February 2, 2013 by Darlene

Polar Cap 4m Race Report

I ran this race with blogger AJH 2 years ago and it was a tough hilly one but still fun.

Here we are winning AG awards

AJH is running it again and I was looking forward to seeing her.

Racing and training are difficult to coordinate. This weekend should be 8 miles for me. So I can add on 4 after the race (which is doubtful) or do 8 tomorrow (Hmmm 2 days in a row???)

I had no expectations for this race. It is my 3rd time racing 4 miles but I am in no way as good a shape as the two previous times (40:11 & 38:02). So I just wanted to have fun and feel good. An AG award would be a bonus!

It was about 18 degrees and sunny when I left the house. I had about an hour drive. As I drove north, the temps dropped and the clouds rolled in.

I got there early and was surprised at how crowded the parking lot was. I immediately found a spot in the cafeteria to leave ALL my stuff, picked up my bib & headed to the restroom (a real one) and there behind me on line was AJH.

It was nice to run a race with a familiar face. AJH brought her hubby which was convenient for taking photos.

Here we are indoors before the race

The race is pretty informal…no timing chips. The sun came out as we started so I decided to take the sleeves off my jacket and wear a windbreaker over it and my turtleneck. (I was actually perfectly dressed, the only things that were cold were my feet & I was wearing smart wool socks.)

We are starting (I am wearing that blue windbreaker)

The race is starting (I am wearing that blue windbreaker) – taken by AJH’s hubby

The race started with a hill right off the bat. I was discouraged cause it was tough but then things got better. I tried to run a consistent slow pace and if possible NOT WALK.

the course (after the race...the lake is on the right

part of the course (taken after the race…the lake is on the bottom right

I know that from the last time, there was a long hill between miles 3 & 4 and I had to walk.

This time, it didn’t seem as bad and I ran the whole time. I even had enough gas to sprint through the finish line.

There I go… (taken by AJH’s hubby)

According to my Garmin, I crossed at 41:37. Officially 41:40.

And it was good enough for 3rd place in my Age Group 🙂

AJH got 2nd place…we won a lunch bag which matches the race shirt

AJH also won a Road ID as a raffle prize.

The food was pretty good – chocolate milk, soup and lots of homemade desserts. I will definitely do this race again next year (& try to keep the AG award streak going… in a new AG)

As far as the race, I was happy with my performance.

Mile 1: 10:24
Mile 2: 10:29
Mile 3: 10:38 (the hill)
Mile 4: 10:16

I was under 11 min miles but of course, when I was running my best, I was under 10 minutes.

It was not even close to a PR but then again I didn’t expect one.

I didn’t run 4 more miles. I changed my clothes and headed out on the road. I drove north along the lake to Bolton Landing.

the marina where we keep our boat

Then I headed back to village to see some friends who were working at the Winter Carnival.

finishing up the ice sculpture

There were outhouse races on the ice, pony rides (not on the ice), chili cook-off, etc.

people hanging out on the frozen lake

I was too cold to hang around long. The wind had picked up and it seemed a lot colder than in the morning.

obviously the cold does not bother the ducks

So I left and on my way home, I made a quick stop at the outlets. I only bought 2 baseball caps that were on sale at the Reebok store.

Tomorrow there is another free race. I may do the 4 miler or I may just run on my own.. We’ll see how these old legs feel.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this weekend?

February 1, 2013 by Darlene

January Update

The Highlights:

6 weeks of Half Marathon training completed (with 6 weeks to go.)
ran 4 days in a row while vacationing in Florida
67 total miles run (despite 2 missed runs during my bout with a cold/flu)- YAY!!

ran a 10K race (even PRed)
bought a new pair of Brooks
played tennis twice
did yoga once

Running over Granada Bridge

Running on Nisky Bike Trail

I just realized that I didn’t set any goals for January so I will for February:

Run regularly (at least 3x per week)
Train for my March Half Marathon (one long run per week)
Play tennis (at least once per week)
Do yoga (when I can, at least once per month)
Run a race
Stay healthy!!!!

