February 23, 2013 by Darlene

Rescheduled Long Run

My plan was:

3 miles on Tuesday
5 miles on Wednesday
REST on Thursday
4 miles on Friday
REST on Saturday
11 miles on Sunday

However, another winter storm was predicted for Saturday night into Sunday…not a lot of snow, just a wintry mix which I would not want to run in.

So I decided to change my plan and do my long run on Saturday which meant 4 miles on Thursday and REST on Friday.

Since I didn’t plan on running Thursday, I did not have my outdoor running stuff. Luckily, I do keep sneakers, shorts & a shirt at work. 4 miserable miles on the treadmill was done…and my 3rd day in a row of running which makes TIRED legs.

taken on the treadmill

Friday, of course, was the only non-windy and sunny day of the week and I was RESTING!!

So today would be my long run. I checked the weather and it wasn’t supposed to start raining until 2 pm (if you can believe the Weather Channel app.)

It was windy, of course, but not too cold…in the 30’s.

Although the long path was icy several weeks ago, I thought it might be clear so I headed for the Nisky bike path. I planned to run toward Colonie for 3.5 miles and turn around and refuel. Then go 2 miles toward Schenectady and back.

The path was clear & I was happy. My legs were tired right from the start. My foot ached. I knew this would a tough one.

clear so far

At this sign, I wanted to quit. Not a good sign (forgive the pun.)

must be used for the Marathon

I am not a quitter and I knew that I had to run 11 miles today so I continued. And then came the ice.

ice…ice..and black ice

I walked for awhile and tried to find dry spots. Eventually I realized that I had to find a detour. It was too slippery. There was no way that I was risking breaking an ankle!!

another view from the trail

So I went off the trail and continued to run on the road. My legs were even more tired but the wind had died down and my foot stopped hurting!!

Finally I had run 3.5 miles and came to the end of a road.

I turned around and returned to the trail to head back.

With 4 miles still to go, I stopped at my car for some GU and water. I didn’t get inside this time. I wasn’t really cold and my legs wanted to quit but I wasn’t going to let them… even if I had to walk the 4 miles.

The weather wasn’t getting any better. It looked like rain so I rushed back out on the trail.

dreary looking day…where is the sunshine?

I headed in the other direction which I knew was totally dry. I dragged myself 2 miles and turned around. I ran and walked and walked and ran. The wind picked up so did my foot pain and then it started to rain…just light rain.

But I FINISHED 11 MILES!!!!! It took me about 2 hours 10 minutes and it’s done.

When I looked at my pace, I realized there were more mile splits under 12 min than last week and my fastest was next to last. (The walking on the icy trail slowed me down!)

Believe it or not, I didn’t go to Target or Starbucks. I went to Shoprite to do grocery shopping and refueled with all the free food samples.

Happy Running! Do you schedule your long runs based on the weather?

February 22, 2013 by Darlene

Love the Bling

I just got my medal for completing the Sandy Hook Memorial Virtual 5k. (But more importantly was that the money went to a great cause!!)

Of course, I don’t run races for the bling but it is fun getting it!! Each of my medals tell a story.

This is 2012 - supposed to be the largest in Florida!

This is the 2012 Sarasota Half medal – supposed to be the largest in Florida! I wonder what 2013 will look like? It will the one from my 1st half after a year of injuries.

My most precious:

it’s from my FIRST half marathon…you can never have another FIRST

Here’s a few more:

from my 1st race 5 months after ankle surgery…they said I could NOT run for 6-9 mos.

from my 1st 10K…I had not run more than a 5k since ankle surgery

I ran this one for a friend’s charity and my Russian friend was there to watch me run

I ran this 5K with a stress fracture and my BFF in PA watched me cross the fnish line

my 2nd half marathon where I almost did a DNS…30 degrees, sleet & freezing rain in April…poured for all 13.1 miles

my 3rd half but untrained due to an achilles injury…was a great race due to so many friends running it

was supposed to be a PR half however it wasn’t…it rained for 1/2…but got to race in CA with my BFF’s sister

Happy Running! Does the bling figure in your decision to run a race?

February 21, 2013 by Darlene

Sick of Winter

This is what happens when you sign up for a March half marathon. You have to deal with winter in the Northeast.

I am sick of the words: WIND CHILL, BLACK ICE, SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, WINDY, COLD, FREEZING…

running during a snowstorm 😦

I am also tired of looking for places to run that are plowed, have no ice.

nope…not plowed

I hate having to plan my runs around the weather…esp. long runs. Do I do my long run on Saturday or Sunday!!! UGH!!!!!!!

so they say..but I’d rather not do it outside in this!!!

