January 26, 2014 by Darlene

HMRRC Winter Series #4 15K Race Report

winter series #1 in 2011

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 3M, 15K and 30K.

The 15K distance fit right in with my long run schedule since I ran 8 miles last weekend and 10 miles the weekend before.

So I signed up and hoped the conditions would be good enough for running.

It had been freezing all week – I mean sub-zero conditions with the wind chill. I ran on Wednesday (6 degrees) after work and was freezing. Today it was supposed to be in the teens with some sun and a little wind.

When I got up, it was 6 degrees (-3 with the windchill). I wore similar layers as I did all week. I just added compression socks under the tights and for my hands which are what gets the most cold, I brought along those hand warmers that you put in your gloves.

I left early to get parking since these races are crowded and there are other events going on at UAlbany. I was surprised that the parking lot was not full! I think many of the racers bailed due to the cold temps and the snowy conditions. (There was a light coating of snow from yesterday.)

Inside, I found my 2 new running friends. I was surprised since I thought that they would not be coming.

Heidi, Adrienne & me – toasty warm indoors before the race

We stayed indoors until the last minute and then made out way outside.

The race is very informal – no bibs, no starting mat, no timing chips, etc. We just started toward the back. I ran with Heidi & Adrienne for a short time but they are younger and faster and I told them to go ahead. Then I bumped into Gail, another SRM and we ran for awhile.

I should mention that my stomach was not happy with me today. It may have what I ate yesterday. I felt nauseous the whole race. I also felt very lethargic.

I just told myself that this was simply a training run and just do it.

acting goofy for the camera at the beginning of the race photo by Bill Meehan

smiling but it’s early photo by Bill Meehan

The course is very boring but it is also hilly. Not steep hills, just rolling hills throughout. Hills are not my friend. My fault, entirely. I avoid them and when I see them, I walk.

Most of the course was cleared except for a few parts with snow. It was really tough to move on the snow and maintain any kind of speed.

It was also cold. It started at 7 degrees and in the sun, it warmed up to 13. The hand warmers worked great. I was not cold except for my face. And toward the end, the wind picked up and my lips felt frost bitten.

There were 2 water stops but it you were slow, like me, you didn’t get water at the last one (That was after I took an energy gel..yuck).

So I struggled along.. I walked when I was tired. (It’s amazing how different last week’s long run was – I ran 8 miles without stopping.)

Race splits:

mile 1 – 10:07
mile 2 – 10:32
mile 3 – 10:39
mile 4 – 11:03
mile 5 – 11:18
mile 6 – 11:10
mile 7 – 11:24
mile 8 – 11:06
mile 9 – 11:54
.3 – 9:53

Garmin time – 1:42:07 (Clock time: 1:42:40)

I was glad to have this run over with. I went inside to warm up and have some soup, bagels, cookies, fruit, etc. Not a bad spread for a free race. They had awards but I didn’t win. (I think I was 2nd n my AG but they only gave out a gift card to 1st place.)

Heidi & Adrienne did great on their first 15k. They will have no problems with the their first half in March. They are strong runners.

How does one forget about her finish time?

I registered for a 4 mile race (Runnin of the Green) on March 15 and a 5 mile race (Delmar Dash) on April 6.

That’s how!

Happy Running! How you are enduring the cold? Did you run this weekend?

January 25, 2014 by Darlene

Ice Ice Baby…

Not because it was freezing out (and it was) but a real ice bar.

this was taken the day before on a less snowy day

The Sagamore Resort’s Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge:

36,000 pounds of crystal-clear ice transformed into one of the “hottest and coolest lounges” in the Adirondacks. Exquisite ice carvings and sub-zero temperatures make this swanky lounge an unforgettable experience. The lounge will consist of a frozen back bar, counter and even stools, although the stools will be draped with furs. In addition to drinks appropriate to the frozen north, both chilled and hot, the ice bar will feature foods such as oysters, shrimp and lobster served on beds of snow.

Here’s what it looks in the summer:

We drove up in the afternoon. It was snowing the whole way up and it was COLD!!! First we stopped by our marina. (The lake is frozen and no visibility due to the snow coming down.)

Then we headed to the bar. It was cold! And pretty crowded. There were heaters and a fire pit but still it was cold. The poor bartenders!

The ice sculptures were very cool.

My hubby got a drink. All the drinks had cool names like “Snow Ball,” Old Man Winter,” etc. I had a hot chocolate (that stayed warm for minutes.)

