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I am a RunNerd.

Yes, I keep track of everything…running.

Miles Run Monthly
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Jan 0 38 72 0 67
Feb 0 44 68 0 84
Mar 0 53 90.5 0 81
Apr 12 47 83 3 66
May 19 53 57.5 21 50
Jun 12 55 59 46 3
Jul 23 54 26 64 17
Aug 33 45.5 56.5 59 56
Sept 33 59.5 76 65 79
Oct 31 68.5 106 10 70
Nov 17 66 67 9 79
Dec 29 95 86 46 86
Total 209 678.5 849 322 738

(I didn’t keep track in 2008. But it was probably around 100 since I only ran April-Oct. and very few miles at a time. Injured months are in red.)

Races Run Monthly
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Jan 0 0 0 1 0 1
Feb 0 0 0 1 0 2
Mar 0 0 1 2 0 2
Apr 1 0 1 2 0 3
May 2 4 4 4 0 2
Jun 1 1 3 2 2 1
Jul 2 0 1 0 1 1
Aug 1 3 2 0 2 0
Sept 3 3 3 1 4 3
Oct 3 4 2 2 2 3
Nov 0 1 2 4 0 3
Dec 0 1 2 2 1 1
Total 13 17 21 21 12 22

So although I started running in April of 2008, I didn’t seriously train until 2010.

Types of Races Run Yearly
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total
5K 12 16 20 11 10 14 83
3.5 mi. 1 1 1 1 0 0 4
4 mi. 0 0 0 2 1 2 5
5 mi 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
10K 0 0 0 0 1 3 4
15K 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
10 mi. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Half Marathon 0 0 0 5 0 2 7

I only ran 5ks until January 2011. After that, I added half marathons and other distances and continued to run 5ks.

I plan to continue this running/racing schedule.

At my age, I don’t see myself running over 1000 miles or running marathons or ever doing a triathlon.

I LOVE running!   I LOVE racing even more!

I enjoy tennis and yoga!

I also enjoy boating and spending time with my family and friends!!!!!

Happy Running!  Do you keep track of your running?  Have your running goals changed through the years?

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Long Runs

I found this on Pinterest and thought it appropriate to post here:

Long Runs… 
….at times, a confidence booster,
and other times
…..an ego crusher

….show you how far you’ve come,
or how much farther you need to go
….a chance for mental cleansing,
or a time for “chatter brain” to be unleashed

….time to connect with running buddies, 
or much needed “me” time
….done just as the sun is rising,
or chasing the sun to bed 
….allow you to shed all the roles you wear in life,
except for one
….Runner

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last summer

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last Saturday

Happy Running! How would you describe your long runs?

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Foto Friday

There’s no better way to look back on the good things that happened than by looking through your blog photos.

So here’s a month by month look at the highlights of 2013:

January:

running over a bridge while on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida

February:

winning an AG award with AJH at the Polar Cap 4 mile race

March:

finishing the First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota, FL.

April:

running Sean’s Run 5K with Mary

May:

running the Mother’s Day 5K with my tennis buddy, MaryPat and winning lst place in my new AG.

June:

not a good month but this was taken BEFORE the Freihofer’s Run for Women (the race where I broke my foot)

July:

recovered enough to complete the Biggest Loser 5K

August:

no races this month but several trips to scenic Chestertown to play tennis and run

September:

winning an AG award at the Helper’s Fund 10k where I met a new running partner, Heidi

October:

finishing the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon and seeing a lot of familiar faces

November:

running the Stockade-athon 15K

December:

running the Last Run 5k in a snowstorm (just for fun)

It was definitely hard to choose just one memory from each month.  I feel very fortunate.

Happy Running! What were some of your highlights of 2013?

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2014 Running Goals

14 Goals for 2014:

  1. Do not get injured.
  2. Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR.
  3. Continue fitting in tennis and/or yoga once a week.
  4. Finish most of my 5K races under 30 minutes.
  5. Run at least one race per month and at least 20 for the year.
  6. Run a race in another state or even a NEW state.
  7. Run at least 10 NEW races.
  8. Run in NYC.
  9. Get an Age Group award.
  10. Run a 10 mile race.
  11. Run at least one half marathon.
  12. PR in a half marathon.
  13. Run over 800 miles.
  14. Continue to blog almost everyday.

I think my goals are pretty conservative. I think they are ALL achievable.

The toughest will be #12.  The most important will be #1. If #1 happens, then #3 and #13 can follow.

Happy Running.  Happy New Year!  What is your biggest goal for 2014?

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2013 is in the books…

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I must say that things were looking up until June 1 and then I broke my foot.  I started getting back on track in August and the year ended pretty well.

