May 30, 2013 by Darlene

May Update and June Goals

Unfortunately, this was a low mileage month.

MAY GOALS UPDATE —

Continue to run regularly (outdoors unless it is raining then on the treadmill at work). YES! 3-4x each week for at least 3 miles

one of my favorite routes = Washington Park

Continue to fit in tennis & yoga in my schedule (once per week). YES (did yoga weekly except when on vacation & then I played tennis)

played tennis for 7 days in a row!

Take a lunch break – we get an hour but I eat at my desk – now that the weather is nice I should go for a walk – Not exactly but I have been walking 1 mile in the morning and 1 mile in the afternoon with a co-worker (on some days). She is diligent about taking her breaks!

Get up early and do some runs before work. YES I have been running once or twice a week before work – prefer it, too.
Eat healthy & keep a reasonable weight. Not exactly – birthdays, vacations, etc.
Don’t let my running schedule take over – make time for family and friends (and mentees). YES.

Add longer runs on the weekend with the goal being a 10 mile race in June. Not exactly – I only ran more than 3 once and that was last weekend (6 miles).
Run at least one race. YES. Ran two 5ks.

Mother’s Day 5K

Run several times during my tennis vacation in Florida. YES, Ran 3x!!

during one of my 3 mile runs

De-clutter the running gear – go through clothes and get rid of those tops & shorts that don’t fit or I don’t wear. Yes. I could do some more but it was a start.

My goals are getting pretty boring but I want goals that that are achievable and relevant so here they are my GOALS for June:

Continue to run at least 3 times per week.

Go for at least 5 walks per week while at work

Get up early and do some runs before work.

Return to doing a plank a day.

Lose some of those vacation pounds.

Run longer (at least 5 miles) once per week.

Run at least two races.

Run more total miles than in May.

Happy Running! How was your May? Any interesting goals set for June?

May 29, 2013 by Darlene

My Next and Favorite 5K

2013 shirt…I think it goes with the skirt I wore for the Sarasota Half

Will I be on the first page of the sports section again?

that’s me 2nd from left (2010)

me again in the purple (2012)

I should be running long and not racing a 5K. (I have a 10 mile race is a few weeks and am going to NYC on Sunday.)

But for the 6th time, I am running this race. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The Freihofer Run for Women is my favorite race:

It is ALL women – all ages – all sizes – veterans – newbies – elites – walkers
It is a real USATF race with Olympic runners in it.
It feels so good to be a part of its excitement.
The results are printed in the local newspaper and even though I finish around 2000, I am happy if I finish in the top half.
You always meet someone you know.
Running it in 2008 made realize that I that I could be a runner.
Being part of other runners’ first 5k in 2010 made me proud.
2011 was my FRW PR year.
Finishing it in 2012 helped me believe that I could be a runner again.
It ends with a downhill 🙂
Maybe I’ll make the newspapers again…

In such a crowded race, it is impossible to have time goal. But finishing under 30 minutes would make me happy.

Happy Running! Do you have a favorite race?

May 28, 2013 by Darlene

Back on Track

Because I work, I need to schedule all my runs to make myself accountable. I used to each Monday post an update of the previous week and then plan the current week. I have not done that since APRIL 7!!

I got off track during the A-Z blogging challenge and then my birthday and of course, vacation but now I am back…..

week-in-review11-1s6ozv2

Last 2 Weeks’ Update:

8 day tennis vacation starting Wed!

Mon – rest
Tues – 3 mile run
Wed – rest – fly to Naples
Thurs – tennis
Fri – 3 mile run, tennis
Sat – rest
Sun – 3 mile run, tennis

running on vacation = hard to fit in

Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – 3 mile run, tennis, fly home from Naples
Thurs – rest
Fri – 4 miles (TM), mah jongg
Sat – rest
Sun – 6 mile run

2 1/2 of tennis = ?? miles

This coming week:

Monday – rest, boating
Tuesday – 4 mile run
Wednesday – 3 mile run
Thursday – 3 mile run, Mother Runner party at Fleetfeet
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – 5K race (+ 4??)
Sunday – trip to NYC

Happy Running! Do you schedule your runs?