Happy Running! How did your January go? Anything new planned for February?

January 31, 2013 by Darlene

Crazy Weather & A Mid-Week Long Run Attempt

Sunday – 18 degrees & sunny – 8 miles done
Monday – snow & sleet – tennis cancelled
Tuesday – 30 degrees & cloudy -tennis
Wednesday – 55 degrees and rain – NEED TO RUN!!
Thursday – 30 degrees & cloudy – haircut scheduled
Friday – 20 degrees – Mah Jongg scheduled (race on Sat)

As you can see, only one day free to run this week!!! And it was forecasted to RAIN!!!

With the forecast for rain/thunder & high winds after work, I set my alarm for early Wednesday morning (hoping to squeeze 4 miles in) but woke up to darkness, drizzle, and 25 mph howling winds…I went back to bed 😦

Plan B- Maybe I’ll run 4 miles outside at lunch or maybe on the dreadmill and then run 4 more miles after work…

It was drizzly and very windy around lunchtime. So I suffered through 4 miles on the treadmill (while watching an episode of Revenge on my iPad).

After work, some friends were planning a run at 6 pm at the Corning bike path.

When I got out of work at 4:30 pm, it was not raining and the wind had died down but it looked like it may not last. It was 55 degrees. I had to get outside. I hurried, got changed & took off to do 4 more miles.

I ran about 1 1/4 miles and the wind picked up and it started to pour. I mean in minutes I was DRENCHED!!! So I turned around and headed back to my car. I was dripping wet and guess what? The rain stopped. Grrrrr! (I guess I should have waited to run at 6 pm.)

Not me…it makes me feel WET.

As for my foot, it didn’t really hurt on the treadmill. I did hurt outside but not worse. I think I’ll try a few more miles tomorrow at lunch. Friday is my rest day before a race on Saturday.

Happy Running! Anyone like running in the rain?

January 30, 2013 by Darlene

Bunions Anyone?

I have that familiar feeling again…pain on the inside of my right foot. ( I even got interviewed for Good Houskeeping about it.)

Although I have a bigger bunion on my left, it never hurts. Just the right foot.

it feels worse than it looks

The last time it hurt was while training for the FIRST half marathon (in January 2011). It started feeling pain once I went over 6 miles. It gets inflamed and then needs to be rested.

For some reason after that race, it never hurt again (and I ran 4 more halfs) UNTIL NOW!!!

It started to hurt toward the end of my long run on Sunday and has continued to be sore!!!

I haven’t run since Sunday and will try today wearing an older pain of Asics. Wish me luck!!

Happy Running! Anyone else suffer from bunion pain?

January 29, 2013 by Darlene

Too Early to Plan 2014?

I was playing with InstaCollage and missing the warm weather and my friends in Florida.

So I started looking for races near their new house.

they hope to buy this amazing house in Flagler Beach

Guess what I found?

HALF MARATHON TRAVERSES BEAUTY OF PALM COAST

On Sunday, January 5th, hundreds of runners will participate in a rigorous event that will cross a magnificent route that invigorates the soul as well as the body.

The City of Palm Coast will host its annual Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk and one mile Fun Run on January 5th, 2014, beginning at 8:00 a.m. All events will take runners/walkers through the natural beauty and peace that has become Palm Coast’s trademark: the interpretive preservation areas of Linear Park/St. Joe Walkway trails; the exciting Intracoastal Waterway and canals; the beautiful beaches.

The 4th Annual Palm Coast Half Marathon, 5K and Fun Run has the same start and finish – the World Class Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida as the 2103 race.

Event Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Half Marathon
8:15 a.m. – 5K Run/Walk
9:45 AM- 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
10:00 a.m. – 5K Awards Presentation
11:00 a.m. – Half Marathon Awards Presentation

RACE HIGHLIGHTS:

Half Marathon / 5K / Fun Run
Chip Timing
Tech Shirts to Half-Marathon Runners
Commemorative T-Shirts to 5K Fun Runners
Post Race Celebration featuring Music & Refreshments
Finisher Medals to Half-Marathoners
ALL Events open to Walkers
Hydration stations, medical support throughout the course
Results printed online

FINISH LINE CELEBRATION: Once you cross the finish line, the real fun begins. Join with friends and family to celebrate your accomplishment with refreshments and live music!

