the air.

there are lights in the park this time of year

2. If you run in the evening, run where there is light. That being said, it is warmer after work but it is already dark when I leave. So I always run where there are lights. That’s means that my neighborhood, the bike trails and the rail trail are OUT 😦 I don’t have a head lamp and even if I did, I prefer to run where there are street lights. So I choose to run near work or in the town where I live when I run after work.

iPad & water are my 2 necessities on the mill.

3. When conditions are bad, use the treadmill. When it is raining, snowing or too icy, I run on the treadmill (even though I hate it.) I use the one at work or at my “free” gym.

4. Invest in winter running clothes.

Layers are important – coolmax breathable shirt, fleece vest, windbreaker (I try to wear light, bright colors in the evening)
Tights (I usually wear a skirt or shorts over them – I am self-conscious about my thighs & I feel warmer)
Gloves (I wear cheap light ones until it gets very cold, then I wear thermal ones.)
Smartwool socks
Hat or headband

HMRRC 7K

HMRRC 15K - January

You don’t have to spend a lot of money. I buy most of mine at Target.

5. Wear YakTrax if there is snow on the ground. You won’t slip or slide.

they really work on the snow.

No matter what the weather, you still have to go out there and RUN!

Happy Running! Any other tips for running in the colder weather?

November 13, 2014 by Darlene

A Defining Moment

As I train for my TENTH half marathon, I started to think about how my running has changed and when?

For several years, I ran 1-1 1/2 miles several times a week and then ran a 5K on the weekend. I didn’t own a Garmin but instead used a chip attached to my shoe that tracked my mileage to a Nike+ app on my iPod. It wasn’t accurate but I didn’t know it at the time and it didn’t matter. My goal in running was to break 30 minutes in a 5K and I was happy when I did. Being in my late 50s, I was faster than most in my age group so I was content. I didn’t like the cold weather so I didn’t run during the winter months and started back up in the spring each year. I wore shorts, cotton tops and never heard of compression socks.

100_0235

jailhouserock5k

Then came my Defining Moment on October 24, 2010. I was scheduled to run my FIRST 10K. I was nervous and almost changed my mind to run the 5K.

But I got a migraine and couldn’t run it. In fact, I wound up in the ER with blood pressure of 197/109. They & I feared that it would lead to a stroke. They did all kinds of tests and all were negative but it was very scary. At the time, I still played tennis a lot but as I lay in the hospital, I worried that I would be an invalid and that I could no longer run.

The next day, I signed up for my FIRST HALF MARATHON! I decided to stop being a wimp and go for it. Life is short and no one knows what the future will bring. So I decided to go from running 3.1 miles to 13.1 miles. Just like that.

I didn’t tell anyone. My friends would have thought I was nuts and I also thought that I may not be successful.

So I bought compression socks, a running skirt and a Garmin watch. And I did long runs on the weekends to train.

my first Half in Naples, Florida (1/16/11 – my wedding anniversary)

My First Half Marathon was great — the best day ever. And I haven’t looked back since.

10k

15K

10 miles

I have run 4 milers, 5 milers, 10 milers, 10Ks, 15Ks and 8 more half marathons.

I’m not sure if October 24, 2010 didn’t happen, I would have signed up for that first Half marathon????

I continue to run 5Ks and I love them but because of adding longer runs, I think my 5K times are faster. (I recently had a PR.)

Happy Running! Has your running changed? Have you had a “defining moment”?

November 12, 2014 by Darlene

Stockadeathon 15K race recap

stockadeathon

This is my third time running this 15k race. In 2011, my first time, I finished in 1:36:08. I was injured in 2012 and then I ran it last year and finished with a disappointing 142:22.

This year, I was hoping for a rebound.

But since this was a brand new course…who knew??

My legs should have been fresh since I hadn’t run on Thurs, Friday or Saturday. (Yes I skipped my Friday run out of laziness.)

