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Spring Time and Racing

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

  • LoveRun Half Marathon in Philadelphia, PA
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March 30, 2014

  • Delmar Dash in Delmar, NY
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April 6, 2014

  • Bacon Hill 5k or 10k in Schuylerville, NY

April 12, 2014

  • Rabbit Ramble in Guilderland, NY
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April 19, 2104

  • Cherry Blossom 5k in Niskayuna, NY

April 27, 2014

  • Spring Run Off 10k in Albany, NY
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May 3, 2014

  • Mom’s Day 5K in Albany, NY
May 11. 2014

May 11. 2014

  • Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K in Albany, NY
May 31, 2014

May 31, 2014

Happy Running?  Are you excited for Spring?  What races do you have planned? 
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Racing Bucket List

I am lucky to have done some amazing things in my life. Check out my Reverse Bucket List. And only 3 out of 32 involve running.

So what is on my Racing Bucket List? (Since I started running almost 6 years ago, many of the items, I have already done but not ALL):

1. Run a 5k race. CHECK.

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Freihofer’s 5K

2. Run a 10K race. CHECK .

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Helper’s Fund 10K

3. Run a 15K race.  CHECK.

Stockadeathon

Stockadeathon 15K

4. Run a HALF MARATHON. CHECK.

Half in Naples, Florida

Naples Half Marathon

5. Run over a BRIDGE. CHECK.

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Ringling Bros Bridge (Sarasota, FL)

6.  Run along a LAKE. CHECK.

Camp Chingachgook 10K

Lake George (Camp Chingachgook  10K)

7. Run a DESTINATION race. CHECK.

Mayor’s 10 miler in Palm Springs

8. Run along the OCEAN.

9. Run in another COUNTRY.

10. Run in CENTRAL PARK, NYC.

11. Run on a BEACH.

12. Run with a FAMILY member (my hubby or stepson.)

13.  Run a POPULAR half marathon (more than 5,000 racers.)

What’s not on my Bucket List? (nothing is written in stone…)

  • Run a Marathon.
  • Run a Disney Race.
  • Run a fun race (color, neon. etc.)
  • Run a obstacle race.
  • Run a triathlon.
  • Run an ultra.
  • Run a trail race.
  • Run a (Ragnar) relay race.

Happy Running!  What’s left on your Running Bucket List?

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The Last Long One…13 days till 13 miles

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I usually do my long runs on the weekend but this was a 12 miler and I ran a 4 mile race on Saturday.

I didn’t want to add on 8 miles on Saturday after the race nor did I want to run 12 miles on tired legs on Sunday.

I wanted to run 12 miles in one shot and at my slow half pace so….

So I took Monday morning off from work.

Yes, I took time off to run!!

I had to get up early and get it done because I could only take a half day off.

To save time, I ran from my house and I planned to repeat the course that I ran for my last 11 miler but add on a mile.

I got spoiled running on Saturday in 40 degree temps.

Yesterday morning it was in the single digits with the wind chill.  Brrrrrrr!

I donned my winter apparel but still froze my face off when running into the wind.

At least it was sunny and there were no puddles on the sidewalks (just ice in rare spots.)

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To get the extra 1/2 mile, I added a short detour and then stopped to buy water at the coffee shop (I hate to carry anything).

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photo from last week

Guess what, they had NO bottled WATER!!  They also had no mini cupcakes.  I was tempted to buy a larger cupcake but no one offered to give an obviously thirsty runner a cup of water, so I changed my mind. (Remember how I stashed my water there last week but forgot it….it was still there, but frozen.)

I continued down the street and stopped at Stewarts.  The water was cheaper and I took a Gu (and hid the water for the way back).

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passed the clock again …less snow each week,

I turned around at 6 miles and headed back.

I did another detour that was different the first and stumbled upon what might be a park with trails?

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I also remembered to drink my water.

Although my pace for this run was a little better than last week’s, the first half was a lot faster than the second (the reverse of last week.) It was still slow but as I know from past experiences, my race pace is always better than my training runs.

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experimenting with compression sleeves (left leg) instead of socks…$9.99 at Marshalls

I had to rush to get to work…no time to stop at Stewarts to get my $.50 ice cream cone for St. Paddy’s Day (Maybe later. 12 miles…I earned it!!)

Happy Running! Have you ever taken time off from work to run?

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Monday Running Update

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Last Week:

(It is a slow work week since the profs & students are on break, so a co-worker & I decided to walk 1 mile 2x a day.)