Blog posts about this race –

http://www.fit2flex.com/2013/01/palm-coast-half-marathon.html

http://bostonorbust330.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/palm-coast-half-marathon-starting-the-new-year-on-the-right-fast-foot/

Only 153 runners competed in 2013. With such a small field, I could be running alone. I could finish last.

But I REGISTERED!!! (It was only $40 so if I don’t go, I won’t be losing that much $.)

Happy Running? Anyone else plan this far ahead??

January 28, 2013 by Darlene

Week 6 – Almost Halfway

after climbing 219 steps

Week 4 update:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 4 miles
Wed – stationary bike, yoga
Thurs – 6 miles
Fri – stationary bike
Sat – rest
Sun – 4.75 miles, 438 steps

someone took my pic to prove that I duid run over the bridge.

after running 3 miles to this bridge

Week 5 update:

Mon – 6 miles, 406 steps
Tues – 5.75 miles
Wed – 3.75 miles
Thurs – stationary bike
Fri – stationary bike, 3 miles
Sat – rest
Sun – 8 miles

running 8 miles on the Nisky bike trail

Week 6:

Mon – stationary bike, ~~tennis~~ (cancelled – snow/ice)
Tues – ~~stationary bike~~ (cancelled – soup potluck at lunch), tennis
Wed – stationary bike, yoga or 8 miles?? (depends on the weather)
Thurs – stationary bike , haircut
Fri – ~~stationary bike~~ (cancelled – farewell lunch for boss)
Sat – 4 mile race (& add some if 8 not run on Wed)
Sun – 4 mile race (if 8 wasn’t run Wed or Sat)

So here are my issues:

Running in the cold dark morning hours is not appealing!!!

But energy-wise, I run better in the morning.

Running on the same day as tennis is not good for the foot & ankle.

Running a race infers with long runs but I love racing!

Weather such as snow and ice impacts my running.

But as Miss Zippy says: I signed up for this!! A March Half Marathon means training in the winter!!!

I need to believe this!!!

Happy Running! Do you have any of these issues?

January 27, 2013 by Darlene

I’m Not In Florida, Sigh

Wish I was still in warm, sunny Flordia

Instead I ran on the street after work on Friday. It was a dark 16 degrees. I could only muster 3 miles.

Today I set out on my long run. I headed for the Nisky bike trail. I got there and forgot that it had snowed and they didn’t shovel the path.

YakTrax to the rescue!!

It was sunny but only 18 degrees. I had all my layers on and felt pretty good.

I headed west toward Lock 7. As you can see, it was very deserted.

Mohawk River is frozen…

I wasn’t slipping or sliding but I felt like I was running very slow and it seemed to take more effort running in fresh snow. I turned around and headed back to my car to get some Gu and water. I had run (with some walking) about 4.5 miles.

I had planned on 7 miles so I headed in the other direction.

the scene of the crime

I wanted to go to where I fell & broke my ankle on Dec 29, 2011. It looked quite different. That day, there was no snow. I ran a little further and then turned around.

my friend said to pretend that it was white sand & that I was still in Florida

All in all, I ran 8 miles. Not bad for a COLD sunny Sunday.

Of course, I had to reward myself with a trip to Target (and a HOT Starbucks latte.)

YakTrax tracks

Happy Running! Do you run in the snow? Is it is harder (or my imagination)?

January 25, 2013 by Darlene

The Non-Running Vacation Post

Yes, running everyday in shorts along the river was the best part of my vacation. (Sorry Mary Ann & Bob.)

To be fair, my hosts were great and we did a lot of fun things.

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I love to have a vacation with FIRSTS:

first time climbing to the top of a lighthouse
first carriage ride
first time seeing manatees up close
first time running over a bridge (next time will be my Half marathon)

Now it is back to reality.

yesterday morning

Happy Running! How are you dealing with the cold? Do you run outside?

