September 9, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall race plans

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: Fall Race Plans

For the first time in recent years that I have been healthy, I am NOT running a Half Marathon!

Yes, I thought about it … a lot…but it is hard to train in the hot weather and I am busy with boating on the weekends. So I decided to skip it this fall.

Instead, I am running for enjoyment and doing short races except for two longer ones:

The Perfect 10 miler on Oct 26.

Oct 26, 2014

It is a new race for me and supposedly flat. I am going to combine it with a visit to a former college roommate in New Jersey. The race is all-women and in addition to a medal, you get a hoodie.

and

The Stockadeathon 15K on Nov. 9.

Nov. 9, 2014

This race is the oldest 15k in the country. I’ve done it twice before. It is challenging but lots of fun. This year they changed the course. I’m going to miss the big fireplace in the park to warm up. The start and finish activities will now be indoors.

Now here are some of the shorter races that I plan to run:

Run for the Roc 5k on Sept 28.

This is a new one for me but it’s at the race track in Saratoga and sounds like fun.

Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K on Oct 4.

This 5k was recommended to me by a runner from Conn. and her friend. I hope to see them again at the race.

Falling Leaves 5K on Oct. 11

I ran this one several years ago and liked it. It was my first age group win, I think.

Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k on Oct 18.

I have signed up for this race but never run it. This is the year! It takes place in Saratoga National Park which is a very pretty place to run.

Troy Turkey Trot 10K on Nov 27.

ttt

This is the most popular race in my area. I have always avoided it because it is so crowded. The local 5k that I usually run has changed to be non-timed so I think I’ll give this one a shot this year.

These are the races that I have signed up for so far.

But you know me, I may even add a few more.

Happy Running! What are your fall racing plans?

September 8, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – DAY OFF – 4.5 mile run, boating

Tuesday – 2 walks at work, rest, dinner with a friend

AM walk

PM walk

Wednesday – 3 mile run, walk at work

before work

AM walk

Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF

AM walk

HUMID run after work in the park

Friday- ~~2 walks at work,~~ rest
Saturday- 5K race , mah jongg party at the river

tough conditions but won 3rd in my AG

Sunday – 5 7.5 miles, mah jongg party at the river

PERFECT running weather

we even played a little mah jongg

This Week:

Monday – walk at work, rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run, walk at work, rest, tennis
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, rest, exercise class at work
Friday- walk at work, 4 mile run, mah jongg
Saturday – rest, boating?
Sunday – 5K race+ 5 miles

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

September 6, 2014 by Darlene

Malta 5K race recap

I have been running 3-4 times a week for 3-4 miles on each run. But I haven’t done a race in a few weeks so I was looking forward to this 5K.

It was my third time running this one so I was familiar with the course.

The course is very boring…you are running around chip plants but the loops let you see the fast runners and all those runners that are behind you twice during the race.

In 2013, I finished in 29:49 (recovering from a broken foot). In 2012, I finished in 29:53 (recovering from a broken ankle). So since I was healthy, I was hoping to finish faster but still not confident based on my slow training runs.

This year, I didn’t get lost and arrived plenty early. The publicity for the race worked, there were a lot more runners this year – about 900, I think.

at the start

I am not going to be a Debbie Downer and complain about everything.

So here’s the good:

I finished at 28:47, a course PR and won 3rd in my age group – $50 gift card to the Recovery Room restaurant.

Now here’s the rest of the story:

Whatever I ate yesterday kept me up most of the night. Then I spent most of the morning in the bathroom.

It was 75 degrees and 95% humidity at 7 am when I left for the race. I was feeling pretty nauseous and the weather didn’t help.

Last year, there was chip timing so I didn’t start close to the front.

It was very crowded at beginning and hard to get moving.

Once I started running, I actually felt better.

But boy was it humid. I was sweating and I don’t usually sweat. I was almost hoping that it would start to rain. That never happened. The sun even came out at times.

As usual, I went out faster than I should have. I think I hope to PR and am delusional about my speed.