Some of our friends also stopped by to join us.

he was making our friend, Ed’s drink – schnapps & vodka

me & Kathi

Eventually it got too cold outside and we continued our drinks & conversation indoors by the fireplace.

when it got darker, they had skiing on the screen

Afterwards, we headed to the Inn at Erlowest where we had dinner to celebrate our anniversary.

The food was delicious. I had lobster/carrot bisque, ricotta/butternut spinach gnocchi & creme brulee for dessert. Carb loading for my race the next day.

Happy Running! Any special plans for the weekend?

January 24, 2014 by Darlene

Reverse Bucket List

I saw this on Age Groups Rock and loved it and decided to do my own.

As she explains:

Essentially, it’s a list of all the wonderful things you’ve already done. Not the ones you WANT to do.

It isn’t supposed to be a brag or a “look at me and the special things I’ve done” list. It’s just a bit of reflection and an attempt to stay focused on the positives. Sometimes, we fall short of our own expectations, or we see others who’ve far exceeded the expectations we set for ourselves. For a second, we can forget how awesome we are.

Accomplishments are something to be proud of but they do not determine your value. A Reverse Bucket List should make you feel motivated and inspired to be the person you want to be.

So here I go:

1. Spent my junior year of college in France studying French at the Universite de Nice. (I switched from being a Math major to a French major so I could do this.)

2. Went skiing in the Alps (during my junior year abroad). It was my first time skiing EVER.

3. Rode a jet ski in the Caribbean (on my honeymoon)

4. Went snorkeling off the coast of the Virgin Islands (also on my honeymoon.)

5. Went to a rain forest in Puerto Rico.

6. Saw the Wailing Wall in Israel.

7. Saw the Acropolis in Greece.

8. Visited Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. (Monet is one of my favorite painters.)

9. Went to the top of Mont Blanc.

10. Went to a Mets baseball game (at Shea stadium, Expo Stadium and Wrigley Field)

11. Saw the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, etc. in Paris. (I went many times with students, with my SIL but my favorite time was the one by myself on the way to visit my friend in Holland.)

12. I won a Teacher of the Year award while teaching French.

I taught French here for 22 years.

13. Went white water rafting in Jackson Hole, WY.

14. Saw a geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

Old Faithful – Aug. 2003

15. Visited the Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon – Sept. 2004

16. Went to Russia 3 times and stayed with a wonderful girl, Anna (whom I am still in contact with).

Family dinner in Kursk – Apr. 2006

17. Saw Billy Joel and Elton John perform in concert.

18. Competed in USTA Nationals (in Palm Springs).

Our 2.5 team – Oct. 2002

19. Started taking annual girl trips (to Naples and other places.) We’ve taken 17 trips together already.

Naples, FL – May, 2010

20. Watched many famous tennis players play at the US Open.

Kim Cljsters – 2009 (the year she won)

21. Starting running at age 55 – the best decision I ever made.

Freihofer’s 5K – June, 2008
(with my 2 friends that started me running)

22. Ran 7 Half Marathons.

my first – Jan. 2011

23. Ran several destinations race (2 in California & 2 in Florida.)

10 Mile race in Palm Springs – Jan 2014

24. Climbed to the top of several lighthouses. (I love the ocean & lighthouses.)

Ponce Inlet, FL (Jan 2013)

25. Went back to school and switched careers from French to Technology. (Never got burnt out as a teacher. Love all things techie so it is perfect.)

at a technology conference with Heike, one of the many techies
that I connected with through the past 15 years

26. Got matched with Amanda through a Mentors & Moms program. (So now I have a pseudo daughter & 2 grandsons.)

with Richard (7), Amanda (23) & Matthew(2)
– Dec. 2013

27. Took a carriage ride through Central Park

with friends – Dec. 2013

28. Learned to quilt (I have completed many full-size quilts.)

this one I made for a friend’s grandson

29. Learned to knit. ( I have only knitted socks & hats so far.)

30. Have seen the sunrise over the Atlantic ocean

Daytona Beach – Jan. 2013

31. Have seen the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

Naples – Nov. 2010

32. Learned to play mah jongg.

closed $.50 hand (only one hand that is better)

It is amazing how many things that I am proud that I have accomplished in my lifetime so far.

I feel very fortunate that when I was younger I did a fair amount of traveling that financially I cannot do now. (If I win the lottery I will do more.)

Happy Running! What items are on your “Reverse Bucket List”?

January 23, 2014 by Darlene

My Bucket List Runs

Yup, I hope to run in New York City!!

