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Newton, the Foot & the Weekend

Yesterday, FleetFeet offered a workshop on Running Naturally sponsored by Newton.  If you were injured and not running, would you go to a running workshop?

Well, I did!

I bumped into fellow SRM, Melissa, there too.  It was nice to see her. They gave us Newton running shoes to try on.  They felt very weird at first. But soon got very comfortable.

I actually tried the orange Motion Performance ones

The Newton rep explained about the shoe and why they are different.

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.

Our feet are sensitive and brilliantly designed to ensure that we step efficiently and lightly. Unfortunately, highly cushioned shoes often obstruct this communication with the ground. Enter our biomechanical sensor plate, which allows you to sense the ground so you can stride more efficiently and lightly – some might even say intelligently, the way nature intended.

Then we went out to run…yes, run!!

I hadn’t run since the Komen race.  My foot hurt a lot this past Sunday but amazingly, it stopped hurting Sunday night.  In fact, I was walking normally and even wore shoes to work yesterday.  My achy foot was replaced by a painfully tight calf muscle (from biking, perhaps???) But I haven’t run…the real test for the foot.

The Newton rep gave us some cool running drills…many making us lift our knees high.  I was nervous but did them.  Luckily we only had to run across the parking lot and back.  Yes, I realized that my foot wasn’t 100% and it is not healed but it is definitely better than before.

They gave us all tee-shirts and many folks then bought some Newtons.  I definitely like them… A lot.  Though, I may try the stability ones rather the neutral ones.  However now, it seems ridiculous to buy new shoes when you are injured.  If I am going to spend the money, I want to be able to run with them.

Now about the upcoming weekend.

Oct 20-21 in Bethlehen, PA

In a weak moment when I was injured, I read about this in a RW magazine.

Why Bethlehem, PA?

From its role in shipbuilding to its pioneering work on that staple of skyscraper construction, the I-beam, to its supplying armor plating during both world wars, the significance of Bethlehem Steel cannot be overstated. Because of this, it seemed natural to choose the refurbished Bethlehem Steel Mill and ArtsQuest SteelStacks campus as headquarters for our inaugural Half & Festival. That’s where you’ll find our Health and Fitness Expo, our seminars, and our film screenings. And of course, the 5-K, 10-K, and half-marathon races will all finish under a flaming arch right in the thick of it, alongside Bethlehem Steel’s huge, awe-inspiring blast furnaces.

And my high school BFF Nancy lives nearby. So I signed up!!! I wanted to do the half marathon but I cautiously registered for the 5K.  I almost switched to the 10K after I ran one in August.  (Glad I didn’t.)

So right now, I shouldn’t be running yet.  It would be stupid to try. So I emailed my friend to see if she even remembered that I was coming.  Maybe I would just not go.

Well, she said that she was looking forward to my visit and even bought tix for us to see Gypsy on Sat eve and to go to a wine tasting on Sunday.  So Allentown, Pa, here I come (by bus!)

Nancy is the one on the left.

The race??

Saturday, 6:30–7:30 a.m.  – Race-Day Bib Pickup at the Expo
8 a.m.  – Race Start

It starts at 8am…and it looks like a very crowded event!!!  My friend is not a runner nor is she a morning person.  Yikes!

But I can walk it, right?  You get a medal for just finishing!  Guess what?

Course Time Limit –  The 5-K course will be open for 47 minutes (15-minute miles). Runners who are traveling with a clock time of 47 minutes or longer will be asked to move to the sidewalk.

Walking a 5k usually takes me about 60 minutes and running 30 minutes.  This means if I do it, I’ve got to run/walk it.  And hope my foot doesn’t get any worse….

Here’s the description of the course:

The 5-K course takes runners through Bethlehem’s eclectic South Side, packed with cool eateries, coffee shops, and music houses. With a fast start along 1st Street, the course makes a 90-degree turn up Webster Street. This begins the only significant hill on the course, which ends at the gates of Lehigh University and runs past the gothic 1929 Packard Laboratory, named after James Ward Packard, one of the inventors of the Packard automobile. A quick downhill brings you back to 3rd Street, and you will drop into the Bethlehem Steel complex and pass by the company’s former headquarters. There is a quick downhill turn past the Sands Casino, which has the only remaining massive ore cranes at its front door, then it’s on to the finish just past the flaming arch in front of ArtsQuest—a modern movie and music venue that promotes arts and culture, nestled in the heart of the former Bethlehem Steel complex. You’ll hit the only significant hill in the 5-K course about a mile in. After that, it’s all downhill!

