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Half Marathon Dilemma

Hot or Cold??? Two half marathon choices.  I have until Dec 31 to decide!!

Sun, Feb 5 - 7 am

 

The Positives:

Melbourne

  • warmer
  • warmer
  • my hubby would go
  • can see my sister-in-laws new house
  • beautiful course (over 2 bridges)
  • music

Hamptons

  • closer, won’t have to take time off from work
  • have the next day off already
  • 2 weeks more training time
  • know some bloggers who may be running it
  • pretty flat
  • starts at 10am
  • new state – NH

The Negatives:

Melbourne

  • will use up my frequent flier miles
  • have to take time off from work
  • my hubby has to take time off (&  not get paid)
  • 2 weeks less training time
  • large race (includes a marathon)
  • have to rent a car
  • starts at 7am
  • don’t know anyone running it
  • have already run a half in Fla

Hamptons

  • cold
  • cold
  • have to stay in a hotel the night before

There’s also the possibility of neither and waiting until spring….

Happy Running! Which one would you pick?

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2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008.  In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster.  I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

  • First 4 mile race


Polar Cap 4 miler

  • First 5 mile race


Delmar Dash 5 miler

  • First 15K race


Stockade-athon 15K

  • First half marathon


Naples Half Marathon

  • First destination race


Naples, Florida

  • First race in the rain

 


Lake George Half Marathon 

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.)  This is the order:

  1. First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
  2. First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
  3. First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
  4. First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
  5. First injury (Jun 2011)
  6. First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running!  What did you do for the first time in 2011?

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Last Weekend in Review – a Race & a Birthday

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis
Tuesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill
Wednesday – 3 mile run on the treadmill, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday – REST
Friday – 4 mile run (before work)
Saturday – REST (sick)
Sunday – 3 Mile Race + 4

Happy Running!

 

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HMRRC Winter Series #1 Race Report & a Birthday Celebration

This was my first HMRRC Winter Series race so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I knew it was informal and that you could sign up for either distance.

I considered doing the 15K  but I HATE the cold so I signed up for the 3 mile one.

Well, it was I good thing since yesterday, I had a headache and was really nauseous all day. I stayed in bed til about 5 pm and forced myself to get up and eat something.

I got up this morning still feeling under the weather but at least my headache was gone.  So I decided to tough it out and go to the race.

It was cold (like 20 degrees) but the sun was out.

I was surprised at how many people showed up for this race.  I guess the weather and the cost had something to do with it. I bumped into many runners that I knew.  Most were doing the 15k.

This race was as I said pretty informal – no bibs or timing chips. It didn’t matter to me.  I just wanted to get through it.

Both the 3 milers & the 15kers run the same course for 3 miles & then the 15kers continue running.

Immediately after I started, my knee brace popped off.  I tried to pick it up without getting trampled.  It was hard.  No one would stop & help so I just waited.

That kinda killed my 1st mile time but who cares.  I put my brace in my jacket pocket and then during mile 2, it fell out.  I stopped and heard someone yelling,  “Indian Orange!”  I guess she meant me because she had found my knee brace.

The course was quite boring – around the campus and office buildings but no major hills, at least.

me running wearing "Indian Orange"

When I approached the end, I saw 29 minutes on the clock.  I then poured on the speed.  There was no way I was finishing 3 miles in over 30 minutes – sick or not!

My Garmin said 29:11 but the official clock was 29:21 and I finished 102 out of 175.

I stayed around for a little while.  I checked the times & saw that the fast women in my age group were there – no chance for an award even if I ran my fastest.

The refreshments were decent: cake, bread, fruit, soup…not bad for a free race.  I hope to run more of the HMRRC Winter Series Races.

I definitely needed to run more since today was my long run but still felt nauseous.  So I headed back home and to the Rail Trail.  There I dragged myself through a slow slow 4 more miles for a total of 7 for the day.

It has been a tradition to celebrate my mentee, Amanda’s birthday at the Melting Pot.  This is the 4th year we have done this.

Amanda turns 21

Here we are again a year older.

Unfortunately, my 7 miles today only burned off the calories in the Smores martini.

Happy Running!