  • Monday – rest, 2 miles walked at work, tennis

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  • Tuesday – 4 miles on TM at lunch, 1 mile walked at work, tennis

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  • Wednesday – 2 miles walked at work,  3 miles on the tm (rain)

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  • Thursday – 1 mile walked at work, 4 miles on the tm (messy snow)
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indoors but looking outside

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TG for “Nashville”…Downton Abbey is already on hiatus

  • Friday –  2 miles walked at work, rest, mah jongg
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indoors

  • Saturday –  4 m race

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  • Sunday –  rest

This Week:

  • Monday – 12 miles (morning off from work)
  • Tuesday – rest, tennis
  • Wednesday – 4 miles on tm during lunch, dinner out
  • Thursday – 3 miles
  • Friday –  4 miles, mah jongg
  • Saturday –  rest, movies with my mentee (Divergent)
  • Sunday –  8 miles

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

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One Year Ago and Two Weeks To Go

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I’m the one in front in blue

ONE YEAR AGO, I was in Sarasota, FL nervously wondering if I could run 13.1 miles after serious ankle surgery and then a foot stress fracture.

AND I DID IT!!

It made me believe that I was invincible!!!

This Strong Running Mama also attempted another half marathon. This time after a broken foot.

Of course, though I only have some minor aches and pains (foot & hip),  I don’t feel confident in my ability to run 13.1 miles in TWO WEEKS!

Yes, I will finish (even if I have to crawl.) But the competitive me wants to PR. And my training runs don’t seem to indicate that it’s a possibility.

Nevertheless, I am super excited about this race.  I am running with 4 others (2 that I know & 2 that I don’t). I leave Friday evening and come back Sunday night.  It should be a fun quick getaway weekend.

Happy Running!  How do you deal with the pressure of a big race?

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Runnin of the Green Race Report

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I ran this race 3 years ago and really liked it. It is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02).  But back in 2011, I was running faster.

That is the course map.  This is a very popular race.  Around 800 registered and it sold out in 48 hours.

Since I have a half marathon in 2 WEEKS, I was not planning on running this race since this weekend would normally be my 12 mile long run.  But I changed my mind and signed up so I ran 11 last weekend and planned to do my 12 miler Monday morning (taking time off from work.) instead.

 I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early.  I didn’t get a spot in the closest lot but a spot on the street behind the legion hall.  I picked up my race packet and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into many runners that I knew and we chatted until it was time to start.

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nice long sleeve women’s tech shirt

Here are some pics from the 2011 race:

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery.  Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was breezy and cloudy.  I decided to wear my green wind breaker & tights.

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with some cute socks

Right before the race started, I ditched my fleece vest (that I had on underneath my jacket) and my gloves.  So glad I did. I was sweating by the end of the race. (It had warmed up to the 40s and the sun even peaked out.)

Right before the start, I bumped into some more familiar faces.

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SRMs – Karen, Bridget, Felice & Gail (not in photo)

We started together.  Then Felice sped ahead and I ran for a short time with Bridget and Gail.

I couldn’t keep up but just trying kept my first mile fast (for me.)

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The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat.  Just lots of twists and turns – it kept the course interesting. There are just a few uphills but nothing bad at all.

Running of the Green

J. Berkley photo

In fact, I didn’t walk at all.  I didn’t even stop for water.  Not I didn’t want to, but I wanted a decent time more.

I was really dragging, though, during the last mile and feeling very warm & nauseous.  But when I saw Felice near the finish line, I gave it all I had.

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38:07 (net time) 38:19 (clock time) (Yay! I met my under 39:59 goal time!!)

Not a PR but much better than I thought I could run.

Split times:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:36
mile 3-  9:36
mile 4 – 9:44

After you finished, you got a beer glass & a toothbrush.

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In addition to age group awards, they were giving away 31 gift cards.  So I stuck around chatting with some runners and munching on pizza, bagels, cookies, etc.

No chance for a AG award.  This race attracts the fastest runners in the area.  I didn’t win a gift card either.

I was happy with my finish time (I wish I could run this fast when I am running alone.)

Runnin of the Green is a  fun race that I will probably do annually.

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I almost finished in the top half (There were about 750 runners).

When I got home, I thought about running more but my Achilles felt a little tight so I decided that it would be best to wait until Monday for my long run.

