April 22, 2013 by Darlene

S is for Shopping

I don’t particularly enjoy shopping but I do love a bargain… which is why I use coupons and tend to shop at Target, Marshalls, TJMax, Peter Harris, etc.

the hat, shirt & shorts were on clearance & had coupons for Olympia Sports

these were $50 off at Dick’s

Love the outlets too.

Yesterday, fortunately (or unfortunately for my wallet) I racing nearby. I bought things that I didn’t need but the bargains were too good to pass up.

my feet are now demanding flats – these green & blue ones at the Easy Spirit outlet cost $20 ea,

DressBarn outlet – sweater 50% off, blouse 30% off – for my Florida trip

Jones outlet – reg $34 on sale for $4.99 – had to buy it!

a black running skirt – can’t have too many of those – 25% off at the Reebok outlet

I did not buy anything at the Coach outlet but I was tempted.

I used to buy lots of tennis clothes (and when I played golf, I bought golf outfits), but since I started running that is what I spend the most of my money on.

a new shirt...it was on sale & I had a coupon...at least I didn't buy another pair of running shoes

another cool shirt that I got on sale & had a coupon!

recent tech shirt bargains: orange $3.88 at Target, green $3 at Walmart

Newtons – 40% off at an expo!

Happy Running! Do you like to shop? What are your favorite stores?

April 21, 2013 by Darlene

Lake George 5K Race Report

April 21, 2013 – 8:15 am

I signed up for this race on a whim.

the day before the Lake George Half Marathon in 2011

I love Lake George and this half marathon was my half PR (in the freezing rain!) but unfortunately I am NOT in half marathon shape right now.

finishing the Lake George Half in 2011

So when I got a $5 off coupon in my e-mail , I said: “what the heck.” (I also misread it and thought the race started at 9:45 am. Duh.)

Anyway, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit with my Lake George friends after the race (or maybe even shop at the Outlets.)

course map

I wasn’t sure about the course but I know it is hilly anywhere in Lake George (as was the Polar Cap race). It also may be crowded and difficult to find parking (since the half starts first at 8:00 am).

Again the dilemma of what to wear … some days it feels like spring, other days it feels like winter.

So left my house early (around 6:15 am) and it was COLD (30 degrees!!)!! I decided to wear something similar to last week (long sleeve shirt, gloves, skirt & compression socks) and hope for the best.

I planned to dedicate this race to Boston so I wore an old Boston baseball cap.

When I arrived, I started looking for parking in the hotel lot. (If it was full, I planned to check out the park or the village or my friends’ house.) I managed to find a spot and it was even colder than when I left the house and WINDY!!! Luckily I had a pair of sweat pants in my car & another jacket.

I went to pick up my race packet and bib (I had hoped it was more organized than in 2011 which was their first annual race.) I also got a large cotton tee-shirt that said half marathon on it and then headed back to the car to get rid of my pants.

Most of the runners there were racing the half marathon so there was only a small crowd doing the 5K. (This is the first time I have been at a half with 2 options & I chose the lesser one … felt strange.) But I was glad to race. There could even be an age group award possibility.

Everyone huddled together in the hotel dining room to stay warm until the last minute. The half marathon started at 8 am so most people left. About 10 minutes later, the rest of us ventured down the hill. (I decided to keep my jacket on…I was freezing & wished I had worn tights & a warmer hat.)

The race organization was not much better than last time. There was construction on Beach Road and we had to walk on the gravel road amid the bulldozers searching for the start of the race.

We walked quite a ways and then the organizer stopped us. No start line or sign. He told us to huddle around him so he could tell us the course (which turns out was totally wrong). He didn’t know the street names (he was from Florida) and there were no signs, clocks or mile markers (or people). He said just to follow the lead runner. (There was no water…luckily it was cold.)

Finally we started (about 10 minutes late) and proceeded to head up a HUGE HILL!!! Not ready for that in the first half mile. I tried to run up it and was worried that I’d tire my legs out too soon so I walked twice during the long ascent. Then we went down for a while but there was a turn around so that meant mile 2 went up hill again. This time I ran but was running as slow as a walk. Finally we hit a downhill and headed toward town (on an unstable narrow gravel path). It was very hard to run on it and I was stuck behind 2 slow runners (whom I eventually passed.) It was at this point that I saw one of my boating friends. (I had told her the race ended on Beach Rd because that’s what the course was supposed to be.)