I was dying at the halfway point and luckily there was water. I walked for a while knowing that my first mile was fast.

I walked twice more during the 2nd mile…one time was at that same water stop.

I don’t look as bad as I felt

By mile 3, I was really struggling. I think it was the humidity that was making it hard for me to breathe. So I walked once more.

I was not disappointed in my walking. I knew that I had to or I would be sick.

I normally can sprint across the finish line but this time, I just ran.

I am dripping of sweat.

There was a lot to eat but the best part was 2 kinds of chocolate milk.

I bumped into several runners that I knew and hung around with them until they had the awards.

malta5k agaward I was surprised that I won. (And they didn’t have net times this year.)

malta5k

Splits:

mile 1- 8:51
mile 2 – 9:22
mile 3 – 9:43
.1 – 7:30

So positive splits but that’s the way it is with me! I’m ok with it.

I was possibly going to continue north to the lake or to the river but I was so sweaty and tired that I drove back home to take a shower, eat and watch the semi-finals of the US Open.

Race Goals:

run each mile under 10 min. YES!
run the whole thing – NO!! walked 4 X
set a course PR – YES!
win a age group award – YES, 3rd.
have fun & stay healthy – YES!

No races scheduled until a 5K on Sept 28…but that could change.

Happy Running! Any running/racing plans for the weekend?

September 5, 2014 by Darlene

Friday Five: race day rituals

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 Race Day Rituals.

Here are the 5 things that I do before every race:

1. Check the weather forecast over and over.

I look at weather.com, accuweather.com and many more to try to figure out what to wear. Of course, although I can’t change the weather, I keep checking for a better forecast.

sept6a septw

2. Plan my outfit the night before.

I need to make sure I don’t forget anything. I always include my Garmin, my RoadID and my race belt.

3. Eat a Pre-Race meal.

I always eat hot oatmeal or cream of wheat. I used to drink coffee. Now I drink tea. When I’m not at home, I bring my breakfast with me.

4. Bring fuel and water to the race.

Even at short races, I eat a GU before I start. I also bring water to water before the race since sometimes it is not available. For longer races, I bring one GU for each 4 miles.

5. Bring extra clothes for before and after.

I may need a jacket and pants for before and/or after the race when it is cool out. Or I may need dry clothes if I am sweaty or rained on.

Happy Running! What are your race day rituals?

September 4, 2014 by Darlene

Back at it

I mean racing. I haven’t done a race in a few weeks.

But I have a 5k on Saturday.

It’s my second time running this one.

In 2013, I finished in 29:49 (recovering from a broken foot)
In 2012, I finished in 29:53 (recovering from a broken ankle)

So I guess since I am healthy, I should finish faster. But you never know what will happen on race day.

This is the third year of the race and they have been promoting it a lot. I heard they were hoping for 1500 runners.

Race Goals:

run each mile under 10 min.
run the whole thing
set a course PR
win a age group award
have fun & stay healthy

Happy Running! Any running/racing plans for the weekend?

September 3, 2014 by Darlene

Running, Boating, Running, Boating

Yup, that was how I spent my Labor Day weekend.

The weather wasn’t perfect but I’ll take it. It beats winter!

On Saturday, which was a nice day, I stayed home until dinner, doing housework, errands and then joined the hubby at the marina for dinner.

On Sunday morning, I had an awesome run in that 90% humidity.

Well, awesome because I was running along Lake George. Instead of my usual run around the Sagamore hotel are, I decided to run south on 9N.

It is rolling hills (the reverse direction of my the Adirondack Distance Run) and I walked whenever I felt I needed to.

looking south

not a sunny day but the ducks don’t care

cool old house, now a gift shop

I turned and ran around the cemetery before heading back to the marina.

old school house, now a store

I completed a total of 4.5 miles. I would have liked to do more but everyone was waiting at the marina to head out on the lake.

It was the annual Christmas in Log Bay party but it was looking like rain.

