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Runnin’ of the Green Race Report and More

Another new race for me.  Not a new distance because I already ran a 4 mile race last month.  So I was hoping to have a better time.

That is the course map – but had no idea if it would be hilly or flat.  This is a very popular race.  Around 800 registered which was a record.

The forecast was: Cloudy periods with scattered wet snow and/or rain showers. Nothing heavy. Highs 43-48

I was hoping for an hour of dry weather. (I’m a wimp about rain!!)

It was a challenge to decide what to wear and not be over dressed. I decided to wear tights, shorts, a turtle neck under my lime green half marathon shirt and bring a green sweatshirt, hat, gloves, just in case.

 I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early.  I got a spot in the closest lot and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into several runners that I knew.

I took some pics before the race and didn’t have a pocket to carry my camera during the race.

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery.  Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was damp and cloudy.  I decided to wear my green sweatshirt, cap & gloves  for the race.  I was fine – just a little warm toward the end.

The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat.  I thought that I would not race since I had planned to run 10 miles today.  But as soon as the race started, I wanted to do well. I also wanted to do better than my last and 1st 4 mile race.  So I just ran!!!

When you finished, there was a screen with the LIVE results – mine said: 37:56.

My splits according to my Garmin were:

mile 1 9:06
mile 2 9:46
mile 3 9:40
mile 4 9:24

I got nervous after the 1st mile than I would run out of gas so I slowed down.  Then I wanted to PR so I sped up during the last mile.

My Garmin time was 37:56 but the clock time was 38:02.  I’ll take it.  It’s a PR by 2 minutes 9 sec.!!

You can watch me cross the finish line on video (at 2:35):

I grabbed some food and water and left to complete my long run.

I parked my car at work and ran into Albany and ran around Washington Park and through the streets for 6 more miles.

The St Patrick’s Day parade had ended and there were a lot of drunk people and people wearing funny green outfits & accessories! Pretty entertaining.

I didn’t continue at my race pace, of course. (The 6 miles were all over 11 min/mi) But it is my best long run ever.  I didn’t need to walk much.  I think the 4 mile race was just what I needed.

Last week I ran 9 miles in 1:54.  Today I ran 10 miles in 1:45!!

To celebrate, I stopped at Starbucks.  A cocoa cappuccino and a tiramisu cake pop – YUM YUM!!!

On the way home, I stopped to watch my USTA tennis team play its first match of the season.  We lost 3-2 (in a tie breaker). I play next Sunday.

Now it’s time to spend time with the hubby – restaurant and maybe a movie.

Happy Running!

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Yak Trax Review and Giveaway

It hasn’t been the snowiest winter on record but it has been the snowiest of my running career. (I’ve been running for 3 years but this is the first winter I’ve attempted to run outdoors.)

This is what the website says about Yak Trax Pro:

Features:

  • Easy On/Off
  • Walk Naturally
  • Spikeless/Ultralight
  • Helps reduce the Risk of Falls & Injuries

Yaktrax have a unique, spikeless, patented coil design, unlike other products on the market.

The Yaktrax Pro will instantly give you better traction, confidence and safety on packed snow or ice. Move about naturally with the same solid grip that you are accustomerd to on dry surfaces. Walk or run as you normally would and experience stability on ice and snow like you have never felt before.

Made with high strength, abrasion resistant 1.4mm steel coils and heavy duty natural rubber material, the Yaktrax Pro easily conforms to the shape of your boot or shoe. With its patented SkidLock coil design, the Yaktrax Pro provides 360 degrees of traction on packed snow and ice and can be worn in temperatures as low as -41° Fahrenheit.

We’ve recently had a lot of ice and snow where I live. The streets are clear but behind my house is the “water line” which is a trail for walking. running & snowmobiling.  Perfect for testing the Yak Trax!!

I had a little difficulty getting them on but if I read the directions, I wouldn’t have.

I expected them to feel clunky but they didn’t at all.  I quickly ran just as normally as without them. The best part was that I was able to run through the snow, slush and ice and I didn’t slip and fall!!!

So if you hate the treadmill but are afraid to run on the slippery roads, Yak Trax are for you!!!

Spring should be here soon!! But I will be using Yak Trax Pros next winter.

Note: I was sent these  free of charge to review. However, the opinion is solely mine.

To win  a pair of Yak Trax Pro (S), here’s what to do:

Mandatory-

  • Subscribe by Email or Follow the Feed to my My First 5K  Blog (+1 comment)
  • Tell me why you want to win this giveaway. (+1 comment)

Extra Credit –

  • Like  My First 5K in FaceBook (+1 comment)
  • List my blog on your Blogroll (+1 comment)
  • Share this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or FaceBook (+1 comment for each)

Deadline is March 20, 2011. The winner will be announced on March 21, 2011. 

Happy Running! Good Luck!

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Just Felt Like Running Virtual 5k

I signed up for Detroit Runner’s Virtual 5k which was supposed to be run on Saturday, March 5.  Saturday I did my long run and then Monday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill.

So yesterday I ran my 5K race.

I was tired of the treadmill at the gym so I braved the 14 degree temps at 7 am in the morning. I dressed in my usual winter layers and hoped that the roads wouldn’t be too icy.

They weren’t  – just here and there you had to slow down and walk over the icy patches.

Ever since October when I started training for my first half marathon, my pace has slowed to a crawl – sometimes over 12 min/mile. Always over 11 min.  That’s OK for long runs but not for a 5K.

Even when I was training for 5ks, my runs were slower than my actual race pace. I can’t seem to motivate myself to not stop when I get tired. In a race, I can push myself because I am very competitive.

So on this cold morning, with teary eyes and runny nose, I finished at 32:19. Not even close to my 27:20 PR but under 11 min/mi is a good run for me these days.  (The last mile was 10:15)

Today it was raining!! I stayed after work and used the treadmill.  For the first time!! Yes, we have 2 treadmills at work.  They are on the stage in the gym.  Lucky the curtain is closed.  It is dark and there are no TVS and no people.  Kinda creepy.  I watched an episode on “The Good Wife” on my iPod and ran my usual SLOOOOOW 3 miles.

Tomorrow is a REST DAY!  I have a race on Saturday — Runnin of the Green – 4 miles. A new race for me!! I’m excited!

Happy Running!

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TENNIS … running or RUNNING … tennis

Life before running was tennis tennis tennis and more tennis.  I played almost everyday.  I played on at least 4 teams.  My friends were mostly tennis players.

USTA 2.5 team 2002

USTA 3.0 team 2010

In 2008, 2 of my tennis friends introduced me to running through the No Boundaries program.  Ever since, I’m been obsessed with running.

Slowly, my tennis time has decreased and my running time increased.

Now I play tennis only once or twice a week.  I play on one team.

I run 4 time a week.  I run in at least 15 races per year.  I have even run  a Half Marathon. When I go into a sports store, I leave with running clothes and running shoes instead of tennis clothes.  I now have running friends. 

I don’t keep up my tennis blog but post almost daily in this blog.

So tonite was the kick off dinner for the USTA season.  I sat with all my friends and they talked about the upcoming season & how we hope to win it all.

Me?  I thought about my run tomorrow morning and my next half marathon.

Happy Running!  Anyone conflicted about running?

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Snow Day (Again)

The only thing good about snow days if that I can sleep in and then go to the gym later.  That is what I did yesterday on my surprise snow day.

My hubby drove me, waited while I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and then we went out to breakfast.

Eventually the sun came out and started melting things but left the ice hanging from all the trees. 

This morning I had planned to run a quick 3 miles on the slushy roads before work but I couldn’t get out of bed!!!! Tennis tonite…tomorrow I am gonna run!!!!!

Still hoping for an early spring!!

Happy Running!

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Brain Exchange #29 & Monday Goals

 

Finishing is Winning‘s Brain Exchange:

This Week’s Topic: Music Montage

This Week’s Question: If you had a soundtrack for your training and racing, what songs would appear on it?  

  1. I Run for Life – Melissa Etheridge
  2. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
  3. Running on Empty – Jackson Brown
  4. Stronger – Britney Spears
  5. Don’t Stop – Rolling Stones
  6. Don’t Stop Believin – Journey
  7. Strong Enough – Cher
  8. Just Dance – Lady GaGa
  9. Harder to Breathe – Maroon 5
  10. Runnin Down a Dream – Tom Petty
  11. I Gotta Feeling – Black-Eyed Peas
  12. Help – The Beatles
  13. How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox 20

and many more…
 

Goals for this week:

Last week update:

 My goal was 20 miles and I ran 4 times for a total of 19 miles.
I played tennis twice and did yoga once.

This was Week #5 of my 2nd Half Marathon training.  7 weeks to go! (Although I haven’t registered yet.)

This week’s schedule:

Tues – tennis after work
Wed – USTA dinner
Fri – mah jongg

This week’s running:

Tues – 3.5  miles before work
Wed– 3.5  miles before work
Thurs – 4  miles after work
Sat  –  4  mile Race (my 2nd ever)
Sun – 6 miles

 
Weekly Running Goal = 21 miles 
March  Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race, hm training

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Sunday is not Sun Day

I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve seen this show but Saturday night my hubby & I enjoyed it as much as the first time.

My running schedule called for a long run on today but the weather forecast was 90% chance of heavy rain.

So although I went to bed late, had several glasses of wine while playing Mah Jongg Friday evening, I decided I’d better do my 9 mile run on Saturday.

I’m not going to beat myself up too badly but it was probably my worst run ever!! It was windy, humid and threatening rain.  I felt like quitting after 2 miles.  Nothing hurt.  I just couldn’t get going.  I walked A LOT!  I willed myself to finish the 9 miles and actually my last mile was the fastest.

I’m glad I did it.  It is cloudy and drizzling now.  Plans for this rainy day include:  laundry, cleaning, nails, grocery shopping  and helping a friend set up her new computer.

Happy Running!

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Foto Friday

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I don’t know how he gets up there.  I know my hubby secretly lets him in the bedroom or bathroom window (as well as one other cat).  I am trying to train him to get down by himself.  And he did! Who knows how?? ( I have 5 cats but only 2 climb on the roof when they want to come in.)

This morning was also another treadmill day – 3 miles and one episode of  “The Good Wife.”

Tonight is Mah Jongg nite!! I won 4 times last time and I’m still resting on my laurels!

Happy Running!

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Three Things Thursday

  1. I hate the cold.
  2. I hate the ice.
  3. I hate the wind.

Now that that’s clear.  I need to decide if I am running the half on Apr 23, sign up and increase my weekly mileage.

Monday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but played tennis after work. No miles!
Tuesday, I ran 3 miles outside before work dancing over the ice patches and played tennis after work.
Wednesday, I didn’t feel like getting up early but planned to run after work.

BUT I couldn’t move forward, the wind was so strong.  I went to yoga instead. No miles!

The yoga class was GREAT!! I felt so good afterwards but when I back out to my car (parked by the curb on a 4 lane street), someone had knocked the side mirror off my car!!!! My hubby took it for an estimate – almost $600 to fix.  Ouch!

Today when I got up, it was -4 with the wind chill and there was a light coating of snow on the ground.  Off to the gym I went to run 4 miles on the treadmill.

To make matters worse, they predict rain for  the weekend (My long run of 9 miles is scheduled!!) I think I’d rather be cold than wet for hours 😦  HELP!!

Happy Running!

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My Run, the Terry Hitchcock Story

Fathom Events is hosting another nationwide one-night event on Thursday, March 31st. Sponsored by Active.com, it is the showing of the award winning documentary, My Run.  It features Terry Hitchcock, a 57 year old man who ran 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days in an effort to increase awareness of the challenges of single parents after he became one himself when his wife lost her battle with breast cancer. Tickets are on sale now with a portion of  proceeds benefiting the Livestrong Foundation. More details can be found here.

It is playing in Albany, NY! I hope to attend!

Here’s the promo:

Happy Running! Bring on Spring, please!