2013

  • Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, except for June & July.
running in Naples, Fla.

even ran 3 times while on vacation in May

  • Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – YES, until June 1. I started tennis again in Sept.  I didn’t start yoga again until late Oct.

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  • Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – YES. Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day, and Freihofer’s –  all under 30 min. Post broken foot, I finished the Malta 5K, Race for the Cure, Delmar Turkey Trot and Stuff the Sleigh under 30. NO PR this year!! (I think my 5K PR days are over.)
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Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

  • Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – YES. 3rd at the Polar Cap 4m, in the correct AG I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K, 2nd in the Biggest Loser 5K & Helper’s Fund 10k, and 1st in the Race for Hope 5K, the Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5K. Getting older rocks!

Polar Cap 4m – 3rd in 50-59

lg 5k finish

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

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Mother’s Day 5K – 1st in 60-69

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Helper’s Fund 10K – 2nd in 60-69

heading to the finish line

Race for Hope 5K – 1st in 60-69

done!

Monster Scramble 10K – 1st in 60-69

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Stuff the Sleigh 5k – 1st in 50+

  • PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – YES, both of my 10ks were faster.  My PR was at the Helper’s Fund.
happy to see the finish line

Helper’s Fund 10k

  • Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – NO (broke my foot). I hope to run my first in January.
  • Run at least one half marathon (a spring and/or a fall one) – YES, I ran 2 – the Sarasota Half Marathon in March and the Mohawk Hudson in October.
finish

Sarasota Half Marathon 3/17/13

finish

Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon – 10/13/13

  • Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – YES, 22 total races – at least one per month except for August (when I decided to cautiously recover from my broken foot.)
at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

Helper's Fund 10K

one of 3 September races

Stockadeathon

one of 3 November races

  • Run a race in another state – YES, I ran in Florida and Vermont.
Sarasota Half Marathon

Florida racing

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

running in Vermont

  • Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – YES, 11 out of 22 were new ones – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Sarasota Half, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, Biggest Loser 5k, Helper’s Fund 10K, Mohawk Hudson Half, Monster Scramble 10K and Stuff the Sleigh 5k. (NYC hopefully next year)
Mother's Day 5K in Schenectady

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

Register for The Biggest Loser RunWalk at www.biggestloser.com/runwalk

The Biggest Loser RunWalk (including a ride on a chair lift)

  • Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – YES. I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
  • Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 10 healthy months.

Happy Running! How was your 2013? Do you set goals?  

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December Rundown

DECEMBER GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!! YES! At least 3x week!
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in the park

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in town

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in the neighborhood

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on the bike path

  • Do not overdo and listen to my body…Do NOT run if foot pain gets worse. YES!  Only ran 1 mile on rest days of the streak and then added my rest days back. Foot pain is much improved.
  • Attend at least 2 yoga classes! YES! Attended 3 classes!
  • Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. YES on most days! Thanks to my co-worker Sherri.
  • Cut back on the sweets and eating out. I doubt it.  It is the holiday season!
christmas cookie exchange at work

ate lots of cookies

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and desserts

  • Start knitting again (socks or something else)
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working on a pair of socks

  • Run before work at least once a week. Not often! Too cold!
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would you run?

  • Run a new route. Yes, sorta. I haven’t run this route in 3 years.
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in town and around the golf course

  • Continue to run some of my long runs with others. Nope.  Just couldn’t coordinate our days. I usually run on Saturday and they run on Sunday.  Definitely plan to do it next month!
  • Run at least one race. YES! 

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  • Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler) YES!
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8 miles on the Corning bike trail

  • Complete the RW Running Streak (run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s) NO! I decided to quit after 10 days straight.

streak

  • Run at least 70 miles this month.  YES! 86 – my biggest month this year!

dec13

I also visited NYC with 2 friends.

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I spent some time with my mentee Amanda and her sons. In fact I saw them 3 times this month.

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I celebrated quite a few dinners out – 5 birthdays, 2 tennis parties, Christmas & New Year’s Eve. Holy waist line!

suzy

tennis friend Suzy’s b-day

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former co-worker Cheryl’s b-day

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college friend Judy’s b-day

tennis party

tennis party

I went to see several very enjoyable movies: Philomena, Catching Fire, Book Thief, American Hustle, Saving Mr Banks.

 I also read some good books including What Alice Forgot, the Aviator’s Wife, the Orphan Train.

JANUARY GOALS:

  • RUN (regularly)!!!
  • Do not overdo and listen to my body!
  • Attend at least 2 yoga classes!
  • Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work.
  • Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over.
  • Run before work at least once a week.
  • Continue to run some of my long runs with others
  • Complete my first 10 mile race.
  • Run at least one other race.
  • Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon)
  • Run at least 70 miles this month. 
  • Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your December? Anything exciting planned for January?

