by

Virtual and Non-Virtual Races – Gotta Love Em!

Virtual Races

I love to compete in Virtual Races.  They are FREE!  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you are accountable to run that distance. There is no pressure.  It doesn’t matter what your finishing time is.  You can fit it in whenever you have time. You discover NEW blogs.  And sometimes you can win a random prize just for entering. Below are two Virtual Races coming up:

 

CantaffordVM

Non – Virtual Races

I love to compete in Non Virtual Races even more.  They are not free but most of the entrance fees do go to charity and you get a teeshirt.  It is motivating because once you sign up, you feel like you have to TRAIN to run that distance. There is  pressure.  But that’s a good thing.   Under pressure is when I do my best running. They are scheduled so you have to organize your life and rearrange things. You meet other runners. You feel like you are part of a community that shares the same interest – racing.  And sometimes you can  even win some bling.  Below are some of the Non Virtual Races that I may run (the purple ones are definites):

  • 4-10-11 Delmar Dash 5mi
  • 4-23-11 Lake George  Half Marathon
  • 4-30-11 Great Mom’s 5-K Fun Run or YMCA 5k or St. John’s/St. Ann’s Center Spring Run-Off 5k/10k or Brink 5k  or 5-01-11 Sean’s Run 5k or Literacy 5k ??
  • 5-08-11 Mother’s Day Race (3.5 mi)
  • 5-19-11  CDPHP Workforce Challenge 3.5
  •  5-22-11 SPAC 5K Rock & Run
  •  6-4-11 Freihofer’s Run for Women
  •  6-11-11 Kinderhook Bank OK 5K
  •  6-27-11 35th Annual Adirondack Distance run (10Mi)???
  • 7-23-11 Silks & Satins 5k
  •  Fasig Tipton 5k –
  • 8-13-11  Jailhouse Rock 5K
  • 8-20-11 – New Visions 5K
  • 9-10-11 Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope 5K
  • 9-15-11 -Schenectady Arc 5k or Get Your Rear in Gear 5k
  • 9-23-11 Arensal City 5K   ??
  • 9-25-11 Adirondack Half Marathon
  • 10-01-11 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 
  • Falling Leaves 5K
  • 10-22-11 Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k
  • 11-11-11 Valatie Veteran’s Run
  • 11-24-11 Bethlehem Towne Turkey Trot 
  • 12-03-11 Jingle Bell Run
  • 12-17-11  Albany Last Run

    • Happy Running! Sign up for some races!!!

    by

    Brain Exchange #32 & Goals for the Week

     

    Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

    This Week’s Topic:  Building Mileage

    This Week’s Question:  Regardless of the distance you train for, or whether it be road racing or triathlon, training is time consuming.  What are your tricks for fitting all your training into your schedule?  How do you balance family, friends, work and training?

    Balance is the hardest part of running, especially if you are training for a long race. I have to fit in tennis contracts, tennis matches, yoga, work, appts, mah jongg, my mentee, my friends, and my hubby.

     I plan all my running for the week on Monday. I post my running schedule on my blog. It keep me accountable.

    I arrange my running around my life and my life around my running.

    So far, I have luckily been able to do it all.

    However, you have to be realistic and flexible.  So sometimes, the running part gets cut short because other things are more important.

    Last week update:

    My goal was 24 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of  24  miles. YAY!!
    I played tennis once  and did Yoga once.
    This was Week #9 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  3 weeks to go!

    Goals for this week:

    This week’s schedule:

    Mon – dentist
    Wed – yoga
    Thurs – meet bf at the mall
    Fri –  OFF from Work, mah jongg

    This week’s running:

    Tues – 4 miles after work
    Wed – 3  miles after work
    Fri – 12  miles
    Sun –  Delmar Dash 5 mile race 

     
    Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles 
    April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

    Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

    Happy Running!

    by

    The Happy Runner’s Virtual Half Marathon

    In honor of Amanda, Suzy, Felice, Janis & Bridget’s Half Marathon race in Queens, NY yesterday, I completed this virtual one.  Yesterday, I ran 2.1 miles. It was sunny and windy.  I was hoping that today would be calmer and beside I had plans.

    I spent the afternoon with my mentee, Amanda and her 4 yr old son, Richard (She is having another boy on Aug 20.). First we went to the park to see the ducks, geese and goldfish but it was too windy to play on the playground.  Instead we went to the mall where they were having their annual  “Journey Through the Body” activities for kids.

    After playing in the mall playground, we ended by having ice cream.  We shivered but it was worth it.

    Today was my scheduled long run of 11 miles. It was sunny again but even windier than yesterday.

    flag blowing in the wind

    I overdressed because it was so breezy with gloves & a windbreaker.

    before my run

    with Slater, one of my cats

    This was a run of firsts:

    • wearing my new Spi Belt (to carry water & GU)
    • wearing Reebok sneakers (that I got for free last summer)
    • a new route  – down the bypass, past the high school, down Delaware Ave, to the golf course and back)

    The wind was brutal at first since I was running into it and it was hard to move forward.  After 3 miles, it got better since I turned right but then I got very WARM.  I stopped to take off the jacket & gloves.  Even my legs were warm – I wish I had worn  shorts or capris.

    Interesting sightings:

    • a hawk (2 men pointed it out)
    • a hearse
    • someone running around the HS track (Tempted? Nope)
    • 2 runners (wearing the Albany Last Run orange jacket)
    • several joggers (could be runners)
    • several bikers
    • boys playing baseball

    Around 7 miles into the run, I got tired.  My legs felt like lead.  I started to slow down.  I took walk breaks…this is always when I start to doubt my ability to run a half marathon. I took another Gu but it didn’t help.

    I did finish strong.  But it wasn’t a very good run.

    Done!

    Positives – I love this new running route.  I will take it again for the next and last long run – 12 miles (YIKES!!) The spi belt didn’t move around though if you put a lot in, you feel pregnant.  I guess if looks better than bulging pockets. The front sides of my feet (where they always hurt) didn’t hurt at all with these cheap Reeboks(???)

    So here’s the stats on my virtual (2 day) Half Marathon:

    2.1 – 19.37
    11 – 2:07:40
    13.1 – 2:27:17

    I still burned a lot of calories so my hubby took me to get this:

    Coffee & Cream

    at the Jericho Drive-in which incidentally is only 3.1 miles from my house… (I see a 10k run in my future!!)

    By the way, Suzy, Amanda, Felice, Bridget and Janis all ROCKED their Half Marathon in Queens yesterday 🙂


    Bridget, Felice, Amanda, Suzy, Janis

    Happy Running!

    by

    How to get Motivated for a Half Marathon?

    How do I get motivated? 3 weeks to go!!

     Most people just go out and run more often or run longer.

    Not me! I get pysched by planning my running outfit!

    first half marathon outfit

    That was my first skirt and I loved racing in it. I liked the pockets to carry my phone, camera, gu but my hubby said it made my hips look HUGE!  I will wear my ASICS shoes again and the Compression Socks! Why ruin a good thing?

    So here’s what I have:

    running skirt

    shirt if it's warm

    shirt if it's cool

    a black Spi Belt (to carry my phone, camera, gu)
    and a black baseball cap or visor.

    What do you think?

    Oh and the hair thing:

    before

    After

    Happy Running!

    by

    April’s Fools Day and My Hair

    april_fools_day

    It’s no joke !  It is SNOWING today!!!!!!!!!!! (Not as much as they predicted and will probably melt quickly.)

    Today luckily is my scheduled rest day!  I plan to run 11 miles either Sat or Sun.  Whenever the snow melts…

    Two wins for me today:

    Subject: My Run headband winner
    “I feel good when I’m done.” I could have have said it any better. 🙂
    Was inspired by your post to the thread, and I would like to send you a free My Run official headband. I sew and silkscreen moisture wicking headbands with inspirational sayings. Started this business over a year ago- originally because I sweat so much during my long runs. 🙂

    I also won on the Virtual Cupcake Marathon – a case of:

    I had originally planned to go see “My Run” last night but I didn’t feel like going alone and they had predicted a snowstorm (I ran on the treadmill at work instead and then caught up on some Tivo at home.)

    Tonite I am getting my hair cut. My hubby says to cut it !! But I’m all about convenience (running, tennis, yoga…).

    Two Braids for Running

    One Braid for Tennis

    Ponytail for Swimming

    Straight orWavy

    If I let it grow even longer…There’s always the Lady Gaga
    or the Witch “look”

    So what should I do?????

    I’ll let you know tomorrow what I decide to do…

    Afterwards I am playing Mah Jongg with…

    my New 2011 Card2011 League Official Mah Jongg Card

    Hope this card is a lucky one!!

    Happy Running! Happy April’s Fools Day! Good Luck to the weekend racers!!!!

    by

    Good-Bye March!

    I can definitely say that I am not sad to see March go.  It was a cold month!!  We had snow and wind… only a few nice days that I can remember.

    Here’s a Recap:

    My Goals for March were :

    • 70 miles (combo of outside & treadmill – hopefully more outside) – SUCCESS –  I ran 90.5 miles (mostly outside)
    • 4 mi race PR (faster than 40:11)  – SUCCESS – 4 miles in 38:02!!
    • a 5k race with under 10 min/mi pace (PR not necessary while training for another HM) – SUCCESS –  5k race in 29:22!! 9:27 pace!!
    • Follow Half Marathon training schedule – SUCCESS – a little more than 3 weeks to go!! 11 mile run scheduled for this weekend.

    Other March activities:

    • Several virtual races – 5k, 7k, 13k, 26.2
    • played 2 USTA tennis matches and lost 😦
    • went to yoga class 3 x – love my Wed eve class!!
    • attended FleetFeet’s Good Form Running Clinic (posture, mid-foot, cadence, lean are hopefully embedded in my brain) 
    • Winnings= Run. magnet from a blog, Brooks makeup bag & Saucony socks from Fleetfeet, Timex ironman watch from dailymile

    My Goals for April are:

    • 80 miles  (that includes hm training, tapering and rest after)
    • a 5 mi race (my first)
    • Run my 2nd Half Marathon!!!

    Happy Running! Good Luck to my favorite “Running Mamas” on their Half Marathon on Saturday!

    by

    Wednesday Words

    “It’s the training that gets you to the starting line. It’s the pacing and energy management that gets you to the finish line.” – Kenneth Harkless

    So true!

    As I struggle with the weather and time commitments, I know that I must train if I want to run another half marathon. I also know that my training runs are always my worst runs.  I can’t run fast.  I can’t run without stopping. But somehow when I get to the start line of a race, I can run at a decent consistent pace and I can run without stopping.  It is this enthusiam that will get me to the finish line of my next race (first 5 miler) and my 2nd half marathon.

    Yesterday, I struggled with the wind and my weariness and ran a slow 4 miles.  At least, I had negative split times.  Before yoga, I plan to do the same today (It’s supposed to be warmer & less windy).  Then hopefully again tomorrow before our forecasted snowstorm.  Yes, I said snowstorm!!!!!!!!

    Happy Running and Happy Training!

    by

    Two for Tuesday

    1. This is good news – Put Those Shoes On: Running Won’t Kill Your Knees by Patti Neighmond – here are some excerpts from the article:

    Yes, it’s true: Jogging, long thought to hurt knees with all that pounding and rattling around, may actually be beneficial for the complex and critical joint.

    We know from many long-term studies that running doesn’t appear to cause much damage to the knees.

    We wanted to answer the important question of whether, if you continued to run into your 50s and 60s and even 70s, you also ran the risk of damaging the knees,” she says. The answer, she says: absolutely not.

    So, the message for joggers … who hope to be jogging all their lives, is a hearty two thumbs up.

    2. Spring is NOT here yet.  It is still cold, windy and even snow predicted for Friday.

    When can I put away the winter running clothes??

    Happy Running!

    by

    Brain Exchange #31 and the Last Week of March

      

    Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

    This Week’s Topic:  Race Reports

    This Week’s Question: Do you enjoy writing your race reports?  Do you use them later for reference?

    Yes, Yes!!! I’m getting better at it too. I’m adding more details and photos so they will be more helpful if I run the same race again.   They help me reflect on the experience and if it was a good one, prolong the endorphins 🙂

    Yes, I read the past ones and use them to see what my time was, if the course was hilly and if it was crowded, etc. It even helps me decide if I want to run that race again.

    Last week update:

    My goal was 21 miles and I ran 5 times for a total of  18.5  miles.
    I ran a 5K race. (finished under 30 min)
    I played tennis 3x  and did Yoga once.
    This was Week #8 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  4 weeks to go!

    Goals for this week:

    This week’s schedule:

    Mon – tennis after work
    Wed – yoga
    Thurs – movie
    Fri – hair appt & mah jongg

    This week’s running:

    Tues – 4 miles after work
    Wed – 3  miles before work
    Thurs  -4  miles after work
    Fri – 2 mi before work
    Sun –  11 miles
     
    Weekly Running Goal = 24 miles 
    March  Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race, hm training
    April Monthly Running Goal = 80 miles, a race, a Half Marathon

    Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

    Happy Running!

    by

    March Winds…

    Well, it looked like a beautiful day.  The sun was shining.  It was 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. So when I got home from my tennis match (which I lost and so did my team) and brunch with the team, I headed out for my long run.

    I dressed similarly to yesterday.  But when I got out of the car to get gas,  I was freezing.  The wind was whipping and made it feel as cold as yesterday.

    Change of plans.  I went home and added a windbreaker, thermal gloves and a winter hat. Since I was at home, I decided to run in my neighborhood. (and that also meant no Starbucks reward.)

    The wind was gusting up to 30 mph and I could barely move forward.  Unfortunately, the first 3 miles of my run was into the wind and it really tired me out.  My legs were also tired from 2 hours of tennis and my 5K race yesterday.

    I  opted to play it smart and not push it.  Instead of my planned 11 miles, I ran/walked 4 miles out and ran 4 miles back. So 3 yesterday plus 8 today will be my 11 mile run.

    Next weekend is April.  Hopefully the wind will be gone and the warmer temps will be here. Only 4 weeks till my half marathon!!!

    Happy Running!