Thanks to Competitor Magazine, here are 5 routes that are recommended:

1. Central Park

Best for…escaping the city streets

Located literally in the middle of Manhattan, Central Park is a mecca for runners, cyclists and walkers alike. You could do a short, 1.58-mile run on the packed-dirt reservoir, complete the longer, hillier 6-mile paved loop around the park or try anything in between. Either way, you’ll get some great city views and a nice dose of nature. For the Brooklyn equivalent, head to Prospect Park, which has a 3.3-mile inner loop.

Tourist Tip: New York Road Runners hosts races here often. Visit nyrr.org to see if there are any events happening during your visit that you might want to join in on.Warning: In a city with 8.2 million residents, the races often fill up quickly!

2. Brooklyn Bridge

Best for…seeing the NYC skyline

Take the R line on the subway to Court Street– Borough Hall in Brooklyn Heights, and run down the Promenade, a short stretch of sidewalk sandwiched between the East River and a row of beautiful brownstones, which provides breathtaking city views. Continue going north along the newly extended Brooklyn Bridge Park, and then backtrack to run up and over the Brooklyn Bridge, which takes you into lower Manhattan for 3-ish miles in total. Completed in 1883, it is one of the oldest (and most photographed) suspension bridges in the U.S. Hop back on the subway (at one of the City Hall stops) to get back to your hotel.

Tourist Tip: Go early to avoid busy foot traffic.

3. Hudson River Park

Best for…logging flat, fast miles

Head as far west on 59th Street as possible, and then cruise about 5 miles south along the Hudson River Path, down to Battery Park City. You’ll pass Chelsea Piers, multiple dog parks, plenty of green space, and you’ll even see the Statue of Liberty. Bonus: This bike- and runner-friendly path has multiple restrooms and water fountains for you to use en route. Circle around the tip of Manhattan and then continue up the east side until you reach South Street Seaport.

Tourist Tip: If you need to refuel, stop at the amazing indoor smorgasbord Chelsea Market (chelseamarket.com) for a cookie from Fat Witch Bakery, or a donut from Doughnuttery, or…you get the idea.

4. The 59th Street Bridge

Best for…getting a taste of the New York City Marathon

You may not experience the full trampoline effect that comes with sharing the bridge with thousands of other runners on race day, but there’s still something exhilarating about crossing the East River on this giant structure. Cut straight across the bridge, step foot in Queens and then head back up the incline to your starting point for a total of 2.8 miles.

Tourist Tip: If you’re looking for a true race sampler, turn up First Avenue after you exit the bridge in the city, run about a mile north, and then cut left, toward Central Park.

5. Broadway

Best for…early morning sightseeing

Before everyone else rises and the chaos begins, head downtown to City Hall on the subway, and then run north on Broadway through the heart of the city. You’ll meander past City Hall, Soho, the Flat Iron building, the Garment District, Macy’s, Times Square, Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center, all in less than 5 miles.

Tourist Tip: Be out the door before 7 a.m. and finish your jaunt with bagels and lox at Barney Greengrass, one block over, on Amsterdam, between 86th an 87th Street (barneygreengrass.com).

Riverside Park

Interestingly, this list doesn’t include Riverside Park, a route that I heard was awesome and that I planned to maybe race on.

Riverside Park is Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park, stretching four miles from 72nd to 158th Streets along the Hudson River. Since 1875, the landscapes of Frederick Law Olmsted have offered escape from the city and opportunities for people of all incomes to relax, play and socialize in tranquil settings. His design for Riverside Drive made it is one of the most beautiful boulevards in the world, affording views of the Hudson River along its serpentine route.

At the 135th Street, if you want to do another 1.4 miles, go up to 139th Street and enter Riverbank State Park (the only State park in Manhattan, complete with pool, ball fields, skating rink, basketball and handball courts, a concert stage, a carousel, picnic areas, even park rangers.) If you go down the stairs on the northeast corner of the complex, which bring you to a whole new section of Riverside Park, where you can run (mostly) along the river all the way to the Little Red Lighthouse underneath the George Washington Bridge at 180th Street, a bit more than 3 miles north of Columbia.

Happy Running! Have you ever run in NYC?

January 22, 2014 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

That is why I signed up for a 15K race this weekend…

Happy Running! How do you get motivated to run?

January 21, 2014 by Darlene

Napa! Me?

This is so cool!

I’m sure I will not win since there a lot bloggers out there with a lot more followers than me.

But “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

So vote for me – http://woobox.com/h3xho2/vote/for/1850795. You can vote once a day with your Facebook account until 2/24!

Happy Running! Are you in the contest? Did you vote? A reader can win too. So Good Luck!