And I HATE THE TREADMILL!!

So next year, my half marathon will be Jan 5, 2014 so I will be done training by the worst of the NE winter weather!!!!

This is my preferred running weather!!!

Happy Running! How do you feel about training in the winter?

February 20, 2013 by Darlene

Pinterest for Motivation

Pinterest is a great place to find motivational sayings. There are so many that it was hard to choose. But here are a few of my favorites:

Happy Running! What is your favorite motivational saying?

February 19, 2013 by Darlene

Two for Tuesday – 100 Miles & My Weird Foot

1. Last week, I hit 100 miles for the year. And it’s only February. Yeah, I know a lot of you run that in a week or a month but last year, I didn’t hit 100 miles until July!!

2. My foot is acting weird. (The one with the bunion thing…) Sunday night, I had this burning pain ALL night (It kept me up). I got up the next morning, it went away. I walked around the mall, played tennis…NO PAIN! So last night, I couldn’t sleep. I think I was waiting for the pain and the pain NEVER came!! So what’s up with that? Today I am going to run a little on the TM. We’ll see. Not sleeping is more frustrating than running with pain.

Now on a good note: Facebook keeps posting these awesome photos of the Sarasota Half Marathon course!!

Doesn’t it look inviting?

Happy Running! Aren’t 4-day weeks great?

February 18, 2013 by Darlene

Double Digits..Oh yeah!

The last time I ran at least 10 miles was November 6, 2011!!!

I was debating whether or not to run on my own or as part of the HMRRC Marathon Relay. The 1st leg of the relay was 9.7 miles so I would have company running (well, maybe not because I would probably be last..) on this boring course. There would be water on the course and refreshments at the end. Or choose a scenic bike path and run solo at my leisure.

When I got up, it was cold (in the teens) and VERY WINDY!. UAlbany tends to be windy even when it’s not windy so that decided it for me.

Instead I drove to the bike path that starts at the Colonie Town Park –I figured I would run 2.5 mi in one direction & back and then 2.5 mi in the other direction and back.

I headed toward Cohoes and quickly found that the path in this direction was not plowed and icy so I turned around and went the other way. I didn’t head in the direction that I usually go (toward Niskayuna) but in the other direction. It was about 20 degrees but the wind made it feel a lot colder. Not pleasant running weather at all.

I ran 2.5 miles and then turned around and headed back or at least I thought. Somehow I wound up in a neighborhood that I didn’t recognize & had no idea where I was.

I did find my way back to my car but not the way I had planned and had also added an extra mile to my run.

With 4 more miles to go, I got some GU & water from my car and warmed up inside.

The problem with that is that it’s hard to get going again.

I told myself that I had to do 10 miles so I headed out and this time I went in the direction that I was familiar.

bridge over the frozen Mohawk R.

My foot had bearable discomfort until mile 7. Then it started to hurt (bunion pad & new sneakers were failing me). I pushed on because I will do it during the half marathon…pain or no pain, I am running 13.1 miles.

Actually the pain got bearable again and I finished the 10 miles.

It was not a great run or a fun one. It took me 2 hours which is what I tried for (It was faster than last week’s 9.5) I walked from time to time and all but 3 of my miles were over 12 min/mi. The first and last were the fastest at 11:30.

But I am very happy that I got it done.

My cool down was the usual grocery shopping at Target with a Starbucks latte & cheese danish thrown in 🙂

Week 8 Update:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 3 miles after work (on the sloppy sidewalks & streets of Albany)
Wed – 6 miles after work (in less traveled cleaner neighborhoods of Delmar)
Thurs – walk at lunch
Fri – 3.5 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest (proctored the LSATS, went to a funeral, went out to dinner)
Sun – 10 miles

4 weeks to go!!

Week 9:

Mon – day off, tennis in the evening
Tues – 3 miles after work or before or at lunch (webinar at 6 pm)
Wed – 5 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike at lunch
Fri – 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 11 miles

Happy Running! Are you enjoying your day off?

February 14, 2013 by Darlene

TTT: Bad Run, Good Run, Shopping

1. Tuesday, I had the worst run… I decided to run in the city of Albany. The sidewalks were slushy, icy and covered with puddles! The streets were the same except with cars parked and traffic. Three miles was a struggle and felt like 26!!