Eventually when we hit Canada St (the main road of the town) we turned around and went back on the narrow gravel road. The race ended by running uphill on another gravel path toward the hotel.

Here are runners headng to the finish. You can see the road construction below.

check out that 90 degree turn

There was no finish line sign but at least there was a timing mat. I crossed at 29:17. I was surprised because I was not running fast at all, I walked twice and there was a head wind at times.

done!

I was still freezing! My friend caught up with me. We hung out for a bit. The food was just bunches of bananas and snack bags of crackers & cookies. (I don’t think this race is on my To DO list any more!! There was a lot of negative comments on FB about the half as well.)

I checked out the finish times & I came in 2nd in my age group (There might have only been two runners.) So we stayed for a while, and watched the fast runners finish the half marathon.

Did I mention that I was COLD!!! The awards were running late (like everything else) so I went to put back on my sweats. It turned out that because the turn out was small, they only gave out awards for 1st place in each AG. (I just looked online and they had me in the 60-99 AG!! In the correct AG, I did win!! Add that to my list of complaints!)

My friend & I quickly left and went out to breakfast. I had French toast and we chatted for an hour or so.

too cold for boats today

After she left, I decided to take advantage of being near Lake George and drove up to our marina. I had heard that they re-did the bathrooms. They did and they are beautiful!

Since the wind had died down, I decided to run some more.

I headed on my familiar summer running route…over the bridge and to the Sagamore Hotel.

I ran around the hotel grounds & even went to a condo Open House. Then I ran on the Nature Trail.

I rested on my usual lounge chair and then ran back into town.

It had finally warmed up enough to have ice cream 😉

On the way home, I stopped at the outlets. More about that in my next post!

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

April 20, 2013 by Darlene

R is for Racing

No better feeling that crossing the finish line…

I.Love.Racing.

If I had the time and money (and no injuries), I would run a race every weekend of the year.
Racing keeps me running. I know that I cannot slack off. If I do, then the race will be painful (physically and mentally).
I usually run alone and when I run a race, I see and meet other runners. So much more enjoyable.
I am competitive so when I run a race, I don’t stop and walk as much and I run faster.
I only get that runner’s high when I cross a finish line.

even smiling through the pain of a stress fracture

Speaking about racing, I have a 5K race scheduled for tomorrow.

April 21, 2013

I ran the Half Marathon in 2011 but this year I decided to try the 5k. I finished my last 5K under 29 minutes!!! I don’t think that’s going to happen again for awhile. And this one is a lot hillier. I just plan to have fun and run the best race that I can.

how can you not enjoy a race that has this view?

Happy Running! Do you enjoying running or racing or both?

April 19, 2013 by Darlene

Q is for Quotes

Original artwork of Runners Feed Freelance Writer- Amanda Winslow

“Me and running don’t always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But that doesn’t mean I don’t do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good for you. Every day is the day.”

“The gun goes off and everything changes… the world changes… and nothing else really matters.” – Patti Sue Plummer

“Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?”– Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian

“I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart.” – Mike Fanelli

“I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” –Jesse Owens

“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” –Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” –Oprah Winfrey

“Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it’s all about.” –PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

“Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don’t let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself.” –John Bingham, running speaker and writer

“You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who don’t run and never will… those who run but don’t race…those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line…those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted.” – Joe Henderson

“Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re probably right.” -Henry Ford

“Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time.” -Michael Sargent

“Remember the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.” -Sarah Condor

“Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too.” – Richard O’Brien

Happy Running! What is your favorite motivational quote?

April 18, 2013 by Darlene

P is for Planks

Planks are probably the best all-around abs exercise. (Click HERE to read about their benefits.)

Check out this video for simple tips on how to check your form—and get better results faster!

Here’s how to do the basic plank:

Get in the pushup position, only put your forearms on the ground instead of your hands. Your elbows should line up directly underneath your shoulders. Toes on the ground.
Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abdominals.
Keep a neutral neck and spine.
Create a straight, strong line from head to toes
Hold that position (for as long as you can and then some)

Things to Remember:

Don’t let your hips sag down to the ground. Sagging hips makes the exercise initially easier, but it’s not a plank and it defeats the purpose of the exercise.
Look down at the ground. This is a good prompt for maintaining a neutral neck position.
When your form begins to suffer, pull the plug. You’re only benefiting from the plank by actually doing the plank.