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Why I love running…

“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

I couldn’t have said it better…

the park in the spring

 

the park in the fall

 

 

the park in the winter

 

Happy Running?  Why do you love running?

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Half Marathon Envy

All the talk about the Las Vegas RnR Half Marathon last weekend makes me want to do one again sooooon!

2011 was the first year that I ever even considered running one and I did 5! (No photopgraper at #4)

1st

2nd

3rd

 

5th

Unfortunately, my first one was my most enjoyable and my last one, the least. In fact, the 5th one leaves me wanting a do over! I am hoping that I can do better or at least feel better doing it.

It’s not easy to choose one.  There are many things to consider: date, weather, travel distance, time off from work, elevation, etc.

Some possibilities:

  • 2/5/12 – Melbourne Half  (Fla.) – my sister-in-law lives nearby but would need to take time off from work
  • 2/19/12 – Half at the Hamptons (NH)- 3 3/4 hrs – cold?? (but have 2/20 off)
  • 2/25/12 – Lake Effect Half (Syracuse, NY)  – 3hrs – snow, cold – new race but flat
  • 2/26/12 – Hyannis Half (Mass) – 3.5 hrs away – too cold?
  • 3/11/12 – Celebrate Life Half – 1.5 hr away – hilly – no finisher medal
  • 3/24/12 – 13.1 NY Half (Queens, NY) – 3 hrs away – boring course
  • 4/7/12 – Race the Runways (Brunswick, Maine) – 5 hrs away – too cold? – supposed to go to Pa for Passover
  • 4/29/12 – Lake George Half – 1 hr away – hilly, did it last year
  • 6/17/12 – New Paltz Challenge – 1.5 hr away- but it’s Father’s Day

Gotta decide so I can start training…

Happy Running!  Any suggestions?  Housing invitations??

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Running & Tennis

Tennis for about 10 years was all I thought about. 

  • I was a team captain.
  • I played on many many teams.
  • I met my hubby while playing tennis.
  • My teams have gone to State championships 3x and Nationals once.
  • My best vacations are with my tennis friends.
  • Some of my most fun times are spent with my tennis friends.
  • Most of my closest friends are tennis players.
  • My tennis friends started me running.

Two interesting things happened this week:

  • While playing doubles, my partner, another player  & I were discussing races & running between points (My partner is a runner & is training for the Naples HM, the other just ran her 1st 10K.)
  • I turned down subbing in a tennis contract in order to get in a run!

Tennis is actually getting in the way of my running schedule and now I only play once a week and on one team (in the spring).  As a result, my tennis skills are slacking off but I don’t want to put more time & money into it.

Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy playing tennis.  I love to watch the major tournaments on TV.  I even enjoy watching them in person.

But you can’t just fit it tennis.  It has to be arranged, coordinated, players’ abilities assessed, memberships secured, sub lists organized, etc.  You can’t control how well your partner will play or how well your opponents will play. Winning matters!!

Running has taken over the #1 spot for now and I am happy about it.

 

Happy Running! Any tennis playing runners out there?

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Blogging and the Holidays

my 2011 card

It’s so exciting to participate these exchanges/swaps. You get to read new blogs and meet new people (virtually).

Team Joy

Team Dasher

This one’s a secret!


2nd Annual Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange

This one’s a secret too!

Happy Running! Are you participating in any of these or other blogger exchanges?

 

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Free Races

I am a member of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club and for $15, you get a monthly newsletter, discount on their sponsored races as well as these FREE races.

I have never done them before even though I have been a member. 

However, this year, since I’m not training for anything, I think I will unless it is too cold, too icy or too snowy.  I am a winter wimp!

So it looks like this Sunday, I will run a 3 mile race.

Happy Running!  Do you belong to a running club? Do run non competitive fun races?

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Last Week in Review & Two Parties

Monday – 1.5 hours tennis
Tuesday – 1.5 hours tennis
Wednesday – 3 mile run, 1.25 hours yoga
Thursday – 5 mile run  (WON A MOUNTAIN BIKE IN A FREE RAFFLE – Xmas gift for my hubby!!)
Friday – 3 mile run – Holiday party
Saturday – REST
Sunday – 6 mile run – Holiday dinner

Happy Running!