With over 2000 runners in this race, they were forced to make some changes to the course.

It no longer started and ended in Central Park. It also started earlier – 8:30 am

This is a description of the new course:

The Stockade-athon 15K course was modified in 2014 and now starts near Veterans Park in downtown Schenectady. The course travels west on State Street for 1K before entering the historic Stockade District and proceeding on a scenic bike path in Riverside Park along the Mohawk River. The course exits the Stockade District via Front Street after crossing Erie Blvd. The course then proceeds east on Nott Street past Union College before entering the historic GE Plot residential neighborhood via Lenox Ave, Douglas Rd and Rugby Rd. The course exits Rugby Road and proceeds north on Waverly Place near the 5K mark. The course turns east off Waverly and follows Grand Blvd to the city boundary with Niskayuna, then proceeds south on Dean Street to Central Parkway past 8k. After a 1K residential loop on Central Parkway, the course enters beautiful Central Park and follows a bike path around Iroquois Lake and Duck Pond before reaching its highest elevation near 12K. The final 3k is mostly downhill or flat as the course exits Central Park and proceeds west through historic Vale Cemetery and Vale Park before a final downhill section on Franklin Street to the finish at City Hall.

stockade-athon

To save time, I picked up my race packet on Saturday at Fleet Feet in Albany.

nice long sleeve tech shirt

As usual, I didn’t sleep much the night before the race. I woke up with a bloody nose (sinuses not used to cold weather, I guess.) I had decided what to wear but still wasn’t sure about how cold it would be. It was in the 30s when I got up and it was forecasted to warm up to the high 40s.

I left extra early not knowing where exactly to park. I got there around 7:15am and found a spot in a convenient lot a few blocks from the start of the race.

I walked to the YMCA to use the restroom and check my extra clothes. There I bumped into a few familiar faces.

with Bev, a former mah jongg player whom I have’t seen in a while

I used the restroom right away and was glad that I did since the line got very very long later on. I also decided to take off my extra layer (the shirt under my purple shirt) but keep my gloves. It was so nice to have some place to stay warm before the race. They even had water, coffee, donuts, fruit, etc. I didn’t eat anything since I ate breakfast before I left but did take a GU. (For some reason. it gave me an instant stomachache which never let up the whole race. Strange? I’ve never had a problem with GU.)

Soon, it was time to walk a few blocks and head to the starting line, Bev and I started together towards the front.

photo from Daily Gazette

As with any big race, it was very slow going at first. As the description above stated, we headed west along the Mohawk River into the Stockade section of town. (One criticism that I have read about the race is that you didn’t run as much through this area as in the past.)

photo by David Giacalone

I really liked this course. It was so varied that it also took your mind off the hills. With the large number of runners, I felt like I was always running with others and it kept me going.

Yes, it was hilly. The first half had a lot more hills but they were manageable. (Even I ran up them.) The second half had fewer hills but they were steeper.

During the first half of the race, the sun peaked out and there was no wind so I was warm (so glad I took off that shirt and regretted holding those gloves.) But during the second half, it clouded up and got breezy and I was a little chilled by the end.

After the bike path and the Stockade area, we ran past Union College and around various residential neighborhoods.

It was fun to spot many volunteers that I knew. The crowd support was great, as well.

This photo was taken by Elisa at the 5K point

We actually ran past my friend. Bev’s house. Her family was out front with a big sign that said: “You’re not old. You’re not slow. You’re Bev Skoll. Now Go, Go Go!!”

That made me smile. I yelled hello and tried to run “faster.”

I was trying to keep my pace around 10 but at this point I was starting to slow down. I had a stomachache and the hills were relentless. How could I not? I still felt strong and stronger than I had during the 10 miler 2 weeks ago.

Around mile 6, we entered Central Park with its rolling hills and pretty foliage.

10479095_10204157647595890_3881613154386506276_o

still leaves on the trees

I had at this point walked through both water stops and a few other times (including once to take a GU). My pace was still strong but my stomach cramps lingered on and I walked again.