And it drizzled all day but none of the predicted hard rain and thunderstorms materialized. Lucky us!

there are usually hundreds of boats

my hubby pulled folks around using his dinghy

our friend on his kayak

now that’s a big float, later on, they had 15 people squeezed on it

Santa & Mrs Claus handing out candy to the boaters

Yes, the live band still played and everyone had fun despite the lousy weather.

By evening, it had cleared up. We went out for pizza and then had birthday cake while watching the fireworks. (This was a weekend of unhealthy eating!!!)

I got up early the next morning, Labor Day. I usually don’t run two days in a row but it was going to be a picture perfect day and I couldn’t resist. It was warm and very foggy over the water.

I decided to run on 9N again but this time going north.

UPHILL!!

Again, there was a lot of walking involved. I’m ok with that.

Eventually I turned into a housing complex and continued my run…now going downhill.

I ran all the way until it ended at the water.

And then I had to go back. I could barely walk up the hill. But I knew as soon as I got to the main road, I would be running downhill.

beautiful blue sky away from the lake.

I made a quick detour over the Sagamore bridge.

I finally arrived back at the marina to a clearing sky.

After another 4.5 miles completed, we headed out on our boat.

We decided to dock at one of our favorite spots.

10514194_10204429856377541_8946981232617097207_o

this was my view from the site on Log Bay island

Then some friends stopped by to visit.

Finally, we rode around for a while, stopping at another of our favorite sites.

the view from Red Rock Bay island

The sun was going down and time to call it a day (and have our post-weekend ice cream.)

Labor Day weekend always makes me sad. It feels like the end of summer.

Happy Running! Do you feel the same about Labor Day weekend?

September 2, 2014 by Darlene

Tuesdays on the Run: Dressing in Costume

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: Racing in Costume. Yay or Nay?

I’d say: It depends on the race and if you are racing with someone who is dressing up.

For me, it’s mostly a “No.”

I haven’t done any Disney races but even so I’m not sure if I would make the effort.

Also I also always go to races alone (although I usually know people at the race.)

I did dress up for a Halloween-themed race and most runners did not.

I am a “parrot head”

I’ve added some holiday-related accessories to my racing outfits from time to time.

I do, however, love seeing other racers who dress up. I admire their enthusiasm and creativity.

Are they the cutest? from http://littlefruitfly.blogspot.com

Tips on Racing in Costume:

Try out your costume before the race. In other words, make sure that it is comfortable to run in. Wear breathable material. Avoid masks & hats that fall off.
Wear what you are comfortable wearing. Wear a costume because you really want to not because you think everyone else will be.
If possible, coordinate your costume with a friend. It’s more fun that way.
Be prepared to sacrifice PRs for racing costumes. You’ll want to take advantage of those photo ops.

Happy Running! Do you race in costume?

September 1, 2014 by Darlene

Monday running update

20140625-122436-44676505 Last Week:

Monday – 2 walks at work, rest

AM walk

Tuesday – 3 4 mile run before work, 2 walks at work, rest, tennis

but it was 4 miles with perfect temps

AM walk

PM walk to the park

Wednesday – walk at work, 3 mile run after work, ~~yoga~~

AM walk

Thursday – DAY OFF – trip to the US Open

long day (7 am – midnight) but so much fun!

Friday- ~~walk at work~~ (too tired), 3 4 mile run, ~~mah jongg~~

Saturday – ~~7 mile run~~, rest, dinner on the lake
Sunday – 4.5 mile run, boating (Xmas on the lake party)

This Week:

Monday – DAY OFF – 4 mile run, boating
Tuesday – 2 walks at work, rest
Wednesday – walk at work, 4 mile run
Thursday – walk at work, 4 mile run, mall walk with BFF
Friday- 2 walks at work, rest, mah jongg
Saturday & Sunday – 5K race + more miles, mah jongg party at the river

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

August 31, 2014 by Darlene

August Rundown

August Goals:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week. YES!

Continue planks. Not often.
Go to Yoga at least 2x. Nope! Not at all (but my yoga instructor is out with Lyme disease.)
Walk at least once a day at work. YES!