January 21, 2014 by Darlene

Good News for Us Oldies but Goodies

Is there any scientific study to substantiate the claim that older people (over 45) should limit high impact exercises such as jogging, sprinting, etc.?

According to Ask Wells:

Actually, much of the recent science about high-impact exercise by “older people” …reaches the opposite conclusion, suggesting that in many cases high-impact exercise can be beneficial for those middle aged and beyond. A seminal 2003 study of people aged 30 to past 70, for instance, found that while sedentary adults lost about 10 percent of their maximal endurance capacity every decade, young and middle-aged athletes who regularly engaged in intense and high-impact exercise, such as running intervals, experienced a much slower decline, losing only about 5 percent of their capacity per decade until age 70, when the loss of capacity accelerated for everyone.

There is also little evidence to support the widespread belief that high-impact exercise speeds the onset of arthritis. In a 2013 study, adult runners, including many aged 45 or older, had a lower incidence of knee osteoarthritis and hip replacement than age-matched walkers, with the adults who accumulated the most mileage over the course of seven years having the lowest risk, possibly, the study’s author speculated, because running improved the health of joint cartilage and kept them lean as they aged. Similarly, a 2006 review of studies about jogging and joints concluded that “long-distance running does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knees and hips for healthy people who have no other counter-indications for this kind of physical activity,” and “might even have a protective effect against joint degeneration.”

Running and similar high-impact activities likewise have a salutary effect on bone density, said Dr. Michael Joyner, an exercise physiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and an expert on aging athletes, of whom he is one. Over all, he continued, he is “skeptical” of the idea that older people should avoid high-impact activities. “A lot of concerns about age-appropriate exercise modalities have turned out to be more speculative than real over the years,” he said, adding that during his research and personal workouts, he’s seen many seasoned adults pounding the pavement without ill effects.

HOORAY!! Cuz I’m be running until I can’t!

Happy Running!

January 20, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – rest, fly home
Tuesday – 3 miles on TM at lunch (too tired, too busy), tennis
Wednesday – 3 4 miles, ~~yoga~~ (still sore)

no snow or ice and 40 degrees

Thursday – ~~rest,~~ 3 miles on the TM at work, haircut
Friday – ~~4 miles~~, rest, mah jongg
Saturday – ~~rest,~~ 8 miles

on the Corning Bike Path with a new friend

Sunday – ~~8 miles~~ rest, movie

enjoyed it

week 2-15 miles

This Week:

Monday – Day off from work, 4 miles, tennis
Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles, yoga
Thursday – rest
Friday – 4 miles, mah jongg
Saturday – rest
Sunday – 15 K race

Happy Running! How is your running going? Any races to start off the new year?

January 19, 2014 by Darlene

Running For Meg

I had been planning to do a long run anyway this weekend. My 2 new running partners proposed Saturday. They have been running together in preparation of their first half in Philly but I have not run with them since November.

Adrienne & Heidi on Nov 13, 2013

Then I heard about Meg. Running on the road in the morning and killed by a drunk driver. It could happen to any of us.

We decided to run 8 miles in her honor and wear blue since that was her favorite color.

At the last minute, Heidi had to cancel but I was still meeting Adrienne at the Corning Bike Path. On FB, I heard that other runners that I knew were going to be there too.

The forecast was for snow overnight but it never appeared but it was cold (but not as cold as it has been or is going to be.)

When I arrived, it was still cloudy. I immediately spotted runners. They were finishing their runs.

Then Adrienne arrived.

We decided to run together for as long as we could (she is faster than me). The plan was to go out for 4 miles and then head back. Ahead of us were some other runners that I knew (SRMs) who were running faster and fewer miles. It was great to bump into them.

Adrienne & I talked the whole time which made the run bearable. As usual, I was fine starting out but I got very warm when the sun came out.

The path was mostly dry but every now and then there were patches of ice. I made sure that I was VERY CAREFUL and slowed down looking for snow to run on. I am not used to running without any walking so I was kinda grateful for the ice.

But I did run the whole time with her. (I even ate my Gu while running.) It was a struggle but I was able to keep up with her until the last 1/2 mile. My back was starting to hurt and I told her to run ahead.

So I am pretty pleased. There’s something to be said about the pressure of keeping up with a running partner. This was about 10 minutes faster than my usual run/walk 8 mile runs.

And the snow never arrived!

What a great way to start off the weekend!!

Happy Running! Did you run any miles for Meg?