I always smile for the camera.

Between mile 7 and 8 is where the BIG hills came. I walked up the first one. And it was the first hill that I walked up (those Troy hill runs must be helping.) Then I decided to run up the second because I heard it was the last one. It was so steep that when I got to the top, my legs were jelly and I could hardly run.

At this point, I was excited that the hills were over and I got a second wind. We proceeded to run through the cemetery and then through a park before heading DOWNHILL to the finish line at city hall.

gunning for a PR

When I saw the clock, I ran as fast as I could.

Yay! Got it!

As soon as I was done, I saw a bunch of SRMs and then I waited for my friend Bev, to cross.

I looked at the results and saw that I finished at 1:33:23 — 9 minutes faster than last year and a new PR by almost 3 minutes!! I was thrilled. I was 11th out of 29 in my age group. (No award for me…and they gave out nice pottery too)

I walked to the YMCA to change into warmer clothes and then went to Proctors to get something to eat. There was vegetable soup, pizza, bagels, cider donuts, fruit, chocolate milk, yogurt, and lots more.

I bumped into Bev again and we hung out and ate. Then we wandered over to the indoors Farmers Market — 2 floors of local baked goods, fruits, vegetables. Unfortunately I didn’t have any money on me so we just sampled the food and walked around.

stockeade

So this race was everything I hoped and more. The race was well organized and though my pace was slower than 2 weeks ago, I felt better. The hills slowed me down but I ran up almost all of them.

Good news! I did not get blisters!! I wore different shoes and put waterproof bandaids over the old blisters. (However, I’m not sure they helped because they felt off.)

Bad news! Upset stomach and lower back pain. (Dinner?? Shoes?)

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:49
mile 2 – 9:29
mile 3 – 10:03
mile 4 – 10:04
mile 5 – 9:49
mile 6 – 10:30
mile 7 – 10:35
mile 8 – 10:58
mile 9 – 10:02
.4 – 8:26

As you can see below, my pace for the 10K portion was 9:55 and then the final 5K, it was 10:20.

15k

Race Goals:

A: PR (under 1:36:08) YES!
B: Faster than last year (under 1:42:22) YES!
C: Finish happy and healthy (hopefully without any blisters!) YES!

Ibuprofen and a hot shower cured my back ache. The day ended with a Chinese dinner with my Mah Jongg group to celebrate 6 years of playing together.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? If so, how did it go?

November 11, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Race Recovery

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: Race Recovery

I don’t run marathons so I can only speak about recovering from a 10 mile race or a half marathon.

Rehydrate – I prefer just plain water.

Refuel – Chocolate milk is the best…then a carb like a bagel or a pastry.

Compression – If you don’t run in them, put them on after. (I always wear them to run.)

Ice – I don’t do ice baths but if cold water is nearby…

aaaahhh

Stretch – I’m not good about this…. but I like to walk around after so my legs don’t stiffen up. When you get home, use a foam roller, if necessary or even better, get a massage.

Rest – Don’t run for several days. Then ease back into it slowly.

Happy Running! How do you recover after a race?

November 10, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week: (Week 2 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI)

AM walk

week 7

Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis, dinner out after

AM walk – still leaves on the trees

Wednesday – walk at work, STEM group run + (4 6 miles)

AM walk

2 miles run/walk + 4 more after

Thursday – walk at work, rest, gym, mall walk with BFF

Friday-walk at work, ~~4 mile run~~, gym, mah jongg

Saturday – rest, ~~gym,~~ packet picket up

Sunday – 15K race, mah jongg dinner

PR!!

6th anniversary dinner

This Week: (Week 3 of HM training)

Monday – walk at work, 4 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@RPI)
Tuesday – walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, STEM group run + (4 miles)
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Friday-walk at work, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – 5 mile Turkey Trot training group run (@Knickerbocker Arena) – my 1st Sat group run + 3 miles
Sunday – rest, gym, movie?