I did reward myself with this:

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mint/vanilla twist – Yum!

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

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Foto Friday

Three out of 4 of my cats:

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Honey

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Slater

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Jerry

and 2 beach pics:

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They all make me smile 🙂

Happy Running! What has you smiling today?

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Another Snowstorm and Another Race

Enough Already.

It is March!!

Work is slow since the professors and students where I work are on break.

So Tuesday, a co-worker and I walked outside in the morning for 1 mile.

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Then I took an unplanned lunchtime run OUTDOORS.

It was 54 degrees!! How could I not?

So I sneaked out to run 4 miles in the sunshine.

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sunny so I could see my shadow

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where I work – love that blue sky

It was so nice out that I also didn’t mind the wind and all the puddles.

Yesterday and today were predicted to either snow or rain or both.

And that’s what we got plus WIND!!

Yesterday my co-worker and I walked a mile in the morning and another mile in the afternoon but this time inside (laps around the first floor – BORING!)

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And yes, I match my running shoes to my clothes (These are my old ones.)

Yesterday I also used the treadmill during work for a lackluster 3 mile run.

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looking out at the courtyard during my am indoor walk today

The same is planned for today.  (Maybe I can squeeze out 4.) UGH!!

Tomorrow is a REST day!

Hopefully, the snow will melt or the roads will be cleared for Saturday!

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Saturday, March 15, 2014

This is a very popular race and it sold out in 48 hours. I ran this race 3 years, really liked it so I signed up again.

Then I remembered that I was training for a half marathon and I should be running 12 miles not a 4 mile race.

Oh well. I do love racing and maybe it will put some spring back in my step.

This course is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02).  But that was back in 2011 when I was running faster.

My goal for this race to first, NOT TO GET HURT and second, finish at 39:59 or faster.

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remember him? we met in Florida.

Since I have been running at a snail’s pace lately and focusing on distance, this finish time probably won’t happen.  But it will be fun trying (unless the predicted RAIN comes 😦 )

Happy Running! Has spring arrived yet where you live?  Any races St Patty’s Day races planned?

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The No Caffeine Challenge

Last July, I was having some minor medical problems.  Nothing serious but just annoying.

After much Googling, I decided to treat myself with changes to my diet rather than drugs (with too many possible side effects.)

These are some of the foods that I eliminated:

  • all caffeine (no coffee or chocolate)
  • all alcohol (no wine or mixed drinks)
  • most fruits especially citrus
  • tomatoes and spicy foods
  • artificial sweeteners
  • carbonated beverages

The hardest: coffee.

I LOVE my coffee especially lattes.

miss this!

Instead I am drinking peppermint herbal tea with sugar in the morning. (After a several days, you really don’t need the caffeine to wake up. Really.)

I like chocolate but I can do without.  There are many desserts out there that I enjoy.

bread pudding , apple pie, pastries, etc.

I am not a big drinker and not ordering drinks when out sure is a money saver.  But I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening before bed.

Instead, I have been ordering water at meals and drinking camomile tea with sugar in the evening.

As far as fruits, I have been eating a lot of pears and apples.  I can eat blueberries and watermelon too. I am ok with that.

homemade apple pie!

I do love pasta and pizza but I have been eating white versions of both.

How does this relate to running?

It is really difficult to find protein bars without chocolate. All my favorites do.

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here is one of the few

And try to find an energy gel without caffeine?? Almost impossible. My favorite vanilla & chocolate outrage GUs are out. I did find a few vanilla flavored in other brands (but do not like them as much.)

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the only flavor GU without caffeine

I was worried about running without my cup of coffee before a race and fueling during without caffeine.

But I did run a half in October, a 15K in November and a 10 miler in January.  So I guess I can survive. (Not sure if it had an negative effect.)

Giving up certain foods is tough.  But if your health is involved, you just do it.

I didn’t feel better right away but eventually, I did. In the beginning when I cheated on my diet, the symptoms returned.

Now I feel perfectly fine. I have even been adding my forbidden foods back in…little by little.

a DECAF one when I was proctoring the bar exam

creme brulee martini yum

a creme brulee martini during my recent vacation

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a salted caramel Gu during Sunday’s run

Since I am not sure which foods actually will cause me symptoms, I am leery about jumping back to eating all my favorites foods.

But don’t be surprised if I start drinking coffee again (with Splenda) instead of tea.

Happy Running! Have you ever given up caffeine or any of your favorite foods?

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