January 24, 2013 by Darlene

Vitamin D Part 2 = Best Vacation Ever

Daytona Beach, Fla in the summer (it was not this warm when I was there)

Last year our best boating friends moved to Daytona Beach. My hubby & I decided to visit them for a few days. (Since we are closed for Martin Luther King Day, I only had to take 2 days more off from work).

me, my hubby with Fla friends Mary Ann & Bob upon our arrival

Of course, this was not convenient in terms of my half marathon training schedule but I tried to be flexible. (I brought running shoes, just in case).

20.25 miles with views of the river or ocean

Why was this the best vacation ever??

In addition to climbing to the top of two lighthouses, going out to dinner and/or lunch everyday, seeing umpteen alligators on an airboat ride, seeing umpteen manatees in a blue spring/sanctuary, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in the oldest city in the US, seeing the sunrise over the ocean and the sunset over the river…. I RAN EVERYDAY!!!

Our friends live in Holly Hill, Florida, a block from the Halifax River and 4 miles from the ocean. The first day I ran south toward the Seabreeze Bridge and back.

runeast

The path is paved and along the river with many parks along the way.

photo stop at one of the docks in the park

The second day I went in the other direction (north) and back. I wanted to run over the Granada bridge and to the ocean. The road is very similar as running south.

However, the distance to the bridge was farther than I thought (remember I am not running everyday…haha…the weather was too perfect to follow my injury-free running plan!!) so I turned around after crossing the bridge.

someone took my pic to prove that I did run over the bridge (you can see the ocean in the distance).

On the third day, I ran the same direction as the first day but decided to run over the Seabreeze Bridge and back. The distance was little shorter than the previous day but it was quite windy.

as you can see it was a cool day but who can complain (60 rather 10 degrees)

On my last day, I ran toward the Granada bridge and back but not over it as I had to get back to pack for my return to FRIGID Albany, NY.

sunshine has returned...bumped into Bob 7 my hubby walking the dogs

sunshine had returned… even bumped into Bob & my hubby walking the dogs

So I was in running heaven!!! The river views, no traffic, wearing shorts, no schedule…just run when and where I wanted and as far as I wanted (6 miles is my limit with 7 scheduled for this weekend.) I was a little worried about running 4 days in a row but I took it easy and I feel great.

Our hosts were so easy-going. They did their errands in the morning and we were both ready to embark on our daily adventure around 11 am. (I’ll post more vacation/non-running pics soon.)

Stay tuned for Vitamin D – Part 3 – March 12-18 and my attempt at a HALF MARATHON!!!!!

Happy Running!

January 18, 2013 by Darlene

Back to Normal

It is cold and there is snow on the ground. That is normal (unfortunately.)

But the good news is:

Indoors, of course. And I won both both sets!!

I played tennis…doubles in my Monday tennis contract for the first time since Oct 1. I don’t get the same endorphins as with running but I had fun and it’s good exercise.

This was on the car next to mine in the restaurant parking lot …was it a hint?

I ran twice this week (Tues & Thurs) !! Four miles on dry land and 6 miles on snowy/icy/clear streets. I had dinner plans on Thurs but my friend agreed to wait until I was done running. So I parked at the restaurant and headed downtown for 3 miles.

Albany Corning Tower & the Egg at night

Not an easy run. It was downhill on the way out and dark (and ended up in a not too safe area) and of course, uphill & windy on the way back. But I definitely enjoyed my dinner more after this run.

I rode the stationary bike during lunch twice (Wed & Fri.) — watched Private Practice & Grey’s Anatomy on my iPad.

Wed Yoga with Lisa (yes, that’s me on the right.

I went to YOGA for the first time since I broke my ankle in Dec 2011. I used to go every week but have hesitated to start due to my ankle and then due to my foot. I really enjoy it and find it relaxing. My ankle is still stiff which makes me clumsy but the instructor is so supportive. Love her! vacation