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

November 7, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

Every Friday, three DC area bloggers Mar 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 Staying healthy & on track during the holidays

1. Bring healthy snacks to work. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to eat something unhealthy. This is what I always have in my lunch bag everyday.

2. Walk whenever you can. That means taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Eat a quick lunch and go for a walk. Take a walk after dinner.

3. Sign up for a race. If you do, you will be motivated to get out and run. Running burns calories, right?

4. Do some kind of cross-training activity that you enjoy– work out, do yoga, pilates, zumba, play tennis or whatever you can to stay active.

5.Get on the scale. I rarely get on the scale but I try to weigh myself more frequently during the holidays. Nothing like several lbs gained to make me lose my appetite.

Will I cheat? Of course but I try to make them worthwhile cheats on special occasions. (I have a weakness for desserts…)

holidayparty2013 003

christmas cookie exchange at work

Happy Running! How do you stay healthy & on track during the holidays?

November 6, 2014 by Darlene

15K this weekend!

stockadeathon

This is my third time running this 15k race. It is said to be the oldest “major” 15K road race in the USA.

I was the most prepared the first time (after 3 half marathons that fall) and got a PR.

2011 – 1:36:08

Last year, I ran it also and wasn’t as successful…not sure why.

2013 – 1:42:22

This year, I am hoping for a rebound… faster than last year!!

But since this is a brand new course…who knows??

With over 2000 runners in this race, they were forced to make some changes.

It no longer starts and ends in Central Park (I will miss those fire places!!) It also starts earlier – 8:30 am

The Stockade-athon 15K course was modified in 2014 and now starts near Veterans Park in downtown Schenectady. The course travels west on State Street for 1K before entering the historic Stockade District and proceeding on a scenic bike path in Riverside Park along the Mohawk River. The course exits the Stockade District via Front Street after crossing Erie Blvd. The course then proceeds east on Nott Street past Union College before entering the historic GE Plot residential neighborhood via Lenox Ave, Douglas Rd and Rugby Rd. The course exits Rugby Road and proceeds north on Waverly Place near the 5K mark. The course turns east off Waverly and follows Grand Blvd to the city boundary with Niskayuna, then proceeds south on Dean Street to Central Parkway past 8k. After a 1K residential loop on Central Parkway, the course enters beautiful Central Park and follows a bike path around Iroquois Lake and Duck Pond before reaching its highest elevation near 12K. The final 3k is mostly downhill or flat as the course exits Central Park and proceeds west through historic Vale Cemetery and Vale Park before a final downhill section on Franklin Street to the finish at City Hall.

stockade-athon

Someone on FB posted this commentary of the NEW course:

In the 1st mile, after you run down State Street and turn right onto Washington Avenue, you have to make sure you’re tight to the right curb on Washington as you get to the end so you can get into the path correctly.The short road up to front Street will be tight if you’re in a crowd and then it evens out till you cross over Erie Boulevard onto Nott Street. The @1.5 mile section going up Nott Street to Lennox and then up through the GE plot crossing Wendell and up Rugby to Waverley where you hit 5k is also challenging in that it goes up and it flattens out and goes up and flattens out 3X. At the end of Waverly, the right turn onto Grand Boulevard starts another @ 1000 m climb to mile 4 at the very top. At the top of the hill The course kind’ve flattens out and it’s @400 m to a right turn to Dean Street and then another 800 m to cross Union St. From there the section where you approach Central Park then go around Central Park and into Central Park again, through 7 miles is fairly flat, with what seems like an incline going up Dean Street. After mile seven going around the duckpond, maybe in about 400 m, you start to climb over two short bumps and then a general incline to the Central Park middle school.From that point down Bradley down Brandywine through the cemetery and down through Bellpark onto Franklin is about 1.8 miles of SAST course.