As it stands now, I plan to take the Megabus to NYC on Friday & then the bus to PA. (I hope to talk my friend into stopping by the Expo to pick up my bib.) If my friend is cooperative, I will do the 5K to the best of my ability.  If not, I will brood enjoy the rest of the weekend with a good friend and return home by bus on Monday.

Happy Running!

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Spectating At a Duathlon

I encouraged AJH to do this because I could go watch.  I didn’t know at the time that I would be injured.  I just planned on racing on Sat and spectating on Sunday.

According to the website, this is the course:

Athletes will begin with a 2.2 mile run on a fast, flat section of Canal Rd., then turn left on Whites Lane to climb the run course’s one big hill. At the top of the hill, runners turn left to continue on a flat and downhill course back to the transition area. The same course will be repeated after the bike. Bikers turn left out of Krause’s driveway onto Canal Road to warm up their legs on the flats before a right turn onto Clamsteam Road, a steep incline. At the top of the hill, they turn left on Riverview Road, crossing over the interstate and putting down a few flat, fast miles on Riverview Road. They then continue on a scenic loop of rolling hills, river views, and beautiful countryside for a total of 16 miles

I have run that course and am familiar with the area.  I wasn’t sure that my achy foot would handle what I had originally planned  but I decided to give it a shot.

The forecast was for cold and rainy. And it was rainy.  It varied from a drizzle to a downpour.  For once, I didn’t have runner’s envy.  I hate running in the rain.

I found AJH immediately after I arrived.  She was with a friend (they drove 3 hours for this race!) and she was deciding what to wear.

with AJH before the race

There were about 90 racers. I’m sure there would have been more if the weather cooperated.  Believe it or not, some people actually signed up today.

In addition to AJH, I bumped into a friend’s son who was racing, the one who did the Ironman Lake Placid with a broken collar bone.

Ironman Jeff

I waited until the race started before I left the starting/finish area.

AJH is waiting for the race to start

Then I slowly walked (limped) out to the road.

off they go

Yes, my foot hurt when I walked on it. (A dr visit is on tap for this week.) But I wanted to watch the racers on the course.  Unfortunately, when I zoom in on my camera, it turns off.  So my pictures are not close up.

AJH is finishing her lst 2.2 mile run

I was appropriately dressed with a raincoat, gloves & umbrella. I felt sorry for the WET racers.

AJH did great. She was 73rd after the first leg. Unfortunately, it was raining the hardest during the bike leg.

finishing her 16 mile ride in the rain

But she seemed to gain ground. There were even more bikers coming in after her than runners.

Finally the last stretch was a run and I walked  toward the finish area to see her come in.

Here she is heading to the finish line

She finished around 1:50:00.  Pretty impressive!

Too bad the weather was so awful.  The course is very scenic.  And if AJH does it next year, I hope to be able to get some running  in in addition to spectating.

After the race, it was still raining so we went our separate ways.  I am sure she headed to Target and I stopped at the grocery store to buy the ingredients for chili (chili cook-off at  work tomorrow).

Happy Running! Anyone have a race this weekend?

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A Case of Deja Vu

A chilly morning but the sun is shining.  And it’s Saturday.  Nothing is on my schedule.  Perfect for a long run!  So I get dressed and have breakfast and while reading the paper, I decide that the Nisky bike path would be a good place to go.

Oh wait!  I forgot.  I can’t run!!!

I’m not going to let a sunny day go to waste.  I ask my hubby to put the bike rack on his truck and I make plans to go for a long bike ride.

This was the scenario last spring.

last April at the Nisky bike path

Now this fall, it’s deja vu!!!

My last long run was on the Nisky bike path… on Dec 29.  And now I’m back – injured…not running…but biking!!

6 months later in the same place

A few differences:

In April, the trees were bare because they hadn’t bloomed yet.  Today, many were bare because the  leaves had fallen to the ground.

In April, the broken bones in my left ankle had healed and biking was a way to get mobility back.  It was a way to recover so that I could run.  Today, biking may or may not be good for my ankle since I don’t know if  it is a stress fracture or tendonitis.

In April, I was so happy to be biking because I was able to .  Today, I was biking only because I couldn’t run.

Anyway, it was great to be outdoors.

view of the Mohawk R.

I sweat which is good too.

check out my t-shirt (Sweat Pink)

I love the fall colors so this was another opportunity to take it in.

pumpkin field

I saw some deer and even a fox.

the deer are at the top of the hill, the fox is heading up the hill

My legs were tired.  I needed the exercise.  And my right foot only hurt when I got off the bike on it or started to pedal  with it (I am so used to favoring the left one that I kept forgetting.) and when I walked on it.

another view of the path

I think this injury is making my left foot stronger so maybe in the end when I run again, I won’t be favoring either foot.  And that’s a good thing! (I’m trying to be optimistic!)

Tomorrow I will not be biking but I plan to be watching AJH in a duathlon!  Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain.

Happy Running!  Enjoy your weekend!

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Running Pop Quiz

I saw this on a blog last week and when you are not running so there is nothing to blog about and all you can think about is running, you do things like this!
 
So here are my answers! 🙂
 
1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
 
I have only used Gu and it works for me so I’ve been afraid to use another.  Vanilla is favorite, followed by Chocolate Outrage.  I just bought Espresso and am anxious to try it.
 

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
 
5K is my favorite because there are so many to choose from and they don’t involve a lot of training. I do like half marathons too because I don’t feel pressured to be fast and you get a medal!
 
Helper’s Fund 5K


3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?

 
I prefer skirts.  They are more comfortable.  I think I look thinner in them.  I do occasionally wear shorts.  When it is cold, I wear a skirt over my capris or tights.
 

Camp Chingachgook 10K in a skirt

 
4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
 
Water!  I don’t like sports drinks.
 
hydrating with water after a 5K


5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?

If I have to choose, it would be hot. I hate to wear layers.
 

90 degrees & racing

 
6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics or Other?
 
 
That’s difficult because I have tried them all.  I started with Saucony, then NIke, then Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, and now I have both Brooks & Mizuno.  I actually haven’t found my perfect shoe.
 

in Mizunos


7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
 
Always oatmeal and coffee.
 

pre-race meal

 
 
8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or other?  
 
Well, when I am healthy, I don’t run 3x per week but on one of  those days I may be playing tennis.
 

not running

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it? 
 
During a race, I always go without it.  The other runners are my distraction.  When I am alone, I usually have my iPod nano.
 

running with music

 
10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or other?
 
I would have to say, I run for stress-relief, endorphins but mostly that I love to race.
 

happy to be racing

 
 
Happy Running!  Have a great weekend.  I hope it involves running and if not, why not do this quiz.
 
 
 
 
 


 

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Wednesday Hugs

Did you know that a collection of teddy bears is referred to as a “hug”?

Bring your teddy bear and join our “hug” on

Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day, Wednesday, October 10th !

So I did:

Here I am at work helping someone with Excel with my “bear”

With no tennis or running on my schedule…I definitely needed a HUG!

Happy Running!

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Liebster Blog Award

My fellow blogger, I Run For Wine has nominated me for a Liebster Blog Award! Thanks to Gayle for the recognition. This award is a way for bloggers with less than 200 followers who deserve some recognition and support to keep on blogging.

The rules are as follows:

So here goes:

  1. I am an avid Mets fan (even when they are losing which is most of the time). I listen to their games whenever I can
  2. I have been mentoring a young unwed mom for the past 4 1/2 years.  Her 5 year old son Richard is a joy!  I love Amanda like a daughter.  (She also now has a one year old.)
  3. I have NEVER eaten peanut butter. (That means I’ve never had a P & J sandwich. I don’t even eat Reese’s.)
  4. I love to play tennis although I don’t play it as much since I started running 4 1/2 yrs ago. I used to play everyday now it’s only a once or twice a week. I may even enjoy running more!? But some of my best friends are ones that I met through playing tennis.
  5. I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France and taught French for many many years (until I discovered the world of technology – now I’m a geek). I still love anything French and would move to Paris in a heart beat.
  6. I am addicted to Mah Jongg.  I have played it for almost 4 years on Friday evenings.  It’s a game my mother used to play & no one wants to be like their mother but it’s a lot of fun and it keeps your mind young (I hope).
  7. I have seen Les Miserables (the show) at least 12 times and would see it again if it came to town. I have also read the book & seen the movies but it’s the music that I love!
  8. I am a certified “cat lady.”  I have 5 cats: Jerry, Slater, Spooky, Billy, Honey. Honey is the only female. Jerry is my fav but my hubby adores Slater.
  9. I am obsessed with photos.  I take my camera almost everywhere I go.  I post them all online in Shutterfly and a selected number on Facebook.
  10. I love desserts.  I would skip dinner and just have dessert.  Once I even went to the Mariott’s (in NYC) all you can eat dessert buffet instead of having dinner. Apple pie and creme brulee are among my favorites.
  11. I hardly ever watch TV… I am never am home.  I detest reality shows, too.  I do DVR Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Good Wife  (but struggle to find the time to watch.) However, my hubby would do nothing else but watch TV if he could.

11 Questions I Need to Answer from I Run for Wine:

1. What is your dream job? Working with kids and teachers on using the computer to enhance learning (my last job)

2. Vacation at the beach or city? Definitely the beach

3. What is your favorite food? Ice cream

4. Red or white wine? Mostly white but red with Italian food

5. What is one thing you have accomplished on your bucket list? Running a Half Marathon

6. Morning person or night owl? Morning

7. If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be?  Paris

8. Favorite holiday and why? July 4th.  I love summertime and I love fireworks.

9.  Favorite TV show? The Good Wife

10. How do you relax? With a good book

11. Who are you closest to in life? My husband

11 Questions My Nominees Need to Answer:

  1. Running, Biking, Swimming or Other?
  2. Dog or Cats?
  3. Favorite Racing Distance?
  4. One Goal for 2012 that you have accomplished?
  5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?
  6. Favorite Race?
  7. Marathon: Done It, Someday or Never?
  8. Favorite Book?
  9. Favorite Movie?
  10. If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?
  11. Worst Fear?

Blogs I am Nominating for a Liebster Award:

  1. Breaking My Runners In
  2. My Journey To Fit
  3. Weez Runs
  4. I Survived and Now I Run
  5. Running races Coast to Coast
  6. Livin’ a Little Life
  7. Fit & Fabulous After 40
  8. Dutch Girl Gets Healthy
  9. Forget Me Not
  10. 50 is the New 30
  11. Any other blogger who wants to….

Happy Running! Happy Blogging!

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The Happy Post

This has been going around the blogosphere so I thought I’d give it a try.  Supposedly when thinking of all the things that make you happy, you feel happier.

  • Rainbows

  • Hanging out with my friends

the group minus 2 that had left

  • A good cup of coffee in the morning

  • Reading a good book

  • Winning a tennis match

  • PRing in a race

  • Boating time with my hubby

  • Helping others

giving Amanda a Baby Shower

  • Relaxing by the ocean or a lake

  • Finishing a project such as a quilt or knitted socks

  • A soft ice cream cone on a hot day

  • Homemade apple pie

  • Finding a bargain

  • Sunsets

  • Winning a hand at mah jongg

  • Sunshine

  • The colors of fall

And yes, I do feel “happier.”

Happy Running!  Try this.  Post on your blog or comment here: What makes you happy?

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Injury Update, Race Spectating and Quilting

Last week, Dr Google said Extensor Tendonitis, this week, it says Metatarsal Stress Fracture.

I need to get off the computer or I will go nuts.

Anyway, it felt worse this morning but the more I stay off of it, the better it feels.  At least I still have my boot & crutches, if I need them.

I got a sub for my Monday tennis and my Tuesday tennis.  I do not plan to run all this week.  I will not race next weekend.

If it still hurts next week, I will go to the doctor.  So that’s the plan.  IT SUCKS!!!

This morning, I went to watch the runners finish the Mohawk Hudson Half marathon.  I stood about a 1/2 mile before the finish line.  I saw quite a few people I know.  I was too busy screaming at them to take photos.  I did see the winner of the full marathon.

he finished in 2 1/2 hours !!!

It was perfect running weather and this is a great course.  I so wanted to be running.  My hubby thinks I should quit as do my non-running friends.  I WILL NOT!!!

Then I headed up north again. I stopped off at our marina.  My hubby was there putting our boat away for winter (so sad… but now my weekends are free for long runs… 😦 )

After that stop, I continued to Chestertown.  Several weeks ago, after a race, I signed up for a quilting class.  (Did I have ESP that I would soon have lots of free time…)

Anyway, it took my mind off things for a few hours.

this is the lst of 12 applique blocks (I hope mine looks like this…)

Afterwards, I got myself a pity treat.

pumpkin ice cream – yum!

The plan had been to do a long run on the new loop that I discovered last weekend.  Instead I drove it.

Schroon River

and stopped for a few pics. I won’t be back till next year.

Happy Running! Send some quick healing vibes my way!!

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Komen Race for the Cure Race Report

This my 5th time running this 5K race. My times have been:  32:49, 31:15: 29:10 and 29:49.

But really, who cares?  It is such an emotional race.  Everyone there knows someone who has had or died from breast cancer.  Many are survivors themselves.

the official tee shirt

I feel foolish worrying about my foot.  Tendonitis is not life threatening.  I am fortunate to be healthy.

The weather was pretty dreary when I left my house.  Being on a team, I had to wear the team heavy cotton tee shirt (ugh!).

this is the back – it is blue with pink lettering

I parked my car at work (to avoid the crowds) and walked the mile to where the race began.  After resting my foot since Tuesday, it felt pretty good – not 100% but hopefully it would not get worse.

But as I walked, my foot started to hurt…not a good sign.  It also got warmer and even the sun was peeking out.

I got there early to meet my friend, MaryPat and her niece Courtney.

before the race

We then headed out to the start. I moved to the front (out from under the overpass) trying to get a signal on my Garmin. It took a long time and finally got one seconds before the race started.

I have run this same course 9x. It starts uphill and ends downhill with many inclines around and through the park.

I felt uncomfortable from the start.  I was hot.  My foot was hurting.  But I just kept going.

In fact, I didn’t stop at all.  Not even for water.  This is the first 5k since returning from my ankle injury that I didn’t stop.

I wanted to.  My ankle hurt.  My good foot hurt more.  I saw a friend that I used to work with who has CF and is in and out of the hospital.  She cheered me on in the park twice.  So I kept running.  I ran for her in hope that she will find a match for a lung transplant.

Finally I saw the finish line and I had little left.  I crossed around 30:50 or so.  Not bad considering…

my splits

I waited for my friends to cross.  I didn’t get their pics but got one of someone else from my team.

someone from the AHN team (in blue) heading to the finish line

This is the first race that I have run injured.  It is the first race that I regret running.  After the race, I could barely walk and I had to limp over a mile to my car…ugh!  (The only good thing was that it didn’t start raining until I got to my car.)

Ice and ibuprofen have helped and I feel better but am still bummed about being injured!!!

finished 654 out of 1496 and 12th in my AG

Happy Running! Good luck to all those racing this weekend!  Anyone else stupidly run a race while injured?

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Weather, Injury and Race Goals


It rained all last weekend and most of this week (except today.) The forecast for this weekend is no better.

weekend forecast

Normally, I would be so annoyed … especially since I never run in the rain.  But it has actually been a blessing.  I was not tempted to run.  I rested Wed & Thurs and normally I would have run 3 miles each day.

Today my foot feels much better…maybe because I have not run on it.

Oct 6, 2012 in Albany, NY

I am still on the fence about tomorrow’s race (it is supposed to be rainy and cold!).  But most likely, I will do it. (I joined a team and I am meeting a friend there.)

At this point in my ankle recovery, I would have hoped to run faster… to finish under 30 minutes, etc.

Now with my new injury, I am hoping to run it without pain, not to aggravate my right foot so I can continue my running next week and after that.

So we’ll see how it goes.

Happy Running!  Any racing this weekend?  Good luck to all those SRMs running in the Mohawk Hudson Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday!!!