May 27, 2013 by Darlene

Running & Boating At Last

Yesterday morning, it was cold and dreary. Not boating weather but running was indeed possible.

rain clouds overhead

It was 49 degrees so I took the opportunity to wear my new long sleeved shirt (that I was saving for my October Half Marathon), added a jacket & capris and headed to the Corning bike path.

It was windy as well. Quite different weather conditions than Florida!!!!

My plan was to take it slow…. I usually don’t skip from 3 miles to 6 miles. I didn’t want to get injured but I have to run 10 miles on June 23 so I better get training!!

The course which is usually full of dog walkers, bikers and runners was empty! Maybe because it was cold, windy and about to rain.

I ran (with some walking breaks) 3 miles out before turning around. My time was 32:32.

On the way back, I finally saw a few runners. I also decided that I would try to negative split my run. I always run slower and slower. Not this time. I finished in 31:32.

Then as soon as I got in my car. It started to rain!

Perfect timing.

Today when I got up, the sun was shining! Not warm but sunny! Hooray! Off to the marina we went.

boats starting to get ready to go out for the day

We bumped into some friends and decided to head to West Dollar Island for a BBQ.

tour boat passed by our site

After some eating, we relaxed in the sun.

the hubby & our friend Ron enjoying the view

After our friends left, we drove to Log Bay and hung out there for awhile and then went to Basin Bay where we bumped into more friends.

Finally it was time to head back to the marina.

Such as perfect relaxing day. The only negative was that the water is still too cold to go swimming. (Not complaining…so happy that the rain stopped for one day!)

Hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day!

Happy Running! How did you celebrate the holiday weekend?

May 25, 2013 by Darlene

Rain Rain Go Away

Rainy days and Saturdays always get me down.

It hasn’t stopped raining since I got home and it is COLD!!

90 degrees not long ago

Yesterday I even resorted to the treadmill after work. You know how I hate the treadmill.

Today, indoors again – laundry, unpacking, cleaning out closets, grocery shopping…. at least I was productive.

But I’d rather be boating, gardening, running, playing tennis, biking….anything but the above.

celebrating on a Lake George Island last year

The bad news is that tomorrow doesn’t look any better. I am hoping to squeeze a long run in between the raindrops. I may have to drag out my winter running gear.

I feel sorry for all those runners who are racing! I hope the weather is better than forecasted.

If we are lucky, the sun will come out on Monday.

and Lake George here we come!

Happy Running! What are your weekend plans?

May 24, 2013 by Darlene

Foto Friday

Since it is cold and rainy and my running looks like it will be non-existent (or on the treadmill 😦 ), I thought I’d post some photos from my recent tennis vacation in Naples, Florida (where it was hot and sunny. 🙂 )

we always take a picture outside this restaurant each year

after our last dinner out

during one of my three 3-mile runs

one of the dolphins we saw

on a water taxi ride

1st day of tennis play & lessons

during our sunset cruise

on Palm Island

group photo on our last day of tennis lessons

Happy Running! Any running or racing planned for the weekend?

May 23, 2013 by Darlene

Need a Vacation From My Vacation

the “group” – 9th Naples vacation together

Yes, I am back and I am exhausted. I will post pics later this week.

Here is a summary by the numbers:

7 = the number of times I played doubles in tennis (1 1/2 hours ea)
5 = the number of tennis clinics attended (1 hour ea)
2 = the number of afternoons spent at the pool
2 = the number of boat rides (dolphins seen on both)
1 = the number of sunsets viewed
3 = the number of 3 mile runs
2 = the number of lunches in restaurants
7 = the number of dinners in restaurants
5 = the number of afternoons spent at the beach
8 = the number of sunshiny HOT HUMID days
9 = the number of items bought (4 tops on sale, 1 pair of shorts on sale, 2 shirts for hubby on sale, 2 pairs of tennis shoes)

on Palm Island

My friends are great. I have a renewed enthusiasm for tennis. I am so glad I forced myself to do a little running.

Back to reality…. work, laundry, rain, cooler temps…

Happy Running! What is new with you? What did I miss?

May 14, 2013 by Darlene

Vitamin D – Part 4

Yes, this is my fourth (and last) trip to Florida. (It’s not Disney-inspired, or visiting old friends or even to run a half marathon. It’s to play tennis and do some female-bonding.)