Washington Park was even slushy…

2. Wednesday, I had the best run…I abandoned the Albany plan and drove to Delmar and ran around the neighborhoods…the roads were clean, there was little traffic and although I planned to run 5 miles, I ran 6 miles and felt like I could run more.

new shoes, toe spacer, bunion pad.=a little relief

3. I can’t resist a bargain or buying running apparel. I had 3 $10 off coupons for Olympia Sports so I bought these:

these were on clearance, too

also on clearance

I love the hat and the shirt (I also bought another mint green tank from the clearance rack). The shorts are so…so. I prefer skirts for races. But my half marathon is on St Patrick’s Day so these may come in handy!

Happy Running! Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 13, 2013 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday

hopefully this year’s shirts & medals will be just as cool!

How’s this for motivation? March 17…bring it on!!!

Happy Running! What motivates you to keep at it?

February 12, 2013 by Darlene

Biggest Loser Inspired

The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit.

The Get Fit, Get Ready! race series is a series of 5k/10k/15k’s that is designed to get you fit and ready for your next race. This series can act as a stepping stone to a longer, more challenging race or just an enjoyable experience shared with friends and family. Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from our boat…):

July 28, 2013

Killington, VT

5K | 15K

The Biggest Loser RunWalk Killington 5K/15K courses each have a twist! Participants run/walk down the mountain, then take the ski lift back up and continue along the mountain with breathtaking views of Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont. The 5K course goes through beautiful downtown Killington while the 15K route, great for someone’s first 15K, travels along rustic wooded roads with stunning views of the Green Mountains.

The Premier Destination races are feature races consisting of a half marathon/5k. Whether it is your first half marathon or you want to hit your next PR (personal best), this series serves as a fun and rewarding race worthy of traveling to! Here is the closest one (about 1.5 hours from my friend’s house in Chestertown…):

June 9, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Half Marathon | 5K

The course for The Biggest Loser RunWalk Plattsburgh, NY winds through downtown Plattsburgh and along the Saranac River which flows into Cumberland Bay

Dan & Jackie Evans were Season 5 featured contestants on the hit reality show The Biggest Loser. While on the ranch, Dan lost 136 pounds and Jackie lost 89. Since losing a combined 225 pounds, Dan and Jackie have been canvassing the country and keeping the weight off through nutrition and running. They will be at these races.

Here’s more: Each registered participant and finisher will receive the following:

• Non-intimidating Environment for New Runners and Walkers (3 hour time limit for the 15k and 5 hour time limit for the half marathon!!!)
• The Biggest Loser Inaugural Finisher’s Medal (love bling!)
• Celebrity Appearances
• Commemorative Technical T-Shirt
• Race Number, Timing Tag and Goodie Bag
• Water and Sports Drink along the Course
• Food, Sports Drink and Water at Finish Lines
• Live Entertainment by former Biggest Loser Season 5 contestant & Nashville recording artist, Dan Evans, at the Finish Line Festival
• Free Downloadable Race Photos (cool!)
• Last but not Least, a Truly Unforgettable Experience

FYI: Giveaway sponsored by Running Diva Mom!!

I don’t watch the Biggest Loser TV series. I tried a few times but it was so depressing. The only part that intrigues me is the part about running. I am also not a fan of driving more than a hour for a race. And the big one…will I stay healthy?? will I be able to run longer distances??

So I didn’t register….yet!

Happy Running! Pretty tempting, don’t you think? Anyone doing one?

February 11, 2013 by Darlene

Half Marathon Training Continues

Week 7 Update:

Mon – ~~stationary bike~~, tennis
Tues – ~~stationary bike~~, 5 miles after work
Wed – ~~stationary bike,~~ 3 miles after work
Thurs – ~~stationary bike~~, mall walk with a friend
Fri – ~~stationary bike~~, 4 3 miles on the TM
Sat – rest
Sun – 9 9.5 miles

taken during Wednesday’s 3 mile run

during Sunday’s 9.5 mile run

This is the first week that I almost followed the plan. However, I did not use the exercise bike at work at all…I did not take a break (ate lunch at my desk 😦 )

The running shoe addict did it again. I bought these – on sale $50 off. (I had no choice!)

I also signed up for another race…Delmar Dash on April 14, 2013.

I am thinking of signing up for this 10 miler.

Week 8:

Mon – tennis
Tues – 3 miles after work
Wed – 5 miles after work
Thurs – stationary bike at lunch
Fri – 4 miles after work, MJ
Sat – rest
Sun – 10 miles (yikes!! 1st double digit run since Nov 6, 2011) – May hook up with the Hmrrc Marathon Relay (the 1st leg is 10 miles)

how cool is this t-shirt!

Happy Running! What are you training for?