February 1, 2014 by Darlene

January Update

JANUARY GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! Yes!
Do not overdo and listen to my body! Yes!
Attend at least 2 yoga classes! Nope.
Walk or run at least 1 mile a day while at work. Some days but not every.
Cut back on the sweets and eating out now that the holidays are over. I think so (except for in California.)
Run before work at least once a week. Nope.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others. I did once.

8 miles with Adrienne

Complete my first 10 mile race. YES!!!!

1:49:55 and 3rd in my AG

Run at least one other race. Yes!

Continue running longer on the weekends (to train for January 10 miler and March half marathon) Yes! Ran at least 8 miles each weekend.

Run at least 70 miles this month. Yes! 78!

January 2014

Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy. Yes!!

What else?

I spent New Year’s Day on Lake George.

cruise with my hubby & friends

I went to NYC for a day.

to the NY Boat show & other holiday sites (with my hubby)

I visited La Quinta, CA to see my friend Mary.

at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

I went to an Ice Bar in Lake George.

I read many good books including Wild, Eleven Minutes, the Alchemist, Gold, My Husband’s Secret…
I played tennis at least once or twice each week and went out to dinner with some of the tennis ladies (that I don’t get to play with regularly.)

I finally finished knitting this pair of socks!

FEBRUARY GOALS:

RUN at least 3-4 times each week.
Start back at planks (Do it at least once per week.)
Take the stairs at work rather than the elevator.
Finish knitting another pair of socks.
Continue to run some of my long runs with others.
Run while on my mini-vacation to Florida.
Run at least one race.
Continue running longer on the weekends to train for my March half marathon.
Run at least 75 miles this month.
Dedicate all my runs to John Anthony my running buddy.

Happy Running! How was your January? Anything different planned for February?

January 31, 2014 by Darlene

Half Marathon Training

I am usually so anal about training that I would normally be posting about my progress week to week.

This has been my typical training plan for my previous half marathons:

However, the last 2 half marathons that I ran came after injuries so just finishing was the goal.

Well, this is where I am on the plan for Half Marathon #8:

1-3

So I am currently on week 4 but you can see that my long runs did not start at 3 this time.

Since my last half marathon in October, I have continued long runs of 6-8 miles. This was basically due to the fact that I wanted to be prepared for a 10 mile race on Jan 11.

I guess the rest of the plan may look something like this:

4-12

Hopefully having more long runs will make a difference in my final results at the race on 3/30/14.

I want to PR but I want to remain healthy. The 2nd being more important.

PR???

Happy Running! Do you follow a strict plan when you train for a big race?

January 30, 2014 by Darlene

Pin It Party

Today I am joining up with The Lean Green Bean blog for her Pin It Party.

Here is how it works:

All bloggers are welcome to participate!

Here’s what you do:

Round up 5 blog posts you’ve written that you would like to see on Pinterest.
Make sure there is a nice, pinable image or photo included in each post.
Write a short post featuring the posts you chose- ie, put 5 nice images & links to the posts all in one place, along with a short description of each post.
On Thursday, publish your post, then visit The Bean and add your post to the linkup! (If you’re just reading this today and still want to participate, just publish in the next few days…I’ll leave the linkup open for about a week!)

The only rule is this:

If you add your post to the linkup, please take a few minutes to visit at least three other posts and pin some of their images!

So here are 5 links I would like to see on Pinterest:

Click on each image to Pin them.

https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/guest-post/
I started running at age 55. It’s the best decision I ever made. This post tells you why you should too.

https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/h-is-for-half-marathons
I have run 7 half marathons. I took me awhile to convince myself that I could. This post gives you some reasons to run a half and some tips to consider when you do.

https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/what-i-am-reading-wednesday/
I love to read and I love to run. This post includes the titles of some running-related novels.

https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/yoga-for-a-runner/
I haven’t been doing yoga long but I think it has helped me as a runner. This posts explains how.

https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/11-good-things-about-being-injured/
Unfortunately, I had a serious injury two years ago and I could not run for a long time. This post lists 11 things good about being injured (Sarcastically, of course. Not be able to run sucks!)

Happy Running!Are you participating in the Pin It party?

January 29, 2014 by Darlene

Me and the Treadmill

I do NOT look like this!

I saw this on Run with Jess’ blog last week (she got it from Marcia’s Healthy Slice) and couldn’t resist answering.

I don’t own a (working) treadmill and I don’t belong to a gym. There is one where I work behind the curtains on the stage in the gym. No windows, dark, dreary….

I really hate the treadmill. But I use it when I have no choice:

raining outside
no time after work (and I squeeze it in during lunch)
after a broken bone, when I am only allowed to run on the TM

That being said, here are my answers:

1. What’s your favorite workout to do on a treadmill?

I use a basic slow speed and when I am bored, I pick up the speed for awhile and then slow down.

2. How many miles, on average, do you run on the mill each week?

Usually 0-3. Sometimes up to 4. It depends how much time I have.

3. What was the most mileage you’ve ever completed on the mill in one workout? When? Why?

I think a few years ago, I did 6. It was on the weekend and I needed to do a longer run.

4. Do you mill at home, the gym or both?

At work. It’s convenient. No one else uses it. If I didn’t have one at work, I would buy one.

5. What distractions or entertainment (if any) do you use to help pass the time?

I always watch TV shows on my iPad.

6. If you have a treadmill at home, what kind is it? How old is it?

I have an old non-working one.

7. Do you fuel any differently for a treadmill workout than an outside one?

I drink more water. It is easy to reach and I get thirstier

8. Any treadmill mishaps to report?

Not yet.

9. Do you mill at incline to compensate for not being outside?

Nope.

10. Describe your perfect (if there is such an animal) treadmill conditions:

Not too warm. A window with a view of the ocean. A large tv with one of my favorite shows on (and no commercials.)

The Good Wife is on the screen probably

Happy Running! Do you run on the treadmill? Feel free to share any answers to the questions above.

January 28, 2014 by Darlene

The Alchemist and Running Dreams

Paulo Coelho‘s book is currently one of my favorites.

Here are some quotes:

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”
“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now…
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”
“Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.”
“If you start by promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work towards getting it.”
“making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”
“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him.”
“There is only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”
“At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.”
“People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be unable to achieve them.”
“Never stop dreaming.”

Awesome stuff, right?

My dream is to continue to be able to run for a very LONG TIME!

My dream to run in fun and scenic places.

My dream is to run my longer races faster!

My dream is to have my 5K speed come back!

dream big

Happy Running! Have you read The Alchemist or any of Coelho’s other books? What is your running dream?

January 27, 2014 by Darlene

Monday Running Update

Last Week:

Monday – Day off from work, 4 miles, tennis

in the neighborhood

Tuesday – rest, tennis
Wednesday – 3 miles, ~~yoga~~

after work – coldest run ever

Thursday – 4 miles on the TM at work ~~rest~~

watch an episode of “Revenge”on my ipad

Friday – 4 3 miles, mah jongg

after work – felt a lot better than Wed.

Saturday – rest, anniversary dinner out

in Lake George before dinner

Sunday – 15K race

week 3-23 miles

This Week:

Monday – rest
Tuesday – 3 miles on the TM, tennis
Wednesday – dinner out
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – Polar Cap 4 mile race
Sunday – HMRRC Winter Series #5 4 mile race

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

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?