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TTT + 1

  1. It has rained THREE Mornings in a row!! I think I mentioned several times that I don’t run in the rain!! So my running has been slacking off 😦
  2. My hubby (MR. I never exercised in my life cuz I can play any sport well) suggested that we join a gym. There’s a new Planet Fitness nearby – only $10 amonth!
  3. My problem is that I work and it is crowded when I can go…  But I think I will join but not for the treadmill on rainy days but to crosstrain (which I should start doing).  Optimistically Tues, Thurs (after work) & Sat or Sun.

+1 So here’s my new OPTIMISTIC plan for exercise:

  • Running – before work  2-3x and 1 long on the weekend
  • Tennis – once a week after work (Mon)
  • Yoga – once a week after work (Wed)
  • Crosstrain – 2x after work (Tues, Thurs) and 1x on the weekend

Yes, there’s the hubby, friends, movies, dinners, meetings squeezed in there too…If only I didn’t have to work…There’d be time for everything!!

Happy Running! Do you belong to a gym?  How often do you go?

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Two for Tuesday

  1. Rain – It rained Sun eve, most of the day Monday and it is raining now.
  2. Rain – It is forecasted for the next few days. I do not run in the rain

I know I am a wimp! I also work so I need to run before or after work.  It may be time to join a gym.

A Quick Update on Last Week:

My goal was to run 18 miles.  I did not.  I ran Mon, Thurs & Sat for a total of 14.5 miles. My long run was 6 miles. I played tennis once.

Goals for this Week:

run 18 miles
DO YOGA
It’s week #4 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #10 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: OFF  from work
Tues: HMRRC seminar
Wed: Yoga
Thurs: Mentor mtg
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 3.5 miles
Wed: 4 miles
Fri:  3.5 miles
Sun:  7 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running! Do you run in the rain??

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This & That and a Virtual 5K

This was a busy week:

Monday I had dinner with a running friend that I haven’t seen the infamous heel injury.  Tuesday was my last tennis with my Tuesday tennis group so we went out to dinner after.  Wednesday, I spent the day at the US Open.

with my friend Catalina at the Open

We watched some amazing tennis matches – some veterans, some up and coming players, some upsets, some predictables- all in all, it was a long HOT day (got up at 4:15 am and went to bed at 11:00 pm).

Since I hadn’t run since Monday, I forced myself to do 4.5 miles after work on Thursday- it wasn’t pretty and I finished & got  in my car seconds before the rain came down.

Saturday for the 2nd time this summer, I stayed home from the lake to do my LONG run.  I ran 6 miles which was my longest distance since April 23 (my half marathon). It was tough – it took me 1:11 to do it with  2 water stops & some walking. (My friends kept texting me: we miss you…what are you dong home on such as nice day?…They are NOT runners!!)

Then I rewarded myself with a movie – I saw Sarah’s Key.  I read the book and I must admit, it was very true to the book.  A sad story but I highly recommend it.

Sunday am, I headed up to the lake with my friend Cheryl.  My hubby & other friends were already there waiting. It was the annual Christmas in September on Log Bay.  Everyone hangs out on the lake.  There’s a band, a parade & fireworks at night.

with Cheryl & Kathi

going for a ride

Unfortunately, it started to rain in the evening and the parade & fireworks were canceled. We headed home.

This morning, I decided to enter my own 5K – Darlene’s Virtual 5k.

I finished in 33:38.  No water stops.  I ran straight through for the first time since my last 5k on June 11 (which I finished in 27:45!!!!!).   I placed 1st in my age group.  In fact, I came in first overall. It was incredibly humid.  I was drenched in sweat (I am not a sweater) when I was done.  It started to rain as soon as I finished too.

I can’t tell you how hard this was.  I felt that I needed to run without stopping & stretching & worrying about my heel.  The pace was slow but I couldn’t do it any faster.  I felt so out of shape, so tired… I wanted to stop a hundred times but I wouldn’t let myself.

Now I know I can do it.  I think that in a real 5K race I will have more adrenaline &  will eat better the day before so hopefully my time will get back to where it was before the injury.

Afterwards, my hubby & I headed back to Lake George for a great lunch with friends at a restaurant overlooking the lake.

Happy Running! Happy Labor Day!

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Staying on Track?

It is difficult for me to stay on track.

When I am not using the pain excuse, I have:

  • Tues am – I ran yesterday & don’t want to run 2 days in a row. I am playing tennis after work.
  • Wed am – I am going to the US Open.
  • Thurs am – I got up at 4:15 am & went to bed at 11:30 pm on Wed.  I am TOOO  tired 😦

Three mornings without running… and it wasn’t even raining.  We won’t go there.  (I think I need to join a gym to stay on track during the rainy, snowy, icy mornings. )

Does it matter if we do not stay on track?

Maybe not.  As long as we get back on track?

I ran 4.5 miles after work yesterday!!  It wasn’t pretty.  I was TIRED.  Today’s quote from RW:

Relish the bad training runs. Without them it’s difficult to recognize, much less appreciate, the good ones.

 I hope next week and the weeks to come bring some good ones.

Happy Running!  Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

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Where has the summer gone?

The end of August always makes me sad. The days get shorter.  The temps get cooler.  We start thinking about putting our boat away for winter. This year, however, I’m hoping that the fall brings healing to my heel and more pleasant running conditions. 

August update:  My goals were…

I am hoping to be pain-free!  Nope! But not worse…

I am hoping to start running again! Yup but slowly…

I am hoping to gradually increase my mileage. Yup up to 16.5 miles weekly and a long run of 5.5 miles…

I am hoping to start training for Half Marathon #4. Sorta …see above…

I am hoping to run a 5k before the end of the month. Nope…not until I am pain-free!

More in August:

  • I have played tennis.
  • I finished my PT sessions.
  • I’ve ordered orthotics.
  • I have continued yoga.
  • The weekends on Lake George have been great. 🙂
  • My mentee had a baby boy!!!
  • We survived Irene & a mini quake

So what’s in store for September??

  1. Hope to run pain-free
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week
  3. Spend a few more weekends on Lake George.
  4. Run 3-4 times a week
  5. Increase weekly mileage by adding longer runs
  6. Prepare for Half Marathon #4 by doing 4 & 5
  7. Survive Half Marathon #3
  8. Run a 5k or 10K race (only if #1)

Happy Running!

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Hurricane’s Over. Back to Normal.

Update on Last Week:

I almost met my goal of 17 miles.   I ran Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat.  for a total of 16.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis  once but did NOT do Yoga 
0 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

run 18 miles
play tennis
It’s week #3 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #9 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: dinner w/ running friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: all day trip to the US Open
Thurs: dentist am
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 4 mi before work
Thurs: 4 miles after work
Fri:  4 mi before or after work
Sun:  6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running!

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Rescheduled Run

I could have been with my hubby & friends on Lake George doing this:

hanging out in Log Bay

Instead I chose to stay home by myself and run here:

Elm Ave Park Fit Trail

I know I shouldn’t be running 2 days in a row.  BAAAD!!!

But the hurricane today got in the way of my plans.

It was very BUGGY & HUMID.  My legs were tired so I walked quite a bit.  I wanted to do 6 miles but the route was only 5 miles and my body had enough anyway…


How do you spell “relief”? Root Beer Float!!

Happy Running!

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The Best Laid Plans…

Plan #1:  Run a Half Marathon in April and then cut back on mileage and work on speed until July. Start training in July for a Half Marathon in Sept.  Run another in LA in November.

I ran the Lake George Half in April and then reduced my miles.  I ran several successful 5ks – several under 28 minutes!! Life was good. Then on June 12…pain in the heel!

Plan #2: Stop working on speed and running 5Ks until pain goes away.

I rested and then ran slowly and did not run any races…pain persisted so I went to the doctor. X-rays revealed no fracture or bone spur.  MRI showed inflammation & swelling where the heel bone meets the Achilles tendon. PT & rest prescribed.

Plan #3: Stop running all together and go to physical therapy until you are allowed to run again. No 5k races or training for Half in September.

I did not run or  play tennis for 4 weeks.  I went to PT 2x a week.  Did all the stretches, took anti-inflammatory drugs and iced several times a day. Gained 8 lbs.

Plan#4: Start running again. Build up the miles slowly.  Continue to stretch & ice.  Run some 5k races. Walk/run Half Marathon in September but run the November Half.

I continued PT until insurance stopped paying.  I started running at a slow pace with a lot of walking.  I went back to the doctor to order orthotics.  The pain still persists. 

Plan #5: Continue running and building up the mileage.  No 5 or 10K races (except the Half in September) until after the Half in November.

I considered stopping running (for a minute.) But it will be hard enough not to race.  If I enter a race, I know I will try to run fast, not stop, not stretch.  Running on my own, there will be no pressure.  So if it hurts, I can stop.  Maybe the orthotics will help.  Maybe the pain will disappear!!

Plan #6: TBA

4 days old!

Happy Running! Stay safe (if you are hit by Irene)!

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My Top 10 Running Essentials

Everyone’s doing it so why not…

Here’s what I consider Essential for Running:

1. Comfortable Running Shoes – This is very important!! I’m currently wear either  ASICS  or Saucony. When they hurt, I buy a new pair.

2. Comfortable (and Cute) Running Outfit – Being comfortable when I run is the most important and I like to look good, too.

3. A Hat – I always wear a hat.  My hair is thick and unruly so a hat keeps it in place.  It also keeps the sun off my face.

4. My Garmin – I am lost without it.  I like to know my pace and my distance.  I upload all the data to my computer and it tells me when I ran fast, when I stopped and all that good stuff.

5. My Road ID – After my high blood pressure incident in October, I always wear it. It is also important because I always run alone. So if something happened to me, it has my hubby’s phone #.

6. My IPod  – I don’t carry it during a race.  But it is essential when I run alone.  The music helps me keep a decent pace.  When I run on the treadmill, I use my iPod Touch to watch TV shows.  I couldn’t get through my run without it.

7. GU – If I am running more than 45 minutes, I carry one. For over 1 1/2 hours, two, etc.  My favorite is vanilla.  I also like chocolate outrage. I’ve tried beans, chews and really like GU!!

8. Breakfast – I have to eat before a race or morning run.  My preference is oatmeal/cream of wheat (2 packages of instant w/milk) with raisins and COFFEE! Sometime I have a banana also.

9.  My Health – This should have gone first.  I took being injure-free and healthy for granted. Being healthy, which means listening to your body, taking rest days, stretching, eating well, staying hydrated, is essential!!

on the bridge heading to the Sagamore

10.  The Scenery – This is not always possible because I have to run in the city after work or in my neighborhood before work but it is better  to have beautiful surroundings.  It is definitely more motivating to run when there’s something to look at.

Happy Running?  What do you need when you run?

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TTT: Tennis, Tempo & Therapy

  1. Tennis – Tuesday I played my first real tennis since my injury on June 12.  2 set of doubles: 8-6, 5-7.  Over 2 hours & I was sore…sore everywhere….hip…shoulder…legs…knee..HEEL – out of shape or old age??
  2. Tempo – Wednesday before work  regardless of my soreness and fatigue…I ran 4 miles!!!  It was my type of a tempo run…I ran as fast as I could for as long as I could and then walked.  It was the first time and I attempted to run with any pace.  I must admit that it felt good!!!!!!!!!!  Most of my runs in the last few weeks have been in the 13-15 min pace.  Most of the time this morning, I was in the 10s and that was with walking. YAY!!
  3. Therapy – I mean the Physical type. Yesterday was my last session.  They gave me an cortisone patch to keep on my heel for 2 hours and wished me luck. I wish I could continue but my insurance won’t pay for any more time!!!  So now I’m on my own for stretching, icing, resting when necessary and ORTHOTICS.  Who knows when my orthotics will arrive?? And will they help?

Happy Running! Happy Thursday!