I can’t tell if the course is harder or easier. It still seems challenging.

To save time, I will pick up my bib on Saturday. It is more convenient than in the past since Fleet Feet in Albany is hosting early packet pick up.

Before the race, there will be a bag check at the YMCA in downtown Schenectady (2 blocks from the start/finish).

The Awards Ceremony will be held indoors at the GE Theater (Proctors) one block south of the race finish area. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about an age group award. Last year I was 24 out 29 – the speedy ladies will be there. Raffle prizes will be awarded at random to those in attendance at the award ceremony. Maybe I’ll be lucky.

Key Hall (Proctors) will be the location for refreshments, and just across the arcade hallway, runners will have access to an indoors Farmers Market.

There is also supposed to be more parking than before.

So I am pretty excited to run this race. It is local. There should be many familiar faces and I know that it will be well organized.

stockeade

Race Goals:

A: PR (under 1:36:08)
B: Faster than last year (under 1:42:22)
C: Finish happy and healthy (hopefully without any blisters!)

15k weather

And the weather? It will be cold….30s!! Hoping for at least dry, little wind and some sun!

I will be cold…got a jacket & pants for before & after.

Happy Running! Any running or races planned for this weekend?

November 5, 2014 by Darlene

How to avoid blisters?

not mine but this is where I get them

I have gotten blisters after 5 miles during my last two long races. And it sucks!

Saratoga Half Marathon – July 2014

I am wearing my RunningSkirts compression socks and Brooks Adrenaline shoes.

Perfect 10 Miler – Oct 2014

I am wearing ProCompression socks and New Balance running shoes.

So different shoes, different socks but the SAME blisters.

However, I did not get blisters during the two long races before that.

Adirondack Distance Run – June 2014

I am wearing RunningSkirts socks and the same shoes as during the Perfect 10 Miler. But NO BLISTERS!

Love Run – March 2014

I am wearing ProCompression socks and the same shoes as during the Saratoga Half Marathon but NO BLISTERS!

So the same shoes, same socks and NO BLISTERS!

I am thinking that maybe my shoes are fine only when they are new or that I need new insoles.

I do have 2 new pairs of Mizuno Wave Riders (which I got to test for FREE). I have been wearing them for training and short races. I LOVE the Wave Rider 18s but they are neutral not stability shoes and I am nervous about them having enough support for a long race.

my Wave Rider 18s at a 5K

Wave Rider 17s

I need to find a solution before my next Half Marathon in January.

I wore my Wave Rider 18s during my 8 mile long run last Saturday and I didn’t get any blisters.

I think I am going to wear my Wave Rider 17s for my 15K race on Nov 9 and use something like this:

Happy Running! Have you gotten blisters? What do you do to prevent them?

November 4, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Cold Weather 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: Cold Weather Running

I must say that I HATE the cold. I much prefer running in the heat but living in the Northeast, the cold arrives too soon and lasts too long.

I think that about sums things up.

Layers keep you warm but remember not to dress too warmly. If it is 20 degrees, dress for 40. The bottom layer should be breathable. You will sweat no matter how cold it is. My middle layer is usually a fleece vest and for the outside layer, I wear a windbreaker.

HMRRC 7K

I always wear tights with a skirt over them.

Wear wool socks, gloves and a hat. My head, hands and feet are what gets cold first.

HMRRC 15K

The infographic below is very helpful:

or use this tool that will suggest what to wear, based on the info you input – http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

If you run when it is dark, wear light colors, carry a flashlight or wear a head lamp or run where there are lights.

Running on Nisky Bike Trail

If it is snowing, wear Yak Trax, go slower and watch for icy patches.

I usually care what I wear in the warmer months. But in the winter, not so much. I try not to spend much money on winter running clothes. I wear race shirts and windbreakers. I buy dollar store gloves and buy my tights and skirts in Walmart and Target.

The important things is to just get out and RUN!

Remember:

beasts