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Weekly Running Update

running update logo Last Week (No work all week):

  • Monday – 4 miles, (tennis cancelled)
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I had hoped to run in the daylight but it rained all day. Never get tired of the holiday lights, anyway

  • Tuesday – rest, 4 miles, (tennis cancelled)
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colder and windier but at least the sun came out

  • Wednesday –  4 miles, rest, CHRISTMAS activities, (yoga cancelled)

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  • Thursday – rest 4 miles, mall walk with BFF

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  • Friday – 4 miles, REST, mah jongg at my house (won 4 times! including two 50 cent hands!!)

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  • Saturday – rest 9 miles
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on the Nisky bike path

  • Sunday – 9 miles, REST, movie, dinner out

another good one to see

This Week: (No work all week)

  • Monday – tennis
  • Tuesday – 4 miles (tennis cancelled)
  • Wednesday –  rest, cruise on Lake George, (yoga cancelled)
  • Thursday – 4 miles
  • Friday – 3 miles
  • Saturday – rest, trip to NYC with the hubby for the Boat Show
  • Sunday – 8 miles

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

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Here Comes the Arctic Freeze

dec29weather

Yup, it’s going to get cold around here. And you know who much I love cold weather…

The good thing is that I am on vacation and I don’t have to run in the morning when it is at its coldest and I don’t have to run in the dark after work.

Today it was forecasted to rain so I blew off my new running friends and did my long run solo yesterday. (As it turns out, it isn’t raining yet and I should have run with them.)

I have been going to the Corning Bike Path lately for my long runs and to change things up, I drove to the Nisky Bike Path.

The snow has mostly melted and the path was clear.

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I ran 2.25 miles to Lock 7 and then turned around.

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closed for the season

When the sun was out, I was sweating. Then the sun went in and the wind picked up and I was cold again.

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frozen enough for hockey

I stopped at my car for some GU and water and it was hard to get back out there.

But I did and ran 2.75 miles ion the other direction and turned around.

9 miles for the day…not all running…some walking…too much walking…I think I need those running partners to motivate me to not stop when tired.

Today is my rest day…cleaning up the house, some knitting, reading and a movie later.

I think I will enjoy this one.

Happy Running! How are you handling the cold?

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Another Destination Race

vacation

Yup, that’s me.

staug

Our good friends that moved to Florida live not far. I visited them last January and we went to St Augustine which I loved.

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St Augustine lighthouse

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at the top

Anyway, I found this race and it sounds really cool:

A celebration of historic preservation, community gatherings and family outings from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Night Fest begins at 4:30 p.m. with the 5k Walk and Fun Run starting at 5:30 p.m.. Then, at dusk, the French lens comes alive with light at the top of the tower. A special presentation on navigating by the stars will be presented via the Smithsonian Institutions Affiliates Program. A local cooking contest will also be featured with voting from attendees. Plus, there will be boat building, a crafts tent and a new shipyard play area for children.

staug map

the course

 The timing is not great.  I have to take Feb 24 & 25 off to work at the NYS bar exam. But I am going to try to make it work  (and I convinced my hubby to come along.)

Happy Running! Are you planning any destination races?

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Winter Miles Challenge 2014

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Run with Jess has created the Winter Miles Challenge to help keep us all on track through the toughest 8 weeks of winter (January 6 – March 2) so that we have a successful spring! 

 All you have to do is pick a goal and then at the end of every week, report back your completed mileage. If you hit your weekly goal, you are entered into the weekly prize drawing.

These are the goals:

Beginner: 10 miles each week
Intermediate: 20 miles each week
Trainer: 30 miles each week
Advanced: 40 miles each week
Ultra: 50 miles each week

Every week that you hit your mileage goal, you earn one entry into that week’s prize drawing sponsored by these great companies…

Week 1 (Jan.6-12) – YakTrax
Week 2 (Jan.13-19) – ProCompression Socks
Week 3 (Jan.20-26) – Milestones Jewelry & Apparel
Week 4 (Jan.27-Feb.2) – Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Bonus week! There is an opportunity to earn TWO entries into the prize drawing)
Week 5 (Feb.3-9) – Fitsok Socks
Week 6 (Feb.10-16) – FlapJacked Protein Pancakes
Week 7 (Feb.17-23) – 110% Compression Socks
Week 8 (Feb.24-Mar.2) – Hydrapak & GU Energy

Best of all, the Winter Miles Challenge is FREE to participate so REGISTER HERE!
I signed up.  I’m all into FREE and motivation to run in the winter.
I chose the Beginner goal of 10 miles per week.  I am not a beginner but I don’t usually run 20 miles each week.  I am actually going to try for at least 15 miles each week.
Happy Running?  Are you up for this challenge?
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