January 18, 2014 by Darlene

City of Palm Springs Mayor’s Race Report

According to the race description: this is “one of the most scenic runs you will ever experience… See the uptown, downtown, historic buildings, parks and the scenic mountain views. ..Raffle prizes, food samples, and a fun flat course make this one of the best! Prizes for every age division. Commemorative photo and medal for every 5K and 10 Mile finisher! Breakfast is included!”

Sounds perfect….except that I had to run 10 MILES!!

I hadn’t run double digits in 3 MONTHS (the day of my half marathon.) I have been loosely training by running about 8 slow run/walk miles each weekend since then. And I have been too busy to run this past week.

This was our last race together – 4/28/13

But the goal of this race was running a race with Mary and escaping the FRIGID COLD of the Northeast was just a bonus.

Secretly I wanted to finish under 1:50 but since I had never run a 10 mile race before, it was automatically a PR, anyway.

Mary & I had gotten our race packets the night before and even drove the course so we were super prepared. We even bought matching Lululemon shirts and silver bracelets for luck.

I was really psyched for the race. My first of 2014.

Getting up early was easy if you are from the East coast. My brain was awake at 4 am and I didn’t have to get up until 5:30.

I had my new race breakfast of oatmeal and herbal tea and we took off around 6:15.

I knew that it would be warm during the race but without the sun up, it was chilly so I wore a jacket.

We arrived early, found a spot in the designated lot and sauntered off to the park where the race was held. The atmosphere was very festive…lots of health-related booths.

There was a 10 mile race, then a 5 k and then a 1K. The 10 mile started at 8 am and the others starting at 8:30. In total there were about 700 runners but most were in the 5K.

Suzanne Somers was there and we got to meet her.

Suzanne with a “bag man” and race organizer

Soon, it was time to use the porta potty, take one GU, ditch my jacket at baggage check and head to the start.

just waiting…look at that BLUE sky

We were near the front and planned to start together and then Mary since she was training for a marathon would slow down.

I myself was nervous since I pulled a muscle in my right hip/glute while sitting at the pool the day before (reaching back to adjust the chair…duh) and it hurt every time I bent or twisted. I was wondered whether or not it would affect my running. (By the way, my cold was almost gone…yay!)

here we go

Well, it did. It hurt with every step. I just ran and prayed that I wouldn’t have to DNF. The views on the course were breath taking. I even stopped to take a photo which I normally don’t do during a race.

another beautiful bridge

It was warm but felt good and in the desert, so VERY VERY DRY!! I made sure that I had water at every stop. Luckily there were many, at least 5 that I can remember (miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 9).

At one point, it got hilly and my back hurt so I was walking. A lady came up behind me and pushed me up the hill. She said “You can do it. You’re almost there.”

After that, we ran and talked for a while. It was nice and I forgot about my pain. Eventually, I needed to run faster and lost her.

Believe it or not, around mile 4, the pain went away (at least until after the race.) Now, I could concentrate on my pace and enjoy the scenery.

a group of students on the course

Now that I was pain-free, I wanted to finish under 1:50:00. That meant that I had to maintain a 11 minute pace. Sounds slow and easy to do but it wasn’t it. It was very warm and very dry.

I would be under 11 minutes and then I would stop for water and go over. I ate Gu at mile 4 and mile 8 and that it is hard to do quickly and without walking.

And the only thing about the race that I didn’t like was the traffic. I was running alone for the most part and when I came to an intersection, I had to stop and wait until they stopped traffic for the runners. This happened several times. (I even witnessed a car accident.)

Anyway, I maintained my pace and felt a lot better during the last few miles of the race. I was even passing people. That felt good.

I sprinted through the finish line and crossed at 1:49:55. I was thrilled.

I grabbed my jacket and water and waited for Mary.

5 minutes later and very happy

We headed to get our free breakfast (fruit & an egg burrito) until the results were posted.

modeling our medals

Woo Hoo. I came in 3rd in my age group (Love being old!)

The Mayor who ran the race (and finished in 1:22) gave out the awards.

A two medal day. What could be better?

me & the mayor

We then headed back to La Quinta for a post race soak in the hot tub …

view from the parking lot

and a celebratory dessert:

BEST pastries ever (outside of France)

So my first race and first destination race of 2014 was a success. I had lots of fun and even won an AG award. (The pain in my hip is slowly going away.)

Race Stats:

mile 1 – 9:59
mile 2 – 10:53
mile 3 – 12:14
mile 4 – 10:51
mile 5 – 11:14
mile 6 – 10:51
mile 7 – 10:57
mile 8 – 11:32
mile 9 – 11:29
mile 10 – 9:26

1:49:30 (Garmin time)

I liked that my fastest mile was mile 10!!!