Here is a great post about Planks for Runners.

I try to do them whenever I remember. Right now, I am trying to make them part of my daily morning routine.

use the timer on my iPad (so far 1 minute)

I use the timer on my iPad (so far for just 1 minute)

Happy Running! Do do planks?

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

Join the Running Bloggers Survey

Some bloggers have been posting this so I thought I’d try it (even if it’s not part of the A-Z Challenge). In light of Boston, it somehow seems approrpriate.

Best run ever: Probably the Mother’s Day 5k 2011. It was on my birthday and I finished in 25:xx which is amazing for me. Unfortunately the course was short. But I felt almost fast for the only time ever.

Three words that describe my running: Empowering, energizing, rejuvenating (most of these describe how I feel after I’m done LOL)

My go-to running outfit is: Running skirt (my 2 favorites are from runningskirts.com), sleeveless tech top, compression socks, baseball cap in the summer (Of course, it changes as the weather gets colder to tights under the skirt & a wind shirt on top.)

I won’t run outside when it’s: Raining. I’m a wimp. I don’t like getting wet (except ONCE because it was during a Half Marathon.)

Worst injury—and how I got over it: That’s an easy one. It was a broken ankle. I wasn’t able to run for over 5 months!!!! As with any injury: rest, patience, PT, patience, re-up mileage slowly, patience.

I felt most like a badass mother runner when: Last September I chic-ed a guy. I was behind him almost the whole race and then I passed him near the finish line (I am in the purple and that guy isn’t even n the picture but this was the race).

Potential running goal for 2013: A Half Marathon. And I did already!! So I would say a PR at any distance!

Next race is: This Sunday… a 5k.

Want to join in?

Just copy the prompts below, answer to the best of your abilities, then head over and link up.

Best Run Ever

Three Words That Describe My Running

My Go-To Running Outfit

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s…

Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When…

Potential Running Goal for 2013

My Next Race Is…

Happy Running!

April 17, 2013 by Darlene

O is for Old races vs new ones

Freihofer’s 2010

There are fun races that I love and will try to do EVERY YEAR such as the Freihofer’s Run for Women and Albany’s Last Run.

Here they are before the Albany Last Run 5k

Last Run 5k 2011

And ones that I run every year because I support the charity such as Breast Cancer and Juvenile Arthritis.

Race for a Cure 2011

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Of course, there are races that I run every year just because friends are doing them.

Sean’s Run with Mary

Polar Cap with AJH

But I am always looking for New races. Here are some that I am considering (the ones in bold I have already signed up for):

3-30-13 – Ice Breaker 5K
4-21-13 – Lake George 5K
5-12-13 – Mother’s Day 5K
6-23-13 – Adirondack Distance Run – 10m
7-28-13 – Biggest Loser Run 15 K (in Killington, VT)
8-03-13 – Race the Train (8.4 mi)
10-13-13 – Mohawk-Hudson Half Marathon
10-19-13 – Great Pumpkin 10K
11-02-13 – Fall Frun 10K

Old or New…I will thinking of Boston!

Happy Running! Do you do the same old races each year or do you look for new ones?

April 16, 2013 by Darlene

For Boston

I already posted today but Boston is the only thing I have been thinking about since yesterday afternoon.

As a runner, it is always so exciting to follow the race and listen to the enthusiasm of those before the race and stories when they return.

This year was no different.

Yes, I knew runners that were running it (from blogs and from races).

me & Colleen at the Race for the Cure 09

I work with Colleen and we started running at the same time. We ran several 5ks together and chatted about running whenever we saw each other. She is a natural runner. After I started running half marathons in 2011, she joined a running group and ran a 15k and then a marathon.

Colleen running her 1st marathon

Last October, she ran her 2nd marathon and BQed. She was in Boston yesterday running the marathon.

SRM running Group with Melissa (2nd from right) – March 2010

I met Melissa when I was part of a beginning runners’ group in 2010. She had just had a baby and was returning to running. I have since seen her at many races. She has quickly gotten back her running form and has run everything from 5ks to marathons. Her goal is to BQ and I am sure she will. She was at the Boston Marathon with her family cheering on local runners.

Melissa & her daughter at the marathon

Here is a FB comment from one of our group who ran the race: “...I did not finish. I saw the 1st explosion and then was directly across from the 2nd one. So I ran away from the craziness….”