Tomorrow I leave for the tennis ladies’ 9th trip together to Naples, Florida. (For some of us, this is our 17th tennis trip – 1 Palm Springs, 5 Las Vegas, 1 Dominican Rep, 1 Delray Beach.)

There will be 10 of us and we rent 2 villas (from the same lady) in World Tennis Center.

We will be playing tennis everyday from 8-11 am

BTW: this will be the 1st year I will not be needing a knee brace.

and then we will be busy the rest of the day with a variety of fun/relaxing activities.

I could never get tired of looking at this!!!

I think they will involve this view.

I am bringing my running clothes. Will I run??? I certainly hope so!!

these were my enthusiastic friends in 2008 – will I be able to get them to run with me???

(I am pretty excited about this trip since last year when I went I couldn’t play tennis or run – just bike.)

bike riding every morning around World Tennis Center

fake smiling with my bike last year

I won’t have a computer so no posting for 8 days!!! (I will have my iPad & iPhone so I will be following your blogs and updating my FB status.)

I will post pics when I return.

Happy Running! I will miss you all! Stay healthy!

May 13, 2013 by Darlene

Lacking the Long Run Motivation

Ever since my March half marathon, I have been trying to get my speed back. As a result, I have been racing 5Ks and mostly running 3 miles with an occasional 4 or 5 miler thrown in.

I definitely feel more confident about my speed (although it isn’t or may never be totally back).

So now, I need to run longer.

And I can’t find the motivation!!

I have a 10 mile race on June 23 and a 15K on July 28. I also have a Half Marathon on October 13.

The problem is that I can’t find the time on the weekends!!

It is easy to squeeze in 3 miles and then do other things. Long runs take time!

can only spend time with Amanda & her sons on the weekend.

the boating season is too short and too expensive not to take advantage of it every weekend that the weather is nice (it is the one thing my hubby & I do together …)

I guess that’s why I usually run 5ks in the summer and train for long races in the winter.

In the meantime, I am going to have to get creative about fitting in the long runs this summer – take mornings off from work, run after work, etc. (and the weather better cooperate!!)

But I will not get injured by running a long race untrained.

Happy Running! Anyone else have the long run motivation blues??

May 12, 2013 by Darlene

Mother’s Day 5K Race bRUNch Report

This race was advertised to have chocolate fountains and mimosas – can’t beat that!

photo from last year’s

As I mentioned before, it used to be held near my house and they gave out phenominal bling but when attendance declined they moved to Schenectady. Last year, I wasn’t running so this is my first year running this race in its new location.

Felice, Amanda & me after the race in 2010

Felice, Amanda & me in 2010

me, Mary Pat & Pat in 2011

I have run two 5k races in this park so I know that it has some hills but nothing too bad. I finished one in 2010 at 30:13 and one in 2011 at 29:22 so I had hoped to be in this general range. My tennis friend MaryPat said she would run it with me (but she’s not that dependable). I have a mah jongg friend, Bev, also who planned to be there. Originally rain was in the forecast but that has changed. It was cloudy and cooler.

cooling trend

I must admit that I felt very sluggish when I got up in the am. I definitely should have gone to bed earlier and skipped the creme brulee at dinner last night.

I had picked up my race shirt and bib yesterday so there was no need to rush to the race.

I had my usual breakfast and decided to wear the race shirt since it was the same color as the shirt I was going to wear and grabbed a jacket (just in case).

The race was in Central Park and there are a lot of places to park but I followed someone in and wound up parking in a new great spot (right across from the start line) that I never knew about.

ready to run!

I immediately found my friend MaryPat.

Then I bumped into Bev and introduced her to Mary.

Soon the race began. At this point the sun was in and out and it was warm. But there were ominous clouds overhead.

As usual, I started near the front but quickly the fast ladies sped by me. My legs felt really heavy and I thought I was running very slow but I actually wasn’t.

at the beginning

passing the pond

The course was pretty nice, you ran around the duck pond and through the woods and ended back at the pavilion. (It was different than the course I ran here previously.)

cute mile markers

As was my last race, this race was a long 5K – at least 3.2 miles. Oh well. As with the my last race, I really tired during mile 2 and then got some energy back at the end.

pretending not to be tired

happy to see the end

According to my Garmin, I finished at 29:37. I think the official results said 29:38. Under 30 minutes – I was pleased. After you crossed, they handed you a rose: