centerpiece from our staff picnic last Friday
Last week my inspiration was Monet.
This week, it’s Van Gogh.
Like these flowers, the sun makes me happy 🙂
Happy Running!
Wordless Wednesday
July Recap – Where has the summer gone?
What happened in July?
The Good:
- My mileage has increased. 64 miles this month!!! Woo Hoo!
- I ran several 4 milers. (It’s still a struggle but it’s a start.)
- I ran in a 5k race. (My pace was better than the last one. Love.Racing.)
- I played tennis 4 times. (I’m rusty but enjoyed it)
- The weather has been perfect for boating and relaxing on the weekends. (YAY!!)
The Not So Good:
- Lunchtime hour walks have disappeared. (lazy, lazy, lazy – boo!)
- Biking has been nonexistent. (no time & bike rack is on my hubby’s truck)
- Stretching & icing- oops – none of that either. (Bad Girl!)
- Running is still a struggle aerobically…too much walking…pace too slow…blah, blah, blah
- Ankle is still painful…(almost all the time) YUCK!
Basically my plans for August are almost exactly the same as for July:
- running (4 times per week)
- faster running (fewer walk breaks)
- longer runs (5 miles or more)
- another 5K race (hopefully faster than the last one)
- tennis (once a week)
- boating on weekends
- reading (when not watching the Olympics)
- fun times with friends & family
In addition, I should go back to stretching, to walking at lunch & to biking (on non-run days). No promises here but I will try!!!
Sorry Ankle…I’ve neglected you!
Happy Running! How was your July? Anything different planned for August?
Unfaithful or a Change of Scenery Does Yer Good
Sorry Lake George!
You are my favorite place to hang out on the weekends. My favorite place to boat, to swim, to eat, to relax is on Lake George. My favorite view while running is Lake George!!
But this past weekend, I cheated on you!
It was the first of several Girls Weekends at my friend’s house on Schroon River.
view of the Schroon River from my friend’s deck
I debated going since I have been going boating on Lake George EVERY weekend and I thought I would miss going there. I was secretly hoping that it would rain.
most of the group
The group was a mixture of old friends (my Tuesday tennis group) plus some new friends.
I got there early Saturday – before anyone else so I went for a 3 mile run. LOVED IT!!!
It was so peaceful. Few cars…river views…a dam… bridges.. cute road names like “Watering Can Trail.”
if you look closely, you can see waterlilies
my friend lives on the right (before the bridge)
posing by the dam
drinking water?
When I got back, everyone was arriving and we went (drove) to the tennis courts.
I played MANY sets of doubles
It was overcast and very humid…but no rain 🙂
Sat. group on the courts
When we were done, we barbecued lunch and floated around in the lake and then lounged in Adirondack chairs reading.
After dinner we went for a walk – similar to my run’s route but a mile shorter. The rest of the evening was spent playing mah jongg and watching the Olympics on TV.
running down a country road
Sunday am, some more friends arrived to play tennis. I decided to run again – the 2 mile loop plus one mile to the tennis courts.
Sun. group
We played tennis for a while but it was very warm so several players left…I stayed since I arrived late.
Sunday afternoon played out exactly like Saturday – eating…swimming…relaxing. Eventually everyone had to leave to return home.
I stayed…I hung out looking at the river until I finished the book I was reading (Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult). I just couldn’t drag myself away so I went for a walk and ended a perfect weekend appropriately.
I felt renewed…I didn’t realize how much I missed my friends…how much I missed tennis and that running on country roads in the Adiriondacks is the BEST!
I hope to be back Aug 25, Sept 8 and Sept 22!!!
Happy Running! How did you spend your weekend?
Wordless Wednesday
The waterlilies on Lake George are anxious to bloom.
I feel like those waterlilies.
I am anxious to bloom, too.
Happy Running!
TWOsday
Today is day TWO working at the NYS Bar exam. I am tech support for the exam takers using the computer to take the exam. There have been no real problems so I have been catching up on blogs.
Here are TWO photos of me during Saturday’s race:
starting the race – I’m in white top & red skirt
approaching the finish line – trying to catch the young girls in green
Having to be at work by 7:00 am has limited my morning running. After TWO days off, I hope to continue tomorrow and Thursday.
Maybe I’ll run TWO races this month. I am considering one this Saturday in Saratoga.
Happy Running!
Jingle Bell 5K Race Report
Yes, me and Montel ran this race at the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George.
I got up around 5:30 am and dressed as Christmasy as one could in the middle of the summer and drove about an hour north. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. No humidity and warm but not too warm. (I decided on a white tech shirt, red skirt, white socks…)
where the race began
I tried to tell myself and that I wasn’t in racing condition yet. (My goal for that is Sept.) So I should just try to have fun.
I got there early enough to get my shirt and swag and go back to the car and put it away. I am glad I decided not to wear the shirt. I would have been too warm.
race tee shirt
The atmosphere was pretty festive. Christmas music playing and a lot of excited walkers. (The serious runners were racing in Saratoga at the Silks & Satin 5k.) There were less than 150 participants.
animals cheer the runners on at the start
Montel Williams really did show up. He started the race and then left.
He looks in great shape. Too bad he didn’t run…
I found out the course in advance but wondered how hilly it would be (since it is the Adirondacks!)
course map but it didn’t indicate elevation 😦
The race started at 8:00 am in the park and then went around one side of Glen Lake and then ended at the park.
Glen lake
As I have done before, I started out too fast. The first mile was up and down hills…rolling hills and I ran without stopping.
I was planning to take it slow and walk at the water stops. However, NO WATER!! Very odd for a summer race…even if it is only 3 miles. I did not drink any water before and I was very thirsty.
As a result, I was tired during mile 2. The hills weren’t as steep but it was straight uphill. I started to walk and walked several times..too many times.
Mile 3 had some downhill but when it entered the park, it never seemed to end. We ran up one bridge and down, then another and another and another. My Garmin said we should be done but we weren’t I walked so that I could at least sprint across the finish line if there ever was one.
Finally crossed at 33:20!!! I was disappointed because I wanted to do better than my last one (32:50).
People was complaining that their times were so slow. When I looked at my Garmin, it said 3.21 miles. My last race was 3:12 miles. So actually I did better! YAY!
my splits
I am happy with my first mile. I should have pushed myself more on mile 2 but I am still worried about the ankle.
nothing flat here!!
After the race, I grabbed some refreshments and asked someone to take a picture.
Done and happy!
They posted the results but since it was a small race, they only gave out awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall.
I came in 54 out of 136 and 1st in my AG
After the race, I headed to Bolton Landing (20 minutes away). I spent the rest of day with friends on an island in Lake George.
pooped after the race
Sunday, I went on a quick 2.5 mile run/walk and then back on the lake.
new location for the book & orange chair – West Dollar #3
After some relaxing, we went to Basin Bay to meet friends. The day ended with dinner on the lake.
docking for dinner – Blue Water Manor
So I am very glad I ran a race. It is always so motivating to race rather than just run.
Yes, my time was slow compared to last year but it was better than I expected. (I will not whine about PRing until next year!!!!!)
The course was fun but too long and hilly so I may go back to Silks & Satins (I have done that one 3x in the past).
I haven’t registered for another 5K until August 18 but you never know.
Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?
TTT: Heat, Tennis & Running
1. It has been HOT in the Northeast. 90’s!! It has also been HUMID in addition to being hot. I have been feeding my friend’s cat before work while she has been on vacation. So I am been doing my activities outside AFTER work. (Not smart, I know.)
my friend’s car on Tuesday
2. On Tuesday, I played tennis for the 2nd time. Doubles again and I felt a lot more comfortable. (with my tennis not the weather) I even won with 3 different partners. Afterwards. we all went to one player’s house to go swimming in her pool. YAY!
pavillion where we started
3. Yesterday I ran the 2nd Run with Mizuno sponsored by FleetFeet. It was held this time in Central Park in Schenectady. Again, a very small group of runners – ALL FAST!! I tried similar Mizunos as last week but in a different color.
Again, they felt pretty comfy.
We ran the Cardiac Classic / Run 4 Your Life 5K Course which I had done in 2011 and 2009. I ran alone and was way behind all the other runners. My pace is still VERY SLOW but I ran the whole time (but it was a struggle!) I had no idea where I was going and wound up missing .5 miles of it. (I added another .5 mile afterwards to make it 3 miles for the run.)
This park is a beautiful place to run
I love these runs because it forces me to run in a new location and run faster. My time was a 33:xx rather than 29:xx in 2011. I am not going to beat myself up about it. (My ankle was not happy last night…so I have to be PATIENT.)
Today the humidity and temps are down finally.
Happy Running! How are you dealing with the heat?
–
A Good Run and a Good Weekend
I ran 3 miles after work on Thursday and it was pathetic. I had to stop and walk almost every tenth of a mile. I’m not exaggerating. Yes, it was hot and humid & I was tired but that’s no excuse.
I took Friday off and went up to the lake.
Saturday morning, I went for a 4 mile run. It was VERY hot and humid (I didn’t get up as early as I should have). I went south on 9N in Bolton Landing which has rolling hills and cut through the cemetery and then ran back to the marina.
through the cemetery
It was not a particularly fast run. But I ran at a consistent pace and had negative splits. There were very few walk breaks and I felt redeemed.
Not sure the reason for this good run …it was in the morning…after a day off…pretty scenery??
So although I want to run almost everyday. My ankle says “You need to rest it.”
Today I rested it again.
Otherwise the weekend was like every weekend on the lake…relaxing and fun.
boats tied together in Basin Bay
my hubby & friends’ son flexing their muscles
a duck who decided to come on our boat
cooling off in shallow Basin Bay
Running plans for the week:
Monday – run before work
Tuesday – Tennis
Wednesday – run after work
Thursday – run after work
Friday – REST
Saturday – 5K race
(This is similar to last week so I hope I have a good run on Sat.)
Happy Running! How was your weekend?
Christmas in July
Yes, Christmas in July. I ran this race before but it was in December and in Albany (The Crossings). Easy to dress for… and a familiar course.
This one is on Saturday, July 21… and it’s another new 5K race location for me so I have no idea if it is hilly or not. It’s in Lake George. That’s why I chose it. (I think you know that I love Lake George.) And it should be cool to run in an amusement park.
It starts and ends in
My runs of late have been soooo slow… I think a race may be what I need!!
I plan to run at least One Race a Month (so far I have signed up for – July 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 21, Dec 15).
Goals for this Race:
- Run most of it
- Beat my Strides4Strides time (32:50)
- Enjoy it
Now I have to figure out what to wear that is Christmasy but cool.
Happy Running! Any races coming up for you?
Run with Mizunos & My First Trail Run
my new Mizunos
No, I wasn’t chosen as part of the Mizuno Run Project.
No, I didn’t win any new Mizunos as part of the Project giveaway.
I paid $115 for my new Mizunos above that I am breaking in.
But FleetFeet and Mizuno are sponsoring satellite runs every Wednesday at different local park.
They let you try out a pair of Mizunos, you go for a group run and then they give away swag.
So yesterday at the last moment I decided to to do one.
the bridge to Peebles Island
It was held at Peebles State Park in Cohoes. I had never been there so I was interested in seeing it.
The group was small..about 6-8. I decided to try out these:
wave inspire 8s
They were instantly comfortable (but they were broken in and I didn’t have my orthotics in…maybe that’s why).
We took off on a trail. It was a 2 mile loop. I had never run on a trail before and it was fun. There were lots of roots and stones so I was very cautious. It was hilly as well. For the most part, I ran slowly except for the downhills…I don’t want another broken ankle!
As in my last race, I was right in the middle and running alone. Toward the end, there were 2 paths…I chose left and then realized that it felt wrong so veered back and went right. That was the correct way to go. As a result, my run was 2.2 miles not 2 miles.
the views were really pretty
I didn’t bring a camera but the sights were pretty…water, wildlife, etc. A nice change from the road or bike trail.
There were water and refreshments afterwards. Mizuno gave away lights and water bottles.
So if you live in my area (Albany, NY), you should check them out.
Schedule of Runs:
- July 11 – Peebles State Park 6 pm
- July 18 – Central Park Schenectady – 6 pm
- July 25 – Saratoga State Park – 6 pm
- Aug 1 – Tawasantha State Park, Guilderland – 6 pm
On the way home, I stopped off at the Corning Bike trail and ran a little more. I wanted to do 3 miles (I’m anal like that.)
Happy Running! Do you often do trail runs?
My First 5K and More... 