Sisters Laura & Michelle at the 2011 Boston Marathon

When I was teaching French, I taught Laura & Michelle. They were two of my best students. Michelle was and is a runner. I see her at local races. She ran Boston last year and was running it again this year.

Thankfully everyone I knew and runners that my friends knew are fine!!!

There are no words to explain the horror of this event! 27,000 runners were there. Probably 100,000 spectators. As a runner, I know how hard it is to qualify, what it means to compete in a race, what is means to finish a race. This was taken away from about 9,000 runners. Even the ones who did finish, this senseless tragedy has taken all the joy away and has left them with memories of fatalities and injury and fear!

Here are 2 stories that I recommend reading:

I am a runner. I am not a fast runner. I will probably never run a marathon. Hence, I will never qualify for Boston. But I am a runner.

I am wearing an “I Run” necklace

Today I am wearing blue and gold. I played tennis last night & will play tonight so I had not planned to run. But I will run 2.62 miles on the treadmill at lunch in honor of the victims in Boston.

2.62 on the TM

I will wear my half marathon race shirt when I play tennis tonight. I will also dedicate my 5k race on Sunday to Boston.

Happy Running! Did you ever run the Boston Marathon? Did you know anyone who was there?

April 16, 2013 by Darlene

N is for Newtons

Back in October, I went to a workshop at FleetFeet on Natural Running. It was sponsored by Newton. I tried on a pair of Newtons and did some running drills with them. Unfortunately, I was suffering from a foot stress fracture. So it wasn’t a good time to buy.

Why wear Newtons?

Here’s what they say:

Action/Reaction^TM Technology – Most running shoes utilize passive cushioning like EVA foam, gel or air that lose energy as they are engaged. Like a mattress, these materials flatten under your body weight over time. With Action/Reaction^TM technology, you will immediately experience a highly responsive and engaging cushioning that protects and loses less energy with every step you take. Some people have described our cushioning as a “trampoline,” only more fun.

Minimal Drop – Newton Running shoes are designed with a minimal “drop” – or height difference – between the height of the heel and the ball of the foot. A more level-to-the-ground platform positions you to support a natural running motion.

Biomechanical Sensor Plate – Our feet are sensitive and brilliantly designed to ensure that we step efficiently and protectively. Unfortunately, highly cushioned shoes often obstruct this communication with the ground. Enter our biomechanical sensor plate, which allows you to sense the ground better so you can stride more efficiently and with more stability – some might even say intelligently, the way nature intended. Some call this “neuromuscular” enhancement. The foot senses the ground and sends a message to the brain to tell the muscles what to do.

Lightweight Comfort – Our shoes are designed to deliver function at minimal weight. We’ve been told that our shoes make you feel almost like you can fly, and that you can’t help but run fast in them. That’s fun, but we love that our lightweight, comfortable shoes help you pick up your feet and run more actively and naturally – almost as if you had no shoes on at all.

Then last month I went to an expo and Newtons were on sale for 40% off so I bought a pair. I was training for my half marathon at the time so I kept running with my Sauconys until the race was over.

These are the ones I bought.

I have been running in them for the past month. I started with 3 miles on the treadmill and then proceeded to run outside. My longest run has only been 6 miles (I am not sure that they give my achilles enough support for longer runs…).

I really didn’t have a hard time adjusting to them. They are light and comfy. They have a wide toe box and narrow heel. (My orthotics fit nicely too.) I bought them in a bigger size than I am used to wearing and they feel fine.

My only issue is the color (how shallow). I am drawn to pink, blue & purple (not yellow, orange & neon green). Maybe I need another pair.

Also, they are expensive and showing wear already in the outside of the heels (yes, I drag my feet and wear my shoes out quicker than I’d like).

Pros:

My bunion hurts less (in fact I forgot about it in my last 2 races)
I feel like I am running faster (They feel lighter & my legs feel less heavy)
My race splits have improved (under 10 minutes)

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

running 5 miles in my Newtons!

Cons:

Color (I guess I could buy new ones in a different color)
Wearing out (I really do try not to drag my feet but they are rapidly wearing on the ouside of the heel)
Less support? (Will I have problems with long runs in these?? I have had achilles strain & stress fracture in the past)

Happy Running! Anyone else wear Newtons? What do you think?