September 4, 2013 by Darlene

Just Do It

Last Saturday, I had wanted to run a 5K race. I printed out the registration form & filled it out. I picked out my outfit, set my alarm and…… chickened out.

Why? Because my running sucks. I mean my 3 mile times have been almost 40 minutes!!, Yeah, seriously sucky!

I didn’t run this 5k in Saratoga

I did what ever runner would do, checked the race results. And guess what? The winner in my age group ran it in 37:xx!! Even with my sucky running, I think in a race, I would have beat that. (I ran a 5k with a broken foot in 29:xx) I could have won an AG award.

On Monday, my 3 mile run was a sweat fest but I did it in 35 minutes. I plan to run again today and tomorrow and if I am lucky it will be less humid and I will run faster. (Actually it’s just walk less often and I will have a faster time.)

Sept 7, 2013

Yep, this time I paid for the race and I plan to run it even if I suck.

Last year, I ran this race while recovering from a broken ankle and it was my first 5k under 30 minutes since the injury. I don’t plan to repeat that feat…yet.

GOALS:

Have fun
Finish uninjured
Finish faster than my last 5k run walk (39:xx)
Finish under 35 minutes
Run most of the race

I don’t plan to go all out since I want to stop on the way home and add some more miles.

Happy Running! How competitive are you?

September 3, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update – Not Much Running

Last Week:

Monday – walk at work
Tuesday ~~– 3 miles before work?,~~ walk at work, hair appt after work
Wednesday – DAY OFF, bus trip to the US Open tennis tournament

1 hour of tennis & 6 hours of rain delays

Thursday – walk ~~or run~~ – b-day dinner with friend

lunchtime walk in the park

Friday – 3 HUMID miles before work, movie (Blue Jasmine) after work
Saturday – 5 miles on the Corning Bike Path (lots of walking and HUMIDITY)

same place (previous weekend)

Sunday – ~~walk/run?~~ at the lake

a lot exercise here – NOT!

This Week:

Monday – day off – maybe 3-4 miles?
Tuesday – walk, tennis maybe
Wednesday – 3 miles, yoga?

Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – walk
Saturday –5K race + more?
Sunday – boating

Happy Running!

September 2, 2013 by Darlene

Christmas in September

As a tradition, Log Bay on Lake George celebrates Christmas on the day before Labor Day. It’s like a tailgating party but on boats. Everyone comes out and there is even a live band.

Past celebrations:

2010 – brr!

2011 – hot!

2012 – the weather was perfect

This year, the forecast was for lots of humidity and chance of thunderstorms.

Despite the forecast, there were at least 100 boats!! Lots of kayaks, jet skis, tubes, chairs, floats. There was a live band. And it was cloudy but it never rained!!

we invited some friends and their son for their 1st boating experience

the girls on top of the pontoon

lots of boats… can’t get them all in a pic

Santa came to give out candy to the kids

this was me ALL day – tough life

with my hubby

kids love playing on this “aqua lily pad”

We had a blast. Finally we left and went back to our marina.

Our friends took us out to dinner to thank us for the day. I had steak, fries & cheese cake!! (I need to run today!)

Afterwards, there was live music followed by fireworks. A long fun day.

So the summer ends….hopefully there will be a lot fall boating adventures!!

Happy Running! How did you celebrate the long weekend?

September 1, 2013 by Darlene

Where Has the Summer Gone?

I cannot believe that it is September already!!

Well, August wasn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst.

AUGUST GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!! Yes, I guess. I ran several times each week.

several runs after work in this park

Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!! YES!!

plenty of resting on the lake

Play TENNIS! Only once.

Start planks! Only once 😦
Attend a yoga class! Nope!
Start training for the Oct 13 half marathon. Not sure if I am doing it yet.

did get a long run of 6 miles done here

Run a race. Nope!
Run at least 50 miles this month. YES!!

happy to be running although I am walking more than running some days.

So my running goals were not met. I feel bad about that. But I am not injured and I have run some. I did get back on the bike paths that I love.

Nisky Bike Path

Colonie Town Park Bike Path

I have spent lots of time with my hubby on our boat and also socializing with friends.

boating on Lake George

day at the US Open

more boating

Now what to shoot for in September? Well, they will look very similar…

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

RUN (regularly)!!!
Do not overdo and listen to my body…REST when necessary!!
Play TENNIS!
Start planks!
Attend a yoga class!
Decide if I am going to run the Oct 13 half marathon.
Run a race.
Register for some fall races.
Run at least 60 miles this month

Happy Running! How was your August? Anything exciting planned for September?

August 30, 2013 by Darlene

Slow Running Week

Yes, it is pathetic.

My excuses: it rained on Mon, I had a hair appt on Tues, I went to the US Open on Wed, I took my friend on to dinner on Thurs.

Except for Wed, I could have gotten up early and run before work…but I stayed in bed.

At least I am walking during the am break and at lunch.

Today I knew that I was going to the movies in the evening so I got up early and I RAN! It wasn’t so bad except for the 95% humidity.

I have lost my running mojo. If anyone has seen it, please return it to me soon!

Happy Running! Ever have one of those weeks?

August 28, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday – Day at the US Open

1 hour of tennis

6 hours of rain delays

August 27, 2013 by Darlene

Tuesday Update

Last Week:

Monday – 4 miles ~~after work~~ (actually 2 miles walking at lunch and 2 miles running after work)
Tuesday – walk (2 miles at lunch) – dinner with friends

Wednesday – 3 miles after work ~~and/or yoga?~~

washington park

Thursday – walk, ~~hair appt~~ got cancelled, visited mentee
Friday – ~~7 miles!!~~ – DAY OFF – SICK ;(
Saturday – ~~rest – lake?~~ 3 miles run/walk
Sunday – 3 miles at the lake

view of the Sagamore

more of the Sagamore

boating on lake George

Next Week:

Monday – walk
Tuesday – 3 miles before work?, hair appt after work
Wednesday – DAY OFF, bus trip to the US Open tennis tournament

Thursday – walk or run – b-day dinner with friend
Friday – 3 miles before work?, movie after work
Saturday – maybe run
Sunday – walk/run? at the lake
Monday – day off – maybe 6-8 miles?

Happy Running!

August 26, 2013 by Darlene

Not as Planned

So much for plans.

I had taken Friday off from work so I could do a 7 mile long run.

I woke up Friday morning with a migraine and upset stomach. I spent the whole day in bed. Grrrrr!

Saturday, I felt better but not great. I managed to clean the house, do the laundry and take a 3 mile walk/run in my neighborhood.

Sunday, I was determined to have a good day.

So my hubby and I headed up to Lake George.

Usually we sleep on the boat the night before and I get up early to run. (This was the plan every weekend in summers past.)

early morning at the marina

It was a perfect day weather-wise and my hubby was anxious to get on the lake.

late morning…

I begged for some time to take a walk/run. My hubby reluctantly agreed.

First I headed to Veteran’s Park/Beach.

boats docked near the beach

Then I retreated and ran over the bridge to the Sagamore Resort.

carriage rides available

Then I stopped at the pool and admired the view.

Mohican tour boat

My favorite part is always running along the Nature Trail.

new sign this year

It is easy on the feet and the views are awesome.

I would have run more but my hubby called wondering when I was coming back. At least I got 3 miles in.

Back to marina, I ran and we spent the rest of a picture perfect day in Basin Bay with our boating friends.

check out the girl and her dog on the SUP

Finally we had to call it a day and return to reality.

So on the running front, I am not where I would like to be. The runs are short and slow.

Today, it is raining and cool … a rest and a work day.

lucky to live near such a beautiful place…love it

Happy Running! How was your weekend?

August 23, 2013 by Darlene

4 Day Week & 5 Fotos

I could get used to this.

I have today off – why?

Why not?

I will attempt a long run of 7 miles.

horse warming up at the Saratoga track

Washington Park lake

couple getting married at the Corning Preserve

view of Schroon Lake

sunflower in Washington Park

Happy Running! Have a great weekend! Will you be running?

August 21, 2013 by Darlene

Racing or Vacation or Both

My friend said that this was me.

She is right, of course.

Allentown, PA

Sarasota, FL

Santa Clarita , CA

Naples, FL

I even registered for this race (just in case I visit friends there.) But that looks unlikely due to…see below.

Jan 5, 2014 – Palm Coast, FL.

And my latest excuse is that a friend just moved to Palm Springs, CA.

Remember Mary, my running, ice cream buddy

So guess where I am going? (January 8-13, 2014)

Here’s the description:

Join the Mayor of Palm Springs for one of the most scenic runs you will ever experience. The race is part of Mayor Steve Pougnet’s commitment to health and reducing childhood obesity. See the uptown, downtown, historic buildings, parks and the scenic mountain views. There is a race for everyone of every age. Come join the fun! Every registrant receives a hot breakfast and finisher’s medal!

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! Join us at the Pre-Race Spaghetti Dinner the night before.